Community Welcome Celebration

[sordiddetails]

Antheans celebrated very few things at this point in their civilization. Without religion or much resources the concepts had all fallen away. However, as populations crashed one celebration became paramount, the welcoming of the rare birth of child, or rather a child making it until they can leave the mother's pouch. In this family, who have lost so many children, this celebration holds a great importance.

The house was decorated in shear fabrics of many colors. Some were solid others sported wild or botanical patterns. The entire outside of the home and the inside were draped in colored and patterned fabrics which may be overwhelming to those not used to them. Since many of the guests might be too large or uncomfortable with so many close in small house there is also an outdoor gazebo like tent set up which is made of similar fabrics. This was where Aletayria would sit.

There were also tables that mostly held Anthean foods. Their foods were profiled in the crunchy, sour, and bitter ranges of taste with some saltiness. Bland perhaps to many without a trace of sweetness aside from a mildly alcoholic fruit drink that often opened their senses. The near black liquid is labeled with a warning to those who might have mental abilities. There are trays of brittle, thin and crisp wafers that a human might equate with pita chips and various trays of dried vegetables and leaves. There are some conspicuously human foods too. Pickles, potato chips, hard and strong flavored cheeses and deviled eggs. Food was traditional to share in this celebration as it was one of few that brought any large number of Antheans to one place.

Invitations had gone out on Tom's suggestion. Antheans needed no such thing because they could sense the new mind but the reminder that other Nexus denizens would need an invite was important. Those had been sent out days beforehand. Of course, strangers and anyone else could stop by as well. The Antheans believed the more people that say the baby in their first day, the better their health, survival and future would be.

At the appointed time, Aletayria went out into the gazebo to take guests. Zayda, out of the pouch and aware. Her eyes, bright blueish-green but slit eyed just like her mother and brother but the hair just as red and shockingly so against the extra pale skin of an Anthean baby. She was also starting to make verbal noises though, like a human baby, they didn't hold much sense yet. She was wrapped in brightly patterned striped knitted blanket, a gift from her older brother and mother wore a dress traditional to old Anthean customs before the society collapsed. Even Tom, who was about fussing with things donned bright green to be more in line with traditions.


[OOC: Visual Guide for Tom and Aletayria's house]

Comments

[guitar_voodoo]

He was appreciative of Aletayria's fingers brushing his hair back because it was getting in his face a little. Baby Zayda's grabby baby hands wanting to pull on the soft blond strings because they were something new. The guitarist didn't mind at all and he was loving every second of holding Ziggy's baby sister. It was an experience he would never forget and was now grateful for coming into the Nexus.

"Yes. I wonder what instruments she'll be into. Maybe she'll be a good guitarist because she's good at plucking my hair."

Chuckling softly, Mick loved how Zayda was so well-behaved with him and this pleased him.

[sordiddetails]

"I was talking about you." Her eyes shift to the human for a second before returning to her child. "By her rhythmic kicking now that she is starting to move, maybe a drummer?"

[guitar_voodoo]

"Oh right--yes. Well, that too I suppose."

Mick smiled sheepishly as he gazed up at Aletayria feeling a little silly but it soon passed. The feelings he was getting from her were good ones and he was glad to be easily accepted into the family. There weren't any hard questions coming from her since Mick wondered if that might be Tom instead.

"You know you could be right. Perhaps give Gilly a run for his money."

The blond chuckled softly and then tickled Zayda under her chin once more. There was a definite chance that she could follow in Ziggy's footsteps and become a musician.

[sordiddetails]

"He's the drummer with the band?" She wants to confirm because she's only heard their names in passing.

The tickling though finally gets a sound from Zayda. The high pitched squeal of a ticklish baby. Aletayria smiles, her odd little smile, while watching. The little hand tightening on the small piece of hair she has a hold of.

[guitar_voodoo]

"Yeah, Gilly is the blond drummer and Weird is the long dark haired bassist."

Mick wanted Aletayria to be able to watch them perform but obviously that would be impossible back on their own world. She was an alien and that in itself would cause an outcry. Also, Tom would certainly not want to object her to the spotlight. This was her home where all Antheans could live as equals and not some experiment in a lab.

The ticklish squeal had Mick smirking and then he felt her little hand tighten in a long piece of hair. It was cute.

[sordiddetails]

"Are you planning to bring them here?" She asks curiously.

Aletayria watches her baby and can feel the happiness. "You're going to be a good father some day."

She can see it, like she saw it in Tom. The love there for children and the gentleness. He was a good man.

[guitar_voodoo]

The thought of bringing both Weird and Gilly into the Nexus was an amusing one since it would probably blow their minds. Had they been here before? Probably, if Ziggy was here and had been for a while, yet Mick knew Aletayria meant on a more permanent basis. Going back into their own world for tours and the like.

"Yeah, hopefully. I mean it'll probably blow their minds since all the alien stuff but it'll be fun. We can perform some gigs when we're all here and entertain the Nexus folks."

The thought of rocking out at one of the clubs or taverns made the blond smile broadly. Being with Ziggy and being able to do what they wanted made it even better. Blushing slightly at her comment, Mick smiled.

"Oh, you think so? To be honest I've never even thought about being a father yet. Just on the road and the life of a rock star is a fast one."

[sordiddetails]

"You could be multidimensional rock stars." She says with a hint of amusement. Ziggy would probably drag them all over just to experience everything.

"You seem to take to it naturally." That was a high compliment but an honest one. "You have time. Tom was around your age when we met and he hadn't thought about it either."

[guitar_voodoo]

"Multidimensional rock stars? I like the sound of that. Just imagining Zig and the Spiders rocking around with the Pin machine thing. It'll be intense."

Pin machine thing being the PINpoint. Mick still trying to get it all through his head because it was mind blowing. Just finding out that his band mate and close friend was an Anthean. This was a few weeks back now but still---the guitarist sat awake all night in Ziggy's arms just trying to process it all. Offering Aletayria a smile he gently cooed at Zayda.

"To be honest I'm not dating any girls at the moment because---well, I love Ziggy. I don't see how I can be a father when..."

He blushed. Gods, this was embarrassing. Did he even want to talk about thinking about his band mate being able to get pregnant? It was just crazy and highly inappropriate in front of his own mother. Get a grip, Ronno! It was a fleeting thought which he pushed to the back of his mind.

[sordiddetails]

"I'm sure some of the worlds would enjoy your music." The diversity in the Nexus surely would have people who enjoyed the same kind of music.

He gets a little laugh from Aletayria as she hears and feels the loud emotions and thoughts, as much as seeing them on his cheeks. "We don't know if Ziggy is fertile. Though he's old by your species standards, Ziggy is still only a teenager by ours. It may still be a few years before his body is ready for reproduction."

[guitar_voodoo]

Oh God.

Mick just went as red as Aletayria's hair and felt like crawling underneath the baby blanket and hiding there for a few hours or days. She knew. Or, rather, she could tell what he was thinking and even Mick didn't know what he wanted in regards to a family. He was nowhere near ready to start a family and with Ziggy? He just gaped a little.

"....I wasn't meaning--it was just a thought since he's got---oh, bloody hell. Sorry--bad language in front of a lady."

Mick just inhaled softly and breathed out a little as his green eyes conveyed embarrassment. Get a hold of yourself, Ronno. You can do this. All this talk of babies and Ziggy...it got the rock star into a right mess.

"Does this mean in the future he can---you know? Maybe have a baby? Like a human woman can?"

[sordiddetails]

"I study medicine." She explains at first because talking about these topics with a doctor might be easier. However, it did get her laughing and she touched his shoulder gently. "I'm married to Tom. I've heard ever combination of crass words a human mind can imagine, quite possibly."

She calmed though as the tone turned serious and she shrugged. "I don't know. There haven't been any hybrids for centuries and as far as I know none of them tried to have children." She's gentle because she knows that humans find this kind of discussion far more taboo than her people do. "Ziggy has all the anatomy to carry a child but I don't know if he will be fertile because of his genetics being conflicting."

She smiles a little and shrugs. "Tom and I weren't expecting Ziggy to be conceived because the genetic differences. If it is possible it will probably be difficult or rare but that shouldn't discourage you if that is what you'd want. I've been studying the fertility between our species for Tom and I."

[guitar_voodoo]

"Oh, you do? That's a very good career to be into. You must be really clever and no doubt being Ziggy's mum. Sorry, I sound like a right idiot now--it's just I'm still new to all of this alien stuff."

The guitarist admitted sheepishly as he gently tickled Zayda's chin with his forefinger. Jesus Christ. He just made a bit of a fool of himself in front of Ziggy's mother. Whatever next. As for Ziggy being able to possibly carry a child in the future? Well---that was mind blowing for sure. The press would go wild.

"So, it might not be possible but then...it might? Well, if that time comes then I will step up and be a dad because if it's anything like this then I want it. I just want to love and care for Ziggy first. Our relationship is still very new and there are lots of things I'd like to do with him first."

Mick was stepping ahead and he knew this. Yet, nothing wrong with asking awkward questions since Aletayria would know the answer if no one else will.

[sordiddetails]

"I've had several careers." She shakes her head. "I'm not bothered by any of this. You're human. Of course it is a steep learning curve for you."

She sympathizes with his plight. Tom had so many confusing thoughts early on too. Zayda is so happy about the attention.

"In human terms, Ziggy is just entering puberty where his female organs are developing enough to be fertile. I haven't tested his male or female fertility because, until recently he hadn't expressed any interest in family and was still on hormones to help his body adjust into adulthood. Now that he's off of the hormones and maturing, it is possible."

Aletayria stroked his back gently, loving and like any mother. "Of course. If the two of you change your mind and want a family at some point, I'm here to help you conceive if you need it."

She was offering fertility treatments like a doctor but with the love of a mother to her family. "How long have you been together with him?"

She asks curiously and just wanting to talk with the young man.

[guitar_voodoo]

"Oh. I see."

It was all a bit daunting to the guitarist who just stared wide-eyed while still cradling little Zayda close to him. Ziggy had been on hormones? Mick had no idea any of this was even going on during the two to three years he'd known his friend. Of course, Ziggy wasn't about to reveal such private things about his alien side to Mick, who back then wasn't so close to him as he was now.

"I've been with him for over two years now going on three. Ever since the Spiders started up and I was picked to be his guitarist. I'm like his right hand man, or usually to the left of him. His special man."

That sounded about right. Ziggy's special man. The blond then felt Aletayria's hand on his back as he smiled shyly and knew she was trying to help this human understand her culture. It did help that she was so understanding.

"Thank you for---well, explaining this to me about Ziggy and offering to help us conceive if things get that far for us. As for Ziggy being a teenager? You've got that right. He's a right laugh at times and very free-spirited with unstoppable energy. I love him alright. Especially on the tours we go on."

[sordiddetails]

"That's not what I meant, though I'm glad you've been there for him since he arrived." She can't hide the slight amusement. This man was very endearing in his shy sort of fumbling. "I was asking how long have you been partners or lovers.... what do you call each other?"

Now she was wondering how serious they were. She knew that their Earth was not the friendliest to what they were doing. It didn't matter what it was because they were so against aliens.

"You can always talk to me." She encourages him. "Yes, he's high energy and independent."

[guitar_voodoo]

Mick just swallowed thickly at her question and inwardly cursed himself for being so stupid. Of course she meant as lovers and not as band mates. He sighed and looked down at Zayda offering her a beaming smile.

"Well, to be honest it all started on a train during the tour. I accidentally double-booked my seat and well, Ziggy and I got a bit more intimate then. I found out about his alien heritage there too and made love to his---uh pouch. You see...I've wanted him for a long time and just...I never had the guts to pursue it. That was it was more because of social norms and the like."

He blushed deeply but knew she was a woman of science and would understand. Even if it was a little odd talking about fucking your child in front of their mother.

"So, around a month or so now? Since entering the Nexus we've slept together at hotels back home since people will talk. Two men, or well, everyone thinks Ziggy is a man--together like us? It's sort of a taboo still."

It was sort of hard to explain but if Tom had told his wife anything about what it was like back then she would know.

[sordiddetails]

"Tom and I were accidental like that, we hadn't intended to get intimate. My people have taboos against people, and humans are fearful of aliens. I understand what you mean." She was honest. It had taken her and Tom several years to go from strangers to lovers.

She nods. "Tom has mentioned it and I know Ziggy has suffered because of the standards on Earth."

She hugs him lightly around the shoulder. "Make sure you stay safe."

[guitar_voodoo]

"I didn't realise that you and Tom were accidental as in being intimate like. As for taboos? There's quite a few back home and unfortunately the media seems to pick on poor Ziggy. Asking if he's a boy or a girl. That sort of thing. I'd bloody punch any mug who asked that in front of me."

Anger welling up inside of Mick because he cared. He loved Ziggy for who and what he was. If any interviewer shoved a camera at them and started up he'd lose his rag.

"Oh, don't worry, I will stay safe and keep Ziggy from harm. I'm his rock. His man that is there when he hits rock bottom. Just to lift him up and keep him afloat. Even more so now that we're lovers. I like brushing his hair and helping him dress---those sort of little things."

[sordiddetails]

"Tom was bedridden for almost a year after we found him. He almost died." She tells Mick. "I spent a lot of time talking to him while he was recovering and he kissed me one day out of nowhere. My people don't do that and he was so charming explaining things to me. It just happened."

The happiness and lover are there, loud in her presence. "Tom has mentioned the way they hound all of you. It's horrible."

She smiles a little and touches Zayda's head gently. "He's lucky to have you there for him."

[guitar_voodoo]

At that news Mick's face dropped and he wanted to touch a part of Aletayria to comfort her but knew Antheans were more empathic and used feelings and emotions more than a simple touch. Either way, the blond reached out, careful of young Zayda, and touched Aletayria's arm.

"I'm sorry to hear that. It must have been awful for you to have lost him like that. I heard about it on the news and Ziggy told me."

His plight with the media was nothing compared with losing someone you loved to the dark, cold void of space. Injured, near death...Mick really felt a pang of pain for her and indeed Ziggy.

"Tom is a bloody brave bloke. I'm in awe of what he did with the Stardust mission and...you and Ziggy."

[sordiddetails]

"I think you misunderstand. I found him near death, floating randomly past your moon in his ship." She shrugs. "He was more of an oddity at first but I did grow attached to him quickly after he started recovering."

She's very open to contact, as all Antheans are, and covers the comforting hand with her own. "Ziggy does get his wild streak from his father. Tom might seem mild mannered and easily stressed but he's like our son in a lot of ways. don't let him fool you."

[guitar_voodoo]

"Oh...right. It's still pretty bloody brave to go out into space. It's lucky you found him. An oddity? Yeah, I guess you could call it that."

The hand covering his own got a warm smile out of the blond guitarist who could feel the warmth coming off the Anthean. It was a nice pleasant sensation which was reminiscent of Ziggy's affection towards Mick but on a more platonic level.

"Tom as wild as Ziggy? Now that is something I'd love to see. Or, maybe not? I can see him decking in any idiot that asks stupid questions though."

[sordiddetails]

"He was the first human I saw in person. IT was an oddity."

There were other odd things about Tom but she kept those to herself. She holds his hand briefly and then looks toward her husband.

"He does have a temper." She says very amused and her eyes shifting back to Mick. "He punched my father in the mouth."

[guitar_voodoo]

"He did? Bloody hell. I won't go prying into why that happened but I know Tom does have a mean temper on him. Useful for sorting out idiot interviewers though and reporters."

Mick had a great respect for Tom and the way he dealt with no shit. The man could say it how it was and cut a bitch. Now he knew where Ziggy got his fiery temper and sass from. It all made sense. Glancing down at the hand holding, Mick smiled fondly.

"I can see where Zig gets his temper from. The way his mouth runs off at people he doesn't like--it's brilliant."

Smitten? Just a bit.