Take Off The Mask

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

She gave him a fleeting glare, then shook her head. Ever the joker. No, she was more apt to spend time with Makai Dashiell, honestly. But the thought about rose working within ATC was meant with genuine concern. Rose would never take the chance though.

Continuing on, she could only nod at his assessment.

"They are," Danger would agree with him, turning to look at him as they came to a stop. She spun in her amble until she was standing in front of him. He should be proud, the girls had come far. Far from the lost path they had been cast to over a year ago. Considering how the twins and Alric had been wretched back then, the guilt that had set with heavy burden on his shoulders, and reeling from the loss of their mother, they certainly were all doing well.

It warmed her heart to see Alric being able to stand confidant as he had before. To be able to look at his girls with a quiet sense of contentment.

"Time tends to fix things. Put things in perspective. It did them good." it had. One would wonder how well things would have gone if Alric had simply gone with his original plan and simply contacted the girls with that initial holocall and left it at that, waiting for them to come to him.

A frown came to her then.

Well, there was no reason to think about what-ifs. They were here in the now.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

He smiled at her, looking down and giving her hip a gentle squeeze.

"Perspective is good." Alric mused. "Come on, they're liable to start yelling at us old folk soon."

Sure enough, Rose called out to the both of them.

"We'reeeeeeeeee waiting!"

Alric rolled his eyes again. If there was one thing that had always been true about the twins it was their lack of patience. Neither of the girls were very big on waiting, Rose especially. The younger twin had always been the one to go and do things, never wait around or just sit on her hand. The quiet game had never stuck with Rose, his daughter preferring to always be out and about. He couldn't blame her really, he'd never much been one for waiting either. "Told you."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]


"And there is no doubt where they get it." Danger would tell him dryly, amused. There was much that Lily and Rose both managed to glean from Alric. It was strange as it was familiar to the redhead. It made her wonder. It made her think back.

His hand would encourage her to move forward, but her thoughts were elsewhere for the present time. They lay upon Rose and Lily, watching them as they continued their small chatter, a little bit of impatience running through them. For a brief moment, it was as if this image would blend with one of the past; of Alric.

Danger never really got to known Silara. She only heard rumors of the woman who had been a Sith Lord. A Force User. There were tweaks and bits of pieces in Lily and Rose that didn't quite match to Alric. Was that because of her? His ex-wife? Danger didn't personally breach the subject on Alric's past the past twenty years; what few questions of details of it were normally instigated by the Tetan.

It made one wonder.

It made her think of the child she lost.

Sobering for a moment, she took a deep breath and set a smile on her face. No, there was no sense in thinking of that right now. Danger would always hold a piece of her heart and soul for Fiona, but the dead were dead. The past was the past.

She was looking to the future.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

She smirked at him, then continued after the twins. He had no introspective thoughts, no ideas in the back of his head about the past. For Alric, this was all about the future. The Future that he and Danger would share together, the future of his daughters, his own future with the three of them. He wanted to live his last days in happiness. Wanted to make sure that they would all come together and enjoy themselves. He wanted his family, the one that he had never really had as a child.

Perhaps that was selfish.

Perhaps he didn't deserve it, but he would work for it.

For all his thoughts of the future, Alric had never forgotten the past, had never stopped remembering or thinking about all that had happened. He recalled the pain that he had caused, the agony he had endured, the hurt and the suffering. He knew what Danger thought about, he remembered the same things. The ink inscribed deep into his neck, beneath the line of his hair was proof of that. Yet the Old Tetan preferred to look towards the future.

To what they could have together.

To what they would have together.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]


The rest of the day would - thankfully - be free of any more botanical gardens from frozen worlds. It wasn't to say that Alric managed to stay clear of a few quips about his health and back. Everything was in good humor, and there was a genuine sense of well being by the end of it.

Alric had made reservations at the local restaurant. It was a three star GUIDE fine dining location that would over look nearby falls, and a beautiful lake. The glasteel of the botanical garden habitats would flicker every now and then under the rays of the sun, with elegant white cranes flying over that pristine water.

Idealistic, really.

The maitredee would gesture with a welcome to please follow him, bringing them towards the second floor where their table lay. Three quarters of the walls were made of that same glasteel, providing excellent views and allowing a wonderful ambiance that all would appreciate. As they all sat, each would be given a fluke of iced glass water, with holographic menus presented to them.

All in all, Danger was ready for this. She had worked up an appetite. Under the table, away from prying eyes, her hand would drift over to come to rest on top of Alric's thigh. There, she would squeeze it with affection.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

They sat around the table, Lily and Rose still chatting more with one another than they did with either Alric or Danger. That was natural really, both girls still enthralled with one another as they had always been. They were fraternal twins, though it was so subtle that most people would simply have said that they were identical. The only thing that was really different about the two of them were the color of their eyes. Lily had iris' resembling those of her mother, while Rose's resembled his own. He watched them for a time until his attention was caught by the gentle squeeze of his leg.

His head turned, looking to Danger. A smile pulled across the Tetan's lips. "Alright guys, what's everyone having?"

Lily and Rose stopped talking almost immediately, twin communication kicking in.

"Nerf Steak."

Lily said, which made Alric raise an eyebrow. She had always been a dainty eater, though with what had been happening lately Alric wasn't too surprised. She was eating more and doing better, though a whole nerf steak had never been her style before.

"The same."

Rose said, and immediately Alric knew what was going on. A competition.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]


Danger caught Alric's perk of query, one brow slightly lifting in curiosity. Something was going on between Lily and Rose, Danger could feel it. She could also see that Alric knew what it was, being their father. Auburn brows would slightly arc, but she none the less appreciated the choice. She was a Nerfsteak and roasted Tetan potatoes herself.

"Reckon that makes three." Alric would know that this was her usual fair, along that she enjoyed having hearty helpings. There was never any doubt that Danger Arceneau enjoyed a fine meal.

"Mine go medium rare. With the roasted rosemary Tetan potatoes and the roasted asparagus." she set down her menu, watching the girls as they would look at each other. Even at their age, one would see that there was still a bit of silliness in them.

"How would you like yours Lily and Rose?"

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Oh.

Lovely.

Were they all in on it?

He doubted that Danger was, he didn't really take her as the type to scarf down food at an accelerated rate just to win some kind of competition. Of course, that didn't mean she wouldn't if it really called for it. He eyed her for a moment, then frowned slightly at the Waitress. Both of the girls stated that they would like their meals exactly the way that Danger would, save Rose switched out her potatoes for french fries and Lily switched out hers for more vegetables.

Figured.

"I'll have a salad." Alric said looking at all three women. "No dressing."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

That caught her attention. Salad? No dressing?

Danger gave the old Tetan a rather confused look. Now there was something definitely going on. It surprised her that the girl's order almost matched hers, but then again, there were few ways to grill a steak to one's specifications.

"Is that all you are going to eat?" as soon as she said that, Danger recalled that they still had the two large pizza ovens back at Alric's apartment. Along with a wealth of ingredients for baking them. He could very well eat in moderation and have more at home.

A brief giggle from the girls caught her attention, panning her eyes back to Lily and Rose. Curious...

At that point, Danger decided to leave it be. Instead she turned to Rose. Perhaps it was time to push the envelope a bit. With a bit of courage granted by how well things were going, Danger asked in inquiry, "Were those starmaps helpful, Rose?"

Back in the Stronghold, Danger had given Rose a copy of all known hyperlanes and tradelanes in the known network of Arceneau Trade, even beyond. Very few ever had that kind of information at hand.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Rose ceased her giggling with Lily, turning her attention to Danger. Alric remembered that meeting, how nervous and awkward it had been for the both of them. Oddly enough it was a fond memory for him, after all it had been the first time he'd seen his daughters in months, the first time he had heard her speak in person and the first time he had actually seen her happy in a long time. For him, it was a good memory, one that marked Rose's near return to the rest of the galaxy.

"Yes."

She stated simply before continuing.

"We managed to explore a greater part of the quadrant because of them, and eventually found some of the smaller hyperspace routes through systems we'd been told we couldn't get through. I even manage to get through a nebula with them."

That was a feat in it of itself, considering just how dangerous nebulas actually were to fly through. Rose earned a look of disapproval from Alric for that, though his daughter hardly seemed to notice it, far too enthralled with the recanting of her story. Lily looked like she had already heard all of this before, though there was still a small amount of delight in her features. Clearly, the eldest twin enjoyed having her sister back at her side.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]



Unlike with Alric where it would draw his disapproval, in Danger it only brought a measure of delight. Oh you could see it too, her smile broadening and even just a measure of approval in that. Perhaps it was due to Danger’s rather independent nature. She would respect more knowing that one went out to experience the ‘Verse themselves and being able to accomplish something out of it.

“I’m glad to hear that.” she’d beam, curling her fingers around her glass of iced water to take a sip. After a moment, she continued, “What would you reckon was your favorite stop?”

That would be interesting to hear. Danger was sure that Rose was full of stories to tell, but she also didn’t want to end up prying too much. Perhaps with that question, Rose would simply divulge information on her journey herself. It wasn’t as if she didn’t watch the holorecordings Rose sent to Alric, they often did together. But it was a vastly different experience hearing it in person.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Rose had talked on and on about her trip on the first day, never letting up for even a moment. It was of course natural, and in truth Alric hadn't minded it in the least. Rose had been excited to tell of what she did, and as Danger asked her the question Alric could quickly see that excitement return. A smile pulled at his lips, and the old man leaned back in silence as his daughter began to recount the tale of where she had been and what she had done in the galaxy.

"There was this planet, somewhere in the outer rim."

Oh, this place.

"I don't know it's name, no one does actually. It was hidden behind a small nebula. Anyway, when I got there I thought the entire planet was deserted. I didn't find any trace of anyone, though I did see an old Imperial Base that had been mostly overgrown by foliage. Eventually though, when I was making camp at night, there were these...bear...things that came up to me. Friendly as could be and...well it was like they didn't even know what I was."

She smiled slightly.

The phenomenon was fairly common in the galaxy, creatures not quite knowing what Humans or other sentients were, though this was different.

"They were friendly. I don't think anything else lived on the planet besides these little guys, and all they ate was plants."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

“One will meet all kinds of curious critters out in the black.” the soft drawl would float across the trio as Danger said behind her glass.

“Best part of it is that it is near endless. More worlds and stars out in the ‘Verse that have yet to see a single step from an outworlder. That isn’t even including the Firefist or Esk Companion galaxies.” And those held worlds of absolute wonder. One navigator by the name of Chloe Blake regularly brought in information on the hyperlanes she’d mapped. Often times she came to barter technology or interesting tidbits she’d collected. A few energy crystals had been part of the deal some years back.

“Did just about the same when I was flyin’ on my own.” she’d explain, her face softening in nostalgia. That had been some fun times for her. The adventure. The thrill of it all. Now a days she had responsibilities. There was no time to do such things.
“Granted, ain’t nothin’ like home for me in the end.” That being Tatooine. Alric might despise the very air, the sand, the arid heat, but that was where she’d been born and raised.

For her, there was nothing like it.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Rose nodded.

She had considered heading towards the other galaxies, even going so far as the make her way to Rishi once, but in the end she had decided against it. The outer rim had been enough of a place to explore with dozens, no millions of worlds still undiscovered or forgotten. There was no need to branch out into that other vastness, no need to reach beyond herself and get completely and entirely lost. At least in this galaxy she was still capable of contacting people, the Rishi Maze didn't even have a holo-net.

"I think I might want to do it more."

Rose admitted.

"Exploring."

Alric leaned forward at that. He was surprised that Rose would bring it up, especially since she had been so closed off about it previously. He watched her, though with an intense subtlety so she wouldn't notice. Lily did the same, though there was a smile on her face. Perhaps the elder twin had been encouraing her sister to speak more openly.

That would be good.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]
“Could take a lifetime for that one,” Danger would muse softly, no more than encouragement for Rose to continue if she so wished it. And that was exactly what that course of action would do; exploring would be an endless journey. There was always something more to do. A new place to discover. People to see. There was risk and reward to it.

Certainly a lot of ‘firsts’. But also the likelyhood of ‘lasts’.

It could be a rather lonely existence if done by oneself. Granted, it was doubtful Danger would pull the Norghri assigned to keep Rose safe. From the updates, nothing had occurred that they both couldn’t handle. Seems Rose took to him after all while. However, she assumed it was her father who sent him instead.

Danger was okay with that.
That was about the time their waiter came to take their orders. With the four ready, they each made their selection.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"You wouldn't have to do it alone, if you didn't want to, honey." Alric stepped in, deciding that it was a good time to offer his weight to the conversation. He would never dream of directing Rose's or Lily's life, would never tell them what to do, but he could make offers. That was what a father...a parent was supposed to do, provide options. It just so happened that Alric owned one of the largest companies in the entire galaxy, he could provide more options that most.

"You can work for Vanir." He looked over at Danger for a moment, his hand gently clasping at her own. "Or for Danger."

Some might have thought that presumptuous, but Alric doubted that Danger would mind, especially since she herself had earlier mentioned it. "Both of our companies have exploration divisions. Scouts that mark out new locations in the outer rim, expansion region, all over. They usually work in teams of two or more."

That way Rose wouldn't have to be alone.

His daughter looked between the two adults, smiling, though clearly not sure about what she should say. The idea appealed to her, working for either of them or both, though she wasn't quite sure about the decision just yet.

"I think I need to Think about it."

She finally offered with a smile.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

That was all that needed to be said. Nothing more than that. Rose would have to come up with her own decision, weigh the pros and cons, and determine if this was really what she wanted. All Danger and Alric could do was support, much like they each had in their own way the past few years.

Danger may have been a ghostly guardian of sorts, but she did care for the girls. She wished them the very best. When Alric’s hand would tighten upon her own, she also gave it a comforting squeeze. Green eyes would catch his, and she gave him a soft smile.

All in all, this had been a good day.

Fresh baked dinner rolls and sweet butter would be set upon the table. Something to enjoy while they waited on their main course. Turning to Lily, Danger would ask a follow up.

“I hear you are more involved with Vanir Technologies as of late?”

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"A little."

Lily said, speaking a bit more sheepishly. The truth was the work wasn't anything major, at least no in her eyes. She was splitting her time a bit between managing Koros and Managing one of the smaller departments of Vanir Technologies. It was a decision that she had made when she realized that growing Koros beyond Empress Teta was...decidedly dangerous. She hadn't wanted to directly help the One Sith, and being located directly within the heart of their Empire pretty much made that impossible.

So Koros would stay small, and she would help her fathers corporation.

"Just running one of the Research and Development divisions. Mostly looking into the building of new type of starships."

He made a wooshing motion with her hand as she said starship, a rather childish gesture but one that endeared her to Alric all the more. The old man smiled, but said nothing else, simply offering her a nod in agreement and support.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

Sometimes, Alric could be like a little kid.

It became all the more apparent when he was with the girls. It was strange. Surreal. This was a side of Alric she had never been privy to. Never seen in person. This was the man he had grown into those two decades apart. What marriage and children had forged him to be.

Danger simply observed them as they talked and interacted. She took in every detail, taking snapshots of memories. It made her wonder, why Silara could have left them. Why she would have abandoned this?

The redhead kept those dark thoughts to herself, and instead a smile would frost her lips. "What type of starship?"

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Lily smiled.

"Civilian ships."

One could tell that the eldest twin wasn't really interested in Military aspects, at least not anymore. It wasn't too odd really, her mother had been heavily involved with the One Sith, her father had been heavily involved with them, and at one point even her sister had been among them. Lily didn't want to be known for working with their Empire, and she certainly didn't want to be known for spreading war. Koros and Vanir Technologies were something different, an opportunity to let her spread out more.

"Mostly freighters, but I want to create more luxury vessels. There's a lot of star yachts out there, but I want to create an entire line of luxury liners. Larger ships that can travel the galaxy and dock at planets, mobile amusement parks and things like that."

In other words, things that would innocently make quite a bit of money.

It was a smart idea, and one that would pan out, though it would take some time to actually work, especially given the rather hostile climate that was currently in the galaxy. Everyone was at everyone else's throat, and building ships like that meant diverting resources away from more lucrative markets.

Alric encouraged it anyway, of course, knowing that eventually they would get built.