496: Tending to the Flock: Two

by Vol Tryst and Commander Salvek
80901.0200
After Part One

-=USS Alchemy=-


He took one final look at the bridge, as the door snapped shut. "Computer, locate Counselor Tryst."

[Counselor Tryst is in his quarters, deck three.]

"Deck three." Salvek ordered. The turbolift hummed for just a moment for the short trip, and Salvek stepped out onto the deck. He took a moment to adjust his collar and clear his throat before tapping the chime to Tryst's quarters.

"Come in!" Came Vol's muffled voice through the door.

Salvek stepped forward and the door opened to allow him entrance. Vol was lying on the bunk, and upon seeing the First Officer enter, quickly stood up. "Commander Salvek, how can I help you sir?"

Salvek held up his hand. "I require no assistance. I merely was wondering how you are doing. We had to depart on somewhat short notice, and with all that went on during the ceremony, I wanted to make sure you had a chance to talk to someone if you needed to."

Vol lulled the question in his mind for a while. Of course he felt a little bit uneasy, as he felt he had just taken a leap of faith. Was it all a big mistake? No, because he knew that over time he would've grown unhappy with married life at home. He would've lived with regret, and as of now he had none. The only thing that remained was living life as normal as he could with his Imzadi on board, to see if it was the right fit in a permanent sense.

In fact, the only thing that really bothered him now was having Orynn on board but not being able to talk to him. Touch him, feel him, be with him...

"Your concern is well received, Commander." Indeed it was, as Vol didn't ever really imagine the Vulcan ever coming to 'check up' on him as it were. "But, I think that I'm..."

Vol stopped himself, and he thought better of his choice of words. He crossed his arms and his eyes moved up, as he thought of how to best put this forward.

"I'd actually appreciate one thing from you. Would you care to sit down?"

"Of course." Salvek took a few strides to cross the small room to the replicator. "Water, five degrees centigrade."

The glass shimmered into existence and Salvek picked it up. He took a sip to quench his parched throat, and allow Vol a moment to process his thoughts before asking his question.

Salvek knew Counselors thought so much of helping others that they rarely took the time to think of their own needs to talk to someone. If he could help Vol in any way work through anything that may be troubling him, he knew the time would be well spent. For all he did for the crew, Vol deserved the same consideration that he showed everyone else.

"I'd be most interested in hearing an outsider's perspective of what happened. It is difficult for me to explain why I wish it, but one's judgment can be clouded and blurred when at the heart of a... drama. I'd like to know what you thought, of the wedding, of the outcome, or the response from others. Please, don't hold anything back."

Vol was searching for something, a confirmation of sorts. He just needed to know that it was for real; that what he'd done was really for the right reasons on all counts.

"There was a time, Counselor, where I followed the path set out for all Vulcans. I would complete the training and achieve Kholinar. Then, I met Lair Kellyn."

Salvek paused and took a sip if his water. "When that happened, Mister Tryst, and we fell in love, I realized I simply could not follow the path to Kholinar just because that was what I was supposed to do. She is a deeply passionate woman, and it would be selfish of me not to share my emotions with her. She was willing to accept certain tenants of Vulcan philosophy that come with marrying a man of my race, so it was only fair for me to accept certain aspects of being Bajoran. Namely, that they are a very open people, emotionally."

"Essentially," Salvek continued, "Everyone must find their own place, and make their own peace with the traditions and customs of their society. If you have feelings that preclude you from participating in something, such as an arranged marriage, it is your moral responsibility to make your true self known. There is nothing, in my opinion, more disingenuous to mind and spirit than changing yourself for the sake of others. There is no logic in it either, as it invariably leaves you suffering, and weakens the spirit."

Vol couldn't really prevent his eyebrows from furrowing together to make a perplexed look, which was enhanced by the slow sideways nod his head made. He had asked for observations of current events, and instead he was given a lengthy story of a personal nature followed by a grandiose moral.

Then again, Vol's question had been mildly selfish and untactful. Perhaps the answer, being that it really had nothing to do with him specifically, was in itself revealing. The more he thought of it in this manner, the more it made sense, and soon he was smiling.

"Thank you, Commander."

“Of course,” Salvek made his exit. He noted that the Counselor seemed almost puzzled by the lesson Salvek had provided him from his own life experience. Perhaps in considering further how his choices paralleled similar ones Salvek had made, Vol would be able to find peace within himself for all that had happened on Betazed.

Vol sat back on his bed and remained in stillness for a moment after his XO had left. He wondered what would possess Salvek to take on what Vol considered to be the duty a Counselor. Vol wasn't at all offended in the slightest, so long as this was not punishment. Vol welcomed any one to try and do what he did. In reflection, however, Vol couldn't help but wonder if anyone had bothered to ask how Salvek himself was faring.

Ensign Vol Tryst
Ship's Counselor
USS Serendipity/Alchemy

and

Commander Salvek
First Officer
USS Serendipity/Alchemy