Chapter Twenty-Three
The Desert Saga
Hilda and Michele were taken aside and once in the confines of a private room were asked,
Christine asked them,
"Áre you ready to commit to a life long relationship?"
Both nodded.
"Do either one of you object to being bonded to Skoon and Sus'na when they visit San Francisco. They have not
as yet been advised of this possibility, but we are certain this suggestion would be welcomed.
Both women nodded again.
There is a personal friend of ours, Rabbi Goldie who has performed several civil ceremonies for us.
Sirin, Rachel's husband is a healer and is able to perform the bonding ceremony. It will all take place in Spock and
Noyta's Rose Garden where Christine and Lo'vaak were married and bonded. Skoon and Sus'na will have to have
their additional 'leave time' approved by the settlement manager so both of you can enjoy a honeymoon on Risa.
Once we have that information we can make further plans. You will not have to worry about a gown, for
you will wear a Vulcan robe. Do not plan to spend any time at the reception. Once the bond is created
the Vulcan males' mind is centered on the obtaining of perfection-the consummation of the marriage.
Your bondmate will treat you like a treasure.
Nyota now added,
"You two will now be given further instruction on satisfying your mates needs in the more mundane
things in life like cooking and managing a home. Your instructor will be an elderly Vulcan named
T'Paal. Do not let her stern exterior fool you, she is like another mother to me and as far as all of our
children are concerned, another grandmother.
The day arrived for Skoon and Sus'na to arrive in San Francisco. They would be arriving on a supply
ship so Spock met them at the Embassy shuttle pad and showed them to the guest rooms. They would
be staying there instead of the dormitory rooms in the basement. After dropping off their luggage,
Spock brought them to his house. The two women had not yet arrived. They too would share a meal
with Spock, Nyota and the other couples.
Nyota had gone to pick the women up and had provided them with most appropriate gifts, Vulcan
robes which she suggested that they wear to formthe meeting with Skoon and Sus'na.
Rachel, Sirin, Christine, Lo'vaak, Bettie, Drevi, carrived at almost the same time. Their presence at
the meal would hopefully send a message of how sucessful these interspecies marriages have been.
Perhaps after dinner a conversation about how each couple met, and eventually bonded
and married would also set these two couples'minds at ease.
When the visiting males heard the female voices the visiting Vulcans looked toward the other males for
reassurance, which they gave by way of nods.
The visitors awaited their 'pen pals' while standing in their relaxed stance.
When Hilda and Michele entered wearing their Vulcan robes, all doubt was erased from Skoon and Sus'na's minds
and the males stepped forward and took the hands of the ones that they now viewed as their prospective mate.
Raising the women's hands to their lips in the manner of beseechers they both said, "Taluhk nash-veh k'dular" (I cherish thee).
Second meal was eaten in silence. The two unbound couples would cast glances at one another almost as
assurances of the reality of each others' presence.
After the meal Spock invited Skoon and Sus'na to join the other males in his library and the women went to the
family room. Nyota was the first to inquired,
"Well?"
Hilda started,
"I did not remember how handsome he was."
She sighed and then inquired,
"What does the palm kissing signify?"
Nyota nodded, as an indication she would answer,
"It is the act of a beseecher. It would be equivalent to a person asking for favor, acceptance, or good will from
the person who is the recipient of the act. I would think in their society it is the closest thing to a prayer. It was
the way they were requesting that their attachment to you could be reaffirmed. Spock will be talking to them
about the possibility of their bonding with you while here in San Francisco."
Nyota continued while smiling her broadest smile,
"I have no doubt they will agree. In human vernacular they looked 'love smitten' to me."
Both, soon to be bonded females shyly smiled.
'Cupid's Secretaries,' smiled back at them.
`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`
In the libary Spock had brought out his chess set. It has been his observation that a person would talk more
readily over a chess game than just straight conversation. He started,
"Brothers, you were satisfied with the meal and guests?"
The men solemnly nodded. It was Sus'na, the older of the two who was seated opposite Spock positioned to play
who spoke first,
"My Hilda…"
Spock thought to himself that already he was speaking the possessive terms.
"…we have been in contact with each other daily for over three luna cycles. At times there are several
messages daily. Everything she tells me lightens my heart, which had been heavy with grief. She has played her
instrument for me and sang. Thanks to your generosity, I have also be able to share our music with her."
Spock knew that outside of his own, his Ka'thyra was in the best hands possible and that its use by Sus'na would
only enrich its' tonal qualities.
Sus'na made the game's opening move and then rested his hands on either side of the board and looked down,
took a deep breath and said,
"My body yearns for the comfort her's will bring me. Our coming to perfection will bring me great
satisfaction."
Sirin looked at Skoon and asked,
"Do you likewise have such thoughts?"
Skoon turned away for the briefest of seconds and then said,
"Once the time for our joining is agreed upon I will count forward using the smallest time increments."
Spock then announced,
"Your prospective bondmates have agreed that you two should not return to the settlement unless
you are first bonded. Would such an arrangement meet with your satisfaction?"
Both men knew what they needed was affirmation from the lips of their prospective bondmates. Second hand
information was unacceptable. They both stood up and asked the four others present,
"Would we be able to speak with them?"
The others all nodded,
"We will give each of you privacy."
Spock sent to Nyota,
'Bring Hilda to Sus'na in the library.'
He then told the musician to stay and Hilda would come to him. He asked Skoon to follow him and they found
Michele and Nyota still in the family room. Spock directed them,
"We will all be in the garden. The entrance to it is through the double doors in the room where we ate. Please wait
for Sus'na and Hilda before you come to find us."
`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`
Sus'na was standing when Hilda entered the room. He went to her an grasped her palms and again kissed them,he looked up and saw the tears in her eyes, and for a second was concerned, but then he saw there was a smile on her lips—he wiped the tears with the back of his hand and then led her to a chair and nodded as a silent request for her to seat herself. He then dropped to his knees and placed his face in her lap, with his neck exposed, the position of absolute trust and said,
"As your Adun, I will care for you and protect you. I will provide sustenance and shelter even if it
means deprivation for myself. I will place life inside you so you may provide a body for it, so you will
bear our offspring. You will not see want of any kind for all your days for I will care for you."
Hilda was crying again. She wanted so much to caress him, but did not. Her acceptance was totally verbal,
"Sus'na, thank you for choosing me. I am anxious to be totally yours, your aduna."
She looked down and then asked,
"May I place my lips on your check…it is called a kiss."
Sus'na said,
"I have seen pictures and holovid were Terran male and female would place one another's lips together will you
please instruct me."
`0`0`0`0`0`0`
With the impulsivity of youth Skoon rushed to Michele's side as the others left them.
Spock said,
"May you find the maiden's peace."
Skoon simply said to her,
"Will you accept me?"
Michele whispered,
"Yes, I am yours."
He reached for her and she came and placed her head on his chest. For the moment he was satisfied.