And Let Us Gather 'Round [ Video + Action ]

[universal_charm]

Who: Kirk and The Fine People of the Fleet
Broadcast: Yes
Action: On the Iskaulit, Specifically at the Melting Pot - Note: After the Broadcast
When: After they start heading away from the system

Video
<sub>[ Kirk appears on the screen, and probably like many people he looks tired and a bit beaten up. Scratches not yet healed on his face, one even covered with a bandage on his cheek, that sort of drawn look around his eyes after all the sleepless nights and the battles and general horridness. A little to pale, perhaps.

Even so, he gives as warm a smile as he can as he begins to speak. ]</sub>

For those of you who might not know, I come from a world called Earth - or at least, one of the versions represented here. On my world, in the country I hail from, we celebrate something known as Thanksgiving roughly around this time of year if I've done my calculations correct. Some people call it Friendsgiving, but it's all the same really.

Essentially, it's a time to a give thanks for the good things in your life, your friends, and your family. In the spirit of that, I've arranged for a gathering at the Melting Pot - a thank you to Jarvis for that. Everyone who wishes to come is welcome.

I just thought we all could use a day, a place, to be together and to just enjoy each other. So I hope to see you there.

Action: The Melting Pot
<sub>[ The restaurant is set up to allow as much mingling as possible when people arrive - places to sit, of course, but there's gentle music playing for those who might want to dance and just to give some atmosphere (but not loud enough to stop conversation at all). Food and drink is laid out - things to nibble on rather than the usual feasts associated with a Thanksgiving. Not particularly ideal, but it's what could be managed. Unless, of course, anyone decided to bring something else to add to the spread.

Not a fancy party, to be sure, but it's warm and inviting, which is what Kirk had hoped for. A place for them all to come together and enjoy each other and just be glad they were all there and if not quite completely whole, then, well, able to be there. ]

[ooc: Open mingle! Feel free to create your own starters and do as you like - tis a warm Friendsgiving party for the Fleet! ]</sub>

Comments

[the_tailor]

You had fun last time. Don't look like I'm shoving you onstage to a nationwide talent contest or anything.

[He gives a little roll of his eyes. Though, he really does appreciate Keith going out of his comfort zone for him, even briefly. Hopefully, he'll be able to get him acclimatized to social situations a bit more. Pull him out of his shell.

Lance takes his hand, tugging him over to the dance floor area. The music is a lot less formal than that at the wedding, but he can still work with similar steps to what the two of them used last time. He pulls Keith close, not enough to make him uncomfortable, but...close enough.]

[tempredmental]

[Keith had a few reasons to be uncomfortable, and it wasn't just because Lance had suddenly decided to shower him with tons of attention. He wasn't on stage, but he was still openly on a public dance floor in front of a bunch of people, doing something he was uncomfortable doing, and his side was still tender and aching after the fight on the Blameless. Plus, he was tired.

Fun or not, it was a lot of other hurdles to get over at the moment, so it was still a trial for him. He kept his head down, looking at their feet as they started, his expression pretty serious as he concentrated on not stepping on Lance.]

[the_tailor]

Hey.

[He frowns a little. Maybe...this wasn't such a good idea after all.]

Remember what I said at the wedding? Don't stare at your feet. Look at me and just trust me to lead. And if you really, really don't want to do this... It's okay. We can stop.

[tempredmental]

But-... the music's different.

[Keith bit his lip.]

[the_tailor]

That doesn't matter. Just dance like you did last time. We're not trying to impress anyone with some flashy moves that fit the song perfectly.

[tempredmental]

[Keith scrunched his eyebrows together for a minute, and then tried to relax back into it with a small nod.

They were still pretty close together.

Keith felt a little warm.

Naaahhh... it was just warm in the restaurant... and they were two people close together with other people... that was a lot of body heat around them... that had to be it.

Of course, he was still pretty tense overall, but that was more because he was trying not to aggravate his ribs... or, at least, that's what he was telling himself. It wasn't helping. Being tense made them ache. He kept that to himself.]

[the_tailor]

[Of course, Keith. Of course that's it. That's the only reason.]

You don't have to move much, okay? I know you're still sore from that whole...debacle we just went through.

[Doesn't take a genius to figure that out. He slows them down until they're only doing a little more than swaying, but still keeps him close.

Maybe this is as close as he'll ever really get with Keith, but he'll cherish it anyway.]

[tempredmental]

[Keith almost argued that he was fine, but he let the breath out before he even said anything. Hell, Lance had been there when it happened. There was no point in hiding it at this point.]

Yeah...

[He frowned a bit.]

It's kind of annoying, though.

[It was weird how used to the idea of having those pods they'd gotten.]

With all the crazy stuff they have here, I'm surprised they don't have healing pods. They can bring people back from the dead, but they can't heal a few bruises? Stupid.

[Focusing on that right now... because any of the other weird feelings were just too weird to think about.]

[the_tailor]

It is pretty stupid. But at the same time, you could use with some R&R. Can't always be in the training room. I know it's frustrating, but...

[He hums a little. Keith can be an odd duck when it comes to these things.]

If you need me to help you out with anything until you heal up, let me know. I'm drawing the line at a sexy nurse outfit, though.

[tempredmental]

I'd draw the line at a sexy nurse outfit, too.

[Keith huffed.]

I guess I'm just tired.

[His voice was quiet as he admitted that. Granted, it was deeper than just "tired", but it was the easiest way to explain what he was feeling. It was kind of a go-to description when things were wearing his nerves thin.]

[the_tailor]

I don't blame you. I know there's only so much I can do, but if you need someone to talk to, or someone to just be around and not say anything, or someone to nap with... I'm always here.

[tempredmental]

[Keith managed a small smile at that.]

Thanks. I appreciate it.

[And he honestly did. Keith was a terrible liar anyway. He wouldn't be able to tell someone he appreciated something if he really didn't.]

I don't mean to mess up your fun or anything.

[He'd figured out enough by now to know that this was definitely Lance's thing.]

[the_tailor]

You're not. I wanted to dance with you, and I'm dancing with you. I'd call that fun.

[He smiles right back at him. Honestly, it doesn't have to be anything fancy, indeed. Just a little moment like this is enough fun for him.]

[tempredmental]

[Keith looked a little relieved at that, and then nodded.]

Okay.

[He slid into a comfortable silence with that, and just followed Lance through the dance at this point. He was still a little stiff, but it wasn't nerves as much anymore. He slowly got used to it. Though, he did still keep his head a little lowered. It had been different on the balcony of that wedding hall. Even if they'd been spotted anyway, it had felt more private at the time, and less like other people were looking at them.]

[the_tailor]

[The two of them dance a little longer, but Lance doesn't keep him there too long. This is enough. Eventually, he steps away, tugging Keith off of the dance floor and to a place where they can sit.]

You know, this whole Thanksgiving thing... I guess it's a good time to tell you. Thanks, I mean. For being you, as infuriating as you get sometimes.

[tempredmental]

[Keith gave Lance a curious look in response as they walked over to a table.]

You are?

[He settled himself carefully into one of the chairs, leaning his arms on the table. He was quiet for a moment, watching everyone else before he finally spoke up. He lowered his gaze to the table as he did.]

Yeah... [He stared at his hands.] I'm... I'm thankful, too. [For Lance...] For, you know... [Ugh. This was hard.] I haven't really had much in the way of a family or anything like that. It's... It's good to have. [He had a place to belong.]

[the_tailor]

You have me. You have us. Never forget that, okay?

[He knows Keith is used to being a lone wolf, but he also knows that it isn't exactly something he loves to be either.]

And I can personally assure you that no matter what happens, I'm going to be a thorn in your side for the rest of your mulleted existence.

[tempredmental]

[Keith quirked an eyebrow at Lance.]

I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not.

[He was amused, though... so that was a good sign.]

[the_tailor]

It's the best thing. I'm an amazing thorn that you'll never ever want to pluck out.

[Happy smile!]

[tempredmental]

[Snrk...]

Aren't thorns usually a bad thing?

[the_tailor]

Uh...

[Point.]

Well, think of it like this. Roses wouldn't be roses without their thorns. And I'm...beautiful...like a rose...

[Where is this going again.]

[tempredmental]

And painful...

[Keith smirked. Where was this going, indeed.]

[the_tailor]

Hah! You didn't deny that I'm beautiful!

[Is that what you're getting out of this, Lance?]

[tempredmental]

I just said you're painful, and you're focusing on the lack of a denial?

[Still not denying it, by the way...]

[the_tailor]

Yes. Yes, I am. I'm taking my victories where I can. Choose your battles, blahblah.