Big Reveals [for losthunter]

[boldygoing]

Jim has been in Starfleet Medical for eight weeks before he's finally released. Which is not to say he's been cleared for duty, mind you. But he's recovered enough not to need that kind of constant medical supervision, able to take the rest of his treatment as outpatient. He has physical therapy three times a week, exercises to do at home, and of course Doctor McCoy is still keeping an eagle eye on his diet, something that annoys Jim to no end.

Of course, that's nothing compared to finding out that his Starfleet-assigned apartment is buried under the crashed bulk of the USS Vengeance.

Jim doesn't really give a shit about the apartment itself. Yeah, it was kind of nice to have his own place, but it's never been home. It was just a place to stay whenever the Enterprise was in port. And though it was more decorated than his quarters onboard the ship, it was all meaningless knickknacks, nothing with any real sentimental value.

No, he's more pissed about the fact that nobody told him until a month after he woke up from the coma.

He understands why, of course. McCoy gave him the whole spiel about stress being bad for his recovery, about not needing to worry himself about things he couldn't do anything about, that by the time this happened Jim was already dead, but it's a heavy blow to realize that the loss of life was far, far greater than he'd realized. Tens of thousands died or lost their homes. Yet Jim Kirk lives, when he has no right to be breathing, let alone leaving the hospital.

And it's hard not to be in a foul mood when he realizes that the only place he has to stay on Earth is in Iowa, at the old neglected Kirk homestead. At least it's not likely to be bugged by Section 31, and Jim spends two entire days sweeping the place for surveillance devices, and another three to get the house in order, before he's reassured enough to have visitors.


[OOC: Image links to replace broken ones below:
23rd century Iowa
Mind meld position]

Comments

[losthunter]

Hunter looks around the room, there is not any artwork around the living room that he could use as an example.

"I think even demonstrating with my own tattoos would be a good enough example."

And after considering the best option for a demonstration, Hunter stands for a moment. "I am going to remove my shirt... just a second."

He had decided on removing his shirt, since the biggest section of his tattoos is right on his chest. A heart-shaped cluster of tattoos.

"Now remember, that these are all just ink on my skin, ordinarily..." Hunter tells them all. Then he places his left hand lightly at the edge of the heart-shaped tattoo. He closes his eyes, concentrating on the magic within him. And within seconds, the heart-shaped tattoo starts to beat. Slowly at first. But soon, it is beating like a regular human heart would.

[boldygoing]

"Taking off- my god, Jim, no wonder you like this fella," McCoy snarks to Jim, who just grins back at him. Having his sex drive put on hold certainly doesn't mean the captain can't appreciate the beauty that is a shirtless Hunter.

Spock watches with calm, scientific fascination. Uhura leans forward in her seat, paying rapt attention to the motion of the ink on his skin. "Animate tattoos. That's pretty cool," she says.

[losthunter]

"My tuning myself to the magic, I can also animate pictures. I can make a painting come to life..." As Hunter continues to focus on animate the heart-shaped tattoo, there is a burst of color on the rose-bush on his left forearm. As several roses bloom to life for a moment.

[boldygoing]

Jim remembers Hunter working on animating paintings, before Khan made his move and sent everyone's lives to hell. Two months is more than enough time to get the hang of it, but Jim hadn't been aware he'd had the time to work on it. "You got it working?"

[losthunter]

"For a couple of minutes... ten at the most" Just like he can only make the heart-shaped tattoo on his chest beat for a couple of minutes, before he feels drained and must stop. "It is a little emotionally exhausting. But I am just starting to practice and train myself further."

"I really don't have anyone to teach me..."

[boldygoing]

Spock tilts his head slightly, an expression of curiosity and mild puzzlement. "Are there not others who might assist you?"

[losthunter]

"If there is any place where I could find such a person, it will be the Nexus. And I have had dear friends offer their support." That had been one of the memories of the Nexus that Hunter had shared. When both Jim and Verity had visited with Hunter, after his first display of his abilities. And of course, the constant support of Schön would have been remembered.

"I also get the feeling that Kendra was not the only one with those powers. So who knows... I could find a door that leads to her past. Her people."

[boldygoing]

McCoy shakes his head a little. "Sorry but this is doin' my head in. Doors to other universes that pop up outta nowhere, living tattoos, some kinda... transdimensional communicators..."

"Is it really that much stranger than time travel through artificial black holes?" Jim points out. "Not to mention the part where I'm not dead right now."

McCoy visibly flinches, and he folds his arms across his chest defensively, uncomfortable. "That's a low blow, Jim."

"But still true," Jim answers. "I don't get how it works either. But it is real."

[losthunter]

Hunter takes the opportunity to put his shirt back on, a small frown on his face when Jim talks about his own near-death experience.

"I know people who live in the Nexus. It is the only place for them to go."

"As unusual as it sounds... it is a safe environment."

[boldygoing]

"Hang on," Uhura says, frowning a little. "You're from 2017?"

"Not our 2017," Jim assures her. "History's different enough that there's no real risk of... doing a Nero." It's a ridiculous turn of phrase, but his crew understand what he means without elaboration. "I haven't heard a peep from DTI, so I'm pretty sure we're in the clear, as long as we don't cheat."

[losthunter]

"And there are some people who use magic in my world. That is another difference..."

Hunter chuckles lightly. "I actually have heard some people compare my story, with Kendra, and the appearance change, to the storytale of 'Beauty and the Beast'."

[boldygoing]

"Don't tell me you think Jim's your Beauty," McCoy says before he can really think about it.

Uhura looks amused to no end, and Spock raises an eyebrow, mentally reviewing his knowledge of the fairytale. Jim just gives Hunter a flirty sort of look.

[losthunter]

"Well, in the original story, Beast tried to win Beauty's favor with lavish riches and the best clothing in the kingdom."

Hunter exchanges a flirty look with Jim, smiling almost predatory. "Doesn't seem all that bad... does it?"

[boldygoing]

Jim grins back at him, suppressing a chuckle. "If I remember right, in some popular depictions of the Beast, he also gave Beauty a ton of books."

[losthunter]

"Did he now..." Hunter chuckles lightly. Of course he knows that part of the story. "Well, the later versions did realize that he could be seductive by offering knowledge. And a chance of new adventure."

[boldygoing]

"I'd tell you two to just get a room already but I know how that'll go," McCoy grumbles.

"This must all be very strange for you," Uhura says to Hunter. "Being out of your time."

[losthunter]

Hunter just cocks an eyebrow at McCoy's grumbling. He hopes he is not making light of Jim's current physical limitations.

"It is..." He directs his attention on Uhura. "I feel very silly, asking about things that are every-day objects for you all. But now you will all know why I might have looked confused or lost, when you have mentioned previous technology."

[boldygoing]

Jim doesn't look offended, at least. "It's kind of been a reminder how much advanced tech we take for granted. Speaking of, I think it's about time for lunch."

He had to give some excuse for why he was inviting them over to begin with, and he's hardly going to fail to honor that promise. Especially when it comes to feeding his people.

[losthunter]

"Did you need any help with that?" Hunter offers.

[boldygoing]

Jim smiles a little in gratitude, but shakes his head. "Thanks, but I haven't bought anything fresh, so it's all synthesized today. Any requests?"

Spock folds his hands together. "You are aware of my preferences, captain. I trust you will choose a suitable dish."

[losthunter]

"Can it do something like a Monte Cristo?" Hunter is curious. He is not sure what would be on the menu, after all.

[boldygoing]

The choices aren't quite endless, but they are rather vast, so it's hard for Jim to give him a menu, as it were. But he does nod at Hunter's question. "Sure thing. Uhura?"

"What the hell, make it two," she answers.

Jim has known McCoy long enough to know what he wants without asking, so he doesn't bother to consult the doctor for his order. "Coming right up."

[losthunter]

As Hunter gets relaxed back on the couch, buttoning up his shirt quietly, he feels a sense of calmness now that his big secret is known by these people who had gotten to know in the past few weeks.

There don't seem to be any big questions from them yet, but he knows it will take them a little time to absorb everything they were told.

"Good to know that my Beauty is an expert in the kitchen." He teases lightly.

[boldygoing]

"Not hard when all you've gotta do is push a button," Jim says with a shrug, heading out to the kitchen to make good on his lunch promises.

The Kirk house has a perfectly serviceable dining room, but Jim doesn't want this to be any kind of formal dinner, anything where he sits at a table with his crew and gets called captain. He's among friends, and they're making it bearable to be in this house in the first place. So he doesn't call anyone to leave the living room, instead serving lunch to be eaten wherever they're sitting already, no matter if it's a couch or an armchair. Monte Cristos for Uhura and Hunter, a vegetarian hummus wrap for Spock, and fried catfish for McCoy.

Jim debates trying to cheat on his prescribed diet, his digestive system still a bit touchy from the aftereffects of the radiation, but he knows better. And besides, his own personal doctor is right here to yell at him if he does. So he reluctantly synthesizes some chicken and rice soup instead.

It's quite the variety of foods, but preparation takes only a minute or two before everyone can eat.

[losthunter]

It still amazes Hunter to have so many different types of meals served, simply by pushing a button. And it seems very calming to sit with the crew, eating lunch in the living room.

"This is very amazing."