Surprises

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]


It was a Universal Law, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Reactive. Responsive. Again that shiver drifted down her neck, this time, her fingers clenched at his arms. A woman's spine changes in moments like these. A subtle, supple shifting at the base, a sharper curve at that hollow where back meets bottom. Intent infuses every moment. A road map to their inner navigation, plastered all over their skin.

It took her a moment to find her voice, the brush of his lips at the tip of her ear tickling her. Her left hand rose to cup his cheek, and her head gave a slant in invitation, locks of her hair reveling more of the shell of her ear. Automated, flowing like a river.

It can be that, if you want it to be.

Do I?

It was a pleasant thought, something she could call her own. One thing she did not have to share with anyone else. It was solely for her, crafted by Alric's imagination and given to her for her pleasure, simply because she had wanted him to build it. Granted, this far exceeded her expectations, but it went to show just the depth of Alric's commitment to things that were important to him.

The slits of her eyes would open, a darker smoky shade that would quietly survey the room around them. She had only seen just a portion of it, but it was a work of art as much as a marvel of construction. She was sure there was even more to it than what had been revealed. The Trade Queen would be right, for under her feet, many meters below, were natural hot springs within the underground caverns of the valley. Proper insulation among the foundation would prevent ambient heat from melting the Ice Manor above it, with suitable exit heat chimneys further along in the grounds to vent excess heat. It was made to be a marvel, certainly one that Danger wasn't apt to keep to herself.

So she shook her head once, her smile softening. After a second, her head would turn towards his, breath warm as she stared up at him. "No...Reckon others would appreciate it."

The corner of her smile grew wider.

"Maybe Rose and Lily might want to reminisce over ice castles and spending time with their father."

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

He smiled, his lips pressing against the side of her head as his hands slowly began to fall down her body.

"Maybe." Alric said quietly, barely a whisper really. "Maybe you could invite them."

They had yet to meet Danger, though perhaps there was a reason for that. Rose was traveling deep in the outer rim, still exploring by herself and getting to know who she was, Lily was ever improving, showing that she was more than just a pretty face. She had become formidable, but in the use of the force and in her tactics as a business woman. Had she asked, he would have put her in charge of any division at Vanir technologies in a heartbeat. A sign of trust, though she preferred to create something of her own.

Both of his daughters were simply busy. They were expanding their lives and pushing themselves. He still talked to them, and saw them of course, he was involved however he could be, though with Rose it was a tad more difficult. Yet the idea of meeting Danger had never come up, not that he was at all opposed to it. "Whatever you want."

His warm hands fell onto her exposed legs, his words indulgent. He had done this for her, and that meant that she would get to decide.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]


His hands were warm, mapping a territory that had seen some changes, but held familiarity. Her spine changes against him, yet more curve, more pliancy. A navcheck point of of reference. Guides.

"Maybe." Alric said quietly, barely a whisper really. "Maybe you could invite them."

That made her tense. The idea of asking Lily and Rose and inviting them over. With everything,wouldn't that be awkward? Random? It was an ironic consideration and worry, for the Queen of Trade held no qualms about contacting Government leaders, corporate executives, and Sith Lords without a second thought. Yet when it came to Alric's daughters the thought filled her with trepidation.

In the back of her mind, while she had supported and cared after the twins in the shadows in her own way, they still had no true understanding of what went on and the rhyme or reason. And just how would they explain this? Less than a year with the death of their mother. What manner of opinions made by the twins mattered to her.

The change and subtle stiffening of her back would be noticeable. The reason clearer. She was worried. Her fingers would pause their gentle caress against his jaw, her cheek lightly rubbing against his, the bristles a feathery rasp against her skin.

“I reckon they’d prefer an invitation from you.”

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

He felt her stiffen, the odd strum in her voice. He smiled slightly, perhaps she wasn't quite that far, perhaps she needed more time. His hands stopped their downward motion for a moment, resting on the outside of her thighs as he kissed the side of her head again.

"Then I'll invite them." He said quietly. "When you're ready and the time is right."

Alric wanted Danger to eventually meet them, wanted her to see them and actually get to know them, but he would never force the decision on her, nor would he force it on his daughters. They would be ready when they were ready, but he wanted them all to have options, he wanted them all to get to everything at their own pace.

It was perhaps idealistic, but that had always been his way. "You don't have to worry about anything, Danger."

That was a simple promise, one that Alric always intended to keep.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

It was easier said than done.

Danger bit the fullness of her lower lip, and slowly she began to turn within his embrace, moving to face him. Her hand went sliding down his jaw, tracing the contours of his neck then flowing over to the brawn of his shoulders. Their coats would make a slight swish sound as they would brush, and Danger’s own parting slightly down the front.

Her arms went sliding up to loop lightly around his neck, the tips of her fingers idly delving into the short hair at the nape. TIpping her head back to study his face, [member="Alric Kuhn"] would be able to fully see her expression. Beyond the tell tale signs that relayed her physical state, there lay more in her eyes. In there was uncertainty, worry, and desire. She cared too much for such a step to be taken lightly, and perhaps, deep inside, there was always that fear of rejection.

She gave him a weak smile, and for a moment she felt rather silly. To be at her age, and after all she had accomplished, such a ninny when it came to Lily and Rose. But they were part of Alric’s life, and much like her fear of losing the Tetan, were some of the few chinks in her armor that could bring her down.

A deep exhale came to her, the warm breath condensing into a tiny white cloud in the cold air around them. Her body and mind were sending mixed signals, and things only seemed to be getting more complicated. But was that a valid assessment? Or was that just her own doing?

Frustration grew in her smokey green eyes, and she sank her head forward, resting her forehead against his chest. Her arms went tightening around him, drawing him close, tight. As if she wanted to sink him under her skin. As if she never wanted to let go.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

His hand swept up from her thigh, sliding over her hip, onto the small of her back, and crawling until it reached her neck. His fingers wrapped into place there, his thumb moving in a soothing motion across her skin. He smiled as she buried himself in his chest, her red hair tickling his nose as he took in a deep breath.

"Listen." Alric said quietly. "Both of them are smart, opinionated, maybe a little spoiled."

He could freely admit that, he had spoiled his daughters all their lives. "But in the end, they trust me, they trust me to do whats right for them, and for myself."

For a few moments it appeared he was going off on a tangent, but it was all relevant. Alric's daughters were the most important thing in his life, they were what well and truly mattered to him above everything else. Danger likely knew that, knew that Lily and Rose would almost always come first, yet it was important to remind her that he was here for her too.

"You're whats right." Alric stated simply, kissing the top of her head and squeezing her gently.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

That made her smile.

Closing her eyes, she buried herself deeper against his chest, breathing him in. Under her cheek she felt the thrum of his heart, felt the rise and fall of his chest, heard the faint rumble echo in it as he spoke. He was warm, comfortable like a thick blanket and he made her want to tangle herself against him.

His words would soothe her, flowing over like a calming shower, washing away uncertainties. It was still surreal for her, everything. This. Now. Hearing him say that she is whats right. Feeling the affection and the strength relayed in his arms, his caress. The press of his fingers would relax her, lulling her much like the stroking of a kitten. So her arms came sliding down, over his chest, slipping under the edges of his coat, drifting over his torso. The palms of her fingers pressed his shirt against his ribs, and the slide of her hands would reach around to the small of his back. There, fingers splayed, she’d draw him closer, as if to saturate herself with his heat.

Her face drew up, until she felt the line of his collar bone under her lips. A light press went against it, as did another by his neck. No ardor, simply open affection. Perhaps, more intimate than any passionate embrace they ever shared over two decades ago.

“Okay,” the words were breathed onto his skin, “Maybe after the next batch of reports? “ she meant those from the Noghri.

“Depending on where the girls are at…”

Small steps for a few, but for Danger were telling.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

He nodded.

When everything was ready, when everyone was ready, that was when it could happen. Of course he wasn't sure if Rose would actually show up. Last he heard from her she was somewhere deep in Wild Space. She had made her way from the galactic South all the way near Csilla. She was steering clear of all major faction influences, traveling through uncharted sectors of space. She had even mused out loud on going to the Rishi Maze.

She had also send a return frequency, something that was entirely new. It had been months since she had went away, and as far as he knew Lily had been talking back and forth with her since about the second month, though that was a privilege that had been reserved for Rose's Sister alone. Now it seemed that his daughter was missing him, or finally almost ready to forgive him.

Either way he was more than happy about it, perhaps that had added to his good mood as of late. He kissed Danger's forehead, smiling slightly. "Now, how about we get you into a bath?"

He imagined she was rather cold.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]


"Why?" She didn't hesitate, amusement quick to return with a notable quip.

He would feel the smirk draw over his neck. Truth be told, it was rather cold. Goosebumps had risen along her arms and her spine at the core temperature. While Alric certainly gave out enough heat to be a small furnace, were she to draw away and remove the winter coat, she would be freezing.

She was curious about the amenities. He mentioned they were heated. But what else was there?

Danger began to draw back from his embrace, smiling up at him. "Are you offering to scrub my back?"

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"No." Alric said quietly, a small smirk drawing on his face. "I just need something to ogle."

By the tone of his voice it was difficult to tell whether or not he was entirely serious, though his facial expression had dropped the smirk and his eyes simply looked down at Danger as though he was being completely honest.

That was their way, really. Their conversations could turn on a dime, from heartrendingly serious, to joking around in just a few seconds flat. It was the way of them, quick wit and careful strategies made them both expert conversationalist, and the two of them speaking was akin to a duel of words every time they opened their mouths.

It was one of the things Alric had always loved about speaking with Danger, still did.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

Danger’s palms would run from Alric’s back and drift over his chest, quick to follow suit in the light banter. With his arms supporting her, she went leaning back against them to flash him an amused expression, “What’s good for the gander is good for the goose,” she shot back, letting her own knowing gaze drift over him, a mischievousness in her verdant eyes.

She bit the corner of her lower lip, “Reckon you could put on a little show yourself?” it was a dare as much as a tease. Only that this time, Danger gave a bit of an emphasis. Stepping away from his grasp, she drew her arms away from him. A soft shrug of her shoulders, a slip of her hand for guidance, then the whisper of the winter jacket falling to her feet.