Star Trek: Starbase 777 - lt-cdr-t’rei’nak﹢family

Rilek had been busy that morning with meetings, but thankfully that was all behind her and she was ready to tackle the more important matters; passing Veldan off to one of his family members. After a quick background check which involved Rilek skimming through the intelligence officer's profile as well as calling in some favours in the Republic to search their records as well, Rilek determined that this Rei'nak was trustworthy. As much as Rilek desired to be a parent one day, now was much too soon and they were glad to have located a Rei'nak who had a good record and lived on the station away from the other members of the house. Dressed in their uniform, Rilek chimed the buzzer on the stranger's door and waited patiently with PADD in hand. They clicked their finger guards against the back of the PADD as they waited and hoped this chat would be good and this person was in fact, a safe guardian to entrust Veldan too. Thankfully this officer had a child of their own, so that was a good start.

Vovvi had been in the middle of registering Ivissa in a daycare program, seated at the table with one leg over the other while her daughter played with toy spaceships and dolls at her side. It was easiest to get everything filed and ready to go as soon as possible, even if the both of them were still resting after their trip to the Starbase. She'd promised Ivissa a trip to the food court later and a nice sized ice cream cone. All things considered, she was taking the move rather well-- excited to look out the windows and see stars, though the hustle and bustle of the station made her a little nervous. Now was a good time to relax and put those nerves at ease. A cup of apple juice and playing with her toys certainly seemed to help. She looked up as the buzzer for the door went off, curiosity taking hold. "Hold tight," she told Ivissa, who nodded and continued to make spaceship noises and crash them into the table. Vovvi stood up to answer the door, blinking in quiet surprise at the officer on the other side. "Jolan tru," she greeted politely, glancing briefly over her. PADD in hand. Official business, or perhaps merely an accessibility device? She couldn't be sure until she asked. "How can I help you?" (edited)

"Jolan tru," Rilek said in the most plain and unemotional Vulcan tone. If it weren't for her forehead ridges maybe she could have passed as Vulcan. Even without stepping foot in the room, Rilek heard the sounds of what they could only assume was Vovvi's daughter. They had very little information on the child through public records, which made sense, it wasn't like the child had a job or any service record and for obvious reasons more personal details were not public record. They lowered their PADD and put both hands behind their back, a threat if they were on Romulus, but here it was a neutral position. "My name is Rilek and I am the matriarch of the Khellian house," The red haired woman introduced herself, bowing her head ever so slightly in greeting. "I am here to discuss an important matter. Are you available to talk now? It is important, yet not urgant so I understand if you have other matters to tend to," Rilek spoke with confidence and authority, as if this were official work.

Vovvi's eyes darted to follow the motion, eyes widening just a little. Forced herself steady. She was still getting used to Federation mannerisms -- not that she expected any trouble from her fellow officers, but... well. Old habits die hard, she supposed. Still on guard, she nodded, stepping aside to let Rilek in. "Of course." Despite her anxieties, her voice was smooth and even, just as flat in tone. Her heart was pounding a mile a minute. She expected the worst, maybe her family had finally caught up to her, or worse... Not Rilek's fault, she was just a nervous person. Even now, she found herself glancing over her for weapons. 'Pull yourself together...' "Come in. Would you like anything to drink?" She turned her head a little to her daughter. "Why don't you go play in your room, dear?" she asked gently, though the girl didn't answer, merely scooped up her toys and ran off. Shy girl, she didn't like speaking in the company of strangers. Vovvi didn't blame her for that.

Rilek stepped into the room when invited, bowing their head once more to thank their fellow officer for giving them an audience on such short notice. This was hardly a formal work related matter, or business even, but the way Rilek carried themself certainly made it seem like it. The taller Romulan man gave a glance at the girl who had been playing and was now on her way to her room. It was a wise move to keep the child out of this, especially when Vovvi still didn't know why the Khellian matriarch was standing in her quarters. "Thank you, but I will pass," Old habits die hard is right, a Khellian would never accept a favour from a Rei'nak, even something as casual as a drink. There were many poisons that were tasteless and odorless and although the chances of a colleague poisoning her were slim, Rilek had her reservations. "I apologise for my visit without notice," Rilek turned to Vovvi and held her PADD normally again, showing the other that they were not hiding any weapons of any kind, just a PADD. "Are you aware of a boy of your house by the name of Veldan Rei'nak?" Rilek raised an eyebrow in a very Vulcan-like manner.

"No need to apologize." Vovvi's brows furrowed at the name, racking her brain for possible distant cousins or anything of the like. She assumed the worst. An accident. Or something she was, somehow, a suspect of.. She took a long moment to pause and consider her answer, doors sliding shut behind her. "I dropped contact with my house fifty years ago. I haven't spoken to any of them since. Even then, I've never heard of anyone with that name." She replicated some tea for herself, raspberry with a little bit of lemon, light on the sugar. So she had been right after all, her family had caught up to her.. somehow. She took a seat and offered another to Rilek, across the table if she'd rather. Even now, even after she'd severed herself from all but the name, the tension between the two houses was apparent. She almost laughed. Almost. "I haven't exactly been keeping up with it, either. I was only a teenager when I left," she said, shaking her head a little bit, cupping the warm mug between two hands and blowing lightly on it. She could've just gotten it at a better temperature, but it gave her time to talk. "Why? Did... something happen?" The question was cautious, as Vovvi braced herself to deal with the news of a death or something in the family.

Rilek thought as much, seeing how Veldan hadn't mentioned anything about Vovvi. It was Rilek who caught the name on the roster, but then again it wasn't like Veldan had access to Starfleet personnel files as a civilian-- a minor at that. When the seat was offered across the table, Rilek gracefully moved to sit down and placed her PADD on the surface. The metal tips of her finger guards scraped against the table top, making a little scratching noise, but thankfully no visible scratches. Since Rilek had come from work, she wore her finger guards only on her right hand, middle and ring fingers. The aroma of the raspberry tea filled all of Rilek's senses, yet it wasn't enough to elicit any change in posture. It was relaxing, but Rilek stayed focused on the task at hand. "He came aboard the station under a fake identity, unattended. He is 17 years old. Similarly to you, I would presume, he was unsatisfied with his treatment at home. Seeing how he is still a child, I agreed to take temporary guardianship over him," Rilek clicked a few buttons on their PADD and slid it across to Vovvi. "Now that a living and credible blood relative is onboard, I was wondering if you would consider meeting him. I think, as both Rei'nak's, it would be good to connect with a family member. He currently lives in the civilian deck, I visit him regularly and ensure he attends his classes," On the PADD was all of Veldan's information, along with his false identity. "He really tried to lie to me and claim to be a member of my house," Rilek rolled their eyes at that, dragging their fingers against the table by accident yet again.

She glanced down at the PADD, careful to keep the cup steady as not to spill tea on it. Even as her hands threatened to shake a little. Under a fake name, wanting to sever himself from her house, no doubt. And who could blame him? Vovvi felt a rush of sympathy for Veldan. Her brother's son, by the looks of his file. He wasn't much younger than her oldest, either. "Thank you for taking care of him," she said, her expression and tone still flat and professional despite the rush of emotion bubbling up inside her. About the same age she was when she ran away, too... She took another long pause to think, carefully sipping her tea. "I'd be happy to meet if he doesn't mind. The last thing I would want to do is force him into a situation so suddenly. However - I'll have to talk to my daughter, should our living situation change. I don't want to spring this on either of them, especially since we just moved." Overwhelming Ivissa with a brand new person in their brand new quarters didn't sound ideal. She'd probably give Povala a call as well, just to triple check. Vovvi blinked, lifting her gaze from being locked onto the deep red of her tea to Rilek, nodding a little. "Thank you again for informing me. I'll do whatever works best for everyone."

Rilek was glad that Vovvi seemed open to the idea of meeting Veldan. Luckily Veldan was 17 and thus, one year away from being able to live on his own and do adult things. Rilek did not mind watching over him for that year and beyond if he so needed it, although after 18 she legally would not need to. Rilek still wanted to become a parent, perhaps not soon, but definitely someday. With or without a partner, although she was leaning towards single parenthood, after all the fighting of her household she realised maybe having more than two people raise a child wasn't the way for her, a Khellian. "He is a charming boy and I do not mind continuing to watch over him, but I think he would benefit from having a contact who has a similar situation to him and would not return him back to his family on Mol'Rihan," Rilek explained, sitting with perfect posture with both hands resting on the table. "He is 17 right now, so my obligations as his guardian will only be a year more. I understand you have children of your own? I briefly glanced over your file, you must have quite the story going from Free State to Republic to here?" Now came the quetsioning portion of Rilek's meeting, although she was doing her best not to sound intimidating or like she was interrogating Vovvi. Still with that house name and service record, one could not blame Rilek for wanting to get the full story.

She almost flinched at that. Veldan being from Mol'rihan meant her brother had moved as well... Somebody had almost found Vovvi, and, by extent and infinitely more importantly, Povala and Ivissa. She should've been more careful. "Two of them. Ivissa, my youngest, lives here with me. Povala is an adult and pursuing art." She was always excited to hear from them, about their new projects and things they were working on. *Ah. "I was trapped in an infinite loop of a sheltered life. I thought, at the time, the Navy was the sole means I could escape." Thankfully Starfleet didn't seem to think it tarnished her record at all. Hopefully Rilek didn't either. "There were...better methods, I know that now. One of my biggest regrets, to tell the truth-- save for meeting my husband and consequently my child through it." Vovvi kept her voice and expression steady even as panic jumped circles in her chest. Not Rilek's fault, she had a right to ask questions and be curious about such a history. Not that she knew many Romulans who hadn't served at some point, save her children. "It's very kind of you to look out for him. Do you have any children of your own?" she queried curiously. By the sound of it, she'd been doing her best to take care of Veldan in her situation, and her best sounded just fine to Vovvi. If not for the fact she was worried about the tension between their two houses springing to life, maybe she would have been more open about that. Oh well. There'd always be more time.

Rilek did not show any visible reaction, but she noticed the flinch and wondered what Vovvi's experience with the Rei'nak's were. It was clearly not as good of a house as one may think from reading the news if two members seemed to have some sort of PTSD. "Veldan's story was similar," And in that regard, Vovvi still kept her family name whilst Veldan had been existing under a false identity. Hearing about Vovvi's experience in the Navy was also unsurprising. For a long time, Romulans had been taught the only way 'out' of their current life, whether it be their socioeconomic class, house, etc. was the Navy. Serving the state was the easiest way of restoring one's 'Mnhei'sahe' or ruling passion. It was not something he held against the older, if anything it made him feel even worse for her situation. "I understand, it must have been hard for you," Raising two children within Romulan space during what was probably the most tumultuous time in their history? Mum of the century award. "I do not, but I hope to one day," Rilek answered honestly with a small sigh as she clicked her finger guards against the table. "What made you choose Starfleet, if I may ask?"

Vovvi's expression finally shifted, a small frown taking over. So her brother had taken after their father after all. Poor Veldan.. She wondered how many other far-off cousins and nieces and nephews suffered from the same fate, despite how their house seemed to prosper. It only made her determination to make Veldan's life at least a little better double. "A bit, but I managed, I suppose. I'm planning on enrolling in counseling. Working through a load of paperwork, between signing Ivissa up for schools and daycares." She'd been in and out of counseling for about twenty years now, anyway. She knew it was what was best for her and her children alike, so it was really the only option. No one could really do what those who'd been tied up in the Free State did and walk away unscathed. "Ah, I wish you the best of luck, then." She paused for a moment, considering the query for a long moment. "Any line of work in space is dangerous. Difficult. Especially when you're military, like I was. I suppose my profession revolves around that. Even so .. I wanted what was best for me. For my children." Even if Povala was off on their own now. She didn't mention she didn't like staying in one place for too long in Romulan space -- those years following Hobus had been torment for her.

Rilek hummed softly after Vovvi was finished speaking, thinking about their next response. Despite everything the woman had gone through, she seemed like a good and reliable parent. Enrolling kids in school, going to counselling. It made Rilek think about Tavaen and how he was such a problamtic figure, yet a great parent. Well, unlike Tavaen, Vovvi seemed deeply remorseful of her past and not very proud of her house. Rilek tapped her long finger guards on the table. "Thank you, I will probably return to Mol'Rihan to have my children when I feel the time is right," A starbase was safe, but Rilek was old fashioned and wanted her children to have a planet they could call home. Mol'Rihan was so beautiful, after all. "That is a good reason to switch. I also transferred factions, it was to get away from my family name," They told Vovvi, looking away for a moment as they pondered their words once more. "... I will speak to Veldan about meeting you and let you know what he says and we can arrange a dinner or something. If he refuses, please do not take it too personally, he has a lot of stress when it comes to family, even if he knows you are not going to manipulate or lie to him," Rilek gave Vovvi a serious look and frowned. She could see the woman shared a similar feeling about Veldan by the way she was frowning. Rilek wanted Vovvi and Veldan to meet soon, but she also was not going to force him. He was 17 and able to express what he did and did not feel comfortable with.

Vovvi was all too familiar with the idea. She'd been in such a fragile state on Praetor III, freshly 16 and completely alone, surrounded by strangers. She'd been terrified, but somehow felt safer than she ever did at home. Her expression tightened just a little. "I understand entirely. Perhaps more than the both of you may realize." Anyone else would have tagged an awkward laugh on to ease the weight behind such a statement, but she remained still and steady as ever, gaze sliding up from Rilek's finger guards back up to her face. "Of course I'm going to respect it. If I were in his position, young and just finding out a member of the family was on the station... I'd be terrified, regardless of whether or not they'd severed themself from the house. I understand entirely if he'd rather avoid me and will not take it to heart." The exact same panic that gripped her finding out her brother was on Mol'rihan the same time she was... Sounded about right. "If that is all, then, it was a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for bringing this to my attention, I'll be sure to discuss with my children. Please do keep me posted." Quietly, politely signalling the end of the conversation, if Rilek had nothing left to add or ask of her. She also needed to finish her paperwork, and still owed Ivissa dinner and an ice cream cone.

"I have no doubt that should you meet Veldan, you will approach the situation with caution. I will reassure him that I have spoken with you and verified your trust," Rilek stood up, scraping her long fingers against the table. Not intentionally, but she had been doing so this whole conversation so was it really unintentional? She was glad that Vovvi understood Veldan's dilemma and would not be hurt of Veldan should choose not to meet her. It was only a year more until Veldan was able to be independent and do adult things such as live without guardian supervision, vote, and of course, adopt a Mugato. "It was a pleasure," Rilek repeated Vovvi's words and bowed her head. "Jolan tru, Vovvi," She waved goodbye and exited the room.

Touching up the wound on her neck had only taken a matter of minutes -- T'she had done a marvelous job, but it was fully healed now, the only evidence in its wake being a slight ache if she turned it the right way. The time off was much appreciated. "Now, then," she said, crouching down beside the rowdy little Andorian's bed, "You need to sleep, dear. You've got school in the morning."

"I don't want to," she mumbled, squeezing her squeaky stuffed boar tighter. "I'm not tired."

She hummed quietly in contemplation, leaning down to brush the hair from her antennae and kiss her forehead. "Well, I'll sing you your favorite lullaby, and then we'll see how you feel then, okay?"

Ivissa smiled brighter than the sun, burrowing down in the blanket. "Okay!"

To: Lt. Cdr. Vovvi From: Lt. Lama

Jolan tru Vovvi, I wanted to write this to you to thank you for listening to me during the mission. I'm sorry this is a week late, but I have been trying to come up with the right words to say. When I'm feeling better, I'll come give you the cards. I hope you've been doing well and your daughter is safe. Thank you, Vovvi. Lama

To: Lt. Lama tr'Ehweia From: Lt. Cdr. Vovvi t'Rei'nak

Jolan tru, It's good to hear from you. I hope you are recovering well, and I ask you not to push yourself for my sake. Take all the time you need to recover. I expect not to catch a glimpse of you until then. Ivissa is doing well. She learned about fractions this week. She is not enjoying it very much. Do take care of yourself. See you soon. ~ Vovvi

Vovvi was taking a day off to rest and recover from the events of the day prior, and was now seated at her desk, meticulously painting her D'Deridex model. She had a 3D reference pulled up, turning it around every now and then to match her current position. It was a quiet day for the most part. She'd made tea for herself and Ivissa (who just wanted the water so she could have a tea party with Reli and Jarrh, the latter of which was a little figure she'd sculpted, and apparently a very rude guest by the sound of it). The Skitterer was at her feet, chirping and whirring softly as though asleep, its legs twitching every now and then. That's right, she'd have to name the thing, wouldn't she. Vovvi's gaze drifted idly down as the thing powered on fully, pink lights coming to life. "I don't suppose Malware is a very good name for a sweet little guy," she murmured aloud, leaning down to pat the thing's head, who buzzed in the affirmative. Hmm... "Go play with 'vissa. I'll think some more." She sent the Skitterer off, and Ivissa squealed in delight, proudly calling it a surprise guest. "No tea or cookies for the Skitterer!" she called behind her. "Okay, mama!"