Next Generation

Staring at herself in Captain Anzyl's mirror, Lusaalli smiled an honest smile. "It has been far too long since I felt ridges on my own forehead." Her hands softly touched her pink forehead ridges.

"So then, Yairee, you were from the North?" Anzyl asked, touching his spots on his temple and neck.

—

Much like how humans can range in skin color variations, from pale tan to dark chocolate brown, but are still human, Trills come in a few varieties. The "Northern" Trills, who inhabit the far northern pole of the planet Trill, are Caucasian-skinned with soft trident cranial ridges and a more pronounced nose bridge. The vast majority of Trills are almost identical to Caucasian humans, except for the dark brown leopard spots that run from their temples, down their necks, and all the way to their toes. However, all Trills can be hosts to symbiotes and are treated equally.

—

"Yes," Lusaalli/Yairee nodded, holding a level of professional courtesy and poise of refined elegance. "My family line came from the Zhianxo province, and we were just a few kilometers from the North Pole. Cold, yes, but home." She smiled softly.

"And you were aboard the USS Enterprise-D with Captain Picard?" Anzyl asked softly, sitting on his couch as Yairee sat down on a lounge chair. "Tell me about it. What was he like?"

"Only for a brief time," she nodded. "I was already joined with the Praxas symbiote when my mentor and teacher, Odan, was aboard the Enterprise." She giggled softly. "The way they told it, they had a short romantic fling with the ship's Doctor, Beverly Crusher." Then she frowned slightly. "And that's when the accident that claimed that host's life happened." She tilted her head slightly. "And the first Human/Symbiote joining to Commander Riker while a replacement host could be located." She then looked up at Anzyl. "As Odan's closest student and protégé, I was sent to escort Kareel and assist in the transfer of the Odan symbiote into the new host, and help aid the memory transfer and joining process. As you know, having a friendly face nearby when you wake up helps aid the joining process." She smiled up at the young captain. "But to answer your question, I didn't get to really explore the Enterprise-D all that much. Not like Azre, who served on the Enterprise." She shook her head softly. "I was just there for a few days. Then, once Odan was fully joined, she and I were back to working out the disputes between the Alphans and Betans of Peliar Zel."

She stood up and moved around the room like an aged old woman, even though Lusaalli was a young, vibrant Ensign. Yairee had died an old woman, who lived a long, fulfilling life. "Oh, Odan and I had our hands full. The Pelians were on the brink of a full-blown war, but Odan did most of the negotiating work, and I was there right beside her after the joining, of course." She smiled a nostalgic smile. "Oh, how I loved learning at the feet of such a great ambassador and kind soul. If Odan couldn't get two warring clans to mend their woes, no one could. And I learned all I could from them."

Anzyl softly smiled. "So you are the reason I'm such a good diplomat and people person? The reason I was given the commission of this very ship?"

She smiled widely. "In part, I'm sure. I was just a young new host when I toured and learned with Odan, and spent the rest of my life settling disputes, trade agreements, warring and bickering governments." But she turned to Anzyl and looked him in the eyes. "But don't sell yourself short, young man. You are still to blame for much of your own accomplishments and accolades!" She chuckled. "I never had to fight bloodthirsty Klingons gone mad, or fight nonetheless! True, we had an occasional skirmish and phaser fire, but as a diplomat and ambassador duo, we fled and ran more than anything!" She chuckled heartily, then put a soft hand on Anzyl's shoulder. "But you, my dear Anzyl, you are in control of your life, and you are the one who has plotted your own course. You are the one who came through in those difficult times. Not I, or any of your past hosts. We are merely bystanders and advisors. You are the one in the pilot seat… or captain's chair." She chuckled softly. Then gave Anzyl a big hug.

And the two embraced, like a grandmother hugging her dear grandson, as Anzyl's life view was once again forever changed by meeting and receiving sage guidance from one of his past lives.