The 12 Tales of Christmas season 2: A fateful meeting
As the 12 tales of Christmas season 2 continues, it’s the sixth day of Christmas. As stated this time it's Naruto P who responded to my challenge. And they chose the number six and eggnog. It's an interesting and tasty mix. Now here's the premise behind this story.
I admit that I’ve read some Reddit sci-fi stories. They feature alien queens and/or a princess, or in some cases princesses getting married to an Earth male. And reading or listening to them gave me an idea. In this case let’s have a reversal on this. Instead, it’s a human woman and an alien prince.
In this case an alien prince is about to meet the parents of his human girlfriend. And oh boy is there quite the tale to tell. Since Christmas is about family this seems appropriate. Get ready for A fateful meeting.
Rain poured down on the city of Portland Oregon from the gigantic clouds overhead. Drenching the city in the life-giving liquid. The cloud covering gave the city a dreary feel. Yet despite this there was a feeling of joy and anticipation in the air. Into a neighborhood of Southwest Portland, a sleek looking V-40 sports car drove.
All around various houses wore the merry décor of Christmas. The lit-up houses provided a sense of welcome in spite of the weather. The car pulled up to one large one level house. On one part of the driveway sat a metallic blue four-by-four vehicle. The car turned into the driveway and rolled to a stop in front of the closed garage.
The car came to a stop and the engine shut off. The driver side door opened and a strange looking man emerged from the vehicle. He wore a fedora hat, a long coat, jeans, a semi-casual button-down shirt, and expensive looking shoes. What set the man apart was the purple hued skin, the white hair tied back and the drooping snow white mustache. The man pulled from his coat a long rod.
He pressed a button on it and the top of the circular shaped rod opened. The umbrella popped out and unfurled. The man then closed the door and walked to the other side of the car. He opened the door and from the passenger seat stepped a woman who was a couple feet shorter than him. The slender woman had green eyes, crimson red hair, and wore a pants suit with a slender gold pendant round her neck.
The woman saw the amber-eyed man looked nervous. “So, this is it chardra?” the man asked using his people’s word for beloved.
The woman smirked and said, “Yeah this is the house. It’s nice to see it hasn’t changed much since my brother and I lived here.” the redhead observed.
“And from the look of that four by four it’s safe to say your brother and his wife have arrived.” The alien man observed.
The woman flashed an assuring smile. “Honey, relax you’ll do fine. Daddy has no problem with Carthyans. It’s your parents, sister, and their followers he had a problem with.”
The man grimaced before he spoke up. "This is still an unnerving experience for me Carolyn. I'm about to meet the man who could end up becoming my father-in-law. It's still a shock I'm in a relationship with the daughter of Fleet Admiral Ronald O'Malley."
Carolyn O’Malley pressed a finger to his chest in an affectionate fashion. “Listen bub, some might say the same about you Prince Arthis of the House of Verthan.”
The alien prince chuckled at this. “Fair point, you’ve always been a sharp one Carolyn.”
“Between Daddy and Chief Ambassador Gregory I've learned my lessons well dear.”
The prince turned to the house and said, “Right, let’s do this.”
The man extended an arm which the woman took. They headed up to the covered front porch eager to get out of the cold rain. The house like the others had various Christmas ornaments decorating it. Multicolored lights glowed providing a merry and festive feel. On the door hung a wreath with a red bow on it.
Beside the large door was a doorbell. The alien man let out another sigh to which the red-haired woman noticed. He flashed a sheepish smile of apology. “Sorry dear, I’m only hoping I don’t start any family drama.”
“Babe you’ll do fine,” she chuckled flashing another assuring smile.
Arthis couldn’t help but chortle. “Put me in any fierce business negotiation and I’m as calm as it gets. But I'm a complete wreck when it comes to meeting the Fleet Admiral and the rest of your family.”
Carolyn said, “Hon, trust me a lot of those stories your people have about my father are pure exaggeration.”
The prince and businessman said, “If you say so I can believe that's true my love.”
From within the house, they heard the sounds of people talking and laughter. “Looks like Mark and Diane are already talking with Mom and Daddy.”
Arthis released his girlfriend’s arm. He pressed the button for the doorbell and from within came the sound of it ringing. The couple heard the sounds of two feet getting up. Footsteps approached the door. An older woman’s voice observed, “I’m betting that will be them.”
And so it begins, the alien prince thought.
The feet walked up to the door and it opened. Before the couple stood two older humans. By Arthis' estimates they were in their early sixties. One was a tall man with red hair that was going gray at the temples. Beside him was a woman who was the same size as Carolyn. She had curly strawberry blonde hair.
“Hi Mom,” The redhead woman greeted flashing a warm smile.
“Carolyn,” the older woman greeted.
The two hugged as Arthis turned to face the legendary fleet admiral. The gruff man had green eyes like his daughter. And he had a grizzled expression of someone who had seen his share of battle. The man had a gruff and assessing expression on his face. To this Arthis felt his legs start to tremble beneath the gaze.
The alien prince blinked and took off his hat before he bowed. “Admiral O’Malley how do you do sir,” he said in what he hoped was a respectful tone.
“I am Prince Arthis of the house of Verthan, it’s an honor to meet you.”
The human man turned one eye on the Carthayan male. “So,” he began in a stern tone. “You’re the man who’s been dating my daughter hmm?”
The alien prince blinked again as he tried to keep his legs from shaking. “Um...yes sir,” he answered having a sinking feeling that something bad was about to happen.
“Daddy,” came Carolyn’s voice in a half bemused and half-annoyed tone.
“Ronald!” The older woman called in a chiding tone.
Arthis saw the older woman was tapping one foot as she glared at her husband.
Um have I missed something? He wondered remembering how much of an enigma Terrans were.
He turned to see the left side of the tall man’s mouth quiver despite his stern expression. The man’s tense expression lessened as he threw his head back and laughed. After a moment he stood upright. “Aw come on Carolyn and Erika, at my age can’t I have a little fun?”
Has he been kidding around with me, the alien prince wondered.
The older woman’s mouth flashed a half-smile. “Ronald you can be terrible sometimes,” she said.
The man snickered and placed a hand on the right shoulder of Arthis. “Welcome to Earth your highness. Come right in.”
He released his shoulder as the prince bowed and said, “Thank you very much.”
Everyone entered the house where Arthis and Carolyn’s long coats got hung on a heating stand to dry. Erika led them into the large living room. A tall lanky blonde-haired man sat with a brunette woman. “Hey Mark, hey Diane.” Carolyn greeted.
The two exchanged greetings with the redhead woman. The alien prince noted the large table nearby with six chairs set up. Nothing was on it yet but the smells coming from the kitchen were quite intriguing. Good thing my people have solid evidence we’re not allergic to any Earth foods. The businessman observed.
Erika waved Arthis and Carolyn over to two nearby chairs. They took them before Erika said, “If you’ll excuse me, I need to check on the dinner.”
Diane got up and said, "Let me lend you a hand with that.”
The strawberry blonde flashed a bemused smirk at the brunette woman.
“Is that Chef Diane O'Malley talking?”
The chestnut-haired woman said, “Can’t help it as I’m that passionate about cooking.”
The two headed into the kitchen leaving Carolyn and Arthis with Ronald and Mark. It was the Fleet Admiral who broke the ice. “So,” he started.
“You’re Kirvar, oh correction King Kirvar’s nephew?”
“I am sir,” Arthis said in confirmation.
“In our conversations your uncle gave some high praise of you. Said you were quite the natural when it came to running private businesses.”
The prince shrugged and said, “My Uncle has always understood me very well. At times even better than I understood myself. To be honest he’s more of an um...father figure you humans call it than my own parents were.”
This took the O’Malley men by surprise. “So, your world’s current king was an actual father to you?” Mark asked.
Arthis sighed and shook his head. “From the time I was young I knew something was different in my family. My parents favored my older sister more than me. I would’ve gone down a darker path if my uncle hadn’t come into my life.
“I’m grateful my father’s brother took me on and raised me as his own.”
The Fleet Admiral gave the alien man an honest look. “I understand you actually rebelled against your parents and sister. I have to ask what made you turn against them?”
Arthis flashed a haunted expression. “From the time I was young my uncle instilled in me this piece of wisdom. Before taking any kind of action keep your mouth shut and your eyes and ears open.”
“In other words, pay close attention to your surroundings and what’s going on. That’s what dad always instilled in Carolyn and me.” Mark put in.
“Indeed,” the alien prince noted. “In this case that wisdom saved the lives of myself and my two dearest childhood friends. From the time my uncle first took me in he helped me be more social. I made two friends, my bodyguard Xenthir and a maidservant Kerrthia.”
The two men listened close as Arthis continued. “It was thanks to my uncle that I was able to meet my grandparents the former King and Queen. I had many conversations with them growing up.”
Arthis took a breath as he did his best to hold back the tears that threatened to overwhelm him. “As I grew older, I began to see the greed for power and control growing in my parents and sister. In our last conversation my grandparents who were very ill admitted something. They realized giving my parents the throne instead of Uncle Kirvar was not a wise decision on their part.”
Arthis shivered and Carolyn put her hands on his shoulders. “It’s okay hon you don’t have to continue if you don’t want to. "
But the prince shook his head. “I appreciate the sentiment dear but I need to talk about this. Unburdening myself with your family will help ease the pain.”
He turned back to Carolyn’s brother and father. “Xenthir and Kerrthia became my eyes and ears in the palace. And that was what saved my life. They overheard the plan my parents, sister, and their co-conspirators hatched.
"A plan that involved killing anyone who didn't agree with their insane ambitions. "
“Wait,” Mark pointed out. “I thought you kept your mouth shut on such matters and your ears and eyes open.”
“I did,” Arthis confirmed.
“My parents and sister, seeing the influence my uncle and his side of the family had on me, began to view us as a threat. My uncle's business connections showed the corruption festering in the Carthyan Government.”
Ronald put the pieces of the puzzle together. “I remember when Kirvar took me on a tour of the palace. You and your friends used one of the secret passages to get out of the place and the city. And that was before your psycho parents, sister, and their cohorts began their purge.”
Arthis nodded his confirmation at this and shivered. “It was hard hearing the sounds of all those people dying but I knew I had to meet up with my uncle and his family. After that I became Uncle Kirvar’s second-in-command in the resistance. I took over his manufacturing businesses and ship building yard. after the end of the Carthyan civil war.”
Mark whistled and nodded looking impressed. “Have to say highness you must've endured all kinds of hell fighting your own family. But it sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders. "
The alien prince nodded at this. “Uncle Kirvar raised me well. "
“So how did you and my daughter meet?” Ronald asked.
Arthis’ face brightened at the change of subject. “Ah yes it happened three years ago. It was when the Terran Alliance and The Republic signed that trade initiative. There was a celebration held on Carthya Prime.
"I attended that celebration with my uncle. I connected with many companies interested in buying goods from mine. There were also some ship captains interested in having ships built at my yard.”
Carolyn picked up from there. “Ambassador Gregory and I were there as representatives of the Terran Alliance.”
The redhead rolled her eyes in annoyance. “A drunken moron of an executive from Earth almost spilled wine on my blouse. It would’ve been awkward and embarrassing if Arthis hadn’t been quick to react.”
The prince said, “I told the executive he needed to get some water and go sit somewhere until the alcohol wore off. And thanks to my uncle's military training I have very quick reflexes.”
He flashed a warm smile at his girlfriend. “As unpredictable as you humans are I found something fascinating about Carolyn. So, we got to some conversing. And well...the human term is...we hit it off?”
Carolyn nodded and said, “That’s it exactly babe, that’s it exactly.”
Ronald O’Malley nodded in approval. “So, you helped my daughter maintain her dignity?”
The prince said, “I did and I found she has quite the knack for negotiation. I can see why Chief Ambassador Gregory wanted her working for him.”
Carolyn flashed a warm smile. “The Carthyan worlds fascinated me after all the stories my father told. So, when Chief Ambassador Gregory offered me the job at the embassy I jumped at the chance. "
“Your Highness I have to ask. What made you decide to let your uncle become king and your cousin Zirrick be his heir?” Mark inquired.
Arthis shrugged and said, “Truth told I didn’t need the throne, I didn’t want the throne. I’m happy running my uncle’s businesses in the private sector. The brutality of my parents and sister has given me a strong…”
The alien male thought for a moment before he continued. “Distaste, yes that’s the word, distaste for politics.”
Mark snorted out a laugh. “Understandable, the private sector can be tough. But at least you know what you're dealing with there. As a contractor I've had to negotiate with some real stingy clientele myself.”
The four heard plates being set on the counter and then glasses getting pulled from a cupboard. Something got pulled from the refrigeration unit and poured into the glasses. Before the items were set on something. Diane and Erika entered with six glasses containing what Arthis recognized as eggnog. The alien man’s eyes brightened with anticipation.
Erika noticed this change. “It’s safe to say you’ve had eggnog before your highness?”
“I have ma’am, Carolyn introduced me to your recipe last year. I must say it was quite...tasty.”
The strawberry blonde smirked and said, “She studied from the best.”
“I'll have dinner ready soon, but I thought we'd have the traditional Christmas toast.” Erika explained.
Arthis and the rest each took a glass. Ronald said, “This Christmas is a time of new beginnings for us all. I propose a toast to family and the young man from another world who won my daughter’s heart. Consider yourself part of this family son/”
A weight the Carthyan hadn’t realized he’d been carrying felt like it had lifted off of him. He hadn’t caused an interplanetary incident. His girlfriend’s family and he were getting along. Mark said, “That goes double for me. Here’s to the good and successful businessman who won my sister’s heart.”
The businessman looked at Carolyn who flashed him a look that said, “Told you.”
“Here's to the Admiral who helped free my people and his remarkable family.” The alien prince stated.
He then looked at Carolyn. “And here's to the human woman who is shrewd yet unpredictable in wonderful ways.”
Erika said, “To family,”
“To family," all toasted before they drank their eggnog.
Thanks so much for reading this story. Another of the 12 tales of Christmas season 2 is in the books. I hope you’re continuing to enjoy these stories in this joyous time of year. If you like this story, please press like and share this story across social media. Spread the word about me, Animeman73, and all that I do.
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The 12 Tales of Christmas season 1
Next: Alone on Christmas