Disclaimer: I own nothing. Please don't sue me.
A/N: Anyway, another holiday special! Happy Singles Awareness Month, everyone! Enjoy!
Oratt knocked on the door with his foot as he struggled with the two bags of groceries in his arms. He peeked into the window; it was all dark but a glow coming from the corner. He kicked again, still no movement. With a sigh he sat the bags down, grabbed the keys in his pocket.
He opened the door, picked up the bag holding the door with his hip. "Kuvak!" he called out. "Kuvak!"
His fellow professor stuck his head around the corner. "Yes?"
"I require assistance, Kuvak. What are you doing that you do not hear banging at the door?"
"I was speaking to my subspace companion," he said with a lilt in his voice.
Oratt rolled his eyes. "Tell me again how this came to be."
Kuvak frowned. "One moment and I will aid you."
Oratt watched him dodge around the corner again. He waited a few moments, tapping his foot, and he was about to continue his efforts with the bags when Kuvak returned.
"Now, I will aid you. I did not wish to leave Mudgirl wondering what had happened to me with a great pause in our speaking."
Oratt sighed. "What kind of a name is Mudgirl? You have been speaking with her at great length since autumn."
Kuvak nodded, as he picked up the bags sitting on the front porch. "I have. She is pleasant. I am very agreeable to talking with her."
Oratt placed his hand on his hip. "What is this chatting thing? I have not been interested in this aspect, but with the beginning of classes again...it...intrigues me."
He raised an eyebrow as Kuvak visibly brightened. "Then I will request that your new class have a subspace forum to discuss the lessons and share opinions. Mudgirl advised me to monitor my own forum, and I suggest you do the same."
"How old is this Mudgirl?"
"She is in college, majoring in art. She makes pottery to support herself, and that is why she took that name. She says making pottery is similar to playing in mud."
Oratt nodded. "And you propose I make a forum for my class and find a subspace companion of my own there?"
"Mudgirl knows someone who could help you with that."
"Does this Mudgirl know who you are?" Oratt asked moving to the kitchen to put the groceries away.
"She does not. Neither will anyone who participates with your forum. I began mine last spring. It has aided me much in my teaching humans. It has helped them with their grades," Kuvak replied, following Oratt in with the bags the doctor had left behind.
"How do they not know it is you? I would be most disagreeable to the notion of the students knowing who I was."
"When I speak with Mudgirl, I am Alienman. When I speak in the forums I am OsuKuvak. It is a simple distinction."
"Yet, there are only 25 non-human teachers in this university. Alienman seems to be rather obvious. You could be one of 25 people. Easy to narrow down."
"Yes, and all twenty five of the aliens are Vulcan. This year we are getting more non-human teachers and students. It is a large campus, Oratt." He shook his head. "You simply do not understand. We speak openly in a way that propriety does not allow in many cases face to face. Yet, there is no pressure for contact. Mudgirl has been traveling all semester working for the funds to go to school. She is isolated from her peer base because of this work. As you and I are isolated from our planet. Mudgirl has asked me if there are others that would like to speak as she and I do, she has a friend who would be able to aid you in setting up your forum and perhaps speaking as friends."
Oratt considered it, then frowned. "Very well. Who is this person that your Mudgirl knows?"
Kuvak raised an eyebrow. "I do not know. But I will have more information for you by the end of the evening. May I help you with dinner?"
"No, Kuvak, go speak to your subspace companion and obtain the information I need."
The minister raised an eyebrow and strode back to the console, and Oratt started on dinner.
…
alienman: Mudgirl, are you there? 5:06 PM
mudgirl: Hey, Alienman, welcome back! So how's your roommate doing? 5:08 PM
alienman: He is preparing dinner. He took my suggestion to set up a forum for his class, however, he needs more information. How can he contact this friend of yours to begin a forum? 5:09 PM
mudgirl: I'll send you her comm number and he can message her anytime. Except when she's sleeping. LOL 5:09 PM
alienman: That would make communication difficult. What are your plans for tomorrow? 5:09 PM
mudgirl: I just arrived back on campus today so I'm going to be unpacking and getting things set up for the semester. 5:10 PM
alienman: Are you in the dorms? 5:10 PM
mudgirl: No, oh heavens no! I own a small house with my friend. We inherited it and have lived in it since we were soph. 5:11 PM
alienman: that must be difficult considering your expenses in school. 5:11 PM
mudgirl: That is why we travel from spring to fall selling our work, Alienman. ^_^ Are you on campus now? 5:12 PM
alienman: Yes. We have re-located from Vulcan last week. 5:12 PM
Kuvak leaned back considering the option of asking her for lunch since they were both on campus now. He typed it out and then deleted it in favor of asking one more question first.
alienman: You have your classes already? 5:14 PM
mudgirl: I do! I have three art classes and my last core class, Inter-Galactic Government. 5:14 PM
Kuvak leaned back again, blinking at her response. So she would be in his department, though with what teacher, he was not sure.
alienman: Who is your teacher for Inter-Galactic Government? 5:15 PM
mudgirl: His name is Kuvak. He looks friendly. 5:15 PM
alienman: Does he really? Are you looking forward to his class? 5:16 PM
mudgirl: I've never had a Vulcan teacher before. How do you think his classes will go? How do you treat YOUR classes? 5:17 PM
alienman: He will be fair, but strict. I would not suggest running late for class, but he will understand if you have a valid reason for being late. The classwork will be intense, and he will expect much from you, but I believe you will do well, Mudgirl. I know from our correspondence that you are diligent. 5:17 PM
mudgirl: He has beautiful blue eyes. I've never seen a Vulcan with blue eyes...and especially so intensely blue! Wow...ok anyway. Thank you for your heads up. I have a good GPA, so I hope I live up to his standards. If I have questions would you help me? 5:18 PM
alienman: I will. Why did you make mention of his eyes? 5:18 PM
mudgirl: I am an artist, Alienman, I tend to see things like that. 5:19 PM
Kuvak sat back again. He was torn. He wanted to invite her to lunch but knew it was against protocol to do such with a student. Now, without a doubt she was his student...or would be in a week when classes start.
Oratt placed his hand on Kuvak's shoulder making him jump. "Yes, Oratt?"
"Do you have the frequency for my contact?"
"Not as of yet, Oratt. I will shortly. Is dinner ready?"
"No. It must stew for 45 standard minutes."
Kuvak watched Oratt walk over to his com to look at his new class schedules. Kuvak considered doing the same and cross referencing all the people in his class to determine who Mudgirl was...
mudgirl: (attachment) 5:21 PM
It was a picture of a tea set.
mudgirl: That is the latest sale, Alienman! Do you like it? 5:21 PM
alienman: That is very balanced and aesthetically pleasing. Do you do tea sets often? 5:23 PM
mudgirl: No that was a commission made by another Vulcan! 5:23 PM
alienman: May I commission a tea set? 5:24 PM
mudgirl: Sure! What kind do you want? 5:24 PM
alienman: I find this style you made for the other Vulcan to be aesthetically pleasing. Perhaps you could make something similar for me? 5:25 PM
mudgirl: I would be delighted! Hold up, let me get my pencils... 5:26 PM
Kuvak smirked at the comm and folded his hands as if for meditation. "Oratt?"
The doctor looked up from his work and frowned. "Do you have the comm number?"
"No, that is coming. I was simply wondering if you are adverse to my clan colors. I am commissioning a tea set as we speak."
Oratt nodded. "Your clan colors are agreeable but can you answer for me a question?"
"Of course."
"Do you plan on her knowing who you are?"
Kuvak blinked. "No."
"Then how are you going to pay for and then either pick up or deliver this tea set without her knowing who you are?"
Kuvak swallowed. "I had not considered that."
"You should," the doctor replied tersely.
Kuvak's comm beeped with an incoming message.
mudgirl: Ok, Alienman, let's talk. What are you thinking? 5:30 PM
Kuvak blinked twice.
alienman: Who is the other Vulcan you made the tea set for? 5:30 PM
mudgirl: Ummm, can't tell you, Alienman. I don't talk about the people I do work for. That would be unethical. 5:32 PM
alienman: That is a wise answer...I still require the subspace for your friend. I have forgotten this and my friend has reminded me. 5:32 PM
mudgirl: Oh! Yeah! I forgot too. She can be reached at starsandstitches 19193-f-1207. 5:33 PM
Kuvak relayed the message to Oratt, who then turned to his comm to find starsnstitches.
alienman: Mudgirl, since I do not know you...could you mail me the finished tea set? I will pay extra for shipping. 5:34 PM
mudgirl: Sounds good to me. What are you thinking regarding this tea set? 5:34 PM
alienman: Crimson and gold would be agreeable. We will discuss payment at another date. 5:34 PM
mudgirl: Ok. I haven't calculated how much this will be. What's your budget? 5:35 PM
alienman: Money is not an issue. Do your best work, with whatever materials you wish, and I will pay whatever price you think is reasonable. 5:36 PM
mudgirl: Now you have me all excited, Alienman! I am literally trembling! 5:37 PM
Kuvak let a small gasp.
alienman: I have made you tremble? 5:37 PM
mudgirl: Oh yes, money is no issue and I can use whatever I wish...creative freedom! Are you sure? I don't want to over spend, but I have some really good ideas with gold leaf...it could get expensive. 5:38 PM
alienman: Do that if it pleases you, it also pleases me. 5:38 PM
Kuvak blinked and licked his lips. He did find the idea of her trembling very pleasing, and that was most illogical.
alienman: I must go. I have work to accomplish and last meal to eat. Will you be around tomorrow afternoon? 5:39 PM
mudgirl: I should be, but if I am not it's because I am off shopping for the stuff to do your tea set with :D 5:40 PM
alienman: I will speak with you soon, Mudgirl. 5:40 PM
And with that, Kuvak signed off and walked into the kitchen to wait for dinner, and to prepare himself for the coming semester.
(A/N): sensara: Wow...formatting that to my satisfaction took FOREVER. I sat here for literally 30 minutes trying to figure out how to distinguish the chatroom text from the actually story, and now my fingers hurt from all the highlighting.
fameanon: The times at the end of each message are a nice touch, though.
sensara: -_- only for you, Fame. ;) Everyone, feel free to review! It's the only payment us poor authors get!