Prais was right. After three days on the transport ship to Vulcan, Amanda was sick of space. She was also, not surprisingly, sick of Prais. He was always digging at her whenever he saw her, making slightly off-color jokes to try to make her blush. She found it incredibly unsettling, and wondered again and again why Starfleet would send such a person as a cultural emissary to Vulcan. Did they want to show Earth as a planet full of loud, boorish people? She still had hope with Everard, however. He was slightly absent minded, but friendly, and they'd had a few talks together to while the time away.
"I've never been to Vulcan before, either." He told her over their lunch once. "I'm incredibly excited to study the planet's native flora. In truth, though, I've been sent as an emissary to the Vulcan Science Academy. The program has also set up an exchange of recent experiments and results. I've got a big bundle of things to give to them over at the VSA...I doubt that they'll have much use for them, though." He looked a little crestfallen as he said this. "Strictly speaking, the Vulcan Science Academy has got research and information that Starfleet would love to get its hands on, but we don't have anything that's worth their while."
Amanda was surprised to hear it. "Really? Doesn't Starfleet have a database of scientific information from all over the galaxies?"
"Well, yes," Everard replied, in a tone that really suggested 'well, no'. "Earth has, of course, contributed tons of stuff to the Starfleet databases. Unfortunately, a lot of the other races aren't as keen to share their knowledge. Of course we have some things, but not as much as we'd like. If we're able to convince Vulcan to part with some of their research, then we'd surely get a huge influx from the other races. It's strange how much Vulcan sets a precedent for the other races." He sighed.
Amanda pondered this as she headed back to her rooms after lunch to pack up. They would be arriving in Vulcan in only a few hours. She knew that the Vulcans had been the first race to make contact with Humans, and many scientific advances had been made on Earth because of knowledge the Vulcans shared. It wouldn't surprise her, though, if that had only been a fraction of what the Vulcans knew. In many respects, they seemed to have honed their culture and society to far greater a point than the Humans had. But was that really a good thing?
Still musing, Amanda packed up her clothes and toiletries, drifting around the comfortable room she'd been given to find whatever little things she'd accidentally tucked away. Through her window, she thought she could see a reddish planet growing larger in the distance. Was that Vulcan? Her heart skipped a beat. Soon she would be stepping out onto the dusty red ground of Vulcan, and her work would really begin.
Once her bags were fully packed once more, Amanda paused in front of the large mirror in her room. She looked presentable enough, but she really wanted to make her best impression possible. She tugged her hair out of the ponytail she'd hastily made, deciding to braid it instead. She still wasn't fully satisfied. She stood there for a moment, staring at her face, making strange expressions as she examined her cheeks, lips, nose, and eyes. Hmm. She took a step back, and with an effort, carefully arranged her face into a placid, Vulcan-like calm. No movement, no change. She would be as still as the surface of a lake on a clear day.
T'Rea had, of course, continued to instruct Amanda throughout their journey. Amanda had even given meditation a shot, but she'd felt uncomfortable and fidgety under T'Rea's harsh eye. Amanda's conversational Vulcan, however, had improved by leaps and bounds. Earlier that day, T'Rea had nodded to her, a gesture of satisfaction, and said "You're doing very well. I am impressed, ko-kan, girl." Amanda wasn't sure whether to be pleased or offended. It was the first time that T'Rea had addressed her as anything but Miss Grayson. Was it a sign of acceptance, or of diminution? Amanda had the feeling that this wasn't the only thing she would be puzzling over in the months to come.
Finally, the transport reached its destination. The shuttle that was to bear them to the planet's surface arrived, and Amanda and the other passengers entered it, accompanied by a small crew. Amanda's party hadn't been the only travelers from Earth to Vulcan, and there were a larger number of Vulcans among those who boarded the shuttle. Amanda, out of habit more than preference, went to sit with the other Humans; Everard and Prais. Prais began talking at her almost immediately, but Amanda said she wanted to watch the descent, and parked herself by a window to peer out. As they left the hangar, her eyes widened to see the great curve of Vulcan's surface, brilliantly orange and glowing in the dark of space. She gasped at the sight, and she heard a chuckle behind her. She turned, thinking it would be Prais, but it was Everard. He smiled kindly at her.
"I'm sorry. I'm only enjoying seeing a young person's wonder."
Amanda returned his smile and shrugged, but someone else in the room had also caught her eye. The young Vulcan man whose name she had not been told was looking at her as well. As soon as their gaze met, however, he looked away, and did not look over at her again for the rest of the trip down to the planet. Amanda didn't mind, however. She could feel her heart racing in her chest with excitement. Finally, she would step out onto the surface of Vulcan! They would finally be there!
The surface of Vulcan turned out to be quite a lot hotter than she'd supposed. Amanda followed T'Rea off the shuttle, wild with impatience to be outside, but the Vulcan woman walked at a sedate pace. As soon as Vulcan's air hit them, however, Amanda wished she were back on the shuttle. It was boiling hot, and bright, with sunlight reflecting off the red sands and buildings at a furious degree. Amanda gasped again, shielding her eyes, because the vision of the city itself was enough to take the heat off her mind.
Shi'Kahr lay spread out in front of her, a landscape of delicate, strange towers in the heat haze. Amanda gaped. Shi'Kahr couldn't be compared to any city she had seen on Earth. The buildings were elegantly sloped, their sweeping roofs reflecting the sunlight in a strange, beautiful pattern. Amanda couldn't help but stare as they made their way onto the landing platform.
"It's beautiful," She gasped, turning to T'Rea with a look of stunned admiration on her face. T'Rea's own expression was unreadable, and Amanda quickly tried to make hers appear much the same. She had forgotten in her excitement to keep her manner cool and calm.
"Yes; there is no sight I like better than that of Shi'Kahr after I have been away." T'Rea said, and there was a hint of softness in her voice as she looked over her home. "Come, there is much to do."
Amanda hurried after the Vulcan lady's sweeping robes as T'Rea descended into the building to which the landing platform was attached. She could hear Prais complaining loudly of the heat as they made their way inside. It made something tighten angrily inside of her. How could he be like that?
They had apparently landed on the central building of Shi'Kahr, where the government offices were. They were met by what looked like several important Vulcan individuals, but they seemed to be far more interested in Councilman Skon than in Amanda or her fellow Humans. The Councilman and his group left almost immediately, acknowledging the Humans with only a short bow in their direction. Amanda noticed that the unnamed young man went with them, walking at the Councilman's side. She wondered again who he could be, but couldn't think about it for long, because T'Rea was directing her attention to another young Vulcan. She was very slight, and dressed in simple but lovely dark robes, which complimented her dark eyes and hair to an attractive degree.
"Hello, I wish you welcome to Shi'Kahr. My name is T'Sana, and I will be your guide here." The young woman bowed her head slightly. She spoke in Common, which annoyed Amanda slightly. She had wanted to ply her skills in the Vulcan tongue immediately, but she supposed that Prais and Everard needed to be addressed in Common. Well, soon enough she wouldn't have to spend any more time with them, though she thought that she would visit Everard when she had some time. She'd enjoyed talking to him on the voyage.
T'Sana led them to the main floor of the building, speaking in a quiet, polite voice all the while. "This is the principal building of the Vulcan High Command. The High Council also meets here - I believe you have met Councilman Skon. You will each have lodgings quite close by to this building, as most of your meetings will take place here." She turned to Prais. "Captain Prais, you will be functioning primarily out of this building. Mr. Everard, however, you will be working in the Science Academy, which is quite close by, to the west." She indicated with one slim hand the general direction of the great school. "Miss Grayson," She said, turning to look at Amanda, "I believe your studies will take place in many different institutions around the city. Transportation will of course be provided for you." Amanda was about to smile in thanks to the young woman, but caught herself just in time. No doubt such a gesture would have mortified and embarrassed T'Sana.
"It is here that I leave you, unless you have any questions for me." T'Sana said, when they reached the entrance to the building. A large, black vehicle was waiting for them outside, into which their belongings were being packed.
"Rai, lesek." Amanda said, in Vulcan. "No, thank you." T'Sana of course did not look surprised to be addressed in her own tongue, but she inclined her head to Amanda. "Miss Grayson, I see that the reports of your prowess with our language are true. I wish you good luck in your studies here." Once again, she replied in Common, and Amanda wondered if it was for Prais and Everard's benefit yet again. Amanda returned the nod, but she sighed internally, but shrugged it off. Soon she would be yearning to speak Common again, she was pretty certain of that.
T'Sana motioned for them to get into the vehicle. "Goodbye. I will see you tomorrow. Rest well, be'hai'la." Prais and Everard smiled at her and got into the hovercar, Amanda following behind them feeling embarrassed. She wondered why the two of them didn't even make an effort. Perhaps the Vulcans were expecting good behavior out of her, but not out of the other diplomats.
When the door was closed, Prais immediately turned to Amanda. "What was that 'be'hai'la' about? Was she calling us something rude?"
Amanda frowned at him. "Of course not. It means 'guests'."
"You try to learn some of the language, or at least pick up a phrase book." Everard said coolly to Prais, and Amanda felt a little of the pressure on her lessen. T'Rea joined them a moment later, shutting the door neatly behind her.
"I will accompany you to your lodgings," She said. "Miss Grayson, we will go to yours first."
Amanda nodded, but her mind was already elsewhere. She was staring out the large windows at the city streets around them. Everywhere there were Vulcans going about their everyday business, walking together in their strange heavy robes, talking with calm faces. Amanda felt as though she couldn't stop staring. It was as though she'd stepped through a door into a completely different world - which, of course, she had. After having seen only a handful of Vulcans in her 26 years of life, she was overwhelmed by the crowds around them. Everything was interesting, everything was exciting. She read signs for restaurants and hotels, for bath houses and food markets. She even saw children, walking beside their parents just as solemnly as the adults. Amanda wondered what it would be like to encounter children like that in a classroom. Well, it's only a matter of time, she thought.
Finally they reached the little building where Amanda would be staying. It was really quite close by to the Vulcan High Command building, but as there was so much traffic, it took a while to get there. Amanda got out of the hovercar quickly, eager to see the place that would be her new home. The driver was already taking her small bags out of the hovercar. Amanda was surprised to see a simply dressed woman taking them from him into the house. She didn't expect that she would have servants here.
T'Rea also got out of the car. "This is where I leave you," She said to Amanda. "We shall see each other again soon. You shall have everything you need here, but if you lack for anything, you need only send a message to T'Sana or myself. Good evening, ko-kan." And, for the first time, she raised her hand in the Vulcan salute. Amanda, surprised but appreciative of the gesture, returned it. This seemed to satisfy T'Rea, and she got back into the vehicle, which promptly left.
Amanda turned to survey the little house she had been given. It was perfectly cosy looking, to Amanda's eye, although she had so far seen little of Vulcan architecture. It was made out of a dark orange material, not unlike brick, and there were ample windows. The door was unobtrusive, set behind a little gate, and beside it stood an impressive plant, its branches reaching out in all directions, extending dusty purple flowers to the air. Amanda wanted to smile, but instead contented herself with enjoying the feeling of warmth rising in her chest. She could certainly see herself being at home here. If everything else was strange, at least she could retreat back here, where a sense of refuge was already forming.
She was brought out of these thoughts by a polite noise beside her. She turned to see the Vulcan woman in simple dress who had helped the driver with her luggage. She was in her late thirties, with shoulder-length hair. Her face didn't seem unkind, with large dark eyes, and she inclined her head respectfully to Amanda when their eyes met.
"Good afternoon, t'sai. I am T'Iva. I am to be your maid." The woman said, in Vulcan. Amanda felt her cheeks grow warmer from being addressed as "lady", but she supposed it was the closest the Vulcan language would get to "miss".
"Thank you, T'Iva." Amanda said, not sure what else she could say. T'Iva seemed to be satisfied by this, however, and led the way into the little house. Amanda was even more pleased with the interior, which was very comforting, if a little dark. There was a small living room and kitchen on the first floor, with space set aside for a table and chairs. Up a curving staircase Amanda found a hallway with three doors leading off it. One led to a small sitting room, another to a room that Amanda assumed belonged to T'Iva, and the third to her own bedroom. It was lovely, decorated in cool dark colors, and the air was cool despite the heat outside. Amanda was delighted to find also that the back wall was entirely comprised of a large window, allowing her to see out to the skyline of Shi'Kahr. Evidently her home was on a little row of buildings built the top of a low cliff. Beyond, the houses were all set at a lower level, allowing her to see far over the roofs. The large bulk of the Principle Building was also in sight, and Amanda regarded it for a few moments, wondering what her days inside its walls would be like. For now, however, she was perfectly content. A little cough behind her indicated T'Iva's presence again.
"T'Sana has instructed me to lay out clothing for you, t'sai." She said, indicating a bundle of cloth in her arms. "There are more in the dresser. T'Sana has asked that you dress appropriately for the weather while you stay here." Amanda looked down at her clothes. Even from the short amount of time she'd spent outside, there was a smattering of red dust on her pants and sleeves. She would certainly look like a foreigner if she wore clothing like this out in the city. "Oh, of course. Thank you." She said, remembering to keep her face smooth and calm.
T'Iva nodded and began to lay out the clothes - a Vulcan style dress, not as elegant as those T'Rea wore, but lovely nonetheless. It was a dark shade of muted rose, which Amanda found very attractive, even though she normally wore bright or pastel colors. She picked up the top garment and examined it for a minute. It looked easy enough, but...Amanda looked to T'Iva.
"May I ask you to help me on with them?" She asked, feeling sheepish, but doing her best to keep it out of her voice. "I don't know how wear it."
Something like a smile flickered in T'Iva's eyes and she nodded. "Of course, t'sai." She said. She began to help Amanda out of her old clothes and into the Vulcan dress, and Amanda was surprised to find that the woman did it all without touching Amanda once. Of course, it would be considered rude to have any physical contact. Once Amanda had struggled into the dress, she went to the long mirror and regarded herself in it.
The effect wasn't bad. The fabric draped very nicely over her body. Amanda had always marvelled at the way that Vulcan ladies dresses always made their bodies look beautiful and shapely while staying far away from anything erotic or tight. Therefore she was very pleased by the way the dress looked on her own body. "I like it very much." She said, smoothing out the long skirt. The cloth also felt far more comfortable than her old clothing had - somehow cooler, even though there was far more of it.
"If that is all, mistress, I will leave you." Said T'Iva with another little nod.
"Oh, wait -" Amanda held up a hand. Ever since she'd met T'Rea, she'd been wondering... "I don't suppose you could help me style my hair like a Vulcan lady, too?"