Erik could only laugh at Doreen's reaction. He appreciated her devotion but knew well enough how it feels to be lost in a sense of constant working, to feel like you're always plugged in. It actually took him about 3 years after Peter was born to learn how to separate himself from work, especially when at home or on short vacations with his family. Still, he did it, so he thought she might learn as well in time.
With his ears already following the sound of commotion, Erik accepted Doreen's idea in a flash. Armed and ready to capture their over-active children, the two hastily went down the corridor the boys were on and prompted their attention. "Stop right there!" - Erik hollered with a slightly amused tone, yet attempting to sound menacing. Peter gave no quarter. Without so much as a word, he dashed at his father with his sword raised and ready to strike. Parry. Erik stood his ground and waved the plastic decoration around as decently as he could, just enough to make it interesting but still maintain a level of safety.
Ben on the other hand tried a more indirect approach and came close to his mother from the side of the corridor, ready to pounce.
She squatted down a bit and put her arms out...an open stance. "Come get me, Laddie," she growled, "lose and you will be fed to the fish." Ben charged, waving his sword. She parried off a couple of his blows only to "lose" when he stabbed her in the chest.
She fell to the ground on her back, "Ugh, got me."
He went to finish her but when he jumped on her, she grabbed him and started tickling him. "Fooled you! Surrender!"
He refused. She tickle tortured him as he was in fits of laughter. Finally, he just started, "OK! OK! I surrender!"
She stopped and sat up while he caught his breath. He made a move as if he was going to attack again but she only put her arms out like she would do it again. He just shook his head and looked to Peter. Realizing this, she turned and looked at Peter. Her hair was a mess and her shirt untucked but she just grinned, "Are you going to surrender too, Peter?"
Noticing his ally's victory, Erik parried his son's attacks one more time and then jumped backwards, speaking on a solemn tone "So, do you give up as well?"
His eyes were expectant, tense... He was waiting for his son's move. There was a moment of stillness between the two. After that, Peter looked at Doreen with fire in his eyes, then looked at his father and held his stick up high shouting "Never."
A tear rolled down Erik's cheek at that moment, for he couldn't be prouder of such a decision - even if within a game. Erik allowed his son to lunge the stick into his chest, then fell to his knees and stated "You beat me this time." He wanted to show the boy that sometimes, even if it might not seem possible, if you fight with everything you have... you can win. He then just stood up, stroked Peter's head, and commented on a joyous tone "I guess the fight ends in a draw. And all this hustle builds an appetite. Anyone up for lunch?"
"Anyone up for lunch?"
Doreen finished laughing and stood up. She was truly enjoying herself even though her hair was a mess and her shirt was untucked from rolling around on the deck.
"Lunch sounds like a good idea," she answered as she began putting herself back together.
"I'm starving," answered Ben.
While Benjen went to where the food would be served, Doreen discreetly excused herself to Erik, "I'll be right out. I need to fix myself a bit before lunch."
In a restroom, she removed her shirt to fix it and before she put it back on, she fixed her hair. It took a few minutes but she had it to where she liked it. Then, she fixed her shirt. She came out smiling.
Lunch was served. She took a seat at the table and found herself sitting between Ben and Erik. She was curious as to what would be the main course.
Erik followed Doreen's example and went to the restroom first, to wash up and arrange his hair a bit. After being done, he stood in front of the mirror for a moment, contemplating... Aaah... haven't felt this good in years.
The small dining room was fit with balloons hanging all around the ceiling, while the table had been already set up with everything they might need. The food had been placed in conservation bowls in the middle, along with a few bottles of beverages. Erik opened up a bowl and noticed some sort of fish-based stew, from which he put some for Peter, who loved fish. The other bowls contained an exotically decorated salad, a fruit-n-cheese pie and some kind of steak - all of which were based on Crayterian recipes, Erik commented. Since there was no staff, he kindly offered to serve everyone with whatever they preferred.
Once everyone was eating happily, conversation sprouted on its own, with both Peter and his father giving Benjen plenty of attention. After all, it was his birthday. "So, Ben - how's school so far? Are the teachers nice? Have you made friends?" - Erik asked on a friendly tone.
"So, Ben - how's school so far? Are the teachers nice? Have you made friends?"
"I love school," replied Benjen. "It's nice to be able to go to school each day and fit in without being picked on because of where I come from. The students don't bully and the teachers don't treat me........differently. I get a 'Good Morning' from them and a smile."
He turned toward Erik. He found himself in an involved conversation with him. Doreen just sat and let him have the spotlight. "One teacher, a Mrs. Crocker, she asked a lot about where I came from, where I had been and how Mom and I came here. I wasn't sure why but she was nice. I told her a little about how we got here but didn't give any real details. She was impressed how Mom is a doctor and how we have found such acceptance here."
He took a sip of his soda before continuing, "All of my classmates like me and some have become my friends. One of them has been learning Rheinlandic so she asks me if she is saying certain things right. I like science so I talk that a lot with friends too." He smiled a bit, "Since I have been here, my life has been better. You treat us right and Peter has become my best friend."
Doreen gave a soft smile, saying nothing as her son spoke to Erik. For her it was a relief that they were bonding a bit. The fact that he wasn't intimidated by him was refreshing. Her only fear was that he wasn't afraid to ask an occasional direct question. It wasn't intended to hurt but on occasion, it did. He asked Erik, "If you don't mind, one day, I would like to spend some time in your lab. I bet I could learn a few things there. Would that be OK?"
Erik was listening to Ben's explanation with interest. It wasn't just that he was a lovely kid, but he was also curious what his own son would have to expect once he starts school. It wasn't news to him that Crayterians were, for the most part, a kind and welcoming people... In the end, the Crayterians' lives in history were built upon a desire to be welcomed by their brethren nations, a wish that was met with hostility at first. Alas, it was definitely a relief to hear this kind of praise from Ben, someone who was new in the Republic.
Ben's interest in sciences was also a notable comment. While Peter would always take interest in his father's work, Erik never had the chance to see his son being really passionate about it. The boy took a lot more after his mother, having the same valiant willingness to defend his own. Of course, he wasn't even seven years old... so who knows.
"If you don't mind, one day, I would like to spend some time in your lab. I bet I could learn a few things there. Would that be OK?"
Erik's face was caught between a smirk and a grin at this point and his reply sounded almost fatherly "Well, of course it would be OK... Some day you might even work in one of those labs if you'll want to. But ... I think you need to stick to school for a few more years first, just so you learn the basics, alright?"
Erik let out a short chuckle as he turned his eyes to Doreen, curious to see any reaction.
She was sipping her Greek wine. Yes, another glass. She had a half-smirk on her face as the two spoke. She was enjoying it. For the moment, she just sat back and allowed them to continue.
"But Dr. Colvin, I will stay in school. Mom would kill me if I didn't. But....." He got a bit nervous, "I want to work in your lab one day...with you......just to try it out....you know........just to see what it's like."
Mom could tell he was playing on his sympathies but did nothing. At the moment, he was Erik's dilemma.
She hid behind her glass, half smiling, "Sounds like a field trip." She stayed hidden behind her glass, still smiling.
With no clear intervention from Doreen, Erik just continued his conversation with Benjen. His smirked changed into an inquisitive smile as he heard Ben's counter-comment. "But Dr. Colvin, I will stay in school. Mom would kill me if I didn't. But..... I want to work in your lab one day...with you......just to try it out....you know........just to see what it's like."
"I see how it is..." - he started, while his eyes were filling with compassion - "Well then, since it's your birthday... Let's make a deal. You pick some sort of technology or field of science, and I'll give you a one-day internship in a laboratory focused on your chosen domain. But here's the catch: you have to work very hard that day. Sounds good?"
Erik kept thinking what was he to do... For some reason he just couldn't refuse the boy, even if any kind of work at Yuma Robotics was well beyond the understanding of such a young pupil. Although, it was unclear if Erik's compliance came from the boy's lovely persistence or due to his mother's intriguing behavior. He figured he'd just do it as an experiment in the end. Do a good deed, have some fun... and maybe who knows, Ben actually had some talent for it.
"But here's the catch: you have to work very hard that day. Sounds good?"
His face lit right up as Erik spoke, his eyes as big as saucers. "Really?" he shouted. "Oh wow, Dr. Corvin, I will work hard. I promise." Then he scaled back a bit and thought about some science. He knew science as a study but didn't know many of it's disciplines.
"A field of science or technology," he thought aloud. "Hm." He sat in thought for a moment. He remembered touring the labs of robotics and equipment. It was some of the neatest stuff he had ever seen. The ship they were on and the many ships he had been on. Then it hit him even if he wasn't sure why but with things always moving, it made sense.
"Quantum physics, Mr. Corvin. That's what I want to know more about."
Looking on, Doreen just smiled. She wasn't really surprised. "Well, he is very good at Math so it's fitting."
Benjen jumped up, "Thank you, Dr. Corvin. I will work hard, I promise. You won't be sorry." With that, Ben almost grabbed Peter and went back to play time.
Doreen looked at Erik with a look of pride. She admired him for making the offer to Ben. She also found it quietly attractive as not many men would have done that. With a kind smile, she just looked to him. "Thank you for that. You have just made him very happy and his mother very proud."