Meeting the In laws 2023

Meeting the In-Laws
(Sir Bate/ Les)

Bate should've seen it coming. He and Ellie are engaged, meeting her parents was bound to happen at some point! But for whatever reason, it never grazed his thoughts for even a moment. So, when the topic was brought up one afternoon, Bate was hit by a hard dose of reality.

"P...Parents? D..dinner" Bate stammered as he sat up from his place in the living room.

"Bate, we've been engaged for over a month now." Ellie makes her way to the couch and joins him. "They're going to find out sooner or later."

"I feel like later is better than sooner...." His voices falters with uncertainty. "But Ellie...do....they know?"

And Bate pauses. Hesitates. Because they both know what he wants to say. Bate knows little about her parents, and very little is talked about them. Ellie hasn’t seen them in years, but writes letters to them occasionally. Apparently, they’re incredibly wealthy business Squids who long retired when Ellie moved to Kalmari. They live several towns over in a very conservative town, and don’t take kindly to outsiders.
Which begs the question- how will the react when they see him for the first time. He had hoped Ellie has given them some subtle hints about him, but….

"They don’t." She speaks. Because she knows if she mentions anything about Bate being an outsider, they would never have agreed to meet him.

"And what if they hate me?" Bate's heart sinks. “What if they don’t accept our engagement?”

“Shhh- calm down, Bate.” She reaches over to his quivering hand and rests hers on top of it. "Nothing is ever going to change my mind about you. It's you I love, and never forget that.”

“Thank you, Ellie.” Bate gives a smile in return, and nuzzles the other.

The pair quietly sit together, lost in their own train of thought. Both wondering what's going to happen when they see them. Each one nervous, and uncertain as well.

"And...when are they arriving?" Bate finally breaks the silence between them.

"The letter says this weekend. Saturday." Ellie replies and she begins to sit up to head back into the kitchen. "So, we have almost the whole week to prepare.”

"That’s a relief. That means there's still time to come up with a valid excuse to cancel." Bate jokes as he reaches out to embrace Ellie with both wings as they fall back on the couch.

The house echoes with laugher a few seconds later as Ellie tries to break free from his monstrous embrace- The worry of her parent's arrival is forgotten for a brief moment.

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The week goes by in a blur. Bate has been working like clockwork to make sure every miniscule thing is perfect for their arrival. Cleaning the house for the 50th time. Shining all the silverware. Dusting every inch of the house until it sparkles. To Ellie's surprise, Bate even took extra shifts at work so he could purchase several extravagant dishes. She knows how important this dinner means to him, so Ellie does her best to make sure all of his overly absurd requests are met.

"Ellie, dear! The garland arrived! Hurry, we don't have much time!" Bate rushes with the box in hand, and pulls out a small blue garland with blue stars embellishing it.

"Oh, Bate. It's so beautiful." She rubs the soft material in her hand. "How did you even pay for this?"

"It's fine, Ellie. I got it all covered." Bate reassures. "Now quick, help me place it over the window."

The pair spend several minutes attaching it under the curtain rod, and step back once everything is secure. It makes their small living room pop with color, and Bate gives a nod of approval.

"Perfect!" He smiles before hustling back to the kitchen. Ellie quickly follows and begins pulling out the large slab of roast out of the oven. Perfectly glazed and seasoned, followed by a steamed vegetable dish and several sides to compliment the main course.

Bate really outdid the shopping for this meal, Ellie thinks. Only purchasing the highest quality for this night. She feels bad, really. How much work and effort he's putting into this. He shouldn't have to put so much time for the sake of pleasing them. Because deep down, she knows her parents don’t deserve it.

"Ellie, it's almost time!!!"

She shakes her thoughts and watches Bate trying to dice up the shredded carrots for their salad starter. "I haven't prepped the dressing, could you please get me- O-OUCH!!!"

The knife drops, and blood speckle the floor below.

"Oh, dear. Bate!" Ellie runs to the other and grabs a cloth for his hand. She covers it, and walks the other into the hallway. "I'll handle the rest, Bate. Please, you need to rest. Tend to your hand, and leave the rest of the cooking to me."

"But they'll be here in less than 5 minutes!" Bate's voice is frantic. "I don't have time-"

"Yes, you do." Ellie pushes her stubborn fiancé harder to the washroom. The man is a hardhead. Doesn't listen, and is willing to put his wellbeing at risk for the sake of others. Unfortunately, the only way to get through to him is to scare him senseless. And Ellie has the perfect idea to get him to listen. "You wouldn't want my parents to see blood everywhere, would you? My, what would they think!" She says in an overly dramatic tone.

And it works. Bate doesn't speak a word and darts to the washroom to clean himself up. Ellie gives a heartfelt smile at her lovable warrior and heads to the kitchen to put the finishing touches on their meal. With all the food neatly set on the table, Ellie doesn't even have time to wash up before several knocks on the door are heard.

Ellie glances back in the hallway- Bate still hasn't returned. When another set of knocks ring out, she decides to answer it without him by her side.

"Mom, dad!" Ellie greet the pair.

"My dear Estella, how are you?" Her mother speaks. A much older squid that greatly resembles Ellie. With two large fins on each side of her mantle- each one dangles diamond earrings. She holds a purple hand fan in her grasp, and waves it several times before entering.

The next one. A dark navy colored squid. Many scars adorn his body. Several large claw marks on his mantle and fin, one on his left eye, and two on his arm. A large mustache covers most of his face, and a wood carved pipe dangles from his mouth. He walks in without a word and follows his wife to the living room.

They sit, and it's only then does her father speak. "So, where is he?" He speaks in a gruff, almost unwelcoming voice.

"Yes, dear." Her mother cuts in with a softer tone. "We're so eager to meet this lucky gentleman."

"O-oh, he'll be out shortly. He's been working so very hard to prepare such a lovely meal for you. He's washing up as we speak."

"And you? Oh, my dear Estella." Her mother's tone is dismissive. "It looks like you've been a run through the town. How about you washup as well, and then we'll all sit down and have dinner."

Ellie takes a look at the state she’s in. Dirt smudges and grease marks adorn her body. Like Bate, she's been so focused helping, she didn’t have time to washup as well.

"Ah, of course! I'm sorry! Just give me a moment and I'll get ready!" She dashes into the hallway, and to the washroom. She notices Bate isn't occupying it, so he must be in their room getting ready. Good. She quickly takes off her headband tied to her mantle and turns on the sink.

Several minutes pass, and Ellie's just about finished. She gently dabs her mantle with a warm washcloth one last time before looking into the mirror. Satisfied, she heads out to their room to grab another headband for her mantle.

"Bate should be just about finish-"

"AAAH!!! LES!!! LES, HELP ME!"

Ellie's heart runs cold. Her mother's voice hollers out in fear and terror. It's in the direction of their bedroom, and Ellie runs before her father can beat her to it. Ellie dashes inside, and has to do a doubletake when she sees what’s happening. If the stakes weren't so high, Ellie would've found it a bit comical.

Bate is in the corner shielding himself with his wings as various items from his nightstand are being thrown at him. He's crying out for her to stop, but she is refusing to do so. Of course, it doesn't hurt him, a Squishy has nothing against Bate. He's more scared of her yelling, if anything.

"Callan? Callan, what the matter?!!" Les enters, and takes in the scene before him. The room is an absolute mess. His wife runs to him and points towards the direct of Bate. He and Bate lock eyes as the room becomes quiet. This isn't how Ellie pictured her parents meeting him for the first time, the shock on their face says it all.

"E...Ellie, w-what is that thing?" Les speaks. "T-this is your fiancé? You didn't tell us he’s…." The sound of pure disgust in his voice comes soon after.

Ellie heads towards Bate and gently takes her and in his. "Because if knew if I did, you'd react just like Mom."

"W-why, I didn't know! Estella, could you honestly blame me?" Callan exclaims in disbelief. She can’t bear to look at Bate for too long before turning away. "I only wanted to check in on you, and as I enter your room I see this...this beast occupying it!"

"Explain yourself, Ellie!" Les' voice cuts in like a heated sword. "Are you telling me you're planning on marring this freak?!!! Have you completely lost your mind! Just look at him!"

Ellie could feel Bate stiffen from their harsh remarks.

“How could you do this to us, Estella?” Her mother is breaking out in a fit of tears. “I thought we raised you better.”

They're not giving her or Bate the chance to speak. Her parent’s slanders, shouts and cries. It goes on and on, with little sign of letting up. It's all too much for the pair, and Ellie grits her teeth before shouting out in frustration.

"Enough!!!"

The room goes silent, and Ellie glares daggers at the pair. "Yes! I am engaged with him!!! Yes, we’re getting married! He's not a freak, and I love him whether you like it or not!"

Bate does not say a word, but occasionally looks at her parents to see if there's any sort of reaction to what she said.

Her father is the first one to react. He says nothing, and walks out of the room. His wife follows shortly after. Ellie and Bate both glance at one another before they head out as well. They watch as Les grabs his belongings and heads to the front door

“Callan, let’s go." He speaks, gripping the handle to the door.

"So that's it?" Ellie says. "You’re just going to leave?"

"You're exactly correct!!" His remark stings with venom.

"But Bate worked so hard to make dinner for you! How could you do this to us?! To him!!"

"I couldn't give a damn what the abomination made. If you want to throw your life away married to that thing- ! ! Don't do it in the grace of my company. Callan, are you ready?" He holds the door open for her.

She hesitates for a moment. Glancing back at her daughter who has tears now streaming down her face. And part of her winces when she sees Bate trying to comfort her. It's wrong. Disgusting. Why couldn’t' she be with their own kind. She's had plenty suitors lined up for her! But instead....instead she picked....

"I'm sorry, Estella. But I can't agree with this lifestyle you've chosen. It’s wrong, and you know it.”

"You've only met him for less than 5 minutes! You didn't even get the chance to talk to him! To know him like I’ve done! The only thing you manage to do is make a mess of our room!"

"Our room?" Don't tell me you actually share the same bed with that creature." She stammers in pure horror.

“What do you expect, Callan. He probably brainwashed her into thinking it’s okay. There’s no way she’d ever end up like this if she still lived with us?” Les mumbles to himself and begins to walk out. “Revolting scum.”

"Estella, you and I both know how your father and I feel about it. For you not to mention this in any of your letters is incredibly selfish and irresponsible of you."

"So you would rather have us marry without informing you?”

"That's exactly what you should've done!" Her father's voice rings out. He enters once more with anger and fire in his chest. He towers over Ellie and condemns her.

"Look what you've done to your mother. Look how much you upset her. Your awful decisions are an utter disappointment, Ellie. A disgrace to the family!!! How could you even think of-"

And Les is cut off when two large wings divide him and Ellie. He takes a step back to regain himself, and he eyes the creature now shielding his daughter.

"I will not let anyone treat Ellie with such disrespect. I don’t care if you are her parents, NO ONE yells at her while I’m around! If you want to be angry at someone, direct it towards me." Bate finally speaks. His voice less shaky. His wings towering high above Les.

A challenge.

A battle.

A father and his daughter's future husband.

Les hasn't moved since Bate pushed him away. Both eyes locked. Both of them unmoving, and unwilling to budge.
He thinks he can win?

Okay, if that's what he wants....

"I see, then...." Les speaks, and removes the unlit pipe from his mouth. "Alright, let's eat."

Bate and Ellie are taken aback. This...is not what they had expected after such a heated argument. None had a chance to speak as Les and Callan make their way to the living room.

"You." Les speaks to Bate. "Start serving, the food is getting cold."

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Les knows how to break the weak. He didn't become the man his is today by folding. Strong, powerful, and unwilling to budge. But today is different. Someone HAS challenged him. Has the gall to dare place a hand...or wing on him.

So be it.

If this....thing wants his daughter, then he's not just going to break him. He's going to completely shatter him.
So it begins.

Les sneers. Taking another puff from his pipe. It's almost too easy.

"So, Bate. You really think you're suited to date my daughter, ay?"

Bate, who is sitting right next to him, doesn't speak. Doesn't move, and idly fiddles with his fork as he does his best not to leave the room in a fit of coughs and wheezes.

A challenge.

Bate knows. Bate can't break. He's not going to falter. He's not going to give him that chance. He can feel the smirk just rising on his face.

"She tells me how strong and powerful you are. So, you'll be able to keep my daughter safe?"

Don't break. Don't show weakness. Don't let him see it.

"Tell me again how my precious daughter fell in love with a freak like you?"

"Dad, that's enough." Ellie cuts in, not able to bear watching this for a moment longer. Bate told her not to intervene beforehand, but it's becoming too unbearable to watch. "Put that thing out. You're going to get him sick."

"Nonsense!" Les eyes the warrior. "If he's uncomfortable, he'll let me know. Isn't that right, Bate?"

Bate gives a weak nod as he stifles a cough. "R...-right."

-The End-

Artist Comment:

April 12, 2023

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Bate meets Ellies parents!!! Of course it doesn't go well, what else would you expect from super conservative parents? oAo;;;

Poor Bate worked so hard to make them feel welcome, and all he gets is a trip to the hospital later that night. D;, Last time Les made a proper appearance was back in 2016. oAo ! ! Has it REALLY been that long? I'm glad to draw him again....even if he is a jerk. >v<;;;;;;