Title: Learning to love
Disclaimer: I do not own the Star trek the characters or profit in from this writing.
Chapter 2 Shimmy.
Spock's observations were detailed and accurate; yet he sensed he was overlooking something vital: the disheartening fact was that his observations led, not to greater understanding, but greater confusion.
This afternoon, for example…
He'd taken up one of his preferred observation positions behind the sofa. This afforded a clear view of the front entrance, the living area, the kitchen and, through the long glass doors of the kitchen, the shaded terrace. Like many Vulcan homes the main living area of Spock's was "open plan," to facilitate the free circulation of air. The difference in use of areas was indicated by differing floor surfaces and the arrangement of furniture.
His mother had been in the kitchen preparing food; good, clear, understandable behaviour. He was pleased to note that she was making oatmeal cookies and preparing a frittata; although these were earth foods, they were palatable and nutritionally acceptable. Spock would never have said, or even thought, that he "liked" the food, but the human in the kitchen thought otherwise.
His mother was listening to "her" music, using ear buds. Spock knew this was a compromise Sarek and Amanda had reached long before his birth. While they enjoyed some of the same music, they also had musical preferences that differed. In his mother's case, they differed … widely. To "spare you father's ears," as she put it, she used ear buds. While this was logical and displayed an admirable wish to maintain household harmony, it also meant that she became lost in her "own little world."
And she danced.
More precisely she engaged in body movements that she called dancing but did not align with any accepted dance style that Spock had been able to discover. This "dancing" consisted principally of oscillating her hips from side to side and/or jiggling up and down. Her movements across the kitchen consisted of quick little sliding steps. Sometimes she performed an action she told Spock was called a "shimmy." Careful observation had led Spock to the firm opinion that mothers should not "shimmy." Overall Spock was unsure if this collection of body motions could actually be classified as "dancing." However, it did appear to have some aerobic benefit and was an efficient use of time as it combined the necessary household tasks with healthy exercise.
Spock heard his father's transport arrive and hunkered down behind the sofa. He could be reasonably confident of avoiding detection when his mother was listening to music, but Sarek was exceptionally observant.
Spock watched his father enter the short corridor that acted as an "air lock," ensuring that the heat and dust of outside did not enter the house when the external door was opened. It was a logical and functional feature and increased the energy efficiency of the house by nine point seven eight per cent.
Sarek entered the foyer. First he slipped his feet into his slippers, having already removed his outdoor shoes in the airlock. Spock nodded; this was in keeping with observed precedent. Next Sarek placed his PADD and satchel on the stand near the door provided for this purpose and removed his light outer coat, hanging it neatly on one of the designated row of pegs by the door. Finally he rinsed his hands in the shallow conical frosted glass bowl that stood in the intricately ornamented metal stand beside the coat rack. Again Spock nodded; this was exactly as he had observed on every previous occasion. Only when his father's hands were dried on the towel draped at the front of the stand did Sarek look around the room.
At this point Spock noted that his father exhibited a pattern of behaviour that deviated from the Vulcan norm. Sarek's eyes fell immediately on his wife in the kitchen. Spock craned his neck slightly to ensure he had a full view and held his breath in consternation.
His mother was evidently unaware of the presence of the head of the household and was "dancing" in a way that Spock strongly hypothesised was not appropriate behaviour for a Vulcan wife.
Spock glanced at his father and received confirmation of his hypothesis. Sarek's eyes had widened approximately point five two seven of a centimetre and his nostrils had dilated approximately point two six of a centimetre. This was an unprecedented display of emotion and Spock made a mental note. Looking back at his mother Spock would have groaned, if groaning had been an acceptable Vulcan behaviour.
She had her eyes shut and her arms were raised high above her head, waving in an intricate and snakelike manner. Her feet were planted wide and she was performing sweeping movements of her hips from side to side. She had a rapt expression on her face. Then she twirled and stopped with her back to her husband and son, and it appeared as if a sine wave passed through her from her upraised fingertips to her toes, once, twice and a third time. It was a rhythmic, rippling motion, which Spock conceded was quite impressive and probably indicated well-toned core muscles.
Sarek stood like a statue observing his wife. Spock's head snapped back and forth between the two. Just then the oven timer sounded. Spock only caught the movement in his peripheral vision, but he suspected his father jumped - slightly, but jumped. This was an unprecedented occurrence indeed. The young scientist made a second mental note. Spock pursed his lips together in concentration; it was so difficult to observe two subjects at once.
His father's expression was strange, still calm, but somehow focused and intent in a way Spock had not observed previously. Spock looked into the kitchen to see what had caused this change of expression. His mother had performed several quick shuffling side steps over to the oven and was bending and taking the frittata out and she was - there really was no other description for it - wiggling her posterior. Spock flicked a glace at Sarek and back to his mother. She had ceased all but a slight rocking motion as she placed the frittata carefully in the stais unit so it remained warm and then shut the oven door. Spock then saw his mother spread her arms wide and shimmy bending backward and letting her head fall back as she did so. Then her hips described an almost perfect circle.
Sarek spoke.
"My wife, attend," Sarek said in a deep and roiling voice that pinned Spock to the ground and caused his eyes to open wide. The last time Sarek had used that tone to him was when Spock had accidentally broken a PADD. Spock had been sent to weed the garden all afternoon and "consider behavioural alternatives that would serve you better in the future." Spock had quickly decided that the behavioural alternative he would adopt would be ensuring his father did not find out if he broke another PADD, rapidly followed by a second decision that his father remained ignorant of the first decision.
Sarek was an imposing presence. Although he was not a particularly large man he seemed to dominate any room. Now he seemed to tower, although he hadn't moved… fascinating… he extended his hand with two fingers upraised.
His mother had moved meekly to Sarek and placed her two fingers against his. She looked up through her lashes although she kept her head respectfully bowed. Spock could not see her eyes but he saw his father's eyebrow quirk slightly.
"I believe you behaviour requires discussion, my wife." Sarek stated.
"Yes, adun."
"We will proceed to our private quarters and discuss behavioural alternatives that would serve you better in the future"
"I believe that active demonstration of …behavioural alternatives…may be beneficial to this person. Much practice of a skill in a variety of situations is necessary to gain mastery. I rely on you to guide me in these matters," replied his mother.
Although her words were respectful and correct, the tips of Sarek's ears became noticeably green. Spock was concerned by this evident loss of control. It appeared he was correct in his conclusions that "shimmying" wasn't an action a respectable Vulcan wife should perform. He hoped that his mother wouldn't he upset by his father's instruction. Spock found it difficult to maintain his composure when his mother became upset.
His parents didn't return to the main living area until it was time for the evening meal. Evidently the instruction had been satisfactory as both parents appeared calm. Throughout the evening, Spock noticed small affectionate gestures between his parents. While these weren't strictly necessary they weren't illogical; they served to ensure the peaceful atmosphere in the home, which Spock's reading had led him to understand was essential for his appropriate development. So that was good.
For his own part Spock had been pleased to have an afternoon of solitude to pursue his own interests uninterrupted, only distantly monitored by the servants. Still he couldn't understand his parent's behaviour. He had carefully observed every stage of the interaction and he still had the uncomfortable feeling that he was missing something.
##
Present.
Spock watched his Nyota dance across his quarters. Although the rhythmical steps she took in time to music only she could hear was dancing, he doubted if it was any documented style. Nonetheless the movement of her hips and feet, the swaying of her arms and shoulders had an almost hypnotic effect on him. He approved; and he intended to let her know he approved.
A memory flowed through his mind and his eyes widened for a moment. Like father, like son, he thought as he crossed the room and swept his startled ashayam off her feet.
=/\=
TBC
AN: This is the longest story I have ever attempted and I would love to hear your reaction. I'd be very grateful for comments and constructive criticism.
