21
Ianto was suspicious, not at all happy with his daughter humming around the kitchen like it was a wonderful day. Next door… the same parody was ongoing, and that man held a frown as well.
Those womenfolk were up to something.
"It is Blumanchu custom to share food today" Alice finally spoke like she had been asked a question "they have a large feast. It is sort of… like a New Year deal or something for them. Tradition. They usually have everyone come and embrace so… I think it might be nice to show some support."
Jack nodded, seeing this as a good chance too.
.
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"How did you find that out?" Ianto asked. "I remember those from my youth."
"Gebgeb came to the door and invited us, seems he remembers you well, even if he was a small child when you liberated the death camp he and his family were in" Rhiannon did not turn from the task as she turned the handle on the salad tosser.
"Oh. Yes, I've been to some of these before. We must bring flowers as well… the head elder likes a gift." Ianto said, heading to the beloved garden to pick some.
,
,
"Hi Ianto" Alice smiled as she waved from her herb garden.
"Hi sweetie, love the color of your skirt. Preppy" he replied as her bright yellow poodle skirt swished.
"thanks, found it in one of my cases I hadn't opened yet. Felt silly when I purchased it but… why not" she laughed, the sweet mint and nasturtium flowers in her hand making for a lovely poesy.
Ianto hummed as he chose some blooms.
.
.
"Can we go too?"
"If you change into something brightly coloured, they are all about colour." Rhiannon said and Mica took off with glee, almost mowing down her grandtad who lifted the bouquet of flowers so they didn't' become a casualty.
"What's she up to?"
"Getting changed."
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"Will this do?"
Alice looked over at Steven who stood in the doorway with an orange shirt, purple pants she had NEVER SEEN BEFOFE and an apple green pair of shoes. "Oh my god… what the hell… where did you all of that?"
"We have a swap table at school. Davie came up with the idea" the boy said, proudly puffing his chest out as he spoke of his friend "We all take stuff we don't' want and anyone can swap for something on the table they do want. I got rid of the clothes I grew out of as well as those horrible old shirts we got on Nebula Dell. Those itched. A Blumanchu scooped them up telling me they like bold colours like that."
"Yes they do."
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"Bold colors represent their gods" Ianto was explaining as he knelt to do up David's shoelace, the child not blinking as this was expected. Anyone else would be insulting to a young man but Gee… will always fuss.
"So I look bold?"
"The red is becoming, I like the gold pants. Blumanchu if I am not mistaken."
"Yeah, Honorary swapped me for a pair of shoes I didn't like, inched too much." The boy nodded, then grinned as he threw his arms around Ianto "Love you GeeTaee."
"Oh… I love you too ya horrible little creep" Ianto hugged him back, kissing his forehead lovingly "Now… all that is left is a gold credit in your pocket. For the offering bowl."
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"The offering bowl is near the head elder. You bow, place the coin in the bowl and then enter the party" Jack was explaining as he slid the coin into his grandson's pocket.
Alice reached out her and Jack placed a coin in it, watching as it disappeared into her bosoms and he grinned knowing the Blumanchu would all be scandalized and delighted by the reappearance of it later.
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"Are there any don'ts?" Mica asked, knowing GeeTee would know.
"Yes. Don't spit out food you don't like. Swallow even if you don't want to as food is precious to them. Always return a welcome and if in doubt…. Do not engage. Some do not speak very good Galactic Standard so… we don't want confusion" he counseled "but the kids of course… fluent."
"Some of me Blumanchu friends swill be there" she grinned "I should just stick with them."
"Good idea. They will most likely explain things for you too."
"GeeTee?"
"Yes Mimi?"
"Why are some people mean to them?"
"Because humans are arseholes."
"TAD!"
The little girl giggled as her mother scolded Ianto, his eye roll telling her he did not care.
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"Right… I think we pass muster" Jack ran an eye over his family, then took a deep breath "Come on troops. What what.. hey hey. Into the fray eh… what oh!"
"Stop it Granddad, you are being a dickhead again" Steven told him with a loving pat to his elbow that had Alice laughing so much it was hard to walk.
Jack's grin was epic as he had heard his own voice coming from that lad.
So cute.
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The two families walked in companionable silence towards the back building where music was faintly heard, the party already ongoing and finally Ianto said softly "Go on then, kids can go first. Just don't forget…."
They ran off like mad fucking animals "…. The coins."
Ianto held his daughter's arm and they walked slowly, the fact Jack and Alice did as well something that Ianto appreciated as Alice complained that the uneven ground was hard t traverse in her shoes.
Rhiannon's glance of appreciation not missed.
Ah.
Ianto now knows that Alice knows the truth.
Well.
One of them.