Chapter 80 - Ych'a - Observation Lounge

Located at the stern of Deck 3, the observation lounge was unusually busy with a number of Vulcan families who were being transported back to Vulcan from the Sol system, as well as the Sierra and Omicron systems.

Status screens around the room and to the sides of a large window, were displaying information about the planet the ship was orbiting, which happened to be Earth. At the touch of a button you could find extensive summaries of planetary data: structure, landscape, environment, geological, biological, and anthropological data, as well as weather reports in real time. The status screens also had the option of displaying information regarding ship trajectory, angle, and other various ship mechanics. Being a Vulcan vessel, the lounge, like the rest of the ship, was dimly lit to accommodate Vulcan physiology. There were a number of seating areas with tables, as well as replicator stations for those requiring sustenance. More importantly of all, at least for Mimi, was that the observation lounge afforded a spectacular view of the ship's purple warp nacelles and the space beyond.

Despite being busy the lounge was quiet, any conversation was in hushed and muted tones. That is with the exception of some of the younger Vulcan children, particularly the toddlers, who occasionally let out some excited exclamations. One of the more exuberant toddlers in the group was a Vulcan girl called T'Aria.

T'Aria immediately clocked Mimi as being an organism of interest as soon as Mimi stepped into the lounge. The human lady was walking by the side of Hakausu Sordd, followed closely behind by Avarak and T'Shahel. Fascinating! T'Aria smiled, she liked Hakausu Sordd, he had helped her get better when she had an upset tummy. She also liked Avarak and T'Shahel, they sometimes played games with her.

Shifting slightly in her mother's lap in order to get a better view, T'Aria continued her observations. The human lady was wearing a simple yet elegant grey robe which complemented her deep blue eyes; her eyes looked kind. The lady also had a dusting of small light brown freckles across her nose and cheeks. Her chestnut hair was in a twisted low bun, which exposed the nape of her neck. Around her neck she was wearing a pendant with a turquoise stone in the middle, she was also wearing a matching pair of earrings. The lady had two rings on the fourth finger of her left hand, a grey metallic band, and a grey metallic band with a turquoise stone (it would be illogical to identify the type of metal with insufficient data.) Interesting! T'Aria thought.

T'Aria moved again as the human lady was no longer in her field of view. She smiled when she saw that Sordd was talking to her sa-mekh. That was rom, maybe they would come over to where she was with her ko-mekh. T'Aria with her acute Vulcan hearing could hear every word they were saying …

"Sodok, it would be gratifying to introduce you to she who is my wife, T'Sai Margaret. T'Sai Margaret, this is Sodok, he is aid to the Vulcan Ambassador to the Sierra system," Sordd said neutrally. T'Aria tilted her head slightly, the human was his wife, even more fascinating!

The lady raised her hand in the Vulcan greeting, "Dif-tor heh smusma," she said warmly. T'Aria raised an eyebrow, the human spoke Vulcan!

Her sa-mekh nodded his head in acknowledgement, "Sochya eh dif, T'Sai Margaret," he replied neutrally. "It is agreeable to meet you."

T'Aria's eyes shifted to Avarak and T'Shahel, they were standing to the side of the adult group saying nothing, their faces were neutral in their expression. (It was not their place to contribute to the conversation unless they were asked to.) Her eyes quickly shifted back to study the lady. The lady nodded her head slightly. "It is also agreeable to meet you Sodok. Congratulations on the recent trade agreement between Vulcan and Tesnia," she replied in a respectful tone.

"It is a satisfactory outcome after so many years of negotiation," Sodok replied flatly. "I offer congratulations to you on your marriage to Sordd," he said while his eyes moved from one to the other of them.

The lady smiled, which made her eyes sparkle, as she reached out two fingers to touch Sordd's. "It also is a satisfactory outcome," she replied with a warmth in her tone.

"Indeed," Sadok said. He then raised an eyebrow as he acknowledged Avarak and T'Shahel, "It is also agreeable to see you, T'Shahel and Avarak."

T'Shahel and Avarak politely nodded their heads. "T'nar pak sorat y'rani," T'Shahel, being the eldest, said the traditional greeting on behalf of both of them.

"T'nar jaral," Sodok replied, before turning his attention back to Hakausu Sordd and the lady.

"Are T'Lir and T'Aria journeying with you to Vulcan?" Sordd asked neutrally. At the mention of her name T'Aria straightened in an attempt to be seen.

"Ha," Sodok replied, while looking over at where she was standing on her ko-mekh's lap. T'Aria smiled as Sordd made eye contact with her, hopefully they would come over so she could make a closer study of the human lady. "I am currently on a mission to obtain sustenance," Sodok said dryly. At the mention of sustenance T'Aria stuck two fingers in her mouth and began to suck; she was hungry after all.

"Ha," Sordd replied, "I understand the importance of feeding one's progeny," he said, even more dryly, while looking at Avarak and T'Shahel.

"Indeed," Sodok replied. "I have undergone years of Vulcan training for this!" he said in a playful tone. T'Aria's sa-mekh turned to look in her direction again, she smiled even more broadly back at him. "Sordd, let us partake of tei at some point during the voyage, I am sure she who is my wife would find it agreeable to meet and speak with you T'Sai Margaret," he said with a slight nod.

The lady smiled at her sa-mekh, then for some reason the smile disappeared. "That would be agreeable," the lady replied softly.

"I will contact you later Sordd, to make arrangements," Sodok replied. "Rom-halan!" he said in parting.

"Rom-halan!" Sordd and the lady both replied in turn. They watched as her sa-mekh walked away from their small group. T'Aria sighed, they were not coming over here to speak, that was regrettable.

"Sa-mekh," T'Shahel said, "can we go and sit beside Saros and T'Sala?"

"Ha," Sordd replied, "be ready to return to our accommodation in 1.5 hours."

"Ha, Sa-mekh," T'Shahel replied.

T'Aria watched as Avarak and T'Shahel went to sit with Saros and T'Sala. That was also regrettable, they would not be playing with her today... She then followed the lady's movements as Sordd continued to introduce her to some of his acquaintances, occasionally Sordd and the lady's fingers would brush together, T'Aria smiled, that meant they were kissing. Unfortunately, they were too far away for her to hear the conversation. She decided just to observe.

Eventually the lady and Sordd ended up sitting at a table not far from where she was sitting. Rom! Another small smile appeared on T'Aria's face… she would have to go and investigate…

Wriggling out of her mother's lap, she made a beeline towards Mimi...

Notes

Hakausu - healer

Sa-mekh - father

Rom - good

Ko-mekh - mother

T'Sai - Lady

Dif-tor heh smusma - Live long and prosper

Sochya eh dif - Peace and long life

T'nar pak sorat y'rani - formal greeting

T'nar jaral - formal reply

Ha - yes

Tei - tea - nothing like a wee brew!

Rom-halan - farewell/goodbye

Maybe the thoughts are a bit mature for a toddler, but who would really know what goes on inside their heads, and she is Vulcan after all!

Thanks again to Kehlan and RobertBruceScott - if you haven't done so already I would recommend that you check out their stories!