JP - Lieutenant JG Madison Marsh, Lt Jg Karen Trisha Stendhal, Commander Alora DeVeau, & Envoy Keehani Ukinix - Viva Las Betazegas Part III
Madison Marsh
Karen’s expression showed a mix of surprise and interest.
Stendhal: That’s fascinating. It must be quite the experience to work so closely with different cultures and political entities. Diplomacy is an art in itself.
DeVeau: Did you ever see yourself working with Starfleet like this? All the way out in the Delta Quadrant, working under a Betazoid ambassador alongside your cousin?
Keehani smiled and chuckled a little, shaking her head.
Keehani: Alora,four years ago I was being investigated for that dreadful psionic terrorist attack on the Tholta building in Rixx, so no I didn’t. Wil and I weren’t exactly close, it was only through his grandfather that I found out about his posting, and I approached Ambassador Vataix for a position. ::Shrug:: And here I am! Well, not here, the Delta Quadrant of course.
Madison did not know a lot about the Amity as Keehani was the first person that she had met who was associated with the outpost. She listened to Keehani talk about herself and found it also interesting that she was not technically a part of Starfleet either. Her being in the field of diplomacy was likely quite intriguing.
Marsh: I’m sure the diplomatic work keeps you quite occupied. It seems like an intriguing occupation. I personally enjoy meeting others from outside of my own career field, because it can be quite a learning opportunity.
With a thoughtful nod, Karen added.
Stendhal: I believe it's an excellent choice. Ambassadors play a crucial role in establishing first contact with alien species and mediating between warring factions or nations on the brink of conflict.
How different her own life was compared to what she thought it would be. As soon as she had made the decision to work toward Starfleet at the tender age of ten, Alora had known where she was going and why. But now? Now she found herself in a position she never expected, with responsibilities she had never imagined she would have.
DeVeau: Sometimes it’s funny how life works things out.
Keehani: Everyone has their own path, of course.
She thought about her own family. How her mother had been ruthlessly denied her effective Matriarchy, causing her to hide it for all those years - but ended up as the rightful head of the ninth House again. How her cousin Wil had wanted to be in Starfleet since he was through, to follow in his mother’s footsteps, and was now a Commander and First Officer. How Wil’s father, Vaxa’s brother, had been stripped of his noble title in his twenties - only for it to be reinstated again, through Keehani’s legal action in the Reconciliation Forums of Betazed - ironically, the same very venue that was the target of the psionic terrorist attack years earlier.
Keehani: But now that I’ve told the short version of my career story, you all now have to tell me yours. ::Slight smile:: No secrets on Betazed, remember. ::playful wink::
Alora chuckled softly and nodded. No secrets on Betazed. She knew that wasn’t exactly true, but as a whole, Betazoids were far more open than other civilisations due to the very nature of their telepathy. Once they became a couple, Kalin had opened up completely to her, and she to him. However, she had yet to find anyone else she could be like that with - nor was she looking. She wasn’t sure she could ever be with another person after Kalin. She was capable, she just couldn’t imagine it, and though she had a sense of closure, his loss still pained her.
And she still fell into that trap of letting her thoughts meander back to such matters when she should be looking to connect with those around her. Subtly, Alora inhaled and let out a slow breath.
DeVeau: My life was supposed to be a career in Starfleet. A Betazoid house had never been in the plans originally.
And now? Well…
Alora’s life was ‘supposed’ to be a career in Starfleet. Madison may follow up on that later on in private. She began to wonder why Alora did not plan to have a Betazoid house. Perhaps it was partially because everyone was unique and had different life goals. Either way, she was up to provide her own brief career synopsis.
Marsh: I serve as the Assistant Chief Medical Officer on Starbase 118 and aboard the Narendra. After years of training to be a Medical Doctor, it’s nice to finally have the ability to make meaningful contributions to my field as a whole. I look forward to seeing where this life path I’m on takes me next. I’ll keep all of you updated along the way.
Keehani smiled and nodded. It was nice to get to know a Starfleet officer that served somewhere outside Amity outpost.
Keehani: And I vow, to all of you, to do the same.
Stendhal: Speaking of careers, well, I've been around the block. I started as a counselor on the USS Colombia, then briefly served as a medical officer on Starbase 118 before returning to counseling. I guess you could say I'm a bit of a Betazoid counselor cliché, huh?
DeVeau: But now, we’re here. We’ve come this far.
It wasn’t without sorrows. More tears had been shed over the last four years than she had done in her entire life. She’d felt an emptiness that, though much had improved over time, still dwelt in the back of her mind, though it had shifted and changed, even as time had come on. Nothing got easier. She just adapted. They all had.
Alora turned her gaze to all of them, but it was Madison who was more on her mind than the others. She was just starting out. After less than a year out of the Academy, she had reached Lieutenant Junior Grade. It was only up from there, wasn’t it? At one time, Alora would have said yes. She hoped it would remain yes. She hoped Maddie never had to endure the sorrows that she had. She hoped the same for Keehani and Karen. She hoped for more for the future for all of them.
DeVeau: I suppose we shouldn’t forget the past, but neither should we dwell on it, huh?
She offered a rueful smile to the women gathered around the table with her.
Madison mirrored Alora’s smile to show her agreement, empathy, understanding, and unity with her friend. Like with Karen, Madison saw Alora as an older sister, mentor, and friend. Alora always provided Madison with meaningful advice and support as she navigated through Starfleet in the dawn of her career.
Marsh: The past will only hold a person back if they allow it. I lean towards closing the book on my past hardships and beginning a new novel full of adventure.
Keehani looked down for a moment. Her family’s “past” was interesting to say the least. She was determined to correct those errors, that reputation that came with the name - despite the wishes of some of the other Betazoid houses to keep it alive.
Keehani: Learn from the past, improve for the future.
Karen nodded thoughtfully.
Stendhal: The past is a canvas of our experiences, and while it shapes us, it doesn’t define our future. We paint new strokes every day.
DeVeau: I propose another toast.
Alora lifted her glass, still half full. In the dimness of the area, the liquid somehow reflected what little light shone down upon them.
DeVeau: A toast to the future. May it ever be bright.
Madison raised her glass in response to Alora’s toast. She extended it outwards to clank her glass with her friends old and new. It was always healthy to be in community with others that were supportive and good company overall.
Keehani did the same, and giggled a little when part of the liquid almost spilled out of the glass.
Marsh: To the future.
Keehani: To tonight!
Karen grinned wide enough to show off her wisdom teeth and raised her glass.
Stendhal: Here's to the chapters we haven't written yet, may they be juicier than a Romulan space slug and filled with more laughter than a Ferengi bar fight! Cheers to joy, growth, and making memories that'll make even the most stoic Vulcan crack a smile.
Although Alora had a virgin drink, she could not deny the warmth that grew within her as she took a sip. It wasn’t the warmth of alcohol, the tinge of a buzz, no. It was the knowledge that despite everything, she still had people in her life. Old friends. New friends. There was a future, not only for her, but for the child she carried, and she was fortunate to have such wonderful people as a part of her journey.
Madison retracted her glass and raised it to her lips as she took a sip of her drink. She then set the glass back down on the table. Her eyes shifted between her friends observing their mannerisms and drinks for a moment. She wondered what was next on their agenda that evening and sought feedback.
Marsh: So are we going to get our dance on? I can feel the rhythm of the music calling our names.
A *big* smile came across Keehani’s face. Memories came back from her university days, she knew just the place…
Keehani: There’s always “Doe-A-Deer” around the corner. Strange name, I wonder what it means.
Alora laughed and finished off her drink before she set the glass aside. Keehani didn’t know, but she did. Pushing herself to her feet, she smiled fondly at the Betazoid then motioned toward the door.
DeVeau: I may be pregnant, but that doesn’t mean I can’t dance.
Karen chuckled, standing up as well.
Stendhal: Dancing is a celebration of life, and I can’t think of a better reason to celebrate than being here with all of you.
I'm not exactly a dancing queen, so this should be an absolute riot!
DeVeau: Please, lead the way.
Kehhan quickly finished her bloodwine laced cocktail, then gave a quick shiver at the drink's strength.
Keehani: Oof. Qapla I guess. Let's go.
Madison downed the remainder of her drink and felt pure satisfaction with it overall. She set her glass down and rose to her feet. Madison chuckled and pointed at Keehani in response to the Klingon term.
Marsh: Qapla Keehani! Lead the way to some more good times.
Karen finished her Risian Sunset and got up, swaying slightly. That cocktail was definitely a strong experience, or she didn't handle alcohol very well, or both.
Stendhal: Let's go! Forward! Second star to the right and straight on 'til morning!
Oh and if you think that my voicing is changing, it is probably the alcohol's voice!
She exclaimed a little tipsy.
As Keehani took up point, Alora lingered in the rear with a small smile flitting over her lips. Things hadn’t been easy. Things would remain difficult. But for tonight, she would try to focus on what joy she could find in the company of friends. Tomorrow was another day, the sun would shine again, and she would be there to greet it.
After pushing her chair in, Madison trailed behind Keehani while Karen and Alora followed her on to the evening’s next event. The night was still quite young and there was a lot of fun that had yet to be had. Overall she was grateful for such wonderful company and would definitely welcome additional excursions in the near future.
*******
Lieutenant JG Madison Marsh
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
Starbase 118 Ops
ID: O240006MM1
&
Lt Jg Karen Trisha Stendhal
Counselor
USS Octavia E Butler
ID: C239604KS0
&
Commander Alora DeVeau
Chief Science Officer &
Second Officer
Denali Station
&
Matriarch of the 15th House
Betazed
M239008AD0
&
Envoy Keehani Ukinix
Chief of Staff, Amity Outpost
Federation Diplomatic Corps, United Federation of Planets
V239511WU0
--
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
Starbase 118 Ops
ID: O240006MM1
