True Melancholy

Posted on 19 Dec 2019 @ 4:23am by Captain Jonathan Reynolds & Lieutenant Commander True Keading

Mission: Mission 2 - The Agora crossroads
Location: Reynolds quarters
Timeline: MD5 15:30
1300 words - 2.6 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

True thought about returning to her own quarters after work but she knew Jon would probably come looking for her when he got off duty so she went to his quarters, curled up in a chair and stared out at the stars with her own thoughts swirling about her. Her earlier conversation with Charlotte had rattled her to the core, which was unusual. True rarely let things bother her.

The door opened and a flash of energy ran in straight past her and into the other bedroom.

The young betazoid sagged slightly at the door to his room as his newly emerging gift provided sudden sensations. Big, bold ones. Confusion. Worry perhaps. Vulnerability? It sure wasn't his dad. Then he remembered True could come and go in their quarters now.

He tentatively poked his head back out and let his eyes locate her. "True?"

She looked up at the sound of her name to see the teen poke his head around the door frame to his room. He looked cautious as if he might be afraid of her or something. She straightened up. "Hi Eddie, what can I do for you?"

"What's going on?" he asked walking into the room and her direction. "What's upset you? Do I need to get dad? Was it dad?" he said after a second.

True smiled. "No, not your dad. And no, I can figure it out. Just need some time to think. I umm . . . . " She wasn't sure if she should tell him or not. She didn't want to upset Eddie after all. It really wasn't her place but it slipped out anyway. "I met your mom today."

"Oh ….. OH ……. OH no ….." Eddie said flopping down next to her. "I meant to tell you and dad. I kind of …. didn't mean too. She knows …. "

"I'm sorry True," he said after a moment. "She didn't take it too well. I didn't think she would go talk to you."

"It's not your fault. It would have come out eventually anyway. We were bound to meet at some point. I just wish it had gone better. Your mom has a lot of barriers up. I let it get to me, and I shouldn't have." True shrugged. "I guess I have a lot to learn."

"Mums just angry still and lashing out at dad. Don't let her chase you away. I haven't seen Dad this happy in a long time," Eddie told her.

"I'm not. I just . . . there's a lot of things I don't know which she pointed out to me. Can I ask you something?" True turned to make sure her entire body was facing him. "About Betazoid culture?"

"Of course, although I think Dads more the authority. Hes lived it more than me," he said simply. "Shoot though. If it will help with things. I obviously don't want you upset."

"So I know Betazoid society is a matriarchy or at least it was traditionally. And there are . . . four goddesses," She thought she remembered Jon saying that at some point during their discussion. "But I guess I'm curious about the duties your family performs? Your mother strongly regrets losing the ability to be apart of that life."

"My Grandmother is head of one of the upper houses. She is part of high society and wields a lot of influence. Our family has land, houses, money ….. and silly artefacts …. ask Dad about the Spoon in his ready room. My grandmother sits on councils, has a diplomatic role for the planet and she is patron to a lot of organisations.

My mother enjoyed her life being part of that yes. She struggled with leaving and then suddenly being a Starfleet officer …. well not even that officially. Yet. She will be one day. Dad managed to swing it so she could do her final year of the academy on the ship under the head of Stella cartography. She had to leave the academy to have me you see," Eddie told her.

"Ah," True said thoughtfully, taking everything Eddie had said in. She was quiet for a moment but realized she didn't want to startle Eddie if he didn't understand what she was feeling. "And what do you think of your grandmother? Is she a . . . accepting person?"

Eddie paled a little. "Shes …. well she can take a while to warm up to some people. I can't lie there True. But I wouldn't worry about it. She will meet you and see how lovely you are and how happy you make me and dad. I really wouldn't worry about Nanna until you end up meeting."

She couldn't help notice the 'me and dad part'. True didn't know what she'd done to make Eddie happy, but it pleased her that they seemed to be getting along so well. "I don't know about meeting you for game night though, Eddie. I'm sorry. Your mom was pretty adamant that I shouldn't go."

"Oh really," Eddie said looking annoyed. "Well tough. Mother doesn't get to tell me who I can and can't play RPG games with. I'll speak to her. Or .. erm get Dad too. I was looking forward to that."

"I don't even know how to play though, I'll be asking you questions all the time, leaning over your shoulder probably." True reminded him.

Eddie went slightly pink. "I'm sure we can endure that … I mean all new players have to ask questions."

True smiled brilliantly at him. "Oh, I actually know of someone else, about your age that just came on the ship with their family. Would you mind if I brought them too?"

Eddie hadn't been expecting that. "I suppose," he said slowly. "Who are they? Shouldn't I know them from school?"

Trying not to smile too much, True responded. "No, I don't think so. I don't think she's attended yet. Her name is Amaltia. But she prefers most people to call her Tia. She's twelve and I have no idea if she has any experience with these games but I thought she might like hanging out with people around her own age."

The young hybrid betazoid flushed slightly more pink. "A girl ….. I erm mean another girl. Yes I …. I suppose that would be the nice thing to do. Introduce her to a few people. So shes not completely alone when she does start school. I would be happy to help there of course."

She couldn't help but chuckle. "I thought you might take that view. She could use a friend. Her family has been out of touch with other humanoids for a while. I will bring her along and introduce you and you can introduce her to your friends." True stood up. Her worries were placed aside for now, thanks to chatting with Eddie. "I appreciate this Eddie, not just helping to look after Tia but the pep talk." She placed a hand on his shoulder briefly. Hopefully Jon wouldn't be mad about her introducing Eddie to a girl, she really had nothing more than friendship in mind for her and Eddie was very accepting of people.

"No problem," he said a little dazed and processing the fact he was going to meet a girl. "Now unfortunately I have homework," he pulled a face. Rising himself and heading towards his room. "Listen True," He said over his shoulder. "Really. Don't let Mum get to you."

"I'll try. Thanks again Eddie," She said as she exited Jon's quarters and headed to his office where she thought he'd be this time of day. It was better to warn him about what she was going to do with Tia and if there was time they could have a chat about his ex-wife.

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●● Lieutenant True Keading
Chief Counselor
USS Andromeda


Eddie Reynolds
NPC Jon Reynolds