poly_chromatic | [ 015 ]

Entry tags:

dexter - isaak sirko

[ 015 ]

[ 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.]

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[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.

[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?

[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.]

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.]

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.]

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?

I thought that I was naturally trustworthy.

[He actually... looks a little sad. Maybe he's coming down from his buzz.]

"Large" is highly subjective. She is crewed by four-hundred to four-hundred thirty people.

You are, but you cannot assume your audience knows it. And authoritative, that wants work. The foundations are there. Well-reasoned arguments and the preparation to demolish all objections will take you far.

[He pours a shot for himself, and leaves the bottle on the bar between them, in case Pavel is not quite done. Isaak has had very little to drink tonight, for all the free liquor flowing.]

Do you dock often, on your voyages? When you travel, where are you travelling?

[New people now and then, he thinks, would be helpful, particularly as he's been in the habit lately of enjoying the kindnesses of strangers. And if he were to run a bar he'd want the opportunity to restock now and then. The logistics, certainly, are hard to gauge, but he has always been flexible. He'd be remiss not to consider the pros and cons, though.]

I'm too cute to be authoritative. [He drinks and doesn't reach for more. Chekov would like to remain clear-headed, for the most part.] But I will remember this when I work on my debating skills.

Often? No. We will dock at the nearest station if a major repair must be done, or if a Federation presence is needed, or if we require supplies. Shore leave is irregular. Sometimes we are allowed off the ship at stations for several days, if no planets suitable for recreation are found. Usually ships remain near enough to Earth for schedules to be certain, but the Enterprise will be going on a five-year exploratory mission. Uncharted space, mostly, but not so far away from Federation space that we would be unable to reach a station if necessary.

[Pavel doesn't even know what Isaak's fishing for, so he's throwing out everything that crosses his mind. His thoughts aren't terribly organized. Most of his mental effort was channeled into his prepared arguments.]

[At least the lad knows his strengths and weaknesses.]

I suppose that's sensible. Your pursuits are primarily scientific? Peaceful.

[It is, perhaps, less than ideal. But then, it's not as if the odds have always been in his favour, and he's done well enough and more. He's always prided himself on that.

And if worst came to worst, really, how different could it be in Kiev? (Assuming Kiev exists. Possibly he ought to ask, but the point is, he could carve out a space of his own. Probably even do it legally, aside from Chekov's assistance with papers and whatever else.]

Peaceful, yes, in theory. There are hostilities between the Federation and other powers--the Klingon Empire, primarily--and fighting is sometimes inevitable. My captain is unusually good at finding fights. But on the planets we find and observe, we are entirely scientific and peaceful. [Unless the planet fights back.]

[He arches an eyebrow.]

It sounds as though you propose to take me to a war zone.

[Mock-shocked, he's really mostly amused. He's also curious to see how long it will take Chekov to realize he's made a decision.]

[Nope, he's still trying to sell his world. Too busy to notice things like decision making.]

A warzone? No! Ah--not technically. We will be in neutral space, I only feel it is polite to warn you of the captain's ability to find trouble.

And here I'd thought you were aiming to keep me out of trouble.

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[ 015 ]

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time typo, oops?

pfft, i wouldn't have noticed ;3

<3

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