DISCLAIMER: I don't own Vulcans or Starfleet
The Devil Likes Chocolate
18 years before the Fall fo Vulcan...in the Sierra Nevadas
The man was leaning far too close to Yumi's tray as Toshi approached her in the cafeteria line.
The ski resort did have a fancy restaurant but they were just taking a short break from skiing. Yumi did look adorable in her "snow bunny" suit, and he couldn't fault the man for taste, but...
He got closer and realized the man was in fact...a Vulcan.
At a ski resort...on Earth? Leaning over his hopefully-soon-to-be fiancee?
As he got closer he could hear Yumi practicing her Vulcan, "It is called hot chocolate, it does smell pleasing, does it not?"
"Indeed, it does. I think I will order some." The Vulcan said.
"Are you here on your own?" Yumi asked cheerfully.
"I am awaiting my bondmate --" the Vulcan began.
At which point Toshi was at Yumi's side...but not too close. They were in public, and they were Japanese, even if they weren't in Japan.
"Toshi," Yumi exclaimed happily a wide smile on her face. She almost always greeted him like that, it never failed to make Toshi melt a little. "Toshi this is, this is..."
"My name is Novasch," said the Vulcan inclining in a slight bow in Toshi's direction.
He towered over Toshi and Yumi -- not that that was any great feat. Toshi was optimistically only 167 centimeters tall...and Yumi only 160 at best. Novasch's eyes were black, as was what little Toshi could see of his hair under a knit cap. His nose was straight and narrow, long like a gaijin's. His lips were thin.
"Would you like to join us, Novasch -- along with your bondmate when she arrives?" Yumi said. She was always very friendly. It was one of the things that Toshi liked about her.
"We would both like to..." Yumi licked her lips and switched to Novasch's native tongue, "Practice Vulcan."
"That would be agreeable," Novasch said in Vulcan.
What? This was supposed to be a romantic get-a-way for Toshi and Yumi...
The Vulcan looked at Toshi, then said in Standard, "Although, perhaps I would be in the way..."
But then again, it would obviously make Yumi happy to talk to the Vulcan, and Toshi did want Yumi to be happy...
"Or perhaps," Novasch said to Yumi, "It would be acceptable."
But this was a very special weekend...and part of Toshi really wanted to keep Yumi all to himself this weekend.
The Vulcan turned towards Toshi, "I would not want to intrude of course."
"Oh, you wouldn't be intruding. Toshi and I love company! Neh, Toshi?" Yumi said.
Normally, that was true...Toshi looked at the floor...and if Yumi did agree to marry him this weekend then she would most likely join in him on Vulcan for the next two years -- he'd been accepted by the Vulcan Science Academy as part of a scholarly exchange. It might be vital to her happiness that she practice her Vulcan...
He looked up. Novasch was staring at him.
"If you are agreeable to company, so am I," Novasch said.
"Yes, please join us," Toshi said in Vulcan, still a bit conflicted.
"You are certain, my presence would be beneficial..." Novasch said leaning forward slightly in Toshi's direction.
"Of course, of course, please join us," Toshi replied. Who knew Vulcans could be so...wishy washy.
Novasch suddenly straightened and tilted his head.
"Sugoi!" said Yumi happily. "Toshi and I will find a table for four while you get your hot chocolate!"
Novasch looked at the counter where the drinks were being served. "Yes, hot chocolate....."
x x x x x x x x x x
How could Toshi ever think this wouldn't be a good idea? Toshi looked down at the mug of hot chocolate, just one more little sip...he was pacing himself. Why was he pacing himself? He couldn't remember...
He lifted his mug and noticed that next to him Yumi was sipping hers at the same time...as was Novasch directly across from them.
Yumi giggled. "I don't think I've ever had hot chocolate that tasted this good."
Toshi licked his lips and grinned at her. "It must be because we were out in the cold for so long..."
Dimly Toshi heard someone at the table behind him say, "You know, I haven't had hot chocolate in a long time...suddenly I have the urge..."
Someone else replied, "Yes, me too..."
Novasch's eyes darted between the Toshi and Yumi. "It doesn't always taste so..." he licked his lips and drawled, "...wonderful?"
How unusually expressive for a Vulcan.
Yumi giggled, and then said, "I think your bond mate is coming Novasch..."
Toshi looked up, he couldn't see any Vulcans...
A voice came from behind Toshi, "Ah, Novasch...there you are..." And then a beautiful Vulcan woman came into view -- wide black eyes, strong but not too strong nose, wide lips. She had long straight black hair under a knit cap. She was probably nearly as tall as Novasch...
Wait, Yumi was sitting next to Toshi. She hadn't turned her head. How did she know a Vulcan was approaching them from behind?
"Yumi, Toshi," Novasch said, "This is my bond-mate, T'Quilloc."
"Pleased to make your acquaintance," T'Quilloc said. She looked hard at Novasch, "What are you drinking, adun?"
For some reason Toshi could not explain he and Yumi spontaneously burst into laughter.
Novasch took a second cup of chocolate that was sitting next to him and handed it to T'Quilloc. In Vulcan he said, "A very warming beverage. Drink adun'a."
A/N:
Not all Vulcan's are touch-telepaths...heh. Can you see how Toshi and Yumi might be being set up to learn a lot about Vulcans in a very short period of time?
Novasch has already appeared in "The Vulcan", though he has not been named. Points to whomever can figure out where he was! And why!
I may take this out of the Drabbles and make it its own story, complete with Goldilocks, there are some things I would like to explore that I don't think fit into the main story.
