The Odd Couples (IC)

[KnightDisciple]

Corbin had simply stood by with a smile as Quo-Dis ordered, getting himself a fairly simple ice-cream sundae. He'd just placed his food on the table when she stood up and ran from the room. He blinked for several long moments, concern growing on his face.

Without a word to the others, he stands and dashes after his date, casting his gaze about as soon as he's outside.

'Something's wrong, I just know it. I just hope I can help her...' he thought desperately to himself.

As soon as he caught trace of her, Corbin followed in Quo-Dis's wake, trying to catch up and see if there was something wrong.

[Lone Star]

Blake sighed, and shrugged at Jessica. "C'est la vie?" he said, grabbing her hand and running behind Corbin. What was wrong? Blake opened the doors and quickly looked outside, trying to follow Corbin. "This has been a really interesting date, to say the least." Blake said to no one in particular.

[Raveled]

Jessica left the coffee shop with Blake, separating once they were outside. She scanned the parking lot methodically, sectioning it with her eyes, looking for a threat or something that would've caused Quo-Dis to shout and run out like that. "Where did she go," she asked of no one in particular. "What was that language? Is this something I'm going to need the armor for?" A low pressure started building in the young woman's mind, an irrational dislike of the alien girl. This was supposed to be a fun night out meeting Blake's friend, and Corbin's date had spent most of it either propositioning the young man or talking up Nazi propaganda. She was willing to make allowances for how someone was raised, but this was getting to be ridiculous.

[Avenger Assembled]

Corbin arrived in the alley behind the restaurant just in time to see a glowing yellow circle in the air collapse into nothingness, revealing a hard-faced woman in black who looked down at Quo-Dis with folded arms. "...in a filthy alley, is it?" she finished a sentence that Corbin hadn't quite been able to hear. "This is why we send you to school? So you can...mate with them?"

Quo-Dis stamped her foot on the ground hard enough to make the alleyway shake. "Mo-ther! For vril's sake, you need to let me have my own life! Why did you send me to Claremont if you didn't want me to live with the humans?"

"I wanted you to learn from them!" Her mother fired back, still hovering in the air. "To learn about their culture and power, for the sake of our people! Not to mate with them in a barbaric alley! This place reeks of filth and decay, the squalor of a giant anthill! Why would you even want to be here in the first place?"

[KnightDisciple]

Corbin frowns at the scene before him. Part of him says he should just stay out of it. Family matters, and all that.

That part of him is beaten mercilessly into silence when the tone the woman is using fully registers. Instead, he stalks forward, his hands clenched into fists, and the ring on his hand spitting blue sparks. He stops a couple feet away, takes a couple of shallow breaths to relax a bit, then steps up next to Quo-Dis. Clear heads were needed.

"Pardon me, ma'am? I'm not sure what's going on here, exactly, but your words seem to indicate there might be a misunderstanding here."

He offers his right hand (the ring having finally stopped sparking), a polite smile (which doesn't reach his eyes) on his face.

"My name is Corbin Alphonse Hughes. I am the one who was escorting your daughter this evening. I can assure you, at no point in our activities were we standing in an alley."

The phrase "until now" was left unspoken.

"Do you perhaps have concerns about specific events tonight? Surely we can put those fears to rest. Maybe you'd like to come back to our previous location with us? Or at least relocate to somewhere other than this alley?"

His eyes were watching this woman carefully, trying to spot...well, anything helpful.

'Treat this like those aggressive negotiations Dad taught me about. Open up nice, and get more direct later on if the situation escalates to that point.'

[Lone Star]

Blake dashed next to Corbin's side, holding Jessica's hand. He had missed the earlier rebuttal Corbin had said. Blake looked from Quo-Dis to the woman and black, and made a connection between the two of them. He knew this situation was probably a fairly tense one, so he decided to go the diplomatic route. "Nice to meet you, ma'am. My name is Blake, and this is my girlfriend, Jessica. Didn't know we'd be meeting you so soon!"

[Avenger Assembled]

The flying Ultiman gave Corbin such a look, her eyebrows furrowing with anger, and he was conscious of a sharp look from his putative girlfriend as well. She did intervene on his behalf, though, when she looked at her mother and said aloud, "Mother, that's not fair. We're primates as well, and I happen to know that Corbin bathes regularly _and_ relieves himself indoors. And these are our friends Blake and Jessica, who do the same." I hope! she thought in that private part of her mind her mother couldn't read.

"Very well," said the flying woman imperiously. She stared at Corbin's hand, then raised her own in the air in salute. "I am Sa-Ur, mother to Quo-Dis. May the blessings of whatever god-entities you worship fall upon you, Corbin Alphonse Hughes and Blake-Jessica. I shall speak in your language, in deference to your disability."

"We weren't going to mate in the alley," Quo-Dis offered, sounding vaguely disappointed for a moment. "We were undergoing a mating ritual in the restaurant here, with Corbin and his friends."

"Hmm." Sa-Ur frowned. "Very well, perhaps I was too hasty in my judgement. My apologies to you two. Neither of you are as...threatening as I feared. I wish to view this ritual."

[KnightDisciple]

"Not only do I bathe daily, sometimes more than once if the situation calls for it, I wash my hands very regularly, as well as utilizing antiperspirants. I also practice careful dental hygiene. Blake and Jessica engage in the same level of cleanliness, though I can't fully speak to the unique necessities of feminine life."

He quickly modified the hand he had offered for a shake into a salute, before bowing very slightly at the waist.

"Sa-Ur, it is my honor and pleasure. I can see where Quo-Dis gets her beauty and grace. As for language, I thank you. Though I know a few beyond what we call English, I am not as well-versed as some."

'Unless she means...Oh. Crap.'

His face pales just slightly, and his smile slips a tad.

"Yes, please, do come with us. Though I daresay "mating ritual" is a bit of a simplification. I can try to explain things as best I can, though. And of course, if you'd like something to eat or drink there, it would be my treat. If not, that's fine. Hopefully they haven't gotten rid of our food yet. Blake, maybe you and Jessica could dash back and make sure of that?"

He gives Blake a significant glance, one with at least a little bit of a plea mixed in.

"Sa-Ur, Quo-Dis, and myself will follow shortly, as I seek to clarify and explain any questions they may have to the best of my ability."

[Lone Star]

Blake smiled and nodded at Corbin. "Yeah, that sounds like a great idea, Corbin. Let's go, Jessica." Blake walked back towards the restaurant, holding Jessica's hand. He gave Jessica a big smile and whispered "Ohmigod." from between his teeth. He was so glad Jessica was his date tonight. Getting involved with alien affairs was not part of his plans for the evening, but he'd be willing to back up Corbin if things got difficult. He hoped they wouldn't.

[Raveled]

Jessica's response to the entire mess was to take one large step back. She had her own family troubles, she had no idea how to handle anyone else's. It seemed, though, that they were going to be getting a chaperon for the rest of the evening, and she might as well be polite to the woman. If nothing else, teenagers should avoid causing an interplanetary incident. She inclined her head respectfully to the older Ultiman and lead the group back to the shop. "Would you like some coffee, Mrs., er, Ur?" What should they call the woman? "It's, um, part of this... courting ritual." Her ears colored to talk like that about a date but she deferred to the alien's sentiments, here.

[Avenger Assembled]

Sa-Ur nodded her approval of the girl's plan, walking into the restaurant with the others as if she owned the place. She certainly had a regal bearing about her, if the viewer was inclined to be polite, something of the dignity and bearing that her daughter possessed that had attracted Corbin to her in the first place. "Yes, I would be remiss in my duties if I did not partake in your rituals." She took a seat between Quo-Dis and Corbin, and on closer inspection the teenagers realized she was not actually sitting at all, but rather floating a few fractions of an inch off the table. For her part, Quo-Dis shot Corbin a mortified look of apology as her mother studied Blake and Jessica.

"Are you having-"

"NO, Mother, they're not," said Quo-Dis, her pretty cheeks turning crimson as she hissed. "Please, they don't talk about that in public!"

"Ohhhh." Sa-Ur nodded at that as if it explained a great deal, giving the two teenagers a look as her daughter ordered coffee for her.

Meanwhile, inside Corbin's head, the teenager heard a voice. "I am SO SORRY!" thought an anguished Quo-Dis. "My mother thought my coming here was a bad idea, my father and I had to argue with her for AGES."

[KnightDisciple]

Corbin kept a polite smile plastered on his face, and a firm control on his thoughts and emotions. He'd given other patrons at the diner a look that said "bother us at your own risk"; coming from a boy his size, it pretty much did the job.

"You mentioned earlier an interest in our culture. While I'm not as thorough on all aspects of modern culture, I consider myself a strong student of human history, with a dabbling in the visual arts. Are there any particular items that intrigue you? I know there have been things here and there that Quo-Dis enjoyed speaking on."

He managed to only slightly wince at the mental shout. He thought back towards Quo-Dis, his response more measured.

'I imagine she wanted to protect you, or something similar. I have a feeling your mother isn't so different from, say, my own. Mothers tend to be universally over-protective. And at this point, I don't mind too much. I'm just sorry our date got thrown off-kilter like this. Is there anything I should know? Any topics to avoid, or some such?'

[Raveled]

Jessica tugged at Blake's arm, pulling him over to the ordering counter. Quo-Dis's outburst had drawn some looks, but in a city that weathered alien invasions and the living dead, it barely registered. Still, several customers had decided to get their caffeine fix somewhere else, and the pair were able to walk right up. "Three black coffees," Jessica ordered. She dug out her wallet and put a couple of bills on the counter, then turned to talk to Blake. "So does this look anything like when you met my folks? 'Cause this thing just feel like it's headed towards a meltdown."

[Lone Star]

Blake looked back at the table, and hissed his breath in. "Yeah, this probably isn't going to turn out well. But what are we supposed to do?" He pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly distressed. "I mean, we have to defend Corbin if he needs it. We can't let him fight this battle alone. But geez." Blake sighed and wrapped an arm around her. "Next time we go out, can we maybe go to the zoo or something? I think double dating with superheroes is more trouble than it's worth."

[Avenger Assembled]

"Well," said Sa-Ur, folding her hands delicately before her, her elbows just rising above the surface of the table so that she didn't actually touch anything. "I have always been...compelled to study your wars, I suppose," she said thoughtfully. "I've always found it terribly inhumane that your society makes so little use of superhumans in your armed conflicts. Millions of normal human beings die over several appalling years, when you could end the entire conflict with a few battles between champions." When the coffee arrived, she thanked the server and took it, raising it to her lips with a faint glow around her fingers. She took a drink, studied the cup, and said simply, "More."

When Quo-Dis was at the counter, obeying her mother with a pinched look on her face, Sa-Ur gave Corbin a look and said suddenly, "Look, child, I don't want you to think I dislike you because of your species. I understand you may have a false impression about my people, and fleeting though it may be, I believe in the truth above all else. I have no objection to you pursuing a relationship with my daughter for whatever time you have available."

[KnightDisciple]

At the talk of history, Corbin had a thoughtful, but interested, look come over his face.

"Well, we have seen them used in past wars. It's only after the conflict we refer to as World War 2 that you see such things decline. I mean, this country's Civil War saw two groups of supers on both sides, just as an example. I think the issue is that there's always at least one side that wouldn't submit just because a single champion won.

Going back to World War 2. That conflict wasn't just about territories and political power. It was about ideas and principles. There's now way the average American citizen would have submitted to German rule if some sort of mock-combat occurred. Or vice versa. The American Civil War, much of the Cold War...really, any conflict in the last few centuries. If you stop and look at it from a different angle, you see that there's the underlying idea that while metahumans may have more physical power, that doesn't mean people want them running the country.

I mean, let's take...Captain Thunder, for example. I hear he's a great guy, and a good leader...for the Freedom League. That's, what, a few dozen heroes in active and reserves? Doesn't mean he's a good fit for president. And our whole culture here in America means we don't like the actions of one person deciding whether we shift governments radically..."

He shakes his head.

"I'm rambling, sorry. The point is, while some sort of "fight between champions" would be nice, it would never stick. Because so far as we're concerned, the normal human beings are just as important as the ones with powers."

He raised an eyebrow at her second comment.

"Honestly, I don't have a full picture of "your people". That's not a bad thing, that's just how it is. Quo-Dis speaks little on it, and I don't press her. But, I thank you for not disapproving as strongly as you first seemed to. As for "whatever time I have available"..."

He shrugs.

"Science marches on, I'm young, and who knows how things may develop in the future? I could end up living a few centuries. But one way or another..."

A distant look appears on his face, a faint smile crossing it.

"Ultimately, I believe in quality over quantity. Though, I do suppose Quo-Dis and I need to sit down soon and talk over a few things. Make sure we're both on the same page of the book and all. I appreciate your candor, one way or another."

[Raveled]

Jessica returned with the coffees and set two out for Quo-Dis and San-Ur, taking the last for herself. She listened to the alien mother and Corbin talk with interest. "There's another thing to consider," she pointed out. "For all of our superheroes, our culture tries to downplay violence, not glorify it. Kids in school are taught not to bully others and not to get in fights, to seek non-violent resolutions to conflicts." She paused to sip her coffee. "Having a major conflict decided via champions would kind of undercut that. 'Don't fight kids, but look at this fight that decided so much and protected us'? No one responds well to hypocrisy."

[Lone Star]

Jessica returned with the coffees and set two out for Quo-Dis and San-Ur, taking the last for herself. She listened to the alien mother and Corbin talk with interest. "There's another thing to consider," she pointed out. "For all of our superheroes, our culture tries to downplay violence, not glorify it. Kids in school are taught not to bully others and not to get in fights, to seek non-violent resolutions to conflicts." She paused to sip her coffee. "Having a major conflict decided via champions would kind of undercut that. 'Don't fight kids, but look at this fight that decided so much and protected us'? No one responds well to hypocrisy."

Blake smiled and put an arm around her waist. "Exactly. We do have our wars, but they were mostly over politics. Not all humans like war, but it's unfortunately a part of who we are as humans. I'm not saying that justifies it. I'm a pacifist, myself. I couldn't kill, even if my country depended on it. Politics are so petty...we're just dividing ourselves up. We're people, not Republicans, or socialists, or Americans, or whatever."

[Avenger Assembled]

"Still," replied Sa-Ur evenly. "At least a hundred million of you died at each other's hands in the last century, did they not? And that's not counting those civilians who starved to death, or died of disease, or who were outright murdered by their leaders. Imagine a world where all that fighting had been done by a few superhumans," she suggested. "Your nation-state has a majority of the world's superhumans, you know," she commented to Blake, idly sipping her coffee. "By my understanding, you could easily have triumphed over the combined armies of opposing nations this century. Why, the Centurion himself could-"

"Mooom," said Quo-Dis, looking faintly stricken, her voice a low whisper. "Don't talk about the Centurion like that!"

"Like what?" asked Sa-Ur, keeping to her daughter's preference. Indeed, though her words were clearly audible to the teens, no one around them seemed to be able to hear the words. "I met the man, you know," she said in a confiding voice. "He visited our people several times, and our leaders even invited him to stay with us more than once. An outstanding individual, but if you're going to live in the world, you should make a contribution to it beyond that."

"What, like Dad?" Quo-Dis fired back, and this time her lips didn't even move at all. "Is that what you want? You want Corbin to be like Dad?" She put a hand protectively on her boyfriend's hand. "Well I'm not you, Mom!"

"Quo-Dis," thought Sa-Ur patiently, setting down her cup, "I never said I wanted you to be with a man like your father. Your father was a fool, a man who abandoned his responsibilities, abandoned _you_, so he could run off and live a child's dream of dominating those less powerful than he was. Your friends are at least attempting to do _something_ to make the world where they live better. Given the way the rest of these people live, I find that very admirable."

Both mother and daughter seemed to relax at that, and some tension seemed to ebb out of the room. Out loud, Sa-Ur said with a little laugh. "Well, here I am, the adult injecting politics into your mating rituals. Isn't it always that way with parents?" She smiled and turned to Corbin, "So, I've been told I shouldn't ask this of strangers, but I'm sure I can ask you. Have you and my daughter had intercourse yet?"

[KnightDisciple]

Corbin simply mulled over Sa-Ur's first comments. His next words were spoken slowly, thoughtfully.

"I see where you're going with your argument, and while it has merits, I think I have to point back to human nature for why it's not an ideal solution. Then again, I could probably write a doctoral thesis on the whole subject."

He gave a half-smile at the idea. He stayed silent as mother and daughter exchanged tense words, words that he didn't fully understand. Or rather, didn't know the history behind.

He smiled as Sa-Ur complimented them, and gave her a polite incline of the head at her compliment.

"Thank you for your kind words. Hopefully, my attempts bear fruit."

He laughed at her first question.

"It's not that bad, there are worse-"

And then she asked about what he and Quo-Dis had been up to, physically. He froze in mid-sentence. his whole body going almost unnaturally still. A slight twitch developed at the corner of his left eye for a few moments, before he finally gained control of himself, settling back into a neutral posture for several long moments. Finally, he spoke, looking Sa-Ur directly in the eye.

"No. We have not. And I would appreciate if such a subject were not brought up in public. It is not something we discuss in a venue like this, even if, as a parent, you have grounds to ask us such a thing. If we were in a more private setting, it would be more appropriate."

Suddenly, he turned and gave all of the patrons and workers who were sitting nearby (and thus quite possibly heard the question) a hard look, one that all but swore them to silence on the matter. Coming from an intimidating boy like Corbin, such a look carried a fair amount of weight.

[Lone Star]

And then she asked about what he and Quo-Dis had been up to, physically. He froze in mid-sentence. his whole body going almost unnaturally still. A slight twitch developed at the corner of his left eye for a few moments, before he finally gained control of himself, settling back into a neutral posture for several long moments. Finally, he spoke, looking Sa-Ur directly in the eye.

"No. We have not. And I would appreciate if such a subject were not brought up in public. It is not something we discuss in a venue like this, even if, as a parent, you have grounds to ask us such a thing. If we were in a more private setting, it would be more appropriate."

Suddenly, he turned and gave all of the patrons and workers who were sitting nearby (and thus quite possibly heard the question) a hard look, one that all but swore them to silence on the matter. Coming from an intimidating boy like Corbin, such a look carried a fair amount of weight.

Blake cleared his throat. If he got punched through the wall and died of having every bone broken in his body, he was ready to do so for his friend's sake. "Yes, Sa-Ur. Not trying to be rude, but that's totally not something we from Earth discuss, especially not with a parent and her date." He looked at Sa-Ur, and a bead of sweat fell from his brow. Omigod i am so dead He gained a surge of nearly suicidal self-confidence. "It's just..." Blake tripped over the word. "Kinda creepy."

[Avenger Assembled]

Sa-Ur sighed. She didn't look angry; it was more the face you gave a child playing a frustrating game of tag than anything more rageful. "I understand," she said to Corbin. To Blake, she said, "Yes. We prioritize honesty in our society. I can understand how that might be intimidating to people from other cultures, especially younger ones like your own. I certainly don't want to be an impediment to your socialization." And with that, much to Quo-Dis' relief, the older woman stopped talking, instead concentrating on her coffee and occasionally sending her daughter up to get more.

[KnightDisciple]

Corbin spends several long moments just sitting there, blinking.

'She...just dropped the subject? That was unexpectedly simple.'

With a slightly forced smile, he spoke.

"Again, I'm not refusing to speak on the matter ever. I simply ask you approach us in private about this matter, if it's really such a concern to you."

He shakes his head, rubbing his temples as he feels a headache coming on. He slumps in his seat and thinks in Quo-Dis's "direction".

'What next, are my parents going to barge in and ask about this? Maybe a complete stranger, like Captain Thunder, or the worker at the counter!'

He seems irritated, but not at his date. She gets the sense he's frustrated things didn't go as he'd planned. He'd wanted a nice, relaxing, fun night.

[Raveled]

Jessica sipped at the bitter coffee. She normally would have sweetened it, but but she didn't want to give Sa-Ur something else to critique. She couldn't imagine having a parent literally looking over her shoulder -- for once in her life, she was very glad that her parents allowed her to live her life without any interference.

The young woman took a swallow of her coffee and turned to address Quo-Dis. "So, Quo-Dis. You talked a little bit about how things are taught among your people. How does it compare to Claremont? Do you have a favorite teahcer or class?"

[Avenger Assembled]

Quo-Dis shot a look at her mother, who didn't seem to blink as she continued to drink what looked like absolutely pitch-black coffee, and spoke, "Well, ah, I suppose my favorite teacher is probably my uncle. He's a sculptor," she explained, "he makes these gorgeous images out of the material outside the city where I grew up. When it's dark but the Moon is light, they shine with the most beautiful radiance. It was part of the reason I came here," she admitted. "I don't have Uncle's talent for art, but he's visited your world to study your greatest artists. He taught me that there were things worth seeing out here." The latter was a slight jab at her mother, but it seemed like a friendly one.

I'm sorry, she thought, a slight edge in her mental voice. I'm as embarrassed as you are, but I can't control what my mother does and doesn't do. Things will be fine as long as no one gets set-off again. If she does ask you, give her the same speech you gave me. She'll understand that it's your culture at work.