xp_logs | [Log] Tandy and Kurt : Family Gathering

Tis the season of family and Kurt takes Tandy to met his very large and very welcoming family. To her surprise she has a blast.

"How many...did you say they were again?" Tandy asked looking up at the hotel and bit her lip. She had agreed to this, but the blonde still felt out of place. Standing outside of the hotel where Kurt's family was staying at. "What if they don't like me?"

"Several dozen", Kurt said in reassuring tones, patting her shoulder with his tail - which was wrapped in the wool "sock" she'd made for him. "And of course they will like you. They will smother you with affection, I should think."

"Several dozen...that is a lot of family. I don't think I ever seen that big of a family." Tandy said as she tried to imagine several dozen people crammed into one room - she doubted that they would have one room and would have several but the mind of a teenager. "You think?" The teenager asked with a smirk. "Okay lets do this before I chicken out and go wait in the car."

"Be glad you are not a gypsy girl, or they would start trying to match-make you with one of our boys", Kurt said lightly, amused, as they walked up the steps. "And none of that, they are expecting you."

Tandy blushed slightly as she put her hands to her cheeks, "Oh god, I shouldn't say for the longest time when I was a kid I wanted to be like Esmeralda from the Hunchback of Norte Dame...the Disney movie not the book. Book was depressing."

"Some of them would be amused by that, some would have no idea what you are talking about", he advised cheerfully. "Esmeralda is rather romanticised, but who does not want to romanticise themselves sometimes?"

Tandy smiled, "True. But we don't have to tell anyone that portion of my childhood." The teen opened the door and held it open for Kurt, "But I often wondered what it would be like to meet gypsies."

"One day you must come and visit us at home", Kurt suggested, stepping through and turning to wait for her. "In surroundings like this, they are much like anyone else."

"Where is home again? Somewhere in central Europe right? Maybe once I graduate high school? Travel the world for a bit...." She still had a year and half then, but she could start planning for it. Tandy walked in after Kurt and the door closed - no going back. "So they could blend in..." Looking around at the people in the lobby. "Interesting."

"Germany, mostly, some of them in Eastern and other parts of Central Europe", he agreed. "If you want to, just let me know and I will arrange it. As for blending in... the younger ones of us do it better." As was proved by what some of the older men and women she could see were wearing. "Come, I will introduce you."

"Really? Arrange the trip around Europe? I'll totally keep that in mind." Tandy unzipped her jacket as it was warmer inside than out. Her skin was slightly glowing from her nervousness. "Sorry can't help it." The teen whispered to Kurt.

"I meant, arrange a visit to the clan", Kurt clarified. "But I would be happy to help with the whole trip, if you need it. Do not worry about the glowing - as long as you can keep it to a harmless level, no one will mind."

"Sweet. And yea, it is mainly harmless. I am learning how to tell when it reaches other levels. I think Renee is getting used to the light bright in our room at night."

"Perhaps a blackout curtain, if it troubles her?" he suggested, half-serious. "But yes, no one at this gathering will object to a mutant. They helped to raise me, after all."

"But you are blue and furry...the best combination like ever." Tandy gave Kurt her biggest grin she could muster.

"True enough." He grinned back, as the relatives started to make their way over to the pair. "And they tell me I was a ridiculously cute baby. Sometimes with pictures."

"Baby pictures? Do you think I'll get to see some tonight? I know that Mr G's dad showed us baby pictures when he sub."

"Quite possible. I think they carry them around just in case", he said in an undertone, then greeted the first of several elderly ladies with a broad smile and a hug.

Tandy covered a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing at the thought of baby pictures. The teenager watched before she waved at them shyly. "Hi." Unsure of what to do next - Tandy just stood there awkwardly.

"~Grandmothers~", Kurt said, turning towards her, "~this is Tandy."

The women promptly flocked around her, squeezing her hands and generally making a sympathetic and welcoming babble, not all of it in English.

"What are they saying? I am going to assume, 'hi and nice to meet you'." Tandy said, half whispering in case they did understand and they were just waiting to see what she would do. "I should had asked you how to say something." Nonetheless, Tandy smiled at them, "Pleasure is all mine?"

The ladies seemed pleased with the response, smiling and in one case pinching her cheek, before a child shrieked across the room and their attention wandered. Kurt nodded. "That is most of it. They are also sorry for your misfortune. And some of them do speak English, to a point, but not so comfortably as Romani and German."

Tandy touched her cheek at where she was pinched. "Oh, thanks. I only know like a few words in German thanks to Remmstein but that is about it. Is it too late to learn it?"

"Not at all. I will teach you, if you like." He glanced down at where a giggling toddler was now attempting to climb his leg. "In the new semester."

"I think I can tack on an extra class. I am passing at least." Tandy looked down at the toddler, "I think she likes you."

"The youngest ones always seem to." He swooped the girl up in his arms, fetching a delighted squeal. "I think they see me as a giant fuzzy toy."

"Or a teddy bear. Kids like teddy bears." Tandy smiled as she watched the two. "Maybe the tail helps too."

"Quite possibly. Both Amanda and Jimaine loved to play with my tail as toddlers. And sometimes use it as a teething toy."

"Teething? Isn't that awkward? Just a little bit?" The blonde walked further into the room, the sounds of unfamiliar language and laughter filled the air. Tandy paused in her step as she heard music starting up, "Music?"

"Awkward and occasionally a little painful", he agreed lightly. "But nothing I could not take. Yes, music, it is a party and parties must have music and dancing."

"I never heard anything like this...." Tandy moved closer as the crowd was gathering and people started to dance. "This is cool."

"I am glad you enjoy it." Kurt smiled down at her, then directed it more widely at everyone in the room. "Feel free to join in, if you like."

"I might step on someones foot..." Though it was too late to turn back now, as the teenager was offered a hand in the dancing. She took off her jacket and placed it on a chair nearby before she was swept away into the spinning crowd.

"No one will mind!" he called after her, laughing, as she disappeared among the people. And then it was his turn to be offered a hand, which he took readily and joined the dance.