Meeting the Parents [for ziggyplaysguitar]

[guitar_voodoo]

Having your girlfriend meet your parents could often be an embarrassing event but Mick was excited for his to finally meet Ziggy. The girl he kept talking about over the phone to Ted and Elsie Ronno for the past couple of months. What with the tour and meeting the other bands Mick had been busy meeting the Hammers and Hell's Angels, yet he still had time to phone back home each weekend. Their son was a caring boy and now Ziggy was making his way with Mick towards the North of England. As soon as they approached the housing estate and Mick's parent's house a ginger cat jumped off the fence to let out a loud meow at the car approaching. It was Gibson the fluffy ginger tom. Mick's face soon lit up when he spotted his childhood cat since Gibson was getting on for fifteen now. An old boy indeed.

"Gibson, oh you big fluffy thing you."

Getting out of the car, Mick walked over to pick his cat up and give a few tickles under his chin. This was greeted with a few loud purrs and a lick to the hand. Glancing back towards Ziggy, the guitarist was happy and showed his big ball of ginger fluff to his alien girlfriend.

The alien part. This would be something awkward if the conversation came up between Ziggy and his parents. The whole intersex thing was well known among the bands but not everyone knew. They would have to explain Ziggy's height and Aletayria's once that came up too. Either way, Mick was ready and just wanted to introduce Ziggy into his family because it felt right to. The house wasn't a fancy one but one of a working class family who worked hard to gain anything in their lives. Good honest people lived inside though as Mick felt slightly nervous but keen to see his parents again.

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[ziggyplayedguitar]

Ziggy was nervous which was an odd thing. He usually barreled right through everything, full speed but this mattered. Making a good impression to Mick's parents was important to him and that rattled his nerves, leaving him silent and holding Mick's hand for most of the drive up from London. He's even dressed a little more subdued than usual, but subdued for Ziggy was still over the top by most standards.

He got out and joined Mick, petting the cat as much because he wanted to as for the distraction. His parents were getting out, Zayda in his mother's arms for ease of interacting with humans in the future. She would be out of the ouch more and more and it would be harder to explain the sudden older baby. Tom took his wife's hand while marveling at the work Jack and Ziggy had done earlier to make her appear perfectly human. It didn't alter her too much but enough to fool the humans, Mick's family.

They are all waiting for Mick to lead them to the house but Ziggy can't stop the nervousness even if the people around him are calm.

[guitar_voodoo]

Gibson loved all the attention he was getting as he meowed at Ziggy and looked up at the tall Anthean, seemingly enjoying the petting he was getting. Mick smiled and then spotted young Zayda in Aletayria's arms, looking as cute as ever. The nerves were building slightly as Mick walked to the door cat in one hand and then he put Gibson down to hold Ziggy's hand. It was good of Tom to have driven them up to the house because otherwise it would have been difficult on the train with everyone.

"Ready, love? They've been dying to meet you and your parents too for months now. They'll love you I know it."

Squeezing Ziggy's hand, Mick then pushed the doorbell once as it wasn't long before a middle-aged woman came to the door looking up at her son. She wasn't a tall woman but one who had a warm smile and kind features. Noticing Mick, she immediately went to hug her son but then realised he had company. Oh.

"Mick? Oh, this must be your girlfriend, Ziggy is it? Goodness lass you are tall aren't you? Ted come here will you! Mick's here and he's brought his girl and her parents."

Elsie Ronno peeked behind Mick and Ziggy to wave at Tom and then she gasped when she noticed just how tall Aletayria was. Ziggy was tall too but Tom's wife was even taller. Mick offered a sheepish smile to his mother as his father then appeared at the door taking a look at Ziggy and then the parents behind.

"Well, how about you all come in for something to eat and drink. You must be hungry and thirsty after that drive."

Mick's mum was first to step inside allowing the entourage to come inside. Baby Zayda hadn't gone unnoticed either as Elsie waved them all inside then walking up to Aletayria. She was so tall it amazed Elsie but knew she shouldn't be rude. Perhaps Ziggy's mother was foreign or a model. Either way she was beautiful and so was the baby.

"Oh, isn't she lovely! Does she need anything, love? Baby milk or some such? We haven't got such a thing now that Mick's all grown up but we can offer you a cup of tea and some cake though if you'd like?"

Mick glanced behind noticing his own mother talking to Ziggy's mother. Of course. Ted offered Tom, Aletayria and Ziggy a seat as he switched off the telly in the living room so the guests could sit down together. Mick sat next to Ziggy as he swallowed down some nerves. He knew his father was watching Ziggy and Aletayria in particular since he'd never seen such tall people before. Elsie came into the living room and offered smiles to everyone wondering what they'd like to eat and drink.

"Good drive up here was it?"

It was Ted who asked Tom first.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

Ziggy squeezed Mick's hand in support. "I was born ready."

Ziggy smiled at Mick's mother and feeling the wealth of warm emotions and love. He put a hand on her shoulder before leaning down to give her a hug as well. "I am and you must be Mick's beautiful mother."

Ziggy winked at her playfully before stepping into the house. Aletayria gave her a smile as well.

"Mick should have warned you my family is so tall." The tall Anthean offered as an apology for the startle she could feel. "No we...."

Aletayria caught herself almost saying something she shouldn't but hid it well as she lowered her voice. "I am still breast feeding."

Which was a weird thing to say since she had no breasts at all, though it wasn't wrong biologically. "Maybe a glass of water, and tea for Tom if you make any. Then we can sit and hold her if you like."

Zayda had been sleeping but when she felt the new people her eyes came open to look around. She is finally to the point in development that would put her on par with a human who was a month or two old, though she is much older. Her blue green eyes watching anything she can see. Aletayria is nervous since Zayda can't wear contacts and her eyes are so strange.

Tom was already seated and ready to engage in conversation while Ziggy sat quietly beside Mick.

"Yes. It's a familiar drive because I have friends up this way." Tom mentions to get the conversation started. "We had intended to come sooner but with a tour and a new baby the family is busy recently."

[guitar_voodoo]

Born ready. Mick just nodded at those words and could feel the empathy coming off his girlfriend as well as the mix of nerves which were mostly his own. Mick's mother, Elsie, did wonder how both Ziggy and Aletayria could be so tall. They must come from an exotic land where all the girls were tall. That was it. Ted, Mick's father, just stared a little before averting his eyes somewhat.

"Oh, he did say over the phone about how tall Ziggy was. We've seen all the performances on stage so far and love it all. You sing so well, love."

Elsie putting a hand on Ziggy's own hand, which was strangely quite cold to the touch. Was the poor dear chilly? Perhaps they all needed warming up with a nice cup of tea and a piece of cake or two. Mick shifted a little in his seat whilst watching both his parents, noticing that his father was more interested in what Ziggy looked like. He was then engaging in conversation with Tom. Glancing to Ziggy, Mick tried to communicate telepathically.

"Are you alright, love? If my mam goes into the kitchen to bring out food I'll make sure to tell her about you and your mother's dietary requirements."

He just wanted to make sure Ziggy and Aletayria could actually eat something that didn't have sugar in which cake did. Getting up, Mick offered to help his mother with the tea and refreshments, stepping into the kitchen with Elsie and then coming out with a plate of salty snacks; salt and vinegar crisps with some pickled onions too. Mick had told his mother that both Ziggy and Aletayria were allergic to anything with sugar in and loved salty things. No suspicions were arose that way.

Ted wondered about Ziggy and couldn't help ask the question that had been bugging him for a bit.

"How come you're both so tall? Elsie and me we reckon you might be from an exotic country or something like that. You've both got a good pair of legs on you though."

Mick rolled his eyes at his father and Elsie frowned, scorning Ted by bashing his arm with a newspaper for being rather rude. Setting the tray down, she invited everyone to take a cup of tea and a piece of cake or the salty snacks Mick had prepared.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"Ziggy and his friends are very talented." Aletayria confirms to keep the discussion friendly.

He leaned in and kissed Mick's cheek. "Thank you. I'm sure everything will be fine."

Tom was going to answer Ted but then Ziggy took it upon himself. Giggling the Anthean wasn't even deterred by Mick's father. "How come you're so short?" Ziggy is teasing Mick's father for his comment. "You aren't the first man to complement my legs but I'm afraid they belong to someone else, darling."

Ziggy had charm and sass, something Mick's parents would find out very quickly. Aletayria frowned a little at the banter from Ziggy and smiles at Mick's parents. "Tom and I met while he was traveling and this is my first time visiting England."

[guitar_voodoo]

"You're probably right, love. I'm just nervous is all since my dad sometimes speaks before he thinks. Mum will set him right though."

Mick knew Elsie would hit Ted around the head with the newspaper again if he said something he shouldn't. They were down to earth working class people with big hearts. It was just they weren't used to meeting people from foreign lands or women that were taller than the men. The comment from Ziggy had Mick smirking and even Elsie laughed a little at the red hair's sass. Oh, Mick had picked a good one here. She said what she thought and wasn't afraid.

"That's it, love. You speak your mind. We're all truthful in this family and don't appreciate secrets or lies. Isn't that right, Mick? You're a good honest boy and that's the way we brought you up to be."

Elsie patting her son's leg fondly whilst watching Mick blush out of awkwardness, smiling to Ziggy through his blond hair. Ted just chuckled at Ziggy's comment and liked how he was honest. Perhaps he got that from his father or even his mother.

"Oh, how lovely. I'm sure you have seen more of the world than us. We usually go to the local seaside for a holiday but we can't afford to go abroad. Mick is lucky to be travelling around with the Spiders. He's sent us postcards from all the towns and cities you've performed at."

Of course he had.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"Part of my art is to be honest about who I am." He took Mick's hand to encourage him while they sat there together. Ziggy was finding Mick's parents to be pleasant people, friendly and accepting. That was all he would ever ask for.

Tom interjected in the conversation again with a pleasant smile. "You should come down to London to have dinner at our house sometime. I can drive up to pick you up."

[guitar_voodoo]

Elsie liked this about Ziggy being honest about who he was and not afraid to stand up for what he believed in. Both Tom and Aletayria were good parents too for bringing their child up so well. Ted agreed but was still confused about where Aletayria came from. A foreign land? That was probably it. The height though and the baby's eyes? Those were definitely odd.

"Oh, we'd love that, wouldn't we, Ted?"

Mick's mother elbowing Ted who nodded in agreement. If Mick was happy then he was happy. Still, he'd never dated someone so tall and exotic before. Ziggy really was like no other girl he'd met. The guitarist squeezing Ziggy's hand hoping it was all going well so far. He'd honestly expected more awkward questions coming from his father but those could still happen.

"Mick recently bought us a colour television, didn't you, lad?"

Ted changing the subject a little because he didn't know what else to say regarding Ziggy and his family. Mick blushing and nodding. Sometimes, parental meetings could be so embarrassing. Elsie now rooting through an album of sorts opening it up on the table close to the tea tray. It showed Mick as a baby. The blond's eyes going wide and him wanting to hide somewhere. His mother looking to Ziggy and his family with a fond smile.

"This is Mick as a little baby."

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"You'll let us know and I can drive up to bring you to London if you want." Tom was naturally polite in civil situations but in this circumstance it was more important. These were Mick's parents.

Ziggy leaned into Mick squeezing his hand and smiled despite any awkwardness. Turning his attention from Mick to Ted Ziggy nods. "He told me, when was that our second practice?... that he was going to buy you one."

Aletayria leans in to look at the pictures because she is always interested in children. "OH! He's adorable."

She shifted Zayda gently and opened her purse pulling out one of the few baby pictures they had of Ziggy. That she shows to Mick's mother with a smile. "This is Ziggy."

Ziggy has equally wide eyes and then giggles while shaking his head at Mick. He knows his mom was going to share all the baby things with Mick's mother. Her eyes turned up to Elsie with the biggest grin. "Would you like to hold Zayda?"

Aletayria hadn't met many human mothers and the desire to bond with Mick's mother is strong. Tom knows his wife's ways and so turns to Ted. "Do you watch football?"

The TV had been brought up and it was a safe topic. He could see the man staring and figured he was uneasy. Part of Tom wished he could tell Ted that he sympathized and remembered those kinds of feelings, only more intense, back on the ship when he was first met the Antheans.

[guitar_voodoo]

"Thank you, Mr. Stardust, or may I call you Tom?"

Elsie was being polite since it was polite to not use someone's first name without getting to know them properly first. A trip to London sounded like such fun since none of Mick's parents had left the North in their entire lives. Down south seemed like a different world entirely. Mick squeezed Ziggy's hand as the baby photos of the Anthean singer came out.

"You look cute there, Zig."

The guitarist couldn't help but smirk and kiss Ziggy on the cheek as everyone looked at the baby photos. It seemed like a ritual all families did when their children met someone. Embarrassing but essential. Elsie though, she was excited to be able to hold baby Zayda.

"Oh, I'd love to, thank you, love."

She held out her arms in preparation for holding the little baby. Even though she'd only bore one child, she knew how to hold a baby. Ted smiled and then turned to Tom, nodding.

"Aye, I do like football. The Tigers are the team I support. They're doing alright in the league too. Do you play?"

Ted wondering if Tom was a keen footballer or if he just watched on the television.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"Mr. Jones." He corrects gently. "Stardust is Ziggy's stage name, but I'd rather you call me Tom."

Ziggy leaned in to Mick pretending to whisper though he's using telepathy instead. "Did you think only your parents bring out the pictures?"

Aletayria nods. "She was born early so you need to give her more support for her neck still."

Zayda wasn't born early but it was a good human reason to ensure her Anthean needs were cared for. Then, Aletayria gently lays her little girl in Elsie's arms. Antheans always lived in groups where children were cared for by extended family. Ziggy's mother found this to be a comfort, here with another mother.

"I like to watch any of them." Tom mentions. "Most people in London like Chelsea but I've always been partial to Arsenal. I played for awhile, but it's been years." Tom laughs quietly. "There's been whispers among the bands about getting a Brit vs Scandinavian game going while we're touring."

[guitar_voodoo]

"Oh aye, Tom then."

Elsie nodded now corrected on the correct form of Ziggy's father. He seemed a respectable sort of man and a strong one having such a beautiful wife and pretty child. She glanced over towards Mick and knew her son was firmly in love. He'd seen that expression before on her son's face when he'd found a girl he liked. This though---this was much more. True love. Mick smiled fondly hearing the telepathy strong in his mind.

"I thought they wouldn't but didn't expect Aletayria to bring out yours too. It's embarrassing, mate."

Ted nodded in relation to hearing Tom talk about which team he supported. Chelsea weren't bad and nor were Arsenal. Some of the top teams they were. Even above Hull City FC, Ted's team he supported. Smiling, Ted nodded.

"Aye, I know. We're all getting old but I know Mick likes a good kick about. Don't you, son? He once came back into the house covered from head to toe in mud after playing about with his mates in the park. That was when he was thirteen."

Mick shook his head, knowing exactly what age he was and when.

"Eleven, dad. I was eleven and I remember getting a clout around the ear from mum for getting into a fight with some bigger lads."

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"You are still as adorable as you were as a baby." Ziggy whispers across the telepathy while leaning into Mick's shoulder.

Tom laughs at it but can totally see Mick coming home dirty. He glanced at Ziggy and shook his head. "Ziggy used to climb inside of things and hide all the time."

Ziggy glanced at his father, feeling his cheeks heat up. Though there is an out as he turns to Mick. "You still get into fights with the bigger lads sometimes."

[guitar_voodoo]

"Thanks, mate. You're still cute too with your red hair and smooth pale skin."

Mick just smiling sheepishly as he sent his thoughts to Ziggy. Then, the blond's attention was on Tom explaining how the young Anthean used to climb and hide inside of things all the time. It was cute. Giggling softly, Mick slid his arm around his girlfriend and squeezed his shoulder.

"Hiding in things, eh mate? I can see you jumping around as a baby like you do on stage. Always full of energy."

Mick's parents smiled at this and then nodded at Ziggy's words regarding their son getting into rough and tumble fights. The guitarist blushing and glancing towards Ziggy.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

Ziggy sends Mick the mental equivalent of a kiss on the cheek and then is giggling at his father's words.

"Ziggy was just as energetic as a child, and thin." Tom chuckled and Aletayria shook her head. "Tom used to have to call me to retrieve him from his hiding spaces."

She was the only one thin enough to get into those tiny spaces. Ziggy leaned into that arm around him and grinned. "It's sweet, especially when you try and protect me."

It was true that Ziggy loved knowing that Mick would always be there, that they would be there for each other if things got dangerous.

[guitar_voodoo]

Ted nodded and then looked to Elsie, who was still hoping her husband wouldn't be rude about Ziggy and his family. Mick's girlfriend was important and meeting the parents was even more so.

"Mick got stuck inside a cupboard once. He was trying to chase the cat and got his legs stuck behind our kitchen cupboard door. Silly lad. We managed to get him out crying and all covered in biscuit because a pack had opened on his head."

Mick was now going a shade of red and going slightly wide-eyed. Oh god. Really? That one? The guitarist giggled a little and squeezed Ziggy's hand. The stories about what they got up to as children had to happen.

"I was two years old, dad. How did I know the cat was faster and more agile than me?"

Elsie smiled warmly at her son whilst sipping her tea.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

Tom gave his wife a side-eyed glance that made her giggle. Ziggy had gotten trapped in the console of the ship once, not that they could mention that to Mick's parents.

"Ziggy wasn't much different." Tom admitted. He had seen the cat and wondered how long it would be before the cat glued to one of the Antheans.

"You should come down to London sometime." Tom was being pleasant. It was only right after they had them in their home.

[guitar_voodoo]

"We'd love to visit you down in London sometime."

Mick's parents were slightly embarrassed because before it was money issues since a train fare down to London wasn't cheap. Now that their son was a famous rock star he had been paying for a few more luxuries they'd never had like a colour television and other things for the house.

"I can pay for the fuel if you want I don't mind."

The guitarist speaking up because he knew his parents didn't have a lot of money between them.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

Tom brushed off the offers. "It will be my treat."

Ziggy raised a brow because he knew his father's tone. There wouldn't be any room for arguing with this choice.

"It would be something nice for you to do while we're on tour." Ziggy finally added to see if he could encourage Mick's parents to accept.