Sana had lived on her own since her university days and never thought twice about it. In fact, she preferred living alone. There was something magical in the door closing behind her after a long day of caring for patients and the world slowing and quieting. She didn't have to worry about roommates coming and going or wanting to talk to her about goddess knew what when all she really wanted was to make some food, read, or entertain herself with something quiet and calming.
But Odessus was practically homeless when the Hierarchy unceremoniously dumped her on the Citadel and left her behind. And Sana was sure Odessus was still reeling from all the turns that her life had just taken. With Hannah returned to her own people, Odessus would need someone near her who knew what she'd been through. Sana was happy to be that someone and opened her home to her cousin.
As far as roommates went, Odessus turned out to be perfect for Sana. She kept her room clean and orderly—no doubt a habit from the military—and always picked up after herself, especially in the kitchen. If something needed fixing—a leaky faucet, a door that didn't open all the way, a torn seat cushion—Odessus often fixed it herself without prompting.
And while Sana had dreaded Odessus coming and going at all hours with her variety of bed guests, she needn't have worried. Odessus mostly went to work and came home, occasionally chatted with Sana about her day or about a vid they could go see, and kept herself otherwise busy. Often, Sana would look up to see Odessus with her attention on her 'tool, usually grinning or shaking her shoulders in quiet laughter.
It was a relief to see Odessus settling so well into her new life on the Citadel, but still surprising. Sana had expected to see more grief or uncertainty at such an abrupt change to her life and plans. Instead, Odessus seemed relaxed, happy even.
"I know it's strange," Odessus said when Sana expressed her surprise. Her voice lifted slightly into a higher register—happiness. "But after everything with Han, I don't think I could've gone back to the way things used to be. I could easily have been in prison right now. Han did the impossible when she got me this fresh start, and I don't want to waste it."
Sana nodded at that. It made sense. The three of them together had done something incredible.
When Odessus decided suddenly to go home to Taetrus for a short visit, Sana didn't think much of it. It seemed natural that seeing her family would help her handle the final recalibrations to her life. But the look on her face as she left seemed more reluctant, fearful almost. Considering Lavinia's tight hold on Odessus and the choices she made, Sana could understand Odessus's apprehension about telling her mother about her new career.
Only a few days later, Sana heard the front door of her flat open, and she peeked around the corner of the kitchen just in time to see Odessus slump through it, looking a little more than weary from travel.
She grabbed a towel to dry her hands and went to greet her cousin. "I did not expect you back so soon from Taetrus. You must have left almost as soon as you . . . Odessus?"
Odessus didn't appear to register that Sana was speaking to her and turned down the hallway toward her room without as much as a hello. Worry began to creep up Sana's neck and she followed Odessus. She found her sitting on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the wall in front of her.
Sana approached the bed cautiously and sat down slowly. "Odessus? Is everything all right?"
Rapid-fire questions raced through her mind. Who's been injured? Who's died? What's wrong? Did they need to leave? When did they need to leave?
Odessus put her head in her hands and rested her elbows on her knees. "She disowned me, Sana."
Sana felt the blood drain from her face. There was no need to specify who "she" was. Lavinia Ravaka had never been especially affectionate with her children, but she'd always been particularly dissatisfied with Odessus—for what reason, Sana couldn't fathom. But disowning her?
"It's . . . not official," Odessus said, her head still bent in her hands. "But I'm not welcome in the family anymore. She doesn't ever want to see me again."
Anger started to burn in Sana's chest. "I will talk to her."
Odessus stood and started to pace, her hands on her hips. "You can't. Not even Dad could talk her out of it. She doesn't want what happened with Han tainting the Ravaka name or ruining her precious empire of influence."
Her voice was a whirlwind of emotions, and Sana found it difficult to tell in what direction Odessus was upset. Mournful? Resentful? Furious? Dejected? Probably a mixture of all of those and more.
Sana reached out her hand as Odessus paced near her and grabbed her arm. "She cannot know everything that happened with Hannah. It is impossible."
A high keen rose from Odessus's throat. "She doesn't. And she doesn't care. She said so. All she needs to know is that my transfer to C-Sec was tantamount to being kicked out of the military, which means I've done something to embarrass her. Again. For the last time, I guess." She pulled her arm away from Sana, rage flashing in her eyes. "Finally. Good fucking riddance."
Sana shook her head. "You cannot mean that. You love your family."
"Of course I do," Odessus growled. "And if I'm going to lose them, then at least I've lost her and her fucking control games too. No more disappointed looks and speeches about how I embarrass her. No more occasional praise to keep me coming back for more only to be told a new way I'm lacking. No. I'm just as done with her as she is with me."
"But Hadrian, your father," Sana pleaded. "You cannot seriously consider not having them in your life just because your mother—"
"She's not my mother," Odessus snapped. "Just ask her."
There had to be a way to fix this. Sana couldn't just sit there and let Odessus be cut off from her home, her family.
Odessus walked quickly to her closet and threw open the door. She pulled out something dark blue and black and threw it on the bed. "I'm going out," she said, already starting to undress. "Don't wait up."
Sana felt lightheaded. "I understand you are upset, Odessus, but I think it would be better if you talked to me."
Odessus slipped the dress over her shoulders, silk and beads glinting in the movement, and kicked off her leggings. "Tomorrow," she said, securing the knots at her waist. "Right now, I need a drink and you don't have anything hard enough here."
She brushed past Sana on her way to her dresser where her jewelry box sat. Taking two long strings of blue gems, Odessus lifted her leg and clasped them both to the pierced tip of her left spur, a beacon for the sort of company she planned to keep that night.
"If you won't talk to me," Sana said, "at least talk to Hannah."
Her back still to Sana, Odessus paused in the middle of smoothing her dress. Then she left the room and disappeared into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
Sana clenched her fists. Who could do this to their own child? What parent could look at someone like Odessus—accomplished, selfless, determined, resilient—and feel anything but love and pride? As angry as Odessus obviously was—and justifiably—Sana could see the pain she was in just as clearly. Sana's rage burned hot and it needed somewhere to go, soon.
When Odessus emerged from the bathroom, her plates were buffed, her colony markings were crisp and bright, and a floral scent trailed after her when she walked past Sana. She pulled a long black coat from the hall closet and headed toward the door.
"Be safe, please," Sana said to Odessus's back.
Odessus barely acknowledged Sana before leaving. It stung, but Sana could be generous right now. She trusted Odessus would apologize for her behavior toward Sana in a day or two, once she'd blown off some steam.
With the flat quiet and to herself again, Sana started to pace. She needed to blow off some steam too. It took only a moment to make up her mind, and she pulled up her 'tool, reaching out to Taetrus.
"I knew she would go running to you," Lavinia said by way of greeting. "Our affairs are none of your concern."
Sana felt her bile rise. "I am certain that you would prefer it if that were true. Sadly, you have never been more wrong."
"For an asari, you're curiously short-sighted." The call was voice-only, but Sana knew a sneer when she heard one. "I have a responsibility to the people of Taetrus. A responsibility that Odessus compromises every time she does something thoughtless and reckless."
"Your responsibility is to your daughter!" Sana snapped.
"Enough," Lavinia snapped back. "Odessus is no longer welcome in this house, and if you continue to impugn me on her, I'll bar you from conducting family business."
Sana barked a laugh. "Oh yes. Cut out your daughter. Silence me. That way you have control of the narrative. That way the family will never even know that you chose your own best interests over your daughter's. I cannot stop you, Lavinia." Her entire body shook with fury but she kept her voice low and steady. "But I will never forget what you have done here. And when it comes time for me to tell future generations of Ravakas your story—"
The line went dead.
As frustrating as it was not to be able to finish her promise, she knew it had been enough. Even if Lavinia continued to be obstinate, she would at least maneuver more carefully. Lavinia spoke for Odessus now.
In due time, Sana would speak for all of them.