Chapter 44: Taking Off
A/N: Hi Alaya Karangalan, Elnor sounds quite elvish. It certainly suits his appearance! Long-haired, pointed ears, no facial hair and a sword. He seems like a very interesting Romulan! Yes, I wanted to bring out the protective verging on violent "instincts" with both Thorek and Vekal. I regard Vekal as the calmest of all my characters in this story, so I like to bring out his wild side occasionally. As for the chemistry between Asha and Vreenak, it's challenging and fun at the same time to write.
I watched a few episodes from Enterprise, but none from Discovery. Am far more interested in the upcoming Picard series (lots of Romulans on board). If T'Pol is half-Romulan, it would be interesting to see her interacting with her Romulan father.
Romulanlover, yes, things are quite a mess between Asha and Christine, and there's "bad" news waiting for Christine in this chapter. Romulus does have psychologists (I dubbed them "mind healers" in my fanfic). Christine suggested to Asha that she visit one after she was nearly killed in the forest, and claimed that she herself had never needed the services of one. Both Asha and Christine want to be in control of their lives and circumstances, but Christine is almost extreme about it - not surprising given her arrival on Romulus and also the fact that having children is beyond her control. Asha is very much in love with both Thorek and Vreenak. She always took care in the past to avoid situations which could have led to potential love relationships, and now she's discovering that this aspect she always ran away from has turned into a major topic for her…
Senator Kimara Cretak is a canon character from Deep Space 9, with her name adapted to Diane Duane's Romulan spelling rules.
Vocab fun: "Ryakna" means "garbage" (used here in the sense of "Nonsense!"). "Daehlen" means "friend".
The Fire Festival was coming to an end, and so was Asha's elation about her book publication. Her appearances at book presentations were received politely, but suspicion was evident in many faces of her audience. The article about her being a Starfleet spy may have been ridiculous, but it had reached a wide audience and successfully tapped into the fears of many Romulans tending towards the isolationist side. The author was probably smiling as he worked in the dilithium mines.
"Well, I tried," she told Thorek and Rhian. In their own way, both suggested that she have more patience. Asha shrugged.
"The PADDs are probably gathering dust somewhere."
"Thank you for insulting me, Karina, your husband and yourself," Rhian said dryly.
"No, no, I didn't mean it that way. I meant that perhaps people are not quite ready for a Human in love with Romulan poetry."
"Ryakna," her tutor huffed.
On the last day of the Fire Festival, Asha and Thorek watched the closing speech of the Senate, this time held by Senator Kimara t'Cretak, a tall slim woman with a gaunt angular face. She was said to be one of the progressively-minded politicians, supporting alliances with other species, and had in fact been an ally to the Federation during the Dominion War. She was sceptical about the attacks on Romulan outposts being of Starfleet origin. Praetor Neral disliked her, but his hands were tied because of her prominent role during the Dominion War. She was working her way up to Proconsul, and even Vreenak, who was vying for the same position, had a grudging respect for her.
Senator Cretak was standing in front of the wooden raptor in the capital. The construction had collapsed after being set on fire, of course, but still managed to look impressive.
She started her speech with praise to the Romulan people and reminders about the tradition of the Fire Festival. As she reached the end of her speech, she paused.
"Such is the beauty and merriment of Eitreih'Okhala that a poem has been written in homage to it, published only a month ago."
She took out a PADD and began to recite. Asha listened, and the colour vanished from her face. Thorek straightened up in his chair and looked at his wife. Lilou rose and butted Asha's hand, waggling her ears in a concerned manner.
Senator Cretak finished her recital. "It has come to my attention that even those of non-Romulan origin are rejoicing in some of our most ancient traditions and customs. Asha t'Darak-"
Asha's mouth fell open at this point.
"-has published a book of poetry exploring our Romulan culture and legends all the way from the Sundering. As Senator who is also responsible for literary contributions to the Romulan Empire, I consider this new work written by a Human highly worthy of being entered into our poetry shortlisting."
Senator Cretak put down the PADD and moved to the last paragraph of her speech. When she closed, she dipped her head in the courteous Romulan fashion; something not every Senator, especially those of arrogant demeanour, did.
In the meantime, Asha sat in her chair, shellshocked and speechless. Then Thorek got up and hoisted her up in his arms, covering her with kisses. Asha stared at him unblinkingly. Lilou went rushing around the house, barking.
"What did I tell you?" Thorek exclaimed.
"I can't believe it," she said. Then she suddenly burst out laughing and pumped the air with her fist.
"That's more like it," Thorek remarked. "And we're going to celebrate by going to a love spa. The Firefalls of Gal'gathong are unfortunately still overbooked at this time, but it should more than make up."
Asha smothered him with hugs.
Over the next days, messages popped in from her friends. Vreenak sent her a brief message, written in his typical clipped manner.
"My colleague has impeccable taste in literature. Congratulations, Asha Sen t'Darak."
To her amusement, she also received an encrypted video message from Letant, ebullient, hearty and so loud Lilou left the room until Asha lowered the volume.
"I bet my friend, and you know whom I mean, has dispatched a message bearing his congratulations. Probably a shining example of brevity and sparse vocabulary, is it not so? Trust me, my dear poetess, when I say that he is inwardly as jubilant as I am! A toast to you and your book. This kali-fal makes even my eyes water!" He raised the glass of blue liquid to the screen and sipped. Then the recording ended. Asha laughed, shaking her head. How he had become a Senator with his carefree manner was anyone's guess.
And then Vekal visited her. There was not a word from Christine, which grieved her. When Vekal saw the sorrow in her eyes, he said: "Your book is becoming famous, and still you worry?"
Asha looked startled. "Of course I do! Why would I stop wondering how she is? I can't just...unfriendship...her like that! What has fame got to do with that?"
Vekal smiled at this new word. "She's coming to terms with the situation."
Asha nodded.
"She knows about your book, and she's coming to terms with that, too."
Asha sighed. "I hope she'll be okay. I guess it's a lot for her to take in. But shortlist or not, I still have to prepare for handing in my request for full citizen rights. I guess what happened now might increase my chances a bit, but I might also be mistaken."
Kihika was delighted, and she was already thinking of outfits and hairstyles for Asha in case Romulans of increasingly prominent standing wished to meet her. Asha was rather embarrassed about the whole thing and insisted that fine clothes did not make fine people, and that her stomach felt funny when she stood in the spotlight. Rhian, who was extremely proud of her pupil and that her networking tactics had penetrated the very inner circle of the Senate, remarked dryly that the best way for Asha to overcome her stage fright was to in fact stand on the stage.
"But I'm not a peacock!" Asha protested.
"What is a peacock?"
Asha explained, describing the plumage to her. "It's a frightfully vain bird," she summarised.
"Then you're on the right planet. Even the most reclusive authors make sure to appear in public. It is not only for promotion purposes, but also a polite custom among Romulans," Rhian pointed out. "And you're going to have to learn how to deal with Romulan journalists."
Romulan journalism, as with most things, was supervised by the Romulan State. Intimate questions were considered to be in very bad taste, but Rhian warned Asha that because she was a Human with limited rights, she might be treated with less respect. They role-played, and Rhian closed her eyes with horror when she asked Asha how she had met her husband and Asha simply quipped: "How did you meet yours?"
"No, no, no! You just say that you were sent on a xenolinguistic mission to Romulus by the Romulan embassy on Earth."
Asha coughed delicately. "While Romulus was accusing the Federation of destroying their outposts?"
Rhian sighed. "Well, it's the best thing we can come up with."
"Or I could tell the journalist to ask my husband, who, however, would refer him back to me, and then I would refer him back, and-"
"This is not amusing, Asha t'Darak! You have to be very careful around Romulan journalists, and you know why."
"Fine. I was sent on a xenolinguistic mission to Romulus to strengthen diplomatic ties between our two planets despite the current political situation pointing in a painfully obvious manner towards the opposite. Rhian, everyone will know that my arrival on Romulus was quite…unplanned."
Rhian squinted at her. "It's either that or ending up in prison because of your misplaced sense of humour."
"My sense of humour is never misplaced. Ask Thorek."
"I won't."
"Before I'm inundated with Romulan journalists, Thorek and I will be spending a week at a love spa."
Rhian actually smiled. "A very delightful Romulan tradition. Enjoy."
Thorek reserved a room at a love spa on the outskirts of Romulus, with an enchanting view of the Apnex Sea and a huge forested park. It was the one Christine had recommended. Set'leths were forbidden, however, and a grumpy Lilou, her fluffy ears dragging on the floor with disappointment, was left with an amused Kihika.
"It is very sensible of you to book now," their love spa porter said approvingly. "Less people."
He glanced at Asha. She had become used to this scrutiny, by the assessment and conclusions drawn from her Human features. Romulans reacted differently to her appearance, and the only thing she could be sure of was to simply wait for their reaction.
"Is this your first visit to our spa, Ihhei?" he asked politely.
"My first visit overall," she said, smiling at Thorek.
"Then I trust you will have a very agreeable stay at our residence."
"I'm sure I will. It is very beautiful."
The porter shifted his feet, then he almost blurted out: "You are the poet Deihu t'Cretak mentioned during her closing speech?"
"Er, well, yes," Asha said, blushing.
"Oh!" He shifted his feet again. "Would you…I mean…May I please have your stamp?"
A stamp was the equivalent of a Human autograph. Prominent people and authors carried a holographic stamp with their house symbol and their name next to it. Rhian had made sure to enlist Karina's services to organise a stamp for Asha.
"Of course," Asha replied, smiling shyly. She received his PADD and placed her stamp on it. The young man was delighted and led the couple to their room, Thorek glancing proudly at his wife. As soon as they were left to their own devices, Asha said: "Of the two of us, you're the peacock."
"Naturally," Thorek confirmed, bending to nibble at her neck.
"I felt so odd giving him my stamp. I'm just me."
"You're going to have to get used to it, e'lev. Modesty is in fact considered a display of poor manners."
"What? Seriously? I remember vaguely reading something about that, but I'm not sure. Why is it considered poor manners?"
"Modesty is a good thing, Ashaya, but it depends how you display it. If you self-deprecate, it is regarded as throwing the compliment the other person has bestowed on you back into their face. By extension, you would also be implying that your publisher - Rhian - doesn't deserve the compliment either. You have to remember that if someone is paying you a compliment in the case of your book, it also reflects on the people who helped you publish it."
"Ah! So it's like a compliment to the whole community, and I am the representative?"
"Yes."
"Alright. Well, that's going to take some practising."
Later, when they were lying in bed under a simulated sky with stars, Thorek whispered into her ear:
"I have something to tell you."
"Tell me, my deyhhan."
He nuzzled her neck. "I find the thought of you with another Romulan very erotic."
Asha smiled in the dark. She knew enough about her husband's sexual past to not be particularly surprised.
"What about the thought of me with another Human?" she asked.
He shuddered. "Most definitely not! We Romulans are bound to be vastly superior lovers to your Human men."
"Hey!" she exclaimed.
He chuckled. "What about me with a Human or Romulan woman?"
"No and no. Well...Particularly if the Romulan's name were R'ëal."
He chuckled at that. "Very understandable. You know, I love the idea of you dominating that regal arrogant Senator friend of yours. Making him melt in your hands." His voice became a purr, and he slid one finger in a figure eight around her breasts.
"Thorek, you have a wild imagination!"
"The small part of me which is Vulcan regards it as completely logical."
"Mh, I see." She took his hand and placed it on her one of her breasts.
Thorek teased the nipple with his thumb. Asha moaned and reached out, trying to guide his erection into her.
"You are impatient," he whispered. He handed her a small flask she had seen on both their bedside tables. "If you would kindly apply this to me?"
"What does it do?"
"It causes hot and cold sensations. You will feel it too once we're mating. It's safe for Humans, but not for ingestion."
Asha took out some of the liquid and rubbed it onto his penis. As it hardened in her hand, she prepared to guide it inside her body, but he teased her, sliding slightly into her, then out until she was desperate. Finally, she had had enough and pushed him over onto his back with both hands, shivering with satisfaction when she straddled him and felt his whole organ fill her. It was very warm, and not only because Romulans had a higher body temperature than Humans and one that increased noticeably during emotional and physical exertions. This heat was different, sending little shockwaves even when she was completely still. She enjoyed the feeling of that heat in her and rubbed herself against the little ridges on his sex.
Thorek had been very smug about Humans lacking this biological attribute.
"There are ways to compensate, like specially patterned sheaths...Thorek, you are looking very smug! It's that Romulan versus Human thing again!" Asha had stated, half amused, half exasperated.
Even now, he looked rather triumphant as he watched her satisfy herself. Asha knew he was doing it to tease her again. She bent over him and distracted him with lingering kisses. Then, as he had predicted, the heat suddenly yielded to a cold sensation for a few minutes, then turned back to hot. It was a clever way to prolong their lovemaking, as the cold would take the edge off the urgency to reach their climax and the heat would increase it.
Later, Asha lay sleepily in Thorek's arms, both of them relaxing in herb-scented water. "Romulans are very creative. I don't think we have anything like that back on Earth. Or if we do, it's bound to cause allergic reactions."
"As you seem to have enjoyed it very much, I will buy several bottles," Thorek said mischievously.
"We're going to be their repeat customers," Asha chuckled. "Romulans are very good at marketing."
While Vreenak was away on his political campaign, Asha read the news scanning for entries on him. He looked polished and regal in each picture, his chin raised, thin lips pursed in an arrogant smile, eyes half lidded as if he were not looking at the lens, but down at it. No wonder Thorek found the thought of Vreenak losing control so attractive, Asha thought, but still…
In the meantime, Thorek and she enjoyed their week at the love spa thoroughly. It felt like their first real honeymoon together despite their holidays in Mirek. There was a difference between travelling with another couple and going on vacation on their own. The love spa was a place which combined Romulan practicality and love for nature. Each room was decorated with flowers, but in a neat, unobtrusive manner. Asha remembered what Christine had said about ample provisions and tools being provided to increase a couple's intimate life. Now that she saw them with her own eyes, she realised that Christine had not exaggerated. They came with instructions for running on their own little holodeck suite. She picked up several of them and took them to the holodeck.
She could choose any couple constellation she wished. Just for fun, she chose two women.
"Oh wow," she said as the setting and characters materialised in front of her.
The door opened behind her and her husband stepped inside, looking very amused.
"Now, my ailhun, you never told me you fancied this constellation. Are you testing a new strategy to get through to Christine?"
Asha guffawed. "My deyhhan, I'm afraid my proclivities are limited to Romulan men. Still, this looks very interesting. Stimulation through simulation."
They watched the demonstration to the end. "I'd like to try this out," she said.
It was not only their physical contact in which they indulged during their stay, however. They went hiking one night, swimming, fruit-picking and even on a treasure-hunt with two other couples. They came home full of energy, and Asha was nearly knocked over by an enthusiastic Lilou.
Vreenak, too, was back. With her answer all ready, Asha arranged for Rovuxo to pick her up and drive her to Vreenak's summer residence. Her heart began to race as soon as she saw the Senator. He was completely unlike Thorek, and still she loved him. Maybe the contrast between them was part of the reason why she loved both of them, she thought as Vreenak walked towards her.
"You are becoming famous," he said. "My warmest congratulations!"
"Thank you. Well, it's very strange. I don't feel any different. The nice thing about the love spa was that Thorek and I were alone for most the time, and except for the porter, no one recognised me. It was a relief."
"Overmodesty will not benefit you."
"I know. Rhian told me and is trying to make me break the habit."
They sat down and looked at each other.
"You remember what we discussed before we parted last time?" Asha said, bravely bringing up the topic.
"Only too well." He gazed piercingly into her eyes. The colour rose to her cheeks.
"I love you, Merken. And I am in love with you. But I cannot be with you as a mate until I am a Romulan citizen with full rights like you."
Vreenak narrowed his eyes, misunderstanding. "Are you trying to bribe me into-"
Asha raised her hand. "No, Merken. Please let me speak. I want full citizenship on my own merits and own efforts. I am aware my application might be rejected. Once, twice, ten times. I will try."
"You have three attempts at the most," he said dryly, raising his eyebrows.
"I will try three times, then, if that's what it takes."
"And so we will remain like this?"
"Yes."
"Who would know?" His voice became gentle. "Is it that important?"
"It is important to me. We would not be equal, and that imbalance would make itself felt. Even intimacy has its politics."
He sighed in frustration. "Once again, who would care? Who would know? Hasn't your husband shown himself to be agreeable with us being mates?"
"He has. But we would know. I would know. It would go against my principles and values."
Vreenak stood up, his eyes hard as steel.
"Is this a Human strategy to entice me into making you a full Romulan citizen? Winning my goodwill, friendship and my heart in order to gain citizenship?"
Asha got up, too. "Merken, didn't I just say that I want to earn the citizenship? What you just said was not only cruel, it would go against my upbringing and what I believe in. This is not some absurd test of your loyalty or some kind of sneaky game. I simply can't cross this border until I feel that at least where citizen rights are concerned, I am your equal."
Vreenak sighed. "I understand. You are very proud, Asha. Prouder than the entire Senate! I admire that about you, but in this case, it frustrates me. Knowing that you long for me as I long for you..." His eyes kindled. "On the day you become a full citizen, please notify me."
"I will." Her dimples emerged. "You sound very sure I will get full citizenship."
"You have contributed to the literature of Romulus. You have the pride and stubbornness of a raptor. Very well. Until then, I hope to continue our meetings, but know," his voice became rough, "that I love you and burn for you in my love."
He took her hands in his and placed them on his cheeks.
She noticed that his skin felt a lot warmer than usual. She knew, thanks to Thorek, that his heartbeat and body temperature had increased. It pained her to see him in such discomfort, but she was in a similar situation, and she refused to apologise for it; still, she added:
"I don't want you to wait, Merken. I'm not asking you for anything of the sort. I just want you to live your life."
He nodded. "I want the same for you."
"Alright. So we've found something we can agree on," she said.
"We have found many things we can agree on," he corrected her statement.
She smiled at that. "Yes, my daehlen."
He let go of one hand and retained her other hand in his as they climbed upstairs to his library.
"When you apply for citizenship with full rights, Asha, you are applying to take the exam which will grant you those rights. You will be examined for two hours by a panel of three Senators. Detailed knowledge of Romulus, its people, geography and culture is necessary for you to prepare thoroughly. You are already very knowledgeable about Romulus. It is evident by reading your book. But more is necessary. These books-" he gestured at a row of PADDs, "-should be part of your reading when you study. They contain nearly everything you should know, but do not regard them as a guarantee, and I will be ensuring that neither Delon nor I will be your examiners, should your request be granted."
Thank you."
"I have just informed you that you will be left to the mercy of my colleagues, whom you have never met, during the exam. And you thank me?"
She put her arms around him. "For your honesty. Your generosity. For understanding that I want to earn my full citizenship."
"You're welcome, Asha." He hugged her back briefly, then proceeded to talk about his campaign tour.
