Impromptu Family Meetups

[smartass_captain]

It's that time of year. Holidays around every corner, family and friends dropping in unannounced, needing to be entertained and fed and plied with stories of how you've been, how is work, and all sorts of things. The thing is, for most of Jim Kirk's life he's never known any of that. It's hard to have sudden family visits when you don't have much in the way of family and aren't speaking to damn near all of them.

Which makes this day exceptionally stressful.

No Starfleet uniform today--even if Jim wanted to he's not allowed to wear any of his own clothes for where he's about to be headed. Instead he's dressed in a soft wool tunic in his preferred golden color and simple linen pants beneath the fur lined cloak he's got pulled over his clothes. Gloved hands fidget with the ties on all of this, a nervous habit he can't quite stop himself from making.

He stops his pacing when he nearly stumbles over a passer-by with how lost in thought he is and it's only then that the captain looks up at whomever he's nearly trodden upon.

"What's the best way to impress your in-laws? What's the etiquette for meeting someone's family for the first time?"

Comments

[smartass_captain]

"I've picked up their language mmmore or less. Learned a few of their trades in a hobby sort of way. Hopefully enough to carry on a conversation."

That's not nothing, either. It's not even a version of Earth he's going to be visiting. With no real frame of reference here, he's done quite a bit to make Felix's world familiar to him as best as he can. There's quite a lot he knows, could explain to this man if he was asked. Just like Felix has been for Jim's world, Jim's been studying for months for this.

"His older brother will be there. He's a friend. I'm hopeful his uncle will be there too. I've met him a few times before." Not a completely unknown situation either. Maybe...maybe he can do this?

[liverfree]

This man has prepared! His favorite kind of human. "That's good! You even learned their language! That puts much less of a burden on your partner to translate. Well done."

Prometheus doesn't even have to assume a cross-world romance to get a gist of the amount of effort Jim has already put into this.

"Ah! And an ally! I think you will do quite well, then. Have you learned anything about your partner's parents, specifically? Their personal history, their preferences, that sort of thing?"

[smartass_captain]

"It'd be pretty suspicious if I couldn't speak the language, after all."

Jim rubs at the back of his neck but it's clear he's not immune to praise or flattery. He nods along with Prometheus' worlds. At least for a few moments. The follow up question has him looking a bit uncertain once more.

"Not much. Their father wasn't able to be a very present figure in their lives due to war and working to make sure both sons were able to live comfortably." Single parent homes are really rough wherever. "I know he's a powerful mage, and that both his children look up to him. He's part of his world's military. So I know some things, but Felix has seen him so rarely in his life that I doubt he knows much about his father either."

[liverfree]

Considering how many different languages humans speak, Prometheus doesn't find that suspicious at all. But he trusts Jim's word on the matter. "Do they not know you are from a different land?"

He takes another look at Jim's outfit, but it's not giving him any more specific clues.

"Well, that has its advantages and disadvantages both. Felix's father probably does not know much about you, either. If he is a proud warrior, then asking him about his military service might be a good avenue of conversation. I have several cousins who would talk your ear off if you so much as mention it."

[smartass_captain]

"Ah, his father will not be told I'm from a different world and time, no. The existence of this place is pretty secret in my fiance's world and much as we'd like to be open and honest about all of this, his dad's not on the 'need to know' basis so far as I'm aware."

Jim shrugs though. Honestly, that's just the way it's got to be. It's better for everyone that word's not getting out that Felix Caelus (that boy who dabbles in conjuration don't you know, cults and the like!) summoned his husband to be from another plane of reality. Not as though Felix won't be hiding where he's from in Jim's world, too.

"His family is deeply rooted in the Legion, that's not a bad idea."

[liverfree]

A different reality entirely! Well, it only makes sense, Prometheus supposes. People meet and fall in love in the Nexus, these sorts of situations are bound to occur. "That does add a bit of complexity to things," he muses. "Ah, you know, it's a shame that you do know the language, you could have pled ignorance and avoided conversation entirely."

He grins to show that he's kidding. That's not an effective long-term strategy. But a little levity wouldn't heart to ease this human's nerves. He must love this Felix fellow a great deal to go through all this trouble.

The word 'Legion' sparks a familiarity within the Titan. Is that where he has seen this style of clothing before? "Legion as in the Roman Legion? Or is that a coincidence?"

And then it occurs to him that he knows the name of this man's beloved, but not the man he is speaking to himself. "My name is Prometheus, by the way. Titan of Forethought, although perhaps not in this instance, as I should have bothered to introduce myself earlier."

[smartass_captain]

"Oh sh--I'm sorry. My head's all over the place right now."

Jim's quick to bite back the swear before he steps forward with one hand out to offer the uh. The Titan? Prometheus?? The furrow of Jim's brow only lasts for not even a full second before he's properly smiling in friendly greeting. Sure, why not. He's met Thor and two Lokis at this point. Why not start dabbling in the Greek side of mythos.

"My names Jim Kirk. It's good to meet you, sir." Doesn't hurt to be polite though. If he's who and what Jim suspects. "And while they're similar, Felix's world isn't Earth so. Not actual Romans."

[liverfree]

Prometheus shakes Jim's hand, his grip strong but not overpowering. "A pleasure to meet you, Jim Kirk." He laughs good-naturedly. "And just Prometheus is fine."

Like the other deities Jim as met, Prometheus isn't one to stand on ceremony. He has the feeling that Jim has heard of him, but either way, he'd rather get to know the man before him than the other way around.

"Ah, I see. How fascinating! What is his world like, then? And yours? Are you from an Earth?"

[smartass_captain]

"Prometheus it is, and you can call me Jim as well." Easier for the both of them that way. It's rather difficult for anyone who's read the classics not to have at least heard of Prometheus even if they don't recount his story in any great detail. But how much of that is truth even? Meeting in person is the better way to get to know someone.

"His world is strange but fascinating. Structured similarly to ancient Rome but with all manner of creatures that don't exist in my world. Trolls and draugr and so much more. Species we don't have like the various Mer cultures and more animal-like races such as the Argonians and Khajiit. I could live a millennia on Nirn and not learn a hundredth of all there is to see there. And that's even before the magic. We don't have anything like that in my time. I'm from Earth, yeah. Or a version of it. 23rd century. Though I spend most of my time off planet. I work in space."

[liverfree]

Strange is certainly one way to describe Felix's world. Prometheus has seen plenty of magic in his day, but the races that Jim mentions are new to him. And all with the familiar trappings of Rome!

But what captures the Titan's interest completely is Jim's own world. An Earth in the future! "Are you an astronaut, Jim?" Or perhaps space travel has progressed beyond jaunts to the moon. Oh, how he hopes so! He loves hearing about how much humans can accomplish, once they set their minds to something.

[smartass_captain]

"To the m--oh, no. We're a bit further out than that now. Contacted and allied ourselves with our galactic neighbors. Exploring the reaches of the galaxy now."

Not that Jim doesn't think a version of him born in the bygone centuries past couldn't have been an astronaut. It's probably more likely than he'd care to admit. Space is in his blood. It's where he was born. Where his family works. It's the only place he's ever really wanted to be.

[liverfree]

"Space travel!" Jeez, Prometheus, there's no need to shout that in the middle of the Nexus. He just looks so pleased about it! "That's magnificent! I have always hoped that one day humanity would reach the stars. What's it like out there? I've never been."

Hmm... wasn't he talking to someone about man named Jim who traveled through space? Now, who was that...

[smartass_captain]

Well okay that's loud. Jim takes half a step back, so startled is he by the sudden exclamation. A few people turn and stare before getting back to their business. Yeah buddy, space travel. It's the Nexus, what do you expect? Tourists....

Jim gives a nervous chuckle and nods.

"It's Big. That's the best way I can describe it. Because people don't get the distances involved. It's so fucking big. Space is huge. If it weren't for FTL capabilities we'd never get anywhere. That's faster than light travel, by the way."

[liverfree]

In some ways, Prometheus is the ultimate tourist, on a perpetual tour of what humanity has to offer, both on his home world, and now in the Nexus. Although perhaps in the Nexus he can truly settle down, no longer needing to hide his Divine status.

And anyway, space is exciting! Everyone should be excited by space. "I was about to ask you how humans were able to span such vast distances. Faster than light travel sounds like an elegant solution. Much better than cryogenic sleep or multiple generations living their lives aboard a spaceship. What is your role in space, Jim?"

[smartass_captain]

At least he owns his role and brand. The Nexus does provide a unique opportunity for the supernatural to let their hair down and be themselves.

"It's still not going to get us beyond our Galaxy easily but there's so much within it I can't see the Federation even looking elsewhere for a long, long time. I'm working to map uncharted sectors of the galaxy, actually. Exploration, scientific study and observation, and a spot of diplomacy whenever it's needed."

He glances tot he side, nods, and the looks back at Prometheus.

"Or at least, we'll be heading back out soon for that. New ship's had her dry run and just getting everything finalized for us to head back out there."