May 7, 2363

So we're on Andor. Blue talked me down to just carrying my d'k tahg, and helped me get the right paperwork to get it through the system without his zhi having to pull any favors. He does assure me that once we get to his family's keep, there will be plenty of weapons I can borrow should the need arise. While he didn't say it, I do suspect that such borrowing will not be welcomed or encouraged with an outsider, but I'm hoping that things don't come to that while visiting.

Blue's family has been nothing but nice to us since we arrived. There was even an extra level of acceptance of me when I started off on my “starfleet is horrible, it took away my father before I even met him!” rant. If Blue had warned me that anti-starfleet sentiments were so high, I would have opened with that.

His family will not let up on the getting bonded and producing children for the good of Andor crap though. I've never seen this man, who I've come to respect and trust with my life, be so withdrawn, submissive, or all together without a backbone. A couple times I wanted to step forward and say something, but he saw my intent, and just quietly grabbed my wrist and gave it a squeeze. The first time I had to turn and look at him, so surprised I was, but he shook his head at me, his antennae reinforcing the indication to let it drop.

I think his shi noticed this interaction, as she sought me out later that evening. Her name's Shieshanna sh'Zhaath, but she answers to Shanna. I also found out Blue's name, Thinshalrablu th'Zhaath, which adds a little depth to his answering to the name Blue when he's off Andor. They call him Thinshal here, but Shanna calls him Blue also so I get the impression he's distanced himself from his culture and family in any way he can, and his shi respects this, unlike the rest of his family.

Shanna commented on the confusion she saw in my eyes when Blue held me back from commenting on his family badgering him. She thanked me for respecting his wishes, and for coming to support him through this visit. It means a lot to her to have him here for her bonding, and she was afraid he wouldn't come due to how hard of a time he's had dealing with family since he went off world and decided he wasn't interested in producing children.

When I told Travis about my conversation with Shanna, he admitted he was surprised that I hadn't lashed out at Blue's family yet. He also admitted that he was getting tempted to do or say something himself, but knowing that Blue was the reason I'd been holding back made him decide he should do the same.