T’Paris

Posted on Monday, 7 December 2020 - 4:28pm by Lieutenant Alex Kingsley & Commander Soral

Mission: Operation: Ouroboros
Location: XO’s Quarters
Timeline: MD2

Approaching the quarters of the ship’s First Officer, T’Paris did not hesitate to press the door chime and signal her presence. Her decision to come here, now, was perhaps impulsive but to her mind it would be illogical to wait. To remain patiently in the shadows. Indeed she had never understood the decision of Soral to wed the science officer, to take such a young and immature mate when he had been destined for another.

Yet, as she expected, his experiment was failing. She had heard enough. Lieutenant MacKenzie had spoken of their broken bond. Broken! It explained much. Soral’s behaviour had been ... off. She knew for she had observed him from afar. The loss of a bond would surely account for it. Without the bond, it appeared their marriage was doomed to fail.

She took no delight in that, merely acknowledged such the opportunity it presented to her. Certainly she was a more logical and worthy choice. Soral would see that now.

Soral had just showered and changed into something casual. Mac had been round and he took Bones for a walk and would return him in the morning. He hoped Bones would make Haru smile since he liked dog.

Alexandra had not come home and that troubled him. He was worried that his marriage was crumbling and he wondered if he could save it.

He had just been about to get a drink from the replicator when the door chimed. "Enter."

“Commander Soral,” she began, an eyebrow inching up as she took in his clothing, “I apologise if I am disturbing you.”

"Not at all. Please, enter." He motioned. "How may I be of assistance."

“I require your assistance,” she said simply. “Following our previous mission I have been reviewing our systems and procedures for efficiency and to assess scope for improvement. Given you expertise, you were a logical choice to review my findings.”

"Indeed. I am honoured. Please, have a seat. I was about to get a drink. Would you like one?"

“A spice tea, please,” T’Paris replied as she gracefully sat, her eyes studying the room. The Vulcan influences on the decor was obvious. She approved. Soral had always appeared to value his heritage and evidently that was the case. “Your dog is not here.”

It was more of a statement than question, although there was a hint of curiosity.

"Lieutenant MacKenzie has him. He thought it would help his partner. Dogs are known to have a therapeutic effect." He picked up two spiced teas and brought them to the table. "And in perfect candor it gives me a chance to meditate a little."

“A wise course of action. Our previous mission was challenging and it appears there is much disquiet on Earth,” the Lt. JG observed as she took a delicate sip of tea. “I admit I found your meditation sessions most enlightening. I trust you intend to resume those in the future?”

"Indeed. There are many who have asked. I will resume them next week." He paused. "The disquiet on Earth has me worried. Did you know that the Romulan child what was injured was raised on Vulcan. She merely had Romulan ancestry. The tide will swing against us."

“Most troubling,” T’Paris agreed. “Humans can be... over emotional, irrational. Quick to see threats which do not exist. I trust the child will make a full recovery?”

"Indeed. I checked in with the family. " he sighed. "It is very troubling. I can understand why our ancestors went the way of logic." He sipped his tea.

“Quite. And your assumption is quite logical, many humans struggle to distinguish between Vulcans and our Romulan cousins. Incidents like this will likely increase in frequency and intensity,” the woman replied. “Which will satisfy those who consider Vulcan’s interests are best served outside the Federation.”

She took another sip of tea. “If you wish, I would be honoured to join you in your meditations.”

It had been quite a long time since he meditated with a Vulcan. "Indeed." He paused. "We can meet on the holodeck tomorrow I you wish."

“Thank you. Commander... may I make a personal enquiry?”

"Of course."

T'Paris knew she would have to chose her words with care. For, ultimately, she did not imagine a man as enshrined in logic as Soral would have made the decision to marry a human lightly. Especially, as she understood, it meant breaking a commitment to marry another.

"You appear troubled," she observed. "I believe it to be more than the events unfolding on Earth, and the possible implications for our own society on Vulcan. I simply wish to enquire as to your well being. Are you well, Commander? I assure you that my query is not to satisfy idle gossip, as the Humans call it. You have often been a source of knowledge and expertise to me and I wish to assure you that I am always here for you, if you need me."

"Thank you. I am well however there are issues that have weighted heavily on my mind."

"There is a Human expression. A problem shared is a problem halved?" T'Paris told him. "And as first officer, it is important you are not distracted from your duties and obligations to the ship. If I may be so bold to presume, is this related to Lieutenant Kingsley. I observed her earlier, in the mess hall."

He raised an eyebrow. "Indeed. I have...failed as a husband." He admitted finally.

"On what do you base your conclusion?" T'Paris challenged.

"I have been feeling unwell since the last...incidents of the crew disappearing and I have failed to let her know. I have also kept undertake the decision of having a child with her.

T'Paris arched an eyebrow. His candor was unexpected and she worked to maintain her composure. "The lieutenant is not a medical professional, to my knowledge. Therefore the knowledge would have caused unnecessary concern. As to the later, as your wife, I assume she has no objections to having a child. Indeed, for a Vulcan marriage, it is our duty to our people and it would be illogical to delay. I do not see failure here on your part."

It felt good to have someone on his side at least once. "Yes but I should have consulted her and as my wife she should have known of my health. But you are right I did withhold it to prevent her from worry. She has been through a lot and I tried to spare her the pain. As to the child yes, in a Vulcan marriage, but she is not Vulcan." A matter he kept forgetting.

"Yet she knew she was marrying a Vulcan," T'Paris pointed out, her tone never betraying her. "If I may ask, why choose to marry a Human? I am aware you are not the first to make the decision but I have never seen the...attraction. Cultural diversity is to be celebrated, of course. Yet while Ambassador Sarek was successful in his marriages to Humans, he has been something of an exception. That is no fault of your own, Commander. Humans are led by their emotions. And often unpredictably so."

"The answer is simple. I believe the same answer that Sarek gave. It was the logic of the heart. We Vulcans too are not immune to love. While we marry more for logic we are not immune to its snares."

"And yet, it causes you pain."

"Indeed." He sighed. "I love her, it is as simple as that. Although I believe that she may not feel the same way about me."

While she had overheard enough to know the answer, her tone held just the slightest hint of surprise as she said, "my apologies. As husband and wife, I assumed you shared a bond. I should not have presumed. I imagine it must be very different, if your mate is not Vulcan."

"No, my apologies I should not have spoken so liberally."

"Perhaps. As I said, anything shared with me is shared in complete confidence," T'Paris assured him quickly. Rising, she straightened her uniform, "thank you for the tea, Commander. And I look forward to our meditation tomorrow. Please advise me of the time and I will ensure I arrive promptly."

He gave a nod. He was grateful to have had a Vulcan ear. "Until tomorrow then." He gave a slight bow. Alex had always had her reservations about the woman but he saw nothing to indicate that she was anything but professional.


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