Savan: Difference between revisions

| style="background:#ffffff;" align="left" | The only son of a former Vulcan Starfleet officer Selon and and a human mother in Federation Ambassadorial corps, Stephanie Bergen, Torin was raised between San Francisco and Vancouver. After joining Starfleet, his father Selon grew progressively enamored with alien and particularly human cultures, including human women. As Bergen was the last in her family line, she notably insisted Torin take her family name. (Selon knew to not object to his wife.) Nowadays, Torin only uses his full name for academia. For all other interactions, he will use his Vulcan name. Because of Selon’s fascination with humaity and his mother’s strong personality, Torin was raised mainly in the Terran tradition. But his father did school him in Vulcan language and philosophy regardless, but, unlike many Vulcan fathers, he insisted his son follow his own path. Torin thinks this may be due to that a few of his family's ancestors were V'tosh K’atur. With age, Torin has progressively embraced Vulcan culture over the years and shared it with his family. Savan's presence in his life only served to increase his interest in his fathers culture. After several research posts, he currently serves as a professor of interspecies anthropology at the University of California. He lives in Santa Cruz with his wife of 35 years, Tevai. He expressed some disappoinment that Savan joined Starfleet instead of pursuing a career in the planetary parks service, partially as he has truly considered Savan as his own son and wanted him to stay near. However, Torin remains supportive of Savan's career decision but is not sure if Savan can follow such a by-the-book career path. He has repeatedly told him: "Savan, because of the circumstances of your life, you have grown an appreciation for the wild and unconstrained. You need to honor this within you, lest this passion overwhelms you one day."  

| style="background:#ffffff;" align="left" | Born and raised in Tahiti, Tevai Heremoana Duval is a noted former surf champion. Following her surf career, Duval became a doctor specializing in sports medicine. Tevai found Savan's presence initially challenging when he first arrived, finding difficulty in supporting Savan's deep emotional problems. But the two became close after Savan, age 14, went on a surf trip home with her and her sons to the South Pacific. After the trip, Savan opened up and told her that the trip was the first time he had been happy since before the accident. Duval now considers Savan as her own son.

| style="background:#ffffff;" align="left" | Cousin: The eldest son of Savan's adopted father Torin, Taurin is three years older than Taurin. He is a champion surfer and has won several planetary competitions. Taurin now splits his time between the South Pacific and Southern California, where he has become a leading surf teacher. He still occassionally competes but has realized he prefers the role of coach and teacher. His nick name is Tau. Taurin has shown more interest in Vulcan culture than his younger brother and has even learned to speak conversational Vulcan but finds it difficult–like most things Vulcan. Savan has looked up to Taurin as an other brother, especially as Taurin helped his brother adapt to life on Earth and understand Earth customs and culture. Taurin was notably the first person to insist that Savan get rid of his typical Vulcan haircut.  

| style="background:#ffffff;" align="left" | Savan met John his sophomore year at the Interspecies Day School of California, where Torres' family enrolled him so he could get a better understanding of other species. The two became close friends and shared an apartment while attending the University of California. Torres would regularly introduce Savan as "the baddest ass Vulcan you'll ever meet," to which Savan would often cock his eyebrow and frown. Nevertheless, Torres’ introduction would often lead to interesting experiences while they were in college. It is partly because of Torres—or, in Savan’s words, Torres’ fault—that Savan will no longer drink tequila. (In fact, the smell of it and similar spirits makes him nauseous.) Torres has calmed down quickly after graduating university. Now in his late 20s, John is now married and works as an architect in Mexico. Torres and his wife have one child, Isabela, for whom Savan is the proud godfather. Torres is the person who has the easiest time in making Savan laugh, even more so than Tarek. Despite the distance and professional responsibilities, Savan and Torres stay in close touch. After his family, Torres is the first person that Savan will visit when on Earth.

| 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. In a sense, the relationship remains a mystery to Savan, as it touches a part of him so deep he can barely understand it. He does know, however that he would sacrifice himself without question to save Galeo if his th’y’la’s life were ever in changer. 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 that was for awhile left unspoken. 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, “We may be creatures of duty, but 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. “And one day, I will find you.” Savan smiled.

As Savan has gotten older, his attitude towards relationships and romantic interactions has become more mature. That said, on occasion, when he is sufficiently attracted to someone, he will flirt, though more subtly than most humans.