Impressions
Personal Quarters, Vulcan Space Program Headquarters, New Shannai'Khar, 2288.290, 2238 hours. T'Alora put away the last of her clothes in the bottom drawer of the dresser alongside Veren's clean sweaters. Down the hall in the kitchenette she listened to him rinse off the dinner dishes before retiring to the adjacent living room for the evening.
The T'Kara Mol touched down without incident on 2288.275 at 1100 hours local time—exactly 3.146 years after her departure. She and Veren were assigned on-base housing after disembarking and had slowly been moving in amidst the myriad number of debriefings scheduled by the Space Program Council. Once they dispensed with their duties and were granted leave they traveled to New Gol, visiting with Poleia, Ferlan, and their ko-fu, Kaia, as well as the extensive T'nar M'ren clan. Their tour of the agricultural dome was impressive and it was clear to T'Alora that her friend was well-settled and content. The young couple also visited the city itself and Veren led her around to the landmarks from his youth: the open air market, the apartment block he formerly shared with his sa-mekh, the school he attended, and the orphanage where he later lived. It was, T'Alora quickly discovered, a very enlightening and enriching experience for them both.
Walking down the hallway now she joined Veren on the sofa. In 3.29 days they would journey to New Shi'Khar where they would spend a week at her sa-mekh-al's house greeting and entertaining family and off-world guests prior to their bonding. Sitting beside him T'Alora rested her head on his shoulder and Veren twined his fingers with hers. She sensed his excitement over their upcoming nuptials and also, for the first time, his trepidation. "Your family is very distinguished," he declared, thinking not only of her immediate clan but also her extended family from the Enterprise."I very much wish to make a good impression and am uncertain that I will do so."
She squeezed his hand. "You need not fear; I know that they will all welcome and accept you." T'Alora continued to reassure him by reminding him of their successful visit with Se'tak 1.36 years previous as well as the comm calls exchanged with Mama, Sa-mekh and Selas.
"You are correct, Ha'ge." Veren slipped his hand out of hers and gently stroked her index and middle fingers. She could tell that her encouragement did little to ease his apprehension. T'Alora curled her feet up onto the sofa and rested herself against him more fully, literally and figuratively demonstrating her support. His anxieties would cease soon enough and in only 10.79 days they would be full-bonded and able to enjoy many such quiet nights as this in one another's company.
"Parted from me and never parted. Never and always touching and touched…"
S'chn T'gai Clan House, New Shi'Khar, 2288.293, 1144 hours. Sarek looked down from his second floor window and watched the young couple disembark from their hover cab. This was to be his first meeting with he-who-was-to-become-his-sa-fu-al, and he eyed Veren closely as he assisted T'Alora out of the automobile before retrieving their luggage. Sarek had offered to collect the pair from the transport station in his own hover car but they politely refused, no doubt wanting to extend the last few minutes of privacy they would share before the weeklong celebration began. There was a time where he was of a like mind but that was before Amanda's passing and the destruction of Vulcan; now Sarek welcomed the press of family and as it were he already thought their visits were too far and few between.
Veren settled the bill then proceeded up the walk with T'Alora a half step behind him. He was tall, even by Vulcan standards, and carried himself well; this boded well for him and yet Sarek still wondered at their relationship. Having been bonded twice he understood the complex nature of the commitment they were about to embark upon and thought that perhaps his ko-fu-il was not as well-informed upon the matter as she should be. T'Alora was wise but she was full young and the pledge she was about to make was not one to be taken lightly.
So much about the upcoming ceremony differed from tradition, from the young couple's first meeting to the service itself. His own first bonding with T'Rei bore little resemblance to the commitment Veren and T'Alora were about to make. Their bonding was a merger of influential families—that he and T'Rei were ill-suited for one another was inconsequential to their elders. By the time the ceremony took place Sarek was far in his Time and had only the vaguest recollections of the service (and later of Sybok's conception). It was no wonder that the relationship collapsed shortly thereafter.
However, in this rebuilt society all had changed; the rite of Telan t'Kanlar* was little observed now—and while in the immediate aftermath of the Destruction there were legitimate concerns for the well-being of the men without a ready mate, their unease proved to be unfounded. Spouses were finding one another in much the human fashion—through multiple episodes of courtship—before mating for life. The koon-ut-kalifee ritual was also being phased out as a result of these newer, stronger bonds.
But what precisely did that mean for T'Alora and Veren?
Sarek continued to watch unobserved as the couple approached his door, and it was providential for him that he did so for he quickly recognized that theirs was a true love match. Though he took the proper protective stance ahead of her Veren reached for T'Alora with his free hand, their fingers grazing in a tender, affectionate embrace. Such had been the way between him and Amanda when she was still living. His ko-fu-il was fortunate indeed in her choice of mate…almost as fortunate as he had once been.
He descended the staircase and answered the door as they rang the chime; before him stood T'Alora and Veren, both models of Vulcan decorum. Veren held up his hand in the ta'al. "Dif-tor heh smusa, Osu Sarek."
Yes, Sarek thought to himself as he returned the greeting, The future is much altered and traditions have changed, yet the Vulcan essence has prevailed.
Transport Station, New Shi'Khar, 2288.294, 0950 hours. Nyota rocked back and forth on her feet, struggling to keep her expression neutral as other passengers bustled around her. Today was the day she'd be seeing T'Alora for the first time in over 3 years AND she was going to meet Veren! It was all so exciting she simply couldn't keep still.
She slipped her arm through Spock's and gave it a little squeeze as they waited. T and Veren were picking them up but their transport got in earlier than expected; while they waited the kids went off to collect the luggage.
"They will arrive presently, k'diwa," Spock said as he patted her hand.
"I know, I just…"
Before she could explain that she was ready to burst from all the emotion her adun nodded toward the door. "I believe the children are here."
Nyota's head shot up; Spock was correct as she caught sight of Veren making his way toward them with T'Alora just behind. He stood a head taller than any of the other passengers in the terminal and was easy to spot. She stifled back a happy cry, not wanting to make T'Alora self-conscious with any emotional displays—at least not in public. Once they were back at Sarek's house she knew she wouldn't be letting her go anytime soon.
Or at least that's how she thought their reunion would play out; to her amazement T'Alora embraced her first. "Greetings, Mama."
She sank into her daughter's arms. "Oh T!"
Nyota felt rather than saw T'Alora's smile. "I have missed you very much as well."
As T'Alora moved on to embrace her sa-mekh Nyota took a good look at Veren. "Dif-tor heh smusa, Nyota." He then surprised her by embracing her in a hug of his own. Her shock must've been apparent because when he stepped away he looked at her rather quizzically. "Is that not how family greet one another?"
She smiled. Veren was trying so hard to impress her when he didn't need to; he'd already won T'Alora's heart and that was all that mattered. "It is," she acknowledged.
After greeting Spock they collected the others and picked up their bags. They quickly exited the station and proceeded toward the parking lot where the cruiser was waiting. The higher gravity began affecting Nyota more than she anticipated and though she tried not to let it show Veren graciously offered her his arm. She welcomed the extra support and gave his arm a gentle pat, liking her new son more and more with every step.
S'chn T'gai Clan House, New Shi'Khar, 2288.296, 1037 hours. Spock stepped into the living room and paused inside the doorway beside his sa-mekh, surveying the unfolding scene. His father and mother-in-law, Alhamisi and M'Umbha, had arrived the previous day and were currently seated on the sofa with Veren towering between them. They were animatedly encouraging his fledgling studies in Swahili with an impromptu lesson while Nyota and T'Alora ventured to the tailor's for their custom garments.
"I do not believe Veren has had much exposure to humans prior to his acquaintance with T'Alora," he declared.
"I believe you are correct." Sarek regarded the trio closely. "Although he is acclimating well to our rather singular clan. Do you not agree?"
"Yes," Spock agreed. "He is adjusting far better than I did when I was in his place."
Sarek glanced at him. "I do not agree with your self-assessment; however, I understand from whence it comes. When I first met your Uncle Mark I also did not believe that I presented myself to the best advantage. Your mother later assured me that the opposite was true."
"I know." Spock watched Alhamisi gesture wildly with his hands as he described his Kenyan home in great detail. M'Umbha, with her hand on Veren's knee, provided translation as needed. "Conversely, Mother informed me that your initial meeting with Grandmother and Grandfather could have—and I quote—'gone better'."
If his sa-mekh was startled by the revelation his late-adun'a had imparted he did not show it. Spock looked on intently as Veren progressed in his studies until Selas entered the room, arresting their attention by the grim expression on his face.
Banquet Room, Marviana's Restaurant, New Shi'Khar, 2288.299, 2314 hours. Veren was—to put it mildly—overwhelmed. He believed he had in recent days performed admirably and ingratiated himself to his new family, a notion T'Alora daily reinforced. Now, however, he was uncertain how to proceed. The last 24 hours had seen an influx in human guests who had no blood or marital ties to the clan yet T'Alora considered them all family, and they were as disparate a group as could possibly exist.
This evening saw his Ko-mekh Nyota and Sa-mekh Spokh hosting an informal dinner in order to entertain their distinguished, off-world guests and facilitate introductions ahead of tomorrow's ceremony. Over the last 6.68 days Veren thought he had become reasonably fluent in interpreting human idiosyncrasies only to discover now that he was woefully ignorant; not only was their body language confusing but their speech patterns and accents also puzzled him greatly. Each attempt at a more in-depth conversation with one or another of his guests left him unsettled and he was currently seeking refuge at a solitary table in the far corner of the room.
Fortunately for him everyone was too busy getting reacquainted with one another to note his absence, his Ha'ge included. T'Alora sat at a table in the center of the room, conversing freely with her sa-kais and 5 other young humans of her acquaintance with ties to the Enterprise: Rebecca McCoy, Max Chekov-Daly, Kyson Sulu and Samuel and Lillian Kirk. He was content to watch them until the mention of his name bade him lift his head.
"Hallo, Veren!" Scotty ambled over, giving a friendly wave that sent the scotch sloshing in his glass. He liked Veren—they'd been acquainted for the last 2.5 years workin' on the warp factor 12 engine along with T'Alora—and he knew he was a good man and a good engineer; Scotty also knew he couldn't have picked a better laddie for T'Alora if he tried. As he pulled out a chair he clinked glasses with the groom-to-be then sat down hard in his seat. "How are ye?"
"I am doing well, Admiral. And yourself?"
"Oh fine, fine. T'is a right good party Uhura's throwin', isn't it?"
Veren nodded. "Yes." He watched the young man cock his head to the side for a moment and the corner of his eyes crinkled in confusion. "Mister Scott, what would give a person cause to 'break my kneecaps'?"
Scotty spit out his drink in spectacular fashion; fortunately Veren was not in the line of fire. "Wha?!" he cried, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Where'd ye hear a thing like that?!"
"I have heard that and numerous other phrases of a similar vein from the adjacent table." Scotty followed his gaze; there sat the Doctor, Kirk, Sulu, Chekov and Pike. Judging by their ruddy faces they were a little more into their cups than he was and they were all talking over each other—though what they were saying he couldn't tell.
"Ye can hear all that from way over here?" Scotty asked incredulously.
Veren turned his gaze on him and replied matter-of-factly, "Of course. Vulcan's possess increased aural sensitivity in comparison to humans."
Right, he thought, giving a quick look at their tapered ears. "What else are they sayin'?"
"Should the need arise, Captain Sulu and Commander Chekov are debating how best to attack me, while the Doctor has decided that he would utilize his medical expertise to inject me with a debilitating neurotoxin of his own creation." At that the lad winced.
If they were talkin' about anybody but Veren and if the poor lad didn't look so serious…no, no, it still wouldn't be funny. "And Cap'n…I'm sorry, Admiral Kirk? What do he and Pike have to say about all this?"
"Admiral Pike has not made any remarks upon the matter though his facial expression suggests he finds much mirth in their statements. Meanwhile, Admiral Kirk has declared that there would be no need for the others' assistance as he would 'take care of me personally' before they were aware of any problem." He swallowed hard. "He also said that my remains would never be recovered."
Veren blinked rapidly. "Mister Scott, as highly trained as these individual officers are, they should know that I am capable of defending myself should the need arise. With my superior strength I estimate a 96.43% chance that they would fail in their attempts to cause me any serious bodily harm." Scotty coughed as he choked back a sharp laugh. The poor, poor lad. "Furthermore," he added, "I do not understand what I have done to engender such hostility in a group of men I have only met 2.12 hours before."
Ah, there's the crux of the problem. Scotty instantly sobered up. "Laddie, what d'ye know about T'Alora and the Enterprise?"
Saying her name certainly captured his attention. "T'Alora was born aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise on 2261.294 while the ship was in orbit around the Federation planet Kerrali. She is the first child of S'chn T'gai Spokh and Nyota Uhura and was delivered by Doctor Geoffrey M'Benga after…"
"Alright, I see ye know the particulars," he said by way of stopping him. "But what do ye know about that time?"
Veren cocked his head to the stand. "I do not understand your query."
"No, I can see that ye don't." Scotty slowly took a sip from his glass and gestured toward the other table. "They're not talkin' about you exactly. Matter of fact they'd be carryin' on like this no matter who was marryin' T'Alora or any of the other kids for that matter." He gestured toward the table where the children sat oblivious to their talk having a great time amongst themselves. Veren's confusion was now more evident and Monty wondered how to make him understand. "The thing is, laddie, T'Alora was the first bairn born on the Enterprise and these men—myself included—all feel like her fathers in a way. We all helped raise her 'n are all very protective of her."
One eyebrow slowly rose. "They believe that I intend to hurt T'Alora?"
"Intend? No. It's jus' talk. What ye've got to know is that we all watched her grow up n' so want nothin' but the best for her. They cannae see that yer a good man yet but give 'em time; they'll come around 'soon enough."
He glanced back at the other table in consideration. "I believe I understand."
Well that's surprising. "Ye do?"
Veren nodded once. "Yes. Respect is earned, not given. I have earned your respect already, Mister Scott; now I must earn theirs."
"Aye!" He slapped the table triumphantly. "That's it right there. I knew ye were a smart lad."
There was that eyebrow again. "Indeed." Veren quickly finished his juice and excused himself leaving Scotty alone at the table. He watched the Vulcan make a beeline straight for T'Alora. Monty couldn't hear what the young people were saying but he could see they were getting along very well; his friends must've seen it too because he caught Kirk eyeing them and the whole table seemed to settle down. He took one last sip of his drink then got up and headed over to the other table; he and the laddies needed to have a good long talk about what the groom overheard before tomorrow's festivities.
* Telan t'Kanlar = Vulcan ritual meaning "Bonding of the Children", refers to the light bond partners enter into at age 7
