We should talk

Posted on Sunday, 23 January 2022 - 7:12pm by Commander Soral & Lieutenant T'Lanna Vali

Mission: Operation: Crimson Kaleidoscope
Location: Soral’s quarters
Timeline: 2395

{ON}

With Soral resting in his quarters T’Lanna decided it was time to drop by, and try to clear the air between them. She’d said a lot of things when she’d been in his mind, been point blank on how she felt about him and now it was time to put that right.

Arriving at his door she pressed the chime and waited for an answer.

Soral studied Hamura who was fussing over him like a nurse. He was glad of the distraction. Sitting up on the sofa he called. "Enter."

As the door opened Bones leapt from his spot and hurried to T'Lanna barking and circling her feet.

T’Lanna smiled warmly. “Hello Bones! It’s so good to see you!!” She gave the puppy plenty of fuss before looking to Hamura. “Hello Hamura, it’s good to see you up and about as well.”

Hamura gave a nod. They looked at Soral. "I've got to go. I'll check on you later Senpai." They turned and headed out.

Soral looked after them. "They fuss over me too much." He motioned. "Please come in and have a seat. My replicator is your replicator."

“Thank you” T’Lanna nodded as she walked over to the replicator and ordered herself a cold drink. Once her drink was dispensed she walked over to a seat and sat down. “I err...I owe you an apology.”

He raised an eyebrow. "I do not understand."

T’Lanna looked surprised. “After everything I said to you when I was inside your mind, the way I spoke to you! You’re not annoyed with me!?” She sighed and shook her head. “I lashed out at you, told you everything I’d been keeping hidden from you, and more.”

"Indeed. It was the first fully honest conversation that we have had." He studied her. "Courage and growth can only be present in the face of honestly."

T’Lanna nodded. “That’s true, I’m not sure Alex would be very happy about my telling you how I feel. Not that anything is going to happen between us.”

"Alexandra never ran from truth," he said. "She was always the seeker of truth."

T’Lanna nodded. “That’s true. I do care for you Soral, probably more than I should but I’d never do anything to ruin our friendship, or to hurt Raith.”

He gave a nod. "Understood." He studied her. "It is good that you are here. I was going to seek you out in the morning. Now that Alexandra is gone you will have to take the rank of second officer."

“Second Officer! Me?” T’Lanna looked surprised. “It was only my first mission in charge when we rescued you, being in Command of the ship would be...” She took a deep breath. “Wow!”

"Indeed. It is temporary for now but should Alexandra not wish to return then it will be yours permanently."

T’Lanna was practically speechless at that idea. “We’ll get her back Soral, she loves you! Just because this...Lexi has taken over her body, it doesn’t mean she’s not still in there. We just have to get to her.”

"It will be her choice if she wishes to return." He said. "Our bond was broken, We are no longer bonded in the Vulcan sense and Lexi...will weave more and more into her mind."

T’Lanna nodded. “So what happens to you? If I know anything from my father it’s that you only have a certain amount of time to find a new mate. Without a bond you’ll die Soral, and I won’t allow that.”

"The bond was properly broken. By a priest of the old ways and I gave up my bond to her freely, we will both live." He said as if he was just reading a tea list. "But you are correct, my time is limited."

T’Lanna sighed. “I don’t understand why you gave up your bond so freely, but as it stands I’m standing by what I said before. I won’t let you die Soral, Vulcans bond with a chosen mate not always for love. If you need me, I will be there for you Soral, it doesn’t have to be for love. It doesn’t even have to be for a long time, just as long as you need to find another.” She paused. “I refuse to let you go back to that temple in your mind, you don’t belong there.”

"It may not be a choice." He said cryptically, "Nevertheless we must retrieve Alex for the good of the Vulcan and Romulan people. In her minds is the key to save thousands if not hundreds of thousands."

“What?” T’Lanna looked at Soral curiously. “What key?”

He sighed. "How much do you know about Vulcan...illnesses?"

“Not much” T’Lanna looked at Soral curiously. “I’ve never had reason to worry about it...until recent events.”

"Alexandra has found a cure to something called Ithena Syndrome. She must help the people of the other verse and I will be trusting you to bring her back to assist those in this universe that have the condition. I am trusting you to ensure that if she wishes to stay with my mirror that she be allowed to. Bring back the cure but respect her wishes."

“Soral there’s one sticking point in this...Lexi. She’s a powerful presence in Alex’s mind, what if she doesn’t want this cure? Or what if she wants to keep it to herself?” She looked at Soral concernedly. “I will do whatever I have to do to bring back the cure, but I don’t like the idea of leaving Alex.”

"She will want Alex to cure her husband. I made a bargain with her she will have very little control over Alex. Our Alex is stronger."

T’Lanna nodded. “That’s good, but her strength comes from the love she has for you. Just as Lexi loves her Soral. The two of you are meant to be, it’s fate if I ever saw it.”

"Fate asks no permission," A lesson he'd learned all his life.

“Isn’t that the truth” T’Lanna looked at her hands which were ever so slightly shaking. She wasn’t sure if it was just due to the emotion she was feeling, or whether it was something else. “Having a near death experience had taught me that life is too precious to waste, you have to grab what you can, and live life to the fullest.”

"Indeed." He studied her. "Now you must rest, Go be with your family I am still here."

“You had better be!” T’Lanna gave Soral a serious look. “I’m not letting you die again.” She stood ready to leave offering a smile before giving him a quick hug. “I’ll let you have some peace and quiet now.”

"Thank you...I assume Hamura is hovering outside...you may as well send them back in." He sighed. "They are... proving to be a mother hen."

T’Lanna grinned. “Hamura cares about you, enjoy it while you’ve got it.” With that she headed on her way. As she stepped out she smiled at Hamura. “Soral says you can go back in now.”

Hamura sighed. "Is he … he's not himself is he?"

T’Lanna shook her head. “No he’s not Hamura, but right now he needs us more than he’s ever needed us. Do me a favour? Take care of him...I’m not losing Soral again, not ever.”

Hamura gave a nod. "I'll do my best. He's stubborn."

“Tell me about it!” T’Lanna smiled warmly. “I have no idea how Alex puts up with him.” She grinned. “Just do your best Hamura.

Hamura gave a nod. "I'll try."

T’Lanna nodded. “I can’t ask for more than that Hamura. Thank you.”

OFF: