Captain's Log 10 - Sound the Bugle Now

[universal_charm]

Who: Jim Kirk + You
Broadcast: Yes; everyone
Action: The Tourist
When: Now

VIDEO

_{[ When Kirk's face appears on the screen, there is a weariness to him. Had his eyes been red rimmed one might have thought he had been crying. Maybe he had and he just hid it well. His shoulders slumped ever so slightly, and there was no joy in his eyes, or a smile hiding in the corner of his lips. In fact, for a few solid heartbeats he says nothing, just looks into the camera as if waiting for someone to stop him from what he is about to say. ]}

For all those that knew him, Leonard McCoy has been returned home.

He will be sorely missed.

<sub>[ Kirk looks like he wants to say more. Knows he should say more. Captains needed to say more and be strong for everyone else, that was what they did, but he couldn't. Not this time. It was to much this time.

So he just takes a breath and reaches up, shutting off the feet. ]</sub>

THE TOURIST

_{[ His message sent out, after exhausting all possible reason for him to be elsewhere and unreachable, Kirk slumped in the chair he sat in, resting his forehead against his clasped hands. For a long moment his room is quiet, almost deathly so - ]}

DAMN IT!

_{[ The shout, followed by the sharp crash of glass shattering against a wall, the wet slop of liquid hitting the floor. Then silence. ]}

Comments

video;

[maledictus_semper]

I take it this is regarding a close friend of yours? I give you my utmost sympathy in your loss. Losing a close friend in the vacuum of space is never an easy thing.

[He's offering his heartfelt remorse in the way he can?]

Re: video;

[universal_charm]

_{[ He wanted to snap and say the other hardly felt like he was sympathetic, but that was unkind, and that was his pain talking. It wouldn't be fair to take it out on Ardyn. He hadn't done anything to deserve that. ]}

It's not the first time. I practically have flash cards ready for the occasion to read off from.

[maledictus_semper]

That's most unfortunate. I have known death, more often than I would have liked, yet we heal. Your friend is back in your own world, is he not? Would it better he be back with your people than stuck here for an eternity to be gawked at by the Atroma?

[He's trying to make things better?]

[universal_charm]

_{[ He can tell, which he appreciates, for all you can be a snarky bastard, Ardyn. He tries not to get angry even so, because he wants to be angry, to lash at something tangible. ]}

Yeah, yeah I know. It's just - it's hard, because he was here and now he's not again. Sort of though we'd both make it home together, you know?

[maledictus_semper]

Alas, this cold world can be a cruel place and our masters even crueller.

[No truer words could be spoken in Ardyn's view, since the Atroma hadn't been the most friendliest of guests. He could have thought of Empire soldiers being more accommodating at times.]

Video

[halfbloodhatchling]

Can I just say...'crap'.

[ He knew already, could hardly have missed the disappearance of his captain, but it's something that still needs to be acknowledged.

And then, oh, this is possibly even a worse idea, because Kai doesn't do this sort of thing, is bad at feelings. ]

How are you doing?

Re: Video

[universal_charm]

_{[ some part of him said that it should have been Bones' crew to tell everyone, but at the end of the day he was Bones' captain, and he felt it his duty. Damn whatever politics of the Fleet there were. As it was, he just felt empty inside and made a soft noise in response to Kai's question. ]}

I'll live. Just - it's not my best day.

Re: Video

[halfbloodhatchling]

[ Kai was McCoy's first officer, and he couldn't give a shit about who's supposed to announce it. He's a little grateful Kirk beat him to it, because at least Kirk knew what to say. ]

You want to come over and have some drinks in his honor?

Re: Video

[universal_charm]

_{[ He honestly thought about saying no. About sitting there and watching the brandy drip down the walls a little longer before he picked up the glass. But... that was a bad way to go about things, wasn't it? He'd learned that already, and he knew he was capable of making awful decisions when emotional. Maybe having someone around would do him good. ]}

Sure. Just... just give me a minute, yeah?

Re: Video

[halfbloodhatchling]

[ Kai's tried very hard not to care, and he's aware that this invitation is another crossed line in the sand. And yet, Kai finds he has no inclination to take it back. ]

I'll be here whenever.

Action

[wolfuncaged]

[The video feed was enough to Fenris to worry, but the smash was enough to let real, deep concern seep in. He gives Kirk's door a cursory knock, before stepping inside. He has never been good at this. At offering comfort. But Maker, if he doesn't want to try. ]

I...am sorry. About McCoy. I- do not know how I can help, but if you have need of me, I am here.

Re: Action

[universal_charm]

_{[ Kirk looked up when Fenris came in, his eyes flushed at the edges, like he was holding back tears. He took a breath and motioned for him to keep where he was. ]}

Just - just stay there a minute. Broken glass, and your feet are bare.

_{[ He crouched and began to pick up the bigger pieces, his hands shaking. ]}

Action

[wolfuncaged]

[Fenris sighs, turning and exiting for a moment, returning very quickly with one of Marian's maintenance droids. He puts it on the ground and off it goes to hoover up the damage. ]

There. Now you won't cut your hands open, either.

Re: Action

[universal_charm]

_{[ He let out a strained laugh, letting go of the pieces he'd been holding to let the bot take care of them. He stood and went to his bed, slumping onto it. ]}

At least we weren't fighting anymore, I guess. Always a bad thing to let a friend go on a fight.

_{[ It's no consolation, his hands grasping his knees to the point of whiteness. ]}

Action

[wolfuncaged]

[He crosses over, using the clean path the bot has made, moving to sit beside him. ]

That...would be unfortunate, yes. But he is safe, back home? He is on the Enterprise?

video

[musicalhost]

Jim...

[She can feel his pain but hadn't wanted to announce it yet. Now she doesn't have to at least?]

Drinks on the Iskaulit? I'll break my no alcohol rule for this.

Re: video

[universal_charm]

_{[ At least he's spared some people some trouble. It was what a captain should do - bear the burdens, so his people didn't have to. ]}

Yeah, all right. Won't make a promise of good company though.

video

[musicalhost]

You're talking to someone who happens to be a walking identity crisis. I'm sure we'll be great company for one another.

Want me to meet you there or on the Tourist or here?

Re: video

[universal_charm]

There is fine. I need a moment to, ah, be presentable.

_{[ You know, look less like a hot mess with puffy eyes. ]}

video

[musicalhost]

I'm sure you're fine but I understand. I'll see you there. And I promise not to start without you.

[It wasn't really a risk.]

action;

[candothat]

[Chekov misses Kirk's outburst, but he does come knocking on his captain's cabin door.]

...Sir?

Re: action;

[universal_charm]

_{[ Oh shit. Chekov. Of course he - well maybe he knew and maybe he hadn't, but either way he should have told him quietly, in person, first. Guilt weighed heavy now on top of the pain of losing Bones. He straightens himself, trying to look the respectable captain even with booze sliding down his walls. ]}

Come in, Pavel.

[candothat]

[Chekov, solemn and--judging by the 'sir'--falling back on the comfort of formality, lets himself in. He spares the mess a wary glance.]

...Is there anything that I can do?

[universal_charm]

Shouldn't that be my question?

_{[ He motioned for him to take a seat. ]}

I'd offer a drink, but...

_{[ He glanced at the wall shamefully. ]}

[candothat]

Imagine what the doctor would say about such waste?

[He smiles a little unconvincingly but does take him up on the invitation to sit.]

You don't need to worry for me, Captain. Jim. I have been in prison universes for years, this is not the first time that this has happened.