A/N: I apologize for the lack of update! Last week was the end of the term and things got hectic and stressful. There's also a scene for the next chapter I've been working on that I rewrote like 3 times and I wanted to get that down first before posting this, in case I needed to change anything. I'm happy with the direction it's going and looking forward to more. Also, I had to take some time away and focus on my mental health and stress. I'm feeling much better and found my motivation to write again. The next update will go as scheduled. Enjoy!
Valok tried not to think about Torin and Nia's absence as he finished setting the table centerpiece, but it was difficult. His memory of bonding with Alina, Nia's mother, came unbidden and he tried to push it back. It was a memory equal parts happy and devastating. Instead, he focused on making sure the centerpiece was straight and centered. Satisfied, he turned and looked around. T'Mir and N'vea were in the kitchen cooking, Turak was setting the tables with the help of Saya, Zerin, and Solen, and L'Vor helped direct and keep an eye on the children having completed her required role in the ceremony. He was grateful she'd accepted the task.
"Valok, N'Vea requests your assistance." He turned to see his cousin Turak holding a bowl containing freshly baked krei'la. Nodding, he made his way to the kitchen, weaving between the children as they set the tables and brought pitchers of water and bowls of chopped birkeen to flavor the water. Zerin in his intense focus nearly ran into Saya. Turning, she frowned and opened her mouth to scold him but caught "the look" from Valok. Instead, she urged him to watch his surroundings and continued on. Shaking his head slightly he reached down and picked up a few pieces of leafy birkeen that had flown out of the bowl and onto the floor.
As he entered the kitchen, tossing the leaves into the trash, he could smell the slight bitterness of theris brewing in a large teapot on the oven.
"You require my assistance?" Valok watched N'Vea stir the simmering pot of barkaya marak, the thick soup nearly ready. Beside her, T'Mir poured the foranti sauce, thick and flavorful, into a serving bowl before setting it aside to cool and began working on a vegetable curry that was close enough to pre-tarmeeli to suffice as a replacement.
"Yes. Please retrieve the K'vass bottles from the car." He raised an eyebrow at this.
"You found K'vass?" N'Vea would be quite a popular hostess if she had truly managed to procure bottles of genuine K'vass. He'd not had any since Vulcan had been destroyed.
"I found one. However, a similar brew is available on Earth specifically for Vulcans. They call it ' hot-buttered rum.'" She began cutting up replicated yon-savas for the traditional wedding dessert tufeen hushani. "However, it does not contain alcohol. Calling it rum is a misnomer." She added.
"I will retrieve them." Valok began walking out. The K'vass would be a welcome treat to all. It was difficult to avoid sucrose when nearly everything humans consumed contained vast amounts of it, it was why they only ever ate at home or at Vulcan-centered restaurants. He fondly recalled a time when he was a teenager and he and his friends had managed to get a few bottles of K'vass to share out in the mountains when they went camping. Saval, in his intoxicated state, had bravely announced he would challenge Talek at his bonding to L'Nel, whom he'd previously had a secret affair with. Later though, he would recant his previous bravado and quietly settle down with the one his parents chose for him. Tos had nearly fallen off a steep edge and down the mountain when he went to check the perimeter as night fell, having heard wild sehlat howling too close for comfort. It was a miracle nobody had died in their intoxicated state. He would've gotten away with it if he hadn't had too much and gotten a horrendous hangover the next day and had to go to the clan healer for relief. He'd been forbidden from any outings for the next year and received the lecture of a lifetime. It was enough of a deterrent to not make such a reckless decision again.
He pulled himself from his reverie and continued on. Sighing, he grabbed the box containing several bottles, one of which had an elegant Vulcan script on the bottle while the rest were in standard, and shoved the door closed with his foot. As far as reckless decisions went, he was thankful Nia was far more responsible than he was at her age. He'd been with her mother when he was her age and he recalled their many romantic overtures and knew he couldn't fault Nia for her secretive meetings with Torin and her reluctance to tell him. He definitely hadn't said anything to his parents when he began having romantic relationships, not all of them with his intended bondmate that his parents had chosen for him.
He placed the bottles on the kitchen counter.
"Place them next to the stove to heat." N'Vea instructed. He did so. Noticing the cups and glasses out, he began grabbing some to place on the tables before the guests arrived. They'd invited pretty much the entire neighborhood.
Everything had just been put into place when the first guests arrived. Tea and water were served as the guests mingled and Valok, once again, was reminded of his daughter's absence. Looking up he was pulled from this thought when T'Vel caught his eye and nodded once before returning to her conversation with L'Vor.
That was another….complication. She had made her interest in him obvious in the subtle, Vulcan way. Humble and coy decorum was largely phasing out in favor of a more direct approach as their species dwindled down. Not to mention the fact that they were approaching an age in which the game of pursuit was not quite as fun as it was. Between jobs, responsibilities, and the miscellaneous facets of life, the extended back and forth of courtship could become…tedious. He appreciated her more direct approach. He wouldn't be surprised if he were approached with an offer of courtship or marriage within the month. He walked back into the kitchen one last time before he mingled with the others.
"Do you require any assistance, N'Vea?" He asked. T'Mir began putting dishes into the dishwasher now that the food was nearly complete. N'Vea looked around, double checking her work, before pausing to think. The weight of being matriarch was heavy, but she bore it well today. He made a note to congratulate her on how smoothly things had gone.
"See to the guests," she instructed. "I will bring the tea out in a moment." Nodding, he returned to the main room to mingle. Now, it would be a waiting game until Torin and Nia made their appearance — however long that was.
"Tea will be served soon," he said as he approached T'Vel and L'Vor. Before they could respond, Saya tugged on his robe.
"Uncle," she spoke with a serious look on her face, "Zerin and Solen are arguing and father is changing T'Lores."
"Of course." L'Vor nodded in understanding as he excused himself. There was a distinct flash of amusement from T'Vel as she looked at Saya with a soft look on her face. Ever the dutiful uncle, Valok followed her to the boys and the small area near a stone fireplace they had claimed as the official play area. Zerin openly pouted at Saya as she approached with an adult in tow.
"Uncle," Solen began, "Zerin is attempting to go outside and explore. I told him this wasn't a safe idea without any adults." Saya, having completed her objective, stood aside and watched with her arms behind her back as she did her best impression of an adult.
"No, you misunderstand." Zerin frowned at Solen as he spoke. "I said we could go onto the patio and play. We will stay within sight."
"We are in an unfamiliar location in the middle of a nature reserve. We do not know what wild animals may be near. Do you think an adult will be with you at all times to supervise?" He asked. Zerin sighed and drooped his shoulders, acknowledging his uncle's point.
"No." He said quietly.
"Once the food is complete, I'm sure there will be someone who can supervise you outside." He compromised. Content, Zerin nodded.
"Now, do you think this could have been solved without my intervention?" He asked. The children paused and thought for a moment. "Saya?" She remained quiet but looked at her feet.
"Yes." Solen spoke up. "We could have agreed it wasn't safe and asked an adult to accompany us."
"I agree that is a good course of action and a responsible decision. It is important to explore all possibilities and avoid arguing. Fighting does not solve the problem." Though, he wouldn't tell them just how hypocritical he was being, since plenty of adults had "disagreements," himself included. It was for the good of their development, he reasoned. Satisfied that the children would be fine for at least 10 more minutes, he returned to the guests as N'Vea carried out two large pots of tea and T'Mir carried a tea pot of the warmed human-brewed K'Vass, which completed the refreshment table. Valok busied himself serving refreshments as N'Vea sat to rest for a moment. He gently reached out and made his appreciation known, a small way to acknowledge her hard work and planning. Sensing him, she turned and inclined her head slightly and he could feel her gratitude and relief. She'd been worried about things going well.
"Thank you." A familiar soft voice spoke to him. Looking up, T'Vel held a cup of tea in her hand. Satisfied that all the guests had drinks, he took a glass of K'Vass for himself, warm, thick, and rich. The buttery sweetness was a rare treat and he was careful to take small sips. He looked at T'Vel again and immediately understood her unspoken request to speak with him as she remained where she stood. Going around the table he headed towards a small table that allowed for space to speak freely without the scandal of being too private. He wasn't quite sure what to make of her just yet, but he knew he had to be delicate lest he send the wrong impression.
As he sat, a strange guilt gnawed at him. It had only been a few years since his fiancee died with Vulcan and here he was entertaining the marriage potential of another woman. By Valdena he swore he'd never love again after Alina's death. So far, after 20 years, he'd been correct. He pulled himself from his thoughts and returned his attention to T'Vel as she, too, sat down. He took another sip of the K'Vass. Whatever they'd used to sweeten it left a subtle chemical aftertaste that reminded him of the artificially sweet candy humans were so fond of. It was decent.
While not a fan of small talk, he was unsure how to proceed and end the stretching silence.
"The new colony holds promising results according to the latest data." She commented. He was reminded that Nia would soon leave for said colony and took another sip to hide the sigh that threatened to spill out.
"Yes. With improvements in terraforming, the planet holds great promise," he agreed. Looking at her, he acknowledged she was attractive. Thick, dark hair braided up neatly, dark eyes framed by a touch of liner. A pleasant disposition and intelligence. She had a promising career as a botanist. She'd make an excellent partner. He just couldn't find the affection for her that she deserved. A marriage to him wouldn't be one of love, not that her traditionally-minded mother would be dissuaded by that.
"I heard you've had promising progress in your current research." He spoke to fill the growing silence; he could feel her mother watching them carefully and he had no intention of making her look bad in front of her mother by dismissing her so quickly. She relaxed and seemed pleased at the change of topic to something she was passionate about.
"Yes. The spliced plants are beginning to bud. With luck, they will yield fori with minimal change to flavor and texture. We've found a balance of soil on Earth that is conducive to growth."
"It would be good to have fresh fori again."
"Yes," she nodded and took another sip, breaking eye contact for a moment. "The replicators do not seem to get the flavor quite right. This is also being studied." He began to relax as he took another drink, surprising himself when he drained his cup and felt warmth in his chest. He considered having another, but decided the safest course of action would be to wait. His tolerance wasn't what it used to be.
"Please take your seats." N'Vea announced.
"Thank you for the conversation, T'Lores." He nodded. Her face flushed slightly, but she didn't say anything as she made her way to her mother. Nia and Torin were here. He grabbed a cup of water before walking to his seat at the main table, next to Nia.
He didn't think too hard about her new, more simple hairstyle she wore as they made their way to the head of the table, her hand on Torin's arm. He pulled her chair out for her as she sat, to which Valok approved, before sitting down in his own seat. Once they had been served their respective drinks, a glass of genuine K'Vass for both, alongside a glass of water, N'Vea stood in the center of the room and cleared her throat.
"Thank you, everyone, for coming together to celebrate our clan growing. Everyone was quiet, even the children who'd been corralled, as she spoke. "It has been far too long since I've seen so many gathered together in celebration. It shows promise for our future." She turned now and looked at Nia and Torin. "Today we welcome Torin into the clan with open arms. It is a good match. I look forward to seeing you both prosper as one." She nodded in finality. "Dinner will be served shortly." N'Vea made eye contact with a few others who rose to follow her into the kitchen to help serve the food.
Nia looked at her father and gave a small smile, but didn't say anything as he sent warmth and affection her way, hoping she could sense and understand how proud of her he was. He looked at Torin and extended the same warmth, receiving a warm response in return. His anxiety settled to the back of his mind as he basked in the warmth of family, surrounded by a stitched together clan for the first time since Vulcan. Today, he will celebrate.
She woke up before her alarm, her room still dark as the sun hadn't risen yet. Smiling, she reached out and felt for Torin with her mind. He was quick to respond, having already been awake as he packed his car and prepared to head drive over. She felt him reach out to her, the warmth of affection reaching down into her chest. It felt strange to be married, yet not live together. She tried her hardest to balance time with him and time with her family, even occasionally spending the night at Torin's apartment to alleviate the ache of being apart.
Sitting up, she rubbed her eyes. Today was the day. They'd enjoyed a week of married life and today they'd begin their new life together on the colony.
With her suitcases already downstairs getting ready was easy. She put on her casual gray robes she'd laid out the night before. The material was light and breathable, but was honestly the most comfortable robe she'd ever owned. It would be a long flight and comfort was key. She didn't want to risk her few robes she'd had specially made accidentally messed up on the trip. Grabbing her jacket, just in case, she headed downstairs. The environment of the colony planet was similar to Vulcan and she likely wouldn't need the jacket, but it
was better to be prepared.
In the kitchen, her father and aunt cooked while T'Mir set the table. The children were sleeping still, but Nia had said goodbye to them the night before.
"You didn't have to do this." Nia smiled at the spread of semi-traditional Vulcan food on the table. Enough spices and veggies could be replicated to have the same flavor, though some Earth substitutes had to be made, giving some dishes a slightly different texture and color.
"I know. We wanted to." Her father brought a steaming plate of green stalks to the table and placed them next to the familiar spicy broth she loved. She was about to comment when she felt Torin reach out to her.
"Torin will be here in a few minutes." Nia walked towards the table, eyeing the broth. "Do you need help with anything?"
"No, everything is done now. Please sit." Her aunt wiped her hands off with a towel and seated herself at the table. They chatted idly as they made their plates. It wasn't long until she felt Torin again. Excitement made her stand up quickly as she went to let him into the house without a word.
Smiling, she opened the door. She held out two fingers and he gladly met her in ozh'esta. A small spark of excitement lit in her stomach.
"Come in." She stepped aside and led him to the breakfast table.
The sky was overcast and gray as ships crowded the landing bay. Beings of all races hurried about, focused on their destination and their own bubble of life. It felt surreal.
Now aboard the ship and buckled into her seat for takeoff, Nia looked around. There were maybe 50 people on the small ship, mostly couples. There were a handful of children, ranging from 8 to 14 in appearance. But young couples much like Nia and Torin made the majority of the population. She was struck by how the IDIC fit perfectly in this situation. They were all Vulcan, but she knew they differed. There was a wide variety of Vulcans, much like humans and, frankly, any other species. Diversity was common for all races more or less. But the one thing she knew they all had in common was this: the desire for a fresh start. Otherwise, what was the point of coming? They were all starting a new life together, strengthening their people, each other, and themselves on this new journey. Their motivation for going didn't matter so much as the fact they were going. Though, a vague anxious thought crossed her mind that worried her.
Will they see me as Vulcan, too?
She felt Torin reach out through the bond, warming her, and pushing her anxieties away, reassuring her that that was unlikely.
There are so few of us left, t'hy'la, I doubt that will be a concern.
She took a breath and released her anxiety, conceding he had a point.
You always know what to say. She leaned over slightly and brushed her shoulder on his.
The ship rumbled as the engine warmed up, preparing to take them light years away to a new life. There was a palpable anticipation in the air as the rumbling grew, the signal flashing with chime to indicate they needed to remain seated. Once the ship had breached the atmosphere and settled onto their path, they could move around. She was excited to meet some of the others and get a feel for them. After all, they'd be spending a lot more time together now. She made eye contact with another woman, about her age, also wearing a simple cloak, and nodded lightly. The woman returned the gesture as the ship began taking off.
She had light brown eyes, pale skin, thin eyebrows, and short cropped hair. Her face seemed almost as if she were perpetually concerned about something and, judging from the way her feet barely touched the floor, she was short by even human standards.
Her husband, or the man she assumed was her husband, anyway, was a stocky man with broad shoulders and, like the woman next to him, seemed slightly shorter than average as well. His hair was fuller on top, tapered on the sides. He had dark eyes and straight, bushy brows. He wore some sort of uniform, the long sleeved shirt and pants matching in color and pattern. He wore an earpiece and had a neutral expression, though she could see tension in the way his eyes constantly swept left, right, up, and down, always scanning for something. If he were human, she would assume he was of some Asian descent by his complexion and eye shape. They weren't the most approachable couple, Nia decided.
He is a security officer. Torin noticed her observations. She struggled sending actual thoughts, so instead she allowed him to read her confusion. Before he could explain further, Nia was distracted by the light ping as they were now allowed to move. It would be a straight 6 day trip to New Vulcan — Uzh'Valka'ain. Mentally, she went over the details again. It was similar to its predecessor, hot and barren minus a few habitable zones that were within bearable conditions for Vulcans. The settlement itself was near the last ocean on the planet in one of the few habitable zones, down in a canyon.
It had other dried oceans that, perhaps one day with enough terraforming, would once again flow. For now, it remained a gaping maw of uninhabitable wastelands that rivaled the Grand Canyon in some areas. And while not as hot as Vulcan, its weather was more volatile. They were fortunate enough that they could breathe comfortably on the planet now that some basic modifications had taken hold.
The familiar rumble of the ship was a constant white noise that had become familiar and soothing. It was their last full day on the ship before arriving at their new home. There was an impatient excitement that made her feel like a child on Christmas eve again. As she rolled to get out of bed, an arm snaked around her and secured her back into bed as Torin scooted closer to her. Easily persuaded, she settled back down and relaxed as he slowly woke up and mentally prepared for the day. There wasn't much planned for the day, the ship had felt almost like a summer camp at times with the various activities planned. Painting and calligraphy, a seminar on the geography of their new home, a first aid class, and even a 3D chess tournament. Torin had enjoyed the painting class and Nia had struggled to stay awake during the seminar, though she'd enjoyed the first aid class — even offering assistance with her nursing knowledge. She met the few doctors that had come along and they'd had a discussion on the potential healing properties of some the flora found near the colony, though more research was necessary. They both had opted out of the chess tournament and spent an evening in their sleeping quarters watching an old documentary on Vulcan mythology instead. It was good language practice.
She only wished she could feel as connected as others seemed to be. There were only a few others that she'd managed to make somewhat friends with. And then there was Alieth and Sekev… She sighed.
One more day.
