Meeting the Family...

Posted on Tue Dec 19th, 2023 @ 4:57am by Captain Mattias Richardson [Reece] & Cadet Junior Grade Gérard Dirsye [Reece] & Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Miran Lalor [Lalor] HRH & Tristi Richardson

Mission: Season 6: Episode 4: Memory Lane
Location: USS Elysium, Lalor-Richardson Quarters
Timeline: MD 1/ 2025 hours
1898 words - 3.8 OF Standard Post Measure

Once he received the signal from Miran, that family dinner had concluded, Gérard checked his clothes, for the third time, then left his quarters and made his way up the the Commodore's family quarters. In one hand, he had a replicated Betazoid orchid, for Miran, and a replicated bottle of his family's wine. The program to create the bottle on board allowed for a gentle addition of alcohol, which completed the liquid.

To say he was nervous suddenly would be a slight understatement. While he had already spoke to the Commodore about his desire to court her younger sister, he had yet to speak to Captain Richardson ever. He only had the tales of the man to go off of. He hoped he didn't make a fool of himself tonight. The blessings he had received could still be revoked. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself.

***Meanwhile***

Miran was staring down her sister, not that it was working, because Phoenix was staring straight back at her. "You will not"

"I will" came the reply.

"You will not!"

"I will. You are nearly 18 Miran, this is not like it was when you were 15 and the boy was 17. You are nearly 18 and he is nearly in his 20's. Chaperone"

The Erisian teen swore at her sister in Erisian which had her sister standing up and swearing back. The Erisian they spoke was HIGH Erisian, not standard Erisian and not something Phee had taught Mattias as it was harder to learn. They went back and forth in this dialect for several minutes before Miran glared even more and flung herself into a chair.

Smugly, Phoenix turned to the teenager sitting on the steps. "Tristi, you are now a chaperone."

Tristi shook her head. "Ah no way." She replied. "You find someone else."

"HA! See? No one wants to be it or have it." Miran replied as the chime rang.

"I'm yer huckleberry," the familiar male voice said from the door to the dining room. Mattias epped closer and arched his eyebrows. "And such language, from ladies at that!" He winked playfully at Tristi, then moved towards the door. "He's already afraid of your sister, Mir. Now it's time for him to face the other demon in your life." He smirks jokingly at his sister-in-law.

"Don't you dare!" She yelled as she jumped up from her chair. She bolted to the door to block his way.

Tristi sighed. "Should have replicated popcorn."

Mattias was quicker than Miran and got to the door first. Standing with his back to the door, and looked down at her, a hurt look on his face. "Do you really think I'd do or say anything to embarrass you?"

She narrowed her gaze at him. "I don't know you as well as you know my sister. Are you going to answer the door?"

"I am," he replied with an even tone. "And if you want to see your cadet again before you turn eighteen, you will drop this attitude now and realize I was only teasing you."

Miran shot a glare at her sister and crossed her arms. "Open the door Mattias." Her tone was way too even. It was kind of like how her sister's tone got before a massive explosion.

"Cool off," he said softly. Mattias then gave Phoenix a quick look as he turned towards the door. Stepping over to the controls, he spoke aloud. "Enter."

The doors slid apart, revealing Cadet Dirsye standing there, the gifts in his hands. "Good evening, Sir. Thank you for allowing me into your home." He took a step forward, then offered the bottle of wine to Mattias. "For you and the Commodore, Sir?" He quickly scanned the room and stopped when his eyes locked on Miran. A happy grin settled upon his face as he stepped towards her, offering up the orchid. "And this is for you."

She smiled back and took the flower. "Thank you Gérard, its beautiful!"

"Sickening," Tristi said as she stood and then headed upstairs. "Excuse me while I puke."

Miran shot a glare at the departing teen's back. "Go puke! It's not like anyone will ever date you anyway!" She retorted coldly to her niece's back before turning back to Gérard.

Phoenix stepped between the stairs and the group by the door. "Welcome Gérard."

Gérard had to pause briefly, to adjust to the jumble of emotions he was feeling from the family around him. After a few beats he looked up at Miran and grinned softly. "I'm glad you like it." He then addressed the Commodore. "Thank you for allowing me into your home, Ma'am."

Phoenix smiled. "You are very welcome here. Miran, though tells me you are going out this evening?"

Arching his eyebrow slightly, Gérard glanced over at Miran. "Um..yeah, after we all spoke?" He now wished he and Miran had a more advanced mental link, as he had been under the impression that tonight they would be sitting down and getting to know each other. "If that's alright?"

"That is fine. As long as she is home by 22h00" Phoenix said.

"22h00? Oh come on Penelope!" Miran turned to her sister.

"22h00 and no later. You do not live alone yet." Came the commodore's reply.

Mattias stepped over by Gérard and indicated he can sit on the couch. He would leave the discipline of Miran to her older sister. It was not his place to do so. "So, Gérard," he said, in an attempt to bring the discussion back to where it should have been. "Tell us about yourself. What is your field of interest at the Academy?" He then sent a look to Phoenix and Miran, a silent message to sit down and be civil in front of company.

Gérard cleared his throat before he replied. "Microbiology, Sir. Though, I also have a minor interest in structural engineering."

Phoenix stepped to Mattias's side. "And are you enjoying it?" she asked Gérard.

Looking over to Phoenix, the young cadet replied. "Honesty, Ma'am? I was. Then, during the crossing, both my instructor and most of my class were lost. I've taken it upon myself to start using the ship's computer to study more, though, it's much drier that way." He shook his head. "I'm sorry, Ma'am, you already have so much on your plate right now. I'm sure you don't want to hear about my troubles."

"You would be wrong Cadet," Came the reply. "If no one speaks, then how would I know what is wrong? I know we lost a lot of people, cadets included. But no one has spoken to me about how it would be affecting people, have counselling been down to see you all?"

Gérard nodded, feeling a bit foolish for his words. "Yes, Ma'am, they were. And there are weekly group sessions taking place where we can come together to talk about the friends that we lost, try to find some healing together." He looked up and added, "While I know he is doing very important work for you, Ma'am, when Commendant Reece was at the Academy, it had started to feel like we were actually getting something good going. The last Commendant, well, he really just sat in his office, issuing orders. He rarely came down among the cadets to see how they were getting on."

"And we have taken him to be Chief of Tactical." Phoenix said "It was not an easy choice. I will look into it and make sure we get someone to replace him as soon as possible."

The young man nodded his understanding. "Thank you, Ma'am. I know my fellow cadets would appreciate it." He then glanced at Miran, then looked back at Phoenix and Mattias, wondering if they wanted to talk to him about anything else.

Miran's foot tapped slightly but she subsided as her Sister looked at her. "Tell us Cadet, what are your goals?"

"I'd like to, one day, rise high enough in rank and experience to be Chief Science Officer at Starfleet Headquarters." He paused, then added, a bit softer, "I'd also hope to find some to start a family with, Ma'am." He was smart enough not to voice that he hoped that someone would be Miran.

Before Phee could reply, Miran interjected. "Can we go now?" she asked her sister.

"You should learn patience." Came the reply from her sister. She looked at Gérard and gave him a small smile. "If you wish to continue with this one " she jerked a thumb at her sister.
"You will learn she is not patient."

Gérard smiled softly as he looked over at Miran. "I think she is perfect."

Miran smiled as she met his gaze. She was enjoying spending time with him.

Phoenix rolled her eyes. "I am sure she is luring you into a false sense of security."

Grinning softly, Gérard replied. "That would be difficult, Ma'am. My mental barriers are well trained. It would take a lot to sway me in a way I didn't want to go."

Phoenix nodded. "Well I wish you luck again." She looked at Mattias. "Anything else to add?"

Mattias considered the situation, then simply repeated, "Kust be sure to have my sister-in-law home by 2200 hours. And make sure you two behave yourselves." He looked more at Miran as he said the last part.

Miran bristled at the implication but did not reply, her look giving him a promise of retribution. She turned to Gérard. "Shall we?"

Feeling the swirl of emotions between the family members, Gérard nodded as he stood. "Yeah," he smiled at her again, then extended his hand to Mattias. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Sir." He then dipped his head respectfully to Phoenix. "Ma'am." He then moved over to where Miran stood and the young couple left the family home.

After they left, Mattias moved over to Phoenix and put his arm around her shoulders. "Seems like a good kid."

Phoenix nodded. "Yes." She said softly. "Just hope she understands that."

==

Outside the cabin, Miran took a steadying breath. "Sorry about that."

Gérard gave her an understanding grin. "It's okay. Family can be difficult at times. I'm sure your sister and brother-in-law mean well. They're just trying to protect you is all. It's actually quite endearing when you think about it."

She shrugged. "Not like she considered that before she went on that dumb mission with the Black watch. Anyway, where shall we go?"

Gérard shrugged slightly. "Perhaps she has no choice but to go? When one serves in Starfleet, orders must be followed. If they aren't, then the citizens of the Federation become unprotected." He sighed softly, then replied to her question. "We could go to the holodeck? I've been wanting to try a program that replicates a..park in? It was a place that the humans used to congregate in and watch a film projected on a large screen. They would watch it from their vehicles apparently."

Miran smiled. "Sounds good to me. As long as i am home as dictated."

Reaching out, Gérard took Miran's hand in his and then the pair made their way down to the nearest holodeck. After he activated their request, he smiled at her. "Ready?"

Miran smiled and nodded. "Lead on kind sir"

~OFF~