Disclaimer – If I could claim Star Trek as my own I would
Earth date, March 28 2300 – Downtown Shi'kahr Uzhau, Vulcan Beta - Maxwell's restaurant Part II
The door swooshed open as they followed the manager. T'Ama was all geared up, ready to take her father on if he offered any opposition. Sodek strolled forward, then waited for her to join his side. As she looked around the room she took in the faces of who was waiting for them.
"Pekh" The words came to her mouth before she could stop them. It was going to be an interesting lunch.
Four pairs of eyes turned in their direction.
"Pekh, Ha it continues to be the most effective vikantau for farming. I believe Terran camel dung is gaining popularity in some regions."
Sodek glanced at T'Ama "Continue the conversation petakov" he mentally channelled.
T'Ama knew enough about her chosen's profession, but she almost gave the game away with a 'huh' expression. But she read the opening that Sodek had given her and took it.
"Ha camel dung very effective, indeed."
"Look at them, looking so cute talking shop" Uhura interrupted.
She rose and went to greet the couple. Spock, Sarek and T'Ynise stood as T'Ama and Sodek bowed their heads and performed the t'aal as tradition dictated. The Vulcan adults responded in kind.
"Greetings ko-mekh" T'Ama warmly embraced her mother. Uhura checked Sodek to see his response to such open emotion. She held her surprise as he held out his hand, unfazed by what he saw.
"Greetings Lady Nyota."
"Greetings and welcome Sodek"
Uhura led them to their seats around the circular table. A jar of water with glasses waited for their attention. An old desert tradition, the water blessing was a sign of acceptance and hospitality*. When Uhura's family was formally introduced to Spock, her mother performed the ceremony. She did not trust her husband not to pour the water over Spock's head, such were his doubts as to his suitability.* Uhura hoped her own husband also resisted the same temptation.
"I will not repeat your father's illogical attitude." Spock communicated.
"You better not, if you don't want to sleep with Snowy for the next month***." Uhura responded.
"Have you not stated in the past, Snowy is the only female I am allowed to sleep with?" Spock replied, his mental eyebrow raised.
"Don't test me adun." Uhura responded, her mental projection of defiant stance, arms crossed screamed 'this is not the time for Vulcan humour'.
Ambassador Sarek, being the leading family member present started the conversation. His wife T'Ynise sat on his left between Uhura and himself. Her left hand resting on Uhura's right leg. They agreed for her to act as a conduit, being the strongest telepath in the room, so she could communicate through Spock and Uhura's marital bond, her thoughts and that of Sarek.
"You desire to negotiate for my kofu-il S'chn-Tgai Uhura T'Ama M'umbha Nichelle."
"Ha kevet-dutar," Sodek replied.
Under the table T'Ama held his finger for support, not that he needed it, he was a logical choice for her. And he was not prepared to let her go.
"Why are your parents absent from this meeting?" Spock asked, his face was as stone cold as any kolinahru acolyte.
"We are incorporating both our traditions in the courting process. I believe it is a Terran custom for the groom to ask for the bride's hand in marriage. I researched the traditions to reflect her Kenyan heritage, there are many, but I chose the one reflected by the Rendille". ****
Sodek opened the bag he carried and placed a set of beads on the table. Uhura's hand went to her mouth, a gasp of surprise on her face.
"Did you tell him about this T'Ama?" Uhura asked.
"Ri ko-mekh," T'Ama grabbed Sodek's fingers even tighter, he had managed to surprise her as well. Her devotion for him swam between them.
Sodek continued, "My parents have accepted the logic of my presentation and are willing to begin formal talks upon completion of this meeting."
"Wow, he's got one up on you Spock, you offered baba a small goat as long as he did not eat it."
"An animal should not be sacrificed to show my devotion k'diwa." Spock answered.
"I agree safu." Sarek supported his son.
"After lunch you're all going to tell me what happened to the goat" TYnise chimed in.
Sodek and the adults continued to talk. In between the adults also conversed amongst themselves at the same time.
"So what do you think Ty?"
"I like him. T'Ama show knows how to pick them, if he were human I would say he is part African, part Japanese, with a touch of Celtic roots. That golden skin, upturned green eyes and wavy red hair. You will have lovely grandchildren."
"It is not logical just to dwell on his looks adun'a," Sarek joined in.
"Well the background check revealed everything else, you know he is not a criminal, educated, intelligent, and an accomplished farmer. Look at those hands and feet!"
"Ty I think you're Betazoid roots are showing. I don't want to know about large hands and feet,"
"I fail to see what his extremities have to do with his suitability."
"Trust me Spock, you don't want to know."
"Are you are referring to his sexual prowess Nyota?"
"No, yes, no,…not now Spock"
"I will ask them if they are sexually active." T'Ynise chimed in.
"Please don't!" Uhura almost shouted out.
"I do not see why not, none of us were inexperienced before we bonded." T'Ynise mentally huffed.
"I desire to change the topic," Spock added.
"And if you can read whether they are doing 'it', please don't tell us" Uhura continued.
"I desire to change the topic immediately, Spock repeated.
"Agreed," Sarek confirmed.
In the meanwhile T'Ama suspected something was going on, raised eyebrows, quirked lips, and her mother almost shouting out something made her realise some secret, telepathic meeting was going on. Without her. Anyway Sodek was holding his own, answering all their questions, engaging them and her in conversation. This was a good sign was it not, if they were going to disapprove they would have stated so by now? Right?
Her parents and grandparents looked at each other before Sarek spoke for them again. He took the beads and placed it in Uhura's hands. Not quite a Kenyan tradition but IDIC made it logical.
"The S'chn –T'gai Uhura clan welcome Sodek son of Tzerk son of Levez of clan To-ovau Tzk."
"Welcome my daughter's choice," Spock also stood and poured him a glass of water first, then added water to the other glasses.
"Kudau k'masu namtor (Be blessed by water)"
Spock raised his glass, the others joined him in accepting this young man into the clan. T'Ama tried not to smile, but her eyes gleamed brightly.
"Taluhk nash-veh k'dular, T'Ama" Sodek whispered to her.
"I love Thee Sodek, and later I will physically show you how much."
Sodek hoped Second Meal did not take too long.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Earth, Kenya, not far from Mombassa (night time)
(Talk in Swahili)
"Call from Nyota and Spock."
The communicator chimed just as Alhamisi was about to climb on his bed. His wife M'Umbha was still in the bathroom, but raced inside.
"Accept, accept," she shouted in agitation, grabbing a robe.
"Can't we let it record?"
"No, I am not recording a live call from our family in Vulcan."
The screen came to life, showing their daughter and her husband. Alhamisi came to grudgingly respect him over the years. After all any son of Sarek cannot be that bad, but did he have to marry his daughter? M'Umbha sat by the screen all excited, you would think she had given birth to Spock herself. From the moment she met him, as far as she was concerned she had another son, except he had pointed ears and greenish skin. Well as long as his little Ny and his grandchildren were happy, that's all that mattered.
"Hello my watoto,(children) what time is it over there?" His wife asked.
"It's afternoon mama, how are you faring?" Uhura replied.
"We are fine my darlings, but missing you as always. Is everything alright?" M'Umbha face showed her worried.
"All is well mama" Spock answered. "We have some clan news to share."
"You have decided to accept the promotion to head Starfleet, Admiral?" Alhamisi asked.
"No Judge, that is not the case, I have no desire to leave teaching at this moment."
Alhamisi was about to argue against his decision went Nyota chimed in.
"T'Ama is getting married!" She declared all excited.
M'Umbha jumped up screaming with joy, the ladies started chattering quickly amongst themselves. When they calmed down a little, Alhamisi seized the chance to get a word in.
"T'Pau finds him acceptable, Admiral?" he asked.
"Affirmative," Spock responded.
"Then I look forward to meeting this 'Sodek'.
"T'Ama will contact you as soon as possible Judge."
They continued to talk for another hour until Uhura decided her parents needed their sleep.
"Usiku mwema (goodnight) mama, baba" Uhura waved at them blowing kisses.
"Mpaka sisi majadiliano tena (until we talk again)" her parents responded, her mother returning the kisses.
"Live long and prosper Judge," Spock gave the t'aal in farewell,
"Feel free to call me Alhamisi, Admiral," Uhura's father returned, both ladies giving him a look of surprise. It had only taken forty three years.
Spock raised his eyebrow in response,
"Live long and prosper ..Alhamisi."
"Peace and long life Spock."
Author's Notes
Telepathic talk in bold type
Ok T'Ama does not say much since it's not her head on the block so to speak, Sodek has to impress the family, when she meets his parents the situation will be reversed.
*More fanon than canon, but for a desert race water would be a precious resource to Vulcans
**When Spock met the Uhura tribe will be a chapter in the 'The First time'
***Snowy – the family sehlet (I'll do a chapter on her)
**** Rendille – tradition for this tribe.
VLD
Pekh - faeces
Vikantau – fertilizer
Ha – yes
petakov – dearly loved, cute
ko-mekh – mother
sa-mekh – father
kofu-il – grand daughter
kevet-dutar – Ambassador
ri - no
sa-mekh-al-grandfather