spohkh | Appointments

[It was the disturbance in the wind, only noticed because of his work with Kipinn, that drew Lupin attention. He stirred and looked over at Spock through the muddled haze of sleep. A moment passed before comprehension dawned--he yawned.]

Funny seeing you here.

[Spock tilts his head, and amused expression on his face...]

I am curious as to why you find amusement in seeing me at this location when you did in fact bring me here in the first place.

[Then he paused...]

...I owe you a debt of gratitude sa-kai.

[He stretched, sat up, and covered his eyes with his palm when the vertigo threatened--it was a daily thing, and annoying.]

It was just a statement. [Whining. He hadn't expected Spock to return just like that. Another stretch, and he paused at Spock's quietly uttered thanks.]

I...didn't really do anything.

[Spock leans forward and gives Lupin's shoulder a warm squeeze and says before withdrawing...]

You did everything...

I also put you through much more than I intended, and for that I apologize.

[Spock knew that what they did last night was incredibly personal...but a desert after a rainfall? Spock's mind was in a much better position than it has been since the destruction of Vulcan.]

You must have questions...

...This place has put me through worse. Last night wasn't terrible.

[It was only uncomfortably personal. Lupin nodded in similar greeting and offered a smile. The events from the night before felt more distant after a night's sleep, and he was able to admit to a certain sense of catharsis in hindsight. None of his problems were fixed, but he had found something that he couldn't define. A little plant, alone in the desert, had never seemed so significant before.

He still couldn't accept it, but he was starting to see what Spock meant by the 'mutual trust' that they found.]

Last night...it was all a metaphor, wasn't it?

[Spock nods in understanding....He had safely assumed that Lupin had been through much during his stay here.]

It was a metaphor... in a sense.
What you saw in my mind were the projections I have personally placed to identify my bonds and emotions. You helped trigger an event that started a healing process that I did not know was possible.

[Spock pauses for a moment...]

The golden thread that you experienced... that was real. So too was the red glow that identified your presence. You have a rather enigmatic mind.

[A flash of a smirk.]

Should I consider that a compliment? [Because, realistically, he was still treading in strange territory. Old habits were more comfortable until he got more information.

He sobered quickly. This wasn't a joke.]

So the desert, the mirrors, and the plants are like a hard copy of digital data, something that helps you externalize and process on a different level...

...You haven't given yourself a chance to grieve, have you?

[Spock considers before he answers... he has never encountered grief like this before... as a Vulcan he was never trained to contain or deal with this magnitude. But he was wrong... he was never supposed to contain it.

...

He had to recognize that he was half-human.]

It would appear not... [Spock fell into a thoughtful silence...]

Well...[He spoke slowly, and chose his words carefully,] you have nothing but time here. There's no Star Fleet, no missions or orders...

[Spock huffs a bit at that... if anything that fact is a rather unnerving one. He has been working and following orders for...

well...]

There is indeed ample time to heal and meditate here. I suppose I could use it.

[Spock sighs in resignation and lies down on the sleeping mat beside Lupin, looking up at the ceiling.]

Ka'adith....

Right. Ka'adith. That's the best way to look at this place...

[He leaned back on his hands, physically expressing the weariness that was in his tone. There was also ample time to think on how static his existence had become, how complacency might very well become an inevitability. He could use it as a tool...but to what end?

Questions for later. The moment was more important.]

That flower. The one from last night. Does it have any significance?

[Most everything else in the constructed landscape, from the clouds to the glass, had a hidden meaning. He was curious.]

The flower is you.

It represents our bond and the life that it provides to the landscape of my mind. [Spock looks a little sheepish....for a Vulcan...]

For obvious reasons I kept the shared link from taking advantage... my mind was in such a state that it was....'greedy'...and it depended on that flower, on you.

I realize we have not known each other for very long, and this situation forces the closeness between us instead of letting it take its nature course.

[He watched Spock's face carefully as he thought over the explanation. That little flower...in wake of how shattered Spock's inner mind really was, must have been one of the few things that kept him sane in the aftermath of the last experiment. Lupin nodded in understanding.]

That's...fine. [Because it can't be anything but.] I've had many problems lately myself, by grace of the Malnosso and personality differences. I don't mind helping...but in a way we may have been taking advantage of each other. It goes both ways, you know.

[A sigh. He wanted coffee, but tea would suffice.] Just because we've been forced into it doesn't mean that we can't take our time. It's likely that I wouldn't have bothered you very much again after our first meeting before that Shift, [if only because of his prior experiences with cultural icons,] but it's given us something interesting.

It's a change in the norm around here. Change...can be good.

[Spock sighs and relaxes.. glad that Lupin is taking this so well. Though he did not have much doubt that he would not.]

Infinite diversity in infinite combinations.... Change is indeed an accepted Vulcan practice, though it can still prove challenging at times. But we will persevere.

[Spock throws on a half-smile once more....]
Perhaps someday, when I have meditated more and you are amenable, I will show you the link once more... I can guarantee you that matters have greatly improved since last night.

[It was a factor that was there. It was pointless to fight against, but he still wasn't sure how he would process it. So many other factors needed to be properly considered...

Once life slowed down and restabilized. Too much was going on--because he wasn't ready to process any of it.]

We...can do that sometime. It would be good for both of us.

It's good seeing you calmed down again.

Indeed. I am....relieved.

[Spock closes his eyes for a moment....]

Do you require nourishment at this time? I am amenable to answering any of your questions if you have them.

....

This 'vacation' was a excellent idea.

Vacation is always a good thing.

[Because Luceti would drive anyone into madness.

Lupin pulled himself upright, mindful of anything that would throw off his awarenes, and stretched.]

Breakfast is a good thing. We can think about any questions as they come, because I'm honestly not thinking of any right now. It's...too big. [And it was rare for him to even admit that.]

Oh--before I forget. Whenever you're feeling up to it, we should get you to the Dome for a proper physical. Just in case something happens, that way our doctors will know how to properly treat you.

[Spock quirked an eyebrow....]

Your logic is sound...I am amenable to this.

Arsene....there is something that I have been meaning to ask you. Through the chaos during the healing trance....I felt something....foreign. Did someone come into psy-contact with me?

[He was just about to get into that.]

I...called a friend of mine who's a doctor, actually. Trafalgar Law, the head doctor in the Battle Dome. He has contracts with all of the filial spirits here, and he's a terrifyingly cool headed and powerful fighter and field commander. You don't really argue with a man who can rend a Kraken without laying a hand on it.

He has access to haki, like several others in the enclosure. I still don't fully understand what all it does, but it allowed him to...

Let's just say 'assess the damage.'

I was worried when you didn't wake up. That's why I called him...and why I think it's important for you two to meet.

Besides. [a quick, sheepish smile.] It's hard not to like him. He's a very interesting man.

Edited 2012-10-20 20:08 (UTC)

I see. [Spock did not know what to think of someone examining him when he was not aware...however, Arsene had been there, alone, and worried. Of course he would need more information of his well-being.]

Will he be the one to facilitate my 'check-up'?

[He nodded and offered a reassuring Spock a reassuring smile.]

I'll make sure of it. He's one of the most discreet men in the village, and the only one I've told about our...bond.

[Saying it still gave him a pause of hesitation. Such frankness wasn't his custom, but this was a situation that required him to be open.]

[Spock nods...]

Your discretion is noted. Though most people will not understand what the nature of our bond means, please feel free to inform your associates.

...

[A sudden nasty thought popped into Spock's head...what will happen if he is suddenly pulled back to his world? If the bond is ripped... he is concerned about the pain that would inflict on Lupin...]

...I don't have many that I trust right now.

[Said low, flat. That was part of the issue Spock had been pressing into earlier.

--but he noticed that subtle change in demeanor.]

What's up?

[Spock sits up and looks at Lupin, waving off his concern.]

Just a minor complication, but nothing that needs to be done right away.

[Spock gets up and looks at the tea tray, wondering if another pot of tea can be made.]

Minor, huh?

[A part of him didn't believe it.

He saw that curious gaze and went to set another kettle of water simmering. It's always possible to make more tea.]

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