( video & action; un: kirk ) forward dated to April 1st

[winscenario]

[ The camera catches a glimpse of Jim's face in his Perimeter Guard uniform, but only for the flicker of a second before there's a bump of some sort and the device is knocked down. Jim's surprised expression is the last thing to show before the only view for a few seconds is the ceiling. His voice can be heard from off camera. ]

John! Bad boy, bad.

[ There's a snout next, sniffing at the screen, then a tongue... then finally Jim reaches his phone and picks it up from the ground. He's grinning a little and shaking his head as he props it up on the table again and pulls away, dragging his new friend along with him so he's kept away from his device. ]

Sorry. That was... anyway. Captain James Kirk here, and this is John, the latest member of the aerial unit. [ He just wandered in one day and now Jim's keeping him, shut up. ] So— due to the latest rains and the most recent flooding near the river, a lot of people have found themselves temporarily displaced. I'm one of those people, but luckily me and my buddy here have a place to crash at the Perimeter Guard. We have plenty of beds and mattresses available here, for what it's worth, so anyone who finds themselves momentarily homeless, you'll be more than welcome here.

There should be other places we could use to offer people some shelter. The community centers come to mind, for instance. Gathering a few supplies would help though, so anyone willing to help and donate a few things, that would be great.

Additionally, I'll be making rounds on the shuttle, so anyone who needs a hand or absolutely must get somewhere out of bounds due to the flood, let me know.

And that's it! [ He smiles a little, nodding. ] Remember to keep safe. And if you don't need to be anywhere near it, stay away from the river. At least until the rain lets up and we manage to figure out where all this water's coming from.


(( ooc: this post is open to action for the following options: around the perimeter guard barracks, getting some rest, working, or helping other misplaced people out; near the river, aiding anyone in trouble and/or possibly fighting any of the monsters; a little all over the place on his shuttle, ready to jump in and get anyone out of a tough spot. ))

Comments

[fhux]

[ Blinking rather quickly as he forgets how air travels through his nose, clearing his throat, he switches his attention to the half-eaten toastie and starts picking at the hardened melted cheese, neatening an untouched side. ]

Do you travel alone or do you keep any family onboard your ship? The Enterprise, that is, when you're there.

[winscenario]

[ There's a knowing and pleased little smile on Jim's face, but at least he lets the matter drop and gives Hux a bit of a break from the teasing. ]

My crew is my family. [ He states simply, then goes on to add. ] I just have my mother. She's a Starfleet officer too, but she has her own assignments, usually on Earth or some colony on another planet. She's never been on board the Enterprise.

What about you?

[fhux]

[ Hux takes pride in his crew, certainly, the same way he foes in his stormtroopers; they reflect well on him and his achievements, the younger officers show respect for the rank he earned and the troopers in their disciplined brilliance. But the word family is as foreign to him as it was when Brendol was alive.

Every answer he has for Jim is dismally lacking in some way. ]

I have no connections like that, no.

[ He must really be dopey if he can't stop himself asking questions that can so easily be turned around on himself. Idiot, Armitage. Pull yourself together. ]

I would have thought you were married.

[winscenario]

[ It's a little different, yes. Jim's proud of his crew, but not for his own gain, not because of how it makes him look. They all have lent a modicum of prestige to the crew in their own way, which is why most Starfleet officers would jump through hoops to get an assignment on the Enterprise, and it's not just because she's the flagship of the fleet.

Jim's proud of that. Proud of knowing that his ship and his crew are the paragon of what Starfleet is meant to be, what it represents. ]

Me? [ He raises both eyebrows, honestly surprised that Hux would even think that. ] No. Generally speaking, that's not... Captains don't get married. Kinda hard juggling both... I think.

[fhux]

It seems odd that a man as congenial as yourself would remain so focused on his career. That is, [ kriff, that didn't come out quite right, ] the extension of your priorities could be duly expanded by your capabilities.

[ It's been years since Hux bothered fashioning a compliment. You can care about people as well as your job. That's his point.

MOVING ON, ]

Some of my captains are attached. I believe some spouses opt to stay aboard with them and are allowed if they own similarly useful talents as officers. If they perform their duties, I have no protest.

[winscenario]

[ It's a nice compliment, if a little unusual. Not a sentiment Jim's very used to hearing, but then most everyone back home knows he's not even the type for relationships, let alone marriage. ]

Same thing where I'm from. My parents were part of the same crew, for instance. Civilians can't stay aboard starships, though. Starfleet's adamant about that.

[ He smiles a little and shrugs. ] But it's irrelevant in my case. Marriage never crossed my mind back home, not once.

[fhux]

You're far more pleasant than any of my crew. Perhaps Lieutenant Mitaka has you beat on the innocence scale, though.

[ Oops, almost made himself smile at his own joke!! ]

[winscenario]

[ He snorts, then laughs openly. Seriously Hux, what a thing to say about Jim Kirk. ]

I don't think anyone has ever accused me of any level of innocence. Can't even tell if that's a compliment or not.

[ But then Hux also called him pleasant, so he's definitely going with 'yes'. ]

[fhux]

You'll just have to wonder.

[ Stirring his tea, he glances away to the workshop through the door and then back again. His voice softens a little, quieter as he strives to sound sincere. Which he is when he says, ]

It's good to see you. I ... don't speak to many people. Perhaps I should try to rectify that if more of them are like you.

[winscenario]

[ He smiles against the rim of his tea at the confessed sentiment. He barely knows Hux as it is, but it's still unexpected and unusual enough to feel especially nice. ]

Well, I can't tell you you'll meet anyone else quite like me, but there's no harm in going out there and giving it a shot. [ Maybe just a tiny bit cocky there. All in good fun, of course. ] It's good to see you too.

[fhux]

Would you like more tea?

[ It's a better reply than anything else trying to buffet its way out of his chest. He has to be calm and collected, no stock put in such kind words because sooner or later Hux will regret it. ]

I would dearly love to get my hands on some tarine tea, it's a little more bitter but very filling.

[winscenario]

[ He looks into his mug at the question. It's practically empty, so he finishes it with a last gulp before holding it out to Hux. ]

Please. [ Well, since he's offering. ] I've never heard of tarine tea. Is it popular where you come from?

[fhux]

With breakfast, sometimes. It depends on the system, but I had my own personal store on the Finalizer. It's best with porridge.

[ He fills Jim's cup and does the same to his own, sitting back with both hands curled around its heat. His cheeks feel the same temperature. ]

Perks of being a general.

[winscenario]

You have porridge! [ That draws a soft chuckle from him. Galaxies so far apart, yet apparently they both still know what porridge is. Such an odd serendipity. ]

I haven't had porridge in forever. But that sounds nice. You sure know how to treat yourself.

[fhux]

[ Jim's laughter draws a foolish chuckle out of Armitage who rubs his face at the inanity of such a thing. Porridge is a universal constant, it seems, and Jim is tickled by it. ]

Breakfast may be in order one morning, in that case. [ The company would be pleasant albeit odd. It isn't as if he invites people to spend time with him often (or ever, excluding today). ] I know a place, if you can trust me.

[winscenario]

[ He thinks it's sweet! In a way. Finding little things that completely different worlds still have in common. ]

I'd like that, actually. And sure, wherever you wanna go. Surprise me. [ Jim shrugs. Whatever place Hux has in mind, he doubts he'd regret going along with it. ]

[fhux]

[ Jim is too nice. A blanket kindness is spread over everyone he meets, as far as Armitage can tell, implying he inspires either great trust or stirs up easy friends, neither of whoch would have served him well in the First Order. Ruthlessness runs a far tighter ship than gentility and cheer and ...

Very, very blue eyes. How lovely.

Hux decides he may need a medical to check he hasn't hit his head lately without noticing, it's far too hard to concentrate on anything but inspiring more of the same friendliness that he hasn't earned. ]

Aren't I keeping you from your duties right now?

[winscenario]

[ Probably luckily for Hux, Jim is very much unaware of the thoughts going through his mind. Not that he'd tease him (too much) about it, and really, he's hardly the first person to be taken in by his blue eyes and easy smile. There have been a number of victims before.

He'd have strongly disagreed with the rest, though. Trust and honesty and encouragement have taken him farther than ruthlessness ever could. He is compassionate and friendly, accepting and forgiving to a fault too, but he sees none of that as a weakness. He wears it like armor, if anything.

He lets out a low groan at Hux's remark, rolling his eyes. ] Are you kidding? I think I've earned myself some well-deserved rest after all the running around these past few days. [ He smiles and shrugs. ] I'm alright. If anything happens and anyone needs my help, they'll let me know.

[fhux]

[ Hmm. ]

Are you interested in target practice? The range will be relatively empty today, I was going to head over once you left but since we're both here with little else to do ...

Would you care to accompany me?

[winscenario]

Well, it's not the sort of thing I usually do for fun, but yeah.

[ He perks up a little at the offer, and nods. ] Sure. Count me in. [ Probably a good way to let off some steam too, after the week he's been having. ]

[fhux]

Come along, then, we'll go now. [ He rises and finishes his tea, biting off the last of his toastie. ] If you're willing.

[ A little more excited to have a shooting partner, something he hasn't had since his academy days while training with other students, he slings on his greatcoat. ]

[winscenario]

[ Jim looks at his tea and his mostly-eaten sandwich, and shrugs. He takes one last sip, then gets to his feet, grabbing the sandwich so he can finish it on the way. ]

Always. [ He beams at Hux, waiting while he shrugs on his coat. ] Lead the way, then.

[fhux]

Excellent.

[ The walk to the shooting range is a short one, with Armitage more than familiar; it's one of the only places he can usually avoid Resistance scum and enjoy himself at the same time. Once they enter and get a booth to themselves at the far end, he glances up at the gallery overhead to check no one unsavoury is spying, and unhooks his blaster from a thigh-holster. ]

Will you be using one of the guns provided or do you have your own?

[winscenario]

[ Even if he's not one of the most regular users of the shooting range, Jim has been in the Quarantine for a year now, and has worked at the Perimeter Guard since the very first week. He knows the facilities like the back of his hand, and so he's not following so much as walking alongside Hux until they reach their destination. ]

I don't have mine on me right now. [ He glances curiously at Hux's blaster, then he looks away so he can pick from whatever weapons they have on offer. ] I'm sure I can make do with something else, though. Hm... like this one.

[ He picks up some sort of phaser pistol, fairly basic but it should do the trick. ]

[fhux]

Those always seem to require recalibration assessments, [ his nose wrinkles at the firearms available, shaking his head, ] at least, in comparison to what my men used to train with.

[ Unhitching the SE-44C blaster from his thigh, he takes up the position in one of the many empty booths (flooding is good for something, alone with Kirk here) and codes in how far he wants the target to be from the stand. Glances at Jim. ]

What sort of range would you prefer to start on?