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[dow]

[ The vouchers on offer have been put to good use. Witness one Vulcan wrapped up in a couple of high-neck, long-sleeved sweaters where he sits in front of the screen. There's no way of regulating the temperature as accurately as he could on the Enterprise, so the curtains are also drawn to stave off the encroaching cold and, in the comfort of his own abode, he's donned a thick cardigan that looks like a customized blanket. Winter, nngh. So while Spock looks a lot fluffier, his tone is just as businesslike as usual. ]

Many of the foreign recipes I am familiar with have little bearing on the available ingredients in the market and as such may not be employed here. I would be grateful for suggestions on supplemental dishes and am willing to provide recompense for any assistance provided. On a different note, if there are any individuals with an inclination toward telepathy, I am curious as to whether any of them know where it would be most opportune to try and establish a meld with the turtle. That said, they would be welcome to participate in a psychic foray being made. I was told that this has never been attempted by a great number of minds and find the unexplored concept fascinating.

I am familiar with the weight of a great many consciousnesses and amenable to hosting temporary mental immersion with others.

[ In other words, Spock is happy to be the Red Ranger in a group setting where other minds might need to rely on him for direction or support. He goes on, lifting a hand-written stack of notes off his lap. ]

Ellie, I have compiled more information concerning space and attached a short questionnaire to serve as your homework. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to collect your personalized astronomy file.

Comments

[dow]

Should you attempt to combine the two, the result would be noteworthy. I shall bring my tricorder to document the final result.

[parallels]

[She opens her mouth, then shuts it, scrunches her nose and then grins.]

And you are definitely having a go at me. I'll call it one ring up the friendship ladder. Cheers to progress.

[dow]

I am unfamiliar with the terminology of "having a go". In which way ought I to be approaching you?

[ Blessed technicalities. ]

[parallels]

[An amused snifflesnort at that last one Spock]

And you're lucky I'm not going to have a go at you for that one. Having a go means teasing.

[dow]

I would not show you false kindness or the intent to cause you distress, Clara.

[parallels]

I know. Teasing is just a bit of fun. You should see Jim and I go at it. It's a friends thing.

[Come on Spock, she knows you wouldn't. She gives him a reassuring smile and then it fades as her face darkens and her small shoulders slump. It's like she's been trying to keep it under wraps but is unable to as he turns the conversation slightly more somber.]

Spock. Please don't try don't try to do anything with the turtle.

[dow]

I am encountering multiple cases of failure when contact was attempted. I admit that it would not be logical to go against such odds, even in a group.

Is there anyone you know of who has survived that I may speak with?

[parallels]

[She exhales through her mouth in relief before pausing to tend to her cough.]

My friend who tried... He's gone now. The other man, Xavier might still be on the turtle. I've never really spoken to him.

[dow]

You need not worry unduly. I will not enter into this task blindly and without as many facts and contingency plans as possible.

[parallels]

[A nod. The image of the Doctor unconscious on the ground after attempting telepathy with the turtle has no left her mind.]

Glad to hear it. You really are the logical sort at least.

[dow]

I do not wish to lead others into danger. If the nature of this task continues to be faced by overwhelming odds, I will abandon it. I am fascinated that many people are unwilling to provide exact examples and instead resort to offensive name-calling.

[ People are strange that way. ]

They do not seem to realize they are merely voicing their displeasure and offering nothing of value to substantiate their claims, though clearly it must exist if they feel the need to voice their anger toward a curious stranger before anything else.

[parallels]

Well. Sometimes it makes us feel a bit better about telling someone off.

[She looks down and fiddles with one of the bandages on her hand.]

The Doctor tried and he's... brilliant. Most of the time, anyway. He ended up unconscious. Thought he was dead for a bit. And even after he couldn't move for days. Just stayed in bed and the Doctor never stays in bed. Generally doesn't even sleep. It did a number on him.

[dow]

It is a useless and harmful course of action to feel anger under any circumstances.

[ He nods at the mentioning of the Doctor, assuming she means her own friend and not McCoy (who has about as much telepathic ability as a sehlat). ]

You need not worry. I do not intend to embark upon a course of action that would prove potentially dangerous to others. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.

[parallels]

Sometimes people just want to let it all out. It's cathartic.

[And then her body posture becomes less stiff and she sighs and coughs in relief.]

Exactly. I know quite a few people who would be quite upset if you went and melted your brain while high on turtle thoughts.

[dow]

It is curious that people assume I wish to "melt my brain" and actively cause myself an injury.

[ He doesn't think very highly of those individuals. Who wants a scrambled mind? ]

[parallels]

Glad to know it's not the case then.

We just try to watch out for each other as best we can here.

[dow]

[ He appears genuinely surprised. ]

I already do so for you, Miss Clara.

[parallels]

[She blinks and then gives him a soft smile before nodding. She's found that arguing against being looked after is futile with most of her friends here so the best thing to do is just return it with equal force.]

It's mutual then.

[dow]

Will you join me for tea today?

[parallels]

I never turn down tea. Besides, I've near run out of all my own.

[A cold means double the tea intake which ends up being a disturbing level of tea consumption.]

Be there in about an hour. Just need to wash up a bit.

[dow]

I will be waiting.

[ He sends her the address to his home in the Metal Sector, encrypted from anyone but Clara, and sets about brewing the first batch of tea after cleaning his home as well as finding the basic ingredients for pancakes. In the interim, Spock also invites Thor over so his two newest acquaintances can get to know each other, thinking them very well suited to a meeting. ]

[parallels]

[Clara grins at him and grabs her box of tissues before shutting off the feed. Just a few things to do, change out of her pajamas and into something resembling decent clothing (though really it's more of an overlarge sweater given to her by one of the boys) and then bundle up to face the terrors of outdoors. She'd been holed up inside for the past few and missed the start of the snow. Thankfully, Kyle had gone and redeemed her voucher for her so she had a proper coat and other winter essentials. Though she still was definitely not prepared for this sort of weather. She winced as the cold air bit at lungs and raw nose.

She'd decided to bring along some bread she'd baked for the bakery. Low in sugar and so good for Spock and for the second guest.]