Juliette could only see her family's feet and ankles beyond the cowl that dipped low over her head. "I endure as best as able, Mother. I share my dirty cell with poisonous insects. I live on berries on runny gruel. If I do not obey they threaten to leave me outside for the sehlat."

"Daughter, why do you wear that outfit?" Juliette heard a weary irritation in her mother's tone. If Matron was a copy, whoever had created a copy of her to interact with had done a very good job matching her.

"I have become a novice of the monastery of the Forge, mother. Vulcan monks have worn such for centuries." Juliette was quite pleased with herself for keeping her voice flat and steady, and that she had managed to step into the holo projector ring without tripping on the long hem of the robe made for a Vulcan at least a decimeter taller than herself.

"Master Surot, is my daughter required to wear such garb?"

"She is not. Nor have we left her outside for the sehlat."

"Daughter."

"Yes, Matron?"

"Remove that silly getup at once."

Juliette flipped back the cowl. Juliette watched their reaction. Only her sisters looked indignant and surprised. Papa just shook his head. Mother's eyes only narrowed slightly at the sight of Juliette's layered bob butchered into a traditional Vulcan bowl.

"So my daughter has decided to become Vulcan after all?"

"No Matron, it was not my choice." Juliette turned her head side to side to show off the pointy sideburns. "It's hideous." T'Mar stood next to Master Surot.

Her mother's gaze cut to Master Surot. "Is this required?"

"Not exactly a requirement, but it is by far the most efficient-"

"And it is the least of the torments I've been subjected to," Juliette said as she yanked the collar of her tunic aside to show the mottling of bruises that formed a triangle toward her collarbone.

Sedna leaned over and closely inspected the bruises. "You've had worse falling out of a tree."

As offended as she was, at least it sounded like something mother would say. "But Mother-" She held up her hand to show the purple splotches along her knuckles where T'Mar had gripped her hand.

Sedna raised her finger at Juliette, who became silent. "I expect scans to ensure her hand and neck are healing appropriately."

Master Surot replied with a shallow bowed. "Of course."

"Now daughter-"

Juliette hiked up her sleeve to reveal the welts that staggered up her arm. "Look! These are from a Wrik'ted. It was in my robe mother when I put it on this morning. It's brown, and its hairy and has ten legs and it's bigger than-" She put her hands together, joined at the thumb.

"Sometimes they are larger," T'Mar said.

Her mother took a deep breath as she examined the welts. "My daughter is exaggerating again?"

Master Surot responded with a minute shake of his head. "This time, she is not. Sometimes they are that big. It seems Betazoids perspire more than Vulcans, and they seek the moisture-"

Juliette tilted her head slightly downward to look up with her most soulful expression. "Mother, please. I want to come home. See, I do not need to wear a helmet and my eyes are clear."

"There has been progress," Master Surot said. "But only in as far as she is in an environment that does not cause stress-"

Juliette thrust her arm upward. "No stress?"

"Mental stress. However, she has yet to master her abilities such that she could be around those who do not control their emotions - or those that do, for that matter. She has much to learn and as such she needs to be with other novices, such as T'Mar."

Lars gestured toward T'Mar. "Well, it's good to see Juliette is making friends." His words trailed off as he looked at T'Mar's sour frown. "Er, friend. Of a sort."

Master Surot glanced at T'Mar. "I'm sure Juliette will make more than just one fr-"

T'Mar was immobile as she spoke. "I am not her friend. Vulcans do not make friends."

Master Surot put a hand on T'Mar's shoulder. "That is not entirely-"

"It is true, Master. I will not prevaricate like Juliette. I am here only because you requested me to be here. Juliette assaulted my mind with her emotions when I tried to use a Terran comforting technique and attacked the Kolinahr Masters.

Juliette straightened her back and let her tone mock T'Mar's deadpan. "It was an accident and I have conveyed my regrets."

"You are dangerous and should not be here."

Surot arched his brow as Lara glared over her PADD at T'Mar. "Yes, she's very dangerous. You should be nicer-" she stopped as Lars whipped a scowled at her.

Master Surot cut in. "T'Mar, your logic is flawed. Juliette Sri needs to be here and we have to accept-"

"If my logic is flawed, Master, it is at least consistent with the overwhelming majority of the order. The Betazoid refuses to accept our ways."

"Just because many believe something does not make it a fact. Juliette has to learn our ways. It is up to us to teach-"

"No one wants her here. Even Danek feels she is dangerous."

Juliette felt her jaw drop. Even Danek? What did she know about Danek… there was no lie in T'Mar's words.

"That is simply not true," Surot said with patient emphasis.

Juliette whirled toward her family, her face hot with rage. She didn't care of the forms in front of her were her parents. "I want to come home now."

"That is enough, T'Mar," Surot said.

"Juliette said my haircut was ugly and stupid," T'Mar said.

Sedna's gaze darted between Juliette and T'Mar. "Juliette, did you-"

Juliette was caught between answering T'Mar and her mother. "I said my haircut was ugly and stupid."

Kanara murmured, "Well, it is."

T'Mar said, "Is not Juliette's hair the same as mine?"

Juliette stammered, "Yes, but - but I didn't mean-"

T'Mar pivoted to Master Surot. "Master, I am late for meditation."

Master Surot waved toward the door "Yes, by all means, go meditate, T'Mar."

After T'Mar drifted out of the projection, Sedna said, "I will speak with my daughter privately." Master Surot bowed and stepped over the ring to exit the projection without as much as a glance backward.

Lara leaned in close to Juliette. "I told you not to let them cut your hair like that."

Sedna glared at Kanara and Lara. "I think you have done more than enough. I will speak with both of you after I have spoken with my youngest."

Juliette barely waited for her sisters to leave the projection circle. "Mother, I want to come home. You heard them, the Vulcan's hate me, and I ha-"

"Stop."

Juliette flinched at her mother's words. She stepped back. "See, you hate me too."

Her mother's shocked expression softened to sadness. "Come here, Juliette."

Juliette swallowed tears. "Why did you leave me here?"

"Leave you? Oh Juliette." Her mother looked to Lars. "We never left you."

"Yes you did! You're a whole quadrant away and I'm stuck here-"

"Jul," Lars rested his hands on her shoulders. "You must attend, and you must listen. Alright?"

Juliette nodded. Papa sounded so worried. Maybe they were real. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, wishing the hands on her shoulders felt more real.

"There are problems with the projector system," Lars said.

Juliette shivered as the emphasis of his words took hold.

"My studies are difficult, but Master Surot is pleased with my progress."

That got a reaction. Lars looked sideways to Sedna, who narrowed her eyes at Juliete. "Well, you have been busy. We are pleased at such, daughter, and hope you are home some. It will not be the same without our Matron of Summer."

Juliette swallowed. They knew. "Yes, I understand."

"We came home to be among our friends and family," Sedna said.

Juliette looked away, trying to hear what they were really saying. Friends, Family. Of course. On Vulcan they were the Sris from the Alpha Quadrant. But on Betazed, they were the 433rd house of the Pentahectad, with connections all the way to the Decadet, even the First House.

Her cheeks continued to burn, but not from rage. "Oh Mother, Papa! I'm so sorry. I thought you just went-" She wiped her face with the sleeve of the robe.

Her mother tsked as she examined the cuff of Juliette's robe. "We never will."

"What do I do?"

"We will talk daily. Tell us everything. Do as they ask. Have they made any...requests?"

She meant demands. "Just to go to classes and meditate."

"Do you really hate the Vulcans?" Sedna asked.

Juliette winced at mother's hurt expression. She'd almost forgotten how much she could see in her mother's face without having to feel her - the worry in her eyes, or the creases at the corner of her eyes. Hate was a terrible thing, and she had nearly said - "No mother, but you heard T'Mar - they don't want me here." Not even Danek.

"I know it's hard, daughter, but that is not the same as hate. Your father and I have tried to make sure you never felt anyone's hate. The Vulcans cannot hate you, they do not feel emotion-"

"But Danek was afraid in the storm." And now-

Her mother and Lars exchanged puzzled looks. "Perhaps they do not feel as strongly as we do. Do they fear you because of what happened with T'Mar and the Kolinahr Masters?"

"Maybe a little. The hide their feelings and stay far away from me in class, and I sit by myself at meals."

"You do not need to be afraid simply because they are. You must be compassionate."

"How can I be compassionate when they are not?"

"Daughter, it's the only time you can. It is easy to care for those that are nice to you. To be forgiving those who haven't - that's what it means to be compassionate. You are new to them, and House Sri does not simply fade into the background."

Juliette nodded.

"We'll go over your classes with Surot. If there are any gaps in your education we'll make sure you have tutors."

"Tutors?"

Her mother looked around. "I will not have my daughter being educated to be some sandy-haired provincial Vulcan. You will be educated as a proper scion of the 433rd House."

Juliette laughed a little, then realized it meant more classes, "But Mother, I already have many classes, and meditation, and I still have to pick a project."

"Project?" Sedna asked.

"Yes, a project. The gardens, the library, the kitchen, the infirmary - everyone has a project, Mother, to help out with the monastery. Master Surot said I must pick one."

Lars and Sedna looked at each other and their brows arched. A smile crept to their faces.

Juliette emerged from the projection room. "Master Surot?"

"Yes, Novice Sri?"

"Master, my parents wish to speak with you."

"That, Novice Sri, is the least surprising thing you have said all day," He turned to enter the chamber.

"Master Surot?"

"Yes, Novice Sri?"

"I deeply regret implying that you threatened to feed me to the Sehlat."

Surot turned and faced Juliette. "I believe it was less than of an implication and more of a direct statement."

Juliette swallowed, and wrung her hands. "Yes, that is true and I'm sor- umm, I realize that Vulcans don't like apologies."

"It is not a matter of liking or not liking apologies, Juliette Sri. Many Vulcans only hear an apology as a feeling of remorse and not an admission of error."

"I was in error."

"Nor do they hear the determination not to make the same mistake again."

"I will not do so again, Master Surot."

Surot looked down at Juliette for what seemed forever. "Very well. I accept your apology, with faith that your endeavour to not do so again is a sincere one." He turned back to the projector.

"Master Surot?"

Surot paused. "Your parents will not be pleased to be kept waiting."

"Of course. Please let them know I kept you. But I have an idea about the my project-"

"You have decided on how you will contribute to the monastery? We can certainly discuss it later," he said as he stepped away.

"I'd like to work on the holographic projector system."

That earned her an arched brow and sigh from Master Surot. "The monastery's holographic projection system is a very specialized piece of equipment. Perhaps you should consider the gardens or even the kitchen."

"But my family has a similar one at the University. My father has specialists that would be willing to help me learn. We could make it so it didn't flicker as much, or go out during classes."

"But am I to neglect the kitchens? There have been complaints the plomeek porridge is watery."

Juliette stood with her mouth open for a few seconds. "Well, I mean, that could be because I add too much zattre," she said, recalling how she added spoonful after spoonful of the dark liquid to the bland soup to give it a nutty, sweet flavor.

Surot tilted his head toward Juliette. "I see. Then I would suggest you first see about assisting with restocking our supply of zattre."

Juliette swallowed. "Yes, Master Surot."

"In the meantime, I will speak with Initiate Pylkau, as he maintains the holographic system. If he, along with your parents, are agreeable, then I will allow it. Is that all?"

"Yes, Master Surot."

"Then I suggest you return to your studies, or perhaps meditate upon the extraordinary patience of your parents."

Juliette tried to make her bow graceful. When she looked up, he had already walked away.