Chapter 82 - Wuh'rak Tersaya - First Contact
Mimi sat looking out the observation window lost in her own thoughts. Sordd had left her a moment ago for his meeting with Hakausu Sakht. On her previous trips to space she had been accompanied by a group of very rowdy and enthusiastic teenagers. As a result she had not been able to take time to fully appreciate what was around her. Today was a very different experience and she decided to make the most of it.
The Ych'a was currently maintaining a geosynchronous orbit over the city of San Francisco. From their position, Earth looked like a marble. Predominantly blue with white swirls and touches of brown, yellow, and green, suspended on the black canvas of space. Mimi sighed contentedly.
Mimi looked away from the window, sure enough, someone was watching her. T'Aria, Sodok's daughter, was standing about two meters away. Her deep brown eyes were staring at her intently, large eyelashes, jet black curly hair, not yet cut into the traditional Vulcan style, and a beautiful olive skin tone; one of the most adorable children you have ever seen. If it was not for her pointed ears, she could have been mistaken for being of Mediterranean extraction. If she were not Vulcan, in the future she would be sure to break many hearts.
"Tonk'peh!" Mimi ventured in a soft tone.
No answer. The toddler continued to stand in wide eyed wonder.
"Nashaut!" Mimi tried another Vulcan word for hello.
T'Aria raised an eyebrow, "Nashaut!' she replied while tilting her head.
Mimi smiled approvingly, "Wilat kah ko-mekh il sa-mekh?" she asked while taking a quick scan around the room to see if T'Lir or Sodok could be seen.
T'Aria raised an eyebrow, the human smiled. Quite fascinating! "Ko-mekh," T'Aria said while pointing over towards her mother, who was currently walking in their direction. "M'aih?" she asked, pointing to Mimi before sticking two fingers in her mouth and sucking them.
"Ha!" Mimi replied softly while nodding her head.
T'Aria smiled a broad smile, pleased that she had come to the logical conclusion.
"Forgive the intrusion T'Sai," T'Aria's mum said as she scooped the toddler up into her arms. T'Aria turned in her mother's arms so she was facing Mimi again, not best pleased that her mother had interrupted her observations.
Mimi smiled ever so slightly, "There is no intrusion," she replied while moving to stand up. "My name is Margaret or Mimi." She extended her hand before quickly pulling it away, her cheeks flushed at the faux pas.
"My name is T'Lir," the Vulcan lady replied with a slight nod, while bumping T'Aria up and down on her hip.
"T'Aria!" T'Aria said loudly, while pointing to herself. "Meme," she continued while pointing at Mimi. She was quite pleased with herself that she had discovered an easier pronunciation of the lady's name. (Although not quite pronouncing it correctly. The m's complicated things.)
"Na'shaya," Mimi replied, "It is nice to meet you, T'Lir and T'Aria. Sordd and I spoke to your husband earlier."
T'Lir simply nodded her head, she was aware of the fact. She had turned around herself in order to see what her daughter was so interested in.
T'Aria tilted her head, she was unsure of the word 'nice.' "Nice!" she said out loud, the word sounded funny on her lips. "Nice!" she repeated again.
T'Lir sensed her child's confusion through their bond, "Nice has a similar meaning to agreeable," she said flatly.
"Nice!" T'Aria repeated again, before sticking her fingers back into her mouth.
"Indeed!" Sordd, who had just approached the small group, agreed. "Dif-tor heh smusma, T'Lir," he said with a neutral expression on his face, "and T'Aria," he added, with a slight nod.
T'Aria smiled broadly at his arrival. "Sordd!" she exclaimed. "Ko-mekh, ne'le," she requested while trying to escape from her mothers grasp. "Ne'le!"
T'Lir carefully placed T'Aria on the ground and she immediately made a beeline for Sordd, "Abru! Abru!" she demanded. Sordd swiftly lifted her up into his arms, as per her request. Still not yet satisfied, T'Aria, shifted to his other arm, a very large grin then appeared on her face; she was now even closer to the human lady.
"It is agreeable to see you again Hakasu Sordd," T'Lir remarked neutrally.
"As it is to see you," Sordd nodded again. "You have met, she who is my wife?" he asked while turning to look at Mimi.
"Ha," T'Lir replied, "we were just making introductions."
"We met Sodok earlier, I believe he is obtaining sustenance for this young kanu?" Sordd said as he looked kindly at T'Aria, who was more interested in looking at Mimi than looking at him.
"Ha," T'Lir agreed. She briefly turned around to check on her husband's progress. He was walking towards their seating area with a tray of beverages and food. "I believe our refreshments are arriving," she said. "We will leave you so you can partake of yours." She looked down at the table where Sordd had placed some drinks.
"Shaya tonat," Sordd said as he placed T'Aria back into her mothers arms. T'Aria frowned and was about to cry. Fortunately for everyone in the observation lounge Sordd intervened on time. "T'Aria be rom!" he said while gently stroking his hand across her cheek and sending her some peace and calm. "You can come back and complete your observations after you have had sustenance." He was fully aware of her interest in she who was his wife.
"Nice!" T'Aria replied, satisfied with the way things were proceeding.
Mimi and Sordd stayed standing while T'Lir and T'Aria made their way back to their seats. T'Aria still managed to maintain her observations of Mimi on her way back. Mimi gave her a little wink, at this T'Aria was suddenly overcome with shyness and she hid her face in her mother's shoulder. However, it was not long before she found the courage to peek out again.
"What an adorable child," Mimi said as both Sordd and she sat down again.
"Indeed," Sordd replied neutrally. "As they say on Earth, I believe she has taken quite a shine to you."
Mimi laughed a little. 'Perhaps, or it might be that she has not seen many humans before... She is the double of her mother."
"Ha," Sordd agreed, "she is!" Sordd placed a mug of tea into Mimi's hands, "Countess Grey tea as requested and a krei'la biscuit."
Mimi smiled, "Shaya tonat!" she said in thanks.
*'*
Notes
Hakausu - healer
Ych'a - Vulcan Diplomatic Vessel
Tonk'peh - hello
Nashaut! - hello
Wilat kah ko-mekh il sa-mekh? - Where is your mother or father?
M'aih - Step mother
Ha - yes
T'Sai - lady
Na'shaya - Greetings, a word or gesture of welcome or salutation
Dif-tor heh smusma - Live long and prosper
Ne'le - down
Abru - up
Kanu - toddler
Shaya tonat - thank you
Rom - good
*'*
Thank you again Kehlan and RobertBruceScott :-) HAPPY WEEKEND!
