Shopping Trip

Posted on Thursday, 30 July 2020 - 6:47pm by Commander Soral & Lieutenant Alex Kingsley

Mission: Operation: Jabberwocky
Location: Earth, Various
Timeline: 2393 - MD08

{ON:}

Soral sat in the living room. Severine and Alex were getting ready for the shopping trip. He looked up as Laura came in. She had the same suspicious look that Alex had and he had to smile gently.

Laura had fussed over them from the moment they got home, and had now taken to cleaning the exact same spot repeatedly as she attempted to guess what her son-in-law was doing. Several times she had seemed on the verge of just blurting out a question before she stopped and reminded herself that both were adults and it was really none of her business. Still... she looked up as Alex and Severine came in, French braids in both of their hairs. Laura found herself studying her daughter’s every move, realising Soral seemed to do the same but with far less object staring.

“Don’t you two look lovely!” She smiled. “Do you have everything?”

“All set,” Alex confirmed.

“Just don’t overdo things,” Laura added quietly to her daughter.

Alex gave her a hug, “they have really good hearing mum, no need to whisper... and I’ll be fine. I promise.”

Soral gave a nod. "Indeed. I shall ensure it." Soral had dressed for he occasion too. He had on black slacks and a white turtleneck. Over top the shirt he had on a black square neck shirt with Vulcan glyphs. "Severine. I expect that you will assist your mother in shopping."

The girl gave a nod. "Yes sir." She hugged Laura. "See you soon."

“See you soon,” Laura smiled as she hugged the girl back. “Have lots of fun!”

“We will,” Alex promised, clearly still suspicious as she took Soral’s hand.

The hover car that waited for them came with a Vulcan driver. Once they were seated the trip itself took a good Forty minutes with Soral quizzing Severine on logic problems. The girl was sharp. She had a knowledge far beyond her years. Soon they were surrounded by shops from various planets in Earth's biggest shopping plaza. "Where shall we start?" Soral asked innocently.

It was his tone that made her eyes narrow, “what exactly are you up to, husband?”

She had been half asleep during the trip while Soral threw questions at Severine, testing her. There was a hint of pride when he had finally sat back, only now there was the kind of innocent look she had come to expect from Bones when the pup knew he had done something wrong.

He shrugged. "I am not up to anything." He raised an eyebrow. "Well perhaps a little something."

“Define little?” She pressed.

"A selfish wish I am afraid."

“You are the least selfish person I know,” she said quietly. “Okay. Lead on.”

They found themselves by a Vulcan clothing store. He looked up, "We will eventually make our way to Vulcan. While you are under no obligation to wear Vulcan garb I had..." His voice trailed off. He didn't want her to think he wanted to change her in any way and he really was okay with her not being in Vulcan clothing.

“Hoped I would look the part?” She finished for him.

"Not look the part per say. It was ... a selfish wish to see you wear my family's crest."

“There’s a family crest?” She repeated incredulously, reminded of the museums she visited of British history. “Wow. What exactly is your family crest?”

"A rare one. Because of my upbringing I refused to associate with my father. He and his family abandoned me when I was a child. I have built and forged my own way and thus I asked the Vulcan Council of Elders years ago to permit me to obtain a first crest that would start my family line with me. The approvals came through just last week and I have ordered suits and robes for myself with it, I have not seen I yet though. It is decided by the council since it is considered a new line. I wish to outfit Severne and Soval with it and if you wish it I would very much be honoured for you to have it."

He had that look again, almost lost in his Vulcan history. She smiled as she took his hand, “I’d be honoured to.”

He held her hand as they entered the shop. Immediately they were met by a rather stuffy looking Vulcan with a slightly upturned nose. "May I assist."

He gave a nod. "Indeed. I am Soral. I spoke with the owner not too long ago."

"Yes of course." He bowed. "From the House of Soral. It is indeed a rare honour to be marking the crest of a first line. I have your suits prepared."

Soral gave a nod. "This is my wife Lady Alexandra and my daughter Severine. They will require you assistance as well and suites for my son."

Severine looked up. "Father how do you know Soval's clothing size?"

"Your aunt was instrumental." He handed over a PaDD to the merchant who took it. "I shall see to this while you look around." He studied Alex for a moment. "Fascinating hair. I believe I have something that would complement it." He was gone in a second.

“Let’s look around,” Alex said as she led Severine towards some of the displays. “Browsing is one of the best parts of shopping.”

Severine held Alex's hand. "Indeed. I look forward to learning it." She had taken to trying to imitate her father's mannerisms for days now. She looked at Alex. "Permission to speak freely?" She asked her.

“Always!”

"I am glad you shall be my mother."

“I... I’m glad to,” Alex smiled warmly.

Soral watched at a distance. An overwhelming joy he could not deny.

“What about this?” Alex asked as she spotted a dress in a pale blue. “This colour would look amazing on you.”

Severine gave a nod. "Indeed."

The merchant was back within a moment. "Excellent choice. Lady Alexandra, I have found something that you may favour."

She bit down on her urge to say ‘Alex, just Alex’ because she knew it would upset Soral. Instead she let Severine browse while she rejoined Soral. “What do you have?”

He handed her some garments to dress. It was a long silk like white gown that had a turleneck and long sleaves. It's leanth to the floor. For the top was a sheer emerald gown that seemed to sparkle with writing down the right side emblazoned in gold. For her head was a piece that resembled a habbit of old earth nuns but with a twist. It had a hold on top through which her hair would be threaded and cascade like a waterfall from the top rounded part of her head to her lower back.

It seemed to take forever to change, although despite the design it was surprisingly light and cool, not what she had first imagined. Standing in the mirror she could barely recognise herself although the green and gold was something... Lady Alexandra indeed.

Soral's mouth all but dropped open at the sight of her. He stepped up to the mirror.

"Does it meet with your approval," asked the store clerk.

"Indeed but her ears are covered."

The man tilted his head. "As is tradition. She is a non Vulcan married to a Vulcan."

Their bond was still slightly in place and the anger at the comment so strong that it filtered through.

Alex was so caught of guard to feel anything from him that she couldn’t speak for a moment. Recovering she took Soral’s hand, “it’s alright, Soral. If it tradition -“

"No my wife it is not alright. Her ears will be uncovered." He walked over to a shelf and picked out a deep platinum coloured necklace. He walked over and fastened it to her neck. "This is the IDIC." He looked at the owner. "Do you know it's meaning?"

The owner squirmed. "I am Vulcan it is illogical that I would not know."

Severine who had wandered around came back and seemed to listen to her father. "I see. So you know it stands for Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations. My wife is a daughter of Earth and her blood added to mine and her house added to mine constitutes the IDIC. She will have her ears uncovered as they are not a mark of shame but that of pride in all that Vulcan should celebrate." He paused. "Unless you reject Surak."

Alex squeezed his hand, his passion in defending what he took as a slight on her was just so beautiful and perfect. “I’m sure he meant no offence,” she offered, trying to placate them both at the same time, “and I do love the colour.”

"I shall make the required adjustments." The merchant said.

Soral held her hand. "Indeed the colour is lovely because you are wearing it. You add to its beauty my wife." He turned to the merchant. "We shall take this one along with the marriage robes and this dress in Vulcan red, ice blue, sapphire." He looked at Severine. "For the child I require the full range in clothing both male and female. Also Vulcan academy clothing."

The merchant gave a nod and left. "Severine pick out some books and jewellery you wish."

The girl headed away. Soral stepped behind Alex treading his arms about her waist and meeting her eyes through the mirror. "I wish to apologise for his comments."

“There is nothing to apologise for,” she promised, sliding her hands over his. “I love you.”

"And I you. I do not want you to feel, ever, that I am not proud of who you are. You are a part of me, you are my wife and I take pride in all that you are."

“I know,” she promised as she intertwined her fingers with his. She met his gaze before asking softly, “marriage robes?”

"Indeed. When we return to Vulcan we will both be wearing our marriage robes for the blessing of the priestess. There will come a time when my...pon farr cycle comes and there are times when the Vulcan is pulled so much he must return home to the planet. Much like your earth Salmon. Home to mate." He smiled a little.

“I’ve missed that smile,” she whispered with a small smile, reaching up to touch the side of his face.

"They are only or you my wife."

The sound of Severine's voice brought them back to reality. "Father can I have these?"

He looked at the items and most of them seemed for a boy. "For your brother?"

She gave an enthusiastic nod. "Indeed."

He gave a nod. "Very well but take stuff for yourself too."

When she skipped off he sighed. "I will go pay for our purchases. "Shall we to dinner?"

“I’d like that,” she nodded, “first, I need to change and then I will make sure Severine finds a toy for herself.”

He looked after his daughter. "He is ill."

Alex frowned, “who is?”

"Soval. She is very protective of her brother. There is a sadness about her when she speaks of him. The same in Liviana. Will you speak to her my wife? I must know for sure.”

Alex glanced at the girl, “if she doesn’t talk to me, maybe she will speak to my mother. I’ll see what I can do.”

He gave a nod. "I shall go ensure our purchase are paid for. "Alex," he said using her short form name. "My pride in you and my love for you has never been stronger. I wish you to know this. We are perhaps going to have some rough times however I promise you that I will always be by your side."

She looked up at him, “Soral, since that day on the holodeck... you have been this force of nature. My world even before our bond. I have faith. Sometimes faith is tested and this will be our test. But we will be stronger for it, I know it.”

He touched her cheek tenderly. "Indeed we shall."

{OFF:}