The Emperor

Pitching low balls? “Wasn’t that the correct way to express interest?” He needed to update-- or rather, downgrade, his knowledge of Terra. He should stick to what he learned with Meredith. He cleared his throat. “...Perhaps I should not have emulated my son.”

It took some willpower not to react to the human suddenly just patting him on the leg. If he’d been with his guards, the gambler would have ended up on the floor or shot. Not anyone could just up and touch the Emperor of Spartax. “I’m in a bar, am I not? Of course I do. I always seem to end up drinking after meeting with my son. I’m evil incarnate in his eyes for trying to get him involved in... politics. I take it your son clashes with you as well?” The cards were dealt and J’son spent the next few minutes trying to puzzle out what cards he needed. He’d played with Terran cards before with Meredith when he had been stuck here, but not this kind of game.

“Don’t worry. It’s easy to pick up.” Howard offered, shifting his chair to allow the stranger to pull one up and sit next to him, meanwhile someone gathered the cards and shuffled. Howard began to explain the game. “Do you lie much, where you come from?”

Sitting down next to him, for a moment he thought the man was implying he was a liar before he realized it was a game of chance, naturally some underhandedness was needed. J’son raised his eyebrow and replied, “Well, I am... somewhat of a politician back home. Though, I prefer to call it creative editing. Of course, if you ask my son, he’d shout that I do from a rooftop. And probably add a few expletives while he’s at it.” He sighed.

Howard arched his brow. Ah. The stranger. How curious. With a soft shrug he smiled at the man. “Well most people aren’t as rich as I am. I’m not playing for their money, I just enjoy the game. No reason to let their money go to waste in my pocket.” He sized the man up and as the new glasses were set on the table to each of them, he offered his drink to the stranger. “Care to join us?”

Rich? Perhaps that was why he carried himself differently from the masses. “Ah, I see.” J’son looked at the cards. “I’m afraid I don’t know the game you’re playing, but I do have some time to kill, if you’re willing to teach me.” It’s not like he needed to keep the Earth money he currently had. He may as well use it all up before he left.

Howard rarely left the house. He figured why waste money on watered down liquor when he could have the honest to god source at his own house. But that would be isolationist of him. Couldn’t stay a hermit forever so he went out into the night. He’d already been at one of the more decent bars near the house when he noticed the gentleman walk in. Strange smell to him as he sat opposite Howard’s side. He titled his head, curious but wondering if he should mind his own business. Guy didn’t look like a New Yorker. The scientist tossed back his bourbon and laid out his cards. He’d just won another round of poker. “Well boys, looks to me like I’m buying drinks again.” He raised his finger to motion at the barkeep for another round.

The cheering and jeering from the table managed to attract J’son’s attention away from his drink. The people seemed to be playing with cards and currency. He was about to dismiss them as inconsequential when the man who had won caught his eye. The way he carried himself had a marked difference from everyone else. Shifting over to him J’son remarked, “You are quite generous. Most don’t care to lose winnings on buying drinks for their opponents.”

“No, of course not–but, what do you mean, then? I’ve already agreed that we’re going to have kids eventually.”

“My dear future son-in-law, our technology is more than capable of something simple as giving two people, regardless of gender, children. A simplified explanation is this: the DNA of both people are mixed randomly and an embryo is formed which is then placed into an artificial womb or a stasis container.”

“Wait, now? That takes longer than a month!”

“It’s not like you’re going to bear the child. Unless I’m mistaken about human biology?” 

“But there’s still a risk. And it’s not like I’m going to stop taking that risk once I am married.”

“Perhaps a compromise? Give me a grandchild and I’ll let you go do whatever you like.”

“I…obviously not my word, the universe is unpredictable. But I could die here, too.”

“But the risk is not as great.”

“The wedding isn’t for another month. I’ve got a duty as a Green Lantern to this entire sector, not just Spartax.”

“Can you give me your word you won’t die and-- what’s that Earth phrase-- leave my son at the altar?”

“Twice! Just twice! And both times were my choice.”

“That does not fill me with confidence. In fact, it makes me feel worse. You are not leaving Spartax until after the wedding.”

“You heard me Jordan. You’re grounded. I won’t have you dying before the wedding.””

“What? Who told you I was dying?”

“Your record speaks for itself. How many times have you died now? Ten?”

“You heard me Jordan. You’re grounded. I won’t have you dying before the wedding.””

“You spend it with your father?” He looked away. “It’s supposed to be a day of…honoring him or whatever father-figure you have.”

At least that explained the formality. “I see. Very well, I suppose you have prepared everything?” J’son stood, tugging at his uniform as he approached Peter. 

“Oh, not this again–wait, did you just offer to arrange a foursome for me? Exactly how horny do you think I am?” Peter stood, secure in the fact that he was covered. He immediately moved to a table near the wall, where he’d set a bottle of alcohol. “Or is group sex some Spartoi thing I’ve sadly been missing?”

“It’s not uncommon.” J’son said with a straight face. “As for how ‘horny’ you are, I keep finding you in disreputable establishments attempting to lay with someone. I thought perhaps you’d like me to preempt your efforts and cut to the chase to save time.”