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Who: James T. Kirk
Broadcast: Network - open to all
Action: all around the SS Red Fish + SS Heron
When: Right now, and throughout the following week

NETWORK BROADCAST ▹ VIDEO;

[ Jim's staring seriously at the camera as the broadcast begins, concern visible on his features. He might be easily recognizable to most everyone on the Fleet, but as soon as he starts talking, it will become obvious that he is not the same man, or at least not having the very same memories. Not of this place, that's for sure. ]

My name is James T. Kirk. I'm... not entirely sure how I got here, but for what it's worth, I'm one of the new arrivals.

[ He presses his lips, glancing around. ] This isn't the first time I've been brought to a universe other than my own, but I was wondering if anyone else here has had a similar experience. Coming here from a place that's not your reality of origin.

[ A pause, ] Specifically, has anyone here heard of Riverview, or the Quarantine?

[ He can't help a hopeful look. A familiar face, any familiar face, will be welcome. He's looking for a specific one, admittedly, but he's not holding his breath on that one. ]

Thank you in advance.

ACTION ▹ SS RED FISH

[ Once he makes that broadcast, he'll be exploring his new location, so he knows what he's dealing with. He can be found roaming the ship, poking his head into all the nooks and corners, and possibly trying to sneak his way into off-limits locations, if there are any. Stop him getting into trouble, or help him? Or just come say hi to a not-quite-new face. ]

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What do you mean? Sounds like a grand old time.

_{[ He’s being sarcastic. And that story just made those wounds seem
worse. An animal was one thing, a creature you had no connection to running
on instinct. But someone you might care about? A child of all things? He
hoped they got the bastard who did it. ]}

Mine don’t come with a story like that, but...

_{[ He rolled up the sleeve on his right arm, displaying a series of
numbers that he was fairly sure his other self would recognize as universal
Earth coordinates. He reached down and picked up the hem of his shirt,
drawing it up and displaying their ship’s call number running along his
left ribs, the Star Fleet insignia at the center, that recognizable
stylized delta. All in crisp black in against skin pockmarked with a few
scars here and there and dusted in freckles. ]}

[ He snorted, shaking his head. ] I'm just saying, it wasn't all bad.

[ It was full of nice, wonderful and unique experiences too, which he wouldn't trade for the world. The people were what was the most important to him in the end, and he only wished that he could have more of them here with him.

He glanced down at the tattoos when Kirk uncovered them, eyebrows knitting together. He reached for the one on his arm, thumb tracing over the numbers contemplatively. ]

Interesting choice. [ He raised his eyes to meet Kirk's. ] I mean, it was a choice, right? Or do I have to worry about waking up with things randomly tattooed on my skin?

_{[ Kirk let him. Fair was fair, after all. And he didn't mind the other touching him. It was a strange sensation, but not unpleasant. Not at all. There was something nice about someone touching the numbers who instantly knew what they were, what they meant, that didn't need the explaining.

He let out a rough laugh and shook his head. ]}

No, I didn't get them here. I actually got them back on Earth, in my world. After... after the incident with Khan.

_{[ He watched the way his other traced the numbers. ]}

I didn't sleep well - still don't sleep well - after I was revived. Nightmares, and such. I got them as a way to - to get me home is the way I describe it. These anchors to the world, that reminded me when no one was there to say it that I was alive. They still do that, though now they're more like tethers - keeps family and home close to heart, and the way home on my arm.

_{[ He rubbed the back of his neck. ]}

That sounds so much sappier when I saw it aloud.

[ He released the arm soon after, taking a seat on a chair nearby. His eyebrows knit together slightly, but he nodded nonetheless, taking in that bit of information. ]

Guess that's one difference between the two of us, then.

[ It was a relief, to be perfectly honest. It had never even crossed his mind to get tattoos after all that had happened, and this moment right here reassured him that they might be very similar, from very similar realities, perhaps even identical, but they weren't the one and very same person. Even when they'd gone through similar experiences that should've shaped them in similar ways. ]

It's not. Sappy, I mean. I don't think so. It's... a nice sentiment. It sounds like they've helped you.

[ He smiled, glancing down. The urge to flee the topic was strong, but he pressed on, knowing who he was talking to. ]

I didn't sleep very well since, either. Bones helped, when he was around. And Victor helps me a lot now, too. But it's not always‒ easy.

_{[ He would be lying if he said he didn't feel the same. Their experiences outside their worlds surely did make them different but the rest? The rest had been up in the air, and there was a natural part of him that wanted to know they weren't carbon copies who had been sent to different worlds after a period of time. That there was more to each of them than that.

He watched his other self and he nodded quietly, understanding. ]}

I sleep better with Remy. Or when I've exercised to the point of exhaustion before bed. But, yeah, sometimes, especially alone, it... yeah, it's not easy.

_{[ There was something comforting in knowing that someone else understood that. Understood what haunted him - what haunted them. Perhaps the dreams were different. He would like to think they were. But the result was the same. ]}

You know if you ever have a bad night, you can call me. I mean, who else is really going to get it, right?

[ He nodded, understanding evident in his expression. Granted, he always had Victor now, but he did have a few night shifts when he was working at the hospital, back in Riverview. So he'd had the bed to himself for more nights than he might've liked.

Having Lucy around, and their dog John too, did help. So there was that. ]

Right. I'll... keep that in mind. [ All changed into his new clothes, he grabbed his glass again. The song drew to an end, and a new one started playing, which had Jim glancing over at where the music was coming from. ] Oh, and you've got to tell me how I get my hands on some tunes. I left all my records behind.

_{[ He was glad for the change of subject and he grinned widely. ]}

Oh, I got that as a present. Because that's something Atroma does, apparently. Now and then it gives us gifts - sometimes ridiculous, sometimes completely useless, and sometimes things that you actually appreciate like a Beastie Boys vinyl album and a record player. I'm heard rumors of a wishing tree on this current planet. So there's a possibility there, if you really want your own set. Or anything you particularly miss.

_{[ Yes, he did just say wishing tree with a straight face, Kirk. ]}

Damn, you're one lucky bastard.

[ And he would know; he was too. He wondered if his own luck would extend to this place, and those gifts that Kirk was talking about. ]

Oh, is there? [ His eyebrows rose, curious and fascinated more so than confused. Look, he saw a lot of weird shit in Riverview, he'll believe anything. ] Guess I'll have to pay that tree a visit, then. Once I think of something I want.

I’m not entirely sure how it works myself. Anytime we come across one they all work differently, but I’m sure you’ll figure it out. You’re a Jim Kirk after all.

_{[ He flashed a cheeky grin, and his eyes took on a please glimmer.
]}

Actually, there’s one other thing I have I think you might enjoy too....

_{[ He rose and went to his cabinets, sliding one open and carefully
removing a box. He brought it to the table, opening it and assembling... a
Tri-Dimensional chess set. ]}

I wouldn't be surprised if the explanation offered was just 'magic'. That seems fairly common anywhere outside of our own universe.

[ Something he sometimes still struggled with, though he'd come to accept it as the truth. Considering where Victor came from, he couldn't really deny its existence. Besides, every universe was different and unique in their own way.

For now he looked up as Kirk produced the set from one of the cabinets, expression bright, a smile spreading wide across his face. He laughed and got to his feet, making his way over. ]

Oh, that is brilliant. I made one in Riverview. Well, two actually-- gifted one to a friend. [ His smile faltered when he remembered John. ] Good to know there's one around. Though I might make one for myself too.

That is the explanation usually offered and it makes me twitch but it’s more effort to try and figure it out and there are other things I would rather focus my time on than giving myself a headache.

_{[ Basically he had just learned to roll with it. As much as it
irritated him, it wasn’t worth the headache anymore. He beamed at his
other’s reaction, glad that they did share this particular love in common.
]}

This is an official one I got as a gift, but I do have one I handmade before if you would like it. The pieces aren’t works of art or anything, but they get the point across.

_{[ He picked up one piece and twirled it in his fingers. ]}

Want to play?

[ Jim laughed, shaking his head. That was exactly the kind of reaction he'd have had not so long ago, but now... well, he'd seen a lot in Riverview. Met a lot of people. Saw a lot of things he seriously didn't know whether science could explain. Not the science he was familiar with, anyway. ]

There's no harm in believing a little, you know?

[ Glancing between the board and Kirk, he finally nodded, moving towards the table so they could set up the board there. ]

Never played against myself. [ Not quite so literally anyway. ]

Probably not. I mean, it's not any stranger than those "outside-time" beings I met that one time.

_{[ At some point you just stop fighting a lot of it, really. It's not worth the effort. ]}

Well, always a first time for everything.

_{[ And he grinned brightly, motioning for his other self to make the first move in what he hoped were many games to come. ]}

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