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

[tempredmental]

I'd been considering it...

[Keith wasn't going to lie about that. Just, the idea of having to change position to sit down seemed kind of painful at the moment... not that standing all night was much better, because he was still going to feel it later.]

What about you? You've been on your feet most of the party, but you're limping. I'm surprised you haven't needed a break, yet.

[Yes... he'd noticed the limp.]

[universal_charm]

_{[ He wasn't do much to hide it, admittedly. It was hard to do, and frankly stressing his leg by trying to hide it would just hurt him. So he relented, and let his leg do what it needed. Though he was surprised Anders hadn't shown up just yet, stuck him to the wall, and made him sit for a healing. ]}

I'll be okay. But I have been taking breaks here and then. Chatting with people makes for a good excuse.

_{[ Hint hint, Keith. He jerks his thumb a couple of nearby chairs. ]}

Want me to bring them over?

[tempredmental]

[Keith glanced at the chairs in question and then shrugged.]

We could just go over there.

[He smirked a little. That was easier, right?]

[universal_charm]

_{[ It was easier, but Keith had been the one seemingly unwilling to come off the wall. Hence the offer. Though it would be a lot easier on his leg. ]}

Think you can make it all the way over?

_{[ Smirks back. ]}

[tempredmental]

I'm not the one with the limp.

[Not that he was 100%, either... which was evident in the stiff way he pushed off the wall and then, once they got there, the same mild stiffness in how he eased himself into one of the chairs.

Keith looked over the crowd once they were settled.]

Nice party. It looks everyone appreciates you putting it together.

[universal_charm]

Looks like we both need a hot springs, or something close to it.

_{[ In truth, he wouldn't mind being able to have a bath on the ship. Like a real bath, to soak in, maybe even with bubbles and some nice aroma to calm his sinuses and overworked nerves. What? So he liked to pamper himself from time to time, sue him. ]}

Thanks, but it really only came together thanks to Cogsworth and Tyrion. I tried my best, but party planning was never my true forte.

[tempredmental]

To say the least.

[He'd be okay at some point, but yeah... it sucked for now.]

Cogsworth... he's the clock guy that's friends with Lumière, right?

[universal_charm]

Yeah, that's right. Apparantley they both used to work for some noble household in their world. Cogsworth was something like a major domo I think? A head of the house over the servants.

_{[ Cogsworth had told him, but to be honest he couldn't keep all those sorts of titles straight in his head. ]}

You can see why. Certainly can put on a spread. So if you talk to him, tell him thanks too. Without him and Tyrion, this really wouldn't have come together so well.

[tempredmental]

I wouldn't have thought Tyrion to be a big party planner. [Keith shrugged a little.] That's cool, though. It was a good idea, regardless of who put it all together. [Even if Keith wasn't exactly the social butterfly type, he could appreciate the idea behind a party to loosen people up after a bad spell.] I'll remember to thank them, too.

[universal_charm]

Thanks. I'm sure they'll appreciate it.

_{[ He smiled at him, sipping his drink and stroking his finger around the rim absently. ]}

I'm just glad that everyone could be here, honestly. The last time I had a party like this after a big battle it was for my birthday, actually. Two years ago now, hard to believe.

Kind of almost forgot how fun it was.

[tempredmental]

Yeah... we didn't lose anyone this time.

[Keith's tone was somber for that. He looked out at the crowd.]

That's better than last time.

[Though, this branch of conversation was really going in the opposite direction than what Kirk had probably intended with this party.]

[universal_charm]

What do you mean?

_{[ He can’t remember throwing another party. Did he? He was sure he’d remember and Keith hadn’t been here even a year as far as he knew. ]}

[tempredmental]

Well... just... with the other planet. We lost people. We didn't this time. At least, not to the fighting. That's good.

[Keith wasn't talking about a party, Kirk...]

[universal_charm]

Ah. I was asleep during that - an Atroma coma.

_{[ He rubbed the back of his neck, a touch of guilt welling up, though it was hardly his fault. ]}

Yeah, it's always good when everyone can come home. I think that's why this party was important to have too - so we could see everyone together.

[tempredmental]

You, too, huh? Yeah... A few people missed it. I guess lucky them.

[Keith was still a little weirded out that he basically had this really crazy premonition of death and destruction, and then it came true. That had never happened before, and it took some getting used to. Though, in all honesty, he was also somewhat glad that he hadn't been the only one who had it.

He nodded at Kirk's comment about the party and being together.]

Yeah. Sounds like a good reason. It seems to be working, at least.

[universal_charm]

I can only hope.

_{[ He watched Keith again for a moment, as if sizing something up. ]}

So, anyone here you want to see in particular?

_{[ It's a terrible segue and he knows it, but he's not at his best at the moment. No one is, so he'll beg forgiveness later. But he wants to be a little nosy too. He'll ask forgiveness for that later too. ]}

[tempredmental]

[Keith twitched his eyebrows in agreement and then sighed a little, watching the crowd. Kirk's question caught him off guard. He blinked, looking at the captain in mild surprise.]

Huh? What do you mean?

[Totally oblivious... Kirk might not be great at discretion, but Keith wasn't great at picking up on hints. Kirk didn't have much to worry about.]

[universal_charm]

Hmm, well, you know. Is there someone special on your mind?

_{[ Right, Lance had told him Keith was a bit thick, so he didn't feel so bad about being hamfisted about this. ]}

[tempredmental]

Special? [Keith frowned. Oh, Kirk... you had no idea.] Like... special how?