Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. Thank you to everyone who is reviewing!
Soval slipped into his finest robes, turning his family colors outward as he adjusted the color. He made sure his hair was in place, staring at the mirror in wonder that he was even in this position. He had already sent Clove her robes, and the women had declared they'd be ready by the time he and Sarek arrived at their apartment.
His fellow ambassador strode in, dressed once more in his Shi'Kahrian finery, and Soval did not protest it. They were dressed as such to make a statement, and he privately thought they looked rather elegant as they nodded to each other and walked down to the aircar.
Suki was brushing her hair and putting the last of Sarek's jewels on, and Sarek gently caressed her face. "You look radiant."
"I feel like a princess," she replied, kissing his lips as Soval left the room. "I like that feeling."
He returned her kiss, stroking a hand over her elegant robes to smooth them, and to appreciate her lovely form all the more. "You look the part, ashaya," he whispered, then gently traced his lips along her neck. "Are you ready?"
She shivered pleasurably, turning into his chest. "I'd rather stay in with you..." She whispered kissing him again, "But then I wouldn't get to show off a handsome man, and beautiful clothing."
…
Soval entered Suki's room watching her silently tie the silk strands meant to hold her robes in place. He approached her when she was bent tying the waist off and ran his fingers over her round ears. "You look better than any vulcan woman. You are more pleasing to me than..." He felt her wrap her arms him pressing her cheek against his chest. He lifted her chin and kissed her.
"You look like a king, Soval, and you smell wonderful!" she squealed softly.
"And you she who will be my...mate." He caressed her cheek. "A princess, a true T'Sai."
"I guess that's the purpose of a ball, after all," she said with a giggle, then looped her arm into his and strode out, tossing her curled hair over her shoulder. "Shall we, my love?"
"Indeed we shall," he purred, and they entered the living room in time to see Sarek pull away from Suki and straighten his robes. The girls giggled, and Soval raised a half-reproachful, half-admiring eyebrow, and they proceeded to the aircar.
…
Soval stepped out first, followed by Sarek, and they ignored the thirty or so cameras flashing in their faces as they helped their T'Sais out of the car. Suki latched immediately to Sarek, and he strode confidently into the Senate building, which had a spacious and grandiose lobby, where the ball was being held. His woman strode with the confidence of a well-established house matron, as if she owned the place and was simply coming home from a day out.
Soval followed suit, letting his expression soften ever so slightly as they strode up to the building. He thought she looked incredibly lovely in her robes, and the purple hue made her eyes stand out. Suki looked equally as lovely, as the blue and gold of her robes made her hair even more radiant. They were arriving in style with two of Earth's most beautiful women, dressed to the nines like the princesses they deserved to be.
Bronswick and his wife were the first to greet both the Ambassadors, who then introduced their ladies to them. Bronswick's wife grinned, "I've never seen a human in Vulcan clothing..."
"It is tradition as one pledges to another that they accept the colors and symbols of the other's home. They are in your terms, who we are courting. We dressed them in our robes to show all that to us."
Bronswick's eyes widened, "So you did like them..."
Sarek replied, "Very much so. Thank you." he nodded and lead them into the large ballroom. Soval and Sarek corralled them to the side, "We must speak to several people, and after we will eat. Is that agreeable?"
Suki nodded and clutched Sarek even tighter as a group of rich older gentlemen scooted past them. "Let the schmoozing begin!"
Soval was about to comment on that when he felt a finger tap his shoulder. He turned and saw Maxwell touching V'Lar's fingers, as if they were bonded, and indeed he saw the glimmer of a full bond in Max's eyes.
"I see you found your ladies," the admiral said, giving Clove a once-over. "You look very nice in Vulcan robes, Ms. Harrington."
"Thank you, admiral," she said kindly, then nodded graciously to V'Lar. "I'm sorry, I don't know your name."
"Ambassador V'Lar, wife of Maxwell," she said, holding out her hand. Clove shook it enthusiastically.
"And you are Ms. Harrington, Soval's woman," V'Lar continued, apparently noting her robes. "And Sarek has found a human woman as well. It seems we were meant to be allies with your people, my dear. And it is very pleasing to see our males so content with you at their sides." She nodded graciously to Suki, then held out her hand for the other woman to shake. "Ms. Summers, if I am not mistaken. Perhaps we can all socialize later this evening, but I believe Max must do some...he called it 'schmoozing'."
Suki grinned, "Yeah, we do too apparently." she looked at Sarek who was standing near Soval, looking like generals pensive as they planned their attack.
Max chuckled, "It's a part of the job. We are at table 19, when the food rolls out why don't you guys come and eat with us."
Sarek nodded, "That is agreeable. I believe our table assignment is also 19."
Soval nodded, "Sorak and Sirak should be here soon, V'Lar."
V'Lar's eyes sparkled, "Oh that is wonderful. Max, you will get to meet your chosen brothers. Sorak is as a brother to Soval, which you already know him...Sirak looks much like him but he has golden colored eyes. They are twins you know." She turned to the girls as if something just occurred to her, "When do you intend on having children T'Sais? Vulcan men do find that...stimulating."
Clove blushed, but Suki laughed. "Oh, someday," the blonde replied for them both. "I know I'd like kids."
"Me too," Clove said. "I came from a family of four children. My great-great-great-grandmother had thirteen. I think that's a superpower right there."
Soval's eyes widened. "Thirteen children?"
"Yeah. She had two with her first husband, then he died, and then she had the other eleven with her second husband. All the kids worked in the vineyards. That's free labor right there."
The ambassador raised an eyebrow, and V'Lar smirked. "I am not sure he who will be your husband would want to father so many children."
"And I don't want to give birth to that many babies. I'd be just fine with two or three kids, personally."
V'Lar's eyes widened, "A most impressive amount of kids for vulcans, Ms. Harrington. You will make Soval the talk and envy of vulcan!" the elder woman saw the confusion in Clove's eyes and amended, "Three children on vulcan would be seen in such awe as your 13 children here on Earth. Vulcans are not prolific. My mother was seen in much esteem for baring 3 children, especially since two of them were twins, a rarity indeed."
"Oh, wow, so it 3 children...too many?"
V'Lar smirked, "I think your Osu will be most agreeable to such an increase of his house."
Soval nodded, "I will be more agreeable when we are bonded, Clove, anything after that will be considered..." he searched for the human terminology and Max could see him struggle.
"Bonus, Soval," Max said with a grin.
"Indeed. A bonus or boon." Soval looked at the pink blushing features of Clove and found that the conversation was most stimulating. The beast of his emotions banged behind his eyes begging for him to make it so now.
Clove blushed, but Max gently reminded V'Lar that the big brass were waiting on him, and so she looped her arm in his and wandered off towards the swelling crowd.
"Shall we?" Suki prodded with a smirk, and Sarek nodded in reply, schooling his expression and striding off towards a nearby group of curious senators. Soval followed suit.
"Ambassadors," they rumbled, then glanced at the two ladies with them. "What lovely women you've got there," an older senator said, raising his eyebrows. "And you are?"
"This is Clove Harrington and Suki Summers," Soval said, waving his hand in introduction for both of them, "our dates for this evening."
"A human woman for a date, ambassador?" another said, and they all either tittered or stared wide-eyed at the ladies. "How did this happen?"
"It is a long story," he said blandly. "However, it is agreeable to see you here, and to know that you are well."
Sarek stood next to Suki, guiding her passed the senators and soon Soval followed. The group of men stared after the two vulcans and when they were out of ear shot the eldest finally spoke up, "I feel bad for those girls."
"Why?"
"Can you imagine how dull a date with a vulcan might be..." The group chuckled and dispersed into the swelling crowd.
Sarek and Soval made their way to the bar, introducing the girls as random statesmen came up to them wishing them a happy holiday season. Soval turned to Sarek, "We must speak with Hedricks over there about the Denoblian accord."
Sarek nodded, "One piece of work before we can cease distractions." he turned to Suki, "Order what you wish from the bar. Soval and I will return presently."
Suki nodded and turned to the bartender, who immediately poured them champagne when they asked for it. Clove took a cautious sip and smiled at her cousin. "Can you believe this? Us, here with all these people...with Soval and Sarek!"
She giggled. "Oh, I know...it is rather exciting, isn't it?"
"I feel twelve again," Clove remarked ruefully, and she slipped into a seat at the bar.
"I've never seen a human in Vulcan robes," a masculine voice commented at her side, and she turned to see a man with expertly quaffed blonde hair staring her down.
"Oh, it was a gift, actually. From Ambassador Soval. These are his house colors."
The blonde raised an eyebrow, and Clove turned to see a dark-haired man was chatting with Suki. "So where are you from?"
"Arkansas, originally, but we live in San Francisco."
"I must say you love beautiful." The man said taking the stool next to Clove, "If you don't mind my saying." he said with a grin, "My name is Rainer Ransworth." He held out his hand to her.
Clove took it and he lifted it to his mouth kissing just above the knuckle. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. You are the teacher from the news aren't you?"
Clove nodded, noting he was still holding her hand, "Yes, Clove Harrington...you can call me Clove."
He grinned, "And you can call me anything you like as long as you smile. You have a charming smile." he gently sliding his fingers from hers, "I'm very proud to know someone so noble in their pursuits. You give to humanity, it's what we dream of as a society these days."
"Thank you," she said, feeling somewhat flattered by his compliments, but also uneasy.
"What inspired you to take this path?"
"We chose teaching to make others' lives better," Suki said, joining the conversation, but she felt it was wrong to exclude the other person. "And you are?"
"Dresdon Martinson, of the Martinson family," he said smoothly, leaning against the bar with a cocky grin on his face. "You're the teachers from the news. Ms. Summers, if I recall correctly?"
"That's me."
He smiled. "I think you look gorgeous," Dresdon said with a wink. "Vulcan robes and all."
Suki grinned, "Thank you. I really like them." She ran her hand over the fine stitching.
"You know my friend Rainer and I want to donate to your school."
"Really?"
Rainer smiled looking into Suki's eyes, "Yes, Dresdon and I have been talking about it since the incident. He and I both run several businesses, one of which might be able to give your school some...how should I say it?"
"Upgrading," Dresdon responded, "And we can work on the neighborhood too...I noticed the housing need some work. I've always found if you give someone something to take pride in, then their actions change. It might help."
Clove and Suki both looked astonished, "Yes, that would be wonderful. We've been trying to get the resources together to remodel and upgrade the school since we arrived."
Dresdon and Rainer nodded, and Rainer glanced over at the live band when a slow, classical song came on. "Would you ladies like to dance with us?"
Clove frowned. "Well, I by no means want to offend you, but I think I should reserve the first dance for my date." She looked around and saw Soval coming back with Sarek, and she flashed him a grin. "Soval!"
The ambassador glared at Rainer, who slowly backed up until he was a respectful distance away, and Clove hopped off her seat, draining the last of her champagne. "Would you like to dance with me?"
"Yes," he said, gently grasping her hand. "Come."
Suki smiled brightly at Sarek and set aside her champagne, and she nodded to Dresden and Rainer. "Come talk to us later about that donation, ok?"
The jilted men watched them walk to the dance floor with the vulcans, shaking their heads. Bronswick stepped up behind them, placing his hands on their shoulders. "They are beautiful woman aren't they..."
The duo nodded.
"I was expecting something...trashier, but no, these woman seem as honest as they are beautiful." Bronswick mentioned, and then grinned at the boys, "How does it feel to be thrown over for a pair of crusty old Vulcans?"
Dresden sighed. "It's whatever. If they want crusty Vulcans, they can have them." Rainer shook his head and turned his attention towards the other girls in the room, some of whom were eyeing him with welcoming smiles.
"Come on, bro, plenty of fish in the sea."
Bronswick watched them leave, then turned his attention to the girls, who were smiling as they danced with their Vulcan companions. He noted a few girls seething on the sidelines, watching Suki and Clove with cold, calculating eyes. He sauntered towards them.
"Come now, ladies, you look as if you're not having a good time!"
Brenda snorted. "Whatever. Hood rats don't belong with men like that."
Nina threw her wrap over her arm, "Truer words have never been spoken and when they get off the dance floor we are going to have words with the little beggers."
Bronswick looked away attempting to hide his amusement. It would be something to watch, and hear. He'd get a real feel for what these "hood rats" where about on how they handled a pair of spoiled high society women. He looked back at them, his face neutral, "I'm sure that isn't needed, ladies."
Brenda and Nina looked away zeroing in on the girls as they walked off the dance floor with Sarek and Soval at their sides.
"Excuse us, Senator, but we have some trash to take out."
They approached Suki first, who was in the lead. With venomous smiles they neared her, "How precious you look in your vulcan clothes. I'm sure the Ambassadors are the kindest men we know. Adopt a rat, dress her up, it's like that old story...what was it, Brenda?"
"Pygmalion." Brenda answered glaring at Suki. "You know where two fine gentleman take in street trash and try to turn her into a lady."
Suki's eyebrows raised and she took a long deep breath, "I know you both think you are so high above most of the people in this room, and especially us. But I'm going to have to say I feel really bad for you both. If you really believed that, I mean really seriously believed that...then you wouldn't be doing what you are doing right now. You see, ladies, we who have nothing to prove and who really like who we are...have the strength to say...You girls look lovely tonight, and not be threatened at all. We only attack what we fear might be better, stronger, or more than we are. " She took a step forward looking at both of the seething women, "I'm sorry you don't see that in yourselves." She nodded and walked passed them.
Clove followed Suki's lead and looked Nina right in the eye. "You really do look lovely tonight. I love your shawl, and it brings out the richness of your skin tone. You both look radiant, and if I'm not mistaken, there are a plethora of men at this ball who would love to dance with such lovely ladies. Happy Holidays!"
Soval narrowed his eyes at the women, then pressed on past them, ignoring their shocked faces. Once they reached table 19, Clove sighed and settled herself into her chair.
"Don't let it get to you, babe," Suki said sternly, and Clove smiled. "They're just insecure."
"And incredibly disagreeable," Soval added, sitting down next to Clove. "I have half a mind to go over there and give them a lecture on politeness."
"Don't," Clove whispered. "They're insecure, just like Suki said. And that makes me sad. I wish they could be more confident about themselves and not bring others down. That's not classy at all."
Sarek sat down next to Suki putting his hand on her knee to get her attention. When Suki turned to him his eyes were dark. "Did I upset you?" she asked softly.
"On the contrary, your statement was most logical, and diplomatic. Where did you learn such things?" He squeezed her knee reflexively.
She grinned, "When you deal with kids all day, and some of them want to be bullies or are victims of bullies, you have to be level headed about that kind of thing. Teach kids how not to be bullies or to be bullied. Who does a bully hate more than you?" Suki asked.
Clove smiled. "A bully hates themselves more, that's who."
Sarek smirked at Soval, "They could easily teach logic to our young."
Soval nodded absentmindedly, his eyes on the smooth expanse of Clove's neck, and he swallowed back a purr. "I am pleased with your response, ashaya," he whispered to her, stroking her neck with his fingers, and she twisted around to face him, her pink lips parted, her eyes dark and wide.
She smiled. "Oh...it's the way school is."
Soval smirked. "I believe they will be serving the food in a little while. And then there will be more dancing. Can I get you something?"
"No, thank you. I'm fine."
He nodded, and Sarek stroked Suki's knee under the table where no one could observe it, and he smirked as her scent changed, becoming more heated. "In any case, I believe we should have a discussion with those two men you were speaking with earlier. What did they want?"
"I'd like it if you did, Sarek, and you too Soval. They both said they owned construction businesses and wanted to help the school and the neighborhood. Clove and I are good with somethings, but I'm sure there would be a lot more things involved than normal with something as huge as that kind of donation." She slid her hand on top of Sarek's threading her fingers softly over his.
Sarek's eyes grew darker, "I should tell you, Suki, and Soval will agree with me as I am sure he experienced the same sensation."
Suki squeezed his hand gently, "What is that?"
Soval spoke, drawing both of their attention, "Vulcan men are...possessive. Extremely so. Watching them talk with you, how the one touched your hand. On vulcan I would be within my rights to challenge him to a dual for such a thing. That is, if you were my...telsu."
Suki clasped Sarek's hand, stroking her thumb methodically over his warm flesh. "But we're not engaged yet. However, if you feel the need to converse with them and ward them off with words, be my guest. Don't be too harsh, though. Any honest money we can put towards the school is a gain for the children. If they are decent individuals, they'd donate even though we're not personally interested in them."
Soval flared his nostrils, but chose not to speak. Clove watched the people on the dance floor with a soft sigh, and she lightly patted Soval's leg.
"Thank you for this, ambassador," she whispered. "It's very lovely."
His expression softened, and he lightly touched her cheek. "It was only right to bring you here. And there is still plenty of night to enjoy." He stood. Soval stood, "Come, Clove, let us enjoy more of the night before the food is served and we must socialize with others and I lose my dominance on your time." When Clove stood he pulled her close and spun her out to the dance floor.
"I didn't know you were so talented at dancing."
"At your side I can be talented at a great many things, Clove." he said caressing her cheek with the back of his hand.
"Where is the bathroom?"
Sarek stood, "I will show you." He lead her down the hall and once they were out of view of the group he stood near to her, "Before you go..."
"Yes?"
"I would be agreeable if you would allow me a kiss."
Suki stood closer and held up her fingers, "This kind?"
"Yes, and..." he stroked her fingers and leaned in pressing his lips to hers. Before this holiday was out, he and Soval would claim them as mates, and the deeper he kissed her the more he realized that needed to happen sooner.
