[video]

[candothat]

[The video starts with a shot of a car that, to those who know (or knew) Dean Winchester, will look very familiar. It's impeccably polished, gleaming even in the waning daylight.]

I now have a car.

[He sits down in front of the bumper (a move indicated by some very careless camera work) before rearranging the camera so that it points towards him. Chekov is, mercifully, wearing clothes. Fairly nondescript clothes, but clothes nonetheless.]

I cleaned her very well today, although she may get dusty when I drive her back home... after midnight, I think. [Because there's nothing more awkward than spending the day with your 19th century girlfriend when she's naked.]

Before you ask, yes, I am old enough to drive and yes, I can operate a vehicle like this. I have a license to pilot anything as large as a military shuttlecraft, and that is not so maneuverable. The Impala is the first ground vehicle I have piloted outside of a simulator and, although I know very little about vehicles as old as she is, I think that she handles well. Maybe she would be better off with Sulu--he has many hobbies, and twentieth century cars must be one of them--but I will be careful with her.

I am trying to decide which is better: driving or riding a horse. Driving is simpler, but when I knew how to ride a horse, that was more exciting. Horses are easier to find, also. I have been visiting the barn where they live to talk to them--the horses. The brown one stabled there is a good listener.

[His somewhat pensive and subdued mood (not a normal mood for Chekov) becomes very serious as he jumps to a new topic.]

What I also mean to say today is that no one else that I know is allowed to leave the City without telling me, not even if you leave a car for me.

[He knows just as well as anyone else that no one can control when and how they leave, but it's a nice, empty threat to end the video on.]

Comments

[candothat]

You dislike machines? [HOW DO YOU FUNCTION.] I mostly talk to them because it is slightly more acceptable to talk to inanimate objects than myself.

Also, it seems polite.

[primrosella]

I don't know how you could possibly hear yourself over all the--clanking and the grinding and the gears...

[Bearing in mind her definition of "machines" is more along the lines of "clockwork gadgets" than anything near modern. It's an uncanny valley of sorts.]

And I don't think there's anything so wrong with talking to oneself, either. Goodness knows I do it all the time.

[candothat]

They are? You must have very different machines. The ones that I know of are quiet, mostly. Even the starships are quiet. The Enterprise is so quiet that, when I am alone, I can tell what warp she is at or if she is operating on impulse power just by listening.

[That such machines exist in other worlds only rarely occurs to Chekov. He tends to take twenty-third century for granted and assumes everyone knows what he's talking about.]

No? And you do? I have been told that it is only bad if you start answering yourself or addressing yourself, and I sometimes do that. That is normal?

[primrosella]

Quiet? Goodness, I don't think I've ever heard of one that was quiet before. They're almost always loud and awful.

Well, I answer myself sometimes, too, so it can't be so very strange. It's a good way of working things out, sometimes, talking to oneself that way. My father does it, too.

[candothat]

You have not met the right machines, maybe.

Miss Rosella, you seem very sane and clever, and so your father must also be. That, at least, is proof that not everyone who can have a conversation alone is abnormal or mad, which is what some claim.

[primrosella]

I'm sure that's likely true.

[Considering she hasn't met one she's liked yet.]

Really, I think you're quite the same yourself, and if talking to machines and horses is something you like to do, then so be it and no one ought to say a word about it, but I also don't think you should have to use them as an excuse just to talk to yourself, either. There's certainly nothing wrong with it, and oftentimes it's good conversation anyway!

[candothat]

You would like the dermal regenerator, I think. It buzzes slightly, but it is useful.

[Bless you, Rosella, for being the first person ever to not think Chekov is just a little bit weird for talking to everything.]

The unfortunate thing about conversations with myself is that I always know what I am going to say, but yes, thank you. That is very kind to say.

[primrosella]

The--pardon, I'm sorry, what?

[WHAT WITCHERY IS THIS, CHEKOV?]

Oh, but, er--that is, you asked about the horses, and it really would be a great help to me if you'd like to look after Siroc a bit. I'd be happy to show you how to take care of him, and if he's willing to let you ride I could show you that as well. I think you'd best let me do Valor's looking-after, though, since he can be a bit particular about that, and rather stubborn with people he doesn't like.

[candothat]

[He enunciates more carefully, as if that will somehow help.] The dermal regenerator. It diagnoses injuries and heals more superficial wounds.

I would help, yes, and I would like to learn how to care for Siroc appropriately. And you would teach me, truly?

[primrosella]

And it's a machine, that does that?

[She is clearly still incredulous, although perhaps not altogether unreceptive to the idea the longer the conversation wears on.]

Of course, if you think you'd like that. I'd be more than happy to, really.

[candothat]

Yes, it is. Starfleet officers would be covered in scars without regenerators.

[Perhaps Rosella will have to see one in action. Not all technology has to be evil.]

I would, of course! Like to, is what I mean, both caring for Siroc and learning how to ride, if that is not problematic.

[primrosella]

I see. Er...I think I see, at least. But that does sound rather fantastic, then, doesn't it?

And if that's what you'd like, then that's just what we'll do, the both of them.

[candothat]

It is! I am lucky that Doctor McCoy was brought into the City with one in his medkit.

I would like that, Rosella, thank you!