Chapter 41: First Reactions

A/N: Alaya Karangalan, am so tickled that you enjoyed the swimsuit shopping! As it is, I have difficulties imagining Romulans in swimsuits like bikinis or swimming shorts. They're so much into square-shouldered uniforms. At least Deep Space 9 had better fashion sense for the Romulans.

Yes, in the Romulan book series, the capital of Romulus is called Ki Baratan. I am deviating from both canon and fandom. I have only read The Romulan Way by Diane Duane and Peter Morwood, so my knowledge of Romulan-related books is practically non-existent…

Glad to see you're willing to join both Team Vreesha and Tosha! :-D

Romulanlover, yes, Thorek's suggestions are only complicating matters. Feelings are getting involved where Asha and Vreenak are concerned…Oh, and I haven't forgotten about Kimara Cretak! I have already written the whole plot and timeline for the story, and she's in there and not going to disappear :-)

Vocab lesson: T'chak (plural form T'chakir): Romulan currency (non-canon).


Vekal took over the second half of their trip back to Romulus and Asha went to the others at the back of the spacious aircar. She lay down on the chaise longue which was provided with the flitter and dozed. Lilou joined her, yawning and revealing her impressive long fangs to which Vreenak's aide Rovuxo owed his torn pants. Thorek watched the light play on Asha's small nose ring. And snuggled up to one golden brown arm was their faithful set'leth. Asha had slept poorly last night, reluctant to leave Mirek, yet excited about home, getting her book published and seeing Merken tr'Vreenak again. Her eyelashes quivered when she adjusted her position and half opened her eyes. Finally, she did end up falling asleep and didn't wake up till they arrived in Romulus. Vekal drove the flitter first to the Darak villa and dropped off Asha, Thorek, Kihika, Vereth and Lilou, then flew home with Christine and Galan.

Asha smiled as they stepped into their villa. "It's wonderful being home again," she said. Thorek took her hand and kissed it.

"I'm glad to hear you say that," he said. "I know you miss your home on Earth."

"I do, but home wouldn't be home without you, no matter where."

They smiled at each other.

One week before the book was published, Asha sent out copies to her friends and, with a racing heart, forwarded a copy to Merken tr'Vreenak.

She received an answer the same day: "Khnai'ra. You are a woman of your word(s). I will share my dreaded criticism with you the next time we meet (see attached dates). Rest assured that I have yet to feast my eyes upon your stanzas. Jolan'tru, Merken."

Asha didn't sleep a wink the night before her book was published. Her restlessness was contagious, and Thorek finally reached out for the control panel on his bedside table and turned on the light.

"I'm scared of what I've done," Asha said, staring at him wide-eyed. "I'm so nervous about the whole thing."

Thorek smiled. "I can imagine how you are feeling. I am also on edge. Come, let's have some tea."

Asha got out of bed. "Thank you for putting up with my insanities."

He laughed. "What counts is that you took the plunge and got your words out of your writing closet."

"Then why do I feel so terrified, e'lev?"

"Because it's something you have never done before. And because you are not arrogant. You do not take success for granted. Romulans tend to do just that. Now, focus on breathing deeply while I prepare the tea."

He prepared an aromatic brew and they both sipped it slowly.

"I don't think I would have jumped over my own shadow back on Earth," she said thoughtfully.

But Thorek shook his head. "Sooner or later, you would have."


The day of publication arrived. It was a normal day, quiet, without fuss or pomp – just a brief correspondence between Asha, Rhian and Karina confirming that the book had been published. Besides promoting the book, what remained was to wait.

Asha's friends, who had received their copy in advance, were the first to offer their feedback.

"I just finished reading your book," Christine said when Vekal and she visited Asha and Thorek two weeks after her book had been published.

"And what do you think about my fledgling work?" Asha asked light-heartedly.

"Well, it's a bit too dramatic in places. I mean, it's great that you're drawing on Roman, Greek and Romulan mythology. I can even see some Indian mythology in there, and that's really interesting. But…I don't know. It's just really dramatic. I can't even say why."

"It's not your cup of tea?"

"No. This kind of exuberant poetry is not really my cup of tea," Christine admitted frankly. "The illustrations are not bad, though. Better than your writing, to be honest."

"Okay, good to know," Asha said graciously. It did feel like a let-down, because Christine had read and liked some of her poetry which had not been published, and Christine had also been the one who had constantly been asking her if she had chosen a publication date until Asha had felt fed up. And, of course, everyone wanted approval and praise from especially their loved ones, but Asha knew that criticism was part of the package and a learning experience. Still, there was something about Christine's tone which didn't sit right with her.

Vekal had a completely different reaction.

"I found it very erotic," he commented. "You inserted a certain subtext. Metaphors I think you would call them. Many creatures of nature joining and parting, like a couple mating and withdrawing from each other after the act of love. The longing for togetherness and the necessity for distance in order to reawaken that yearning for reaching out again."

"Oh, wow," Asha said, laughing. "I did write some of my poems with the celebration of nature in mind, since that is a cornerstone of Romulan literature. And I wrote a lot of it with my deyhhan in mind. But I never thought it would be considered so erotic. I wonder if that is what Christine was referring to as dramatic?"

"She called it dramatic?"

"Yes – dramatic and exuberant. I asked her what she meant, but she said she couldn't quite put her finger on it."

Vekal considered. "That is very possible. And that is what makes your poetry so rousing and arousing. Your tutor knew what she was doing, all right, and you certainly knew what you were doing when you dedicated the book to your husband."

They shared a hearty laugh. Then he asked: "Do my wife's comments about poetry bother or sadden you?"

"Yes and no, my eneh. Yes, because she was so enthusiastic about my book before she read it and she was so eager to know when it would be published. It doesn't sadden me, it's just a bit of a let-down, that's all. And no, because she can't help thinking and feeling about her reading experience the way she does. Every comment allows me to learn more about my writing and what my readers think. Her opinion about my book does not necessarily have to be about me." She raised an eyebrow. "You didn't think I was going to quarrel with her again like that time?"

Vekal laughed at her teasing tone. "No, Asha. You have become far more confident and mature since then."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Vekal poured them both some spiced wine from Mirek and handed her her glass. "To your success, my paenhe. May your book flourish. By the way, the illustrations complement your poetry beautifully."

"Christine agrees, she in fact said they were better than my writing. I really owe Karina. She's a gem. A toast to her and Rhian, too."

Vekal frowned slightly. "Better than your writing?"

"Yes – those were her words. It's a compliment to Karina, though, and I really appreciate that. Karina was and is wonderful. If I ever decide to have something published again, I'll choose only her and no one else."

Later, when Asha was fetching Lilou from the garden, she heard Vekal and Christine discussing.

"You have not even read half of her book!" Vekal was saying.

"It was a crashing bore."

"It is said that Romulans are jealous. It seems true of Humans, too."

"What rubbish you are speaking! I have a right to my opinion," Christine snapped.

"Of course you do, dearest. But you have hardly even read it."

"The first stanzas are so kitschy! Like a teenage soap opera from the 20th century. Besides, she can't expect praise from everyone."

"I agree with your last statement but not with your first one."

"Then we have different opinions on her little majesty's book. So what?"

"Little majesty?"

"Look how everyone is slobbering over her! Including you!"

Asha's eyes filled with tears and she bit her lip. Just then, Lilou whisked out of the bushes, trotted up to her and barked loudly.

Christine and Vekal turned around and saw Asha staring at them, her hand resting on Lilou's head.

Christine looked guilty, but she said defiantly: "You can't expect everyone to pamper you like your Senator friend does, you know."

"Come, Lilou," Asha said softly, and they went indoors. She was cool when she said bye to Christine and affectionate as always when she hugged Vekal. "She'll come around," he murmured to Asha.

"We'll see about that," Asha whispered back.

Asha had always looked up to Christine and been jealous of her loving relationship with Vekal during the time she had been having difficulties in her marriage with Thorek. Sometimes, she wondered if they had simply never been quite on the same wavelength. Maybe if they had been on Earth, neither of them would have taken such trouble to become friends. There were few Humans on Romulus, and a Human finding another Human was no small thing. But Asha genuinely cared about Christine and was fond of her.

It had never occurred to her that Christine would start to feel so insecure around her that she would resent her.


Asha was nervous and eager as she sat with Lilou in the flitter on her way to the Senator's summer villa. After Christine's reaction, she was wondering if Vreenak would be another source of unpleasant surprises; but as soon as she entered the house, Vreenak walked towards her with a quick step and took her hands in his.

"Parted for over a month, yet always in my thoughts! Jolan'tru, Asha Sen t'Darak."

Asha was so happy that she hugged him, deliberately breaking protocol and not giving a damn. "Jolan'tru, Merken tr'Vreenak. I missed you a lot," she said against his neck.

She felt his arms slip around her and hug her tightly against his body.

"And I you, my friend," he answered. They drew apart, and Asha slipped back into the established protocol, sitting down and changing her shoes. Vreenak patted Lilou, who was rubbing her head against his knee in greeting.

Vreenak was tingling all over from the wonderful surprise of holding Asha in his arms and breathing in the scent of her sun-warmed hair. They shared some tea and confections he had picked up on his campaign tours. Then he offered her his arm and savoured the gentle weight of her hand and the sweetness of her smile.

The birds had left their nests in his garden, and while the sight of the empty nests was something Vreenak and she would have to get used to, they spotted several feathered youngsters hopping about the trees.

"Now that your book has left the nest, so to say, you must be anxiously awaiting the harsh plain truth of my criticism," he remarked.

"Er, well, I am wondering what you will say," she said, bracing herself for some acerbic comments.

"It is unheard of that a Human who has been on Romulus for barely three years displays such mastery of Romulan storytelling and language. No wonder you are releasing it before the Fire Festival. You tell passionate tales based on Romulan legends. I was most pleased to read the poem you recited during the event I hosted. There was only one poem I thoroughly disliked, however."

"I can guess which one. 'The Tavern', right?" Asha asked, smiling mischievously.

"Indeed. You are obsessed with Romulans who have difficulties staying sober. His alcohol-induced fantasies are alarming and unworthy of a Romulan. Also, three of your poems are annoyingly open-ended, frustrating me by forcing me to guess the end. On the other hand, it is what makes them thrilling. Now, where my favourites are concerned..." His sharp blue eyes locked with hers. "'The Flowers of Mirek' is extremely sensual and erotic. A celebration of mating, is it not so?"

"Yes, very much so," she said, blushing. Vreenak laughed. "And personal as well, to judge from your reaction. You have included other poems of a similar rousing nature, but this is one of my favourites. My other favourite is 'The Music of Metamorphosis' with its dialogue on philosophy. Briefly, Asha, I spent a most delightful time reading your poetry and interacting with the holo-illustrations. You can be proud of what you have written, and I have said this to very few people so far."

"Oh my goodness, thank you!" She gave him another hug, throwing her arms around him. He responded just as warmly as the first time and ran one hand down her hair. Asha felt shivers run down her back – shivers of the good kind. She drew back a little and looked into his eyes. He gazed back at her so intently that the colour rose to her face.

"Maybe you can get good ideas for your next book in this garden," he suggested in a low voice.

"I think I will be able to get many good ideas," she agreed, "but first I have to see how my current publication will be received. Rhian has sent me a message, but I dare not open it."

Vreenak's usual manner took over and he actually scoffed. "What! You do not wish to open a message from your publisher? Now, please be so kind as to fetch your PADD and read your message now."

Asha laughed and obeyed. When she returned, Vreenak led her to the bench where they often sat and discussed poetry. Lilou watched both of them curiously.

"I am waiting," Vreenak observed, "and as you know, I can be quite impatient. And when I'm impatient, I become very, very, very acerbic indeed."

Asha quickly opened the message from Rhian, though she was not in the least intimidated by Vreenak's words. It was typical Rhian style – brief and to the point. Asha read it out: "'You will be attending a book presentation with me next week. Please see the attached date and details. PS: Your profile is starting to get visitors.'"

Asha looked at Vreenak, relieved. "Well, that sounds quite okay."

Vreenak raised a carefully groomed eyebrow. "Your publisher is outstanding."

"She is," Asha agreed. She interlocked her fingers and studied them. "I'm not used to being…you know…in the spotlight."

"If I may remind you, you already have practice and handled the spotlight very well during a certain occasion."

She laughed. "As if I could ever forget. I owe you my thanks for that."

When they parted, they did so with the kind of hug Vreenak and Letant exchanged, and he asked her if he could share her book with Letant or if T'chakir were required. Asha laughed and said that Letant was welcome to a free copy, but that this gesture was limited to only him.

"Very wise, otherwise you'll risk free copies floating all around Romulus and beyond," he commented. She laughed, and when Rovuxo and Lilou accompanied her on her way to the flitter, he looked longingly after her receding figure.