Backsim JP: Lt. Yael & Lt. Cmdr. Deveau - "Gains & Losses" (Part 1)
Amanda Nordstrom
((Starbase 118 Ops -
Alora’s Quarters))
The door hissed softly as Alora tapped it and the drawer
automatically closed at the gentle touch. Her return to Ops
had been uneventful, certainly less weighty than the
departure, though her mind still whirled with everything that
had happened. She still hadn’t quite settled into a true idea
of what it all meant. For the moment, though, not much would
change. Ryzen had, of course, remained behind. Alora would
continue to serve in Starfleet. Together, they would take
care of responsibilities, even while she was parsecs away.
Her clothes had been put away and Alora sat down upon her
bed. It still didn’t settle well with her, Enzada’s death.
She was grateful for Brenna’s assurance that she would both
delve deeply into the records, take a closer look at the
autopsy. Alora had at least a couple of other people in mind
she wanted to look at it as well, just so they could be
certain it had just been...a random case of...her
heart...stopping.
No. It wasn’t random. Something was off, Alora knew it, but
how it had been achieved, she didn’t know. Preliminary review
of the files had revealed nothing, but with access to the Ops’
computers and other eyes, maybe they could figure it out. It
was just too odd.
The comm chirped, jerking her out of her thoughts and Alora
finally lifted her voice for the first time since parting ways
with Sal.
DeVeau: =/\=Alora here.=/\=
Yael: =/\= Hey, you free? =/\=
The familiar voice brought a smile to her face.
DeVeau: =/\=Have you been stalking me? I’ve been back no more
than an hour and just put away my things.=/\=
Yael: =/\= I maaaaay or may not have set the computer to
alert me to your return. =/\=
Alora narrowed her eyes, not that it mattered since he was on
the other of a computer and couldn’t see her suspicious gaze,
feel the power of her hard, piercing stare.
DeVeau: =/\=You *are* stalking me. Do I need to call
security?=/\=
Yael: =/\= I have a surprise for you. You want it or not?
=/\=
His tone was playful, and one could nearly *hear* him smiling
through it.
Of course, her own irritation wasn’t real but merely a
facade. As soon as she heard the word ‘surprise’, Alora
immediately perked up. Oh yes, she did. She did very much.
DeVeau: =/\=I get a surprise?=/\=
Yael: ::coyly:: =/\= Why yes, you do. =/\=
DeVeau: =/\=What is it? What is it?=/\=
Yael: =/\= Your quarters? =/\=
He queried innocently, glancing about his quarters. He still
hadn’t replaced the couch or table, though most of the
fragments from his romp with Kh’reyah had been cleaned up.
Save a couple larger pieces he needed to call for a waste
transport for.
DeVeau: =/\=Come on over.=/\=
((13 Minutes Later))
Ashley strode up to her familiar quarters and his presence
automatically indicated the chime to announce his presence.
When he heard a positive response he stepped in, braced hands
clasped behind his back in that casual way he had, with as
casual a half smile on his face.
That smile made Alora even more suspicious, though not in a
serious fashion. Now she could finally make that face at him
and it actually be seen, the slitted eyes, the slightly pursed
lips, and hands upon her hips.
DeVeau: What are you up to?
Yael: How was your trip?
She’d indicated prior to her leaving that it was some
stressful family situation, but she’d been off in such a rush
he’d barely been privy to the details. And he *liked*
details, social butterfly that he was.
The smile that tickled at the edges of her lips faded along
with the playfulness. Well, it was only fair. Alora had left
in a hurry, and Ashley was kind enough to agree to take care
of Sachiko last minute. Sighing, Alora plopped down onto the
couch and motioned for Ashley to take a seat.
He took the invitation, dropping gently down next to her with
about a foot between them. Once down he leaned back and
crossed one leg over the other, draping an arm over the back
of the couch and making himself at home.
DeVeau: It was… a trip.
Yael: A trip? ::he said in a tone that would encourage her
to continue::
DeVeau: Unfortunately, it wasn’t a vacation.
Yael: You were somewhat vague about it’s purpose before
leaving. Though you mentioned it was a family affair.
He refrained from mentioning the little flames left in her
footsteps on her way out the airlock. When it came to her
deceased spouse, he knew better than to make jokes.
DeVeau: That’s...yes. It was.
A family affair, just not in the way most people expected.
Evidently, Alora was now considered part of that family thanks
to her marriage to Kalin. His death hadn’t severed ties, at
least not in Enzada’s mind.
Yael: I figured it was something out of the norm… did you
settle things, at least?
DeVeau: It’s not really something that can be settled so
quickly or easily.
Another sigh escaped and a hand rubbed back and forth across
her brow.
DeVeau: I am now officially the Matriarch of the fifteenth
house of Betazed.
His eyebrows rose in concern and curiosity in matching
amounts. This *was* out of the norm.
Yael: Good gracious… not what I expected to hear. And I
typically expect the odd from the get-go. ::pausing to take
it in:: So… inheriting the fifteenth house. But… you’re
*Human?*
The obvious question.
DeVeau: I’m human. But I was married to Kalin, a Betazoid.
He and Enzada Lumie were the last remaining members before
Kalin’s death. She passed away a few weeks ago.
Yael: That sounds… complicated.
It was complicated, wasn’t it? And yet wasn’t that how things
would have gone had they been on Earth? But they weren’t
dealing with an Earth culture, they were dealing with a
Betazoid culture, and there was no precedent for that
situation. Everyone was treading in new territory - Alora
most of all.
DeVeau: Technically, since I was Kalin’s wife and his widow, I
inherited. Enzada’s husband and children all perished in the
war. She made sure I would inherit by naming me as heir in
her will. She...also left all her personal effects to me.
So an entire family’s estate, generations of history all came
down to her, someone completely foreign. Unrelated by blood.
It still sounded so odd.
Yael: Definitely odd. It’s probably the gossip of all
society events at the moment on Betazed. ::pausing:: I
suppose there are all sorts of social and technical rules that
determine how you can proceed from here. ::pausing again,
then launching into his next question:: You’re not
*relocating,* are you?
DeVeau: No.
Alora had managed to remain in Starfleet, thanks to Ryzeks
dedicated service.
DeVeau: I’ll be connecting on a weekly basis with a man who
will serve as my Steward. As long as I’m able to fulfill my
duties from here, I will remain.
Yael: Oh, good…
The news she wasn’t taking up a throne on Betazed was comfort
enough in the short term. Supportively, he set a braced hand
on hers, squeezing firmly and Alora managed a small smile.
She would remain. For now. But the future? How long? Would
there come a time where she couldn’t allow a steward to be
there in her stead? There was more to the nobility than she
had expected, and there would be times she would have to go
back in person. How long could that last? Suddenly, Alora
found herself faced with what she would do if she were not in
Starfleet. If something happened and she couldn’t serve. If
she retired. It was not a future she had ever imagined for
herself, and like everything else about the situation, it felt
utterly strange.
Yael: I’m no expert in Betazoid historic houses or decorum,
but you know I’m here if you need a sounding board.
DeVeau: I know, and I’m grateful.
Yael: I’m sure there are a few Betazoids on the Starbase who
might have some inner knowledge? They could be good impartial
guides, if you wanted a Betazoid’s opinion, free of family
pressure or political leaning.
DeVeau: Actually….
Did anyone know? They had been quite quiet about the entire
thing. After an assassination attempt, one didn’t just
announce a departure and hoped no assassins tried to get him
on route.
DeVeau: Sal went with me. He’s not nobility, but they’re his
people. His culture.
Yael: That… was probably good for him. ::thinking back to
how stressed Sal had been lately:: Nice to step away. Did he
get to see his family, or was it all business?
A flicker of a smile sprange to life and it glimmered with a
bit of humour.
DeVeau: I got to meet his siblings and his parents.
A sly smile spread across the Denobulan’s face as he imagined
an entire family of Sal’s, all redheaded rapscallions,
empathetic, and too clever for their own good.
Yael: Good. I’m glad. There were… certain events, recently,
which I think will take him a while to de-stress from. That
must have been good for him. And comforting to have him with
you while you handle your business as well.
His hand tightened around hers once more in a clear show of
support, the grip warm and consistently comforting.
Once again, the smile faded. Yes, she’d had to handle
business, but it didn’t just end there. It would continue.
Alora would lean heavily upon Ryzek, and she knew that also
meant she was going to have to leave more to T’Lia as well.
Fortunately, the Vulcan assistant was not only capable and
have a knack for the business, she seemed to enjoy it - though
she would, of course, protest at the suggestion that she
exhibited any emotions, so Alora was careful never to indicate
such a thing.
DeVeau: Well, it’s not the last time I'll have to deal with
things there. But having Sal there...it was helpful. Even if
he hadn’t had inkling on how to navigate Betazoid politics, it
was nice to have his support.
She paused for a moment, mulling over it all. One thing in
particular still bothered her.
DeVeau: It shouldn’t be this way.
Yael: It does seem unlikely. ::though he knew she didn’t
quite mean it that way::
She wanted to say ‘Kalin shouldn’t have died’. It was the
first thing that came to mind, despite the fact that the
current situation wasn’t exactly related. Partially, yes.
His death had meant that the last heir had died, leaving Alora
as heir. Yet, that came to mind, despite herself. What she
actually said, however, was -
DeVeau: Enzada shouldn’t be dead.
Yael: ::an eyebrow rising in curiosity:: Shouldn’t be…?
Maybe she was obsessing over it a little. Maybe she was
grasping at straws. Maybe she was insane. Alora didn’t know,
but it just didn’t feel right.
DeVeau: Enzada wasn’t exactly a spring chicken, but she also
wasn’t extremely old either. She could have lived another
several decades. She was in perfect health, and her death was
far too sudden for my taste.
Yael: ::catching on:: You suspect foul play. ::he glanced
away, thinking, his hand still atop hers before looking to her
again:: Where do you go from here? Is it just a suspicion?
Do you have any evidence of malfeasance?
Sighing, Alora nodded once. It was a suspicion, but his
questions were certainly reasonable. And Alora couldn’t say
she did.
DeVeau: No.
~*~
Lieutenant JG Ashley Yael
Counselor
Starbase 118 Ops
C238211TZ0
&
Lt. Cmdr. Alora DeVeau
First Officer
Starbase 118 Ops
al...@blar.net
M239008AD0