LtJG Jovenan – Goodbye, Jovenan
Jovenan
((Jovenan’s Quarters, Deck 3, USS Artemis))
Jovenan turned the PADD screen off. It was her own field, planetary science, yet it felt difficult to go through with. Ever since she had become the Assistant Chief Science Officer, she had questioned her own competence in that position. She had decided to try and improve herself, study material that she would have been reading – or even writing – should she have stayed in university with theoretical studies instead of the very practical profession of a Starfleet scientist.
She wanted to prove to her colleagues she hadn’t gained the position only by telling people to keep shooting torpedoes at plasma bubbles in a nebula to cause them to burst.
It wasn’t the only reason. She wanted to tire herself, to fill her mind with something else. To ward away the memories she didn’t want to have.
She wanted to avoid thinking the events of the previous mission.
Silveira: =/\= Silveira to Jovenan
Tired of studying, Jovenan was pleased to hear Vitor’s voice. They had met recently, he had been preparing Jovenan’s – the other Jovenan’s – memorial, so she suspected he might be calling her about that.
Jovenan: =/\= Jovenan here. =/\=
Silveira: =/\= Everything is set for the memorial. You can join me in the Arboretum if you wish.
As she had expected. She had prepared herself for the occasion, so it wouldn’t take her long to get there. Her expression was solemn but not quite sombre as she responded.
Jovenan: =/\= Of course. I’ll put something on, and I’ll be there in a moment. =/\=
Silveira: =/\= Very well, Sil out.
As the call ended, Jovenan put the PADD down and walked to her wardrobe. The memorial for her transuniversal sister was an Edo ritual, in essence, which would have called for an Edo romper to be used. Still, Jovenan didn’t feel too comfortable using one in front of the crew, their sensibilities and expectations of the memorial’s nature considered. Her uniform wasn’t a good fit either, after the conversation with her sister about her being in Starfleet. Instead, she chose a simple dress, one that she had occasionally used while in the University. It wasn’t fancy, but not too casual either. Something she hoped her sister might have approved.
((Arboretum, Deck 3, USS Artemis))
Jovenan had to look for the right place in the Arboretum for a short moment. Vitor had selected a spot near the edge of the Arboretum, in a part that nobody was having strolls nor picnics. There she found him, in the shadow of an oak tree.
He was wearing a set of clothes Jovenan recognized as Earth suit, something she had understood was used in many family occasions, from weddings… to funerals. He was crouched by something Jovenan couldn’t recognize until she walked closer. It was a stone, black in most parts except for the sculpted, grey figure of a tree trunk and branches on one side. The stone, the memorial for her sister, was larger than she had expected, and rather Human, but it was beautiful.
Vitor’s one hand was tracing the letters engraved to the stone. Jovenan stood silent until he realised she was with him and stood up.
Silveira: Thank you for coming.
His eyes were slightly red of crying, and there was a hint of sorrow in his smile. She tried to smile as well, and the same hint remained on her lips as well.
Jovenan: It means a lot to me, and I know it does to you as well. Thank you for organizing it all.
Vitor nodded and turned his face to the stone. Jovenan followed his sight. She could now read the text engraved on it. “Saudade”. “Jovenan”.
Silveira: I originally thought of making just a simple one. But Ensign Chevalier talked me into making a nicer piece. He did a remarkable job. ::he turned back to Nan:: I just want to say a few words.
Jovenan: It is beautiful. ::turn to Silveira:: Please.
Vitor stepped closer to the stone from besides her and took a small case from his pocket. Jovenan stood still on the grass. The shadows danced on her face as the beams of light travelled past the oak leaves in the gentle, artificial breeze.
Silveira: Nan has taught me about Edo ceremonies, something I didn’t really want to learn. I hope I understood enough of it so that you, where you might be Jo, can find the peace you deserve. ::he took a deep breath.:: Your choices saved us. Rest assured that there is no reason for you to linger on. Our lives carry on thanks to yours.
Jovenan smiled a little. It was a very respectful speech. But she also knew he wasn’t finished. She observed as he opened the small case, taking something out of it. It was a piece of jewellery, an intricate golden object shaped like a symbol for heart, for love. His last gift to her, which he hung to a sculpted branch in the stone. Jovenan could see him cry again.
Silveira: And please… Rest knowing that what we shared was beautiful. We will never truly know where our love would lead us. We never had a chance to build something from our feelings. And although I miss you more than I can express in words, I hold you in my heart for as long as I live. Be certain that more than the pain from your loss I find comfort in our love.
He kneeled and placed his hand on the engraved words. Jovenan wiped tears off of her cheek.
Silveira: Rest in peace my beloved Jo.
Jovenan stood silent for a moment, just watching. The black stone with a golden heart. The simulated blue sky around them. The forever extending dark void behind the large windows. The grieving man whom her sister loved.
Eventually, she stepped closer, next to Vitor, and placed her arm around his back and her hands to both his shoulders. She had her rules, rules of not touching offworlders so not to discomfort them, but this was a touch she hoped he would find comfort in. She looked up to the artificial sky past the oaken branches and then down to the black slab of stone. Then she spoke. Not to him, not to herself.
Jovenan: Res natekis tiatus sin, kas en jatus sis tiatalon ren. Sin karas ren, jialon.
Forgive me, for I knew not of your thoughts.
I love you.
Sister.
She didn’t say anything more. She didn’t feel like she needed to, or that any further words would change a thing. She just stayed there, stayed with Vitor, until she let him go and stepped back.
Jovenan: Thank you, Vitor. And sorry.
Silveira: Response
She tried smiling. When they had last met, she had told him about the Edo ritual of saying goodbye to a lost family member. She had told him about how they were there to let her spirit she could let go and move on. He had remembered the lecture and followed by it. But it hadn’t been the only aspect of the ritual she had taught him about. It existed also so that the family could let go and move on.
Jovenan: Will you be alright?
Silveira: Response
She once more laid her hand on his arm, leaning against his side as she looked at the headstone with her name on it.
Jovenan: I’m sure she will. And she’d want you to be too.
Silveira: Response
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Lieutenant JG Jovenan
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS Artemis-A
E239911J11