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CNS Office (Attn. TeWhiti)

Posted Aug. 20, 2019, 12:13 p.m. by Lieutenant Junior Grade Lissan Zenobia (Counselor) (Trin S)

Posted by Ensign Tane TeWhiti (Scientist) in CNS Office (Attn. TeWhiti)

Posted by Ensign Tane TeWhiti (Scientist) in CNS Office (Attn. TeWhiti)

Posted by Ensign Tane TeWhiti (Scientist) in CNS Office (Attn. TeWhiti)
Posted by… suppressed (7) by the Post Ghost! 👻
[SNIP]

If you catch the Captain soon enough, she probably won’t mind giving you the chance to ‘escort’ your sister to her ball, and by the sound of it, paint her cheeks red in the process.” She chuckled.

“I hope to,” Tane’s eyes sparkled mischeviously as imagined what his sisters reaction would be like. “It would be a good oppertunity to see everyone again.” He added wistfully afterwards.

When was the last time you visited your family?” Although curious, she posed the question slowly, knowing well its gravity.

Dr. Lissan
CNS

OOC: Hope you don’t mind me returning to this thread. I was really enjoying it before I went LOA.

I don’t mind at all! Welcome back, Cass! :)

IC: “A couple of years ago,” Tane tilted his head to think back, “Last time I saw the whole whanau (family) was when my sister graduated the Acadamy and that was two years ago. When I first graduated I tried to get back at least once a year for Christmas or a graduation, but when you’re out in space it’s not always possible. We’ve had to make do with transmissions every night that we can.” He forced a laugh, that didn’t sound quite as harty as his usually did. Being apart from his family was still one of the hardest aspects of being a Starfleet Officer, despite having been and Officer for nearly 6 years. The occassional bounts of homesickness he still felt when it was a family members birthday was managable, but still difficult.

Ensign TeWhiti
Science

I’ve no doubt it’s difficult spending so much time away from your family–Whanau, I believe you called them.” Lissan could not escape the smile that tugged at the corners of her lips, it was such a beautiful word and yet she knew little of its meaning. “Believe it or not, you’re one lucky officer. Most don’t have families with the commitment or time to attempt transmissions each night. In many ways, you are light-years closer to your family than most of the people on this ship. Communication is perhaps a family’s greatest asset and yours has it perfected to a ‘T.’” Part of her was hoping to reassure Tane, the other speaking from honesty in her observations of what he had given her. “Has your estrangement from your family ever led you to consider departing Starfleet?” It was a question she did not want to ask, but its answer would give her a better understanding of the conflict deep within TeWhiti.

Dr. Lissan, CNS

“In many ways I am lucky that I can maintain close contact with my family. I know. However, I would be lying if I said I’d never considered quitting Starfleet because of them.” He shrugged. He was speaking with open honesty, when he was feeling particularly homesick, the thought of leaving and going home was frequently the first thought in his mind in those moments. “My ma warned me that choosing a career so far from my home would be difficult. I was aware it would be difficult, but I want to be a Scientist and Starfleet offers the best oppertunities. And in some ways Starfleet offers similar values to that of our Whanau so that in some ways I’m not really leaving my whanau but extending it.” This was also true, although it was still a thought that he had to convince himself of completely. He had seen people on the Trident become as close as family, but he hadn’t served there long enough to experience the same sensation for himself. He hoped with time that it would change.

Ensign TeWhiti
Science

That is a beautiful thought, Tane. In many cases, you’re right. A crew, for lack of better term, is your family. They are here for you when your loved ones are too far from reach. They’ll support you and guide you; sometimes you’ll seek their assistance and other times you’ll push them away. There is conflict and there is affection, but in the end, no man is left behind and that makes a crew strong.” She smiled at TeWhiti to express what she could not through a voice as mechanical as her own. “I hope you find that here on Memorial. I have not around long enough to speak for them, but from what I’ve seen, they won’t let you down.” She paused, shaking her head. “Regardless, they can never replaced your whanau and it is nothing to be ashamed of to wish you could be with them. Many officers have contemplated resignation over people they love–it is natural to feel so strongly for those connected to you.” Lissan took a sip of her tea, wrinkling her nose at finding it had gone cold. “If you could be anywhere right now, Tane, where would it be?

Dr. Lissan, CNS

Tane frowned thoughtfully, “My parents have a large farm that borders the banks of the Oroua River. It used to be one of my favourite places to play as a child. Even now…” he trailed off, his eyes sparking with youthful excitement, “It’s not a spectacular river but if you look hard enough you can see it’s full of life. It’s brimming with lots of little ecosystems. If I could be there, or somewhere just as full of life, that’s where I’d be.” He tilted his head and raised an eyebrow, “Wouldn’t you?”

Ensign TeWhiti
Science

A place doesn’t have to be remarkable to have meaning.” Lissan shook her head, watching as excitement flooded into his gaze. He lit up at the thought of this river; it seemed his sanctuary. “I can’t say I’ve been to many rivers in my life.” She smirked, amusedly. “Where I’m from, most of them are frozen over or deep underground. That being said, the thought of your river is calming albeit exciting in itself.” Zenobia took a second to visualize the Oroua river, picturing Tane and his family frolicking about its banks. It was a heartwarming sight. “I know it is nothing compared to the real thing, but what about a holosim with the Oroua River? It may curve your homesickness whenever it strikes.

Dr. Lissan, CNS

Tane grinned, “I never thought of that, but it just might work. My people define themselves by their land, it’s a part of us, no matter how far we travel from us, it’s who we are. If I had a holosim that looked like home, with the Oroua and Ruapehu…” He trailed off his thoughts spinning around as he planned, feeling a rejouvinated energy at the thought of even having the illusion of home.

Ensign TeWhiti
Science

It may not be perfect, but perhaps reconnecting with your land–whether simulated or authentic–could brighten your spirits.” There were times Lissan wished technology had advanced to the point of instantaneous travel, if only to give those homesick a few a day or two with their families. Sadly, they were light-years from Earth and all of the other worlds that officers aboard Memorial deemed home. Despite their barriers, Zenobia could feel the rejuvenescence passing through him. It was a bolt of pure, positive energy that registered unlike the great weight of sadness. “When is the next time you have a holodeck slot?”

Dr. Lissan, CNS


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