Sheriye was just leaving her quarters to head over to the Starbase to attend the welcoming ‘Ball’ for their new Captain when she almost ran into Fleet Commander M’Ressa who had been about to comm her door. “Uh..uh Rrearr Admirral,” She said as she stuttered over M’Ressa’s rank. “I was jusst heading to the basse…” She trailed off, her tail and ears were twitching in agitation and with feeling uncomfortable. She did indeed look look a smaller cat facing a larger one and wishing to run away.

“Lieutenant…Sheriye.” M’Ressa began in her smoother Federation then Sheriye had been able to acclimate as of yet. Perhaps that was due to M’Ressa having come up the ranks as a Communications officer, rather than a scientist such as Sheriye, so she had spent more time studying languages. “Sheriye, this is ridiculous. You are avoiding me. You are my grandkit, my only living one left.” The Rear Admiral said trying to open up a dialogue with the younger Caitian. “Why are you so angry with me?” The Rear Admiral asked with what was true concern in her voice.

Sheriye sighed in capitulation and walked out of her quarters to walk beside her Granddam, her forepaws tugging at her traditional Caitian robe that she had chosen for the ball as she glanced sideways at her Granddam who was resplendent in her dress uniform and wondered if she should have worn that instead.

“Maybe becausse you alwayss ssay that.” She finally said squaring her shoulders and putting steel into her own tone. She had not ever spoken to her Granddam like this, one reason she had avoided the conversation for so long. She hadn’t wished too but it was tearing her apart. Her Granddam was one of the only ones left in her immediate clan, other then her father, and it hurt her. “Everry converrssation we have you sstarrt with that. You thrrow Teriye’ss death in my face everry time.” Entering the turbolift she waited until M’Ressa had joined her then ordered the lift to the docking port. “It …iss…not …my fault! I losst my twin, the otherr half of my ssoul. I will neverr be complete in thiss life again.” Her voice cracked a bit at the end but her shoulders and face remained set and firm.

M’Ressa stood half turned sideways as she looked at her grandkit, silent for a few minutes as she studied her closely. Finally she said equally as soft.”You think I blame you, and I do not. I guess I have always said it like that to show how much I value you. I have lost your mother and your twin kit just as you have. It was a tragic accident, Sheriye. It was not your fault. I had no idea what I was saying was hurting you.” She waited for a few moments for Sheriye’s response.

Sheriye in her turn looked down at the deck for the turbolift then took a slow deep breath. “I guesss I neverr did ssay anything, did I? I just asssumed by what you ssaid that you blamed me. You rreally don’t?” Sheriye asked looking with eyes that were of the young kit on Cait and not the Starfleet Officer she had become.

“I don’t.” M’Ressa said firmly before reaching forward and hugging her grandkit firmly.”I thought because you were so quiet about it that it was your way of grieving. As was your anger. Both normal things, Sheriye. But we are family, we are clan. 4 years is too long for this to remain between us.”

Sheriye nodded as she stepped back, her spine straightening as if she was putting on her uniform again.”Okay, good. Bessidess how elsse arre we to get along being sstationed out herre togetherr?” She asked with a twinkle of her old humor in her eyes. A humor her granddam hadn’t seen for many years.

“Easy.” The Rear Admiral said as she straightened and faced the opening turbolift doors.”I outrank you.” She answered in kind.

Sheriye CSO
Fleet Commander M’Ressa