JP: Lt Zenno & Ens Saava - The Scandalous & The Mandatory, Part 8 of 10
Tim
((Monuments Hall, City of Kir, Planet Vulcan))
Three long tables were arranged for each of the suitors and his family. There were several other tables for the invited guests of the Anniversary party as well.
Saava’s parents not only wanted to find the best match for their daughter, but they wanted to find the most suitable family to be connected to. The ceremony was scheduled to take several hours and there would be multiple courses of food. After that, everything would be capped off by the proclamation of T’Vin’s decision. It wasn’t just a family affair, it was a business affair as well and T’Vin had bent all her efforts on it once she had secured a date on the calendar.
Given the events of the past few days, Zenno decided on his own personal act of rebellion. Instead of the stunning robes that Saava’s family had made for him, he wore his Starfleet Dress Whites. This was combat, of a kind. And he wanted to be properly attired in the correct uniform. If he lost Saava tonight, Starfleet would be all that he had left and he might as well be dressed for it.
He kept his distance from Saava in the Hall. It was partly because of the plan and partly because he didn’t want to be tempted to take her by the hand and run far away from this place so they could be together and forget all these worries.
So instead he collected an Altair Water, put on his best inoffensive and polite smile, and engaged with all of these Vulcan Social Climbers. Sevik had introduced him to one called T’Paar. She was apparently a neurosurgeon of some great skill. Eventually the talk turned to Saava’s family business.
T’Paar: The establishments are known for their focus on physical and mental well-being. It would be an honor to become part of such a family.
Zenno: Health and wellness are always in demand.
T’Paar: The staff are highly attentive to detail and strive to ensure all patrons receive personal care. It is one of the core values of the chain.
Zenno: If the family runs the business like they run their household, I imagine everything is under the microscope to the tiniest detail.
T’Paar: Privacy and confidentiality are highly valued. It ensures a safe and respectful environment for all guests.
Zenno: I imagine that anyone getting a wax would want privacy.
T’Paar: The treatments can lead to profound personal insights and growth.
From a wax? Zenno wondered if T’Paar was just saying all this in case she was overheard by the family.
Zenno: I could certainly use some of that. Perhaps I should visit one?
T’Paar: ::nodding:: I am confident you would find it the most ::pause:: enlightening experience. But the business is tailored to Vulcans.
Zenno: That's fine. I’ve had so much enlightenment thus far on this trip. Too much more and I’d become buoyant. *beat* May I ask a question?
T’Paar: You may ask.
Zenno: I want to be able to congratulate the eventual selectee. I’m only a classmate from Saava’s Academy days and this is my first time on Vulcan so I am unfamiliar. Who is in the running?
T’Paar: Ah. The eventual winner will be S’Len, my nephew. He is a legislator in the capital. Of course, he will give that up to join the family business once the marriage agreements are in place. He is there. ::Indicates::
T’Paar pointed to a very tall man, standing near the corner of the room. He had on a loose fitting black jacket with gray underneath. He had a beverage and he was by himself, apparently reading the signage on the wall about food storage regulations.
Zenno: Ah, I see him.
T’Paar: The one over there is Soveen. He is an architect and also a zero-G dance choreographer. His family owns a well-regarded clothing business called V-Mart. Have you seen it?
Zenno: I have not.
T’Paar: Very pedestrian. He’s only here out of respect for his family’s business acumen. A totally unsuitable match. And finally there is that one in the gray robes. That is Tivonn. He is competition.
The Bolian saw the one called Tivonn sitting at a table with two who were likely his parents. Each of them was wearing a very plain gray robe and all three nearly had the same severe hairstyle. T’Paar leaned in close.
T’Paar: Logicians, all of them. The whole family did Kolinahr together some years ago. Very elite.
Zenno: Thank you, T’Paar. I am grateful for the information. I wish S’Len all the luck in the world tonight. Excuse me, I must say hello to someone.
T’Paar acknowledged his thanks and moved off to join her family. Meanwhile, Zenno casually approached Sevik, who had returned only minutes before. Everyone had been told to dress traditionally, but Sevik was staging a sartorial revolt of his own today. He had on a bright yellow jacket with brown trim and a large black hat with a wide brim.
Zenno: I see you chose not to follow your parent’s instructions either.
Sevik: ::Quietly:: Oh newwwww! If I’m to be a spy, I’ll dress the part. Does not the hat just bring it all together?
Zenno: Truly, it does wonders. Is everything set?
Sevik: The Eagle has landed.
Zenno: What?
Sevik: It’s spycraft! I’ve been bbbbrrrrrrrushing up on the lingo, you know. I find it stimulating.
Zenno: Truly dizzying. But did everything go according to plan?
Sevik turned his monocled eye towards Zenno.
Sevik: Of course! Dinner will be served any minute and we shall see what occurs. I’m rooting for you, Space Policeman Zenno! Now I must be off to deliver witty banter and repartee amongst the people. ::Leaning in close & whispering:: We will meet after for debriefing and very important report writing.
The Vulcan adjusted his monocle and then headed into the crowd. That man was certainly a force of nature. But as much as Zenno was trying to keep up a polite front, he was deeply worried about Delvok. They had put him out of his element for sure. And if he was discovered, Zenno was sure there would be some intensely awful punishment meted out to him. On the other hand, if they were successful, chances were that the family would want to sweep the entire thing under the rug.
Chimes sounded and dinner began. As the event was nominally a celebration of a wedding anniversary, Saavin’s cousins were the first to eat. They were a distinguished looking pair and their children were, as expected, the model of proper behavior.
Zenno took his assigned seat at the back with the distant relations and people invited out of some annoying obligation rather than a desire to have them participate in the gathering. After introducing himself to the others at his table, he began to monitor for signs of trouble.
Thirty or so waitstaff came out of the side rooms and with perfect synchronization, they placed a service of Tevmel on each table. The twists were not too elaborate, as was traditional. He had had that dish before but it was always a replicated version. He could smell the halak base and he could tell it was absolutely fresh. Normally he’d be eager to dive in but all he could think about was Saava, being paraded around like some prize animal at a livestock show. For a people that claimed to be highly civilized, he found it disgusting. And the fact that young Delvok’s situation was unknown as well diminished his appetite. Nevertheless, he took a few nibbles to keep up appearances.
He watched T’Vin and Saavin engage each of the families and present their daughter to them all in turn. This was all so vulgar. If she walked out of here with any of those three, he’d be heartbroken. But even more so, he’d be so sad for her. She’d bear it as she must, but Saava could be so much more than a kind of trophy wife. None of these suitors were worthy to touch the hem of her dress, but there was nothing for it now. The plan was set and all they could do was watch.
Next came the soup course. A traditional Plomeek, it had been marinating for weeks for peak flavor. Zenno had no doubt that the chef had timed everything so that from the time it left the pot and arrived at the table, it had cooled to the optimal temperature. Zenno did like a Plomeek soup and he dove into this one with gusto. The flavor was just as perfect as he had expected. His table mates seemed to enjoy it as well.
After the soup, there were a few more courses and then there was a pause in the feasting for a few remarks. Saavin took the podium with a few hesitant steps.
Saavin: Hhhonored guests and fam lee. We are fortunate that our cousins have had such a prosperous and productive marriage. We honor them and their service to our family. And we are also here for another pleasing occasion: a be… betrothal announciment for my daughter Saava. At the conclusion of tonight’s event she will be returning to us from Starfleet permanently and taking her place in the business, alongside her be… betrothed.
Saava and Zenno locked eyes from across the room. They both had detected her Father’s slurred speech. Would the effect ramp up? Go all at once? He wasn’t sure. But he was sure that these people didn’t know Saava from a mangy Sehlat, if they thought that she was going to be satisfied with any of these contestants.
Zenno noted the man gripping the podium with both hands. He might need that to prevent himself from falling over entirely.
Saavin: The fam lees have asked for the opportunity to speak and I have gwanted, granted it. After all have spoken, I will consult with my wife and we will make the final selection. Acc… *ahem* Accordingly, I invite Tivonn to the podium.
The older Vulcan turned, grabbed a railing and unsteadily made his way back to his seat. Now, Tivonn the Logician attempted to climb onto the dais but his foot slipped and he almost took a tumble. Righting himself, the young man got behind the podium and held onto it with a white-knuckled grip. He didn’t speak right away as he was swaying and was trying to make it stop.
Tivonn: *erp* I… I will do the logics. I can do the logics better den ::gestures around the room:: any of the… uhhh.. others. *erp* Ko… kolinahr is the best logics and you all should want it. That… that is all I have to say… *erp* ::Looking around:: Who is next in the speakings?
Saavin didn’t move, he just sat at his seat with his head in his hands. T’Vin, to his right, appeared to have glassy eyes and might be dangerously close to passing out. Saava jumped in.
Saava: S’Len was next.
The room was mostly quiet as many of the guests seemed to be holding their heads or trying to hold still in a spinning room that only existed in their heads. But not S’Len. He was leaning up against the wall with a wide goofy grin on his face. In a room full of chemically affected Vulcans, that was one of the least surprising things going on.
S’Len: Ohhhhh it’s meee? Ok.
He pushed himself off the wall and shakily made his way up to the front where Tivonn, inexplicably, was still standing. He put his arm around Tivonn, who seemed completely oblivious.
S’Len: This guy, this one here with his logics. I love this guy! ::tousles his hair::
Tivonn for his part just looked off in the distance and tried to stop himself from falling over. Meanwhile T’Vin was trying to pay attention to the speakers but her mind was wandering and everything was looking blurry.
S’Len: I was uhhh going to talk but I forgot all the stuff. So vote for S’Len, thank you. Thank you very much.
Soveen: ::Shouting from the back:: You aren’t going to win… fa, I mean fat boy!
S’Len: Pres… present yourself up here for a beating. ::Assumes an imitation of a fighting pose::
S’Len was too busy trying to maintain his pose on his wobbly feet to notice Soveen launching himself at him. All three of them: S’Len, Soveen, and Tivonn ended up in a pile, limbs scattered all about. Each of them was too inebriated to push the others off. Also, T’Vin had passed out and Saavin had not moved, his head still in his hands.
Sensing the time was right, Zenno stood. There was no need to excuse himself as all his table companions had already passed out. He made his way down to Saava’s place. They said nothing but locked their eyes for a moment.
Zenno extended his hand, which she took and then rose to join him. Walking slowly by the collection of passed out Vulcans, they stopped at the dais. Saava had wanted to say something to her Mother but it was too late, she was comatose.
Any further discussion was delayed as Sevik came running into the room with his PADD in his hand.
Sevik: Spectacular! Wonderful! A most memorable evening! I simply haaad to go journal. ::Sees everyone passed out:: It appears that our plan worked. Arrive at my studio in the morning Space Policeman Zenno! I shall be quite put out if you don’t honor our agreement.
Zenno: I will be there. Has our young friend reported in?
Sevik: Safe and well.
They surveyed the room.
Zenno: If this is the “best of all Vulcan,” I’m not impressed.
Saava: Me neither.
Lt Zenno
Security Chief
USS Khitomer
A240006Z13
And
Ensign Saava
Nurse, Medical Division
USS White Pine
As simmed by
LtCmdr Connor Dewitt
Chief Engineer
USS Arrow
A239901CD3