[ussbansheec] Wax Figures and Real Heroes
- From: Andy Maluhia <CaptainAndy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: ussbansheec@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 04 Jul 2006 13:54:16 -0400
_ Wax Figures and Real Heroes_
by Rosemary, David, and Sarah Lynley & Kathryn, Dominic, Illyana, and
Anastasia Rasputin
with Jean Luc Picard and Kestra Riker
Rosie went looking for her two youngest, knowing where she'd find them.
David might complain about being the only boy among the four Lynleys but
he got along well with his sisters. As she expected, she found them
both in the front sitting room, each working on their homework.
Typically, David was sprawled out on the floor, as if he were going to
flip on the vid screen at any moment to watch his beloved Crystal Palace
matches. Sarah, on the other hand was reclined on one elbow on the sofa.
"Are you two about done?" she asked. David gave her a look that spoke
of disgust with the assignment in general but he looked at his sister
then nodded. "Done enough to interrupt for company?"
"Who's that, Mum?" David asked from the floor.
"US!" squealed two voices as two heads popped out from behind their
aunt. Both girls had long black hair and dancing hazel eyes. The smiled
and waved.
David grinned over at Sarah and both stood up rather quickly. "Hey,
they're better than company, Mum," Sarah exclaimed. "They're family."
"You want 'em?" asked a boy who walked in with his hands in his pockets.
"You can have 'em." Unlike his sisters, Illyana and Anastasia, Dominic
had brown hair like his mother and blue eyes like his father, the
reverse of his sisters.
"Be nice, Dom," Kitty warned. "Stop trying to sell your sisters to the
highest bidder."
Dom smirked. "Who's sellin' 'em? I'm giving 'em away."
"I have three of them already so a passing visit's enough, thank you,"
David said with a cheeky grin even as Sarah gave him a swat on the arm.
"You are such a brat," she hmmphed at him.
Kitty laughed. "My poor David, all these girls to live with and put up
with. You really should ask Vanir how he managed with the likes of your
mother and Aunt Lexie."
Both David and Sarah crossed the room to give their 'aunt' a peck on the
cheek but then David grinned again. "Teleported away no doubt. I think
hiding over at Uncle Alfred's is a good second choice in this case."
"It's hard to hide from Aunt Lexie," Illyana informed her cousin. "She
can smell you out like Uncle Wolvie."
Anastasia nodded. "But at least she's not as scary as Ms. Laura."
"Don't let them fool you, kids," Rosie chuckled. "You know how much of
a contact sport 'tag' is when you go there? It was just as bad when we
were younger."
"Must have been a while ago," David mused then he barely missed the swat
that came at his head. Smiling his father's smile at her, he added,
"Mum, all I meant was that any damage looked to be repaired."
Kitty laughed. "I don't know about that. 'Ro's herb garden has never
been the same since her rosemary planets blew up."
"I sincerely doubt Daddy meant to do any permanent damage," Rosie said
with a mock prim air.
"But I notice he also stays well away from Nanna Lynley's flowers,"
Sarah giggled.
Illyana giggled, she thought that her uncle Remy was the most handsome
man next to her Papa.
Dominic rolled his eyes.
David's eyes lit up as an idea occurred to him. Bad enough to be stuck
with a gaggle of silly girls (not that he minded them but these weren't
any that were 'lookable') but when that gaggle included his mother and
aunt--forget it. Still, he didn't mind the company.
"Mum, can we take the air shuttle into town?" he asked. "We can show
this lot the wax museum and the park..."
"Oh yes!" Sarah exclaimed. "They have this fantastic new figure of
Captain Sulu."
Kitty smiled as her two small ones suddenly became ever more perky. She
wondered, not for the first time, if she were ever that bad.
"Please Mama!" Illyana asked.
Anastasia turned to her aunt. "Please, Auntie Rosie?"
Dominic even added, "Sounds like fun."
"It's broad day light and these two have been there with Nathaniel or
his nephews dozens of times," Rosie told Kitty. She tapped her lip as
she thought it over. The twins were quite level headed and, more
importantly, they knew their way around. She offered a shrug. "I'm
inclined to say yes."
Illyana and Anastasia looked at their mother waiting.
Kitty thought it over for a few moments. "Alright since Rosie thinks
it's ok, it's ok." She looked at her children carefully. "Behave
yourselves," she warned.
"We will," the girls chimed together.
Kitty looked at her son.
"What? I will," Dominic replied. "Geesh."
"Yes!" David exclaimed. "I don't know what other special exhibit they
have this month but they're usually fairly fantastic. Mum, remember
when Dad saw the statue of Captain Kilgarn?"
"I do," Rosie said severely, "and you had best not even think of using
that sort of language in front of the girls."
"Daddy holds a grudge," Sarah explained.
Dominic snorted. "So does Mama, ask her about the last time she saw Ms.
Frost."
"Dominic." Kitty rolled her eyes.
"Take your jackets in case it gets too cold later," Rosie warned. "That
football jersey is not enough in this weather."
Kitty laughed. "Does David even own anything else?"
The girls went to get their jackets and Dominic's too.
"His father's old duty jacket is his favorite since it finally fits
him," Rosie replied, shaking her head fondly as the boy took the steps
to his room two at a time.
Kitty laughed. "At least it fits him, it'll be awhile before Dom fits
anything of Pete's."
Rosie laughed out loud at that. "But he'll get there. Just look at
him! I think those two and the son of Nathaniel's former yeoman ought
to form their own football team. Kepas is definitely the size of a
walking tree."
"He's a lot like his father," Kitty said proudly as she combed her
fingers through her son's hair. "You should see the murals he painted
for his sisters in their bedrooms."
Dominic flushed as he shook his mother's fingers from his hair. He said
something to her in Russian that made her laugh and then sighed.
"Football's for little guys, rugby's better."
David opened his mouth to say something about that but Sarah elbowed him
lightly. "Shut up, brother dear. You'll start sounding like Daddy and
his friend."
"Lets not get that going." Kitty laughed. "We don't want a repeat of the
last time Pete and your dad were together, so if you kids are going then
you'd better go."
"Come on, you lot. The shuttle stop's not that far away. We could walk
but it would take entirely too long," Sarah said, yanking her brother's
arm toward the door.
As they followed their cousins down the street Illyana and Anastasia
whispered quickly in Russian, and then stared at their brother.
Dominic just rolled his eyes.
"Do we even want to know?" David asked, raising a brow in a passable
imitation of his father.
"They don't want me to mess around," Dominic replied. "They worry too
much."
"Oh, well, I suppose there's enough to do at the museum that you won't
have to do anything too untoward," David mused as they walked up the road.
"You're the one who told them the Klingons were done all wrong," Sarah
pointed out.
"Well, they bloody well were," David retorted. "They don't smile like
that you know."
"We've never meet a Klingon," Illyana said as they walked. "Mama and
Papa don't leave the planet. The furthest they go is New Work or Muir
Island, maybe Germany if Uncle Kurt's there. Grandmother 'Ro says that
Klingons are grumpy like Grandpa Wolvie."
"Some of 'em are," David mused. "Next time Dad's friends are over, we
have to invite you. Kepas' grandmother's an ambassador for them."
"You have to admit that she can be a bit...ummm...straight laced," Sarah
said carefully. She liked Lady Empet but she was nothing like Nanna
Lynley or even Nanna Marie.
"But they're superb football players," David opined.
Dominic smirked. "Bet they'd be better at rugby."
"Maybe so," David said mildly. "Don't have to be as nimble there."
Anastasia sighed and then pointed at the approaching shuttle. "Come on
before we miss it."
"Thank goodness," Sarah whispered. "He's as bad as Daddy gets about
that sometimes."
"So's Dom," the younger girl replied with a roll of her eyes.
"Uh oh...did I forget..." Sarah muttered as she rifled through her
shoulder bag. "Nope!" she exclaimed as she held up here holo camera.
"Got it right here. You absolutely cannot got to that museum without
one of these."
"Yay!" the girls giggled.
Dominic chuckled. "Drama queens."
"Lighten up," Sarah teased. "You're entirely too young to be acting
like Uncle Logan."
Dominic laughed.
"Besides," Sarah added with a sweet smile. "It's true. Do you really
think your mum wouldn't like to see pictures? Or your dad? Nanna Marie
has one of all four of us laughing hysterically at the figure of Yogi
Berra."
Illyana looked confused as they boarded the shuttle and took their
seats. "You took a picture with a bear?"
"That's what we thought when we went to find the figure," David said
with a chuckle as he stretched out long legs in front of him. "Then we
find this strange looking old bloke in a baseball uniform. I always
wondered who was named for who."
"Will you show us?" Anastasia asked. "Do they have any of," she paused
and looked around before whispering, "you know, 'family'?"
"You know, they had an exhibit once but it was the strangest
thing...they only had those that looked...errr...normal," David said
quietly. "No secondary displays."
Anastasia frowned. "That would leave out Uncle Kurt, Uncle Hank, your
great-grandmother, even Papa when he's steel."
"Exactly," Sarah grumbled. "Nobody like them at all. Mum was a bit
miffed."
"Can you blame her?" Dominic asked. "It's just stupid. We can accept all
kinds of alien races and yet humans who are different from the baselines
are still treated badly." He huffed. "People would lined up too see Ms.
Darkholme, she's hot."
"Good point, mate," David said with a roguish smile. "It's bloody
ridiculous. Mum was really hurt by it, though."
Dominic nodded. "Mama would have been too on Uncle Kurt's behalf."
Illyana didn't understand adults. Why did they have to treat people that
way? Then she looked at David and blinked. "Were you agreeing with the
first part or that your great-grandmother is hot?"
"Well, objectively, she is," he told her. "Which would mean that got
passed down to my mum and she really is beautiful. Dad swears she's the
most beautiful creature in the galaxy."
Anastasia beamed. "Papa says that about Mama too. I think love makes
everyone beautiful."
"A wise observation, sweetie," Sarah said with a smile.
The younger girl beamed brightly.
"Is that it?" Dominic pointed out the window.
"That's it," David nodded. He leaned in closer and whispered. "Don't
even think about trying the beer vendor, mate. He knows us because of
Dad and Uncle Alfred."
"Don't worry, cuz, vodka's better anyway." Dominic teased with a smirk.
"Either way, you sneak any and we're history," David said as the shuttle
stopped. "Dad doesn't mind us trying things but it has to be at home
where he can keep an eye."
Dominic nodded. "No worries."
"Alright then, chaps," Sarah said as she bounced off the shuttle and
onto the pavement. "Shall I give Mum's statement about staying
together? This place is much too large otherwise."
"I think it's the same as Mama's given they grew up with the same
adults." Dominic laughed. "Though I have to admit it sounds a lot
prettier with Grandmother 'Ro's accent."
"Oh, I just realized. They have the 'Greats of Fleet history' featured
this month. Have you ever seen what Captain Picard looks like?" David
asked as they got on line.
"Only in text padds." Dominic replied. "I wouldn't mind seeing the
Voyager crew. Aunt Lexie has a model of the Delta Flyer."
"Oh just wait!" David crowed, ignoring the miffed glare of the matrons
behind them. "Just wait until you see just how much the captain reminds
you of some one."
Dominic corked an eye brow. "Oook."
"I still think they should have Daddy in the exhibit but he'd be
horrified," Sarah giggled as they led the group toward the Starfleet
exhibit.
"He should be," Illyana replied. "Papa said he was a real hero."
"That's what we think but Dad keeps saying it was only what a good
officer ought to do." David shook his head. "But he also isn't
objecting to me taking the Fleet entrance exams in two years. Maybe
they've gotten their collective heads out of the sands. They've not
given Gabriel too hard a time."
Dominic followed behind the others with his hands in his pockets. "They
couldn't argue with the service records of people like Aunt Rosie and
Aunt Lexie. They wouldn't have half the engineering upgrades and new
fighter designs without them. And Gabe's a natural leader and the
Professor says they're in need of men and women who can lead, given some
of the new projects. Mama says there's a science officer at Daystrom
working on universal thread thing that could be a Pandora's box of trouble."
David nodded. "But you've heard the sort of rot that Mum went through
and they only found out about her mutation by accident."
"She threw a charged chess piece at the bloke," Sarah giggled.
"Well, yes," David said with a mischievous grin but then he sobered.
"Fact is, Dominic, Gabriel's the first obvious mutant they've let in.
I'd love to hear what he has to say if gets home on leave."
"I wouldn't mind asking a question or two," Dominic replied.
Both girls rolled their eyes but it was Illyana who said, "He thinks
he's joining to join the Marines."
"Mama says no, Papa says no, so he isn't." Anastasia added. "Mama says
he's going to university."
"There are educated Marines out there," Sarah mused. "Why not both?"
Illyana shrugged. "Mama still says no, she says it's to dangerous."
"Good luck, mate," David muttered to the other young man. "It's bad if
one's against it but fairly impossible if they both are."
Dominic shrugged. "They'll get use to the idea."
Anastasia suddenly squealed. "It's the Professor in a Star Fleet uniform!"
Sarah flashed David a grin. Of course that's exactly what they'd
thought, too. "Isn't that the funniest thing? Daddy says they even
sound alike."
The girls went up to the wax figure of the man who looked so much like
the man they knew as a grandfather and walked around it. It really did
look like the Professor. "This is uncanny."
"Always wondered what he'd look like standing." Dominic said in a soft
tone, not sounding mean about it at all.
Sarah nodded. She understood what he meant. "Do you suppose he looks
half as comfortable in that uniform as the Professor does in his Savile
Row suits?"
Dominic walked around the wax figure. "Men like Picard were born to wear
the uniform and that's all that matters."
"Dad says he's one of the few good officers who actually managed to
outlive the service," David mused.
Reaching out Dominic went to touch the comm badge on the uniform but
pulled back quickly when his finger tips phased through the metal.
Sticking his hands back in his pockets he went on down the line to find
the Seven of Nine figure.
"You alright there, Dom?" David asked quietly.
It was a mathematically proven fact, among the 'x-kids' girls our
numbered the boys in most of the generations, theirs was no difference.
It made the boys stick together, but regardless of that Dominic still
trusted David more then most. When he was sure the girl's were fawning
over the handsome Captain Riker figure, Dominic withdrew a hand and
pushed it through a near by Borg drone.
David kept his surprise to the nonverbal, his eyebrows climbing
somewhere near his hairline. More often than not, mutants tended to
have mutant children and for one to have four that were not was a
statistical nightmare that still gave Dr. Hank nightmares. That aside,
none of the x-kids who were mutants ever treated the Lynleys as
different from them. They were cousins and friends.
"Your parents know yet?" he asked.
"Mama does," Dominic replied. "I don't phase like she does I guess. She
goes completely through things and I can do this." Dominic took a deep
breath before phase-merging with the wax drone. Suddenly the thing began
to move as if it were alive, and it spoke with Dominic's voice. "I
phased through the couch and got stuck."
David flicked a glance toward the girls. Sarah and the two younger ones
were inspecting the Counselor Troi-Riker figure. "That had to be
painful," he finally said, "though...as you are now could be rather handy."
The Borg smirked. "I could have some fun this way, but I have no control
over when I phase out." He suddenly hoped he hadn't just gotten himself
stuck inside a wax Borg drone.
"Then perhaps it might be wise to step out before we find out the hard
way. I don't think you'd quite be able to breathe under that material,"
David told him. "It looks a bit heavy."
"I can breath just fine." Dominic told him as he stepped out of the
drone. "Mama thinks it's the next step in the mutation."
David breathed a mental sigh of relief when his 'cousin' was free and
clear. "But your dad doesn't know? Why not?"
"He's in St. Petersburg," Dominic replied. "Mama doesn't think it's
something to tell him over the comm."
David hmmphed in thought. "I suppose not but it's nothing to be ashamed
of either," he stated, slowly walking toward where the girls were. "Do
you know Grandpa Remy and Uncle Logan asked Dad about that? About what
he'd do if his and Mum's kids were mutants? Mum said he just sort of
shrugged and didn't care."
"Your dad's a good guy." Dominic shoved his hands back in his pockets.
"So's mine but he was hoping I'd do the metal thing like him."
"Do you...I ought to know this but can a person have secondary mutations
that are just as prominent as the primaries?"
"I think so," the other boy replied. "Ms. Frost has the psi thing plus
she can turn herself into diamond."
David winked at the other boy then put on his English grandfather's best
tones. "Tut, tut, then, my lad. You're a growing boy. Things will
work out as they should." He barely finished before he burst out
laughing. "Relax, mate. You've got time I think."
"Until they ship off to the school." Dominic sighed and then smirked
when his sisters came over.
"It's the funniest thing." Sarah said brightly. "The figure of
Commander Data has a cat in his arm. A great orange cat."
Dominic laughed. "Is it an android cat?"
"Don't be daft, Dominic. It's wax like everything else in here but the
little placard out front says that he kept an orange cat named Spot as a
pet," Sarah replied. "I never thought you could have pets on a starship."
"Maybe because it was because of the ship class?" Illyana offered.
Anastasia pointed. "Captain Archer had a dog."
"That's true but neither Daddy nor Mum ever had any on any ship they
were on. Daddy says that's why we have Finster," Sarah explained.
"Bulldogs, he says, are better mascots than Beagles."
"Well, of course, silly sister," David added. "They're British."
Anastasia, the youngest of the three Rasputins, smirked. "That's because
a Russko-Evropeiskaia Laika wouldn't fit on a star ship."
"Details, details," David chuckled.
"We need to take pictures," Sarah stated. Waving at the Fleet figures,
she added, "Especially of this."
Both Illyana and Anastasia ran over to stand in front of the Picard
figure. With his hands still in his pocket Dominic got behind the
figure. "Come on you two."
"How do you plan on getting the thing taken, silly?" Sarah asked.
"Unless you've become telekinetic, which would be rather awesome."
"Doesn't that thing have a timer?" Dominic asked.
"Errrr....yes but." She shrugged and gave a half hearted smirk.
"Neither genius brother here nor I have figured it out."
Dominic smirked as he nudged his sister forward. "Have a look, Ann."
Illyana blushed. "May I?"
"She follows Mama around like a groupie. If it's technical she can
figure it out." Dominic said rather proudly.
"Have a got at it then, sweetie," Sarah said with a snort of amusement
as she held out the camera. "I'm going to study literature. Math and
tech and I do not get along, much to Mum's chagrin."
Illyana took the camera and gave it a quick once over. She then looked
around for something sit it on. Once it was in place and she was fairly
sure it would take the picture without anyone's head getting cut off she
called out, "Ok, everyone in place." She bit the tip of her tongue as
she tapped at its settings, then walked over and stood where she'd been.
Sarah smiled, mentally figuring how many copies they could make to send
to people. As soon as the flash popped, she blinked and almost choked.
Elbowing first her brother then Dominic, she whispered, "Tell me I'm
seeing things and that's not the real Picard."
"Where?" Dominic asked as he looked around. "With the dark haired girl?"
Sarah nodded fiercely. "It's either him or the Professor's gotten up
and started walking."
"What do we do?" Illyanna asked as she watched the man and woman.
"Pop down and say hello?" David said with a shrug. "Come with me, Dom."
Dominic hopped down and smiled. "Sure, never hurts to make connections."
Jean Luc had no idea why he allowed himself to be dragged to a tourist
attraction in London. It was bad enough that he'd agreed all those
years ago to pose for the wax figure but he'd had no intention of
actually ever seeing the thing. At least they'd managed to enter the
museum with no fan fare but he nearly cringed when he saw the group of
children posing by his wax twin. Now, two of them, two teen aged boys,
were making their way toward him.
"Hello, sir," David said in what was his best imitation of his father's
manners. "I'm quite honored to meet you. We were just admiring your
figure here."
The man himself seemed taller to Dominic. "We don't mean to bother you,
Sir," he added. "but we honestly couldn't pass up the chance to say hello."
The teenage girl on her godfather's arm gave the boys her father's
charming smile as her dark eyes twinkled like her mother's.
Jean Luc smiled politely. He supposed teen aged children were better
than cadets and wet behind the ears officers referring to him as
historical. Ghastly way to make a man feel old. "That's quite alright,
boys," he said diplomatically. "It's always a pleasure to meet fine
young people like yourselves."
David grinned then, motioning for Sarah and the girls to come down from
where they were. "My name is David Lynley, sir, and this is my sister
Sarah."
"Dominic Rasputin and my sisters, Illyana and Anastasia."
Anastasia just blinked. "Wow you even sound like the Professor."
The bridge of Dominic's nose blushed.
Jean Luc shook each hand that was offered then actually smiled at
Anastasia's comment. "Do I?"
"You see, sir, you look remarkably like the headmaster of the school our
parents went to and you really do sound like him," Sarah explained.
"Our father said he thought the Professor was a twin of yours at first."
"Charles?" Jean Luc asked. "Are you some of his children then?"
"Children of his children." Dominic replied. "Or in their case, children
of his children's children."
"Do they mean that gentlemen you introduced us to in New York, Uncle?"
the dark haired girl asked.
What kind of accent was that? And why did it make Dominic's heart speed up?
"Yes, my dear, the one we met with at that magnificent mansion," Jean
Luc told her, recalling with some amusement that their resemblance was
the reason for his first accidental meeting. He looked at the smaller
of the two boys, who appeared to be wearing a rather old Fleet jacket.
"That particular style of uniform jacket hasn't been regulation for
quite some time, young man."
"Yes, sir, I know. This was my father's jacket and he let's me wear it
now that it almost fits perfectly," David explained, straightening with
pride. "Dad was in the Fleet for almost twenty-five years."
"His mom too," Dominic added, not taking his eyes from the girl. "Only
no so long. We have other family members in the Fleet too, and we're
both joining when we're old enough, only I'm taking the Marine route."
"Nathaniel Lynley," Jean Luc stated, hazel eyes still sharp and bright
in an aged face. "Of course, I should have recognized the resemblance
sooner." He turned to the taller boy, nodding in approval. "Either
branch would benefit from such fine young people, Mr. Rasputin. But do
forgive me. I've neglected to introduce my companion to you. This is
my god daughter, Kestra Riker."
Sarah shot a quick look at Illyana and Anastasia, almost bursting out in
giggles as she realized they'd all been staring at the woman's father.
"It's alright, Uncle." Kestra replied, smiling at Dominic. "It's a
little unnerving to come here and see people we know as wax figures."
She glanced at the row of Star Fleet figures and laughed at her
mother's. "They would use that teal dress and those boots wouldn't
they?" Then she smiled brightly. "They really should have you closer to
Aunt Bev, Uncle. They've put Mother and Daddy together." Then she
giggled. "Look! They've added Grandmother!"
"Hmm, I wonder if Kepas' grandmother was ever in here," Sarah asked.
She smiled at the two older and rather awesome people and explained,
"Our friend Kepas is the grandson of Lady Empet."
Kestra crinkled her nose and laughed. "I think my Grandmother had a run
in with her once, but then again there are few people she hasn't had a
run in with."
David covered his mouth but didn't quite smother the inappropriate snort
of amusement. "I supposed it was the same with her as well."
"You really should have your parents bring you to the Admiral's ball
this year." The dark haired beauty grinned. "It's promised to be rather
amusing."
"Well that would be interesting," David said wryly. "He still holds a
grudge against a few he won't name."
"Yes but he and Mum still go anyway," Sarah added.
Dominic finally looked at the others. "So do Aunt Lexie and Ms. Frost."
"You should ask if they'd bring you," David stated, ideas already
forming in his head.
Kestra smiled. "It would be nice to have people my own age there. No
offence to my parents and godparents, of course."
"None taken, my dear," Jean Luc said with a gentle pat on her hand. It
had taken him many, many years to feel even remotely comfortable in the
presence of such young people and it seemed to him that this particular
group was rather a good representation of the age group, even the
younger girls. "And are you young ladies interested in Starfleet as well?"
Anastasia shook her head but smiled, "I'm going to be an archeologist
and historian."
"I want to be an engineer like my Aunt Rosie." Illyana replied. "I can
take a replicator apart in seven minutes," she added proudly.
Dominic bit back a laugh and settled for a grin. "She just hasn't been
able to out it back together yet."
At that, Jean Luc genuinely smiled. He could understand that part.
"I'm sure you'll master the art yet, my dear," he said warmly. Looking
at the assembled youngsters, something they'd said sparked another
question. "You've said that you have other members in Starfleet. Might
I ask who they are?"
"There's Aunt Rosie and Uncle Nat of course," Illyana answered. "But
there's Aunt Lexie too."
"Alexandria Munroe, Sir. She's R&D and teacher for the fighter program."
Dominic clarified. "There's also David and Sarah's," He had to pause to
figure out what she was. "Great-Aunt, Raven Xavier she's in the security
field." He looked at David, "That it? There's to many branches on this
tree."
"You forgot Gabriel, mate," David said, resisting the urge to roll his
eyes. That would have been entirely too rude in front of this man.
"Our cousin Gabriel Wagner is in his last year at the Academy. He's
another Xavier graduate."
The name sounded familiar and Jean Luc glanced at his niece. What was
it about it any way?
"If I remember my stories correctly, a few years ago you had a rather
large fit as Aunt Bev puts it, because a young man was denied admittance
to the academy on made up grounds," Kestra said as she thought it over a
moment. "Mother said he was a bright young man who got the raw end of
the stick."
"Ah, yes. He was one of Charles' students, rather striking in
appearance now that I recall him," Jean Luc stated.
"That would be Gabriel's father I think," Sarah told him. "Mum always
said he was the better engineer but they wouldn't allow him into the
Academy because he was a mutant. Total rubbish if you ask me."
Dominic was grateful for Gabriel, he was making it easier for people
like him to get in. He didn't know how Rosie and Lexie were able to bear
it knowing they'd gotten in because they looked normal. He couldn't,
he'd make it known up front what he was.
Kestra smiled. "Utterly rubbish, and if your cousin is so close to the
end he might just show everyone. Daddy's here looking over the new crop
of 'fresh meat' for Titan while Mother's at a conference."
"I believe I'll have to keep an eye on the young man now. I do admire
such strength of conviction," Jean Luc stated, knowing he was going to
also mention the matter to Will.
"Oh no! Don't tell him we said anything, sir!" David choked. "He'll be
so angry. He wants to do things on his own."
"Rest easy, Mr. Lynley. After this long in the service, one learns how
to keep an eye without really keeping an eye," Jean Luc replied easily.
Kestra beamed proudly. "You don't become one of the Federation's
greatest heroes by not being careful, not to mention being able to keep
up with my godmother."
"You've not been ported around by Gabriel after dousing him with water,"
David chuckled ruefully.
Dominic laughed. "He shouldn't have agreed to play 'Wicked' with the
girls. It's what he gets."
"One doesn't grow up in or around the school without having a flair for
some drama," Sarah explained.
"You know, I used to have quite a flair for the Bard," Jean Luc told them.
Dominic smiled. "So does the Professor. He also favors Dickens."
"There aren't enough sword fights in Dickens, though," Sarah opined.
"Gabriel and Uncle Vanir love those."
"What are they putting on this year anyway, Dom?" David asked.
"Tempest," Dominic replied. "For an old friend of your mom's I think."
"Sir," David said to Picard, "you should come. I know it's just a
student production but they really do make their own special effects."
Dominic snorted. "The storm scene's great when you have two people who
can really make it storm!"
The taller boy with the hint of a Russian accent made Kestra smile. "Can
we go, Uncle?"
"If one of these young people would be so kind as to extend an
invitation at the appropriate time, I don't see why not, Kestra," Jean
Luc said warmly.
Kestra smiled brightly. "We'll even talk Aunt Bev into coming. She's a
bit of a theater nut." She giggled. "She use to make Daddy act in all
kinds of plays and such."
Dominic smiled when Kestra did. "We'll make sure Grandmother sends you
an invite."
"That would be most appreciated. Kestra, my dear, I do believe we are
going to be late to my next meeting and we are going to have to cut this
rather pleasant encounter short," Jean Luc said with a touch of genuine
regret.
Sarah whispered in her brother's ear and David shook his head. "It's
your camera, Sarah. You ask."
She poked her twin in the ribs then smiled at Picard. "Sir, it may seem
silly but would you mind taking a holo with us?"
Dominic felt his heart sink at hearing Kestra would have to leave.
"I'd be honored. Kestra, would you do the honors?" Jean Luc said as the
younger people gathered around them.
Illyana smiled when Kestra reached for the camera. "I can set the timer."
"Even better," Jean Luc stated. "I should like a copy if you don't
mind, Miss Lynley. I've found this encounter much more enjoyable than
some of the political ones I've had as of late."
"Of course, sir. I'll send it as soon as we get home," Sarah beamed.
Though she stayed next to her godfather, Kestra made sure she was
standing next to Dominic as they all gathered for the picture. She found
him charming and really cute.
Illyana set the time then stood next to David. "As Papa would say,
everyone say Vodka!"
David smiled for the picture then tickled Illyana. "I really have to
teach that man to drink something civilized."
Illyana giggled.
Dominic smirked. "To a Russian, vodka is civilized."
"The only true civilized thing is chocolate," Kestra added.
"Now that sounds plausible," Sarah said brightly before holding her hand
out to Picard. "Thank you so much for this, sir."
"As I said, the pleasure has been mine and I hope to see you at the
theater production," Jean Luc said as he made to leave.
Kestra took her godfather's arm and tossed a smile over her shoulder at
Dominic before walking out.
Dominic blinked and smiled back.
"Don't worry, Dominic," Sarah said deadpan. "I'll ask Mum if she can
wrangle her code for you."
Dominic blushed brightly as he feet began to sink into the floor.
"Uh oh," the girls said together.
"Ah, if you have any control over that, I'd come back up before you
short out some security system downstairs," David whispered.
Looking down at his feet Dominic sighed. He pulled one foot out and set
it down solidly, and then the second which was now missing a shoe. "Aww,
man, Mama's gonna go nuts, she just bought these shoes."
"Oh dear," Sarah murmured, "and your feet will be quite cold by the time
we get back. Can we get you a pair of sport shoes across the way then
smile nicely at Daddy at the pub and ask him to replicate another match?"
Dominic simply nodded.
"I wonder what the people will say when they find a shoe in the floor."
Illyana laughed.
"Probably go looking for a barefoot wax figure," David said with a
snort. "Shall we call it a day here and get shoes or do you want to
carry the one and walk in your socks, Dom?"
"I'll walk in my socks," Dominic replied. "Mama yells all the time cause
I go out into the snow barefoot, so I can handle the cold."
David laughed out loud then clapped him on the shoulder. "Now that's a
good sport. Come on, let's see what else there is to see. They have a
fantastic sports section."
Dominic smirked. "As long as we see more than little footy men."
"Right next door to the oafish rugby ones," David said mildly.
"Sarah," Anastasia asked, "can we look at something else?"
Sarah stuck her tongue out at both boys then held her hands out to
Anastasia and Illyana. "Come, let's look at the 'Children through the
ages' exhibit and we'll leave the men to their testosterone and chest
thumping."
David blinked and Dominic. "I think we've been insulted."
"I've never thumped my chest in my life," Dominic huffed as he walked
off with David. Then he laughed.
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