Ensign Spelvan - Treading Carefully

[Tara Miner]

((Sickbay Lab, Deck 7, USS Gorkon))

After his examination of the new ensign, Spelvan had approached his colleague, V'Lar, to hopefully mend his relationship with her. He confessed (perhaps unwisely) that he had told her about his brother because a partner had abandoned him after learning about his brother's status as V'tosh ka'tur. 

Spelvan: It was illogical of me to assume that you would proceed in the same way, were you to learn the information as he did.

V'Lar: Indeed.

The other Vulcan seemed satisfied with his answer.

V'Lar:  I accept your explanation. ::Gesturing for Spelvan to sit:: How is your literary knowledge, Ensign?

Spelvan, surprised, slowly sat down as V'Lar sat down as well. He did not suspect she was asking about his expertise with prose out of personal interest, however.

Spelvan: I consider myself fairly discerning in that category. Why do you ask?

V'Lar: Do you know the difference between an error and a mistake, Ensign? Anyone can make an error, Ensign. But that error doesn't become a mistake until you refuse to correct it.

Spelvan: I see. 

V'Lar: It is a quotation from a military leader of an ancient empire. Acknowledgement of an error is the first step towards correction, but you must learn from it. You must not allow a momentary lapse to form a detrimental pattern.

If he were a human, Spelvan might have rolled his eyes. As it was, he felt his left eyelid twitch slightly as he nodded slightly at V'Lar's... advice? admonishment? His parents had often incorporated such morals into the plays they wrote and performed - philosophical compasses for logical Vulcans. 

He did not desire such lectures from her, but he tried to understand. Spelvan had certainly learned a lesson - and it was to tread very carefully around V'Lar. If he acted too much outside the bounds of Vulcan expectation, she might... worry.

V'Lar: On the subject of the V'tosh ka'tur, we have a difference of opinion. I find it unlikely we will resolve that, but it need not impact our professional relationship.

Spelvan let out a very small breath that he didn't know he'd been holding. Despite everything, he still wanted V'Lar's approval - or at least, not to make her an enemy. Perhaps it was the estrangement from his family (his brother notwithstanding) or the sting of S'Vonn's abandonment, but it had been a long time since he had had an acquaintanceship with another Vulcan, and it was something he had missed. 

He would just have to accept that she was more... close-minded than she was about certain things, he supposed. 

Spelvan: Thank you. I agree. I do not wish to have a conflict with you over such a matter.

Spelvan paused for a long moment, trying to decide where to take the conversation next. He did not want her to feel as if he were wasting her time, but he did want to get to know her better.

And the only way to do that was to ask questions.

Spelvan: Your records say that you served on the T'Jan before your transfer to the Gorkon - how are you adjusting? I am sure a Vulcan-run ship must be very efficient. 

V'Lar: Response

To Spelvan, it sounded like a nightmare. A very well-oiled machine of a nightmare, but one all the same. He much preferred the diversity of the Academy as well as the Gorkon, though he had not been a part of the crew long enough to pass judgement yet. 

Spelvan: :He nodded:: I am sure you will be acclimatized to the new environment in time.  

V'Lar: Response

The Vulcan's eyes slid, once again, to the diagram of the Vulcan brain that V'Lar had clearly been referencing in the course of her research. He had taken basic humanoid neurology courses at the academy, but something always unnerved him about neurosurgery in general. It was such a delicate science - one wrong move could result in irreversible damage or death. 

Of course, neurosurgical procedures were also life-saving, but the consequences of making a mistake were too high for Spelvan's comfort. 

Spelvan: ::He indicated the brain diagram with a wave of his hand:: May I ask about your research, Doctor?

 

V'Lar: Response

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Ensign Spelvan
Medical Officer
USS-Gorkon
G240208S11