[ It took a moment for rational thought to come back to Spock after that cut; the man had not been gentle. But he is quick to recover, quick to think and act.
These men do not know Standard. Spock has spent days testing this and received enough confusion and anger that he is sure of his hypothesis. They certainly do not understand Vulcan, but Spock is still unsure of his captain's familiarity with the language, and wants his words to be a reassurance, not a question left burning.
He has been pretending to not know the language, which isn't so much a pretense as a partial truth, because he only knows some of it, enough to pick up what's going on, his translator lost in the initial scuffle. But his captors teaching methods had been effective, if violent and crude, so he picked up the word for 'name,' and Jim gives him the perfect opening.
So when Jim asks his name, before the auctioneer can answer - a price, because he has been reduced an object that can be bought and the bile burns the back of his throat - Spock speaks, voice low and raspy thanks to the soreness in his throat. ]
One man in his time plays many parts.
[ The familiar words wash over him, an illogical comfort, and he knows Jim will understand the Shakespeare reference. They are both playing parts here. Spock will do what is necessary, play his role to the best of his ability.
He doesn't add Jim's name, or his title, or anything else. Nothing to hint at recognition. If they review the files later, they can assume what they will, that it is a threat or a curse or a plea. It is none of those things.
It is a promise.
The auctioneer is aware enough to know his words are not a name, and Spock gets a swift kick to his leg. It's not hard, no more damaging the goods, but it stings, and Spock allows a wince to cross his face.
The auctioneer blanches, and offers a price that is lower than the price Spock had heard bandied about the night before. Spock can hear the grinding of his teeth, because they were hoping to make a ridiculous sum on him. Enough for them to retire comfortably.
Serves them right. Spock wants to burn them all. ]
no subject
These men do not know Standard. Spock has spent days testing this and received enough confusion and anger that he is sure of his hypothesis. They certainly do not understand Vulcan, but Spock is still unsure of his captain's familiarity with the language, and wants his words to be a reassurance, not a question left burning.
He has been pretending to not know the language, which isn't so much a pretense as a partial truth, because he only knows some of it, enough to pick up what's going on, his translator lost in the initial scuffle. But his captors teaching methods had been effective, if violent and crude, so he picked up the word for 'name,' and Jim gives him the perfect opening.
So when Jim asks his name, before the auctioneer can answer - a price, because he has been reduced an object that can be bought and the bile burns the back of his throat - Spock speaks, voice low and raspy thanks to the soreness in his throat. ]
One man in his time plays many parts.
[ The familiar words wash over him, an illogical comfort, and he knows Jim will understand the Shakespeare reference. They are both playing parts here. Spock will do what is necessary, play his role to the best of his ability.
He doesn't add Jim's name, or his title, or anything else. Nothing to hint at recognition. If they review the files later, they can assume what they will, that it is a threat or a curse or a plea. It is none of those things.
It is a promise.
The auctioneer is aware enough to know his words are not a name, and Spock gets a swift kick to his leg. It's not hard, no more damaging the goods, but it stings, and Spock allows a wince to cross his face.
The auctioneer blanches, and offers a price that is lower than the price Spock had heard bandied about the night before. Spock can hear the grinding of his teeth, because they were hoping to make a ridiculous sum on him. Enough for them to retire comfortably.
Serves them right. Spock wants to burn them all. ]