Goodbye Father-Final Part

Posted on Mon Apr 29th, 2024 @ 5:09am by Consul Andrinn Orin

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Trill Homeworld
Timeline: 2112
1668 words - 3.3 OF Standard Post Measure

[ON:]

Andrinn was standing out on the balcony of his family home, still in his traditional mourning clothes from earlier. Andrinn and his entire family had just gotten back home from the funeral for his father, which turned out to be quite the state affair. There were people from all over Trill that had come to the funeral to pay their respects to Andrinn's father, Endrin. It didn't click until the funeral of how many people that both his mother and father knew due to their diplomatic ties.

However, that also meant that there was a load of people there that Andrinn had to interact with, whether he liked it or not. Some of them were people that Andrinn knew in other ways, especially from the Trill Symbiont Commission. He was glad that they all came in support of Andrinn and his family, but it eventually got to the point that there was well over 1,000 people that were packed into this small little chapel.

Endrin was going to be laid to rest outside of the chapel, in a family plot that he had both for himself and Andrinn's mother, Emory, whenever they both died. Andrinn knew and understood that it'd be a while before Emory would join her husband in death, as did Emory. But, everyone knew that it would be there for her, whenever that time would eventually come.

After the funeral happened, Emory and the rest of Andrinn's family welcomed guests in their home. That meant that Andrinn would have more interaction time with various people and eventually, Andrinn had to excuse himself to let himself get some fresh air.

Andrinn had forgotten a little bit what the air felt like on the Trill homeworld. He had been away for a little bit, helping various space fairing people like the Vulcans and it meant that he hadn't had as much of a chance to get back home as he would have liked. In a way, it was nice that Andrinn was finally able get back home, even if it was for a sad occasion like a funeral.

As Andrinn was standing out on the balcony, he heard the sliding glass door open and close behind someone. Andrinn didn't turn around to see who it was because he thought that they might have been just coming out to do the same as he was. However, within a few moments, Andrinn didn't hear the person go back inside, so he turned around to see that it was his mother.

Andrinn and Emory had talked a few times before and after Endrin's death. But, it wasn't for more than a few moments because both were always being pulled into several different directions. Emory had taken a seat in one of the big outdoor recliner chairs that she had on the balcony. Andrinn didn't know if his mother had seen him out on the balcony or not, but while she was sitting down, she appeared to have been crying a little bit.

Andrinn walked over to his mother and took a seat next to her, offering up a tissue that he had stored in one of his pockets, just in case him or someone else might have needed it. Yet, this was one of the few times that Andrinn had ever seen his mother cry, especially like this. So, it was a bit worrisome for him. As he handed the tissue over to his mother, Andrinn asked, "I know that it's not okay and probably won't be for a little bit. But, are you okay mom?"

Emory took the tissue and gently wiped away some of the tears that were coming down her face. She was at a loss for words, so she simply shook her head in the negative and tried to make sure that the makeup that she had just reapplied when she got home was smearing or running down her face.

Andrinn wrapped his arms around his mother and laid his head on her shoulder as he said, "I know that it's going to take a long time for any of us to start feeling better, especially you. But, if you need anything, you know that you can always come talk to me or one of the counselors that the Trill government has offered up to us. Don't ever think that you're in this alone or anything."

Emory wrapped her hands around Andrinn and laid her head atop of Andrinn's without saying anything for a little bit. She was thinking, like deep thinking that she would do when Andrinn was younger and she had to explain why something was happening within the world that they all lived within.

Once she had the words that she wanted to say, she lifted her head up a little bit and whispered, "The universe is such a cruel place sometimes, you know? When I first came here to Trill all those years ago, I was shunned alongside the Vulcans for being an outsider. That the Vulcans and I didn't know anything about the people or the culture. Now, the Trill have become a space fairing species, but that are so mistrusting still. They don't want anyone outside knowing about the symbionts because they think the outsiders will try and do harm to anyone on Trill. While a lot of progress has happened, I just wish it was more. I know that the Trill people and the rest of the universe will eventually get there, I just wish that your father could have seen it. He would have loved to see a universe where two different species could get married and have kids without the fear of either one of their own species."

Andrinn sat there with his head still on his mom's shoulders and listened to everything that she was saying. Andrinn had firsthand experience with some of what his mother was talking about, mainly from some of the people from school and the Trill Symbiosis Commission. The Commission didn't want someone that wasn't fully Trill to join with a symbiont, but there was enough members that thought towards the future and allowed for Andrinn to go through the coursework to join. But, his mentor was still harder on him than if Andrinn was fully Trill.

Andrinn replied, "Yeah, I know mom. That day will come, but it will come because you and dad fought so hard to make it a reality. Without you guys, I probably wouldn't have been able to join with the Orin symbiont. I wouldn't have even gotten the chance to do that. But, like you said, it's sad that dad won't be able to see all the progress that you and I will be able to see in the next few decades and centuries. While some might see our long lives as a curse, I see it as a blessing sometimes. Yeah, I will love and lose some of the ones that I love. But, they'll just add to my story like I'll add to theirs. I know that doesn't mean a lot for what you're feeling right now, especially losing dad. But, hopefully, it'll help to loosen up some of that pain and make you feel better eventually and see what you guys had was something totally special."

Emory had laid her head back atop of Andrinn's as she listened to what he had to say. She couldn't help but chuckle a little bit as she said, "God, you sound exactly like your father. You definitely are your father's son and I'm glad that I get to call you my son, and I your mother. I just couldn't believe how many people actually came to the funeral. I knew that we knew some people from both the Trill and Vulcan Diplomatic Corps, but I never expected THAT many people. Just makes me wonder how many people will be around when I finally pass away. Again, the universe is a big place, as you're well aware."

Andrinn couldn't help but chuckle when he heard his mom talking about the amount of people that came to the funeral and he replied back, "Yeah, that was a lot of people that came today. I think I heard that over a thousand people came to the funeral and some people had to wait outside of the chapel because it was only meant for so many people inside. Dad truly got the funeral of a lifetime worthy of his and your achievements. I promise to invite the entire galaxy whenever you decide to pass away. I'm sure that all of your family from El-Auria would come in a heartbeat, alongside the Vulcans and the Trill people. You've already got three different species and worlds coming to your funeral."

Now, both of them were chuckling and they talked for a little bit longer before they realized how long both of them had been sitting out on the balcony. Emory finally said, "I guess that it's time that we get back inside and make sure your siblings aren't being bombarded with too many questions or something that they can't handle. Thanks for the talk kiddo. It really means a lot to all of us that you came back to see your father one last time before he passed away. It really means a lot to me too, to see you before you go back to work. You know that I love you."

The both of them hugged for a few moments before Andrinn replied, "You know that I'll be back anytime that you guys need me. I'm just a call away."

Emory shook her head and smiled as she pointed back inside and said, "Lets get back inside and see about those siblings and the food. Okay?" Andrinn shook his head and chuckled before following his mother back inside to finish the night off. It was sad, but a much needed night of stories, laughter, and tears. Andrinn was glad to be home.

[OFF:]

Consul Andrinn Orin
Chief Diplomatic Officer
USS Elysium

 

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