Lt Jovenan – My people and my family
Jovenan
((Paris, Earth))
Adea: I think there are newborn babes more judgemental than I. ::they turned into the Rue de l’Arcade:: So, have you met this ::he conjured the name from his memory:: Grombria before?
Genkos’ joviality was a welcome addition to Jovenan’s efforts to calm herself down. Walking down the street in the central Paris, steadily approaching the very heart of the political life in the entire Federation, anything that could help her get her mind out of the incoming meeting was appreciated. At least she would know that no matter how much the Edo representative to the Federation Council may judge her, Genkos would not abandon her. It was something.
Jovenan: ::shrugs:: I’ve never met the Councillor before. I haven’t been following news from Rubicun in ages. There’s hardly any news to begin with. People tend to stick to their own communities.
Adea: Indeed.
After a short walk, they crossed a wide boulevard and passed what looked like an Ancient Greek or Roman temple. Jovenan had taken a human history course in the University, but art history was still a largely unexplored frontier for her. She hoped that the next time she visited Paris or other similarly historic city on Earth, she might have someone to guide her with all the little details she kept seeing.
Circling La Madeleine, Jovenan inspected the signs to verify they had the correct street – somewhat needlessly, because she could see the Palais towering at the other end of the short Rue Royale. Seeing the hundreds of people walk around, visiting the luxurious boutiques, going to work or taking holo-images of the sights, it appeared as if nothing had happened in the orbit. It was a curious feeling standing there, knowing how different it would have been had they failed, but it was not the first time she had felt something like that.
Jovenan: To think of how close all this was to being destroyed. ::quietly:: A bit like in Ki Baratan.
Adea: It doesn’t bear thinking of, Jovenan.
Jovenan: ::sigh:: You’re right. Let’s go.
They continued their journey, walking down the street to the large building rising above the much older surroundings. Place de la Concorde, originally a symbol of opulence of the King, had served as a place of execution (how relatable) by guillotine mere decades after it had been built. It had hosted some big sporting events in the early 21st century, the signing of the Earth Unification Treaty in the 22nd century, and now it was the site of the Palais de la Concorde, the seat of government of the entire Federation. A Betazoid and an Edo walking up the stairs didn’t account even for a footnote in the history of the place, but Jovenan could still feel the personal importance of the occasion, which didn’t help her nervousness.
They got through the security easily, but then again, Jovenan didn’t know how much the security had done behind scenes to verify that they were safe to allow an audience, nor how many scans had been taken of them. Either way, it had proven to her that she had been needlessly anxious about this part of the visit. Moving further in, Jovenan found it confusing that the floors were numbered in the reverse order compared to ships, but luckily, they had staff to show them to an upper floor office.
Adea: Well this is pretty impressive.
Nodding, Jovenan looked around the Councillor’s office. She had only relatively recently received her own office aboard the Artemis, as the new Chief Science Officer, and it had taken her time to fully appreciate that the entire room had been given to her use. Even her own quarters had felt larger than needed and empty when lived in alone. This office was even larger than those, and featured a view outside, over the trees of the Jardins des Champs-Élysées. While not opulent, it was more luxurious than any other office she had been before.
Jovenan: It sure is.
Before she could analyse further, the door at the other end of the room opened, permitting a person Jovenan could easily identify as an Edo. She had a slight, shy smile on her face as the Councillor walked towards them and grasped Genkos’ hand. After so many years, he was the second other member of her own species she met, and the very first one that didn’t bear her own face. She hoped this meeting wouldn’t remind her of why she had left.
Grombria: You - you must be Commander Adea. ::he pointed to himself:: Councillor Grombira. ::he turned to Jovenan:: And this… this must be our esteemed Jovenan. ::he let out a laugh:: Not what you were expecting, eh? They put me here because of my “excessive personality” - I don’t think any of our people wanted to deal with me ::another laugh:: So, what can I get you?
Genkos shot her a look, full of confusion. For a split second, she allowed an apologetic expression on her face. Maybe she should have warned him beforehand that some of her people were a bit much to take, and by the looks of it, the Councillor was even more so. Despite all her quirks and convictions, she was hardly a typical Edo, while the Councillor seemed to better fit the stereotype and then some. At least there hadn’t been any hugs, yet.
Adea: Um, just a tea please.
Jovenan: I’d like tea as well.
Grombria/Adea: Response
Receiving their teas, Jovenan took seat by one of the armchairs indicated by the Councillor. She had asked Genkos with her for support, but so far, she was hoping the Councillor’s flashy personality wasn’t disturbing too much.
Jovenan: Thank you for the invite. It’s an honour to meet you… sir.
Saying that felt awkward to her. She didn’t know exactly which cultural codes to follow, whether to go with the very casual familiarity of the Edo, the hierarchical respect of Starfleet or the diplomatic politeness associated with the Federation Council. Either way, she probably failed to follow any of them.
Grombria/Adea: Response
Jovenan: Oh, um. I’ve been with this crew for almost two years now, first on the Excalibur and now on the Artemis. I was born in Ramakis, in Somian, but I moved out of God’s Claims as soon as I got permission to leave, and I haven’t been there for six years I believe. ::quick glance at Genkos and then back:: They are my community now. Something of a family, I guess.
She tried to keep her brave face and a smile on. After some of the recent events, both professional and personal, it had become increasingly difficult to say it. Something of a family, in good and bad, maybe.
Grombria/Adea: Response
TAG/TBC
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Lieutenant Jovenan
Chief Science Officer
USS Artemis-A
E239911J11