Baelor

Posted on Thu Mar 5th, 2020 @ 12:28am by Admiral Jake Yamaguchi & Admiral Lil'yanna Olmos & Commander Nalla Furban
Edited on on Thu Mar 5th, 2020 @ 12:35am

Mission: Mission 54: Where Snow Meets Sky
Location: Various Locations - USS Roanoke
Timeline: 1500Hrs - December 9th, 2391

Rear Admiral Jake Yamaguchi regarded the two women before him as he sat on the sofa, waiting patiently. "Okay... Whats going on?" he inquired softly as he regarded the older Betazoid woman and the younger Deltan woman who were both seated across from him.

There was this strange conversation going on with them as well upon Jake's prodding. Looking at the discomfort in Nalla's face, one could tell it was a telepathic, private conversation that Nalla was not all that keen on sharing.

After a minute, Olmos resigned herself to start, "I know there's been a bit of embarrassment and discomfort between the two of you since your... pairing. And I -"

Olmos stooped, for it was likely Nalla's insistent head-bob that indicated another telepathic remark. Olmos pursed her lips soon after and started again.

"Nalla is aware of your current problem - coping with the foreign memories. For Deltans, they generally commune in a large group in order to help each other cope with the experiences shared," Olmos explained. "Nalla admits she is no master in this department, but I believe I can help you sift through the foreign memories, if you like."

Nalla shifted, cuffed her tummy, and looked to her feet nervously. How to tell the next part of the meeting was not going to be easy.

Jake regarded the two women before he nodded. "I appreciate your offer.." he regarded Nalla as he gently exhaled and then inhaled. "So... whats going to happen... to this child?" he inquired, knowing fully well that this was a loaded question.

"First Daughters typically groom their child for arranged marriages with other prominent houses," Nalla explained in a rather detached, Vulcan-like manner. "It is my obligation to carry the child and raise the child with the expectations of he or she becoming my successor."

Jake slowly shifted his attention from Olmos to Nalla. "Without even asking me?" he inquired softly. "She... or he... is my child too." Jake added softly but there was no mistaking the dark anger in his eyes.

"I have a duty to my house," Nalla spoke uneasily. "I assumed you would understand this... That, and you already appear overwhelmed with the many children and grandchildren you and Torilla have."

Jake moved his head to the side slowly when suddenly there was a soft popping noise. "That is not the point." Jake responded quietly. "You never bothered to ask me and I have a duty to my own house."

"In partnering with a Betazed woman," Olmos tried to explain diplomatically, for she could tell Nalla was about to put her foot in her mouth again, "any female child is immediately accepted into the Betazed house of the mother's origin... Having said that, I don't see a problem in Jake helping to raise the child, Nalla."

"It was not my intention to burden you, Jake." Nalla swallowed uncomfortably, for she could feel his anger rising. "I... I am fine with you helping if that is what you want. But you must understand, should the child be determined a female, she must be raised to someday take Matron Furban's seat."

"Nalla... " Jake seethed softly. "You were probably expecting me to Not want to be involved... weren't you....?" he inquired. "This... is about responsibility... Mine... Even though the Pineapple Incident could not have been anticipated or expected.." Jake regarded her. "The end result is still the same.... That child.. is mine too... " he responded. "If its a boy.... what then?"

"Either gender is raised by both of us equally," Nalla answered as if that were a given.

"Because the child would be part Betazed, if it is a male, there is less of a need to groom him for an arranged marriage. Nalla is the First Daughter of the Tenth House. So she is less looked at by the other houses, for a male suitor to one of their daughters... A son between the two of you would have far more freedoms to pick his own life. Same goes for a second or third son or daughter Nalla has."

Jake twitched as he fought to hold onto his temper. "No... He or she would not be raised equally... You've already decided how this child is going to grow up.... as part of Betazed's nobility and that's the end of it."

"Someone has to carry my family's name," Nalla spoke in almost a pure panic. "I cannot because I lack... well... Matron Furban refuses to appoint me due to my birth defects. So I must give her an heir that is not like me, else my family line dies... Does it matter the house he or she takes, if you are involved?"

Olmos could tell Nalla was close to hysterics, so she hugged her to try and sooth some of the various types of pain her daughter was feeling.

"I believe what Nalla is saying, is that she wants you to help raise the child. She just needs you to understand the severity of the situation Nalla is in," Olmos spoke worryingly. "She does not wish to offend you nor deny you a father's rights."

Jake slowly blinked. "Your matron will never let you rule ever... She's already ruled you out because of your heritage. Your birth defects are NOT defects, they give you character and they help define you as a person..."

"Nalla's sister shares the same heritage. Only Matron Furban had the child genetically altered in the womb so as not to be the embarrassment she feel Nalla is - Which you are not, Nalla. You're a humanitarian your birth mom wishes she could be, because you care deeply."

Nalla did something she rarely did. Like a child that took a bad fall to the knees, the young half-Deltan cried into Olmos' arms. Cried because she did not know what to do anymore.

Jake sat back as he closed his eyes. "Your mom..." he whispered. "She did this... to you.... and to me.." he added softly. "I can't do this..... I wake up screaming... I can't cope anymore."

"Please let me help you, Jake." The older eyes looked upon Jake as if he were a son to her. "I'm not Deltan, but I've had experience helping several patients and family sift through the muddy water of memories they can't decipher well."

"I'll take anything at this point... I'm abusing my wife for no good reason and while Torilla does her best... She can't help me.." Jake explained.

Olmos looked down at Nalla, who's head was deeply rooted in Olmos' chest. "...She too, sees you harming Torilla. But it is not you. What you see is a bastard of a man from another world abusing someone he cares little about. And I know that explanation seems shallow, but there are a few things you can do to try to deal with this man's memories."

Jake regarded Olmos. "I can't tell the difference anymore..." he sighed. "I am always... so angry... I can't think .... I almost can't breathe.."

"Try... Take a few deep breaths and tell me what you know for sure is real," Olmos gently began.

"I was... a gentle man... a good husband to my wife.... Now... I can't tell if I raped her... if I raped Nalla.... I don't know whats real and whats not."

"That's when you ask," Olmos spoke reassuringly. "Trust me when I say, if you had done those things to my daughter, you would be dead... Logic is the first thing to look to. And the people you are close to, know you best."

Jake sighed softly. "I need to get this... dealt with.."

"We're going to. Just relax and let yourself rest," Olmos told him soothingly.

"Alright... I'd best go." Jake responded. "Her child is mine too.... I want to be involved with the raising of this child..."

"I welcome the help," Nalla spoke very muffledly from Olmos' chest.

"Alright.... Well.... I best go." and with that Jake rose to his feet and quietly departed.