It's Only Dinner

Posted on Wednesday, 30 September 2020 - 6:54am by Commander Soral & Lieutenant Alex Kingsley

Mission: Operation: Dreamweaver
Location: Earth, Australia
Timeline: 2393 - Current

{ON}

The Ambassador waited at the restaurant that Laura had picked. He found that he understood nervousness now. He had to tell himself that this was just a dinner with the mother in law of a friend yet he oddly found himself looking forward to it.

Pausing for a moment to adjust the silk shawl draped around her shoulders, Laura Kingsley took a deep calming breath before putting one foot in front of the other and approaching the entrance to the Avanti restaurant. One of many establishments lining the marina, the restaurant had become a favourite when she had come to the small costal town on family holidays. Not only was the food exquisite, she had requested a table which overlooked the marina. She used to enjoy many an evening relaxing with some wine after a meal and watching the sun set.

In truth it was also one of the more 'sophisticated' restaurants she enjoyed going to. She had doubted the ambassador would be fond of a burger and fries at a local bar.

The heat in the air would have, years ago, troubled her. Now it was pleasant. Even when the sun went down, the temperature would not drop too much, meaning her dress and the light shawl would more than suffice and the weather forecast gave no warning of rain.

"Ambassador, so sorry to keep you waiting," she apologised with a bright smile. "I hope you haven't been here too long?"

"It has not been long, no. Please call me Solek." He pulled out a chair for her to sit.

"Solek," she repeated with a nod, sitting down. "Thank you."

He tucked her seat in and then took his own. "This looks like a charming place."

"One of the few places I eat which has tablecloths and candles on the table," Laura confided with a grin.

"I have a few favourite places. There is this charming establishment called Egan's Bar. They serve something called Veggie Burgers and Irish nachos. Very fascinating taste."

She couldn't help it, the laugh burst out of her before she could stop it or even realise it. His slightly raised eyebrow didn't help, and it was a full minute before she regained the power of speech. "I'm sorry," she laughed, "it's just... well, I spent all morning thinking of how good a burger would be but it did seem very ambassadorial to take you to the local pub."

Amusement lit his eyes. "Then we should go to the pub."

"Perhaps after dinner, it would be rude to leave and the food really is wonderful, I promise," Laura assured him. "If it is still here, there is a quaint little pub just at the end of the marina. Quiz nights and karaoke."

"Then you shall sing for me? An honour for an ambassador," he teased.

"Why, have you done something deserving of punishment?" she asked curiously.

His lip twitched. "I am sure you sing beautifully."

"I suppose there is beauty in everything if you look hard enough..." she mused, "but you would need a pretty powerful microscope to find any in my singing!"

"We shall see." They ordered food and within no time it had arrived. He studied Laura. He suddenly, a diplomat, found nothing to say.

Fortunately for them, Laura had plenty to say. She told of him some of the many comedy acts and musicians they had watched at a small amphitheatre a little ways further along the marina, pointed out a ship which ran tours along the coast but which - on her last trip here - had hit a rock and sprung a leak, just managing to make it into port. "...first time we ever took Alex on a boat and I don't think she's stepped foot on one since!"

"Sounds most eventful." He could see the pride she had in her daughter and he too understood it. His daughter was a source of pride for him too. "I am a diplomat yet I find that I am finding it difficult to be diplomatic."

“Diplomatic?” She seemed confused and then horrified, picking up the desert spoon and angling it like a mirror to study her mouth, “do I have garlic bread stuck in my teeth? Oh! Wait. If it is just that I’m talking too much just say shut up Laura. I won’t be offended.”

"No it is not that...I have not dined with a woman since my wife passed." He admitted.

“Well that is a shame. But it’s only dinner.”

"Yes of course. I ... apologize for bringing it up." He drank some water to allow his mind time to process things.

“Me and my big mouth...” Laura sighed. “I didn’t mean... what I meant was that a dinner is nothing to feel guilty about.”

"As a Vulcan it would be illogical for me to feel guilt."

“Then why is coming to dinner with a woman making you feel undiplomatic?” She countered as she took a sip of wine.

"I...do not know."

“Then the reason can’t be too important so I recommend enjoying your meal,” Laura decided with a bright smile.

He gave a nod. And enjoy it they did. The restaurant did a vegetable Casserole the likes of which Solek had never tasted. It was a fusion of veggies from several planets. Beat his Veggie Burger and nachos idea. It was delicious. As he ate his dessert he studied the woman and he pondered what tonight was and what had prompted him to ask her to dinner. Yes he was curious about her and her family for personal reasons and he'd grown to care for Soral as he would a son so he had to make sure they were worthy but he could have done that from his office. He wondered if he'd actually asked her on a date.

“So as someone hoping not to offend everyone on my first day,” Laura asked curiously, “what advice can you give? And any recommendations on places to visit?”

"I would say there are many places of importance and great beauty to visit. Your son in law, as I myself do, prefers the Surak Gardens at Shi'kar. The Fire Plains are beautiful as well. As for offense Vulcans do not generally take offense. I would say just being yourself would be great and perhaps do not fear to speak your mind. Vulcans prefer directness."

“I’ve always been good at that. I do try to be diplomatic, ever since I was banned from a dance recital when Alex was five for... well, being less than polite to another parent.”

He raised an amused eyebrow. "Oh. I believe I shall enjoy hearing this."

“Well, it had to be said, the woman acted like she owned the place and had a major temper tantrum when her daughter didn’t get the lead role in the nativity play. So I told her to her face what I thought. And then there may have been some food thrown and I may have thrown a punch...”

Solek rased both eyebrows. "Indeed!" He looked, for only a moment, on the border of laughter and then it went away but the amusement was clearly there. "It would have been a sight to see. I seem to recall my wife...having a similar disagreement with respect to our daughter."

"I should have asked, your daughter. Is she also on Earth?" Laura asked.

He shook his head. "She is on Vulcan. Both her mate and she are teachers at the Science Academy. She in astrometrics and he in chemistry." He paused. "They are there with my granddaughter. She is turning seven this year."

"That is a wonderful age. Do you keep in touch often? It can't be easy being on different worlds."

"Indeed. I go back every chance I get. It is not easy however this was where I was assigned. Logic dictates I make adjustments so that I can do my job and see my family. That is why, at the end of the week I will be going back with you to Vulcan. My granddaughters date of birth marking....I believe here it is called a birthday celebration?"

"Well I hope you all have a wonderful day! I used to go a bit overboard when it came to birthday parties, I'm sure you will be surprised to learn!" Laura laughed.

"Indeed. Perhaps you and the children would like to attend?"

“That is very kind of you and it sounds wonderful. Although I may need your help in selecting a suitable gift,” Laura added.

"We do not give gifts on Vulcan. It is a celebration of the person a time of togetherness. None is necessary." He paused. "Besides it is important that my granddaughter meet and like Soval."

“Why?” Laura frowned.

"I wish to ask your son in law to unite our families."

“But they are just children!” Laura blurted out. “You can’t seriously be considering marrying them off in the future? What if they don’t like one another? Or wish a different future?”

He studied her. "Vulcan...ways are different. We merely make a contract a promise for them to wed. It will be assessed at a later date."

"Assessed by whom? You? Soral? A stranger? Why make such a promise now at all?" she sighed. "I'm sorry. I just don't understand... I mean no offence. I just cannot imagine ever setting out planning who Alex would marry when she was only seven."

"Vulcan is different. Our people, as much as they do not wish to admit it, are deeply buried in ritual and old custom. Your Son-in-law was one of the lucky ones that got to pick his mate."

“I’m not sure pick is the right word with them,” Laura grinned. “My daughter has never been so impulsive... so driven by her heart over her head as she has been since meeting him.”

"Indeed. I believe it is called love on your world. We do not have it so much and when it does develop it is rare. Our marriages are arranged and start out with respect and admiration but love...it is rare. I was one of those who found it with my wife. It is why I suffer greatly at her loss and despise the fact that I shall soon have to marry again."

“Oh...” Laura fell silent for a long moment before adding, “I can’t say I’ve ever thought of marrying. Andrew was everything I could have wished for, bad dancing and all!”

His lip twitched slightly. "For me it in not so much a want as a necessity. Vulcan physiology is unique.... Much like your Earth Salmon."

“Salmon?” Laura repeated, looking bemused. “The fish?”

"Indeed. They must return home to spawn or die trying...it's similar with Vulcans."

"Die?" Laura squeaked. "Forgive me for saying but that seems most illogical! What of people like you and Soral who go offworld?"

"When our time of mating comes we must return home to the land." Solek spoke, he had long become accustomed to speaking freely on the subject, human curiosity was.... great in the subject, "Vulcans are... never far from home and if it also depends if there is a spouse with us...there are ways but the risk is still there. For me not so much but for someone like Soral...it is there."

"Risk?" Laura repeated, alarmed. "What do you mean?"

"Since his last cycle was interrupted....he will need to return home or he will die." It was a simple response delivered as coldly as any Vulcan would. A fact not a theory.

"But Alex is with him, on the ship," Laura pointed out.

"Indeed but like your Earth Salmon he must return to the land...the planet. It is part of us as much as we are of it."

"And if they are somewhere which stops him getting home?" Laura asked quietly, eyes wide.

"Perhaps it can be delayed. It is something that will be tested soon. Severine and Soval are seven, after all. His cycle could be triggered any time now."

"Now?!" Laura gasped, thinking of her daughter and how much the two of them had tried to keep from her. She had many questions but politeness silenced them as she took a sip of wine.

He studied her. "Well around now...it cannot be predicted."

"Around now would be about right," she sighed, "they haven't had the easiest of beginnings to a marriage."

"No but they are well suited."

"Oh?"

He gave a nod. "The priestess assessed their bond through Soral when he applied for your daughters citizenship to Vulcan. She was...impressed with the strength of the bond and the suitability of the match. Not many off worlders are granted Vulcan status so quickly. They matched at 90%...rare."

"She is a rare girl, but I am blessed," Laura smiled.

"Are you looking forward to Vulcan?"

“Yes. I’m a little young to be a grandmother but I am very much looking forward to it,” Laura enthused. “Oh I know it will be a big change but I do love a challenge.”

"Vulcan children can be a challenge. They will face many....roadblocks."

"How so?"

"They are part Romulan. It will be difficult for them to find a balance between their emotional sides and their Vulcan sides. I have no doubt that you will be wise guide."

"Being an emotional human?" Laura teased.

He raised an amused brow, "Indeed." A small smile tugged at his lips. She was so like his wife.

“Indeed,” she agreed, laughing lightly.

{OFF:}