Posted by Civilian Marishka (Lounge Host) in The Parthenon- Mothers Always Know

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Janna Kingston (Counsellor) in The Parthenon- Mothers Always Know

Posted by Civilian Marishka (Lounge Host) in The Parthenon- Mothers Always Know
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

Janna’s grin intensified. “You’re more than welcome to attend. I had snagged a meeting room for five people, but maybe we can meet downstairs?” she said, pointing the more private social space that was on the lower level of the lounge. It’s going to be at 1800 hours next Thursday if that works for you. I know evenings can be a busy time for you, so let me know if a better time would work.”

~Janna Kingston, CNS

1800 was prime dinner hour but Rachael and Ted could almost run the place without her.

“Yeah, that is kind of busy but I can probably get away for half an hour and I’ll make sure the bar snacks are good that night.”

Marishka frowned and looked down at her PaDD again.

“Wow, that’s going to be a busy evening. I guess some people are falling into relationships too. I’ve never hosted an Andorian wedding rehearsal dinner, this should be interesting.”

Sometimes Marishka desperately longed for her cloak and dagger days.

• Marishka

Janna chuckled. “It’s a big ship, I imagine there will be more than a few weddings over the years.” The thought was a wonderful one because it meant not only people finding love and happiness here but also… no, she wouldn’t let her brain do that weird dance. Nope, not usual.

“Janna?” Joana said, not quite frowning but curiosity mixed with concern settled into her features as she watched her daughter’s mind turn over something. She didn’t know quite what it was, but it was enough to note for sure.

Heat touched her cheeks and Janna tried to cover it, adopting her therapist’s mask while she peered at the menu, but it was too little. She just shook her head. “It’s nothing.” She shifted her attention to Marishka. “I’ll have the Chef’s Special salad with a side of garlic toast.”

Joana wasn’t buying it but she said nothing for the moment as she eyed her own menu. “The tomato soup for me please, and a plate of fries for the table,” she said knowingly, drawing a snort from Janna.

~Janna & her Mama

Marishka decided not to expound on the virtues of purple potatoes, she just didn’t have it in her today. Janna and Joana were lovely customers but she knew enough about her position on the ship, and the workings of her own mind, not to over play her part.

“Refills on your drink order too?” she asked.

• Marishka

“Yes please,” Silva said with a smile.

Janna nodded herself. “More coffee for me , but also a glass of iced tea. Thank you, Marishka.”

After Marishka moved off, Joana folded her arms on the table and studied her daughter, her eyes intense.

“You can stop it,” Janna said, sipping on her water, breathing carefully to keep her heart rate steady.

Joana’s eyes didn’t waver from Janna and she folded her arms on the table and leaned forward. “I am your mother. I know you Janna Kingston. What aren’t you telling me? You don’t have to protect us, you know that, right?”

She couldn’t help the snort that escaped her mouth. “Oh mamãe, I love you and mom but you two are the worst worrywarts I’ve met, and this ship…” Janna shook her head. “If I told you half of the things that I’ve been through, you’d freak out and demand I resign and come home.”

Joana shook her head. “Oh, amorzinho, no. We wouldn’t do that. It was a different situation before and it took us time, just like you, to adjust to the new reality. Did we like your decision to remain in Starfleet? No. But we do understand it, and we love and support you. If this is where you need to be, then this is where you need to be.”

Janna wanted to trust those words but recent events made everything feel uncertain. A reply died on her lips.

“Whatever is going on with you right now, you can tell me. I will listen. I love you, Janna, and if your love life is complicated, well, welcome to the club dear daughter.”

A protest formed in her mouth, but it was too late. Damn her mother. Jana knew she could see it in her eyes. “Complicated is one word for it,” she muttered.

~Janna & her Mama

Marishka had everything ready to go but had noticed that the two women seemed to have an exchange of some kind. She thought that perhaps that was just how less destructive families interracted. When there seemed to be a lul in the conversation she returned wit their orders and unobtrusively set everything down.

• Marishka

OOC: If anyone else wants to jump in and meet one of Janna’s moms, please feel free!
IC:
Kingston smiled warmly at Marishka with a nod. “It looks great. Give our thanks t the kitchen,” she said sincerely.

As the two woman tucked into their lunches, a easy silence fell over the table. At least for a few minutes until Joana spoke up. “You know why your mom struggles with you out here, yes?”

Janna nodded. “Because her mother was enlisted in Starfleet and was never around and they don’t have much of a relationship. And her father died when she was thirty-eight. Psychologically, she deals with abandonment issues and my being away reinforces that and forces her to confront her strained relationship with Dianne.”

Joana smirked. “Oh so clinical.”

Janna scoffed. “As if you haven’t described it in your head practically the same way.” She twirled her fork in her fingers and leaned forward, careful not to lean on her food. “But I am not Dianne.”

“She knows that, we both do.”

Janna searched her mother’s face but it was that deep knowing inside that spoke more strongly than her keen observations. “And yet, it bothers you that I don’t share a lot about my life here, even if you’re secretly relieved. Because you know you can’t handle hearing the hard stuff because Mom would feel it too strongly and you don’t want to have to pick up the pieces if I break her heart like it has been already.” She stabbed a bit of lettuce in her salad and popped it in her mouth.

Meanwhile, Joana stared at her daughter hard, almost in disbelief. Yes, her doctor had a doctorate in psychology and knew how to read people, but this was different. So very different. It sent a strange feeling up her spine and she wasn’t sure how to process it. “What is going on with you?” she asked quietly, brow furrowed in concern.

~Janna & her Mama