Rituals (Star Trek: TOS story by Karla Kelly)

K/S Fanfiction
Title:	Rituals
Author(s):	Karla Kelly
Date(s):	1993
Length:
Genre:	slash
Fandom:	Star Trek: The Original Series
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Rituals is a Kirk/Spock story by Karla Kelly.

It was published in the print zine KaleidoScope #1.

Summary

"Having to abstain for a week before their bonding is harder than Kirk anticipated when he agrees to wear a devise that arouses without allowing completion."

Reactions and Reviews

This Ensign Pulver story is much weaker than the other one in this same zine, I thought.

Kirk and Spock are on Vulcan to be publicly bonded, and the Ensign finds "an antique something" to give them as a bonding present- At a gathering of Vulcans before the ceremony. Kirk wanders over to the displayed gifts and sees it, three thongs of supple leather, whose purpose is a mystery to him. But it turns out the "Chi'ching" is worn (guess where) before bonding by males to show "the strength of the ... ties between the two bondmates". T'Pau questions whether Kirk disdains Vulcan traditions, so of course Kirk is stuck. He agrees to wear the Chi'ching, which according to the story, pretty much guarantees runaway passion that must be controlled during the bonding ceremony.

I found it hard to suspend my disbelief and go along with the "runaway sexual urges" idea, which is the essence of the chi'ching experience and the crux of the final bonding scene in the story. In my experience, even the randiest of men is able to control himself at important occasions, especially in front of others, and it seemed unlikely that the physical presence of the chi'ching would arouse instead of merely irritate. I mean, how many men walk up the aisle in a church for their wedding with a hard-on? That's the equivalent to what happens in this story.

The final section with Ensign Pulver was delightful. And the Ritual Atonement of a Bondmate made me laugh out loud.

I think my enjoyment of this story was impaired because the dear Ensign wasn't a more prominent force in the plotline. I kept expecting to see more of her.