Star Trek: Starbase 777

The banquet was just that -- a banquet. There were long tables filled with foods, all labelled. Guests were also encouraged to bring their own foods. There was no requirement on what foods you could bring, as long as you could properly label them to that those with dietary restrictions could be aware of what was in them. There were also numerous tables for sitting and chilling. A few smaller tables with just two or three seats, as well as some larger tables that could seat up to ten people. OPS had worked very hard to prepare the food! There was also a few 'ghost seats' scattered around the banquet hall. These were chairs that said 'reserved' on them and had a plate full of food in front of them -- but no occupants. Were there really ghosts sitting here? Perhaps if someone sat at a table with these 'ghost seats' they'd be able to interact with someone long gone...

Watching people, as he'd headed in, Vara'l had found Mir more and more on his mind. Found the lady he'd come to love, the widowed mother of the son he'd adopted, someone he'd discovered himself attempting to picture in one of those ghosts seats. Caught himself doing. They were dead. Trying to picture them like that..was wrong. Or felt wrong to him, though he attempted to conceal that feeling as he headed to one of those tables. As he then slipped into a seat at one of the tables with the ghost seats. Slipped into it and considered the considered the foods around the place. Considered them.. and the packed lunch he'd prepared for himself, currently secure squirreled away in a bag he carried. "Inriguing." He'd softly hummed to himself as he'd looked around. "..Very intriguing."

There was a ghost there! A very frustrated one at that. There was a faint outline of a very round head and a short torso-- wait, short body all together. The ghost looked very distressed as it slammed its fist on the table. "Gahh, fuck this banquet, fuck this party. My one time to visit and they don't even get my mollusk cooked right!"

Vara'l quirked an eyebrow at that, not at all convinced this was an actual ghost. It was probably someone with some form of personal cloak or something that was..causing this, he'd assumed as he watched them. The assumption one he attempted to keep from showing on his face as he responded. "..How would you have preferred it cooked, out of interest?" As he asked that, Vara'l idly slipped his packed lunched out onto the table in front of him and considered it. Considered it and considered that outline. Who in the elements name was this. What sort of joke was being attempted?

"Medium RARE!" The ghost shouted. As his energy to stronger, his appearnce also cleared up and it was evident this man was Romulan with his pointed ears and angry eyebrows. His head was also very round, egg shaped to be exact. "I didn't deserve this, I didn't deserve death, fuck everyone here!"

"..Who are you?" The Romulan inquired then at the comment 'medium rare' followed by that protestation. This sounded like someone who'd been killed rather than someone who'd died naturally. That intrigued him, why would a joke be pulled like this, he'd wondered. This was a very weird prank "..Perhaps one of the food selections on offer has medium rare mollusk." Vara'l silently started to work his way through a prayer to the elements he'd been taught by someone dear to him. By Mir. A calming one he had considered himself as having a need for at that point.

"Valak tr'Khellian... well, former Khellian, before my dumb ass sister disowned me," Valak's ghost slammed his fists on the table again, causing all of the food to rattle. "Yeah, but NO ONE gave me those mollusks! All of the food on this plate is disgusting," He slapped the plate of food in front of him away, causing it to fall to the ground. "Gaahhh!!" Valak looked strained trying to talk as his ghost slowly began to fade away... As his figure began to fade, one of the Bajoran monks could now be seen standing behind the chair where he sat holding what looked to be a vacuum. "That's enough of that," The Renjen said before going to clean up the mess of food on the floor. "Please keep enjoying your time here, sir," The renjen looked at Vara'l apologetically, feeling bad this happened when the festival was only just beginning.

"Quite rightfully so I suspect." The Romulan icly commented as he watched the 'ghost' smack their fists on the table as they complained and complained some more. "Thats unfortunate." He grumbled. When the Renjen proceeded to do what they did, Vara'l looked to them. "Thank you." He responded simply before he looked to the empty space and the food now being cleared up. "Seemed whatever that in fact was, it had a predilection toward throwing temper tantrums." Vara'l then observed as he idly mused that if it had been who it'd claimed to be and disowned by the matriarch of that house as it'd claimed to have once been, then it had probably not even deserved to be offered even bad food. "I think I'll indulge in a bit of my packed lunch, thank you for..stopping that." He'd certainly not seen a loved one, he mused as he looked at the empty the empty chair for a moment..before he'd gotten up and replenished the plate at that chair. He'd..instead ended up meeting someone who while the name had seemed familiar, felt like someone who if he'd encountered them in life, wouldn't have enjoyed meeting him. That was if these were actually ghosts.. he'd remained of the opinion that they weren't. Having then munched on a bit of a sandwich he'd brought, Vara'l idly glanced over to the other plate before he looked to his backed lunch. Looked down at it then sighed. "Elements." He'd breathed then, considering those he'd lost. Each name considered as he idly wondered if any of them, especially Mir, would have approved of the life he led. Would she have approved of how he'd raised her kid? He didn't know. He suspected it would be something that remained undiscovered, until the day came for him to follow her onward to whatever came..after. Accompanied by ghosts of an alltogether different kind. Which was well, fine. (edited)

"We are trying to keep the hostile spirits to the entrnace, maybe this means we need to refill the offerings," The monk sighed and shook his head. "Please enjoy the rest of your evening," And with that he walked away to go see if he needed to hoover up any more rowdy spirits. In the now vacant seat popped a woman who would look very familiar to Vara'l! Telim's mother! "Jolan tru, Vara'l~"

"I can't speak as to that myself.. this seems to be...your thing." The Romulan had responded at first before he'd smiled at the monk. "Thank you..I'll try." He'd then replied then, before he'd turned back to his sandwich.. a sandwich he'd enjoyed before a very familiar form of a person had proceeded to jumpscare him. Vara'l twitching, as he'd turned and reacted to the new arrival, in surprise and shock. Firmly spooked. Spooked enough it took him a moment before he managed. "Jolan tru.." Before he then..as he realized how familiar the person looked, choked out a name. "M-Mir." He'd then absentmindedly returned his sandwich to his bag and stared at them a moment. "..I uh..re-filled the plate.."

"Oh, thank you so much," She said with a gentle smile. "I was really hungry. When I was trying to cross over I saw all the seats had been taken, but I'm glad this one was free," She said as she took a few bites of the food. "And thank you, Vara'l, for raising Telim and treating him so well. I have been watching over you two, you're doing great." (edited)

"I'm.. happy the food's to you're liking." Vara'l responded softly as he looked over to Mir. "I'm glad you found it" He'd managed after a moment when she'd said about the food..about the chair being free. Happy to be in the company of even something which part of him still suspected wasn't in fact a ghost but something else. Even if.. another part of his mind had..started to believe something was happening here. He'd have continued to mull that over in his mind if Mir hadn't then said what they'd said. Hadn't basically..called him on that. Told him he was doing well. It'd always been her way, he'd found, when she'd known someone struggled with something. Not a call out but a gentle correction, the facts stated. Her opinion outlined. "I-I've tried." He'd swallowed then. "I..owed it to both of you..to all three of you.. I'm so very proud of him." Had been what Vara'l had managed then before another pause, this time forced upon him by emotions as his body betrayed him. "Just building on your amazing work and keeping to the oath I swore to you.." Vara'l had swallowed again then. "..Thank you, for this, Mir."

"And i respect that a lot, thank you Vara'l," She bowed her head, keeping the smile on her face. It was unfortunate that she was not able to be around for what would be the majority of Telim's life, but it put her ghostly heart at ease to know he was being loved and cared for by Vara'l. "I appreciate you and it's been lovely here. There is a party at the bonfire I think I will check out. Until later, Vara'l. Jolan tru," And with that, her image slowly faded away and the seat was vacant yet agaim.

At a rather convenient time, Essen followed in with Erra and Copia, seeing the tail end of what was going on with Vara'l. Essen did think it was rather personal, so she decided not to ask for any further information. "Sir," Essen said calmly. "I hope you don't mind us joining you."

Erra also followed behind Essen, and with Copia beside her, looked to Vara'l. "Hello again sir," Erra said. "We hope you're doing well."

Copia looked back and forth between the pair of Vulcans and the Romulan, staying quiet and respectful until all was over. "Hello, sir, it is good to see you again. Like Essen said, we hope we are not intruding."

The xB softly smiled back at Mir as she said that, bowing his head deeper than she did hers. A unspoken gesture speaking to the depth of respect he'd held Mir in, continued to hold the memory of them in. "Its my honour.. and my joy..th-tho I wish.." He trailed off then, put on a smile as she spoke again, nodded as he watched her fade away. "I've heard it'll be a good one, until Later.. and please give my best to Joha.. Jolan tru.." He'd then watched her disappear. When Essen then came in, Vara'l looked away for a moment and..coughed. Coughed and discretely wiped tears from his eyes, part of him mentally adding to his schedule a brief visit to a doctor as he noted his tears. He'd then coughed..coughed and then turned around. "H-Hello all of you, you're not intruding, Its good to see you all again also, how are you all?" He'd asked then..briefly looking to Erra as he'd faked a smile. "I-I'm doing...okay." He'd mostly lied. "J-just.. saw a old friend."

Essen approached Vara'l carefully, and calmly. She didn't want to make him feel worse as it was evident he wasn't in the best mood. "We're doing well sir, thanks for asking! I hope that encounter with your old friend went well. Off the record, sir, you have my unending support." And she meant it by the tone of her voice.

Meanwhile, Erra went to work, fixing a plate for whatever ghost would be willing to engage in conversation with them. She made sure it was plentiful and had the proper balance of all the food groups, out of motherly habit. Then, when she was done, she let the plate go, hoping, praying that the ghost she and Essen hoped for would return to them...

In the empty seat appeared a ghost of a tall Romulan with long flowing hair. He looked very peaceful, just chilling and beginning to eat what was set out for him on the plate.

"I'm glad to hear that...and." "He'd paused and his jaw had worked a little bit. "It.. did go well.. we had a good talk" The Romulan responded before, when Essen added that little bit about support off the record, he'd then smiled and inclined his head in a thank you. "..I appreciate that, Lieutenant." Vara'l had responded before, in the face of the ghost they were presented with, he looked to both Essen and Erra and said. "It would appear you have company." And had then indicated the Romulan. (edited)

Essen didn't quite recognize who was in the chair in front of her, the ghost who decided to show up. She was rather surprised to see that it was someone who was a stranger to her. Regardless, Essen didn't want to disrespect them, so she spoke calmly and kindly to the ghost of the Romulan man. "Hello! Uh, spirit! Er... I'm not sure I recognize you, I'd love to meet you. What's your name?" Yeeeeah, she wasn't the best at this...

"Niysa. Niysa tr'Hwersuil," The ghost replied as he grabbed a handful of whatever food was on the plate and stuffed it into his ghostly mouth. "mmm... the food is good. i'm looking for my husband, I think this is the wrong seat..?"

And as soon as Erra noticed it was someone else who showed up and was expecting someone else, Erra's mind racked itself. "Oh, we are so, so sorry sir! We didn't mean to summon you in the wrong place! Maybe try the bonfire or the other areas of the temple? Apologies again for the inconvenience and the mix-up... We hope you rest well."

Kii, meanwhile, found herself wandering into the banquet. She'd seen a handful of ghostly apparitions now, which was a little unsettling but not altogether unpleasant. She wisely avoided the banquet table and chairs as she looked for anyone she might recognize.

"I think I will. It is alright. Thanks for the food, I was hungry," Niysa waved to the friendly Vulcans and one Romulan before disappearing. Taking Niysa's place was someone that maybe Erra would recognise! A very generic looking Vulcan, but he seemed to have also been experimenting with make up and fashion post-death. It was a boring life in the afterlife afterall, and who was to turn down free skincare and make up products?

Copia meanwhile had, out of respect for Essen and Erra, let them take their turn and decided to wander a bit around, while obviously not going too far. Noticing Kii, however, Copia's face lit up like daytime, and she quickly scurried to Kii, without running, but still with haste... Before she wrapped Kii in a gentle hug, and placed her chin on Kii's shoulder. "Kii baby."

Erra did her best to quickly reset the plate with more food, putting back as much of the balanced diet as she could before the next ghost would arrive - and when they finally did arrive, Erra's eyes widened... Could it be??? Tears formed in Erra's eyes, as she noticed the Vulcan male was someone who she spent a long time with... "My love... It's you... Senutt..." As tears now poured out of her eyes, and she covered her mouth to prevent a loud yelp...

Essen also stepped closer to Erra, looking upon the ghost who appeared. This Vulcan man... He seemed familiar. He was... Reflective of her, somehow, and she couldn't put her finger on it. But once she could... Essen's eyes also widened, and tears filled her eyes... "Dad...?? Is it... Really you??"

Ki'ana smiled and wrapped her arms around the android woman. "You here to see anyone?" She asked, rubbing the back of her girlfriend tenderly.

Copia eagerly kept her girlfriend close, securing the bond they had in their Throuple. Once she finally was able to look Kii in the eyes close up, Copia nodded. "Well, yes, in more ways than one. I'm hoping I -- we... Can see my namesake. The one who my father named me after. But I was secretly also hoping to see you." Looking around to see if anyone else was watching, and practicing a bit of discretion, Copia kissed Kii, embracing her... Before she let go from the kiss, and stared lovingly into Kii's eyes. "I'm hoping you can get to meet him too."

The ghost watched as the group of living souls interacted, finding it quite nice to see all these different species interacting peacefully. That was the dream, IDIC for sure. "Yes, it is, it is nice to see you again Erra," The man looking at Erra with his hand extend for some loving finger touching!!

"I would love to meet him." Ki'ana smiled and took her by the hand. "What was he like?" She tugged at Copia's hand, pulling her out of the way so that Essen and her mother could have their moment in peace.

Erra extended her hand out without hesitation towards her husband... She didn't even notice anything else going on, all that mattered in that moment was her, Senutt, and Essen. All together again... After 23 years. Finally Erra made it to the point where she and Senutt could finally touch fingers... And Erra didn't know if it was a placebo, but she could swear she felt different connecting with her husband again. Being a widow wasn't easy in the slightest. "My love... I'm so, so sorry I couldn't save you... I tried... I wanted to ensure you and I could spend our lives together... I'm so, so sorry... Please, my love, forgive me... It is a privilege to see you again. To feel your touch again. I wish I had done even more with you. I wish I had spent even more time with you. The Borg cut it too short. Not a day goes by where I don't still love you and vow to always love you, even in death." Erra could barely keep herself together, as tears flowed down her cheeks. "Senutt, look at our little baby girl... She's all grown up. This is our daughter, Senutt. Look at the amazing young woman we've brought into the universe." As she motioned for Essen to join her.

Essen also couldn't help but continue sobbing at this. Her father, finally back, even if only briefly. She would give so much more for this back in the day if she knew this was possible. Essen watched with teary eyes as Erra and Senutt touched hands, finally linked once more after 23 years. Essen did join Erra as she motioned for her to do so, and also reached her hand out to make contact with her father's hand. She felt a similar feeling, even if it was a placebo, of a strong link to her father. "Dad... I'm Essen. Well, I'm the Essen you never got to see grow up - until now. I'm... Privileged to finally see you again. I had only remembered brief memories from when I was a baby of you. And seeing you again brings me back. Makes me safe. I just... I just want to make you proud. I've messed up so many times in my life. Taken so many wrong turns. I hope you don't think Aunt Inneth turned me into someone you wouldn't want me to be. I hope I've been everything you wanted me to be."

Not even processing the tug, Copia automatically followed Kii out of view from Essen and Erra. "Well, how I met him in the holodeck, from his book, and how he seemed in past archival footage, he was... Charismatic. But funny. Strong, but kind. Fun, but introspective. Lively, and caring. Curious and even childlike at times. But someone I always look up to. All things my father sees in me, especially when he named me after this figure."

The man happily took Erra's hand and looked into her eyes when she spoke. "It is alright, my love. I am here now and I will always be watching over you -- and you too, Essen," He said, looking at his daughter who had taken his other hand. The family was back together now, how sweet! "Please do not cry, i want this to be a happy meeting and.. yes I see, Essen had grown into a strong woman and forged her own path in Starfleet. It is something I admire very much," He glanced at Erra and then at Essen. "I wish I could have had more time with you two, but things are not too bad in the afterlife. It is safe and happy here," He said to them. And then -- on one of the empty tables, was -- THE COPIA guy! All dressed in his make up just ready to bust out some tunes or something. The monks were waiting below with vacuums in case this ghost got rowdy. He pointed to Copia and said, "THANK YOU THANK YOU! AND YOU! The one who bears my name, THANK YOU for bringing me here today!"

Copia was taken a little off guard when a ghost appeared - and she hadn't prepared any food for them! Copia dashed to the table and tried to assemble something as quickly as possible before--- no way... NO WAY! It was HIM! Cardinal Copia indeed!!! Cardinal Copia who became Papa IV and then Father Imperatour! But something was different. Something was obviously not the same as the holodeck simulation of the Cardinal - he knew about android Copia's existence. The holodeck simulation didn't know until Copia told him. The real deal... He knew. Somehow or other... He'd always known.* "Kii baby, come here! He's here!" *Copia motioned for Kii to join her. "Father Imperatour... Or should I call you C as you liked to be called by your mother? You... Know about me? I've been wanting to meet you ever since-- well, ever since... The first time I heard my father name me after you. It's a privilege to finally meet you. You look so... Happy!" Instead of tears, Copia's mouth curled into a smile! She was overjoyed! The former Cardinal wasn't in any pain, he seemed joyous! "C, I hope I have carried on your legacy of kindness and universal love as you had preached. I read your book every single day. I can't thank you enough for being such a pivotal figure in my life." (edited)

"Of Course OF COURSE!!! Thank you, my loving fans and my beloved predecessor! Yes, I keep tabs on everyone who shares my name. Ya know, gotta keep tabs to see who remembers me!" He said, throwing up what could only be described as ghost glitter. "And who is the lovely lady with you?" He asked, clearly curious about Kii!

Ki'ana blinked. Charismatic, definitely. Strong? In personality, most certainly! It was a bit overwhelming to be honest, but when has that ever been harmful at first blush? "My name is Ki'ana. Copia's girlfriend." She said, squeezing her hand tightly. "It's very nice to meet you... sir? Cardinal? Um-"

"You're... Safe," Erra said, as she wiped tears away with her free hand, and did her best to control her breathing. "You'll be watching over us?" As she looked back and forth between him and Essen. "Senutt... You're right, this... This is the happiest day I've had in 23 years. All three of us are back together... Even if just for a brief time. I've done everything I can to reassemble this family. The stars have aligned for us to be together again." As soon, her tears stopped and she maintained contact with her deceased husband's ghost. "Senutt... I will do absolutely anything and everything to honor you. To keep as much of you Alice as I can. Essen and I swear it. It's the least we can do in memory of you. Of a loving father... And my husband whom I love so dearly."

Essen also piped up when Erra spoke to Senutt once more. She had never seen her father in such good condition before, perhaps the afterlife was keeping him safe. "You look very happy, dad," Essen said. "I mean that genuinely. And I'm happy you're here. It's... Not something I ever expected to happen. Especially not after Inneth took me in." With a breath, Essen spoke again, after Erra. "Yeah... Dad, I--- I miss you. I want to... I want to do everything in your honor. I want to do whatever I can to keep your legacy alive. Everything I do, be it with my fellow officers or with my girlfriend Kaylee, I want it to be with respect and reverence to you. So you can always be with me."

Copia giggled seeing Kii's reaction to Papa IV being so bubbly in nature! She of course expected this, she hadn't been one to really show Kii too much archival footage of Papa IV. She'd have to change that, heh. "He's a former Cardinal, then Papa Emeritus, and then Father Imperatour," Copia explained. "Made so many people happy with the music he sang and the way he made people laugh." Before she turned to Papa IV once more. "Yes, C, I've taken on not one but two girlfriends! I have a great crew and amazing friends. But I couldn't have made it this far if I hadn't taken your lessons on how to be nice to others and to myself. To that, I owe you so much gratitude."

"Cardinal, C, anything you want, dear!! Copia is right -- i have many titles!," The ghost waved his hand and a bunch of other ghosts (presumably in his band) appeared. "Ohhh her girlfriend-- GIRLFRIENDS! How sweet, i wish you THREE happiness in your future TOGETHER!!!!" He said with his boisterous voice. "I am gonna play a song-- please please, let me play a SONG!" He said to the Bajoran monks who were still at the ready with their vacuums. This was sure one rowdy ghost. "This one is dedicated to my beloved Copia who has been faithful to my legacyyyyyyy!!!"

"AWWW, thank you C!! I'll treat them right, I promise you!" How sweet this was! Copia just-- wait. Papa IV had his band members the NAMELESS GHOULS with him?? And they were all going to play a SONG??? If androids could blush, Copia would right now as the former Cardinal dedicated the song to her. "Yes! C, please do!! Thank you C! Kii baby, which one do you think it's going to be? Square Hammer? Cirice? Dance Macabre, the one I sang at the cultural showcase? Which one you think??" As she applauded Papa IV and the Nameless ghouls, she was now about to receive a private rendition of a Ghost song!!! (edited)

Completely ignoring the loud and rowdy ghosts, Senutt was busy having a lovely family reunion! "You are doing just fine Easen. You and Erra," He lifted both of their hands and kissed their knuckles with his ghost lips. It looked loving, even if he kinda phased through the two solid women like he was some 12-polygon character clipping through a wall. "I know about Kaylee and I am happy you found someone. Stay well, Erra and Essen. I will be watching over you and supporting you wherever you may be," He said in a gentle voice before his spirit slowly faded away. Meanwhile. On the 'stage' the Cardinal gave the instructions to his band of ghouls to 'tear it up'. They immediately busted into what seemed like a medley's of their greatest hits!! A few of the other ghosts got up and started dancing too, woooo!!

Erra didn't even mind the other noise going on around them, she just wanted to be with Senutt. And be with Senutt she was, especially when the kiss on her hand finally registered in her brain, Erra felt a sort of... Calming sensation wash over her. Almost as if she could really feel the kiss on her hand. With a final smile, Erra kept her grasp on Senutt close as he began to fade. "I love you so much Senutt... Rest in peace, my love..." As the spirit faded, and her hand was left in mid-air.

Essen felt a similar sensation, the calming that graced her body and allowed her to feel... Complete. Once and for all. Knowing that her father, was alive and well in the afterlife, and that he would be watching and ensuring she and Erra would be safe. That made her happy. Relieved. "I love you Dad... I won't let you down..." As the spirit faded, and her hand also was in mid-air as he finally disappeared.

"You didn't say he had a band!" Ki'ana yelled over the din - she had to, considering the thumping music blasting overhead. Well, maybe that was the entire point of this festival - to let the dead enjoy themselves for a little while, even if it was only temporary!

A MEDLEY??? Ghost NEVER did medleys in any concert - for them to play a medley now, in a private rendition for Copia, this was an extremely SPECIAL moment! Copia got a near-princess treatment, and she was so grateful for it! Copia began shaking in joy, her body also began to move to the beat, as she took Kii into her arms, and danced with her, singing along as the songs played! Including all three of the songs she had predicted that the band and Papa IV would play! "Just wanna be, wanna bewitch you in the moonlight! Just wanna be, wanna bewitch you all night!" And android Copia didn't necessarily have the best dancing skills, but she was decent! (edited)

And tear it up the ghosts did! After the last snare hit they all disappeared! The monks looked stunned but well, that was the show, folks!

Copia wished she had all the time in the universe with the ghosts and especially with Papa IV, but they seemed happy in the afterlife - so she didn't really mind them disappearing after the last snare hit! "Thank you all!!! I won't let you down! I promise!" As she watched them fully dissolve into thin air. Then, Copia turned to Kii. "You heard the man, Kii baby. Happiness for us three. And that continues right now!" As Copia brought Kii in for a kiss, nearly sweeping Kii off her hooves in the process! When she finally let go from the kiss, Copia looked into Kii's eyes. "You want to summon more ghosts with me? And Essen and her mom?" (edited)

"Sounds good to me! Lead on!" Ki'ana smiled and squeezed her girlfriend's hand as Copia led her away. Summoning ghosts was a pretty weird thing to do for fun in her opinion, but then again these were unusual circumstances!

After a little bit of time, Paco changed out of his robes and into his usual Starfleet uniform, keeping it neatly and properly in a safe place as he nervously stepped into the banquet with a bowl of his mothers favorite food, a tupperware of Tinolang Manok, a very simple and comforting chicken soup. He looked around at the long tables and found a space where he can neatly set down his food and take a seat in one of the chairs that wasn't reserved for any of the ghosts, though he still made sure to check if the chair actually was free for him to sit on. Oddly enough, this festivity reminded him of a similar holiday traditionally celebrated by him and his family, All Soul's day, a commemoration of deceased loved ones and friends where the living offer prayers and offerings like this. Though the main difference would be the chance of actually meeting the ghosts of the deceased, which made him very intrigued.

And a ghost did appear next to Paco! It was -- his mum! She materialised slowly, her silhouette fading in and out, but it was definitely her!

"M-mom?" Paco asked as he stood up in attention and made himself more presentable being the Starfleet officer he is., very much still in disbelief that she, or rather her ghostly silhouette was actually right in front of him. "Mama!" *He joyously exclaimed as he looked at his mother with a bright smile before he reached over to hug her, which rather looked like he was wrapping his arms around a space, which very much was close enough. *"I finally get to meet you! I-I missed you so much..."

"Yes, Paco!" And Paco's mother wrapped her ghostly arms around him. It was similar to the other ghosts where they seemed like they were clipping through their solid peers. She was happy to see Paco, even in her slightly altered state of existence. "I have been watching over you this whole time, Paco. Even when you can't see me, I can see you," She said, closing her eyes as they embraced. She couldn't hold Paco very tight since she was just a ghost, but she hoped that he could feel her love through the aura of cool air that enveloped them. "I am very proud of all you have done. I've been watching Maya too, you two make quite the duo. I am so proud of both of you, I love you so much," She said as she gave Paco some pats on his back.

After sitting there and..being there for Essen, Erra and Copia's encounter, Vara'l made his excuses and wished them a good day. He'd then headed directly to the bonfire. Headed there with a wish to burn some stuff, to at least think about some of his old tactical team he'd lost, even if they'd not be someone he encountered today. Seeing Mir like that, that had already affected him alot. Given him alot to think about. Warmed his heart in a way, even if he was now..somewhat worried he had a fault in one of implanted bits of Borg tech around one of his eye's.

Copia tugged Kii gently with her to join Erra and Essen once more, after greeting Vara'l once more and wishing him a good day. Goodness, she hoped he would be okay... Copia approached Essen and Erra with Kii in tow. "I see we all had an emotional ghost reunion experience," Copia remarked. "Shall we all summon more together? I have seen my namesake, he seems to be happy as is the remainder of the band. Who else shall we summon, people who we may not even know?"

Erra kept her arm around Essen, holding her by the opposite shoulder, but smiled when Copia approached with Kii. "Yes, we did, we saw my late husband again, my late husband who is also Essen's late father," Erra remarked. "It was... visceral, to say the least. He was happy as well. I... am at ease knowing that, even if in a different form, he is still with us." Before Copia suggested to summon more ghosts. "You know what? Why not? Essen, let's make some more plates!" Before she and Essen assembled more plates of food for new ghosts to consume!

Haru skipped all the way to the banquet and filled up his plate with literally one of everything (that wasn't meat). Thankfully the labels were all tactile and the vegetarian food was also in a different section. Very convenient! With his plate sufficiently full of what looked like the most cursed meal ever -- clam pasta with a slice of hawaiin pizza on top, a side of potato wedges, a jumja stick, all covered in yamok sauce, he headed over to one of the tables with an empty seat -- right next to Ezra and Essen and Copia .... in the.. ghost seat, oh no one told Haru the seat was 'reserved'.

Essen clinged to her mother as she spoke, and looked up in awe as she explained what just happened with the two of them and Senutt. It was indeed visceral. But she needed it. She'd never been able to use any sort of language or communicate with her father. Now was the best time. Until she was distracted -- "Oh hey Haru! Er, I'm not sure, but I think ghosts use that seat, I don't know if you're taking up a seat for one..."

“Oh!!! The ghosts needs seats? Well, I guess it would be rude to make them stand," Haru said as he was just playing his plate on the table. He got up from the chair and began to feel around to try and find an open seat. There was one, but of course Haru couldn't see it. "Also hi Essen! Long time no uh, talk," Haru giggled loudly, waving in the direction he thought he had heard Essen's voice come from. He was close, but he was turned slightly to the side so he wasn't looking directly at Essen.

Essen giggled as she moved over to where Haru was. She wanted to help him out. "Heh, yeah, long time no talk! It's been a bit. Hope you've been doing well, fancy meeting you at this festival! Here, follow my voice, I'll help you to the chairs that ghosts don't seem to normally use," Essen said, walking backwards and then guiding Haru to the open chair he was trying to find, one that hopefully the ghosts wouldn't use. "Here, I'm back here! Careful, reach your hand out, you'll be able to feel the chair here."

If there was anything Haru was good at, it was following sounds! He followed Essen's voice towards the open chair and waved his hands about until he grabbed the back of it so he could pull it close and sit down. "Got it! Thanks Essen!" Haru did have a PADD that connected to his implants and gave him real time descriptions and directions, but that took more effort than just someone helping him in this case.

"People need to stop sitting in our seats!" A ghost soon appeared in the now vacant ghost chair. The ghost was what appeared to be a Rigelian! The double spinned species from the Rigel system! "These seats suck, booo," The Rigelian women did the gesture. One of the Bajoran monks shuffled over to the table with their vacuum, prepared to do some ghost sucking if needed.

Essen looked at the ghost in a bit of awe now - she didn't recognize this ghost, but in a way they seemed like they could be friendly! Essen giggled a little bit at their declaration of the condition of the seats. "Oh! Hello, please excuse my friend here, he didn't know that seat was reserved for you all! What's your name, spirit?" (edited)

"Oh, I'm Pocket. Like.. the terran thing," The ghost said with a wide grin on her face, happy that someone was chatting with her! She was afraid she'd come all this way and no one would talk to her. "Pocket Ra'tleihfi," She gave her name in full. "I died in a very series grape incident. I was working at a supermarket, slipped on a grape, then hit my head. I hope you did not include grapes in this food..." She said, looking at the plate of food that Haru had yet to collect.

"Oh that's my food!" When Haru reached out in front of him to grab his plate he realised he had left it in front of the ghost seat!! He didn't want this random person to eat his food!!

Erra also giggled having seen this friendly ghost appear and then begin chatting with Essen! Well, maybe the afterlife wasn't so bad for Senutt... Judging by how happy Pocket seemed, perhaps everyone was cared for there too. "It's very nice to meet you, Pocket. That's my daughter Essen, I'm Erra. We hoped we could find more spirits like you to communicate with. It's... Reassuring to know that you're still out there, even if not in a physical form." When Erra noticed Haru grab his plate in front of the ghost's chair, Erra reacted quickly, yet calmly. "Er, do excuse our friend, he left his plate at your seat. Here..." Erra took one of the other plates full of food on the table, and presented it to Pocket. "I made this one with a balanced diet, so you can get all of the nutrients you need -- and no grapes on it."

Essen had a thought - an interesting one, one which, by the way the ghosts communicated with each other and with the mortals, may have already answered her question, but she decided to ask it quietly to Erra anyway. "You think Dad is friends with Pocket up there in the afterlife?"

Pocket turned her head to look at Erra and Essen. Two Vulcan women that seemed pretty friendly. "It is nice to meet you two and it's alright, thank you," She said, grateful that the two had prepared a plate for her. She looked towards the guy a couple seats down whose plate she had accidentally mistaken for her own. She happily began to eat the food, eating slowly as peaceful ghosts did. "And I do appreciate no grapes. Those things are my enemies! And... You are asking about your father? I meet many people in the celestial temple, it's a non-corporeal sancutary after all!"

"Thank you!" Haru felt around for some utensils so he could begin eating his clam pasta. He prefered chopsticks because it was harder to accidentally stab himself with them, but he could just be extra careful with a fork. "Ohh, good thing I don't have grapes ehee.."

Essen giggled again, seeing how lighthearted that Pocket was! Essen considered it....if Pocket were still alive today, she'd be a great friend of the family, Essen thought. Sweet, understanding, funny. She liked that in Pocket. "Oh! I'm sorry, I should have asked you directly, I didn't want to overwhelm you. You... Know him? My father. I was worried he... Might be lonely up there. But from what you said it sounds like he has plenty of good company and friends. Which, in that case... Thanks for looking after him and being so kind to him." (edited)

Erra was starting to get emotional again, so she switched to something funny again. "Heh, it sounds like if you got into an arm wrestle with grapes, the grapes would win. Just joking out of fun, I can understand your hesitancy with grapes and why they're your enemies. If you were alive when you knew us we'd be sure to give you no grapes on your plate." Before she noticed Haru having a bit of trouble again! Erra scurried over to Haru, and helped pick up some of the utensils he would need. "Here, Haru, these are the utensils. I thought I might give you a hand." (edited)

Aside from whatever videos his dad would've showed him before he was born in the past, this was the very first time Paco had heard his mothers voice. His eyes swelled up in tears as his mom said how she watched over them and Maya, and how proud she was for the both of them, quietly sobbing with a big smile on his face as he 'held' on to her. He felt all her love and warmth as it pulled on his heartstrings a bit, hoping she could feel the same as he looked back to his mothers eyes. "Salamat mama... (thank you mom)"

"Oh umm.. Can I have a name?" Pocket asked, curious who this person was. She had met many people in the afterlife, it was hard to know who was who. "And.. maybe a species. We... Don't really have species in the afterlife. We're all sort of just energy collected in the celestial temple," At least that's what it was for Pocket. She had been Rigelian in her corporeal life, but it didn't really matter in the afterlife when well, everyone was dead/ Meanwhile, Paco's mum was still hugging her dearest boy! "Anything for you, Paco," She responded as she looked back at Paco with a loving and relaxed gaze. Her silhouette shifted in and out of focus as her time in the living realm was coming to a close. "I love you, don't you ever forget that. I am always watching over you and the rest of our family. You can talk to me any time, you know. No matter where you are."

"Oh!! Thank you!" Haru grabbed the utensils from Erra. He was thankful she and Essen were there to help him! Usually T'Sareth would help, but T'Sareth had to finish up some work at his gallery so he wasn't there at the moment. "MMmm... pizza.. on pasta, is good!"

Allan walked into the banquet, and looked around for an empty table, with just two seats preferably... once he had found one, he took two glasses of water (he'd heard about using the food for summoning, but had no idea about drinks) and set them down on the table along with his container of devilled taspar eggs, opening it up - it had the eggs neatly arranged on a little egg shaped egg platter! And then, of course, he waited, completely unsure of what to expect and definitely nervous.

At the smell of deviled TASPAR EGGS!!! Doha appeared in the seat adjacent to Allan. Her silhouette faded in and out before her facial features and silky white hair were in focus. "Jolan tru -- ah... I thought you were S'Tcaevra..." She said, looking at the strange human who had put the eggs out for her. The only person she knew to make her deviled taspar eggs was her husband, but this man was clearly not Cardassian or Romulan. Maybe he was looking for someone else?

Allan blinked repeatedly as it worked, and then suddenly lost everything he had planned to say. Fuck. He was just some random human she didn't know. It would have been better if it was Sakchai, right? Fuck.. "Um.. hi, I'm.. Allan, um- is it alright if I call you Doha?" If she said yes, he continued, "right, um, hi, Doha, I'm ... Allan," he'd already said that, dammit, "you - I - I'll get straight to it. Sakchai - S'Tcaevra, he... told me about you. A lot about you, and how much he loved you, how much he still loves you - and, um, about ... about how you died. We've... reopened the case, and, um.." he paused, looked down at the ground, and at the eggs, "how.. sorry. How have you been? I... made some eggs."

"..... That's right, I'm Doha," She nodded, a little confused why this stranger knew her name. "It is nice to meet you, Allan," She said politely, still sad that he wasn't her husband, but he was nice and it seemed like he knew S'Tcaevra. A smile crept across her face when Allan said how much S'Tcaevra talked about her and then about.. reopening the case? Before responding, she chuckled and picked up an egg to eat. "Hmm.... the eggs are pretty good," She said, eating another and then another and... then she was done with the whole tray in only a matter of minutes. "Yes, S'Tcaevra was a fantastic husband to me and I still love him too. What is the case you reopened?"

"Thanks," Allan said, smiling as she really ate the whole tray. "I would've um, made more, if I knew how many you'd want," he said with a small laugh. "I'll let him know, for sure, um- the case is the one that was supposed to find who killed you. Both Valleka and Sa- S'Tcaevra were arrested, but Lun covered up for Valleka, who - was also not caught for the murder of your father, and - then Lun killed you, but ... we're reopening it, he... he's being investigated by the authorities again, um- both of them. There's going to be.. a trial, soon. Again." He looked at the empty tray, took a sip of water, and then looked back at her. "Really, though, how has it been up there? Or - wherever you're uh, living up your ghost life."

"Oh it's alright. I know I eat a lot, I've always loved Cardassian food the most," Doha said with a chuckle. She pushed the tray aside and turned her entire ghost body towards Allan. "Oh..... I see. Well S'Tcaevra had it right when he said I was killed because I witnessed the murder of my father. Valleka wanted the senate seat and.. I guess she was jealous of me, because I was next in line. Our father favoured her though, probably because she was aggressive and good at speaking and I was always more shy," Doha looked to the side and then back at Allan. "It's been alright. I watch over S'Tcaevra most of my days. He seems happy, which is all I ever wanted. I feel bad that his first experience with Romulans was well, going to jail," Doha said, referring to how her husband landed himself in jail not even a year after they had been married.

Quietly, the thirty year old Romulan sat at the furthest table away from other people. She opened the rectangular container revealing an apple and cherry pie. She took the slice out of the tin and she placed it on the plate. She hoped this would work just for the closure she needed. (edited)

And in the vacant spot, a Romulan woman appeared before Areinnya! "... Areinnye? Is that you? Is it really you?" She asked as if she couldn't believe her eyes. No one told her she was the ghost appearing out of thin air, apparently.

"Okay mama, love you too..." *Paco said softly to his mom, probably for the last time today, just 'holding' her in his arms until it was safe to assume that her time in the realm of the living was up. Paco then simply sat down in silence for a couple of minutes to let himself quietly experience and reflect on his emotions, with the occasional glance at the food offering he had lent to his mother, before he stood up, picked up his Bajoran robes. Her warmth never left him as he walked away from the Banquet. * *He noticed that the Short Shorts Man was also there, but since it looked like he was busy being Short Shorts Man, whatever that may be, he decided it was best to let Short Shorts Man do his thing and ask him about who he spoke to in the festival later. For now, he was just going to vibe in the temple entrance with a jumja stick again, and watch a Bajoran Monk probably bonk a ghost into a vacuum cleaner. *

And as Paco's mum faded away another ghost took her spot! This ghost was REMAN! She was very tall and beautifully bald. #BaldIsBeautiful!

"Mama?" She spoke with tears in her eyes. She could not believe that she was sitting in front of her. "I brought your favourite and happy birthday." she gestured to the pie.

Essen was happy that Pocket was actually curious who Senutt was! There was a relief knowing that her father could have some friends up there, but it looked like Pocket needed a little more to bite off of before she could tack down who Senutt was. "Oh, yeah! His name is Senutt. He's a Vulcan."

"Yes, it's me. Thank you and... oh the pie, apple and... cherry? I did not even know you could get those ingredients in this part of space, well, I will admit I don't actually know where I am," The elder Romulan woman chuckled as she began to eat the pie with her hands because well, ghost couldn't really use utensils. Or could they? Where was the food going that they were eating? "You seem well, I've been watching over you ever since that day," She said, looking at Areinnye with a smile. "Senutt... Umm, I'm not sure if I have," Pocket thought for a moment, tilting her head to the side and then shaking out her long hair. "I meet a lot of people in the Celestial Temple. Everyone is so nice and.. ahh, I don't think I'm allowed to say much more," Pocket said, realising then that the Federation had laws about revealing too many details about other universes or timelines. "Thank you for the food, Essen and Erra," She said and then glanced at Copia. "You too," She said with a giggle before her image slowly faded away...

"Ah, no worries, I was just wondering!" Essen said. "It was wonderful to meet you, Pocket! Be careful in the afterlife, will ya? We hope to see you again-- someday." Before Essen watched the image fade.

Copia nodded with a smile to Pocket before Pocket vanished into thin air. AWWWW! Pocket was so nice! "Pocket was incredibly friendly and kind," Copia remarked. "I believe it would do us good to meet more ghosts while we are able." Before she quickly made a couple plates and set them back on the table for more ghosts to consume! "It is rather intriguing how spontaneous the ghosts who we may meet are. Perhaps we shall meet another one like Pocket." (edited)

And in the spot where Copia put the food, another ghost did appear! This ghost had bleached blonde hair and pitch black eyes and had an eery resembalance to a certain Romulan-Betazoid security officer. He grabbed at the food in front of him and began to eat, of course he was hangry, like all the other ghosts here!

Copia decided to communicate this time with the ghost in front of her, she was not entirely sure who this was but she did want to at least say hi. "Hello, spirit," Copia said. "I have prepared a balanced meal for you to join us in this celebration. I hope you are enjoying yourself. If I may ask, when you have the opportunity to speak once you have finished eating, what is your name?"

"Oh a balanced meal? I was hoping you'd have like that purple shake or the viral terran cucumber salad," The ghost said as he looked at the plate of food. Although it wasn't the food he had hoped for, it was food and he was HANGRY! "Mmm... I'm Liha, Liha tr'Merrus. Umm..." Liha paused. "I'm looking for my brother. I never got to meet him but I wanted to say hi..."

"Mama... I Just." Areinnye could not speak for a moment but she smiled while she wiped her eyes. "I am sorry.." She spoke trying her hardest not to cry. (edited)

"Oh, Areinnye, please don't cry," The older woman said as she wrapped her ghostly arms around the younger to hold her. The air around the two felt cold as most ghostly energy was, but the emotions were warm. "I know how much you've missed me and I am always here... watching over my beautiful and proud Areinnye."

Copia kept her demeanor calm and friendly towards the ghost even though they seemed to be a bit on the hangry side. Understandably so for all of the ghosts here, but especially for him, it seemed. Purple shake? Viral terran cucumber salad? Copia couldn't parse these things in her mind as she didn't know what he was referring to. But when he introduced himself, Copia responded. "It is nice to meet you, Liha tr'Merrus. I am Copia. You are looking for your brother? Perhaps we can assist you in finding him? Does your brother have a name that some of us may recognize?"

"Thanks, hi Copia, it's nice to meet you," Liha finished eating and waved both hands at her. "He does, yes. T'Sareth, T'Sareth tr'Khæthætreh. He's a civilian here and I was hoping to see him," Liha repsonded with a soft smile, looking off into the distance. Haru was too engrossed in his food to even noticed his husband's name being mentioned, he was trying to crack one of the clams in his pasta.

Tears finally spilled from her eyes as the warmth of the emotional energy finally hit her. "I think about you all the time mama. I think about how I could have saved you." She softly spoke

Essen heard the name of Haru's husband and right away the pieces fell together in her head. "Hi, uh, Liha tr'Merrus, Essen here. Your brother's husband is right over there, maybe he can call your brother in so you can say hi to him." Before Essen turned to Haru. "Haru! Do you know where your husband is? This nice spirit here is trying to see him, he's your brother-in-law."

"It is much alright, Areinnye. We had no way of knowing and what matters the most is that you're safe. I would give my life up ten more times if it meant ensuring your safety," She told her daughter, gently petting her hair with her ghostly fingers. It hurt knowing that they couldn't both meet in the flesh, but hopefully this brief meeting would provide Areinnye with closure.

When Essen turned to him and mentioned the spirit, Haru turned his head with a face full of pasta. He chewed and swallowed before responding with, "WHAT?! T'Sareth doesn't have any siblings though?" Haru looked towards what he assumed was the spirit? His infrared vision was picking up a slight dip in temperature so he assumed that was the 'ghost'. "And my husband is like... Vulcan and if he was adopted I would know," Haru said, assuming this ghost had the wrong person.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Liha shook his head. "He doesn't know I exist. We share the same mother," Liha explained, looking at Essen and Haru. "My mother saved T'Sareth's life when the Tal Shiar tried to kidnap him, we're not related by blood, but I consider him my brother," Liha explained, hoping that would clear some things up. It did not, by the look on Haru's face. Haru didn't even know T'Sareth was born in Romulan space as T'Sareth had never mentioned anything of the sort. "But... I won't get too sad, I want to thank Copia for the food.“

Copia watched this whole thing happen in front of her but didn't really know what to say, so she was happy Essen stepped in to be able to take charge of the mini-mystery to be solved. Oh well! Maybe T'Sareth was in another room? "Of course, you are welcome, Liha tr'Merrus. I wish you the most peaceful resolve within the afterlife. If you wish to seek your symbolic brother further, perhaps he may be in one of the other rooms within this temple?"

"Thank you! I will look for him! Oh and if you find the person.. Lama tr'Ehweia, tell him I'm not mad at him for stealing my identity. Actually, I am glad he used my name for fame, I wish I could have grown up to be an influencer," Liha waved to all the people at the table. "I hope I see T'Sareth, I'll see if he's at the bonfire."

She smiled softly at her mother and she wiped her eyes. If anything she needed to hear that "I needed that mama. I will continue to make you proud." she spoke and she hoped she could make a difference here on starbase777.

Essen couldn't help but snicker when she heard Lama's name. "Heh, will do, don't you worry, Liha. Ohhhhh, Lama. What a goofy goober that guy is. Ya gotta love 'im.'"

"I know you will, Areinnye. I love you, stay well," And with that the Romulan woman's silhouette slowly faded away.

He approached an empty seat, placing the Oskoid flower—Larios's favorite—onto the table food next to him. As he sat down, Saros closed his eyes briefly, not in emotional reminiscence but in focused concentration on Larios, trying to bring back his ex-Betazoid partner who died while on the Borg Sphere. He employed a Vulcan meditation technique, quietly calming himself of the memories slowly swelling up. * *This moment of mental discipline allowed him to prepare for the potential imminent interaction with Larios. He considered the probability of Larios experiencing anger at his failure to see to his duty, resulting in her death. Or it could be something entirely different. While emotions were illogical, Saros acknowledged their impact on interpersonal dynamics, particularly with non-Vulcans.

And a ghost did appeared before Saro's eyes! A Betazoid woman who grabbed at the food that was placed on the table for her. It only took her a minute to eat all the food and when she was done she turned to Saros. "Saros... is that you?"

"Okay, good, I just - well, I guess I'll have to make some more next year, they are really good! I tried a few from the test batch I made," he smiled, although he frowned when the topic went back to the murder. "Yeah, I - I whacked Lun with some blueprints the other day, that was fun, but um- pretty... you know, pretty dead set on getting that murderer in jail now, and .. not gonna lie, I don't know if it's even possible to get your voice or image on recording, but I had this crazy idea in my head that our conversation here could be considered evidence, but, ah- probably not, right? But-" He laughed nervously, taking another sip of his water as he crossed one leg over the other. "I'm glad, yeah, he - he's doing very well, I didn't know you could... watch over people like that," he seemed to pause for a moment, completely still aside from blinking before he shook off that thought creeping forward in the back of his mind. "No, ah... ghost parties?"

"Thank you, I will be waiting," Doha chuckled, looking forward to trying more of Allan's deviled eggs the following year. Time really was slow for those in the corporeal realm. To Doha, a year passed in the blink of an eye, but then again time was very funky in the Celestial Temple. "Did you? Well good luck on that and.. I am not sure either. I don't really know how ghosts work," Doha said with honesty as she glanced down at her see-through hands. "Yes, we can. In the Celestial Temple at least. I am always worried about Sakchai, he's so handsome and cool," Doha said, thinking she'd pay him a visit before leaving the mortal realm. "I don't know if you can use ghost testimony in a court of law, but perhaps if you can get to my house on Mol'Rihan, the Rylov estate. I'm not sure if Valleka or Lun had touched my things, but when I witnessed the murder of my father, I had Sakchai grab the data rods from the security footage. As you would imagine, our estate had cameras set up in the corridors. Valleka threatened to kill me unless I kept quiet, and to that I agred. The footage is taken from the corridor so you don't see myself or Valleka, but you hear our voices," Doha said, hoping that would be of help. "S'Tcaevra had these collections of.... round toys, that spun very fast. The data rod is embedded in one of those." The beyblades! Doha was referring to Sakchai's beyblades, which had actually been used to create the new Valdore knife which was now in the possession of.... well...

"I can try," Allan said with a laugh, taking his PADD out of his bag, "if that's okay with you." However, as he listened to her speak more, she was giving him... oh, oh, okay, he instead started typing this all out on his PADD. "Right, I... If Sakchai grabbed them, then we should be good, of course that um, wouldn't implicate Lun, we'd still have to have something for that, but.." he thought for some more time, about the ... rpund toys, that spun very... oh, shit, did she mean.. "wait, the - I think I actually know what you're talking about? I think I... I'll have to ask around, but I think I know where some are. They spin so fast, right?"

"I don't know how we could catch Lun, I am sure he killed me though. He never liked me," Doha sighed and pouted her lips. "He was very abusive towards his boyfriend.. Umm.. Hatham, I think his name was," Doha said, trying to remember everyone who was in the house. "Yes, the toys, they spin so fast. Me and S'Tcaevra would play with them all the time. I remember when S'Tcaevra moved in he spoke about a knife collection. I thought he collected knives, but you know, knife can also mean toy in Rihannsu. The toys were very fun, I don't see why S'Tcaevra wouldn't have taken them with him when he left. Valleka made sure he took all of his belongings," Doha said, hoping she could help Allan understand what she was talking about.

"Yeah, he also goes by Kianarix, he actually, um, got married recently to my best friend, Renakir tr'Torre'vnau, um- it was a really sweet wedding, I dunno if you uh... saw it or not, but- there was actually - yeah, the knife he gave R- it was like a spinny.... fuck, yeah I think I know exactly what you mean," Allan nodded quickly with a smile, super glad that he actually had a lead on.. something, at least! "Thank you, oh my God, really, is - is there anything you want to ask me? Or, um, for me to ask anyone else, I guess?"

Saros raised his eyebrow as he opened his eyes, shocked to see his partner: Larios, ex-Chief Science Officer of the C'elest. Saros slowly nodded as he said. "It is I. It's been nearly 11 years." Even though it was most likely three years since her death, life as a Borg Drone was unpleasant. Was time similar there where they were now? "I-uhm, brought your favorite,Oskoid flower,"

"Ah, Kianarix," Doha said with a smile. "I remember him, he was a nice man. I was a little concerned about him living in that house by himself, it didn't seem like he had any friends besides Lun. S'Tcaevra and I tried to invite him out with us, but Lun forbade it," She said with a mildly concerned look on her face. "Tell S'Tcaevra I love him and tell Kianarix congratulations on his marriage. I am happy for all of you guys, you deserve happiness. I wish I could have been a part of it," And with that, Doha's figure slowly faded away. "Oskoid flower," The Betazoid spirit said as she looked towards the plate and then at her living partner. "Thank you so much Saros. This means a lot to me, that you've been thinking of me this whole time," She put her hand to her heart and closed her eyes. "I have been watching over you. It's been a pleasure to see you grow and learn. I regret that I can't be with you during your journey," She opened her eyes and reached out her ghostly hands towards Saros.

"Yeah, he... he really is, I'm really glad he's so much better now, he lives here on the starbase, actually," Allan's smile made it obvious, really, just how glad he was for Kianarix - he'd personally seen the man come a long way from when they had first met. He nodded when she told him to tell Sakchai she loved him and Kianarix congratulations, tipping his head to the side as she said her parting words. "I will," he promised, "and - in a way, you are, okay? In so many ways, but the way that you've changed S... S'Tcaevra, for the better, the way you keep him going - it's - it's really clear to see you're very much still a part of things, if.. if that helps, any." He was, of course, speaking of Sakchai - it really was something that very evident whenever the man talked about Doha - but in the back of his mind, there was some sort of meaning that applied to a situation more personal to him as well. Which is, of course, what he thought of for a moment as she faded away, looking at the empty eggs tray for a lonnng moment, taking in and letting out a deep breath and wiping his eyes before getting up. He had to find Renakir.