LtCmdr Salkath - Swipe Left (Act 1)

[Salkath]

((Yem-tukh Nar-tor’i, Second Promenade - DS224))

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. That wasn't exactly the way the decision formed in Salkath's mind, but the sentiment was similar. The hapless engineer was meeting his first date arranged by the Starflirt application, and the relatively familiar environs of the Vulcan restaurant on Deep Space 224 seemed as suitable a location as any. He gave silent thanks to his colleagues Jovenan and Talos for introducing him to this little speck of familiarity in a chaotic new environment like this starbase.

The attendant waitstaff, the same that had served him the first time he had dined here, gave the merest raise of an eyebrow at him as he poured Salkath a cup of green tea. Bedecked in neo-traditional Vulcan garb, the Artemis officer definitely cut a different silhouette than the last time he had been here. His demeanor was likely also the cause for the speculative glance, as Salkath was definitely nervous about this encounter. Well, nervous as only another Vulcan could deduce, at least. Salkath had serious misgivings about the transactional method of coupling that he had been coerced into experiencing, but the only way to mollify his meddling family was to give Starflirt a fair shake. He did not intend to throw himself into a relationship on a folly, but logic mandated that an honest effort was enough to uphold his part of the agreement made under duress.

Salkath had not actively pursued the application after he had been enrolled, but it had not taken long for others to obviously peruse his profile. Even this far away from the Federation core, there were enough pings for Salkath to be concerned that he had been somehow misrepresented on the app. It wasn't that he believed Ms Virtavi-Yaros to purposefully alter his profile, but transposition errors could have occurred regardless. Alas, his profile was exactly as the two had agreed upon, so the interest in his profile from potential suitors was genuine, illogical as it may seem.

Filtering through the list, Salkath had decided to make his first foray into this prearranged dating experience with a nurse stationed aboard DS224. T'Mala, also a Vulcan, seemed a safe bet for an amenable date, and she also concurred. After the two had corresponded and agreed on a time and location for their first meeting, Salkath had needed to fight the urge time and again to cancel. Simply, his reasons to do so were illogical, and he could not bring himself to act such even in the face of extreme discomfort.

But, now he was here, and T'Mala would be joining him shortly. The engineer wondered if he would recognize her upon her arrival.

Alas, he did.

And so did every other Vulcan in the room.

Vulcans have many myriad rituals, in apparent contrast with their otherwise logical natures. However, rituals help channel thoughts and behaviors in orderly ways, and assist in the control that every Vulcan exercises over their base emotions. Most emotional states that plague other humanoids also affect Vulcans, and it is only through the teachings of Surak and those myriad of rituals and customs that they are able to be effectively tamped down. The downside is, the rituals are so symbolic and entrenched in Vulcan culture that when they are practiced, there is no mistaking what the Vulcan performing the ritual is expressing (or not, as the case may be).

That is why the traditional garments that T'Mala entered in, resplendent in the ritual mating colors of their people, announced fully and forcefully to everybody present what exactly her intent was. Salkath's eyebrow made an honest effort in joining his hairline.

T'Mala: Salkath. It is encouraging that you are here as promised. I had reservations about your commitment.

Salkath mutely gestured to the chair opposite him at the table, struck silent with shock. The waitstaff swooped in immediately to pour T'Mala some tea, glancing furtively with an amused expression at Salkath as he did so. He lingered longer than absolutely necessary, yet discreetly pulled away after a still reasonable period of time. Schadenfreude knew no cultural boundaries. 

T'Mala: What chances are there that we would find each other over Starflirt? I knew exactly that this was preordained when I read your profile. 

Salkath: Preordained? That is illogical, T'Mala. I am only recently assigned to this region of space, and it is otherwise simply chance that brought us to this juncture. 

What was this preordained business? Salkath scrutinized his date, and she likewise scrutinized him back. It was obvious to him that she was assigning much more import to this date than he had intended, and he could not fathom how it had come to be such a radical difference in intent.

T'Mala: There is certainly logic in two individuals making a lifetime of decisions that culminate in their eventual and inevitable twinning of paths. Whether known or not at the time those multitudes of decisions are made, the fact that they indeed brought us here and now is irrefutable.

Salkath: It is one thing to examine chance and the paths it takes, it is quite another to assign a lack of choice in those paths. Or, as it would seem, what exactly those paths have led to. Tell me true, T'Mala - why are you here in those raiments, in those colors?  ::it was hard to keep an edge out of his voice::  They are not appropriate for a first meeting.

If T'Mala took any note of the edge in his voice, she paid it no mind. She unselfconsciously examined her robes, found them to be in perfect order, and returned Salkath's hard glare with equanimity.

T'Mala: I would disagree with your statement. Do you not value efficiency? Is that not the hallmark of your profession, and your personal ethos? Do you not struggle to interact with others who are not Vulcan, and find precious few Vulcans to interact with? Do you not wish to honor your family, even if you differ in their interpretation of how to be honored? Are you not lonely?

That last line echoed in Salkath's ears like the peal of a massive bell. All of the phrases that T'Mala had uttered had struck straight and true, but the last was the deadliest of the barbs. She did speak true, she had a fair assessment of Salkath and his motivations and challenges, yet how did that possibly apply to her choice to come here today like this?

T'Mala: All these traits apply to me as well. Starfleet is not an amenable vocation for most Vulcans. Unless one has the fortitude of Surak, or an acceptable support network of family... or mate... then it is exceedingly difficult to weather the sensory, emotional, and cultural overloads that the majority of the Federation can inflict on a lone Vulcan. In that context, how could you question why we are meeting like this? Why would we complicate and tarry a situation with a simple, expedient, and logical path we could take instead?

Salkath: Because... because...

T'Mala: ::leaning forward across the table::  Because why, Salkath? I have read your profile. I have accessed the non-confidential portions of your Starfleet personnel file. I have researched your past service and accomplishments with the Vulcan High Command. I have studied your scholastic records, and traced your genealogy for four generations. I am confident that we are perfectly compatible and do not wish to delay the inevitable. Tell me you did not come to the same conclusion when you researched me?

Wait, wut? They were supposed to conduct a full background check on potential dates? Did Salkath miss that on the Starflirt terms of service? Just once, you scroll past the pages of legalese and it bites you in the posterior....

Salkath: T'Mala, this is not the intent of Starflirt, or at least, not MY intent of Starflirt. Not yet, and especially not on a first encounter.

T'Mala: Perhaps that was not your initial intent, but can you argue against the logic I have presented? 

Salkath: oO Um, hell yes? Oo  What about courtship, Does that custom mean nothing to you? It is illogical to skip past that directly to... to whatever this is. And an individual is not fully defined by their records. You cannot know the entirety of me by perusing a few files. What if I eat with my mouth open, or I snore? What are my aspirations, my goals? I do not know yours, how could you know mine?

T'Mala harrumphed, dismissing his concerns out of hand.

T'Mala: That is irrelevant. What is relevant is that we would make an acceptable and amenable pair of mates. I was going to wait until later in the date, but I wish to give you this...

Salkath: oO You BEST not be retrieving what I think you are retrieving... Oo

But of course it was.

T'Mala: I would cement our betrothal with this necklace - 

Salkath: Did you hear that? It was a hail for me!

T'Mala: ::confused:: I did not hear anything...

The engineer slapped his commbadge in near panic, speaking a little too loudly.

Salkath: =/\= Commander Salkath to Ensign Gazki, go ahead! =/\=

The confusion was evident in the Xindi Insectoid's voice.

Gazki: =/\= Commander, Gazki did not call - =/\=

Salkath: =/\= What was that? A potential warp core breach on the Artemis? That sounds serious! I will report immediately! =/\=

Gazki: =/\= Wait... That... Gazki did not...  =/\=

Salkath: =/\= Salkath out. =/\=  ::he slapped his badge again to prematurely end the connection:: T'Mala, I must depart immediately. I am required on my ship for urgent business. It was... interesting meeting you. I hope you fare well.

As he rose from the table, T'Mala watched him with a mixture of shock and disbelief, the totemic necklace she was going to offer him left dangling from a limp hand.

T'Mala: Salkath, wait! Can I contact you?

He called out over his shoulder as he left, ears burning and trying not to notice the mingled shocked and amused stares all around him.

Salkath: Do not message me, I will message you!

Left alone in a restaurant full of side glances and a ploy obviously foiled, T'Mala was under no false pretense that she would hear from Salkath ever again. Still, what a dramatic exit! Perhaps he was correct in that she did not know exactly who he was and what his true emotional suppression abilities were. He certainly SEEMED emotional there at the end...

T'Mala: ::quietly, to herself::  Well, that was highly illogical.

END

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Lieutenant Commander Salkath

Engineer, USS Artemis-A

A239111MT0