Road Trip [for losthunter]

[boldygoing]

It's a beautiful spring day in Riverside, Iowa. The skies are clear and the weather is pleasantly mild, and across the endless fields that stretch out into vast distances, automated farm machinery is hard at work planting corn for the season.

There's no such machinery around the Kirk farm, though someone has bothered to zap away some of the weeds threatening to devour the foundation. The old homestead still sits disturbingly empty, all but abandoned if not for a few small signs that someone has been there recently. One of those signs sits just outside the house, leaning up against his motorbike as he waits for another rider to come join him, a set of riding goggles resting against his forehead.

The motorcycle has clearly seen better days, but it's nothing like twenty-first century bikes. There are no spokes in the wheels, for one thing - indeed, the wheels don't even seem attached by anything visible, held in place by some invisible force. It's keeping itself upright without a kickstand, as well, even though the young man in question is leaning most of his weight against it.

Comments

[losthunter]

"Surprise me." Hunter is open to whatever Jim might suggest. "I do not have any foods that I do not like. And I do not have any food allergies."

[boldygoing]

Jim's smile widens a little. "All right, I know just the place then."

Their bikes remain undisturbed, right where they parked them, and Jim inputs his intended destination into the Monoceros' nav computer. They're going to have to go across town a bit, but Jim takes it slow and easy, taking care that Hunter will stay with him on their way through traffic.

The restaurant Jim has chosen has a patio that overlooks a park and pond, and at this time of year, there are migratory water birds out on the water. The restaurant's name is in some kind of boxy, alien script, and underneath it in English it says BAJORAN SOUL FOOD. Most of the staff here seem to be of the same type of alien species, humanoid with ridges on their noses and an elaborate earring on their right ear. Jim gets them a seat at one of the tables on the patio, since the weather outside is so nice.

[losthunter]

Starting up his bike to life once again, there are a few people who look their way in interest. Hunter has to smile a little, before putting on his helmet, and heading off to follow Jim to their next destination.

It is nice to receive appreciative looks.

When they reach their destination, Hunter smiles at the fact that they are by the water. Parking his bike and turning it off, he takes off his helmet to take in the restaurant itself. He is a little curious about the staff, especially since they all seem to be the same type of alien species.

"Beautiful setting. Do you bring all your dates here?"

[boldygoing]

"Nah, this is my first time here too. But I looked up a few potential lunch spots before we left." Jim doesn't have to look over the menu for very long either, as it's mercifully in English, although Hunter will likely not recognize most of the items on offer. "Good, they've got hasperat. I haven't had that in years."

[losthunter]

"What is it?" Since Hunter doesn't recognize most of the items on the menu, he will rely on Jim to make some suggestions.

[boldygoing]

"It's like a really spicy burrito," Jim explains, a fond look on his face. "And I mean really spicy, like melt-your-tongue kind of hot. Bajoran places on Earth usually go easy on the spice unless you ask for Bajoran-hot though. And it comes with mapa bread, which helps cut down on the heat. If you don't want super spicy, ratamba stew's pretty good, if fragrant. And very bright green."

[losthunter]

"Well, I have never had any type of food that is bright green before. So the ratamba stew sounds perfect."

"And drink recommendations?"

[boldygoing]

"Normally I'd say springwine, but with ratamba, I'd go with iced deka tea, personally. I'll be having a kava juice, which goes well with pretty much everything."

[losthunter]

"Iced deka tea." Hunter repeats to himself.

"So tell me a bit about the Bajorans."

[boldygoing]

"Well, they're relatively new to the Federation; we only made first contact with them about twenty years ago. They're not members, but they are trade partners, and their culture is a hell of a lot older than humanity. The earring's a religious thing; they're really spiritual, but they haven't shared much about their beliefs, so it's better not to ask 'em about it."

[losthunter]

"I won't." But that doesn't mean Hunter isn't a little curious. Or wants to admire the jewelry a little closer. It reminds him of the large tree-shaped piece on his forehead.

[boldygoing]

Jim thinks the Bajoran earrings are a work of art, too. And when their waitress comes over to take their order, he's not entirely subtle about admiring the craftsmanship. It's certainly intricate and complex, made by a culture that has clearly had a lot of practice.

"You know, it's probably a good thing we aren't on good terms with the Klingons," Jim says, once the Bajoran woman heads towards the kitchen with their order. "Or I might've been tempted to take us to a Klingon place. Their favorite dish is live worms. Not kidding."

[losthunter]

"That must be a little unusual for a human to be used to eating." Hunter smirks slightly. "But then again, the first person to eat Sushi, or Haggis must have faced some 'what-the' reactions."

[boldygoing]

"I don't think we've had enough non-hostile contact with them to exchange recipes, but some poor ambassador's probably had to choke it down at some point. Personally, I've had worse."

[losthunter]

"I can't imagine the amount of research your ambassadors must do." It is a delicate enough situation in Hunter's timeline, just dealing with the differences between countries.

[boldygoing]

"Me either," Jim agrees easily. "First contact is almost better, because at least then you've got a good excuse for cultural missteps. It's making good neighbors later that's the tricky bit."

[losthunter]

"And just think, you get to explore more of what might be out there."

[boldygoing]

Jim nods, leaning his elbows on the small table between them. "Only about twenty percent of the galaxy's been explored, between all the members of the Federation. We could explore for a lifetime and still only just scratch the surface."

[losthunter]

"You have such an amazing opportunity ahead of you." Hunter reaches over to run his fingers up and down Jim's arm.

[boldygoing]

Jim appreciates the touch, and turns his palm upward to capture Hunter's fingers with his own, fully relaxed. "The chance of a lifetime," he agrees. "Before things went south on us, there were rumors that the Enterprise was going to be sent out on a five-year mission. Starfleet's never done an expedition that long before. It's a long time to spend out in space."

[losthunter]

Hunter smiles at the way Jim's fingers entwine his fingers with his own. "And you are worried that the mission will be taken away."

[boldygoing]

"It already was," Jim admits quietly. "I screwed up, got demoted. But then everything happened so fast, and I got reinstated. And Starfleet's had their hands full handling the fallout in San Francisco, so I don't know if my reinstatement is going to stick or not."

[losthunter]

"I believe what that little girl part of Kendra said to you... you are destined to be among the stars." Hunter leans forward to kiss Jim's knuckles.

[boldygoing]

"I sure hope so." Jim's still not sure how much he believes it. But Hunter does, and Jim can respect that. It's nice to imagine it's true, anyway, even with his realistic fears.

"If we do still get to go... it's a damn good thing this isn't the days of sailing ships, with no way to communicate with the world back home. Five years without contact would be a hell of a long time."

Dreamwidth at it again...

[losthunter]

"Yes..." Hunter squeezed Jim's hand a little, just thinking about it. "Yes it would be."