A/N: Sorry I missed my weekly update last week. My house caught the flu and it was a rough time. We're all good now, though. To make up for it, I added a neat little cover image and made sure this chapter was a good one. I'm pretty happy with it. Thank you for your patience!
The dull, gray, concrete building stood unassuming amid the hustle and bustle of downtown. Inside, stale air, artificial lighting, and the occasional drone of "next" created the perfect experience of what Nia assumed purgatory was like.
Holding back an impatient sigh, she looked over the stack of papers in her hands, making sure she had all the required documents. It was the third time she'd had to come back. There was always something she didn't do correctly or some form they'd neglected to tell her she needed.
"Next." Nia was pulled from her irritated shuffling of papers to walk up to the window. A middle aged woman chewing mindlessly on gum paused her typing long enough to look over Nia.
"Residency requests need to go through-"
"No," Nia interrupted, "I'm not here for that. This is my paperwork for residency on the New Vulcan colony."
"Name?"
"Salkath K'sevah." It had taken time, but they'd finally gotten her original Vulcan birth certificate. Luckily they'd had a scanned version of several important documents and backed them up. The name still felt foreign as it rolled off her tongue. At least she hadn't messed up the pronunciation this time.
The woman stared at her listlessly.
"Can you spell that?" Nia clenched her jaw but complied with the request, ignoring the fact that she could just look at the papers she'd slid through the window. Slowly, the woman read it back to her.
"No, K'sevah. There's an apostrophe after the K and an h at the end." She corrected. There was silence as the woman scrolled on her screen.
"There you are." Nia felt relieved and thought maybe, just maybe, she'd finally be done with it all.
"Do you have a copy of your birth certificate?"
"Everything is right here." Nia motioned towards the stack of papers already on the counter. Snapping her gum, the woman accepted them and shuffled through them.
"This is form 230B." She said. Nia felt her stomach drop.
"Yes. For the New Vulcan colony," she repeated.
"Oh." She handed the papers back to Nia. "I thought you said a new Vulcan colony. You need to go to the office upstairs in room 218." She said.
"Are you serious?" Nia asked incredulously, feeling her thin string of patience finally snap.
"Yes." The woman was unfazed by the clear frustration. "Next," she called.
Clearly dismissed, Nia walked out to find the stairs, taking deep breaths to prevent crying in frustration in public. She rested a hand on the railing in the stairwell and closed her eyes, imagining her father guiding her through a breathing exercise. Once sufficiently calmed down, she pressed on up the stairs, a dark cloud over her. Her mental state was definitely frayed enough that she couldn't maintain her mental shields very well and she was certain any Vulcan who came near her would sense her irritation.
As she entered the office, she prayed she wouldn't have to fill out another form.
Hopefully Torin faced the same issues. That would make me feel a little better at least.
Surprisingly, the man who called her up was Vulcan. A few others were scattered about the room, making various requests and submitting paperwork, but overall the office was empty. A seed of hope sprouted that maybe they had their shit together.
"What is your purpose here?" he asked in Vulcan. She appreciated that he was polite yet straight to the point. His question took her a moment to process.
"I would like to…relocate to the New Vulcan Colony," she responded. His head tilted slightly hearing her speak, realizing she had an accent and Vulcan wasn't her first language.
"Would you prefer standard?" He asked. As much as she wanted to practice, this was too important and she couldn't afford to make a mistake because of a translation error.
"Yes, please." She said. "I have these, but I was told to go to the wrong office so I'm not sure I have the correct paperwork." She held up the papers as she spoke. He gave her a sympathetic nod.
"Yes, human bureaucracy is known to be…inefficient," he agreed. "If you have a form filled out and the required documents for relocation to any Vulcan colony, what you have should be sufficient. May I see what you have?" Feeling even better than she had, she gladly handed over the papers. He glanced through them quickly.
"Yes, this will be sufficient. Allow me to scan your documents." He stood and walked away and Nia could have cried in relief. While she waited, she pulled out her tablet and typed out a quick message to Torin.
Getting the paperwork in has been…difficult and frustrating, but after 5 hours today and 3 separate trips, it's done. The young man returned and handed back the documents to Nia.
"For your own records," he explained. She shoved her tablet back in her purse and took them.
"Is there anything else I need to do?" She was loath to ask and dreaded any additional tasks or paperwork she would suddenly have to do.
"No. Your application has been submitted for review and you will hear from the embassy within 3 business days."
Oh, that's quick. Once again, Vulcan efficiency impressed her.
"Thank you." Nodding once, he went back to his screen.
Nia wasn't sure how to feel as she walked back to the transport stop. A weight was lifted from her shoulders having completed the most complicated part, but an anxious excitement began to flutter in her stomach.
There isn't a reason they would deny me… But the thought that they'd accept one of them and not the other made her anxious. She knew she wouldn't go without Torin and he wouldn't go without her, but to be denied felt personal. Would her being half Vulcan play a role? Pushing down the thought, she climbed onto the transport and headed home.
The days passed quickly and on the evening of the 3rd day, Nia received notice her application had been accepted. She and Torin went out for dinner to celebrate that night.
A few more days passed, Nia took finals, and summer break now loomed on the horizon. Normally, the break was a welcome reprieve. This time though, Nia and Torin were busy preparing to move to the family had been supportive through it all, though she knew they were worried. Nia nearly changed her mind when Saya cried for her not to go. Between physicals, packing, other various orientation meetings, they'd had little free time. It was on her way home from her final physical that she realized she hadn't done any wedding planning whatsoever.
One afternoon, Nia and Torin walked along the stone path in the community garden, a rare treat that their schedules allowed them both to have the same day off. The flowers were in full bloom and a light fragrance hung in the air.
"I wonder if we can have a garden like this at the colony." Nia mused. Torin glanced at the bright purple blossoms, petals open towards the sun, that dotted the bush next to Nia as they walked.
"Perhaps one day, once the terraforming is complete. Greenhouses and small gardens will be the primary method of food production for now. Though the habitable zone we will reside in is fertile, I do not believe much of the natural vegetation is edible for Vulcans." He answered. They paused at a bench in a small rock garden off to the side and sat.
"Soon." She sighed.
"Soon." He agreed. To sit quietly with him like this was nice, they hadn't had many chances to do so lately, but Nia knew they still had an important matter to address.
"Torin," she began, "we haven't really discussed the wedding." He tilted his head in thought.
"You mentioned wanting to wait before. Are you reconsidering that?" He asked.
"I think so. I want my family to be around for it and see us married before we go."
"Has your aunt spoken to you about the marriage ceremony? How Vulcan ceremonies differ?"
"A little, yes." She recalled the awkward conversation with her aunt about "expectations" between the ceremony and reception. Her aunt, as matriarch of the clan now, had explained in a painfully clinical matter-of-fact way how a new bond may…affect them.
"Joining together as one, physically," was a common practice immediately after and was more or less expected — it was why the celebration was typically held in a different location so the couple could have privacy. Nia didn't know how she would be able to face everyone at the reception knowing they knew what she and Torin had been up to immediately before. Her face flushed at the thought.
"Are you alright?" Torans voice brought her back to the present.
"Yeah…just thinking about the ceremony," she smiled. He stared at her for a moment and she felt his amusement.
"You were thinking about the Van-Kal."
"No…" She insisted, though she knew that he knew better. Thankfully he let the subject drop.
"I agree with you. It would be a good memory to have before we go. And it would make things easier once we are at the colony." His gaze on her as he spoke sent her heart racing and she couldn't stop the small smile.
"I can't wait." Though he didn't smile or reach for her, she could feel his warmth reach her as he let down his walls and she basked in it.
"So we have 3 weeks to plan a wedding, get married, and pack for the big move." She stated.
"Yes."
"That's… a lot." She pulled a face.
"Between your aunt and the neighbors, it will not be so difficult." He assured her.
"True. The neighbors are basically clan members at this point. I'm sure they'd love to help."
Nearby, L'Vor and Valeris helped Evekh in his garden plot, his pregnant wife sitting nearby enjoying the fresh air as they collected peppers and tomatoes. Nia closed her eyes as the sun came out from behind the clouds and warmed her. She could hear her neighbors speaking softly. Beside her, she could feel the warmth of her future husband sitting close.
"We're going to get married soon. We're going to do this." She smiled at him, opening her eyes
A faint smile ghosted his lips and disappeared just as quickly.
"Yes. I never thought myself so fortunate. I look forward to it." Nia looked away, bashful in his affection, but wishing they were alone so she could reach out and touch him to make her own affections more known. Logically, she knew she didn't need to touch him for him to know, but the feeling of connection when they did was something she craved. Her mind wandered back to her conversation with her aunt and she began to understand what she meant.
"I don't think I want to do a human ceremony." She said suddenly, driving out her previous amorous thoughts.
"Are you certain? We can have one if you like."
"No, I don't really have any human friends. And I don't have any human family — not to my knowledge anyway." She sighed. "Just a Vulcan ceremony will be fine. Something small and simple."
"Then that is what we shall do."
Suddenly restless, Nia stood.
"Let's go. Let's go talk to my dad and start getting this planned." Nia smiled. Amused and content to allow her to take the lead, Torin stood and followed her, his long legs easily keeping pace with her excited strides. Once out of view of her neighbors, she linked her arm through his.
Her aunt N'Vea pushed one final pin into place before stepping back to look over Nia's hair one last time. Satisfied, she nodded and began to pack away the various pins and hair products. Nia leaned towards the mirror, turning her head to see the final results. A thick braid started near her temple, shining jeweled pins along it, and trailed down, folding into a knot at the nap of her neck. A simple silver hair stick pierced the knot and several clear and shining oval gems hung from the end.
She wore light makeup, accentuating her eyes, and a shining gloss on her lips.
"You did an amazing job." She breathed. Pleased, they stood for a final once over.
The loose and billowing white gown, the salan-sai, moved easily around her. Her shoulder were bare, but the sleeves connected in the crook of her elbow and at her wrists. A single bracelet on each wrist branched out, multicolored shimmering against the silver, and covered from the tops of her hands to rings around her pinky and pointer finger, giving the impression of bejeweled gloves. And, finally, her engagement necklace hung around her neck.
She felt a swell of emotion as she took in her appearance. A soft knock on the door drew her aunt away. They'd rented a small cabin in a large nature reserve, the same one Torin had proposed to her in, to get ready for the ceremony and allow the new couple a moment of privacy away from prying eyes after. A short walk away, a clearing with picturesque mountains and sky as the background would be where the ceremony took place.
"Are you ready?" N'Vea asked, returning to Nia's side. Taking a deep breath, she nodded. Her father stood just outside her door, his own formal robes layered and thick in Earthy shades of brown, orange, and grey. A thick necklace with colorful geometric interlocking gems hung from his neck and lay against his chest with their clan name carved in swirling script along the center gem. His walls fell for a moment and she could sense his swirling emotions as she approached him. Happiness, pride, and even a little sadness. She gave a small, shy smile and smoothed the nonexistent wrinkles in her dress.
"Do I look okay?" She asked.
"You look wonderful." He assured her. Her aunt gently laid a hand on her shoulder as she passed by her, sending reassurance and love as she nodded at Valok and left the two alone.
"Are you well," he asked, taking a step towards her.
"Yes. Just nervous." The hint of a smile ghosted his lips.
"You have no reason to be. It is a good match and there will be no objections. All in attendance support the union." He assured her.
"Yeah. I'm just worried I'll mess up."
"You have practiced and N'Vea will be there to guide you. You will not fail."
Taking a deep breath, she nodded.
"You're right. I'm ready." He stepped aside and allowed her to pass him.
Nia walked beside her father along the well-worn path towards the clearing. They walked in a comfortable silence at first. Soft clouds dotted the blue sky, the sun beamed down, warming them, and a light breeze ruffled her gauzy dress. It was a perfect day.
"Nia, I must tell you how proud of you I am." He slowed a little as he spoke and Nia matched him, looking at him. "You've overcome so much. You've grown and excelled. It's…difficult. As much as it pleases me to see you walk your path into adulthood, you are still my daughter." Nia felt her eyes tear up at his words. "Things may seem uncertain and daunting, and you will face difficulties. But you will overcome them." He stopped fully now. "You will come out stronger for it. With Torin at your side I have no doubts of that. Just know your family is always here to support you."
Nia sniffed and carefully wiped her eyes now. She considered breaking the moment with a joke about her makeup, but instead she reached out and embraced her father.
"Thank you." Her voice was muffled by his thick robes as she leaned into his shoulder. "You have no idea how much that means to me. I love you, dad."
He held her tightly, almost as if saying goodbye. And, in a way, he was. He was saying goodbye to the young Nia and embracing the adult she was becoming as she prepared to venture out on her own.
FInally, he released her.
"We should continue on. We don't want them to think you've reconsidered." He joked. Nia gave a small laugh, but agreed.
"Is my makeup okay?" She asked. She felt warmth as he looked her over.
"You look wonderful."
Her breath caught as she approached the secluded clearing. It was away from the public eye. A stone circle sat in the middle of the clearing with several concentric circles receded away from it. A single paved path led from where she stood to the center circle where Torin and N'Vea stood. Beyond the paved area brushy trees gave way to red marbled cliffs set against the expansive blue sky.
Her aunt stood next to a small gong and, nearby, a small decorative firepit where a small flame reached out from the curved metal it sat in. Then, her eyes landed on Torin's and a wave of excitement sent her pulse flying. Gently, her father urged her forward on the paved path. Breaking her trance, she walked forward, her eyes on Torin the whole time.
Standing on the outer edge of the concrete were the rest of her family. Turak holding T'Lores while Saya stood beside him and T'Mir stood on the other side of Saya, to help keep an eye on the little girl. Solen stood solemnly, occasionally glancing at his younger brother Zerin to make sure he behaved properly as he fidgeted from foot to foot, occasionally pulling at the collar of his formal robes. Valeris and L'Vor, their older neighbors and family friends, stood watching with clear approval radiating out.
Nia's eyes roamed over Torin without embarrassment as she took in his appearance. A light gray robe layered over a darker gray robe, only visible where it did not meet from his chest downward. Dark gray sleeves, the same as the the robe underneath, were visible from the elbow down as long, wide sleeves hung down and Torin clasped his hands in front of him. It had a high neckline and the shoulder sloped out slightly further than his own. A light gray sash criss-crossed over his chest and a bright red sash hung over his left shoulder. He moved to gently hold it when a light breeze made it flutter.
As she walked closer, she could see a dark gray bordeaux pattern lightly stitched into the outer cloak, hardly visible except in the light. Stitched in black along the red sash was the IDIC, and Nia felt a small smile try to work it's way out. She recalled her father explaining it to her one day how it stood for infinite diversity in infinite combinations. How people should comer together as one to become stronger.
Standing before Torin now, her father moved to stand beside N'Vea.
An aura of excitement alleviated some of the nervous energy as she approached them. T'Lores babbled something, only "look at" was coherent, and Turak whispered something in her ear. Just like she practiced, Nia came and kneeled beside the fire as Torin did the same. He held out two finger, the ozh'esta, and Nia carefully met him with her own. His eyes warmed as they could feel the others' anticipation, a small connection forming at their joined fingers. N'Vea rang the gong once before speaking in Vulcan.
"What you are about to witness comes down to us from before the beginning of the change. This is our way. These two souls, two hearts, two minds, come today to join together into one. They strengthen each other with their bond; sharing their burdens and joys as one." She paused a moment and Nia took a deep breath and focused on Torins calm — the warmth of hand, the way the light lit his eyes. The truth of her aunts words echoed through Nia and she felt calm now. Torin made it easy to face difficulties.
"Are there any here who challenge this match?" N'Vea paused for a moment before nodding to L'Vor. As a former matriarch she'd performed this ceremony many times over and tied many together in their bonds. Nia could feel her pride as she approached the young couple, her headscarf trailing lightly behind her in the soft breeze. She radiated an elegant power and pride as she addressed them with her head held high. The subtle affection Nia sensed made her realize she was proud of them. L'Vor really was like another grandmother in the clan.
"I am honored you have entrusted such an important task to me." She bowed her head as she spoke humbly. Then, she reached out to Nia and Torin, resting one hand on their heads with her thumb resting along their temples.
No matter how many times it had been explained to her, nothing could prepare Nia for how it felt. She half expected pain — her past experiences coloring her expectations; but it didn't. She felt a strange tingle as L'Vor seemed to reach into her mind and gently tug, as careful and practiced as a professional seamstress, and carefully weave the two threads of their consciousness together. She didn't truly have the words to explain the feeling, but suddenly there was an overwhelming awareness or Torin.
She inhaled sharply, caught off guard. She could feel everything he felt, sense his thoughts, sense his own feelings as he processed his own awareness of her. It made her dizzy, but L'Vor reached in and steadied her, helping her build up her walls to mute it and ease the adjustment. Nia didn't have the experience of being bonded as a child and didn't quite know how to process this new development. The dizziness faded and she could feel Torin's concern as he pulled back and allowed her a moment to adjust.
Removing her hands from them and opening her eyes, L'Vor announced the successful bonding.
"It is done." She nodded towards her family as they began to walk back toward the rented hall, next to the cabin, to being preparing for the reception.
"Take your time. It is… an adjustment." Unsure how to respond, Nia nodded. Then, they were alone in the clearing with only the fire. She felt Torin take her hand and she smiled. Her heart raced as she adjusted to their new closeness. Even in their most intimate moments she'd never had such an awareness of him. Her walls were falling again as she explored their bond.
We're married.
"Yes." Torin answered her thought, amusement and love evident. She flushed at the rush emotions in return. Suddenly shy under his gaze, feeling the intensity of his emotions, she looked down at their hands as he rubbed a thumb along her hand. It was almost like being naked in front of him for the first time again as the bond made her feel so much more vulnerable and exposed. She was pulled from her thoughts when he pulled her carefully towards him. The bond amplified everything and it didn't take much to cause a reaction. Her own affection and desire echoed as he felt her, his feelings growing and amplifying , creating an intoxicating echo chamber very quickly. She began to understand the warnings now.
A hot flush crept over her now and the fire they remained kneeled by didn't help. A vague recollection of feeling similarly when Avarok had attempted to meld with her on Vulcan, his Pon Farr clouding him. She understood why they called it "blood fever," but this time was different. It felt more like a controlled burn rather than a raging inferno. Unable to help herself, she leaned in to kiss him, but he held her shoulders.
"Not here." His voice was low and rough as he took her hand and stood, pulling her up with him and leading her down the path to the cabin. She followed almost trance-like, too focused on what she felt through the bond. Suddenly, they were in the bedroom and she lost the strength to even entertain putting up a wall when he pressed against her, her back against the door, shutting it, and his mouth on hers.
She gasped when he trailed feverish kissed along her neck. Her reaction fed his desire and echoed back through their bond until she wasn't thinking anymore, only touching and kissing.
A gentle push on his chest was all it took as he sensed her intention and walked back towards the bed, never breaking contact. His fingers were quick and agile as they made quick work of the ties that fastened her dress at the neck. She took hold of the stole around his neck and tossed it aside. Her dress didn't come off completely yet, but hung loosely on her shoulders, exposing her collar bone. He took her hands and removed the jewelry slowly, lightly kissing her them as he did. His hands trailed to her shoulders and he brushed a finger along her collarbone and eyed how it hung precariously low, the smallest movement threatening to send it spilling down in a heap.
Her face flushed as she, unthinking, tugged at his robes, unable to stand the barrier between her hands and his skin.
Too many layers.
Happy to oblige her unspoken request, he took off his thick outer robe and tossed onto the chair in front of the vanity, too distracted to worry about hanging it neatly. Immediately her hands were on him again as she ran her hands up his chest to his shoulders, dipping under his second, thinner cloak. As she pushed it off, she leaned in and kissed him hard. He returned it with fervor as he threaded his hand in her hair and gently began tugging at the pins and braids to loosen and remove them. She moaned as the final braid tumbled free and he massaged her scap, cascading curls loose over her shoulders as she looked up at him.
"You're beautiful," he whispered, cradling her face. Smiling, she tugged on his shirt, his words of affirmation spurring her on.
Shirtless now, he grabbed her hips and held her close, returning his hands to her neck and shoulders, occasionally nipping at her ear. Drunk on the echo chamber of desire that fanned her hotter she didn't need the bond to tell her how much he wanted her as he tightened his grip on her, pulling her flush to him. He gave her one more kiss before stepping back and peeling off his shirt, throwing it to the wayside, and returning to her. Touching him was almost like a soothing balm in her feverish state as she ran her hands along his chest, and over broad shoulders. His face was as flushed as hers and his grip tightened on her hips as she slowly came back down, over his chest and down his stomach. She marveled at how strong she knew he was yet how soft he felt. His hidden strength never failed to impress her.
She hadn't realized how tightly wound he'd been — how precarious his patience had been — until he finally lost his and tugged her dress down in one quick motion letting it pool around at her feet. Caught off guard, she gasped, but was cut off by a rough kiss. She lightly bit at his lip and, fumbling in her haste, she tugged on his pants as he walked her the rest of the way to the bed.
Without any further encouragement he followed her onto the bed, his own clothing fully discarded. He never broke contact, kissing down her neck and chest, his hand massaging her breast just the way he knew she liked. Her body was on fire wherever he touched. Despite his impatience, he was slow and methodical until she finally dug her nails into his shoulder, impatiently urging him on.
I hope it was okay! I'm trying to get better at writing steamy scenes. Next week, they leave for the colony!
