Cmdr Alora DeVeau and LtCmdr Orlon Aislin - Plants and Parenting - Part II
Amanda Nordstrom
((Deveau’s Quarters, Deck 5, USS Thor))
Alora did not hurry or rush the science officer, but eventually, they came to the door of the arboretum closer to the bow of the ship and stepped out. Four steps across the hall later and they slipped through the door of her own quarters. Inside, the place was well kept and clean, the walls lined with shelves upon shelves upon of plants. One corner was set aside to house instruments, specifically a digital piano, guitar, and Vulcan harper. A quilt in green, violet, and cream lay folded over the back of a couch, and there a calico cat fashioned herself into a loaf, while a lavender Risian caracal lay upon her side on one of the seat cushions. Both felines eyes opened and peered at the arrivals, specifically the stranger. The calico simply watched, her eyes only half open, as if already bored, but the caracal shifted to her feet and peered at the with her ears pricked forward. More plus chairs flanked the sofa, giving ample seating, particularly since there were only two of them. Well, four, counting the cats.
DeVeau: What would you like? Anything specific? The mission specialist asked as she released her gentle grip and crossed over to the replicator situated near a small table flanked by four chairs, and a myriad of other plants playing host upon the walls near it.
Orlon A: That’s probably the easiest thing ya could ask me. Ah’d love a caramel Deka Tea. It should be programmed inta the replicator.
Normally, Ash would have chattered on about when she was introduced to it and how she came to fall in love with it, but instead, she surveyed the room. It was cheerful, alive - literally - and yet lived in. She knew what that was like. It was important for her and Roe’s quarters to be homey and a reflection of both of them. It appeared that Alora held to the same philosophy. The plants didn’t surprise her at all, but the musical instruments did.
After replicating the request for Aisin, and a chocolate milk for herself, Alora settled down on the couch. Stretching her neck, Sachiko sniffed at Alora’s hair, then withdrew and affected a yawn while Flora sat down, still watching the new arrival, but more with curiosity rather than fear.
The redhead took the offered mug and wrapped her hands around it, letting the tendrils of steam reach up and touch her cheeks. Realizing that Alora was taking a seat, Ash opted for the chair nearest the former CSO.
DeVeau: So, tell me more about your struggle.
Somehow the room felt quieter than the Arboretum. Ash almost hated to break the stillness, despite her thoughts running a mile ahead.
Orlon A: Menari was more of a science station than it was anythin’ else - scientists, lab techs, lab assistants. It was busy, but when Ah was the assistant ta the CSO, Ah did’na have ta shoulder all the responsibilities me’self. And when Ah became CSO, Ah had me own assistants who helped.
Ash crinkled her nose, unsure if she was getting her thoughts across coherently.
At that, Alora straightened a bit. During her tenure as CSO, she’d had the same thing, simply on a much smaller scale than a station.
DeVeau: Oh?
Orlon A: Oh no. It’s that here - it’s just me.
Ash’s words began to tumble quickly over one another.
Orlon A: And that is’na a bad thing, but Ah’m havin’ ta learn balance here in a way that Ah did’na have ta on Menari. There, Ah was in charge of the experiments, but nay involved in them. And with all me helpers on Menari, Ah could easily run the department and still have quite a vibrant personal life.
Alora frowned and sipped at her chocolate milk, but cast a glance at the woman to indicate she should go one.
Orlon A: Here, Ah run the department, Ah’m doin’ some of me own experiments, and tryin’ ta make sure that Ah find snatches of time fer me husband and the other things that make me … me. Ah am’na discontent at all, just…tryin’ ta figure it all out.
Ash lifted her eyes to Alora and gave her red locks a little shake.
Orlon A: Does that even make sense?
DeVeau: Yes, and no.
Orlon A: Oookay…Kin ya flesh that out fer me?
Furrows drew along her brow as she considered how to phrase what she wanted to say. Lowering her glass, Alora tapped a finger nail against it, then canted her head as she considered the woman behind her.
DeVeau: I know the department has overgone a pretty major turnover.
People had left, new people had come in, and Alora was one of them, even though she hadn’t left the ship. Even her assistant chief had been reassigned elsewhere.
Orlon A: Aye. Ah’ve seen the numbers, and with the business on DS 14, we’ve lost several others ta the station as well.
DeVeau: Obviously, this shouldn’t be a one woman show. Make a recommendation to the First officer and Captain for an appointment as assistant chief, assign people where you need them. Delegate.
Levelling her gaze at the redhaired woman, she offered what she hoped as an encouraging smile.
DeVeau: You have the power. Use it.
Ash’s shoulders fell into place. Her face softened, and even her hands relaxed.
Orlon A: Ah just assumed since this was so much smaller than Menari and it did’na come with an assistant that Ah did’na get one.
DeVeau: Of course you do! Delegation is an important part of leadership.
Even the captain couldn’t do everything, or even the captain, first officer, and second officer. A hierarchy was in place for a reason, and Alora hoped Ash utilised it.
Ash glanced to the side, and her head wagged back and forth as her lips moved in silent words. But she realized what she must have looked like, and a sheepish grin slipped onto her face and she met Alora’s eyes again.
Orlon A: Sorry, me mind was already spinnin’ with possibilities.
DeVeau: That’s okay. I’ve done that too. What’s on your mind?
Orlon A: Oh, just who Ah might move at help - if the Command Staff approves. Ah feel so much better already.
Ash bit at her lip for just a moment, but her eyes sparkled.
Orlon A: Kin Ah ask ya a personal question?
DeVeau: Of course.
At an earlier point in her life, Alora would have said she was an open book, but she had come to discover that she wasn’t quite as open as she initially thought. However, she was always willing to let people ask questions, and she could tell them if she preferred not to answer.
Orlon A: Ah heard that ya have a little one. Do ya? Ah mean, Ah dunna see her runnin’ around.
DeVeau: Oh, Shyla! She has scheduled times where she’s in the crèche with other kids. It’s important she gets socialisation from her peers.
Alora made a motion toward the door, outside of which lay the entrance to the place they had just left.
DeVeau: But the arboretum is the place we go most often, so don't be surprised if you run into her at some point.
Of course, Alora would most likely be with her, or maybe Bini. Either way, Shyla was no stranger to the Arboretum.
Orlon A: Ah find children fascinatin’ and love hearin’ stories about them.
DeVeau: Oh? Do tell.
Orlon A: Well, Roe … me husband … wait, ya already met him when we went dancin’ t’gether. Well, we hope ta have a bairn sometime in the future.
Ah, children. They were a delight, but also difficult. Being a mother was the hardest thing Alora had ever done. Shyla was her joy in life, but she wasn’t always easy. The child could get fussy, she pushed boundaries, and she had an indomitable will. Alora was trying, but often as not, she felt like she was failing. Still, she wasn’t going to discourage someone, because on the other side of it, she wouldn’t change a thing.
DeVeau: Oh really?
Orlon A: We’ve been tryin’ fer awhile now, so Ah suppose whenever it happens. But Ah’d love ta hear what it’s like ta have a wee one on board with ya.
DeVeau: I’m glad I do.
Alora couldn’t imagine growing up away from her parents, or having her own child shipped off with someone else, even if those someones were those who had raised her. Shyla was her daughter. Shyla belonged with her.
Orlon A: What do ya love most about havin’ her aboard with ya?
DeVeau: That I get to raise her rather than someone else. That I see her every day, and get to witness the milestones and changes and see her becoming the person she’s meant to be.
There was beauty in it, a hint of what she might have been like as a little one, but also she wondered who Shyla would finally become, and what she would do in the great, big universe. There were times Alora also wondered if she’d have a chance to see it.
Orlon A: It sounds lovely.
Sitting back and crossing her legs while still holding her tea in her lap, Ash wrinkled her nose slightly.
Orlon A: But Ah’m guessin’ it is’na all smiles and cuddles, though that would be wonderful if it were.
Licking her lips, Alora took a long sip of her milkshake. There were definitely more good things about raising a child, but she wasn’t going to ignore the bad ones either, and as much as she wanted to encourage Ash, she didn’t want the woman to go in without knowing those realities.
DeVeau: It’s not all bows and riddles and popcorn and candy. Don’t get me wrong, I adore Shyla, and I wouldn’t change anything about her or becoming a mother. But…
Unconsciously, Ash leaned forward a little.
Orlon A: Yes?
The cup of tea the redhead was holding nearly spilled, but she righted it just in time. Instead, she opted to take a good sip so she wouldn’t almost accidentally spill it - again.
Softening her expression into a small smile, Alora leaned forward and set her glass upon the coffee table, then shifted so she faced Ash directly. One leg curled under the other, her elbow resting upon the back of the couch while her head leaned in a pondering fashion against her hand.
DeVeau: It’s hard. I thought I did well on pretty little sleep for a human, but those first few months, I felt like a walking zombie. Sometimes, I couldn’t figure out what she wanted. As she has gotten older, she tries to communicate, but she struggles with it, which means we have temper tantrums. She’s got a strong will, but she needs to learn to obey, but I also don’t want to quash her spirit. Sometimes, I feel like I’m walking on a tightrope, about to fall at any moment. Sometimes, I’m just so tired and I just don’t want to have to do it again, but of course, I’m going to, because she’s my daughter, and I love her.
Ash sat quietly taking in Alora’s words. She had known that being a parent wasn’t easy, but that was when she had babysat Alexi and Emmery’s little one and got to give her back when they got home.
Her eyes fell to her knees and her face drew in and her fingers tightened around her cup. The silence hung heavily between them, but only for a moment.
Orlon A: The only thing Ah kin say with certainty is that Ah could’na do this without Roe, and yoo much be very brave and lovin’ ta take on this task by yerself.
Alora wasn’t brave. Shyla had been a surprise. A wonderful, fantastic, best of all surprises surprise, and she was grateful for it. But the plan had been to have a family with Kalin as a part of it. Now, it was just her and Shyla.
DeVeau: Despite that, I would never give her up, I would never ask that she never exist. I’d do it all again if I had the choice.
Watching Alora’s eyes, Ash could see both fire and conviction. She completely believed the words she spoke. The redhead felt a warmth permeate her chest.
Orlon A: Well, if…
She let out a puff of air and smiled.
Orlon A: When Ah become a mum, Ah hope Ah’m as brave as you are. If Ah am, me daughter will have two strong women ta look up to…And Ah dunna mean me mum.
A smile broke out across the freckled face accompanied by a bout of laughter. Alora’s smile turned into a grin and she nodded as she picked up her glass again and lifted the straw up, then dropped it down several times in succession.
DeVeau: And if I were to hazard a guess, you’ll be a fantastic mom.
Alora really hoped Ash and Roe got to be parents. While they lived in a time with a lot of medical technology and knowledge, that wasn’t a guarantee. Still, she knew that Bajorans and Humans were compatible, so they had that going for them. And she believed what she said - the bright, bubbly, red-haired science officer would be an excellent mother.
******
Commander Alora DeVeau
Mission Specialist
USS Thor
&
Matriarch of the 15th House
Betazed
M239008AD0
LtCmdr Orlon Aislin
Chief of Science
USS Thor
O240103SK2
