JP: Ensign Ghee'looth Xiron and Ensign Is'Kah - Bonded for Life
Karrod Niac
((Holodeck 1, Deck 7, USS Ronin))
The holodeck had been configured to have seating in the shape of a triangle with one seat at the top, where an old Vulcan woman stood with her back to the room. The left side of the room was an ice cave in a glacier that rose for kilometers, and the right was a desert with Mount Seleya in the distance. The two environments split the middle of the audience’s area. Three loud gong strikes echoed through the room, signaling that the ceremony was about to begin.
Eight Vulcan women stood at the rear of the ceremony, four on each side. They held large wooden triangles with rows of small bells. They shake their instruments, filling the area with soft bell chimes, continuing for five minutes. When the gong was struck twice, they stepped aside to reveal Ghee’looth and Is’Kah while continuing the bells.
Ghee’looth had her hair grown out and dyed black. She wore golden fabric wrapped around her torso, covering her left shoulder to hang down to her mid-calf. Her skirt had a light brown diamond pattern with three purple stripes representing her clan. She wore a golden belt, her clan crest hung from a golden chain, and gold bracelets on each wrist. She held a platinum chain attached to a small incense holder with hot coals in the center and a thin metal rod that stuck out four centimeters.
Is’Kah’s hair was pulled back into an elaborate French braid, coming to the small of her back. She wore golden earrings that dangled below her ears. She was wrapped in a cream-colored fabric with Clan Lyr Zor’s history embroidered that hung over her left shoulder, ending just above the sand, while a purple forty-centimeter wide ruffled fabric trailed behind her a meter. Her legs and waist were wrapped in a cream-colored fabric but transitioned to rosewood by the hem. Her feet were bare, showing her Trill spots over her ankles. She also held the same incense holder as Ghee’looth.
Standing behind the whole procession in his dress whites and feeling out of place for the moment, Karrod tried hard not to sneeze as the powerful incense filling the simulation tickled at his sinuses. He had no interest in breaking up the elegant ceremony with a bellowing cough, either, so he contented himself with less breathing for the moment as the brides made their way toward one another at the center of the ceremony.
The bell ringers paused for a gong strike, causing both women to take two steps forward. When the bells began again, they sang:
Svi' gratitude, etek nufai nash
karah ret heh wak
tor ek' Vuhlkansu.
The bells stopped, and the gong was hit thrice. The women stepped forward three times before the bells began again. They sang:
lau ish-veh nam-tor svailik u' Vuhlkansu aduna,
reflecting tun-bosh urgam
heh wuh savas t'uadguam
salath piyahtaya.
The bells stopped, and the gong was hit twice. The women stepped forward twice, nearly at the triangle's apex, before the bells began again. They sang:
lau etek heh ek' beings
nam-tor besu t' Vuhlkansu.
lau etek awaken s' ah'hrak
heh rakath etwel yeht ha-kel*
The bells stopped, and the gong was struck four times. The women took a step with the first two strikes. On the third, they faced each other. On the fourth, they held up two fingers to each other, touching them in the middle.
Is'Kah: Ghee'looth Xiron. It is I.
Ghee: Is'Kah. No longer parted from me. Forever and always touching and touched. We have met at the appointed place.
Is'Kah: Ghee'looth Xiron. No longer parted from me. Forever and always touching and touched. I have awaited you at the appointed place.
A fifth gong strike had them drop their hands while lifting the incense and taking the iron rod. The sixth strike had the pair turn to the old Vulcan woman. On the seventh strike, they lit small candles and returned the iron to the holder. An eighth strike signaled the women to light a meter-tall candle between them and the Vulcan woman.
Is'Nor: :: Places her fingertips on both women’s faces. :: My mind to your mind. My thoughts to your thoughts. Clan Lyr Zor and Clan Xiron shall bear witness. :: she pauses for a few seconds before nodding. :: Our two houses have become intertwined. They have completed kali-farr.
The bells started again, accompanied by three gong strikes, a pause, and three more strikes. Is’Nor sat while both women turned to face Captain Niac and took two steps together to stand directly before him.
The bell ringers parted before him in perfect unison without breaking their rhythm and Karrod stepped forward, taking in the brides-to-be while considering this rare and joyous occasion they’d invited him to share. He smiled to each, cleared his throat and spoke clearly, his deep baritone echoing from the simulated walls.
Niac: Since the days of the ancient mariners who crossed endless seas, born forth from their homes with only wind and tide as their companions, ship captains have enjoyed the happy privilege of joining together people in the covenant of matrimony. Today, aboard the USS Ronin and in the presence of these witnesses, it is my honor to join together you, Ghee'looth Xiron, and you, Is’Kah. Please turn and face one another.
Is’Kah turned to Glee, her face stoic Vulcan while projecting over their bond to her Ghee. They took each other’s hands.
Niac: Do you, Ghee’looth Xiron, take this woman as your wife, to have and to hold, in joy and in sorrow, to love and to cherish, from this day until your last?
Looking into her love’s face and with clear eyes.
Ghee: I do.
Karrod worried that if he smiled fractionally the Vulcans in the room would be insulted and he fought the urge, but he suspected his eyes were twinkling slightly when he looked over at a young woman who had so quickly become an indispensable part of the Ronin.
Niac: And do you, Is’Kah, take this woman as your wife, to have and to hold, in joy and in sorrow, to love and to cherish, from this day until your last?
Is’Kah: :: She struggled with keeping her joy from her face at the question, the corner of her lips slightly curled up. :: Forever, and always, I do. oO I’ve only wanted to say that for three years. Oo
Karrod couldn’t entirely suppress the smile this time as he turned his attention back towards the small crowd.
Niac: So be it. By the power vested in me by Starfleet Command and the United Federation of Planets, it is my sincere pleasure to pronounce you two married. Congratulations, you may kiss your wife.
Before she could offer her a finger kiss. Xiron reached to embrace her Zh’yi. Placing one hand on her waist, she leaned into the smaller woman and placed her lips on hers. A spark of adrenaline jolted through contact. She held the kiss for another delicious moment. The world returned to her, and she pulled back, giving Is’Kah a knowing smirk.
The petite Vulcan melted into the kiss, frozen for two heartbeats after their lips parted. She retook Xiron’s hands, her head turning to the Captain for the customary final announcement. Her lips twitched as she fought her smile before she gave up trying, a genuine grin on her face.
The pair turned and walked down the right aisle. They paused for every two rows, waiting for the gong to sound before moving again. They disappeared behind the ceremony, heading to 47’s for the reception.
*In gratitude, we offer this incense
throughout space and time
to all Vulcans.
May it be fragrant as Vulcan herself,
reflecting careful efforts
wholehearted awareness
and the fruit of understanding
slowly ripening.
May we and all beings
be companions of Vulcans.
May we awaken from forgetfulness
and realize our true home.
=================================
Simmed by:
Ensign Ghee’looth Xiron
Engineering Officer
Denali Station
D240010GX2
and
Ensign Is'Kah
Engineering
USS Ronin
R240101I14
Pronouns: She/Her (Player and Character)
And
Commander Karrod Niac
Commanding Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
V239509GT0