Sixteen for Atrollians means the end of childhood.
Bodies have matured, gifts have presented, and businesses are reaching out to the male and female students that have managed to catch their interests with exceptional academic skills. Ismae's already turned down three long term jobs as they won't allow her to attend Starfleet if she were to accept them. But jobs and Senate Balls aren't the only thing Ismae gets to look forward to.
She turns sixteen in a week, just one week, and as soon as her birthday passes Ismae can participate in the Fhisel, an old Atrollian ceremony where those in the first year of there adulthood would travel through the jungle of Usneg with nothing but that which they could carry on their back. They'd stay in that jungle for two weeks, surviving on what rations they brought and what they could hunt. By they end of those two weeks they would either be extracted or they would have reached the Temple.
In the old days the Atrollians kept but one deity. A goddess made of starlight and the inkiness of space. A statue in her likeness is erected in the temple, crystal and marble and precious gems carved to resemble the Great Mother. Back then newly turned adults would participate in the Fhisel so that they could gain the goddess' blessing. To prove that they were worthy of it.
Just because science and technology has advanced the Great Mother is still a worshiped deity among the Atrollian people. It's just the Fhisel that has become less popular. Not many of Ismae's people participate in it.
But Ismae's going to.
Because it's not just a test of strength or tenacity. Ismae wants to participate in the Fhisel because it means she survived and she did it on her own.
Rafeek seems to think it's a good idea and her mother hadn't said she couldn't participate when Ismae brought the topic up at dinner. Diru hadn't commented, but Ismae thinks that's because the older male is making an active effort to let Ismae make her own decisions without his interference. The only person who doesn't seem pleased by the idea is her father.
Henry Wolfe had been adamant that Ismae would get herself killed, Rafeek's teachings or no. When Ismae had asked why he'd thought that her father had huffed and sputtered something about children and life threatening situations.
They haven't spoken of it in weeks but Ismae's not going to bring it up until she absolutely has too.
"You know," Shiga says as she finishes reading Ismae's report on intergalactic trade and the benefits of Atrolla's location on the border of the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, "if you were to show this to your father I'm sure he would find it quite impressive."
Ismae looks at her tutor, raises an eyebrow, and turns her attention back to the new books she's received from Diru just last night. She's attempting to arrange them among the rest of the books that occupy the shelves lining the wall on either side of the two windows in her room. Classical paper books, bound in leather and cardboard and worn paper, and personal PADDs with more current literature.
Biographies, educational books, science fiction that isn't really science fiction any more, romance, and fantasy.
They all sit on the shelves, a rainbow of color.
"How is Shyra?" Ismae asks after she slides a particularly thick book onto the shelf.
"I haven't spoken to my sister today, she's visiting our mother, don't change the subject." Shiga retorts.
"I don't know what you want me to say?"
Shiga sighs, "I want you to talk to your father."
"Fortunately, I spoke to him this morning at breakfast."
"That isn't what I meant."
"Yes, I know."
The aged female behind her mutters something about human stubbornness and genetics. Ismae doesn't pay her much attention. Out of the twins Shiga has always been the loud one. Opinionated and proud, she's never kept anything from Ismae that the older female thought would benefit her charge. It wouldn't have been productive during their lessons.
Even so, Ismae doesn't necessarily want to hear what she has to say about her wanting to participate in the Fhisel.
It's not that Shiga doesn't want Ismae to participate, it's more that Shiga wants Ismae to participate so badly that her enthusiasm is starting to wear on the entire household. And it's been Henry that's had to take the brunt of Shiga's attentions.
"Have you thought about what you're going to do? Your birthday is in a few days." Shiga says.
Ismae glances at her tutor and shrugs, "Mother approved of my decision and I wouldn't need my father's permission to participate in the Fhisel since I'll be sixteen."
"So you're actually doing it then?"
"Yes."
She'll feel bad about it later, she knows she will, but Ismae isn't not going to participate in this.
Shiga nods approvingly before standing and making her way over to where Ismae is standing. The closer she gets the more Ismae can see the lines that have appeared on her face. A result, no doubt, of the years she's spent in the Alrix household tending to Ismae.
"Have you spoken to Rafeek?"
"Yes, he has promised to escort me to the southern border of the Usneg. He will also be the one to come find me should anything happen."
"I suspect you know what you're packing, yes?"
"Only the bare necessities."
Shiga nods approvingly, her eyes distant.
Before Ismae can ask if she needs a moment or if she's alright Shiga pulls back, stepping toward the door without so much as a squeak. Ismae watches her go without saying a word and soon the bedroom is empty save for herself.
Ismae shakes her head.
In a week Ismae will be participating in the Fhisel. Rafeek with come to collect her while her parents are at a dinner party, it had been her mother's idea, a way to keep her father from stopping her. It won't be pretty, the argument that will likely spring up between her parents. Ismae's glad she won't have to witness it. Though, she is sad to be the cause of such an argument.
But alas, it is what it is and there isn't much Ismae can do to stop it. Nothing save for giving up the Fhisel. Which is not an option, ever. Ismae sucks in a deep breath, turns her attention back to the books on the shelf, and tries to distract herself with the words of George Orwell.
Distantly she can hear the enraged shrieks of the head cook, it's likely Taj's dog got into the kitchen again. Ismae finds herself smiling despite the heaviness that's attempting to settle over her.
~X~
Three days later Ismae turns sixteen and her family holds a party for her. A small party with some of her school mates and some of Sermari's co-senators. It's a boisterous affair with more alcohol then probably necessary and enough dancing to make Ismae's feet hurt the next morning, it's perfect and distracting and no one talks about the Fhisel. Though, Arem Gressh does kiss her rather soundly before he leaves, the bronze coloring his cheeks as he tells Ismae that it was good to see her again, to celebrate this monumental occasion with her before slipping off to catch the transport unit his parents are climbing into.
Four days after that Ismae watches as her father helps her mother into a coat made of brightly colored blue and silver fur. They both look amazing and in love and happier then they probably have any right to look seeing as in a couple of hours her father will be near to tearing out his own hair. But none of that has happened yet and Ismae's not going to worry about it now.
"Are you sure you don't want to go?" Her father asks for the fourth time this evening.
"Yes, I think I'll stay and read one of the books Diru sent for my birthday." Ismae says.
Her mother smiles, a bit too tightly but a gentle thing none the less, and says, "Come Henry, we mustn't be late."
"Yes, one moment. Just saying goodbye is all."
Then she's being pulled into her father's arm and she's breathing in the scent of spicy terran cologne for a brief second before pulling away. Ismae stares at her father for a long moment. His hair is beginning to grey at the temples and there are more lines around his eyes then she remembers there being but his eyes are gentle and his expression open and Ismae feels a pang of something like guilt as she thinks about the hurt she's going to be putting him through.
"Have fun." Ismae insists, knowing full well her father isn't overly fond of some of the people he will be eating with this evening.
"You too, Izzy Busy Bee."
Her expression must be something fierce because her father near howls with laughter as he steps away to put on his own jacket. Despite the annoyance growing in the pit of her stomach at the nickname Ismae stays in the foyer, watching both of her parents until they've gotten in their transport unit and disappeared from her view. Once she's sure they won't be returning to pick up any lost items Ismae makes her way to her room where she finds Shiga adding things to her pack.
"Bandages, should you need them," The female says, "and some antiseptic ointment too."
"Thank you."
"Of course."
After the older female has closed the pack she turns and offers it to Ismae, who takes it with a sort of hesitance almost unfamiliar to her. Hesitance is not something Ismae is used to experiencing. But she shrugs the pack over her shoulder and gives the older woman a huff.
"If anything happens..."
"Nothing is going to happen to you, child."
"But if it does would you please tell my parents that I'm sorry."
Shiga's hands move to cup her cheeks and Ismae is forced to look up into her eyes as she says, "Listen to me, Ismae... The only people who die during the Fhisel are the idiots. You are not an idiot."
It's not much of a pep talk but it works as well as it can. Ismae doesn't necassarily agree with what Shiga's telling her but the older female's confidence does wonders for her nerves.
"Now, you'd best be going. Rafeek will be here any moment and you'd best be gone before your father returns."
"Yes, of course... Thank you, Shiga." Ismae says before reaching out to gather the older female into a hug.
They hold each other for several moments before Shiga pushes her away and motions toward the door. Ismae nods once before turning on her heel and making her way to the foyer. It's odd, seeing her home so empty. Most of the staff have been left to their own devices and her parents are gone. Ismae feels a bit of guilt over leaving everyone like this, and she'll apologize later for it, but it's too late to back out now.
Rafeek is waiting in the foyer and when he sees her he offers a bright smile and takes her pack from her shoulders.
Neither of them say anything as they make their way to his transport unit and they remain silent as they make their way out of the city. Rafeek hums absently to some song he's listening too and Ismae braids her hair to keep it out of her face. Occasionally, Rafeek makes a comment about what to expect and when he'll come and pick her up and how to contact him if anything goes wrong.
Ismae's thankful for his thoughtfulness and makes sure to remember everything he says in the off-chance that she does end up needing his help. Hopefully she won't need his help but... It's better to be safe then sorry and Ismae's never been one to think herself immortal or invincible. Besides, she's not going to die in some jungle... Not even if it meant Ismae would be remembered as a hero.
She would never do that to her parents.
With a sigh Ismae settles back against the seat and closes her eyes. It's a long trip to the drop zone and Ismae's going to need all the rest she can get before the start of her little adventure.
~X~
The Jungle of Usneg are ominous to say the least. Dark and overgrown with an air of danger that would make anyone just happening upon it balk. Ismae can understand why someone would build a temple here, especially in the years when war were so very commonplace. It was a good place to hide a temple full of gold and jewels and ancient knowledge from the soldiers from Reskore who would burn and steal from any of the temples they found.
Still... Ismae finds herself oddly nervous as she gazes upon the jungle.
Rafeek had dropped her off nearly ten minutes ago, telling her to keep her comm device with her should she need it before leaving as he is supposed to do. This is Ismae's journey, not his, and she'll make it alone if she wants to earn her goddess' blessing.
With a sigh Ismae drops her pack onto the ground and begins sorting through all the the things there in. Best to do it now while she knows she's safe then to do it in the jungle and expose herself to any of the beasts that might try to kill her while her back it turned.
She sorts through the items and catalogs them by their level of importance.
There's a water filter and food bars, a thermal blanket, a lighter, a hand light, a map, and a first aid kit as well as a few extra sets of clothes. Ismae puts them back in their places before sorting through the weapons and tools she'd thought to bring. She's got a small hatchet, two hunting knifes, and should she truly need it a phaser. Ismae returns the hatchet to its spot in her pack but straps the knifes to her belt.
"Alright," Ismae tells herself as she straightens up and slings her pack over her shoulder, "this is it."
And with that the sixteen year old makes her way into the jungle of Usneg.