JP: Lt Zenno & Ens Saava - The Scandalous & The Mandatory, Part 5 of 10
Cobalt Penumbra
((Brief timeskip, Zenno’s Room, Saava’s Family Estate, Vulcan))
Now that he had a minute alone to consider things, it was clear that Saava had arranged this entire affair without knowledge of either her parents or himself. Her purposes were unclear as of yet. This might be another example of Vulcan subtlety, where she was expecting him to suss out the meaning. It was a bit frustrating, but with some patience all would eventually become clear.
Zenno had noticed that his bags were empty and neatly stored in the corner. Opening the closet, he saw that all of his things were neatly stacked or hung in the closet.
Zenno: ::To himself:: They unpacked for me?
Reaching into the closet, he went to the top shelf and took out his notebook. It was an anachronism, but he only wrote verse in his notebook with an actual pen. The book, made from the pulp of the Sagwa tree and thread from a certain species of sheep native to the home world, was a personal treasure. The sight of an actual non-replicated river had stirred his artistic side and he wanted to craft some verses. Saava said she’d be busy and he just had to wait for the tailor so it was as good a time as any.
He picked up his pen and began without thinking…
Ajah, lasi du sihawey Ah
Sla himoje des nepthe alo dwa
Falinde jervah a semo qwaa
Nen dinerah sela cha vaha
Berinde mend halan si qua
((OOC Translation:
Hear my words, oh water and wind!
Her hair, splayed against the soft ground
Moons reflected in her eyes
As the waters froth at the river’s edge
Her voice calls, is it my name?
END OOC))
Zenno looked at the words that had just tumbled out of his head and he thought that this was most unlike all of his other first drafts. His scribblings were mostly about nature. This wasn’t going to go anywhere. Best to start over.
He flipped to the next blank page but his work was interrupted by someone at the door.
Zenno: Enter.
The door opened to reveal a severe looking older Vulcan and a younger one, barely even a teenager if Zenno had it right. The older one was in a stunning red layered robe. Golden flecks in the rich fabric caught the light in a way that Zenno found quite dazzling. The younger one was all in brown, wearing what looked like a set of utility boots. He had a thick belt on which had several loops and hooks which were probably used for tools, if Zenno had to guess.
Tailor: I was summoned. ::entering:: Oh no, this won’t do at all. ::assessing Zenno’s clothes:: I see why they called me. All my skills will be required here. ::Addressing Zenno:: You, does your species change color? Or are you like this most of the time? I am very rarely called upon to work outside of a very select group of clients here on the home world, so I am unfamiliar.
Zenno: ::slight stammer:: I umm, I am always like this.
Tailor: Interesting, interesting. I will scan you now. Hold still. ::Takes out a handheld device and runs a scan:: You have a most peculiar body shape ::another pause:: Good, good. Now, present your arm, I must look at your natural skin tone.
Zenno looked at the young one who said nothing but looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. Then he looked back at the tailor.
Tailor. Arm. Now.
Zenno: Yes, of course. ::presents his arm:: OW! ::rubs his arm::
Quite slyly, the tailor had produced a small kit of some kind and had taken a small sample of Zenno’s skin from his arm.
Tailor: I needed a natural sample to match the fabrics. Scans and images simply won’t do. I shall return.
And with that, the tailor left the room and Zenno and the young man were left staring at each other. In normal social situations, Zenno would have expected this boy to state his intentions, but nothing about this situation was normal.
Zenno: And you are?
Delvok: ::Surprised:: Oh, I am Delvok. I was sent to see if you needed anything. I'm here to help you.
Zenno: Is that so? And how long have you been in this line of work?
Delvok: I am… not. I tend to the animals. But I was told to come here and provide whatever assistance I can.
Zenno: Well, Delvok, young lad. I am beginning to see that both you and I might be in way over our heads. Tides bless us.
Delvok: I think you require a dermal regeneration pack for your tailoring injury. I shall fetch one.
((Time skip))
The tailor had delivered a set of traditional Vulcan robes in less than an hour. It was amazing work. Mostly a rich caramel color and with a light reflective sheen they highlighted Zenno’s natural cerulean skin tones. There were silver accents and a touch of deep red in the hem.
The boy had to help him put them on, otherwise it would have been hopeless.
Delvok: The appearance and fit meets with your approval?
Zenno: I imagine that my approval is entirely optional. It is only my compliance that is required.
Delvok: That is good. We do not have time to fix anything before you are to meet with the family for dinner.
Zenno: Saava did not tell me that her family was so… prosperous. I was unprepared for all of ::gestures:: this. Tell me, can you offer some intelligence?
Delvok: There is nothing to tell that you have not already seen. They are one of the wealthiest families in our species and they have been for countless generations.
Zenno: ::Incredulous:: For owning health clubs? I am in the wrong business.
Delvok: Health clubs?
Zenno: I think that…
He was going to interrogate the boy some more but someone was at the door.
Zenno: Enter!
And in came Saava. She was wearing a dark red item that was in a style Zenno had never seen before. Half a dress and half a robe, it had an otherworldly glow. Sleek and sculpted, a form-fitting bodice was on top and the bottom was of a transparent crystalline fabric that refracted the light with a prism-like effect. Covering the shoulders and down one side was a stunning loose-fitting drape with intricate embroidery. She had a necklace on that, if Zenno recalled his astronomy correctly, had gems in the shape of The Desert Serpent, a Vulcan winter constellation. Her hair was done in the chignon style and that was especially surprising as she had never been one to do anything even slightly impractical with it before.
Saava: We are expected for dinner.
Zenno: You are quite the vision.
Saava: I hope this outfit will be sufficient for the occasion. I have to admit that I am not the most… ::pause:: proficient in meeting my mother’s expectations.
Zenno: It is aesthetically perfect.
Again, Saava’s heart made a little jump. She had to admit feeling joy that her appearance pleased Zenno.
Saava: ::Addressing Delvok:: You are not on the household staff. Who are you?
Zenno: ::Interrupting before Delvok speaks:: That’s Delvok. He worked with the animals, but he’s been helping me. It’s his first time and he’s doing very well. He should be commended.
Saava accepted Zenno’s gracious assertion. He was always kind, even when the world was not so kind to him. She held no issues with Delvok, but she would address it privately with Mother and Sovin later. Another slight. It would likely be a fraught conversation.
Saava: We should go. They are waiting.
Ensign Saava
Nurse, Medical Division
USS White Pine
As simmed by
Lt. Connor Dewitt
Chief Engineer
USS Khitomer
A239901CD3
And
Lt Zenno
Security Chief
USS Khitomer
A240006Z13