The Wedding Reception
(Thanks to all who have read and enjoyed my other stories- this is going to be my first multi-chaptered fic. And, although I am a TOS fan from way back, I flatly refuse to acknowledge the events of ST V on the basis that it just ticked me off and was stupid. So for those who wonder why I have omitted all mention of Sybok and his merry band of nutters, I offer only that it's my universe and I'll ignore what I think is dumb. And all Vulcan was taken from the VDL. This story is unbeta'd, so all mistakes are mine- if anyone out there would like to beta future chapters, please e-mail me and let me know!)
The ST characters we all know and love belong to Paramount- the characters you've never heard of outside my stories, they're mine.
Prologue- One Week Before Spock and Uhura's Earth Reception
S'chn T'Gai Sarek, Vulcan, Ambassador to Earth, would acknowledge, in certain, unguarded moments, that he had lived a remarkable life. He had served as ambassador to many planets, married a human woman who had given him a remarkable son, survived the destruction of his homeworld due to the actions of that same remarkable son, and then found a new spouse and an entire second family the likes of which he had never dreamed. Six children...families on the original Vulcan were almost never so large. If anyone had asked him 3 years previously if he would welcome six foster children between the ages of 16 and 2 into his life, he would have questioned the person's sanity. He was no longer a young man- surely, even one child would tax his resources...
Ah, but the person raising the issue would have had to have included T'Pyra in the discussion. When the Xenocide (also called the "Khreya," or "The Trauma") had occurred two years ago, many Vulcans had suffered from mental illness as a result of the violent severing of their nuptual bonds and the psychic trauma of feeling the deaths of 6 billion of their fellow Vulcans die. Some of the elders had been concerned for the viability of the entire race. Physically, many of the survivors were healthy and whole; psychically, a number of the more psi-sensitive had been catatonic, imprisoned in their own pain, while the screams of their dying fellows echoed in their minds- a sound from which there was no escape. Bit by bit, the survivors had been able to coax these beings back to the world of the living. But there was another problem that fewer people were paying attention to- the children. Those who survived lost their parents and their world. Those who had been bonded as children also lost their bondmates, although the resulting psychic impact was less than for those adults with fully-developed marital bonds. However, these children were now without the family support systems that reinforced the emotional self-control that Vulcans were famous for, and their unchecked emotions threatened to rage freely. Some of these children had become violent and even dangerous, and because they lacked fully-developed control, they were even more difficult to help than the adults.
This was where T'Pyra excelled. The loss of Staavin, her husband of 55 Earth-years, her two sons, and her grandchildren only inspired her to help children who had lost their own families. Although an architect by training, she had also displayed an ability for Healing; indeed, she was one of the most skillful of the Hafayat (the Remaining) who had not been fully trained as a Healer prior to the Khreya. Her talent with reaching difficult children led to her becoming the foster mother to some of those particularly sensitive children who either had no relatives available to take them in, or who were in need of more care than their living relatives could provide. Under her care, they thrived. On top of that, her relationship to Sarek had come about as much out of necessity as anything else- it was logical for two unbonded people to bond and to raise these children as a couple. However, both were surprised that their marriage of convenience had become a true relationship, based on respect and trust. They never referred to each other as '"k'hat'n'dlawa", as their true soul mates had died in the Kreya; nevertheless, they held a deep and abiding respect for each other. Both were also surprised that their marriage had a satisfying physical component; after so many years with a singe partner, both were unsure as to how or if the other would be amenable to such actions. However, each found in the other a willing and giving partner, and their relationship flourished.
Because of T'Pyra, Sarek was now the foster-father of six children, and the Houses of S'Chn T'Gai and S'Tkl T'Prn (T'Pyra's House) each had new members. Each child had also retained the name of the House of their birth, but were full-fledged members of the Houses of their foster parents. And, most importantly of all to Sarek, she had not only accepted Spock, but had done so with no reservations regarding him or his human bond-mate, Nyota Uhura.
Yes, Sarek of Vulcan had lived a remarkable life. Yet, all his experience had not prepared him for the question that his youngest foster-son, Samak, asked him one day while he met with the man now referred to by the name of a lost relative, but who he (and a few others) knew was the older, time-traveling version of his son, Spock (he would not even begin to try and factor in the arrival of this son at this juncture of his life). The two met regularly to discuss various matters relevant to the colony, and to play chess. But these meetings were not private, and the children were permitted to enter the room at will. The six year-old entered, observed the game, and then asked, "Father, elder kinsman, may I pose an inquiry?"
"Of course, Samak-kam." Though Sarek cared for all of his foster children, the small boy was, without question, his favorite.
"Why is Skarret spending so much time trying on various combinations of clothing and observing himself in the mirror?"
Spock Prime and Sarek both raised an eyebrow at this particular report, and Spock choose to allow a very small smile play about his mouth.
"I believe that your brother is deciding which outfit will be viewed most favorably by Nyota's cousin, Miss Wong, when we visit Earth for your elder brother's wedding reception in Kenya." The family was leaving for Earth the day after tomorrow.
Spock Prime considered this new information. "Has Skarret been corresponding with one of Ms. Uhura's relatives?"
"Daily, ever since the bonding. She has engendered in him a new . . . enthusiasm for his studies in xenobiology, particularly the animals of sub-Saharan Africa. I believe that they also discuss music and a number of other topics." Sarek completed the chess move that he had been about to make before Samak proposed his query. "He has also expressed considerable enthusiasm for our trip to Earth to meet Miss Wong in person."
Samak continued his line of inquiry. "I am confused, Father. If they correspond daily, she must already have found him acceptable. Therefore, what difference should it make as to what he wears when they finally meet on Earth?"
Spock Prime and Sarek both exchanged a glance that communicated the knowledge of human women far more eloquently than any words could have.
"If I may offer an answer, Kinsman?" Spock Prime did not refer to Sarek as "Father" unless they were alone.
"Please do."
"There is a difference in viewing someone on a video screen, and meeting them face-to-face," Spock Prime addressed Samak. "Your brother is attempting to make himself as attractive to Miss Wong as possible. No doubt, Miss Wong is making even more elaborate preparations to meet your brother, hoping as well to give him a favorable initial impressions." Spock Prime evaluated the board, and sacrificed a pawn to gain a strategic position. "Vulcans tend to impress each other more with academic credentials- although our people do not discount a pleasing appearance, and humans also consider academic or occupational achievements when evaluating the suitability of a potential partner.
Samak considered this for a moment, and then asked, "Father, did you ever try to impress Lady Amanda with a particular choice of clothing?"
Both Spock Prime and Sarek looked at the young boy. It was not considered improper for the children to mention either Amanda or Stavvin, but it was surprising to hear this particular question. But, Sarek noted, Spock Prime appeared to be as interested in the answer as young Samak.
"Once, shortly before we were married, I wore clothing because Amanda requested I do so. The school where she taught hosted a costume party in celebration of an Earth holiday called Halloween. Amanda insisted that we go, and chose our costumes. I admit now that I hoped to impress favorably on her that I was willing to attend such a function in costume."
"And what were the costumes?" Spock Prime was now even more curious.
"Amanda went as the Greek goddess Demeter, complete with all of her gardening implements." Samak nodded, having some familiarity with the mythology of Earth's ancient Greece (considering that the Standard name of their race was taken from the Roman pantheon, this was not surprising). Spock Prime also nodded to himself- although he had never heard of his parents attending such a party in his timeline, the two different Amandas appear to have thought along the same lines. He found he quite enjoyed the idea of his mother dressed as the goddess of agriculture- although he wondered, briefly, if perhaps the lesser-known Pomona, the goddess of orchards and gardens, would have been just slightly more appropriate...
"And your costume, Father?" Samak prodded.
"Yes, I am quite interested to hear the answer myself." They all turned to see T'Pyra standing in the doorway- she appeared to have heard the last part of the conversation and was now involved in the story as Samak and Spock.
"I went as the Greek God Apollo. Amanda stated that she believed it to be an appropriate choice, as Apollo played the lyre. I was called upon to play at the party, which I did."
T'Pyra asked "And what did the costume look like?" Spock had been wondering the same thing, considering that he remembered the gold, chest-baring toga worn by the being who had claimed to be the god Apollo during his time on the Enterprise.
"It was a historically accurate Greek toga," Sarek replied.
T'Pyra raised one eyebrow. "I believe that Lady Amanda was engaging in an Earth custom called "showing you off."
Sarek looked at her. "Why do you say that?"
"Because," said T'Pyra, "Of all the costumes available to her, she choose the one that would appeal to your logical reasoning, and also expose your physique to its maximum advantage in front of her friends and co-workers. " T'Pyra paused, and then added, "I would wager that a number of her female colleagues became quite jealous after that event."
Spock Prime had to agree. "Indeed- I have also seen humans "show off" a spouse or partner."
Sarek had to consider this particular interpretation of events. "Although I have never thought of that evening in this particular light, I am forced to agree." He turned towards his young son. "So, Samak-kam, I did once dress in a particular manner in order to impress Lady Amanda- and, considering that she did marry me, I must qualify the experience as one that ultimately lead to a successful conclusion. "
T'Pyra added, "And I do believe that your brother's choice of clothing in which he will meet Miss Wong will be considerably less revealing than a Grecian toga." Spock and Sarek's lips both quirked upwards.
"I shall return to my studies now. Thank you, Father." Samak saluted all three adults with the ta'al, and ran off to another room of the house. The men resumed their attention to the game, while T'Pyra made herself comfortable in one corner of the room and continued to listen to their conversation.
"I had not thought to ask if you planned on attending Spock and Uhura's reception on Earth," Sarek stated, answering Spock's earlier move with a move that threatened his bishop.
"Yes, I plan to arrive the day before the ceremony and remain on Earth for an archaeology conference a week later at the University of Cairo. Although now that I have heard of young Skarret's desire to impress Miss Wong, I am now considering moving up my travel dates in order to observe their first face-to-face encounter in person."
"From what I have been told by Nyota, Miss Wong's father and her uncles are preparing to meet the shuttle with her, to protect her virtue," T'Pyra stated.
"Surely they do not believe that Skarret would act in a dishonorable fashion!" Sarek looked up, surprised, and somewhat offended.
"On the contrary- they plan on acting in case they need to prevent Miss Wong from launching herself at Skarret. Apparently, there is consensus among the female members of the family that that is the correct response when encountering a red-haired Vulcan. However, the male family members have taken it upon themselves to protect Skarret from, and I quote, "an 18-year old Uhura woman on a mission."
"You have just convinced me to change my travel plans," said Spock Prime.
"And perhaps young Skarret should take additional suus mahna training," added Sarek.
"I am inclined to agree with you, adun. Human females are, in many cases, more deadly than the male," T'Pyra replied, a smile playing around her eyes.
Spock Prime and Sarek soon finished their chess game (Spock won), and Spock prepared to return to his own home. At the door, he added, "I have attended a number of weddings and wedding receptions in my life- yet, this is the first time I am more interested in the interaction of a potential couple than I am of the bride and groom."
Sarek inclined his head. "Indeed- and in this case, the happy couple are as interested in the interaction between Skarret and Miss Wong as we are. It should be a fascinating event."
"Indeed," allowed Spock Prime.