driftfleet | [ Open ] Catch-All: My Kind of Party

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[ Open ] Catch-All: My Kind of Party

Who: Jim Kirk & You!
Broadcast: Nope
Action: Yes, planet!
When: All Month Long

Turns out that they might have gotten a break this time around. Kirk is suspicious, but willing to let himself indulge while they can. When the breaks come, they should be enjoyed. He was quick to sign up with the Starstrikers, even tough the mascot was a little... meh. But hey, he wasn't here for mascots.

He was here to have some fun - and maybe take a few championship belts if he could, or some records. He would be okay with either.

a: spaceship races
Every kind of competition imaginable is available here, and that's never been more true than with the space ship races. Kirk hadn't been sure what to expect, but oh did his heart race when he saw what it really meant. Small passenger ships, meant for maybe four total crew, ranging in shape and color and size and all primed and geared to go as fast as possible through the designated course.

So much easier than trying to get the Enterprise to push past her mach limits and beat out Klingon war birds. And more fun.

He raced alone just fine, but if someone wanted to partner up in the cockpit he was for. For the observers and tag-a-longs, they would find that the captain was quite daring when it came to fitting through tight places or pulling maneuvers. Like rushing through an asteroid field and trying to edge out a lead by dodging through some tightly closing rocks...

"It'll fit! It'll fit!"

b: motorbike races
If he couldn't be racing past stars, racing motorbikes was the next best thing. It was certainly a lot more fun than the last time he had been on a motorbike. A lot less on the line, that was for sure. It took him a bit to get used to the mechanics of these machines, but once he figured it out, it wasn't to very different from back on Earth. The tracks were way more advanced, but hey, that wasn't so bad. He found the natural tracks better though, the ones that sent you racing through trees and over cliffs and dunes. He was at least relatively successful, winning more than he lost.

He was happy to have less official matches with anyone who wanted one, or take a drive just to enjoy the scenery. Just don't laugh at him in the official match suits. He only, kind of, chose these colors and it was better for the suits not to be to baggy. As proven when he crashed a few times. Even good racers have bad days, okay?

c: gambling
Everything can't be an adrenaline rush all the time, right? Or at least, not the same kind of rush. So Kirk whiles away some of the hours gambling. It's not often, but he participates now and then - usually in black jack or poker. He can't quite count cards, but he has good luck which could be just as useful when it came down to it.

He switches between tables and games at intervals when he is there, never sticking to any one thing for to long. Maybe he bumps you on the way to a new table or game, nodding his head in that direction.

"You in?"

d: hand-to-hand combat
Star Fleet might push for peace, but that didn't mean that its people didn't know how to hold their own in a fight. The universe wasn't always a very kind place, after all, and Kirk had never been a stranger to a fight or two. Usually in bars, but hey, he had been smoothed around the edges. The truth was that he liked the challenge, the unpredictability of close-up combat with another person, and it took off some of the edge. That, and he was always interested in new techniques from new cultures.

He avoided the gladiator style rings and kept to the smaller matches. The upgrades from Atroma came in handy - he could take a hit a lot better now, and give one back. He would almost call it cheating it some of his opponents didn't have an even bigger weight advantage on him. Free-for-all and round-robin styles literally meant just that, it seemed. More often than not he came out of the ring with bruises, and a cut here or there, but nothing very serious that a bandaid and a shot of whiskey couldn't fix.

And if he's fighting someone from the Fleet? Well, don't expect him to hold back.

"Hit me with your best shot."

e: smile for the camera
Kirk is used to being one of two things - the golden boy, or the pain in the neck. It tends to waver between the two, but given the number of feats he has under his belt, he's more used to the latter than the former. He seemed to have a fairly even balance here on the planet, decked in his Starstrikers jacket - all he would allow himself of the branding so long as he could manage it. He was not going to be a walking advertisement, thank you.

If someone wanted a picture, or an autograph, he would give it, though he honestly seemed a little taken aback and flustered by that. But hey, whatever the people want, right? Of course the opposite could be true. Opposing teams or just fans who didn't like he had beaten out their favorite player could get in his face, which Kirk wasn't to afraid to get back into either. Definitely Starstriker material.

So why is that he looks so confused when he gets off his phone one day, fresh coffee in hand (oh god, fresh, delicious coffee).

"When did I get an agent?"

f: wild card!
You can find Jim enjoying the other pleasures the planets have to offers besides rousing competition such as:
- a sunny day at the beach
- shopping for new clothes or books
- trying out the local foods and bars
- spectating at sports
- probably getting into bar fights somewhere
- anything you can think of!

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Ulaz happened to be out as well on this planet. Given how cramped the ships tended to feel, he liked having the space to stretch out and not have worry about hitting his head going through a doorway. Of course on a planet that was used to noticing anything in reference to competition, he had initially gotten attention as well, but he had refused to actually indulge in any of the competitions and that had stopped quickly.

Not that he was going to stop others from participating. If that's what they wanted to do of their own free will, that was fine.

But he happened to be not too far away from Kirk on this day, having nothing the other captain briefly while getting coffee himself. This stuff was pretty good actually.

"An agent? Like to manage your career?"

[As if he can resist spaceship races! Lance is especially excited to test his skills against Jim, and hopefully show off a bit in the process. The older man's risky style of flying reminds him a lot of Keith, so he uses similar tactics to what he'd use racing against said boyfriend.

Win or lose, though, he'll be excitedly running up to Jim after the race and high fiving him.]

That was great! Holy quiznak, you're a good pilot.

[Shiro, who has been going through the same fandom problems as Kirk, is more of a tea guy. And that's what he's drinking in the rather nice shop he's found (which also gave him a discount, nice) when he hears Kirk on his phone not being exactl subtle.]

Jim? Is everything okay?

"Just remember ... keep your expression under control." Tyrion said with a perfectly pleasant and faintly idiotic, 'Oh gee look at all these interesting tables with cards on them!' He is not sure if his reputation has proceeded him, but just in case it has not? He can give himself and Kirk a proverbial leg up.

Besides, it is good to spend time with one of his oldest friends.

Coffee was delicious, and should be spread throughout the universe. It was the ambrosia of Earth if you asked Kirk.

He looked up at Ulaz, his brow still scrunched in that confused way and his phone held up because he still couldn't decide if he needed to call the number back and clear up some mistake.

"Yeah, exactly like that. They told me to watch the press around me, cause my trend was dipping?" He asked as if hoping the good doctor could make heads or tails of the situation.

_{[ Kirk grinned at Lance as he came running up, holding up his hand for the hi-five. Kirk had taken the flag in this particular race, having managed to pull off some near-disaster squeezes through the field, but hey, no guts no glory, right? ]}

You're not to shabby yourself. I was worried a couple times I was going to have to scoop you up out of some rubble.

_{[ It's a bit hard to be terribly subtle when you are blind-sided and more than a little confused. He looked over to Shiro, nodding and grateful to see a friendly face. ]}

Uh, yeah, I think? Do you have an agent, Shiro?

_{[ He knew the other had gained some popularity as well, which wasn't surprising. ]}

Good thing they had gotten the reunion out of the way earlier. Kirk had been more than a little heart broken when at first Tyrion had been gone from the Fleet, but his return had been a relief of sorts. Even if he was sorry to see the other trapped here again. A very strange dual sword, being here and coming to care about people.

"Just so we're clear, I am blonde, but I'm not good at playing a dumb blonde," Kirk looked down at his companion.

[Remy always found one of the best ways to make a quick buck or two at each location was to find the local gambling areas, normally the seedier the better. Sure, he could easily do it through cards, but sometimes it was fun to head to other areas too, including fighting matches. Hell, it was also fun now and then to also blow off some steam and to make sure his skills weren’t getting rusty. Though Remy did prefer to try and pick a fight he was sure he would win, much like how he gambled.

Having settled in at one of the establishments, he had gotten himself a drink before noticing there was a very familiar face currently in the ring, a sly smile crossing his face as he took a sip and waited for Kirk’s fight to wrap up. Noting which way he was heading off, Remy slid through the crowd so he could meet up with Jim as he was patching himself up between rounds. He reached out a hand to rest it against Jim’s shoulder once he was in range to and made his way to his side. It may be easier said than done since, while not totally decked out in full colors Remy was wearing a little red and purple button of The Brightbirds to show which side he was taking.]

I hope they be avoidin’ ya face, as much as I would like to kiss it better, think ya would look better without a broken nose.

Pssssh. No risk, no reward, right? Especially when flying against someone who flies as recklessly as you do. Jeez, you're just like Keith.

[He laughs.]

That was fun as heck, though. Shame I don't have my lion to really show off my piloting skills.

Maybe not ambrosia in Ulaz's opinion, but he wouldn't turn down a cup of coffee if someone offered him one.

Ulaz looked over at him, noticing the confused look that Kirk was giving his phone. That message clearly had to have been something he wasn't expecting.

"And you don't remember actually arranging anything like that? Just that this person called you and told you about it? Perhaps it is something with your team has set up already."

( Sansa isn't much of a gambler herself but she is clever at cards and the casinos on this planet are glitzy and dazzling. She's dressed in a fine gown and come to watch the tables, trying to learn the games herself before betting coin and trying it for her own when she spots Jim. This is a much more exciting prospect than spending an evening alone. )

Which of these games is your favorite, Jim? I'd like to learn. The cards are different from the ones I know back home.

I prefer to think of it as flying with calculated risks.

_{[ No, it was just reckless, Jim, but he gives himself points for spin. Heaven knows he had enough practice. ]}

It certainly sounds more difficult. I'm still not sure why a lion though.

_{[ Look, it would always bother him, okay? ]}

_{[ Kirk turns when Sansa comes up and he smiles to see her so bedecked and enjoying herself. He had been watching the tables as well, waiting to see where he could slide in. He liked gambling as a diversion, but he wasn't a hardcore gambler by any means and didn't want to wrangle with a more serious set. ]}

Favorite? Hmm, probably poker or black jack. They don't have exactly those here, but they're close enough that I've gotten the hang of them.

Both involve strategy and luck, in equal measures.

_{[ Kirk looked up when he felt the hand on his shoulder, smiling at the sight of his lover. A scandal, to be sure, if it was found out by any of the fans. A cross-team love affair? Scandalous! Not that Kirk actually cared, since they wouldn't be here all that long, since he doubted their usual routine of staying a few weeks and then popping on to the next planet would change.

He chuckled and made a pursed-lip kissing sound at him instead, then held up a bit of bandage so Remy could help him wrap . ]}

Almost got one from one of yours in that match you know.

Dare you not slander the good name of coffee, sirrah!

"I suppose so," Kirk slid the phone back into his pocket. "I've been having some luck winning racing competitions under Starstriker colors, but I really just did it so I could enter them more than caring about who I was aligned with." He glanced upwards to Ulaz. "Haven't gotten any strange calls yourself, have you?"

Strategy, I can get behind. Luck is something that is entirely too fickle for my tastes.

( Sansa looks over the tables, trying to decide which games were skill and which were luck. Hmm. )

I was always very good at reading an opponent and determining if he was lying or not. Are there games here that rely upon that?

Oh, please, like either of us had time to calculate.

[Lance gives him a lighthearted shove.]

Honestly, I never figured out why they're shaped like lions... I guess Altea had lions just like Earth's and Allura's dad was really into them? Maybe? I dunno.

That's what makes it gambling - the luck part.

_{[ He considered her request and finally nodded at a set of four
players at a table. ]}

That's looked to be close to a game I know called poker. It involves the kind of strategy you're talking about, but there's the luck aspect of what sort of cards you yourself draw, and then deceiving others. Want to try?

Maybe you just need some more time in the pilot's seat.

_{[ He smirked. You can guess whether or not he actually did calculate
or not Lance. On a few he actually did, but the rest were gut instinct.
]}

It just seems like an odd shape choice. I mean, intuitively, it would be easier to control a shape more like your own - bipedal. Switching to a quadruped seems... odd.

He could do worse to slander it than not think it is ambrosia. Really.

"You picked the team at random?" He was curious how the decision had been made. Was there any research done? Had it been the colors? Who knew?

"I have not. I haven't signed up for anything so they don't have anyway to contact me."

I would like to try, yes. I think if I can use more strategy than luck, I'll do better at it. I don't like depending on variables.

( This is the sort of thing that Baelish had taught her to be good at and Lord Tyrion before him. Sansa knows it's simply a game, this time around, but hadn't they all been games of some sort? )

Are you good at poker, Jim?

I've got my share of skill.

_{[ He shrugged. He did well enough to play with the boys at the bars
and to chase away a few hours, but he wasn't a pro by any means. He led her
to the table, standing back a bit as he watched the players. ]}

Okay, I'll explain the rules during this round.

_{[ He kept his voice pitched low so the players couldn't hear. He ran
through the rules as he had come to discern them and had them explained.
The game was very much like Texas Hold 'Em, but the players were dealt more
cards and had more chances to change over their choices. There also seemed
to be a mechanism where, once during the entire stretch of your play at the
table, you could force one person to show their hand to you if you met
their bet. ]}

Right, not to complicated. Just comes down to if you can find the tells and what you yourself pull.

"Seemed like they had a good reputation and competed a lot in the types of races I liked, so yeah, just went with them." It wasn't a very deep decision all around, but it wasn't like it had required one. Did it truly matter whom he belonged to?

"Just playing tourist this time?" he asked, taking a sip of his coffee. "Fair enough. It's nice having a planet that's... alive." He shuddered, remembering the last one and his stomach giving a little uncomfortable twist.

( Sansa is reasonably confident she can pick up on it in a few rounds provided her hands aren't terrible and when she gets her cards, they're middling at best. Time to lie, then. She looks at Jim and pitches her voice low. )

Should I raise my bet, Jim?

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