"There are forms you will need to fill out to officially change your house," Miral said as they entered the house. "That was just a ceremony. We will not be part of the house of Dar'Rok until the paperwork is filed."
B'Elanna shrugged off the heavy outer layer of the Klingon style dress she'd worn for the house renaming ceremony. Everything was moving in fast-forward – just yesterday her grandfather had died, and today they'd held a ceremony to honor him and transition the house to her uncle. B'Elanna was shocked at how quickly they'd arranged this ceremony – she'd barely had time to process that he was gone.
She'd stood in the sun, sweating in the dress her mother insisted she wear. An engraver had carved Ma'Leth's name into the family memorial, along with his birth and death dates. Dar'Rok lead them in chants honoring Ma'Leth and speeding him on to Sto'Vo'Kor. After Dar'Rok and Miral placed offerings under the freshly carved name, Dar'Rok proclaimed he was head of the house, and anyone who objected should fight him now. They were ritualistic words – no one was going to dispute his claim.
And with that, it was over. The whole affair had only lasted half an hour.
"I still think it's stupid the house doesn't go to you." B'Elanna walked into the main room, having left her outer layer crumpled in the entry way. "You're the oldest."
"Women do not head houses in the Empire."
"But doesn't that piss you off?"
"I do not think it's fair. But at the same time, I would not want to lead the house."
"But you should have the choice."
"I do not disagree." Miral sat on the couch, dark circles under her eyes. "But I am not going to change the Empire."
"Not with that attitude."
Miral took a breath and rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Today is not the day for this, Lanna."
B'Elanna stopped and stared at her mother. Yesterday, once B'Elanna had collected herself, she'd messaged her mother and uncle, informing them her grandfather had died. Miral had asked if B'Elanna had performed the death ritual. When B'Elanna replied 'yes', Miral had informed her that Dar'Rok would see to the body and that she'd be home later.
B'Elanna had stared at the message in disbelief. Her father had just died and she wasn't going to come home?
"I don't understand!" B'Elanna had yelled at Dar'Rok when he arrived at the house. "Doesn't she want to say goodbye?"
"It is just an empty shell. What is there to say goodbye to?"
B'Elanna let out a frustrated growl. "Even if that's the case, how can she keep on like nothing just happened?"
Dar'Rok headed to Ma'Leth's room, calling back to his niece as he walked away, "Let her grieve in her own way."
Now, glaring at her mother, the emotions that had been simmering in B'Elanna for the last day boiled over. "Oh, so when the Empire isn't perfect you don't want to talk about it, but you can complain about my human failings all day long!"
"I never said the Empire was perfect! I was trying to guide you in the ways of our people!"
"While shitting on everything that's human. You do remember I'm half human, don't you?"
Miral rose, fire in her eyes. "I never tried to make you less human. I shared with you my heritage, your heritage-"
"'Shared'?" B'Elanna fumed, throwing her hands up in the air. "More like shoved down my throat!"
"You are half Klingon! Yet you dishonor our ways. You refuse to dress like a Klingon; to observe ghInjaj. You even refused your Rite of Ascension-"
"Because I don't want to be a warrior!"
Miral took a step forward, her face near inches from her daughter's. "It is not only about becoming a warrior; it is about becoming an adult! I did it; was I forced to become a warrior? No! But because it is part of our culture, so you refused to do it! You have been running away from being Klingon your whole life!"
"Maybe if we'd been a little less Klingon, my father wouldn't have left!"
Silence filled the room. The two stared at each other, breathing heavily. A low growl began emanating from Miral – a noise B'Elanna had never heard her make before. "He left because he was weak! He abandoned us! He has no honor!"
B'Elanna laughed, resuming her pacing. "Honor? He was just as sick of hearing about honor as I am!"
"You still understand nothing about being a Klingon!"
"Thank god! Because evidently being Klingon means you don't care when people die!"
"What did you just say?" Miral's voice was cold.
B'Elanna stepped closer to her mother. She felt like she was on the edge of a cliff – she could either back off, go to her room, let them both cool down. Or… "You heard me! None of you seem to give a fuck that VavnI' just died! You didn't even come home to see him! Did you even love him?"
B'Elanna watched as Miral's face paled, her eyes turning to ice. Oh shit. She'd never seen her mother look like this. "I'm sorry-" B'Elanna began, looking down and crossing her arms.
"Get out."
B'Elanna's head jerked up. "What?"
"Get out of my house."
And go where? For how long? B'Elanna stammered, "Mom, I'm sorry-"
"You have too much anger in your heart to be sorry," Miral cut her off. "I am done with you, B'Elanna. I will not stand here and listen to you say I did not love my father. I will not let you dishonor me in this way. Take your anger and leave my house."
B'Elanna stood there, unsure what to do. Was Miral serious? "Mom-"
"Now!" Miral roared as she pushed past B'Elanna. "Get your things and leave! I want you out within the hour!"
"But…" B'Elanna turned to watch her mom cross the main room, blinking back her tears. "Where will I go?"
"I do not care. Get out of my sight." Miral slammed the door to her bedroom.
=/\=