This is a T'Pren focused vignette that I hope sheds some more light on her character. While most of this story takes place during her years as a cadet, the frame occurs during the early stages of Dnoth's "For the Empire" where the Perseus has answered the Independence's hail, but before the Destrier could join them. To be honest, I'm not sure what sort of reception this story is going to get as it's a bit different from my standard fare, but nothing ventured...
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T’Pren gasped in astonishment as her eyes fell upon the Andorian woman wearing the blue trim of the sciences branch standing next to the Independence’s captain. “Larissa…” The stunned security chief mouthed wordlessly as she took in the Andorian’s appearance: Her short white hair and lithe graceful figure at once brought back images of another woman into the young Vulcan’s mind as she began to relive not so distant memories.
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StarfleetAcademy, San Francisco, December 2370
“I fail to see the logic in my being required to attend this function.” A stoic T’Pren stated to her roommate as the Vulcan First Year Cadet set down her padd containing her just completed introductory astrophysics assignment. “Engaging in these meaningless social interactions is a waste of productive time.”
T’Pren’s roommate, Atris Nylysa, a green skinned Troyian woman who was also a First Year Cadet chuckled with amusement as she sat before a mirror brushing her long white mauve tinted hair. “Perhaps it’s because they think you should be able to…I don’t know…maybe communicate…with the people around you. Some of us like laughing and talking with each other about stuff other than work, you know. Believe it or not, we actually like to have fun!”
“It is most illogical.” T’Pren responded, her raised eyebrow immediately drawing an irreverent snort from her earthy roommate.
“This from the same people who came up with the idea of IDIC!” Shaking her head, the young Troyian teased, “You know…for such a logical people, you Vulcans are the most paradoxical—not to mention repressed—people I’ve ever met.” Vacating her chair, Atris added as she made a few more adjustments to her uniform, “You better hurry and get dressed—the party’s due to start in thirty minutes and I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be late.”
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As the pair approached the entrance to Sato Hall, where the Winter Dance was being held this year, Atris took a deep breath, exhaling, she smiled, “Don’t you just love that smell?”
Wrinkling her nose, T’Pren responded in a flat tone, “It is too overpowering.”
“Aw…what do you know?” The sensuous Troyian remarked and then inquired, “I wonder what sort of flower it is?”
“I believe it is night blooming jasmine.” T’Pren answered back as the pair climbed the steps up to the front door, the Vulcan woman keeping her eyes focused straight ahead while her roommate’s eyes wandered as she took in the white Doric columns, the meticulously maintained flower beds, and the gold plaque bearing the famous Enterprise communications officer’s face affixed to the brick wall next to the main doors. “If you’re quite through gawking…” The Vulcan cadet admonished in a slightly disapproving tone, “…we can enter.”
Shaking her head, Atris sighed, “You know, T’Pren…you really need to learn how to stop and just take in the scenery. It’d do you a world of good.”
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As the pair entered the large hall, Atris grinned in delight as she recognized a fellow cadet, “Hey, Jack!” She called out, immediately getting the attention of a dark-haired human male standing next to a crystal punchbowl talking to an Andorian woman wearing a black mini-skirt with tights and a midriff top. Walking over to the couple, Atris called out over her shoulder to her roommate, “See you later, T’Pren…and try to have some fun, ‘kay?”
Shaking her head at her emotional roommate’s antics, the young Vulcan spotted a Vulcan cadet whom she knew standing near a banquet table. Approaching her fellow cadet, T’Pren nodded her head in greeting at the first Vulcan, a female approximately equal height, but with slightly darker complexion who had attended school with T’Pren as a child and adolescent. “V’lar. I must admit to some surprise at seeing you here. Did you not say that you would be unable to attend?”
“T’Pren.” The Vulcan cadet replied, acknowledging her long-time acquaintance with a slight nod of her head. “Commander Styvan…” she said, referring to one of the Vulcan cadet advisors, “…recommended that I attend. His argument was…” the young cadet grudgingly admitted, “…flawlessly logical. And you? Did you not also state that you were not planning to attend?”
“Like you…” T’Pren confessed, “I was convinced to attend by Commander Styvan. As you have said, he has a way of presenting his case that is most…compelling.”
“In other words…” a sensuous, husky voice interrupted with just a hint of impishness, “…your advisor told you that you had to come or else…”
Raising an eyebrow in a gesture of disapproval, T’Pren coolly regarded the newcomer, the same Andorian woman who had earlier been talking with Atris’s friend, now standing alongside her roommate. “Oops…” the blue-skinned woman smirked mischievously, “I’ve been around enough Vulcans to know what that look means…”
“Excuse me?” T’Pren asked, maintaining a straight face in spite of her growing confusion.
“Your eyebrow…” the Andorian smiled, her gently swaying antennae indicating that she was gently amused, “…if you raise it any higher, it’s going to become part of your hairline…”
“T’Pren…” Atris grinned, “…this is Larissa. She’s a student at the Terran Interspecies Institute.”
“Hello, T’Pren. I’m a visiting student actually.” The Andorian woman interjected with a smile as she extended her hand in greeting. “Transferred from the School of Letters at Andoria, but I study transitional era and modern Terran and Federation history…so…I landed a fellowship here.” Seeing the Vulcan woman hesitate, the Andorian woman apologized as she began to withdraw her hand. “I didn’t mean to…I forgot…Vulcans don’t like…I’m sorry. Tell you what, why don’t I let you and your friend go back to your conversation?” T’Pren could barely make out the Andorian woman’s whispered words to the Troyian woman standing next to her, “I told you this was a bad idea, Atris…”
Acting impulsively, T’Pren took the slender blue-skinned hand in hers. Ignoring V’lar’s raised eyebrow, The young cadet caught her breath as she felt the warmth coming from Larissa’s hand. “Stay.” She said as her mind banished the faint stirrings it was beginning to feel. Her eyes meeting the Andorian woman’s for the first time, she implored Larissa without even understanding why, “Join us.”
Her lips turning up in a genuinely warm smile as her eyes gazed into T’Pren’s, Larissa responded with a simple, “Love to.”
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USS Perseus: 2377
“I said…” The central figure on the transporter pad, a lithe petite dusky skinned woman wearing the red of command and the four pips of a captain, uttered, her voice tone carrying more than a hint of impatience, “…request permission to come aboard.”
“I’m sorry…” The lovely Vulcan apologized, her face turning olive green with embarrassment, “Permission granted. Welcome aboard the Perseus. I’m Lieutenant T’Pren, in charge of security.”
“Captain Sintina Aurelia.” The dusky skinned woman replied, “And this…” she said, gesturing with a slight tilt of her head in the direction of the man standing to the right of her, “…is my first officer, Commander Karim bin Nadal. And this…” she said as she gestured at the Andorian woman who had so taken T’Pren by surprise, “…is Lieutenant Kimula…”
“Soma.” The Andorian quickly interjected, giving her commanding officer an apologetic look. “Kimula Soma. Communications officer and ship’s counselor.”
As the three officers stepped off the transporter pad, T’Pren apologized, “Commander Rysyl sends her apologies, but she was temporarily detained by ship’s business. She requested that I tell you that she will be here momentarily.”
As the Andorian woman drew closer, T’Pren felt her heart race as her nose took in the delicate bouquet of her perfume combined with Kimula’s natural scent, creating a heady mixture for the young Vulcan that once again brought her back to the past…
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StarfleetAcademy: Winter and Spring 2371
Breathing deeply, T’Pren took a moment from her stretching exercises to take in the crisp morning air.
“Surprised to see you out here.”
Turning about rapidly, the young Vulcan fought down the impulse to smile as she recognized the Andorian woman approaching, wearing shorts and a midriff halter top in spite of the chilly weather. “Larissa.” T’Pren, wearing a much more sensible—and warm—sweatshirt and pants, acknowledged simply as she returned to her stretching. “I always take my morning run at this time.”
“I know. I’ve watched you doing your exercises from my room.” The Andorian woman shyly admitted as she began her own exercises. “You’re very graceful, you know.”
“Thank you.” The young cadet replied as once again unwanted stirrings once again stirred within her. Silently chanting a mantra she had learned as a child, T’Pren regained control over her emotions. Changing the subject, the Vulcan inquired, “How are your studies progressing.”
Chuckling gently at her new-found friend’s quick change of subject, Larissa replied, “Not bad. I’m having a problem with the primary sources though—I’m having some difficulty with some of the Vulcan sources I’ve been wading through…” Shaking her head, the Andorian commented in a teasing manner, “With Vulcan official documents…you have to try to determine what the document says and then what the document really says. While Vulcans might not lie…you do have a way of…phrasing things…so that a reader can very easily misinterpret the text. No offense…” she quickly added as she saw her Vulcan companion raise an eyebrow.
“None taken. It is often difficult for a non-Vulcan to fully grasp the intricacies of Vulcan logic.” T’Pren assured and then added somewhat haltingly, “I can assist you with the documents…if you wish.”
“I think I’d like that.” Larissa responded with a smile as she finished her exercises, “I don’t know about you…” the lovely Andorian woman quipped, “…but I’m ready to run. Race you to the Pike memorial!”
Strange feelings surfacing once again as she gazed at the sprinting blue-skinned woman ahead of her, T’Pren quickly exhaled. Her pace picking up as she began to catch up with her friend and as her sensitive nose caught Larissa’s scent, the Vulcan youth didn’t even notice that her lips were beginning to turn up into a smile. A tentative smile, but a smile just the same. Without even realizing it, T’Pren had just taken the first steps on a long tortuous journey.
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Both runners winded after their long run, Larissa smiled as her eyes fell upon her Vulcan running mate, the sweat glistening on her olive skin. Picking up a towel, she wiped the sweat off her own cobalt-blue skin as she tossed another fresh towel at T’Pren. “I’ll see you later this afternoon, T’Pren…” the Andorian historian grinned, brushing against the Vulcan cadet as she walked past.
Wiping the sweat off her body, T’Pren again gazed upon the retreating form of her Andorian friend. So lost was she in how graceful the blue-skinned woman walked…in how electric her touch felt when Larissa’s hand briefly touched hers, that she at first didn’t notice that someone was addressing her.
“T’Pren? Did you not hear me?”
“Wha…” Wheeling rapidly about, T’Pren at once recognized V’Lar standing next to another one of her Vulcan classmates. “Excuse me, V’Lar.” The young Vulcan apologized, her stoic mask in place. “I was concentrating on a problem…”
“I see.” V’Lar responded with a raised eyebrow. “It is nearly time for reflection and meditation. When we came by your quarters you were not in…”
“My apologies.” T’Pren replied, “My run lasted longer than I had anticipated.”
“I see. Shall we go.”
“Very well.” T’Pren responded with a single nod of her head. As T’Pren walked away with her fellow Vulcans her mind remained troubled. Even through her meditation period her thoughts would not settle—something her advisor noted as he observed the young Vulcan cadet along with her fellow students. At the end of the period, as T’Pren, along with her fellow cadets began to file out of the meditation room, she heard her advisor’s voice.
“Cadet T’Pren? A moment of your time, please.”
Turning back to her instructor, the young Vulcan dutifully responded, “Yes, Sir.”
“Your thoughts seem troubled, Cadet. Is there any way that I might be of assistance?”
“I am merely…concerned…about a problem.” T’Pren replied, responding with a half-truth. “But I think the time spent in reflection has helped me to resolve it in a satisfactory and logical manner.”
“I see.” Commander Styvan commented, his voice not betraying any doubts that his mind might be harboring regarding the young cadet standing before him. “Very well, carry on then, Cadet. Should you need my counsel, however—please know that you are always free to contact me. Young Vulcans such as yourself away from the homeworld for the first time can feel…adrift…when exposed to the cacophony and chaos of a universe often bereft of logic and order. One of my purposes here is to assist those in need in sorting out these conflicting…signals.”
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MOST ILLOGICAL
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StarfleetAcademy, San Francisco, December 2370
“I fail to see the logic in my being required to attend this function.” A stoic T’Pren stated to her roommate as the Vulcan First Year Cadet set down her padd containing her just completed introductory astrophysics assignment. “Engaging in these meaningless social interactions is a waste of productive time.”
T’Pren’s roommate, Atris Nylysa, a green skinned Troyian woman who was also a First Year Cadet chuckled with amusement as she sat before a mirror brushing her long white mauve tinted hair. “Perhaps it’s because they think you should be able to…I don’t know…maybe communicate…with the people around you. Some of us like laughing and talking with each other about stuff other than work, you know. Believe it or not, we actually like to have fun!”
“It is most illogical.” T’Pren responded, her raised eyebrow immediately drawing an irreverent snort from her earthy roommate.
“This from the same people who came up with the idea of IDIC!” Shaking her head, the young Troyian teased, “You know…for such a logical people, you Vulcans are the most paradoxical—not to mention repressed—people I’ve ever met.” Vacating her chair, Atris added as she made a few more adjustments to her uniform, “You better hurry and get dressed—the party’s due to start in thirty minutes and I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be late.”
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As the pair approached the entrance to Sato Hall, where the Winter Dance was being held this year, Atris took a deep breath, exhaling, she smiled, “Don’t you just love that smell?”
Wrinkling her nose, T’Pren responded in a flat tone, “It is too overpowering.”
“Aw…what do you know?” The sensuous Troyian remarked and then inquired, “I wonder what sort of flower it is?”
“I believe it is night blooming jasmine.” T’Pren answered back as the pair climbed the steps up to the front door, the Vulcan woman keeping her eyes focused straight ahead while her roommate’s eyes wandered as she took in the white Doric columns, the meticulously maintained flower beds, and the gold plaque bearing the famous Enterprise communications officer’s face affixed to the brick wall next to the main doors. “If you’re quite through gawking…” The Vulcan cadet admonished in a slightly disapproving tone, “…we can enter.”
Shaking her head, Atris sighed, “You know, T’Pren…you really need to learn how to stop and just take in the scenery. It’d do you a world of good.”
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As the pair entered the large hall, Atris grinned in delight as she recognized a fellow cadet, “Hey, Jack!” She called out, immediately getting the attention of a dark-haired human male standing next to a crystal punchbowl talking to an Andorian woman wearing a black mini-skirt with tights and a midriff top. Walking over to the couple, Atris called out over her shoulder to her roommate, “See you later, T’Pren…and try to have some fun, ‘kay?”
Shaking her head at her emotional roommate’s antics, the young Vulcan spotted a Vulcan cadet whom she knew standing near a banquet table. Approaching her fellow cadet, T’Pren nodded her head in greeting at the first Vulcan, a female approximately equal height, but with slightly darker complexion who had attended school with T’Pren as a child and adolescent. “V’lar. I must admit to some surprise at seeing you here. Did you not say that you would be unable to attend?”
“T’Pren.” The Vulcan cadet replied, acknowledging her long-time acquaintance with a slight nod of her head. “Commander Styvan…” she said, referring to one of the Vulcan cadet advisors, “…recommended that I attend. His argument was…” the young cadet grudgingly admitted, “…flawlessly logical. And you? Did you not also state that you were not planning to attend?”
“Like you…” T’Pren confessed, “I was convinced to attend by Commander Styvan. As you have said, he has a way of presenting his case that is most…compelling.”
“In other words…” a sensuous, husky voice interrupted with just a hint of impishness, “…your advisor told you that you had to come or else…”
Raising an eyebrow in a gesture of disapproval, T’Pren coolly regarded the newcomer, the same Andorian woman who had earlier been talking with Atris’s friend, now standing alongside her roommate. “Oops…” the blue-skinned woman smirked mischievously, “I’ve been around enough Vulcans to know what that look means…”
“Excuse me?” T’Pren asked, maintaining a straight face in spite of her growing confusion.
“Your eyebrow…” the Andorian smiled, her gently swaying antennae indicating that she was gently amused, “…if you raise it any higher, it’s going to become part of your hairline…”
“T’Pren…” Atris grinned, “…this is Larissa. She’s a student at the Terran Interspecies Institute.”
“Hello, T’Pren. I’m a visiting student actually.” The Andorian woman interjected with a smile as she extended her hand in greeting. “Transferred from the School of Letters at Andoria, but I study transitional era and modern Terran and Federation history…so…I landed a fellowship here.” Seeing the Vulcan woman hesitate, the Andorian woman apologized as she began to withdraw her hand. “I didn’t mean to…I forgot…Vulcans don’t like…I’m sorry. Tell you what, why don’t I let you and your friend go back to your conversation?” T’Pren could barely make out the Andorian woman’s whispered words to the Troyian woman standing next to her, “I told you this was a bad idea, Atris…”
Acting impulsively, T’Pren took the slender blue-skinned hand in hers. Ignoring V’lar’s raised eyebrow, The young cadet caught her breath as she felt the warmth coming from Larissa’s hand. “Stay.” She said as her mind banished the faint stirrings it was beginning to feel. Her eyes meeting the Andorian woman’s for the first time, she implored Larissa without even understanding why, “Join us.”
Her lips turning up in a genuinely warm smile as her eyes gazed into T’Pren’s, Larissa responded with a simple, “Love to.”
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USS Perseus: 2377
“I said…” The central figure on the transporter pad, a lithe petite dusky skinned woman wearing the red of command and the four pips of a captain, uttered, her voice tone carrying more than a hint of impatience, “…request permission to come aboard.”
“I’m sorry…” The lovely Vulcan apologized, her face turning olive green with embarrassment, “Permission granted. Welcome aboard the Perseus. I’m Lieutenant T’Pren, in charge of security.”
“Captain Sintina Aurelia.” The dusky skinned woman replied, “And this…” she said, gesturing with a slight tilt of her head in the direction of the man standing to the right of her, “…is my first officer, Commander Karim bin Nadal. And this…” she said as she gestured at the Andorian woman who had so taken T’Pren by surprise, “…is Lieutenant Kimula…”
“Soma.” The Andorian quickly interjected, giving her commanding officer an apologetic look. “Kimula Soma. Communications officer and ship’s counselor.”
As the three officers stepped off the transporter pad, T’Pren apologized, “Commander Rysyl sends her apologies, but she was temporarily detained by ship’s business. She requested that I tell you that she will be here momentarily.”
As the Andorian woman drew closer, T’Pren felt her heart race as her nose took in the delicate bouquet of her perfume combined with Kimula’s natural scent, creating a heady mixture for the young Vulcan that once again brought her back to the past…
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StarfleetAcademy: Winter and Spring 2371
Breathing deeply, T’Pren took a moment from her stretching exercises to take in the crisp morning air.
“Surprised to see you out here.”
Turning about rapidly, the young Vulcan fought down the impulse to smile as she recognized the Andorian woman approaching, wearing shorts and a midriff halter top in spite of the chilly weather. “Larissa.” T’Pren, wearing a much more sensible—and warm—sweatshirt and pants, acknowledged simply as she returned to her stretching. “I always take my morning run at this time.”
“I know. I’ve watched you doing your exercises from my room.” The Andorian woman shyly admitted as she began her own exercises. “You’re very graceful, you know.”
“Thank you.” The young cadet replied as once again unwanted stirrings once again stirred within her. Silently chanting a mantra she had learned as a child, T’Pren regained control over her emotions. Changing the subject, the Vulcan inquired, “How are your studies progressing.”
Chuckling gently at her new-found friend’s quick change of subject, Larissa replied, “Not bad. I’m having a problem with the primary sources though—I’m having some difficulty with some of the Vulcan sources I’ve been wading through…” Shaking her head, the Andorian commented in a teasing manner, “With Vulcan official documents…you have to try to determine what the document says and then what the document really says. While Vulcans might not lie…you do have a way of…phrasing things…so that a reader can very easily misinterpret the text. No offense…” she quickly added as she saw her Vulcan companion raise an eyebrow.
“None taken. It is often difficult for a non-Vulcan to fully grasp the intricacies of Vulcan logic.” T’Pren assured and then added somewhat haltingly, “I can assist you with the documents…if you wish.”
“I think I’d like that.” Larissa responded with a smile as she finished her exercises, “I don’t know about you…” the lovely Andorian woman quipped, “…but I’m ready to run. Race you to the Pike memorial!”
Strange feelings surfacing once again as she gazed at the sprinting blue-skinned woman ahead of her, T’Pren quickly exhaled. Her pace picking up as she began to catch up with her friend and as her sensitive nose caught Larissa’s scent, the Vulcan youth didn’t even notice that her lips were beginning to turn up into a smile. A tentative smile, but a smile just the same. Without even realizing it, T’Pren had just taken the first steps on a long tortuous journey.
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Both runners winded after their long run, Larissa smiled as her eyes fell upon her Vulcan running mate, the sweat glistening on her olive skin. Picking up a towel, she wiped the sweat off her own cobalt-blue skin as she tossed another fresh towel at T’Pren. “I’ll see you later this afternoon, T’Pren…” the Andorian historian grinned, brushing against the Vulcan cadet as she walked past.
Wiping the sweat off her body, T’Pren again gazed upon the retreating form of her Andorian friend. So lost was she in how graceful the blue-skinned woman walked…in how electric her touch felt when Larissa’s hand briefly touched hers, that she at first didn’t notice that someone was addressing her.
“T’Pren? Did you not hear me?”
“Wha…” Wheeling rapidly about, T’Pren at once recognized V’Lar standing next to another one of her Vulcan classmates. “Excuse me, V’Lar.” The young Vulcan apologized, her stoic mask in place. “I was concentrating on a problem…”
“I see.” V’Lar responded with a raised eyebrow. “It is nearly time for reflection and meditation. When we came by your quarters you were not in…”
“My apologies.” T’Pren replied, “My run lasted longer than I had anticipated.”
“I see. Shall we go.”
“Very well.” T’Pren responded with a single nod of her head. As T’Pren walked away with her fellow Vulcans her mind remained troubled. Even through her meditation period her thoughts would not settle—something her advisor noted as he observed the young Vulcan cadet along with her fellow students. At the end of the period, as T’Pren, along with her fellow cadets began to file out of the meditation room, she heard her advisor’s voice.
“Cadet T’Pren? A moment of your time, please.”
Turning back to her instructor, the young Vulcan dutifully responded, “Yes, Sir.”
“Your thoughts seem troubled, Cadet. Is there any way that I might be of assistance?”
“I am merely…concerned…about a problem.” T’Pren replied, responding with a half-truth. “But I think the time spent in reflection has helped me to resolve it in a satisfactory and logical manner.”
“I see.” Commander Styvan commented, his voice not betraying any doubts that his mind might be harboring regarding the young cadet standing before him. “Very well, carry on then, Cadet. Should you need my counsel, however—please know that you are always free to contact me. Young Vulcans such as yourself away from the homeworld for the first time can feel…adrift…when exposed to the cacophony and chaos of a universe often bereft of logic and order. One of my purposes here is to assist those in need in sorting out these conflicting…signals.”
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