Once upon a time on a faraway planet known as Vulcan, there lived a little boy. Born to Ambassador Sarek of Vulcan and Amanda Grayson of Earth, the little boy was truly one of a kind. His name was Spock.
Spock was angel of a child, obeying his parents and respecting his Vulcan heritage, practicing the control which was so necessary in volatile Vulcan physiology. In short, he was so subservient, so obedient and reserved, that his parents thought all his needs were being fulfilled. They thought that he was content.
In truth, he was anything but. Though his Vulcan sensibilities would not allow him to voice the feeling, (for a feeling indeed it was) Spock was lonely. He felt empty inside. He longed to share his thoughts, his insights... himself... with someone. He wanted someone to do the same for him. His mother was a kind, empathetic woman, but sometimes mothers just don't cut it.
Amanda rolled up her sleeves and donned an apron, hoping beyond all hope that oatmeal raisin cookies would taste okay without oatmeal. She'd asked her mother to send her some with her next letter, but it hadn't come in time. And Sarek had assured her that nowhere on Vulcan would she find the obscure Terran grain. Tomorrow was Valentine's Day, and it was a Grayson family tradition to have cookies and milk for breakfast on the holiday. Of course, the tradition involved chocolate chip cookies, but Amanda knew without even asking that her husband would not permit her to make those. Already she was pushing it with the breakfast she had planned. Her husband wasn't one to enjoy trying new foods. And then it came to her. Peanut butter cookies! They would be perfect. She immediately got out the supplies.
"Spock! Come help in the kitchen!" At her call, Spock trudged obediently (if somewhat hesitantly) into the kitchen. "Here, start mixing up the peanut butter. All the oil has floated to the top."
"If you wish me to. Mother, may I inquire as to the purpose of this tradition?" Spock asked, stirring the peanut butter all the while.
"Yes. My oldest sister would make our family cookies for breakfast every Valentine's Day, to show much she cared about us. After she went off to college, I continued her habit, until it became somewhat of family tradition. The holiday would not have been the same without chocolate chip cookies and milk."
"I see," Spock answered, although the situation still confused him somewhat. "Was your sister the only one who made an effort to show how she cherished her family on the occasion?" Amanda thought a moment before answering.
"No. Sometimes I would clean my brother's room for him, (it always was a pigsty) and my parents would buy chocolate for us. Once, your uncle wrote me the most awful poem. It was great."
"What was growing up with siblings like, Mother?" he asked, overlooking that last confusing statement of hers.
"Wonderful," Amanda answered, with a faraway look in her eyes, "and terrible. I love my siblings so much, but we would often argue about the silliest things. Your aunt and I would sometimes have fights that would leave me in tears. Still, I wouldn't be quite who I am today without their influence."
As Spock absently rolled the peanut butter batter into balls, he could not help but imagine that he, too, had a sibling. Of course, his imaginary sibling and he wouldn't argue irrationally. His dream sibling would always agree with him.
Being only six years old, Spock was not limited by the lack of imagination with which some children are afflicted. He wanted a brother or sister, and he was determined to somehow see it accomplished. He spent long periods of time on his computer, researching his objective when he stumbled across it. The perfect solution. It was on a teacher's materials website, as an option to help shy children work on their social skills and writing abilities. It was a link to a website which matched up children of up to high school age with other children of similar interests, so that the children could correspond. Apparently, you filled out an entry form, and the makers of the website would send you the contact information of someone you had something in common with. The site was called "Everyone Needs a Friend." Spock figured a friend was about the same as a sibling. He proceeded to fill out the entry form.
Name: S'chn T'gai Spock
Gender: Male
Age: Currently 6.263 standard years
Interests: (list five or more) Computer Science, Astronomy, Martial Arts, Cultural Studies (especially of Terra), Diplomacy
Activities you enjoy: Vulcans do not experience the human emotion of enjoyment. However, I often find myself studying various topics on my computer, conversing with my mother, tending to my sehlat, or maintaining the plants in our garden.
After filling out some contact information, Spock sent out the form. The site said it would be up to a month before he would be matched up with a correspondent.
Three point two standard weeks later, Spock received a reply from the site.
Dear S'chn T'gai Spock,
Thank you for using our website. We have matched you with a potential correspondent. Below is her entry form and contact information. We hope the two of you will have a friend in each other.
Name: Margaret Elise Reinhold
Gender: Female
Age: 14 years
Interests: (list five or more) engineering, computers, reading, writing, basketball
Activities you enjoy: I am content with most activities. I particularly like playing dominoes, having interesting "discussions" (most think I'm arguing) with friends and family, kayaking, watching old holovids, and looking up anything that takes my fancy on my computer.
Spock was fascinated. They had matched him with a Terran girl eight years older than himself. Curious. His mother had told him that as teenagers, many Terran girls seemed to be somewhat superficial, primarily interested in making friends and having fun. This Terran seemed to be intellectual, introspective, contented, and fairly reasonable. "For a human, of course," he mentally qualified. Although on the surface she seemed so different, he was certain she would make him a satisfactory sister.
Spock had planned to write the girl a letter, but did not have the time before she wrote him one herself, as follows:
Dear S'chn T'gai Spock,
After looking up the first two portions of your name, I have found that I cannot easily pronounce them. Seriously, my mom and I were trying, and we must've spent five or six minutes practicing together! And I thought it was difficult to roll my r's. So I hope it is appropriate to call you Spock, because if it isn't, I don't know what options I'll have left. Forgive me if I'm too straightforward, but I have some questions for you.
1. I've heard that Vulcans mature faster than humans intellectually, but have found very little on the subject when I researched it. Is this true? Because in conversing with a human six year old, I would tend to be somewhat condescending. Until I learn otherwise, I will assume that my information is correct and continue talking to you as I would anyone else.
2. What is a sehlat? Some sort of a pet? Or is it even an animal?
3. Tell me about Vulcan martial arts. How does it compare to Terran? Comparable, superior? I'm having a hard time imagining a Vulcan doing something like karate. Forgive me, but it's a rather funny picture and I'm trying not to bust out laughing.
I hope to hear from you soon. If you have any questions about me, don't hesitate to ask, even if it seems impertinent (I'll be sure to return the favor;) Your friend, Margie
So he responded:
Greetings Margaret Elise Reinhold. Vulcan names do not run the way human names do. S'chn T'gai is my family name. It is appropriate to call me Spock. Spock is my "Christian" name, as I understand the phrase. I trust it is likewise appropriate to call you Margaret. Your information about Vulcan development is correct. I am gratified that you took the time to research the matter, despite your unsuccessful results. A sehlat is much like Earth's Ursus arctos horribilis, except domesticated and equipped with six-inch fangs. Many Vulcans with children own them to protect the home, like the Terran guard dog, although I would venture to call the sehlat the more intimidating animal. Vulcan martial arts teach primarily defensive techniques, as Vulcans are pacifists. It is quite different from karate, if my information is correct. Furthermore, Vulcans do not use the phrase "hi-ya" when applying their fighting tactics. What is the relevance of the expression? Vulcan martial arts are superior to Terran, as they are more effective at neutralizing the enemy without causing him excessive bodily harm. I do have an inquiry. Your greeting, "Dear S'chn T'gai Spock" seems rather familiar for one you have had no former acquaintance with. Dear, I believe, denotes a cherished or loved one. I trust my understanding of the word is correct? In any case, I am gratified by your greeting, perplexing though it is. Also, you signed your letter "Margie." Is this a nickname of some sort? Sincerely, Spock
Spock was suppressing a mild flicker of impatience. It had been one point five two standard weeks since he had sent Margaret his reply, and she not yet responded. Thankfully, his mother had not noticed. Spock had not told either of his parents about his friendship with Margaret, and he did not intend to. His mother would likely approve, but Spock did not wish his father to think him overly concerned with emotional attachments to others. It may have been deceptive, but Spock did not wish to disappoint his father. Nor did he wish to risk his correspondence with Margaret, which he was beginning to greatly value. He checked his PADD again, and was rewarded with a letter.
Dear (yes dear) Spock,
You are right about the definition of dear. It is more of a familiar term. However, when used as a salutation in a letter, it is appropriate to use even between strangers, unless the letter is related to business. However, I believe it would apply to you in the familiar form, too. Even in our very short acquaintance, I find I cherish our correspondence. You are a very fascinating person. I would be honored if you would allow me to regard you as a brother, as I have none of my own. Yes, Margie is my nickname. Ever since I can remember I've been called Margie. Anyways, there is no purpose to the phrase "hi-ya." It is just a sound humans tend to make as they do the particular exercise. It kind of relates to the movement made. I would suggest, as you study human behavior, that you do not assume all actions have a purpose. Some things we do for unexplainable reasons, or "just because" as the human expression goes. Do you play dominoes? Eighty-eight or forty-two? They are relatively simple games, but I find them to be rather fun. Eighty-eight requires six players and forty-two needs four. It might be fun to play a game with you and me against a computer program sometime. My family only plays occasionally, and I so enjoy the game. Close for now, Margie
Spock's breath caught in his throat. He had a sister, one who cherished him! Amanda immediately noticed his changed expression. "What is it, Spock?" "Mother," he asked, fielding the question, "do you know how to play the Terran game of dominoes?"