driftfleet | video/action: open

Entry tags:

video/action: open

Who: Kirk + Anyone!
Broadcast: Yes
Action: Yes, on the Tourist and Iskaulit
When: Now!

[ Video ]
_{[ The video opens to Kirk's bedroom, his hair damp from what one would hope is a shower. A small curl has escaped against his forehead. He doesn't look particularly grim, but he doesn't seem overjoyed to be awake either. ]}

Good morning, everyone. Looks like I'm finally awake. For those who don't know me or possibly forgot I was here given how long I was alseep, I'm James Tiberius Kirk, captain of the Tourist - but just call me Jim.

According to my first mate, I've been asleep for a month. And I've missed quite a bit, as it turns out.

_{[ He took a breath, his voice sounding a touch guilty, even though going into a coma wasn't his choice. ]}

I would appreciate a check in with everyone, especially my crew - new and old members. And if anyone wants to talk, I'm here.

[ Action - Tourist ]
_{[ Awake and showered, now he needed coffee. Coffee and a real meal. There had been... distractions, before now. He made his way to the kitchen to see if he could coax the coffee maker into being kind and cooperating for once, and that done he took up a spot where he could look out at the stars gliding by - and hopefully catch anyone else coming and going.

Once he had finished the coffee, he would start a walk around the ship, looking to catch anyone he hadn't already and get a feel back for her. ]}

[ Action - Iskaulit ]
_{[ More than anything else he craved exercise. Whatever Atroma did while they were in their comas had kept off any major atrophy, but his body still felt tight and unused. It was certainly uncomfortable, to say the least, and after being told of what had happened he didn't want to be caught in anything less than prime condition.

So the Iskaulit went to avail himself of the facilities, running long laps and then switching to weights and back again. If he saw anyone he would talk, of course. He might even slide into the bar at some point. Most professionals would say that going for a drink after waking up from a coma wasn't the best idea, but considering what he had been told? He thought it a necessary medicine. ]}

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The Iskaulit is definitely a popular spot for exercise, not only because of the gym, but also to stretch their legs. Shiro is going through his daily run when he sees a very familiar face.]

Nap time is over, huh. [He catches up with his friend, running by his side, and Kirk is free to notice the fact that even while exercising, Shiro wears long sleeves.] Welcome back, Jim. How are you feeling?

_{[ Kirk smiled when he saw Shiro. He wasn't entirely sure on the full list of those lost, so it was always a relief to see a friend's face. ]}

Like I haven't moved for a month.

_{[ He huffed around a wry grin as he trotted along, sweat running down the side of his face. ]}

Which is quite literal, from what I heard. [The face he pulls, though, says he can sympathize. He wouldn't like not moving for a month either.] At least you were safe. Have you heard about what happened yet?

Yes. Fenris told me when I woke up.

_{[ He gives a soft nod, his face serious. ]}

Did you-? Well, if you were awake, of course you did. How are you?

I'm fine, just tired. I helped, but only got some bruises out of it. We did lose some people. [As glad as he is to see Jim again, his face gets quite serious too. How can it not, with such a subject going.] I've heard it's not permanent here, but still not an experience anyone should go through.

_{[ He nodded. He had heard, so thankfully the news was not a shock. ]}

Yeah, it's not. I've been through it too, but not here. We can't even say what really happens to them - I don't think anyone remembers. But honestly, that's probably for the best.

_{[ He took a breath. ]}

But I'm glad you're okay. I need someone to go train with - though you'll have to forgive me being a little out of shape.

[It takes him a moment to answer. His running slows down, too, and he's watching Kirk with wide eyes. Not much can surprise him anymore nowadays, but that's definitely a bomb.]

...you've died? Back in your world?

[He'll gladly join in the training, don't worry! But he's got to get that out of the way first, because wow.]

_{[ He seemed to realize what he had said, looking a touch abashed. He usually didn't talk about it, knowing it could upset people - and it hadn't been a great experience for him either. But he was far enough removed from it now that he could look at it more objectively, speak of it that way, rather than wake up at night clutching at anything to help ground him back to reality.

He slowed to a walk so they could properly talk. Shiro was a good guy. Just brushing it off felt like doing his friend a disservice. ]}

Yeah, once. It was from massive radiation poisoning - roughly twenty minutes or so from initial poisoning to death. My CMO, my best friend, he put me on ice and tried a goddamn hail mary, but it worked. I recovered, with no serious lasting damage, and well...

_{[ He motioned to himself and smiled with a little shrug. That was a very condensed and simplified version of what had happened, and if Shiro pressed he would elaborate, but otherwise? Keeping it simple. That seemed for the best in these sorts of situations, he found. ]}

[Walking is fine with him, in fact it's what this conversation needs. Shiro doesn't press, he isn't one to do so unless the situation asks for it, and even less in a context like this. Kirk can tell him as much as he's comfortable telling him, and Shiro will gladly accept it. The fact he's getting this bit alone is already a lot.]

I'm sorry you had to go through that, Jim. [He keeps pity out of his voice, not wanting to be that kind of guy - he hates it when people pity him, and he doesn't want to do same to others. And when he goes on, his voice is filled with respect.] But I have to say - I would've never guessed you went through such a thing. You're a brave man.

_{[ Kirk shook his head at that. He told people what happened if it came
up, if it was asked, if it was relevant. But he didn't say it for pity or
for some sort of praise. What happened to him was honestly one of the worst
failures of his life. Not because he had died. But because everything
leading up to that point was such a massive failure of his leadership, of
his inability to think of his crew and the greater good. Speaking it aloud
was both a way to continue dealing with the lingering trauma, but also a
reminder to himself not to repeat his mistakes. ]}

No, I wasn't brave. I was just finally doing what was right. My mistakes were what got us into that situation in the first place - me and my crew. My mistakes had cost lives. I couldn't justify more, not even the risk of one more.

That I survived at all is a miracle, and one I am not sure I deserved.

_{[ He reached out and clapped Shiro's shoulder - the side with the
metal arm. ]}

But thank you, Shiro. It's refreshing actually. My CMO does not use that same adjective when we talk about it!

_{[ He laughed to ease the sobriety of the topic. ]}

[That I survived at all is a miracle, and one I am not sure I deserved. That... wow. That goes straight to his heard, squeezing it tightly, filling his chest with understanding and guilt.

He wants to be comforting, but wouldn't it be a bit hypocritical? He remembers Lance's and Keith's words for him in his calibration room and... well. May as well try.]

Maybe. Who gets to decide if we deserve surviving in the end?

[A question he's asked himself a lot, especially after calibrations. He looks down at the hand on his shoulder and, softening inside, he decides to pat that hand with his human one and... share a bit.]

I didn't get this arm and my scar from a piloting accident. I get it. Those lives never get justified.

_{[ He tilted his head at that, but he smiled after a beat and nodded. At times he still felt that way, in the very quiet of the night, usually when he was by himself and couldn't sleep. Years removed from the incident had eased such thoughts, instead turning to give him better purpose. ]}

No, they don't. But, for me at least, they remind me of what it means to be a captain. Not that that tends to mean a whole lot here, but..

_{[ He gave a shrug and chuckled, letting go to continue their walk. Shiro had done him the courtesy of not prying, and he he would return the favor. If Shiro ever want to tell him, he would listen. ]}

Well, that's certainly enough deep emotional bonding for one day, huh?

But it still stays with you and the title, no matter where you go.

[Like he said, he gets it. More than he lets on. He wonders if he should say more, but now Jim is chuckling and moving on. That works for him. In fact, it's probably the best idea, since--]

You just woke up and I'm dropping these heavy questions on you. Sorry. [He offers a smile though.] Bonding is always okay in my book. What are you doing for today?

[It can be less deep emotional and more fun bonding, right?]

_{[ Another laugh coupled with a friendly smile. ]}

It's okay. Besides, I'm the one that kind of dropped that bomb on you out of the blue. Of course you'd have questions. And, honestly, it's better that I talk about that frankly when it does come up and not run from it. So it's all good, really.

_{[ He reached up and rubbed the back of his own head, which put his
forearm in line of sight - a series of numbers in neat print running along
the pulse. Specific numbers, it looked like, complete with periods. Like a
sequence. ]}

Just keeping my body moving was the goal. I don't think I atrophied, but better safe than sorry. If nothing else I need the stretching!

_{[ He took on a conspiratorial look. ]}

Maybe see if we got anything new on the menu in the bars.

[And he friendly smiles back!]

Whenever you need to talk about anything, you know where to find me.

[He definitely notices the tattoo and looks at it for a second before returning to the conversation. His brain provides many different ideas of what they mean, but it'd be rude to assume.]

You asked about training partners, and I interrupted that. I can join you, but the bars don't sound bad either. [He glances at the forearm again and arches an eyebrow.] Can I ask about the meaning of your tattoo?

_{[ Kirk blinked and looked at his arm, as if he had forgotten the numbers were there. ]}

Oh, haha. This.

_{[ He brushed his thumb down the line of the numbers - perfect, like they had been printed there. Maybe they had. ]}

They're Earth's galactic coordinates, in Federation standard. I got them put on after I died, as a kind of... grounding measure, I suppose.

_{[ He stopped walking and reached down, lifting up his shirt to show off a much larger tattoo running down his left rib cage, reading - NCC 1701, with a symbol between the two parts. ]}

I got this one first though. It's my ship's designation number. It's...

_{[ Here he paused again, placing his palm on the dark letters, his smile both warm and wistful in the same moment. ]}

It's home.

[Shiro smiles, softly and widely, his eyes full of sympathy and understanding. Maybe a bit of jealousy too? He's fond of the idea of a tattoo for himself, but that would mean exposing his scars to a random artist.]

Those are amazing choices, Jim. Subtle and meaningful. I may have to steal your ideas in the future.

[Mostly teasing, since he's so torn when it comes to the idea of a tattoo, and yet something he wants.]

And you're right... it's home.

Hah, you're welcome to them. Though I can't promise the coordinates I have will match yours since you don't have a Federation.

_{[ He chuckled, starting to walk again. ]}

I'm thinking of getting a third one put on. For the Tourist.

Yes, of course. But I like the idea of coordinates. Or something to represent the ship.

[Especially if he could get the rest of the team join him, too. Which now has him asking--]

Are you going to ask the Tourist crew to match you?

_{[ Kirk paused as he thought about that for a moment. ]}

I don't really know. I suppose I could mention it, but for me the tattoos have always been very... personal. They're like guideposts, sort of. To keep me from getting lost. Not in the physical sense mind. Just...

_{[ He tilted his head, looking up at the blank ceiling like he might
stare out into the drifting stars beyond. ]}

It's easy to lose yourself, when all the stars look the same.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

video/action: open

[ Action - Iskaulit ]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject