[voice;; monday afternoon]

[barelydead]

Hi. [ _{he's not sure what to say, so he goes with regulation; he clears his throat, his tone going official.} ]

My name is James T. Kirk, and I'm Captain of the Federation starship USS Enterprise, [ _{he falters:} ] not that that... really matters here, I guess. [ _{a half-hearted attempt to return to sounding official:} ] I got here- "woke up" --roughly two nights ago, and, [ _{and it falls apart.} ] I've gotta say, for a city in the middle of what was reportedly a bountiful forest, I'm feeling underwhelmed by the cuisine here. Is there any place around here to get something good? I'll eat just about anything, I just [ _{he laughs quietly.} ] ...can't cook. I can hunt if I have to, but I'd rather go with someone until I learn the basic lay of the land.

Mm, and while I'm here, I need to get a job or something or I'm going to go insane, so if anyone needs a fully-trained starship captain...? I'm your man.

Thanks. [ _{awkwardly, because he's not sure how to end this transmission:} ] Kirk out.

Comments

[hypospraying]

What Dr. McCoy gets up to after his shift isn't my concern unless he's neglecting his well-being.

[In short: yes, probably, but I don't know how much he's told you, so I'm not saying more.]

[barelydead]

Okay, fair enough. [ _{that's an unspoken something is going on here.} ] I'll just have to ask him myself. [ _{that's an unspoken and I'm going to find out what it is.} ]

[hypospraying]

Of course. [With an unspoken: good luck there.] Have you found any places to get a meal yet?

[barelydead]

I've got a map to two markets and there're supposedly some pubs around here. I've been told repeatedly to learn how to cook, so I guess I can try my hand at that. Why, [ _{and his tone turns light hearted, like he's smiling.} ] lonely tonight? I'm free.

[hypospraying]

[On her end, she purses her lips, but when she speaks, it's light-hearted too.]

I was gonna offer, but I'm not sure I should invite a stranger into my apartment.

[barelydead]

Ooooph. That is cold, Nurse Chapel. Cold.

[hypospraying]

Says the man who doesn't even know my first name.

[barelydead]

Also cold. I totally know your first name.

[hypospraying]

You might know it, but you're trying to recall it now. Otherwise you would have just said it.

[At this point, she can't even muster more annoyance. It's turning into amusement to see if he can dig himself any deeper.]

C'mon, you get three guesses and you can't contact McCoy for help.

[barelydead]

..Fine. [ _{he thinks on this for a moment. if she listens carefully she might even hear the sheer force of will as he thinks.} ] C... Chapel. C something. It starts with a C, right? I'm not totally off base here, am I?

[hypospraying]

It does begin with a C, yes.

[barelydead]

See, I'm not that bad.

[ _{he makes a little humming noise as he thinks.} ]

Hmmm. Hm hm hm. I'm getting something kind of on the nose but I'm not sure why. Cathy? Cathy Chapel?

[hypospraying]

No, not Cathy.

[She smiles to herself. He's really determined to get this. Unsurprising, given his track record of no win scenarios and all that.]

[barelydead]

You're right, that doesn't make any sense anyways.

[ _{a long, silent pause.} ]

....Caaarol? Carol Chapel. ..Thaaat's not right either, is it.

[hypospraying]

Definitely not right.

[barelydead]

Okay, I've got this. Seriously. Watch this.

[ _{he starts mumbling to himself:} ] C. C Chapel. On the nose. Chr... Chapel. Christian? Sistine? That doesn't even start with a C. Chri-

[ _loudly: ] Christine! It's Christine, right? [ _{that note of desperation is indeed there.} ]

[hypospraying]

[She rolls her eyes. Well there goes the fun of holding that over his head.]

It is.

[barelydead]

[ _{enjoy the noises of him jumping and whooping in the background.} ]

See? I totally remembered you. [ _{can you hear that smile, Christine? because he's beaming up a storm over here.} ] Whew! Scared me there.

[hypospraying]

What did you think I was going to do if you didn't remember? Sedate you?

[barelydead]

Well, yeah. Hypospray me somewhere, at least.

[hypospraying]

I think I'll leave that to Dr. McCoy. He's such an expert.

[barelydead]

You have no idea.

[hypospraying]

I work alongside the man; I've heard the yelps of pain. So I can safely say I have some idea.

Anyway, I'll send you directions to my apartment if you want dinner tonight.

[barelydead]

Until he's given you a series of bad reactions, I'm not sure you can full appreciate his evil genius.

[ _{a pause.} ]

Are you inviting me to your quarters, Nurse Chapel? [ _{he sounds amused.} ] I'd be honored to accept.

[hypospraying]

[She ignores that bit of teasing.]

Fine. I'll send it soon. Tonight at seven?