=/\=
Stardate 55414.7 Personal Log Entry, Cadet Icheb Hansen
We sent our first messages to Mezoti this afternoon. In the end, Seven and I decided to record one message together, and then each of us made an individual one for her. We became very emotional, especially when we were delivering our individual messages. We did our best to control ourselves better when the others came to the house. We invited Naomi and her parents to Seven's cottage and recorded another one with all of us together. Naomi introduced her father to Mezoti and promised to send her own letters regularly, too.
Naomi's father only knows Mezoti from the stories Naomi has shared with him and from the messages he had the opportunity to view with us before we recorded our replies. "I know what it's like to be separated from the important people in your life. I'm honored you allowed me to share this experience with you." He told me that Naomi and Sam both cried when they heard about the message relay; then he laughed when he confided that Naomi was going to record a separate message for Neelix, scolding him for not telling her about his contact with her friend before this. He said Naomi also plans to ask Brax if she can become his datastream pal, too.
The more I see of "Gres," which is the way he says I should address him, the more I like him. From what I can see, Naomi has finally gotten used to sharing her mom with her dad . When we finished recording our group letter, she gave him a hug even before she hugged Sam.
Captain Janeway told us she would send Mezoti a separate message, since she's visiting her mother in Indiana right now. Chakotay wasn't here, either. He's off-planet for a week to attend a symposium about rehabilitating the colony worlds, such as Dorvan, which still need help restoring their environments from the damage inflicted by Cardassian attacks. I can't say I missed him. Seven seems much more relaxed when he's not around.
When I returned to my suite in Archer Hall, I recorded the short thank you letters I'd planned to send to Neelix, Admiral Paris, and Lieutenant Commander Barclay (he was just promoted because of his work on Project Pathfinder - it's about time!). I also prepared one for Masseni, the Norvalen trader whose willingness to provide a "messenger service" has made all of this possible. I don't actually know him yet, but I think he must be a very good person because of what he's done for Neelix and Mezoti. Although Azan and Rebi didn't appear in Mezoti's message, I included a short one to be sent through the datastream to the two of them, too.
Then I prepared one last communication for Mezoti, introducing her to my suitemates. Austin told her that if she ever comes to Earth, she must visit him in Texas! Farys was her usual friendly self, too; but I was most moved by what Verit had to say. She told Mezoti, "Your brother is a valued friend to all of us, but especially to me. He has praised you on many occasions. Because of the affection he expresses towards you, I know you must be someone I would wish to know. I would also like to become one of your 'datastream friends.' "
Of course, I'd mentioned Mezoti to my suitemates from time to time. When I showed them Mezoti's messages for the first time, however, I couldn't hold back my tears. They knew I hadn't wanted her to leave Voyager, but I'd never wanted to burden them with the knowledge of just how painful her absence has been for me to endure. I spent hours telling them stories about Mezoti which I'd never shared before. They kept encouraging me to tell them more about her. They understand how I feel about her now. I am so grateful to have them as my friends.
I've decided that I will keep track of things that happen to me so I can send them to Mezoti from time to time. I've also asked the Doctor if he would accompany me and record a tour of the Academy grounds so she'll know what it looks like. I also asked him if he'd go with me on visits with Voyager crew members like Tom, B'Elanna, and Harry, so they can send her greetings, too. He was eager to begin immediately, but he wasn't shy about expressing his resentment that I'd failed to invite him to Seven's house for the first group message for Mezoti. I explained that we didn't want to overwhelm her with too many people at first. I think that placated him a little, but I know I'll definitely have to invite him to be part of the next set of messages. He'll never forgive me if I don't.
I'm looking forward to exchanging letters with Mezoti from now on, but if I'm honest with myself, I know this will only help me so much. I still miss her terribly.
=/\=