Post 394: Intermission

Stardate:70815.2100
Title: Intermission
Author: Lt. Grace
Scene: Conference Room, USS Independence
Time: A couple of hours after "'Ello, Love" by Dabin Reece
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After meeting the two most recent of Grace's previous hosts, February was exhausted. She had taken a nap, then found the strength to shower and change out of her pajamas and into some real clothes.

Rigin made sure that she had food available, bringing in a table and spreading it with an assortment of snacks that one would expect to accompany concierge level accommodations at a world class resort.

He watched as February sat on the couch, brushing her hair and staring off into the distance. She had a lot to think about, between meeting Wen and the talking to that Deveral had given her.

What surprised her the most was that after the memories had been transferred back to her, she felt instantly bonded with each of them in a way that she never had before- even after the first joining.

She was remembering more and more about each of their individual lives- memories she had never had to begin with. It was like suddenly going from seeing the world in black and white to seeing everything in glorious Technicolor.

"So far away," Rigin commented, as he arranged cheese and crackers on a platter, trying to tempt her appetite. "Have you learned a lot about yourselves, February Grace?"

February looked at Rigin and thought about how much they'd been through together since he'd first taken her hand in the Symbiont Caves and taken her off to see 'what was what'. She now thought of him as a true friend, and a thought occurred to her.

"Rigin," she began softly, "What will happen to you now? When all of this is over?"

She knew that for having taken part in the plot to free her from the Commission, he would surely be stripped of his position as Guardian, and even sadder, likely banished from their homeworld, for life.

Guardians devoted their entire existence to the care and keeping of the Symbionts, and she was worried what was going to become of him without that to go back to.

"This is lovely cheese. It was sent up by that chef friend of yours. It's not replicated. You ought to eat some." He ignored her and continued with what he was doing.

"Rigin,"

"I. . .haven't thought about it yet. Later. After your zhian'tara is complete. Nothing is more important than the well being of the symbiont- and its host." Rigin said, with humility that was sincere and complete. He stopped. "Huh. It hadn't fully hit me yet but, this is likely the very last zhian'tara I will ever perform."

February stood up and impulsively gave him a hug. She towered over him, and he was almost lifted up off of the floor by the force of the embrace. "I'll let you put off thinking about it until this is over, only if you promise to let me help you figure it out later. To help you any way I can."

Rigin smiled. "Thank you, February." he was truly touched by her care and concern for others. "I've- never met a host quite like you."

He fussed with a platter of cookies now, which did seem to interest Bru. She took a couple and headed back to the couch. "So, have you learned anything interesting so far?"

"I can't even begin to tell you," She exclaimed, taking a bite. "Rigin, is it normal that I should feel so different- so connected to and strengthened by all of the other past hosts? That instead of confusion I should feel. . ." she searched for the words to describe her feelings.

"At peace?" he shook his head. "Honey, that is the way it was supposed to be at the beginning, the way it is for other Trill. It's because Grace was so damaged, and sick, that you didn't make the right neuropathic connections the first time around."

"So this is the way life's meant to be?"

"For a joined Trill? You're getting there, sweetie. You're getting there."

The chime on the door rang, and February took a breath.

"You ready to meet the next host, Kimare?"

She nodded.

"Wonderful. Then let's begin."

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Lt. February Grace
Helm/Flight Controller
USS Independence NCC-90791

NRPG: Reece, that last post was worth writing the whole entire plot arc to get. Thank you, thank you!!!