on pb choice and voicetesting

[withnologic]

So you haven't forgotten me, I'm glad. I was beginning to suspect that my days on the back shelf would be uncountable. This is a better fate, though, we will need to refresh your knowledge of a few things.

As for my family, let's try to tread carefully there. Banishment may still be implied, even if that home no longer exists.

Comments

[itfam]

I have often found that the desire for attention leads to its exact opposite.

[ says he who wishes to be left alone and has .. well, you see where he is. ]

It is .. agreeable to see you.

[withnologic]

I am content to linger in the background of this universal plan, playing my small part, yet I cannot help if my nature is to try for more.

[a slow smile builds, no effort made to mask his expression.] Little brother. There are many words I would say, but in difference to your beliefs I will shorten the greeting to this; I am glad to see you well.

[itfam]

You have never been one to be content with what you are given.

[ the easiness of that smile has him standing up straighter, hands clasped firmly behind his back. there is a faint twitch at the corner of his mouth, but no more. ] Have you been well?

[withnologic]

Evolution of an individual can only come at the cost of the status quo. As an explorer, you should understand this concept. [Irrationally, he is proud of Spock's chosen career. Though he knows better than to say that, yet.]

As well as one can expect. [Leaving aside any trace of bitterness, he is as relaxed in direct opposition to the other's posture.] The life I have chosen suits me well, regrettable as it is that I cannot contact anyone from the past.

[itfam]

Understanding comes at a price, as I have come to witness. [ though he cannot say he regrets any of the measure of understanding that he has come to grips with, especially where humans are concerned.

though he will never be sure of whether or not he will fully understand the one named james t. kirk.

minutely, his posture relaxes, shoulders slackening infinitesimally. his hands, however, stay tightly linked behind his back. ] If you are .. pleased with your chosen route, then I cannot fault you. [ he pauses, unsure of how to proceed. ]

You are aware, then, of what has happened to Vulcan?

[withnologic]

[he has to look away, just for a moment.]

That is-

I am here because I had hoped to offer some assistance with, whatever is being done. I am sorry it took me this long to return. [he could offer many excuses, but he doesn't.]

...and our father? Your mother? I must ask.

[itfam]

Given that there are so few of us that remain after the Romulan attack, I am sure that any help at all would be preferable to none.

[ especially considering his older counterpart had chosen to ignore the temporal prime directive in order for them to speak candidly.

and at the questions, spock finds himself swallowing around a sudden lump in the back of his throat. it is still not easy for him to address. ]

Our father is well. My .. mother. Was one of the many casualties.

[ his hands clasp tighter behind his back, and the rigidity returns to his posture. ]

[withnologic]

[he starts as if to offer comfort in an embrace, but stops and nods instead.] I grieve with thee.

[taking a breath, he will allow his remorse to show for the both of them, it was not surprising new in itself.] To be honest, I had thought all of them gone. Even you. Yet, our father lives. I am glad for this. [for the most part.]

That may make my task more difficult to achieve.

[itfam]

[ spock gives a short, terse nod. the only one to have born witness to the depth of his grief for the loss of his mother had been sarek, and even that .. had been too much of a slip in his veneer.

he inhales, and seems to stand a fair bit taller. he will not lose himself again. she is honored in his memory. ] Our people very nearly met their own extinction. We were able to evacuate roughly ten thousand, and are cultivating a colony on New Vulcan. It will be a slow process, but we will once again thrive.

I have hope for it.

[ he pauses yet again, a single brow arched. ] Task?

[withnologic]

Vulcans are nothing if not a determined people. [he avoids using terms such as 'we' or 'you'. unsure if it could be considered offensive to his brother, to include himself in a group that has technically cast him out.]

Yes. I am here to assist with those who cannot reach a point of balance with their loss. [little though he's heard, he knows that the repressed emotions of his people will be a burden to them in this time. his own expertise in the subject may prove valuable to some.]

I only wish to do what is best, Spock.

[itfam]

[ if one were to look closely, it would appear that his gaze has narrowed. the very thing that has resulted in his brother's being ostracized is what he wishes to continue upon his return?

spock very slowly shakes his head, a barely-there sigh catching in the back of his throat that is the only sound of negation he'll give. ] You wish to pursue that which cast you out in the first place.

[ it isn't a question. ] Do you not think that unwise?

[withnologic]

[Sybok holds up a hand.]

I have been unclear. It is not my intention to preach the merits of emotion to the people. Rather, I simply wish to offer a source of understanding for those that cannot conform to emotional stability so easily after such a loss.

[itfam]

[ he does not wish to come across as .. uncomprehending, himself, but the very fact of what his brother is suggesting is, to say the very least, unsettling. ]

And if your assistance is unneeded?

[ will you leave? is the unspoken undertone, though he does not trust himself to say it aloud. ]

[withnologic]

Any able and willing body should be of some use, even the pride of an entire culture can surely make some small concession to that logic.

[there are other reasons that he has traveled back to his people for. reasons that are less selfless and entirely personal, needing the touchstone of his ancestral culture to find his own sense of peace. but if they would not have him....]

However, if it is requested that I make no effort to settle on New Vulcan, I will honor the request. [From the governing body, or from their father, he means. Certainly there will be some that would not want him there for any reason at all.]

[neverparted]

You would be mistaken in that course of reason. Our numbers are depleted. We will need you.

[withnologic]

Is that the only reason you wish for me to return, T'pring? Or the only one you will admit to?

[neverparted]

I am not sure of your meaning, Sybok. If you are questioning my reasons and believe they are more than that of the colony's then I have none to speak of.

[She is standing as tall and proud as ever...is that green at the tips of her ears?]

[withnologic]

My connection to you is one more personal than that of any other remaining on the colony, save for family.

[He grins softly. Perhaps intentionally teasing the young woman.]

..and you know that I cannot return there.

[neverparted]

There is nothing impeding you from returning but your own continued refusal.

[She ignores his prior statement as irrelevant. Now if she could ignore the way her ears have heated she would be content.]

[withnologic]

[He raises his hands, palms upward, as if to indicate innocence.]

It is unlikely that my father will wish to speak with me now. Yet, I am here, and I have every intention to remain. Would you offer hospitality to this wayward traveler, or shall I seek another resting place?

[neverparted]

I have found your father to be displaying an unusual amount of regret since our planet's destruction.

[She stiffens. For anyone observing her, they might not notice the change.] You desire to stay with me. Why?

[She isn't embarrassed by her blunt inquiry. He is the one with family.]

[withnologic]

His loss has been a great one. [as has everyone else's, but in particular, he suffers his father's pain for a beloved stepmother now gone.]

Residing with you would be- simpler. I have no wish to reopen old grievances during a time of rebuilding. [Neither is his embarrassed by her questions. Then again, Sybok is embarrassed of relatively few things.]

[neverparted]

I'll allow it if you state how long you are to remain.

[His intentions are what caused his banishment. His intentions aren't trustworthy. Intent never is.]

[withnologic]

Indefinitely. [He is a little amused now.] Though if my plans stretch longer than a month, I shall seek more permanent accommodations.

[neverparted]

That is acceptable.

[It's not. It's highly illogical and unacceptable, yet she is accepting his proposition.]

[withnologic]

[By whatever circuitous routes of logic she's taken to convince herself to have him, Sybok is grateful.]

I had a feeling that you might say that. [You are in for so many headaches now, T'pring.]

[neverparted]

Unless you gained foresight in your absence, you did not.

[A very minute tick occurs at the corner of her mouth. She must seek out Spock. Immediately.]

[withnologic]

My perceptions have expanded in many ways. I would gladly show you. [Aware of every inflection and every use of superfluous emotive phrase, he may have trouble holding back his own smirks. Yet, he is not poking at her patience to be cruel; it is a combination of testing and reveling in the fact that she hasn't rejected him.]

[neverparted]

It is unnecessary. [She can think of five other subjects off hand she would much rather know.] I will send you the relevant coordinates to locate my home.