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It was rare that both Maya and La’an were awake and in the same room at the same time. Maya was nearly nocturnal and slept as much as she could, and La’an was the sort of person who naturally woke up very early and liked to arrive at Starfleet Academy with plenty of time to spare before she had to get to work.
Maya was still awake from the night before when she sat at the table with La’an sipping coffee. They didn’t talk much, but when they did Maya was full of questions about this new world where she now lived. They were the kind of basic, simple questions that she was embarrassed to ask when she stopped and thought about how clueless she sounded.
She wrapped both hands and her coffee mug before she spoke. “There’s something on my mind, about the way people behave on your planet.”
“It’s your planet, too, Maya.” La’an answered. “And the way people act vexes me too, but go ahead and ask.”
Maya did not look up, and she took a breath. “Doctor T’Ralia…She said that Captain Albrecht had a wife.”
“She did.”
“And the way she spoke, it made it sound like this sort of this was…” Maya considered her words carefully. T’Ralia seemed unpleasantly surprised when Maya expressed confusion over learning that Albrecht was married to another woman. “Well, normal.”
La’an nodded. Bless this woman’s patience. “So normal that the idea of it being otherwise is horrifying, if you have any uncharitable beliefs it would serve you well to forget them.”
”Oh no, absolutely not!” Maya snapped. She looked up and feared her outburst came off as defensive. “I promise you I’m not like that, I have no reason to be, and…” She stopped, too frightened to go on any further even though La’an’s expectant look struck her to the marrow. She could have shared that herself had been victim to this very kind of prejudice, owing to the fact that the Augments of Ceti Alpha V were obsessed both with preserving genetic legacy and populating their planet. Instead, she was too frightened. She did not trust La’an enough. She doubted if she ever would. “I’m sorry. I’m exhausted I need to sleep.
Without another word, Maya stood and turned to go.