Birth of a Playboy
Posted on Saturday, 25 April 2020 - 4:26pm by Commander Soral & Lieutenant T'Lanna Vali
Mission:
Operation: Recall
Location: USS Fontana | Counselor's Office
Timeline: 2393
{ON}
Soral stood outside her office. He was frustrated but didn't let it show. Hi hand hovered over the chime for the briefest of seconds and then be pressed it waiting to be let in.
T’Lanna answered the door offering a smile as she did so. “Commander, please come in” She stood to one side to allow him to enter.
He entered slowly, his hands clasped behind his back. "I require your advice. I believe I have...what do humans say? Chewed my foot in my mouth."
T’Lanna grinned. “Near enough!” She motioned to the seats. “Please sit down Soral, let’s talk about it.”
He sat down. "Now that I am here I do not know where to start."
T’Lanna took a seat opposite and offered an understanding smile. “Start from the beginning, at least then I can easily understand. What happened?”
"I was feeling unwell yesterday. Chief Eyelaya assisted me to my quarters...." He told the story fully to her and when it was done he stopped.
“So you made the error of making Eyelaya feel unappreciated in her efforts to help you?”
"You know we Vulcans are private. While I appreciated her assistance she can be a...tad.. exuberant. She has lived on Vulcan, she knows of our customs." He sighed. "Nevertheless. It was my error. My tone was not very Vulcan nor was the discourtesy I showed. I have attempted to apologize but she will not hear it."
T’Lanna nodded. “Eyelaya is a....difficult personality to deal with. She’s very sensitive and is especially wary of me.” She paused. “I doubt my trying to intervene would help any.”
He stood. "I have been thinking about things. I have felt that there is something hidden about her, whether her past or just something she herself does not know. I wish to find it." He didn't even want to examine the reasons why.
T’Lanna nodded. “I had that feeling myself, there is more to Eyelaya than she is letting on, or cannot tell. I’d like to help if I can.”
"I would appreciate your assistance." He looked at her. "I believe we should start at the beginning, Bajor."
T’Lanna nodded. “According to her personnel file, Eyelaya was abandoned at an orphanage there. We could try and see if there are any records of a birth around that time but it could be a needle in a haystack, as the Humans say.”
He gave a nod. "I have a contact on Bajor. She found someone that worked at the orphanage at the time. Perhaps if you start there I can start on Betazed."
T’Lanna nodded. “I can certainly try, I just hope that we can find out something that’ll give us a chance to help Eyelaya and not turn her against us instead.”
Soral sat down hard. "There is always that possibility." He'd asked himself why the need. The woman drove him nuts he should just be happy she was mad at him but...for some unexplained reason he wanted to help.
Soral stood and then sat back down. "There is something else I wish to speak with you about. More personal."
T’Lanna nodded. “I’m listening.” She offered a smile hoping to make the moment less tense.
He sighed. "My sister is to marry. She has selected a mate that she cares for deeply. Because of my status on Vulcan she would not have been allowed this union and in order to ensure that it occurs I have promised to marry into the family myself. A cousin of the groom. I have managed to delay the union until my sister is married however the day is drawing closer and I find that I..." He shook his head. "It is not logical. Vulcans are bound by honour and duty and I have mine but I find the prospect...of marrying T'Aurora unpleasant."
“I see” T’Lanna nodded. “I’ve heard of it. I take it if you refuse this marriage that your sister will be refused hers as well. Is there such a thing as divorce in our culture? Either that or is there a way in which I could perhaps help you out of it? It may not be the Vulcan way but what if I pretended to be a Vulcan female who wishes to take T’Aurora’s place?” She looked at Soral curiously. “I have no romantic intent, my heart is...” She smiled warmly. “Firmly held by another...but I will do what I can to help you.”
"No. When the Mate or Challenge occurs it is the Female who can initiate the dissolution of bonding. The male may only do so if he has cause." He sighed. "I was fine until we arrived at the station. I met...a Vulcan doctor there. We shared a few intimate nights. I had told her about the impending marriage and she has made me see things differently. I cannot let my sister down. She is my only family."
T’Lanna nodded. “I’m sorry I know very little of the nature of the Vulcan bonding. Fortunately for me my father never saw fit to choose me a mate, mainly because I wasn’t the perfect Vulcan daughter. For that I’m grateful.” She paused. “If you marry will you still continue to see the lady Doctor that you met?”
"No that was just a reprieve from solitude. Once the marriage is complete the Vulcans are not permitted to have affairs. That is what had caused my dishonour. My father's affair with my mother."
“Oh I see” T’Lanna nodded. “Is honour worth being unhappy? In my opinion happiness comes above all else. For the first time in my life I’ve found someone who makes me happy to be me! There must be a way for you to be the woman you wish to be with.”
"At this time I can see nothing. There are ways to make things tolerable. I need only be with my wife once every seven years and I can limit my time on Vulcan to that."
T’Lanna nodded. “I wish there was more I could do to help you Soral, if a way should present itself I will.”
"She is cold, manipulative. She repulses me." He put his head in his hands. "I ... should not see it this way but I cannot help it." He paused, "It is not Vulcan."
“I maybe the last person to advise you on what it is to be Vulcan. I have never embraced the Vulcan teachings my father taught me.” T’Lanna offered a smile. “Only you can make this decision Soral, follow being Vulcan or follow your heart, the decision can only be yours.”
He seemed to slump for a moment and then he straightened. "I am Vulcan. I still have time before I must do my duty. I am starting to see the brilliance in what Lieutenant Yolen said to me." He stood. "Thank you counselor. My apologies for delaying you in your work."
“No apologies needed Commander” T’Lanna looked at Soral curiously. He’d certainly peeked her curiosity now she just hoped she could help in the future.
Soral walked to the door just as it opened an a lovely young Orion Ensign walked in. "Oh! I'm sorry I did not mean to interrupt."
Soral inclined his head. "No interruption. I was just leaving Ensign..."
"Kai-la"
He gave a nod. He bowed suddenly realizing that he had little time in which to truly experience life. Perhaps Selin had been right. Grab life while you can. "Ensign Kai-la. I hope to see you around." Perhaps he had time to sow his wild oats. When faced with a fate worse then death, his impending marriage, perhaps it would do to live a little.
She smiled, "Oh I hope so."
He gave a nod and turned to give a nod to the counselor. "Counselor." He turned back and walked out.
"Here are the files you wanted counselor from Doctor Rose." She turned towards the door. "He's handsome isn't he?"
“Who? Doctor Rose or Commander Soral?” T’Lanna smiled as she looked at the Orion Ensign.
"The commander." She licked her lips. "Gotta go!"
Kai-la ran after him. "Commander wait. I have something I'd like to discuss with you." As her hand touched his arm he could sense her attraction to him.
Their voices filtered through to Vali's office.
"Indeed. I am rather busy at the moment but perhaps dinner?"
"That will work but this information is classified in nature. How about my quarters for dinner."
"Indeed. I would not want classified information to be broadcast ship wide. I will differ to your recommendation." He gave a nod again and left.
T’Lanna shook her head, it seemed marriage was bringing out a wild streak in Soral. She just hoped it didn’t do more harm than good.
{OFF}
Lieutenant T’Lanna Vali
Psychologist
&
Lieutenant Commander Soral
Executive Officer
