Making Good on IOUs [for losthunter]

[boldygoing]

True to his word, about five days after Jim's first venture into the Nexus, he finds the time to send a message to Hunter's PINpoint via his own version of the gizmo, an attachment he's hardwired into his standard-issue communicator.

Hey handsome. Enterprise in port for minor repairs. You free this evening? -Cpt. JTK

He sure hopes so. It's been a long day, and he'd love the chance to relax with a friend. Bones and Spock are both busy with personal business, but that's just fine with him, since he owes the friendly neighborhood artist a night at a bar someplace.


[[OOC: Image link to replace broken one below: Jim's civilian outfit]

Comments

[losthunter]

"Well, the spell was placed on me, with her ultimate goal that it would end. That I would find that True Love."

"Kendra didn't want me to be hurt. She told me that since the spell didn't come to its natural end, there are still fragments of her magic within me."

Hunter speaks softly. He is watching Jim for signs of complete disbelief, in case his more scientific upbringing starts to question things.

[boldygoing]

"Fragments?" Jim frowns a little. "Like... magical shrapnel, or something like that?"

He won't be seeing any signs of absolute denial from the captain. Whether or not he believes in magic, or any other spiritual or cultural aspects of new people he meets, at the very least the worst diplomatic thing he could possibly do would be to insult someone else's beliefs. And he has seen proof of magic's existence, so he can accept it as real, even if he doesn't remotely understand it.

[losthunter]

"There are a few of my tattoos that used to move. That had a magical element to them."

"I already told you about the roses, that were on my arm, that aren't there anymore. There is an Egyptian eye on my other hand, that used to wink at me. And there is a large heart-shaped cluster on my chest, that used to beat."

"And I have had a recent experience, where the tattoos signalled that I had a poison in my system. A friend of mine was able to save my life."

[boldygoing]

That is strange and kind of unsettling, but Hunter doesn't seem to see it that way, so Jim carefully schools his expression to one of concern and curiosity. "That sounds weird but useful."

[losthunter]

"Kendra left me with the impression that I could do more, but I have been sort of left in the dark on how to go about finding out exactly what..."

Hunter smiles softly. "I still am trying to wrap my head around it all."

[boldygoing]

"Yeah, I can imagine." Jim doesn't really get it either, though he's a relative newcomer to the whole magic thing anyway.

[losthunter]

"What sort of other wonders and new experiences have you had in the Nexus?"

[boldygoing]

"I haven't had as much time to explore here as I'd like just yet, but I did find a huge used bookstore with all sorts of stuff I've never read before. And supposedly there's a Vulcan antiques store somewhere, so I've gotta find that one of these days."

Their drinks arrive, and Jim's beverage is a bright, vivid blue that almost glows under the light. The captain picks it up and sniffs at it, following it up with an experimental sip. He raises his eyebrows, impressed.

[losthunter]

Hunter has to cock an eyebrow himself, at the sight of the bright, vivid blue beverage. "Well, I am glad to hear that you are finding somethings that connect to your universe."

[boldygoing]

"Me too." Jim takes a deeper drink of the Romulan ale, rolling it over his tongue before swallowing. "Anything Vulcan is kind of... rare, these days." And there's that somberness again, though Jim's trying not to let it dominate the mood.

"Oh, that reminds me," he says, reaching into his pocket. He pulls out a little spool of real gold wire, and sets it on the table at Hunter's elbow. "My payment for the bracelet. Figured this'll be more useful than credits."

[losthunter]

"Oh wow..." Hunter delicately picks up the spool of gold wire. He runs his fingers along it, for a moment, a million ideas going through his head.

"And here I was just expecting enjoying drinks with you." But in a way, he is glad that there is no business-connected to this experience anymore. Sort of makes it more like a 'date'.

[boldygoing]

Jim's glad to get the business out of the way too, and he doesn't seem to realize that even this small amount of gold is worth a small fortune in the early twenty-first century. It's just average electronics construction material to him.

"Nothing says we can't still do that, right?"

[losthunter]

"We can. But now... it is more comfortable." Hunter leans into Jim slightly.

[boldygoing]

"Awesome." Jim leans into him, in turn, mouth quirked up in a grin. "This Romulan ale's got a hell of a kick. Want a taste?"

[losthunter]

"I'm game." Hunter reaches for the glass. "Can you compare it to anything?"

[boldygoing]

Jim considers that, sliding the glass over in easier reach of Hunter. "Ever had moonshine? It's like that, but fruitier."

[losthunter]

"Nope. But here goes nothing." Hunter takes a deep sip of the Romulan ale. He lets the drink set on his tongue, letting the taste tingle against his taste buds.

"Why is this illegal?"

[boldygoing]

It's definitely got a high percentage of alcohol, so Jim likely made a good call in only ordering a half pint. Experienced with drinking or not, it's potent enough to knock him on his ass after only a third as much as would normally take to get him tipsy.

"The Romulan Empire's one of the Federation's oldest enemies," Jim explains. "Most of their goods are banned because they don't want us propping up their economy, or something like that. It's political."

[losthunter]

Hunter puts it back on the table after taking his taste. He doesn't want to loose too much about his sense. Especially tonight.

"I can understand that. We have a President who is talking about banning anything that is not American-made right now."

[boldygoing]

Jim takes possession of the ale again, though he's only sipping it slowly, giving himself enough time to metabolize it instead of getting blitzed. It's a far cry from how he would've behaved if he'd had access to the stuff pre-Starfleet. Responsibility is a hell of a drug.

"Anything? Even stuff your allies make?"

[losthunter]

"Even our allies. He has implemented negotiations on NAFTA. A trade agreement with one of our biggest allies."

Hunter returns to his beer. "I have not seen so many protests or rallies held in the first 90 days of a president being elected to office."

[boldygoing]

"Wow, what an idiot." Maybe that's a bit blunt of him, but he still has an annoying tendency to speak his mind, sometimes without thinking first.

But he can tell that this has the potential to be a depressing topic, so he nudges his shoulder against Hunter's. "You wanna talk about it, or put politics aside for a bit?"

[losthunter]

"I don't want to spend my evening dwelling on an idiot," Hunter moves one of his hands to place it on Jim's knee. "When I have a handsome man at my side."

[boldygoing]

"Glad we're on the same page then," Jim says, giving him a brilliant grin. He's a little buzzed, cheeks flushing red as the alcohol hits his system, and it's so easy to ignore all the annoying diplomatic troubles of the galaxy - or twenty-first century America, apparently - in favor of focusing on the company instead.

"So," he says, casually moving one hand to rest on top of Hunter's. "Besides the art, what do you do for fun? Got any hobbies?"

[losthunter]

Hunter entwines his fingers with Jim's. "I play music. Guitar. And I also work on motorbikes. I built my own custom bike."

"And I have been going to a few gay bars with my best friend for karaoke night."