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]

"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."

[boldygoing]

Jim already looks interested at the mention of guitar, but those brilliant blue eyes light the fuck up when Hunter mentions motorcycles. "Oh man, I haven't been able to ride since I enlisted."

[losthunter]

"We should go for a ride together then."

[boldygoing]

Jim laughs, though it's certainly not in mockery of the idea. "Maybe when we haven't been drinking," he points out with a teasing grin.

[losthunter]

"Heck no. Not now..." Hunter has to laugh too. "I am a responsible driver. Plus, wouldn't want anything to happen to the bike."

[boldygoing]

Jim's smile is a fond one, thinking back to that last ride of his. "I had this beautiful hoverbike, myself. 2248 Monoceros Limited, no bells and whistles, just raw power and grace. My last time riding her, I was kinda hungover. Might've still been a bit drunk. 'Responsible driver' wasn't really my thing back then."

[losthunter]

"Hoverbikes. Now that sounds really cool." Those type of things only exist in movies in his timeline.