Chapter Text
“Now, don’t be nervous,” said Eirene, kneeling before her young child. “This is just an assessment.”
“That means test. I don’t like tests,” said (Y/N), fiddling with their thumbs.
“Yes, but every Celian goes through them. It’s important to understand the limits of your empathic abilities and your specialty,” said Eirene, smiling. “Then you can be the best version of yourself possible.”
“But what if I’m really weak?” said (Y/N) quietly.
“It doesn’t matter how strong your empathy is,” said Nikomedes, looking at his child encouragingly. “It matters how you use it. Even empaths with a basic understanding of others’ emotions have the capability of being great people. One of our current counselors can only sense irritation, but that doesn’t stop him from guiding Celia, does it?”
“No,” said (Y/N).
“Precisely,” said Eirene. She took (Y/N)’s hands. “And even if you don’t go on to a profession or something as grand as that, your empathy doesn’t define you, alright? No matter the strength.” She smiled warmly. “And you don’t need your empathy to know that we will always love you.”
(Y/N) smiled shyly. “I love you, too, Mom, Dad.”
“We know, (Y/N),” said Nikomedes, smiling. “We always know.”
“Now, go on. It’s time,” said Eirene.
(Y/N) nodded, feeling stronger for their parents’ support. They walked towards the room where an assessor waited. This was an important milestone for any young Celian. This was the moment they had their empathy, which would stop growing in strength at around this age, would be checked to see what their specialty was. Still nervous, (Y/N) stepped into the dimly lit room, and the doors closed behind them.
“(Y/N) (L/N), welcome,” said the Assessor.
“Hello,” said (Y/N) politely.
They could feel the entire room bare of emotion. It was built with a special ore that dulled empathic abilities in order to allow for the Assessor and assessed person’s emotions to not interfere with the test itself. Several devices to read the psychic output of the person taking the test sat along the edges of the room, and a table with two chairs stood in the center.
“Please, sit,” said the Assessor, smiling.
(Y/N) sat down on the stool across from the woman. They looked at the table curiously, several spheres laid over it.
“These spheres contain different emotions imparted psychically by fellow Assessors outside of this room,” said the Assessor. “One-by-one, you will look at the sphere and tell me what emotion you sense.” She smiled. “If you cannot sense one, just tell me, and we will move on. This has to be an honest assessment so that Celia can get you into the courses needed for you to develop your natural talents.”
“Does it really not matter if I can’t feel one of the emotions?” asked (Y/N).
“Not at all,” said the Assessor. “I myself specialize in nervousness and feelings of distress. I struggle with other emotions. But that doesn’t affect who I am. There is no shame in your abilities or limitations. This is a learning opportunity.”
(Y/N) nodded. It was one thing for their parents to say it, but this was another person, an outside person, saying the same thing plainly. That made it truer.
“Are you ready?” asked the Assessor.
“Yes,” said (Y/N).
“Very well,” said the Assessor. “When the sphere lights up, please sense its contained emotion. If you must, touch it or get closer. That gauges the strength of your ability with each emotion.”
(Y/N) nodded and focused on the table in front of them. A sphere lit up, and without reaching out at all, (Y/N) felt the emotion radiating it from it like the brightness of a sun.
“Happiness,” said (Y/N) instantly.
The Assessor made a note. “Next.”
Another sphere lit up.
(Y/N) grimaced as nausea washed over them. The sensation made them want to curl in on themself.
“Grief.”
The Assessor glanced up to where (Y/N) once again hadn’t moved at all. Another note was made. “Next.”
Another sphere lit up.
(Y/N)’s skin turned cold, and they shivered as the feeling settled into their skin like a frosty wind.
“Fear.”
Again, the Assessor made a note, and the next sphere lit up.
Flinching, (Y/N) grimaced as a burning sensation flew over their skin and pricked at them like needles.
“Anger.”
The next sphere.
The feeling pressed over (Y/N)’s shoulders and hung like a mist in the air. The burden rested over them, lying heavily in their lungs.
“Sadness.”
Another sphere.
This was one akin to anger, the same pricking up their arms, but it was sharper, tinged with a dark cloud. But (Y/N) understood it all the same.
“Envy.”
The next was once more a dark cloud but rested like smoke around the sphere, making (Y/N)’s nose wrinkle.
“Disgust.”
The Assessor glanced up before jotting down a note. Another sphere lit up.
(Y/N)’s stomach turned as they felt it, but it felt more like a fluttering rather than the desire to throw up, like their heart wanted to beat quicker and their body wanted to run.
“Anxiety.”
The Assessor nodded and made a note. The next sphere lit up, and (Y/N) was thankful it was not another negative emotion.
It was warm again, but it felt gentle and was accompanied by a sense of simplicity. It didn’t flare, it simply existed—constant.
“Contentedness.”
The Assessor paused and glanced up. Looking back down, she wrote down something while the final sphere lit up.
Warmth flowed over (Y/N), and it felt like the sun and pure energy rushed through their veins. Gold hung in the air around the sphere, pulsing with light, gentle on (Y/N)’s skin.
“Love.”
l
(Y/N) sat beside Nikomedes and Eirene as they waited for the Assessor and her colleagues’ report on (Y/N)’s empathic ability.
“Don’t be nervous,” said Nikomedes.
“We’re certain you did well,” said Eirene.
“Mr. and Mrs. (L/N)?” said the Assessor, stepping out of the room she’d been compiling her notes and the readings of the devices in the room.
“Yes?” said Eirene, rising.
“We have the results of your child’s test,” said the Assessor, holding out a holopad.
Eirene took it and looked at the readings. Her eyes widened, and she looked at the Assessor. “Are these real?”
The Assessor nodded.
“What is it?” asked Nikomedes.
(Y/N) furrowed their brow as worry flashed through their father’s emotions. Only surprise rested in their mother’s. They watched as Nikomedes rose and looked at the results alongside their mother.
“Oh, my,” said Nikomedes.
“Did you have any hint of these results?” said the Assessor.
“No, we thought they just had a basic understanding of all the emotions,” said Eirene.
“It appears they understand the nuances of them as well,” said the Assessor.
“Mom? Dad?” called (Y/N), confused by the different emotions and discussion. “Did I do alright?”
“Did you do alright?” Nikomedes turned around and smiled at his child. “You did marvelously.”
Eirene nodded with a gentle smile. In her hands, the readings of (Y/N)’s empathy extended to the very edge of the chart. (Y/N)’s psychic ability was not weak. It was quite the opposite.
l
“I wish I could understand all emotions,” said Merope, sitting beside (Y/N) in school. Years had passed since (Y/N)’s testing, and their abilities had only grown with age and instruction giving them experience. “I can tell when people are upset or angry, but I’m just not as good with the little details.”
“But you understand positive emotions more than anyone I know,” said (Y/N). “That’s pretty cool.” They sighed and smiled. “Honestly, sometimes it’s all a little much.”
“Okay, yes, but people compare you to Andromeda, the first empath. That’s so cool,” said Merope brightly.
(Y/N) smiled and laughed sheepishly at Merope’s warmth. They were glad their cousin had so many positive emotions. Those were their favorite to sense. And Merope was always encouraging with her words.
Still…(Y/N) didn’t like the attention their abilities got them. Yes, they were strong, and they wanted to help others with their abilities, but the pressure was extreme. Everyone had their ideas of what (Y/N) should do with themself.
“If they’re like Andromeda, they should be a Counselor.”
“No, they should work more directly with the community. Perhaps a therapist?”
“A teacher! Then they can raise more strong empaths.”
“Yes, they’re powerful, but they’ve got their head in the clouds sometimes. Maybe they should just dance? It would bring joy and let out their empathy in such a beautiful way.”
“Oh, yes, and they are so pretty. It would be a waste for them to not get to use their empathy and good looks.”
“They could be an ambassador, then. They’re very good with people, and all of that goes with their empathy and good looks. They’d be so successful, and again they could help Celia.”
All of the pressure, all of the beliefs of how (Y/N) should act and what career they should fall, followed them as they grew. None of the suggestions were unkind—everyone believed in (Y/N)’s strength and skill.
However, none of them asked what (Y/N) wanted. It was all about what Celia supposedly needed. (Y/N) understood they could help Celia all of their people with their abilities. But (Y/N) saw beyond the limits of their planet.
How many other people could (Y/N) help on other planets? What places in the universe needed an empath to help solve problems? Where could they make the world a better place?
(Y/N) wouldn’t constrain themself to Celia. They couldn’t. They wanted to help as many people as possible, and Celia had an abundance of kind, talented empaths seeking to serve their planet—like Merope or her latest girlfriend, Alekto.
Yes, (Y/N) was strong. They were beautiful, too.
But their heart was the most powerful part of them.
l
“So, Merope, what is your plan for after graduation?” asked Eirene.
“I’m going to study to become a psychologist,” said Merope, smiling. “I still have much to learn about negative emotions, but I think I can help a lot of people in need of improving their mental health with my empathy.”
“You’ll help a great many people,” said Nikomedes, nodding.
“And Alekto, your girlfriend, is she still studying law?” asked Eirene.
“Yes,” said Merope, turning red at the mention of her love.
(Y/N) felt the emotion keenly. It made them smile.
“She got her internship, didn’t she?” said (Y/N).
“Oh, yes, she did! I’m so proud of her. She worked very hard for this opportunity,” said Merope brightly. She smiled at her aunt and uncle. “She’s going to be working with the Counselor of Foreign Affairs.”
“Oh, as an assistant?” said Eirene.
Merope nodded. “Yes. She knew Hyperion, the current vice administrator of Foreign Affairs, when she worked with immigrants from other planets, and he recommended for her the internship.”
“Alekto is going to go far in the world,” said (Y/N). “Is she aiming for ambassadorship or to be a counselor?”
“She isn’t sure,” said Merope. “But she’s going to take the opportunities presented to her.” She smiled widely. “She wants to protect Celia and forge new connections with other planets in the Federation. Either job would allow her to do so.”
“Ambitious and hard-working,” said Eirene, nodding approvingly.
“And she puts a lot of effort into giving Merope love,” said (Y/N), teasing their cousin. “Who is insatiable when it comes to fun.”
Merope blushed. “I’m really lucky in love.”
“Then to the future of you and your love’s careers,” said Eirene, raising a glass.
“Yes, cheers,” said Nikomedes.
(Y/N) smiled and raised their glass as well. “To your love.”
l
“It’s good to see that Merope is doing well for herself and has a plan,” said Eirene after Merope had left for the night and the (L/N) family was sitting together.
“Yes, and a steady relationship,” added Nikomedes.
“(Y/N)?” said Eirene.
(Y/N) knew what was coming. “Yes, Mom, I know I haven’t told you my plans for graduation yet.”
“You can’t blame us for wondering, we just want to know that our child is sure of their path and has a plan,” said Eirene. “We want the best for you.”
“You can tell us if you’re unsure. We are willing to talk through options if you’re overwhelmed,” said Nikomedes.
(Y/N) smiled. As always, their parents were encouraging and loving. They never had to doubt the care of their family.
“Actually, I know what I’m doing,” said (Y/N).
“You do?” Eirene brightened.
(Y/N) nodded. “I got the results of my entrance exam today.”
“Entrance exam?” said Nikomedes. “But the results for those on Celia came back last week.”
(Y/N) smiled. “This wasn’t for Celia.”
Eirene and Nikomedes blinked in surprise. “What?”
(Y/N) lifted a holopad displaying a message from their inbox. “I was accepted into Starfleet Academy.” They smiled. “And I’m going.”