video/action

[candothat]

Who: Pavel Chekov and anyone!
Broadcast: Yes!
Action: Sure!
When: Now!(!)


[A wild (and somewhat-awkward) video appears! There are no cats, unfortunately. It's just Chekov, his ridiculously thick Russian accent, and a sad announcement.]

Ah, hello. For those of you who knew her and have not checked ship rosters recently—and for everyone else, although probably this is less relevant to your interests—Kara Danvers is no longer in the Fleet. She has a sister and friends at home that she missed and I think that, if she was in a position to remember not being home, she would be happy to be back... but the Fleet will be a sadder place without her. She has been a good friend to me, and to other people as well.

In places like this—places where people come and go with no warning, and even when they return, they may not remember who they knew or be exactly the way that they were or feel the way that you may expect them to—it's difficult, you know, having friends. Wanting to make friends. An inevitable side effect of gaining something is having something to lose...

But the alternative is being sad and alone. Even if none of us remember this or each other once we leave, it's good to do something with the time that we have together, while we can still remember.

I have become more and more talented at not trying to talk to very many people, so: to anyone that I haven't met, hello, I'm Pavel Andreievich Chekov. I would be happy to meet you or, if you knew her, to remember Kara with you.

And if I know you already, of course you never need an excuse to talk to me... or to drink with me, if you were considering a visit to the Tourist.


Action

[It's probably bad form to invite the entire Fleet over for drinks when he's possibly-sort-of working for the Space Bar, but Pavel isn't in much of a mood to leave the Tourist and drinking alone is sad.

Really, he's sad enough without actively trying to be more pathetic. Kara was one of his closest friends. While he has lost more people than he cares to count in his years away from home (and at home, although that was always a more final sort of losing), this is the hardest loss in his fifteen months in the Fleet. Kara was clever, caring, and stubbornly optimistic even when she was at her worst. No one was as quick to give hugs or listen, and she never failed to make him feel like he mattered.

The Tourist won't be home without her.]

Comments

[candothat]

That sounds more than worth trying. [He made a vague hand gesture that encompassed both the desk chair on the bed.] Sit, please. I can pour, and you have my permission to ask Sasha to move.

[universal_charm]

Well, as comforting as that is, I really don't think it's your permission I need for that.

_{[ He settled for the desk chair, rocking back and forth in it as he waited for Chekov to pour. ]}

Keeps getting quieter, huh?

[candothat]

Yes, true.

[He poured a generous shot for both of them and, after handing Kirk his, perched gingerly on the bed to disturb the cat as little as possible. Sasha's only response was to stretch and take up more room.

Pavel raised his glass to Kirk.] To Kara, Fenris, and the others who have found their ways home. Za druzhbe.

[universal_charm]

Za druzhbe.

_{[ He raised his glass along with Chekov and then tossed it back. He settled further back into his chair, not quite slouching, but looking comfortable enough ,spinning the shot glass in his fingers. ]}

You're sure you're okay? I know you and here were pretty good friends.

[candothat]

Good pronunciation.

[He followed suit, downing the drink in one go.]

I'm sad, of course. She was one of my closest friends here. [Only Kitty and Kirk could claim to be closer.] But I'm fine, thank you. These things happen.

[universal_charm]

Well, I have been learning from a native.

_{[ He smirked at Chekov. It was true he had been learning to pick up on some of Chekov's Russian words, and Kirk had a good ear for languages in the first place (Uhura far out classed them all though). ]}

I suppose you've had more experience with it, being in that prison like you said you were.

[candothat]

Perhaps I should give you actual lessons.

[Well, no one was going to beat Uhura in the language department.]

I have, yes. In the prison and in the City before that. [He refilled his glass, expression rather solemn and contemplative for someone who was fine.] Did I tell you that this is the fifth time I have found you?

[universal_charm]

Heh, maybe you should. I wouldn't mind learning some proper Russian.

_{[ You can't just learn the curse words, after all. ]}

Not the fifth, though you had said you had met me before. Five times though? Really? Jesus...

[candothat]

I'm always happy to.

[Well, curse words would definitely be included in the curriculum.]

Mmhm. Sometimes I forget what you will remember and what you won't. The same with Kitty, and Kara when she was here.

[universal_charm]

Let me know then the professor is ready to begin his first lesson.

_{[ He said it teasingly, but he was serious. He would very much enjoy learning from Chekov. ]}

I would apologize, but I'm sure it doesn't make sense for me too. But I am sorry you had to experience that, Chekov. I would promise you I won't go again, but we both know how futile a gesture that is in a place like this.

[candothat]

He may have some availability between planets.

[He was willing to believe Kirk was serious. No one who knew Chekov would bring up something related to Russia if they didn't have a genuine interest in learning about it.]

The thought is appreciated. [He put as much sincerity into that as he could.] I'm sorry also. I have wasted a lot of time here... trying to maintain distance, you know. Expecting you to disappear.

[universal_charm]

I can understand why. You know the saying - once bitten, twice shy, and you've been bitten how many times? Five? No secret as to why you would take the tact that you did. So there's nothing to apologize for.

[candothat]

Thank you. [He reached over to give Kirk's arm a grateful squeeze. It had been weighing on him since entering the Fleet, that suspicion that Kirk was going to leave again. Getting it out there and being forgiven for any standoffishness felt better than he had expected.

But at the risk of things becoming too serious:] And of course the original saying is get burned by hot milk, blow on water.

[universal_charm]

_{[ Kirk smiled and squeezed back. At first it had been frustrating, Chekov's obvious withdrawal from him, that distance he could never quite close. But he understood. Chekov had his reasons and they were good ones. If it were him, he probably would have done the same thing. How many times can you get up your hopes, only to have them dashed, before there's nothing left? He had seen what they had done to a person, and he prayed with everything he had that Chekov didn't walk down that path, that he himself did not push Chekov further down it whether he could help it or not. ]}

Now that is a bunch of made up Russian malarky.

[candothat]

[Four or five years, three universes, and an ever-revolving circle of friends had definitely had an adverse effect on Pavel's willingness to be open, but things were shifting where Kirk was concerned. He'd stuck around and he understood. He hadn't let himself be pushed away.

Chekov pretended (unconvincingly) to be offended by Kirk's skepticism.] You can ask Tasha if you don't believe me.

[universal_charm]

Tasha is your cat? Or maybe your pet bear?

_{[ It's a jibe at being Russina, his lips quirked into a warm smile, glad to be having such banter with his friend. ]}

[candothat]

Don't be ridiculous, the bear's name is Gregor. [Exaggerated eye roll.]

Natasha, I mean. Nat, I think that's how Americans shorten her name.

[universal_charm]

Oh, Natasha. I just might. Or you two are in cahoots and she'll feed me the same story.

[candothat]

She would never. I think that we have slightly different perspectives where our homeland is concerned.

[More than "slightly," and not just because Natasha wasn't prone to wild exaggeration.]

[universal_charm]

She has a humorous side, I'm sure of it. I think I saw it the couple of the times she kicked my ass and knocked me to the ground.

[candothat]

Her sense of humor is excellent. Some strange, violent combination of Russian and American humor. [If it wasn't obvious, Chekov really liked her.]

[universal_charm]

_{[ Kirk smirked and nudged Chekov with his foot. ]}

Got a Russian crush?

[candothat]

Of course. [This was an uncomplicated romantic matter that he didn't have any trouble talking about.] I'm under the impression that nearly everyone has a crush on her.

[universal_charm]

Not necessarily a crush, but a healthy respect. And maybe a little crush.

[candothat]

Healthy respect, crush... I see no difference.