Chapter 37: Taking the Plunge

A/N: Romulanlover: well spotted about the Borg, though they weren't mentioned :-) The Borg didn't appear during the Dominion War, and I think – taking Voyager's timeline into account – that they were focusing their main activities in the delta quadrant (their home). Until, in my storyline, after the Dominion War, they get a bit too interested in venturing out of their home and pestering other quadrants.

By the way, you had mentioned wanting to see Kimara Cretak in this story. I have plans for her. Only your patience is required ;-)

Alaya Karangalan and christine79, it's always a pleasure to read your comments, and I'm so glad you're enjoying the chemistry between Asha and Vreenak.

As all of you are wondering whether Asha is pregnant: no, she's not, and the Tal Shiar didn't interfere with her bodily autonomy. It's a rather clumsy way of showing it on my part, but when she first arrived on Romulus, her cycles were all over the place and difficult enough already on Earth. Now her cycles have become quite regular, and when she ovulates, her senses become keener...it seems to be quite a frequent occurrence among Terran women ;-) Even after undergoing tubal ligation – as Asha opted for – women continue to ovulate and menstruate. I love your attention to detail, and you may want to keep that information stowed away in your minds :-)

Today's vocabulary lesson: khnai'ra: thank you; lagga: Romulan flower. Both found on fandom websites.

Rhian was preparing Asha's poetry for publication, convinced that it would stand a good chance. Asha was very sceptical. "I'm a total beginner, and I'm Human," she protested. "Won't they think I'm taking a liberty with their language?"

"It's your language, too, and you are a Romulan citizen by marriage, limited rights be damned. Besides," Rhian leant forward with a shrewd look in her eyes, "if you publish this, it will count as a huge bonus when you apply for full Romulan citizen rights. It will soon be two years since you arrived on Romulus. You have to be strategic about your poetry even when it comes from your heart. Be aware who your readers are and what they like."

"What if the Tal Shiar tries to interfere? I'm sure they're keeping an eye on Thorek and me."

"Since I will be acting as your publisher, there will be little the Tal Shiar can do, especially with your poetry being dedicated to Romulus and your Romulan husband. Much as the Tal Shiar despise Thorek, even their hands are tied since he is a Romulan with full rights and the director of an important branch of education. Nor has he himself committed an offence against them."

Asha remained sceptical.

"If they can force their own citizens into marriage, who knows what else they might do? Besides, I didn't commit any offence against them either. Rhian, these people are happy to invent offences just to have an excuse."

Rhian touched her forearm. "I am aware of it, Asha, but it is also time to stop hiding your talents. Do you truly want them to dictate your writing life?"

"Okay. You're right. And Thorek is my muse," Asha stated.

Rhian laughed. "Have you told him that he's your muse?"

"Not in those words, but I'll try."

While strolling together with her husband and set'leth in the woods, she recalled Rhian's question and told him: "Thorek, you're my muse."

He actually grinned. "E'lev, I have been described as many things. Muse has never been among those descriptions."

Thorek was becoming used to Asha staying up late at night to edit her poetry, and when she expressed doubts about publishing it, he said: "From the moment you started writing, you were subconsciously preparing to publish your poetry. As soon as you set down your words so they are visible, they are meant to be read."

"Well, it depends by whom."

"Come, Asha. It's time to at least try. Rhian has published many books. You are in the best of hands, and I'm not saying that because she and I are friends."

"I know."

"She has told me that you are being frightfully stubborn and you need to be pushed. I know that you are content with the job you have got, but it's far too limiting for you, and you know it."

"Romulans are so self-confident."

"Ah? Now who is starting with the Romulan-Human comparisons?" he teased her. She laughed.

"Are you going to tell Vreenak?" he asked.

"No."

"No? But you are friends?"

"I only want you, Kihika, Christine and Vekal to know."

"Maybe you do have a point with this difference of attitude in Humans and Romulans. A Romulan would have been, to use your expression, shouting the news from the rooftops. Our decor might be quite spartan, but our attitudes are not."

"Poetry can be as intimate as making love, my deyhhan," Asha pointed out. "One has to be choosy about who gets to know about it. Besides, Vreenak hated my holonovel."

He smiled affectionately as he looked at her. "Are you afraid of baring your heart and exposing it to criticism, then?"

"Well…Yes. And a fear of taking an arrow to the heart because once published, my words will be exposed and vulnerable…Yes, I know there will always be criticism. One can't be everybody's darling. But I fear it will be such criticism that it might stop me from writing altogether or something."

"Then you are listening too much to your fears, my ailhun. On the other hand, no one can force you to publish your work, naturally."

She raised her chin, just like he had expected her to. "Oh no, I've already made up my mind that it will be published. Rhian and I just have to figure out a good time. I want to take the plunge."

Right on cue, Lilou, jumped into the river flowing parallel to the path, for most set'leths loved to swim.

"It would seem Lilou thinks so, too," Asha remarked.

Thorek smiled, pleased about Lilou's timing and that he had achieved the effect he had wanted.

"So, will you be including that poem about our nights in Mirek?" he whispered in a low voice.

Asha burst out laughing. "Oh my goodness, no! That's only for the two of us. Would you really want a whole bunch of people to know about your genitalia in vivid detail?"

"I don't see why not, as you seem to derive enormous satisfaction from my…endowments."

Asha was laughing so hard that she had to sit down on a log. Thorek, too, laughed.

Finally, she dabbed at her eyes and coughed. "Maybe you should publish your own book, sex god," she suggested, standing up.

He hugged her to him. "I will require a lot of assistance from you."

"Which I will give most willingly." She leaned in and kissed him.

During the next weeks, Asha and Rhian spent their time closeted away in the library, Lilou nestling at their feet or padding around the room until she was sent out into the garden. Kihika brought them cups of tea and snacks.

It was an anxious and exciting time for Asha, knowing that the hard work might pay off – or not.

One evening, they had Christine and Vekal over for dinner, and both of them were eager to know about the publishing date. Asha hemmed and hawed and said that she would tell them once she knew for certain.

After their meal, Thorek and Vekal relaxed over a bottle of kali-fal and Romulan chess. The two women went upstairs to the library with Lilou padding after them. Christine managed to coax Asha into sharing a few poems she had no intentions of publishing. One was on the brutality of Reman slavery and the unwillingness of Romulan politicians to treat them as individuals with their own rights. Christine whistled below her breath.

"I love this one, but if you published this…" she said. Asha sighed. "Yes, it's a huge taboo. I'd probably be picked up at midnight and shot. Thorek agrees that Remans are treated like dirt, but he also insists that someone has to mine the dilithium. I bet that if Romulus was less stingy with its resources, other ways could be found. Romulan technology is highly advanced."

"For the Romulan government, it would be a waste of resources. Sometimes, Romulans can be so pragmatic that they lose sight of their moral compass," Christine remarked. Then she turned to the other poem. Her eyes widened and she giggled.

"This would get you picked up at midnight and shot, too! Asha, this is a very graphic description of a sexual encounter." Her eyes twinkled. "May I be bold enough to say…your sexual encounter?"

Asha grinned. "Yes."

"And so tongue-in-cheek, too!"

"It was either that or terrible purple prose."

"Has Thorek seen this?"

"Yes. He, er, liked it very much."

Christine snorted. "I'm not surprised. Maybe I should share this with Vekal."

"No way! This poem is staying right here!" Asha exclaimed, horrified.

Christine laughed. "I'm joking. But honestly, Asha, this is sexy and sweet. Listen, have you ever been to a love spa?"

"Not yet. Thorek did suggest we should go to one during the autumn festival. Have you been to one?"

"Yes. It was wonderful. Romulan couples go regularly to love spas, usually once or twice a year. It's like an annual honeymoon. You'll find newlyweds or partners alongside couples who have been together for hundred and fifty years. There are activities like flower or fruit picking, swimming, hiking, treasure hunts, massages, and nocturnal programs. Sleeping underneath the stars, going on a yall'ianen ride around the site...And loads of aids to try out during intimate moments. Neatly arranged in full view with holographic instructions, by the way. Romulans are very practical about sexuality. We Humans try to relegate all that to a hidden corner, even in this century."

Asha recalled having seen signs pointing out the way to brothels and love spas as if they were just like any other business.

"Romulans oscillate violently between political repression and sexual openness," Asha remarked and told her about the signs.

"It's hardly surprising, seeing how much in touch Romulans are with their sexuality. It's a good thing. Humans could learn from them. Love spas are not brothels, though. Love spas celebrate the concept of closeness and love between a Romulan couple. They're both businesses, of course, but it's a huge insult to mistake a love spa for a brothel."

"That makes sense. The two can't really be compared," Asha agreed.

Christine leant back, her face mischievous. "I remember my first visit to a love spa. It was fantastic. Vekal and I went on a hiking trip and made love in one of the cabins built expressly for that purpose. We also visited the Firefalls of Gal'Gathong. That's a must, too, but it's difficult finding a good time. The place is cluttered with people during the Romulan festivals."

"Yes, Thorek mentioned them. Can you recommend a love spa?" Asha asked eagerly.

"Sure," Christine said happily, jumping to her feet. "Where's your PADD?"

It had become a tradition for Asha and Vekal to spend some time near the Y'gora tree and talk about her life on Romulus. "Thorek tells me you are reluctant and eager at the same time about getting published," Vekal observed.

"It feels like publishing my heart," she admitted. "I know how awfully sappy that sounds, but it's so personal."

"Writing is to a writer what painting is to a painter," he summarised.

"Yes, that's a great description. It's a bit like giving birth. I'll be sending you and Christine a copy the day before my book is published."

Vekal smiled. "Thank you, my paenhe. I am looking forward. Will Senator Vreenak be enjoying the same honour?"

"Uhm…I am really uncertain how to proceed, eneh. The Senator has become a good friend, but he is also…well…a Senator. We enjoy talking about poetry, but that is poetry by great Romulan poets."

"You refer to yourself as a beginner. Yet he was impressed by your recital."

"That's because he simply plucked me from the audience and I was forced to improvise."

"Precisely. Improvisation is part of an artist's skills."

"Eneh, are you suggesting that I tell Vreenak?"

Vekal pursed his lips. He disapproved about her friendship with Vreenak, but he also knew that it was none of his business.

"I am not suggesting anything, Asha. It depends on whether you think he will stand in your way when you get published or not."

"He can be rather ambiguous. I guess it's partly his nature, partly his being a politician. I've not had the courage to ask him whether he pulled off that stunt in order to help me or blame me."

"You'll know what to do," Vekal replied neutrally.

She nodded, appreciating his refusal to get involved or give unsolicited good advice.

The wind blew through the trees, and bright yellow petals rained down on their heads.

"Do you remember what you told me about the Y'gora tree when we met for the very first time? Golden petals in summer, silver in winter. Transition and change. Then I cried and you comforted me. I trusted you as soon as I saw you."

"I will never forget," Vekal said softly. "And today you know that you have the spirit of a raptor. Did you think back then that you would publish a book in Rihan?"

Asha laughed. "Never! Why, I could just about stumble through a few sentences of Rihan. If it hadn't been for Rhian, Thorek and all of you, I would still be stumbling along."

"Somehow, I doubt that," Vekal said, rising and taking her hand as she held it out towards him. Together, they re-joined Christine and Thorek.

"You are thoughtful, Asha," Vreenak said. They were sitting in the hall of his summer residence. Lilou, who had grown even more, was playing with a toy Vreenak had obtained for her. It had been Letant's idea.

"If you want to endear yourself even more to her, you had best spoil that set'leth of hers."

"I doubt Asha will be fooled by such a ham-handed ruse," had been his comment. But he had nevertheless ventured into a pet shop, carefully disguised, of course, and bought some oddity or the other.

He had given Asha the toy, stating dryly: "As Lilou insists on accompanying you so faithfully, she ought to be rewarded for her loyalty."

Asha had thanked him warmly, thought she had smiled in a certain way which made it clear that she knew what he was trying to do.-

"Yes, I am." She looked at him and made up her mind. "My tutor is encouraging me to publish my poetry."

"Good. It was high time," Vreenak remarked.

"Merken, when you chose me for an impromptu recital…Why did you do so?"

"I was curious to see how you would react."

"That's all? With no consideration for how uncomfortable I felt?"

"No one ever made a big step without a solid amount of discomfort involved," Vreenak observed.

"True. But…I mean…why did you decide to make me deliberately uncomfortable?"

"Ae you asking if my intentions were to humiliate you or push you out of your comfort zone?"

"Yes., exactly. I've been wanting to ask you all along."

"I understand your question and hesitation. I am sure your good sense and your friends have advised you to tread carefully around a Senator, haven't they?" He studied her face with his piercing blue eyes.

"That's correct," she admitted with her characteristic frankness.

"It is sound advice. But rest reassured that I did it for the second reason."

"Really?"

"I had read your holonovel. I noticed that you handled words well, though you were quite unflattering about Romulan stamina where alcohol and other details are concerned. You are a highly qualified xenolinguist. You told me about your attempts to write poetry in Rihan when we first spoke to each other. It is extremely unusual when a Human writes in Rihan about Romulus. Unusual, and most bold. Besides-" he paused.

Asha looked questioningly into his eyes, and he couldn't help smiling at the innocence her expression conveyed.

"Once I had spoken to you, I believed it was worth cultivating your friendship. Your conversation and presence are very refreshing."

Asha smiled as she deciphered his lofty vocabulary. She was becoming good at guessing at his feelings by listening how he used language.

"I agree that we had good chemistry from the start," she said.

"Succinct and to the point," he commented, smiling again. "May I humbly express my ardent wish for a copy of your writings?"

Her dimples emerged. "I'll send you a copy right before it is published."

"Khnai'ra, Asha. Why, you are blushing like a lagga," he remarked. A lagga was a beautiful flower with scarlet flowers, and it was often used as a term of endearment.

"You're most welcome, Merken. I'm shy about seeing my writings in print and other eyes besides my own reading them."

"I will be very straightforward with my criticism. The same goes for my praise, but as you know, I am notorious for being generous with the former and sparing with the latter."

"I think I won't send you a copy after all," Asha said, frowning.

Vreenak raised his eyebrows in an exaggerated manner. "What! You choose to deprive me of your writings? How very unkind of you!"

Asha chuckled, enjoying their banter.

"The poem you recited at my request…Is it included in your book?"

Her eyes sparkled. "There's only one way to find out. You'll just have to wait for your copy."

"Is that so? Surely my senatorial rank will allow the privilege of my receiving a copy well in advance of the publication date?"

"Certainly not."

He actually threw back his head and laughed. "Alas, I will resign myself to waiting. But how about showing a little mercy and revealing the publication date?"

Asha grinned. "That will have to wait, too."

"You are driving a hard bargain, Asha Sen t'Darak!"

"Naturally."

They laughed together.

"Very well. I will wait. Should I not receive a copy, then I will lay the matter before the Senate."

"Agreed," she teased him back, and they rose to check on how the nesting birds in Vreenak's garden were doing.