The Best Of Times, The Worst Of Times

Posted on 07/26/2020 @ 12:05pm by Lieutenant JG Remigius ("Remy") Fawkes Ph.D.

Mission: S2E1: The Skunil Incident
Location: USS Crazy Horse, Counselor's Office
Timeline: Day 11 at 1500

Tahlin signaled the counselor within his office with some trepidation. He reminded her of a rather overeager man who had been interested in her brother years back, though fortunately, the El-Aurian seemed to not have any of his disturbing qualities.

After straightening up his office and putting everything back in its proper place, Fawkes was just making a pot of fresh tea in anticipation of his next visitor. The coffee table positioned between his favorite wing-back chair and the loveseat that sat opposite had its usual assortment of things. A miniature Zen garden where the lines weren't quite straight, a trio of fat candles of differing heights, a tiny statue of cat, and a wide, squat bowl made of carved wood filled with a variety of small puzzles that one could work with their hands while talking. The tea was a little-known Bajoran blend that he had been gifted with a few months back and he looked up as he heard the chime. "Please, come in," he called out.

The Bajoran entered. "I'm Lieutenant Lae'Or--we've run into each other at staff briefings... I could use an ear, if you're willing to lend me one?"

"Of course, Lieutenant," Fawkes said. He poured two cups of tea and brought them over together with a matching bowl of sugar cubes and a small pitcher of milk. "Bajoran. Something special," he said as he nodded at the tea.

Tahlin smiled, then sniffed, breaking into a huge grin. "Who'd you bribe to get this... Very very rare." She picked up her mug, taking a cautious sip.

Fawkes smiled, settling back in his seat, cradling his own cup between his hands, as he shrugged slightly. "I know people."

She sat. "How familiar are you with the Earth author Dickens? He's got a quote that works perfectly for this... 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times'..."

"Tale of Two Cities, wasn't it," Fawkes said as he settled into his wing-backed chair and took an appreciative sip. One corner of his expressive mouth quirked upward slightly. "Course, I had to do some historical research to make sense of it all. Klingons did one that is somewhat similar." He raised his hands, palms up, and mimed balancing something between them. "Sort of a cross between that and Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet." He spoke softly, the throaty purr of his voice soothing and relaxed, and subsided as he saw her drew breath to speak again.

"I know exactly what you're talking about... Blame my Klingon ex..." Tahlin leaned forward slightly. "Anyway, I've gotten some messages--rather unexpectedly, too. On the one hand, looks like my brother and his partner are finally going to make my mother very happy--they've found a surrogate willing to help them have children. So, that's good--she's been pestering them for ages..." The Bajoran frowned. "On the other hand, I've heard from my father... Not pleasant."

"What did your Father have to say," Fawkes asked. His voice was low-key now and soothing, his posture indicating a desire to listen, as he took a small sip of the tea. It was indeed delightful and mercifully, he had plenty.

Tahlin sighed. "The usual drivel... Typical religious zealotry, combined with hatred for the Cardassians, and hatred in particular for my brother and me and our life choices." She took a sip of tea, then went on, "He doesn't approve of both of us being attracted to our own gender... Caused quite the split in the family--my brother, my mother, and myself against him."

"I see," Fawkes said quietly. In his 149 years, he had been witness to or personally experienced any number of conversations where his choices were seen to be unnatural and against the dictates of apparently narrow-minded deities. "He had no particular reason other than to restate his opinions?"

"No--at least, that seemed to be the general point of his diatribe..." Tahlin took a calming sip of tea. "I told my mother not to tell him my brother and his husband were going to have children, I told her it would do no good, and she even agreed with me... But did she--I think she must have. Though I can't put the thought out of my mind that he might have people at strategic points, listening. He was a sly man--should have been in Intelligence," she ruefully concluded with a bit of a laugh.

Balancing the tea cup on his crossed legs, Fawkes observed the younger woman. "Tell me about your father."

Tahlin sighed, took a few moments to center herself, then began: "When my brother and I were young, he was the kindest father you could imagine. He loved my mother very much, and he loved us. He tried to make our lives the best he could--they both did. When we moved to the capital after the end of the Occupation, he finally was able to openly practice his faith as a Vedek. I still remember him showing me my first Orb when I was thirteen..." She shuddered at the memory, out of pleasure or pain, it was difficult to tell.

"But, he began to grow... Strange. I suppose, now that I've had time to think about it, and years have passed, he was radicalized by those he came into contact with. I suspect that, to non-Bajorans it will seem like a trivial matter, but the New Declaration of Rights was a bitter pill for some on Bajor, particularly the part about granting equal rights to homosexuals." She took a sip of tea, then went on: "When it passed, my father was outraged. He gave a fiery speech--I was there with ehim. Unwisely, I told him when we got home that both my brother and I loved those of our own gender... It did not go well." She shuddered again.

"To make a long story short," she added, "my mother, my brother, I, and my brother's partner fled, leaving him to stew in his hatred and self-righteousness. The last I knew, he was leading a sect of very orthodox Bajorans who also harbor an abiding hatred of Cardassians, and who see nothing wrong with killing said Cardassians."

"How have you been doing since then," Fawkes asked. "Does your father write these letters often?"

"He writes about once a year... I usually look, read, or listen if he's sent audio, and ignore him... But this... It got under my skin... The vitriol, the pure hatred..." She trailed off, unable, or unwilling, to continue.

"Vitriolic diatribes are never pleasant," Fawkes said, "but always worse when it comes from someone you love. Tell me, do you think he's going to change? To suddenly realize that he's wrong in how he feels?"

Tahlin scoffed. "It would take more than an Orb experience for him to change. Somehow, he sees to think he's carrying out the will of the Prophets.. I can't find anywhere in the sacred texts where it says that the love of the Prophets is restricted to those who comply with a narrow, restrictive form of love..." She took another sip of tea, then went on, "The history of my people is replete with individuals like him, for good and for ill... Its a lot different when its someone who you used to admire. I could give you examples--Ashla, the Female Giant, for instance."

"And yet, you read or listen to everything he sends to you, even knowing that he's not going to change. Why do you suppose that is," Fawkes asked.

"I've been asking myself that for ten years or more..." Tahlin laughed bitterly. "Maybe its because, despite everything, his voice is a bit of a comfort... Not all sleep is black dreams... As I said, when I was young, he was the kindest, most supportive man you could wish for a father."

"Have you ever heard the term 'toxic relationship', Fawkes asked. He took a sip of his tea and waited, with the patience that only an El-Aurian could muster, for the security officer's response.

"Ever dated a Klingon?" Tahlin shot back. "I've thought about cutting off contact, but some small part of me still held out hope for him... Maybe its best if I spend more time talking to people who actually give a damn about me. Thanks for reinforcing that, Counselor--I needed to hear that, from someone who is, essentially, a neutral party."

He nodded over the brim of his teacup, pleased with her realization. "By accepting communication with him, you are offering him a platform for his hate. You might consider sending him a recorded message and let him know that you won't be accepting further communications from him and then, spend time with the family who loves you."

"I think that's a good idea... Difficult, though, even if he's... Well... Who he is..." She sighed, let out a long breath, and then seemed to master herself. "It won't be easy... If I may, have you ever had to do something similar, Counselor?"

"It's never easy to tell someone you care about a truth they aren't ready to hear and yet, it needs to be done for both of your sakes," Fawkes said. "As to me ... hmmm," his voice dropped to a meditative rumble as he thought. "A time or two. For me, making the decision was the hardest part. Knowing that something needed to be done even when it might be painful or difficult." His expression softened, gentle and understanding. "I found that saying the words out loud that I'd been holding inside for so long was very freeing. Gave me a sort of peace closing a toxic door." He winked as he added, "and to your earlier question, I did once." He shuddered delicately. "Wildly passionate but the in the end, a bit too ... chaotic."

"Perhaps..." The Bajoran grinned back at him. "She and I have kept in touch, though--might be worth it..." She drained her teacup and rose. "Thank you, Counselor--you've been most helpful." She bowed and turned to go.

Fawkes watched the Lieutenant leave. He took a sip of tea, wrinkled his nose at the chill, and set the cup down as he waited until the door had closed. Quietly, in the smooth tones of the professional he was, he began, "Notes on session with Lieutenant Lae'Or Tahin ..."

A Post By:

Lieutenant J.G Lae'Or Tahlin
Chief of Security/Tactical
USS Crazy Horse

and

Lieutenant JG Remigius Fawkes, Ph.D.
(Acting) Chief Counselor
USS Crazy Horse