Posted by Civilian Astrid Rousseau (Chief Justice) in Dasca’s Apartment- The Comfort of Friends

Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Dasca’s Apartment- The Comfort of Friends

Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Dasca’s Apartment- The Comfort of Friends
Posted by… suppressed (7) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

It was a reasonable question, all things considered. She had heard through her staff that Kenzo had told the cabinet that she wasn’t there because of ‘unrelated medical reasons’, but no one knew outside of a select group of people what had gone down. It probably helped general perception that she also was using her cane in public, so
people would likely assume it was her back that was bothering her. Eela had no idea what Astrid knew, though she also trusted the discretion of her medical team.

Eela went to go reach up to grab some glass jars containing loose herbs and frowned. “Do you mind grabbing those two middle containers in front? I’m still a bit sore.”

Astrid seemed at ease when she reached and pulled down the jars of herbs. She set them on the counter and opened them so that Eela could get some then stepped back a simple pace to give her room to maneuver. She did stay nearby though, just in case.

While Astrid helped her, Eela got the infuser and the teapot out. “To answer your second question, it is progressing. The medical issue I experienced is resolved, but I am dealing with the fallout. It will take some time. And that of course is not even factoring in Dash’s death.” She paused, hands wrapped around the clear glass teapot, and looked over at Astrid. “I experienced his death, Astrid. Or rather, my body experienced what he physically went through. It’s complicated, and it created a dangerous situation for me, but it’s forced me into a place where I have no choice to process things. Not just his death and the medical issue, but Cory’s abuse, and the loss of my ship and career.” She let out a throaty chuckle. “It’s been… a lot.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

She couldn’t pretend to understand the emotional and mental turmoil added to whatever physical injury had occurred. She honestly had no idea how to help her friend. Astrid took many psychology classes as a part of her education because she needed to understand the nature of people and why they did what they did so she could mete out the proper consequences to assist in rehabilitation rather than doing nothing but locking up all offenders of every rule. Still, it wasn’t the kind of education that helped her BE a psychologist and she was a bit out of her league. “I cannot even imagine what that is like really. I have never been in anything close to that kind of situation. Do you want to talk about it? Or shall we let it be for now and heal your heart by talking of idle gossip and other subjects of an equally amusing caliber?”

Rousseau, HotJ

A genuine smile traipsed across her face. “You know, something lighthearted would be good to start. I’ve been warned that pushing my feelings to the side will only complicate things so I’m okay talking about it all, but gossip and tea sounds lovely.” Eela measured out a roughly 50/50 blend of the herbs and poured just hot enough water over in a swirl, letting the pot fill. She grabbed a cover, slipping it over the pot and reached to the lowest shelf under the tea where colourful handmade cups sat. She pulled out two that seemed to match a set that were glazed white with a watercolour pattern in bright colours. Finally she grabbed a small tray and set the tea pot atop.

“Come, if you can grab the tea pot for me, we can go sit out on the patio.”

Astrid did as she was asked, carefully taking the teapot outside. Astrid loved the outdoors of patio spaces. Her own home had a substantial patio and outdoor sitting area as well as the hot tub and pool. Compared to her time working as a Justice before her appointment to OED V, she was quite in the lap of luxury. Mostly, she simply was being practical. Her home was the only other place besides her office in which she spent substantial time. For her to be able to work as much as she did, it had to be comforting. It seemed that Eela was similar. Though, her home was more colorful than Astrid’s who’s home was a mix of pastels instead.

She led them past the breakfast nook and casual sitting area and around the corner to the right where a hallway followed along the floor to ceiling windows. They passed the dining room where they could see directly into the foyer, and from here Astrid could see that the living room and dining room were actually an open space divided by a wall in the middle that held a fireplace visible to each other side and was passable on either side.

The patio was essentially a large L-shaped space that Eela had divided into rooms of sorts. The doors opened out onto a dining area and cooking area. To the left was a large pergola with a sectional and large coffee table. To the right was a pair of lounge chairs, and beyond that disappeared out of sight. The sides of the patio were protected by an almost imperceivable glass like structure that served to protect Eela from any attempts to intrude on her space or threaten her safety. A necessary precaution. Amongst all of it were raised beds set at a different heights, with many such that Eela wouldn’t have to bend too far. Everything was lush, in bloom, or producing fruits or vegetables. It was a riot of colour, with no specific theme. Eela just grew what she wanted and loved.

The patio space was lovely and much more a riot of plant life than Astrid’s. She found herself charmed and bent over a bit to smell some of the blooms as she passed by them. Astrid had never gardened herself, choosing to employ people to make plants live around her. She believed in the importance of fresh air and plant life being a morale booster.

Eela beamed as her friend took in her outdor space and radiated enjoyment. Right now it was such a blessing to have such warm feelings in the atmosphere around here.

She led Astrid to the the pergola and setting onto the large sectional sofa, placing the cups on the table while they waited for their tea to brew.

Astrid placed the tea pot on a trivet, careful not to let any spill, and then took a seat.

“So, gossip. Tell the good stuff,” she said with a gleam in her eyes. “I hear things in the Tower quite naturally, but I’m intentionally out of the loop.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

“I wish I had a lot to tell you but I am afraid I am also often out of the loop. I do know that one of my assistants has a significant crush on Lord Duroc. She could barely speak when she accompanied me to my usual hand to hand and weapons training session on board his ship. When we left, she caught sight of him and turned the most unflattering shade of red.” Astrid smiled. “The poor girl wouldn’t say a word but has requested to be my assistant for all such activities. Of course, I had to say no. The man is married after all. His wife was very kind to me when we had that delegation in.”

Rousseau, HotJ

Eela laughed as she checked the tea, but it needed to steep a little longer. Wise choice. I would not mess with Jal’na. She’s my physiotherapist and does not go easy on anyone. If she took someone as a threat?” She arched her brows. “I would worry for your assistant.”

Astrid laughed too, shaking her head. “I don’t. The girl can hardly speak in his presence. Not exactly the eye catching kind of person a Klingon would be attracted to. Jal’na has nothing to worry about there.”

“I don’t know that I would want Jal’na to be my Physiotherapist. As sore as I get coming out of my sessions with Lord Durocs own staff, I cannot imagine what lovely and horrible torture Jal’na would put me through. I am sure she is effective however.”

Eela grinned. “To be fair, she knows I’m a stubborn-ass captain and if things aren’t laid out as a challenge to be conquered, I probably wouldn’t bothered. Not when it comes to myself. Terrible, I know, but true. And without her help, I would not have resolved a great deal of the disc compression I had been dealing with when I first got here” Eela smiled softly. “I’m very grateful to her.”

“Tea is almost ready, but needs another minute,” Eela said, gazing out over her space. “Time though, is something I have plenty of. I know it’s wise to take this time off, Astrid, but in all honesty, I chafe. The Starflet officer in me wants to be doing something. There’s so much going on right now It’s hard to sit back and just let it whirl on around me.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

“You know, speaking of Jal’na… She made a suggestion to me at the delegation dinner that really made an impact and maybe it would be a good suggestion for you too. She suggested I do volunteering. I have been helping with the small children, reading and playing games since then. Also, the occasional time in the NICU holding babies. They are so warm and I don’t know if you remember, but babies smell amazing. It has been a rather lovely way to spend my off hours. It has helped me a lot.”

Rousseau, HotJ

Eela couldn’t help but laugh a little. “In fact I just met with the volunteer coordinator to start to process of my being vetted as a volunteer in the NICU.” She drew in a steadying breath. “I have… personal experience. My son was born premature and we weren’t sure how he would fare. Fortunately he only had to spend a few weeks in an incubator, but it was a very difficult experience in a time where i was already dealing with a lot. I can only hope to help other parents and let them know they can share the burden.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

“I on the other hand have no personal experience with babies beyond when I was helping my siblings when they were born. I was hardly old enough to consider that “experience” though. I have a good head on my shoulders and I have the ability to calm people down when they are losing their emotional regulation so they were kind enough to accept me into the fold from time to time. The children are so strong and resilient. I feared I would break, seeing them so unhealthy or knowing their conditions were sometimes fatal, but my focus is on giving them a safe place to be children.”

Rousseau, HotJ

Eela nodded. “It is hard. There was a while for that first week when we weren’t sure he would make it. And our ship wasn’t exactly close to a major medical facility so we had to just… hope,” she said. “But I remember that first day when he was strong enough to be taken out of the incubator and I got to hold him for the first time.” Eela smiled even as her eyes misted. “He was so tiny and I held him against my skin and sang to him. An old Haliian lullaby that I vaguely remembered my parents singing to me. And I just felt so lost. I had just lost my parents in a Borg attack a few weeks prior, and my daughter was four. I felt so adrift, like the Universe didn’t make sense anymore. And then I held him, and for a brief moment it did.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

“I cannot imagine what that feels like but I hope one day to experience that click. The only time the world makes sense is when I am dealing with the intricacies of law and the fallibility of people. And of course, one day I hope to have my own baby in my arms. Family is complicated for me but I do want the chance to be a mother. At this rate however, I am pretty confident my two siblings will get there before I do.”

Rousseau, HotJ

“Even if they do, I’m sure you’d make a great auntie if given the chance.” Eela didn’t want to make some trite comment about how Astrid would get to be a mother when the time was right, because that wasn’t always true and there were some painful realities some people dealt with in their pursuit of parenthood.

“But if you’re looking for some hands on experience, I’m sure my daughter would be more than happy to have another trusted person to babysit for them. My granddaughter is still a baby but increasingly on the move. Very curious and loves people.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.