Reflections and Visits (Vincent, Jo Kang)
“A very persistent one.” Tank replied wryly. Looking back to Jo, he added, “I suppose we shouldn’t keep your father waiting. He’ll at least want to know about Vincent’s arrival. Though, I wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t already aware of you. The man doesn’t miss too much. We’ll meet you at the house.”
At her nod, he turned and guided Vincent to the ranch home, where there were at least two young men bustling about, setting up a grill and table on an enclosed . Tank introduced the men to Vincent. “Ralph, Harry, this is my friend, Vincent Mikaru. Vincent, meet Ralph and Harry Kang.”
Harry was a taller individual, roughly Vincent’s height, but significantly gangly in comparison, with blue eyes that reflected the easy grin on his face as he shook Vincent’s hand. Ralph was somewhat shorter and a bit stockier, but his brown eyes were equally happy. “Welcome to the ranch buddy. Any friend of of Tank’s is welcome to join us anytime.” Harry greeted, moving aside for Ralph. He looked to Tank with a question. “We’ll be startin soon. You want it medium?”
“Indeed, thank you.” Tank replied as he moved out of the way, leaning against the railing.
Ralph was still focused on Vincent, looking over the Echani’s attire. “You certainly stand out. Lookin sharp in these leathers. You’d make Cletus jealous, and he runs the leather shop in town. And is that hair natural?”
Tank smirked. After he was ‘outed’ due to the fall of S.H.I.E.L.D., Ralph couldn’t help but ask all sorts of questions. Especially when he came zipping in with Jo on his speeder bike. “Easy Ralph, the man did just get here, let him at least get a chance to meet Joseph before you proceed to interrogate him.”
Vincent looked down at his hands and the leather that clad them and his arms, “Well, I am known for my tendency to stick out when In my normal dress. I will need to go out and buy some more, local attire?” He looked back up, “My assistant is in the process of fabricating me some paperwork, ID, currency, the like. With no offense to your overall infrastructure she could probably take over your planet right now if she wanted to, so much of it is tied together and so… undefended. As for the hair…”
He sighed and reached up, undoing the central knot of the braid and letting it all come undone, all the way down to his backside. “100% Grade A Echani… But it also makes me stick out so I’m going to need to cut and dye it…” He ran a hand over it, then shook his head. “Just once I’d like to be undercover in a place where White hair isn’t unusual.”
“No, I reckon keeping him waitin’ ain’t the best thing to do,” she agreed with a thin, wry smile. She took that as her cue to leave and let her father know ahead of time that they had an extra guest on the property—even if Tank was right. Not much got past her father when it came to the ranch. She passed by her brothers on the way into the house proper, as they were setting up the grill. Just before she disappeared inside, she heard them turn on the new piece of prime entertainment. The rumble of voices followed her inside, although she tuned it out as she wove her way through the rooms to the kitchen near the back.
Her father was already setting up platters laden with seasoned meats and vegetables. He was working on a platter of kebabs when she walked into the kitchen. He glanced up at her, gave a curt nod and smile without missing a beat in skewering a piece of meat.
“I assume you’re here t’ tell me about our guest?”
“…Um. Yes?”
He snorted softly, finishing off the last kebab and putting it on a platter with other completed ones. “I noticed the flyby earlier when I was preppin’ the steaks. I assume they’re here now, judging by the rambunctious rabble from your brothers.”
Jo sighed, but she smiled nonetheless. He really didn’t miss much. “Hm. I’ll be out soon to greet our guest. That young man of yours still here as well?”
She nodded again. “Hm. Help me out with these platters and I’ll greet him right proper then. Be rude if I don’t.”
“Got it,” she said, already picking up several platters. “The grill’s already gettin’ set up and whatnot.”
