Trip/T'Pol/Koss

[Aquarius]

Okay--I wasn't sure about this at first. But our Crystalswolf has been writing a story involving these three in a triad. The story isn't sexually explicit, but the relationship dynamics are really well thought-out, and I have to tell you, I kept being left hungry for more because I just *have* to know more about how the whole thing came about, how it works, etc.

The story thus far is here: The Understanding

I would love to discuss the complexities and dynamics of a situation like this.

[Honeybee]

I've beta-ed a few of these chapters - and I can tell you that I was initially resistant because I didn't want to see the redemption of Koss undone. As a TnT shipper, I did not like that he blackmailed her into marriage - but I did think he redeemed himself by letting her go.

But, CW does NOT undo that redemption. Koss is, however, a complex figure and definitely a third wheel in a Vee. (No three way sex or Trip/Koss sex planned unless she has totally switched directions ). What's interesting is that without trying, TnT really do isolate him since unlike in Mistress Euclid or Koken's stories, the love is not three-way.

It's a very challenging story.

[crystalswolf]

Thanks guys!

I've had the story planned out and it seems no matter how many alternate paths I think up in the meantime, the original is what I want.

There won't be anything sexual between Koss and Trip, although, I did wonder just how much pull a bond could have on the sexuality of Vulcans (and Humans). In the story, the two of them do have a low level bond that I imagine to be somewhere along the lines of what TnT had early on.

It only occurred to me fairly recently that there were not 3 sides to this story but 4. The child(ren) of these relationships have an interesting take on it... at least as far as I've observed with one RL family.

[Aquarius]

I absolutely cannot wait for more.

And you're right--the children are going to have their own ideas about what's going on.

Regarding the bond between the men, I wonder if that's also a function of what the men are to each other pre-bond? I'm sure Mistress Euclid could speak on this with more authority, but comparing and contrasting the situation you've created to hers, she seems to capitalize that Archer and Trip cared very much about each other to begin with--as friends/brothers, but also indicates that there was a sublimated attraction between them, albeit maybe fleeting...so the bond may have encouraged them toward "more".

In "The Understanding," Koss and Trip have quite a different relationship. Koss was the man Trip lost her to once, and because of the nature of his undercover work, he kind of loses her to him over and over again. As far as T'Pol seems to be concerned, however, Koss is a placeholder for Trip. It isn't that she doesn't care about him or what happens to him, but her heart always belongs to Trip. So it doesn't seem like a situation that would be conducive toward anything more than Trip and Koss sharing T'Pol sexually, but not sharing anything between themselves.

Am I understanding this correctly, ladies?

[crystalswolf]

For the most part that's how I see the relationships.

But I'd imagined a scene (I can put it here because there won't be anything like it in the story) where Trip and T'Pol try to talk to Koss who is fully in the Blood Fever. His body responds to their presence and when Koss looks up at Trip, for a moment he feels a sexual charge and Trip's body responds likewise. It lasts only for a moment before Koss focuses on T'Pol but it leaves Trip rattled because he knows he does not feel that way about Koss or vice versa but the bond could cause such a reaction.

[Honeybee]

Oh - feel free to write a separate story around that idea - after all, even if two men don't share feelings for each other, if they are bonded with the same woman and pon farr is going on - sh*t is going to happen.

It's a very compelling situation.

[crystalswolf]

LOL, perhaps one of those alts for the story. I guess it depends on if I can get back into the blistering swing of writing again.

But those three personalities do seem to be the gift that keeps on giving in terms of fertile ground.

[Aquarius]

^ And hooray for that!!

[Section69]

I just finished reading "The Understanding". Wow. I like it so far. While I can guess a little bit at Trip's thoughts and perspective on the situation, I'm really, really curious what's going on in Koss's head right now. I can't wait for the rest Crystalwolf!

[Honeybee]

What really shocked me (and I beta read) some of that story - is how sympathetic I found Koss.

I'm someone who believes very strongly that Koss blackmailed an emotionally fragile T'Pol into marriage, and in the context of pon farr and the expectations therein - that could have very easily led to rape. The fact that she didn't want to risk anyone's life by calling a challenge only makes her more sympathetic.

Koss did redeem himself in my eyes by letting her go - but I was initially uncomfortable with the premise of CW's story.

I think it's a testament to her writing that I found myself frustrated with TnT in that they seem insensitive to Koss's sacrifice and whatever feelings he might have developed for her over the years. The passion they feel for each other is palatable in the story - and you really feel for them. But you also feel for Koss.