In this office on La Serena, Picard accessed the latest composition that Plutarch sent him. To his ear, the melody lended itself to the flute. It was a complicated piece but after a few days of practice he thought he had a pretty good handle on it. He would like to hear Enid's opinion of how he interpreted her composition but would he have the nerve to play it for her? His music was private. He only shared it with a few people. Still, to discuss his music with the actual composer was a tremendous opportunity. Would she take the time to speak with him?
Mr. Hospitality appeared at his door. "Captain Rios wishes to inform you that we have reached Vashti. The temperature at the beam in point is 23 degrees Celsius and it is sunny. The local time is 3:27 pm," he said. Picard was pretty sure Rios did not instruct his hollo to give the time and temperature. That was just Mr. Hospitality's programming.
"Oh. Thank you." Picard put his flute away. "Has the Gi'halidrl arrived yet?"
"Yes sir. They arrived yesterday." He paused a moment then asked, "The young woman, Enid, is speaking with refugees at the tavern. Is there anything else you need?"
"No. That will do. Thank you." Picard said. Mr. Hospitality evaporated and Picard packed his flute in a satchel and slung it over his shoulder. The sythetic ship would arrive the next day. Today he planned to visit Zani and see if he could get some time with Enid. Elnor accompanied him to the surface. They passed the tavern. A large group of Romulans were gathered. In addition to Fank, a handful of sisters from the Qowat Milat seemed to be providing security. Irina was among them. She ran out to greet them.
"Elnor!" She threw her arms around his neck. Elnor returned the embrace.
"I have missed you," he said once the embrace ended. "How is your training going?"
"Lovely! The women hear are amazing," she told him as she took his hand in hers to walk the rest of the way to the Qowat Milat home.
"I'm sure Zani has you working hard," Picard said. He thought the young woman looked much more at ease than she had even aboard the Zheng He. At that time Irina still didn't believe that the Tal Shiar wouldn't take her into custody once they were away from Enid. When they entered the house, Zani was engrossed in a serious conversation with a half dozen other nuns in the common room. Irina lead them to a garden to the side to the house.
"Give the sisters some time," Irina said.
"They look serious," Picard said.
"It's Enid again. Your friend knows how to make an entrance." Irina took a seat on the stone bench under a tree. Picard snorted as he took a seat on a bench across from her.
"Yes, she made quite a stir on Vulcan as well," he said. "What has she done now?"
"She's channeling victims of the supernova," Irina said. "Zani is trying to determine what that means for security." Irina went on to explain that there had been a stampede of people eager to talk dead relatives. Many were injured before Narek was able to get the situation under control. "That one keeps his wits in a crisis."
"Yeah, he likes control," Elnor said. The corner of his mouth tightened and he rolled his eyes.
"I thought he was impressive," Irina said. "He talked the crowd down while Fank and Yumuen got Enid to safety.
"Was Enid hurt?" Picard asked.
"Overwhelmed but I don't think so," Irina said. "Zani offered our assistance. It's a lot more orderly today."
At the tavern, Narek pulled Enid aside. He could tell she was tired. The stress of reliving so many harrowing stories was wearing on her and he felt she should return to the ship.
"I want to thank Zani for her help," Enid said. Her father instructed her to give Zani his regards as well.
"Your father's regards can wait," Narek said. His eyes narrowed and his cheek twitched as his jawline stiffened. Enid's eyes widened and she tried to meet his but he kept his gaze downward.
"Whenever you think about my father, you picture him with tentacles." Enid brushed Narek's hair off his forehead.
"Enid, we have an agreement." Narek didn't move his head to look at her but did lift his eyes. "We don't hold each other accountable for random thoughts."
"It's not random. You think my father is a monster." No, Enid thought to herself, we need to have this conversation.
"He murdered my sister." Narek said the words slowly, emphasizing each one as it's own thought. It was Enid's turn to look down. That her father acted to protect her was no consolation. Elnor had killed Enid's brother to save her and she had never forgiven him for it so she understood Narek's pain. It didn't matter that Narissa was cruel to Narek. Enid's brother had tried to kill her and she still felt desperate for the chance to forgive him. Death robbed her of the opportunity. Yes, she understood his pain.
"I'm sorry," she said. Narek pulled her into his chest and hugged her tightly.
"It's not your fault," he whispered in her ear before kissing it. Then he pulled away, taking her by the shoulders and looked her in the face. "He endangered your life on Aia. I don't trust him."
"We're Romulans, Narek. How much can we expect to trust?" Narek tilted his head and smiled. She had a point.
"If you're going to the convent, take Yumuen with you." S'ril's betrayal left a hole in Enid's heart. It was just one of many holes her childhood had left her and Enid urgently wanted to fill with this one with Plutarch. She was willing to ignore his flaws to have the illusion of a loving father. It was just one of the little lies she told herself. It created a vulnerability. Enid wanted to please this imaginary loving father she created but Narek figured he could manage her. He could keep her from endangering herself. Narek vowed Plutarch wouldn't hurt Enid like S'ril had.
Enid proceeded to the convent with Yumuen. They were flanked by two sisters. A handful of refugees followed along hoping Enid would stop and grant them an audience.
"Ena! Ena!" Enid heard a familiar voice coming from behind the Romulans. She stopped and spun around.
"Missy!" Enid lunged forward as Missy did the same only Enid was restrained by Yumuen and Missy was met with the swords of the Qowat Milat. "It's ok! She's my best friend!" Enid pushed past the sisters and threw herself into Missy's embrace.
"God, I've missed you!" Missy breathed in the scent of Enid's hair. She resisted kissing her though. That would be out of place now so she took a step back and examined her friend. "You have a new look."
"My cousin has a designer," Enid said.
"You mean they dress you?" Missy's eyes narrowed.
"You make it sound bad." Enid pulled away and crossed her arms.
"Oh, come on now..." Missy reached her arms around Enid's shoulders and squeezed her. "I'm teasing."
"You don't get it." Enid shrugged her off. "You've always had a large family." Enid had always been jealous of Missy's close knit clan.
"So tell me about them."
"If you want an interview, you know the process." Enid pursed her lips.
"I just want to know you are ok," Missy said. Enid narrowed her eyes but caved to Missy's pleading expression. She turned to face her friend and smiled, taking Missy's hands into hers.
"I have cousins! The youngest, Ji'aella is a gymnast, like me!" Enid's smile was infectious.
"And the Tal Shiar?"
"Narek explained about the Tal Shiar…"
"Oh, I'm sure he did," Missy rolled her eyes. "Enid, the people in your new family are dangerous."
"Narek says everyone can be dangerous." Enid quickened her pace, forcing Missy to jog to catch up with her.
"So you don't trust anyone now. Except Narek, I suppose."
"I trust Fank. Yumuen too." Enid tossed her hair and frowned.
"Anyone outside of your Tal Shiar bodyguard?" Missy flourished with her hands.
"Lorlani. But not when she's pregnant." Enid's voice faltered a little. Missy swooped in with her next question.
"What about your father?" Missy noticed the omission. Enid stopped dead and turned on Missy. She held her fists at her sides and took a deep breath before answering.
"You know I can't talk about that." Enid's eyes were icy. "I'm happy. I don't understand why all this matters." Enid turned and continued walking, even faster than before.
"What I don't understand is why the Qowat Milat is augmenting your Tal Shiar bodyguards. Seriously, why are they protecting you?"
"They aren't," Enid snapped. "They are protecting the refugees from me."
"From you?" Missy touched Enid's shoulder, making her friend stop. "You're dangerous to the refugees?"
"That wasn't accurate, I suppose." Enid exhaled and rubbed her neck. "They are protecting the refugees from each other."
"From each other..." Missy tilted her head as she echoed her friend's statement.
"These people have lost so much." Enid shook her head and looked over Missy's shoulder. "I channeled the victims of the supernova. It caused a stir. The sisters want to ensure everyone's safety." Enid walked now looking at her feet.
"So then the victims are really inside you?"
"I-we…I don't know." Enid crossed her arms over her chest. Her pace had slowed again. Missy frowned.
"What are you doing on Vashti, Enid?" Missy tried to study her friend and former lover's face but Enid was stubbornly avoiding her eyes.
"My father wanted me to represent him to the refugees. He wants to resettle them." Enid made eye contact with Missy. "It's a good thing he's doing."
"That makes sense. You have all sorts of experience with diplomacy."
"Don't be a bitch!" Enid felt a familiar anger rise inside her. Lately she was angry a lot and for little reason. Poor Narek took the brunt of it.
"He's using you for something."
In her mind Enid heard Narek admonish her to be careful around Missy. Yes, she was a long lost friend, but Missy was also an ambitious reporter. He didn't trust her to put Enid's best interests before her career. Missy didn't give any thought to exposing Enid to a Tal Shiar operative on Kiara.
That was you! Enid reminded him.
Indeed, Narek thought back. Enid furrowed her brows. What was really bothering Narek