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[works_in_space]

It's been a long while since he was here. From his point of view, about four months. Four months of chasing interstellar dust clouds and ferrying envoys and cataloging G-class stars and not really finding anything that interesting. From what he can tell, it's been like that for a lot of captains and crews. It seems really odd.

So much so that Jim is wondering if he should take a few days here to rest. And while he notices out of the back of his eye that some things seem a bit different, just being back here is enough to make him feel better.

Comments

[paragonsoldier]

There's a familiar someone at the Bar, eating a Cobb salad. She hasn't noticed Kirk yet.

[works_in_space]

He spots her and gives a small wave. "Commander."

[paragonsoldier]

Shepard looks up. "Afternoon, Captain." Actually, she doesn't know what time it is here - it's just afternoon where she's from. "Haven't seen you in a while. Say, were you around for..." She frowns thoughtfully. "What's the plural of 'apocalypse'?"

[works_in_space]

"That would be 'apocalypses.' And I don't know what you're referring to." That would be a No.

[paragonsoldier]

"Huh. I was out when whatever-it-was happened. Alyx told me that a few different ones happened here not too long ago, but she wasn't in at the time either." Shepard shrugs.

[works_in_space]

"As in, the world ended...more than once?" He tries to wrap his head around this. "It doesn't seem to have ended, from what I can tell."

[paragonsoldier]

"Well, considering that this place weathers that happening over and over again," Shepard says, pointing to the Window, "it wouldn't surprise me if it could tough out something that would be considered an apocalypse anywhere else."

Around here, an apocalypse isn't the end of everything: it's just Tuesday.

[works_in_space]

"I suppose," he says while absently looking out the window. "It would explain why the place seems a little...different. Like it's renovation.

"And between you and me, I've almost given up on finding an explanation for the Bar." Almost.

[paragonsoldier]

"Definitely makes life easier when you just accept it," Shepard says. "So, if you haven't been witnessing the apocalypse party, what have you been up to?"

[kamehamehaaa]

Over the lake, a small boy is hovering mid-air, with his hands raised.

Above the hands, he creates a small ball of yellow energy.

[works_in_space]

That's different, Jim thinks. Though not something he couldn't explain. Species that manipulate energy are not unheard of.

[kamehamehaaa]

Gohan makes the ball a little bigger, then releases it. But only up to the sky, just a little one, well away from anything living.

[works_in_space]

That would seem to be an useful skill. But dangerous. Especially in the hands of someone so clearly young. But that's not his business, is it?

[kamehamehaaa]

After a little more practice, the little boy lands to look at a plant.

[works_in_space]

"Hello." Jim figures it can't hurt to ask some questions.

[kamehamehaaa]

"Hello." Gohan looks up and smiles. "I hope I didn't alarm you, I have to train every day."

[works_in_space]

"No, it isn't at all alarming. In fact it's interesting." The boy looks a bit intense for his age. But don't all kids, sometimes?

[ikissdhimbck]

"Well, ain't you a sight for sore eyes."

The soft Texas lilt comes from somewhere behind him. Kate is sitting at a booth, uncharacteristically unladylike with her boots propped up on the opposing bench. She looks like she's been out doing manual labor all day, because  —  well, she has.

She's smiling brightly, though. She's pleased to see him, and content with all she got done today in the stables.

[works_in_space]

"Well, hello, Kate!" Jim immediately heads over to Kate's booth. "You look...homey?" So very far from how she used to dress.

[ikissdhimbck]

She grimaces.

"Is that the nice way of sayin' I look like a mess?"

Her hair is pulled into a messy braid, and there's a faint smudge of dirt on her left cheek. She's without her characteristic hat, just sporting tawny slacks and a blue checkered button-up — and her guns, of course.

"I admit, I might be overworkin' myself puttin' the stables back together," she says, slowly straightening. "But I couldn't pass up sayin' hello. You've been on my mind."

[works_in_space]

"I have? What did I do to deserve that?" He gives her a big smile. "And yes, you look a mess, but I am a trained diplomat.

"What happened to the stables? Are the horses alright?"

[ikissdhimbck]

His diplomatic comment gets a quiet laugh from her. She sobers, shaking her head quickly in the universal sign for Don't worry; it's nothing serious.

"Y'weren't here, then. Good. We had a bit of a situation with the bar. I've been lookin' t'get ahold of all my dear friends."

And Jim certainly fits that category.

"I thought we was gonna lose the stables, an' all the stock. But this place pulled through."

[works_in_space]

"A...situation." He pictures a tornado or earthquake. "Well, I guess it's good everything is still here. More or less.

"Was anyone hurt badly?" Or worse?

[ikissdhimbck]

"Things are mostly put back in place," she nods. "But don't be surprised if your favorite ridin' trail is tore up for a few weeks yet. Outside took the worst of it."

She hesitates, and nods to the opposing seat so Jim can join her. She checks to make sure she hasn't left any dirt there, but she's always diligent about cleaning her boots before she steps inside.

"There were injuries, yes. But they're all set to rights, now."

[works_in_space]

"Was Doctor McCoy around?" Seems like the sort of thing that would pull Bones in.