Spock
- Ingenious Pilot -
Apparently he's GQ?%\0\%
Posts: 142
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A Flop
Jun 26, 2009 1:24:03 GMT -5
Post by Spock on Jun 26, 2009 1:24:03 GMT -5
((Yeah, we should do it now. It is conceivable that Spock doesn't know what chocolate tastes like, so if someone doesn't tell him what it is, or says it's this hazelnut spread thing.... Well, that is similar to that hot chocolate fic by our Home girl (I did say home girl) but whatevs (I did say whatevs) I bet there are a million like that.
re: BOTH --I KNOW!!!
This is long, but I thought it helped address some of our problems. I doubt he'd make a speech this long but of course Kirk can reply to different parts of it in between, as if it was a conversation, as we have been doing.))
Spock tilted his head in slight negative. "Even were we to return to our universes tomorrow, there would be the issue of tonight, if we do not reach Lorien. It would be highly imprudent to sleep on the streets. We could plan on attempting to exchange some slight services for a night's lodgings--if we stray further to the countryside there are no doubt farm tasks with which we could assist, et cetera.
"However, guessing that we will find a way back to our universes in so brief a time is just that--a guess. We have as yet no facts which give us a concrete explanation of where we are, much less how to return. Such as it is it would be wise to think long term.
"Lorien sounds as though it could provide for us for a more lengthy period, but we were only headed there on the grounds that it might give us more evidence as to our present location. If we can find no means by which to return to our respective ships in the wood, then it may not prove worthwhile to continue our attempt to find it.
"The surroundings here appear to provide many of the circumstances which I sought in Lorien. The Bates Motel, for instance, seemed outside the nineteeth century era in which we now find ourselves again. That dichotomy in setting was one of the main things I wished to explore in Lorien. I am still interested in speaking to Figwit, but if he is embroiled in the politics of his own territory he might be little able to provide insight as to the relation of that territory to the rest of the world.
"In short, should we not find Lorien within the day, it would be advisable to determine a means of living which will sustain us for some time, but also allow us the freedom to explore what we are for the sake of argument calling 'Paris', and its surroundings."
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A Flop
Jun 26, 2009 1:39:20 GMT -5
Post by James T. Kirk on Jun 26, 2009 1:39:20 GMT -5
((It would be, but when you create a race that gets drunk on chocolate, I mean, how many ways can you slip it to them unnoticed? It's not really copying.
Also, this is weird, but I'm saving the new chapter until breakfast, to have something nice to look forward to.))
Kirk nodded, giving Spock his undivided attention. "Lorien is... convenient," he said, "in the sense that those I know there stick to the old ways and don't use currency. I've been of some service to their people, and they've returned the favor. But as you say, there may be no benefit in going back aside from that. And I find its ease and beauty a formula for complaisance, for many of its residents."
Plates were set before them, Kirk's piled high with whipped cream which he smiled at with as much affection as he had while ordering.
"Your reasoning is sound, Spock. There's enough anomaly to occupy us in many sectors of this version of Paris; it seems practical to focus on whatever area makes the most sense and is most able to provide us with both sustenance and scope for exploration. Finding odd work probably won't be too difficult, but that sort of day labor often leaves one little time, or daylight, to explore in."
He fell silent a moment, thinking. This had all happened before. He smiled, slightly more forced than usual, and cut into his crepe concoction.
"We'll figure it out, Mr. Spock," he said, and took a bite. His eyebrows shot up. "This is good," he said, knowing Spock wouldn't care but not able to help himself. "You should try it. Really; I guarantee you've never had anything like it." Conscientiously, he scraped off the whipped cream from one corner of the folded crepe and slid the plate in Spock's direction, an expectant look on his face.
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Spock
- Ingenious Pilot -
Apparently he's GQ?%\0\%
Posts: 142
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A Flop
Jun 26, 2009 11:52:20 GMT -5
Post by Spock on Jun 26, 2009 11:52:20 GMT -5
"What service did you provide?" Kirk had not mentioned this before, though he did not strike Spock as modest. He had also said Lorien had no economy, but perhaps whatever Kirk had done was a marketable service elsewhere.
Spock looked at the food when it arrived. Whatever the captain had looked ludicrously unhealthy, and made Spock wonder how he could possibly keep up his Starfleet physique with such meals. Spock's own was sensible, though lacking in many vitamins necessary to Vulcans.
"Then we will continue to Lorien today," Spock concluded. "If we do not find it, we will find an accommodation which will exchange lodging for some small work we can perform. Should that prove necessary, tomorrow we will look for something more sustainable. Surely with our advanced skills we will find temporary employment of a minimal number of hours per day."
Spock could see that Kirk had another idea or thought relating to this which he was declining to mention. But if it was significant, Spock felt sure the captain would mention it. Instead he smiled and began to eat his crepes.
When he pushed his plate forward, Spock gave that slight shake of his head. "I find my own meal quite satisfactory."
((I'm not being a tease, I just DON'T think Spock would bother if there was something he already said he wouldn't eat there, i.e. crepe, because crepe has eggs. I can have the waiter bring a side of Nutella, or Kirk can think about it and order the side for him, for dipping strawberries in, or something. Or Kirk can dip strawberries on his plate. Or convince Spock to. Or something. I just--am not being a tease.
...I want crepes for breakfast.))
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A Flop
Jun 26, 2009 12:03:33 GMT -5
Post by James T. Kirk on Jun 26, 2009 12:03:33 GMT -5
((No, I get it. I/Kirk wasn't thinking very clearly.))
"Right," Kirk said, soft apology in his voice. "The eggs." There was a lot of fruit on Spock's plate. It was really boring. He knew Spock didn't value eating the way he did, beyond sustenance, but it still made him sad sometimes. He waved the waitress over and cocked his head up at her. "Could we get a side of this... hazelnut sauce for my friend, here?"
She complied readily and by the time Kirk had finished answering Spock's previous question, it had appeared at the table.
"I joined a party to combat some creatures who threatened Lorien; the elves' magic had been waning, creating weakness in their borders. Figwit had been a friend to me, and the people were well worth whatever protection I could give."
He gestured towards the strawberries on Spock's plate. "It would be an excellent combination," he said. "And I agree with your assessment of our current situation."
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Spock
- Ingenious Pilot -
Apparently he's GQ?%\0\%
Posts: 142
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A Flop
Jun 26, 2009 12:24:26 GMT -5
Post by Spock on Jun 26, 2009 12:24:26 GMT -5
"What kind of creatures?" Spock inquired with some interest. "Are the bordering areas that threaten Lorien anything like Lorien itself, or is it Parisian countryside?"
Spock had already informed Kirk his broccoli was sufficient. The hazelnut, on second thought, might provide beneficial nutrients, but the reason the captain provided--that it would be good--was no reason to alter his meal. Except that Spock had already told Kirk he did not require it, and Kirk kept insisting anyway.
It might be less inconvenience, actually, to try it.
Spock was aware from some meal conversations at the Academy that in some cultures it was impolite to deny food. This seemed especially important if the food had been home-cooked, but the attendant social nicety had nothing to do with the quality of the food and everything to do with effort and intention. Even with replicated dishes, the intention mattered. Sometimes people offered food to be hospital, or kind, or friendly.
No one had ever pushed exotic cuisine on Spock before. He told them his needs were met by Plomeek soup, and they left him alone.
Spock carefully put some of the spread on the strawberry he had just as carefully sliced in half, and ate the bite.
"It is acceptable," he said, because Jim was looking at him.
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A Flop
Jun 26, 2009 17:45:24 GMT -5
Post by James T. Kirk on Jun 26, 2009 17:45:24 GMT -5
Kirk, who had been watching avidly with hushed expectation on his face, now looked slightly crestfallen for a moment until he recovered. Why did he think forcing food on a Vulcan was a good idea? He'd just wanted... well, this was good, and he didn't see why any sentient creature wouldn't appreciate that. He knew better intellectually, but that wasn't good enough.
Anyway, now he felt like he'd intruded.
"Well. Maybe it's better suited to human taste buds," he said, and then continued so as to put it behind them. "The countryside we traveled in was decidedly not the French countryside, but another realm similar to Lorien but less civilized. The elves seemed able to manipulate their passage from one realm to the other, but had no comprehension of the sort of place I came from, or time travel."
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Spock
- Ingenious Pilot -
Apparently he's GQ?%\0\%
Posts: 142
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A Flop
Jun 26, 2009 18:25:23 GMT -5
Post by Spock on Jun 26, 2009 18:25:23 GMT -5
Spock continued to slice his fruit and put the spread on it. And eat them.
Even if there had been no point in ordering it, there was no point in letting it go to waste.
Spock was logical.
"Manipulate their passage?" Spock repeated. "Do you mean these realms were not physically adjacent? You mentioned previously that Lorien might not be physically situated in the way with which we are familiar. I suppose it could have to do with traversing universes, if that is what we are doing. What did you observe in the actual transition from our current surroundings into Lorien?"
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A Flop
Jun 26, 2009 18:45:18 GMT -5
Post by James T. Kirk on Jun 26, 2009 18:45:18 GMT -5
Kirk did not comment on Spock's continued use of the spread, but he continued eating his own breakfast with increased enjoyment.
"They were, but it seemed that magical--for lack of a better word--barriers had been put into place. Which, I suspect, is similar to the way Lorien exists outside Paris, but is not always reachable by those who don't know it's there. Without a tricorder, I had no way of examining the phenomenon's physical evidence. The experience of it feels natural enough; nothing's ever appeared suddenly before me. It's more as though with the right guide, the ways are there, and none others seem apparent."
((Gah, you're forcing me to make stuff up because I just don't remember and it wasn't well-written to begin with.))
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Spock
- Ingenious Pilot -
Apparently he's GQ?%\0\%
Posts: 142
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A Flop
Jun 26, 2009 19:20:26 GMT -5
Post by Spock on Jun 26, 2009 19:20:26 GMT -5
((Sorry...I really don't know how else to do this : o( But anyway Spock is quietly getting drunk so I doubt he'll continue in this vein much longer.))
Had Kirk asked, Spock would have been forced to admit the spread actually improved the quality of the meal. It was sweet in a different way than the fruit, less direct. He recognized the nutty flavor, but there were other tastes he couldn't identify, though he thought the smell was familiar. And the consistency was an apt contrast to the fruit. It would be similarly interesting on the bread. Spock was considering asking the waiter for more. For purposes of scientific observation.
Jim licked his utensil when he ate.
"Then passing into Lorien felt no different than approaching the Bates Motel?" Spock asked. "We saw no dramatic changes," he clarified, "and though the architecture was significantly more modern, the edifice did not seem out of place. Yet by the time we got there we seemed firmly ensconced in twentieth century technology."
There were a lot of things Spock was wondering about, like whether Figwit was clueless as to the outside world as well, and why they didn't pass out of their own land when Kirk so easily passed into it, and why Kirk passed into it, and how he had explained his presence there.
But for some reason it was difficult to prioritize his inquiries.
"You never said what kind of creatures you fought," Spock pointed out. "How did you fight them?"
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A Flop
Jun 26, 2009 19:45:39 GMT -5
Post by James T. Kirk on Jun 26, 2009 19:45:39 GMT -5
((No, it's my fault. I mean, I should have set it up differently from the beginning.))
"No different," Kirk confirmed. "Though in this case, the elves at least seemed to be aware of it, and conscious of the need to control the borders."
He noted that Spock was still eating the spread. Which was interesting, though it was possible he was merely being efficient. After all, they had little money. Or polite. Kirk didn't think it likely, though. He glanced sadly at his own demolished plate. Not because he was still hungry, it just seemed a shame.
"Oh, right. Well, the elves called them 'demons,' and I suppose they fit the mythical description. Primitive beings with some control over fire. Negotiation had proven utterly pointless, and they were massing on the borders. I and a small party ventured into their lands and, with no other alternative that I could see, introduced a poison into their water supply."
He sighed and spread his hands.
"I could wish it might have been handled otherwise, but they were nearly mindless creatures, with no capacity to make treaty or drive away."
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Spock
- Ingenious Pilot -
Apparently he's GQ?%\0\%
Posts: 142
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A Flop
Jun 26, 2009 22:16:06 GMT -5
Post by Spock on Jun 26, 2009 22:16:06 GMT -5
((Alright, resolved: it's no one's fault.))
Spock was having difficulty figuring out how to get the remainder of the spread on the remainder of the bread. There was such a small amount left that the knife could not scrape all of it out. Dipping the bread in the dish and using a swiping action could effect Spock's goal, but it seemed terribly uncouth. Yet it was hardly logical to let what was left go to waste.
"Do you require further nourishment?" Spock asked. Kirk was looking very sadly at his plate, and Spock thought that if the waiter was going to bring more food anyway it would only make sense to ask for additional spread.
"I wish it had been handled otherwise as well," he added. "No doubt these demons would prove fascinating to study. Because they are different," he explained, because a lot of times people seemed confused that he would profess interest in something destructive or dangerous. "Diversity is interesting," he further clarified. "Violence does not promote diversity."
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A Flop
Jun 26, 2009 23:20:21 GMT -5
Post by James T. Kirk on Jun 26, 2009 23:20:21 GMT -5
"No, no, I'm fine," he said with a sight. He didn't need more food, not really. And surely they'd be able to come back...
Kirk looked up from his plate to fix Spock with a speculative look. Not because he was surprised at any perceived insensitivity on Spock's part--that was Bones' job, and Kirk left him to it. No, it was because while Spock's words were logical, they were terribly... obvious. Although curiously Vulcan, the man's manner reminded him of something. Something he couldn't place quite yet.
"No, it doesn't," he agreed. "But neither does breathing fire. Are you quite all right, Mr. Spock?"
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Spock
- Ingenious Pilot -
Apparently he's GQ?%\0\%
Posts: 142
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A Flop
Jun 26, 2009 23:39:11 GMT -5
Post by Spock on Jun 26, 2009 23:39:11 GMT -5
"Fire breathing is diverse," Spock debated. Debate with Jim had proven useful and informative and fascinating in the past. "Not many beings breathe fire."
Spock considered Jim's question. It did not seem to be a very relevant question, but he thought about it anyway. And when he thought about it he realized that it might be relevant because actually, "I am quite well, Jim."
His voice was warmer than usual.
But it was still strange Kirk had asked. "Why do you ask?"
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A Flop
Jun 27, 2009 15:23:15 GMT -5
Post by James T. Kirk on Jun 27, 2009 15:23:15 GMT -5
Spock, Kirk realized, sounded well. Really, really well. Which was as much of a tipoff as anything could be. Spock should never sound that pleased. It was unnatural, and, under normal circumstances, would embarrass him.
Kirk did not think this Spock was sufficiently different from the other one to make this untrue. Maybe he'd really liked the spread. Maybe he'd really, really liked it, and was expressing his gratitude in this curious, unfocused manner. He forced away the sneaking suspicion that he really liked the way Spock was saying his name.
"Because I just thought of something. Are Vulcans allergic to anything?" he asked, because he knew something was wrong and it was good to rule out environmental factors. Who knew what was floating around in this world that might have an adverse effect on alien physiology?
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Spock
- Ingenious Pilot -
Apparently he's GQ?%\0\%
Posts: 142
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A Flop
Jun 27, 2009 17:00:29 GMT -5
Post by Spock on Jun 27, 2009 17:00:29 GMT -5
Spock thought Jim's questions were getting increasingly ridiculous. "Jim. Like most other species Vulcan allergies vary. Some are allergic to various plants and animals, and some are not. Captain Kirk--the other Captain Kirk was allergic to Doctor McCoy's vaccine.
"That's what we are discussing. Diversity. Not only among species. Among individuals. Do you think we are diverse among universes? You would never be so undigni--lacking in dignity as to have puffy hands. Not this one. This one is Jim."
Spock could hear his own words in his head. They sounded strangely--repetitive. Jim had asked whether he was well. Spock looked down at the empty--now very clean--dish. "There was chocolate in that spread."
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