“Oh, this is going to be so much fun!” Khan said as he clapped his hand-paws. Tyr frowned at his Pride Brother. What was fun for the Katay didn't necessarily mean it was going to be for him. Especially the way things had been going.
“It's called a Bro Date.” Khan stated.
“A what?” Tyr asked. To him, some races had the annoying habit of having names for everything. With Nietzscheans the guys got together and hung out.
“A Bro Date.” Khan repeated.
“I was not aware this activity had a name.” Tyr replied.
“Yes it does. But, it's not going to stay that way though.” Khan said sagely.
“Oh-oh!” Tyr thought.
“We are going to have visitors.” Khan said. “Don't worry, it'll all be good.” he continued, after seeing Nietzschean's worried expression. Tyr was glad. The last thing he wanted was to have a food fight or something along those lines. HaxHis “boxing his ears” once was quite enough.
When they arrived, Rodger escorted them to the back of the crowded restaurant to one of the Pepper Pot's private dining rooms. Dylan and Seamus were already there and waiting. After the initial greetings, Dylan took a good look at Tyr and tapped his communicator.
“Captain Hunt to Doctor Gemini.” he said.
“Gemini here, Sir.” Trance's voice replied.
“Where are you?”
“Promenade Level B, Central Park.”
“I need you at The Pepper Pot, ASAP. Bring something for a migraine. When you get here, just mention my name and they will escort you in.” Dylan ordered.
“Aye, Sir.” Trance replied.
“Yes, you do look like you have a migraine, Tyr.” Dylan said in response to Tyr's frown.
“You probably could use a good, hot, meal too.” Harper said as they all sat. The second they were seated, here came Trance being led by Rodger. She in turn was being followed by none other than Captain Bekka Valentine, Captain Rommie Ascendant and Sabra, like she was Mother Goose and they were her goslings.
“Wonderful. The gang is all here.” Tyr thought sourly,
“Are your ears ringing?” Trance asked.
“No.” Tyr replied.
“Good.” Trance said, as pressed a hypo into his left bicep. “You should feel much better in a minute.” she continued, as she smiled.
Rodger saw that their party had expanded and immediately sent for more chairs and an expansion leaf. Five minutes later they were all comfortably seated at a larger table while Rodger took orders.
Conversation flowed easily as everyone ate ( except for Rommie ), and Tyr was wondering how to steer the conversation in the direction of naming his sons when out of the clear blue:
“Did you choose two names for your sons yet, Tyr?” Rommie asked. You would’ve heard a pin drop in the place.
“No he has not. And aside from the fun and fellowship, that is the reason we are here. To help him.” Khan replied.
“Aren't you cuttin' it a wee bit close, Tyr? What did Xena say?” Bekka asked.
“Oops!” Khan thought.
“Oh, haven't you heard? Tyr's wives put him out the house like the cat. Ops, sorry Khan. I meant put him in the dog house.” Trance pipped up.
Khan did a half hearted wave with his left hand-paw, because he wasn't offended. Being a 6 foot plus bi-pedal tiger, he'd heard enough cat jokes to last ten lifetimes. . . . . . . .
Of course they had all heard about Tyr. On a big station like DS10, gossip spread like wildfire. And the Nietzschean Rear Admiral being the colorful character he was, everyone wanted to know more about him. Even the Vulcans were dishing dirt in their own “logical” way.
“Okay, Tyr. What did you do, or not do?” Bekka asked. All eyes turned to look at the Nietzschean, who did the face palm.
“What a disaster this is turning out to be. An innocent brunch has suddenly morphed into a group therapy session. . . . . .” he thought.
“He did not apologize.” Khan said, outting Tyr. The Nietzschean slid his left foot over and kicked Khan in the shin under the table. Khan meowed and frowned at his Pride Brother in return, because he didn't appreciate being kicked by Tyr's size fifteen boot. Khan's return expression said that he was going to get Tyr back later.
“Now, now. The children must not fight.” Sabra said in a tone which was honed from experience. “If you don't mind, Tyr, please tell us how this incident started.” she continued. Tyr stared daggers at everyone present.
“Of course what you say will be kept confidential. But, you also must realize most of the story is already out.” Sabra continued.
“In other words, you're business is out on the street, Big Guy.” Seamus piped up.
“My business is out in the street?” Tyr asked.
“Everybody knows, Tyr.” Dylan explained.
The Nietzschean was multi-lingual but he was always at a loss when it came to planetary street slang. Tyr sat back and stared at the ceiling as he considered. He felt the slightest pressure on his left foot. He looked down at Khan. The Katay had his right foot-paw on Tyr's left foot.
“You are among friends who want to help you, Tyr.” Khan said. Tyr sighed and began to explain.
Approximately 34 minutes later, Tyr finished and sat back as Rodger and his crew brought in cool drinks, coffee, tea, chai, Rakktagino and desserts. There was complete silence while everyone dug in. Tyr savored his double chocolate brownie.
“Wow! All of this is because you didn't apologize?” Seamus asked. Of course the poor thing was clueless. Tyr was about to respond when:
“You know what you have to do now, Tyr.” Bekka cut in.
“Apologize.” Tyr said. Hoping that was the right answer.
“No. A simple apology will not do.” Sabra said, sagely.
“Oh-oh.” Tyr thought. Hastily recalling some of the lessons Barbarossa had taught him concerning the ways of women.
“You will have to make nice.” Rommie said.
“Make nice?” Dylan asked.
“Yep! Kiss a. . . er . . . behind, feet, bow, scrape, genuflect, whatever you have to do in order to ingratiate yourself to them, Tyr.” Rommie said.
“You mean he can't just buy them all flowers and chocolate and call it a day?” Dylan asked.
“No, he cannot, Dylan.” Rommie replied.
"Why not?" Dylan asked.
"Had Tyr went right back and apologized he would've put out the fire. Since he did not, the fire spread, and the whole house burned down. Now, as a result he has to build a new one from scratch. I'm speaking metaphorically, of course." Sabra replied.
“What have I gotten myself into?” Tyr thought.
The act of contrition Rommie mentioned would be considered “begging” in some Human cultures. But, if a Nietzschean male ever found himself “on the outside looking in”, this considered Standard Operating Procedure in order to return to the fold. After all, Nietzschean society was matriarchal which meant it was the woman's call. If she said beg, one must beg. If she demanded he jump through fire hoops, he jumped through fire hoops. Whatever it took.
“Let me get this straight. That means if Tyr had 32 wives like his brother Agamemnon, he would have to make nice to all 32?” Seamus asked, incredulously .
“More than likely in situations like that, only a small percentage of the wives would be angry, and therefore only a few would need to be assuaged. I cannot even begin to imagine what it would be like having to pacify 32 women.” Khan said.
“Assuaging does not have to be odious, Tyr.” Sabra said. “All you have to do is make careful plans to spend time with each one.” she continued. “Offer to do a service, cook or clean, give a massage, give a manicure or pedicure, buy a lasting gift, spend quality time and assure, and last but not least, touch.” she added.
“A lasting gift?” Tyr asked.
“A lasting gift is NOT flowers or candy, because they are forgotten long after they have been consumed or die. It must be something she can look at years later and have fond memories of the time associated with it. A good suggestion would a piece of jewelry like a ring, earrings, bracelet or necklace.” Sabra explained.
“Something they can show off to friends!” Trance pipped up. Among her many talents, she was a gemologist and loved expensive jewelry.
“Katay men give their ladies memory stones. Semi-precious or precious stones to commemorate a special event like a name day, or anniversary.” Khan said.
Even though Tyr stayed silent, he understood what he had to do and started planning. He wasn't looking forward to it, but, he sorely missed his ladies. He would do practically anything to get back into their good graces.
“Now to the fun part of this little meeting. The names. Who's got suggestions? Remember Tyr's having twins so we are gonna need two boy names.” Bekka asked after a minute of silence.
Khan and Seamus took out their ever-present PADDS and each called up a list of the most popular warriors names. Khan started calling them out so everyone could hear them. However, Tyr's mind was a million parsecs away, until he heard one name:
“Alexander.” Seamus read. Tyr frowned.
“Oh look, we got a reaction!” Trance said.
“What was that name?” Tyr asked.
“Alexander.” Seamus repeated, timidly.
“What does it mean?” Tyr asked.
“Mean?” Seamus asked.
“What is the meaning of the name, Alexander? Nietzscheans put a high premium on meaning of names.” Tyr intoned. The last thing he wanted to do is name one of sons “Oh Whimpy One.” or “One Who Is Stupid”.
“Alexander means “defender of mankind, and/or warrior.” Khan replied. Taking the heat off Seamus.
“Excellent. One son down, one more to go.” Tyr said. They resumed calling out names until they reached the “L's”.
Again, Tyr's mind was a million parsecs away as he plotted and planned, until he heard:
“Lysander.” Seamus said. Tyr frowned again.
“Jackpot!” Trance called and clapped.
“What is the meaning of that name?” Tyr asked.
“There is no meaning Tyr. It's just listed as a name of a famous Spartan General. He has a very long history attached to his name though.” Seamus said.
“I like the name and the fact that he was a General. I can read his history later.” Tyr replied.
“So as it stands, your sons will be named Alexander and Lysander.” Khan announced. “Congratulations, Tyr.” he continued.
“Thank you, Khan. Thank you everyone for coming and helping.” Tyr said as he smiled and stood. Everyone else stood with him. The ladies each hugged him and left. Dylan clapped Tyr on the shoulder, gave it a squeeze and sauntered away. Seamus stayed behind because he had to give his Big Brother a hug, and got one in return. Soon Tyr and Khan were standing alone.
“I have got very important business to take care of.” Tyr said. “I may be incommunicado for a few days.” he continued.
“I will take care of the details.” Khan said. “By the way. Might I suggest a silver smith's shop named Quicksilver on the Promenade Level A. Garrett does excellent work. If you don't see something you like, he can craft it to your taste.” he continued.
“Thank you, Khan. I will check into it.” Tyr said as he left.
“Blessed be, my brother. Blessed be.” Khan said.
NOTE TO READERS The "real" Tyr Anasazi ( aka Keith Hamilton Cobb ) stands at 6'4", so I took a wild guess at his shoe size. What ever it is, I love you "K' but, I wouldn't want to be kicked by one of those either.. . . . . :+}!
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