Take Off The Mask

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

He was right, and with a chuckle and a soft sigh, Danger snuggled into his embrace. They needed each other. At their age, they needed some time alone. Myra had certainly brought them a level a cheer, as well as stress, and while Danger wouldn't change a single moment, there were times where it would be nice to simply be able to relax with Alric, if even for a little while. Three days was enough.

"And I need you," she would murmur, taking a deep breath and filling her lungs with the unique scent of the Tetan.

"Alright. Let's do it." now they would need to go pack, get ready. And then tell Myra as well. Off in the distance, she heard the excited click, click, click of the Tuggles' claws -- along with a Myra giggle.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

At least he'd gotten her to agree.

Of course getting her to actually relax and enjoy herself while they were in Vineta was an entirely different game, but he would see to that when they actually got there. He smiled slightly and gently nudged Danger off of his lap, knowing they had things to do. As soon as she turned around her gave her rear a good smack.

"Chop chop." He commanded.

Rose would be there within an hour or so, and when she was here they'd all spend the night together.

A nice family meal, and Alric and Danger would leave in the morning. He was looking forward to it, all of it. It had been far too long since he and Danger had actually been able to take a breath.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

Packing for three days didn't take long. Danger had long since become well used to making the most out of her space while traveling; not that the fact that Alric and she had a fully decked out luxury yacht to travel with had anything to say about that. It was well understood that they both made a near ridiculous amount of money; spending it on themselves and on their comforts wasn't a sin.

It was just practical.

Now all that they had to do was wait for Rose to arrive from her Outer Rim station. She worked with GUIDE last time that Danger spoke to her, and to be honest, she was quiet curious on how the company was doing.One of the main reasons Danger hadn't fully invested in GUIDE during the early stages meant that the entrepreneur wanted to see how far the company would go before she fully invested.

"What time will Rose arrive?" Danger curiously inquired to the Tetan. He was done with his own packing first. He was just faster at it.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

He glanced at his chrono. "Soon."

There was really no actual time table when people were traveling through space. Sure you got a clock, but one had to account for all sorts of different variables, like where a ship was in space, what was in the way, where the planet currently was. All of that made for some very confusing timetables, and thus Rose had just told him that she would be arriving sometime during the late afternoon. Given that it was now almost five, he figured that would be sometime soon.

"She just took her VT ship." He told Danger. "The Momentum."

That was one of the first vessels that Vanir had designed.

The ship was incredibly fast, but also only seated a single person. He had no doubt that after her journey Rose would not want to sit around for at least a day or so, but she and Myra could enjoy themselves outside all they liked over the coming weekend.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"That thing?" Danger replied, her tone of voice suggesting that she wasn't too keen on it. It was too fast, perhaps a bit too dangerous. It also couldn't quite defend itself if something went wrong. No, that ship relied on its speed; but what if something happened where that wouldn't be able to save Rose? It worried her.

That is what came with age; worry.

"I'm surprised she hasn't gotten something a little bigger." they could very well afford to create something larger for Rose. Perhaps roomier. Safer.
It wasn't as if Rose traveled alone; the Noghri companion was always with her. He'd been assigned to Rose by Danger; to this day, the girls didn't know that it had been she who had them followed for their protection -- a request made by Alric long ago. Instead they believed that it had been the Tetan all along.

"Maybe we can talk to her about that."

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"She has something bigger." Alric said as he slowly zipped up his suitcase and put it on the floor by the door. There was no need to take it out just yet, mostly because then Myra would start asking questions and they'd have to explain themselves. Right now their daughter was busy playing an educational holo-game on the sofa, something to do with blasting asteroids using math.

She was quite good at it.

"A Nephilim." The Bounty Hunting ships that Vanir designed. "She just didn't want to take it to come back here because fuel costs are so high."

That might sound odd given that Rose stood to inherit one third of a fortune so vast that it could buy out some galactic government, but his eldest twin daughter was very careful with how she spent money. It wasn't exactly like she'd sworn off his fortune, but she tried her best to live by her own means. It was something that instilled a great amount of pride within Alric. "Plus I think she just likes flying that ship."

It was the one she'd taken on her long trip after all.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"Hmm," Danger made a slight noise of discontent at the back of her throat. While she could respect the young woman's sense of independence and adventure, Rose could at least make use of the larger ship. From the way that she understood it, fuel was also a part of her stipend.

"Well, still something to consider," the woman would add, jaw relaxing while her left hand came up to run her fingers through her hair. Another tick to relay her wandering thoughts.

"Amy word on how GUIDE is treating her?" As a scout for the up and coming charting company, Rose spent the bulk of her time charting new lanes and exploring new worlds. A vastly different life than the one she had considered back on Empress Teta.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"Well enough." Alric said as he slowly turned around and sat on the bed.

Packing never really took all that long for him, and since he was done it was basically now just up to Danger to do everything. He watcher her for a moment and stayed silent. Rose would obviously be able to tell all of this better than he ever could, though from what she said to him everything was going mildly well. GUIDE was up and running, though its progress was slow. Why that was Alric had no idea, but he suspected it was a combination of the galaxy being rather large and management.

"You should..." Alric began quietly as he leaned into Danger, catching her hand just as she put away a pair of socks in her suitcase. "Take that one bathing suit."

He slowly dragged her a bit closer. "The one that doesn't quite fit."

The Tetan smirked at her, pulling Danger into a kiss.

"I like that one." They were going on vacation, and Alric deserved a few things he liked.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

Danger's giggle went floating between the Tetan and the Queen of Trade, Alric's arms wrapping themselves around her as he drew her close. He had a rascal's grin, that crooked nose that had seen far too many breaks in a lifetime, and a mischevious twinkle in his blue eyes.

"Oh I bet you do," Danger sang, tipping her head back to get a good look at his beloved face. They went rocking in place a bit, his large hands drifting over the generous curve of her hips.

"Ain't no reason to wear a bathing suit that don't quite fit." she gave the tip of his nose a light rap, as if the thought was silly. Much the less, out in public. Danger might be a little bit easier to go along with what the media might record of her, but she still was still conscious about how things may be taken.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

”I beg to differ Mrs. Kuhn” Alrics arms suddenly slipped around her, pinning her in place half on top of him. He did not often call her by that name, mostly because she'd only take it in hyphen to her tiven one, but right now his mood called for it, and the firm grab on her rear accented exactly why.

”You see.” He began with a smirk and a kiss on her lips. ”Your very wealthy and generous husband has rented out the entire floor, including pool area.”

He well knew Dangers fears regarding certain things, and he’d of course carefully planned for it. ”And he is ravenous for you.”

That was all the reason she required.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

Danger's eyes went wide, the whites showing themselves around the circlets of emerald as Alric held her tightly close. Already she felt the rush of blood going through her body, a heightened sense of awareness and pleasure. Anticipation. He always did this to her.

Mrs. Kuhn. He rarely ever called her that. Hearing him say it like that, with a rasp of his voice, an inflection in the tone, sent a shiver down her spine.

"Is he now?" she managed a husky inquiry, lifting her face up towards him.

"So sure about that?" giddiness went sweeping through her, feeling the flex of the pads of his fingers around her body.

"Well... I might be able to indulge him a bit then."

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"A bit?" He asked her with a smile.

The trip wasn't really that big of a deal in it of itself considering some of the past adventures he'd taken her on. Vineta wasn't another ice hotel, it wasn't the Archives, it certainly wasn't the Farm, but this time it wasn't really the place, it was the gesture. Time away, time to be free and do as they pleased, time to let them just be...well married again. Myra didn't bother them of course, they loved her with all their hearts, but taking care of her busied the both of them.

It was time to take a step back, if only just for a few days. After that? Well things would go right back to how they were, both Danger and Alric watching the little girl like hawks to make sure she had everything that she needed and twice over again.

"No no, Mrs. Kuhn." He said it again, his fingers squeezing. "I'll be indulged in everything."

He kissed her. "So take that little bathing suit...and I'll bring a few surprises for you."

Alric voice was demanding as he slowly released her, his fingers slowly trailing over her skin as he gave her one last kiss.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

Bags packed and awaiting Rose's arrival, Danger quietly enjoyed the last remaining hours with Myra before Alric would abscond with her for their trip.

Mister Tuggles was happily bouncing up and down, chasing after a small ball that the youngling would throw for the massive white Tuggle to catch and bring back to her. The sounds of giggles and heavy pants from her loving pet joined those of the Stim Caf maker sputtering out a cup of caf.

Warm steam rose in white swirls, tickling Danger's nose with its bittersweet aroma and wondrous notes. There was a distinct lack of tension to her expression, a less of tightness at the corner of her eyes. Perhaps it was in anticipation, but for Danger, she was certainly smiling a little bit more.

"Don't throw that ball too far out now, Myra." Danger would warn, reminding the little girl that the Tuggle could get a bit too overly excited and likely knock something over.

"He'll end up coming right back and knocking you out with wanting you to toss it right back."

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Rose arrived only a few moments later, though she made no huge announcement of it.

The landing pad that lead to the Farm was of course located almost a mile away from the main building, something that Alric had done on purpose. It would probably get annoying when he and Danger where older, but for now he didn't want any starships in constant view when they were at home. For some strange reason he felt like it would break the peace of their little abode, and Alric didn't want that.

This was supposed to be their get away.

So after landing, and wandering along the mile long cobblestone path to the Farm Rose managed to ascend the large steps to the Farm itself, climbing into the building and using her key to make her way towards the towers where she knew the bedrooms and kitchens were located. Eventually she managed to squeeze her way through the hallways and actually get to where she knew everyone would already be, Alric hearing his daughter first as she practically stomped up the steps.

Perhaps they would have to get some speeders. "In here honey!"

Alric called to his daughter down the hall.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

Rose came bounding up the stairs, the thick sway of her ponytail moving along her back as she came up. Bright blue eyes and a wide smile, the youngest Kuhn twin first caught sight of Mister Tuggles and Myra.

Giggles would ensue as the frail little youngling went scampering over towards Rose. The elder female caught sight of just how thin Myra had become, but she kept her expression shielded behind a warm smile.

"Hey there bug," Rose would greet the little girl, whose arms had already gone wrapping around the elder woman's shoulders.

Mister Tuggles, of course, couldn't help but go bounding around Rose's legs, claws tick tapping away on the floor. There was a sincere attempt at trying to reach where her father called out from, but with both of them.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Alric didn't often get to have his family together.

Both of his elder daughters were busy in their own right, all but grown up. Lily was managing and maintaining all of Empress Teta, and Rose was exploring the galaxy. IT was nearly impossible to get them together, though he was going to try for Life-day this year. He thought perhaps they would have to go to Empress Teta to make it possible, but that wouldn't pose too much of a problem with all the resources that they had available to them. After all they could just buy a house to stay in.

"Let her through." Alric called to the two crowding entities.

The Old Tetan didn't really feel like fighting his way past Myra and Mr. Tuggles, mostly because he was pretty sure that it was a fight he wouldn't be winning any time soon. He was getting older, and his leg wasn't working too well.

The two little ones could run circles around him.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

Danger's laugh came bubbling from the right, the full-hipped woman shaking her head at the enthusiastic nature of both the Tuggle and Myra. It was good to see the youngling have a bit more spark to her expression, a bit more life. The medical treatments could exhaust her tiny body, and until Arkuhn medical discovered just what exactly ailed her, it was a series of treatments that would address the symptoms.

"Well now, that's a face we haven't seen a long while," Danger would sing warmly, moving on up while trying to shoo the Tuggle away.

"He'll end up knocking you both over if you give him the centimeters." she added, chuckling as she came in to lean close and press a kiss upon Rose's cheek.

"It is good to see you, have a good trip?"

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Alric slid half an arm around Rose and hugged her.

"It was good."

Rose answered Danger a moment later, enjoying her fathers embrace for a few seconds before once again paying a little bit more attention to Mr. Tuggles and Myra. The two were of course clammoring for all the attention they could get, even though they would both have her to themselves over the next three days.

Not that they knew that yet. "Ship not too uncomfortable?"

Rose glanced up at her dad while ruffling Myra's hair, messing it up.

"I traveled in that ship for a year, Dad. It's more than fine."

Alric smiled at his daughter. Rose had taken her own VT-Momentum across half of the outer rim in her travels after he'd returned. It was a time that he'd rather forget about, mostly because their relationship hadn't exactly been on the best of terms, though she did have a point. For just a day trip it was probably fine, especially considering the hyperdrive on the thing was supercharged.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"A tiny little thing, I might add." Of course Danger was the sort to try and get in the last word. Didn't matter how even if she did say it out of concern.

"Come on you three," the click clack of Mister Tuggle's nails prompted a glance from Danger, "Well, four it seems."

A gesture would usher them to move towards the living room area.

"Let's take a seat, Rose would you like anything to eat." Danger knew that Alric would want to at least mingle and catch up with his daughter for a little bit. They could all use come good catching up.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"Sure."

Alric smiled as his family gathered around the table, silently wishing that Lily had come too. She was busy, almost busier than Rose or Danger. Running Empress Teta was a rather taxing task. It was something he'd never wanted to do himself, though his father had always thought him destined for the job. Running a world was a wholly different thing than running a Corporation however, and Empress Teta? Well that was a different beast than most planets.

"Have you heard from your sister lately?" Alric asked quietly.

"Yeah, last week."

He nodded. "I think things are going well."

Rose nodded as she began to eat, though she appeared to be far more focused on her meal than speaking with her father. Alric watched her with no small amount of amusement on his face, knowing that the last time his daughter had a home cooked meal was probably...well the last time she was here at the Farm.

Living out in the Rim didn't exactly beg for the best meals.