Night of the Le-Matya

Fanfiction
Title:	Night of the Le-Matya
Author(s):	JS Cavalcante
Date(s):	1992
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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Night of the Le-Matya is a K/S story by JS Cavalcante.

It was published in the print zine As I Do Thee #19.

A le-matya is a predatory animal native to planet Vulcan, presumably a mammal.

Summary

"An ancient legend lends itself to Spock's purposes in revealing himself to his dearest friend."

Reactions and Reviews

1993

I thoroughly enjoyed this first time tale that is written with a great deal of atmosphere and sensitivity. There are several aspects of the story that set it apart from the usual. Besides some of the excellent writing, most of it takes place on Vulcan, on the fourth day of the month of Dakhyar. That is the traditional Night of the Le-Matya, a night when ancient Vulcans were dedicated to truth. The author's descriptions of Vulcan, the howling of the animals cascading down the mountains, the dialogue are all excellent. For example, "red sand, shading to yellow, stretching itself out like the skin of some great beast sunning itself in the white-hot glare of 40 Erandi." Or how about "T'Khut glowed darkly green, which, Kirk realized, would not be a comforting color to Vulcans."

And there's also a fresh and imaginative scene between an eight-year-old Spock and his great-grandmother T'Pau.

There are a few nitpicky little problems I had with the story, none of which interfered much with the story's ambiance, which is its strength. The first several scenes were too short and choppy for my tastes. I would have definitely combined the two scenes with McCoy to provide more of a flow to the story. It could have been easily done with a short transitional paragraph. Better yet, I wonder if these scenes should have been cut. I'm not sure what they added, Although the use of the term T'hy'la and all that it meant to Spock was essential to the understanding of the story, it was repeated too often.

On page 113, although Sarek and Amanda joined their fingers together, the author never allowed us to see them part, so that I read the rest of the conversation wondering what position they were in, and whether their hands were still joined. I was also a little physically lost in that scene, since Amanda was sitting next to Sarek, who was in a chair, and yet still close enough to touch him. Were the chair positioned right next to one another? This is such a minor point, but I have to admit I'm the type of reader who notices this.

I was confused by the sequence at the top of page 114. Does this exchange imply that there is a sequel to the night's events, yet to be written or published? Because Sarek's comments don't connect to anything else in this story, this is my honest conclusion, but I think this reference should have been edited out. If there's a sequel, terrific, I'll read it with pleasure, but such foreshadowing doesn't belong in a short story, in my opinion.

I do not recognize this author's name and wonder if she is a new author. If so, J.S. has an amazing amount of talent, and I will look eagerly for more of her work. In conclusion,I recommend this story, and look forward to more from a talented writer.

Good writing, fine language, strong images. Excellent sense of place: night on Vulcan very vivid. Spock going to Vulcan for two weeks leave; invites Kirk to stay with him there. Spock loves Kirk as t'hy'la but has never risked speaking of it. But the time approaches when he must, or forever not.

In a flashback, T'Pau and 8-year-old Spock talk of speaking truth. The "night of the le-matya" is the night of truth from ancient days. Excellent concept. All conflict ceased, truths unspoken were told.

Good dialogue; everything meaningful and in character. Spock tells Kirk his truth. Kirk says he's always loved Spock, thought Spock knew that but didn't want him in that way. Sex scene very vivid and quite satisfying. Erotic and tearfully tender.

1998

"The night of the Le-Matya is the one night on Vulcan when one must speak truth, when one must set right the lies. It is a night of truth for Kirk and Spock, essential to their inner love. A true portrayal."