From the time of the beginning ...

[T'aral 0]

T'Aral spent several days examining the Vulcan survivors: removing implants, checking general health, and aiding where possible those who's emotional discipline was shaken by recent events. The work was exhausting, and her own hold on certain emotions was becoming less than perfect. Was it not enough that they had lost their homeworld? Why did some races consider this an invitation to abuse them?

 

Within three days, though, matters had begun to settle and life became simpler for a brief moment. It was, therefore, predictable that there would be a complication. Just such a problem came the evening of the fourth day when a young Vulcan girl walked into the medical office and shut the door. T'Aral looked up curiously. "Is there a problem?"

The girl appeared calm, but T'Aral's trained eye noted resperatory responses that indicated heightened stress levels. At the very least she was nervous. "Last night you visited one of us after hours. You were out of uniform, and you were wearing a Sh'i'nto."

T'Aral nodded in reply. The jewelry was subtle, but indicative of a priest. "I am to understand that you require some assistance?"

The girl nodded solemnly. "There is a young man here that I wish to be bound with. He is agreeable, and we wish it done as soon as possible."

 

T'Aral's eyes closed for a moment. If word got out among the crew, she would probably end up having to explain herself to the Captain: a most disagreeable possibility. Yet there was more that the girl was not telling her. "Such ceremonies are not to be performed among outworlders. You will need to wait until we reach the colony."

 

"No!" The girl paused, then re-composed herself. "Forgive me, but that is unacceptable. My parents ..." She stopped, breathed heavily, then continued with a much more even tone. "My name is T'Sel, daughter of T'Bren. I was engaged to Svorrn son of Srelk, but he died with Vulcan. My parents survived, and are at the colony. I have no doubts they will attempt to find me a new betrothed: one who is of a good family which will improve their standing.

"Skorh ..." The girl paused again, betraying a level of emotion which many Vulcans would find unacceptable but T'Aral allowed for given the circumstances. "... he has no family. He looked after me after the fall and during our captivity, and he took many injuries on my behalf. He has not spoken, but I am certain that he wishes to be my consort."

T'Aral listened intently while frowning only slightly. Even without investigation, it was clear that this decision was being made on an emotional level, rather than a logical one. Would they be a good match for one another? Would they form a stable union, or would their emotional bond create friction among others, or perhaps fade leaving their bond to be an empty one? So many questions and so few answers, with T'Aral alone to sort them out.

 

"Give me your thoughts."

 

T'Aral's fingers were gentle along T'Sel's face, seeking critical points so that she could understand all. Through the girl she relived the trauma of slavery so soon after Vulcan's loss. The pain, the fear, and the humiliation was all but overwhelming - and then a defender came. He did not seem brash nor arrogant, nor did he seem to be one hoping for a prize. T'Aral could feel the emotions T'Sel had for her intended consort, and she could understand. It would be hard not to form an emotional bond to one such as he.

 

Releasing the girl, T'Aral nodded. "Come back in one hour, and bring Skorh with you."

----------

 

The first meeting was little more than a formality: when unattached Vulcans seek their own engagements a witness was customary. The next day was far more difficult, as T'Aral sought out others among the refugees to assist with the ceremony. It would be brief but formal; held in a small utility alcove which was sealable. It wasn't particularly agreeable, but due to the newness of the ship it was clean and it was private. To T'Aral it was preferable to anything else, as she would've had to arrange for use of a meeting room, cargo space, or a shuttlecraft. This space could successfully be sealed off without drawing attention from anyone.

 

Witnesses and attendants were discreetly gathered from the group, while a plan was laid out for the ceremony. It would be held at 1:00 am Ship's Time, which would mean most of the corridors would be empty. This was advantageous, as she needed to send four attendants to her room to retrieve a few ceremonial items. If all went well, they would be able to slip in and out unnoticed. It was all proceeding smoothly - predictably, far too smoothly. Three hours before the ceremony T'Aral had another visitor.

 

"T'Aral, daughter of T'Sarla: I am Sanet son of Sorvat, and I must insist that this ceremony not be held."

 

T'Aral was suprised that the young man in her room knew of her, but she knew of Sorvat. Among the new council of elders he was an important man, which spoke well of this young man and easily predicted the topic of conversation. "You object to T'Sel's desire for engagement? Perhaps you believe she is making an error?"

Sanet's response spoke volumes. "It is my intention of taking T'Sel as my consort. I intended to arrange it once we arrived at the colony, which this would obviously complicate."

T'Aral raised an eyebrow. "Complicate? I believe the word you should have used is 'invalidate'. Once an engagement is established there can be no other alternatives. Further: this is not a mere engagement, but a bonding ceremony. They will be married."

Sanet stiffened. "You will not proceed. To do so will have dire consequences ..."

T'Aral cut him off sharply. "You will not speak again! You have no current claim on T'Sel, and no rights in this matter. There have not been communications with the colony, and I forbid there to be any. Your views in this matter are emotionally guided, and they are not of a nature that can be overlooked. Go now: you are dismissed."

Sanet's brow furrowed, then turned even. "You will regret your decisions." With that he left. T'Aral was unconcerned: among the hosts of the priesthood she was the least vulnerable, as she did have a medical career to pursue if the Order dismissed her. It would be good to have this night behind her: the whole situation was charged with emotions, and the sooner those emotions were calmed the better.

 

Moving quietly through the ship, T'Aral entered a closet where she could change into her robes. Sanet would cause her some kind of trouble, but his intended marriage was unacceptable. His intent was driven by desire - an emotion that tended to be destructive and posessive in nature. It was such emotions which nearly destroyed the Vulcan race; T'Aral wasn't about to encourage more. T'Sel was infected with affection inspired by gratitude; a weak beginning, but T'Aral's examination of Skorh found him to be a man of many qualities. There were many desirable aspects about him, and as T'Sel's gratitude eventually dissapated there would be other reasons for her to remain with Skorh. As for Skorh, he was driven by nobility which transended his family's station among the Vulcans. If fate were based on nature Skorh would have been the son of Sorvat rather than Sanet, but then there was much that made a man one way or another.

 

T'Aral finished her preparation and entered the alcove. The furnishings were simple, but all was perfectly laid out. T'Sel and Skorh were facing one another, doing their best not to show their feelings for each other as T'Aral approached. This gave her a sense of contentment: there would be no kal-if-fee this night, thus no need to explain a violent death among the refugees. Stepping between the two, T'Aral raised her hands and gestured for them to kneel.

 

"What we are about to witness comes from the time from the beginning without change. This is the Vulcan heart - this is the Vulcan soul ..."