Chapter 31: A Visit from the Senator
A/N: Hi Team Tosha, you're right, Vreenak is certainly not acting in a "healthy" manner where his feelings for Asha are concerned. Asha does find him attractive in that he is a complete novelty to her and she can "handle" him well during conversations; but she dislikes his setting a spy on her and his arrogance. I'm also delighted that "de-trousered" thrilled you, christine79!
Rose d'Epine, thank you so much for your kind words! Your French name gave me an idea for this chapter :-D
"E'lev, are you going to de-trouser me?" Thorek asked Asha, who was currently standing naked in the bedroom and towelling her hair dry. He himself was in the middle of undressing for bed.
Asha grinned widely, wrapped the towel around herself and went up to him to undo his trousers. While she opened them, he kissed her neck and breathed in the herbal smell of the soap she had used while bathing.
"'E'lev' is pronounced like 'élève' in French," she murmured. He bent his head and managed to steal a kiss from her, making her laugh and tweak his nose.
"What does it mean?"
"'Student', 'pupil' or, in its imperative form as a verb, 'raise'."
"I will most happily be your student," he said, his voice dropping to a purr, and he reached for her towel, gave it a sharp tug and it slipped from her body. She removed the rest of his clothes, then asked him to lie down on their bed facing downwards.
"Of course," he said, obeying and wondering what she was up to. Asha opened the cupboard and took out a bottle of oil made from plants of the woods where she loved to walk with Lilou or with him. She poured some in her palms and massaged him slowly. He relaxed and made little sounds of enjoyment. She moved from his shoulders to his back, and travelled lower and lower, draping herself on top of him. She reached underneath him and took his erection in her hand. He shivered and moaned. He let her pleasure him this way for a few minutes, then turned around and pulled her down, flipping both of them over. His eyes were dark with lust, and she was breathing quickly with arousal, now lying underneath him. He massaged her breasts and stomach with oil. As she arched her back, he placed his hands on her hips, but she was quick and slid away from him, smiling. He growled with frustration and tried to catch her. She pushed him over onto his back and straddled him.
"You're my élève, have you forgotten?" she whispered, punning on the Romulan endearment.
"Then teach me all you know," he teased her, raising his arms and placing them on her thighs.
"Gladly."
He soon discovered that she was a formidable teacher and when they were relaxing in the afterglow, they heard scratching and a loud bark at the door.
"I wonder if she knows," Asha said.
"Maybe," Thorek murmured. "I suspect she's jealous and wants attention."
A little later, Asha, dressed in panties and a Terran t-shirt, opened the door and discovered Lilou sitting reproachfully in front of her.
"Sorry, it's just Thorek and me during sexy time."
Thorek laughed from their bed. "Sexy time? I am developing an affinity for the nuances of English."
"And I for the Romulan language."
"Rhian tells me you are writing poetry."
Asha blushed.
"A little," she murmured shyly.
"A little? You were writing away in Mirek, too."
"How did you know?" she asked, sliding next to him under the covers. Lilou hopped onto the bed and settled on Thorek's feet.
"Whenever you write poetry, you get an expression as if you have been meeting a secret lover."
Asha burst out laughing. "Seriously?"
"Yes. Your eyes shine, and you have a small smile. You look a lot like now, when we have mated. You are more expressive than you think."
He sidled over to her.
"If you are agreeable, I would like to read some of your poems."
"You really do?"
"Yes," he confirmed, running two fingers down her cheek.
"When?"
"How about now?" he prodded her gently.
Blushing even more deeply, she fetched a PADD and gave it to him. She braced herself for laughter or resignation. It felt like she was laying bare one of the most vulnerable parts of her soul to his scrutiny. He had enjoyed the poem she had written for his birthday, but that didn't have to mean anything.
Thorek read in silence. She noticed his breathing quicken while going through one of the poems, and the green blood rose to his face. Finally, he got out of bed, dislodging Lilou. He picked up the set'leth, deposited her outside the room and locked the door. He returned and kissed Asha hungrily.
"That was a very stimulating poem," he whispered, "describing one of our nights in Mirek, yes?"
"Yes," she confirmed, pulling him down on her.
"Many Romulans adore poetry, though I myself have little inclination towards the art. Yet look how you have seduced me with your words. You might consider preparing them for publication."
"Oh, come now, my deyhhan, not only am I Human, I am a total beginner, I'm still quite new to Romulus and I have never published anything before. I'm not one of those rare one-in-million-authors who shoot to fame overnight."
"Then it's time. I will speak with Rhian, and it would be wise if you did so, too."
"Thorek, you're exaggerating."
"We'll see about who's exaggerating," he answered, slipping his hand under her t-shirt. She placed her hand over his and guided it to her breasts.
A few days later, Kihika approached Asha, her eyes wide.
"You have received a letter from Senator tr'Vreenak," she announced.
Asha stared. "From whom?"
Kihika wordlessly handed her the missive. Asha shook her head and opened it incredulously. Important communications and invitations from important Romulan people to the so-called commoners were usually dispatched by handwritten letters instead of through technological devices.
Asha studied the letter and opened it.
"It's an invitation to a poetry reading," she said, shaking her head. "But how…Oh. Yes, I remember I discussed poetry with him. But…Kihika, I don't understand!"
"It is very simple, my Lady. He would enjoy your company."
"It would seem so. He has only invited me." She looked uneasy. "I'll show this to Thorek, too."
As soon as Thorek was back, Asha showed him the letter. Thorek raised an eyebrow. "You should accept," he remarked.
"I don't want to."
"But you love poetry, my ailhun, and you have mastered it in a language you have not known for even two years."
"Thorek, my deyhhan, I still have a lot of the language to master. Even a lifetime is not enough to ever fully master a language. And this invitation makes me feel uneasy. What does he really want?"
"Your company."
"Thorek, it's not funny. Aren't you concerned? He set a spy on me and now he's sending me handwritten invitations to a poetry reading. How odd is that? A prominent Senator inviting a nondescript Human? Besides, he also used to serve the Tal Shiar."
"Ashaya," Thorek said gently, "I'm taking you seriously. He is obviously interested in you and trying to maintain his face at the same time. I consider it normal because this is how Romulus runs under the paranoia inflicted by the Tal Shiar."
"I know I should be having a better idea of how cautious and xenophobic many Romulans are after I was beaten up in the woods."
She got up and paced about.
"How do I know he is not inviting me with the intention of throwing me back into prison again? Especially after his aide was disgraced? Besides, I would much rather he had invited you too. He has poor manners."
"He did not give me the impression of wanting to harm you, Asha," Thorek commented. "Though of course one should not rely on first impressions, especially on this planet."
"You see? And he was the Vice-Chairman of those Tal Shiar criminals!" Asha pointed out.
"He resigned and accepted another path. Prominent, yet far less prominent if he had decided to continue with the Tal Shiar. It is quite an act of bravery to leave the Tal Shiar. Besides, this poetry event might be an important stepping stone for your way towards getting published."
"Well, I'm going to refuse his invitation."
Thorek raised his eyebrows. "Being an attendee at the invitation of a Senator is an honour. It is very wise of you to be on your guard, Ashaya, but refusing a Senator's invitation is quite unheard of."
"Then it's time it was heard of, for I am concerned for all our safety," she said stubbornly. "It's not written anywhere explicitly that one can't refuse a Senator's invitation. It is merely unwritten etiquette. Now, how do I write a polite refusal?"
Thorek smiled and sat down next to her.
Four days later, the afternoon started with Kihika rushing up the stairs in search of her mistress. Thorek was hosting a conference at his workplace, and Asha was studying the finer elements of the Romulan script.
"Ihhei, Deihu tr'Vreenak is eager to speak with you." She dropped her voice. "His aides are waiting on either side of the door."
Asha looked startled. "The Senator is here?"
"Yes, my Lady. You had better see him at once," Kihika responded nervously.
"I would be a terrible host if I didn't," Asha said. "Was he polite to you?"
"Yes, he was correct."
"Good. Otherwise, I will pull his ear."
Kihika clapped her hands to her mouth. "My Lady!"
Asha winked at her mischievously, smoothed her dress and whisked down the stairs, Kihika following her. Lilou got up and padded downstairs behind the two women.
The Senator was looking at one of the paintings in the hall, his hands clasped behind his back. Asha greeted him and added: "It is a pleasant surprise to see you again, Deihu. Please make yourself comfortable."
She gestured at the most comfortable chair in the room, and he took it. She sat down, too, and Vreenak arched an eyebrow as Lilou disappeared underneath Asha's chair, with only her nose peeking out. Kihika placed a tray with a bottle of kali-fal and a bowl of snacks on the table in front of the Senator and retired discreetly.
"My apologies, Deihu. Lilou is very protective about me and insists on staying in my immediate vicinity."
"It has already come to my attention that she has the makings of a fine watchdog, Ihhei t'Darak," he commented dryly. "I am here to speak with you about the invitation you refused. You see," he crossed his legs, "it is unheard of for a Senator's invitation to be refused," he said. "Surely you are familiar with the etiquette that when a Senator invites you, you are…ah…under obligation to accept?"
Asha smiled composedly. "Deihu, I am completely aware of it."
Usually, no one would dare be so blunt to a distinguished figure like him. Enthusiasm sparked in him.
"Why did you refuse?"
"Because I am confounded as to why you would try to learn indirectly about my habits instead of asking me directly from the very start."
"If you would be so kind as to elaborate, Ihhei?"
"I am in possession of your aide's trousers," she said directly. "It so happened because he was accompanying me on an excursion in the woods without my knowledge, a fact I find very irritating."
Their eyes locked.
"Your inviting me is at odds if you suspect me of nefarious purposes toward you and the Empire, Deihu," she said baldly. He touched the corner of his mouth with a well-manicured finger.
"As you undoubtedly know, I have access to data not accessible by the public. Having gone through your information, I think it most unlikely that you are a Federation spy or part of a clandestine underground movement."
He rose and paced about the hall in deep thought. Asha watched his tall slim figure guardedly. Finally, he returned to his chair and resumed his seat.
"You are the first Human who has proved to be fascinating. Fascinating enough to allow for closer supervision," he said finally.
"Fascination and supervision – as an object of study or because you view me as an alien who is in some areas on the same wavelength as you?"
Vreenak laughed softly. "You are bold – very bold indeed, Ihhei. If you were not Human, you would easily carve your way through Romulan politics…But I do believe that politics would shackle you down."
"You speak truly. Still, would you not prefer to converse with me directly, as you are doing now? May I be audacious enough to assume that your political duties prevent you from approaching me directly outside of public events?"
"While you assume correctly, my reasons are far simpler. I long for stimulating conversation, Ihhei. I can count on one hand those I can converse with for more than five minutes. Trust is a rare thing on this planet.." he leant forwards a little, "…as are interactions between a person of my rank and a Human with limited citizen rights."
"And yet you are willing to converse with a humble non-entity like me?" Asha remarked with gentle sarcasm, watching him with complete composure.
Vreenak laughed softly again.
"Humans have always fascinated Romulans. I have discovered this to be true with conversing with you. So…I am here to ask you to accept my invitation."
"I am most happy to accept it if my husband and assistant may accompany me and you are willing to host them."
Vreenak leant back.
"Very well. I am agreeable to your request. You and your husband are close?"
Asha smiled warmly. "Yes, very."
"That is interesting. It is rather unusual for Romulans and Humans to lead a harmonious marriage."
"Does that mean that Romulans and Romulans or Humans and Humans always have predictably agreeable relationships?"
Vreenak pursed his lips. "No. I hold such a syllogism to be faulty."
"Yet you are surprised."
"The circumstances of your marriage would hardly be conducive to establishing a bond involving affection," the Senator remarked delicately, sipping at his kali-fal.
"The circumstances were far from promising," Asha agreed frankly, "but we overcame them. I discovered that my husband is kind, caring and full of integrity. Love came spontaneously. Lilou, our set'leth, is a gift from him to me."
Vreenak's eyes glinted, and he glanced at the muzzle and fluffy ears underneath Asha's chair. "Ah. The one responsible for stripping my aide of his trousers."
"Yes," she said, keeping her face neutral. "I hope your aide was able to replace them speedily. I am reluctant to return the trousers as they are torn."
"It is a crucial part of my policy to see my aides properly outfitted," Vreenak remarked dryly.
"I applaud you for your sound policies, Deihu," she answered.
His mouth quirked with amusement. He was thoroughly enjoying their banter.
"You will be relieved to know that I have dismissed him from my service for ten weeks. He is the sole parent of three children, and it will teach them all a lesson if they have to struggle for a short while."
To his astonishment, Asha's face became sad and stern.
"You look displeased, Ihhei. I would have thought your reaction to be the opposite. Please share your opinion with me."
"Deihu, while it was an unpleasant incident and he was acting under orders..." she gazed unflinchingly into his ice blue eyes, "...he did not hurt me. I do think your verdict is challenging for him, especially if he has a family. Why should his children suffer? Has he not borne enough disgrace?"
"Challenging? As in unjust?" He raised an eyebrow.
Asha knew she was walking on very delicate ground. "I still have a lot to learn about customs on Romulus, and I am entirely ignorant of senatorial procedures and traditions. Yet I do think that leniency instead of punishment and gaining regard rather than fear might prove more effective in some cases. Adopting a milder stance might prove counterproductive to maintaining your authority, but seeing that he is a sole provider with three children, maybe your policies are too sound?"
Vreenak looked into her eyes. Then he smiled. "I see. You regard the wellbeing of family as highly as Romulans do. It is an agreeable trait to have in common with Humans. I will reflect upon the matter."
He finished the last drops of kali-fal and rose slowly.
"It was a pleasure to speak with you again, Ihhei t'Darak, and an even greater pleasure to know that you have changed your mind about the invitation. I look forward to receiving you and your family."
He took her hand, caressed the back fleetingly with his thumb and bowed. Then he let go and left in his regal manner with Asha at his side, for the host always accompanied their guest to the door. Lilou left her spot underneath Asha's chair and followed both of them. Vreenak glanced at the set'leth and his thin mouth curved into an amused smile. His aides stood at attention and walked behind him as he strode towards his senatorial flitter.
Asha and Lilou watched him go.
