Take Off The Mask

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

The Tetan would coax the Queen of Trade from her slumber. The warmth of his lips along with the whisper-soft murmuring prompted the woman's brows to scrunch forward. Danger took a deep breath, shoulders hunching as she curled closer to the tiny warm body of the youngling she cradled.

Alric had the tendency of being the one to wake up first, with Danger joining him about half an hour later. As the years passed, this meant that Danger lingered a little bit longer in bed. Usually, the Tetan didn't mind it. Today, however, Danger and Myra would need to push past that.

A soft murmur of hello passed between Danger and Alric. Myra was close behind, shifting from the little ball she made to twist in Danger's arms. A sleepy grey eye went peeking up at Alric.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Alric shifted slightly and moved back, giving Danger room to stretch and actually get up off of the acceleration couch.

Etti was a nice enough world, and while they briefly stayed there they would able to find a good place to stay. Of course the chief concern was to get Myra situated and then checked out, something that in it of itself would require quite a bit of coaxing. He wondered just how they would manage it.

”Come on guys.” Alric said quietly. ”We have fifteen minutes before we drop out of hyperspace and we need something to eat before we land.”

They could probably eat after they landed, but hey that was neither here nor there.

”I can always just eat breakfast alone...by myself.” Myra’s eyes snapped open at that and she jumped off the couch, wriggling free of Danger’s arms and running...well he had no idea where she was running to.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

A snort would follow Myra's sudden departure, along with a sigh at the lack of warmth that tiny body had given Danger. Children were like little heaters, able to put out so much heat.

A frown crossed her brow, "Is it cold?" the sleepy inquiry came along with a small yawn. Wiggling under the blanket, Danger slowly rose herself up into a sitting position.

"Just go and use the sonic toothbrush, Myra." Danger called out, reminding the little girl. With a half smile, the redhead panned her head over to the Elder Tetan.

"You, eat by yourself?" another snort came, the curvaceous matron rising to her feet in a swath of clothes and a warm blanket.

"I don't believe it." she told him, mirth dancing in her emerald eyes.

"You'll feel guilty." a kiss was pressed against his cheek.

"How you feelin?"

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

That was probably true, though Myra obviously didn’t know that. ”I’m alright.”

He had spent the entire time sitting with his knee lazily stretched out beneath the desk, that alone helped it rest more than you might think.

Shifting slightly the Tetan squeezed Danger’s hand before drawing away. There was still quite a bit to do before they landed, though danger had already arranged the hotel and for a ship to arrive so they could take up the next leg of their journey. The important thing now of course was to shift their attention to the most important thing; Myra.

They would have to find a doctor, a good one.

It wouldn’t be all that hard given the clout that Alric and Danger’s name carried in most sections of the galaxy, but Alric would want to scrutinize each and every detail of anyone that they hired. He was sure Danger would want to do the same.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

Danger gave a squeeze to Alric's hand. She knew where his mind had drifted to by the slight furrowing of his brows and the tensing of his jaw.

"We'll figure it out." she attempted to be the one to encourage the elder Tetan. Whatever was the cause of Myra's sudden collapse, whatever it may be, they would get to the bottom of it.

"I sent word to Doctor Olov." he was a highly recommended pediatrician by their doctor.

"He has been highly recommended," she told him, moving away from the couch.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Of course she'd already taken care of it.

Truthfully he already should have guessed as much, if only because Danger had a habit of taking everything to her own hand rather than letting anyone else do it. That simple fact was the reason why it had been so difficult to convince her to move to The Farm in the first place, because she would be away from making decisions, at least for the most part. He shifted his weight for a moment, bracing himself on the side of the couch as the ship dropped out of hyperspace.

His stomach lurched for half a second.

Even after all of these years he wasn't quite used to the transition to real space, it was one of the reasons he wasn't a pilot. Alric far preferred to have his feet on the ground somewhere, to spend time outdoors. He shook slightly and then yawned, somewhat tired after a few hours of staring at the computer. "It'll go well."

He said confidently.

They had no reason to suspect that something was wrong with Myra, not really at least, and he chose to believe that.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

Danger offered him a small smile.

"Go on, I'm sure Myra will come on over in a bit. Take her to get some food." another squeeze of his arm and Danger made her way over towards the refresher. All she needed was some freshining up. They'd be able to find a little bit more comfort once they were planet side at their suite.

For the present time, the Queen of Trade would leave her husband, smile broadening as the youngling came bursting out from the refresher with a Mister Tuggles in tow.

"Don't go so fast," Danger warned, moving to push back a bit of Myra's long hair away from her face.

A nod was her reply, but Myra proceeded to skip over to Alric. With a sigh, but the less a half grin, Danger made her way into the refresher to clean up.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"Okay, I'll message you with where we decide to go." Alric said with a small smile.

Before Danger could get too far he gently grabbed her hand, pulling her towards him and sliding his arms around her. His lips pressed against her own, lingering there until Myra began to make a face as though she were grossed out and quickly turned away from her parents. Finally the Tetan pulled away from his wife, turning her around and giving her a light pat on the behind as he sent her on the way to the refresher.

"Just a quick reminder." He said with a smile. "Come on, Myra."

Alric took Myra's hand, spinning the girl on her feet for a moment before leading her off the ship.

There were dozens of restaurants near them, probably hundreds actually, the starport was chock-full of tourist shops and all sorts of colorful things. Myra of course wanted to interact and play with all of it, but Alric reminded her that both of them were quite hungry. Eventually they wound their way down one of the less busy avenues outside of the Terminal, heading towards where the best smells were coming from.

That was always the best way to find food.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

That lingering kiss left Danger a little dazed but smiling none the less. It was a promise as much as a show of affection. One that Danger truly appreciated. Alric had done all he can and more to relay to Danger that he loved her and admired her. That she was not to be forgotten or misplaced. That she was a crucial part of his life.

After nearly a lifetime of second-guessing herself and wondering if she would always be second place, it was nice to be dotted upon so much. It didn't matter if it was a grand show or something as small as holding her hand, Alric was in love with her. In that, Danger could trust in.



Indeed, there were a plethora of choices to dine in. Danger joined the pair as they stood in front of a restaurant that reminded Danger a little bit of Ralltiir. There was an open area to eat, with vines growing up the white trellesis that surrounded the open area. It would all face the open air of the city, polished glass allowing a unencumberd view.

"Let's get ourselves a table, hmm?" Danger encouraged them both, gently nudging Myra forward.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Alroc being Alric didn't wait for anybody to seat him. He wasn't being rude, at least not in his own mind anyway, he just wanted to gget things done as quickly as possible without anyone interefering. Oddly enough, that appare tly received no complaints as the hostess simply met them at the table he had selected.

Easy really.

The young woman began to speak to them as Alric helped Myra into her seat, flowing around the table a moment later to pull out Dangers chair for her.

The words of the hostess were lost on him as he watched his wife slowly seat herself at the table. It was anything she did in particular, it wasnt how she shifted her hair or straightened her back, it wasnt how she looked up at him and smiled, it wasnt any of that. Perhaps it was simply her presence within his life that made him realize just how glad he was to have her.

He smiled, a simple, if not a bit goofy smile.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"What are you smiling about Mistah Kuhn?" Danger would ask after ordering their drinks. Myra was sitting in her seat, slightly kicking her legs. She was in lighter spirits than the day prior, almost no sign of stress from her collapse. It didn't completely wipe away her worries, but at the very least it was nice to see her a bit more chipper.

"I don't know about you two, but I reckon I'm feelin' a Nuna and eggs omelet." she began, looking at the holo menu for what else she may like.

"Although Nerf steak and eggs do sound rather appetizin'." it was almost a scene straight out of a family holo film, how they were all gathered together eating breakfast.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"Nothing, my love." Alric said as he gently ran his fingers down her neck, shifting behind her so that he could take the seat beside her. There weren't a lot of options at the diner, though one couldn't really blame them for that. Eggs, Nuna, Nerf, and some other pleasantries that one might expect.

This wasn't a fancy place, but that was okay.

"I think I'll just have something simple." He said with a glance towards Myra. "Maybe some Bacon, and whole wheat toast."

He was trying to eat a bit more healthy after all. Age was creeping up on him, and the longer that he could bat it away the better it would be. Not to mention the fact that most of his appetite seemed to linger more on dinner, Perhaps because he hadn't gotten a good steak in a while. His hand slipped form the table and onto Danger's leg, lingering just above her knee as his fingers gently pressed there to tickle her.

His face remained completely passive.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

Danger's knee gave a little twitch at the tickle. Her green eyes slid over to look at him, giving him a secret smirk in turn.

"Bacon sounds good." turning to Myra, Danger inquired what the youngling would like.

"See anything you like, honey?" teaching her how to read was an ongoing process. They were not able to get a tutor for her so early because Myra was still a bit hesitant with strangers and crowds. However, the menu did have holo pictures for the little girl to point at. Right now, she was pointing to a large Tetan waffle.

"A waffle?" a nod in response. "With Muja berries?" Myra gave an eager nod at that.

"Alright! Then we know what we all want." Setting down the holomenu, Danger smiled at the waitress and completed their order. All the while, Danger's hand came down to slide over Alric's, her fingers searching to hold and interlock against his own.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

His hand laced around her own, fingers gently running over the inside of her thigh. ”That sounds tasty.”

Alric commented about Myra’s choice.

He considered for a moment when they would teach Myra to read. The twins had begun to learn a little earlier than her, reading small childrens books and studying with their own private tutors. Both Lily and Rose had taken to the skill early on, and both of them had eventually insisted on attending School as well.

He doubted Myra would do the same, mainly due to her social aversions. It was fine of course, though they would have to make sure she got her education somehow...perhaps a holo-terminal.

”Maybe we should have you order. Myra paled slightly, then realized that Alric was only kidding, giving him a shy smile.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

A slight rap was given to Alric's shoulder at the small joke.

"Don't pay him any mind, Myra. He's being a fuddyduddy." that prompted a wider smile from the youngling. Although it was rather distracting to recite the waitress their order with the way Alric would dance his fingers up and down her skin.

"Well, reckon that we have all we need. Strong black Starcaf for me. Juice for the little one." A glance of green eyes met Alric.

"What would you like to drink?"

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

”Just water for me.” Alric attempted to stick with the idea of at least trying to eat healthy. Tea and water were generally his two options when it came to drinks while eating out, and surprisingly he mostly stuck to them.

Alcohol had...well the allergy had never helped with that but in his youth he’d been foolish enough to try.

Not anymore though.

He smiled slightly, and then took a peek out the window of the small diner. The streets were becoming more and more crowded, people going on their lunch breaks or trying to head to somewhere else within the city, he watched them all for a moment, wondering briefly what it would be like to simply be...normal.

It wasn’t something that he had ever experienced, though in truth, a little bit of curiosity had always stuck with him. As he became lost in thought his fingers wandered across Danger’s skin, twirling tiny circles.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

Danger gave a slight sharp intake of her breath. The flat tip of her tongue ran across her upper teeth, and she swallowed. Shoulders rose and fell with the breath, and the Queen of Trade turned to the youngling.

"You feelin' better today Myra?" talking to the little girl and determine how she felt was one of Danger's priorities. Although Alric was making it difficult to concentrate. The slight dance of fingers tracing concentric circles was an increasingly maddingly act. A spare look was shot at the elder Tetan, who was blissfully enjoying the scenery. That made her smile. He rarely realized what he was doing, or he did and was trying to play innocent.

The youngling gave a nod, although the slight blanching of her skin gave Danger pause. Definitely, will have to go to the doctor after this, she mused.

"Alright, well just to make sure we are gonna go visit the doctor okay?" the little girl's fingers froze as she played with the fork. She was still a little bit shy and hesitant around people; while she knew Danger's and Alric's primary doctor, meeting others still put her a little bit on edge.

"Just gonna check over and see how you are doing. You got a little bump on your knee didn't you when you fell? " a shy nod in confirmation.

"See, just gonna make sure you get all better."

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

The motion slowly continued, Alric still half fading in a dream when he heard mention of a doctor.

His gaze slowly shifted back to reality, though his finger didn’t stop. The motion was unconscious by now, the smile on his face denoting that he was simply happy with the situation more than concentrating on anything else.

”I’m getting checked out too.” Alric said with a smile.

He had told Danger that there wasn’t anything the doctors could do for his knee, and it had been true, but he knew that Myra would find it far easier to see a doctor if her father also went to see one. Kids generally had less issue doing something if they saw their parents doing it as well, it made it easier to accept.

After a few more seconds the waitress finally came with their food.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

That seemed to relieve Myra, the tension fading away from the little girl's shoulders. One could see that being around others still made her a bit nervous. Even here at the restaurant, the only reason she wasn't too worried was due to the presence of Alric and Danger. If she had to come in by herself or if there were more patrons, the sliver of anxiety would have increased until it developed into a full blown panic attack.

A nod and a half smile from the youngling meant that she was okay with that. Myra enjoyed spending time with Alric. They had bonded fairly quickly, and the little girl took to the Tetan like parched earth to rain. Alric was a wonderful father, and every day Danger was able to see a little bit of what Lily and Rose likely had experienced for themselves. How strange, she'd mull, reaching out to capture Alric's hand with her own. He was making her dizzy with the way his fingers had sailed over her, and any more she'd likely become too distracted to pay attention.

"We can also have Mister Tuggles be taken in for a check up as well." Danger suggested. The Tuggle also required his annual check ups and preventative vaccinations. With as many worlds as they traveled to, making sure he was up to date was important with his health.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

His hand stopped, as if he had only just noticed it.

"He does need to see a doctor." Alric said with a nod. "I don't think we've taken him in a while."

They had only gotten the Tuggle a few weeks before Myra had come along, and the vet just hadn't been at the top of the list. Danger was right though, the furry little guy wasn't exactly built for every single planet, and if they could get him some vaccinations and maybe have his fur trimmed a little he'd be better off. He shifted slightly in his chair, gently squeezing Danger's hand and refocusing himself on the matter at hand, trying not to drift off again.

"I'm sure there's a vet somewhere here." There was bound to be one or two around on a planet like this.

"You can hold his paw while he goes." Alric said with a smile. "Make sure he's okay."