Take Off The Mask

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Alric smiled slightly, though it was subdued. The shipyards weren't exactly a place for a little girl to visit, though when they were finished it would be quite the thing to see. The scale of them would be massive, simply one of the build ports would be larger then the entire station they were sitting on. It was insane to think about, but it was true, Alric had seen the plans for the place. He pondered for a moment, pressing his knuckled against the side of the table to illicit a small crack.

"Maybe we'll go before it opens." Alric said quietly.

They didn't want to go when it was opening, nor did he really want to venture there while it was under construction. A place like that was dangerous when it was being built, and once it was open...well there wouldn't be a moment when there wasn't a massive crowd rolling around it, and that wouldn't be good for Myra.

He frowned for a moment.

Eventually they would have to find a way to help her with that, though he supposed that could still wait for a little while.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

“Maybe.” Danger agreed, only to catch the slight frown that would grace the old Tetan’s visage. She took another sip of the bitter brew, swallowing before asking.

“What is it?” her green eyes searched his expression. This long into the relationship, after everything, there were bits and pieces that she could pick up from Alric. Knowing if there was something in his mind was one of them. It was rare for him to be able to hide things from her. Which was why she had been so sensitive to the distance he seemed to express over that month that he was planning the creation of her engagement ring.

Myra was done with her pancake now. In her hand, she slowly drank from the glass of blue milk. As if sensing that perhaps she would be on the move, Mister Tuggles big, fluffy white tail began to wag. Thump, thump, thump. It would beat against the floor, his wide head and those large black eyes lifting to glance up at her. His wet black nose twitched, whiskers wiggling.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

He watched Myra for a moment, now saying anything. That would be enough of a signal to Danger that she would understand, and not noticeable enough by Myra that the little girl felt like she was being talked about.

Sometimes it helped to know your spouse well enough that you didn't even need to speak, made communication easier. "Nothing."

It wasn't nothing, but Danger would know that. Alric had always striven to provide the best for this daughters, and that included Myra. He had never particularly cared what they ended up doing or even how they got there, all he wanted for them was to be good, whole, and proud of themselves. Perhaps that was odd, but given his own history and the smatterings of unpleasantness that had occurred in it perhaps he was simply aware that not every journey would be on a golden rode.

It was the destination that mattered.

Alric gave Danger another tiny squeeze of the leg, Myra looking up at her new parents for a moment before slowly slipping form her chair without another...word.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

--

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

Ah.

Both brows rose and the small incline of her head stated her understanding of the situation. Her free hand gave his a small squeeze over it.

“We’ll take our time.” she murmured low, Mister Tuggles rising up to follow the youngling. A small twist at the corner of her lips would flash as she saw the two wander to deposit her plate into the sonic washer.

“Thank you Myra.” Danger would praise the little girl, hearing the click, click, click of the Tuggle’s black nails click against the wooden floor.

“Go take a shower,” she’d tell her, “We’ll clean up and walk a ways for a little bit, okay.” The tiny brunette gave a small silent nod. Both Alric and she wondered how long Myra would hold her tongue. It wasn’t a physical impairment as much as something psychological. Such things would just take time.

Turning back to Alric, Danger offered a smile. Her chest rose and fell as she gave a small exhale. She was tired, but it was a good tired. The previous night’s enjoyment made it so.

“So, Mistah Kuhn,” she began, leaning over to press a kiss against his shoulder. “What are your other plans for the day?”

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"Plans?" Alric parroted for a moment, smiling slightly as he leaned back in his chair. A hand came up to scratch at his chin considerably his fingers scratching through his beard as though it were something that he really needed to ponder. The old man made quite a show of it, relaxing himself against the back of the ornate chair as though every part of his brain was at work. Eventually he got a look of half wonder on his face, snapping his fingers as though he'd finally cracked an eon old problem.

"I think I know." His hand slipped around Danger's waist, then slowly lowered. "Though It'll have to wait until later."

His fingers gently pressed for a moment. "For now, I think I'll just relax, and maybe take my daughter and wife to the park."

Alric cast his gaze up towards Danger, smiling knowingly.

He doubted that the day would be all that adventurous, but Mr. Tuggles would need to be walked and they were trying to introduce Myra to more crowded places. Perhaps they could take a trip to the shopping center, let the little girl pick out her meal for the night. That would be treat enough to coax her into a crowded place, or so Alric thought.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

Her fingers dug into his thigh, her chest rising at the slight hitch of her breath. There were no words to be said. He was making full use of his advantage. Not that she minded. With how thin that silk robe was, it was clear she didn't mind at all.

"That might be nice. Once we freshen up." Myra would take a shower, leaving her and the Tetan the time to clean up as well. Setting her cup of caf down, Danger flashed him a knowing smile. A slight shift allowed for a brief flex of her hips. What was it about him that made her blood rush? He had done so ever since that day he had walked into her VIP suite and pushed her buttons until she forgot herself.

What would have happened had that encounter never happened? That was a curious thought. Where would she be? Rising for a moment, she moved in a shift of vine-silk and warm skin. The caress of his hand charted the ample flesh, following her as she came down to wedge herself in between his legs. The edge of the table lightly pressed along the curve of her bottom, but it didn't impede the freedom of his sailing hands.

Her arms came to rest and loop around his shoulders. Coming down, she set a small kiss along the corner of his lips. "I reckon I'd like that." she said in a soft murmur. Crazy, to hear him say wife and daughter. Danger never thought those labels would apply to her.

It felt good.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

His fingers did not let up their assault, if anything they pressed slightly harder. "We'll see if you have the time."

Alric said the words with a devious smile, quickly talking again before Danger could say anything.

"The park will be good." The Tetan began. "I think you were right though, earlier. The Shipyards. It will be dangerous for a few more weeks, but I think we should take Myra just before they open. The crowds won't be as big, and it'll be a sight to see. I want to show her just how much can be accomplished, what she could do. The Shipyards will be...well you've seen the plans, that thing will be half the size of a planet and entirely devoted to building fleets."

He wanted Myra to have experiences like that.

There were other things in the galaxy of that size, but none of them were built as recently as the Vanir Shipyards. There were the Driveyards of Kuat, of Fondor, but all of them had been built thousands of years ago. This? This wasn't just practical, it was also a display of power, a show that the old days of greatness were not quite yet done, that there was still something to strive for, something to build and something to create.

Alric like that thought.

He liked that thought for all of his children.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

Danger bit her lower lip. There was a slight twitch there, a half roll of her hips. "We'll make time." she said in a husky voice. It had fallen an octave, breathy to the elder Tetan's ears. The slight hum of a shower running would be heard in the distance. Myra had gone to take her shower. Likely Mister Tuggles was sitting by the refresher, curled up and waiting for the youngling to come back out. The click, click of his nails would be the very convenient forewarning of their approach. For now, they were alone.

"So another private tour?" Her eyes half sank, and her right thigh gave a slight rock. "It would likely take more than a week to really go through it all..." Something that big couldn't be traversed in a day. In essence, it would be a self-sustaining miniature city for the workers who would man the shipyard.

"...I'm sure she'll enjoy it." he would feel the slight undulation, the catch of breath. " Maybe take her on one of the ships?'

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"I don't think we will." Alric said as his finger worked deftly, slowly beginning to retreat and pull up towards her hip. "It is my week after all."

The Tetan said with a smug self satisfied smirk, holding it for just a moment before slowly pressing the pads of his fingers into her skin. Danger lingered for a moment, then caught the meaning of his motion. Slowly she turned around in his grasp. Her arms went falling away from his shoulders, her hair half swished in his face, but eventually she found her place facing away from him. "I don't know if there will be ships there."

Alric said truthfully.

"I doubt they'll do much construction until they open." Alric continued, his voice surprisingly even.. "I'll call and ask, truthfully I don't even know how far along the place is. They've been keeping it out of the news."

For obvious reasons really, one didn't exactly want to advertise projects such as these, not when there was so much at risk.

"I'll find out later." The words came as he pulled Danger into his lap.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

Alric sat alone on the balcony, letting out a sad sigh about how alone he was right now.

Sigh. He thought. I'm so alone at this very moment.

And He was.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"Well that's a big sigh," Danger's amused chuckle floated behind the Tetan, as the full hipped Queen of Trade crossed a slow trek over to him. She wore a robe; the belt tied loosely at her waist. Her hair was left down in soft waves, the streaks of white decorating the swath of dark red.

"What are you doin' out here all by your lonesome?" she inquired, glancing up at the dark studded sky. Sunset was blending into dusk, painting the sky into deep indigo, russet, and navy hues.

Green eyes studied him as the Tetan leaned his torso against the railing, the shift of weight turning him over to watch her head over to him.

"Watching the sun set?" she queried, a small twist of her lips at the corners.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"Nothing." He answered truthfully. There hadn't really been a reason for him to come out here, though the calm air and the warmth of the setting sun were an enticing enough reason he supposed. At the end of the valley the massive orange orb was just beginning to lower itself beneath the horizon, a cool wind pressing through the canyon. He watched for a moment more, taking in the sight and marking that it would become more and more common as they settled into their new home.

"Just sitting, I think." Alric said quietly. "Thinking about the day."

Nel and he and come to a decision today, one that wouldn't change anything really, but one that seemed important. Danger had been there of course, and Myra had been told...though he doubted the little girl really understood or cared. She was happy to live in their little castle, practically glowing in fact. She was pretty much living every little girls dream about this point, especially considering everything that there was to do within the valley.

"It was a good one." He mused finally.

Complicated, but good.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"It was." Danger agreed, coming up behind him to slip her arms around his waist. Leaning her body against him, she rested her cheek against his shoulder, peering out into the sinking sunset.

"How is Nell doing?" She inquired, knowing that the Liran still had some concerns and queries. More aptly, on what she will be doing now within Vanir. Danger suspected perhaps return back to Research and Development, as that was her primary passion.

A soft gust of wind blew across the valley, lifting the strands of auburn hair and tickling Danger's cheek. Enjoying the moment, Danger swiveled her head and gave his shoulder a soft kiss.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"Fine, I think." He said with a slight yawn. "She's looking forward to a return to normal."

Head of development would fit her just fine once again. "She'll head up the creation of new ships and the like, probably work with Rigor about designing some new droids too."

That was only natural really, though he doubted that Vanir would be headed towards dealing more in robotics then it did now. Droids were already pretty common throughout the galaxy, with everyone and their mother having had their hand in it. He just knew that Rigor would likely want to expand his way in which he dealt with the galaxy. That was why he made the assumption in the first place. The truth was though, none of it really mattered.

A shrug rolled over his shoulders to that effect.

"I don't suppose it matters." His hand reached out to gently caress her. "We'll just be here, happy."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]


A grimace pulled across her features, and as the saber came to strike, the woman shoved her hand out.

Danger gave a small soothing sigh at the graze of his fingers against her. She snuggled a bit closer, resting her cheek once more upon his shoulder.

"Mmm..." a thought came to mind at the mention of Rigor. "Just what will you do with Rigor?" she asked, curious. How Six worked was very specific. What was Alric's plan?

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

He shrugged.

"Nothing." Alric didn't have any plans regarding the droid, certainly none about controlling him. "I'm going to tell him to do two things. Grow the company, and do it morally."

The droid had no real concept of morals, at least none of his own, but from experience both he and Kiran had learned that Rigor could follow the basic direction. He wouldn't do experiments on humans, he would cut apart animals, and he wouldn't do anything that would be considered unethical. That was really all that was needed, and the rest...well the rest Rigor could figure out on his own.

"He's smart. Not an AI, but fully capable of making his own decisions and growing Vanir. With Nel there to advise him he'll do just fine. Best of all, they won't need me." A shrug rolled over his shoulder once again. That was the point after all.

To not be needed. "The only thing I want, is to be with you and Myra."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"It ain't the same as havin' your own double doing the work." Danger countered. Truthfully, she wasn't too taken with the idea of Rigor doing the work. However, this was Alric's choice, and it was his company. For Danger, it had made sense to have Six created. It allowed her the freedom of movement and promoted that she could be in two places at the same time. Not to mention the time off.

All the while, the Human Replica Droid would act in the same way that Danger would, with a bit more of a methodical edge. Experiences were downloaded as well as uploaded, and Danger always was kept in the know. By and large, Six was merely an extension of herself.

"I know," Danger managed, lifting her head to stare up at the Tetan once more. With the sunset painting his angular visage in waning crimson light, he appeared rather dashing. Beard nicely trimmed, eyes still a bright blue akin to the oceans of Dac.

Her embrace tightened, and she held him close to her.

"Myra seems to enjoy the prospect of livin' planetside."

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

He decided to drop the subject of Vanir Technologies, not because he didn't think Danger didn't have a point, but because he simply...didn't care all that much about the company anymore. As far as he was concerned it could run itself, and that was enough for him. He wanted to focus on Danger, he wanted to Focus on Myra, and he wanted to focus on himself.

Force knew he'd never done that before.

"Oh I'm sure she does." Alric said as he pulled Danger a little closer. "I do too."

It was the truth. He was old, and the sun, the real sun seemed to give him a little dash of vigor every morning. There was something about being here that made him feel alive, like he was twenty years younger. He smiled slightly and nuzzled against her neck for a moment. "We should learn something new."

He said quietly.

"Every month." His fingers trailed over her skin. "Make it our goal to learn a new skill."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"Every month?" Danger would enunciate with a mild chuckle, shoulders shaking in her mirth. A sigh fell after at the soothing trace of his fingers, lulled for a moment by Alric's touch.

"A new skill?" the right corner of her mouth gave a small twitch. Now he was feeling rather energetic. Acting much like a child with a plan in motion. One he wanted to share with Danger and Myra.

"Like what?" she asked him, swaying with him lightly as they sidestepped a bit, feet moving as if dancing to a melody only heard by them both.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"I didn't say we had to master it inside of a month." Alric said with a smile. "Just learn it."

It was still quite a bit of a challenge, though it could be made easier depending on what they chose to do. Of course, the Farm already gave them quite a few options of what to actually do with their time. The space was so massive that they could pretty much take up any hobby without issue. Plus, the idea just tickled him all around anyway. The idea of watching Danger learn how to waterski, or seeing her try to tame a heard of Reeks...well it was all very amusing.

"We could learn all sorts of things. We have enough space, we could learn how to paint, garden, tame Reeks." He brought the last up with an amused smile.

They really did have all the options in the world.