"Everyone stand ready." Captain Kirk ordered, watching as his away team assembled themselves on the beaming platforms. He had chosen his away team carefully, knowing the smallest detail could wreck relations between the Federation and the Betazoid people and diminish their chances of getting the help they so desperately needed. He had chosen Scotty for his knowledge in the structure of the Enterprise and the equipment and parts needed to repair the ship.
Uhura was present for any translations that may have been necessary, though it was public knowledge that most, if not all, Betazoid's knew how to speak English. Of course that wouldn't stop them from speaking in their native tongue about matters they did not want the Federation to know about, Uhura would be their ears when they reached the City of Riix.
Spock would be accompanying Scotty when he was to meet with the Betazoid Engineers to discuss what repairs were needed and what parts they required, as well as seeing to and disarming any quarrels over payment.
The last members of the away team were Sanders and Thompson, their security detail, as well as Yeoman Troi, who seemed paler than usual and slightly less stoic than was normal.
"Energise." Kirk finally stated and it was only moments before they found themselves standing on Betazed at the designated coordinates that had been given to them by the Betazoid Elders when they had first contacted them for assistance. It was a large courtyard, surrounded by large brick buildings and high veranda's, gardens blossoming and birds singing. To anyone else, it would have seemed peaceful. To Elanore Troi, it was one hell of a memory.
"Greetings to you." The away team turned to observe a young man dressed in browns and greens and weather worn boots walking toward them, a friendly smile on his pleasant face.
"Howdy." Captain Kirk replied simply with his signature 'Jim Kirk' smile.
"I am Tauran. The Elders wish to speak with Captain Kirk regarding Federation matters. I have organised for our scientists to meet with your people in the House of Malor. I will escort them there myself." Tauran explained, gesturing to Captain Kirk to the large of the buildings and the tall wooden door at its entrance. Elanore took one look at the door and bit her lip, chewing nervously on the skin until it bled.
This is not going to end well.
"Thank you, Tauran. Scotty and Spock, you wait here and take Uhura and Sanders with you to this House of Malor. Troi, you're with me." Captain Kirk ordered and both himself and Yeoman Troi watched as the other members of his away team vacated the area with Tauran in the lead.
"Yes sir." His Yeoman responded in a small, shaky voice and when he chanced a look at her, he noticed her face even paler again and her eyes as round as saucers.
"Thompson, you wait out here but keep your guard up. Let's go, Yeoman." Kirk continued, making his way toward the oak door with his Yeoman in toe. He pushed it open easily, its definite creak sending shivers up Elanore's spine before they both walked warily into the front room of an elaborate chamber.
A young woman, no older than Elanore padded soundlessly into the room, her white long robes swishing against the tiled floor as she walked before she inclined her head in greeting.
"Elder Leyana is waiting. Come." She finally said and Elanore froze.
Leyana!
Elanore tried with everything she had to think of a way out of this confrontation. But nothing would suffice short of telling Jim Kirk the truth and somehow she doubted he would believe her even if she had. She would have to hope against hope that Leyana would stay silent until Elanore could speak with her privately.
They followed the young girl into another large adjoining chamber, a lone figure standing by the windows with her back to the room.
As soon as Leyana turned to greet them, Elanore noticed the instant recognition come across the Elder's face before her features turned steely and cold.
"What place do you have here, raeshan?" She spoke in the native Betazoid tongue, her voice cold and emotionless yet she could not hide the anger in her eyes. Elanore's face went a ghastly shade of grey, her blood running cold at the fresh anger in the Elder's face. Clearly she hadn't forgotten her after all these years.
"I am here as the Enterprise's Yeoman, nothing more." Elanore ground the words out similarly in Betazoid, making it absolutely clear that she would have stayed away from Betazed if she had had the choice.
"And yet you come here nonetheless. Your face puts the Betazoid people to shame, your blood is offensive and I will have nothing to do with you!" The Elder spoke harshly, her voice remaining the same pitch and tone but her eyes were like fire and Elanore closed her eyes against the onslaught of anger and disappointment that the Elder had thrown upon her. It was well known among the Betazoid's that sharing one's emotions with another was only ever used in deepest love or darkest hate. Elanore set her jaw steadily, before almost slapping the woman before her. If it wasn't for the flash of worry and anger that came across Captain Kirk's face for an instant, she probably would have.
"You disrespect me and you disrespect my mother. But you cannot afford to disrespect the Federation. We have our quarrel, let it lie still for today. And let us get this over with so we can be rid of each other!" Elanore stated harshly but logically and after a few moments spent observing her with cold eyes, the Elder nodded tersely, not giving her a further glance. She could feel Captain Kirk's eyes boring into her in utter confusion and anger but she refused to look at him. She wasn't sure she could have handled the disgust and disappointment she knew she would see on his face.
"May I introduce Captain James T. Kirk of the U.S.S Enterprise." Elanore introduced in her best 'all business' voice, seemingly ignoring the outburst that had just taken place between herself and the Betazoid elder and in the native tongue no less.
Jim is going to have a lot of questions. And frankly, I'm not ready to answer them.
"It is an honour to finally meet the Elders of Betazed. I have heard many great things about the Betazoid people." Captain Kirk responded in a diplomatic manner, covering up his shock and annoyance well with his best charming smile.
"Thank you, Captain Kirk. It is a pleasure to house members of the Federation and we hope we can be of assistance in repairing your ship." Leyana responded with a kind smile, completely ignoring his Yeoman as if she were unworthy of her attentions. The young girl entered the chamber again and approached Leyana, whispering to her for a moment before Leyana nodded and dismissed her.
"I apologise, Captain Kirk. I have an urgent matter to attend to that cannot wait. As you may have heard, today is the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year and we hold many celebrations on this night. It would please me if yourself and your senior crew would attend the feast and the festivities afterwards." Leyana explained and Captain Kirk nodded.
"We would be honoured to attend such a celebration. I will inform my senior crew of your invitation." He said and Leyana inclined her head.
"Very well. I must take my leave. My apologies again, Captain Kirk. I will see you this evening." She ended, dashing quickly from the chamber with the young girl in toe.
"Yeoman! Outside, now!"
"What the hell was that!" Jim turned on his Yeoman, his voice a low and angry growl in his throat.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Yeoman Troi replied bluntly but her voice was shaking. She tried to look at anything except up into Captain Kirk's ice blue eyes, knowing that there she would see the answer she didn't want to know.
Is he just as repulsed by me as Leyana is?
"Damnit Elanore!" Jim growled again, grasping her arm roughly and forcing her to look at him. His clear blue eyes swam with anger but beneath that she could see the evident worry swimming in their depths.
"What the hell is going on, Troi?" Kirk finally asked, still gripping her shoulders tightly.
"It isn't your concern." Elanore responded coolly but her voice was still shaking with her emotions.
"It damn well is my concern, Yeoman! You're my concern." Jim's voice softened on the last part and Elanore felt guilt rip through her at the sincere worry in his eyes.
"I don't need to be able to speak Betazoid to know that Leyana really doesn't want you here, Elanore. Now why?" Kirk queried again and Elanore looked away, feeling the stinging of tears pricking her eyes.
"Because I'm half Betazoid, Jim." She finally said in a small voice.
"What!" -
"Do you know what raeshan means? It means half blood, dirty blood. Leyana doesn't want me here because she thinks I'm scum. They all do!" Elanore explained, finally looking back up at Jim, tears running down her cheeks and her eyes reflecting heartbreak.
"Elanore, I'm sorry..." Jim began but Elanore merely shook her head.
"Don't be. They're not." She replied bluntly before turning and walking away.