driftfleet | [Semi-open] Stress finally takes its toll

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[Semi-open] Stress finally takes its toll

Who: Shiro and Ulaz, Shiro and you
Broadcast: No
Action: on Duotera (for Ulaz), the SS Blameless (open)
When: Throughout this week
Warnings for the Ulaz thread: Mentions of Shiro's year in captivity, possible mentions of torture, experimentation and losing his arm; Shiro having a panic attack with flashes of said memories.

1. Closed to Ulaz

[After a really, really shitty month, Shiro must admit it: Ulaz arriving has been a blessing for his mood. Part of him knows it's messed up that people are brought back from death, but it's not like he can do anything about Atroma's plans (yet, he hopes) and damn if he won't enjoy something nice actually happening to him for a change.

He already lost one "purple". Let him have the other.

They arrive to a nice system, too, which also helps, considering they're still waiting for the third dream to happen. One less thing to worry about. So the main issue in Shiro's mind now is... questions. So many of them. When Ulaz arrived, Shiro wanted to give the poor man time to settle down, so he kept himself in check. But he can't wait any longer.

So time to make a good use of the planets! Duoatera has a nice climate and beautiful hills, so Shiro invites Ulaz for a hike. With only nature (and Procyon of course) surrounding then, they can have a private and calm conversation while exploring. So here is Shiro now, near the hills area, dressed in a nice jacket and ready to go, dog sitting next to him like a good boy.

He smiles when he sees Ulaz approach.] Hey. I'm glad you came. Have you ever gone hiking before?

2. Open - SS Blameless

[Maybe you heard from Ulaz, or from Shiro's teammates, or his crew - or maybe you've just been wondering why Shiro hasn't been around much. But the story is only one: someone finally passed out from all the stress and is now stuck in bed. And hey, maybe you've also been wondering why that someone hasn't taken the captain's room when he's now the only captain of the ship.

Well, wonder no more! Because that's where he is now. You can thank the very tall and very strong purple alien for that.

They haven't moved his stuff yet, but Procyon (now quite bigger and with longer hair) is there with him, taking advantage of the bigger bed and taking care of his master at the same time. And Shiro does have his communicator and tablet, because resting isn't a word he knows of.

He's bored, alright.

So if you're visiting him, you'll find him going through documents on his tablet. Please stop him before stress starts going up again.

Or maybe you are just passing by for whatever reason, making your way through the Blameless' slippery hallways. Since the captain's room currently has the door open (you can also thank the alien for that), Shiro will see you walk by and take the chance to speak up.]

Excuse me, can I ask you for a favor, please? [He almost sounds... ashamed? To be asking this. He feels silly asking for little things he could be doing himself, okay.]

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_{[ As it turns out, he's come to visit Shiro. That things have turned out like this isn't exactly a surprise. He's been in a similar position before, though Bones has taken more action to curb that in recent years. It was hard being in charge of a rowdy group, wasn't it Shiro?

Anyways, here he is, knocking before simply stepping into the room, a small box underneath his arm and two juice packs. Sorry. No beer this time, Shiro. ]}

You know you're not supposed to be working on bed rest.

_{[ If you were Lance, he'd bonk you on the head with a juice box about now. ]}

Nice to see you too, Jim.

[That may've come off a little too sarcastic. Not something Shiro does often, but he's definitely frustrated and bored right now, so. He does put the tablet down on his night table though - not because of the resting orders, but because it's rude to stare at a screen when you have visitors. Procyon quickly raises his head from Shiro's lap to sniff the air - hello, new person, nice to meet you.]

I'm fine. Ulaz and my team are just being overprotecting.

Well, if I've learned anything in my years leading a ship, it's that you listen to your doctor.

_{[ Bones is screaming from somewhere, far far away, but Kirk does
listen. Mostly. Sometimes. Like 40% of the time, okay? It's a good amount
for him. He came closer and offered one of the packs before plopping
himself down on the edge of the bed, placing the case on his other side.
]}

You'll have to introduce me to him sometime - Ulaz that is.

[Shiro raises an eyebrow at that, not really buying it.] If your doctor ever shows up then I'll be sure to ask him, then.

[He accepts the pack with a mumbled thanks and Procyon leans in a bit to sniff at the case. He's playing doggy bodyguard, see, must inspect everything! After drinking some juice, Shiro nods, smiling at the mention of Ulaz.]

Sure. He's in the Caprine, but he's coming to check on me later. Thankfully Atroma gave him the right augment.

It is to bad that you missed him when he was here. But you can ask Chekov. He knows.

_{[ You don't want to ask Bones, Shiro. You really don't. Kirk smiles at
the animal and offers his fingers for a sniff. See? He's a friend. ]}

Excellent. If the rest of your team is anything to go by, Ulaz should be quite interesting, yeah?

[Ulaz was indeed on his way back to check on Shiro. In fact he was nearly there when he overheard mention of his name. But he more or less files that away because he makes no indication of having heard anything as he steps into the doorway.

Quite interesting? You have that right, given that he's a tall, light purple alien with yellow eyes.]

I'm not interrupting anything am I?

[Hey, maybe he does want to ask Bones! But Chekov will do. He's about to tell Kirk that Ulaz is complicated but definitely interesting, but welp. Speaking of the devil. Shiro chuckles and shakes his head.]

You aren't, don't worry. Ulaz, this is Captain James Tiberius Kirk. He's also an astroexplorer back in his world, commander of his own ship. Jim, this is Ulaz. He belongs to a group of warriors that helps us fight the Galra Empire.

_{[ Kirk looks up when Ulaz enters and his eyebrow raises a fraction. He wasn't quite expecting this, though it is hardly a disappointment. His eyes drift over Ulaz, sizing the other up, his lips automatically slipping into a flirtatious sort of smile.

He stood up from the bed and offered out his hand to Ulaz, clearly not put off by his appearance, or even shocked by it. ]}

A pleasure to meet you, Ulaz. Please, just call me Jim or Kirk. I answer to both and my full name is either a mouthful or for when I'm in trouble.

[Now that he knew he wasn't interrupting, Ulaz stepped forward, extending his hand since Kirk had already]

Nice to meet you too, Jim.

[The phrase still sounds like he had rehearsed it. In a way he had. That's not how he'd ever greeted someone, but it seemed to be standard for humans so he would do it. Also he picked "Jim" only because that's what Shiro had used]

Hopefully you aren't in trouble often that someone has to use your full name. You are a captain of one of the other ships?

[Good, other captains making sure that Shiro rested]

I came by to see how you were doing, Shiro.

He's the captain of the SS Tourist here, but I meant he also had his own crew at home.

[Since he's seeing Kirk's back now, Shiro doesn't notice anything weird, so he's glad that two friends can meet and get along. Ulaz's comment, though makes him sigh.]

I'm fine. I already told you that - I don't need so much bed rest time.

[He thinks he doesn't need it at all, but he's trying to bargain here.]

It's just like he says - I captain the Tourist here, and the Enterprise back home. Also a space faring ship. And no, not to often, but you wouldn't know that some days when my doctor was around.

_{[ He chuckled, giving a firm but not aggressive shake before moving to
sit back down on the edge of the bed, turning his attention to Shiro.
]}

I'm going to give you a bit of advice, captain to captain - listen to your doctor and it will be over faster.

_{[ HA. HA. HA. Bones is having cardiac arrest somewhere from shock at
such words, and the fact that Kirk has never, in his life, properly
followed them. ]}

I was going to offer to pass the time with a game of tri-dimensional chess.

_{[ He motioned to the box he had brought with him. ]}

[To Shiro]

I would prefer you take it easy for a few days to recover your strength. You weren't doing well.

[You really can't say collapsing in the middle of nowhere was a good thing. He's being nice and not sharing exact details... only what was needed to know with the medic on this ship in case something else happened]

It's not indefinite.

[He also appreciates that there are others to make sure Shiro rests too... Procyon being the good dog he is and Kirk.

To Kirk] Tri-dimensional chess?

[Squinting his eyes at Kirk now because not!!! Buying!!! That!!!] I'll check your advice with Chekov later.

[He sighs again at Ulaz's words. I'm fine, he wants to say again, but he would be starting to sound like a broken record. And he doesn't want to worry Kirk too. One person babysitting him is enough.]

I know, I know. I'm resting, see? Thanks for worrying. [He also turns to Kirk, curiosity picked.] I've played chess before, but never heard of a tri-dimensional one.

_{[ You are right to squint, Shiro, but he is very good at both ignoring the squint and smiling through the bullshit he tells when he wants to.

Besides, now he has both of your attentions on something else entirely, and he is thoroughly pleased as this is one of his favorite games in the universe. He has, sadly, had a lack of partner's to play with, and sees this as a golden opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.

He reached around and took the box, setting it on the nearest thing to a table he could find, unpacking chess set. ]}

It's based on the chess you're thinking about, but it has more dimensions and layers to it. Now there's a up and down movement as well as across the board.

_{[ He looked between them both, an excited smile on his face. ]}

Would you like to play?

Yes, you are resting. [And Ulaz is not going to complain about that. Good thing he didn't see him trying to do work a few minutes ago.

Ulaz tilted his head slightly to the side as he watched Kirk set up the chess board. First the rules of "chess" were not something he knew, but also making it three-dimensional made it even trickier]

If you two are going to play, I would like to observe this.

[It looks like a big puzzle to him and he wants to know how this is supposed to work.

Also gives him an excuse to not have to leave and go back to the Caprine just yet]

[Shiro raises both his eyebrows at the set up - that looks really cool actually. He smiles widely at the offer - fuck yeah an activity, and one he likes.]

I'd love to play. Bring the table next to the bed so my doctor-- [He gives Ulaz a teasing look.] --doesn't scold me again.

[He's totally not butthurt about having to stay in bed, I don't know what you're talking about.]

Come, Ulaz, get comfortable. Chess is a strategy board game, the rules are simple, but the game can get very intricate. We can teach you we play.

You know the more you complain, the longer they make you stay in bed. Don't push the sadism of doctors.

_{[ Or maybe that's just Bones, but you know, better safe than sorry.
Kirk moves the table closer as requested though. ]}

Many of the rules are the same as a normal chess board, but there are obviously some new ones to account for the 3-D aspect.

_{[ He launched into a quick explanation, moving pieces as examples and
then back to their starting positions. ]}

Right, ready to play? You two can be a team, if you like.

[Ulaz is not going answer the "sadism of doctors" comment. While Kirk might be joking, its not really something to joke about for him.

But he did grab a chair and pull it over to observe as Kirk moved the table over to Shiro's bedside. He's fascinated by it. The focus for the moment is off the patient and on the game, lucky for Shiro even if he is still in bed.

Ulaz listened to the explanation, glancing between the board and the pieces. As interesting as it appears, he's never played chess on even a flat board yet]

Perhaps I should watch the first time.

[Maybe Shiro can convince him otherwise...]

[Shiro tenses when he hears the sadism comment and looks at Ulaz, who thankfully is keeping his poker face. Things could've gotten awkward pretty quickly...

The new extra rules are few and Shiro catches on pretty quickly, it's really not different from regular chess. Ulaz's comment, though, has him a bit disappointed.]

Are you sure? I wouldn't mind a teammate, and Jim has the advantage of experience over me.

Don't worry if you don't quite understand the rules. I'll clarify or remind you as we play. It's your first time, after all - there's a learning curve, and I'm happy to teach.

_{[ He smiled encouragingly at the both of then, but mostly Ulaz. ]}

If you take to it, I can make you your own set.

[Fueled by both Shiro's request and by the promise to help explain the rules as they went (since really how was Ulaz going to remember what these tiny pieces meant)...]

I suppose there would be no harm in teaming up with Shiro, since Kirk doesn't mind. We'll see how I like it.

[But it looks like a puzzle so he'd probably like it. Ulaz moved his chair to sit closer so he could see the board better]

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[Semi-open] Stress finally takes its toll

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