Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Governor’s Home - TMODJ (PRISM)

Posted by Civilian Kenzo B’tren-Hyrushi (Governor) in Governor’s Home - TMODJ (PRISM)

Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Governor’s Home - TMODJ (PRISM)
Posted by… suppressed (7) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

“I will continue to monitor her remotely through the cortical reader. Don’t let her take it off, my orders. Mostly she needs rest, as much as she can get. I’m glad she will be speaking with Iven. Follow his instructions and let Governor Hyrushi handle things. He knows how to talk to her. I won’t disturb her, but she can call if she needs anything.” Sharah smiled gently, “It is always enlightening when we see our parents as something other than as our parents. You should return to her.”

Caridee nodded. “She’s sleeping, so I’ll be downstairs.”

Ilena and Yavia were moving crates to the door to be taken down and transported back to the hospital.

Sharah closed her eyes. She could not read Kenzo’s thoughts, but she knew him better now. She gently pinged his senses. She did not want to disturb him, but she wanted to ensure he was taken care of as well before they left.

Lt. Cmdr. Fayth, SFCMO

The door to Eela’s room was just cracked open enough for her to see that her mother was still sleeping, Karilan curled up with her. She smiled again at the loveliness, knowing that this was a piece of the puzzle of Eela Dasca that was coming into place in a way that never could have before the accident and the divorce. Before her father showed up on Oed. She tamped down on the feelings that rose up and hurried down the stairs with quiet steps. Caridee made it to the patio doors and stepped out into the garden.

It was a lot. All of it. Her mother’s sudden life-threatening illness triggered so many difficult memories and emotions from not just those weeks at her mother’s side while the coma persisted, but afterwards when Eela had been awake and trying to literally get back on her feet. She knew then that her parent’s relationship was strained, but it was hard to ignore how distant and disengaged her father had been. How easily frustrated he’d been with his recovering wife whom had had an enormous amount of loss inflicted all in one go. And Jourin had drifted away. She and he were still close but it wasn’t the same, and there was a lot they couldn’t talk about. In the end it had been just her and Roger supporting Eela these last years. And Kian too, of course. But Eela had become wayward and adrift, and there had been only so much they could do to help her. She had had to find her own path. As Roger proved, that meant being far, far away from Earth, but also rooted somewhere where she could build community. She was so heartened by what she was seeing in her mother’s transformation. Or was it more that she was becoming who she always should have been?

The reality for Caridee was that she was torn. She still loved her father, but much like her mother the mask he had been wearing had been pulled off. It pained her so much and the thing she hadn’t yet shared with her mother or Jourin is that Caridee had taken the difficult step of telling him she needed space. She couldn’t be involved in his life for a little while until she had had a chance to sort things out for herself. She had had that terrible thought at one point that if he would be so desperate as to physically harm a woman he claimed to love, what did that mean for the rest of them. The thought still made her shudder as she wandered into the garden, PADD in hand in case the cortical monitor went off. She found a place to sit and allowed herself to drop her guard for a little while. She needed to stand down for just a brief time so she could be there for her mother when she woke up. There was still a crisis in play after all, and her mother’s health would take a couple days to fully be at baseline. She had promised her mother years ago that she would also be there for her and help her through anything. It was the same promise that had made her her mother’s medical proxy through everything after the Steadfast. She would never break that promise.

~Caridee

“You are conflicted about your parents.” a voice said from behind her. Hyrushi stood two or three meters back from her, dressed in a suit with his hands clasped behind his back. His black eyes seemed bottomless, and a slight breeze moved his long black hair slightly. “The failures of our parents as individuals are particularly hard to process. They are, by their nature of being our progenitors, supposed to be beyond such foibles.” He walked slowly forward to stand next to her, looking out over the city. “It is never a pleasant experience… learning our parents are mere mortals.” He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Walk with me, Doctor.” he said, and he began to walk along the stone path that weaved its way through the dual-rooftop garden.

There was no use in denying the truth of his words. It was written all over her face, and in her body far beyond her emotions. Rising, Caridee simply fell in stride with Hyrushi, taking his lead and trusting him. How could she not? She had trusted him with her mother’s life and that had been no small matter.

“Your mother is an amazing person. I have known none like her.” The admiration in his voice was subtle… but strikingly sincere. “That being said, I also know her to be stubborn and prone to excess when it comes to emotion. You and I must ensure that proclivity is not put on display when Mr. Jones’ assailant is identified.” he said.

Hyrushi, Governor

She couldn’t help but snort, the deep truth of that reality was already on her mind. Whomever was responsible had best be kept a safe distance from Eela Dasca, that was for sure. “What people don’t always see at first is that my mother is a deeply passionate woman, in all areas of her life. And passion by its very nature is intense and barely controllable. Her career tempered it into something she could wield more intentionally.” Sevren swallowed, unable to keep certain memories at bay. “Her accident all but undid that tempering, and in many ways it’s freed her. But as you so correctly allude to, it can get her into trouble. And I need to be up front that the Kuskaaritz has triggered some very difficult memories for me, from her accident and the aftermath. But they give me a deeper insight into that part of her mind that I don’t know if others here fully understand yet.” Caridee gazed at Kenzo deeply. “I never share things that are not mine to share, but I think because of this morning this is an exception…”

Caridee stopped, facing him. “There is something more happening for her right now. Something that I detected when we were trying to ground her. I’m not sure if Karilan did or not, but based on their closeness I’d bet on it. Experiencing Dashiel Jones’ death has been an extraordinarily painful for her, as if it was her herself going through it. But it’s not isolated. It’s triggered memories. Maybe it’s from the Steadfast, or maybe it’s something else. I know I don’t know everything about her life. But I do know she has had an incredibly varied life and also experienced many difficult times, including the Dominion War. And the body keeps the score, Governor. It tells the truth when the mind cannot. Hers is suffering right now and you are correct that her emotions will not be denied or hidden. My mother believes in justice and she will fight for it with every inch of her being, though it’s a fine line we might need to remind her of lest she do irreparable damage. So what do we do? Book her a vacation? This isn’t like the aftermath of my father’s visit. I may not understand Oed very well yet, but with the Vren here, I can’t imagine she would take well to being left out, and I don’t know how long the public will allow her to be absent, even if that absence is in hers and Oed’s best interest.”

~Caridee

Hyrushi led her to a small clearing surrounded by tall bamboo stalks. On the far side was a small shrine in which burned a single candle. In front of the shrine was a small bronze pot filled with red sand. Stuck in the sand were several long, thin sticks. Hyrushi walked up to the pot and knelt down, sitting back on his feet. He looked at Sevren and then looked back at the shrine.

“My family are devotees of an ancient Earth religion… Shinto.” he said as he reached forward and took one of the sticks from the sand. “Shinto, in a purely academic sense, revolves around spirits called the kami. The kami are believed to inhabit all things everywhere… including forces of nature and some special and unique landscape features. The kami are worshipped at kamidana household shrines, family shrines like this one, and jinja public shrines.” He leaned forward and put the tip of the stick in the flame of the candle, setting it alight. He pulled it back, let it burn for a moment, and then blew out the flame. The ember on the tip of the stick soldered and soon a tendril of fragrant blue-gray smoke floated up from it. He stuck the base of the incense stick back in the sand and closed his eyes, breathing in the aroma.

All too well versed in ritual, Caridee bowed her head in reverence, letting her mind express a moment of gratitude, especially for her mother’s Kuskaaritz being resolved.

“Those who follow the ways of Shinto place primary importance on several things: purity, harmony, respect for nature, family respect, and subordination of the individual before the group. We believe that no One is more i.portant than the Whole. But what many outside of Shinto fail to grasp is that the Whole must have the One to be complete.” A slight chuckle escaped him and he said “Oddly, the most precise summation of our beliefs was made not by a Japanese practitioner… but a French writer from many centuries ago. His name was Alexandre Dumas in a fiction novel entitled *The Three Musketeers’. In that work, the protagonists are set against a powerful adversary who seeks to break their bond s with one another. But… they adhere to their code.” He opened his eyes and looked at Sevren.

“All for one. And one for all.”

He looked back at the shrine and bowed deeply, raising back up and exhaling slowly. “I believe that is actually the best motto for Oed V. I’m sure the Musketeers would agree.”

Hyrushi, Governor

She smiled softly. “As it is on Halii, too.” Caridee exhaled an audible breath. “This is why I was so adamant that we needed to get her through to Batarael. Those rituals will help her find her centre, help her feel whole. Death for Haliians is not quite sad at its core. We release a person to the Great Mystery and bid them a safe passage. We don’t assume or guess about an afterlife because it’s beyond us now, but we do believe we are always connected. We can’t help but be. Physics and all that,” she said with a warmer smile. “But the space between the moment of death and release can sometimes be perilous. For my mother it will likely be more than just finding acceptance. I told the women upstairs how grateful I am for all of you who have found a place in her life. She’s very picky,” Caridee said, unable to push back the smirk. “So you are right, she’s going to need all of us, all of Oed, to see her through.” But…

Caridee had blue eyes like her father’s, but they were always softer in gaze, even when she was having stronger emotions. “If it was just Jones and the Kuskaaritz, I think it would be simpler. But it’s not. This is on the heels of a massive upheaval in her personal life. I do believe you are one of the few who knows her better than most, so I think, I hope you understand that her actions going forward won’t just be about grief for Dash. She’s still fighting her own reality, of what she thought her life had been versus what it truly is, while also trying to be the great leader she has always been.” Caridee’s expression was almost pained. “To this day I still don’t know what all went down on the Steadfast, but I’m giving you this warning because I believe you will know what to do with it: something about what happened that day, and her determination here on Oed are inextricably linked. Add to that the potent guilt and grief that comes with loss and you have a precarious situation. Eela Dasca cannot stand being a burden to anyone, Governor. Do you understand? She was made to believe having needs at all was a burden. I watched it happen in real time after her accident without fully understanding what I was seeing. And now I understand that that was the end of it, not the beginning.”

~Caridee

Hyrushi listened intently. “I do understand. And I believe that Captain Dasca and I have a relationship that surpasses our official titles. She is my friend… and I do not have so many of those that I can afford to not help one to the utmost of my ability.” He looked at the shrine for a moment and then back at Caridee. “You said that you believe she is still fighting her own reality. What she thought her life was versus what it actually is. I do not think that is so much the case as she has always known the realities of her life… but her stubbornness and indeed pride kept her from acknowledging it on a conscious level.” He looked back at the shrine and then began walking further down the path. “Captain Dasca is not so blind that she could not see certain people for what they were… but she takes her commitments very seriously. And sometimes that is to her detriment.”

Hyrushi, Governor

“She doesn’t give up on people,” Caridee said as she walked with him, knowing the reality of that statement all too well. It was a keen double-edged sword- a gift that could give as much as it could take. “I wish that she had had more examples of the reverse being true, but it’s been very complicated, and not always couched in reality. For the last few years her support network has consisted of myself- and my husband in his own way- and Roger. And two people can be more than enough, but not for her, not as a Haliian of her abilities. So in many ways Oed has been wonderful for not just her, but all those that care about her. I’ll never not worry about her, but at least I know without a doubt that her circle of support has grown and cares about her as much as we do.”

She peered over at Kenzo, pensive for a moment. “I think you of all people now understand how… strong my mother’s touch telepathy can be, canar or no. It’s a particular gift that she has always been cautious to use and share, because so many species and cultures she comes across are adverse to such a connection, especially with a stranger. This I’m sure you already know, but when I think about how we can help her from crossing lines when the investigation reaches its end, or at any point along the way, that is how. We remind her she is connected. Words may not be enough. Words have fooled her before. We need to show her by our actions in whatever way makes sense for each of us in the moment. Allow her body to remember what her mind knows.” She wasn’t going to make specific suggestions because that resumed she understood what each of her mother’s relationships were, and she would never assume that.

~Caridee

Hyrushi nodded slightly. “I was aware of the extent of her abilities long before this incident. As such I also know that what you suggest is the best avenue of approach.” They began walking across the transparent aluminum sky bridge between the two massive towers. Hundreds of feet below them the city was starting to glow as lights came on as dusk approached. “And it will be so. I am fairly certain that the only individuals in existence more stubborn than your mother are those who cared for her today. We will not allow her to forget who she is… that is certain.”

Hyrushi. Governor

Caridee gave him a warm smile. “And for that I am forever grateful.” Despite how she knew her mother felt, Caridee had never ever once considered her mother’s medical issues to be a burden. She had never been a burden. They hadn’t been easy though, and it was hard to find yourself in the role of a caregiver for a family member. The lines and definitions of relationships could get blurred so easily. But Eela Dasca was a force to be reckoned with, and Caridee was counting on that.

She looked out over the skyline, deeply impressed by the view and she let herself be enamoured with this colony. Caridee was starting to understand at least a little of the allure it had for her mother. “I’ve been thinking about our plans for Batarael, and the surprises we have for my mother. Roger’s arrival I’m not worried about. She adores that man, and any time he showed up here would be a good surprise for her. Though I have no doubt he’ll make all haste to get here as soon as he hears about Jones.” She had pondered saying something to Roger herself, but knowing him as she did, she expected he’ll have heard as soon as it had gone public.

“But the one I’m more concerned with is my brother Jourin’s arrival. I’m hoping to get your perspective here given you’ve been in closer proximity to her lately, but my impression is that after everything with my father, and now this with Dash, Jourin suddenly showing up would be too much. So I figure I give her the option to choose to know this one surprise before he arrives so that she has time to prepare herself emotionally. He’s quite excited to be here, but I think we’re all realizing just how complicated our family dynamics are. The last time they were in the same room together was my baby shower and even then it was awkward as hell. Jourin is coming with a different perspective than he had before, but even that will have been made more complicated by recent events.” An understatement, if there ever was one. Caridee wasn’t even sure what had actually happened that led to Jourin pulling away from his own mother, who had done nothing but love and support him. All she did know is that he hadn’t acted without the influence of someone and, well, it was pretty clear now who that influence had been.

~Caridee

Hyrushi was silent as he stared over the city for some time; obsidian eyes seeming to see every detail and individual across the vista before them. “I think you should tell her of Rogers arrival, but keep your brother’s appearance as a surprise. And if I may inject myself into you family affairs, allow me the opportunity to speak with Jourin before he makes it to Oed. Establish some… ‘guidelines’… for his arrival. Perhaps such a discussion from a stranger could be better received than it coming from his sister.”

Hyrushi, Governor

Surprise washed through her and spilled onto her face. From a certain perspective, it made sense to do the reverse where telling Eela about Roger would give her something lovely to look forward to, something that would be hard enough to find at a time like this. On the other hand, she didn’t want anyone assuming the worst of Jourin’s intentions. “Perhaps,” Caridee said with a nod. “But I do feel it’s important to say that one, my mother will be happy to see him. I know this because when I first suggested making the trip for Batarael just after she arrived on Oed, I suggested I might ask Jourin if he might join us and she perked up at the idea, even if she seemed skeptical he’d agree. Which leads me to, two, Jourin has had other things happening in his life that have complicated how he’s interacted with everyone, not just my mother. Those changes are huge and not mine to share, but a lot will make more sense to her when he arrives.”

Caridee stopped and turned to Kenzo. “I’m not opposed to you talking to Jourin, on the contrary. But I caution that how you approach him will matter. If you are Kenzo, Eela’s friend, wanting to make sure she’s not left worse off, that is one thing. But if Governor Hyrushi is making observations, then that’s going to come across very differently. I just want to be certain that Jourin isn’t treated like the enemy here. Like I said, I don’t know what all went down between them and exactly how my father played a role, and unless you are privy to more about that than I am, which is possible, I would exercise caution about how any of this is approached.”

~Caridee

Hyrushi nodded. “I agree. And I do not view your brother as the enemy. Far from it, actually. It is my belief that he, like you and your mother, are victims of the behavior of your father.” He turned and looked directly at Caridee, and there seemed to be an underlying… energy… to his words as he spoke, even if his tone remained neutral. “He is the enemy. And I am sorry if that hurts or offends you, but I have no tolerance for those who use their loved ones. I have even less for those who do harm to those I care for. I care for your mother. I consider her… more than a friend. And to that end I will tolerate no one causing her pain.” He then turned and looked out over the city. “I will not dictate to your brother, nor will I attack him in any way. I want him to come and spend time with his mother. She loves him and misses him terribly. I merely wish to ensure that your father’s influence is not a factor in his participation.” He looked back at her again. “Your mother trusts you and your brother, as a mother should. You and Jourin are not my children. Today, you have proven that I can trust you with your mother’s well-being. I wish to give your brother the same opportunity.” and he looked back at the city.

Hyrushi, Governor

Caridee was good at hiding her feelings when she needed to. It was simply the result of being a therapist and not allowing her own emotions to cloud what was happening with her patient. But here and now everything was so much more raw. “Your words don’t hurt me,” she said softly, as she struggled to control that wave of distress. “My father’s actions are the problem. And when everything went down here with him and Mom missed our planned call, I reached out to Roger. It was so unlike her not to respond or give some sort of warning. When we suspected that it was him on Oed, Roger made it clear just how much she had shielded Jourin and I from her reality. And it was harder these last years. Rarely were the four of us in the same room. I was the one at the hospital with her most of the time. I should have known then, should have connected the dots by how little he could stand being there with her as she struggled.”Caridee shook her head. “I will never forget that call with her, Governor. I can’t unknow what I know now. So, yes, talk to Jourin if you feel you need to, but also know that I wouldn’t still go ahead with our plans if I thought Jourin was coming for the wrong reasons. You also need to remember that there will be pain, for him and I and my mother as we finally get a chance to hash this all out. You can’t protect her from that. It’s a necessary part of the healing process we all desperately need. Thank goodness family therapy is a thing,” she said with a rueful smile.

“I don t protect people from needed pain, Doctor. I do, however, ensure that such pain is as shortly lived as possible.’ Hyrushi said.

Back upstairs in the penthouse, everything had been quiet as Eela allowed herself to succumb to the deep fatigue. She slept soundly for awhile, before things began to shift. Free of the sedative, her brain could shift through the phases of sleep naturally, and that meant she could dream.

---

Eela stood in her foyer, the epitome of elegance in the magenta gown from the gala. She smiled as the familiar presence approached from behind and hands gently slid down her bare arms. She turned to meet Dash’ smiling eyes, lit up with genuine happiness to see her and she was flooded with warmth. He took her in his arms and then they began to dance, waltzing gently in a circle around her entryway. The music began to speed up, but neither were concerned, even as they moved faster along with it. Faster and faster they spin and normally her vertigo would have made that impossible. Faster and faster, tighter and tighter, her heart raced as they felt like they were moving out of control and yet they were fixed in space, their eyes glued to each other.

The next thing she knew Eela felt like she was in freefall until her body crashed into something. She lay prone and she could feel each part of her body that hurt, including her head. She knew if she could touch that wound, she would see blood. There was so much pain! Lying on her back, a shadow fell over her, the form of something hovering. Another brief stab of pain and then a moment later she sucked in a breath that wouldn’t come. She desperately tried to take in air but it was like there was no more left in the room. The shadow dissipated and as she stared at the ceiling, she knew this was how it ended. Strange after everything that it came to this.

---

In the garden, Hyrushi scowled. Something was wrong. He looked back across the bridge and his jaw set. “Eela.” he said as if speaking to her directly before he took off running at a speed that was wholly surprising for anyone who could see it.

Eela gasped and bolted upright out of Karilan’s arms. Tears streaming down her face, she desperately tried to fling the weighted blanket off of them and escape the bed, but she was still exhausted and weak and she all but slid out of the bed to floor, sitting against the side and shaking as she tried to draw in a normal breath.

~Caridee & Eela

Hyrushi, Governor