Can She Stay? (Part 1)

Posted on Thu Jul 31st, 2025 @ 9:14pm by Captain Maho Takahashi & Commander Ichika Misono & Lieutenant Commander Kurumi Ebisuzawa & Lieutenant Commander Brennyn Scott M.D.

1,052 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: The Next Myogi
Location: Kurumi's quarters

Since the return of the Iconians, Starfleet had started to remove civilians from starships for their own protection. This included families and children. However at the moment it was a decision made by the individual ships captain. Therefore, Kurumi was naturally concerned about Yaeka.

Over the past few weeks since Kurumi had taken custody of the young girl, she had become rather attached. Not surprising since she had been robbed of her parents and left in a cell to die. Luckily Kurumi had rescued her and was now her legal guardian. It was also easing Kurumis guilt after losing her own son on a previous assignment. But, she wasn't sure exactly what to do.

Therefore, she had set up a meeting in her quarters with the Captain, Exec and Chief Counsellor to discuss the issue. It was important they came to a decision regarding Yaeka's and Kurumi's best interests. With Yaeka occupied in her room with homework, Kurumi had planned to discuss this over tea and light snacks, which she had prepared for them and was now setting them out on the coffee table.

Naturally, Maho was the first one to show up to this meeting: She was the one stuck between a rock and a hard place. Only a few months after she was talked into repealing Miyahara's no civilians policy, a situation had now arisen where she would have to reinstate it.

Maho had been expecting Kurumi to fight it, and suspected that inviting Commanders Misono and Scott was simply to outnumber her and force her to keep her word. Anticipating having to fight a war on three fronts, Maho had come prepared with talking points as to why keeping Yaeka aboard the Myogi in times like these was a terrible idea, and she had even gone over them with Keisuke to minimize references to Miyahara, because while he may have been proven right with this issue, using the same tired argument wasn't going to work anymore.

Then again, as Maho arrived in Kurumi's quarters, the wonderful aroma of masala chai tea met her nostrils. If it was what the smell was telling her, Maho would investigate who had told her security chief that she had been on a chai kick lately, especially if this was a tactic to lower her guard.

"Smells amazing, Commander:" Maho said. "Is that masala chai?"

"I thought you'd like it. You have been drinking it six times a day, at least when you're in your ready room or bridge that is..." Kurumi said as she poured out a cup. "Please, sit anywhere you find comfortable."

Yep, this was definitely a tactic to lower her guard...

"As long as you've got some comfortable throw pillows, I'll have a seat on the couch." Maho responded, making her way over to the aforementioned piece of furniture.

"Plenty of pillows on the couch." Kurumi said. "I've slept there most nights since Yaeka moved in." She explained. "The poor girl still gets horrific night terrors. I stay close so when she screams out I can help her through it."

"Great" Maho said as she began to make herself comfortable, arranging the pillows in a trick that Commander Scott had taught her, placing one where her lower back would go for lumbar support.

Next to arrive was Commander Misono, having just completed her latest round of handing out duty assignments and rendezvousing with Maho as requested. True to her nature as an Inuto, she was almost immediately captivated by the warm, spicy, and yet sweet aroma wafting about the room.

"Is that..." she pondered, attempting to recall the very specific odorants corresponded with the olfactory stimulation that she was presently experiencing. "Cardamom, Cinnamon, Ginger, a hint of cloves... and is that black pep-?"

She didn't get the chance to finish before she abruptly sneezed, effectively answering her own question in the process.

"Geh... Sorry about that, Commander," she muttered as she hastily wiped off the droplets of mucus that had landed on her uniform. "I just happened to wonder if you were... baking something? It does sort of smell like something that could be baked, but it doesn't have that sweet and earthy smell I tend to associate with..."

She glanced over at Maho. "I believe you referred to it as 'yeast,' Captain?"

Maho chuckled.

"No, it's called masala chai." She explained. "It's a type of south Asian tea originating from India on Earth... And the little one's latest obsession:" Maho stroked her belly. "I've been mainlining this stuff like crazy lately."

Kurumi poured another cup and passed it to the Exec.

"Oh, thank you very much, Commander, but I really shouldn't," Ichika politely refused. "Depending on the ingredients and the amount in which they were used, certain spices such as cinnamon are actually harmful to an Inuto's digestive tract."

"Fair enough." Kurumi said placing the cup down.

Bree arrived and wasted no time avoiding apologies. “I’m sorry I am a bit late. I lost track of time finishing my notes.“ It was only a small white lie. She had an exactly been doing notes, but research on what she planned to recommend concerning Yaeka.

While she knew what happened to the little girl, ultimately wasn’t up to her, Scott understood that her words would carry some weight. Frankly, the counselor was torn. She could appreciate the merits and drawbacks of both options and while she understood she had a duty to remain objective, she acknowledged she couldn’t be entirely neutral, having personally observed the trauma, the little girl exhibited and the bond she had developed with Kurumi.

With everyone now present. "I presume you've already worked out why I've asked you all to come this evening?" Kurumi asked softly.

"The kid." Maho sighed. "In fact, I anticipated to be outnumbered on this one, and have come prepared with talking points:"

"I don't think sending her away is going to be any good for her." Kurumi stated simply. "She's lost everyone and everything and all she has is me. If I send her somewhere, no doubt she'll feel abandoned again and it'll cause long lasting phycology issues. Nor what we want for a young child."

To be continued...

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