Snippet 3 :-)

"Well, good, then. I get to be privy to your experience," Rorek said, motioning to Spock's seat again - where a second cup of steaming cider was nicely placed. "Go ahead and try it."

Spock slowly took a seat, leaning over to sniff the cider before a look of brief surprise came over his face. He lifted the cup and took a small sip, taking a moment to taste it before looking at Rorek with a surprised smile. "It's very pleasant."

"Yeah, it's good, isn't it?" Rorek said, smiling as he finished setting up the last chess piece on the board. "It's made with apples and cinnamon. Greatest combination, if there ever was one. Your move."

Spock moved the same pawn he had begun with last time. "You spoke with your father?"

"I did," Rorek said, moving a pawn as well. "Everything is taken care of. You don't have to worry...but, speaking of which, how is the baby sehlat? Have you named it?"

Spock nodded, smiling briefly. "I named him l'Chaya."

"That's a great name," Rorek said, smiling as he moved another piece. "He'll be a great friend for you, too. And Luna will probably worship you like the next sehlat god or something."

Spock smiled as he moved. "She'll be happy, that's all that matters."

"You're very good with animals," Rorek said, watching Spock's next move. "You should come back to the plantation with me sometime. Do you ride horses?"

Spock nodded, moving his rook. "We are required to learn as soon as we can so we can train the new horses."

"Good for you. I'll let you ride Coal sometime," Rorek said, moving his Rook as well. "Hey - do you want to come with me to the market tomorrow? I was going to get some lines for fishing. You'd probably know where to find the best ones."

Spock glanced at him as he moved his queen out of the way of the rook. "I would of course accompany you, sir, if you wished me to."

"I do," Rorek said, moving his Bishop. "Then I'll take you fishing, too. You ever been?"

Spock again shook his head. "No, sir."

"Well, we'll change that. I bet you've never been rock-climbing either."

Spock nodded at that one. "I have, with the master. I helped to carry."

"Carry?" Rorek frowned, moving another piece. "Carry what?"

"Their bags, my lord," Spock explained.

"...you carried them up the mountain?"

Spock nodded as though it was obvious.

Rorek sat back slightly, frowning. "That's not right," he said, looking back at the board and moving another piece. "What other kind of stuff do you do for my dad?"

Spock shrugged again, moving his piece. "The usual."

"Which is?"

"Whatever he asks of me," Spock replied, looking up at him as he moved his queen again. "Check."

Rorek nodded slightly, remaining silent for a while as he moved a few more of his pieces. "You know, Spock, there's something I have to warn you about, with my dad," he said, not looking up from the board. "He...tries, every now and then, to take advantage of servants. Especially around your age. Just...make sure you don't give in to any unusual demands. Okay?"