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cosmic_bookRan touched his swollen and tender nose, and winced. He could feel a bruise coming in beneath his left eye. He had probably broken some ribs. Maybe they should have gone to the medical bay before meeting with the superior officer. Ran glanced over at his Vulcan companion who had taken out three of the five attackers. There was a spot of green blood on his lower lip. That was it. His hair wasn't even mussed. He was talking in that low, calm voice that he had. A voice that he had not raised even when he was fighting. Ran let him do the talking. The Vulcans seemed to understand each other better; and Ran's voice sounded thick and awful. Ran watched Mr. Spock raise and eyebrow and wondered if that meant the same thing in Vulcans as it did in Humans.
"You say you were not fighting?" Mr. Spock asked Kakyou.
"No, sir," Kakyou responded calmly, his posture straight, hands tucked behind his back neatly. "I was assaulted without provocation. Given the amount of belligerence displayed by my attackers, it was evident that the most efficient and logical path to preventing further immediate conflict, with the attendant risks of property damage and involving bystanders, was to render them unconscious. I therefore proceeded to do so, with Mr. Fujimiya's unexpected aid."
Kakyou paused for a moment, as if considering how to phrase his summation. "I was ending a fight, not participating in one."
"I see." Mr. Spock turned his attention to Ran. "Is that your summation as well?"
"No, sir," Ran replied, his voice thick with blood. "I was fighting."
A flicker of something -- in a Human Ran would have thought it was amusement -- showed in Mr. Spock's expression. It happened so quickly that Ran was not sure he saw it at all.
"See that your injuries are taken care of. A note of your recent activities will be made on your record. No further action will be taken at this time."
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."
"There is no need for thanks. It is the logical course of action."
"Y-yes, sir."
"You are dismissed."
Ran stopped himself from thanking Mr. Spock again. He moved out of the room as quickly as he could. He moved in the direction of his quarters, not the medical bay.
Kakyou nodded politely before leaving the room. One eyebrow lifted slightly when he realized Ran was not heading towards the med bay.
"Your injuries are not insignificant. It would be logical to seek immediate medical attention."
"Right." Ran sighed in dismay, but turned and started walking toward the medical bay. He examined Kakyou's face in a way that could be considered rude. His tone was quietly admiring when he said, "I guess your injuries were pretty insignificant."
"Vulcan is a higher gravity planet. Blunt force is not an ideal means to cause injury to me," Kakyou replied calmly, keeping pace with Ran. He'd been confronted with much ruder things than an examination of his face.
Ran walked silently next to Kakyou. It was the silence of someone who does not feel compelled to talk. There was something Ran wanted to ask. His curiosity vibrated in the air.
Curiosity was acceptable even by Vulcan standards. Kakyou allowed the silence to go on a moment longer as he considered what Ran might be wondering about. "I will not be offended by questions."
Ran glanced at Kakyou. The corner of his lips were turned up in the makings of a smile. "I was thinking about that thing you did with your hands." He mimed the Vulcan nerve pinch. "Impressive."
"It was developed as a nonviolent form of self-defense," Kakyou explained, arms folded neatly behind him.
"It works." Ran hesitated outside the med bay, in a way that he had not before joining the fight.
Kakyou lifted an eyebrow inquisitively at the hesitation.
That was enough to make Ran summon his courage and go inside.
The man that approached them was wearing a cadet uniform but clearly at home in the med bay. "Now what the blue blazes happened to you?"
"We got in a fight."
"With what? A five-hundred pound gorilla? Up on the bed, let me take a look," he replied, shaking his head.
Kakyou raised an eyebrow at the way the man spoke, but replied "With several other cadets."
Ran looked at Kakyou as if hoping for help, but did as he was told. "They only acted like gorillas," Ran muttered under his breath.
"Had a few other cadets through today. Guess those were your playmates, then?" The doctor grumbled under his breath as he looked at the readings and reached for some of his equipment. "Broken nose, broken ribs. Nothing I can't handle. Just stay still, y'hear?" Kakyou didn't 'rescue' Ran, but he didn't leave, either.
"Yes, sir," Ran said. He stayed still and tried to take his mind somewhere else that was more pleasant than the medical bay -- which was just about anywhere.
Bones went to work, muttering to himself as the medical tools hummed quietly. Kakyou watched, quietly curious as he felt the shift in the faint pressure of Ran's mind.
Ran kept his mind busy. He managed to stay still in spite of the discomfort.
Bones worked quickly, at least. It didn't take too long before he was shutting things off. "Alright. Go a little easy for the next couple of days. And no more gorillas for at least a week. Got it?"
"Yes, doctor," Ran agreed, moving to his feet. He could not get out quickly enough. He looked behind him to make sure Kakyou was following.
Kakyou gave the doctor a mildly quizzical look, but followed Ran out. As the door hissed shut behind them, he commented "I do not understand his insistence on repeated usage of inaccurate metaphor."
Ran hesitated for a moment, struggling to explain it himself. "I think sometime when people talk the impression of things is more important than the reality."
Kakyou was quiet for a long moment, considering that. "...It is a matter of impact. Feeling?"
"Yes," Ran agreed. He felt pleased that Kakyou was able to catch on from his meager explanation. Kakyou was quick. "That's right."
"That explains my lack of comprehension," Kakyou said with a small nod, apparently content with his conclusion.
"Do you need to see the doctor?" Ran asked. He smiled small. "I know you're from a high gravity planet, but…"
"My injuries are not severe. I will place myself into a light healing trance tonight to speed recovery," Kakyou assured Ran, tilting his head slightly.
"Oh. Good." Ran hesitated. He looked down the hall and watched people pass. He wanted to ask Kakyou something, but, once again, did not know if he should.
Kakyou waited patiently, but there was something subtly expectant in the way he held himself.
Ran looked and felt nervous. "Do you have to do that now… or… I was going for a meal. Would you like to eat with me?"
A brief flicker of confused uncertainty passed through Kakyou's golden eyes. He wasn't accustomed to social overtures being extended to him without obvious ulterior motives. "It is not urgent. I had already intended to begin later in the evening. I have no objections to sharing a meal."
Ran smiled, warm and happy. He looked away shyly. "Good. Thanks. Um. Maybe not in the cafe again. Do you want to try the mess hall or my quarters?"
"Your quarters would be more personal, however, you would be safe from jostling and better able to rest as the doctor instructed," Kakyou replied after a moment of thought.
"I'm not afraid of jostling or personal," Ran replied immediately, apparently unaware of any potential implications. He thought for a moment. "Wait. People don't treat you that way right here at the academy do they?"
"They are less inclined to attempt to provoke violence here. I would presume that is due to the closer supervision of officers," Kakyou replied matter-of-factly.
Ran didn't bother to hide his disgust. "'A dream that became a reality, and spread throughout the stars,'" Ran quoted bitterly. "Come on. You and me are going to the mess."
The hint of concern was subtle but there. Kakyou settled into pace at Ran's side, their matching height making it easy. "The doctor said 'no more gorillas' for a standard week," he reminded Ran.
"I'm not going to pick a fight. Are you?" Ran walked quickly and purposfully to the mess. His agitation seemed to contradict his statement.
"That would be entirely inappropriate and contradictory to Vulcan tenets," Kakyou replied mildly, trying to ignore the way Ran's agitation prickled along his skin. "There may be provocation."
"There had better not." The growl in Ran's tone was definitely a threat.
"I believe this course of action is ill-advised," Kakyou murmured, slightly concerned and more than a little baffled by Ran's reactions.
"Only for gorillas," Ran replied. The doors to the mess swished open.
The first rush of noise tended to be unpleasant, but Kakyou didn't let it show. He stepped inside with Ran despite his misgivings.
Ran remained quiet as he made his way to the mess station. His stormy tempermant was evident to anyone who could see him. "Soba noodles, please."
The machine beeped a few times before the small door opened to reveal his food. "Salad with a side of mixed nuts," Kakyou requested for himself.
"Are Vulcans vegetarians?" Ran asked. No one was bothering him, and he started to cool. He nodded his head toward an out of the way table in the back.
"Yes. Vulcan reverence for life extends beyond the sentient, and we are perfectly capable of filling our dietary needs without meat," Kakyou explained, following Ran towards the table
Ran sat. "I didn't know that. I'm from WK1999." The colony world was on the far side of the galaxy. For reason of proximity to a DEM-field, technology was extensively limited to what appeared on Earth near the early 21st century.
Kakyou settled into another seat, putting his tray down on the table. "I have heard of it but I know very little. It is one of the outlying colonies, correct?"
"Yes," Ran replied. "Most people haven't heard much about it." Except that it was a backwater. "Tell me about Vulcan."
"Vulcan is a desert planet orbiting 40 Eridani A," Kakyou began after taking a bite of his salad. "The high temperature, gravity, and thin air make the planet inhospitable to humans, though it can be adapted to."
Ran chewed and swallowed the noodles. "What's it like for you here, then? 'Inhospitable'?"
It wasn't the planet's characteristics that made Earth inhospitable to him. Kakyou didn't say that. "The temperature is frequently not within my preferred range. I keep my quarters adjusted to Vulcan temperature norms. Otherwise, Earth's planetary conditions are well within my tolerances."
"It's good that the planet isn't too inhospitable. Too bad about the people."
[Missing piece wherein Ran proposes they become “allies” and support each other. It was probably played between 5/22/2013 - 5/24/2013.]
"It would be best if that particular form of support was not necessary often," Kakyou noted mildly. "Shows of acceptance similar to this may assist in encouraging other students who are neutral or potentially sympathetic."
"I like this," Ran confessed somewhat awkwardly. "Maybe we could come here again tomorrow."
"That would be acceptable. I have no prior obligations," Kakyou replied, watching Ran curiously. The other cadet was very different from what Kakyou had learned to expect here.
Ran felt warm and excited…and a little nervous. It had been awhile since he made a friend. "Okay."
Ran pushed his plate aside.
"It would be logical to exchange contact information," Kakyou said, tilting his head slightly. "As we may not always be able to preschedule."
"I was planning on it," Ran said. He picked up his plate. "Mind if I walk you to your room?"
"I have no objections," Kakyou said, standing and lifting his own tray.
Ran bussed his tray, keeping close to Kakyou. "What field are you studying for?"
"Biosciences," Kakyou replied as he took care of his own tray. "What is your field?"
"Security," Ran answered, a little bashfully. He held back so Kakyou could lead the way.
It was subtle, but Kakyou relaxed slightly as they left the mess. He walked calmly but quickly through the halls. "A dangerous but important role."
"You're…kind." Ran wasn't expecting that. Maybe he was a bigot too.
"I do not understand. I am only speaking the truth," Kakyou replied, looking over at Ran.
Ran shook his head. He didn't want to try to explain. "I don't understand the gorillas. Why even join Star Fleet if you're going to treat other races like the way they treat you?"
"I would assume there are various reasons, including familial pressure. As well, they may be more well-disposed towards other races that are closer to their own mindsets," Kakyou theorized, folding his hands behind his back as he walked.
"Seems like a waste, joining Star Fleet to see the galaxy if you're only going to try and understand people like yourself."
"Perhaps. On the other hand, many of the cadets here are relatively young by the standards of their species. With time and the disciplined exposure Star Fleet can grant, those attitudes may change," Kakyou suggested, tilting his head slightly.
He paused for a moment, expression shifting subtly. "...that was the correct Earth colloquialism, was it not?"
Ran smiled warmly. He nodded. "That was correct, yes."
"My grasp of Earth's more casual usage of standard is not perfect," Kakyou explained, eyes pausing on Ran's smile for a moment. It was...pleasant.
"No reason it should be," Ran replied. "It means something that you're trying. …could you teach me about Vulcan?"
There was a brief flicker of confusion and curiosity in the calm gold of Kakyou's eyes. "To the extent any native of the planet could, yes. What is it you wish to learn?"
"Right. I mean, would you mind teaching me about Vulcan?" Ran shrugged. "What it's like there, teach me about the people and the customs, and things I'd need to know to get along with Vulcans better."
"I would not find that objectionable," Kakyou said slowly, the look of quiet interest subtle but there. "It will likely take time. Vulcan customs are at times complex."
"I'm not surprised," Ran said. "Thank you." He stopped outside one of the freshman rooms. "This is mine. Do you want to come in?"
"I would not object, if I would not be intruding. You are injured and likely require rest," Kakyou replied carefully.
"It's not that bad," Ran insisted, embarrassed. "Um. Stay out here for a minute?"
Kakyou gave him a quizzical look but nodded agreement.
Ran smiled gratefully. The doors swished as he stepped inside and then closed behind him. Ran looked around and came back in couple minutes. "Okay. Please come in."
Kakyou bowed his head politely before moving to step inside Ran's quarters.
The shared quarters were mostly tidy. There was a chess board with a game in progress, and few other personal items that belonged to Ran and his roommate. "My room is this way. Computer, raise the temperature 10 degrees." Ran glanced at Kakyou for approval as he led the way to his room.
"I appreciate your consideration," Kakyou said softly. He glanced around before following Ran. "I assume that will not be an uncomfortable temperature for you?"
"It will be hot, but fine," Ran answered. His room had a few books, and holophotographs of family. They were simple by the standards of the time, but still showed the smiling faces of a happy family.
Kakyou's face was unreadable but there was something hard to pin down in his eyes as he glanced at the pictures. He looked away after a moment. "Fine is an extremely inexact and variable word in Earth usage. It will cause you no health complications?"
Ran chuckled. "It won't hurt me." He sat on the bed. "Have a seat." Kakyou could sit at the desk or beside Ran on the bed.
Kakyou hesitated before sitting at the desk, habits of distance ingrained. "Is there anything specific you would prefer to start with?"
Ran started to shake his head, then something occurred to him. "What's most important that I know to make it easier for us to be allies?"
Kakyou hesitated, expression inward-focused and intent. That was a difficult call. After a moment, he decided Ran needed -deserved- a warning. "Vulcans are touch telepaths. There is sometimes a vague sense of mood via proximity, but touch, particularly with an unshielded individual, provides much sharper awareness. I feel you should be aware of this out of respect for your privacy."
Ran felt slightly surprised, and nodded. "That has to be very uncomfortable for you."
Ran kept being...not what he expected. "It is often..." That wasn't quite a frown but it was trying to be. "Awkward is not an entirely appropriate descriptor given the emotional connotations but it will suffice."
"You say you were not fighting?" Mr. Spock asked Kakyou.
"No, sir," Kakyou responded calmly, his posture straight, hands tucked behind his back neatly. "I was assaulted without provocation. Given the amount of belligerence displayed by my attackers, it was evident that the most efficient and logical path to preventing further immediate conflict, with the attendant risks of property damage and involving bystanders, was to render them unconscious. I therefore proceeded to do so, with Mr. Fujimiya's unexpected aid."
Kakyou paused for a moment, as if considering how to phrase his summation. "I was ending a fight, not participating in one."
"I see." Mr. Spock turned his attention to Ran. "Is that your summation as well?"
"No, sir," Ran replied, his voice thick with blood. "I was fighting."
A flicker of something -- in a Human Ran would have thought it was amusement -- showed in Mr. Spock's expression. It happened so quickly that Ran was not sure he saw it at all.
"See that your injuries are taken care of. A note of your recent activities will be made on your record. No further action will be taken at this time."
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."
"There is no need for thanks. It is the logical course of action."
"Y-yes, sir."
"You are dismissed."
Ran stopped himself from thanking Mr. Spock again. He moved out of the room as quickly as he could. He moved in the direction of his quarters, not the medical bay.
Kakyou nodded politely before leaving the room. One eyebrow lifted slightly when he realized Ran was not heading towards the med bay.
"Your injuries are not insignificant. It would be logical to seek immediate medical attention."
"Right." Ran sighed in dismay, but turned and started walking toward the medical bay. He examined Kakyou's face in a way that could be considered rude. His tone was quietly admiring when he said, "I guess your injuries were pretty insignificant."
"Vulcan is a higher gravity planet. Blunt force is not an ideal means to cause injury to me," Kakyou replied calmly, keeping pace with Ran. He'd been confronted with much ruder things than an examination of his face.
Ran walked silently next to Kakyou. It was the silence of someone who does not feel compelled to talk. There was something Ran wanted to ask. His curiosity vibrated in the air.
Curiosity was acceptable even by Vulcan standards. Kakyou allowed the silence to go on a moment longer as he considered what Ran might be wondering about. "I will not be offended by questions."
Ran glanced at Kakyou. The corner of his lips were turned up in the makings of a smile. "I was thinking about that thing you did with your hands." He mimed the Vulcan nerve pinch. "Impressive."
"It was developed as a nonviolent form of self-defense," Kakyou explained, arms folded neatly behind him.
"It works." Ran hesitated outside the med bay, in a way that he had not before joining the fight.
Kakyou lifted an eyebrow inquisitively at the hesitation.
That was enough to make Ran summon his courage and go inside.
The man that approached them was wearing a cadet uniform but clearly at home in the med bay. "Now what the blue blazes happened to you?"
"We got in a fight."
"With what? A five-hundred pound gorilla? Up on the bed, let me take a look," he replied, shaking his head.
Kakyou raised an eyebrow at the way the man spoke, but replied "With several other cadets."
Ran looked at Kakyou as if hoping for help, but did as he was told. "They only acted like gorillas," Ran muttered under his breath.
"Had a few other cadets through today. Guess those were your playmates, then?" The doctor grumbled under his breath as he looked at the readings and reached for some of his equipment. "Broken nose, broken ribs. Nothing I can't handle. Just stay still, y'hear?" Kakyou didn't 'rescue' Ran, but he didn't leave, either.
"Yes, sir," Ran said. He stayed still and tried to take his mind somewhere else that was more pleasant than the medical bay -- which was just about anywhere.
Bones went to work, muttering to himself as the medical tools hummed quietly. Kakyou watched, quietly curious as he felt the shift in the faint pressure of Ran's mind.
Ran kept his mind busy. He managed to stay still in spite of the discomfort.
Bones worked quickly, at least. It didn't take too long before he was shutting things off. "Alright. Go a little easy for the next couple of days. And no more gorillas for at least a week. Got it?"
"Yes, doctor," Ran agreed, moving to his feet. He could not get out quickly enough. He looked behind him to make sure Kakyou was following.
Kakyou gave the doctor a mildly quizzical look, but followed Ran out. As the door hissed shut behind them, he commented "I do not understand his insistence on repeated usage of inaccurate metaphor."
Ran hesitated for a moment, struggling to explain it himself. "I think sometime when people talk the impression of things is more important than the reality."
Kakyou was quiet for a long moment, considering that. "...It is a matter of impact. Feeling?"
"Yes," Ran agreed. He felt pleased that Kakyou was able to catch on from his meager explanation. Kakyou was quick. "That's right."
"That explains my lack of comprehension," Kakyou said with a small nod, apparently content with his conclusion.
"Do you need to see the doctor?" Ran asked. He smiled small. "I know you're from a high gravity planet, but…"
"My injuries are not severe. I will place myself into a light healing trance tonight to speed recovery," Kakyou assured Ran, tilting his head slightly.
"Oh. Good." Ran hesitated. He looked down the hall and watched people pass. He wanted to ask Kakyou something, but, once again, did not know if he should.
Kakyou waited patiently, but there was something subtly expectant in the way he held himself.
Ran looked and felt nervous. "Do you have to do that now… or… I was going for a meal. Would you like to eat with me?"
A brief flicker of confused uncertainty passed through Kakyou's golden eyes. He wasn't accustomed to social overtures being extended to him without obvious ulterior motives. "It is not urgent. I had already intended to begin later in the evening. I have no objections to sharing a meal."
Ran smiled, warm and happy. He looked away shyly. "Good. Thanks. Um. Maybe not in the cafe again. Do you want to try the mess hall or my quarters?"
"Your quarters would be more personal, however, you would be safe from jostling and better able to rest as the doctor instructed," Kakyou replied after a moment of thought.
"I'm not afraid of jostling or personal," Ran replied immediately, apparently unaware of any potential implications. He thought for a moment. "Wait. People don't treat you that way right here at the academy do they?"
"They are less inclined to attempt to provoke violence here. I would presume that is due to the closer supervision of officers," Kakyou replied matter-of-factly.
Ran didn't bother to hide his disgust. "'A dream that became a reality, and spread throughout the stars,'" Ran quoted bitterly. "Come on. You and me are going to the mess."
The hint of concern was subtle but there. Kakyou settled into pace at Ran's side, their matching height making it easy. "The doctor said 'no more gorillas' for a standard week," he reminded Ran.
"I'm not going to pick a fight. Are you?" Ran walked quickly and purposfully to the mess. His agitation seemed to contradict his statement.
"That would be entirely inappropriate and contradictory to Vulcan tenets," Kakyou replied mildly, trying to ignore the way Ran's agitation prickled along his skin. "There may be provocation."
"There had better not." The growl in Ran's tone was definitely a threat.
"I believe this course of action is ill-advised," Kakyou murmured, slightly concerned and more than a little baffled by Ran's reactions.
"Only for gorillas," Ran replied. The doors to the mess swished open.
The first rush of noise tended to be unpleasant, but Kakyou didn't let it show. He stepped inside with Ran despite his misgivings.
Ran remained quiet as he made his way to the mess station. His stormy tempermant was evident to anyone who could see him. "Soba noodles, please."
The machine beeped a few times before the small door opened to reveal his food. "Salad with a side of mixed nuts," Kakyou requested for himself.
"Are Vulcans vegetarians?" Ran asked. No one was bothering him, and he started to cool. He nodded his head toward an out of the way table in the back.
"Yes. Vulcan reverence for life extends beyond the sentient, and we are perfectly capable of filling our dietary needs without meat," Kakyou explained, following Ran towards the table
Ran sat. "I didn't know that. I'm from WK1999." The colony world was on the far side of the galaxy. For reason of proximity to a DEM-field, technology was extensively limited to what appeared on Earth near the early 21st century.
Kakyou settled into another seat, putting his tray down on the table. "I have heard of it but I know very little. It is one of the outlying colonies, correct?"
"Yes," Ran replied. "Most people haven't heard much about it." Except that it was a backwater. "Tell me about Vulcan."
"Vulcan is a desert planet orbiting 40 Eridani A," Kakyou began after taking a bite of his salad. "The high temperature, gravity, and thin air make the planet inhospitable to humans, though it can be adapted to."
Ran chewed and swallowed the noodles. "What's it like for you here, then? 'Inhospitable'?"
It wasn't the planet's characteristics that made Earth inhospitable to him. Kakyou didn't say that. "The temperature is frequently not within my preferred range. I keep my quarters adjusted to Vulcan temperature norms. Otherwise, Earth's planetary conditions are well within my tolerances."
"It's good that the planet isn't too inhospitable. Too bad about the people."
[Missing piece wherein Ran proposes they become “allies” and support each other. It was probably played between 5/22/2013 - 5/24/2013.]
"It would be best if that particular form of support was not necessary often," Kakyou noted mildly. "Shows of acceptance similar to this may assist in encouraging other students who are neutral or potentially sympathetic."
"I like this," Ran confessed somewhat awkwardly. "Maybe we could come here again tomorrow."
"That would be acceptable. I have no prior obligations," Kakyou replied, watching Ran curiously. The other cadet was very different from what Kakyou had learned to expect here.
Ran felt warm and excited…and a little nervous. It had been awhile since he made a friend. "Okay."
Ran pushed his plate aside.
"It would be logical to exchange contact information," Kakyou said, tilting his head slightly. "As we may not always be able to preschedule."
"I was planning on it," Ran said. He picked up his plate. "Mind if I walk you to your room?"
"I have no objections," Kakyou said, standing and lifting his own tray.
Ran bussed his tray, keeping close to Kakyou. "What field are you studying for?"
"Biosciences," Kakyou replied as he took care of his own tray. "What is your field?"
"Security," Ran answered, a little bashfully. He held back so Kakyou could lead the way.
It was subtle, but Kakyou relaxed slightly as they left the mess. He walked calmly but quickly through the halls. "A dangerous but important role."
"You're…kind." Ran wasn't expecting that. Maybe he was a bigot too.
"I do not understand. I am only speaking the truth," Kakyou replied, looking over at Ran.
Ran shook his head. He didn't want to try to explain. "I don't understand the gorillas. Why even join Star Fleet if you're going to treat other races like the way they treat you?"
"I would assume there are various reasons, including familial pressure. As well, they may be more well-disposed towards other races that are closer to their own mindsets," Kakyou theorized, folding his hands behind his back as he walked.
"Seems like a waste, joining Star Fleet to see the galaxy if you're only going to try and understand people like yourself."
"Perhaps. On the other hand, many of the cadets here are relatively young by the standards of their species. With time and the disciplined exposure Star Fleet can grant, those attitudes may change," Kakyou suggested, tilting his head slightly.
He paused for a moment, expression shifting subtly. "...that was the correct Earth colloquialism, was it not?"
Ran smiled warmly. He nodded. "That was correct, yes."
"My grasp of Earth's more casual usage of standard is not perfect," Kakyou explained, eyes pausing on Ran's smile for a moment. It was...pleasant.
"No reason it should be," Ran replied. "It means something that you're trying. …could you teach me about Vulcan?"
There was a brief flicker of confusion and curiosity in the calm gold of Kakyou's eyes. "To the extent any native of the planet could, yes. What is it you wish to learn?"
"Right. I mean, would you mind teaching me about Vulcan?" Ran shrugged. "What it's like there, teach me about the people and the customs, and things I'd need to know to get along with Vulcans better."
"I would not find that objectionable," Kakyou said slowly, the look of quiet interest subtle but there. "It will likely take time. Vulcan customs are at times complex."
"I'm not surprised," Ran said. "Thank you." He stopped outside one of the freshman rooms. "This is mine. Do you want to come in?"
"I would not object, if I would not be intruding. You are injured and likely require rest," Kakyou replied carefully.
"It's not that bad," Ran insisted, embarrassed. "Um. Stay out here for a minute?"
Kakyou gave him a quizzical look but nodded agreement.
Ran smiled gratefully. The doors swished as he stepped inside and then closed behind him. Ran looked around and came back in couple minutes. "Okay. Please come in."
Kakyou bowed his head politely before moving to step inside Ran's quarters.
The shared quarters were mostly tidy. There was a chess board with a game in progress, and few other personal items that belonged to Ran and his roommate. "My room is this way. Computer, raise the temperature 10 degrees." Ran glanced at Kakyou for approval as he led the way to his room.
"I appreciate your consideration," Kakyou said softly. He glanced around before following Ran. "I assume that will not be an uncomfortable temperature for you?"
"It will be hot, but fine," Ran answered. His room had a few books, and holophotographs of family. They were simple by the standards of the time, but still showed the smiling faces of a happy family.
Kakyou's face was unreadable but there was something hard to pin down in his eyes as he glanced at the pictures. He looked away after a moment. "Fine is an extremely inexact and variable word in Earth usage. It will cause you no health complications?"
Ran chuckled. "It won't hurt me." He sat on the bed. "Have a seat." Kakyou could sit at the desk or beside Ran on the bed.
Kakyou hesitated before sitting at the desk, habits of distance ingrained. "Is there anything specific you would prefer to start with?"
Ran started to shake his head, then something occurred to him. "What's most important that I know to make it easier for us to be allies?"
Kakyou hesitated, expression inward-focused and intent. That was a difficult call. After a moment, he decided Ran needed -deserved- a warning. "Vulcans are touch telepaths. There is sometimes a vague sense of mood via proximity, but touch, particularly with an unshielded individual, provides much sharper awareness. I feel you should be aware of this out of respect for your privacy."
Ran felt slightly surprised, and nodded. "That has to be very uncomfortable for you."
Ran kept being...not what he expected. "It is often..." That wasn't quite a frown but it was trying to be. "Awkward is not an entirely appropriate descriptor given the emotional connotations but it will suffice."
