Disclaimer – If I could claim Star Trek as my own I would
Earth date, February 2265 – S'chn T'gai compound, New Vulcan
The remnants of the S'chn T'gai clan gathered on the matriarch's grounds for the bonding ceremony of Elder Selek and T'Mardis. It was a break from tradition since all telan an'pre'le (adult bondings) took place privately between the couple involved or included just their parents and clan matriarch. But the V'Tosh were now living in extremely changed times; some traditions had to adapt to circumstances. After almost facing extinction any occasion that reminded the universe that the V'Tosh ha-tor (Vulcans renewed) had to be promoted for the morale of the community.
Well it was how T'Pau sold new ideas to the council. Activities that were considered private affairs were now reported on the commnets. Bondings, births and marriages, (if they were inter-species had their own sections on the online news casts, for obvious unspoken reasons normal *Vulcan marriages remained a private affair). Another break from tradition was to invite non clan members to the ceremony. Which explained the appearance of Admiral Pike and his bondmate Seria Maxwell, associates of T'Mardis and members of other clans including the eccentric K'st Kau clan. Sarek found it fascinating that such widely different people as T'Pau and T'Anna maintained a friendship for several decades. He supposed it was no different to the view of some of his peers at the time regarding his marriage to Amanda, which lasted longer than most expected.
Thoughts of Amanda reminded him of his duty to find himself a bondmate, as soon as possible. It was going to be a challenge to be with a Vulcan female after loving her. His mind was ready to move on but his heart was taking a while to catch up. Selek advised him to find someone that he found mentally and physically appealing and if time allowed to court her, perhaps a deep connection would grow. Having an arranged marriage where you only dealt with each other out of duty or every seven years or when one wanted to reproduce was not for him. Actually those types of marriages amongst even High Vulcans were few and far between these days.
Sarek headed out to the rose and cir-cen garden after the ceremony, tended carefully by one of his nieces who had a talent for gardening and who planned to be a horticulturist in the future.
He headed for the waterfall, it seemed a luxury on a desert world but the water was recycled and used to irrigate the garden. He came to a complete stop as he noticed a woman sitting on the wall, her hands swishing back and forth in the water. She looked up at him, Sarek was taken aback by the bright, black eyes staring back at him.
"Forgive my offence Ambassador." The young lady stood up, her expressions quite open, she wore Vulcan robes with an elaborate head dress. Her eyes revealed she was Betazoid. He was not aware of any from that planet on the guest list. Maybe she was invited by T'Mardis.
"I wanted to get some fresh air, and it is most peaceful out here."
Sarek held up his hands and motioned for her to remain where she was.
"There is no offence where none is taken." He responded. The many years as an ambassador and being married to Amanda had taught him the art of small talk, despite it not being a Vulcan custom.
"The waterfall and your clan's grounds are most pleasing to look at. Wherever I go on this world I am amazed at what the colony has achieved in such a short space of time".
Sarek had to restrain the pride in his voice as he agreed with the stranger's opinions of his people's achievements.
"Indeed the Diaspora has taken great strides. Our allies have also been most helpful. Especially the Betazoid people."
"Yes, my grandmother likes to boast she had a hand in that." The young lady smiled in response.
"Indeed." Sarek wanted to ask who her grandmother was, but maybe she meant her family had made sizable charitable donations. Besides the question was too personal.
As they continued to talk Sarek found himself drawn to the woman, by what she said he surmised she was not as young as he thought. He speculated that she was older than his sons but more likely young enough to be his daughter, but then technically so was Amanda, being forty years his junior when they married.
He held back a sigh, his courting skills were rusty. Besides this young Betazoid lady was not for him, a pity since she seemed a most charming woman. As he rose to excuse himself from her presence an older Vulcan matron entered the garden and approached them.
"There you are kan-t'nesh-veh. I have been searching all over for you. A Colonel Syret has requested an introduction."
T'Ynise got up and rolled her eyes, "Ko-mekh-il, do we have to do this now."
Sarek raised an eyebrow in surprise. 'ko-mekh-il', it seemed he was in error regarding the full heritage of this young lady. He knew K'st Kau T'Anna had Vulcan hybrid grandchildren, but had never met any of them. Until now.
"Forgive me T'Sai T'Anna, if my company is delaying your meeting."
T'Anna had not observed who T'Ynise was speaking to before she interrupted them. When she realised it was Ambassador Sarek she almost broke into a smile. It seemed ancient Vulcan buk (fate) had intervened on her behalf. She had been trying to find a way to get the two of them together since their arrival.
"Not at all, forgive me Ambassador." She looked from one to the other, Sarek's face was all Vulcan but T'Anna had not lived this long without learning something about men, she was a clan matriarch after all. And she knew if T'Ynise was not 'appreciating' his company she would not be out here talking to him.
"Grandmother, what are you up to? T'Ynise projected into her mind.
"Why don't you stay here my kan, I will let the colonel know that you are not available." T'Anne ignored her question and turned and left before her granddaughter could respond.
Sarek suspected the wily old woman was setting him up, but this time he had no objections. However perhaps the young lady had enough of talking to him.
"Please, do not let me keep you from your meeting." He sat on the wall and was ready to adopt a semi-meditative pose.
"Not at all, Ambassador, to be honest I prefer to stay out here if you do not mind."
Sarek decided to take advantage of the situation. "I have no objection. In fact, I find the present company most agreeable."
T'Ynise was not a high level empath-telepath for nothing, she knew when someone was interested in her and despite the Vulcan look on the ambassador's face she could sense his interest. And he was an attractive, powerful man. Whether or not she wanted to be involved with a high level politician was another matter. But unlike her cousin Seria, she was not going to deny her interest.
"In that case then let us be formally introduced. T'Ynise of the K'st Kau clan nee Edwards nee Betazoid House of Troi. It is an honor to meet you S'Haile."
She looked up at her him whilst bending her head. Her introduction was a traditional prelude to relations between two consenting unbonded adults. Depending on his reply it would mean he accepted her invitation on that basis or not.
Sarek recognised the words from one of the traditional, matriarchal clans of Vulcan. The V'Tosh did not 'date'; Vulcan males did not 'ask women out', in ancients times with some clans it was the women who made the first move by declaring the male challenge for her during his 'Time' or taking the man that she wanted. Ancient Vulcans killed for their mates, their females were not excluded from this practice prior to 'The Awakening. Surak reformed such practises and hence changed the way how a female challenged a male for his attention outside 'The Time'.
Sarek found her 'boldness' refreshing, he had never had a relationship of the sort he wanted with a Vulcan woman. Perhaps T'Ynise would end his dismal track record.
"T'Ynise of the K'st Kau clan nee Edwards nee Betazoid House of Troi. Sarek of the S'chn T'gai, House of Surak accepts the honour of your presence."
There, it was done. In a short space of time, two Vulcans of similar and different backgrounds had formally declared their interest in a personal relationship. Sarek quirked his lips as T'Ynise sat down next to him on the wall of the waterfall. Let battle commence!
Author's Notes
Spoken English is in italics, all other conversations are in Vulcan dialect
In my AU there are more than 10,000 Vulcan survivors, I have just over 2% living on colonies or off world at the time of the Va Pak, that is around 130 million Vulcans, of which 15 million formed New Vulcan.
*My interpretation of canon, Ponn Farr sets off a 'normal' Vulcan marriage (kal'i'farr) and is limited to only males, makes it more interesting since its give the women a lot of power hence most Vulcan culture is matriarchal in this AU.
My views on Vulcan females and Vulcan males are my own.
House of Troi (yep its the same Betazoid house that Deanna Troi belongs in the future, I'm assuming her father changed his name to her mother's name since Betazoid is a matriarchal planet lol)
Telan an'pre'le – bonding of adulthood
Cir-cen – cactus like plant
Ko-mekh-il – grandmother
kan-t'nash-veh – my child