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

[cajunspice]

[Huh, well, that is an option, but at the risk of others not liking the idea of Remy's cooties, he lifts the glass he had in his hand to drown it's contents in one long swallow before offering the glass to the bottle.] Ah, a man with good taste, as I be a bourbon man m'self.

'nd for the most I would say ya be right, but 'bout a year or so back swear came 'cross a drink that literally tasted like the color pink, 'nd never thought I would find a flavor that could be described alone as a color. That was certainly fun to try, even if did stain m' tongue for a week.

[candothat]

Mm, my taste is very good. At home, my superiors occasionally confiscate what I keep in my locker because it is always better than what they bring aboard... but please don't tell Kirk that I know this, he thinks that I don't know that he and McCoy are the thieves.

[Ffff, cooties. Chekov fills Remy's glass rather generously.]

Can you tell me... what does the color pink taste like? Is it sweet?

[cajunspice]

[Remy grinned at that confession as he gave a nod of his head in thanks for the drink before taking a sip.] Ya secret be safe with me. [Though he was sure Kirk would be amused by that if he was told.] Mmm, good choice ya got here. [Referring to the drink.]

Ahh, mostly sweet, a bit like cherry, but was not just the taste of it. Felt like drinkin' champagne, bubbly, 'nd smelled like a mix of candy 'nd watermelon. 'nd pretty sure there was a glitter or something in it as well. Then again, don't remember too much of that night, so I could be thinkin' or one of the other drinks that place had.

[candothat]

[Oh, let the kids think that they're getting away with something. It's a good ego boost for them.] Thank you. The captain and Kitty and Kurt all like you, I knew that you could be trusted.

That is a poetic description. Have you considered offering your services to the bars here? I think that you would help them sell their drinks... not that they need so much help now that we are all thoroughly traumatized and attempting to drink away our memories.

[cajunspice]

Donno if I go as far as that, but nice of ya to say. Though really up to if ya can trust Jim 'nd Kurt. [Though he was a little unsure how much sarcasm would be picked up considering Chekov's current state.]

Ahh, kind of ya, but Nami's already claimed me for workin' in her kitchen at the Space Bar. I get free drinks 'nd get to practice m' cookin', 'nd she gets cheap labor. [Since cooking while drunk was never a great idea.] Though sure she would put me to work elsewhere, given the chance.

[candothat]

I do, explicitly. Implicitly. [He can barely English right now, sarcasm is so far beyond him.]

Is she hiring? Nami? Not at this moment, this is bad time for an interview, but generally. I could find good liquor for her when we visit planets.

[cajunspice]

Can't hurt to ask, mon ami, can't hurt to ask. Though that may just end up with ya luggin' heavy casts 'nd crates 'round of stuff she finds. [As Remy had in the past.] Though sure it be pretty relaxin' compared to some of the events of Star Fleets, non? [Yes, please, all the stories. Remy's been able to get a bunch out of Kirk over their time here, and he loves hearing them. It's like episodes he never got to see, and a few that felt like they were.]

[candothat]

Lugging things would also be acceptable, I suppose. [But it should would be a waste of his sophisticated palate.] You know about Starfleet? No, of course you do, you know the captain, I forgot. Most of the things that happen here--outside of the last two months, I mean--are relaxing compared to what happens at home, yes. Less exploding, generally. Fewer temporal anomalies and incursions of other universes.

[cajunspice]

Be a little more casual for the most, oui, just a bunch of people shoved together rather than, well, ya'll ain't military, so lets put 'well organized' 'nstead. [Even though they had titles and everything.]

Sure ya'll got some good stories 'bout it though, 'nless Jim just be all hot air. Know he is half the time, but never sure 'bout the other half.

[candothat]

We are not military in theory. [Enjoy that cryptic admittance, Chekov rarely questions Starfleet's intended mission out loud.] But you're correct, nothing is so organized here.

What has he told you? I can confirm or deny his less believable claims.

[cajunspice]

[Oh, this could be good fun. And take up a good chunk of the night, hearing stories that he hasn't from Jim yet, or another side of them.] There's the one 'bout stealin' something from some alien natives 'nd runnin' through a forest as a distraction while Spock be blowin' up a volcano.

Ya know, most officers tend to have desk jobs more so than out in the field. Seems ya crew never seems to manage that, 'nd seems to bring all those in the line of command 'nto danger rather than leavin' someone back on board, just in case.

[candothat]

That is true. [somewhat proudly:] It was my idea that allowed us to retrieve the Commander... and violate the Prime Directive, and nearly destroy the Enterprise, but I choose to focus on the positive outcome.

Not all command officers leave the ship. The captain nearly always leaves me.

[cajunspice]

Course cher! Why ever linger on the bad when ya can make yaself look good with the positive side of it? I certainly work that way. [A sly grin adding to that comment as Remy took another sip of his drink, corner of his lip staying curled up in a smile.]

'nd clearly was a very smart choice leavin' ya on board, since ya got them out of that mess. Gotta have someone 'round to pull that lot out of the trouble they get themselves 'nto, [And, he guesses the main moral of it all:] 'nd ya got to help out a species that wouldn't be there without ya'll. Not a bad day at the office.

[candothat]

Yes, exactly. You're a very smart man. [He likes you, Remy.]

That is the important thing, saving others. Saving members of the crew who don't put so much effort into saving themselves as well. [There's a hint of irritation underlying his inebriated cheerfulness. The last two planets have seriously tried Pavel's patience with heroes who put themselves in danger.] To be fair, probably only half of the danger that we experience at home is caused by us or our attempts to be helpful. Sometimes danger finds us even when we are being careful.

[cajunspice]

Sounds like ya need a pay raise there, mon ami. They may get hazard pay, but ya certainly deserves 'savin' all ya butts so ya can live to be a nuisance 'nother day' pay. Then again, not sure what chapter of the code that would come under, but may be somewhere in all that paperwork. [Or more likely would just get their ship in trouble for how many breeches they did as part of Star Fleet.]

Ahh, well, ya'll goin' out 'nd 'bout lookin' for it, more or less, even if it not all official. Kinda happens when ya coverin' so much ground, non? Like we do here. Ain't like we stuck in one town or city, or even a country or planet. More exposure always 'ncreases the chance of risk. Just gotta hope it worth it, whether helpful, or just plain fun.

[candothat]

...Pay? [He actually laughs, which isn't a thing that he does a lot. Russian stoicism and all that.] What would I do at home with money? The only compensation that I would like there is everyone behaving sensibly.

[Keep dreaming, buddy.]

I suppose trouble is inevitable when exploring, yes, there and here. [With a sudden solemnity:] Do you think that it has been worth it here?

[cajunspice]

[Maybe not, and maybe it was due to the alcohol, but it was still nice to hear the laugh.] I guess the Fleet supplies everything, 'nd ya'll be out on long runs, hein?

[Though that change in tone wasn't overly surprising, as Remy had heard it many times, including in his own words.] Use to think that, but been at it too long to really see it 'ny other way now. Not just goin' 'round space 'nd takin' risks like we just did on that last planet, but this whole thing in general. Don't get me wrong, miss m' family back home, miss m' work, but what 've gained here certainly has lessened that loss. Plus, would hate to think I would lose the memory of this place by goin' back, or those who were here. [Those that were gone.]

Life ain't without risk, just gotta hope Lady Luck be on ya side for the most of it, non?

[candothat]

Very long runs sometimes. There aren't many stores in uncharted space.

[He listens to Remy intently, hanging off his words as if he's revealing the greatest secrets in the universe. (Some of that, admittedly, is just because he finds the accent difficult to parse out right now.)]

For me, I think that I would be much happier if I went home and forgot the years in other universes, all of the risks... but probably I wouldn't give those memories up, given a choice.

Do you consider yourself a lucky man?

[cajunspice]

[Remy let out a chuckle around the rim of the glass at that store comment.] Clearly someone needs to set up a shop then, make good money, if ya 'gnore how big space 'nd would be 'mpossible to find the place.

Cher, use to be that 'ny year I got to reach m' birthday was lucky, got a lot of enemies back home. [Really, with his history Remy was lucky to be alive. Skill helped, but a lot was out of his control.] For the most think I be, though between ya, [You know, you who is rather drunk and may not remember this tomorrow.] 'nd me, rather run on skill than luck if I can help it. Skill's under my control, luck is chaotic 'nd can't be contained. [Wait, Wanda could change luck...] 'less ya a mutant or got magic that can create or manipulate luck...

it's been eighty years

[candothat]

Yes, I agree with this! [He's talking a little too loudly.] Skill is superior to luck for all of us who have no means to change our fortunes. Although luck is far more depressing when it's bad since there is no way to improve it.

[Without so much as a breath to indicate that he's jumping trains of thought:] I find it difficult to believe that you have many enemies.

no no, only seventy eight

[cajunspice]

[Luckily Remy was well versed in 'drunk', having many a conversation both in that state and with those who were in it.] I know, 'm just so pretty, hard to think 'nyone could hate me, hein? [Diverting that question for now, though Remy was half sure even if he did give Chekov a serious answer that the man wouldn't remember it the next day.]

you're too kind!

[candothat]

[Even though he is a fairly high-functioning drunk, Pavel doesn't even notice that there's been a diversion.] I was thinking more that you're personable, but yes, pretty also. If difficult to understand. What is your accent? Not French, although you say things in French, which is very confusing to me.

[cajunspice]

Too kind. [Remy smiled at Chekov's confirmation, giving a shake of his head as he took a sip of his drink. No, he didn't need his ego stroking, even if he was joking about his appearance, but it was still fun to hear it said back to him.]

Non, I ain't. 'm Cajun, from N'w Orleans in Louisiana. French more or less a part of life there, can't get 'way bein' raised in a large Cajun family without learnin' to speak it.

[candothat]

[To be fair, Pavel thinks that everyone is rather pretty right now. How did one universe manage to abduct such a stunning bunch of people?]

Ah, Cajun, of course. ['Of course' nothing, this is a new term to him.] Then everyone who is Cajun is bilingual?

[cajunspice]

[Some sort of conspiracy or something.] Ahh, I think it's something that ain't as common as use to be, plus m' family can be tracked back to its roots in France, [Which was far closer than most would expect. That happened when you basically had a fountain of youth available and kept people living easily for over a century.] So I guess kinda kept some of the tradition with that.

I know a handful of other words in other languages, but nothin' close to being fluent like I be with French 'nd English.