Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek, but I own my OC until they gain sentience and leap out of my computer screen.
Yes, this is focusing on an OC of mine and Spock's interactions. Sorry if that's disappointing.
Starfleet Academy, Spock had decided, was every bit as rigorous as the Vulcan Science Academy was famed to be. The key difference between the two lay in the fact that the Vulcan Science Academy's challenges were purely academic in nature. However, at Starfleet Academy, every aspect of how one's life at Starfleet would be was emphasized, and every course was meant to push you to your limits, whether physical, mental, or social. Spock was especially challenged by the social aspect of Starfleet Academy.
Spock was not the only one who's culture did not lend itself to the befriending of others which Starfleet promoted greatly. There were several others, those who could not help flinching at the raised voices of excited friends or shying away from contact, even some among the humans. But knowing that fact did not prevent Spock from learning which hallways were least crowded at certain times, as well as choosing the seats away from the groups of people who whispered amongst themselves and passed notes during class. Of course, the latter was probably just a desire to concentrate on the teacher's lectures.
Spock had returned to his dormitory after his last class. He had to admit to feeling slightly tired, which was logical given the circumstances. In addition to the core classes, he was currently taking four optional classes in his first year, consisting of advanced xenobiology, advanced physics, music, and Earth mythology. It did not seem like much at first, but each class met at least three times per school week and was quite challenging. He started on his homework as usual, but only got halfway done before deciding to take a break. As he moved his chair back from his desk, his roommate looked up.
Spock had been somewhat troubled upon learning (last minute) he would have a roommate-how would this affect his productivity? Would he, himself, be an adequate roommate to someone with an eighty-two point three five percent chance of having more 'common' social interactions than he? He had pondered this for a while, when the door to the dorm opened and a person walked in with a rolling suitcase.
Not human, was Spock's first thought, looking at the person's grey scales and large, pointed ears mounted high on their head. Emotional was his second, noticing the sharp teeth bared in a lazy grin. The person turned their gaze towards Spock, eyes changing from deep green to a pale orange. "Are you Spock?" they asked.
"Yes," Spock replied guardedly. The person's eyes changed back to a deep green, relaxed grin reappearing. "I'm Lurien." they said. "I think I'm your roommate… I only just arrived here a few minutes ago. I'm a last minute transfer," Lurien said somewhat awkwardly as their eyes shifted to a color similar to that of an Earth peach, ears pinning back to the side of their head. Spock could not help what he said next. "Your eyes are fascinating," he said. "What determines their color change?" Lurien smiled, different from the lazy grin of before. Eyes were deep green again. "They're bioluminescent, is the Standard word. They change color according to my mood." That made sense now that Spock thought about it. "I have already set up my belongings on this side of the room; would you like help arranging your own?" Lurien shook their head.
"No thanks, I'm fine. Thank you for the offer, though."
It was a relatively uneventful first interaction. Nothing particularly stood out, except perhaps Spock's complete lack of social skills. Yet Lurien seemed to enjoy Spock's company after that, sitting with him at lunch and speaking with him when possible. It turned out they shared galactic history as well as music class, and Spock found Lurien was rather musically inclined, well versed in music theory as well as an able composer. Lurien was also a rather eccentric individual; Spock returned to their dormitory one day to find myer (Lurien's race, it turned out, had a different set of pronouns not entirely translatable to Standard) entire side of the dorm painted a bright violet color. He had to admit it was a rather agreeable tone. When he asked Lurien where they got the paint, myiec merely shrugged. "The True Value down by the coffee shop… would you like me to get you some?"
"Whatcha doing, Spock?" Lurien asked, 'sitting' in a contorted position in myer chair which had ended up with myer head near the ground and feet wrapped around the chair's back.
"I am taking a break from my homework." Spock answered. He wouldn't say more than that, though, as he took out some strands of differently colored nylon strings from his backpack. He kept his back towards Lurien as he knotted the strands together-he had been able to keep myvelt from finding out about this so far, and didn't want to ruin it now. After about ten minutes, he had completed it, checking one last time for defects and finding none. "Lurien." he said. Lurien looked up, myer ears perking up. "Hm?" myiec said.
"Hold out your hand, please." Lurien's eyes shone pale orange with curiosity as myiec held out a four-digit hand with a grey, scaly palm and neatly trimmed claws. Careful to avoid actually touching myer hand, Spock dropped the striped friendship bracelet into myer palm. Lurien's eyes turned a deep, deep green with delight. "Wonderful!" myiec exclaimed, examining it and putting it on promptly. "Thank you very much for your gift, Spock of Vulcan." myiec said solemly, looking Spock directly in the eyes. Then grinned again, sharp teeth showing.
"Hey, now I'm going to have to return the favor! Friends have to show mutual respect, after all."
It was a week later when Spock found a-beautiful was the only word for it-lyre, carved of massang wood in the Vulcan style on his bed. He thanked Lurien for it, whose eyes were peach with embarrassment. "It's nothing," myiec tried to mumble. But that did not change the warm, illogical feeling Spock had first gotten upon finding out he had a friend at Starfleet Academy.
Sorry about not updating. I could give a whole bunch of excuses, but I'll just stick with saying that FREAKING LIFE SUCKS. I've been trapped in the arms of this idea with no chance to write for what, two weeks? Jeez. I honestly feel that this chapter could have been better written, but I don't know how. Please feel free to give honest feedback on the suckiness of my author skills.
Lurien belongs to me, but you can borrow myvelt. Don't know why you'd want to, but… whatever.
Hey, please review!