A bonus snippet for today since we have not had a chance yet to see Amayel on the page.
4.
Kadiith
Spock's initial attempts to style Amayel's hair produce results so far out of line with his intentions that he is forced to endure a not insignificant existential crisis.
What sort of father is he that he cannot comb his child's hair into two aesthetically pleasing 'poofs' as Nyota has done on countless occasions? The articles he has read have not prepared him for the reality, and he feels shame that he has turned Yel's curls into a strange, asymmetrical mess. He'd broken no fewer than three combs and six elastics. Selik had been wise to deny his requests to style her hair. He'd overheard her say to Nyota, I would sooner let Xerxes do my hair than Samekh.
Next to him sits a Denman brush, some contraption known as a "Tangle Teezer," whipped shea butter, and a spray bottle filled with a mixture of water and aloe vera juice. The objects—illogical though it may be—seem to mock him purposefully.
Through their bond, Spock feels Ama's increasing curiosity. She has done a commendable job of sitting still for the duration of an hour and a half, but her patience is growing thin, and she wishes to go outside to run experiments using the new app on her tricorder. Since her fifth birthday two months ago, when she'd received the device, she'd conducted much research on New Vulcan amphibious life and wished to do more. For science.
"Are you all finished, Samekh?" she signs, reaching up her hands so that he can see her gesticulations.
"Indeed, Kofu," he says out loud, and squeezes her shoulder because he know that she cannot hear his words.
"Then I will seek out a mirror to examine your handiwork," she says after standing, her hand movements fluid but precise.
Spock follows her as she heads to the washroom. Her walk begins in a very dignified fashion, tiny little hands clasped behind her tiny little back. After a few moments, however, she is unable to manage the pretense, and Yel goes at a sprint through the hall. Her stride is short enough that Spock manages to keep up whilst still walking.
Ama grabs the stool and pulls it to the sink in the washroom, climbing on top with a slight huff of breath. Upon seeing her reflection, her left eyebrow arches up quite dramatically.
"Samekh, I am afraid you have failed drastically in this endeavour," she signs, brow furrowed in deep consternation. Her cheeks, still chubby from baby fat, inflate even more as she pouts. "However, I acknowledge that you clearly made an attempt." She says this, no doubt, in deference to Nyota's recent efforts to teach her how to be more polite.
Nyota joins them in the washroom several seconds later, and he can tell that she's trying not to laugh. Little Yel is sometimes very sensitive about her appearance, though she is, of course, like Selik and Nyota, gorgeous.
"Komekh, fix it. Fix it, please," says Amayel, a note of desperation in her finger movements.
"Of course, baby," says Nyota.
In thirteen minutes, nine seconds, his wife has Ama's hair done in two very neat "French" braids. Spock watches the whole time, taking mental notes so that he can do better in the future. Tonight, when his aduna and kofu-lar sleep, he'll look up some programs to download off HoloTube so that he can have more hands-on practise.
"Don't wander beyond the front gate," Nyota says, as Ama slides off the sofa and rushes to grab her tricorder before going outside.
"Kadiith," signs Ama, which means, what is, is. His daughter uses it to mean something much closer to the Standard expression, 'whatever.'
Once she's outside, Spock places a kiss on Nyota's forehead. "Do you think Amayel finds me incompetent now?"
Laughing, Nyota tugs him closer, fingers stroking his ears as she looks up at him. "Don't worry. You'll be her perfect, infallible father again by tomorrow, and she'll have forgotten all about this—mishap."
"And yet she has an eidetic memory. I doubt she will ever forget at all." He senses that Nyota does not share his distress, and in fact, is rather amused.
"Kadiith," says Nyota, mirroring his daughter's usage. She shrugs and bites back a smile, breaking their embrace.
Trying not to sigh, he follows his wife into the kitchen so they might prepare supper together. Kadiith, indeed.