Greep Meets the Twins

Posted on Wed Dec 8th, 2021 @ 3:32am by Petty Officer 1st Class Greep & Lieutenant James Smith & Lieutenant Krysia Kaleri-Smith

Mission: The Gauntlet
Location: Krysia and James' Quarters
Timeline: current

ON

PO1 Greep had been enjoying the cold as the Pandora made its way through the Rentara nebula. Being an Ontarion, he missed the cold climate of his world. So while a lot of the crew was bundling up, Greep stayed in his regular uniform. It was nice to have a coat of natural blue fur as well.

The simian/avian engineer had been dismissed of duties for a few hours so he decided now was a good time to visit the Kaleri-Smiths and see their new twins. He was more than curious to see what something delivered from a body looked like as compared to the eggs from which all Ontarions were hatched. He had heard human babies were born missing most of their hair. This had piqued his interest, as had a lot of things about humans since he joined Starfleet.

Hoping he had come at the right time, Greep hit the chime and waited for an answer.

Having returned to their quarters Krysia was busy playing with the twins on the floor of the living area. Hearing the chime she smiled as she looked towards the door. “It’s open! Come on in!”

The door swished open revealing Greep, who squawked, "Hello, Counselor."

Krys was surprised to see Greep enter the room, of anyone she might have expected she wasn’t expecting the bird like Officer. “Hello Greep, please come on in and make yourself comfortable.” She grinned as she returned to playing peekaboo with the twins, she loved to see their little faces light up, and see them smile.

Greep nodded and entered the room, eyeing the babies on the floor. "I hope this is a convenient time. I just wanted to meet your offspring."

“Then you picked the perfect time!” Krysia grinned as she shifted her position a little. “This is Emily” She motioned to the little girl dressed in a cute pink romper. “This is Joseph” She motioned to the little man in blue. “They’ve never seen anything like you before so they’re pretty curious as to what you are.” She grinned as she interpreted the curious wide eyed looks wondering if either twin would decide Greep was scary and burst into tears.

Greep cocked his head to the side, examining the children. With a short rap of clicks, he squawked, "Hello Emily. Hello Joseph. I am Greep. I am an Ontarion." He waited a few seconds before turning to Krysia. "Do they understand what I'm saying?"

Krysia smiled. “Babies don’t understand language when they’re this young Greep, at this age they’re more or less blank slates, learning everything from scratch including language. As they grow they learn from listening, playing and experiencing things.”

"Interesting," Greep squawked. "My race does not have a language as sophisticated as yours. We are born already knowing how to communicate with each other. It took me a long time to learn to imitate the sounds of your language. My way of speaking is entirely different from yours."

Krys nodded “Different species have different ways of learning. If my children were only part Betazoid they wouldn’t develop their abilities until they’re older, but as they’re both part Drax that alters things a little. They’re not actively telepathic but they do have a connection with me,”

"How are you faring in this cold weather?" Greep asked. "Are your children staying warm? Engineering and Ops are doing their best to provide blankets and warm clothing to those who are negatively impacted by the current climate."

“It’s a bit cold, but fortunately I have fondness for nice soft, cosy blankets!” Krys grinned. “I’ve got my favourite one in the bedroom and I have small ones for the twins. They need to be warm but not overly warm at this age, children this young can’t regulate their own body temperature so it’s a fine line between warm and too hot. I’m still learning how many layers of clothes they need, it’s tricky being a first time parent!”

There was a series of clicks before Greep squawked, "It is a shame humans do not grow a fur coat. I guess that's why you wear clothing. It is strange to me, though, that even in hot weather humans insist on wearing clothes."

Krys couldn’t help but grin. “Humans are....bashful about being seen naked. Whereas Betazoids are used to nakedness, my own people are pretty strict on nakedness. On my world we have to wear gloves on our hands in public as well so we don’t touch.

"Why can't you touch?" Greep squawked. Two soft clicks followed.

“Our telepathy is pretty strong, touch can trigger a telepathic link.” Krysia shrugged her shoulders. “It’s considered an invasion of privacy if you link with someone by accident.”

"I suppose it would be," Greep replied. "Do you think your children will have telepathic abilities?"

Krys nodded. “In a way they already do. Mainly with myself and James at present.” She looked towards the door just as it opened.

James had finished his duty shift and was exhausted. He had spent his day in his office instead of on the bridge and doing paperwork and crew evaluations were tiring. As the door opened to his quarters he took his jacket off and looked around. That’s when he noticed his wife conversing with one of the crew members who seemed interested in the twins. Making his way over to the two he said, “how’s your day been” as he gave her a kiss. He looked over at the visitor he had seen him around the and smiled, “Glad you could visit us in our home Greep.” James bend down to kiss the twins as they squealed in delight to have daddy home.

"I am enjoying myself, Lieutenant," Greep squawked. "And learning too."

Krysia returned her husband’s kiss. “It’s been a long day but not too bad” Krysia smiled warmly. “How about you Imzadi?”

James smiled at his wife and said, "It has been a long day, I have been been reading over Intel dispatches from Starfleet Intelligence and working on crew evaluations." James looked over at Greeps, and smiled, "Greeps, please call me James I am off duty and this my home no need for being so formal. How has your visit been so far?"

Greep cocked his head and clicked a few times. "I have found it pleasant and educational. I have never been around humanoid babies before. They do not have much hair." He examined them again. "They also don't have any teeth. Is that normal?"

Krys grinned. “For babies it’s perfectly normal” she reached for a nearby PADD. “Here’s a PADD I’ve been reading it’s pretty interesting actually. Has some fascinating facts as well as tips.” She motioned to the twins. “They’ll eventually start getting their milk teeth.”

Greep scanned the PADD for a few minutes. "This is all very complicated," he said. "I had no idea there was so much to know about how to raise humanoid babies."

Greep stood up and set the PADD back down next to Krysia. "I think I'd better depart. I don't want to get in the way of your quality time. Thank you both for your hospitality."

“Our pleasure Greep!” Krysia smiled warmly. “Anytime you want to come visit please do, you’re always welcome.”

OFF