Keehani Ral – Hey Boy

[Danny Lee]

((Vataix Estate, Ohmallera, Betazed))

 

::Everything was set.  Her grandmother, Vaxa, had taken her medication to help treat her neural disorder, and for the next hour or so, would be mostly with her faculties.  Her activist friends from University had performed some system intrusions and had got their hands on the official invite that was sent out to the Betazed house nobles from the Eleventh house.  In the dress she was wearing, a simple, classic, strapless, almost backless long black dress, she looked phenomenal – and older than her age.  But impressing people wasn’t her primary concern.

 

Their attending the party was legitimate in her eyes.  Her grandmother was still the head of the Ninth house, even if only by title.  The invite she had got her hands on was a generic one sent out to all house nobles.  Of course, that invite wasn’t sent to Vaxa.  But Keehani was a resourceful one.

 

When she found out that her second cousin (who she now mockingly called “Earth Ukinix” after their first meeting) might be attending the party, she was furious at first.  To be socialising with those that would seek to destroy the Ninth house and their name was insulting from her point of view.  After some thought, she had decided that whether that ignorant, uncaring, unsympathetic version of a Ukinix was at the party or not, her and her Grandmother should attend anyway.  It was *their* right.

 

After they beamed onto the lawns near the main entrance to the party, she gently held her grandmother’s hand.::

 

Vaxa: ~~Teardrop, I’m not sure about this.~~

 

Keehani: ~~Grandmother, we’ve discussed this.  It is time.~~

 

Vaxa: ~~I am unwell.  I will need rest soon.~~

 

::Keehani kept up her brisk pace as they walked towards the entrance of the party at the large courtyard.::

 

Keehani: ~~I know, Grandmother.  But this is important.  For you and for me.~~

 

::Vaxa stopped walking for a moment.  Keehani, still holding on to Vaxa’s hand, turned to look at her.::

 

Vaxa: ~~I’ve lived most of my life not worrying about such things.  I didn’t find love until after I was sent away to live on the Piri Islands.  And I look at you, Teardrop… and I am reminded of how happy I became after you turned up at my house.  It was a blessing from the four.  I share with you the feeling of justice that you crave.  But, maybe the way things have occurred are for the best.  For us.~~

 

::Keehani placed a hand on Vaxa’s cheek.::

 

Keehani: ~~Grandmother, I can feel you are nervous.  I want you to meet Earth Ukinix, he could help us.  ::Gesturing:: Look around at this estate.  Look at it!  The Ninth house estate was twice as big as this.  Grandmother, I love you so very much.  You deserve something like this.  Please, let us at least try.~~

 

::Vaxa blew through her cheeks, and simply nodded.::

 

Vaxa: ~~What if he is not here?~~

 

Keehani: ~~Then we shall announce ourselves and join the party anyway.  We deserve to be here.~~

 

Vaxa: ~~Very well, Teardrop.  But please slow down.  I am not as full of energy as you are.~~

 

::Keehani smiled, as she locked her arm in her grandmother’s.  Slowly, they walked towards the party entrance.  When they got there, a young, well-dressed Betazoid male greeted them.::

 

Bouncer: ~~Good evening ladies, you are both looking beautiful tonight.  The party is in full swing, but – ::fake smile:: better late than never.~~

 

::He looked at a PADD like device that he held in his hand, before continuing.::

 

Bouncer: ~~Your names, if you please? ~~

 

Keehani: ~~Actually, we have an invite.~~

 

::Keehani showed the gentleman a miniature PADD like device that she held in her hand.::

 

Bouncer: ::Small chuckle:: ~~Oh.  Oh, I’m sorry, there seems to be some sort of misunderstanding.  This invite is for Betazed house nobles.~~

 

Keehani: ~~Yes.  This is Vaxa Ral, formerly Vaxa Ukinix, of the Ninth House of Betazed.  She is the matriarch.~~

 

::The young gentleman was confused.  He observed them both, before offering them a fake smile.::

 

Bouncer: ~~Yes.  Well.  I was not aware that the Ninth house - ~~

 

Keehani: ~~Well now you are.  ::Gesturing with her chin towards the people inside of the party.:: Because they are aware.~~

 

Bouncer: ~~I see.  Well, be that as it may, ::fake smile:: unfortunately, I cannot let you into the party this evening.  But you both look lovely.  Gorgeous, in fact!  If you like, I could arrange for you to be transported to one of the public events that are happening on the planet.~~

 

::Keehani switched to verbal communication, for effect.::

 

Keehani:  No.  ::Angrily:: You’re going to let us in.  My grandmother is a matriarch and has the right to attend.  You will let us in.

 

Bouncer: ::Raising his palms:: ~~Lower your voice young lady.~~

 

Vaxa: ~~Take me home, Teardrop.~~

 

Keehani: ::Looking at Vaxa:: No.  ::Looking at Bouncer:: No.  We’re not leaving.

 

::While she continued arguing with the bouncer, she looked inside at the attendees.  Some people were starting to look in her direction.  Including Earth Ukinix. She saw his jaw drop, before he walked over to them, a glass half full of a foamy dark amber liquid in his hand.::

 

Keehani: ::To Bouncer:: For Four’s sake, you let Earth Ukinix in, but the *real* Ukinixes?  The Ninth House Betazed ones?  Nooooo... But that’s to be expected.

 

::Earth Ukinix pointed at the side of his head.  Confused at first, Keehani then realised what he was signalling.  She “listened” to what Wil had to say…::

 

Ukinix: oO ::Unintelligible:: Oo

 

::… but couldn’t quite understand what he was saying.  She could though sense what he was feeling – frustration, curiosity and disappointment.  He obviously was questioning why she was here.  Earth Ukinix then looked at her grandmother.  His jaw dropped again, and his eyes opened wide.  She could sense recognition in him.  A small grin appeared on Keehani’s face, and she simply nodded at him to confirm what he was thinking.::

 

Ukinix: ::To Bouncer:: Could you hold on for ::raising finger:: one moment?  I’ll sort this out.

 

::The young Betazoid gentleman closed his eyes and gave Earth Ukinix a single respectful nod.::

 

Ukinix:  ::To Keehani::  Stay here.

 

::Keehani watched Earth Ukinix run over to a group of people and start to speak to a male.::

 

Vaxa: ~~Teardrop, what’s happening now?~~

 

Keehani: ~~Patience Grandmother, Earth Ukinix may be useful to us after all.~~

 

::There was a long pause, before Vaxa replied, seemingly confused.::

 

Vaxa: ~~Do you mean Astradem’s son?~~

 

Keehani: ~~He’s Astradem’s *grandson*, Grandmother.  Grandson.~~

 

Vaxa: ~~Teardrop, I am weary, I need to sit down.~~

 

 

TBC…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keehani Ral

Expolitics Student

University of Betazed, Medara campus

V239511WU0