Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Vora Zorell (Scientist) in CNS’ Office- Zorell

Posted by Lieutenant Siennadye Nox (Counselor) in CNS’ Office- Zorell

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Vora Zorell (Scientist) in CNS’ Office- Zorell
Posted by… suppressed (9) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

Sienna nodded. “I can understand that need. We all want a more complete picture of the people who birthed us, raised us, loved us because they are a part of who we are whether we like it or not. I would imagine like any relationship, your father and mother’s had its ups and downs. Any that ends painfully will probably color your father’s opinions and stories about her. You may need to ask a lot of questions and always filter through the lens of his life. Are you prepared for that?”

Nox, CNS

She nodded slowly. “Yes, actually. In the brief conversation I had with them my instincts tell me he is a kind man. I have relied on my instincts to keep me alive and tell me the root truth of a person very quickly. I believe he hasn’t reached out to me to cause me harm and just wants to get to know his daughter, to fill in the gaps of his own knowledge. But I also know he has had a very privileged life. So did my mother, even if she left it for reasons I don’t really know about. I think asking a lot of questions will be the only path forward for both of us.”

She was going to meet her father and Vora’s breath caught in her throat. “There is a part of me that is actually quite excited to meet him, but I… there is anger there. Not at him, because he didn’t know about me. But for the life I could have lived, even though as I say that it likely would have meant I wouldn’t have Jerrin and he’s the one thing I will never regret.” It was all so complicated but Vora knew that was life in all its glory.

~Vora Zorell, Sciences

“It is perfectly natural to go through the grief cycle upon learning your life could have been so very different and perhaps much better. While I know you dont and will never regret your son, it is okay to still feel a desire to have had less hardship.”

Vora nodded, inhaling deeply.

She smiled softly. “I am glad you are making a connection to your father and that you are excited too. No one says emotions are easy or simple.”

“Isn’t that the truth,” Zorell said dryly.

“Have you spoken with Jerrin about this yet?”

Nox, CNS

She nodded. “We have had a couple chats about it. His experience with Tenra was not exactly great either and given how manipulative my uncle was ultimately, we’re a little wary, despite the fact that he was well treated under his care. I’ve left it to him to decide if he wants to meet his grandfather or go to the surface, or not. And he can change his mind at anytime while we are there. If things go well, I assume there will be future contact, so that might be more comfortable for him, even though he’s getting ready to move on as an adult in his own life.”

~Vora Zorell, Sciences

“I think that is a pretty reasonable way to go about it for you and him. The same rules apply to you both. You may also leave if at any time you are uncomfortable.” She was satisfied with that and moved on. “How about Johann? Have you and he had discussions?”

Nox, CNS

Vora nodded. “He was there when I got the message, so we had a chance to look up what we could find about my father and discuss the various concerns. He left it up to me to decide how I wanted to proceed. When I decided to call him, I did so on my own, but we had already looked into the possibility of going to Tenra so I knew that was an option. He’s supportive but we’re both going into this very cautiously.

~Vora Zorell, Sciences

She smiled softly. “Well then, it sounds like you are doing everything you want and you have a good support system in place to handle whatever comes. You have a partner who supports you and is doing very well in making sure he is not deciding for you or endeavoring to protect you as a way to control a situation that is very much out of his control. Your son is supported to make his own decisions which at his age is vital. I think you have a good head on your shoulders Vora. Just make sure to let yourself feel your feelings and always hold to the boundaries you feel you need.”

Nox, CNS

Vora smiled and leaned forward. “I know it’s not always going to be straightforward and there is a lot about revisiting Tenra that is, well, terrifying, but I’m so far from that girl that Cortallo swallowed whole that for the first time in my life it’s not them I fear. And… my father? Sienna, he seems really nice. It’s not a word I’m accustomed to using with Tenraith men. I can’t speak about the rest of the family, butI’m looking forward to meeting him.”

~Vora Zorell, Sciences

Sienna returned the smile. She couldn’t help but feel the excitement pouring from the other woman. On a personal level, she wondered if it would be easier to dislike Vora or if liking her had somehow made it less stressful seeing her with Johann in this universe. She let those thoughts go as quickly as they came. Today Vora needed her in a professional capacity and she wasn’t about to let her own personal sadness get in the way of her job here. “There is something exciting about the possibility that all is how it seems with him. I can imagine you have missed having a father figure in your life. To have a connection to someone in your family that is not your son could be very fulfilling.”

Nox, CNS

She wasn’t wrong but it was even more than that. “I don’t really know what family is, and what I’ve learned it to be I have taken from my time here on the Europa. I’ve gotten comfortable with the idea that I get to choose who my family is, and a part of me wonders if that has changed now. But I also know that I still get to choose who I allow into our lives, regardless of genetics. My uncle is a good example of that,” she said, scowling slightly at the thought of Torno Hass. Vora sighed. “I’ve accepted also that showing up on Tenra means I will need to be prepared for a few encounters that I might want or be looking forward to.”

~Vora Zorell, Sciences

“Yes well, the short answer is .... You will always get to choose who family is. Blood relations can be a part of that family, or as you have lived, not at all. Family is in the heart, a level of care and deep understanding. Family is support and being present. Family is duty mixed with love. If your father becomes a part of that in time, then great. If he doesn’t, then it will be no less to you. He is a person asking to be let in and like anyone you meet, its up to you if he stays based on how he treats you.”

Nox, CNS