Placing loose flecks of chamomile leaves in each infuser, Spock lowered the colander-like devices into the antique tea cups and covered them in scalding water from the ancient teapot. The survival of the tea set satisfied the logical avoidance of waste, serving this family for over 340 Earth years and through many relocations — some voluntary and intentional, some desperate and necessary. So, too, the furnishings represented a wanderer's life across many planets — mostly Earth, Vulcan and here.
Years had passed since Spock last visited with this elder. A busy life did not justify the distance of time between their reunions. No one need tell him the fleeting nature of lives together, especially since Va'aPk and the Great Silence. But a life spent in service made gatherings difficult. As one of the remnant, he'd never been busier.
"Nyota is well?" the Elder asked, alternately sipping and blowing the hot tea.
"She is. She carries twins and suffers those challenges common to all gravid females. But she is quite pleased. As with Grayson, Dr. McCoy anticipates an 11-month gestation -"
"Spohkh, I'm familiar with human phraseology. You need not use such formal language with me."
A Vulcan smile pushed the corners of his mouth wider. The requirement to embody the definition of "Vulcan" in public often flipped his "uber-Vulcan" switch to its "ON" position.
"Dr. McCoy expects an 11-month pregnancy. However, in humans, twins tend to arrive before their calculated delivery date. Vulcans do not produce twins — outside of the infertility program pregnancies."
"And yet Nyota carries twins conceived naturally. Part-Vulcan twins. Perhaps all that is required is a consort without preconceived notions of what Vulcan males are capable of."
The double entendre did not go unnoticed.
"And Grayson — he is well?" the Elder prodded.
"Quite. He is pleased to be an older brother, although I predict he will be less pleased when the twins consume all of the attention."
"That is to be expected. His psionic skills grow at a remarkable pace. I received his telepathic announcement about the twins' gender out here."
Spock reacted to that pronouncement by replacing his canapé plate on the table and leaning back into the sofa.
"It is that subject that brings me here. My father exhibits wonder at Grayson's abilities. Had T'Pau survived, I am sure my many questions would receive detailed answers but Father seems to know little and understand less about Grayson's abilities."
"And that of his siblings, I presume."
Spock wondered at the connections this woman had, a woman who seldom left this place to travel anywhere anymore.
"You have surmised correctly. The twins are telepathic. One is empathic, like Nyota and Grayson."
"You are concerned?"
Her face gave little away; she'd abandoned the strict mask of unemotional expression long ago. Yet Spock understood now that the beginning of his quest lay here.
"As you yourself understand," he started carefully, "the precarious situation for Vulcans has incited a number of challenges for inter-species children. Terra Prime's almost forgotten manifestos are making their way through the Federation again. My father, for a brief period, successfully restricted inclusion in the Vulcan Family Archive only to those with at least one-half Vulcan blood."
"I informed Sarek of the ridiculousness of that edict, given the remnant population numbers."
"My father's reasoning was compromised by mother's death."
"Your father's reasoning should have been informed by your mother's status as his bond mate."
Spock hid the slight grin the Elder's irritation with Sarek elicited; it reminded him of Nyota Uhura.
"You yourself understand better than most how children become pawns in the politics of bias and prejudice played out by adults." he explained, "The abilities of Grayson and the twins remain a closely guarded secret to all but a few. It is, however, time for me to understand how best to deal with this unexpected mutation.
"I have often also wondered at the strength of Nyota's latent psi abilities and the inability of her physicians in Africa or Starfleet to identify them. Her telepathic marital bond appears unique in what is left of our medical history. I believe you can confirm or disprove that assertion."
The Elder sighed, a very human act...
"You were always the smartest, Spock. Always kilometers ahead of your peers.