eluvio | video; un: kirk

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video; un: kirk

[ Yet another new face to greet the network, and likely not for the first time, it's the face of someone who's clearly bent over backwards to try and figure out where he is and how he got here. To no avail, evidently. He's stranded, pretty much, he's managed to figure that much out.

But that's not even what's the most puzzling about all this. You see, traveling across the galaxy has made him more prone to accept that he can get snatched up, either on purpose or by accident, or even that he might trip over some dimension-breaking wormhole and end up in an alternate reality.

At least this one doesn't have another version of him (so far), so there's that.

But anyway. Onto trying to figure some things out, at least. ]

This is Captain James T. Kirk, of the USS Enterprise. I understand that likely means nothing to most of you, if not everyone, but I'll make it quick: the Enterprise is the flagship of the United Federation of Planets, operated by Starfleet, from the 23rd century, year 2263.

[ He'll skip on explaining the Federation or Starfleet for now. If anyone asks then he'll get into more detail. More pressing matters, though. ]

My ship is here, but my crew is not. Not unless I'm missing something, and if anyone can tell me where should I go to look for them, then I'd appreciate it. I... welcome the help of the Eluvio crew being on board to help me run my ship, [ No he doesn't. ] but I'd much rather have my crew, as you can likely imagine.

[ He sighs quietly, a show of frustration more than anything else. ]

On an unrelated note, would anyone mind taking a couple of hours to explain to me how currency works? I'm not... used to handling it. I'm crap at it too, if we're being completely honest. [ Seriously, does he really have to have a job? Ugh. ]

Other than that... well, I guess we're all stuck here, so I'd like to get to know everyone to some degree. So hit me up and let's chat sometime.

[ There, harmless and vague enough. And with a friendly smile, he leans in to end the feed. ]

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Yeah, I... can't do much about that. [ And at least they're not hostile. Besides, if the option is to leave the Enterprise behind, then he'd rather keep all that weird help around.

He groans a little at the mention of work, rolling his eyes even as he makes his way out of his ready room. ]

Jesus, don't even get me started on jobs. [ But first things first. ] Where are you on the ship? We can catch up once I'm there.

[He looks away from the communicator and then back at Jim.] Medical. Are you sure this is the Enterprise?

[If anything, he is having issues imagining that the ship is here without her crew. Running a hand through his hair, he feels that coil of panic in his chest and his fingers tighten a little in his hair.]

Not so sure I want to be in here though. [He thinks about ducking into his office, but honestly, he's not even stepped inside the room when he realized who the occupants of his work space were.]

I'm sure I'd know if this weren't my girl, yes.

[ Don't you even dare imply this is not the Enterprise, it so is the Enterprise. DON'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM HIM. ]

Look, Bones, they're kinda weird but harmless, honestly. Just try not to pay them much mind. [ Not that Jim isn't weirded out himself, but it's become abundantly clear that if he wants to stay with his ship, he'll just have to accept their presence there. Not like he'll be able to run the ship on his own, so. ]

Alright, give me five and I'll be there.

I'll take your word for it.

[One brow rises high, his expression and tone not so convinced. But why argue? He's always put his trust in Jim, no point stopping that now.]

Worst conversationalists, I'll tell ya that. And I thought talkin' to Spock was a challenge. [Talking to Spock was a far cry better than this nonsense. Not that he will ever own up to that. He looks at Jim a moment longer, lips pressed into a thin line before he tells himself he should cut the connection.

He's not some five year old boy incapable of fending for himself. But this place feels empty. Even with the bodies running the place.] Yeah. Sure. I can do that. Not like I can do much else.

[ As he very well should. Jim knows what he's talking about here, and if Scotty were here he'd be agreeing with him too. Maybe Bones would be more inclined to believe the engineer. (Wow.) ]

And here I thought you'd gotten the hang of talking to Spock when you had all that alone time in Altamid. [ Just saying. Excellent bonding opportunity. Because joking about it sure makes it all less awful, right. ]

Good. Don't go anywhere without me.

[ He knows Bones won't, but still. Winking at the camera, he turns off the feed, and a few minutes later the sickbay doors are swooshing open and he's stepping inside. ]

[His eyes instantly roll heavenward at that.] Yeah. Riveting experience. We're the best of friends now. He actually snarks back now.

[Actually, that totally counts as a win, but he can't say he always finds their one sided conversations the best even if he likes the guy. But he's on board with talking about anything just to not think about what is going on.]

Right. I'll be sure and be gone before you get here.

[Snorting softly at the camera, he tries to ignore that wink and stands there looking rather irritated, arms crossed over his chest. He wishes he knew what the hell was going on...

And even when he hears the door open behind him, he doesn't feel any better with the circumstances beyond relief. His posture is rigid and his shoulders only relax slightly when his eyes fall on Jim.]

Is anyone else here?

[ Flat staring over here. Right, because Bones just hates it when people snark back. He may complain all he likes but he's definitely not fooling Jim. He knows his doctor too well.

Anyway, more pressing matters at hand. Teasing Bones can wait until he's prevented a panic attack and got him settled in. Or as settled in as can be. ]

Not from home. Just me and you. [ Which ordinarily he wouldn't mind, but Jim's still not sure how he feels about someone else being stuck here with him. ] I got here a few days ago, though, so at this rate, someone else might pop up soon.

[ He's definitely not ruling it out. For now, though, he makes his way over to where Bones is, settling a hand on his shoulder and offering a small smile. ] I'm sorry you got dragged here too, Bones. But... I am glad I'm not alone anymore.

[The sheer sharpness of that answer makes the lines deepen in his face. Closing his eyes, he shifts, pressing his hand to his face, he breaths in slowly. Better they aren't trapped here. But at the same time, it feels isolating.

They can't go back. Not according to that spiel he got on arrival. And really, that's when it really really hits him. Running his hand down his face, he stares blankly straight ahead as everything knots up in his insides.

He may never see Jo again. And now he can't seem to breathe.

One hand suddenly reaches out and catches into the fabric at the hem of Jim's shirt. God, if Jim hadn't been there. How much worse would this feel?]

Do... do you really believe it? That we can't go back? [God, but it hurt to even ASK that question.]

[ What of a smile he managed before dies out at Bones's reaction, and Jim gives him a sympathetic look. The fact that Bones had left his daughter behind on their own universe doesn't even cross his mind, or it hadn't until this very moment.

Now, Jim just feels like a callous jerk for not having thought about it. ]

I don't know, Bones. Everyone seems to have gotten here fairly recently, so there's a good chance we might be able to find a way back home, given time.

[ 'Time' being keyword here. No doubt it would take a while. Jim isn't even done with looking around the ship yet. ]

[His head lowers, his hand slowly unraveling from the fabric of Jim's shirt as he forces himself to let go. What good would it do to cling to him? It wasn't Jim's fault, so he shouldn't make him deal with it.

But it feels hollow. Cause now he is the dead beat dad he never wanted to be. And damn it, if that doesn't hurt.

Letting his hands sink lifelessly to his sides, a lot of the tension of his posture melts out in something closer to resignation than relaxing.]

Yeah, okay...

[He doesn't want to rule out hope. But it feels a helluva long way off from him right now.]

So... what's the plan?

[ He'd be a deadbeat dad if any of this were his choice. But Bones didn't just step through an anomaly and walked away from their universe willingly, so it's not the same.

Of course that Bones would still see it that way, but the good doctor tends to be unfortunately skilled at finding new things to get hung up on and blame himself for. Jim'll just have to find some way to not let this become one of those things. ]

For now, explore. We should try to avoid getting into any big trouble, at least until we know for sure where we are and what's the whole purpose of... this. But it shouldn't be hard to go around poking into harmless stuff. We're stuck here but at least we're not treated like prisoners, so that's a start.

[ He sighs quietly, sliding his hand down Bones's arm, letting it settle near his elbow. ]

You know what I could use right now? A drink. Come on, Bones. Let's clear your head a little.

[The weight of helplessness sits heavy in his stomach as he tries not to let the emotions run rampant on his face. Instead he finds his eyes on the floor staring at it blankly. It's safer this way. Safer not to look at Jim and not to let the feelings come out.

And where Jim makes sense, sense isn't really what he wants or needs. Not that he wants to say anything about it. Because the last thing he wants right now is for Jim to deal with him when he falls apart. Problem was, he had no where to go and work this off.]

Right... sure. [The few words sound breathless as he tries to nod his head.] Don't bit the hand that feeds you, I guess.

[And don't break off from the herd in space you don't know. So they were stuck like this with these people or things all over the ship. No choice.

His eyes close so all his focus can go to breathing ans just functioning right now. Without falling apart that is. Damn harder than it looks, that's for sure. But then he feels that hand on his arm and something unknots a little. Opening his eyes, he turns his head to look at Jim with more fear than he means to. But all he does is nod.]

Yeah, a drink sounds good. Maybe a bottle. [Even if he that breaks that promise he made years ago. God, he needs to drown in a bottle right about now.] Where would we get that, anyway?

[ Jim nods. Frankly, if he had a sizeable number of his crew here, he'd just hop onto the Enterprise and venture through the unknown space— even if they couldn't find their way back to their universe, at least they'd be free to do things their own way, rather than... this. Wherever this situation might lead them.

He doesn't particularly like being at the hands of others, and he has a feeling the whole of his crew would feel much the same way. ]

Oh, there's a... shopping center. It's really something, you gotta see it. [ Jim has gotten lost there a number of times already. Fascinating place. ] Anyway, there's a bunch of bars there. You have to pay for the drinks, but I've got some money. Enough to get us a glass, at least. [ He nudges Bones's shoulder. ] Come on. No point sitting here panicking.

[Money. Right. The reason why he was in a tiff already with this place.] What fool job did they give you to make money? Cause those bastards think I need to be an anger management counselor.

[That had to be the universe dishing out cruel irony to him. Fate was a damn bitch. Like hell he needs to be listening to other people issues and fixin' 'em when he is a fine mess.

Sighing slowly, he took a second to pull it back together. His eyes move to Jim at the nudge on his shoulder and he wants to argue. Wants to point on this is all wrong. Instead, he nods again. Cause he doesn't have any fight in him left.] Yeah... may as well. Lead on.

[He's followed Jim into space and beyond. He knows he'll always follow him.]

Seriously? [ Jim raises an eyebrow, unable to bite back a faint chuckle at that. He shakes his head, though, patting Bones on the shoulder. ] Well, at least yours is moderately related to your field of work. I'd say going from captain to bartender is a considerably more drastic downgrade.

[ At least he can make a decent cocktail though, and he's pretty and friendly enough that it earns him lots of tips. But still, he is so not loving it.

Tipping his head to the door, he moves his hand to Bones's back, urging him forward and finally lowering his arms to his sides as they make their way to the corridor. He starts leading the way to the lift so they can head back to the shuttle bay, ignoring the 'crew' that's apparently made itself at home on his ship. Not like he can do much about that right now. ]

Just cause I have a doctorate in Pscyhology, doesn't mean I'm qualified to be givin' anyone advice on how to deal with anger. [Especially when he couldn't even keep emotions out of his face when things happened. But then, Jim workin' as a bartender had a certain amusing charm to it.]

Were you not the man I know you are today, I could've seen you as a bartender before. [Not now. Jim Kirk the repeat offender, sure. Not Jim Kirk the captain of Starfleet's flag ship. Bartending was so beneath his potential it Leonard finds it offensive for him.]

Just goes to prove this place is messed up. [Focusing on that disgruntled feeling feels easier than thinking about the knots in his chest that make it hard to breathe. Knots that coil tighter the moment Jim pulls his hand away. In fact, he feels numb as he walks along toward the shuttle bay. The walk is more aimless, autopilot even.

But it shows more as he leans back against the wall instead of standing straight and tall like normal. His eyes fix to the floor until he finally closes them and lifts a hand to rub his face slowly.]

It's still a lot better than the jobs some of the people here got stuck with. [ Jim doesn't need to be a doctor to know they're often much better at handling other people's issues than their own. Bones is more than enough proof of that for him, even if he rarely ever brings that up with the doctor. He figures it's one of those things Bones wouldn't like talking about, even with Jim. ]

Oh, I'm sure they know very well what they're doing. [ He mutters as they step into the lift, voice only raising slightly once they're alone. ] Not exactly a smart move to give me a job post with actual relevance or too much access. Not that it'll stop me from trying to poke around, but they'd be stupid to make it easier for me.

[ Luckily Jim's never been the kind to get discouraged in the face of adversity. If anything he strives on it.

His gaze moves up and down Bones's figure for a moment, noting his stance and how tired and on edge he looks. ] Feeling alright, Bones?

S'pose you're right. [His tone comes softer, less edge and relenting. Jim could usually talk him down from his flare up of irascibility, but it doesn't stop the feelings from gnawing at him anyway.]

So what you're sayin' is they are puttin' you in a place you can't be a threat. [Makes sense. Not that he likes it much. If they're afraid to let Jim be a captain, it gives him the feeling of people tryin' to hide things.

His thumb presses softly into his temple while the index finger slides over an eyebrow slowly. Though, when Jim asks that question, it drops and he lifts away from the side of the lift. Out of habit, he settles more into a military 'at ease' stance and nods.] Fine as can be stuck in the middle of unknown space. What could possibly be botherin' me?

[Other than being god knows where with his daughter too far out of reach. Not that he is goin' to say anything.] I'm fine...

Maybe. It's a working theory.

[ Which is only true if the people here really have something to hide. Something that Jim's very much inclined to believe. Why not give him a command post on the ship otherwise, or at least a job related to operations or security? Hell, even a job in the science area would be better suited for him than bartending.

Jim's eyes linger on Bones, looking him up and down in silence for a good while, finally moving away as he faces the lift doors. ]

No, you're not. [ He says matter-of-factly, though in a soft, quiet tone, far from accusatory. ] Just don't forget you've got me, Bones. Even if you just feel like freaking out about... space stuff.

[ He can't do much to fix it for now, but he can at least listen and try to offer some comfort. He doesn't want Bones to feel like he has to do any part of this alone, because he doesn't. Jim won't let him, even. ]

[A sound one. He doesn't like this place. Doesn't like how it sets with him from the moment he woke up in that horrible medical bay to the 'welcome' video. But he doesn't say this out loud. He's sure Jim knows it, too.

For now he's just trying to keep it together and not panic over things he can't fix on his own. And Jim calling him on that makes his head duck slightly. He stares at the floor a moment and weighs those options. Without Jim, he knows what mess he would be. Jim always gives him a kind of gravitational center when he feels like the world is ending.

But he doesn't want to weigh the man down either. Doesn't stop the words from coming out way too small for a man so forceful in declaring his displeasure on any given day.] When I followed you into space, I knew I could at least call her.

[And didn't that just sum every bit of pain up that he had in his chest right then. The shaken laugh that leaves him is a little on this side of heartbroken. ] Think I really might throw up on you this time...

[ Jim's sure of a whole lot of things about this place so far, and most of them aren't the least bit comforting. But he also knows that listing them all out loud isn't going to make things any easier.

Not avoiding the problem here, mind. Just picking and choosing what he'll bring up, and when. Clearly Bones has more than enough on his plate trying to let all of this sink in right now, dropping even more on him isn't going to help any.

Eyes dropping briefly, his gaze flickers to Bones again, mouth opening for a hesitant moment before he speaks up. ]

I know. [ Bones doesn't often talk about Joanna, but it doesn't take much at all for Jim to know that's who he means. ] I'm sorry, Bones.

[ It's meaningful and heartfelt, and he lifts a hand to settle it on Bones's shoulder, hoping it's a comforting touch. The last remark has his lips quirking a little, and he can't help letting out a soft chuckle. ] Keeping up the tradition, I guess.

[His hands stay at his sides a little longer. The fingers tighten and open just slightly from his palm as his jaw tenses. It's a battle to keep the emotions in the damn box he so neatly keeps them in as he stares at the floor. One that doesn't break until Jim's hand lights on his shoulder.

Lifting his head, he looks at Jim before he turns his head to the side. It never works to try and disconnect when Jim pushes. The guy just has this knack of breaking down walls and getting to him.

And right now, he knows damn well he's not okay.

Letting out a long breath he didn't know he was holding, he steps closer, his head lowering to touch the forehead against Jim's shoulder as his eyes close. As a medical professional, the habit is to slide his hand just under Jim's arm against his side. It's not tight or clinging, but he feels the blonde's heartbeat through the fabric of his clothes and he can feel the rise and fall of each breath.

The steady rhythm keeps him on even ground. For a man that drug him through the most insane of situations, he's still his anchor.] Thanks, Jim...

[It's not really a hug, but he doesn't want to cross any boundaries either. So he takes what he can get and doesn't complain. It'll just be good enough.] Just means you're irreplaceable so stuff it and accept the compliment whether it makes sense or not.

[ Good thing Jim can knock down those walls so easily, honestly. Though he knows it's the doctor's tendency to keep his deepest worries and fears to himself, Jim never wanted Bones to hide those things from him, not even out of respect or a need to protect him or not give him even more burdens to deal with.

Because his friends are never a burden. Bones's problems are never a burden, and Jim just wishes he wouldn't feel like he was imposing by leaning a little more on him. How often has he dealt with Jim's own issues, after all?

So, he can't help a sense of relief when Bones leans on him, and so literally too, even if he feels anything but glad that he's so miserable. He doesn't wait for permission nor does he feel like he's stepping over any boundaries when he lifts his arms up and settles them around Bones in a loose hug. ]

Oh, so throwing up on me is a compliment. Got it, thanks for clearing that up.

[ His voice lilts in quiet amusement, and when the lift doors slide open, he slowly drops one of his arms from around Bones, the other lingering around his shoulders from the back as he guides them out to the corridor. ] Come on.

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