(no subject)

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

There is a cupcake waiting for Jim when he arrives at the bar. There is a candle in the cupcake. He has no idea how it knows it was his birthday yesterday. (Though he would guess that whatever runs the bar can tap into Starfleet records remotely.)

Jim could ignore it. But he had a pretty good birthday - this time around, it didn't feel like a funeral, at least, and Scotty broke out the 20 year old single malt - so there's no reason not to be gracious. And who doesn't like cupcakes?

Stop by and wish him well on this day (even if it's one day late).

[ooc: Open till it scrolls. In honor of William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy's 80th birthdays. Where has the time gone?]

Comments

[covert_bandage]

The cupcake gets a curious look. "Interesting. Some form of special occasion, I assume."


[OOC: Apologies for the belatedness; is the post still open?]

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"It's an Earth tradition. To celebrate birthdays." At least in Jim's day. He's sure it wasn't always one.

[covert_bandage]

"I was under the impression birthday cakes were generally supposed to be a little larger," says Arcade. "Unless there's some kind of resource conservation involved anyway."

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"I think it's meant to be a private birthday cake. If I were to have a cake at home, it would be bigger." Though he's of the opinion that for the most part, adults should not have birthday cakes.

[covert_bandage]

"ah, I see," says Arcade. "So this place keeps track of the patrons' birthdays? That's... impressive, in a disturbing sort of way."

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"My thoughts, exactly. But I've gotten used to the things the Bar and its unseen management try to do." Most of them, at least. The enforced clothing changes and social engineering still rankle him.

[covert_bandage]

"That puts you several steps ahead of me. Then again I suspect most people here are," says Arcade. "I've found myself on the premises a number of times now, generally without warning, usually when I was trying to get to an entirely different bar."

"In all fairness, this place is probably better for my health and reputation, but really."

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"I usually don't come here unless I want to. I suspect that you essentially 'earn' the right to be here by surviving enough trips through the maze." He remembers some of the garbage that the place put Suzi through all those years ago. He's not surprised she stopped coming here.

[covert_bandage]

"As long as it keeps up that... whatever you want to call the timing effect, I suppose," says Arcade. "I can live with it so long as it doesn't really take me away from anything important."

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"Time stops for me here, though, so if it did grab me, I wouldn't be too lost." Annoyed, yes. Lost, no.

"Jim Kirk, 23rd century, native of Earth." He extends his hand.

[covert_bandage]

"Arcade Gannon, 2281, Freeside, Nevada." He shakes the offered hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Jim."

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

Jim raises an eyebrow. "That's just a few years ago. If I say I'm in Starfleet, does that mean anything to you?" He never expects that to be the case here.

[covert_bandage]

"Can't say that it does, no," says Arcade. "Sorry about that. Another universe entirely, I take it?"

[lostadog.livejournal.com]

the cupcake with a candle in it gets Scotty's attention. For a minute, he blanks on what it's significance might be. His last birthday passed, and wasn't noticed until a week later. About the same thing happened for the five before that.

After a moment, though, he understands, and smiles at the man receiving the cake. "You must come here a lot, for the place to know your birthday." The words come out in a somewhat over-the-top Scottish accent, which he doesn't seem to be faking.

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

Jim doesn't see the face. But he knows that voice. He's known that voice for twenty years. And of course he knows the face.

"Scotty?"

[ooc: Since oldSpock immediately knew nuScotty, it's clear that Pegg=Doohan. Ping me if you have any doubts.]

[lostadog.livejournal.com]

"Aye, that's me." Scotty gives the old man a slightly more wary look. "Are you with the Federation, then?"

He'd really rather avoid getting in trouble for abandoning his post. Especially since he can't recall exactly how to get back out.

(Makes perfect sense to me!)

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"Um, yes. Just from later..." That uniform went out of style years ago. Though the fabric seems different. "What year are you from?"

[lostadog.livejournal.com]

"2258.6 is the star date." He Think for a minute, and then, slowly, realization dawns. "There's time travel again, isn't there, sir?"

The familiar voice, and something about they eyes is leading Scotty toward a rather startling realization.

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"Yes, and no." Pause. "This is your first time here, isn't it?" He has to explain. At least if anyone will understand the impossible, it's Scotty.

[lostadog.livejournal.com]

"It is indeed, captain." There's a slight hint of uncertainty to his voice. Kirk doesn't age like Spock, where you can see right away how one man turned into the other. "You are captain Kirk, aren't you?"

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"Yes...though...in my timeline we hadn't met at that exact stardate." We pause to note that stardates are a complicated thing and that only experienced Starfleet officers know what they mean. "In fact, I was still a lieutenant.

"Which means that alternate timelines are in play as well. Par for the course here, I am afraid.

"Welcome to Milliways, Scotty."

[lostadog.livejournal.com]

"You were exiled when we first met, so that's a step up, at least." It doesn't help that the system seems to change from the time Scotty's currently from, to the time the alternate canon starts.

"A great welcome it was too. So what's this place all about, then?" He sounds a little put out, but mostly that's because someone who looks like him, but with a mustache, was his first conversation.

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"Exiled...sounds like the Kirk you know is definitely not me." Though he smiles at the idea. Somewhere out there, another Jim Kirk is causing trouble. Good.

"This is an extradimensional asteroid of some sort. Highly advanced technology that allows whoever or whatever operates it to draw sentients from a number of times and timelines. I haven't managed to find out who is in charge, unfortunately, but for the most part their intentions seem to be benign if perhaps...immature." He wonders if someone like Trelane is behind the somewhat random events he's seen over the years.

[lostadog.livejournal.com]

"Strange. So it's a pub that pulls people in without asking, from different places and times. If I hadn't been having such a strange year, I'd think you'd gone mad."

As things are, he accepts it easily enough. "Did Vulcan explode in your timeline?"

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"What?" Jim's blood goes cold. "Vulcan...how? Who?" Suddenly he really, really doesn't want that birthday cake.