Happy Holidays
U.S.S. Enterprise, 2281.338, 1310 hours. By December things were mostly back to normal. Not long after his abduction Se'tak learned that Cole's mothers had sent him to live on the Mars colony with his uncle and aunt and was he ever grateful for that. Cole had been gone for almost 2 months already and yet he still had minor freak-outs when walking down empty hallways alone. He kept looking over his shoulder expecting some kind of attack and he really hated Cole for making him so paranoid…
…but now he had bigger things to think about. It was the start of his favorite month of the year, a month where almost every culture on the ship had a holiday that they celebrated making for one very festive atmosphere and he loved it! The parties, the food, the gifts—not even the prospect of final exams could dampen his spirit.
That Tuesday Se'tak and the guys were heading to their last class of the day. Tilk was getting really excited; the annual Andorian Gulshantia festival, with it's large ice carving contest, was being held that weekend and he and his family were out to reclaim the prize. While everyone was invited to participate (and indeed several people tried to compete) the contest really only existed between the Neferans* and the Moulakis, the only two Andorian families aboard.
"…then my sister suggested we depict the story of 'Kenyal, Ruler of the Seas' and my family just ran with it! Oh man, you guys aren't even going to…I mean the narwahl is going to be at least 3 meters tall and then we're going to have Kenyal standing on the end of his horn with his staff in one hand and bits of his broken boat exploding all around him…it's going to be EPIC!" Tilk's hands and antennae went wild as he spoke; the only time Se'tak ever saw his friend this animated was when he was talking about something science-y.
"You think you guys are really going to win this year?" Egil asked.
"Hell's yes I do!" Tilk swiftly replied, "Those snub-nosed, short antennae, good-for-nothing Moulakis are going down!"
Egil started asking his friend something technical about the design when Se'tak got shoved hard in the side. He looked up in time to see the back of Tabitha's head as she stepped into class.
The others just shook their heads and watched her go. "She's turned into a real bitch*," Aaron muttered.
Se'tak knew he should've said something to her about the way she was acting but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Ever since Cole got caught and kicked off the ship Tabby had gone a little nut-so. It was mostly stupid things like knocking into him in the hall or flicking things at him when the teacher wasn't looking but one time she tripped him up in the middle of the Mess and more than the humiliation of falling face first into your food in front of dozens of people her betrayal of him really hurt.
But what truly made him hold his tongue was knowing that she was in enough trouble already without his help. Her grades were dropping and if she wasn't annoying him or wasting time with her new friends she was either in detention or getting grounded by her parents. It really sucked watching her spiral out of control like that but he realized anything he said or did would blow up in his face so he just made sure to keep his distance from her.
"So," he asked Tilk as they walked into their classroom, "Are your dads going to finally let you wield a laser scalpel this year or what?"
U.S.S. Enterprise, 2281.345, 1632 hours. He was sitting on top of his bed doing some reading for school when an incoming message scrolled across his PADD. Pulling it up Se'tak saw it was a group chat invitation from Egil and he quickly joined in.
{Hey guys, what's up?}
{Don't know; Egil said to wait for you} Tilk replied.
{Hey, is this about that math assignment we got today?} Aaron asked, {Because if it is I haven't gotten to it yet so I don't have the answers.}
{No, it's not about math,} Egil typed back. {My Mom reminded me that I haven't given her a head count for the St. Lucia party. I meant to ask you guys if you were free but I kept forgetting. So, want to come hang out here Saturday night? My Mom's been cooking up a storm!}
The chat room was silent as they recalled last year's St. Lucia festival. Mrs. Klassen had a whole table full of native Scandinavian dishes that both looked and smelled very—interesting, to put it politely. Se'tak shivered, remembering the few bites of cold syrupy soup that he'd forced down his throat just to be nice; his stomach began a rebellion not long after and it was a battle just to keep it down. He wasn't about to speak for the others but there was no way in hell he was going to subject himself to that again if he could help it.
{I...} Aaron quickly typed in.
Egil pounced. {Yeah?}
While Aaron searched for an excuse Tilk made his apologies. {Sorry Man, I can't come. It's my parent's date night and they already asked me if I could watch my sisters. Sorry!}
Tilk was brilliant! He could use Selas as an excuse! {Yeah, I can't make it either. I wish I could but I already promised Selas we'd do something, you know, brother-to-brother. Maybe next year?}
{Sure, but you guys know you could bring them too if you wanted; the more the merrier. And 'Tak, my Mom said she'd make some more of the nyponsoppa just for you 'cause you liked it so much.}
Was that what that stuff was called? Crap. As he was wondering if Tilk had anymore genius ideas in that big head of his his friend said, {I don't think we'll be able to but thanks all the same.}
{No worries. So, Aaron, what time should we expect you?}
He knew he shouldn't but Se'tak cackled at the screen as he watched Aaron's cursor blink in defeat. {I'll be there at 7.}
{Great! I'll go tell my Mom. Thanks guys, catch you later, bye!}
Only when Egil was fully logged off did Aaron speak again. {You guys suck.}
U.S.S. Enterprise, 2281.351, 1709 hours. It'd been a long day but with only 4 more days until the December school vacation he knew the next few days would be even longer. As soon as he walked through the doors Se'tak dropped his bag to the ground, hung his head and let loose a sigh.
"Sweetie, is that you?" Mama asked as she lifted her head up from the couch.
"Depends on which 'Sweetie' you're looking for," he tiredly replied.
Se'tak looked over and caught her grinning at him. "You're the Sweetie I want. I got a message at work today that a package arrived with your name on it. I hope you don't mind but I went and got it for you on my lunch; I left it on your bed…"
"It's here?!" he exclaimed before rushing out of the room.
Nyota bolted up from the sofa as her lanky son sped by. "What's here?" she called out after him. "Se'tak, what's here?"
He quickly entered his room, eyes falling on the non-descript box atop his bed, then hurried to lock the door and soundproof the room. It wouldn't do for Sa-mekh to suddenly walk in on him now of all days, at least not without a little advanced warning. As he stepped over to the package he chanced a glance at the closed bottom drawer of his desk where the rest of the family's holiday gifts lay; T's Vulcan embroidered shawl, Selas' braille e-reader and book cartridges, and Mama's earrings. Everything was wrapped and ready to go, all that was wanting was this one last present.
Sa-mekh was—and always had been and likely always would be—the most difficult person in the family to shop for. He always claimed that there were no material possessions he required and that all of his needs were fulfilled. That news didn't stop the rest of them from trying to buy or find the perfect gift. Usually they picked boring stuff, stuff that Sa-mekh would eventually need, like extra uniform shirts or socks from Stores. Sometimes, if they played their cards right, they'd renew his subscription to the Federation Science Monthly journal if he hadn't gotten to it himself first.
There was one year when Mama got him the best present by far and it was quite by accident. They'd been at the house in San Francisco and Mama was in her room doing some spring cleaning. She'd pulled out all the sweaters and shirts in one of the dresser drawers when she felt the photograph—a real, honest-to-goodness film picture—stuck in the back. It was an image of Sa-mekh-al, Ko-mekh-il and Sa-mekh when Sa-mekh was just a little kid. Mama had it touched up and framed and gave it to him for Christmas. Sa-mekh didn't move or stop staring at it for a full 5 minutes, it was crazy. He thought he might have even detected the hint of a tear in the old man's eyes.
But this year…this year Se'tak felt he had a real ace up his sleeve.
As he lifted the lid up he unconsciously held his breath until he could see it in all it's glory: a 1/32nd scale replica of the T'Plana-Hath*, accurate right down to the spring-loaded loading bay doors. It was just as perfect as it'd been in the catalog and he felt his skin tingle with excitement. Very carefully he lifted it up out of the box and held it in his hands to examine it further. He was surprised by the heft of it; then again, this was no mere toy. No, this was a collector's item.
He hoped Sa-mekh would recognize that too. Se'tak couldn't explain why but when he saw it in the catalog he just knew that Sa-mekh had to have it. After all, S'chn T'gai Solkar and the T'Plana-Hath were the reason either of them even existed. If it weren't for First Contact then Vulcans and Humans might still not know about each other and then where would they be?
Next he laid it on the bed and carefully opened up the ship itself to examine the interior. The layout was simple, organized, logical…as if he expected anything less. All the members of the crew had also been cast and were scattered throughout the ship in the midst of performing their duties. Se'tak found his lo'uk-lo'uk-lo'uk-sa-mekh-al, Captain S'chn T'gai Solkar, seated on the Bridge and he cautiously picked him up between thumb and forefinger for further examination.
From what he recalled from his history textbooks it was a very creditable likeness of his kinsman. Se'tak scrutinized his features to see which S'chn T'gai family traits had been passed down. Not for the first time he wondered what that first meeting in Montana must've been like and wished he could've been there.
An actual knock at the door roused him from his reverie and he got up and walked over to see who it was. "Yes?" he asked, bodily blocking the rest of the room from view.
Mama blinked owlishly but didn't try to look around him. "Your Sa-mekh has to go back to the lab tonight so we'll be heading to the Mess in about 10 minutes. Will you be ready by then?"
"Uh huh."
She stared at him a minute longer, trying to figure him out, then gave a shrug of the shoulders. "Alright." Mama walked off and he quickly closed the door up behind him. He had to hurry; his surprise would only be safe once it was wrapped and tucked away in the bottom of his closet.
U.S.S. Enterprise, 2281.358, 2133 hours. It was the annual Christmas Eve party and the shuttle bay was all decked out for the occasion. The ship was working off a rotating list of skeleton crew so everyone had a chance to pop by; those that were there now were dressed in their best civvies eating great food and listening to awesome music. After stuffing their faces full of sweets Se'tak and his friends took to the dance floor, rockin' out to Sludge Mania's new hit single with their own air instruments. When he finally caught his breath he realized he couldn't remember the last time he had this much fun and spent the rest of the night laughing and grinning like a fool.
U.S.S. Enterprise, 2281.359, 0944 hours. :::knock, knock, knock::: "Se'tak?" He burrowed his head deeper into the pillow and pulled the covers up over his face. Se'tak didn't know what time it was but it was too damn early in his opinion; the party ended late last night and while he'd enjoyed every minute of it right now all he wanted to do was sleep. Whoever was outside his door seemed to sense that and stepped away.
A few minutes later there was more knocking, firmer this time, and then the doors opened. "Se'tak, your mother has stated that I must inform you that it is 9:47 on Christmas morning and that you must arise so that you may open your presents with your brother as per our family tradition."
His sleep-addled brain took a few seconds to process that; then, in an unexpected explosion of bed sheets and limbs he burst out of bed. "It's Christmas!" he crowed, slapping his slippers on his feet. Sa-mekh stood just inside the doorway, hands clasped behind his back and one eyebrow raised as he watched in quiet curiosity at the unusual display of activity from his first-born son.
Se'tak was halfway down the hall before he realized his sa-mekh wasn't following him. Pausing, he turned back to call out when Sa-mekh emerged from his room as calm and collected as always, moving toward him in a casual stroll. "Sa-mekh, come on!" he cried, "It's Christmas!"
"I am already aware of the Terran significance placed on this stardate, Se'tak," he replied, his gait never changing while a slight smirk played on his lips.
Se'tak grinned and ran into the living room. Beneath the holo-projection of a tree were groups of gifts lovingly wrapped in color-coordinated paper. Selas was already seated on the floor before his own pile of orange wrapped presents and Se'tak dove for his green pile as quick as he could. Mama just laughed from her seat on the sofa, one hand cupping a mug of steaming coffee, the other reaching up to hold Sa-mekh's hand as he placed it on her shoulder.
The next several minutes flew by in a blur of paper and joyous exclamations. As usual Se'tak was the first to finish, only this year there was no T'Alora sitting nearby to scold him for rushing through the fun. Looking over to her pile of purple presents tucked behind the tree (and out of the way of all the carnage, he later realized) he suddenly felt her absence most acutely.
Mama must've noticed too because she said, "We all miss her, Sweetie, but she'll be home again before you know it. Now go on and help your brother."
He scooted over next to Selas and lay his hand palm up on his brother's knee so he could better examine his gifts.
Everyone else had already opened their presents and now it was Sa-mekh's turn. He had so far received an upgraded PADD, three uniform shirts, a new personal communicator and was opening his last gift.
Se'tak was sitting in the armchair now and was absolutely motionless. Slowly, painfully slowly, Sa-mekh pulled back the paper and folded it up for re-use, then he lifted the box lid and peered inside.
"What is it?" Selas asked.
"It is," Sa-mekh pushed the tissue paper aside and lifted the item out of the box, "A replica of the T'Plana-Hath."
"Really?" Selas got up and walked toward Sa-mekh with outstretched hands. Se'tak could tell his brother was interested but he couldn't tell what was going through Sa-mekh's head. Was he about to get a lecture on careful spending or was he actually pleased?
"Yes, sa-fu," Sa-mekh replied. Turning in his direction, he added, "This was most thoughtful of you, Se'tak. Thank you."
He beamed. "You're welcome."
Selas stood beside Sa-mekh's knee, hands roaming over the model of the ship. "Allow me to assist you." Sa-mekh picked him up and settled him on his lap, the ship now resting on Selas' legs. Guiding his hands he said, "Before you is the Bridge. Here to the right you will feel a latch that, when pressed, will expose the interior. In addition to the figurines of the helmsman and navigator you will find the captain, your lo'uk-lo'uk-lo'uk-sa-mekh-al, S'chn T'gai Solkar…"
Author's Notes:
* From what I can make of my brief Andorian research, surnames start with either a zh', sh', ch', th' pre-fix depending on the sex of the person. Since I'm referring to the whole family I decided to stick with the family name instead of listing each parent involved individually (and yes, I'm more than a bit dorky for looking that up, I know).
* I don't normally use this type of language against women in real life but it fit with the characters and the moment so please don't get offended.
* The T'Plana-Hath was the Vulcan ship that made First Contact on April 5, 2063. It was captained by S'chn T'gai Solkar (which I believe is canon but I'm not 100% sure) and I'm making him Spock's great-great-grandfather and Se'tak's great-great-great-grandfather (again, I think this is canon but I'm not absolutely sure).