JP: Lt. Cmdr Sevantha Saa & Morro Caras - Back to Where it all Began (Return to Betazed Part 4)

[Sevantha Saa]

((Residential District, Ohmallera, Betazed))

Navigating the street was more difficult than she expected. It’d been years since she’d seen the city and never had she navigated through the reconstructed streets. Where she remembered rubble were now fully erected buildings, newly smoothed streets, one could barely tell the city had been horrifically bombarded all those years ago unless they knew the streets before.

The closer she got, the more anxious she became, her hand instinctively reaching back for the security of Morro’s own as she navigated the streets. The neighborhood had changed. She didn't see any familiar faces among those passing by, and it took her longer than she would have liked to realize she was standing in the reconstructed neighborhood she’d once lived in.

 Losing her brother had been too much for her parents to rebuild, an early sign of what would become their fractured dynamic.

As they finally rounded the corner, Sevantha felt the wind leave her lungs seeing the lot her childhood home once stood tall before being reduced to rubble. 

It’d been over a decade since she’d knelt on the smoldering ruins trying to dig out her lost brother.

Saa: We’re here…

Morro could tell that Sevantha was a little apprehensive. Something in this place was difficult to take in. why had she brought him here.

Caras: We are?

Releasing his hands, she stepped towards a rebuilt home, the design close enough to how she remembered it but far more modernized. Peirse used to say their house was one of the older designs on the block, having inherited it from her govanna from her mother’s side who had passed before her birth. 

Caras looked around, all of it was vaguely familiar, like he had been here before. It was a strange sense of déjà vu that he didn’t get very often.

Saa: They’ve rebuilt the entire neighborhood. ::she gestured to a house in a small circular neighborhood:: Everything reflects a more modernized style of design, but the exterior appear visually similar.

Caras: This is all really familiar, but I've never been to Betazed before this. Whose house is this?

It was like something from a…

Saa: My childhood home… ::She trailed a little before turning to look at him:: The place you saw when our dreams crossed. 

Now it clicked for him.

Caras: Ah… now I see why it was somewhere in my memory, but not in a normal way. I do tend to remember dreams, if I have them. Normally they’re stress dreams, but that was actually closer to your stress dream.

She didn’t know who lived there now, and admittedly, Sevantha wasn’t entirely certain she wanted to know. This place was part of her past but it now served as home to someone not haunted by the memories of rubble and ruin. Still, she’d needed to see it and wanted to show Morro the piece of her he’d caught a glimpse of months ago.

Saa: Ohmallera’s reconstruction had been largely funded by the Ninth House of Betazed. ::Smiles weakly:: Our family really didn’t have the heart to stay, but before then, it did have some happy memories. 

Shifting towards him, she smiled weakly.

Saa: I thought it’d be nice for you to see it.

He reached out to grab hold of her hand. It had been a rough time on Betazed so far, he didn’t want her taking him here to be a fully unhappy memory.

Caras: It is nice. I’m glad they rebuilt it. Is the swing still in the back?

He sifted through his memory, but he didn’t have to think very hard. The dream he had been in was very surreal. He couldn’t quite explain the feeling of being in one of Sevantha’s most powerful and traumatic memories. It was like it was now engraved on his brain as well. 

Saa: If it is, it’ll be a new one, nothing in this area survived the devastation. 

A distant memory surfaced from that day. All too vividly she remembered being on the marble balcony staring at out Lake Cataria when her parents and her heard the emergency broadcast. Velaan had chosen to stay behind to finish his applications for medical school, well that was what he had told their parents but she knew it was his Starfleet application.

Caras: Any idea who could possibly own it now? It seems like it’s well taken care of, and not that much different.

At Morro’s questions, she gave a slightly guilty glance, she hadn’t even thought to find out. For all the confidence she had mustered, she hadn’t asked. 

Saa: I.. don’t know, I didn’t get that far when I decided to… 

She trailed off, failing to finish her sentence. 

Morro understood.

Caras: … Do you know what… the Velaan on the Thor’s memory of this place is.. Have you … talked about that?

Gently she shook her head. Velaan and she had talked, they recognized themselves as siblings, but there was so much the two of them didn’t say. They knew one another, but talking about where their histories differed, how they remembered their home, always made them both uneasy. 

Largely, it had been disagreements about how Sevantha and Velaan viewed their mother. Their perspectives and experiences were different, largely because he only knew her before the war, as a young child before her death in his universe. Often it had led to discussions about Velaan not understanding Sevantha’s aversion to communicating with her, while he knew what it was to lose people and never getting the chance to say all that one had wished. She understood his point of view, but he didn’t allow for the nuance of what being a daughter as opposed to a son meant, how the dynamics changed their interactions daily. 

Sometimes her brother was a simpler man than she gave him credit for. 

Saa: No. ::She admitted:: Velaan’s version of our mother died in the Dominion War. She never changed into who you saw in Medara. He struggles to understand my anger, and he isn’t the best about letting down his mask even around me. 

Caras: Is it really a mask? I’ve never fully wanted to explore that space myself really because the time I met an alternate of my sibling, she shot you.

Lightly her hand moved to touch her side, recalling that moment on the bridge all too well and the recovery that followed after Nesre had operated on her. 

It wasn’t that Caras didn’t like Velaan. He did but he also knew that his circumstances were somewhat foreign to all of them. The basis of his history and reality was not theirs, and that could probably create a lot of disorientation and consternation.

Saa: …I really should have been more aware. 

The event wasn’t one she treated with malice beyond what it had done to Morro. She was a Tassa’Akai duelist. Her grades in security and self-defense had been surprisingly exceptional thanks to her mother’s training, but she had dropped her guard, and that meant it was on her. Morro didn’t know that detail.

Caras didn’t like when Sevantha blamed herself when people took actions against her.

Saa: Velaan and I have an understanding. We are not the siblings one another lost, we can’t be, but we recognize each other as blood still… siblings through the mirror. 

Caras: Sometimes the mirror is more warped than one might think. Though this Velaan is alright. ::pause:: Where is he anyways, wasn’t he on the transport here? He seemed quiet.

It was odd that he hadn’t accompanied them when they had first made it to the Saa home, but that might have been too much for Sevantha’s mother.

Saa: He’s actually heading to meet my parents now. ::she clasped her hands in front of her:: I wanted him to have a moment with them alone. 

Morro nodded, after some reflection it was the wise choice.

Caras:  I think that’s a great idea. I can’t imagine how it makes him feel though

Saa: Overwhelmed, I suspect, but that's good. It would mean he has finally allowed himself to feel something. 

Velaan needed to move forward. He’d lingered in limbo over the subject of their parents for nearly a year, keeping himself busy by sticking with Starfleet and delaying the reunion. Sevantha was also guilty of avoiding the return home for her own reasons and had her hand forced to do so. Maybe Velaan had felt his hand forced to come home as well. 

Saa: It feels surreal seeing it rebuilt. ::She hesitates:: …almost like it never happened. 

Caras: Does that feel sort of like erasure… or rebirth? The fact that someone else can live a life in that home, much like you did before that was taken from you I don’t think….

Unexpectedly, someone came up to the two of them, Caras supposed only now that they were in someone else's space. A middle aged Betazoid woman wearing flashy yet flowing clothing strolled up with a smile on her face. It was a concerned smile, but Caras met hers with his.

Unaa: …Can I help you two?

Realizing the two of them had been loitering outside a stranger’s home, Sevantha’s features flushed in embarrassment and turned to offer an apologetic bow. 

Caras: Miss, I didn’t know that there would be someone here, that was my mistake.

Caras gave a small, apologetic wave to the woman.

Saa: My apologies, we don’t mean to intrude, this neighborhood used…. ::stammering:: I.. used to live in this house before- 

Weakly gesturing towards the house, Sevantha turned to face the woman only to find herself at a loss for words. 

Saa: Lady Unaa…

Standing a few feet away, a woman with warm golden beige skin and long dark wavy hair tied back in a long braid, adorned in a simple day dress with a silken robe. Her dark eyes settled on the two of them with silent confusion before her brows raised in recognition. 

Unaa: Sevantha Saa, my, what a surprise. ::Studying her:: I didn’t recognize you, though what striking eyes you have…

Morro was curious.

Caras: Sevantha, you know this woman?

Sevantha had been…. Essentially rebuilt it was no surprise that the woman hadn’t recognized her.

Opening her mouth, Sevantha struggled to find her words, a reaction she hadn’t experienced in years.

It had been so long since she had seen Romi’s mother. 

 Unaa: Miss Saa and I have known one another for some time. I saw you two speaking and only saw it fit to use my voice as well. I assume this large green man is a new visitor?

Caras: This is my first time here, yes… what gave it away?

Morro knew there were probably a multitude of things that one might suspect, but he knew at least that this probably wouldn’t be his last visit here. He wasn’t a betazoid, but he wanted to fit in.

Unaa: Well you’re talking for one, but also I know Sevantha has been away for awhile.

Saa: Y-yes, I came home to deal with family matters and am showing Morro, my companion here, where my home once stood.

Morro nodded his head, but also his concern hadn’t been addressed.

Caras: Yes! I’m Morro Caras, I’m in Starfleet with Sevantha. It’s nice to meet you, but I still don’t know how you two know one another.

Unaa: I’m Kaelarre Unaa. I’m a family friend, and… at one point….

She trailed off, thinking of something distant and painful.

Glancing between Morro and Kaelarre, Sevantha bowed her head before the Unaa Matriarch in service of the Fourth House, before extending her hand in an outward gesture and providing a more formal introduction. 

Saa: Lady Unaa is the mother of one of my childhood bonded, Romi, a common arrangement made among those in direct service of house and houses themselves. ::She smiled weakly:: M’adi and Lady Unaa also arranged a third, inviting Taile Atrios’s family to join for a triad union. One made for political favor and the other for heirs, all three families would have benefitted. 

A wide smile spread across Morro’s face as he moved closer to Lady Una to close the gap between the three of them in her year.

Caras: I remember you telling me about bondings. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Unaa. I really respect you taking care Sevantha’s old home. Enough ‌that we were able to visit it today. I’m excited to meet people from Sevantha’s life who aren’t associated with Starfleet.

Touching on the subject was difficult, another one of the many things that burned in the destruction of Ohmallera. Sevantha exhaled, trying to decide how best to present this information without sounding like she was withholding information or that she was flippant about a childhood arrangement that had ended nearly two decades previously.. 

Unaa: Romi and Taile, did not survive Ohmallera’s destruction, nor did my first husband. :: her voice softened, though she breathed through the grief, not hiding it away:: Next year marks the passing of the next three years to mourn at the memorial, you’re here a year early, but… fates have smiled on me to see you again. 

Saa: I… Yes. ::shifting subjects:: You did not live in this neighborhood last I knew…

Unaa: No, your parents and I exchanged land deeds, my family had owned land in Medara for years that was only ever used for vacations… ::Looking towards the house:: Like them, I could not remain where I lost my darlings, but I did not have the heart to leave Ohmallera so I rebuilt my life here. I believe it brought Tesslana comfort to know her son’s grave was being kept by an old friend. 

Caras: That’s… beautiful.

Morro was touched, and it was clear that Sevantha was touched as well. It seemingly mingled together in their bond, and they both got a little choked up.

Saa: You rebuilt here… Lady Unaa I…

A sad smile pulled at her lips before she warmly turned back to face the two of them, nodding her head. 

Unaa: Please, just call me Kaela, we were nearly family once Sevantha, and even if those unions often resolve, I can hardly forget how happily the three of you were together. Taile and you would sit and watch Romi dance in the gardens, Taile would attempt, but that boy lacked the aptitude for grace, he was better at drawing starships. ::Turning to Morro:: Sevantha was a very shy little child, never spoke a word verbally to any of us adults.

Blinking in surprise, Sevantha’s features flushed red as Kaelarre unraveled her childhood before Morro in place of her parents. Turning back towards the house, Sevantha attempted to suppress the rising heat in her face. 

Caras: I actually didn’t get to hear much about Sevantha as a child. It was actually one of the major things I was hoping for when I arrived here. I met her parents but… that was not the subject of our discussion. And so far… you’re the only one to bring it up… thank you for the insight.

It was true, Caras had come to Betazed to learn more about Sevantha. See the place that she grew up in, her people, her town, her customs. The things that shaped her as a person. And while he had seen something like that at dinner. It was really what he had been looking for. This was.

Unaa: Are you her Qiymadi? Or…. is this more Imzadi??

Caras must have said that last part with enough affection that Lady Unaa had caught on, or she was reading his mind, either way the intention was clear.

Saa: Lady Una-

Clearing her throat, Kaelarre interrupted Sevantha with a correction. 

Unaa: Kaela, please. 

Sevantha felt more than a tad awkward. On one hand, she was happy to see the woman, relieved to know that the grounds her brother perished on were still kept by a family friend. Yet part of her dreaded Lady Unaa suddenly fixating her focus on the two of them. What memories and keepsakes did she have from the days before the devastation? What brought her to keep them and engage with her now?

Why did she not loathe her for surviving when Romi and her husband didn’t?

Saa: Morro is my currently Qiymadi…::bowing apologetically::  We didn’t mean to disrupt your day. 

Unaa: By Four, please do. My husband is away on business, and I've been dreadfully bored waiting for inspiration to strike for a new painting. I am certain Tesslana and Peirse failed to properly regale Morro with stories of your childhood. ::turning to face the Orion:: Besides, as your once mother-in-law, it would be negligent for me not to get to know him. 

Morro was all aboard the Unaa boat for this voyage.

Caras: It’s very much a pleasure to meet you and speak with you.We don’t have a lot going on today, actually this visit was one of the major points we wanted to visit; I’d be glad to stay awhile so we can get to know one another.

That was true, but Caras hadn’t actually known why they were coming out here or what it was for, but now Morro couldn’t see it as anything but serendipity, this is the exact kind of person he was looking for. Someone who thought fondly of Sevantha, and wanted to dote on her.

Saa: Lady- Kaela, you are too kind, but-

Where was all the spirit she had mustered to face her mother earlier in this trip? Kaelarre’s interjection had created a disruption she wasn’t entirely prepared to handle. A mischievous smirk crossed the woman’s lips as she approached and interlocked her arm with Morro’s, sizing up the Orion before giving an approving nod towards Sevantha. 

Unaa: Morro, you have the shape of a dancer. I’ve never seen Orion traditions, but my little Romi used to dance in the halls of the Houses as a child with her troupe. ::Lightly patting his arm:: Shame Sevantha’s own grace was utilized in other practices. 

Kaelarre did not shy away from sharing her belief Tesslana had needlessly pushed her daughter in another direction, one she didn’t approve of. 

Caras tried to keep from laughing, it was too cute.

Saa: Kaela… Mercy, please. 

Laughter erupted from the woman at Sevantha’s request for mercy, one that carried a joy she hadn’t felt in some time mixed with a perfectly aware mischief at the younger Betazoid’s squirming. 

Morro finally gave in and laughed a little too.

Caras: That’s something I’d like to hear more about. You’re not wrong, celebrating Sevantha has not really been the focus of things at the Saa household, but I think I'm getting what I need right here. I’m deeply invested in Sevantha’s future, and I don’t have a past to share with her, so I’m wanting to experience this for the both of us. Commonality and community outside of Starfleet.

Morro felt the eyes of Kaela flick over him several times, almost like she was looking into this soul.

Unaa: Mm, if this is a serious pairing, Sevantha, you will need someone to shift your mother’s opinion slowly and surely, something I happen to be quite gifted at doing. ::she beams:: Now, Morro, you and I will need to be well acquainted, consider me your Betazed M’adi from this point on.

Lightly, the woman’s hand patted Morro’s forearm in a way that Sevantha knew meant the Unaa matriarch was fully invested in their business. Stiffening, she glanced between the two, realizing for the first time she was on her back foot as Kaelarre tempted Morro with promises of stories from childhood.  

Trailing behind them, she stared up at the rebuilt home, every step towards the entrance felt surreal. She never thought she’d come back here, where it had all began, where she had lost both a brother and her sense of identity. Yet with each step forward, the memories of her burning hands, the smell of smoke died away as the warm scent of incense from inside Lady Kaela’s home welcomed them. 

Maybe this was the step she had needed after all. 

Caras:  Well M’adi,  what else can you tell me that you know will make Sevantha blush?

Morro’s words tore Sevantha from her thoughts as she realized that now, the Orion was conspiring alongside of Lady Unaa to make her squirm. 

Unaa: Oooh, Sevantha, I like this one. ::she waved her wrist, the bracelet chiming to open the doors:: You know I think I may still have some recordings that survived the destruction.

Watching as they both stepped inside, Sevantha lingered outside the door, waiting to cross the threshold as she murmured both an exasperated plea and a thankful prayer. Despite the burning of her cheeks, the discomfort with unearthing her history, this experience was exactly what both of them had needed. 

Today was the first day since the tragedy that she looked upon the city, her old home, and experienced a sense of ‌joy. 

Saa: Four preserve me. 

And with that, she stepped inside to face what the fates had in store for her this evening. 

[[End of Arc]] 

Lieutenant Commander Sevantha Saa

Counselor | Head of Health | Second Officer

USS Thor

A240105SS2

&&

Lady Kaelarre Unaa

Artist & House Gallery Manager

Matriarch of House Unaa,

In Service of the Fourth House of Betazed

&&

Lieutenant Commander Morro Caras

Chief of Engineering

USS Thor

O240106MC1

he/him/his (player/character)