Preparations
Personal Quarters, T'Kara Mol, 2288.07, 2054 hours. "Mama, you know that I cannot provide you with that information at this time."
On the screen before her her mother sighed. "T, honey," she said in a marginally patronizing tone, "I know you can't give me an exact date for your ship's return but how about an estimate? Surely you have some idea of when you'll be heading back to New Shannai'Khar. I'm only asking because now that the holidays are over it's full steam ahead planning for your bonding!"
Her mother's enthusiasm for the event mirrored her own and did much to relieve T'Alora of her earlier annoyance. "I do not have an exact date of return," she repeated, "However, I will make inquiries and get back to you with that information."
"Thanks, sweetie. That's all I ask."
Personal Quarters, T'Kara Mol, 2288.35, 0642 hours. They had already been speaking for 42.7 minutes and were only halfway through discussing all the items on Mama's checklist.
"Have you thought about where you'd like to have the ceremony? Did you want to stay in New Shannai'Khar? I'm sure we can find a suitable venue there, but if we did it in New Shi'Khar then we'd have the benefit of your sa-mekh-al's diplomatic connections… Oh, and there's this beautiful park where you could have it! It's public property but it's not too public. Of course we could find an indoor venue too if you want…" A sudden thought struck her and sent her off on another track. "Or did you want to have the bonding in New Gol? I know you said Veren's from there; maybe he wants to have it…"
"Veren has stated numerous times that he has no ties to the city of New Gol and it is of no consequence to him whether we have the ceremony there or elsewhere on New Vulcan. I am in agreement with him on this matter, therefore we will leave the location decision up to you."
"Oh. Alright then." Mama typed away at her PADD as she bit back a yawn; it was late in the evening in San Francisco and despite her obvious need for rest her mother insisted they discuss their plans. "New Shi'Khar it is. Don't worry, T'Alora, it'll be perfect!"
Personal Quarters, T'Kara Mol, 2288.61, 1001 hours. T'Alora returned to her quarters drenched in sweat, her muscles tingling pleasantly from exertion, to find Veren seated before her comm. On the screen in front of him her mother spoke in animated Vulkhansu. She caught the words music and rings.
"Ha," Veren replied evenly. "Gla-tor s'frei*."
Mama continued speaking and he repeated this refrain three more times before she saw her in the back of the room. "T'Alora!" She smiled wide. "I'm glad you're back. Thanks, Veren; this has all been very helpful."
He held his hand up in the ta'al. "I come to serve. Dif tor heh smusa*."
"Sochya e dif*."
As he rose from his seat his eyes sought out hers. "Your mother is most eager to discuss our bonding ceremony arrangements, Ha'ge."
"So I see." She held her hand out at her side and he pressed his fingers to hers. Veren's departure from her quarters was swift. Although she longed to take a sonic shower T'Alora knew her mother would not wait. She settled in her seat before the comm and steeled herself for a lengthy conversation.
Personal Quarters, T'Kara Mol, 2288.112, 1604 hours. "Ok, so your brothers will be your honor guard and your bell ringers will be Casey, Poleia and T'Melia, correct?"
She nodded. "Yes. I have asked each of the girls and they have agreed to participate."
"Good. Now comes the really important part—we need to talk about the dress," Mama dramatically declared. Her smile was bright and she was radiant with excitement.
"Yes." Her choice of bridal wear was one facet of the planning process that T'Alora had a definitive opinion on. She touched the screen before her and called up the file of designs she believed would best suit her for the occasion. All were traditional Vulcan dresses with different ornamental accents.
Back in San Francisco her mother took in all the sketches. "Very nice," she murmured to herself as she reviewed one image after another. "Very nice." Finally she looked up. "They're all beautiful. Which do you prefer?"
She instantly zeroed in on her top pick. It was a long dress with a high back that went from the nape of her neck to her ankle. The intricate embroidery circled the collar, the hem and the cuffs of the long trumpet sleeves. The cut of the garment also flattered her figure.
Mama clasped her hands to her chest and her eyes pooled with moisture. "It's divine," she gasped. "Have you thought about the c—…"
T'Alora pulled up the color swatches she had chosen. "I would like the dress to be made of a soft gold fabric in this hue and have the embroidery design incorporate these taupe, burgundy and chocolate tones. The honor guard outfits will be taupe-colored and the bell ringer garments will be made in this shade of burgundy."
"Lovely." Her mother sank back in her seat and gazed tenderly at the design. "T, may I make one little suggestion?" She nodded. "Might you consider swapping out the burgundy for a nice shade of green? Just to soften it up a little bit."
While she wavered and deferred to her mother over other decisions concerning her bonding in this she stood firm. Mama approved and made arrangements to commission a tailor on New Vulcan to create the masterpiece starting the following day. It was one of the swiftest planning calls she had had with her mother to date.
Personal Quarters, T'Kara Mol, 2288.126, 2313 hours. T'Alora sat on her sa-sugalsu's bed with her legs outstretched, a PADD in hand, before opting for the more unconventional pose of lying on her belly. She continued to read for 13.68 minutes before gazing up at the back of Veren's head; he had been studying his comm. screen most closely since she first entered the room, reading up on the latest external gravometric readings and attempting to understand how they were able to negatively effect multiple minor Engineering systems.
The problems were not dire, however, and she knew he deserved a respite from his work. Languidly she reached out and stroked the fine tip of his ear. His resistance toward her advances lasted all of 9.5 seconds before she heard a low, deep, purr rumble in his chest. Continuing her ministrations T'Alora was pleased to see Veren close his eyes and tip his head back an additional 12 degrees in order to provide her easier access. It pleased her to see him relax and know that she was affecting him on such a primal level.
Running her fingers through his hair T'Alora became lost in the sensations; basking in the luxurious feelings she was unaware of the heights of Veren's passion until the desk chair fell with a crash and she found herself promptly rolled onto her back with him lying atop her.
"You undo me, Ha'ge," he whispered roughly against her ear. She lifted an eyebrow and he added, "I have no complaints." Gently nipping at her ear lobe and nuzzling her neck she trembled with desire. As Veren brought one hand up to her psi points she reached for his waistband.
Later, when their passion was momentarily mollified, T'Alora rolled onto her back and stared up at the gray ceiling panels, her mind racing so that she could not sleep. "Veren?"
"Yes, k'diwa?"
"With regards to our bonding ceremony, do you feel that you are well represented?"
He rolled onto his side so that he might view her properly. "I do not understand your query."
She continued to look up at the ceiling. "You have made numerous concessions during the planning of our bonding in consideration of my family. You have opted to forego a wholly traditional Vulcan ceremony and have included a reception replete with Terran traditions that I know must impinge upon your sensibilities. I…" she faltered, "I fear it is not fair to you to ask so much when you will receive so little in return for your efforts."
His eyes blue-green eyes twinkled and the corners of his lips ticked marginally upward as he reached out and cupped her cheek in his hand. "Ha'ge," he said, tenderly rubbing his thumb along her cheekbone, "When will you realize your true worth? You are hardly little, and so long as at the conclusion of the day you are my adun'a, I am your adun, and you are satisfied with me, then the details of our bonding remain unimportant." She curled up into him, resting her head on his shoulder, and he pressed a kiss into her hair. "You are well worth every effort and were it required I would make still greater sacrifices on your behalf."
"I am more than satisfied," she murmured into his chest.
Having spent the night in his quarters Veren escorted her to her room the following morning to collect a data packet before heading to the Mess for breakfast. No sooner had they entered then the comm rang with her family's address in San Francisco scrolling across the bottom of the screen. T'Alora did not hesitate to answer.
"T'Alora, look I'm glad I caught you. I tried to reach you yesterday but you weren't answering. I've been talking to some caterers in New Shi'Khar and I wanted to know if…oh! Hello, Veren."
He made a slight nod toward the screen. "Good morning."
Mama looked from her to Veren and back again in puzzlement.
"Mama?" T'Alora inquired. They needed to reach the Mess in the next 5.6 minutes if they wanted to keep to their morning routine. "You had some questions for me regarding the caterers?"
"Hmm? Oh, right. You know, maybe if I had Veren's personal comm info. then I'd be able to reach you sooner and we could discuss these things as they come up."
Their mutual distress flared across the bond. Behind her Veren dared not even breathe lest he draw more attention to himself. T'Alora immediately began speaking on other topics in an attempt to side-step the issue before dismissing her mother so they could tend to their duties. How she managed to avoid providing her persuasive mother with Veren's personal contact details she did not know.
Personal Quarters, T'Kara Mol, 2288.199, 1458 hours. Having completed the rest of her personal chores during her day off T'Alora sat down before the comm to review her personal correspondence. Almost immediately she discovered a missive from her sa-mekh that intrigued her; it's subject heading read 'Invitation Mock-Up'. She quickly opened the letter.
"T'Alora,
This evening your mother and I received the initial run of your invitation. As she was running 8.73 minutes late for her department meeting she requested that I submit the copy to you for your approval. Please forward all remarks to your mother so that she may convey them to the printer for future copies to be distributed.
- Spock"
Scrolling down she found the scanned image of the invitation. There were two copies laid out side-by-side, the left in flowing Vulcan script and the right in calligraphic Standard.
S'chn T'gai Spokh and Nyota Uhura
Request the honor of your presence as their daughter
T'Alora Amadika
Allies herself with
Veren of the clan K'net I'nari
At 1800 hours on 2288.300
New Shi'Khar, New Vulcan
A trill of excitement went through her as she read the words not once, not twice, but three times. The script remained unaltered and yet the change within her was great. The preparations she, Veren, and her family had engaged in for the last 192.5 days were made concrete in only 7 lines.
And there were only 101.7 more days until the ceremony would come to pass. A small smile spread across her face at the prospect.
* "Ha. Gla-tor s'frei" = Vulkhansu, "Yes. I understand."
* "Dif tor heh smusa" = Vulkhansu, "Live long and prosper."
* "Sochya e dif" = Vulkhansu, "Peace and long life."
