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

[boldygoing]

It really is sort of like coconut cream, with an alien flavor to it that's hard to describe. But it's good, in Jim's opinion, and he savors every bite. "The next time we're both in San Francisco, I've got to take you to this Bolian place down on Fisherman's Wharf. They have this really awesome version of grilled cheese and tomato soup where every ingredient is from somewhere other than Earth."

[losthunter]

"That sounds awesome."

Hunter has to smile that there will be a next time. He likes making plans with Jim.

[boldygoing]

Jim assumes that of course there'll be a next time. Hunter's his friend, and even if he didn't enjoy spending time with him (which he does), he'd be a horrible friend if he just said 'so long and thanks for all the hospital visits.'

He's lived most of his life without many real friends, and there's no issues with regulations or rank to get in the way.

"Glad you think so."

[losthunter]

Hunter is glad to have Jim in his life. And yes, he considers Jim to be a little more than just a friend. Which is why getting to know him is even more special.

"There is a whole world open to us to explore."

[boldygoing]

Jim smiles and raises his empty glass in a salute. "But for now, Iowa."

[losthunter]

"And perhaps, the next time, you can hit New York City with me." Hunter's glass still has a little left in it. Just enough to return the toast.

[boldygoing]

"Twenty-first century New York? I'd be down for that." The sheer novelty of being a few centuries in the past is enough of a draw on its own, especially with no DTI agents hanging over his shoulder, and having a guide like Hunter is the icing on the cake. "Anything I'd need to be careful about?"

[losthunter]

"There are a few neighborhoods that still have gang and drug issues. But I avoid those..."

"There I a great Drag Bar where I know a few of the dancers. I think you would enjoy it." Hunter smiles.

[boldygoing]

Jim laughs a little. "I meant things that I say or do that might stand out, but that's good to know." He tilts his head to the side, curious. "Do you have to crossdress in a drag bar? Is that something you have to do to get in?"

[losthunter]

"I am sure you would avoid any space travel talk, so I didn't think that would be worth mentioning." Hunter laughs softly.

"No. You don't have to."

"But there is a discounted price on drinks when you do." And he will just take another bite of his dessert right then.

[boldygoing]

Jim doesn't even hesitate before he replies. "Cheaper drinks and I'd get to show off my legs? Sold."

[losthunter]

"Why do I picture a mini skirt in your future?" Hunter chuckles.

[boldygoing]

Jim looks slightly amused. "Nah, it'd be too much like wearing a uniform."

[losthunter]

"Well, whatever you decide to wear, you will look great. And I can do our nails before we hit the club."

[boldygoing]

Jim perks up slightly at the word 'our.' "Do I get to see you in a slinky dress too?"

[losthunter]

"Yes. You do." Hunter blushes slightly. "The Queen's love a drag with tattoos."

[boldygoing]

Jim's rather looking forward to this now, and not just because the mental image he has of Hunter in an evening gown is an appealing one. A lot has changed in the centuries between their times, and it's nice to hear that the early twenty-first century isn't quite as uptight as he'd thought. It'll be a little bit more like the social standards he's used to.

"Cool," he says with a smile.

[losthunter]

"We could make it a whole get-together. I could invite a couple of my other friend. See if they want to hang out with us."

[boldygoing]

"Sounds good to me." So far, Jim has gotten along well enough with all of Hunter's friends. "I don't think I've gone to an actual club in... at least four years."

[losthunter]

"Then we definitely need to do it soon." Another thing to help Jim battle against sitting around and waiting.

[work kidnapped me. No one is around to pay the ransom]

[boldygoing]

Jim smiles across the table at him. "Sure. Just let me know when."

His own meal is finished, so he nods slightly toward Hunter's pie plate. "You ready to head out?"


[Hopefully you get rescued or escape soon!]

[losthunter]

"I sure am. This was a great meal. Thank you."

[One of my co-workers is leaving on vacation in one day. It will get worse before it gets better]

[boldygoing]

"Hey, you're welcome." He certainly doesn't like thinking about why, but ensuring that the people that he cares about are fed and content makes Jim happy.

"So besides metals, any other type of material you're looking for?" Jim asks as they return to their bikes, and he enters a search in the Monoceros' nav system to find the nearest craft supply store.

[losthunter]

"Fabric. Maybe something that is other-worldly." Hunter tilts his head for a moment. "And I always love finding new paint colors."

[boldygoing]

"'Other-worldly,' you say," Jim repeats, a little amused. But he knows what Hunter means. Even just the clothes in this era tend to be made from materials that weren't invented or discovered until after first contact.

"Well, let's go see what we can find."