I thought you had Terran History Elective today, too.I thought you had Terran History Elective today, too." "That's not so bad. It's kinda fun. Although it gets depressing to hear how much they kept killing each other." Skii paused for a second, turned to Nickolai and said, "Sorry." "Are you going to introduce me?" "Oh, sorry, Granfa. Nickolai, this is Ken Shardik," and Skii rolled his eyes to say 'as if he needs introduction,' "and Granfa, this is Nickolai..." "Dittrich." "As in Talia Dittrich, the artist?" Nickolai groaned. He was really starting to hate that. "Yes, as in Talia Dittrich." "You don't like being known that way?" Nickolai looked at Shardik for a moment, noting that he was dressed pretty comfortably: Skirt, t-shirt, sandals. "I'm sorry, Sir. I know most Pendorians don't agree with me, but having a mother is a pain." "Most Pendorians would agree with you, Nickolai, but that's because of your background. I can only imagine what you've gone through, being the 'odd man out.' You're probably as miserable as a neorat your age, the only difference being that some groups would keep a neorat around because it would be a status symbol." Shardik held out his hand and said, "Glad to meet you." Nickolai looked into Shardik's face and said, "Thank you, sir," taking the hand and shaking it. "Please, not 'sir.' Call me Ken. If you say 'Shardik' around here, most people will answer you. It's the family name." "Yes..." He paused. "Ken. Second time I've had to do that." "Do what?" "Remember not to say 'sir.' I did it with Furry's father." "Furry? Who's Furry?" Shardik asked. "That must be your ladyfriend, Jofuran," Skii answered. "Why do you call her 'Furry?' That's a pretty generic thing to call her." "Not when she lived on Earth..." He bit down on the 'sir' he had been going to say. "Oh. Did you know this lady on Earth?" "No..." Again. He took a deep breath and said, "We met on the cruise ship over from Terra." "Ah, a shipboard romance," Shardik said, smiling. "The best kind." "Since none of you planned to come into the commons for a drink, we figured we'd bring you some," Michelle interrupted their discussion. |