Move In Day

Vulcan Science Academy, New Shi'Kahr, 2279.231, 1130 hours. Mama needlessly fluffed the pillow once more then looked around the room, biting her lower lip. T'Alora had wanted a more utilitarian bed set while her mother wanted something more colorful; they settled on the geometric red and orange set as a compromise. Packing all of her belongings for this day had been the work of two months yet now that they were here it had taken only three hours to unpack. Se'tak carefully folded up the boxes and handed them to Sa-mekh who set them aside at the top of her closet for re-use at the end of next year, while Selas sat quietly in the comm unit chair in the corner, head tilted up toward the window and enjoying the full effect of the sun on his face.

And now it was time for them to depart.

Surveying her new dormitory room with a critical eye T'Alora was satisfied that her belongings were all in their proper places; her new roommates would now have no trouble with their own unpacking when they arrived later in the day.

"Well I guess this is it then, hmm?" Mama forced a smile to her face but there was still moisture pooling in her eyes. "My little girl's all grown up." She pulled her in for a hug and held her close for quite some time. T'Alora began to feel her mother losing her battle with her emotions as she pulled away. "Work hard and study hard, but don't forget to play hard too. There's more to life then academics," she said with a wink, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Call home when you can and we'll see you at the winter solstice break."

"I will, Mama."

"I love you."

"And I you."

A tear slid unbidden down her mother's cheek as she stepped back and slipped a hand into Sa-mekh's. Before he could say anything, however, Se'tak scooped her up in a hug and lifted her off the floor. He was gaining on Sa-mekh in height now and would likely overtake him and Sa-mekh-al one day soon. T'Alora illogically found herself wishing she would not miss that moment when it came.

She tried to turn away in disgust as he planted a dramatic, wet, sloppy kiss on one cheek. "I'll miss ya, T." With a roll of her eyes she granted him a small grin as he set her back down on her feet.

"Are you certain you will miss me, sa-kai*?" she asked, one eyebrow raised. "I was under the impression that with me off-ship you would now be vying for my bedroom."

His face fell open in surprise. "Aww man, who told!" Both eyes darted to their younger brother who was struggling mightily to keep from laughing outright. "Traitor!"

"T'Alora's room will be going to no one," Sa-mekh declared, ending the argument before it could well and truly start. "It will remain her room until she has set up permanent residence elsewhere, whenever that may be."

It was reassuring to hear him say that she could always come home again; while she was admittedly excited about embracing her newfound independence home would always be with her family aboard the Enterprise and it was good to know they felt the same way.

She walked over and leaned down next to Selas, who at 11 years old and 1.5 meters tall was not quite so little anymore, and picked him up. He smiled and squirmed in her grip. "Ko-kai*, I am too big to be carried around in such a fashion." Setting him back on his feet he threw his arms around her neck. "However, I am not too big for hugs."

Reluctantly letting him go, T'Alora knew that while there would be many things she would miss this free and easy exchange of physical affection was what she would miss the most. Just then Mama brushed back the tears in her eyes and reached out to take Selas' hand, ushering both boys out of the room. "Remember, we'll be at your sa-mekh-al's house until tonight if there's anything you need or anything you've forgotten."

"Understood."

Cupping her cheek one last time Mama smiled, murmured a final "I love you" and then left the room, leaving her and Sa-mekh behind.

"First, your sa-mekh-al has tasked me with reminding you that his home is also your home and that you are free to enter without invitation, as well as use the refresher as needed."

T'Alora bit back a smile. "No reminder was necessary as Sa-mekh-al told me this himself before we left this morning."

He nodded. "Understood." Next he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small plastic card. "Second, this is a chit for 1500 credits from me and your mother to be used on your texts, incidentals and the occasional dinner for you and your friends—the latter a suggestion from your mother, as I have it on good authority that the pre-paid meal selections in the dining hall are of excellent quality and nutritional content."

She stared at the proffered credit chit completely dumbfounded. Her parents were already covering the cost of her tuition and this extra display of generosity was unexpected. "Sa-mekh, I cannot…" He cut off her protests with a wave of his hand.

"Thirdly, I would like you to know…" his voice wavered and he paused, taking a moment to recover. "T'Alora, I would like you to know that I am not concerned for you because I know that you will excel here as you have in all tasks that you have set your mind to. You have grown into an exceptional young woman that I am proud to call my ko-fu* and I shall miss you greatly."

The contours of her room grew fuzzy and without thinking she reached out and threw her arms around him in a hug. Her emotional buffers wavering she gave her sa-mekh one last squeeze before separating. She believed his eyes were moist as well.

"Be safe, Ko-fu."

"You too, Sa-mekh."

It took a full 397 seconds after he strode out the door before T'Alora regained her previous composure. She looked around at the two empty desks, dressers and closets that comprised the room and wondered when her roommates would arrive. Taking a deep breath she reached for the PADD on her desk and sat down on her bed, stretching out as she reviewed the layout of the school, her class schedule, and the texts she would need to purchase—all in order to pass the time before her new life truly commenced.


*sa-kai = Vulkhansu for brother

*ko-kai = Vulkhansu for sister

*ko-fu = Vulkhansu for daughter