I’m so glad you’re back, and better than ever. I’ve reread this whole fourth story again and this new chapter fits almost seamlessly. Imo your guys reflect a new maturity, maybe a result of your time away, yet also due to their own individual experiences.
Kudos for a strong new chapter, and hope you return to update regularly again. However, if you cannot, this chapter has been a welcome gift for 2020.

Glad to find this and your note at end. Have been reading & rereading on KSArchive. Only thing reading at present. Missing to see how Spock would develope. But can understand that deeper reading would this shut down. Have been fighting checking if you posted more...
My reading has swerved into philosophy & theology...etc
Best wishesKLM

I understand your concern about your writing, however I think this chapter is, if anything, better than some of the previous. Every paragraph advances the story, is concise and well formed, and connected. With just three scenes, and one of those merely a blip, it felt more focused and together.
Maybe the space-out was mentally productive.

I am back for a read while awaiting your next post. Hope you and yours are well. The interaction with Sarek and Amanda was interesting. Kirk seems to be having his own integrating issues, he knows he will grow and then maybe find his own balance in not being alone all the time, as must Spock. I appreciated that Spock was (newly?) willing to meld to try and help Kirk, and that effort helped take the hard edges off Kirk's Tantalus experience. That was a first for Spock, to initiate a narrow mind touch. I am interested to see how Zienn trains Spock, gives him the foundations for his gifts' uses. I miss reading what all these characters have been doing, terribly. Your writing brings me in their world so completely. I don't think most writers can do that so well. Take especial care, please, and thank you for your writing.

Utterly loved the outcome of P'Losiwist's machinations, plus Admiral Justin's fairly close idea of what went on. I bet he wishes he knew the right questions to ask, Spock being honest.
Sarek is coming around to a glimmer of understanding and even a speck of respect for his son? Didn't see that coming!
So now the temple. Another challenge that will no doubt test Spock exponentially.

Fascinating chapter, Kara! Great research shows. Going to read it again, great stuff here. Hope you are well. Thank you for posting!

Yay! I am celebrating this new chapter, and will avidly read.

Eeek, I read 'Heart of Darkness' at university and loathed it!
Otherwise, both have entered steep learning curves. Will be interesting to see the outcomes and whether they draw them closer or this is the beginning of a significant
period of parting.

Interesting. I like how much plot we have in this series - makes it a fascinating read. Thank you so much for writing this. It continues to be a great development of characters and plot line.

Spock appears so alone - bodily present argues the rest of self is out there somewhere with Kirk. But he's managing, which also argues he's maturing somewhat.
Sarek spying? OMG!

So much sadness and apprehension, and neither of them really have any choice. Sarek, and Amanda especially, are so hidebound by Vulcan ritual neither can offer Kirk anything other than formulaic verbage. However, at least Sarek, I think, can move slightly beyond it when he feels it is called for.
Rather an angsty chapter.

Oh my, they are so much in love. The companionship together in the first section was beautifully written. And nice to see how the classmates that actually interact with Spock are now his biggest fans, unlike the beaurocratic bullies desperate to drop him in it. Grange is amusing - can't see her punishing Spock in a way that'll disturb him.
How will Kirk and Spock cope being apart this time after all that's happened? I think it gets increasingly difficult.

Spock may be the younger of the two but in many ways he's more centred than Kirk. I like Loomis's advice - appreciating Spock rather than guiding him will be a revelation for Kirk. He loves him and respects many of his attributes and skills, but maybe doesn't quite appreciate enough the sheer essence of the young man. In that, he resembles Sarek.

Good to see such a pragmatist as Absom, and his final words to the students at large? Gritty!
Spock outstubborning Kirk - about time too. He's been too submissive for too long so his new confidence is very appealing. Imo Kirk hasn't yet realised that going through hell isn't something one can simply brush off. Given his previous experiences, this is an unusually slow specific learning curve. More to it than is obvious?

M'Benga! You are truly awesome weaving in so many characters. Still looking forward to more!