Sisterly advice
Posted on Mon Sep 21st, 2020 @ 3:09pm by
Edited on on Mon Sep 21st, 2020 @ 3:37pm
2,246 words; about a 11 minute read
Mission:
Episode 10 - New Home, Same Pioneers
Location: Ensign Bryne’s quarters
Timeline: MD009 1900 hrs
Zaire lay on his bed and thought about his first few couple days on board. He was settling in well and had made some friends. He respected the science chief and had been working in the lab and even survived his one shift on the bridge. All in all things were going better than expected.
Jayden and Clarissa were an awesome couple, he had liked hanging out with them, they were a lot of fun. It was obvious to him that they were meant to be together. He wondered if that was what his relationship with Kalina would be like if they gave this a shot.
For the first time in a long time he felt homesick, he missed his brother and sister. They had always been close and he wanted to talk to them. Sitting up, he decided to try and call them. Maybe talking to them would help.
Zaire headed over and sat down. As he put the call through, he hoped neither of his parents answered. His mother would grill him on how things were going with Kalina and at this point, he had no answers, all he had was questions of his own. His father would simply tell him to listen to what his mother had to say, that was what always happened.
“Zaire,” Tesna exclaimed with a wide smile. “I am glad you called back, I was upset to learn I had missed your call.”
“I missed you as well,” Zaire murmured, a smile on his face. He had always been close to his brother and sister. That had been the hardest part of leaving.” He looked at his sister closely. She was the beauty of the family, with long red hair and sparkling eyes that always flowed with happiness but today they seemed to have clouds lurking within them. “You seem troubled.”
“I...” Tesla started. “I am good, Zaire. I’m finishing up my senior year of high school and the homework is intense, especially the classes I am taking to prepare for my future in...egin...engineering.”
Zaire couldn’t tell if she didn’t want to talk about it or if she wasn’t in a good place, he knew she had been arguing with their mother so maybe she was afraid of being overheard. “I was having a moment here,” Zaire said quietly. “I needed to talk to you or Taran but your dealing with some things of your own.”
“No,” Tesla shook her head. “I am here for you, Zaire.” She smiled . “I heard about the arranged marriage, how is it going? Is she pretty? At least tell me she is a nice person. I know I am asking a lot of questions but I want you to be happy!”
“I have only seen her for a brief time,” Zaire explained. “I think she is beautiful and what I learned of her I liked.” He smiled wanly. “I could feel an attraction but she needs time to think so I am just moving on until I hear from her.”
“What are you feeling,” Tesla asked him. “Mother threw a curve ball at you and I know that wasn’t easy for you either.”
“Honestly,” Zaire sighed. “I don’t know. Kalina is a mystery to me, I don’t know how she feels about this arranged marriage, our culture, even little things like what is her favorite color or what kind of food does she eat.”
“And you won’t until you spend time and get to know each other,” Tesla said trying to reason with him. “You need to look at the positives. She is a Solwick. That name alone should bring you some relief. Her aunt the ambassador is a force to be reckoned with. She keeps her family in line. I can guarantee you she is quite the catch.”
“Why do I feel like chopped steak,” Zaire returned. “While she is Filet Mignon?” He shook his head. “Believe me I am well aware she sits higher at the table than I do.”
“You want me to play the violin,” Tesla replied sharply. “I was trying to make you feel better because you have concerns about her as a person. It’s a fact that her aunt is an ambassador and there are a lot of parents who would give anything to have their son sitting where you are right now. It doesn’t mean it will work out or that you ‘two’ don’t have options. You don’t have a gun to your head.”
“You need to tell our mother that,” Zaire returned. “If this doesn’t work out I have failed the family. She worked hard to get this alliance between our families!”
“What do you want?” Tesla demanded. “That is the only thing that is important, not me, Taran, our parents or me.”
Zaire sat for the longest time. “I would like to see where this takes us on our own without any outside interference from our parents or her family.”
“Then you wait for her to come to you,” Tesla said with determination. “And you to talk and make a decision together whatever that will be.” It seemed pretty clear to her.
“You’re right,” Zaire said with a sigh. “But I keep thinking in the back of my mind what if a few days turns in two weeks and then longer.”
“First off,”’Tesla replied with a smile. “And you will hate what I am about to say but I’m going to say it anyway. Kalina is a Solwick, they don’t hide, she will tell you how she feels whether it is good or bad and if for some reason she has no manners then put a limit on how long you will wait and then tell mother you refuse the arranged marriage.”
“I am glad I am the one serving on a starship,” Zaire said with a laugh. “If it gets to be that bad she will be livid.”
“Warn Taran and I so we can hide,” Tesla said with a grin. “It isn’t going to happen anyway, she is going to come and talk to you and I am going to be telling you I told you so!”
“I know you will!” Zaire said with a shake of his head. “Keep up your studies you are going to love it out here.”
“What is it like?” Tesla’s eyes lit up. Zaire could see the excitement in them. And something else he couldn’t quite figure out.
“It is the best feeling,” Zaire said with a smile. “I have worked so long to get to where I am now that all the hard days, the listening to Mother and Father tell me I was wasting my time I needed to give up on being a scientist worth it. I knew what I wanted and I fought for it and now I am here living the dream.”
“I guess I can’t complain to you that it is so hard then,” Tesla said with a sigh. “I have days where I just want to give up, the school work is intense.”
“It will seem like a picnic when you get in the academy,” Zaire warned her. “They want talented officers and they will push you until they either see your potential or you drop out.” His eyes met hers “I know you, Tesla, you are a strong woman and have never given up. “
“You’re right,” Tesla said with a nod. “You know how mother gets though.”
“Her goal is to wear you down,” Zaire said. “Don’t talk to her about going to the academy, put your application in and once you’re out of school, pack your things and tell her when you are leaving. She won’t have a chance to try and dissuade you.”
“Just like she likes to try to manipulate and control yours,” Tesla said evenly. “You and Kalina are compatible or her aunt would never have agreed with this but I believe mother thinks she can control your marriage or at the very least lure Kalina into seeking her out for advice. She has lost control over you and doesn’t like it.”
“I am afraid you are right,” Zaire reluctantly agreed. “Mother is a strong Betazed woman, just look at Dad he simply agrees with her for everything. If Kalina and I become serious about each other I will be certain to fill her in on mother and her tricks.”
Tesla smiled at him. “I do love our parents, they just frustrate me sometimes. Mother is so consumed with us having the best of everything, to the point that she is currently trying to arrange a marriage for me with some guy twenty years older than me!”
“That is not happening,” Zaire shook his head. “You have some say.” He couldn’t believe what lengths their mother would go to. “When you graduate, just leave. I will help you get a ride to the Academy, just have your bags packed and go.”
“Are you serious!” Tesla’s face lit up. “If you mean that I will be ready.”
“I am,” Zaire replied with a nod. “I will set you up the same way I got there. Just don’t tell anyone.”
“I won’t,” Tesla promised. “I have been so worried she would stop me!”
“Mother would never have allowed this to happen to her,” Zaire exclaimed. “She has always done exactly what she wanted. Just lay low and all, let her think you may have changed your mind.”
“You are the only one who will know,” Tesla nodded. “I don’t what to put Taran in the position of having to lie or worse, be miserable because he knew and didn’t tell.”
“Good point,” Zaire agreed. He gave her a serious look. “One of my biggest concerns with marriage is I won’t be like father. I believe and respect in our culture and that women have the greater control in marriage but I won’t be the man who sits and nods in agreement. I will have an opinion.”
“And so you should,” Tesla nodded. “There is always one person in a marriage, even in other cultures who is the dominant person.” She smiled. “Kalina is lucky to have you, she may be a Solwick and bringing more to the table but you are a good man and if she wins your heart, mind and soul she will have gotten the better end of the deal.”
“Oh,” Zaire laughed. “Now you are talking me up, I see how you are.”
“You know I love you,” Tesla said with a smile. “I am so grateful that we’re close. We’ve always been there for each other and I will always be here if you need me. I hope that things work out well for the two of you.”
”I am feeling better no matter what Kalina decides,” Zaire murmured. “If she decides to break it off I won’t fight it and if she wants to go forward I will give it an honest try, that is all I can do.” He smiled then. “I love you as well, sister. You are going to make someone an amazing partner one day.”
“I am stubborn,” Tesla said seriously. “I doubt there is a man out there willing to put up with my demands. How many times have you told me I am selfish!”
“Some of those times were my immaturity,” Zaire admitted. “I wanted to you let me win. When you meet the right person I believe that will change.” He took a deep breath. “I hate to do it but I am going to have to let you go, I have an early shift tomorrow and I need some sleep.”
“You stay safe,” Tesla said. “I am so glad to hear that this has worked out for you and now that you’re on a ship you love what you are doing.”
“Like I said earlier,” Zaire grinned. “It was worth it and the bonus to this whole thing is I was supposed to be on a ship that wasn’t what I had hoped for and this one is one of the best.”
“I am even more excited to getting to the academy now,” Tesla grinned. “Talk to you soon.”
“Definitely,” Zaire said with a nod. He sat back and stared at the screen. He had gotten advice from more than one person and they had all made him feel better. He had a feeling that it wouldn’t be too long before Tesla came to visit him and they could finally talk and he hoped most forward.
He stood and stretched, heading into his room he got ready for bed and laid down. Zaire was concerned for his sister and Taran but he had faith that they were both strong enough to do with their lives what they wanted to.
His mind turned to Kalina. He wondered what she was doing at this moment. Probably sleeping, still coming to terms with all of this. He was starting to feel a sense of calm about the whole thing. Everyone had told him to let it go and relax, come what may and from this moment on, he intended to.
A post by;
Ensign Zaire Bryne
Operations Officer, USS Pioneer
RSS Feed