Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Sharah Fayth (Chief Science Officer) in Empathy and Plants
Tabris had wanted to go to the arboretum after parkour. Sharah had been fine with that. Sharah had returned to her quarters for a change of clothes. Tabris had done the same but Sharah also knew he’d gone to see if there was any letter from Neltus yet. Sharah was so excited for Tabris. She knew he would be a good father. She had to admit, at least to herself, she was a little jealous. She and Joseph had talked about having children and though she’d been worried she wasn’t anymore. They were going to have an amazing life together. Joseph was due to transfer to Ark Angel very soon, and though she had more than enough work to keep her focused during the day, she found herself eagerly and impatiently counting the days during her off hours. She’d found herself researching Earth wedding customs and put a stop to that quickly, with very little success. From the looks of it, her parents wouldn’t make it. This whole thing with Betazed was making her mad. Her people knew better. Fear only inspired fear to spread and feed of itself. Sharah sighed as she entered the arboretum and began to wander around. She knew better than most telepaths/empaths how emotions fed and grew if not tempered with perspective and compassion.

When Tabris entered his quarters the console on his desk was flashing. There was a message from Neltus along with one for every day he had missed so far. “Hi Dad! I miss you! I got ALL your letters. Our subspace communicator broke again. I’ve been writing I just couldn’t send them. I haven’t heard from the judge yet. I hope we get something now that messages are getting though again. Ms. Karra LOVED her robot and it works really well! Vedi and I had to had some hydrolics to it. It didn’t reach quite high enough for her to use to store things in the pantry. But after you showed us how to make the first set work it only took us a couple days to put the new ones in. I can’t wait to see you again. Is your ship really that big? I’m afraid I’ll get lost. Love you, Dad.” There were several more messages attached all about his days that Tabris had missed out on during the radio silence.

Tabris’s eyes lit up! He had been worried about what Neltus thought given that he hadn’t heard for a few weeks. He read the letter over and over with a smile growing wider as he delved through the back log. He loved hearing about how the robot was helpful, how he cut his toe on a nail in the floorboards, a test he got high marks on, all the little things that made him proud. He sent back a response that was heartfelt. “Hey kiddo! Glad to hear it was just a glitch and not a problem! It’s been fairly quiet, here but I’ve missed hearing from you! How are you healing up? Has Vedi given you any more trouble about leaving? The Ark Angle is indeed really big, and I’ve gotten lost myself so you’ll be in good company. I’ll make sure that you have a way to get a hold of me. There are many other children on board too! Hope to hear from you soon. Love you son.” Tabris referenced a few letters ago that talked about Vedi being a little prickly about his best friend leaving and Neltus took it rather personally.

There was also a message from Karra, the house mother. “Hello Mr. Tabris. I’m sure you’ve heard from the judge and I am so happy for you and Neltus. I have not told Neltus. Our patron is bringing, Santa, to the orphanage this year. He is going to be brining Neltus his letter and then, as we spoke before I know you don’t have any time off, she will be brining Neltus to you by shuttle. I thought this would be a wonderful surprise for him for the holiday. School gets out a couple days before and I will be able to send his completed records that way. I hope you are well and you will be seeing your son very very soon. - Karra, House Mother.”
Lt jg Fayth, CSO
Karra, House Mother
Neltus, Tabris’s Son (he just doesn’t know it yet)

Tabris read over the letter and took a deep breath in and let out a sigh as a tear formed on his face and dropped to his desk. He had indeed heard that the judge had granted the adoption but until he had heard it from Karra it hadn’t sunk in yet. He sent out a message “I think that sounds like a lovely plan, I’m sure he’ll be as happy as possible! I look forward to meeting your patron.”

It has been half an hour and Tabris tapped his badge ,=/\= Sharah I am so sorry! I um… I got caught up in personal matters, I’ll explain later. Tabris out =/\= He headed towards the arboretum at a brisk pace he was rushing through the corridors and walked into the arboretum and smiled as he saw Geoff and called out, “Sorry for my delay Sharah, I had finally gotten my back log of letters from Neltus.”

Tabris Asam, Eng