Mothers

Posted on Tue Apr 7th, 2020 @ 11:10am by Hera & Petty Officer 2nd Class 'Big Ethel' Jablonski & Jaeih Dox-t'Aan
Edited on on Fri Apr 10th, 2020 @ 4:00pm

Mission: Born and Reborn
Location: Hera's suite - the Hotel on Miradon
Timeline: 2397

Walking down the long, curved hallway of the rounded grand hotel in Quen'Quen, the capital city of Miradon, the former Intel operative Jaeih Dox had her hands folded behind her back and her usual, inscrutable expression upon her face.

In truth, the elder Romulan with the salt-and-pepper hair pulled back into a tight ponytail who still wore the pointed bangs typical of the Romulan military, felt contrite. Yesterday, when on her daughter’s ship en route to her daughter-in-law’s homeword where they were now staying, Jaeih had finally had a face-to-face meeting with the unique being known as Hera.

The Ambrosian woman sat across from her in the ship’s hold, and during a brief conversation, Jaeih had learned something that had troubled her. She had learned that the mysterious woman who called herself the goddess of women, family, and childbirth, possessed some sort of aura. A field of energy that she projected that affected those willing to receive it that, in the case of her protectors like Petty Officer Ethel Jablonski, gave then the gift of greater physical strength. But to many on the starship that bore her name, that Aura had helped lead to a record number of pregnancies and deepened relationships.

In her case, Jaeih had learned she had been strongly absorbing Hera’s aura in regards to her increased feelings of Maternal connection. In her time on the ship, Jaeih had worked hard to recover her deeply damaged relationship with her daughter, Mnhei’sahe and with Mnhei’sahe’s wife, Mona. In learning that an external force had been affecting her, Jaeih panicked. Overreacting, she shut herself down emotionally and withdrew for most of the first day they were on Miradon. But after a conversation that helped allay her fears, she realized that she had overreacted and, in doing so, had slighted the woman who was there to help ensure that her granddaughters would be born healthy.

Feeling more confident in herself, the Romulan woman wished to speak to the goddess and apologize and, hopefully, clear the proverbial air. That is, if the two women standing outside the door to her suite in the beautiful hotel on the teal-skied planet would allow it.

Still in their gold Starfleet uniforms, Petty Officer’s Jablonski and Liu stood guard outside Hera’s door just as they did on the Starship that bore her name as honor guards. Looking down, the mammoth mountain of muscle looked uncomfortable. “Good morning, Mrs. Dox. Can we help you?”

Five minutes of considerable explanation and apologies later, the door finally was opened and the even more contrite looking Romulan woman was let in to the expansive suite. The room was a large, circular space with long, rainbow-tinted windows overlooking the rolling hills beyond the city, where the warm light of the early morning sun filled the room with a brilliant light. Taking a breath and adjusting her starched gray tunic, Jaeih’s voice was slightly weak as she called out from the foyer. “Pardon my intrusion, Hera. It’s… it’s Jaeih. Would it be possible to… speak?”

"Of course, my dear. I was just sitting down to enjoy some of the local cuisine and I may have ordered a bit much. Please, join me." The elderly woman ordered another plate, glass, and set of silverware from the replicator pad and moved them from the central dias of the dining table to the seat next to hers, the table already filled with varied Miradonian cuisine from all over the planet as well as a bottle of dark, fruity wine. "It seems that the catering this hotel provides is exquisite. They prepare the food, then beam it to the replication pad on your table. If you need condiments or more dishes, those are the only things that are commonly replicated."

"Now... Please, have a seat, have a bite, and tell me what's on your mind."

Raising an eyebrow at the overloaded table and Hera's pleasant demeanor, Jaeih couldn't help but ponder that a people with very few taste receptors had such a penchant for authentically cooked food over replication. Mona, in truth, seemed to adore cooking, herself. And Hera seemed to be very receptive to visitors. 

Slowly, she stepped over and sat down at the offered seat and folded her hands on her lap, sitting quite professionally, as was her general way. "I would like to speak about my... behavior yesterday. And of the aura which, it appears, I have been particularly... receptive. I was... caught off guard and reacted poorly, and would apologize."

"Completely understandable, my dear. I'm guessing as a Rihannsu, or Romulan, or Dark Alvari, whichever you prefer... You're none too fond of anyone influencing your mental faculties in any way and you've been wondering if you would have made the same decisions you have since being close to me if you were not receptive to my aura." Hera paused a moment as she piled several foods onto Jaeih's plate and filled her glass with the dark wine.

"That's just it though, isn't it? You're receptive to it, so you wanted to make those decisions, right? It just gave you a little nudge and helped you along your way? Helped you to become the woman you wanted to be? That being said, I do owe you an apology for the inherent lack of conscious approval or foreknowledge on your part..."

"Thank you." Jaeih said, looking over the food that did look quite tasty. "Without going into excessive detail, I do not have the most... clean history regarding the concept and application of... mental manipulation. And yes, I am afraid that I reacted... poorly as a result of my own personal history."

"But to answer your question, yes. When I came aboard the ship, it was with the intention, however improbable, to attempt to repair the rift between myself and my daughter, Mnhei'sahe. It was something I had tried to do many times. And subsequently, I have failed at that many times."

"Then perhaps it was time for a bit of what many to refer to as 'divine' assistance," Hera replied with a straight face. This was a subject in which she took seriously as it was one in which the Fates dealt and not within her control. "Only the Fates would be able to answer that question and I doubt they would see fit to."

The matronly goddess then dug into the food on her own plate, sampling one of the various egg and vegetable dishes lovingly crafted with a thick and chunky iridescent purple sauce on top. "Mmmm... The taste is... Unique... But the energy... If I didn't know better, I would say that these people ate more with their eyes and energy senses than with their nose and mouth."

Taking a bite, Jaeih processed it for a moment and nodded. "That would be worth asking Mona about. She prepares many of her meals with Mnhei'sahe's tastes in mind, and we tend to favor tastes others define as harsh or bitter. But considering the nature of their senses, it would explain the predilection for hand-grown, hand-prepared dishes. If one is 'tasting' based on the energy put into the food, such preparation would greatly influence the perception of taste."

For a moment, it was relaxing to dig into a minor mental investigation and change the subject briefly. But after her comment, the salt-and-pepper haired Romulan woman nodded and took a drink. "If it is true that my attempts at reconnecting with my daughter... forging a bond with my daughter-in-law... with the children on the ship such as my goddaughter Moria or the little Minerva... if that was all something that your aura strengthened my ability to deal with in the manner in which I wanted to rather than retreating literally and figuratively into old patterns, then I owe you my thanks, not my suspicions."

"Would you thank one of your datapads for displaying a document or a tricorder for scanning something?" Hera asked, a blue fruit on the end of her fork. "To me, my aura is similar in nature. Though... You are quite welcome. I've noticed Rita thanks the computer when she makes requests of it in front of me and it responds in kind, which leads me to believe it has a crude intelligence to it as well. For millennia I've always thought of my aura as a passive tool, however... Some of your crew reject it and you raise the question of conscious versus subconscious approval. This is the first time I have had to think on such things."

"That would be wise food for moving forward, I am sure." Jaeih said, taking another bit of the interesting meal before her. "But for now, it was important to me to try and understand your nature and... perhaps... my own. I have been a poor mother for a long time. Not worthy of the name. But I find myself in a completely new position in my life. My daughter and I have established a degree of closeness that had never been before. My feelings for Mona are equally strong. I find my thoughts linger on them... On their children to come... To those children on the ship... quite frequently."

Reaching slightly, Jaeih picked up a small piece of pastry and took a bite at the salty flavor and crispy texture. "But, I find these thoughts not clouding in any way. Instead, such thoughts focus me. On my duties and tasks. On improving myself to the better completion of those tasks. When I think of my mind over the months I have been on the Hera, I see none of the earmarks of altered thinking. I see the... refinement of focus. I see a mind that can review the paths set before it and choose not out of fear, but out of desire. Hope."

Looking out the window for a moment, the Elder Romulan, only a child to the ancient woman across from her, nodded. "Before joining the ship, that would not have been. If that is the result of your aura and it's influence, then I would accept it consciously. But for that, I must also ask permission."

"Permission?" Hera asked, pausing to savor a particularly sweet bit of roast meat that had to have come from a plant, yet vaguely resembled bacon. "My dear, I count you among my friends and family. I will give of myself freely to you whatever you ask of me."

"Nevertheless, If I am to be true to the goal of continuing to better myself, then it is a moral imperative. But I appreciate your reply greatly." Jaeih said, looking across at the goddess at the table.

"However, I would be remiss if I failed to ask the cost to you in giving of yourself in such a manner. Energy of any kind does not come from nowhere, after all." Jaeih asked frankly. 

Hera waved her fork in the air dismissively. "What it costs me is negligible when I consider that the return is the knowledge that you are using it to become the best you that you can be. That gives me more energy and willpower than you or any other could possibly strip from me in several of your lifetimes."

"Please, forgive my ignorance in my questions. While I made myself aware of your presence through my security clearance as a civilian member of the Intelligence Department, which was broad, but still less than any actual officer, I will admit that I... avoided my usual predilection of digging deeper in regards to you and your effect on the ship." Jaeih said as she continued eating, somewhat absentmindedly at this point, engaged more in the conversation.

"I fear that, on some level, I had deduced some degree of truth that your presence was having a beneficial effect on me and, perhaps chose to ignore that as I liked who I was as a result. A denial of fact that is... uncommon for me. However, the point of my saying so is to point out that regarding actual, useable data regarding you, I am ignorant." Jaeih concluded her bit of verbose exposition. It was something that Mnhei'sahe, Mona, and even Rita Paris had learned to recognize as an affectation of Jaeih when she was slightly nervous, that she stretched out her words and over-explained herself as a result.

"But, to get to my thesis, is that to mean that you... gain a degree of energy from the way you yourself are treated. That... say my conscious acceptance of your aura and Miss Jablonski's direct belief on you that one could interpret as worship, though clearly not blind, has a recuperative effect? Similar to your preference for hand-prepared food and drink, perhaps for similar reasons as we discussed earlier. That the energy the maker puts into such things provides the actual sustenance to you? I am legitimately curious, I must say, though I apologize if my questions are in any way offensive."

"No offense at all. You're simply inquiring about my basic biology and it's perfectly understandable. While I'm not the most verbose on the subject..." The elderly matron finished up the pastry she'd been munching on and pulled over a notepad and pen that she'd already had prepared on the table for such things, drawing the outline of a humanoid form as well as several lines emanating outward from the sides and several arrows going in and out from the chest area.

"A crude drawing, but it shall suffice." With a grin, Hera started going over at least the basics. "As an Ambrosian, I have an extra organ that collects mental energy in the form of worship, general or directed, and allows me to do great feats. Create shields, or transformations, or teleport with my mind for example. The energy collected often determines the mood of the Ambrosian, as well. If the people need a vengeful god of women, that's what they get and the aura reflects that by making it easier to absorb the qualities in it needed for that."

"However, Asgardians do not have this organ and run on a much cleaner fuel. The thanks of good deeds." Here, Hera paused a moment as she tried to figure out how to draw that, but gave up as she still didn't fully understand it herself. "Their actions use a lot of energy, but then their people and those of what they call the nine realms give praise and though they expended a great deal of their personal energy to perform feats greater than I have ever, what they get back in return is cleaner, more efficient, and does not wear on them. In fact, it invigorates them to a great extent."

"As it turns out, we Ambrosians are also able to earn energy in this manner as well. I have been doing my best to do so, helping your crew and those asked of me whenever possible. It may seem selfish of me to do so, however..." Hera paused again, a kind smile upon her face. "If it is selfish wanting to see people happy and safe and helping them to be so... Then I am perfectly fine being so."

"There are far worse things, as I see it. That said..." Jaeih reflected on all she had just heard, "Not only does your energy affect those receptive to it by enhancing that individual's desires... but the energy you take in affects your own thoughts and behaviors. A truly double-edged sword. Though, at least on the ship that is your namesake, I would hope that absorbing the praise from those such as Miss Jablonski, you are... for lack of a better term... eating healthy."

"I believe it is partially this 'healthy diet' that is staying my imprisonment with the Asgardians for my crimes against the galaxy as a whole," Hera replied with a bit of a wry grin. "So yes, I hope I am eating healthy as well, thank you."

"Hmmm. I know a little bit about being a prisoner as well." Jaeih said as she took a drink. "This is much preferable, I would say. Living with my... my family aboard the Hera."

Then, her eyebrow raised slightly as the older Romulan thought. "If I may, earlier, when you described my people, you said ' Rihannsu, Romulan, or Dark Alvari'. I admit, I've not ever heard that term, 'Dark Alvari' before. What does it mean? From where does it originate?"

"Back when my people were young, what you call Vulcanoids, in general, were known to us as Dark Alvari as they were great and cunning warriors of both mind and body. You lack the mental powers of those ancient beings, but you retain the mental and physical faculties otherwise. Most now follow logic or peace so the name no longer fits, I suppose... Though I've seen what they can do while in the grip of their mating requirements, so... Perhaps... My apologies if the term offends."

"Not at all. It is a layer of the history of my people that I did not know. It is a gift to me." Jaeih said frankly, "I am what we call a reunificationist. I am among those of the Romulan people that believe that our separation from the Vulcans was a mistake. I have pride in my people and our accomplishments... but I make no separation in my heart between Romulan and Vulcan. We are one that went our separate ways too long ago, and must reconcile to move forward and achieve our greatest potential."

At that moment, Jaeih's thoughts went to her daughter, Mnhei'sahe, and her heart swelled. "I take tremendous pride that my daughter has chosen to embrace that position so strongly in her life. I thanked the elements and Al'thindor that I have been able to see the woman she is becoming. Never did I think I would be able to thank a goddess directly for the gift, yet here I sit." 

"You are quite welcome, and thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you as I have," Hera replied, taking a sip of her wine. "As for the subject of this 'reunification'... As a being that has lived many aeons, I am of a mind that separation is never a bad thing except when you resort to isolationism. However, even then, good things may come of it. Even in societal evolution, if you overspecialize, you breed in weakness. Thus your movement of reconnecting with Vulcan is something I wholeheartedly support as long as it does not wipe out who you are as a people."

"After all, nothing pleases an old woman like myself than seeing diversity spreading across the universe and changing into infinite new forms."

"I would imagine, especially considering that your age must be considerable. Not that I would ever wish to punctuate that point for any woman." Jaeih said with a knowing smirk as she took another drink, the morning light getting a little higher in the deep teal-colored sky. But then, her expression became a bit more serious again. "So... as I understand it, Commander Paris asked you to come with us to ensure the children are born healthy and without incident?"

"In my own way, yes," Hera replied, pausing a moment to stare at Jaeih, her eyes widening. "You... Ah, you haven't researched the stranger births on the Hera, have you? The first one under my aegis was supposed to be... Ah... Well, originally a stillborn little boy and the Fates called me into action because the first child born on the ship would have crushed everyone's spirits."

"So now Hermione is a beautiful baby girl that will grow to be a strong and healthy amazonian Bajoran woman. If anything similar gets in the way of your grandchildren's birth, I will either intercede myself. Failing that, I will use every scrap of my powers to ensure their safe arrival into this universe."

Slightly embarrassed, Jaeih looked away at the sunrise for a moment. "Ahhh, yes. Even looking after little Minerva, I have... avoided researching you, I'm afraid. In hindsight, it was... more comfortable to avoid the idea that I felt... different. Yes, better, but different. And your name came up in the ship's file, and I just... stopped looking."

"But... that was then." Jaeih said, sitting up a bit straighter as she looked back at Hera who had an expression of concern on her face. "And... your power... changed the child? To save them?"

Hera took a deep breath and let it out slowly, not entirely wanting to admit to what she was about to. "I pulled a version of the babe from an existence that no longer existed into this reality while letting the original fade from this universe. It... Sounds cold put that way... However... the child is the same in all but form... and a much worse future was avoided for all those involved, including all those that Hermione will ever interact with in the future."

"It sounds like a tremendously difficult decision that you had to make." Jaeih said, nodding. "I know a bit about those as well."

"As for little Minnie, she is the child of my ex-husband. I wrote the book that you have studied on her. I have not directly given her my blessings, but I assure you - she has nothing but love and adoration from me. I do not resent that she is the offspring of Zeus, nor do I any longer feel any desire to go after my cheating former spouse. I suppose that too is the influence of Starfleet thinking absorbed by my aura."

"Then you truly have benefitted from your time on the ship that bears your name." Jaeih replied, a bit more softness in her voice. "And from her Commander. She changed you too, didn't she? Commander Paris?"

The matronly goddess nodded solemnly, moisture in her eyes starting to build up. "I granted her a boon for sparing my life and rather than something selfish or something for those around her... She issued me a challenge. It bonded us together and I felt something within me shift... She requested that I become a better person and become a goddess that she could be proud to tell her descendants about."

"I am a goddess of women and motherhood and yet this woman that needed a mother her whole life... Nevermore had I wanted to be the person that someone needed. I only hope that I live up to her expectations."

Reaching across the table, Jaeih put her hand over Hera's and gave the goddess a legitimate smile. "That, my dear, is a fear I know all too well. But I have come to know Rita Paris well enough to know that... so long as you always keep trying... you will never let her down."