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

[universal_charm]

<sub>[ Kirk is glad to see Lance there enjoying himself. Lance seemed like a nice, sincere sort of kid, after all, and considering the horrible atrocities of the last planet, seeing someone young smile and just enjoying themselves was a balm all its own to his soul.

He came over at one point when Lance was grabbing a drink, a plot for teasing already in motion. ]</sub>

You wouldn't be trying to spike the punch or anything, now would you?

[the_tailor]

Wha--no! I'll be getting my own drink, thank you very much, and I'm an adult now. 18. Bam. I mean, drinking age back in my home country was 16 anyway.

[He gives him a little grin.]

[universal_charm]

Ah, eighteen. That was a good year for me. I miss it sometimes.

_{[ But then he remembers he's the captain of an awesome space ship and going on space adventures, and he misses it less. ]}

And let's not get carried away. You're a young adult.

[the_tailor]

[He gives a little hmph to that as he takes a sip from his glass out of some sort of weak protest.]

Enough of an adult. Old enough to be a soldier and throw myself in the way of constant deadly danger, old enough to get trashed. That's what I say!

[Not that he even drinks much, but it's the principle of the matter.]

[universal_charm]

Well, hard to argue with that logic.

_{[ Feels like they all earned the right to get trashed recently. ]}

Is that special someone you’re sweet on here? How’s that going?

[the_tailor]

[Exactly. Best logic ever.

Lance smiles sheepishly when Kirk asks him that question, and it takes a few moments for him to nod and awkwardly gesture across the room where Keith is standing (and probably wallflowering unless Shiro or someone else has pulled him into a conversation).]

It's...uh... I'm not sure, honestly. I mean, he tolerates me now, at least. And I'm pretty sure we've established a good friendship. It's just that his social skills are...

[He makes a vague gesture with his hand.]

Errrr, let's just say that they still need work?

[universal_charm]

_{[ Kirk looked over and his eyebrows went up because wow what a wallflower and also he was surprised that was who Lance has been talking about. He hadn’t been sure if he’d meant a boy or a girl when they’d first spoken, but If he was honest he would have said girl based on other parts of that conversation. The problems Lance spoke about then made more sense now for sure. ]}

Well, friendship is a good place to start. He seems the type that even being able to admit he likes someone is difficult, to say the least. And honestly? The friendship will mean a lot when it does go to that level.

_{[ He pointed to another corner where a surly and somewhat uncomfortable elf sat, wallflowering even harder than Keith. ]}

That’s how it was between him and me first. And i don’t think we’d be what we are if we didn’t. I would have never gained the trust that’s so important between us right now.

So I think you’re doing well. Don’t try and rush it. Forcing something will just end up breaking it, after all.

_{[ He patted Lance’s shoulder reassuringly. ]}

And sometimes you just have to make the best of poor social skills. It’s usuallg not a quirk you can fix, I’m afraid.

_{[ He sighed and shook his head. Hopeless, Lance. Do not attempt. Save your strength for other battles. ]}

[the_tailor]

Yeah, I think he is that type. Which is why I have no idea of he could ever be interested in me like that. Makes it hard to figure out if I should fess up one day, because if he doesn't... Well, I don't want to ruin what we have or make it awkward. I took a heck of a lot to get where we are now. Keith and I, well, we didn't always get along.

[To say the least.]

He's still my rival, but he's my friend. I can't mess that up.

[He does know to save his strength for other battles. Keith is... Well. Lance is learning what to work on with him and what to just let go.]

[universal_charm]

_{[ He nodded. ]}

I think perhaps it's to early for you to admit anything. Maybe. I don't know all the details of everything you've been through, but I think you have good instincts, Lance. You'll know when a good time to say something is, and I don't think it will ruin your friendship if he doesn't feel the same. Basically I'm saying don't worry so much and just do what feels right.

_{[ Love is hard. So hard. His eyes flick to Fenris and then other man with red hair on the other side of the room. Yup, very hard. He tossed back his drink and poured in some more from a bottle of scotch. ]}

So, you wanna dance?

[the_tailor]

Yeah. We'll see how things go. Thanks for all this advice, though-- I really mean it, it's mega helpful. I haven't really had anyone to go to about all this stuff, except maybe Shiro, but he's got his own issues. Plus, he's basically Keith's older bro, so it makes it a little bit awkward? Sort of?

[He grins at the question, though, finishing up his drink for now.]

Heck yeah, I wanna dance. Hope you don't mind being shown up.

[universal_charm]

Just so long as you don't mind being swept off your feet.

_{[ He grinned, putting his glass down and holding out his hand for Lance as the music switched to a more upbeat, acoustic guitar style tempo. ]}

[the_tailor]

[He takes Kirk's hand as they head out to what's been set up as the dance floor. True to his word, Lance has a spectacular sense of rhythm, and pretty good moves to boot. Though he's never done it in any sense professionally or anywhere near that, he's spent a lot of his time back in Cuba dancing with friends and family.]

[universal_charm]

_{[ He had to give it to the other, he certainly did have rhythm. More than Kirk had, and Kirk was no slouch on the dance floor. Give his limp and other bruising he wasn't really up for doing anything crazy lively, but he was enjoying himself all the same. He reached to pull Lance into a loose sort of waltz hold. ]}

You mean you dance like that and your wallflower isn't completely in love with you yet? What is wrong with the world?

[the_tailor]

[Lance laughs as they dance together, remembering some of the steps he learned when he was younger. Yeah, Kirk is definitely cool. Lance soaks up compliments like a sponge, and that in itself helps boost his self esteem.]

I wish I knew, man. I danced with him at Luna and Noctis' wedding, but he hasn't totally fallen head over heels yet. I think I'll drag him to the dance floor later, see if that helps.

[Grin.]

You're not bad yourself, by the way!

[universal_charm]

Hah, thanks. Nice to know even with a bum leg I can charm even the spiciest of young adults ~

_{[ He grins brightly in return, the grin turning into a smirk as he suddenly dipped Lance. ]}

[the_tailor]

Spicy. I like it. I'm adding that to my dating profile.

[He makes a little surprised sound when he's suddenly dipped, but laughs. Lance is fine with Kirk leading the dance, honestly.]

[universal_charm]

_{[ He laughed in turn, his cheeks flushed from drink and honest enjoyment of their own silliness. ]}

By all means. You can even put me down as a reference, just in case.

[the_tailor]

[It's good to let loose like this. As much as he loves his team, Hunk's really the only one who he could successfully pull into dancing so easily. Maybe Shiro.]

I'll have to get the job then.

[universal_charm]

Well naturally, with me as a reference. I promise to say only good things, and keep it to one embarrassing story.

[the_tailor]

You don't know any of my embarrassing stories yet. And I'm gonna keep it that way.

[Huff!]

[universal_charm]

Maybe I do. Maybe I don't. You don't know.

_{[ Sly, sly grin, like a cat in the cream. ]}

[the_tailor]

You'd only be able to get them from my team. My team wouldn't betray me like that.

[There's a pause there.]

...I hope.

[Another pause.]

Never talk to Pidge.

[universal_charm]

_{[ He leaned in, his look very, very serious. ]}

Trust me. There is always one story out there. Always.

_{[ Believe him. There is always one. A.L.W.A.Y.S. ]}