Siblings Microfics (G)

[aeryncrichton]

Originally posted 9/4/06

This is a collection of "microfics" (100-word stories) that were written for the August 29 Microfic Challenge at Terra Firma.  The topic for the week was, "Siblings."

These five little fics were written over several days' time, and relate to five different sets of siblings.  All are rated "G," and all are, of course, not my characters, not my universe, and no disrespect to the owners is intended!


Setting: The indeterminate future
Spoilers: None to speak of

Next of Kin

Crichton answered the door, Winona in hand. On the threshold stood a blonde Sebacean woman, somewhere around Aeryn's age.

"Are you John Crichton?" she asked.

He countered, "Who wants to know?"

She gnawed on her lower lip, and looked nervously at the pulse pistol.

He shrugged. "You'll excuse me for the caution. Our number's unlisted."

"I didn't mean--" Her attention was drawn behind him.

John turned his head to follow her gaze.

Aeryn was staring quizzically at their visitor. "Do I know you?" she asked.

The woman at the door took a deep breath. "Talyn Lyczac was my father."


Setting: Stark's childhood
Spoilers: None to speak of

Inconspicuous

"Stark! Stark! Wake up!"

The eight year old burrowed under his pillow to escape his younger brother's persistent poking.

But Tad wouldn't give up. "It's time to be at work!" he insisted.

"Don't care," Stark mumbled, face pressed against his mattress. "Helped old Thong cross over last night. Sleepy now...."

Tad's voice took on the sharp edge of fear. "If the masters find out you're Stykera--" He broke off with a squeak.

With a groan, Stark sat up and touched his brother's shoulder. "They won't take me. I promise, Tad." He headed out to be a good little slave....


Setting: Crichton's childhood
Spoilers: None to speak of

Blood Brothers

"Come on, DK, do it!" Johnny displayed his hand, palm up, showing a neat line of blood.

The other boy sat paralyzed, pocketknife hovering over his hand.

"DK, this was your idea!"

"The thumb, not the hand!" DK protested.

"It's not real blood brothers if you don't use the hand!"

DK hesitated again, and Johnny needled, "What's the matter? You chicken?"  Getting carried away, he flapped his arms and added, "Buck, buck, buck!"

Abruptly, DK sliced the knife across his palm. He gasped, and blood gushed.

Johnny had the presence of mind to grab his friend's hand before screaming, "Mooooom!!!"


Setting: Terra Firma
Spoilers: Through Terra Firma

Farewell

Livvy shoved the phone at him for the sixth time.

For the sixth time, he pushed it aside to concentrate on the notes he was making for his dad.

"Goddammit John, take it!"

He saw his own misery reflected in his sister's puffy red eyes, and gave in. He took the phone, and Livvy fled.

Reluctantly, he dialed the number. The line rang once, twice, and he hoped he was saved, but abruptly there was a click and a "Hello?"

He cleared his throat. "Uh, Suze? It's John. Something's happened, and... I... I've gotta leave."

The silence broke his heart.


Setting: A few cycles after PK Wars
Spoilers: Vaguely, through PK Wars

Brothers

Rygel XVI glided up next to Aeryn. They sat at the edge of the nursery yard watching the boys play in the afternoon sun, building a fortress in the sand. "Ah," he said, thinking of his own tempestuous youth. "It's nice to see brothers getting along!"

Aeryn turned, puzzlement on her face for just a microt, and then she grinned. "If you say so." They shared the joke, and then she stood up. "But it's time for D'Argo's nap."

"Hmph," he said, knowing nothing of child rearing. "Elha!" he called to his chief wife. "Fetch young Rygel for a rest!"

[aeryncrichton]

"Next of Kin"....found this short a very interesting opening. Might have been nice to see that short expanded into a longer tale to see Aeryn react to that bit of news!

"Brothers".....very nice indeed! Loved the thought of Rygel and Aeryn enjoying that little joke between each other. Really got a smile out of me with this snap shot of these two!:)

Well done......

There's a fair chance that I will expand "Next of Kin" into a larger story.  I kind of need to figure out what I want to say about both Aeryn and the Peacekeepers before I go down that road, though. This little snippet just kind of makes a point of what I think is quite possible given what (little) we know about PK breeding -- Aeryn could certainly have a half-sibling or two out there somewhere.  Heck, if I was feeling totally insane, I could say she might have a full sibling, older, that Xhalax and Talyn didn't get caught over....  (Don't expect me to go that way, though....it's a half-sib I have in mind....) 

Let me send up a joyus cheer for this fic seeing a bit more in the future! I can see some interesting emotional mind fields being navigated by our favorite ex-peacekeeper. She has made great advances in here travels to grow as a character, but there may be some mixed feelings as they relate to her family now........and how what her upbringing compares to what here children may "now" enjoy! An interesting journey to say the least!

I agree with your view of a possible full sibling and how that might detract a bit. There just seems to be something that rings untrue with the possibility of a full sibling being even possible. I just see some serious questions that would have to be answered to make that jump even feasable. The idea of a child being born from another pairing that could bring forth a half-sibling seem a bit more reasonable. But that is just my humble thoughts on the subject.

John is so going to be in the dren when she tries to balance out this impact from her past.......and why this individual is motivated to seek her out now! Good luck on your future project!