poly_chromatic | commander's log 003

[ today has chakotay not yet asleep. this is hardly much of a surprise considering what's been going on lately. it isn't affecting him as badly as some people, but the way everyone's been reacting to it is definitely setting his nerves on edge. so that's why he's decided to make this hopefully encouraging transmission. ]

I know a lot has been happening lately. It seems like most of the City is cursed or seeing things that otherwise might not be real. I know it seems difficult. But we'll get through this. If [ his understanding of ancient earth culture ] memory serves and this place follows some of the rules, this sort of thing shouldn't last much longer. All we need to do is--

[ guess who just walked out of his room and into the apartment's living room to see... his captain... reading a physics book. ]

...Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you have a doctorate in quantum physics?

Quantum Cosmology, but it's all relatively within the same field. [ people familiar with her will recognize the voice of kathryn janeway. ]

Then why are you reading a physics book?

I'm not. I'm correcting it. [ they can't see it, but she's holding up a red marker she's been going to town with on the poor outdated textbook. ] The science of the time is, well... painfully behind.

[ well that's new. ] I guess there are worse ways to spend your time.

I thought about trying out a few recipes, but suspected there might be a round of protests.

Only a few, I would think. If you feel like entertaining me with how you've corrected your physics book, I'll make dinner. [ if you people listening think he's grinning, he totally is. his voice is entirely amused. ]

You always make dinner.

[ he chuckles in amusement at that. ] Let me finish this and we can argue about dinner.

[ all he receives in response to that is a warm laugh, because they both know if there's an argument to be had, she'll emerge the victor. in return, he turns back to his communication to finish it. ]

As I was saying, I believe we can all make it through whatever curse is happening this month. We just need to do it together. Find people you can trust or whose company you enjoy and talk about the good things you can remember. We'll make it through this. Just keep that in mind.

[ and that's it. he's turning off the phone so he can "argue" with kathryn about dinner and her book. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It was more of an observation!

It's not your observation to make.

Yeah, but observations are sort of like opinions and everyone knows what those are like.

Seriously though, I didn't mean anything bad by it. There's nothing wrong with loosening up a little and having fun.

I assure you, there is in my line of work. And I would appreciate it if you would refrain from any more observations about me in the future.

Except that there's work and there's play. It's okay for there to be a separation. You just have to put work face back on when it's work time.

Unfortunately, I don't have that luxury. For someone of my high rank and position, it's always work time.

Okay, you're probably going to get pissed at me for saying this but...you don't have a rank and position here. You're trapped like the rest of us. I get that your whole life was that back home. I even get that it had to be that back home, but you've got a new life here and maybe living it will give you some perspective that'll make you better at your job back home when you do get back home. You know?

It's like going to college. It opens up a whole new world with new experiences, new perspectives and new points of view. It makes you a better person and it makes you appreciate everything and everyone a little more. I know you probably went to college for a long time, but consider this a different sort of learning experience. Knowledge is power. Never stop learning. Yadda Yadda?

[ he wasn't really going to say anything, especially not with kathryn within earshot, but she'd just taken that moment to get up and leave the room, so he's taking the opportunity to jump in here. ]

I appreciate what you're trying to do here, but Kathryn doesn't respond well to pressure.

Oh. I'm not trying to pressure her though, just trying to get her to think about it, you know? I'll xnay on the pep talk though.

You two really are adorable.

[ that sound right there? that was the door shutting as kathryn left the apartment. he's sure she heard every word. ]

I know, but Kathryn hasn't... [ WHAT IS HIS LIFE ] She hasn't had reason to for a long time and once she pushes back like she is, the more you try to get her to think about it, the more she'll do the opposite. She's stubborn that way.

[ no. nope. not going there sob, especially since he may or may not suspect what she's going off to do. ]

I really am sorry if I made things worse for you. That wasn't my intention.

[ can you hear the sad smile in his tone, lucy? because it's totally there. ]

It was already worse to begin with. She'll come around one day.

[ and by "come around" he means deal with it and move on. he doubts she'll ever give him what he wants. ]

She's one of the most complicated people I've ever met.

And adjusting here isn't easy. I get that. I think everyone gets that. This place is really hard and it hurts, a lot. It's easier if you let people in, you know?

[ Lucy smiles softly at Chakotay. ]

She's lucky that she has you.

I think life is easier if you do, but some people don't subscribe to that way of thinking.

[ his life, lucy. you have no idea. there's really nothing he can say to that that won't completely give away how he feels, so he just... leaves it at that, even though he really does appreciate her words. ]

Okay. Well if you need anyone to talk to, I don't do half bad with the listening part of things.

I appreciate your offer. I'll keep it in mind.

[ He was going to stay silent, but. ]

Lucy, right? I'm Jim, Chekov's captain. [ More to the point; ] If you've got a spare moment sometime, I'd like to have a chat with you. What do you say?

[ There are some tips that might help her, and his perspective is a lot more personable than Kathryn's sometimes. That and the other captain isn't disposed to show patience or willing here whereas Jim really feels some of those points Lucy brought up need to be addressed. ]

Oh! You're...he talks about you. [ She nods. ] I'm all for chatting. There could be coffee with the chatting.

There could! We'll have to do that, remind me if I forget. I just wanted to say Hi, I'll catch you later.

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