Daddy's Home

Posted on Sat Feb 25th, 2023 @ 3:14pm by Alden Loxley & Kinmont Armstrong

Mission: Home Sweet Wonderful Home
Location: Kindra's shuttle
Timeline: November 17, 2517 Later Morning

Kinmont had just finished modifying the security protocols in Kindra's Guild account, and making a few minor adjustments to the local safeguards on both the cortex in Kindra's shuttle and her mobile device. Beefing up her digital security was the best he could do to protect her for now. He wished he could do more, but aside from taking her with him – an offer she'd refused – his options were limited.

His daughter was so much like her mother, his heart ached every moment he spent with Kindra. And yet she was also too much like him - loyal, stubborn, idealistic. Kinmont'd been surprised when Kindra admitted she and Loxley had been together for only about two weeks - this time anyhow – she'd told him the whole story 'bout their shared past. And now, damned if she wasn't making the same mistakes as Siobhan, putting her emotions ahead of her own best interests.

Kinmont sighed and stood up stiffly. He shifted the curtain separating the shuttle's cockpit from the living space, intending to head for the infirmary and see Kindra again before he left.

He didn't like the thought of Kinmont on his ship, or messing with the systems, but the shuttle was locked out of the main feeds and lines so it shouldn't be a problem. Something about Kindra's dad's allusion to his background skill set didn't exactly bring 100% comfort on that score though, so Alden jogged from infirmary to port shuttle.

Stepping into the smaller craft's internal space a little too swiftly, Alden came face to face with Armstrong Senior. He didn't make any apology or excuse, but drew himself up to his full height in a physical hard stop between 'intruder' and exit.

"Daughter's cortex all safely protected?" Alden asked outright, his stance a little overbearing, but his tone on the direct side of polite.

His headspace still embedded in code, Kinmont rubbed his bristly chin and answered straight. "Well now, a skilled coder with physical access and enough time could still get into this here cortex, but Kindra's Guild account is as secure as I can make it... even from inside the Guild."

Kinmont finally took in Alden's stance and tone. "Ah." He sat on one side of the settee, affecting a relaxed posture. "I take it we have some things and someone to talk about."

Alden watched the man intently as Kinmont offered his functional reply to the double-edged question, studying his mannerisms, his features, the way he moved, breathed, judged the world. Or at least he took as many behavioural cues as availed themselves to him and added that information to his internal opinion of this interloper into his ship and influencer of his... girlfriend? Lover. Definitely the latter applied, Alden wasn't so sure how the rest played out given Kindra's career alignment and focus.

"We do," the younger man replied. "And you have some explaining to do. All the tech upgrades in the Verse won't balance out what just happened. And all because of you and whatever nefariousness you've been accruing over the last decade or so. For all my faults, at least I've always been honest."

"Honest." Kinmont repeated, his raised eyebrow and level stare laced with skepticism. From what Kindra had said about Alison's departure, Alden wasn't the least bit honest with Kindra. Trouble was, she didn't trust Kinmont nearly enough for him to do more than lend a sympathetic ear. "I owe you a debt for saving Kindra's life, agreed. But an explanation for myself and my deeds? No. That debt is owed to Kindra, not you. And she and I have talked a fair bit already."

Liar or not, his daughter believed herself in love with this man, and for that reason alone, Kinmont hoped Alden was a better person than himself. "I will offer some advice, above the debt I owe to you. I tried to protect the people I cared about by distancing myself and keeping them ignorant of the danger they were in. That's what got Siobhan and Walter killed. That's what put Kindra in harm's way. Don't make the same mistake."

A heavy sigh marked Alden's lack of interest in Kinmont's viewpoint on his own honesty and he rolled his eyes to bury that point behind them. Neither man knew the other's truth, and neither seemed inclinced to attempt said education, which rendered further debate on that front pointless. "So, Kindra got all her questions answered?" Alden asked, shifting sideways on the issue with practised determination. "Regarding your exodus and conveniently timed arrival on the scene?" He raised an irritated eyebrow and levelled a glare at the older man.

"Thanks for the unwanted free advice, but I'm right here and always will be for my family. Other folks been doing the distancing," Loxley noted, gruffly. His tone shifted into the realms of warmth though, as he segued into some unexpected empathy. He knew about loss after all, though Alden didn't offer up any detail or context. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry about your wife."

Although Kindra had not intentionally said or implied anything, Kinmont suspected Alden had a personal understanding of his grief. He said only, "Thank you," and looked away, surveying the shuttle's interior. The ever-present pain of losing Siobhan was sharper now, after being with his daughter. In a near whisper he added, "Kindra is so much like her mother."

The two men regarded the middle distance in silence, each lost in their own past for an unwanted but necessary. Anouk wandered into his mind, her laughter, her ever serious intent and sense of purpose, her once twisted still complex sense of romance and love forever wrapped about his soul. A healed burn on his heart, for the most part, dredged up in times like this, when the past lingered closer than it should. While, about them in the present, Alden couldn't not be conscious of Kindra's scent wrapped about the interior of his shuttle. His mind changed tracks from historic to current company and he found himself wondering how long he might continue to enjoy her company.

After a moment, Kinmont met Alden's gaze straight-on and cleared his throat. "I've answered Kindra's questions so far, yes. And when she has more, I'll answer them too. She can wave me directly now, whenever she wants. As for alleged nefarious deeds, that work is more-or-less at an end for me. After I take care of some loose ends and tender my resignation, I'll be heading to Persephone to help Margaret put the Buccleuch Estate back in order, and to put Liddesdale Ranch to rights. Kindra knows it's her home if she decides to claim it." He gave Loxley an exaggerated scowl. "Though she insists she's staying put on this here Firefly, with you."

Green eyes met blue and Alden granted Kindra's father a cursory nod. At least the man had been decent enough to catch up with his daughter then, which was what really mattered more than his own curiosity. Connections in Kinmont's past could be queried with Kindra, perhaps she would share more, perhaps not. Either way the score on past information was still very much skewed in Kindra's favour so far, Alden's own history buried in shallow emotional ground and ignored far less than he liked to admit.

He nodded, unsure whether Kinmont would honour his words or not, and unable to influence the older man regardless. "And just like that, the Verse will leave you to estate management on Persephone and a family life?" Alden queried, his tone more curiosity than conflict. A brief smile. "I mean, I hope you're right, but not knowing the rich tapestry of potential espionage that lies behind you, it's hard to guess," he added, the secondary statement coloured with a friendly hostility.

That scowl was only to be expected, Alden supposed. Kinmont had every right to want the best for his daughter, to desire time with her to understand who she really was. Did he deserve it? To recover that stolen time - stolen from Kindra at Kinmont's whim. Not Alden's decision to make, and it seemed, not Armstrong Senior's either.

"Kindra's welcome to stay on Echo as long as she wishes," Alden said, voice even, expression happy rather than confrontational. "But for clarity between you and me, that would be Kindra's choice to make. Honestly, I hadn't been sure which way she'd decide," he admitted, calmly.

Maintaining a neutral expression, Kinmont considered Alden's avowed perception of Kindra's indecision. His own reading of his daughter had convinced him she was adamant about staying with this man. So perhaps the uncertainty was Alden's, or an outside influence, or… but no, there were limits even to his meddling, and Kinmont knew better than to comment.

"As I'm sure you'd guess, I'll be using an alias for my new property management career, and I'll still have my fingers on a few… threads of that espionage tapestry," said Kinmont, enjoying the metaphor and favoring Alden with a sincere smile. "Always was Margaret who ran the ranch, but since James murdered Walter, Margaret's been staying in their townhome in the city, afraid of who and what James had out there. Reckon I'll help her hire some guns and clear out any o' James' riffraff, first thing."

"Course," said Alden, with amusement in his tone. "What's a new career without a new alias, right?" he shrugged, then, to show his lack of concern (or ability to control even if he wanted to interfere) for Kinmont's choice in this situation. "As long as Kindra knows who and where you are, it's at least an improvement," he stated. "You hurt her, messed up her sense of trust and ignored her for most of her life, so you'll forgive me if I don't want to cosy up and be best friends or anything. You don't deserve her. But she's happier now, so I guess I'll deal." And put in the time to make sure she heals up, recovers safely and has good people looking out for her.

That last shot hit hard and hit deep. Loxley was right, and Kinmont knew it. He had no defense, no excuse, he was guilty as charged. He bowed his head in acknowledgement of Loxley's insight, not trusting himself to speak. Kinmont could only be grateful for Kindra's grace to allow him the opportunity to earn her forgiveness.

"So more killing to get done before this resolves," Alden noted, rhetorically. No matter what some more peaceable folks might think or desire, threatening violence and killing was a necessary part of survival in the Verse still. Didn't mean he had to like it, but to keep those he loved safe, he'd oblige. "And," he added, with mild derision, "more weaving."

Kinmont decided not to mention one of those espionage threads he'd already pulled and cut. On Santo, Alden Loxley had been wanted by the law for assault that became murder when the victim subsequently died in hospital. According to Kindra, Alden confessed to assaulting the man to protect that strange young woman, Daiyu. To circumvent any Alliance unpleasantness that might impact his daughter, Kinmont had gotten one of his contacts to erase those records from the Alliance criminal database.

Thinking on the subject of aliases, Kinmont offered another regret. "My apologies again for my deception and use of an alias when I presented myself as a passenger. Truly, I expected Alison to be here, and to out me immediately after a good laugh. I'm disappointed she left before I arrived."

The mention of Alison's name cut deep into Alden's psyche, but that showed only briefly on his features as a flash of pain. "Lot of things Ali didn't tell me 'bout her life before we met," Alden said. "If humour with Ali was your intent, then apology accepted," he added, graciously. Alden considered saying more, but bit the words back instead, simply noting with a solemness to his tone. "I miss her too." But the fault for her untimely exit is all mine. sounded the undercurrent in the privacy of his own mind.

"So, you'll let us know this new name and you'll keep in touch with your daughter?" Alden asked, swiftly changing the subject from Ali back to Kindra.

"I will, yes," replied Kinmont simply, though he expected to communicate primarily with Kindra. "I owe you a debt, Captain Loxley. I have, shall we say, a range of skills and connections. If you need my help, you have only to ask."

The mental tally was evening out nicely, Alden decided. Kindra would stay, her dad would leave and he would be left to help and support the wounded young woman back to good health with a little less family drama having over her head and lurking in her dreams. All they needed now was a nice easy cargo run between worlds he already knew and things would even out some on the karmic balance. Normally he'd turn down talk of personal debt with 'strangers', but in this case Kinmont's offer would be accepted graciously.

"I'll hold that marker til a time when we need it," Alden agreed, amicably, automatically making the favour's repayment about more than just himself. He also now made sure he had a personal means of reaching Kinmont in an emergency, should that desperate need arise. "Thanks." There followed a long, studious look at the older man and an affable grin. "Not gonna lie," he said. "I can imagine it stings that Kindra didn't want to follow you back to that mansion and fancy lifestyle, but I am way happier for me than I am sorry for you." Alden beamed a bright smile, and added with some warm sincerity. "I love your daughter."

Hearing Alden say he loved Kindra eased one of Kinmont's nagging worries. Kindra had made the same declaration that she loved Alden several times, in various ways, in response to his every objection to her staying on Fortune's Echo. "She's happy, being with you, and that's all I want for her." Kinmont eyed Loxley speculatively. Liddesdale ranch and the Buccleuch estate would wait until Kindra was ready to claim it. And when that day came, maybe she'd take possession with a partner.

Kinmont got up from the sofa accompanied by the embarrassing sound of his joints creaking. "I suppose this is the point where I'd be expected to give fatherly advice and charge you with taking care of my daughter." He favored Alden with a sardonic smile. "Except we both know I've been a terrible father, and you've taken better care of Kindra than I ever did. So, how about a truce between us?" He offered his right hand.

Well, this was going nowhere near where he'd expected. Which was a good thing, Alden reminded himself. He'd anticipated more yelling, rules and complaining (on both sides) but it seemed they were both moving forward one step at a time, and the credit for said motion rested firmly on Kindra's shoulders, Alden suspected. Her powers of persuasion must have tempered Kinmont's approach, right? Then the mention of 'fatherly advice' flipped his emotions into a tailspin for a moment and put the younger man on the back foot.

"Happy," Alden said, after a few seconds' pause to regroup internally. "Happy's what I want too."

He opted not to dilute that with any other comment and found himself in a slightly awkward silence as Kinmont stood to his feet, barely an inch shorter than him, but with somewhat more age and gravitas. Offering a truce? Well... that needed a minute's reflection and thoughtful face.

"Sorta expected you to try talking me out of any relationship with your daughter," Alden then admitted, still regarding the offered hand with intrigue. "But we both know Kindra follows her own path despite either of us." A pause. "This truce means no trying to harm me or mine, regardless of whether Kindra or not opts to leave me in the middle of the night, right?" He asked, semi-serious but dark blue gaze still holding a gleam of light-hearted humour.

"She follows her own path, sure enough." Kinmont returned Alden's smile, still offering his hand. "I swear I will not cause harm to you or yours, Alden Loxley, no matter what. Kindra extracted that promise from me already, though it wasn't needed. It's my hope that our truce may grow into friendship. Eventually."

Alden extended his right hand and lingered in that weighty shake as both men committed to their words. Truce. The younger held the elder's gaze for a silent minute too, considering the gravitas of this truce. He and Kindra were different people, of course, and he'd needed to obtain his own sense of Kinmont Armstrong along with own peace.

"Truce," he intoned, then nodded. As for friendship, that was a future possibility, but the road ahead wasn't ever paved so clear that Alden would make any such predictions. He dodged the return sentiment by other means. "Hope can be a dangerous currency. Here's to ensuring Kindra remains free to make her own choices, happy more than she's sad, and far safer than she has previously been. Should either of us suspect that might change, we let the other know. Anything more is for the Verse to decide."

I'm beginning to understand what my daughter sees in you, young Loxley. thought Kinmont. With a decisive nod he gave a verbal affirmation consistent with the younger man's poetic tone. "So it shall be."


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