Betazoid Holiday Part 2

Posted on 29 Dec 2015 @ 9:24pm by Lieutenant JG Grayson Jones
Edited on on 29 Dec 2015 @ 9:31pm

4,459 words; about a 22 minute read

Mission: Episode 10 - Symposium
Location: Betazed
Timeline: MD30 - MD 52

Continued from part 1



The woman led the two men inside and into a large and elaborate room where a middle aged female was resting on a couch. “Mother...Tyrion is here,” the younger woman announced.

“Mother,” Tyrion spoke as he approached the Faye matriarch, “I am home… and I have brought someone I wanted you to meet. Please welcome him.” He pulled Grayson forward. “This is Grayson and he’s my boyfriend. I’m sorry to disappoint you mother but unfortunately, I will never have a wife. It would mean a lot to me, if you would accept Grayson as a possible suitor instead. We have bonded mother...he’s Imzadi.”

Black haired and black eyed as her daughter, the older woman stared at her only son. “You will wed,” she said quietly, rising from the couch to approach him. “Is this bond true?” She turned to Grayson. “Speak… you aren’t Betazoid, you will grant permission for me to read you. Is this true? Do you love my son?” Disdain in her eyes as she regarded the hybrid.

“It is true, I do love him,” Grayson began feeling slightly brave, terrified and impending sense of stupidity all at the same time. “He is my Imzadi and I his, the bond may have been a little rough on my mind to begin with but it is strong. As for reading my mind, no. You do not have permission. That is a level of trust, with all due respect, in my view, must be earned. Tyrion has earned this with me, multiple times over. Someone I have just met, does not. You may be the family of my future husband, yet are strangers to me. You have my word however, everything I say is true. I have no need, nor reason to lie. Not to, or about, the man who I love, who completes me and who rescued me in many ways.” He finished his statements, the sereneness of a pond on the outside, the trembling mess of a tide on the inside.

Tyrion gasped in surprise; no-one had ever denied any female in his family before. Aside from his own defiance that was… “Gray!” he gasped in astonishment. “Mother please don’t think badly of him but he’s right...trust has to be earned...show him that trust. I beg of you mother..You owe me no favours but please grant us this. We’re happy together, and we need help. I’m afraid for him mother, because I’ve no proper training. I don’t want to hurt him with this, I love him, he’s all I have. Please…”

Her eyes drew over the pair in front of them. The shock of the young upstart took her by surprise. No one since her son left had dared to speak to her in that manner, one side of her was impressed, the other furious. She remained stoic for a few moments, using more subtle clues to read the Trill, body language, facial expression, none that would violate his mind. He seemed convinced in his statements and very sure of himself. While this was not the expected outcome she had had for her son, she would indulge the pair for the moment before making her intentions perfectly clear. This man was not to marry her son, but she was not to leave him in pain. “Tyrion, this is a matter we shall discuss in private, as a family later,” the word family seemed to have a particular venom directed towards Grayson, making it perfectly clear he was not welcomed. “For now we shall address the pain you are causing this, Grayson, of yours. Your mind is weak and training incomplete. I’m surprised you haven’t caused him any permanent damage yet. You should be ashamed Tyrion, I expected much better and much more from you in life.”

“I’m in Starfleet mother,” Tyrion replied defensively, though he omitted his own rank, the shame of his demotion still too fresh to discuss. Especially it’s circumstances. “I have made something of my life, and I met Grayson. We’ve been together for a while now, and our bond grows stronger every day. But I don’t know why he’s hurting. He can hear me, as I hear him...please mother help us.” He literally was begging his mother now to help them, his love for the younger man plain on his mind, his emotions plain to see.

As only a mother could, she kept her voice perfectly calm and clear yet managed to convey both her intense displeasure and frustration. “Starfleet, you think I care about that band of blundering space cadets? What of your heritage and history Tyrion? What of that? Something that matters here, where you would do well? You threw it all away, for what? A ship, a…,” she paused,”...a man. All irreplaceable things. All temporary next to the good you could do to continue the family line.” She paused and looked at the pain in her son’s face, in her mind it was a phase, another way to rebel and cast her wishes and hopes aside. “I’m afraid there is not much we can do for you,” she continued, turning to Grayson, “You see, my son is not in full control of his abilities. They are wild and unreliable next to our own,” she looked at her daughter, “the usual course to remedy this is to work with both partners to dissolve the bond,” she lied, using the opportunity to work the situation back into her control. “If left unchecked much longer, you will go more intense pain and leading up to more permanent damage dear. I am very sorry my son has done this to you, but as it stands, it simply will not work between you pair. Not unless you want to continue risking your life? I’m sure my son will feel very upset at your, as it stands, likely and untimely demise at the hands of an incompetent telepath who needs to stay and finish what he started for once in his life,” she shot a very ice cold stare at Tyrion, as if to say, agree with me.

Sensing her duplicity however, Tyrion shook his head. “No mother. I will not allow us to dissolve this. Not only because I don’t know how, but because I don’t want to. I don’t want Grayson to be hurt but I love him. And by joining Starfleet I did finish something. I went through the academy and I graduated, and I was accepted by people like I’d never be accepted in this family. I have never asked for anything in my life, but I ask now to be allowed to live my own life. Grayson is the one I’ll marry, and no-one else. I will father a child if that’s what you require but I’ll have no further dealings with the child’s mother. I want my own life mother, and I want it with Grayson. I want it aboard the Galileo, or wherever Starfleet will send us.” He drew in a deep breath, staring back at Grayson. “I love you Gray, more than anything...and I promise I’ll not let you down.” He drew in a deep breath, then went down on one knee. He had promised a more romantic setting but he needed his mother to know he was serious. “My beloved Grayson, will you marry me?”

Once more his mother intervened, “I will not allow this. Get up you silly boy. Keep this up and he will not be alive to get married. Your link is killing him, slowly and it must be dissolved. You may not know how to do it, but thankfully I do.” Her anger was beginning to show through the cracks in her calm veiner. “Tyrion, for once in your life, stop being so pig headed and listen. You are untrained. Only a fellow Betazoid could put up the the untrained powers you possess. This, Trill...Human boy is of no match. You will either listen and follow my advice or leave your lover here to die a slow painful death at your hands.”

“He’s the son of an ambassador mother,” Tyrion argued, remaining as he was, holding Grayson’s hand between his own, while awaiting his answer. “I was born telepathic mother, as you know...and yet you never did get me started on any training until I decided to leave. I couldn’t stand the pressure of you and my sisters trying to marry me off without giving me a choice. I’m not a pawn in a play mother, I make my own life. I love him, and I’ll marry him if he says yes. I’ll make more regular visits if that’s what you want, but I’ll never do your bidding where my career is concerned. I’m an intelligence officer, and I’m extremely good at what I do. And Grayson is a chief engineer mother. I’d say I’ve done extremely well for myself. A good job, and a mate of high standing.”

“Tyri…,” Grayson managed to call out before dropping to his knees. The heightened emotions had been flowing through him without much control or ability to stop, slow or block them out. Love and hate were conflicting within him before overcoming him physically. He slumped over, using one hand to brace himself against the floor and the other to pinch the bridge of his nose, where the pain seemed to be focused. Small drops of blood had began to pool on the polished floor under Grayson.

“And there my son, you have it. Physical evidence of all I have said. Danyelle, pick up our guest and take him to the couch. Tyrion, make yourself useful and go get him some water. I will need to help him construct some mental barriers to keep all your untrained carelessness at bay, unless you want to kill him within the next hour?”

Scared out of his wits, Tyrion moved as if on autopilot, getting the requested water and bringing it over. “Grayson?” he whispered, kneeling next to the couch, stroking his hand over Grayson’s soft hair. Surely, this was a test? This had to be a test, what else could it be? “Grayson, please be alright? Say something, please…” Tears made tracks down his cheeks as he whispered words of encouragement.

Grayson remained silent and eyes closed as Tyrion’s mother moved to the top of the couch and rested her hands on the young man’s temples. “You think now you would believe me Tyrion. I am you mother, I am not out to intentionally hurt you,” she confessed, she continued with a slight tone of regret, be it over her son’s decisions or the consequences of it, “If this is the man you are meant to be with, you are going to have to work on your control dear. I mean it, it is not scare tactics or trying to manipulate you...if this continues, you can expect moments like this to be much more frequent with drastically worsening consequences. I was genuinely surprised not much worse has happened.”

“Please help him,” Tyrion begged, “please mother, help him, help us. We’re meant to be, I haven’t felt like this with anyone else. Please mother, he’s the one. We have a connection, ever since our first meeting. I beg of you...I’ll never ask for anything else again, no favours, just this mother please. Give me this, I need him.. I can’t continue if he dies. Please.”

“I can only do so much to protect him. You are the one that is going to have to take preventative measures for the future my son, if indeed he is your Imzadi. I might not be happy with it, but I will have to accept it,” his mother said, regret and defeat in her voice. She could not communicate any other way as her mental energies were used protecting what was bound to be her son-in-law before her. “I ask this of you then, I will do all I can, if, during your stay you dedicate some time to your training. This will only do for so far and for so long. I know you won’t like it, but if you do love this boy...or want to continue outside of our race, these are things you must do my child. Otherwise you risk all of this happening again.”

“I will I will,” Tyrion sobbed, “I’ll devote time to training, I need it. I need to learn more, and more about my heritage. I promise mother, please...I won’t break it, you know I won’t.” He clung to Grayson’s hand, sobbing against his arm. “Please don’t die Gray, please….”

Tyrion’s mother finished up and removed her hands from Grayson’s temples. “For now, he is safe. He won’t wake until morning though, this has been a taxing experience for him. This boy does love you though, I can tell that. The pain has been a lot more intense than I believe he has lead on. Where are you staying? I will have your sister help you get him there. He needs a good nights rest. I do expect you here tomorrow morning sharp though...alone.” The word alone seemed to take her all the way back to her initial distain now the danger was over.

“I...I don’t know where we’ll be staying,” Tyrion confessed, “I didn’t know if we’d be welcome here, I didn’t make any further arrangements mother.” He looked up at the sharpness in her voice but nodded all the same; he’d given his promise. “I’ll be there.”

“I will permit you both to stay here tonight, but in separate rooms,” his mother stated. “I will make sure he is tended to and looked after. You will be more than expected to attend dinner tonight, be well dressed and prompt. Some of the house staff will attend to the boy and look after him. This is not a request Tyrion, think of it as a start to your training again.” She spoke coldly and with supreme authority.

Separate rooms. Tyrion swallowed, but nodded; if this was how they were going to get the help they needed, then it had to be this way. Being alone was going to be rapture, but he was going to be with Grayson every minute he wasn’t expected to be with his family. Everything will be alright Gray, he thought desperately, I’ll do anything to keep you safe. Anything to make this bond work, as it should work. He looked up at his mother. “I’ll be there,” he said flatly, “as ordered.”

Good, she thought towards her son as plans began to be made for the evening and training ahead. There may have been time and chance left to bring her son back to the family and Betazoid heritage.

Tyrion excused himself to take care of his partner for as long as time allowed. He could feel the stares of the family’s staff, some of which he remembered from when he was just a child. They barely acknowledged the prodigal son as he roamed the halls of the mansion. The first thing he did was find someone to help him select an outfit for the evening and help grow his hair back just a little further. Though his mother hadn’t said anything about the stubble on his head, he knew she disapproved. So, he had his follicles stimulated until he had a decent ‘coupe’ again. He reasoned Grayson might approve too.

When the time to ‘report approached, Tyrion strayed by Grayson’s room a final time to make sure he was comfortable, then headed down to the dining room. He felt uncomfortable, facing all of his family and he kept his eyes on the floor as he approached.

Laying in the dark, he had never felt more alone. Grayson sobbed between the ebbing pain and missing presence of his boyfriend. Tyrion no longer felt as close in his mind, he needed him there, he needed to be held and to know that Tyrion was ok. The only saving grace he had was that the covers were warm and the pillows comfortable.

Tyrion on his part felt alone too, though his heart went out to his partner, praying that somehow his misery was shared, and that Grayson was in fact feeling better. Saying nothing and acknowledging no-one, Tyrion took his place at the table, sitting opposite of Daynelle and right next to his mother who took up the head of the table.

Good, son, here and on time. She began as her head nodded towards the direction of the door for food to be brought in. I thought it best to have a nice simple meal prepared. Some soup, braised chicken for the main and a small chocolate mousse for after. Tyrion, it be a requirement that you practise your telepathy and only communicate non-verbally with the family.

Tyrion sighed audibly but nodded. Yes mother. He gave another sigh. But not with Grayson...he’s no telepath, and while we can communicate this way, we rarely do.

Yes, we really wouldn’t want to damage him any further than you already have dear. Less of the petulant attitude though, you agreed to this, you will follow my instruction... this time.

Another slow sigh as again he nodded, still not looking up at her. There was no last time mother, I never received any guidance when I needed it most as a child. I was born with this, it didn’t develop during my teenage years. I’m not a pariah, stop treating me like one. His defiance returned, he wasn’t a second class citizen. He was a man who had made a life for himself, when there was no support from anyone else. I do this for Grayson, because I love him. Because I want to be with him for the rest of my life. He’s Imzadi, this bond doesn’t happen with every lover….it didn’t happen with Oren, or even with Kot who I loved too. But it did with Grayson and I want this to work. I won’t abandon him, under no circumstance. You’ll have to accept me for who I am, if this is to work mother. Please.

Your attitude will not help you, only by being free from these negative emotions will you reach your full potential. I also do not need, nor wish to know about your past, exploits with other men. I accept you think this is to last, that you think he is your Imzadi. I feel for the boy I do, he never asked to be put through it and for what it is worth, he does care for you deeply and I at least respect him for that.

I didn’t intend for this bond to happen mother, it happened. Because of our feelings, and much more. We connected. I can’t be positive if you keep judging my choices.

Danyelle coughed to get their attention. Soup is getting cold.

Let us eat then, the matriarch continued while grabbing some bread for her soup. Can’t go wrong with a bit of bread here, can we? Always a treat.

Tyrion ate in silence, feeling awkward and alone despite being with his family once more. He could just feel the tension and it was starting to give him a bad headache. Could you pass me the gravy please? He asked no-one in particular, wondering if it would be passed along at all. He felt like an outside, an animal caged in the zoo and he yearned to be with his stricken partner. I promise Gray...we’ll be together… He thought desperately.

One of Tyrion’s very unassuming uncles sat close by, Here you go, the gravy is pretty good today. And for what it is worth Tyrion, if he makes you happy...I’m more than happy for you both. It is a shame the way things have turned out. It would be nice for him to be here with us, conversing, all of us getting to know each other. I know if some people, he shot a look to his sister, the head of the family, let their preconceived and archaic ideas relax a little everything would be fine. Not that I am wanting to give any of us much more of a headache, but some things are needing said and put to rest.

Tyrion looked up at his uncle and nodded quietly. I think so too, and I’d like for him to be here. He belongs with me, not hidden away in some room. I don’t understand why we have to sleep in separate rooms, he’s not in any condition for more than just a hug anyway. I never wanted to hurt him….and I meant it back there...I would’ve proposed on our transport but he asked me not to because he wanted it to be more romantic. He seemed to ignore the stares Rickya and Analynn were giving him, though he was aware of their prying eyes. I need to learn, for him, otherwise I’d never have come back Uncle. But if I want to be true for him, I have to be true for myself, and I can’t do that by denying my heritage. I’ve tried for years...but no more.

His uncle, Cyrus was pleased Tyrion was standing up for himself, it was the kind of attitude that would force change in the family. Now don’t fall out with me Tyrion, but being the more scholarly and worldly one of this family, I can see where your mother is coming from. Your boy Grayson’s mind needs time to heal and repair. He is only going to do that by a really good night of uninterrupted, psychic intervention free sleep. That is why he is in a nice quiet part of the house. Tomorrow, when he is up and about, after you have begun your lessons, of which I am more than happy to assist with, I see no problems. Do you Cassie? He turned to Tyrion’s mother, his sister, who was clearly not amused at her childhood nickname being used.

This time, Tyrion did look up at his mother, surprise clear on his face. I’d like Uncle Cyrus to assist mother. He added imploringly. And father too if he wishes...anyone really...the sooner I learn the sooner Grayson and I can learn to be together without him getting hurt. If someone is willing to help heal our bond then I would be forever grateful.

As you all seem to wish then, she forced a smile, clearly annoyed by the situation.

Yes mother, we do. Tyrion returned the smile with a small one of his own. I will be grateful and a proper son, but with Grayson. If you can accept that, then I will be more forthcoming, and I’ll be coming home more often and stay in touch when I’m on my ship.

I'm going to have to accept this then, aren't I? Cessily began, admitting defeat. Know this though. I accept it but am not particularly happy Tyrion. You both will have to put in a lot of work to change that. I guess all that remains is the traditional blessing. I Cessily, mother of the House of Faye, keeper of the sacred pendant of Betazed, daughter of Tyreen give your union blessing and all the joys and a union has to offer. Send word to the extended family and begin preparations of the sacred and traditional meal to be held in their honour. She stood up after her less than convincing sentimental speech and began to walk out of the room. May you all enjoy the rest of your evening, I now have things to prepare and family to... encourage to embrace this joyous occasion.

Stunned, Tyrion watched his mother get up and start to leave. In one quick motion, causing his chair to tip over and clatter against the marble floor, he got up and rushed after her. Thank you. His mental voice was filled with an emotion that more than reached his eyes as he reached out and grabbed his estranged mother into a hug. That means a lot to me mother, more than you can imagine.

Surprisingly she tore down some of her defences and ever so gently returned the hug. From a few steps away you would not have noticed though. A step at a time dear. This is a lot for a mother to take in. I only had your best possible future at heart. You have chosen to forge your own though, this will take me a little time to adjust to.

He let go of her and stepped back, though he still remained tearful. So long as you can accept me as I am, I’m not going to walk away again. He promised. My leave unfortunately is definite, so I have to return soon. But we have a few days at least. A week at most however.

Then I suggest this my child, visit with your Grayson tonight for no longer than a half hour. He can last that long with no pain. Tomorrow, work with your father and uncle. I shall take your boy and work with him. He will need his mind strengthened and defenses built. If I am only to have you for a few days, I will ensure all tradition is followed in this matter. With the amount of telepaths about to arrive, he will need support by only the best of us to make sure he sees everything through without another fainting fiasco.
I’ll visit him before I go to bed. Tyrion thought, though he looked happier than at the start of dinner. He gave a final nod before returning to the table. Mother wishes for you to work with me. He told his uncle and his father. The latter merely nodded as he stared after his wife, before getting up to follow her, all without saying a single word.

To be Continued...

Ensign Tyrion Faye
Chief Diplomatic Officer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant j.g. Grayson Jones
former Chief Engineer
USS Galileo

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