[ 015 ]

[defies_reason]

[ VOICE ]

All things must end, good and bad alike, and I am of the opinion that there are very few things which are wholly one or the other.  

I've enjoyed my holiday here, all in all.  

Whether you've a mind to celebrate or to mourn, I invite you to stop by the Wolf's Den this evening.  As I can't take it with me, it seems fitting to clear the place out.  The effective end of the world seems an appropriate occasion for a party. 

Those who remain are welcome to fight over its bones, once I've gone.  



[ OPEN ACTION || MINGLE || PARTY AT THE END OF THE WORLD ]

[There are no decorations, there is not time for that, and really, that sort of frill has never been Isaak's style.  The place is lively, though; music is playing, people are mingling.  

The prospect of an open bar always brings people out of the woodwork, and really, who wants to be alone at a moment like this?]

---

[ooc: WHATEVER THE WORLD NEEDS MORE PARTY LOGS RIGHT?  This is a big ol' mingle, I'm turning off notifs but will give Isaak a thread below. Feel free to tag as you will for as long as you like to backdate last-minute party shenanigans. Whether you know Isaak or not. I WILL MISS YOU POLY.] 

Comments

Isaak @ the bar

[defies_reason]

[Nearly eleven months past, Isaak held a party to celebrate his bar's opening; it's bittersweet to celebrate its closing so soon, but he intends to make the most of it. He has never been terribly sentimental, but by habit he's quite sociable and if he's honest, he doesn't much want to dwell on his return trip home.

So he's making the rounds, chatting and drinking and enjoying his last hours here as best he can, not quite king in his castle as he was when the Wolf's Den first open, but still carrying himself with an easy sense of authority.

[thewildone]

[Curt is drinking a drink with a tiny umbrella. Actually, Curt is drinking a drink with several tiny umbrellas, and there is a tiny umbrella in his hair and if anyone looks down, several stuck in the eyelets of his shoes, because Curt has been stealing all of the tiny umbrellas tonight, for no particular reason. He's not totally sure if he's celebrating or not--it's not like he wanted to be trapped in the City forever, but he's not sure if he really wants to go home either. He's only been back in the City for such a short time. Well, he'll make the best of the time that's left and part of that is checking out the gay bar, and everyone in it. Hey.]

[defies_reason]

[Well hey there.]

Making an enthusiastic effort, I see.

[thewildone]

It's the last night I'll be here. I feel like it should be a memorable one since this time I'll actually be able to remember when I leave.

[Curt pauses to think for a second.]

So I guess I should try to make sure I actually am able to remember it in the morning.

[defies_reason]

You've not gone too far for that already?

[He gestures, with absolutely no disapproval, at the umbrellas. All of the umbrellas. That's a lot, Curt, you can understand how he might get the wrong idea.]

[thewildone]

[Curt cocks his head to the side for a second and then grins.]

I didn't actually drink this many drinks.

[defies_reason]

Ah. Using up the garnish.

[He shrugs, easy and amused.]

Just as well.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

[He hadn't seen any point in being at the casino, though he knows some of his employees are still there, halfheartedly trying to run the place. That's why he's come down to the Wolf's Den instead, maybe just looking for alcohol, maybe looking for conversation. As much as he wants to go home, there's something to be said for some of the people in this place -- that's as complimentary as he's likely to get.

When he spots Isaak, of course, he nods at him.]

Quite a few people showed up, I see.

[defies_reason]

Even at the end of the world, people appreciate a bargain.

[Maybe a bit rueful, but really, he doesn't mind. Isaak would rather everyone leave on a pleased and mildly drunk note than hoard his wares for some lucky native to inherit by default. Not that he bears any ill will toward the proper Cityzenry; but it seems only right. Besides, the City and its colourful play money have never been anything but pleasing diversions.]

No luck enticing gamblers tonight?

[recognize_an_opportunity]

And especially at the end of the world, people feel the need to get intoxicated.

[He's not getting drunk himself, just having a few drinks, enough to unwind, not enough to do anything stupid. No use exiting the City on a sour note.]

I'm sure I could have, but I'll be home enticing gamblers soon enough.

[defies_reason]

You're welcome to a bottle, if you can find one not yet opened. Something top-shelf. To remember the City by.

[Teasing, teasing. You're young, Meyer; you'll go far in the world.]

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Oh, I think I'll remember the City well enough without the aid of liquor, but a nice bottle of something top-shelf might fetch a tidy profit at home.

[Always thinking about money, even now.]

Are you going back home?

[defies_reason]

That's what I meant.

[Isaak would never suggest anything out of pure sentiment, least of all for himself. He knows enough to know Meyer could use a bottle of some quality. He's enough of a snob about such things to make suggestions, too, but really that's its own strange sort of fondness.]

I hadn't thought of it, really. I expect I may as well, unless I find a more appealing option. [He shrugs. Cool as a cucumber to the bitter end.]. What are you planning?

[candothat]

[When Chekov comes by the bar that evening--and why wouldn't he! there isn't a place in Federation space where strangers are so nice to him!--he approaches Isaak and launches into a speech. There is no preamble.]

Okay, I have given this a good deal of thought, and I would like you to come to my home. It won't be pleasant, not at first, since I left after the ship was crashed into a city, but it will be chaotic enough that no one would notice you. Also, I believe it would be better than your home, where you have very few options, and I would prefer that you not return to a world where your death is imminent. Anyway, there will be an extended shore leave while the Enterprise is being repaired, and I think then there are two things you might do.

The first is to start a new life in 2249, and I would help you with that. I can create an identity--child's play, I have done it before, but please never tell my superiors--even say that you are an uncle from the Ukraine, one of the areas where they have not embraced modern technology, and so no one would find it odd if you are unfamiliar with the credit system and all of that. I know that you are very capable and I believe that you could be happy and successful in the future, and that you wouldn't need me there to help after your initial arrival, which is good because I am meant to go on a five-year mission.

Or, the second, I can introduce you to my captain. Again, I would create an identity for you, same thing, and claim that you are an uncle however many times removed from my father's side of the family. That would barely be a lie, even, because I have family in the Ukraine that I have never met. We would need to collaborate on a more detailed background, should anyone ask. But I can introduce you to my captain, and perhaps suggest that the crew's morale might be enhanced by an onboard recreational facility that serves alcohol, and I there is a good chance that he would agree, particularly because I am sure you would be able to pass any tests Starfleet would require of you. A psychological evaluation, a brief test of your fighting abilities--standard protocol. Are you opposed to space travel? Death is a possibility, also. That shouldn't be so unusual for you. You would also need to get along with the crew, but again, you would be good at that, so I'm not concerned.

[He pauses to give Isaak an expectant look.]

What do you think? I have other scenarios and arguments, if you would like them.

[defies_reason]

[Of course Pavel has come; Isaak was expecting him to come. For all his infinite flexibility, for all that most things roll off Isaak like water from a duck's back, he would have been disappointed if the young man hadn't. It is, perhaps, the only goodbye he feels the need to say. That isn't to imply that Isaak will not miss anyone else-- he truly has enjoyed the City and its people-- but no one else here is close enough to count as family. It's funny, because Isaak has never been so close to his family; but then, he's of the opinion that blood is no more a necessity for it than it is a guarantor.

He opens his mouth for a greeting but shuts it when the young man begins to talk, and stays nearly silent through the speech. (Nearly. he can't restrain himself, he barks a laugh at please never tell my superiors. And when the speech runs its course he looks at Chekov for a long moment, in that infuriatingly unreadable, cool-eyed manner he has. He's tempted to say yes, merely to time Chekov's presentation in its entirety, but really, neither of them have that much time to waste, now.]

Did you sleep at all last night, Pavel?

time typo, oops?

[candothat]

[There are many people in the City that Chekov is reluctant to say goodbye to, but a lifetime of moving from one place or university or continent has made him rather good at it. He's also sensible enough to know that most people he would rather not say goodbye to wouldn't fare particularly well in the year 2259 and that they wouldn't be allowed to go on the Enterprise's upcoming five-year mission. But there is one person in the City who would likely do better in the future than in his own world, and Pavel is determined to convince Isaak to come with him. Yes, perhaps it's selfish, but he's also sensible!

He ignores any laughter, as this is a Very Important Topic and he prepared extensively for it. No interruptions. Pavel is somewhat dismayed by Isaak's entirely unhelpful reply.]

No, but who has time for sleep? We can all sleep when we leave here.

[Maybe he should get a coffee instead of an alcoholic drink. Maybe he should ask Isaak to slip some crack into a shot of vodka.]

pfft, i wouldn't have noticed ;3

[defies_reason]

Hmmn.

[He's laughing with you, Pasha, never at you. Near you, at any rate. It's delight, not derision.]

Understandable, given the circumstances, but a miscalculation. Arguments depend upon their delivery, and wild-eyed exhaustion is rarely as convincing as you'd expect.

[As he speaks, calmly, he steps around the bar and pours Chekov a shot.]

<3

[candothat]

But I'm very awake! [He's been mainlining coffee!] I can deliver my argument differently, if you think it would be more effect--oh, thank you.

[A shot was much needed.]

[defies_reason]

Awake and well-rested are not interchangeable. Persuasion is more than a matter of logic; it's important to foster the correct image. To seem trustworthy, authoritative.

[Isaak once talked a man into falsely confessing to a crime and taking his own life; not that he'll mention that to Pavel.]

Does your ship have a large crew?

[majorcrotchgrab]

[After a round of cheer up sex with Nathan, Raikov feels much better going out and socializing. And he has to go see his other-husband before they're all forced to leave.

After ordering a straight glass of vodka, he wanders around in search of Isaak, and once he finds him, he struts over and gives him a kiss on the cheek]

Hello, Izya.

[defies_reason]

[He smirks at that, and wraps an arm fondly around the other man's shoulder.]

Van'ka, you'll make my staff think I've a heart and then what shall I do?

[majorcrotchgrab]

Tell them it's only for me.

[He grins and leans against him]

Even if we were married for only a day.

[defies_reason]

Greedy,

[he chides, though there's nothing remotely chiding in the tone, really.]

I thought we made a good go of it, for a day. Fantastic parents as well.

[majorcrotchgrab]

I know.

[Raikov smiles]

We did. I quite enjoyed myself.

[defies_reason]

I'm glad I was a satisfactory husband.