Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. Thank you to Ahlysha, Caren Rose, tahmtahm, bina W, and especially mintandtea for reviewing! You're all awesome!
The next day, Genie started another letter.
Dear Ambassador Soval, If you say you won't judge me, then I guess I have no reason to keep my name from you. I started college courses this summer even though I'm seventeen, and I've heard a lot of interesting and conflicting stories about you. I'm surprised (and very pleased!) to see that you wouldn't try to change humans. I don't think I'd want to change Vulcans either, though I feel sometimes that Vulcans can be condescending to us humans. If I could change one thing about my own species...I'd make us more compassionate. We proclaim that we're a compassionate race, but I've seen firsthand the cruelty and hatred that nearly led us to destruction. I mention my college career only to bring up my Anthropology class (that's study of humans and human diversity, don't you know). Anthropologists claim that the trait that made us truly human was not bipedalism or tool use, but our ability to share our resources. In other words, compassion. Sometimes we forget that about ourselves, and it upsets me. I suppose I shouldn't wish (you probably think such a notion is illogical), but rather act. If I have any influence in this world, I'm ending xenophobia. If you could change one thing about your own species, what would it be? Also, what sort of government do you use on Vulcan? I've always wondered what it's like on your planet, but no one will tell me, because apparently no one knows. What's the climate like? What sort of living arrangements do you have? What's a typical Vulcan family like? Are you matrilineal or patrilineal? Your secret admirer,
Genie
She passed her mother on her way out of the house, and her mother gave her an odd look.
"Genie, your father says this last Friday night, you stayed up reading philosophy."
She blushed. "Oh, it was a gift from a friend. I need to go, mom."
Her mother gave her an odd look, then nodded and stepped aside.
…
Sorak handed him another note as he walked into his office. Soval glared at him with flared nostrils, as if to dare him to say something. Sorak had been working for Soval for 27 years, and knew better than to stare or speak, so he turned immediately towards his screen.
Soval closed the door and poured himself a cup of tea, reading the letter. Once finished, he leaned back in his chair, then started a reply.
Genie, If I could change one thing about my species it would be that we, like you, might be able to have and experience emotions. We have them, as you will know if you have read the book I sent you. It is just that, they are given to extremes that are dangerous. I think it would be agreeable if I could experience emotions that were less...extreme. Though all emotion is dangerous, as you well know from your own species. This fear you speak of, xenophobia, is one, and also why I asked you to banish your own fear. When we experience these things we are at risk of becoming those things. Fear of my judgment might well lead you to become xenophobic, not for any real transgression I have given, but through perceived transgressions you see in fear. This is something my own people struggle with even still. If you wish to end xenophobia, you must first end fear. We start with our own and that is the beginning.
What stories are in conflict that you have heard about me? I would be interested to know. It seems odd to me that I would be a topic in a college course. Feel free to ask me, there is no better source than the actual person, at least that is what I find.
Peace and long life, Soval
…
Genie smiled and took up a pen once more, but when she heard a knock on her door, she shoved the letter away under her covers. Her father poked her head in and smiled at her, and she greeted him softly.
"You haven't eaten dinner yet, Genie," he said softly. "Are you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm fine...just busy."
The admiral quirked an eyebrow. "Busy?" A grin spread across his face. "Busy with what, Genie?"
"None of your business, daddy."
"You talking with a boy?"
"Actually, yes, I am communicating with a male, but it's not at all what you think."
The admiral laughed. "Whatever you say. Be good now."
She waited until he was out of the room, then picked up her pen and paper once more.
Dear Ambassador Soval, I promise to banish fear if you answer my questions. No, I promise to banish it even if you never speak to me this way again. Anyway, I'm very touched that you'd answer the questions you have so far. There is no college course that I know of that focuses specifically on you, though I have some friends at college taking xenobiology, and they talk about you sometimes. Most people say you're grumpy or On the other hand, many of my friends always express interest in what you and other Vulcans are like beneath the facade you put on for public appearances. Some wonder what you do in your spare time, what you like to eat, if you smile when you're alone, if you sing in the shower, that sort of thing. I wonder about that too, but if you don't want to talk about that, I will not hold it against you. Personally, I'm not very picky when it comes to food, but if I had to pick a favorite, I'd say pizza. My favorite drink is eggnog (sans the booze, I'm only 17), and I like to read, play soccer, and play bass guitar when I'm not at school or studying or doing chores. Do you play any instruments? What's your favorite food? Favorite pastime? You don't have to answer about singing in the shower. A little too personal, am I right? It is always a joy to write to you. Which reminds me, I didn't thank you for the book you sent me. How thoughtless of me...thank you so much! I was very touched, and now I have your autograph! I'm a lucky girl. Your secret admirer,
Genie
…
Sorak held up a new letter as Soval passed his desk, and the ambassador took it without even taking his eyes off his PADD. Sorak watched Soval close the door, and he simply raised an eyebrow and went back to his work.
Precisely fourteen minutes later, Sorak heard him over the intercom.
"Sorak, could you get me some paper? There's a supply store down the street."
He affirmed his request and got up from his work, striding out of the Consulate with the briefest of nods to the secretary. The supply store was relatively empty, and he looked around for paper. There wasn't a great selection (not surprising in that age), but he picked up a packet and walked back towards the pay desk.
"Sorak!"
He turned, then raised his eyebrows at Admiral Forrest. The man was also carrying a packet of paper, and Sorak bowed his head in greeting.
"Good morning, admiral. I did not expect to see you here."
"Oh, well, my daughter wanted me to pick up some paper for her, and I thought I'd do it now before that meeting with Soval this afternoon."
"Ah..."
"What brings you here?"
"Osu Soval needed paper as well." Sorak didn't dare say more; he got the impression that whatever was said in these letters he was writing was private.
"That's nice," the admiral said absentmindedly, pulling out a credit stick. He was in front of Sorak in line, and held out his hand to him.
"Admiral?"
"Your paper. It's on me. Tell Soval I said good morning."
Sorak raised his eyebrows and handed over the paper, and the man paid for both their packets of paper.
"Admiral, that is most generous of you. I thank thee."
"You're welcome," he said with a wry smile. "Tell Soval I said hello."
"I will pass along your regards, and I will see you later today."
They nodded to each other, then parted ways.
…
Admiral Forrest walked out of the meeting, a little stunned and confused. He had prepared himself for every possible counter-argument he could come up with, but Soval seemed eager to get the meeting over with. He had conceded to more points, had argued very little, and had only corrected him once for saying something untrue or illogical.
Sorak sat down at his desk, and Forrest glanced at him.
"Is it just me, or is Soval much more...chipper than usual?"
"Chipper?"
Forrest smiled. "Um...cheerful. Agreeable. Accommodating."
"Ah...no, I have noticed a certain upswing in his mood lately. However, today he simply seemed preoccupied."
"Distracted? Yeah, I noticed that too...hm. Whatever has him in a good mood, I thank the Lord for."
"You find the ambassador disagreeable, admiral?" Sorak sounded a tad accusatory, so Forrest backpedaled.
"Well, I find him a lot more tolerable in this mood than his usual mood."
Forrest saw the tiniest smile on Sorak's lips, and he smiled in return.
"Yes, Osu is more tolerable this way. I too am grateful for whatever or whoever has put him in such a mood."
…
Curiously, Forrest ran into Sorak again coming out of Starfleet Command. Sorak had to deliver something for Soval, and Forrest decided to walk him part of the way back to the Consulate.
"Soval appreciates your gift," Sorak began. "He says he will put it to good use."
Forrest smiled. "I'm glad...so he's using it for what?"
Sorak paused. "He would not appreciate me telling you, but...Soval has been writing letters to a human for a few weeks now."
The admiral raised his eyebrows. "Oh...do you think he's...you know...interested in someone?"
"He does seem to be in a better mood than usual...I will let you in on a secret, admiral. Men like Soval don't do well without wives. It is...complicated, and I am not at liberty to explain, but he needs that...gentleness, that femininity, to balance him."
"Huh...well, did you catch a glimpse at this lady's name?"
"She never leaves her name on the envelope. Though she lives in San Francisco...she sent him one of your valentines on Valentine's Day, and they have been in correspondence since."
Forrest chuckled, then shook his head. "He got a valentine! How sweet!"
"I am fairly sure the ambassador does not even realize how much this correspondence means to him. He reads her letters immediately after he receives them, relaxing with a cup of tea. He sometimes requests things for me to include in with the letters he sends her in reply."
Forrest grinned. "Oh, boy...well, whoever mystery lady is, I owe her a lot. Soval's been more...less cranky than his usual self, and we don't spend hours arguing over minute anymore. I like a healthy debate as much as the next day, but fighting over petty details isn't very fun. He doesn't really pick fights over that stuff anymore. He's still not chipper and friendly, but he seems more...approachable."
"Indeed, I have never seen him so relaxed. She is very good for him, whoever she is."
"Mm...you have children?"
"I do not."
"Oh...my daughter has some mysterious pen pal. I woke her up late one Saturday morning, and she said she had been up all night reading philosophy."
Sorak raised his eyebrows. "Your daughter must be very intelligent."
"She said it was a gift from a friend. She goes to the post more often now, too...and she doesn't want me to see her letters."
"Is this normal behavior for a girl her age?"
"I suppose so. She's always been the quiet type, but she hardly ever keeps things from us, even things she's uncomfortable about. The neighborhood boys aren't nice to her...she avoids them, but when one tried to hurt her, she came and told me. I guess every teenage girl has a crush they don't want to tell their dad about..."
"If it is something that is worthy of note and worth your attention, I am certain your daughter knows it is in her best interests to bring it up."
"I hope so...she's a smart girl, if a little lonely. I wish she had made more friends, but she seems perfectly content with her books and her guitar."
"She sounds like a wonderful young lady."
He smiled. "She is, she is...a lot like her mother. Well, Mr. Sorak, it was a pleasure talking to you. This is where I leave you."
"Good night, admiral."
"Good night, sir."