Communication Pt 2, Improvising a Vulcan ceremony
Posted on Sat Jul 6th, 2024 @ 3:49am by Lieutenant JG T'lenn & Lieutenant JG Jason Williams III
2,070 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
The Menagerie: side stories & mischief making
Location: USS Astrea, Jason's private cabin
Timeline: MD 11, (Right after the events in "Communication")
*The ceremony is a creation of the authors, and is not part of official canon.
"What do you know about tea service?" T'lenn asked as she entered his quarters.
As he moved over to his small kitchenette, he pot the water on to boil. He then started to collect everything he would need on a tray. As he did so, he replied. "Well, truth be told, I know I still have much to learn. However, I do know that the tea service is more important than just the act. It's more symbolic than anything else, but it's also very important." He paused before saying, "One of its uses is to begin formal courtship between two adults, who were not betrothed to be married." He looked into her eyes as he finished speaking, hope and a growing sense of love in his eyes for her.
T'lenn's facial expression remained stoic as usual. It was the reaction behind the expression that Jason had learned to look for - T'lenn's lips might not move, but her eyes would still smile, or peak with curiosity. The tea he was making was simple, but she was impressed with the layout and his efforts - both with the tea, and at embracing her culture.
She nodded at Jason in approval. "Indeed, there is a service ritual associated with courtship requests." T'lenn paused and looked at Jason. "Have you been learning that form of tea service?" she asked.
Working to keep his overactive emotions in check, Jason did indeed catch the approving reaction in her eyes. He knew that it was vitally important to not screw anything up now. Though there was an undeniable intensity in his eyes and how he looked at her now, his face was calm as he nodded slowly and replied, his eyes staying locked on hers. "I have been."
"Was that your intention when you invited me in for tea this evening?" T'lenn asked curiously.
While he was nervous about her reply, Jason decided that honesty was the best policy. "It was, T'lenn. I know we have not known each other long, however, I am drawn to you, and I wish to move our relationship to the next level of intimacy. By doing so, I also give you my word that I intend to be exclusively your romantic partner, and no one else's."
"You may proceed," T'lenn stated. "Were you about to prepare tea for me?" She added with encouragement.
A mixture of relief, happiness and excitement blended together on his features. He then nodded as he replied. "I was, yes, in the tradition of showing you that I will do what I can to provide for you both sustenance for you to live off of, and my protection, to keep you safe from outside dangers." He then proceeded to brew the tea, closing his eyes to meditate briefly, while the tea steeped in the hot water. Once it was ready, he poured some of the dark fluid into both cups. He lifted her cup first and spoke, "Please accept this tea, which I made and will taste, to ensure you are protected." He then sipped the tea, and paused. Then, he turned the cup towards T'lenn and offered it to her, the side his lips touched closest to her.
T'lenn took the cup from Jason with both hands. Her eyes met his as she tipped her head gracefully. "I accept this tea that you have prepared, and your offer of protection. I offer to you the same." T'lenn raised the cup to her lips and took a sip and held it back out to Jason, who placed his hands over hers as they placed the cup down together.
"Next you would tell my parents that you intend to honor their house and their traditions, and I would say the same to your parents before the telepathic bonding is initiated. Since our parents cannot be present, perhaps we should make the vow to one another," T'lenn suggested.
Jason nodded, unless you think we should try to contact them via subspace?" He asked, then added, "I wouldn't want to insult them, or think that I do not wish to show them the proper respect."
"I think it is okay to proceed without others today. Perhaps if you visit Vulcan, you would care to surprise them with your understanding of what is expected of guests," T'lenn suggested.
This idea perked Jason up some. He gave her the usual megawatt grin. "That would be great, T!" He then sobered some and asked honestly, "Would they have any issues with you being with a Human? I mean, I know that Vulcans and Humans have been together for generations now, however, there are always some, on either side, that prefer the past."
"They would not be bothered by the fact that you are human. They most likely will want to question me about whether I am certain about what I want for my future," T'lenn responded.
This caused his eyebrows to furrow some. "Even if you seem...." he tried to think of an adjective that best fit. "...content with your choice?"
T'lenn gave a hint of almost smiling. "It is deeply ingrained in Vulcan culture to carefully process all decisions, probable outcomes, and potential consequences. Choosing a life partner is perhaps one of the more complex decisions that one might make in a person's lifetime. It is common for parents to be involved in ensuring that their children are thoughtfully going through a decision making process and not acting out of desire or emotion."
He paused briefly, before cautiously asking, "And how do you think your parents will percieve our coupling?"
"I do not think that they would have an issue with my pairing with a human, if that is what you are asking. They are not purists," T'lenn responded. "Your rash decision making and impulsive behavior may cause them some concern," she added honestly.
Jason both smiled at first, then sobered slightly second, as he nodded and replied. "I know...it's always been an issue I have. I am working on it, sweetheart."
"Do Human parents not also inquire of their children's important life decisions, to ensure that they are taking appropriate considerations into account?" T'lenn asked.
He nodded as he responded. "Well, yeah...if they're good parents. I know a few people, whose parents couldn't care less about what they did with their lives." He shook his head. "I have never understood how a parent can treat their own child that way."
"What about your own parents?" T'lenn asked. "What is their level of involvement with your personal affairs?"
He shrugged slightly as he responded. "My Mom is eager for me to settle down and start a family. Though she understands that my service in Starfleet comes first. My Dad? So long as I'm happy and healthy, he's fine with whatever I do."
"I have read that once Human children reach a certain age, there is familial pressure to produce grandchildren for their parents enjoyment. Is this a fair assessment of your mother's position?" T'lenn asked.
He sighed softly and grinned. "Yeah," he replied slowly. "Though, please don't let that influence any decisions that you may or may not make, regarding our relationship."
"This Human tendency seems clearly driven by emotional impulses - quite likely an evolutionary trait designed to ensure the continuation of the species. I do not see how her feelings about wanting grandchildren should influence my decisions. I am not easily swayed by emotion," T'lenn reminded him.
"Does your family know that you have taken a romantic interest in a Vulcan?" she asked.
"I told Lizzy last night," Jason replied softly. "Haven't spoken for my folks yet." He paused, then asked, did you tell your family about me?"
"When you met my brother, he was aware that our relationship was more than just one of casual friendship," T'lenn reminded him. "I have not spoken to my parents of you yet." T'lenn paused and gave Jason a look. "When I do, they will likely turn it into an... event of a conversation. Therefore it seemed logical to wait until our relationship had progressed to a point where I would be better equipped to answer their inquiries."
"You have expressed concerns regarding my family's thoughts on should I choose to mate with a Human. Would your family prefer that you find a Human mate?" T'lenn asked. "I am aware there are some prejudices against Vulcans. Some of which were earned by our ancestors."
He shook his head, reaching out to take her hands into his. He moved closer, until their faces were a few centimeters apart. "They will be happy with whomever I choose to spend my life with, provided that person treats me with the same love, loyalty and respect that I shoe them."
Being this close to her, smelling her skin, seeing the minute color differences in her eyes, Jason couldn't help himself any longer. Slowly, he leaned in, his lips grazing hers at first, then, the passion started to build and he kissed her deeper, his arms sliding around her body, holding her against him.
T'lenn once again found herself succumbing the emotional pull that Jason seemed to have on her. T'lenn kissed Jason back, her typical stiff Vulcan posture slowly melting into something more relaxed against the warmth of Jason's body as he pulled her close to him. As they kissed, each was conscientious of the other - both taking turns reading one another's body language, but neither was aware that the other was doing the same.
T'lenn found herself staring rather intently into Jason's eyes, their faces centimeters apart. She had taken a breath and stopped to take him in, and realized that he was doing the same.
T'lenn broke the silence. "Should we finish the ceremony now or later?" She asked softly.
His breathing was heavy, as desire for the woman before him pumped through his veins like nitroglycerin. He wanted her, and wanted to be with her. However, the rational part of his brain knew not to rush things. "We should finish it, sweetheart." Slowly, reluctantly, he moved back to his side of the small table. When she was also in position, he lifted the empty cup that they both had drank from. "As a token of my loyalty to you, to show that I will never share a drink with another from our cup," he lifted the large napkin that was on the side of the table, and wrapped the cup in it. He then placed it on the center of the table and lifted the lead weight that had been under the napkin.
Lifting the weight up over the cup, he said, "I now shatter this cup. May our bond last as long as the many fragments that are made." He then smashed the weight down, crushing the cup with a loud crunching sound.
Jason had surprised T'lenn with his answer, and she found herself somewhat disappointed after Jason had let go of their embrace to approach the table.
She followed him to her place, and watched as he smashed the cup, a hint of amusement glimmered on her face after. "That had a significant dramatic effect," she commented, holding her hand out for the weight.
T'lenn watched Jason as she took his cup, and placed it where he had broken hers. She spoke in Vulcan, "I i' zarahk-tor nash makh. Lau etwel tel-tor kim-shah u' wu u' wuh wehk karf ik nam-tor tor." She then followed suit, smashing the cup with ease.
T'lenn stepped to the side of the table and extended her hand. He would need her assistance for the final step. "Do you wish to partake in the telepathic bonding ceremony? I would not be offended should you choose not to. It is a very foreign concept for Humans."
He moved to stand next to her and nodded. "I am ready," he said quietly. The look in his eyes was a mixture of anticipation and complete trust in her.
"We should sit somewhere comfortable." T'lenn led Jason to his couch and sat down at an angle so that they could face one another. "I will initiate a mind meld, and we will take turns where we each share a memory, usually one from childhood or adolescence. If you like, I can proceed first."
~Tbc~
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