"You have to speak to me eventually," Kindred sighed deeply as he looked over at his sister laying in the chaise next to him.
"Come on Ter," Kindred tried again after he was greeted with more silence from his little sister.
"Maybe I overreacted a little that night," Kindred tried again as he looked around the courtyard between the suites. Beka, Tyr and Lex were all seated at the table reviewing last minute wedding details. It had been more than three weeks since the altercation with Tamerlane. It had been three weeks of near silence from his sister. Other than a few responses when needed, Terra had not really talked to Kindred.
"I mean, really, who wants to walk into the room and find some guy humping his sister," Kindred tried once more. In retrospect, humping was probably too strong of a word. Writhing was probably more accurate. "I freaked out. It's not like I haven't interrupted before when you were making out with Nate or Bart of the sofa."
"You never threw either of them across the room or hit them," Terra replied as she looked over at Kindred.
"I know. It's just when I saw Anasazi …" Kindred's voice trailed off.
"What? You lost your mind?" Terra rolled her eyes and looked away from Kindred.
"He has a bunch of wives and kids, Ter," Kindred started as he glanced over toward the table. Both Lex and his mother had told him to drop it. When Terra was ready to talk to him, she would. "You don't want to get wrapped up in all that Nietzschean family drama."
"Besides, the last time you got freaky with Anasazi, you were screwing him for a grift," Kindred looked back at Terra. He tried to pick up on any indication that his sister was just setting Tamerlane up as a mark once more. Kindred had been away from his sister and father and the 'family business' for some time. He wouldn't put it past them to try to pull something. Especially with the wedding fast approaching. "You don't want to mess with Anasazi like that again. You might end up dead."
"Will you just stop?" Terra looked over at Kindred. She studied her brother for a long minute. "I have never actively interfered in your private life. What I do and who I do it with is none of your business. Period."
"Look Ter," Kindred sighed deeply. "You're my little sister. I haven't always been the best big brother. I … I just want you safe and happy. I'm sorry."
"Was that so hard?" Terra asked as she looked over at Kindred.
"You have no idea," Kindred replied as his eyes looked passed Terra when the door from the palace opened and Tamerlane appeared.
"Good evening Tamerlane," Alexandra looked up when her older brother walked over to the table where she, Tyr and Beka were seated.
"Good evening, Alexandra," Tamerlane replied as he places several flexis on the table before her. "On these flexis, you will find the security clearance information on all of the guests who have alerted you that they will be joining you in Alatopah for the wedding. In accordance to their responses, lodging has been assigned to them for the duration of their stay."
"I know it has been difficult to get all of the clearances done," Lex gestured for Tamerlane to join them. He shook his head to decline. "I appreciate all of the hard work. Especially with those who waited until the last possible moment to reply."
"There is a schedule for the transports for the weekend as well as contact information if you or your guests need additional assistance," Tamerlane looked around the courtyard. It was then that he saw Kindred and Terra in the chaises by the pool. "Security is finalizing their plans. You should not even notice their presence unless there is an issue."
"Your father, Lex and I have finalized the menus with the staff," Beka spoke to Tamerlane when he paused. Ever since the day in his office, Beka and Tamerlane's interaction had been reserved for Empire business or wedding business. As far as Beka could tell, Tamerlane and Terra had not spent any time alone with one another. Terra had not wished to talk with Beka concerning Tamerlane so Beka had no real information as to what was going on between them. But for now, Beka's concerns were without any indication of involvement. "We have been told that the culinary staff and house staff will need access to the palace at Alatopah at least three days in advance."
"The palace is open. The rooms and grounds are ready. Security is already in place," Tamerlane looked to Beka. "Anyone who needs access to Alatopah needs only clear themselves through security at the main gate."
"Thank you," Beka replied as she glanced over in the direction Tamerlane had been looking while he was talking. In the three weeks since the altercation between Tamerlane and Kindred, Beka did not believe the two males had been in close proximity. Tyr had joined Tamerlane for business meetings and was being included on wedding related issues. The was no real familial contact between Tyr and Tamerlane or Tamerlane's children at the moment. Tamerlane's only contact with Alexandra was related to wedding issues. It was as if Tamerlane had put up a 'barricade' between he and the rest of his extended family.
"If there is anything further, father should be able to handle it," Tamerlane looked to Tyr who nodded. Tyr had been working closely with Tamerlane to make certain everything was getting done. "If you will excuse me."
Tyr's hand on Beka's arm stopped her from saying anything when Tamerlane left their table and walked in the direction on the chaises where Kindred and Terra were seated.
"Your father will be in the system the day after tomorrow," Tamerlane informed Terra and Kindred as he came to stand between their chaises. "He will remain in isolation for twelve hours at the orbital detention facility. Once it had been determined that he is of no security risk, he will be escorted to the surface."
"Dad is getting here early?" Terra looked over to Kindred who nodded.
"He's my dad," Kindred shrugged slightly. Alexandra had been pushing for Leydon's early arrival on Arktos. She believed the family should reunite before the wedding. She was also curious to meet Kindred's father. "I would like him to have the chance to be involved even if it is at the end of everything."
"Your father will be assigned to your suite," Tamerlane informed them. "You will have to make sleeping arrangements. He is being required to wear two security monitors at all times. If, at any time, he leaves your suite or the courtyard, he will be escorted back to the orbital until the ceremony. If he is caught engaging in any suspicious activity, he will be ejected from Nietzschean space and will not attend your wedding. If he is apprehended engaging in any illegal activity, he will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of Nietzschean law."
"Sounds pretty harsh if you ask me," Kindred looked from Tamerlane to Terra. "So much for Nietzschean hospitality. Guess Dad is sleeping with you?"
"Dad can have my room," Terra nodded as she looked up at Tamerlane. Tamerlane had been completely unavailable to her ever since the night the family had returned to find Tamerlane with her. He had not made any efforts to see her. Terra had checked by the office and been unable to get in. She had taken several long walks and waited for hours at the gazebo with zero luck also. "I'll sleep on the sofa until we go to Alatopah."
"I expect the two of you to manage your father's behavior while he is on Arktos," Tamerlane looked between Leydon's two children. "Perhaps if he is aware that the responsibility for his actions falls directly on the two of you, he will refrain from any untoward or illegal actions."
Without anything further, Tamerlane turned and headed back toward the palace.
"I hope you and Dad aren't planning anything untoward or illegal during his stay," Kindred looked over at his sister questioningly. Kindred had had very little contact with Leydon since Kindred had moved to Arktos years before. Terra had lived and worked with Leydon for months. Kindred knew Terra was still in touch with Leydon even if it was only to check in on Leydon and the family business. Kindred really knew nothing more about what his father or sister might be up to at the moment. Leydon coming to Arktos for Kindred's wedding would be a viable cover for any plots, plans or schemes.
"Dad is only coming here because of your wedding, Kindred," Terra replied as she got to her feet. She looked down at her brother for a long moment. "You better hope Dad doesn't pull anything."
"And don't act like I am the only Hawkins who can be dedicated to the long con." Terra glanced in Lex's direction before hurrying in the direction of their suite.