poly_chromatic | [video | memory theater]

[ The memory kicks in with Jim and Leonard in their cadet uniforms, the latter trying to get through to his distracted friend. There's a sense of needing to be active and occupied until he takes the Kobayashi Maru test again tomorrow, higher stakes pitted on his side this time; his feet lead him to Gaila's room where he wastes some time before Nyota Uhura returns ("You can hear me breathing?") and kicks him out.

The scene flickers to the set of the Kobayashi Maru, Spock's old program, and from Jim's perspective he's being more attentive than he looks where he's lounging in the captain's chair. The subroutine goes as planned while he holds off inputting any more commands, thereby activating it via newly installed pathways through Gaila's stolen codes, and he munches cheerily on an apple as he swans around his bewildered fake crew, chomping loudly and obnoxiously as he glances up to the instructors above.

Third time's a charm, he thinks smugly, taking a bigger bite. ]

( OOC: Jim's memories are broadcasting of the Kobayashi Maru, an exam at Starfleet Academy. It runs at 29:32-33:11 on the nosvideo link, not including the hearing after. If the HD link doesn't work, try this! Jim is unaware of the post at the time of it hitting the network. )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[There are rarely ever "fair fights".]

As was I.

[There is a long pause. He isn't sure whether to rejoice in their occasional similarities or bemoan them. They're opposite numbers, meant to balance each other out. When Jim does something stupid it's up to Spock to act as the anchor, not recklessly encourage him, and vice versa. Nowadays the lines blur, sometimes. Perhaps he is like Spock Prime is more than simply the superficial sense.]

[ He waits a long moment where he watches Spock, taking that answer into consideration. ]

It's good they're keeping the test. As much as I didn't like it, there's a lesson in it that I think everyone who sits in the command chair ought to consider. Not everything's ... easy. You'd think it is from all the way at the top, that you're freer, but there are more walls around you than anyone else.

And that a captain cannot cheat death.

[Something flickers in Spock's eyes, and he looks away for a brief moment, composing himself. They haven't talked about what happened, down in the engine room. He and Scotty have, they took a while to get through it, but this Jim - he hasn't, and Spock has to give him time before he's ready to talk. In fact, he doesn't even think McCoy's through it with this Jim yet, which is worrying.]

[ He waits for a long moment where Spock turns away, then inhales and sighs to reply levelly with his attention fixed on Spock. There's a lot he wants to say but he's damned well not doing it over a viewscreen, not on this subject. ]

I'm cooking dinner later. [ It doesn't even try to be a subtle segue, more of a roadblock into a completely different direction. ] Steamed vegetables. You wanna help?

[That snaps him back to attention, and he raises a questioning eyebrow.]

I was unaware you were attempting to cook. You should not do so unsupervised.