Savan: Difference between revisions

* '''Hobbies and Pastimes''': Savan is an undeniably an active outdoors person. His main pastimes include martial arts, hiking, wilderness survival training, surfing, swimming, and outrigger canoe paddling. He is also developing an interest in holophotography.

* '''Favorite Places''': His hometown of Santa Cruz, where he first felt at home. Also wild or isolated places, including Alaska, the Yukon, and the Tuamotu Archipelago. He is also fond of beaches in tropical climates, and will not miss the opportunity to get into the water.

* '''Nicknames''': While in high school, several classmates were interested in Savan because of his good looks. Finding humor in the attraction to the sometimes reserved Vulcan, Savan's best friend and classmate John Torres would eventually call him "Suave" or "Suavan." Savan does not share this name with ship mates, but it is still used by his close friends from high school and college. Upon hearing his nickname, Savan tends to smile despite himself. | Savan's cousins will sometimes call him Sav.

* '''On his appearance''': From the end of high school, several humans have considered Savan good looking. As he grew into maturity, especially with his intense physical training, he does gain his share of attention. (Savan admits that he did "indulge" himself during college.) Regardless, he is still sometimes baffled by the reaction of others to his appearance. He states that, like any Vulcan, he does appreciate beauty and may be more expressive about what attracts him. With the indulgences of young adulthood behind him, he is amused by how much time humans spend idoling others.

* '''On Vulcans''': Savan prides himself on his Vulcan heritage but has a difficult relationship with Vulcans. He does tend to do better with Vulcans who have been raised on other worlds or who simply do not fit into the rigorous structure of Vulcan society. For all the supposed non-emotionalism, Savan often detects a good deal of hypocrisy. He has noted that his presence in the company of other Vulcans can inspire among them feelings of arrogance, fear, disgust, and suspicion. Of course, this may not be detectable to humans, but Savan can usually sense them. When told that Vulcans have no emotions, Savan usually retorts quickly and quotes the memoirs of legendary, late Ambassador V'Lar: "Upon observing the passions in humans and other species, many in our society have insisted that we do not have emotions. But this is false. The emotions of the humans are our own." Savan tends to avoid Vulcans socially but has no issues working with them in a professional context.  

* '''On Humans''': In general, Savan appreciates humans and respects their culture. Terra became his home when he would have been rejected on his home world. For humans unfamiliar with his background, his relatively friendly demeanor compared to the rest of his species throws them off at first.  

| style="background:#ffffff;" align="left" | Savan met Sarinae, the daughter of an Ardanan representative to the Federation Council, in philosophy class during his senior year of high school. Eventually, the two began to date. The relationship went well but ended after she returned to the capital city of Stratos to continue her education. They have not been in contact in 10 years, but Savan still remembers her fondly. A high school classmate told Savan that Sarinae is now a respected artist on Ardana.

| style="background:#ffffff;" align="left" | During the beginning of his junior year at university, Savan became attracted to a Deltan exchange student, Irian. The two spent a significant amount of time over a few months, and Savan later expressed his interest. While not under an Oath of Celibacy—not required for Deltan visitors—Irian chose to not progress the relationship into a romantic one–especially as he was uncertain how contact with a Deltan would affect a Vulcan, especially one as sensitive as Savan . Regardless, Savan was deeply effected by the experience and Irian’s return to Delta IV, which, along with other occurrences, made him decide to take a semester off. Savan still has often vivid dreams of Irian, but he discusses them with no one. He has considered looking for Irian at times but has chose to pursue his work.

| style="background:#ffffff;" align="left" | While Savan’s intense schedule at the Academy left little time, Savan did develop a particularly close relationship with a cadet from Magna Roma, Gnaeus Aelius Galeo, who was in training to become a marine. Several cadets and professors thought the two were together romatically attached, but both insisted their relationship was a more fraternal one. While they were rarely seen together at social events, they were usually seen sparring in the gymnasium or training. Galeo also taught Savan basics of Magna Roman training. For a long time, Savan did not know how to define their relationship, which was closer and more important than a regular friendship, even a strong one like he has with John Torres. When Savan explained the situation to his adopted father Torin, Torin suggested the Vulcan term ''th’y’la'', which was probably not taught to Savan since his Vulcan education stopped so early. Torin did make note of the word’s ambiguity, as th’y’la can mean "friend," “brother," or “lover.” Eventually, Savan told Galeo how he appreciated their friendship and explained the word th'y'la to him. To Savan's surprise, the Magna Roman smiled and offered that there was actually similar word, ''erostoïs'', that developed in one of his planet’s prominent ancient cultures—one very similar to Ancient Greece on Terra. It is still used today, added Galeo. Since then, in private, Savan refers to Galeo as his th'y'la, while Galeo calls him his erostoïs. Savan keeps remains in touch with Galeo and keeps his picture next to his family mementos. Galeo will finish his marine training and graduate from the Academy over the next year.  

| style="background:#ffffff;" align="left" | Vresan is the daughter of Romulan refugees, who, despite many challenges, was admitted into Starfleet Academy. During Savan’s final year, he was assigned as the leader of her first-year training group. The two felt an immediate attraction. Eventually, Vresan told Savan that he had the likeness of a great Romulan war hero whom she had always dreamt of meeting. Given the intensity of the attraction, the two almost briefly considered. But both have a strong sense of duty and discipline and decided against it. Before Savan left the Academy, Vresan told him in private, "One day, in the near future, we will no longer need to be concerned about regulations." She then reached her index and middle finger held together and touched his. Savan smiled.

As Vuclans go, Savan is quite unique in his openness to romance and intimacy. After adapting to life on Terra, Savan admitted at age 14 to his cousins that he was interested in a classmate. While that classmate didn't return his interest, Savan became more and more open about possible romantic feelings and interest. Notably, Savan dated the daughter of an Ardanan representative to the Federation Council during his senior year of high school. The relationship went well but ended after she returned to the capital city of Stratos to continue her education.

During his studies at the University of California, Savan developed a progressively active social life, frequently attending events, parties and bars around and off campus. (This was partially at the encouragement of his best friend John Torres.) Savan dated a few humans for brief periods, and had other romantic interactions, but none of these led to a significant long-term relationship. During the beginning of his junior year, he met Irian. Whie never a romantic relationship, Irian affected Savan deeply

The rigors of his security training at Starfleet Academy left Savan little time for any romantic pursuits. Savan did develop a close relationship with Magna Roman cadet Gnaeus Aelius Galeo, whom Savan calls his th’y’la. Prior to graduation, Savan had some interest in a younger cadet, Vresan, a Romulan refugee. After the two became friends, Vresan said that Savan reminder her of a famous Romulan hero, adding that it was always her dream to meet him. Because Savan was assigned to oversee her group as a senior cadet, the two eventually decided that any fraternization would be against regulation.

Savan's performance at the Academy was generally superior. His previous martial arts, survival and early tactical training allowed him to excel in his main security coursework. He also showed an aptitude in languages. In particular, professors noted that his natural proficiency in Romulan and greater emotional openness could be a future asset to Starfleet Intelligence.The repeated, though minor, concern from some professors was that it appeared Savan could be understimulated by the day-to-day routine and tedium, not to mention, the enclosed space of a starship. Also, there was one very challenging course for Savan: captivity training. His difficult was most likely due to his ESFD.  In contrast, Savan usually performed best in on-the-ground scenarios and in wilderness settings, making him ideal for away team missions.