Heavy Meditation
T'Pring awoke to the sound of a computerized voice, speaking in Vulcan, stating, "It is now the time you have selected to be awakened." She arose from the bed, although she found herself tired and wanting to sleep for a bit longer, it simply was not in her nature to do so. She changed from her nightgown into her morning workout clothing. T'Pring was not a heavy meditator, therefore she did not meditate each day, and she certainly did not start her day that way. She began her day with stretches, exercises, and training. She trained her body firstly, then trained her mind. If she was to keep up with those around her, she felt it necessary to at least tune her mental capabilities.
When she finished, she would play recordings of scientific news as she showered and memorized everything that she heard. Spock did not start out his day with this news and always found her speaking of the subjects fascinating. She would visit the Embassy and have breakfast with him, as she sometimes did after Styik was safely inside of the school. However, today was the students' day of rest. Most likely, Styik would spend his time with his mother, therefore, Vulrak would most likely guard both of them himself. She got out of the shower and quickly dressed in her red uniform robes. When she was dressed, she tied her hair up and gathered her items.
She placed a sash around herself, which was used to hold her weapon, her PADD, and a communicator, just in case. Usually, members of the High Vulcan Guard simply used their telepathy to communicate, but there was always chances that something may prevent it, therefore, they kept a communicator with them, as well.
Her room was one which was as plain as any Vulcan's, although she herself often seemed a bit out of place in it. For one thing, her beauty was extremely exotic, for another, she decorated herself in ways that most logical Vulcan women did not. She actually took a bit of time to make herself look prettier. She found herself doing so more often, now that she was under the same roof with a Vulcan who had affections for women of the human persuasion. She made herself look a bit more human, because she wished to impress Spock.
His human mate was so illogical that she found difficulty in even being near her, most of the time. She was not as illogical as the Vulcan bride, Ravalan, but she was illogical enough that T'Pring still could not determine why Spock would have chosen to select her as a more suitable mate for himself. Now, it was too late for them to become reunited, she rationalized that the human woman was ruining him already. He would sometimes seem emotional, even in the presence of others, not deeply so, but noticeable to any respectable Vulcan. As much as she wanted to be reconciled with an honorable Vulcan, she decided that one tainted by the contagiousness of emotionalism through the mental bond would not be a suitable choice.
The other, however, would - Ambassador Spock, whom she referred to as Spock Superior. He had given her a negative answer, but the scientist in her would examine and test every possible angle of the situation before accepting "no" as the final answer to her request to become his bond mate. He was older than she would have wanted for her mate, but he still had enough years of life left to produce and raise sons to adulthood, if he were met with no terrible tragedy.
T'Pring traveled to the secondary nursery, which was across the hall from her own room, to check and see if she was required for anything related to the children. When she opened the door, Vulrak was surveying the room, touching everything slightly as he did. She knew this look – he was trying to figure out if anything had happened in the room that was not agreeable with his guard duties. T'Pring asked, "Sir, am I needed for any purpose as of yet?"
He glanced at her and stated, "I am in no need of you at all today, T'Pring, however, keep your communicator near."
"Yes, Sir." She left the doorway and headed down the hall. Vulrak continued to search the room. He did this on some mornings when he "felt strange," a concept that T'Pring could not comprehend, nor could she stand to even hear the phrase, as it came across to her as so illogical.
Spock emerged from the bedroom, with a glowing face and headed down the hall to find Vulrak. Vulrak, sensing Spock's presence emerged from the nursery. Spock nodded once to Vulrak. Vulrak returned the gesture. "You appear to be in high spirits, today, Sir." Vulrak observed.
Spock lifted an eyebrow at the comment. With Vulrak's keen sense of hearing and the distance from his chamber and theirs, he was able to predict that Vulrak would have heard Nyota's pleasant sounds all throughout the night, as they came together several times throughout the night. Spock sensed that Vulrak may be being either sarcastic, or possibly facetious.
Spock replied, "I apologize if you had some difficulty on last night, Vulrak, as you do not seem to be in what you refer to as high spirits."
Vulrak answered, flatly, "No, I am not. However, I assure you that it had nothing to do with Lady Uhura's outbursts. I resumed watch over the boys in the nursery for most of the night and therefore could not hear most of your dealings."
"Where was T'Pring?" Spock asked.
For a moment, Vulrak felt himself flinch at the question. He did not understand why Spock would ask him about this, but since he had, Vulrak would definitely answer. "I relieved her of her post. I suppose that she returned to her bedchamber... she would not have been able to hear you, still, as the secondary nursery and Young Styik's room are distanced far enough away as for them to not be disturbed by your wife." T'Pring's room was across the hall from the secondary nursery, and next to Styik's room. Spock nodded his head and Vulrak asked, "May I ask you something?"
"Certainly." Spock replied.
"Why do you even care whether or not T'Pring can hear you and your wife when you are together?" Vulrak asked with annoyance in his voice. These logical Vulcans, as logical as they were, as opposed to emotionalism, they always seemed to wish to avoid humiliation in the presence of other logical Vulcans. That itself was a form of emotionalism. The hypocrisy made him sick. They would not give in to love, but they would cover shame, they would condescend to those less logical than themselves, they would show the emotion that they wished to cling to and pass off their reactions as logic, with some fraction of support behind it.
Spock answered, "It is not T'Pring personally, but I do not wish for anyone to hear these things, as the moments between myself and my wife are personal and sacred..." Spock paused for a moment. Generally, he would not speak such words to anyone, but as Nyota's personal guard, now that she was healthy enough again to be with Spock, he knew that Vulrak would be exposed to much more displays, and that fact warranted this talk, to Spock. "You are placed in a room close enough to guard Nyota when I am not present, and therefore, it is unavoidable for you to be exposed. Therefore, it is only proper of me to apologize when we have disturbed you."
Vulrak answered, "It isn't unavoidable." It was not Spock's fault that Nyota's moans had driven him to his wife, only to have his feelings hurt by her, again, but he certainly was taking it out on Spock as he continued, "You could choose not to come together. Isn't it illogical to come together with your lover when not taken by Pon Farr?"
Spock now became somewhat annoyed, but held his reserve as he replied, "I will speak of no such thing to you, Vulrak. I order that you never again to venture into such personal matters."
Vulrak nodded his head, slightly embarrassed with himself for having become so indignant with Spock. He felt the need to apologize. "Please excuse me, Sir Spock. I had a difficult experience with my wife last night. I certainly did not mean to allow it to affect my dealing with you this morning."
Spock found himself slightly startled that Vulrak was expressing such personal issues to him. He did not know how to react. It was behavior befitting of humans, but for him to point this out would be the same as indicating that he thought that his wife was highly flawed, and he had been trying not to suggest such things, since she took offense to them. Spock simply decided on stating, "No harm has befallen me for your curious actions." He turned and headed quickly down the hall, hoping that Vulrak would not stop him to share more information, as the exchange had been quite uncomfortable for him, as exchanges with those types of Vulcans always were, even more strange than exchanges with humans.
Tirza wore her long jet black, silky hair down her back. She was one of few Vulcan women who did not bother to pull her hair up out of her face or off of her neck. Often times, she wore hair clips on the sides of her head or a headband around her hair, but she let it fall freely. When Spock saw her in the Embassy, he approached her and spoke, "Hello, Professor Tirza."
She looked at him and bowed her head slightly. "What may I do for you on today, Professor Spock?" She asked, her voice void of curiosity, though she did wonder why he would approach her.
"I am simply offering you salutations." He replied.
She stared at him for a while, then stated, "You are not among humans here, Spock. It is not necessary to practice in speaking for no logical reason. My day will not be increased nor diminished by whether or not you offer salutations."
He nodded his head and said, "I understand this. I do have a small matter of concern, which could potentially become a larger matter. Your husband seems to be having an emotional morning of the negative persuasion. I know that it is not logical, but perhaps you are able to assist him with his dilemma, that he may be able to focus more clearly on his duties in my home."
"I do not discuss my husband, nor his illogical behavior with outsiders." Tirza responded, not allowing her face to show him how upseting his coming to her about Vulrak was.
"I understand. If you think that there is a logical approach to assisting him, it would serve him well to have the ability to perform his duties properly." Spock walked away from the woman and she went into the conference room which she had been alerted to. Spock had caused her to be late, and now, she found herself bothered as well.
She sat down in the conference room and looked at the screen in front of her. She heard a woman's voice speaking to her in Vulcan, "Tirza, there is something grave that you must do for the safety of your planet." Tirza tilted her head as she stared at the screen. "Keep in mind that if you do not do what is presented before you, we will find someone else who will, and you will be terminated. If we do not find someone who will, your planet will be overtaken."
"Illogical. This planet is protected by the Federation." Tirza responded.
"So was the old Vulcan. While I will admit, we have no way of touching your new planet in the same way, we do have a way of affecting it, in a way that you will hate. If you do not believe these words, tune in to the radio frequencies for new scientific news developments. You will soon hear the proven facts with your own ears. I expect for you to listen to my words, and heed them. Your orders will seem illogical to you, but when you realize what could become of New Vulcan if you disobey, you will find cooperation to be the logical course of action and an act of utilitarianism."
Tirza folded her hands across her lap and watched the screen. "I am listening."
T'Pring saw Tirza coming out of the conference room and approached her. "Tirza, you and I must speak." Tirza stopped walking as the woman entered her brain, and looked at her.
"You were chosen." Tirza observed. T'Pring nodded once. Tirza added, "Their means of communications is a flawed one... the Embassy records all of the incoming conference transmissions, for possible terrorist threats."
"They have chosen someone to handle that, as well." T'Pring informed her, making certain that all outsiders remained blocked out of their private mental exchange.
"Our orders are acts of terrorism." Tirza said, trying to keep herself collected. Whether or not others would find out what they were being asked to do, what they were going to do, she did not wish to participate.
"By certain standards, they may be deemed in such a way. However, they are necessary. Would you have New Vulcan taken by force and destroyed, after dedicating so much time to rebuilding a Vulcan society? While we are still low in numbers and still unable to properly defend ourselves and in danger of extinction?" T'Pring asked.
Tirza quickly replied, "Of course not. To comply is logical. I must say that I am uncertain of why either of us would be chosen. Certainly the V'tosh ka'tur would provide the services with better functionality."
"They chose us because of our priestess training and our connections. We were their best choices, and whether you think it should be done or not, you must think about the greater good, Tirza. You must focus..." T'Pring studied the dark tone Vulcan for a moment before speaking her observation, "You have been with Vulrak recently. It is obvious from your actions. I believed you to be done with that portion of your existence."
"Are you sent to ensure that I carry out my orders, or is this rebirth of your life's mission?" Tirza asked, still emotionless intone, but her heart raced like wildfire in her side.
T'Pring stated, "I am sent to do many things, and whatever they may be will benefit New Vulcan, will protect it and its people. That is my concern and my duty on this planet."
Tirza glanced at her timepiece and said out loud, "I must head to the Academy."
"I will visit you later." T'Pring stated and headed for Spock's office.
Tirza walked out of the Embassy and went into her own office within the Academy. When she was alone, she held her stomach and took deep breaths. She did not know if she could do what she had been asked to do. She needed to see Vulrak, but she had been forbidden to come into contact with him by the woman who gave her the orders. She wanted to see him, to at least be near him. Perhaps that would help her to settle her stomach and to settle the strange reactions to her current situation in her heart. She looked at the time. She had a course to teach. She had duties. Duties. Duty. She repeated the word in her mind until it sank in and replaced the feelings of doubt and confusion which she had currently been privy to. T'Pring was right, she needed to stop mingling with Vulrak. It always unsettled her. She always had feelings the next day, and sometimes the next few days. She sighed and gathered her material for her course. She had duties.
When Vulrak first saw Tirza, she was with T'Pring and Taavik, Styik's mother. The three of them attended priestess training, as all three of them held such deep respect for the laws of Surak that they each desired to study the practices of the priestesses. Although Taavik was the only one to actually complete her priestess' training, the three of them were closely related in their quest to learn. On that day, the sun was nearly setting, and Taavik, one of the better and longer trained priestess' apprentices was walking with two of the younger girls who were studying the life. They were all wearing apprentice robes and walking towards the caves in which they would meet with the elder priestesses for their lessons. Vulrak had just recently began to associate with Sybok, and the two of them were amongst three others, those who followed Sybok, when they witnessed the women passing. Sybok noticed that the men's attention had been taken away from his speaking and turned to see the three females.
One of the men said, "I wonder if they would feel anything if we took them away from their studies."
Sybok said, "The one with the emerald eyes is off limits."
"Is that your bond mate?" The man asked.
Sybok nodded and said, "The other two, I am not concerned about, however do not violate them. It is not a part of what we stand for." The other three men went after the pupils while Vulrak and Sybok stood aside.
Vulrak asked, "Do you think that they will listen?"
"No. They never listen." Sybok replied.
"Then why did you allow them to go?" Vulrak wondered. What type of leader was this Sybok?
Sybok responded, "If they begin to get out of hand, we will intercept them. I would just like to see what fear looks like on the face of a Vulcan priestess apprentice." Vulrak headed towards the area, quickly and Sybok shook his head and walked with him. "You are so chivalrous," Sybok teased.
Vulrak did not care. He was one of the guards at the Embassy, and it was natural instinct for him to try to guard others, especially women. He was a teacher of the defensive arts and a highly trained linguist, who traveled all over teaching new methods of defensive arts. If someone could not defend themselves, Vulrak usually was a great candidate to defend them. He explained to Sybok, "There are certain things that should not be done. Terrorizing our priestesses or their understudies is one of them. No woman should be frightened for amusement."
"Always a guard, but never a groom." Sybok said, teasing Vulrak once again, as Vulrak had broken the bond his parents arranged for him because he just did not like the mate that they chose. It was the main reason that the other Vulcans had began to question his logic. To them, it was an illogical decision. To him, it was perfectly logical.
Vulrak cut the three Vulcans off and said, "Do not bother these apprentices. One of them is but a child."
It seemed that for the first time, the three young ladies noticed that the males were there. Taavik took one of T'Pring's hands and one of Tirza's hands and she watched the males interact with each other, with emotion. Tirza was fifteen, to the boys' seventeen or eighteen. T'Pring was only twelve, herself. Taavik was older than them, and decided that it was her duty to keep them protected. Taavik looked at Sybok and he smiled at her. She backed away from the men, still holding the hands of the girls in her sisterhood.
She called out to him, "What is it that you have to do with us, Sybok and followers?"
"We were just admiring the view, Young priestess." Sybok called out. The females continued to back away from the men and Vulrak looked at them and noticed Tirza, for the first time. He became alarmed by her beauty. She was younger than he was, but he knew that she was old enough to mate, unlike the other girl with them. He found it difficult to believe that he had never seen her before. He knew that he would have noticed such a girl, despite her age, he would have noticed her. He turned completely around with the other Vulcans behind him and walked over to her. The other Vulcans headed in that direction, but Sybok stopped them and watched Vulrak, curious about his behavior.
When Vulrak came close to Tirza, Taavik cut him off with her fingers lifted at him as though she would attack him, "Do not attempt to make contact with her."
"I simply wanted to get a better look." Vulrak said to the woman.
She replied, "You have had it, now be on your way." Vulrak knew that although Taavik was quite gifted in mental attacks learned from the order of the priestesses, and this would be a logical time to use one, in defense of a priestess pupil, he was swifter than she was and probably stronger than her attack. She would not be able to incapacitate him, and if she could, not for as long as she might others. T'Pring said, "Do it, Honorable Taavik. Make him fall."
Taavik stared at Vulrak and asked, "Please, leave her alone. We have studies to attend. She is not interested in your illogical ways."
"I have not been declared illogical, and besides, are you not the bond mate of the one said to be most illogical of us all?" Taavik glanced at Sybok, embarrassed that he had mentioned their bond, because it was not something which logical Vulcans spoke of. Other Vulcans did not mention their bond mate's identities until after their marriage ceremonies.
"Step away from my sister." Taavik warned. Vulrak took Taavik by the wrist and pushed her aside, firmly enough to move her, but not forceful enough to hurt her and he reached for Tirza's hand. In that short simple moment, he told her so much, and learned so much from her.
Tirza pulled her hand away from him and looked at it. Taavik reached out for him and touched his temple. Vulrak groaned and fell to the ground. Sybok and the others rushed over to help him. T'Pring was ready to fight, but Taavik pulled her by the arm and they ran for the cave. When Taavik turned to check the scene, she noticed that Tirza was still there. She had kneeled next to Vulrak and helped to ease his pain.
"Tirza!" Taavik called. Tirza stood up and Vulrak grabbed her hand again. She glanced at Taavik, then assisted him to his feet. The other Vulcans kept their distance from her. It was obvious to them, whether this girl was bonded or not, Vulrak had just made his claim of her.
"I am Vulrak." He said.
She nodded her head once and said, "I am aware." She ran off to meet up with the others and explained, "I apologize for staying behind, but he did something to me when he touched my hand. It was odd and uncomfortable, but whatever it was, it compelled me to help him."
"He transferred his emotion into you. The Vulcans without logic will do that if you allow them to touch you." T'Pring said.
Tirza looked at her hands, then back at the males. Vulrak was now looking at her with a smile. She touched her face, with a confused look, in her eyes, wondering why she had returned to gesture. She found it difficult to stop smiling until she saw the staring eyes of her two associates. They gathered her into their arms and led her to the priestesses, to be cleansed of the occurrence.
Tirza entered her class and all of the Vulcans present bowed slightly to her arrival. She began by stating, "I had no intention of being late on today. I was urgently called into the Embassy." That was the extent of an apology from her. She started to go over the lesson.
T'Pring entered Spock's office and he looked up at her from his work. "Hello, T'Pring."
"Sir Spock, I must speak with you of a few matters of my concern. The first is about your wife. She does not trust me and does not wish for me to work for you. I will understand if I am to be removed from the duty of your son's guard." She said standing at his desk with her hands behind her back.
Spock replied, "T'Pring, if I have any intention of removing you from duty, I will let you know. You are the guard most qualified to handle Styik in case of an emergency and you are the most qualified for several other reasons that it would be futile for me to name as you are already aware. What are your other concerns?"
"My other concern is Spock Superior." She said,
Spock did not allow her to finish explaining, and cut her words short with, "His answer is no, T'Pring."
T'Pring was a determined Vulcan. She continued to say, "I realize this. I also realize that he is vehemently searching for a bond mate. With the shortage in Vulcan women in existence, he is not likely to find one soon. If he is searching so dutifully, I can only assume that he will need one extremely soon. It would be most logical for him to choose one which is available and willing."
Spock looked at her as he said, "I am aware of this, T'Pring, and I have shared with him this strand of logic already. His answer is no."
"Get her to do it." She said. It sounded like a command, but she had a commanding voice. "You must convince the Lady Uhura to speak with him about it. She must know how dangerous it is for him not to have a mate when he approaches what he must surely be on the verge of. If he will not listen to you, he will listen to her. I know that the emotional side of you does not wish to hear these words, but you do know that she is of the utmost importance to him. If he will listen to anyone, he will listen to her. If she will listen to anyone, she will listen to you. How did you convince her to keep me on staff of your guard after her obvious outbursts in the kitchen on yesterday?"
"I did not convince her. Styik did, this morning." Spock confessed. Styik had explained to Nyota that she did not need to try to protect him from T'Pring, that he would rather her be within his reach if she was scheming than beyond it, and Nyota had finally accepted the concept of it. It was like the old saying of keeping one's enemies closer than their friends.
"Well, then get Styik to speak to her." T'Pring insisted. Spock began to feel uncomfortable with this conversation. T'Pring was speaking to him as though she was in charge of him, as though she was giving him orders. Her tone reminded him of Nyota's when she had to have her way.
He spoke to her sternly, stating, "There is no one who will be able to convince her that you should be bonded to Ambassador Spock."
"Does that make you wonder why not? Even your human side should run such questions through your mind about your wife and Spock Superior. It is not proper for a Vulcan to share a mate. It is not proper, despite what type of laws are being established on New Vulcan. Certainly, the Lady Ravalan may serve Superior in his time of need, as she is the House bride, but it would be proper for him to have one bride of his own to mate with. I am the most suitable and logical candidate. Make her understand that, so that she might release him. Perhaps if he has a child from his own loins, he will allow you and your wife to be the sole parents of your son." Now, Spock looked at her with eyes that indicated to her that she had struck a nerve. She stated, "I apologize, Sir Spock. The comment was completely an observation of possible outcomes to the bonding between myself and Spock Superior." Spock nodded. He knew that this was true, and that she meant no offense, but it still stung. He did not like the fact that Ambassador Spock was so close to Nyota, nor to Sytar, but it would have been illogical of him to demand that the elder stop his visits to them. It would have been illogical. And it would have been an act of jealous cruelty, to Ambassador Spock.
Spock respected Ambassador, and found his presence necessary as it related to his own life, as it related to Nyota and the baby, he found it... a hindrance. It made him feel negatively. And Styik knew it. Styik could sense the way that his father felt about Ambassador Spock and Nyota's friendship, and Styik hated it. Styik, unlike Spock would react to the emotional disturbance. T'Pring ventured on to say, "And it would help Young Styik, as well. When he looks at Superior, he does not see you. He sees an enemy. Perhaps if Ambassador Spock was bonded to me, Styik would be able to control his feelings of wrath against him better."
"I will speak with her, T'Pring." Spock made up his mind.
T'Pring said, "That is all that I ask. I know that logic fails on most humans, but some part of me thinks that you would not have chosen so illogical a being that it fails at all turns." T'Pring headed for the door and asked, "Have you had any breakfast, Sir Spock? I am highly interested in telling you about this mornings scientific findings reports."
"I will not have breakfast today. Perhaps we can discuss the news over lunch." He suggested.
"I shall return then." She said.
Nyota smiled when Ravalan entered the room with a breakfast tray for her. The Vulcan said, "I knew that you would thank me. It is always better after a long wait." Styik glanced at Ravalan, but did not comment. He was actually thinking to himself that he seriously doubted if Ravalan ever allowed herself a long wait, as he saw her as a complete harlot, and still could not believe that his grandfather had taken her as a wife, but Styik had been working on his "smart mouth", under his mother's orders, and he no longer had Chekov and Scotty around to encourage it.
Nyota sat up in bed and asked, "Is Vulrak on guard outside of the door?"
"Yes." Ravalan said.
Nyota waved Styik over and touched his hand, "Can you block Vulrak out of my mind for me to have a private conversation with Aunt Ravalan?"
Styik looked at Ravalan and then at Nyota and asked, "For what purpose? Surely you realize that Vulrak is to be trusted above Ravalan."
Ravalan smiled and said, "If it makes you feel better, I can't stand you either."
"It does, actually. It makes my day." Styik commented, evenly, but seriously. His attempt to work on his remarks had been negotiated, but he decided that he would resume after she was gone.
Nyota grabbed his hand and said, "Now, please." He nodded once and took her hand. Ravalan grabbed Nyota's hand. Styik could not block Vulrak and eavesdrop on their conversation simultaneously, so he did not hear them exchanging: "As I was saying, before, you are the house bride, I am not."
Ravalan nodded as her mind said, "That is true. One thing you have not considered, in your hope that all beings feel the same as you do... You are more important to this house than I am and your son is far more precious than my own to the family, for it."
"If she gets me out of the way, then the two of you can go toe to toe for House bridal-ship." Nyota joked.
Ravalan informed her, "It would not be so. If anything should happen to you or the baby, everyone here will logically conclude that I am responsible. Therefore, it is in my best interest to help you."
A smirk came across Nyota's face and she thought, "I knew that it must not have been out of the goodness of your heart..."
Ravalan openly admitted, "You had my husband sent away. I do not like you. I just deal with you, because I must. As I must help you not to fall prey to T'Pring. Just be careful. Always be careful. Your outbursts yesterday did not help the situation. Now that she knows that you do not trust her, she will be more careful. You should be more careful." Ravalan let go of Nyota and said, "I have a morning date, would you mind watching Suzak?"
"I will watch him." Styik said.
Ravalan lifted both of her eyebrows and replied, "I will have him sent to the room."
Once Nyota had the energy, she got up and went to shower. She got dressed in a pair of old jeans and a tank top shirt. She tied her hair up in a ponytail and changed the covers on the bed. There were servants to do this, but she did not like the servants coming into the room very much. Styik sat on the floor with Suzak, looking at cards and having Suzak attempt to tell him what was on the card. First there was a tree. "Tree" Suzak said. Then there was a mountain. Suzak said, "Cave." Close enough, Styik thought. He was able to see the card through Styik's eyes, he simply misnamed it. Then there was a picture of an angel. Suzak sat silently for a while, confused by the wings on the woman that he saw reflected from Styik's mind. But, seeing her face and the fact that her ears were not pointed, he answered, "Lady." Nyota turned to look at him, thinking that he was calling her, but Styik held up the card to show her. It made her smile.
Styik asked, "May I visit Father at the Embassy today? Only for lunch."
"Well, I think that Vulrak may have let T'Pring leave for the day. You know how Vulrak is about separating us."
"Then we can both go. I do not believe that Father will disapprove of having lunch with his family." Styik urged.
She did not feel like dressing in all of her Vulcan attire, but she did not wish to enter the Embassy looking like some random common human, either. Perhaps it would not embarrass Spock too much. After all, all of the Vulcans knew who she was and all of them had seen her look as one of the highest Vulcan women might and speak as one of them might. Today was an easy day. No big robes, no caftans, no tunics... none of it. She gathered Sytar and said, "You hold Suzak's hand, since Ravalan does not seem to be planning on retrieving him."
"She is probably engaged in sexual intercourse with one of the cave Vulcans." Styik commented.
"That is a terrible thing to say about your aunt." Nyota warned.
Styik's reply was, "Technically, she is now my grandmother, if I accept her place in this family. However, I do not. And as for it being terrible, I do not know. But whether or not it is a terrible thing to say, I am inclined to believe that you will agree that it is highly likely."
Vulrak walked the family to the transport and asked, "Would you like me to prepare Sir Spock, or shall this be a surprise visit?"
"He does not react to surprises anyway, so you might as well leave it alone." Nyota said, climbing into the transport.
On the way to the building, Vulrak stated, "You will be working soon, I have been told."
Nyota excitedly said, "I will be doing communications work at the Embassy. They expected me to begin later, but I am eager to begin working again, and from what I have been told, there have been a lot of transmissions conferences held, lately. Is something going on?"
"You will be privy to that information soon enough, My Lady." Vulrak stated.
Vulrak escorted the family to the restaurant type dining hall which Spock typically had his lunch in and Spock was in his typical place, but T'Pring was seated across from him. Nyota did not react to her, at all. Vulrak suppressed a smirk at the thought that Spock must have really did himself justice the previous night. Nyota approached the table, carrying Sytar and said, "Hello, Spock. T'Pring. I apologize for interrupting, but Styik wanted to come have lunch with you." Spock turned to see Styik and Suzak.
Suzak smiled at him and said, "Spock."
Spock gave the child a brief nod, then said, to the others, "Be seated. Someone will arrive shortly to see that you are served." Nyota pulled a chair next to Spock and sat by him. T'Pring stared silently at her. Vulrak simply stood by the table. Styik came around to T'Pring's side of the table and helped Suzak into the empty chair next to her. He stared at her for a moment, hoping that she would just get up. He certainly had no intention of her being included in his time with his family. When she did not move, a thought ran though his head to throw the entire chair over and watch her tumble from it. He laughed silently about the thought. Then, he asked, "Should I take a chair away from another table?"
"No, you shall not. T'Pring will rise from the table." Spock said. T'Pring heeded his suggestion and went to stand next to Vulrak. Styik sat across from Spock and began to talk to him about the scientific news, which he and T'Pring had just been discussing.
Nyota and Spock's fingers were touching as they all sat, but only Spock and Styik talked to each other. Suzak said random things throughout the conversation, mostly to "Lady." Vulrak watched the family, enviously. T'Pring watched them curiously. It was ridiculous, but amazing to see a Vulcan child like Styik engaged in a decent, orderly conversation with his father in a setting such as this, and an emotional uproar in other settings. Her eyes fell upon Nyota, who was seated so close to Spock that their knees were touching. How distasteful were these human wives to touch their husbands in such a way in the presence of others? As distasteful as the V'tosh ka'tur.
She looked over at Vulrak and said, "I saw Tirza this morning, leaving here. She had some type of conference transmission. She seemed to be flustered. You must have bothered her last night, and that is the reason you seemed to be in such a negative mindset this morning."
"You and I need not to discuss Tirza." Vulrak warned her, and it had not been the first time.
T'Pring continued her train of thought, "I know that you do not like it when we do, however, you must know that I did what was best for Tirza. You were hurting her. She failed her priestess exams as a result of your transference of illogic. She found it difficult to control the feelings that were not her own. She was not the only good, logical Vulcan who was led astray by an illogical lover or friend."
"I realize that it was a mistake to expect Tirza to love me. I do not wish to speak about this subject with you, T'Pring." Vulrak said, in an even more warning tone than before.
"I shall cease to speak of it." T'Pring replied.
Vulrak came rushing down the corridor of the building until he ran into T'Pring and she pointed at him and said, "He is one of them." The guards grabbed Vulrak and he calmly allowed it, not wanting to escalate the situation with a struggle.
He looked at T'Pring and asked, "Where is my wife and my son?"
T'Pring announced, "They are in the chambers. She is being observed. Her reactions to the baby's birth alarmed the midwives. The child was completely healthy, and yet, Tirza would not stop crying."
"Tears of joy, possibly?" He asked, somewhat sarcastically.
"Illogical." T'Pring stated.
"May I see my son?" Vulrak asked, practically holding his breath as he waited for an answer.
He received it, "It is not for me to decide whether you may see him, however, he is healthy and looks strong. He has all of his parts in tact and appears to be in complete functioning condition."
A smile crossed Vulrak's face and he asked, "What does he look like?"
She furrowed her eyebrows in mild confusion, then returned to her normal face. "He looks like a Vulcan baby. I do not understand the question."
"Does he have her eyes, her hair?" Vulrak asked, trying to give her hints as to how to describe his newborn son to him.
She understood even less, now. "He has his own eyes, Vulrak. Are you speaking in V'tosh ka'tur code?"
"Which of us does he resemble most?" He felt was the simplest way to ask.
"He appears to have acquired his father's appearance, however his skin is closer to that of his mother's though not quite as dark, still quite dark, even for an infant whose mother is a sun catcher, and his eyes are in between your shades, a shade of brown, but with that same crystalline look as Tirza's have."
Now, his smile was prominent, "He sounds beautiful."
T'Pring stared at him, unsure of how to respond to such a statement. She was unsure of what it even meant, much less sure of whether or not there was a logical response to the comment. She simply said, "You will be taken into the chambers to appear before the elders for your ties to Sybok. He was exiled years ago. Now, with my involvement in the caves searches, his followers are next."
"I have to see Tirza again. I have to see the baby." Vulrak suddenly felt desparate, frightened and in need.
T'Pring said, "Vulrak, do you still not see how harmful that is to both Tirza and the child, for you to pass these primitive actions into them. There is no logical reason for Tirza to behave the way which she has in this time period of being your wife. If there is any logic or any decency in you at all, you will relinquish your destructive hold on her and allow her to raise a child apart from your barbaric actions."
"Is it not barbaric to wish to tear a family apart?" Was his question.
Her answer was answered promptly. "A family should be built upon logic, not whatever it is that you have taken over Tirza's mind with. I sincerely hope that the priestesses can help her, this time." The guards took Vulrak away to the chambers to be brought before the elders.
Vulrak glanced at T'Pring. Sometimes, he hated her for her part in his past. Not only had she brought Tirza into the council chambers, shortly after Tirza had given birth, but she also had Vulrak and several other Vulcans apprehended. T'Pring had just recently finished with all of her classes and began tactical work, right after school, as all Vulcans began working right after school, and she made her life's mission become ridding Vulcan of illogical Vulcans. If Tirza had been anyone else, T'Pring might have fought to have her exiled, as well, but Tirza had been a girl whom T'Pring had known for years. T'Pring believed that she could be salvaged, that she was only tainted by Vulrak and that without him, Tirza would be fine. Vulrak, for the most part had forgiven T'Pring for it all. After all, she was only trying to help Tirza, and she believed that she was helping her.
If T'Pring was into the concept of friendship, Tirza would have been described as her friend, perhaps even her best friend, despite the three years difference in their ages coming up. By the time T'Pring's mission had begun, Vulrak had secured a marriage with Tirza. T'Pring tried to bring him into the chambers several times, but Vulrak always had a stunning reserve. He could turn his emotion off as quickly as a button could be pressed. Every time she attempted it, he reverted to his deeply rooted Vulcanism and walked away unscathed. When he became fearful of never seeing his wife again and his child ever, he became emotional enough to be beyond controlling it.
He and Tirza had been separated since, and only reunited after their pilgrimage to New Vulcan. Tirza had not been with anyone else and dealt with any urges she may have met with meditation. She was a prolific meditator, after having been to recovery for her uncontrollable emotions she received from Vulrak so many times. Vulrak had been with other partners, but he kept his interactions limited to Pon Farr, before he realized that he could have Tirza again.
When Sybok had come to New Vulcan and joined forces with his father to unite the Vulcans, Tirza had waited for Vulrak outside of the Embassy after being dismissed from a mass meeting in the conference stadium. When he exited the building, she said, "One with logic would have expected them to come to such a conclusion before now." He turned to the sound of her voice and tried not to smile at her, as he did not know how she would take it. "If you have no other engagements, escort me to my living area." He had further engagements, but after she asked him this, he completely forgot what they were. He escorted her to her small house and she invited him inside.
"For what reason?" He asked.
She stood blankly for a while, suddenly seeming to realize that she could think of no logical reason to invite him into her home. So, since it was a time for coming together, she replied, "Because I have missed you." Since that night, each time he saw her, their nights were similar, they began with her missing him and ended with her bringing herself back to her logic.
Vulrak sighed and T'Pring looked at him and said, "You have much more important things to worry about than a wife that you never should have obtained. You have duties to tend to."
"I am aware of my responsibilities, T'Pring. Perhaps you should remain focused on your own." He replied.
After lunch, Spock walked with his family, back to his office. He held Sytar, while Nyota held Suzak and Styik walked beside Spock. The other Vulcans, for the most part had began to ignore when they saw Vulcans in family affection typed settings, as there were so many illogical Vulcans on the new planet, but they often did double takes when they realized that the family was escorted by High Vulcan Guards, and that it was Spock's family.
Vulrak and T'Pring walked behind the family with their faces as stoic as any Vulcans, despite the issues racing through his heart and the ones racing through her mind. They had duties, both of them. T'Pring glanced at him, wondering what he could have meant by his last comment. She always knew that he did not like her, but now, he did not seem to trust her. That was something completely different, and something that she needed to think of a way to remedy very quickly. Her life and her current mission would become much more complicated if he did not trust her.
Sarek, Spock, Ambassador Spock, Styik, Nyota and Ravalan, with Suzak on her lap, all sat at the table to have supper together. The conversations were ones that Nyota could understand and appreciate. Everyone was getting along and speaking cordially. The guards were outside of the room, then suddenly, Ambassador Spock knocked over his glass and it shattered on the floor. He took a deep breath and reached for it, then accidentally cut himself. Ravalan sat Suzak on her seat and went to get something to help him with the glass, while Nyota went to get something for the wound. Both of them were in the kitchen digging when Ravalan said, "He better think of something, quickly."
"What?" Nyota asked, a bit confused.
"Pon Farr, dear. He is going through it. Apparently meditation is not working for him." Ravalan explained.
Nyota felt her heart hiccup a bit at this revelation. Ambassador Spock was in his mating season, and would have to mate and he had no mate to mate with. One of the main reasons that he had no mate was because she had helped him to decide to reject one. She began to ask Ravalan, "Wait, can't he die if he doesn't..."
Ravalan quickly answered, "He will die, if he doesn't. T'Pring should begin to look a little better to him now, but he keeps refusing."
"But, he can die." Nyota said, as if it were common sense for him to now reconsider.
"Perhaps he'd rather die than to be bonded to that bitch." Ravalan said, with a smirk. She left the kitchen with a small high powered suction appliance.
Ambassador Spock walked into the kitchen holding a cloth over the cut with green seeping into it. She searched around and said, "I have no idea where the supplies are to tend to that." He went directly to a certain drawer and opened it.
Spock and T'Pring entered the kitchen, now. Nyota startled when she saw them. Apparently, T'Pring had been sent for, because she was not in the room prior to this. Ambassador Spock ignored them as they walked over. T'Pring was in one of her evening gowns, and she stared at Nyota and said, "Lady Uhura, if you will step aside, I believe that I am more capable of addressing the wound than you are." Nyota did move, because she wanted his wound addressed. She did, however, stay in the room as T'Pring worked on it. T'Pring said, to Ambassador Spock, "You are holding off on it as well as anyone that I have seen with the exception of my associate Tirza, but you are half human, so it possibly does not affect you as deeply as it does us. She looked at Nyota and said, "Both myself, Master Sarek and Sir Spock have tried to reason with him. It is illogical for him to die because he does not want to do something else that will ensure his life, is it not?" She asked.
Both Spocks looked at Nyota and she shook her head and said, "I don't know what you expect me to say, T'Pring. My opinion is not really much of a matter at this point. Besides, the way that it was explained to me, the two bonded have to want the bond."
"It is not an issue of want, Human. It is an issue of agreement. We both must agree." T'Pring corrected. Nyota cocked her head back at T'Pring's reference to her as "Human". She knew that she was human, but there was just something about the way that T'Pring said it that rang of dislike and made Nyota a bit mad.
Spock lifted his eyebrow and warned, "I must insist that you take consideration in how you address my wife, T'Pring."
T'Pring kept her focus on the wound as she answered, "I did not realize that I was addressing her in a negative way. My apologies. I am more concerned with Spock Superior's condition. If he does not act soon, he will die." T'Pring insisted. She finished up mending his cut.
He stated, "I will go meditate."
He left the room and Nyota sighed and looked at Spock, "Maybe I can talk to him."
Spock said, "If you are able to, it would be wise and beneficial to him for him to agree to a bond with T'Pring. His rejection of logic could become fatal." She nodded her head and went into the other room to look around for him. He had already headed for his own quarters.
Nyota rushed up the stairs and hurried to try to catch him before he began meditation. Vulrak appeared behind her. "What are you doing?
"It is extremely dangerous for you to be around him while he is in this period. If you must speak with him, you may meld, if you seek privacy. It would not be wise to leave you alone with him." Vulrak said.
"He would not harm me." She said, with hope in her voice.
Vulrak answered, "Normally, he would not... but Pon Farr is anything but normal and oftentimes, we forget ourselves. We forget our strength. We forget our logic. We become savage beasts raging to quench a desire that we can not control, and Ambassador Spock already has issues with you in this area." She knocked on the door and he opened it.
She and Vulrak entered, and she immediately began speaking, "I do not want you to die, Spock." He sighed and sat down in his meditation position. "You do not have to say anything. I will speak. I think that you should bond with T'Pring so that you can successfully mate and get this entire thing over with. It is not just logical, Spock, it is common sense. I know that you did not want to obligate yourself, but I think that your biology demands the obligation this time around, and with the shortage of Vulcan women and the period of time that you have left to decide, you really can not afford to be choosy, right now. I hate the thought of it. I don't like her. I especially don't like her for you, but it is something that you need to do."
"Thank you for your opinion." Ambassador Spock said. She sighed and tried to walk over to him, but Vulrak caught her arm and shook his head. Ambassador Spock looked at them and felt his anger creep up in his chest. He commented, "You certainly seem to deem it necessary to touch her a lot."
"I am simply trying to keep her out of harm's way, Ambassador. I believe that as her friend, you can appreciate my attempts." Vulrak said, not letting Nyota's arm go.
Ambassador Spock said, "I could appreciate it both of you got out of my room so that I can meditate." Nyota walked out with Vulrak behind her. They saw T'Pring and Spock standing there, staring at them. Nyota shrugged her shoulders and said, "Maybe you can just catch him right when he's at his most desperate and trick him into bonding."
"By that time, he would simply take me by force and the bond will have to be established in my mind if I am to save myself from the onslaught of it." T'Pring said.
Nyota sighed and said, "He will reconsider. He will do what is logical."