JP Yogan Yalu & Meidra Sirin (embodying Eira Yalu) — Our life’s narrative, Part 2
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(( Symbiosis Institute Compound, Leran Manev, Trill — Wednesday morning ))
Eira smiled softly, remembering her five year old granddaughter’s drawing of a happy Senator meeting Yalu for the first time … a fanciful imagining of the two species agreeing to live together. She felt her face grow damp, and let out a heavy sigh. She could feel Meidra’s compassion, and was somewhat comforted.
Sirin (as E. Yalu): That is the true meaning of family. No matter how far you go, they are always within you. How did this make you feel?
Yalu: It has been wonderful. To be honest, there is a part of me that isn’t looking forward to leaving tomorrow. ::long pause:: But, it also made me wonder why I withdrew in the first place, and why I waited so long to come back.
Sirin (as E. Yalu): Then it was as it should be. Tell me, have you any other questions? You look like you would like to ask me something more...personal, perhaps?
Yogan was hesitant to broach the subject, but would likely be his only opportunity. As he learned more about the families of his previous hosts, hearing their stories in their own words, had helped him to understand some of his own behaviours better. But there was something about Eira’s story that Yogan still needed to know.
Yalu: I know you were ill for a while before you died. And I know you never told anyone, not even your husband or your children. It must have been so difficult for you to bear that burden alone for all those years.
Sirin (as E. Yalu): ::gently sighing:: To be Joined, at my age, it was a gift. Those memories of the hosts who had come before, they were as real to me as my own family, yet my family saw me as a stranger. ::shrugs sadly:: They believed that they had lost me when I was Joined, how was I to tell them that they were to lose me again? No, it was better to simply do as I had always done. Wake up each day with the goal of making life better for our people.
The Senator pushed some of Meidra’s red hair from her eyes, and frowned. So many missed opportunities to be honest with her family. Years of her life had flown by before she realized time was fleeting. Time that she could never get back.
She breathed in and out, a harsh shudder wracking Meidra’s slim shoulders. She had to make certain Yogan understood. The future was never guaranteed. She smiled again, getting her emotions under control.
Sirin (as E. Yalu): Towards the end, I met a young Bajoran woman named Lyssa. She was my nurse, though my pride had me tell people she was a clerk in my office. She’d start to tell stories of her faith, and how it gave her strength in her darkest times. ::smirks:: I told her of painting a certain office door, and we quickly became friends. In time, when I could sense my body would not last for more than several months if I was lucky, my respect for the Bajoran society and their calm, steady faith in the Prophets, grew until I found myself a believer in something greater than myself, or even of Joining. There was a reality that I had never allowed myself to acknowledge.
Eira stood up, pacing the room, before turning to speak again. There was so much more to say, but she’d never had the opportunity to say it. She moved to sit down again, reaching for Yogan’s hands and looking into his eyes.
Sirin (as E. Yalu): If you learn anything from our brief conversation, let it be this. Don’t convince yourself that protecting others from your problems makes it easier for them. I died surrounded by politicians instead of the loving arms of my family. Instead of sharing who I had become, I hid behind my Joining, keeping my loved ones in the dark because I felt that they would never understand. In the end, I let myself lose them long before they ever lost me on that Senate floor.
(( Timeskip – Nahx Café, Leran Manev, Trill – a few hours later ))
As had become zhian’tara tradition, once Eira’s memories had been returned to Yogan, he invited Meidra to join him at the café across the square to debrief. It was midday, but the skies above the city were overcast and the wind had picked up in advance of an approaching storm. Yogan held a mug of raktajino in his cold hands, grateful for the warmth and the stimulant. He looked across the table at Meidra, trying unsuccessfully to read her expression.
Yalu: Eira is pretty remarkable, isn’t she?
Sirin: Indeed. You bring honor to her legacy and those who came before her. I have been privileged to share in this journey.
Yogan also felt privileged to have had the unfailing support of his family and friends, Meidra included, in this experience. Ever the professional counselor, her focus had been on him the entire time. But now that it was over, Yogan was curious about the experience from Meidra’s perspective.
Yalu: And how about you, Counselor? How was your zhian’tara?
Meidra didn’t immediately respond, choosing to take a sip of her kava juice, Eira’s memories still fresh in her mind. There were times her grandmother spoke to her from wherever her katra now resided. But this had been much different, almost more intimate.
Sirin: I believe that I have a deeper respect for those who have walked the path of diplomacy. Eira was ahead of her time. ::pause:: I shall miss her.
Yalu: You know, it’s interesting. When I arrived here on Friday, there was a part of me that wondered how I was going to get through this experience. Now that it’s over, I kind of wish I could have some of it back. ::beat:: We have to leave tomorrow.
Sirin: ::smiles wryly:: I think this will remain with you regardless of how far we are from Trill. You’re adding to the legacy every day you live. I have no doubt that Yalu’s next host will feel equally honored to speak with you when it’s time for their zhian’tara.
A gust of wind buffeted against Yogan’s back as it whipped through the square, carrying the first drops of rain down into his shoulders and neck.
TBC
Lt JG Meidra Sirin (embodying Eira Yalu)
Counseling Officer
USS Resolution
R239707MS0
and
Lieutenant JG Yogan Yalu
Helm Officer
USS Resolution NCC-78145
D238804DS0