Chapter Text
Jimmy:
So apparently I’m going to go live in a colony for like, two years.
It’s called Tarsus IV.
I won’t be able to message much.
Apparently there’s some kind of interference in communications thanks to like, an ion cloud or something.
So Sam’s gonna check on you sometimes, okay?
So you know we haven’t forgotten you or something.
Gaila:
A colony? That souns fun.
Jimmy:
Sounds*
Don’t forget to practice your spelling while I’m off playing John Wayne.
Apparently the environment’s perfect for wheat and cattle.
It’s like the American Mid-west, except the cacti shoot spines instead of letting you just run into them.
Cool, huh?
Gaila:
Very cool.
So, Daddy says his sister lives in Arkansaw. I have lots of new couzins.
Cousins*
I caught it.
Jimmy:
Nice.
But it’s spelled ‘Arkansas’.
Easy mistake.
Gaila:
Wait.
What?
Why?
Why would anybody spell it like that?
Jimmy:
I don’t know.
Americans are weird.
I think it might be a native word.
Regardless, American spelling make no sense.
Gaila:
You’re right, it doesn’t.
So, Sam’s going to message me? I’ve never met him.
Jimmy:
Yeah, he’s alright.
Kinda weird.
Not like me or Mommy at all.
He’s kinda boring, honestly.
But he’s nice.
Gaila:
Okay, if you’re sure he won’t mind.
Jimmy:
He knows better than that.
Mommy’s going to message you too, sometime.
And Number One.
And the Captain, obviously.
But probably mostly Sam.
He’s only in college, so he’s not doing anything too important.
Gaila:
Daddy says school’s important, and that college counts as school so I have to go when I get big enough.
Jimmy:
Supposedly it makes life easier.
But that’s only if you’re not naturally gifted, like us.
Gaila:
Thanks, Jimmy.
Jimmy:
No problem.
Gaila:
I miss you.
Jimmy:
I miss you too.
*.*
Unknown Comm:
Hey, this is Sam. Is this Gaila?
Gaila:
Yes.
Hi, Sam.
Unknown Comm:
Hey. Nice to meet you.
Gaila:
Nice to meet you, too.
Unknown Comm:
Are you doing okay?
Gaila:
Yeah, I think so.
Unknown Comm:
Good. Text me is you need anything, okay?
Gaila:
Yeah, okay.
Thanks.
Unknown Comm:
No problem.
*.*
Gaila:
Can you explain something to me?
Sam:
Sure. What’s up?
Gaila:
So, Daddy’s first name is Christopher.
And Aunt Krisy’s name is Kristina.
Is that normul to do with twins?
To give them the same name, I mean.
Sam:
Oh, no.
Krisy’s name wasn’t always Kristina. She changed it.
Gaila:
Oh.
Why would she do that?
Sam:
Because she didn’t like her old name.
Gaila:
Was it ugly?
Sam:
I don’t think so. I mean, I like the name Michael.
Gaila:
Isn’t that a boy’s name?
Sam:
Yes.
Gaila:
Her parints gave her a boy’s name even though she’s a girl?
Sam:
Well, they didn’t know she was a girl when they named her. When Krisy was born, they thought she was a boy. But she wasn’t, so she changed it. It’s kind of complicated.
Gaila:
Oh.
I changed my name, to!
too*
Well, I made it longer.
Sam:
Did you?
Gaila:
Yeah!
My name was Gaila, and now it’s Gaila Kirk Pike.
Sam:
That’s fun. Did you tell my Mom that you’re a Kirk now?
Gaila:
Mommy says she’s always wanted a girl.
She seemed pritty happy.
Sam:
Really? That must have been interesting to see.
Listen, I have class. I’ll talk to you later, Gaila, okay?
Gaila:
Okay.
Thanks for explaining, Sam.
Sam:
No problem.
*.*
Gaila has six new cousin altogether, but she only lives with four of them. It’s kind of weird. She was the only kid, when she still had owners, and then it was only her and Jimmy. Now, though, there’s Sean and Veronica and Alanna and Bryan, and they always have friends over. It’s not a bad kind of weird, though. It’s fun! Just different.
Aunt Krisy’s a teacher at the high school where Sean goes for summer school. He’s really smart, but he’s kinda stupid, too. Kind of like Jimmy, except he isn’t as smart as Jimmy. Jimmy’s never done something bad enough that Security brought him back to Mommy’s quarters, or at least, he’s never gotten caught. Sean gets caught a lot, by police officers in cars with bright red and blue lights and shrill sirens.
The cars scare her, the first time they pull up to the house. The police officers scare her too, at first, because they stare. Aunt Krisy says it’s because they’ve never met an Orion before, but it still felt kinda weird. Officer Longmire was nice though, once he got used to her, and even let her borrow his freaky hat so she could send a photo to Daddy, so she figures they’re okay.
Auntie Ren works as a cook at a kind of restaurant called a diner on weekends. She teaches Gaila how to make real, blueberry pancakes and all the different ways a person can cook an egg. Gaila likes them boiled. Veronica’s a vegan, so she doesn’t eat eggs at all, but Alanna, who’s going to be in Gaila’s class when she starts school in the fall, likes hers scrambled, and Bryan likes them best sunny-side up.
Gaila’s cousins are very nice. It must be a Pike thing.
*.*
Sam:
When do you start school?
Gaila:
Tomorow.
Sam:
Don’t be nervous. School’s fun.
Gaila:
I’m not nervous.
What if nobody likes me?
Sam:
Statistically, someone’s bound to like you, Gaila.
Gaila:
But what if they don’t?
Sam:
They will. Trust me.
Gaila:
People keep staring at me when Aunt Krisy takes us for brekfist at Auntie Ren’s job.
Sam:
They’re probably just curious. Don’t be worried, Gaila. Just do what Jimmy does.
Gaila:
What does Jimmy do?
Sam:
He ignores any opinion anyone might have and goes ahead to do whatever he wants. Mommy calls it Kirk Confidence.
You’re a Kirk. You’re allowed to act like one.
Gaila:
There are police here, Sam.
I don’t want to get in trouble.
Daddy would be disapoynted.
Sam:
You’re way too smart to be Jim’s friend.
Gaila:
I’m not his friend, I’m his sister.
Sam:
Right.
You know, if you’re Jim’s sister that kind of makes you my sister, too.
As your big brother (and somebody with Terran school experience), I’m telling you: you’ve got nothing to worry about. People will like you. You’ll make lots of friends, and when Jimmy leaves Tarsus, you can teach him how to make friends without causing an incident.
You’ll be fine, Gaila.
Gaila:
Are you sure?
Sam:
Yes.
Gaila:
Thanks, Sam.
Sam:
No problem.