(no subject)

[boldygoing]

Jim Kirk enters the Nexus in a mild daze, still a little stunned at the news he's just received from Command. He doesn't look like he's shaved for a few weeks, but his black Starfleet Academy instructor's uniform is clean and his hair is neatly combed, so it's not like he's been letting himself go or anything.

He gets a cup of coffee on autopilot, before finding a seat to really think over what the hell just happened, a look of hopeful disbelief on his face, like he's been told something that's too good to be true.

"Have you ever had a dream job you never expected to get?" he asks after several minutes, looking up. "For those that haven't, if you knew you wouldn't be home for a couple years, what would you not leave without?"

Comments

[losthunter]

It is nice to see Jim looking like he finally has heard some good news. And for a moment, Hunter has to wonder how long it has been since they had last seen each other. Because there is stubble on his face, that wasn't there before.

He has an educated guess about what good news Jim has received, based on his question. "I am doing what I love doing, that is why I don't consider it a job."

"And I guess, I would want to take my sketch book."

[boldygoing]

Jim's slightly shellshocked expression lightens considerably when Hunter comes into view, and the captain scoots to one side to make room for his favorite Nexus buddy. "That doesn't surprise me," he says, flashing a grin. "With lots of pencils and pastels, right?"

[losthunter]

"It is rather difficult to makeshift your own pencil. So of course." Hunter chuckles lightly. He sits down besides Jim, with a small smile.

"Is the unbelievable dream job finally hearing word on that five-year mission that you had mentioned could be a possibility?"

[boldygoing]

"Possibility, nothing," Jim answers, like he still can't believe it. "Got my marching orders today, in the middle of my lecture. Once the Enterprise passes inspection and goes through shakedown, we're shipping out. We've got six months to finish anything we've gotta do first."

[losthunter]

"Wow..." Hunter is happy to see Jim so happy. He knows that the other man has wanted this opportunity for a long time. And Hunter pushes back any concern that would have ruined this moment, to concentrate on how big of an announcement this is for the Starfleet captain.

"That is fantastic Jim."

"I am sure that six months will go by, quicker than you realize. And then you get to explore space with your crew."

[boldygoing]

"You're telling me... I don't know how I'm going to be able to wait half a year," Jim says, laughing a little as he shakes his head. "I didn't think I was still in the running."

[losthunter]

"What helped them make up their minds?" Hunter asks.

[boldygoing]

Jim shrugs, scratching at his chin. "Beats heck outta me. My orders didn't say why. Somebody at Command must think I've got my shit together enough for the five-year mission, but I've got no idea who."

[losthunter]

"Well, I am sure that you will prove them right, and be a shining example in that Captains chair." Hunter believes that.

"And so I got to ask..." He arches an eyebrow. "Are you trying to look older and more mature?"

[boldygoing]

Jim gives him a confused look, before it clicks. Oh yeah, he hasn't seen Hunter for a few weeks. "Is it working?" he asks, flashing a grin at him.

[losthunter]

Hunter smirks slightly. "You really want me to comment on how I rate your maturity?"

He shrugs his shoulders slightly. Then speaks softly. "You look good Jim. Your eyes sparkle a little more."

[boldygoing]

His smile softens a little at that. Aww, Hunter, you're adorable. "Sparkle, huh?"

"Seriously though, apparently there's another Jim Kirk around," he admits. "I had a couple people think I was him, and I figured this would be one of the easier ways to tell us apart."

[losthunter]

"Well they have always sparkled a little when you smiled. But the sparkle just seems to be more there." Hunter runs his hand over his own head for a moment. A fidget that speaks volumes about his nervousness.

"Seriously?" Hunter seems a little alarmed about that.

"That must have been a little... upsetting to hear about."

[gate_crasher]

"I have had some little bit of that experience," a robed lizard-man offers. "Congratulations upon your achievement!" His smile is bright and encouraging, before it turns to inquiry: "what have you achieved?"

[boldygoing]

Ah, Jim knows this Saxhleel! Have a genuine, bright smile, Shade-Seeker. "Thanks!"

"Command gave me the five-year exploration mission that they've been planning. There's never been a mission that long in the history of Starfleet, and we'll be headed into completely uncharted territory." Jim's pretty excited about it, although he still can barely believe that he got chosen to lead the mission.

[gate_crasher]

"Ah, congratulations indeed!" That smile only brightens (which, given the color of his scales, is saying something). "To reach into the unknown and draw back knowledge is the highest of callings!"

[boldygoing]

"There's no telling what we'll find out there," he agrees, raising his coffee cup in a wordless kind of toast. "I've got about six months to get my affairs in order and then we're shipping out."

[gate_crasher]

"Six months? It seems a long time," the young scholar muses, "although I imagine it shall feel far shorter as it passes. Will you be away from your entry to the Nexus for the span of your mission?"

[boldygoing]

"It is, but the ship still has to finish repairs and inspections before she's spaceworthy," Jim admits. "And if we're gonna be gone for five years, we want to make sure the Enterprise is in peak condition and fully stocked with everything we might need."

The mention of being out of contact does give him pause. "I hope not. I've got a PINpoint, and I've never tested it at that kind of range, but I wouldn't think it'd matter. I'd hate to be out of touch with this place for that long."

[gate_crasher]

"You would be missed," Shade-Seeker declares with certainty, "but with hope, that shall not be necessary."

"I think, for such a long journey, that I would gather many books I had not yet read. Even the most diligent of explorers must rest, and when resting, why not take pleasure in reading? Then is the spirit renewed, along with the body."

[boldygoing]

Jim nods in agreement, smiling over the rim of his coffee cup. "Man, I hear you. Five years with no reading material would be a hell of a long trip. Speaking of which, I owe you a book or two, don't I?"

[gate_crasher]

"I would not call it a debt," Shade-Seeker hedges with a laugh, "but I would certainly welcome a new book!"

[boldygoing]

Jim smiles back at him, and pulls out his PINpoint-enhanced communicator. "Hang on a sec, I'll beam it over. I would've gotten it to you sooner, but my life got... unexpectedly busy." He'd actually forgotten about it, until today.

He only has to fiddle around with the device for a minute or two before a swirl of white light deposits three stacked books on a nearby table. There's a college-level introductory chemistry textbook, a book on Earth's history of space travel up 'til the twenty-third century, and a xenobiology book with basic information on the major species in the Federation.

"Hope you don't mind, I picked out a few more I thought might interest you."

[gate_crasher]

He turns his head a little, regarding Jim more with one eye than the other over a sardonic smile. "Yess, I am terribly offended at the gift of more books," he laughs, "we shall meet at dawn on the field of honor!"

But he can't keep up his teasing long, there are new books within his grasp--and such books they are! He crosses to them, running the blunted tips of his claws over them with care before lifting the topmost. "Oh! Such heft!" Opening the book he chose, he takes a moment to flip through the pages admiringly. "Such fine paper! Such clear ink, and tidy handwriting. Ah! And these illuminations are so vivid, so lifelike!" More soberly, he glances to Jim. "Are you certain you wish to part with such fine tomes?"

[boldygoing]

Jim laughs a little in reply, having expected as much. Oh no, more books to read. What a terrible fate.

The books are so pristine and new, their spines are completely intact, unread by anyone else. The captain smiles at Shade-Seeker's obvious enjoyment of the books themselves, never mind the contents. "Yeah, I'm sure. They're yours to keep."