Jeanette surfaced downstairs from the residence around 1100 hours. She was, all told, less hungover than a few hours ago, but she still didn’t feel great. Normally alcohol had little effect on her, but then again she had lost track how much her, Ren and Eela had actually drunk. It was a lot.

She greeted the staff she came upon, but there was little emotion to any of it. Mathis stepped into her office and stared at the Federation flag on display. One of many around the embassy. Her hands could feel the folded flag the officers had placed in her hands yesterday. A flag was a such a light object, but in that moment it felt so terribly heavy, imbued with all the sacrifices over the years- her own and those of others, like Dash.

She missed him more than she could say. As she sat in the large chair at her desk, everything felt more dim. Jeanette knew that would change at some point, and she of course had a duty to fulfill here regardless of who was or wasn’t working at her side, but she lacked the vigour and determination in this moment. Until that strange feeling passed, she was going to sit here. She could not afford to make mistakes or let things fall through the cracks. Oed and the Vren would never forgive her, nor would she forgive herself.

“It wasn’t supposed to be this way,” she said softly, knowing all too well that the voice she most wanted to hear would not reply. There would be no pep talk from her best-friend, her brother.

It all just… hurt.

Jeannette Mathis, Federation Ambassador