Date: 28 May 2015 21:27 Title: Betrayed
This is a really fabulous look into T'Pring's throught; you do a really amazing job of making her sympathetic, understandable and relevant, too. The trials kids face at school are no different between Vulcan and human society, theirs are just more 'polite' than ours. But ostracizing and bullying exist regardless of species and you convey it here. I also really love how young Spock conducted himself in such an alien custom as this; how he treated her with respect and regard, and how she responded in kind despite her reservations. It makes one wonder if, had her society been more enlightened about things, if they couldn't have come to love one another.
Any which way, the writing is both sensitive and deft; it gets to the point without a whole lot of twisting and turning and covers all of the ground that it should. It made my heart ache for her and made her canon motivations much deeper and richer, and I'm glad you didn't vilify her or otherwise, but instead painted her with the careful strokes necessary to capture all living things.
It does make me wonder what her family thought beyond this; what her parents thought of Spock and his conduct. If she had any siblings, how they would have reacted to the news. If they ever do have a time, as bondmates, where they communicate in some manner or if it's the very long separation which actually breeds the most contempt and not the reactions of her classmates. Any which way, though, well done, Cuppy! Very well done.
Date: 24 Jan 2015 01:44 Title: Betrayed
interesting....
Author's Response:
Wasn't hoping to change anyone's mind with regard to the character, merely offer an alternate perspective on things. Thanks for taking the time to read and review.
Date: 29 Dec 2014 08:38 Title: Betrayed
Wow, this is so skillfully done. You've explored her complex, confused, and completly understandable emotions all together--somehow you've helped us experience her sympathy for Spock's outcast status, her fear over losing status herself, her admiration for Spock's character and skills, and her resentment over what her link to him has already cost her. She's feeling all those things at once, and you weave them together so we feel them all at once as well. You included some excellent social commentary on Vulcan society, as well. And you kept T'Pring a little girl though it all. Excellent work.
Author's Response:
Strider!! So good to see you back! Thank you so much for the kind words. Of all the people who read my work, I can always count on you to 'get' my stuff, and for that I am profoundly grateful.
I hope we'll see more from you soon. I miss your looks into these complex characters and relationships as well, which always cause me to see something I hadn't before
Date: 05 Oct 2014 15:40 Title: Betrayed
Oh, poor T'Pring. I can see that she will have much to suffer because of Spock. Girls can be catty, even on Vulcan. I sincerely hope that she finds a true friend from among the children at school. Perhaps a young boy named Stonn? Maybe he is discontented with the future bondmate his parents have chosen. I almost see another chapter here...
Author's Response:
Yes, girls can be quite a pill, even on the only planet in the galaxy where women are logical, to paraphrase Jim Kirk. Hadn't really thought about additional chapters, but now you've planted that seed... ;-)
Date: 05 Oct 2014 02:23 Title: Betrayed
Interesting look at T'Pring. You're right; she's been vilified by a lot of fan fiction writers (personally, I think she gets too hard a time of it from them). Certainly this gives some logic (ha) and perspective to her known canon behaviors. She is not necessarily a sympathetic character, but at least there is a meaning and a motivation to her actions.
Author's Response:
Yes, definitely not a sympathetic character, but she acted in the only way permissible by her society to free herself from Spock. Was it the right choice? Hmmm, that may warrant yet another companion piece...
Date: 04 Oct 2014 22:20 Title: Betrayed
I really do feel for T'Pring. I believe it would have been one thing if Spock was just half-Vulcan, but on top of that, he ends up leaving for Starfleet as well. Obviously, 7 year old T'Pring doesn't know that he will join Starfleet, but being bonded to someone in such a manner has got to be a tremendous disappointment, and children (especially Vulcan ones) have a great memory for such "improprieties." I wager this is something that is used against her often, particular as the bondmates of her adult friends start experiencing pon farr, and she inevitably worries over whether Spock will go through it.
Author's Response:
Exactly. I'm sure over the years it would have been difficult enough to be bonded to the first Vulcan-human hybrid, but as the years went by and Spock began pursuing his own life, his own destiny, I can just see her becoming more and more frustrated and bitter. I think her pairing up with Stonn and initiating ther kal-if-fee was the only 'logical' way for her to lash out at him, and the only course of action her culture would accept.
Thanks for reading and reviewing. :D