(when he met amanda, she didn't seem to be strictly practicing vulcan way or pretending to be one. to him, she was an intelligent, humorous woman with a secret; she may take the lifestyle seriously, but she expected more from both sarek and spock. spock, too, shows these qualities. an unswerving dedication to philosophies important to him and the expectation that others can improve their own circumstances. he's really something, isn't he?
kirk exhales through his nose, smile fading.)
I had some idea of what I wanted to do, but that wasn't the reason I was dissatisfied. My mother's focus was on her career and she often expressed to my father that she wanted more than a life on a farm. When she left, I felt the same way.
I can dress it up with Starfleet all I like, but, in reality, a boy missed his mother.
[ To speak openly of missing a parent, of using that as an emotional motivation, would be considered repulsive on Vulcan. From Jim, both honesty and devotion only sway him into a deeper sense of respect for his best friend. ]
I believe as is so often the case you fail to do justice to your own restlessness and ambition. I am not a man given to dressing up a topic and as such believe I can speak with objectivity on the subject.
[ Objectivity around him? Around Kirk? Thinking about that is as unpleasant as forming his reply for "unique challenges". ]
Vulcans embrace diversity and Vulcans embrace logic. What is meant to be different should be different, but many did not see the logic in my being meant to be at all. We are strict with ourselves. If emotions are a danger, then a Vulcan who acts human might be seen as an unnecessary risk. [ And an embarrassment. ]
(there's only one emotion he can muster up that seems to suit spock's "unbiased" impression of him: gratitude.)
No one else is as efficient at reminding me of that, Spock. What would I do without you?
(if they were face-to-face, the levity in his tone might've suggested that the rhetorical question was a harmless joke. over text, however, expression and body language are hidden away. his message conveys what he'd like it to convey.)
Never mind the risks.
You as a person represent the very best qualities of both a Vulcan of Vulcan and a human of Earth. It seems they've failed to realize that you are the IDIC variable they're meant to be celebrating.
[ His captain is a disarming man and Spock has witnessed this firsthand in his interactions with previous acquaintances, dearest companions, and strangers unaccustomed to his ways. He has also experienced the effects himself.
As he is now, reading two simple sentences he has never seen spelled out before and yet feel intimately familiar.
It takes him a full conscious second of thought to realize the reason is that he's been waiting for them for years, occasionally daring to apply the philosophy of IDIC to his own situation but never bold enough to demand entry into a society where his place has been earned. ]
Thank you, Jim.
[ A response that on the surface is simple and downplayed, but Kirk will recognize it as anything but. It's a refusal to entertain the defenses he conjures for his people's own bigotry towards him, it's an acceptance of a human norm, and it's an intentional usage of the man's first name because barriers are unwelcome after that sentiment. ]
(a "simple" word of thanks this isn't. for spock, these three words and the emotions behind them are the precarious overhang and the sheer cliff beneath it respectively. it's a visual, textual representation of the astounding amount of trust spock—dear friend and brother—places in him.
if it weren't followed up by a smart remark, tempting a pinched smile and resulting breath of amusement out of him, he might've sought him out in an attempt to spend the rest of the day in his company. there's still a chance of that, but he's sated for now and undeniably pleased with their current conversation.)
[ He knows, without a doubt, that it is, even before Jim has responded.
Just as it had been his to correct Kirk's misconceptions about himself and to attempt to brush away any doubts. Even at such a distance, even without touch or extended conversation, he cannot doubt that they've achieved some form of Synchrony even through as little as this. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
kirk exhales through his nose, smile fading.)
I had some idea of what I wanted to do, but that wasn't the reason I was dissatisfied. My mother's focus was on her career and she often expressed to my father that she wanted more than a life on a farm. When she left, I felt the same way.
I can dress it up with Starfleet all I like, but, in reality, a boy missed his mother.
What unique challenges are you referring to?
no subject
[ To speak openly of missing a parent, of using that as an emotional motivation, would be considered repulsive on Vulcan. From Jim, both honesty and devotion only sway him into a deeper sense of respect for his best friend. ]
I believe as is so often the case you fail to do justice to your own restlessness and ambition. I am not a man given to dressing up a topic and as such believe I can speak with objectivity on the subject.
[ Objectivity around him? Around Kirk? Thinking about that is as unpleasant as forming his reply for "unique challenges". ]
Vulcans embrace diversity and Vulcans embrace logic. What is meant to be different should be different, but many did not see the logic in my being meant to be at all. We are strict with ourselves. If emotions are a danger, then a Vulcan who acts human might be seen as an unnecessary risk. [ And an embarrassment. ]
no subject
No one else is as efficient at reminding me of that, Spock. What would I do without you?
(if they were face-to-face, the levity in his tone might've suggested that the rhetorical question was a harmless joke. over text, however, expression and body language are hidden away. his message conveys what he'd like it to convey.)
Never mind the risks.
You as a person represent the very best qualities of both a Vulcan of Vulcan and a human of Earth. It seems they've failed to realize that you are the IDIC variable they're meant to be celebrating.
no subject
As he is now, reading two simple sentences he has never seen spelled out before and yet feel intimately familiar.
It takes him a full conscious second of thought to realize the reason is that he's been waiting for them for years, occasionally daring to apply the philosophy of IDIC to his own situation but never bold enough to demand entry into a society where his place has been earned. ]
Thank you, Jim.
[ A response that on the surface is simple and downplayed, but Kirk will recognize it as anything but. It's a refusal to entertain the defenses he conjures for his people's own bigotry towards him, it's an acceptance of a human norm, and it's an intentional usage of the man's first name because barriers are unwelcome after that sentiment. ]
For your compliments on my efficiency.
[ And, even, a joke. ]
no subject
if it weren't followed up by a smart remark, tempting a pinched smile and resulting breath of amusement out of him, he might've sought him out in an attempt to spend the rest of the day in his company. there's still a chance of that, but he's sated for now and undeniably pleased with their current conversation.)
It's my genuine pleasure.
no subject
Just as it had been his to correct Kirk's misconceptions about himself and to attempt to brush away any doubts. Even at such a distance, even without touch or extended conversation, he cannot doubt that they've achieved some form of Synchrony even through as little as this. ]
I will see you back at the house, Captain.