Soria Deyor - A Hebitian's Habit (Part II of II)
Lyara Alroyo
(( Soria’s Apartment, San Francisco, Earth ))
(( A couple hours later ))
Soria sat in front of the video screen nervously as she adjusted the nice dress she put on just for a call with her parents. It was a traditional Cardassian dress they had gifted her for her birthday the year before and she knew they’d ask why she wasn’t wearing it if she didn’t. If she was honest she liked the dress, she just didn’t like her parents intent of gifting her Cardassian clothing and objects to convince her to stay home. The things they gave her did work in making her homesick, but also built a resentment towards her culture as it was used as a bargaining tool against her.
Her thoughts were interrupted as the video screen rang and she jumped at the sound. It was her parents, right on time as usual. She accepted the call and immediately sat up in a prim and proper position as her mother and father appeared on the screen. Her father, Caros, was a very tall and lanky man. But one would be a fool for thinking he was weak, as for what he lacked in physical power he made up for in economic and mental. And her mother, Kejea, a short and meek Cardassian woman who ran the household like it was a Cardassian Military ship.
Caros: Good evening Soria. It is a pleasure to talk now that your exams are nearly over.
Kejea: I hope that you were able to score at the top of your class. You have more competition since you are significantly… older than your peers.
Soria nodded and bit her tongue before she said anything back to her mother. It was typical of her to compare her to others. She never figured out why she did that, maybe it was motivation for Soria. Or a way to make her realize that she was in fact better than the others. It did not matter what her intent was, all it did was make her feel terrible.
Deyor: Do not worry Mother. I got second place.
Kejea: Why not first?
Her mother raised a suspicious eyebrow as she glared at Soria. She tried not to flinch as she formulated a response to her mother.
Deyor: The top of the class is an exchange student from Vulcan. She is one of the smartest people I know and a dear friend.
Kejea’s eyebrow lowered and her face turned into a scowl at the mention of a Vulcan beating her child.
Kejea: A Vulcan? Beating a Cardassian? They may be logical but their intellect is no match for a Cardassian. Especially my own chi-
Caros cut off his wife and offered a softer tone towards Soria.
Caros: I’m sure our daughter did her best. Vulcans are often known for their underhanded ways, they are related to the Romulans. Isn’t that right dear?
He leaned towards the camera as if trying to mentally nudge Soria to agree with him. All she did was smile and nod in response to confirm that at least her mother was in the wrong.
Caros: But tests aside, how are your future prospects towards a residency? I put your name in at the best hospital in the capital.
Deyor: I’ve been looking over my options, sir. I haven’t decided on any specific one but I have submitted an application.
She immediately tightened up as she realized she had already let slip that she applied for a position. Now she’d have to tell them their daughter wanted to work for Starfleet more than she wanted to work for a Cardassian installation.
Caros seemed to notice her sudden lock up and tilted his head in curiosity as he stepped closer to the camera.
Caros: Do tell?
Soria took a deep breath and prepared for the worst mentally. At worst, they’d disown her and at best, they’d lecture her for hours and not call for months then blame her for not reaching out.
Deyor: A very respectable Federation installation.
Kejea let out a sudden exclamation as she clutched her chest and stood up. She walked close to the camera and spoke with a stern tone as if lecturing a child.
Kejea: You applied for a Federation job before considering your home? After years of working for our culture you abandon us?
Soria stood up from her chair defiantly and retorted back.
Deyor: The culture I worked for was the ancient Hebitians. A culture us Cardassians destroyed in our conquest of resources!
Kejea and Caros both looked at their daughter in shock. She had never talked back like that before, even when she was a teenager she never talked back. Her mother moved to speak up but Caros put a hand on her shoulder to signify he’d take this one.
Caros: Soria, surely you are mistaken. You know that’s our culture, the government selected you to help us as a people revive that culture.
Soria scoffed as she crossed her arms. Did he seriously think that she was content dancing and singing ancient songs her people destroyed then revived because they felt bad for their countless genocides? A public relation project designed to hide their barbarism after losing terribly to the Federation and releasing multiple occupied worlds.
Deyor: Oh of course, I was so important in reviving a culture our government killed. A culture that, before I was born, was practically illegal to practice.
Caros: ::Yelling at the top of his lungs:: You’ve been brainwashed by those Federation voles! I should label you a traitor!
Soria felt her throat get scratchy as the word traitor cut at her like a knife. If she was already considered one for speaking against her culture, she’d be considered dead for what she was about to say next.
Deyor: ::Matching his volume:: Good! Because I applied for a Starfleet installation.
Her mother and father froze for a moment and just stared at her as she stared right back breathing heavily. After what felt like forever the video cut out and she was left staring at a screen with the Federation logo on it.
She felt her breath speed up until she started to hyperventilate. Soria clutched her chest as her heart beat what felt like hundreds of beats per second. She stumbled her way to the bathroom and turned on the shower as she felt herself start to sob. Before she could even get ready to go into the shower she crumpled to the ground and let it all out.
Deep down she knew her parents wouldn’t approve of her choice in career. But she never could have been prepared for her parents not having anything to say. Their looks of shock were enough to realize what was next, she wouldn’t be their daughter anymore. And one day they would hope for this all to fail and crumble beneath her so she could come crawling back and they could say “I told you so”.
As she sat on the floor she realized that once she was done crying, she’d shed no more tears for her parents. She’d get that residency, be the best damn doctor on that ship, and write a paper so good her parents would have to recognize her as a good doctor and not the dancer she once was. But for now, she’d let herself cry the tears she had wanted to cry for years yet always denied herself.
END SCENE
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Doctor Soria Deyor
Cardassian Medical Academy
D240108LA4