Chapter Twenty-four
The Desert Saga
The three bonded couples were seated at an outdoor table when the others approached. Bettie looked at her make-up girl and said,
"So?"
"We want to be married right away."
Skoon addressed the group,
"My Michele and I have agreed that whatever ceremonies must be performed to make us one cannot come soon enough."
Sus'na added,
"My Hilda too has agreed that we too should be made complete."
Spock informed the group that an extended leave had been granted by Su'auk, the settlement manager, once he was made aware of the circumstances surrounding its' need.
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There was the call made to Rabbi Goldie and after around an hour she joined the group. As usual she asked to speak to the brides-to-be in private.
Taking them aside she asked,
"Do you understand what you are asking?"
Both women nodded.
The Rabbi then said,
"Then explain it to me."
Hilda spoke first,
"We two women are aware of what a Terran marriage means and the final words are, 'until death do you part.' We had to be educated to understand what is the different between a Terran marriage and a Vulcan bond. Divorce is unheard of among Vulcans due to the nature of their bond. It is our understanding that while there are exceptions, it is possible that an attempt to negate the Vulcan bond that exist between a human and a Vulcan might even be fatal, to the human partner, it is still our desire to become one in mind and body with our intended ones."
Michele added,
This joining has to be the most satisfying relationship known to intelligent life forms. It surpasses the uttering of vows to take on a total sharing, a joining that is so elevated that in one of its' expressions it is called 'perfection'.
Rabbi Goldie looked at the two women and said,
"You are well prepared. You will have forty-eight of Isolation, when do you wish it to start?"
Both women looked at one another and then Hilda said,
"May we have the rest of this day and the coming day with them to talk and say what is in our hearts to our beloved ones?"
Rabbi Goldie said,
"Your time for preparation shall start in…"
She looked down at her watch and continued,
…in one and one half days, thirty-six hours."
Hilda and Michele nodded and they returned to the dining room together.
Of course there was no look of concern on the two Vulcan's faces although that was their inward thoughts. These negatives
completely vanished when their prospective mates came to their sides.
Nyota spoke to the rabbi and nodded her head.
She sent Spock,
"Can these two lovebirds…"
With that expression Spock's eyebrow raised to its highest elevation and he sent, there are no winged fowls here.
Nyota thoughts continued,
"Opps I got all poetic here. Can you and the guys transport the two couples to Fisherman's Wharf so they can have some
private time to themselves.
Advise them of when and where they will be picked up to return here, OK?"
Spock nodded and advised the other males.
Nyota then said,
"We females here have a bridal shower to plan."
Spock was going to ask would the males be required to attend when she sent, when you guys get back you can go play
chess or talk about whatever married Vulcan males talk about with soon to be married and bonded Vulcan males.
The entire group would fit in Sirin's large hovercar so the they departed from the back door.
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Once the two couples exited the vehicle armed with their retrieval information they separated,
Skoon and Michele seemed to be drawn to the beach while Hilda and Sus'na gravitated toward the boardwalk sights.
Hilda had place her arm in the crook of Sus'na's clothed elbow and explained many male and female couples walk that way
together. He nodded and then asked,
"What else is permitted?"
Her answer was,
"Let us observe."
The first couple came toward them sharing soft kisses and Hilda looked up at Sus'na whose ears had taken on a green tint.
Hilda smiled and said,
"You are still being taught that Terran activity."
Sus'na nodded and said,
"Indeed."
Then a young couple came toward them arm and arm laughing and smiling.
Hilda knew that that was not conduct they could mirror. They continued observing. Another couple walked by; the male was
reading out loud to his companion. Hilda asked,
"Do Vulcans enjoy poetry?"
Sus'na's response was a recitation,
The rumblings of Seleya mirror the groanings of my heart
Where is my peace? It walks in your footsteps; it hides in the folds of your garment
It rests in the warmth of your bosom, in the softness of your lips, in your very breath
Find me, seach the universe for I will wait for you
so that we may be joined forever.
Hilda looked up with tears in her eyes and whispered,"Sus'na that was beautiful. What is the name of its
author?"
"M'can Sati Sus'na son of V'nek, son of Sy'lan of the house of W'mak. He wrote it for his beloved who is from Terra who has
healed his heart."
Again there were tears and Sus'na saw a nearby bench and guided Hilda to it. They sat together and she rested her head
on his shoulder. He said,
"My Hilda, it was not my intention to have you be disturbed in anyway, please be aware of my sorrow in placing you in this
condition."
She nodded, and said,
"Terrans females are very emotional and many, myself included, need very little to cause this emotional outburst. You must
allow me to apologize for making you feel uncomfortable, but that is how we females respond when we are especially
emotionally moved.
"You and I will write the music for what you have composed if that is agreeable to you."
Sus'na nodded and added,
"We will sing it together."
Hilda smiled and said,
"Yes, at our first concert."
"That is most agreeable," was Sus'na's response.
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Skoon and Michele had discarded their footwear to walk on the beach. Both of them were swinging
their arms and all of a sudden, after strengthening his shields, Skoon took her hand in his.
"My Michele, you have made my life worth living and given me the wondrous prospect of having a family again. You must
know I hunger for you, your mind and body, but when we are joined I will proceed with the most gentle of actions. Your
chaste state will be honored I will not rush you to perfection.
Michele's lips trembled and she answered him,
"Skoon, I am yours."
"As I am yours," was his reply.
A wave of satisfaction came over Skoon and he strengthened his shields so he could continue to hold Michele's hand.
He said,
"There is certain steps that lead to our total immersion into one another. The married women will advise you, but even in
this I will be gentle with you because you are my treasure."