Dagen watched and focused on each portrait as it was pointed out. Deela, his sister was only starting to show some of the lines of their mother near the time when she left home. It wasn’t unusual, though he imagined Reia with more of her features. Still, he enjoyed what she looked like now. Something about her tone … “They look nice. Have your grandparents passed on?” He asked, keeping his tone soft.

“No, they’re still very lively for people in their 80s. Gramps has turned small time gentleman farmer and gram is a retired nurse. But she lectures in several of the larger colleges a few times a year.”

He grunted in a tone that said, in essence, ‘tell me about it’. “Have you tried to find her yourself?” He asked. “I did for a time to find my sister. It’s hard.” Reia looked smaller after that admission. He shifted himself so that his back was in the nook of the couch and drew Reia about so that her back was against him. His arms slid around her. It would not be the last time that Intel people would promise the moon and deliver a few rocks.
Dagen

Reia felt very comforted by Dagen’s actions and settled herself into him as if it was the most natural thing to do.

“Yes, I tried off and on but I get tired of chasing ghosts. I don’t even know why she is wherever the hell she is. Clinically unstable etc etc. Such confusing nonsensical terms.” she said in frustration.

• Reia

Dagen agreed. This sort of thing was extremely treatable in this day and age. His face flashed disapproval, happy that Reia was not facing him to see that. His arms closed in for a quick hug. As much as he wanted to say so on the ‘treatable’ it was only as treatable as the person wanted. His mother had gone into a depression after his brother had died and his sister had gone into her own reactive decline and ultimately disappearing. Dagen himself likely didn’t help with that, being seriously injured from that and then himself essentially disappearing after a brief courts martial, demotion and medical leave after belting an admiral, and going off in a search for his sister. But one didn’t go missing in an institution. He sighed softly and tipped his head to press his lips to her shoulder. “I know people ..” he began, then stopped. Of course she would know people too who could find others. She was in intel for ancestors’ sake. His sources would have fewer resources than hers.
- Dagen

If the circumstance had been less serious Reia would have laughed at Dagen and told him he was being cute, but she could tell that he meant his words and she appreciated him for it.

“Oh my dear Dagen, we all know people. I’m sure I’ll dive back into research again soon but you have to come up for air. I was three the last time I saw her. Who’s to say she would even want to know this strange woman claiming to be her daughter.”

Reia fell silent, lost in her own thoughts.

• Reia