video/action: open

[universal_charm]

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 ]
<sub>[ 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. ]</sub>

[ Action - Iskaulit ]
<sub>[ 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. ]</sub>

Comments

[padadin]

[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.

[universal_charm]

_{[ 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?

[padadin]

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?]

[universal_charm]

_{[ 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.

[padadin]

[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?

[universal_charm]

_{[ 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.

[padadin]

[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.

[universal_charm]

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.

[padadin]

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?

[universal_charm]

_{[ 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.