Captain's Log - Sing That Sweet Melody

[universal_charm]

Who: Jim Kirk & You
Broadcast: Yes
Action: On the Tourist at First and Later on the Iskaulit
When: Jan 4 - Kirk's 32nd Birthday

[ Video ]
_{[ The transmission has a soundtrack this time - the dulcet tones of The Beastie Boys' Sabotage. A personal favorite of his, evidenced by his head gently bobbing to the 'beats and the shouting' as Jaylah had so fondly referred to it as. Hard to believe that had been years ago now. ]}

You know, there are times that I believe that Atroma knows way, way more about us than we think it does. That the whys of ripping us out of our times and our worlds is a lot more purposeful than we might think.

This, for instance.

_{[ He goes quiet and makes a motion with his hand to indicate the beats and the shouting, or to Kirk, the classical piece playing. ]}

I got this as what I can only assume is a combination Christmas and birthday gift. It's nothing but Sabotage remixes. Which, coincidentally, is probably one of the most significant songs in my life. Crashed my first car to the song - which, not surprisingly, lead to my first misdemeanor. I would sing this at the karaoke bars in college, even a bit during Star Fleet Academy on our nights off. And this song helped save the Federation, possibly the universe - also, coincidentally, on my birthday.

_{[ He goes quiet for a minute, just seeming to listen to the song, though his eyes seem far away. ]}

Anyways, if anyone would like to borrow it or get a copy, drop me a line. I'm always happy to share the classics from my world. It really is a great song. Hopefully next time I get a full album and not just the top twenty remixes - though I question the one that uses a piano. I don't recommend that version.

_{[ A soft sigh and then quieter than before - ]}

Two years and thirty-two, huh?

_{[ End transmission. ]}

[ Action - Tourist + Iskaulit/Malum ]
<sub>[ His offer made, Kirk would spend a bit more on the Tourist listening to the songs, going down to the freight hangar to blast the music, and probably do a little bit of a workout while he did it. It was the sort of music that made you want to move, after all. He would stop between sets to flip through data on a pad, sometimes making notes, and then going back to his exercise with music that vibrated his bones.

Thankfully he has left the music behind when he goes to the Malum, because, well, it is his birthday, and he has a tradition on his birthday - a good solid drink. Normally he would share it with Bones, get chided about calling his mother, and then they would toast. That was it. No sense in changing the routine now, though he would have to do it without Bones. He thought about inviting Chekov, but, well, he didn't want to bother the other man.

So he could be found later at the Malum, in his reserved seat because even on his birthday he was the official honeypot, sipping something good and from the top shelf. He didn't use his birthday for anything, except a good drink and could you blame him? ]</sub>

Comments

[theladyofwinterfell]

That sounds absolutely perfect. Thank you!

( Kirk is one of the kindest people she's met since coming here and while she's wary of her person, still, she has to learn to trust some people or she'll never survive here. The things that gave her power in Westeros don't exist here. She has to figure out her own way. )

[universal_charm]

Excellent. I'll meet you at the shuttle landing and we can walk from there.

_{[ It would give him time to make himself more presentable too. He turned off the feed and went to change into casual clothing and making himself look less he just rolled out of bed, packing on a weighty jacket as well. He had never liked the cold, and this planet was no exception, even if it was quite a bit nicer than his first ice planet had been. He made his way down and looked around for Sansa when he exited. ]}

[theladyofwinterfell]

( The warmest things Sansa has are the ones she arrived in, the only clothing she has that looks and feels like it could be from Westeros. Everything else is strange in the way the entire Fleet is strange to her and she takes comfort in her cloak and the fur-trimmed dress she showed up in. Kirk is tall, at least, so it doesn't take her long to find him. )

Here, Captain! I've only just gotten down here myself.

[universal_charm]

_{[ He smiled at her, finding himself a bit jealous of her cloak. It looked quite warm, more so than his more synthetic jacket. He came close and offered her is arm. ]}

Shall we then? We can take a cab so we don't get to very cold. Have you ever had coffee before? Or tea?

[theladyofwinterfell]

Tea is common enough in Westeros. I've never had coffee before, though, so if you would like to have that, it would be entirely new for me.

( Sansa isn't certain what a cab is but if it means being out of the cold, she's willing to take it. She gives him a smile as she takes his arm. )

Thank you for escorting me. I'm indebted now yet again.

[universal_charm]

It's a wonderful drink - I practically live on it. It can be bitter or sweet depending on what you put in, but a good brew is perfection in the morning.

_{[ He walks them to the pick-up area and hails a cab - that is, a car. He opens the door for Sansa and motions for her to slide in while giving the driver the name of the cafe he wishes to take her too and sits beside her, closing the door and sighing as the heat turned on. ]}

Think nothing of it. Friends need not be indebted to friends.

[theladyofwinterfell]

Debts are always something incurred where I'm from, unless it's with your family. I don't have any family here, though.

( Sansa supposes that technically Tyrion is her family, being her husband, but she doesn't think of him the way she thinks of Jon or Arya or Bran. He's different. )

I look forward to being indebted over this coffee, though.

[universal_charm]

Well, if you insist, though don't expect me to call on it.

_{[ The car rolled through the city, everything brushed with white or a glittering mass of color. It was a rather marvelous juxtaposition and he had come to appreciate it over the weeks on the planet. ]}

Is it cold where you come from, Sansa?

_{[ He motioned to her cloak and dress, which seemed perfect for the setting, more so thank his own clothing, even though it kept him warm enough for a quick dash in and out of vehicles. ]}

[theladyofwinterfell]

It's usually cold at Winterfell, yes, even in the summer. We still get snow that far in the North no matter what season it is.

( She touches the edge of her cloak, fingering the cloth a bit. It is an exceptionally warm cloak. )

I am glad that they let me have this one gown and cloak when I showed up here. My other clothes aren't as warm.

[universal_charm]

I'm glad too. It would be a true shame to subject you to the horror of the jumpsuit. Though you should try investing in some new outfits while we're on a planet with some nice choices. You should speak to Kara or Kitty about it. I'm sure they'd be happy to help you pick out some nice things.

[theladyofwinterfell]

I don't think I've met Kara yet but Kitty was one of the first to reach out to me over the network.

( Kitty, Sansa remembers, is one of the ones who explained exactly how ratings work. She cannot be more grateful for that knowledge and she has to repay it somehow. She's apparently become a Lannister in deed as well as marriage. )

I certainly want to get some more clothing, though, but I'm not certain if these planets will have anything in the style I'm accustomed.

[universal_charm]

You can ask Kitty to introduce you. She and Kara are friends.

_{[ He would, but he and Kara weren't on the best of terms. He could certainly try, though, if she wanted him to. ]}

Perhaps not, but you could probably find some things that would be close. And it might not be a bad idea to try branching out.

_{[ He looked down at her dress. ]}

It is a lovely outfit, but for moving around on space ships and potential harsh environments, it's not ideal. Which is not to say to get rid of it, of course, only that options wouldn't be a bad idea. But I think the girls might be better at helping you find those than myself, of course.

[theladyofwinterfell]

( Sansa gives him an appraising look and smiles a little wider. She doesn't think he dresses terribly, even if it is a lot different than a man would dress in Westeros. )

I don't think you've done so badly, Captain. I'll ask Kitty for her help though, certainly. Do you think I ought to wear trousers?

[universal_charm]

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to have some. If there’s an emergency it would be easier to maneuver. Not that we try to have to many of those, but Atroma does love it’s surprises. Better to be prepared for the possibility.

_{[ The car rolled to a stop and Kirk payed the man, swiping his comm device over a reader to transfer the credits. He slid out and turned back to offer his hand to Sansa. They were let out in front of a building built of the stained glass tiles that seemed so popular in the city, the snow outside sculpted to resemble local flora, a warm light casting bright blocks of color over the snow and a warm, spicy scent drifting out ever time the door opened. ]}

[theladyofwinterfell]

( The colors against the white snow are beautiful to behold and Sansa is struck silent for a moment before she shakes her head and turns to face Kirk again. )

I suppose I should invest in some trousers if I'm going to make a habit of visiting these planets. It sure is beautiful here, isn't it?

[universal_charm]

Yes, it is. Normally I am not a fan of frozen planets like this, but this... this is an exception.

_{[ He led her towards the door and inside, the interior modern, but warm with browns and blacks and yellow light. There were small tables and chairs and a few booths, a homey feel, with a open kitchen behind and people darting about preparing drinks and snacks. Kirk led Sansa over to a table and pulled out a chair for her. ]}

Let me go get a menu for you.

[theladyofwinterfell]

( Sansa isn’t certain what she expected but Kirk is a gentleman and she cannot help but be happy about that. She waits for Kirk to return with the menu, hands folded neatly in front of her. )

This place is absolutely beautiful, Captain. Thank you for escorting me. I never would have come alone.

[universal_charm]

I'm sure you would have found your way down, eventually. You seem a curious sort.

_{[ He settled beside her, opening up the menu. ]}

Do you prefer sweet things, Sansa? Or do you prefer savory?

[theladyofwinterfell]

I've always had something of a sweet tooth. Mother had to keep me out of the lemoncakes so I wouldn't spoil my supper.

( Sansa gives him a curious look, eager to see what he'll suggest. )

I could make a whole meal of those little cakes.

[universal_charm]

Well, your mother was right. To much sugar isn't good for you, though I know how hard it is to resist something delicious.

_{[ He tapped the table for a moment and then held out the menu to her and pointed at a few things. ]}

I think we make a good showing of this, and the drinks are only a little sweet - chocolatey, even. I think you'll enjoy them.

[theladyofwinterfell]

Chocolate is rare in Westeros, you know. It only comes from the Summer Isles and it's very expensive. Even more expensive than lemons.

( Sansa thinks she may have had chocolate once at a feast in King's Landing but never since then; she thinks she'll enjoy it a lot more now with Jim than she did back then since she's safe and having fun. )

[universal_charm]

Hah, it's the opposite where I'm from. Chocolate comes cheap, and lemons are more dear pound for pound. We have whole companies in my world that do absolutely nothing but make chocolate treats for people to buy and they make stacks of cash.

_{[ Which he bought into. Chocolate wasn't necessarily his favorite treat, but he enjoyed it, especially the dark stuff with that nice bitter kick. ]}

There's this one ingredient in my world - called a truffle. Specifically a black truffle. More expensive than gold.

_{[ He tapped a screen to life on the table and put in an order for them, the drinks arriving swiftly. ]}

[theladyofwinterfell]

A black truffle? Strange. I've never heard of such a thing. I suppose my world is a lot different than yours.

( Sansa doesn't mind that, though. She's enjoyed learning about the differences - be they small or large. )

I cannot thank you enough for helping me navigate all of this. It's so different for me and it would be difficult if I didn't have someone to help me.

[universal_charm]

They're a type of tuber, and they grow underground. They have to train pigs to find them.

_{[ And really that was the most interesting fact about them, beyond the ridiculous price for certain types which Kirk had never understood, but whatever the culinary world said, he supposed. He would probably cry if he tasted one though - all these years on Atroma provided foods. ]}

Oh, it's no problem at all. There's a learning curve, but you're a smart girl, so I doubt you'll have much trouble. Which, speaking of, we should maybe get you some clothing to workout in if I'm going to be teaching you self-defense.

[theladyofwinterfell]

( Sansa realizes she's eventually going to have to give up wearing gowns in favor of other things but it still doesn't feel natural. Still, she wants to try and she wants to learn to defend herself the way Kirk has offered. )

Yes, we should look for something I can wear for that. It will be the first time I ever wear trousers.