JP: Lt Zenno & Ens Saava - The Scandalous & The Mandatory, Part 6 of 10

[Tim]

((Moments Later))

Zenno had been told it was to be a private dinner with the family. First, they would assemble in the atrium and then go to the small dining room together. Had Saava not collected him from his room, he was certain he would have gotten lost. She did not take the same path down to the center of the house that he had taken on the way up, this way was considerably longer.

Zenno: This seems like the longer way down?

She did not break her stride.

Saava: I want to make a grand entrance. They must see us enter together so we will come down the central staircase. The distance between us shall not exceed 15 centimeters.

Zenno: Why must they see us enter together?

Saava: Not now. We are almost there. 

She paused and considered for a second. Stopping her brisk walk, she turned to face him. To Zenno’s eye she was very concerned, almost preoccupied with something. It bothered him that she kept things to herself, especially when they were clearly burdensome.

Saava: Zenno, do you know how many matches we have had together in the squares?

Zenno: Against each other or as a team?

Saava: As a team.

Zenno: Many hundreds. I’m sure you know the exact number. oO Where is she going with this? Oo 

Saava: I do. And when we prepared for each match we put on our game suits, tested our equipment, and put our “game faces” on. That was a term you taught me. Do you remember?

Zenno: Saava, I remember every moment together. All of them. oO She said the same to me, once. Oo 

Saava: Well then this is another game but with different stakes. We have on our game suits. We have opponents and we have a strategy for the match.

Zenno: But in games we know the victory conditions and all the rules. I think there is too much here you aren’t saying.

Saava: You must trust me in this. We are going into combat. I know how much you love to talk to people and laugh and enjoy things. There will be another time for that. Now, we fight. Will you do your part?

Zenno: I would do a great many things for you if you asked them of me. 

She said nothing but looked at him for a few seconds. Perhaps it was a bit of calm before the storm. Perhaps she wished to savor the moment. Perhaps she was burning the memory of it into her mind. Perhaps it was all of these. Or maybe it was for some other Vulcan purpose he couldn’t discern. 

With just a nod of her head, she gestured that he was to escort her. With a smile, he offered his sleeved arm, she took it, and they turned the corner and went to…

((Main Atrium, Saava’s Family Home, Vulcan))

The pair arrived at the top of the staircase. They were on an extended platform that dominated the space below. Zenno imagined that some leader would be giving an impassioned speech to legions of ardent followers from up here. The staircase was widest at the top and narrowed as it went down. It was an ingenious design, Zenno realized. Someone could make a grand entrance as they were doing and as they descend the staircase the eyes narrow to focus on the person, not the grandeur of the space.

Taking a breath, Zenno raised his arm to better offer support to Saava as they walked down the stairs together. She didn’t need it of course. But Zenno was beginning to realize that he was a player in some game where appearances might matter more than substance. He did wonder what her hand would feel like on his actual arm, were it not hidden under many folds of this garment.

Looking down, Zenno saw T’Vin with Saavin close behind. Sovin stood off to the side, busy giving orders to the waitstaff who were lining the way into the small dining room.

T’Vin had changed her outfit as well. She was in a golden-brocaded robe with red and purple accents. Zenno was sure that it was more valuable than the entire contents of his family’s home. Saavin had a more understated number, a rich gray and black piece. He began to see that Saavin was perhaps put into something more restrained so as to not detract from T’Vin’s colorful ensemble.

And off to the left at the base of the stairs there was… a Vulcan male wearing what might be described as an explosion of color. A bright green frock coat with orange piping was over a set of red trousers with yellow streaks on them. A spill? No, as they got closer Zenno could see it was part of the design. He was busy examining the glassware on a long counter.

Zenno whispered as low as he could.

Zenno: Who is that?

Saava: ::Whispering:: My brother. Might be an ally. Unsure.

And that is all that they had time to say as they were now at the bottom of the staircase. 

Zenno: Good evening, all.

The brother turned around and faced them and Zenno almost seized up.

oO Is that… is that a monocle? Oo, he thought. Vulcans were known to have excellent vision. 

Sevik: Ah yes! The Boooolian. We have heard all about this. Let’s have a look.

Sevik and his monocle approached like a scientist in the field looking at a new species of bug. He looked Zenno up and down, through the monocle and then again without it.

Sevik: Yes, this will doooooo. I will paint you.

Zenno: I, uhh… thank you?

T’Vin: Sevik, cease your nonsense. 

Saavin: Yes, nonsense.

Sevik turned to his parents and put his finger in the air. His tone was flat, but if he had been an emotional being, it might have been an indignant one.

Sevik: Do not interfere in my art. My muse has awakened.

He paused and turned back to Zenno.

Sevik: I do my work in the mornings. Come to my studio tomorrow and we shall get started. We will discuss maaaany things. The stable boy can direct you.

Zenno: I would not decline such a gracious offer.

Sevik: That is very wise. ::Turns to Saava:: And we will speak later, sister. There is much news.

She nodded and Sevik appeared to be headed off somewhere else.

Sevik: I must journal immediately! I shall return momentarilyyyyyy….

T’Vin: You will excuse our son. Children go through phases. Most of the time they outgrow them. Sometimes they do not.

Zenno: He is delightful.

T’Vin’s eyes flicked over to Zenno. She almost spoke, but instead turned to her daughter.

T’Vin: You went the long way around. Inefficient, it was obviously an error. I see that your penchant for the dramatic has only grown since you left us to waste your efforts in Starfleet.

Saavin: Yes, very dramatic.

T’Vin: Silence, husband.

Saavin: Yes, silence.

Zenno: You fault your daughter for making an error in navigating the house. But I detect another error. Saava has engaged in a career of service in the medical field. She has saved many lives and done so much to heal others. Surely, not a waste of effort.

T’Vin looked at Zenno as if she had discovered an insect in her soup.

T’Vin: It appears that you are better informed about her activities than we are. In this society we are to honor our parents but our daughter is most negligent in that department. Why is that, Saava? Why is this stranger given more courtesy than your Mother and Father?

Saava: We return that which we are given, Mother. 

The older Vulcan woman held her tongue for a second to consider, which Zenno supposed was an unusual occurrence. After a moment, she continued.

T’Vin: You have not been shown courtesy?

Saava: My guest is assigned to the stable boy? That is the legendary Vulcan courtesy and hospitality shown to an honored guest?

The words stuck in T’Vin’s throat.

T’Vin: Honored guest? That remains to be seen. But it was Sovin’s doing. Sometimes he shows initiative. Always at the wrong time. We will correct this.

Zenno: The lad is doing fine. He is very helpful. If Delvok wishes to stay then I wish that also.

Sevik, who had quietly returned, spoke up.

Sevik: Sister, you have become fierce. We approve.

At that moment, Sovin made his announcement:

Sovin: Everything is prepared. Please proceed to the small dining room.

Lt Zenno

Security Chief

USS Khitomer

A240006Z13

And

Ensign Saava

Nurse, Medical Division

USS White Pine

As simmed by

Lt Connor Dewitt

Chief Engineer

USS Arrow

A239901CD3