I resume remembering. Once again, I delve into the memories, and relive.

It is a large and noisy party. I have played most of the night, and Ranang has brought me refreshment and had me rest from time to time. My master asks me to play at an interlude, as there are those who wish to listen. I have been practicing some pieces I had learned on Vulcan and I play some of the works of Separ the Elder, written some two centuries before though perhaps unknown in this place. They prove popular.

I grow tired and am allowed to retreat. I retire to my room, carefully placing the ka'athyra on my dresser, and I compose myself on the bare part of my floor, trying to approximate the granite slab I had brought from Vulcan for my own home in order to reach the levels of Mind Rule which move beyond minor discomforts of the flesh.

I have barely reached stage two, though, when I sense a presence. I pull myself out of meditation as I do not yet know if it is one of the other slaves or possibly my owner.
But the voice I hear is feminine. As I know the only women present are guests and human, I stand quickly and bow my head.

"You play beautifully, Vulcan."

"My Lady. This slave offers thanks."

"What's your name? Where did you come from? I have seen some pretty toys in my dear friend's seralgio, but this is the first Vulcan he's ever owned."

I hear my master's voice before I can answer. "I see you've met my latest pet, Hiroko. I can't keep anything from you for long, can I? Spock, meet my good friend, Lady Hiroko Sasaki. Hiroko, Spock. Isn't he a treasure?"

I can hear her smiling. "Spock. Good Vulcan name. I keep wondering when they'll run out of S names for the males. Eduardo, you can't keep him here. He's a rare flower which will wilt if kept too long in this greenhouse. Why don't you sell him to me. I'll keep his mind busy. They need that, you know, just like your boytoys need your bed."

"I don't know, Hiroko.I'm quite fond of him. He's blind, you know."

"And you make love to him?"

"Not anymore. Oh, he was quite delightful, to be sure, but you're right about one thing. He wasn't for bedding. So if that's on your mind..."

"Don't be silly," Hiroko laughs. "I've no intention of putting a Vulcan in my bed. It's not a good idea to force them. Spock, are you bonded?"

"This slave is, my lady. But this slave is seperated.."

"My God, Eduardo!" The lady seems agitated. "Don't you know this could KILL him? Vulcans have a mating drive. They die if they are seperated long enough."

I am astounded. Does every outworlder here know of this? My owner does not appear to. But is it otherwise common knowledge? There are so many Vulcan secrets, so casually spoken here, secrets unknown to outworlders in my own home.

"Sell him to me. I'll try to find his mate. Eduardo, you know damn well even if you were willing, you'd not want a female slave here."

I stand frozen in place. Find T'Pel? Is it possible? I almost hold my breath as I wait for my master's response. For the first time in months I feel something akin to hope, as I understand what humans call that emotion. It is not logical, but it is so.

I hear footsteps, and my master's voice. "Spock. This is something you would want?"

"Master." I control my voice, though it is an effort. "This slave..."

He interrupts. "Informal speech, Spock, it's just us."

"Yes." Somehow, I continue to breathe. "Master. I was taken from she who is my wife. If the Time comes on me and I do not join with her," I stop, finding it difficult to articulate. "The mating drive," I continue. "The male goes mad. It is dangerous- to us, to others. And I would not survive without my mate. I could be a danger, as I would lose control of myself. But it will not likely happen for some years."

"How many years, Spock?"

"Unknown, master. Normally it is a seven year cycle. But I am a hybrid, not pure Vulcan. No one knows if this cycle would be shorter or irregular. I have had my first..."

"Yes, Spock. That's why I got you at such a low price. Why you're blind. But you're worth more now I know you can play an instrument. But I'd not sell you unless you'd rather."

Hiroko interrupts."Eduardo, tell him the truth. You're half infatuated with him, and you still hope he'll come willingly to your bed. But you can't possess a Vulcan in the mating time. They are strong, Eduardo. Much stronger than they look. Isn't this so, Spock?"

"It is, my lady."

I am remembering when I tried to kill my young master in my madness, seeing him only as another potential rival. Any repeat of that would be an immediate death sentence, but then, so would not having access to my wife. And I know there is a danger that she also could die, if our Bond is strong enough.

I hear my master sigh. "Spock, Hiroko's right.I've enjoyed having you. But you do not belong here. I won't sell you, though. I'll make a present of you. Hiroko and I go a long way back, and I owe her."

He hugs me, and I stand, unresisting. Then I hear him step away for a moment, and when he returns, he presses the ka'athyra into my arms. "I want you to have this as a gift." I feel his lips, cool as they always feel to me, press my forehead and his fingers caress my bangs and smooth them."I'll have your clothing sent over. Obey Hiroko."

"Yes, master,"I reply. "May I bid farewell to Ranang?"

"I'll summon him."

A few moments later and I hear him approach. The two humans have retreated, allowing us a private farewell. I still cannot quite believe what is happening. It is disconcerting to find random events controlling my life, to have a sense that I cannot influence them myself, and yet such events may restore to me some part of that which I have lost.

I do not know how to speak to Ranang. I will likely never encounter him again, whatever happens to me.

He speaks before I can."I'll miss you, Spock. None of these others will be able to play with me..and besides, I liked our conversations."

"You could teach the others, Ranang. I have taught you all I can. Farewell, and I thank you for your friendship and assistance. You know better than I how little control each of us has over our movements. But my new owner has spoken of finding my bondmate and perhaps reuniting us. I do not know if it will be possible. But it is kind of her to say she will attempt it."

He also hugs me. I do not protest though I do lift an eyebrow."Take care, Spock." He whispers to me, conspiratorially."Prosperity, and long life."

Almost, I smile. "And to you also, my friend."

And he is gone.

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