Second Life -- Welcome to Fairplay [Stage 1]

[cityship]

It had been the usual mission briefing, not that any of them remembered it. The crew knew they were gone and had no idea when they'd be back, and likely wouldn't attempt rescue for quite some time, especially with Stacy considering the mission "ongoing."

They had no idea when they'd be back, either, namely because they never remembered being on the ship in the first place.

It was home. It had always been home.

Welcome to Fairplay, Iowa, folks, happiest little town in the Midwest.

[ooc: Read this before tagging.]

Comments

[governorkang]

A nod, even though Carl couldn't see it. The accompanying sigh, though, spoke volumes. Kang dropped his voice, "The doctors still don't know what the problem is. My parents, of course, continue to insist that it's because of who I chose to marry, which isn't exactly helping."

[daemonomicon.livejournal.com]

Ah, of course. Carl hated to hear a friend like Kang suffer like this.

"Don't listen to them, of course," he said. "When the time comes, it'll come, I'm sure of it. I'm sure you'll make a great father, and Felicia a wonderful mother."

He was fond of the two of them. They were his favorite couple in town, despite their issues.

"If you don't mind my asking...have you considered adoption?"

[governorkang]

"I know I shouldn't listen to them. It still bothers me, though. Why can't they just accept her, or at the very least try to be sympathetic? I'm their son. They should be happy for me," Kang said bitterly.

There was a flash, of a campfire and twenty little forms playing around it, gone just as quickly as it came. He frowned, ignoring it. He really needed to get more sleep.

After a pause, he took another sip of his drink. "We have. We'd rather not unless it's an absolute last resort."

[daemonomicon.livejournal.com]

"Some people cling to old notions," he said. For a brief moment he wondered if he could be considered one of them, with how people treat his faith and his church. He banished it from his thoughts after a moment, though. "As long as you're happy for yourself, that's what matters. Just concern yourself with you and your wife's happiness. If your parents can't accept that, then it's their failing, not yours."

His heart falls slightly at his second comment. "I understand. It's not for everyone."

Even so, he'd like to see them manage to achieve some kind of happiness in this situation.

[governorkang]

"That's the thing, Father. I'm not happy. Not living here, at least. Sometimes I wish we could just move somewhere else, get away from all this bullshit. Another state, maybe even another country. Far enough away that my parents will stop harassing us on a daily basis. I don't want to leave the kids, though," Kang sighed. "Practically no one else in that school gives a damn about them, and the principal is the worst offender. They deserve better."

[daemonomicon.livejournal.com]

Carl smiled, placing a shoulder on his friend's shoulder.

"You're a good soul, Kang. I know you don't believe it, but I know God has a plan for you. He won't let a man like you languish for long."

[governorkang]

Kang smiled wryly, "I wish I could believe you. There are times I feel like I'm meant to do something else, something... I don't know. Bigger. I tell myself, 'Don't ever give up. If you do, you're finished before you even started.' But then something happens and reality suckerpunches me in the face."

[daemonomicon.livejournal.com]

"Everyone has their own trials to overcome in their lifetime," Carl said solemnly. "I know you. You're strong enough to live through this."

[governorkang]

"Yeah. Things'll make a turn for the better soon. I can't give up hope."

Kang clapped a hand on Carl's shoulder warmly, "Thank you for listening, Father. It means more than you'll ever know."

[daemonomicon.livejournal.com]

"It's my job," Carl said with a smile. "I'm there for those who need me."

He places his empty tumbler on the counter, along with his tab.

"Now, my friend," he says, standing up. "If you'll excuse me, I ought to head back to the church. I'm sure Damon's already gotten himself worked up over my absence."

"Come along, Siggy," he says to the seeing eye dog lying on the floor, who stands up, nuzzling Carl's hand so he can find the handle to the harness.

As he made his way to the door, he paused, and turned back to Kang for a moment.

"Merry Christmas, Kang," he said. "Give Felicia my best."

[governorkang]

Kang smiled and raised his beer towards Carl, despite knowing that the priest couldn't see it, "And you do a damn good job at it. Merry Christmas to you, too."