Family Matters

[boldygoing]

There's a starship captain in the Plaza, sitting at an outdoor cafe style table which bears a half-consumed cup of coffee and a glowing, transparent datapad. Jim Kirk is not in uniform, clad in well-worn civilian clothes, though given that his shirt says PROPERTY OF STARFLEET ACADEMY in faded text, he's probably not trying to be covert. He's fairly focused on the datapad, and one might assume that he's catching up on reports or requisition forms during his off-hours if not for the quietly contemplative look on his face.

And, of course, the fact that he's chosen to take a break here rather than anywhere near Starfleet property.

His thoughts don't remain a mystery for long, as this does tend to be the place to go for advice, no matter how small the matter. "How's your relationship with your family? Have you ever tried to reconnect after spending years apart?"

There's an empty chair on the other side of the table. Feel free to have a seat, if you'd like.



[OOC: Tags don't seem to work, but dupes are okay!]

Comments

[rogueinladysclothing]

"Scientists seem like the right kind of people to please. It's their discoveries that drive technology and innovation, yes?" It's a concept that exists anywhere someone might go, but the term for people who do research is still new to her. She hopes she's using it in the right context here for what Jim is talking about so she doesn't look a complete fool. Well, more of a complete fool, at any rate.

"Radar?" she repeats, tilting her head slightly in question. "What's that?" She's still used to the idea of finding everything by the sun, stars, and a compass. There's been so many other things she's wanted (and needed) to learn since coming here that new nautical technology hasn't made it onto the list.

[boldygoing]

"Yeah, that's right. Or just further the understanding of the universe, at least. I've got a whole ship full of 'em." Or... he did. He's been trying not to think too much about the personnel he's going to have to replace, lost in the battle against the USS Vengeance.

All right, so it's not as straightforward as he thought. That's fair, though, and he doesn't display any scorn for her not knowing what the hell he's talking about. He just hopes that he remembers enough about the outdated tech to describe it enough to be understood. "It's an old kind of sensor sweep. You'd send a signal out in all directions and if it hit something, the signal would bounce back and that'd tell you there was something there. Sonar's the same thing, just underwater."

[rogueinladysclothing]

"Do you ever manage to get anywhere on time?" she teases with a little laugh. If the scientists on his ship are anything like the inventors and tinkerers she knows from home, the likely answer would be 'no.'

Sonar, radar... both concepts she's still struggling to grasp after the thorough and simpler explanation. She doesn't really want to dig out her phone and research what he's talking about, as it's rude to do so when he's doing his best for her now, so she tries rephrasing his example in terms she understands a little better. "So it's like... listening for a sound to come back to you when it bounces off a wall? If something obstructs it, you have an idea of where it is?"

[boldygoing]

"Mostly, yeah," he says with a smile. "Worse comes to worse, they've got to follow orders."

Jim nods when she rephrases his admittedly confusing explanation. "Echoes, right. It wouldn't tell you anything about what it was, but you'd know where, and sometimes how big it was, depending on how much echo you'd get back."

[rogueinladysclothing]

"Which might come in handy, I'm guessing." Assuming they all follow their orders without question. Given what she knows of Jim - both this new one and the other - he seems to have the loyalty of his crew, and they'd do their duty without hesitation if asked of them.

Amelia's face noticeably brightens when he clarifies a little more. "Yes! Just like that." She's proud of having understood that one. Now to bring it full circle. "So in saying that you're unable to get off the radar, you mean that you can't hide from your work in any way? At least when you have your computer with you?" He'll have to forgive her terminology for his pad, but she's really doing the best she can. Computers are things she understands, but she doesn't even want to figure out how one could exist in some kind of crystal or piece of glass-like material.

[boldygoing]

"Command has its perks," Jim agrees. Not that he's immune from being at the mercy of orders, granted, but let's not go there.

"You got it." He's not bothered by her calling it a computer, because it is, and he's just glad he doesn't have to explain that part too, just for the ease of communication if nothing else. "Starfleet officers aren't allowed to just walk off without being contactable, even if we're on leave."

[rogueinladysclothing]

That's a little surprising to hear. "You're not allowed to fully take time for yourself? Even if there were an emergency or you needed to take time for your family?" Her lips draw into a thin line and she crosses her arms in front of her chest. "That seems harsh. Everyone should be allowed at least a little time completely to themselves."

[boldygoing]

He doesn't argue or tell her that she's wrong, because he can absolutely see where she's coming from. Having his communicator on him all the time feels like being on a leash, some days. "I get how it might seem that way, but that regulation exists because of emergencies. The time it would take to track down enough crew to deploy a starship might not be time that we have. I've only been active duty for a year and I've seen rapid recalls happen twice so far."

[rogueinladysclothing]

"So often?" What's going on where he's from that it's necessary to recall men and women from shore leave like that? As she and the other Jim Kirk don't get along, she has no way of knowing if his coming and going from the Nexus has anything to do with an emergency or boredom. It's his business, not hers. "Is this normal? Or has it been a fluke as of late?"

[boldygoing]

Jim shakes his head. "It's not typical, I hope. Completely unrelated incidents. But it's still better to be prepared."

[rogueinladysclothing]

She frowns softly, wishing she could empathize more with Jim's plight. Perhaps it's like when strange, terrible things happen in the Nexus? Only his Starfleet has systems in place to call for aid when needed?

"I hope things calm down on your world so that you can enjoy some shore leave. It sounds as if you could use it."

[boldygoing]

Her guess isn't far off, not that Jim knows what she's thinking. "Thanks. If the biggest problem I have to worry about in the near future is my mom, I guess that's not that bad."

[rogueinladysclothing]

"Wouldn't that be nice?" She cracks a wry smile. "I hope that works out for you," she adds after a moment, completely earnest. Maybe she's not always as kind as she should, or could, be, but at least in this case she means it. This Jim isn't as much of a pain as the other one and that makes it worth trying harder with him. Her only hope now is that she doesn't completely ruin it by being her usual self in the future.

[boldygoing]

Hey, he'll take what he can get. She's certainly made a hell of an effort to get past that first impression, and in his opinion, she's earned some goodwill anyway. "Me too," he agrees, smiling slightly. "Thanks for sitting and talking with me. Can't imagine how weird this is from your end."

[rogueinladysclothing]

How ironic it is for her to get sympathy from Jim Kirk. Not that she minds in this case - she knows she's lucky to have it when she came at him swinging.

"Very strange," she says with a small laugh. "But I'm glad to have the chance to try to make things right between us. I imagine I still have much to make up for, but hopefully this gets me off of the worst of the lists?"

[boldygoing]

He chuckles at that. "I'm not counting you among my enemies, if that's what you're worried about." Not among friends, either, but they have only just met, and there are still hurdles to get over. But hey, progress.

[rogueinladysclothing]

"I'll take that as a win." And for the Queen of Bad Decisions? It totally is. "I'm glad we met, Jim Kirk. And I'm glad we have a chance to get to know each other the right way."

[boldygoing]

"Me too, Amelia Ronsam." He offers his hand for her to shake again, so they can part better than they met. "Maybe by the next time we bump into each other, I'll figure out some easier way for people to tell me and the other me apart."

[rogueinladysclothing]

The offered hand is taken gladly, and she gives it a firm shake. "I'd appreciate that. The last thing I need is to come into a conversation assuming you're the other guy." A beat, and the corner of her lip curls into a smirk. "Don't suppose you'd color your hair to make it easier, would you?" She's teasing, of course, but it would be helpful.

[boldygoing]

"Nah," he says with a grin, taking that in the spirit with which it was meant. "I'm thinking maybe a beard or something. I'll figure something out."

[rogueinladysclothing]

The mental picture of Jim Kirk with a beard earns a laugh. "I can't wait to see what you come up with."

[boldygoing]

She can laugh if she wants; Jim doesn't mind. It may sound silly on the surface, but it's a low-effort, high-visibility solution. As long as he doesn't look terrible, that is. He's never exactly tested it out before.

"Me too," he agrees. "Take care of yourself."