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]

She is. I would never want to lose her as a friend, and I would never want to be happy about something that hurts her.

[He turns this advice over in his head for a moment before nodding.] No, you make sense. It makes sense. I'm not certain that she has room for more than one person in her heart at a time, but... I would be happy with a very small space.

[Anyway. His mood is a little lighter and he gives Vash a smile.] You mentioned that your own romantic luck is improving?

[goldenglasses]

Heh, yeah, I think it might be. I never thought I'd have someone be interested in a mess like me, but for some reason someone is. Or, at least, I think they are? I'm still a bit surprised by the whole thing and that they apparently like me back too if I'm being honest.

Maybe we both just don't want to be alone and things won't go past that, but, I think I would like it if it does.

[candothat]

You don't seem so messy to me. [A comradely pat on the back.] Try not to question your good fortune too much, and also please try to not be surprised. Your hair is strange, but you're a kind person and she has good reasons to like you.

[goldenglasses]

Why does no one like the hair? I think it makes me look dashing. [The way he speaks and grins should be obvious he's not the least bit insulted.] I think this time I won't question my good fortune. So long as you don't give up on love. Hopefully things will work out in the end with this girl, but even if they don't I'm sure there's someone out there.

It is a pretty big universe after all.

[candothat]

I don't dislike it, I'm only puzzled by it. [Yes, good. It would be tragic if the divisive matter that is Vash's hair destroyed all chance of being friends.]

I have been in love three times in at least eight years over four different universes, I have doubts. But okay, I won't give up if that is what it takes to encourage you to believe in your new romantic venture.

[goldenglasses]

I've been in love only a couple times in hundred years. [He says it as a joke, but he's actually serious.]

They do say it's better to have loved and lost then never to have loved at all. But screw all that and let's put our hopes in good alcohol! I'll drink to your romantic happiness if you drink to mine.

[candothat]

I have no idea if that was a joke or not. [Either way, it sounds like a good way to be. Rock on, Vash.]

It would be my pleasure to drink to both of those. [He raises his glass again.] To success and luck in love, eventual romantic happiness for us both, and the good alcohol and good company that make the times between successes bearable.

[goldenglasses]

I couldn't have said it better myself. [Vash will clink his glass against Chekov's before he takes a drink.]

[candothat]

[He drains his glass as well.] How many was that? I tend to become depressing around five and would rather not inflict that on you.

AHH! I THOUGHT I HAD TAGGED THIS!!!!!

[goldenglasses]

Was I suppose to be keeping count? Let's start back over at one and then restart when we get to four again. [Said with a smile as Vash signals the barkeep again. Vash's way of saying he doesn't care if he becomes depressing.]

IT'S FINE, YOU'RE GOOD

[candothat]

A good plan. I like the way that you think. [When their drinks come again, he raises his glass once more and pauses.] I think that I'm out of toasts. I'm a terrible Russian.

[goldenglasses]

Then I'll give an old favorite of mine and a friend back home.

To love! And to peace! [How he wishes Wolfwood was here to say their old toast together once again, but it's not his intention to be sappy right now so the thought passes.] Drink up!

[candothat]

To love and to peace. [Another clink, another drink! They've probably had enough to justify a little sappiness.] This friend of yours... has he been here ever?

[goldenglasses]

Briefly. Very briefly. I'm not sure if seeing him again was better or worse. [Mostly because there was nothing for him to go back home to.]

[candothat]

Ah. I'm sorry for that--or I am if you decide that it was worse. [Kidding, he's always sorry.] If, er... if you ever feel a need to talk about that, I would be happy to listen.

[goldenglasses]

Heh, [He can't help but smile.] I suppose I like to think positively. So I'll hold onto the idea that maybe he'll come back one day. But thank you. If I ever do need someone to talk to I'll be sure to keep you in mind.

[candothat]

A good way to think, especially in universes where it can be exceptionally difficult to remain positive. [A nod.] I do mean it. I like to feel that I'm helping my friends.

[You're a friend now, Vash. Sorry.]

[goldenglasses]

[He smiles at being called a friend.] Good. Because I could always use more friends that can keep up with me at the bar!

[Can he keep up with Vash with his rapid healing at the bar? Most humans can't, but Vash doesn't really care. He is also a liar.]

[candothat]

Fortunately for you, I'm Russian. [Which is worth stating even if it doesn't mean anything to Vash.] I can keep up with anyone at the bar.

[You know, as long as 'anyone' doesn't mind suffering through the more emotional stages of drunkenness.]

[goldenglasses]

[Vash does not mind the suffering at all.] Great news then! Also I'm noticing a thing between Russians and drinking.

[candothat]

[Bless.]

What other Russians have you been drinking with? [And are they in the Fleet because Pavel should definitely know about other Russians.]

[goldenglasses]

Well, let's see, so far... [He holds up one finger, another finger, and another finger as he counts them. He scrunches his face up in deep thought as he clearly is doing a lot of really hard math in his head.] ...just you!

[candothat]

[He actually laughs, which is a rare occurrence when he's entirely sober. Russian stoicism and all.] A large enough sample size. And yes, there is a thing. Some of us drink more than we should... but never as much as we could.

[goldenglasses]

Ah! A new toast! [Vash fills their glasses again.] To drinking more than we should, but never as much as we can!

[candothat]

Nu, vzdrognuli. [He throws back yet another drink, wonders if he should start regretting the decision to drink so much with no food or real pacing, and then decides that regret can wait until tomorrow.] Don't drink too much. You are taller than me and I may not be able to carry you out of the bar.