Work Life Balance
© 2025 by Walter Reimer

Thumbnail art by  morgdl


“Come on, Jinzi,” Meredith said to the filly as the golden palomino mare led the way to the sofa in the apartment’s living room. Meredith switched her tail back and forth, teasing the giggling Jinzi into walking and at times running to grab it. She would occasionally ‘win,’ but had learned not to yank too hard on either her mother’s or her father’s tails.

“It’s almost starting,” Fuji said from his seat on the sofa, patting a spot beside him as Jinzi clambered up onto the sofa and snuggled in beside her father. Meredith sat down with them as the holographic display showed the last advertisement and the theme tune of Monsoon Poultry Hospital began to play.

One great advantage of being on a space station or other habitat over being on a ship is having a regular and stable communications link to the civilian entertainment networks. The long-running series was beginning its new season with a new Nurse Dara, this one an elderly lion with a ready smile and a kind manner, particularly toward children.

The show wasn’t pulling many punches for its season opener, covering the tribulations of a veteran of the recent war, horribly wounded and wishing to die. Nurse Dara hatched a conspiracy to hunt down and bring the woman’s mate and children to the hospital station to show her that life was worth living.

After an hour that had Meredith reaching for a facial tissue more than once, the woman had agreed to regeneration therapy. Nurse Dara gave some final remarks, and the theme music swelled as the credits began to roll.

Fuji stroked Jinzi’s head and said, “Wow, that was a very deep episode.”

Meredith had leaned over and his other arm was around her shoulders. She sniffed and nodded. “Yeah.” He stroked her headfur and she smiled. “When I think how close we all got – “

“But we made it out,” Fuji said, gently turning his mate’s head to face him. “We made it out, unharmed.”

She leaned into his paw. “I love you.”

“I love you,” and they leaned in close to kiss, mindful to not squeeze their daughter between them. As it was, Jinzi squirmed to get more comfortable, and gave a bone-cracking yawn as the holoprojector showed an advertisement for an entertainment center on Kutua. Her parents chuckled at her unspoken opinion.

Meredith leaned down and kissed Jinzi on top of her head. “You want something to drink, Jinzi?” The filly looked up at her and nodded, and her mother got up to go to the apartment’s small kitchen. She returned with a small juice box, straw already inserted, and said to her daughter, “What do you say?”

Jinzi looked up at her. “Rērth 'i?”

Fuji chuckled. The filly’s accent was spot-on.

“In Basic, honey,” Meredith said.

“Please?”

“Good girl.” The golden palomino mare leaned in and kissed Jinzi before giving her the juice box. Meredith sat down again and stroked Jinzi’s headfur as the filly sucked at the straw. “She’s getting better at Kashlanin.”

“Yeah, she’s a smart little girl,” Fuji agreed. He looked at the display and blinked. “Hm.”

“Huh?” Meredith asked, and the Komodo monitor nodded toward the display. A small Kashlanin V-glyph had appeared. “Ah, a message from Varan,” she said, and she gestured at the projection. The entertainment system interpreted the gesture and reduced the next program to an inset while the glyph changed into a simulacrum of Varan in working uniform.

“Hello, Fuji and Meredith,” the vir said, smiling. “I have some news: I’ve been accepted into the Fleet Command Academy.” The imager followed her as she crossed the room and sat down in a chair. “I’m too late to go there immediately, but the time won’t be wasted. I will have to meet and brief my successor to command of the Bōank, and then I shall be using all my accumulated leave - ”

Fuji hit pause. “That’s fantastic news,” the bull said.

Meredith nodded. “It’s something she needs,” the mare added. “She’s a decorated captain, but she needs the academic credentials.” Fuji nodded and resumed the message.

“- To visit you and your daughter, as well as Javid, Maria and Thea.” Varan’s tail slipped into her lap. “I will then visit my parents on Chadan before heading off to school. I am looking forward to seeing all of you.”

Jinzi abruptly said, “Is that Eama Varan?”

Meredith grinned down at her as she paused the playback again. “Yes, that’s Aunt Varan, and she’ll be coming to see you. Would you like that?”

The filly nodded solemnly and waved her empty juice box at the holographic vir. “Zogat, vorvath Varan,” she said, causing her parents to laugh. They hugged and nuzzled the little girl before Meredith gestured for the display to resume.

“Vesan and I have succeeded in defeating the Mistress, so there is a game module attached to this message. I will warn you,” she said with a grin, “the game designers were very inventive on this level. From what I know of Terran customs, you may not want Jinzi in the room when you review the module.”

Fuji and Meredith exchanged looks.

“I will let you know when I will be arriving on Downtime Station, my beloveds. Narchak,” and the image faded, leaving a small icon that indicated a file was downloading. The entertainment show expanded to fill the display, and the family settled in to watch it as Jinzi started to yawn drowsily.

The little filly was sound asleep by the time the show was over, and Jinzi fussed a little as Meredith carried her into the bathroom to get her cleaned up and dressed for bed. After tucking her in, the mare gave her daughter a gentle kiss and rejoined Fuji on the couch.

Meredith had enjoyed her life as a freighter captain, but this new life, with her mate and her daughter, was more than enough compensation.