JP: Lt Zenno & Ens Saava - The Scandalous & The Mandatory, Part 2 of 10
Tim
((OOC: Thanks John for making me part of this extraordinary experience <3 I had a lot of fun!))
((Time skip, a few days))
The computer connected the call and Zenno’s face appeared on the viewer.
Zenno: Saava! I have missed you. So much has happened here. I’m so glad we were able to sync our schedules. How are you? I know I missed a lot of messages, but we were on an urgent mission. Is everything well?
Saava: My work performance is within acceptable parameters.
She was not here to make small talk. Saava had made a plan and she would do anything to go through with it.
Zenno: Good! Have things improved with the Doctor?
Saava: We will speak about that later. I have a more pressing matter to discuss.
Zenno appeared concerned and she knew that he would be. In the deepest corner of her mind, there was a twinge, a sting that reminded her that she was about to place her friend in a dangerous situation and she couldn’t warn him, not about all of it.
Zenno: What can I do to help? Anything for you.
Her mother and father would have never given her permission for a guest in advance. Yet, traditional Vulcan hospitality would demand Zenno be treated as one when they arrive together. Just bringing him to the event was the most logical course of action.
Saava: You had inquired about a trip to Vulcan to see the Parrises Squares there. As it turns out, I have a family obligation to attend. I am permitted a guest. If you accompany me to my event, we could go to the Squares after. Do you find this to be agreeable?
Zenno’s face eased and then he smiled warmly.
Zenno: Agreeable? It’s delightful! I’m so excited. You’ve met my sister a bunch of times and I’ve never got the chance to meet your family at all. I can’t wait.
It must have been relief that Saava felt for the briefest of moments before realizing that Zenno would enter the madhouse she called home.
Saava: oO Delicately… Oo I must warn you, they are not as... friendly and as social as I am. You should expect… a more traditional welcome.
He looked down, off screen. She wasn’t sure but she detected that he might be suppressing a smile.
Zenno: They are your family and I will be honored to meet them. ::beat:: You mentioned that they run a large business of some kind? A chain? You never talked about it much. Maybe I can learn a little about that to break the ice with them, as they say?
Saava: That will be… unnecessary. It is considered uncouth in our culture to discuss business at a family event such as this. It will be the 100th Anniversary of my cousin’s wedding. There will be a large social gathering with many associates and some… other people too. There will be no talk of the company.
Vulcans liked to state that they are incapable of lying. Saava knew as well as any other Vulcan that they were if it served their purpose and if it was the logical course of action. And if it was not lying, it might have been bending the truth here and there. She had always been honest with Zenno and she considered that one of her qualities - but this was different.
Zenno: Oh this is very exciting. But what is the family business anyway? Just so I can know what to avoid bringing up? I would never want to cause a moment’s concern for you.
Saava: It’s a collection of treatment-focussed hotels. They cater to the needs of Vulcans who are far from home, either planetside or in space, with a focus on health and rejuvenation.
This was entirely true and it also left out so much. Maybe it was not a general rule in Vulcan culture not to bring up the business, but it certainly was a rule in her family, well it would be considered catastrophically rude.
Zenno: Oh that’s wonderful. Now I see where all your interest in fitness and health comes from. So these are like Health Club Resort type places?
Saava: That would be one possible interpretation.
Zenno: Amazing! I love it. What’s it called?
Saava: There is no fully accurate translation and the Vulcan words would be challenging for you to say correctly. Think of it as “In pursuit of health.” But as I said, do not speak of it there. It would be insulting.
Zenno: I won’t, I won’t. I’m just so happy. I love seeing the Squares and being with you always makes things better. We’ve just had quite the mission and this diversion is very welcome.
Saava: I will send the details. You can meet me at the spaceport and we will go together to my family home.
Zenno: Wonderful! I’m going to start practicing some Vulcan words too. Do they like that? Would your family consider that a respectful thing to do?
Saava: Learning is always respected.
Zenno: Good! Good! Then I’m going to prepare. I need to figure out what to eat when I’m there and some places to see. And I’m going to check on the standings in the local Squares teams? Do you have a favorite? ::Doesn’t wait for her to answer:: Oh! There is so much to do! Let me call you back once I think through all this. It’s going to be so fun!
Saava: I will prepare a dietary plan for you. It will be… an event to remember.
Zenno: OK, I got lots to do. Talk soon. Bye.
Saava appreciated Zenno’s enthusiasm. She hoped that he would ever be so, even if she could never express her own feelings in the same way. If her plan worked, all that would be needed would be for her to walk into the celebration with him. The message would be subtle but unmistakable. She had never admitted it to herself as clearly as she did at this moment. Maybe, because her family was trying to pull the strings, maybe because it felt like a last chance to make things right. He was her intended and the suitors and their families could get lost in the Forge for all she cared.
The problem is that Zenno did not understand Vulcan subtlety. He probably just thought he got invited to watch some games and go to a party on the Home World. Saava knew she had many skills and some charms she had not yet deployed. Now, she would have to bring all that to bear to send a message to her family that she wasn’t interested in their arranged marriages, she was interested in Zenno, and she had to preserve his feelings against the likely wave of understated hostility that was about to come his way.
If she was successful, no apology would be necessary. If she was unsuccessful, she knew that Zenno would be quick to forgive. It was not something she wanted to do, but she had to stake a claim on living her own life. Strangely, she knew that Zenno would unwaveringly support her with this… eventually… once he understood it all. But that would not be today.
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