Chapter Text
2370
One more day until the D’Vinn arrived at Deep Space Nine, and Verelan was already counting down the hours until she could enjoy a change of scenery. Her mother had gone to sleep well before Verelan felt any tiredness, and she found the quiet solitude welcome. She took a minute to straighten up their quarters, putting her mother’s empty glasses and bottles back into the replicator to be re-absorbed. It was one of the small, simple ways she could serve her House, by doing her part to hide the private problem her mother had developed over the past year.
Even in the silence she could hear her mother’s words ringing in her head.
Trips like these will be important when you become a Senator.
When. Not if. Verelan had a path laid in front of her: to first pursue a military career, and then a political one. While it had not been her choice to set off on this path, she could not pick a better trajectory for her life. What she did choose was to pursue this path with ambitious enthusiasm.
The station will be full of bendain. Be wary of them and undue influence they might have, for they do not understand our ways.
This one…this one Verelan found it harder to smile and nod when she heard her mother say it. Verelan had never left her home planet and she could count on one hand the number of offworlders she had seen. Secretly, she was thrilled to meet people from other planets and live alongside them for a few weeks.
Remember, we represent the Romulan Star Empire, so be on your best behavior. I couldn’t stand to suffer another disgrace in the family.
That advice she couldn’t argue with, and she intended to follow it to the letter. Verelan rarely had impulses to be disobedient and never acted on them, but seeing the heartache her mother endured when Verelan’s father was disgraced and expelled from their House gave Verelan a stronger sense of devotion to her mother and a deep fear of disappointing her mother. Publicly, Senator Mheven i-Mirek t’Khaethaetreh was as proud and confident as ever, but behind closed doors she was a broken woman. She wouldn’t be the one to cause more pain.
Verelan sat down on one of the two chairs. Their quarters were small and sparsely furnished, but there was no need for anything unnecessarily elaborate. She closed her eyes, listened to the soft hum of the ship in the background, and ran her fingers through her dark hair. Her hair was grown out longer and shaggier than the traditional cut: a childish style, even if she found it flattering.
The best use of her time would be to get a head start on studying—especially when some dates and facts from her most recent history lesson just wouldn’t stay in her memory where they belonged—but Verelan only wanted to sit back and enjoy the stillness until she could no longer stay awake and finally dragged herself to bed.
Though her sleep was light and fitful, Verelan awoke full of energy and excitement. She began her day with enthusiasm, even glad to listen to her mother’s usual ramblings; a minor annoyance seemed so insignificant compared to the new adventure that would begin in a short amount of time. However, their first hour or so on Deep Space Nine was less adventurous and more procedural. They were greeted by a human Starfleet ensign who told them about the station and led them to their quarters–though Mheven felt mildly insulted to not be greeted by the station’s commander himself. Once they were settled in, and after a little begging, Mheven permitted her daughter to venture out on her own to explore the promenade.
Verelan had visited large cities on ch’Rihan before. She was no stranger to lively shopping districts so full of people scurrying around that they resembled a nest of insects disturbed insects trying to find a new home. The promenade was a long way from matching that level of activity, yet it still felt more alive and overwhelming. Maybe it was the unimaginable variation of all different types of people, and the business were just as varied. Most seemed familiar, only with an alien flair, but some were downright baffling…a Klingon restaurant? She would rather starve.
She found a sense of grounding as she looked at the display for a clothing shop but nearly jumped when she was surprised to hear a friendly voice behind her.
“Hi, I’m Jake. Jolan tru.”
Verelan turned and stared in wide eyed silence at the human boy. He had brown skin, kind eyes, and a warm smile. Verelan guessed he was close to her own age…developmentally at least. She knew nothing about the timing and tempo of human aging..
“That is right, isn’t it?” Jake asked. “Jolan tru?”
“Yes…it is. It’s just that your accent is unusual.” Verelan answered softly.
“Hey, I’m still learning! Anyway, sorry if I startled you, I just wanted to be sure to get your attention now. There’s going to be a ship going through the wormhole in about five minutes, and I know the best spot to see it.”
“Thank you, I would like that. I’ve been looking forward to seeing the wormhole.”
“Great! By the way, what’s your name?”
“I…don’t think we know each other well enough for that.” Verelan narrowed her eyes.
“Sorry. I can’t just call you ‘that Romulan girl’ though, can I?”
Verelan stood up a little straighter. “Were you already planning on talking about me?”
“No, no nothing like that!” Jake held up his hands in surrender. “At most I might mention meeting you over dinner with my dad or the next time I see my best friend Nog…” Jake sighed. “Sorry if I said something wrong, but if you still want to see the wormhole, my favorite viewing spot is on the upper level. Come on.”
Verelan walked alongside Jake through the crowded promenade and up to the next level. The whole time, the human did not allow her a moment of silence.
“Sorry if I’m a little too excited, it’s just that we get a lot of visitors, and almost none are anywhere near my age. I’m one half of the unofficial welcome party. Nog’s the other half. His dad is making him work right now, but if you like I can introduce you to him too.”
Verelan stopped and turned to face Jake. “Are all humans this talkative?”
Jake looked down and scratched the back of his neck. “Well…everyone’s different.” He didn’t say another word until they stood in front of his favored viewport. “This is it. Should be any minute now.”
They weren’t alone. There was a Vulcan girl–again, near Verelan’s age by her own estimation–who stood looking out the viewport. Her dark hair was arranged in elaborate braids at the back of her head, and as Verelan traced the intricate patterns with her eyes she felt both fear and curiosity. For years Verelan held a secret fascination with Vulcans. It started when her father was “allegedly suspected of possible involvement with reunification efforts.” That was the official statement, likely her mother’s attempt to manipulate the facts to preserve her own reputation. Verelan and her mother both knew that he used to go to those secret meetings.
Verelan and Jake arrived just in time. They were gazing into the stars in anticipation for less than a minute before the wormhole opened and revealed its bright display of brilliant swirling colors. Verelan opened her eyes wide and gasped, but the spectacle only lasted a few seconds before the wormhole vanished into the black void of space.
“Isn’t it amazing?” Jake asked. “I’ll never get sick of that view!”
However, Verelan was barely listening, for something else had caught her eye. The Vulcan girl turned around, and Verelan caught herself staring with the same wide-eyed sense of wonder with which she watched the wormhole. Their eyes met, and Verelan looked away in embarrassment, a deep green flush coloring her cheeks. The Vulcan began to walk toward her, and Verelan shrank back.
“Forgive me…I didn’t mean to stare.” Verelan’s voice was soft and distant.
“There is no need to apologize. You have done nothing wrong.”
“I’m relieved to hear it.” Verelan’s heart was racing from a combination of excitement and nerves, though she could not place why. “My name is Verelan. I just arrived here.” Why she felt comfortable enough to give her name to a strange Vulcan, she also could not guess.
“My name is T’Lyra. Every morning I study organic chemistry in the replimat. If it would be favorable to you, you are welcome to join me.”
Verelan let out a long breath to try to calm herself. “I would like that. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“At 0800 hours,” T’Lyra clarified.
“At 0800.”
T’Lyra left, and both Jake and Verelan watched her walk away from behind. When she was out of sight, Jake turned to Verelan.
“I think…” he began. “I think she just asked you on a date.”