"On the 29th of May in the year 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the peak of the tallest mountain on Earth, Mount Everest, or Chomolungma, as it was called in the ancient native tongue of Tibet."

Amanda and Selek were sitting in the shade of a tall, spiky tree in the courtyard of the Children's Institute. Selek was pouring over Amanda's PADD, which she had filled with information on the natural wonders and curiosities of Earth the night before. Amanda herself was sitting with her back to the tree, a confused tangle of threads in her lap. T'Iva had been attempting to teach her to make a traditional Vulcan charm, which she said would help to bring Amanda calm and clarity. So far it was only proving to be frustrating and clumsy, but Amanda was determined to get it finished.

"Where was your birthplace, Amanda? Have you ever seen Mount Everest?" Amanda looked up at Selek, who had apparently become bored with simply scanning facts and wanted to engage her attention again. She had told him to start calling her Amanda instead of Miss Grayson - she liked the young Vulcan, and in honesty she was sick of hearing people call her by such a formal title day in and day out.

"I was born in Oregon. It's in North America, in the north west. I've never seen Mount Everest, although I'd like to." Amanda replied, glad of a distraction from her fruitless efforts with the threads.

"Would you describe Oregon for me?"

"Are you full of questions today?" Amanda asked, setting her work aside.

"I apologize, I will refrain from asking any more."

Amanda shook her head - she had to remember that Vulcans weren't familiar with teasing or sarcasm. She had to keep modifying her speech to state everything as facts, which was proving more challenging than she'd supposed. "I don't mind. I'll tell you about Oregon, if you like." Selek sat up straighter and folded his hands in his lap, looking expectant. Amanda smiled inwardly. "There are many high mountains there - the Cascade Mountains. They're not nearly as high as Mount Everest, of course. They are much older, so they've been worn down over time. There are beautiful lakes, and tall trees everywhere. There is a lot of green - foliage, I mean."

"The lakes are of water?"

"Of course."

This seemed to satisfy Selek for a while. He returned to scanning Amanda's PADD, and she wearily picked up her tangle of string and started trying to remember what T'Iva had said about making the loops and knots with her fingers. She was convinced that Vulcan fingers were much more dexterous than a Human's. T'Iva's fingers had moved swiftly and confidently when she'd shown Amanda how to make the charm. It had only taken the woman ten minutes to make it - Amanda's was taking more like thirty.

"Do you enjoy my cousin Sarek's company?" Amanda nearly jumped. She looked up at Selek, confused and not a little embarrassed. Fortunately her practice with Ataur had enabled her to keep this hidden from Selek.

"Why would you ask that?" Amanda said. She didn't want to answer Selek's question directly. It wouldn't be at all polite to tell Selek that she found Sarek's company unpleasant, even if he was only twelve. In fact that would be more reason not to confide in the child.

Selek regarded her solemnly for a moment, then returned to looking down at the PADD in his lap. "I had no real motive in asking the question." Amanda watched him for a minute. Somehow, she didn't believe him. They hadn't ever spoken about Sarek before, and Amanda found herself wondering if the two of them had perhaps spoken about her. This thought made something flip over in the pit of her stomach.

"Altitude sickness seems very unpleasant." Selek said, in what seemed to Amanda to be a very casual tone. She would have frowned, had not her training restrained her.

"Did you perhaps get the impression that Sarek and I are not friendly?" She asked.

Selek looked up at her and blinked. "I thought we had dismissed that subject. But I will answer your question." Amanda wanted to roll her eyes - Selek was teasing her, in that very measured, incredibly subtle way that Vulcans used. "When I last witnessed you and Sarek in conversation, you were displaying signs of anger. Has he offended you?"

Amanda opened her mouth to say "yes, very much so, his very presence offends me", but she closed it again. Sarek really hadn't done anything worth her anger since the ball at his father's house. She licked her lips - a very Human habit, but Selek didn't seem to mind. "Not exactly." She said carefully.

"I was under the impression that he was attempting to apologize for something." Selek said, giving her the somber, dark eyed stare of an innocent Vulcan child. Guilt pooled up behind Amanda's barricade. She hadn't wanted to remind herself of how badly she'd acted on that day. Of course, every time she thought of or saw Sarek, she was reminded of that day. Perhaps that was what made his presence so unpleasant to her.

"Indeed." Amanda said, a little more quietly than she had intended. "Selek, I suppose you know that since I am Human...I have less control over myself and my emotions than you or Sarek does. I shouldn't have let my anger influence me so much during that...interaction with Sarek."

Selek watched her expressionlessly. "I am aware of the emotional instability of Humans," He said, but in a way that didn't sound offensive to her. "I do not believe, however, that you are emotionally unstable."

Amanda felt a little comforted by this reassurance. "Thank you, Selek. I am not as stable as a Vulcan, though. I am still learning to restrain my emotions. My reaction to Sarek was a mistake, and I dislike myself for the incident more than I dislike him." Where had those words come from? Amanda swallowed - yes, that was really how she felt about it. Her unfavorable impression of Sarek was stemming from her own shame about her behavior. He had once insulted her for her weakness, and she had yielded to it in front of him. It was embarrassing. "Perhaps I should...apologize to him." She said, a little uncertainly.

Selek nodded, as casually as if they had been discussing the weather. "Yes, I believe that would ameliorate the tension between you. Sarek is very interesting and I enjoy his company. I find you interesting and enjoy your company as well. It is logical that you should be friends with Sarek." Amanda stared at the boy for a moment, but he was already absorbed in a new subject.

"Were you aware that at 28,000 feet above Earth's sea level, Mount Everest is comprised of Ordovician limestone?"

Amanda's thoughts of Sarek were put to one side later that afternoon. After having spent most of the day working with students at the Children's Institute, Amanda was taking some time for herself in one of the larger market squares of Shi'Kahr. She was supposed to be writing up her notes from the day, but she was taking a break to people-watch. She had found a very cosy spot in the shade of one of the taller buildings, on a low decorative wall. She was fascinated by the daily lives of the Vulcans around her. She had expected a busy market place to be loud with people talking and shouting, the sounds of animals for sale and traders crying out their wares. Instead, the market was a very peaceful place, where Vulcans passed between modest booths and shop fronts, negotiating their purchases in calm voices. There were quite a lot of people around, of course, but the noise level was surprisingly low. Amanda found it soothing, and she loved watching Vulcan families going about their day. It was as if she were sitting in the center of a stream, watching water flow around her.

Just when she was feeling as though she should really start working on her notes, Amanda was pleasantly surprised by a flash of Starfleet colors among the somber robes of the Vulcans. Lieutenant Kirk and a few of his fellows were strolling out of a side street. They were far louder talking to each other than any of the Vulcan shoppers, but Amanda was pleased to see that they weren't being particularly outlandish in their attitude. When Kirk caught her eye, he smiled, and Amanda felt herself awash with a pleasant warmth. Meditation was very calming and centering, but there was nothing like a little kind Human sentiment to renew and refresh. Amanda raised a hand in a wave to him, and he returned the gesture. After pausing a moment to speak to his friends, Kirk came over to her seat in the shade.

"Afternoon, Amanda." He said, his blue eyes cheerful. "Are you enjoying the market too?"

"I thought I would spend some time here to relax." Amanda said.

Kirk nodded. "May I join you?" He asked, and Amanda nodded and gestured to the wall beside her. The lieutenant sat down, taking a cloth out of his pocket to wipe sweat off his forehead. "I'll tell you, it's hot as hell out here, pardon my French." Amanda smiled at him.

"I've always wondered why that expression is still in use, as French has been an almost dead language for the past century." She said.

"Trust a language scholar like you to know that." Kirk said. "But it's a good thing that you found this spot in the shade. Aren't you roasting in all that heavy cloth?"

Amanda shrugged. She had gotten used to the elaborate dresses drapery that Vulcan women wore. "It's really not as hot as you'd think. But this does get a little stuffy," She said, gesturing to the gauzy scarf that she wore over her hair. "I think I'll take it off for now, if you don't mind."

"Not at all." Kirk said, waving a hand at her. "Do the ladies here wear them for religious reasons?"

Amanda unwound the scarf from her hair and folded it in her lap. "I don't think so. Really, it helps keep the sun out of your eyes, but I'm not sure that Vulcans need to protect themselves from glare as much as we do. It's so fascinating how different we are from them."

Kirk shook his head. "I have to confess, there's only one difference that makes me feel on edge," He said. "It feels so strange to be around people who won't convey emotion. I feel like I'm surrounded by statues. It makes me feel clownish and rude even when I'm not being obnoxious." He grinned at her, and Amanda couldn't help but return the smile. "I've cut down on the obnoxious since we got here, don't worry."

"I know what you mean, but there is a lot to learn from them in that regard." Amanda replied. "Since I've started studying Vulcan meditation and restraint practices, I've felt so much more in control of myself and my attitude. It makes you feel really...clear."

Kirk raised his eyebrows and leaned back. "You're studying Vulcan meditation? I hear that stuff is really secretive and complicated."

Amanda smiled at him. "I found it difficult at first, but then I -" She stopped. Her eyes had just found the figure of Sarek across the square, his tall form instantly recognizable. She swallowed.

"But then you what? Something wrong?" Kirk looked around to follow her gaze. "Do you know that guy?" Amanda blinked slowly and set her jaw, trying to dislodge the fluffy clouds of confusion that had suddenly taken up residence in her mind. She instantly plated the walls of her refuge in steel. Kirk seemed to notice the change in her expression - or more accurately, her complete loss of expression. "I'll take that as a yes."

Amanda softened slightly. "Yes, I know him. That's Sarek; he's going to be the new Ambassador to Earth." For some reason, her stomach was twisting itself into a knot that felt strangely like guilt.

"Really?" Kirk peered more closely at the distant figure of Sarek. "He looks a lot younger than I expected. Our age, really."

"He's...young for the position." Amanda admitted. For some reason she couldn't take her eyes off of him. Sarek was speaking with one of the stall vendors. Amanda couldn't see exactly what sort of stall it was - there were two chatting women standing in the way of the wares. It struck Amanda that Sarek's profile was really, well, striking. She had imagined, back on Earth, that all Vulcans were lean and wiry, but Sarek's broad shoulders were a contradiction to that assumption.

"Amanda? Is something bothering you? Because you're drooling." Kirk's voice brought Amanda back to the present.

"What? Drooling?" She said, a note of panic in her voice as she turned to face Kirk again. It was strange - where Sarek was dark and almost sullen in features, George's face was bright and open. Those blue eyes really were very blue.

Kirk chuckled. "Just kidding, you weren't drooling. I guess I've got my work cut out for me at this upcoming shindig, though. I'll have to act as chaperone!" Amanda could feel a blush rising to her cheeks, similar to the horror rising in her chest.

"Oh, no, that's not it at all!" She protested, her hands clenching on her scarf. "He's horrible!"

Kirk raised an eyebrow. "Horrible?"

Amanda bit her lip. "Well, not horrible...but he's not exactly friendly."

"Amanda, he's a Vulcan. Their friendly is a lot different than our friendly." Kirk said with a grin. "I've got to get back to my crew, but I'm glad I ran into you. Just keep your eyes open, all right? I'd hate to think that you got mowed down in the street because you were watching some handsome Vulcan guy." He waved, and left Amanda sitting mutely, twisting her scarf in her hands. Sarek wasn't handsome. He was too surly and sullen! His jaw was too square, and his shoulders were too broad, and his features were too sculpted, his eyes were too deep...Amanda swallowed again. She really couldn't think about Sarek like that. It was...weird. Trying to distract herself from these unfamiliar thoughts, Amanda bent to work on her notes, typing furiously across the screen of her PADD. The work was soothing, and she managed to get about twenty minutes of good writing in. She was so absorbed that she didn't notice a long shadow mingling with those of her shaded corner.

"Miss Grayson." Amanda gave a little jump and looked up. Her heart gave a weird little jump, as if it were trying to sink and flutter at the same time. Sarek was standing over her, looking clean-cut and official in dark brown robes. Apparently he had finished with his errands, as he was holding a wrapped bundle in one hand. Amanda, the walls of her refuge bending with effort, managed to keep her face still and calm. Could he see any signs of what she had just been thinking about on her face?

"Hello, Sarek." She said after a moment to gain her composure.

"Do you often come to busy metropolitan centers to do your studying?" He asked, and Amanda thought she detected another hint of the strange Vulcan playfulness in his tone. It was incredibly off-putting, hearing it from Sarek. Amanda powered off the screen of her PADD and sat up straight.

"I find the background noise helps me concentrate." She said, truthfully. She realized how awkward her position was, sitting down and looking up at Sarek. She moved to get up, but Sarek shook his head. "No, don't get up, I don't have any time to talk."

Amanda would have frowned in any non-Vulcan company. It was annoying that he assumed she wanted to talk to him. He continued, saying "Besides, you have lost your scarf." With one smooth movement, he retrieved it from the wall beside her and held it out to her. "The sun is still strong at this time of day. A sunburn would not be pleasant." Amanda hesitated and reached out to take it. As she took the scarf, she felt a jolt of electricity as his fingertips brushed hers through the gauzy fabric. This time there was no horrified reaction, however. Their skin had not actually touched - still, it was an erotic gesture. It was tantamount to Sarek suggestively licking his lips, or letting them brush her cheek. Amanda felt a ferocious blush surging to her cheeks, but Sarek simply straightened up and gave her a nod. Amanda barely remembered to let her hand drop as he pulled his away.

"Good afternoon." He said, still completely composed, and then went on his way again. Amanda sat there frozen for a few moments, dumbstruck. It took her a while to verify that this hadn't been some strange daydream, brought on by work and the heat. That was...that had been...In all her life, Amanda had never found hands to be particularly erotic before. Sure, fingers were useful, and hand holding was always lovely and affectionate, but she would never have gotten into such a big fluster over just touching a guy's fingertips before. It was embarrassing!

Perhaps I'm picking up more Vulcan sensibilities than I thought, Amanda thought as she carefully wrapped the scarf around her hair once more, going more slowly than she normally would have done. Her head was still full of muddled, confusing thoughts as she gathered up her things and went home. Once there, she lit some of Ataur's candles and tried to wash her puzzlement and embarrassment away. She felt much better afterwards, but tucked away in her mental refuge the excitement over the incident still remained.

"Well." Amanda stared at her reflection in the mirror. She kept meaning to look away, but she found that she couldn't drag her eyes away. "Do you think it'll do for the ceremony?"

"It will do very well, t'sai." T'Iva said. Amanda finally managed to look over at the woman, a smile glowing on the inside. T'Iva really had outdone herself. She had worked on Amanda's dress and hair for the better part of two hours, and the result was, well, Amanda had to admit it, delightful. The dress was a work of art in gauzy, almost glittery fabric, in a pale shade of olive green. There were hints of blue here and there that accented the color and played up the hue of Amanda's eyes. T'Iva had coiled her hair into a complex, shining knot at the back of her head, inter-woven with ribbons of the same color as the dress. She had studded the design with shining pins that had the sheen of mother of pearl. Amanda admired the result with wide eyes. She couldn't believe that the shimmering creature in front of her was...her!

"Do you have doubts about your beauty, ko-kan? Perhaps you are having trouble with your eyes." Amanda turned to see T'Rea standing in the doorway, resplendent in her own beautiful robes of lavender gray. It reminded Amanda of the color of a moth's wing. T'Rea herself was far from fluttery, however.

Amanda would have laughed, had it been that kind of company. "No, T'Rea, I believe my eyes are fine. I was only expressing...insecurity."

"Your insecurity is illogical," T'Rea said, matter-of-factly. "Obviously you are a very attractive woman." Amanda knew that T'Rea was joking with her, in her own very subdued way, and the knowledge of this warmed her inside.

"Well, thank you." Amanda said, stepping away from the mirror with a little exertion of will. "I suppose our conveyance is waiting to take us to the ceremony?" T'Rea nodded at this, her elegant hands folded. Amanda swallowed. Ever since she'd run into Sarek at the market square, she'd had strange, twisty feelings whenever she thought about the prospect of the Ambassador's celebration. The head scarf she'd worn that day was also tucked away in a drawer apart from the others, although she would not have admitted that to anyone. Now that the evening was upon her, Amanda felt alight with excitement. The dress, in all its gorgeousness, was adding to that.

"We shall depart, then." T'Rea said, sweeping through the door. Amanda followed close on her heels, feeling the whirring excitement build in her. She wasn't quite sure what to expect at this celebration, but that was part of the enticement.

Author's Note: So this chapter may have been a whole lot of nothing. I was planning for this one to be the big party, but of course I started rambling…and then I had hit 3k words and I was sleepy XD Next time, I promise!