Talking it through

Posted on Monday, 25 May 2020 - 8:45pm by Commander Soral & Lieutenant T'Lanna Vali

Mission: Operation: Recall
Location: USS Fontana |T’Lanna’s Office
Timeline: 2393 - MD09 -- Early Morning (Before Trapped Post)

{ON:}

Soral arrived at Vali's office early. He arrived, in fact, just minutes after her shift started. He rang the chime, a purpose to his visit now. His 'what if' game with Alex on their date last night had sparked something.

T’Lanna was having one of her usual queasy mornings, though Soral’s method did seem to help with the worst of the symptoms. At least she wasn’t having to rush off to the bathroom, it was more a case of nibbling a small something every now and again until the queasiness wore off and her stomach settled. She looked towards the door, “Come in”

Soral entered. "Do you have a moment Lieutenant?"

“Of course” T’Lanna smiled and motioned towards the sofa. “Please take a seat.” She walked back across to her own seat and took a sip of her ginger tea. “Can I get you anything to drink?”

"Indeed. Perhaps Kavas, hot."

T’Lanna nodded and walked over to the replicator, she ordered the Kavas before returning with it. Placing it down on the coffee table she sat down in her seat and nibbled on a ginger biscuit. “So what can I do for you Soral?”

"I am.... confused. You know my wish to not marry on Vulcan. You know of my relationship with Alex. Recently I have been given a solution that I would never consider but I am finding myself considering it."

T’Lanna looked at Soral curiously. “Oh? May I ask what solution that may be?”

"Both of us leaving Starfleet and settling on Vashti."

“You want to leave the ship?!” T’Lanna sounded surprised but all in all if it meant Soral’s happiness. “Is Alex in agreement with this? and What about your sister’s marriage?”

"It is not an option. Alex has her career, I have mine. I feel for the people of Vashti and wish to help but even though it is not a option really I find myself saddened that it is not. My duty to my sister is also prime and I will not risk her happiness. I am...disturbed by it all."

T’Lanna nodded. “I can imagine. You’re in love with Alex and yet you’re betrothed to another that you don’t love. I know how I’d feel if it was me.”

"Indeed. Am I wrong for thinking what if we did run away and marry? I have never considered marriage as an option until Alex. I knew I would marry T'Aurora but that was duty not real marriage."

“In my personal opinion you’re not wrong, but whether others would think that way is another thing.” T’Lanna smiled. “Only you can make the decisions regarding your future Soral. If you really want to marry Alex then do it, there’s no reason why you’d have to run away. This crew are your family now, no matter what we’re behind you.”

"Indeed but duty prevents it. I have my sister to think of and I have given my oath to marry T'Aurora." He sighed and sat back. "No it is not he Vulcan way." He said. "I do have a favour to ask."

“Anything my friend” T’Lanna smiled warmly.

"Alex and I have entered an intense relationship. I do love her and she shares my feelings. When I must go back to Vulcan our relationship will end. Please take care of her."

“Of course I will” T’Lanna nodded. “I consider you all my friends and family, I will be there for her and for you when you return.”

He sighed. "Am I being selfish wanting to make these memories with her?"

T’Lanna shook her head. “Of course not! You love her and she loves you. In my personal opinion I think it’s unfair that you have to give up your happiness to be with someone you don’t love.”

"It is about honour. I do not think I understood my father until this point." He looked at T'Lanna knowing she didn't have the background. "My father had an affair. I am the result of that affair," he said by way of background.

“Ohh ... I see” T’Lanna nodded. “Are you afraid of being like your father? Being married to one woman, yet being in love with another?”

"Perhaps but my father was not in love with either woman. There is a similarity. I have asked Alex to continue our relationship even after I am married. I have promised that I would not lay with my wife nor will a child ever be born of that marriage, nor will I bond with her in the Vulcan fashion. It will be a marriage in name only."

T’Lanna nodded. “What of your union with Alex? Do you plan to have children with her in the future? How does she view all of this?”

"I do not know. I have told her I wish to continue despite my marriage and that I would only be husband in name to T'Aurora. She will have to decide. If there were children they would be mine and Alex's my legitimate heirs. I did not present that to her. I was not sure I wished children...until Alex."

T’Lanna nodded. “Well that’s a future discussion between the two of you.” She smiled warmly. “I don’t envy you in any of this Soral. In-fact I’m glad that my father hasn’t seen fit to find me a husband. No matter what I’ll be here to listen and advise as best as I can.”

"Indeed. It is perhaps better this way when you can choose your mate." He sighed and leaned back feeling as if he were a thousand years old. "There is one further option. Perhaps the most honourable."

“Which is?” She looked at Soral uncertain she was going to like the answer.

"I have been able to delay my marriage until I am forced by the Pon Farr. I can...choose to submit to it and let it run its course."

“Let Pon’Farr run its course! Saral you know as well as I do that Pon’farr can be leathal. Even as a half Vulcan I’m still affected by Pon’farr, luckily for me I had a Vulcan shipmate willing to help me get through it using meditation last time but as a full blood Vulcan you may not be so lucky. I have no wish to see you die ...” She paused. “Or are you talking about going back to face T’Aurora and your fate under the need of the burning of Pon’farr?”

He shrugged. "It was just a thought. As far as T'Aurora that will never be anything. I will not allow it." He leaned back again in his seat. "I do not know. I am... just rambling."

“For what it’s worth, if you need someone to help you through when it is time I’m here to help.” She smiled before realising how it sounded. “Oh ... I mean to help with meditating through Pon’farr ... I didn’t mean anything more.” She blushed. “I doubt Raith would like it if I offered anything else.” She grinned. “Which is my concern, when my time comes ... which will be a whole lot sooner I’m afraid I might harm Raith if I try to meld with him. It’s something I’ll need to work out. Being pregnant should delay it in the short term but once I’ve had my baby and my body is ready it will strike.”

"It is alright I understood what you meant." He sighed. "How are you feeling these days?"

“Okay” T’Lanna smiled. “I’ve been using the method you taught me for my sickness, which is helping. Plus both Dr Rose and Emerick are helping me with my workload so that I don’t overdo it. Plus I have a wonderful man who takes care of me so I can’t complain. I’ll admit my ... drive has increased but I think that’s more due to the pregnancy hormones rather than an upsurge in my mating drive.”

He looked a bit uncomfortable. It is natural to your Vulcan physiology." He drank some water. "Have you bonded with Mr. Kalani?"

T’Lanna shook her head. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to embarrass you.” She offered a smile. “I’ve been afraid to bond with Raith incase I harm him! Human’s aren’t used to telepathy and being bonded combines mind and body. I should talk to him about it.” She smiled as she thought about Raith. “I understand how you feel about Alex because I feel the same about Raith.”

"There are many levels of bonding." He said. "Alex and I have not bonded of course but we did mind meld. It was....enlightening and enjoyable. There was a moment when our heart beat as one that felt as if the universe was one with us both." He paused. "I never understood Ambassador Sarek's writing on his draw to Amanda until I met Alex."

T’Lanna nodded. “I am skilled in the use of the mind meld but I hadn’t considered trying it with Raith. I do love him with all my heart, he’s amazingly supportive. I’m just worried that when ... that times comes I might hurt him in the desperation to be with him! He’s not Vulcan and he’s not a telepath, it scares me!” She took a calming breath. “I will talk to him and explain everything to him. He has a way of making my fears seem trivial.”

"I will ensure that all appropriate research with respect to mind melds is given to you. The Vulcan database is vast."

“Indeed, thank you” T’Lanna smiled. “My father is ... the head of one of the leading families on Vulcan. Hence why I’m surprised he hasn’t found me a mate from one of the other houses. It’s probably because I’m not a female who follows Vulcan tradition and as such it wouldn’t bring him any honour to marry me off!” She grinned. “I do not bow to tradition and it’s not what my mother wanted. Another reason why he hasn’t forced me, he knows mum would never have allowed it.”

He gave a nod. "Perhaps. Keep in mind he did pick you mother. He may have believed a choice was necessary and logical."

“That’s true” T’Lanna nodded. “I hadn’t thought about it that way.”

"Indeed." He stood. "I should go." He paused. "I trust that what we have talked about is in confidence?"

“Of course” T’Lanna nodded. “I always keep what is said in confidence.”

He gave a nod. He bowed a little. "Thank you."

T’Lanna nodded. “My pleasure and honour.”

{OFF}