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

[goldenglasses]

That was really well said. I am sorry that you've lost your friend, but I think that is a really good outlook that you have.

[candothat]

It's generous of you to say so, thank you.

This is maybe more of an outlook that I try to have. I admit that there have been times when I wasn't successful.

[goldenglasses]

Well, there's no such thing as perfect, right? The fact that you have that outlook and try to stick to it is admirable. I hope you are able to keep it as much as possible.

[candothat]

Thank you, although I think it may be more pragmatic than admirable. [You're kind, Vash, but he's not about to accept compliments that he didn't earn.] I don't see a way to avoid becoming bitter or angry or distant without accepting the reality of our situation and choosing to be open to others anyway.

[goldenglasses]

The way this place works and makes us live is pragmatic. I don't think your thought of spending the time we do have together as best we can is at all pragmatic. I think it's a good lesson to follow even when not on some crazy game show.

[candothat]

Who would have imagined that anything learned in this space game show would be applicable to actual life?

You are very tenacious when it comes to giving compliments.

[goldenglasses]

I think people deserve them more than they give themselves credit for.

[candothat]

My instinct is to deny that, at least in this instance, but clearly that will get me nowhere.

[goldenglasses]

Nope. My advice? Take the compliment.

[candothat]

[Overly put-upon sigh.] If I must.

[goldenglasses]

Good choice!

And if you would like a distraction from your own thoughts I am happy to buy you a drink somewhere, sometime. Or even just talk a bit more about Kara I am always happy to listen.

[candothat]

Thank you... although if you were to listen to me reminisce about Kara, I would need to insist on buying you a drink.

[goldenglasses]

I buy you a drink. You buy me a drink! We can make a night of it!

[candothat]

Unless you are joking [he can't actually tell] I would take you up on that. It would be far less sad than drinking alone.

[goldenglasses]

I never joke when it comes to booze. Would you be interested in going out tonight?

[candothat]

I respect that, and I would be. Only if you have no plans that it would interfere with.

[goldenglasses]

Oh man. I mean, I do have hours of sitting around doing a whole lot of nothing that I have planned, but I'm sure I could squeeze you in if you wanted.

[candothat]

The Space Bar then? Or maybe not. I would offer you something from my own supply, but then neither of us would have the opportunity to buy a drink for each other.

[goldenglasses]

The Space Bar works for me. It easy for me to get a tab going there if we need it. [Considering Nami can just dock his pay if he runs out of credits.]

[candothat]

I have no intention of drinking that much. [And, far more sincerely:] Thank you. I'll see you shortly?

[goldenglasses]

You never know! Let's just see where the night takes us! I'll see you soon!

[As he'll be waiting at the Space Bar. Already nursing a whiskey on the rocks. When he hears someone enter Vash will turn and wave from the bar.] Hey there! Glad you could make it!

[candothat]

I'm glad to be here. [He sits next to Vash, smiling.] You have a head start.

[goldenglasses]

Well, I cheated. I was just coming off work so I was already here. [He waves to the barkeeper currently working.] So, what's your choice of poison? [If only Vash knew the Russian stereotypes. Maybe he would have just automatically ordered a drink.]

[candothat]

I consider that good fortune, not cheating.

What you're having, please. Whiskey? [Bless everyone who doesn't think they know all about Russian drinking habits.]

[goldenglasses]

[Vash holds up his drink and soon enough Chekov will have a drink set before him. Once he has it Vash holds up his drink and offers up a toast.]

To good friends? Those who are here and gone?