The man and the bowling ball.
Mandy felt slightly strange as she stood in the parking lot waiting. She should have told him to pick her up at her apartment. She felt slightly stupid standing next to her car in an abandoned parking lot. She shifted uncomfortably and wrapped her arms around her trying to keep warm as it was starting to get chilly. She had gone for dark blue jeans and a red jumper today, keeping it casual. Though of course the red jumper set her dark hair of nicely and the jeans elongated her legs and (frankly) made her bum look great. She was surprised to feel slight butterflies in her stomach. She was actually looking forwards to seeing Sarek despite the fact that their last date wasn't all that great. But at least this time she knew what his motives were and it was bowling, it was difficult to be stiff and formal whilst bowling. And it gave them something to talk about even if it was the illogical nature of human sports.
The big black car pulled into the lot and smoothly landed. Sarek got out as she was walking towards the car.
"Miss Grayson." He said with the slightest bowing of his head that made her feel like she was important somehow.
"Hello Sarek, how has your weekend been?"
"It has been acceptable."
Mandy smiled as they walked side by side to the car.
"Care to expand?" She asked as he opened the door of the car for her. He seemed to consider it.
"Yes." He said and closed the door, she watched him walk with long strides to the driver's side. He shuffled in a graceful manner (only a Vulcan could shuffle gratefully) into the seat. He pressed his thumb to a tiny little pad and the lights came on.
"Good afternoon Ambassador Sarek." A computerized feminine voice came.
"Why are they always female voices?" Mandy asked before she could stop herself, for some reason the slightly seductive nature of the female voice pissed her off. Wait; was she getting jealous of a recording? That had to be a new low.
"I can only theorize. I will do some research on the matter."
"That's okay, something's in life are meant to stay a mystery."
"Why?"
"You're a scientist right? Before you were an ambassador? I remember you saying something about a science academy."
"You are correct."
"Well the whole point of science is answering questions; if you answer all the questions then science will become obsolete."
"Though I could argue that the universe is possibly infinitely vast and thus there will always be questions there is some logic to that statement. Do you still wish me to expand on my previous statement?"
"About your weekend? Why not?"
He looked across from her raising his eyebrow and Mandy knew he was considering whether that was an 'illogical' human statement or whether she actually wanted him to list all the reasons she might not want to know about his weekend.
"I'd like to know." She clarified.
"Do you mind if I drive as I talk?"
Mandy tried not to wince.
"I shall be certain to drive at least twenty miles an hour slower than last time."
Mandy stared at him.
"I was aware that as I was driving on Friday night you were grasping the edge of the seat with more force than necessary."
"Yes and thanks." Mandy muttered blushing.
The car lifted suddenly and Mandy grabbed the seat. She swore she saw a little smile pass over Sarek's face.
"You did that on purpose."
"I do not know what you are referring to."
He said it so innocently she almost believed him.
Mandy tried to stifle a laugh but ended up giving an undignified snort. Sarek turned from where he had been giving the bowling alley attendant a long and scientific lecture on foot fungi.
"Are you well?"
"Yeah." Mandy replied covering her mouth with her hand to hide the wide 'I'm about to laugh' grin. The attendant shot her a 'help me' glance over Sarek's shoulder. It wasn't that Mandy didn't feel sorry for him but she just didn't know how to stop a Vulcan on the warpath.
"Then there are the fungi that specifically attack the toenails." He continued turning back to the harassed looking assistant.
"Fine! Fine! You can wear your own shoes." He shouted in response.
"You seem to be displaying anger."
The assistant glanced at Mandy again with exasperation.
"Sarek, the young man is quite busy." She said making a ditch attempt to save the young man.
"The establishment is quite empty."
"But there's ball polishing to be done, right?"
The assistant nodded enthusiastically.
"Lots of ball polishing." He confirmed.
"As you are asking people to wear your shoes it is important that you understand proper footwear maintenance."
"I'll research it tonight."
"That is acceptable."
"Size five please." Mandy said stepping forwards to the counter.
The assistant gave her a sceptical look and then grudgingly handed her the red and white size fives. Mandy sat down on one of the old style red plastic booths. Sarek stood and watched her as she changed her shoes.
"Yes?" She asked knowing he was considering saying something.
"Will you also get angry with me if I tell you of various foot fungi?"
"Yes."
"But you are aware of the various foot fungi?"
"Yes."
"But you still wear the shoes?"
"They're bowling shoes; you have to wear them when bowling."
"The assistant said I did not have to wear them."
"You are the exception."
She finished tying her shoes and walked over to their lane number. Sarek followed her. She turned on the computer screen and Sarek took a step forward she smiled, he was obviously interested.
"Do you want to type our names in?" She offered.
Sarek nodded and went to the computer. His fingers flew over the keyboard and their names appeared on the screen above the lane, their full names. Mandy found herself smiling fondly at his precision.
"Sarek goes first." An over enthusiastic mechanical voice announced. The screen showed the score grid.
Sarek stared at the screen then looked around the bowling alley obviously trying to figure out what he was meant to do next. Mandy walked over to the rack of balls. She crooked her finger at Sarek and he followed her.
"Pick a ball." She said.
Sarek looked across the rack slowly.
"Is there some significance to the different colors?"
"They have different weights and different size finger holes, the pink and sky blue ones are for children. The dark green ones are the heaviest, though I suggest you try the purple it's a mid-level ball."
"Sky blue?"
Mandy smiled a little, she could make out the slight curiosity in his seemingly toneless voice. She wondered why she had previously thought him completely expressionless there was clearly something there. His curiosity was endearing it was a definite step up from the guys who pretended that they knew absolutely everything.
"This one." She said running her fingers over the smooth cool surface of the ball. His eyes followed her fingers path.
"An intriguing name for a color seeing that the color of the sky on earth is ever changing, not just from morning to night and with the weather. For example sometimes it's an orange red."
He laid his hand on an orange red ball.
"Is this called sky orange?"
"No that's more like a burnt umber color."
"Burnt umber, fascinating. On Vulcan there is one word for orange. Whether it is the orange of the scrub bushes or the orange of a sunset."
"Well if you like you could call it scrub bush orange and sunset orange."
"I think orange will suffice."
"Vulcan's' aren't particularly poetic are they?"
"Indeed. Poetry has not been popular since the time of awakening. I do have several volumes from before that period; you may borrow them if you wish."
She smiled at the offer; she could probably learn a lot more from reading a couple of Vulcan poems than a whole series of lectures. Poetry would allow her to see some of those illusive Vulcan emotions. Perhaps allow her to understand more of the little flickers she was seeing in Sarek.
"That sounds great."
"I will have somebody drop them at your place of work."
"You could just give them to me the next time you see me."
Mandy swore he smiled at that statement before turning to the rack and picking up one of the three deep purple balls between his hands.
"Is that too light?" She asked.
"For what purpose?"
"To knock over the pins. Look, you pick the ball that's the heaviest that you can lift comfortably."
"Vulcan's are three times as strong as Humans."
Mandy froze in the middle of picking out a ball for herself. Her eyes flickered to those big strong hands, such long fingers. Three times as strong, she imagined those strong arms wrapped around her, warm hands stroking down her body. Other interesting thoughts came to her mind and she had to grip the ball tightly to concentrate.
"Then uh..." She gulped. "Perhaps you should take the dark green one."
"If you think that's best." He agreed. He picked up the ball and walked towards the lane, he stepped passed the line on the floor and there was a loud buzzing sound. Sarek looked around eyebrow raised.
"You're not meant to step over the line." Mandy explained. He looked down and took a step backwards.
"Perhaps it would be best if you explain the rules to me."
Mandy smiled and she walked up to him, part of her wanted to reach out and touch his elbow but she had spent part of the previous day researching Vulcan culture and knew there was a no touching rule, which kind of sucked as she was starting to want to touch him. She had found what she read fascinating. Especially the philosophy of IDIC, the idea that all you should respect and accept all peoples, all races, all individuals even if you don't understand or assign to their beliefs. She hoped that their second date would last into dinner so that she could ask him more about those ideals. Particularly if he himself believed in them, she would find that... admirable.
"You stand behind this line she said walking up to it. Then you throw the ball towards those pins and it roles and knocks over the pin. The aim is to knock over all the pins you get two goes, if you knock all the pins over in one go it's called a strike and if you have one left that's called a spare."
I understand."
"Do you want to give it a go?"
"Yes." Sarek said. Mandy watched as he flung his arm backwards and then forwards with amazing speed letting go of the ball as his arm reached the top of it's arch. The ball arced with surprising agility though the air. It landed with a loud cracking sound as the polished dark wood splintered. Mandy stared open mouthed at the ball nestled peacefully amongst the splinted wood and dust. Its bottom curve not visible a few centimetres below the level of the cracked and ruined floor. She closed her mouth and tried to think of something to say but couldn't seem to come up with anything. Sarek looked at the ball with a certain lack of emotion.
"You would think given the weight of these balls they would reinforce the flooring."
"Gah." Mandy managed to say in response.
Sarek turned and looked at her.
"I do not know this word. Your expression suggests that this is not the desired result of the game."
"No." Mandy answered still shell-shocked.
"HEY HEY! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?" The teenage assistant was rushing towards them. His tone was angry but his face was simply shocked. Mandy felt a wave of sympathy towards him.
"I believe I am trying to play the bowling but your flooring is not strong enough."
The assistant gapped at him for a long minute.
"Dude! Seriously. I'm getting my boss."
The assistant stared at the hole in the floor for a while then turned and left.
"Have I caused a problem?" Sarek asked her.
Mandy took a deep breath.
"I guess it's that three times stronger thing"
"You are referring to the fact that I broke the floor?"
Yeah, that's not meant to happen. In fact I don't think this game was made with Vulcan's in mind."
"I was beginning to suspect that."
"The owner is going to be really angry."
"As I have accidentally destroyed his property that response seems an inevitability."
"Sarek, what are we going to do?"
"You do not have to do anything Amanda. I am going to pay the owner of the establishment for the damages I have caused. Then I suggest that to avoid further negative emotions being directed towards us we move to a different establishment."
Mandy actually felt a sense of reassurance at his calm words and steady gave.
"Okay then." She answered as a flabbergasted and very annoyed looking middle-aged man approached.
"Are you the owner of this establishment?"
"What did you do to my floor?"
"I broke it."
"You broke my floor."
"That is what I just said."
"You broke my floor?"
"Repeating the sentiment is not necessary. I am willing to pay for the damage."
"Like hell you will."
"I do not understand that statement."
The owner turned to her pointing at Sarek.
"Who is this guy?"
"I am ambassador Sarek of Vulcan."
The owner stared at him then looked back at Mandy.
"He's ambassador Sarek of Vulcan. DO you know what that means?"
"Of course I do." He said annoyed. "I'm not an idiot."
"It means that if you don't take the cash and let it pass you could be causing a diplomatic incident."
The owner froze his face turning from anger to shock and then to resignation in rapid succession. His shoulders slumped.
"I'll go calculate the costs." He said, broken, turning his back and heading back into the office. The assistant hovered nervously.
"You know, that was kind of cool." He said.
Sarek raised his eyebrow and the kid lost his nerve and fled back behind the cashier's desk.
Amanda felt herself smiling widely, partly with relief and partly because despite the destruction of property it really was quite 'cool' how Sarek had thrown the ball as if it were as light as a marble.
"Amanda, this situation would never have led to a diplomatic incident."
"I know."
Both Sarek's eyebrows hitched.
"You were implying that because you knew it would stop an argument from unfolding?"
"Yes."
"I admire the ingenuity if not the means."
"Thank you." She smirked and this time she was sure she saw his lips twitch.
They stood companionably next to each other for a few minutes.
"You realize that he's going to charge you double what it's going to cost."
Mandy said just for something to say.
"I don't doubt it but to argue would not cause any effect except to cause him greater anger and make the arguments last longer. I doubt that this will be an acceptable date if I spend it talking with an emotional male human."
"No, it really wouldn't."
Sarek glanced towards her again.
"Amanda. I hope that this incident is not going to cause your esteem of me to be lowered. "
"It was an accident. Accidents happen right?" Mandy answered. When she thought about it the little incident could have been avoided if she had just gone first so that he could better judge how and with what force to throw the ball. Of course as a modern woman she valued a lot of thing's more than strength but she still felt a little shiver at just how strong those muscles were under that lose 'hide all' shirt. It was nice to be enclosed by strong arms it made a person feel safe not that she could ever see him holding her in such a way. If she thought deeper then those other thing's that would be higher on her list of good attributes, intelligence and kindness rating the highest then she had to admit, Sarek did have them. His intelligence was obvious but his kindness, well that half hidden under the cold emotionless Vulcan front. The way he had interacted with patience and understanding around the children, the way he was so attentive to her, opening doors and watching her when he thought she couldn't see him. She'd known him for a week and he hadn't shown more than vague hints of feelings, so why did she feel like she knew him?
The owner came back. He was looking rather red.
"Here's the bill, I added the profit loses that closing that lane for a week will cause."
He said thrusting a PADD at Sarek.
"That is agreeable." Sarek answered having barely glanced at it. He reached into the pocket of his jacket and handed over a credit card. The Owner seemed annoyed that Sarek wasn't going to cause a fuss over being ridiculously overcharged, which from the evil little smile he had on his face when he came out of the office Mandy knew he was. He gave a little grunt as he took the card a disappeared out of sight again.
"He still seems annoyed even though I have paid for the damages." Sarek stated.
"That's because he wanted you to argue with him."
"That is illogical."
"He's angry; he wanted to get rid of his anger by shouting at you for a while."
"He should perhaps learn to suppress his aggressive tendencies then."
"Tell me about it."
"Well there are many ways that-"
It's one of those inaccurate Human sayings Sarek."
"Then you do not actually want me to tell you about various emotion suppression techniques."
"Perhaps over dinner."
"That would be satisfactory."
"Excuse me." The assistant had crept up to them. "Bob told me to give you this." He said handing out the card. Sarek took it with a short nod then turned to Mandy.
"Are you ready to leave?"
Mandy nodded and went to change her shoes. The assistant looked weary again as she handed them over, his eyes kept on flickering to Sarek as if frightened he was going to get another lecture. Mandy couldn't help smiling, the day was, despite its strangeness turning out to be rather fun. She turned towards the door walking out before Sarek could see exactly what the boy was going to do with those shoes. The moment the fresh air of the parking lot hit her she found herself giggling. Sarek glanced at her.
"Sorry." She apologized trying to stop. I'm not laughing at you just.." She couldn't finish the sentence she wasn't sure what she was laughing at.
"Do not apologize." He watched her for a moment as she tried to calm down.
"Do you find this.. Laughing, pleasant?" He asked curiously.
"Yes, I suppose."
"Then I am glad that I can cause this reaction in you, even if I do not understand it myself."
She didn't know what to say to that, it was rather sweet in a very strange way. As they crossed the parking lot together she had the desire to hold his hand, she glanced at those long pale fingers then taking a deep breath reached out and very lightly flicked her fingers across the back of his hand hoping he would get the hint, and if he had got the hint not be angered by it. The back of his hand was incredibly warm and surprisingly soft she felt a slight tingle, a lot weaker than the one she had experienced when they had shook hands. Sarek stiffened slightly then turned to look at her.
"Were you trying to get my attention Amanda?"
Mandy lost her nerve and shook her head.
"Just walking to close. Sorry."
He looked at her with knowing eyes and she reminded herself that he had identified when she had been lying before but to her relief this time she didn't cool her out on it.
Again he held the door to the car open to her before getting in himself. She sat watching quietly for a while as he tapped away at the cars computer. Mandy wondered if he was checking his messages, he must have had a lot but then she gave a tiny covert glance at the screen and saw he was looking at maps.
"What are you doing?"
"I am looking for the nearest bowling establishment."
Mandy stared at him a little shocked.
"We could go to a holofilm?"
"You wished to go bowling so we shall go bowling. Do not be concerned I will not cause any further damages, I shall adjust the strength with which I throw the ball."
"Well if you're sure." She answered definitely not sure himself.
He did not answer merely glanced at her and put his seatbelt on. Admittedly his driving had improved a lot but she still hurried to do up her own seatbelt. They drove in silence to the next town and Sarek landed the car smoothly. This bowling alley was on the edge of the town in a large entertainment centre, there were three restaurants a cinema, a nightclub and a games arcade. Sarek looked around with what she could now identify as interest. He opened the door for her and she stepped inside. He strode over to the welcome desk, the assistant here was a blonde teenage girl.
"Hi, do you want a lane?" She asked cheerfully.
"Yes."
"How many games."
He turned to Mandy.
"One." She answered not thinking she could get through more than one game with him. One was going to be interesting enough.
"Okay then. Lane three is free." The girl said happily, Sarek handed over his payment card and she flicked it thought the machine.
"Okay, what size shoes?"
"I do not wish to change my shoes."
"You have to change your shoes so you don't scuff up the lanes."
"I will not scuff up the lanes."
"It's the rules."
"The rules are illogical; tell me do you know much about foot fungi?"
Mandy went to sit on a sofa that had been placed nearby for waiting customers. She looked around wondering if there was anywhere nearby that she could buy popcorn.
Finally stood at the lane, both wearing their shoes Mandy couldn't help but feel worried. She made sure that she would be the one to take the first turn and glanced at Sarek to make sure he was watching her as she walked forwards and threw the ball with the confidence of somebody who went bowling a couple of times a year. She smiled as the ball veered slightly to the right but managed to knock down seven pins. Sarek was silent as she retrieved the next ball and took out the two pins to the left. She smiled as she turned to Sarek. He was stood completely unaffected with his arms folded behind his back.
"Your turn."
She felt nervous as she watched him taking the heaviest ball and walk towards the lane. He stood with his back straight as he threw the ball. She let out a breath of relief as it hit the floor with the slightest of thuds and slide down the exact centre of the lane knocking down all ten pins.
"Strike!" The computerized voice shouted displaying a small cartoon on the screen above the lane.
Mandy couldn't help the wide smile that spread across her face as Sarek turned to her.
"Must be first time luck." She said.
"I do not believe in luck, this game involves very simple mathematics and physics. I imagine it would be a good game for infants on Vulcan, it would test their basic abilities and help the strengthening of their upper arm muscles."
Mandy felt herself holding her breath with excitement. Sarek's first strike had not been beginners luck he had consistently got strike after strike throughout the game. The second time Mandy had laughed, the third she had felt slightly shocked, the forth she had made an inappropriate sexual innuendo (luckily Sarek didn't seem to understand the double meaning). At Sarek's fifth strike the couple in the next lane had stopped to watch. Five teenagers came in and began to watch at the sixth strike, by the seventh the young family from the other side and the teenage lane assistant had joined the little group. Now at Sarek's last turn there was a palpable excitement in the group.
Sarek swung his arm back and then forwards and let go of the ball. It hit the wood with a slight thud and rolled in a straight line down the lane. It hit the pins and nine of them fell. The last at the far left tottered on its rim for a long moment teasing them then finally fell. A loud cheer rang out from behind and Sarek turned to them and gave them a slight gracious nod.
Mandy stepped back for a moment watching Sarek as he graciously listened to the congratulations and all but the assistant dispersed. Mandy went up to him.
"Is it usual to gain an audience?"
"You were brilliant."
"Excuse me." The assistant said somewhat shyly. "Will you come with me please?"
"But I have not damaged any property."
"Uh, nothing like that, it's just we have a gift bag for people who play the perfect game. And I have to take a picture of you for the wall."
Sarek looked at Mandy.
"Okay." She answered.
They followed the girl up to the desk; she disappeared for a moment through a door behind the desk and then reappeared with a big foil balloon shaped like a bowling ball in one hand and a bag in the other. There was an old fashioned camera hanging from her neck. She held the bag out to Sarek.
"There are two vouchers for a free meal at the restaurant next door. A 'perfect game' hat, a desk top bowling alley, and a certificate." She gave Mandy the balloon then waved her hands at them. Mandy thought how much she would have liked to see Sarek in that hat.
"Stand a little closer."
Sarek took a step closer to Mandy but they were still stood over a foot apart.
"Little closer." The girl instructed.
Mandy went and stood right next to him.
"That's great." The girl lifted the camera and looked through the view screen.
"Okay, pose for the camera."
Mandy gave a ridiculously wide smile. The girl stopped and looked and lowered the camera.
"Smile."
"Does the camera require it to work?"
Mandy looked up at Sarek, he was stood stiffly with his arms folded behind his back.
"Believe me that's as close as you're going to get."
The girl pushed the button on the camera and then took the little square that had popped out the top. She waved it to dry it.
"That'll go on the perfect game wall. Would you like copies?"
"If Miss Grayson does not mind me having a copy of her likeness then I would like a copy."
"It's okay I'll have one too. It'll act as a reminder of when I went bowling with the Vulcan ambassador. "
"Am I not memorable?"
"I don't think I'm ever likely to forget this day."
"Is that positive or negative?"
Mandy just smirked
The girl smiled as she printed off two extra photos and handed them to Mandy and Sarek, he pocketed his and she put hers in her handbag.
The girl said something about being a cool game and then rushed back behind the desk as some new customers came in.
"Is it time for the next level?" Sarek asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Is it a suitable time to proceed to the next level of the bowling game? Perhaps I will find this one more challenging."
"There is no next level."
Sarek took a long moment to answer as if he were carefully considering his words.
"There should be another level perhaps with the targets at different angles or distances. In the third level they can begin to move."
"Perhaps you should try golf."
"You are not the first to suggest it."
"Do you require nutrition?"
"I am a little hungry."
"Where would you like to eat?"
"Perhaps the place next door."
"That is agreeable."
The restaurant was a typical old style American dinner it was the type of place her father used to take her every Sunday morning for pancakes and although not the type of place she liked to eat nowadays it was nice to take a stroll down memory lane.
"That table?" Mandy asked pointing to a little turquoise topped two-person table next to the window.
Sarek nodded. He pulled the seat out for her and she thanked him as she sat down. She had to wonder whether that little curtsey was a Vulcan trait or if he had been watching old Terran movies.
They both took one of the menus from the middle of the table. The menu contained a couple of salads, piles of breakfast foods, and seven types of burgers, various deserts and three pizzas.
"The menu seems a little limited."
"I think I'll have the pizza."
"Isn't that an Italian food?"
Mandy shot him an evil look. He stared back at her completely unmoved.
"I guess..." She admitted. "But it's the only Italian I'll eat and none of that thin base sprinkles of cheese types the pure American loaded type."
He nodded and looked back at the menu without comment.
"Want me to order for you?" Mandy asked. Sarek raised her eyebrow at her.
"Never mind."
"If you wish." He said closing the menu and putting it down.
Mandy smiled and decided to get him to try the veggie burger with a side salad.
She placed an order with the waitress and was pleased she could finally talk to Sarek about the things she wanted to talk about.
"I uh...I was on the net the other day and I found something really interesting on the philosophy of IDIC."
"Infinite differences in infinite combinations."
"I find it fascinating do you subscribe to this philosophy?"
"Yes. Most Vulcan's do. Though many have hidden xenophobia's."
"If I understand the principals' right then it's very admirable."
He gave a slight nod.
"I thank you. Would you like me to explain those principles?"
Mandy nodded. By the time her food came she fully understood the Vulcan's respect for all life.
"May I ask a personal question?"
Mandy nodded trying to swallow the huge bite of pizza she had taken.
"Please do." Mandy laughed, remembering how two days ago she'd been so unsure of whether he liked her or not because of that lack of personal questions. Now she knew he desired her she could laugh a little at it.
"Do you attain to any of the Terran religions?"
"No. My mother and sister are religious."
"Do you have any interest in science?"
"A little but to be honest I love literature, it's what I studied at college."
Sarek was cutting his burger up with the knife and fork.
"I find most Terran literature to be highly illogical."
"What have you been reading?"
"I have read a well-known twenty-first century author called Stephan King. The characters suffered such greed that they committed immoral acts as part payment on the frivolous items they wanted. These immoral acts, practical jokes, lead to arguments amongst the town people and eventually led to several individual deaths and a large fight. They acted in an extremely illogical and violent manner."
"It's a psychological thriller. It's meant to be slightly scary."
"Its purpose is to be scary?"
"Literature doesn't necessarily have to have a purpose. But I think Stephen King always makes you think about how malleable and susceptible Humans can be to manipulations and all those little faults that he points out aren't so little in reality. "
"I see. A piece of literature that makes the reader consider their faults is perhaps not as illogical as I at first thought."
Mandy took her third slice of pizza. She watched Sarek watching her and felt a moment of awkwardness.
"Um...The burger good?"
"It is acceptable."
"So if I was looking for a good burger would you recommend this place?"
"As this is the first burger I have tried I don't know how it compares to other burgers. If you wanted a recommendation then I would have to do further research."
"You know I'm going to have to ask you for a recommendation."
"I'd think you are a lot more knowledgeable on this subject."
"Yes but it's funny to imagine you going to every burger joint in town and trying the burgers, that would be at least forty burgers."
"I would not go to every burger joint in town. I would delegate that task to one of my assistants."
Mandy snorted into her cola choking a little, Sarek reached a hand out towards her then let it drop.
Mandy felt a blush rising up her cheeks. She quickly thought of something to say to hide her embarrassment as she wiped the little droplets from her face with a napkin.
"Want to try a slice?" She said pointing to her pizza.
"I shall try it." He raised his arm.
"What are you doing?"
"Calling the waitress to order...a slice."
"Just have one of mine."
His brows hitched that half-millimetre closer to each other.
"I'm not going to eat it all; I wouldn't have room for ice-cream."
"You eat frozen cream?"
"Wait, you've never had ice-cream?"
"I get my daily intake of fat, sugar and calcium from foods which also offer some vitamin intake."
"I'm getting you the banana boat."
"I do not know what that is but it would be illogical to assume it was actually a boat made out of bananas."
"Okay, first try a slice of my pizza then the banana boat ice-cream."
"Is this food sharing customary between humans?"
"Yep, most of our celebrations include sharing food, thanks giving, Chinese new year, birthday cake."
"And second dates."
"Some second dates."
"So it is not a traditional part of the second date?"
"Only if the second date is going well."
Sarek definitely smirked this time, just a little and he seemed to hide it by taking a sip of his soda. Then he reached down and took a slice of pizza, took a Bite slowly chewed and then took a second bite. Mandy took that to mean that he liked it.
They continued to talk about the Terran books Sarek had read until they had finished their food. Mandy ordered ice cream and almost felt like a little kid as she waited until the ice cream arrived wanting to know how Sarek was going to react.
Finally the waitress brought over her strawberry sundae and Sarek's banana boat. She quickly took a couple of bites as Sarek turned the bowl around with the tips of his fingers, inspecting it.
"It's not going to bite, it's food."
"That doesn't necessarily mean it does not bite."
"I'm guessing that's an interesting story."
"Do you wish me to tell it?"
"Later, your ice-cream is melting."
Sarek's eyes flickered briefly down to the bowl he picked up his spoon and almost timidly pushed it into ball of vanilla ice cream that rested between the two chocolate ones and popped it into his mouth. Mandy smirked as his lips pursed. His back straightened a tiny bit more.
"You don't like it."
"No, it is cold and sweet."
"That's why people like it."
"Vulcan's do not like cold or sweet foods."
"Perhaps I should try some Vulcan food."
"I believe you will like it. It has some properties in common with Terran Indian food."
"Cool."
"Yes, the majority of it is served cool."
He waited patiently as she finished the rest of her ice cream then they handed the vouchers over and got up to go back to the car. Mandy picked up the prize bag. Mandy felt the strange feeling that she didn't want the date to end. As they walked in silence from the dinner to the car there was an awkward silence they hadn't experienced all day.
"Can we do this again?" Mandy asked.
"Bowling and lunch?"
"No, another date."
He paused and those beautiful all seeing eyes focused on her. She felt butterflies dancing in her stomach.
"I shall have little time spare in the upcoming week. I maybe free in an evening by other than that not until the weekend. Though I will have some translations of those poems to you tomorrow, they will be delivered to your place of work. They lose a small percentage of meaning in translation but the only alternative is that you learn Vulcan within the next week. "
"I think it may take a little longer than that."
"Indeed."
She suddenly realized there was something she had forgotten. She reached into the bag and pulled out the blue hat with the "I won the perfect game' writing across it.
"Come here." She said.
Sarek took an obliging step forwards.
"Little bit closer." She said crocking her finger and talking as she would to a weary horse.
Sarek raised his eyebrow.
"To what purpose?"
"I want to put the hat on you."
"Does the hat have any significance? My eyes do not need any protection from the Terran sun so perhaps it is ceremonial."
"Yes it's ceremonial; it's the perfect game ceremonial hat."
"I do not think the game 'perfect' in fact it has many deficits the main ones being it gives no intellectual stimulation and lacks almost any strategy."
Mandy put on her best over the top pout. Sarek cocked his head to the side.
"Are you ill Amanda?"
Mandy sighed.
"No." She answered as she stepped forwards stopping a few inches from him.
Sarek's deep black pool like eyes stared down at her.
"Wear the hat."
"Tell me the reason for your insistence."
"Because it'll be fun."
"Vulcan's do not hold fun as high up on their list of priorities as humans."
"So it's actually on the list?"
Sarek gave out a little puff of air, almost like a sigh.
"It'll make me happy if you wear the hat."
"You are easily amused. Very well then." Sarek reached out a hand to take the hat but Mandy stepped up to him bringing their bodies within two inches of each other then she stood on the tips of her toes and jammed the hat onto his head. It made the tips of his ears awkwardly stand out and she reached up with her fingertips to try and gently lift the fabric over those points. Sarek let out a startled gasp as her finger brushed against the curve of his left ear. His hand reached out quick as lightning and closed around her wrist, too tightly for a moment so she gasped but the pain was gone a second later as he loosened his grip and held her with a surprising gentleness.
He moved her hand down to rest at her side and released her.
In shock she stared up at his face and saw a tension in his features but when he spoke his voice was gentler than it had ever been.
"My ears are a particularly sensitive part of my anatomy."
Mandy suddenly remembered him telling that to the little girl in the nursery.
"I'll remember that." She breathed not knowing why she suddenly felt a little weak and short of breath. His eyes bore into hers with an intensity that if it had been malicious would have made her turn her heels and run. But it wasn't and instead made her want to close that two inches distance between them and pressed her body up to that strong lithe warm frame.
"I would appreciate it."
"I'm sorry I caused you pain." Mandy breathed forcing herself to take a step away from him before she did something totally inappropriate, say kiss him. If he didn't like her touching his ears she didn't want to think how he would react to that.
"It was not pain." He answered, turning on the balls of his feet and heading for the car before Mandy had time to consider and question what he had just said.
Yes, all their meaningful conversations take place in parking lots. Lots of talking, I'll have to look at adding a little more action in the next one.
P.S. Re-uploaded with the word veggie burger, somehow I forgot to mention it was a veggie burger before.