poly_chromatic | [video]

[The video opens to--well, not much of anything. It's night; the stars are visible, and Chekov's face is lit by the dim glow of his network device. He's remarkably subdued, but he typically does only pause to make network posts when he's in a low or contemplative mood.]

For anyone who has not heard already and knew them, Lena and Asami are no longer in the City. I did not know Asami as well as I wish I might have, but Lena was a good friend. At least she will be happy to be home... she did not like being in the City.

[And changing topics. No one wants to dwell on the negative.]

I have two questions. First, does anyone know how the ship on the side of the mountain came to be where it is? I went inside of it, but there was nothing informative there and most of it was, I think, inaccessible. It looks to me like a spacecraft. I have heard stories in the City of aliens and creatures coming from beyond the barriers, but nothing related to a ship like this.

My second question is this: is it common to experience memory loss in the City? If not, should I be concerned? My medical knowledge is very limited, but if there is something wrong with my brain, I would like to know. It is, after all, the most important thing that I have.

[He ends the feed with a forced smile.]

[ooc: Picture is not IC, just there for your reference.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

So what kind of memory loss are we talking about?

[Big sis is worried]

[He's just going to look up at the beautiful, stupid, insensible stars to ensure that Uhura doesn't notice how bothered he is by the memory thing.]

Three hours' worth of time. I was in the forest and then I was across the City in the park three hours later.

Could it be some kind of curse?

If it is, I have not heard of anyone else being affected by it.

We should get you to a doctor.

You think so?

[He's tempted to protest just because he has managed to avoid seeing a doctor--McCoy doesn't count--since coming to the City in spite of some of the stupid things he has done. Uhura is, however, immensely sensible, and wouldn't suggest it if she didn't think it was a good course of action. Still...]

I was wondering if, maybe, this is something residual from trading memories away. The deities are good at returning memories, but their methods of extracting information are unknown.

[She frowns]

Trading memories away?

[Oh. Oh. That was one of those things that he had neglected to mention for a reason. Maybe if he plays it down...]

Ay, yes. It was only temporary, and the trades were good.

[Big sis frown deepens. How much trouble had he gotten into in those seven months before she arrived?]

What were you trading for?

[A lot. He needs adult supervision.]

Lives. I will not apologize for making these trades because it was the right thing to do.

[Oh honey, she wouldn't ask you to. She's Starfleet -- she gets it. Somehow she resists the urge to pet his curls.]

Maybe it is, but we won't know until you see a doctor.

[He should know that Uhura would understand. Chekov chances leaning against her ever so slightly. It's a horrible breach of protocol, but protocol has no place in the City and human contact is a comforting thing.]

Then I will do that.

[Uhura wraps her arm around his shoulder. Out here, far from their homes, friends, families, Uhura doesn't two shits about protocol. The Prime Directive is the only tenent that really matters, and even that doesn't matter here.]

I'm going to hold you to that.

[That's unexpected; Chekov didn't think that Uhura was given to tactile displays. Even after two months in the City, he still knows very little about her. This, however, makes her more approachable--a friend instead of a superior.]

You could make it an order.

I'm not your superior office here, Chekov. I can't order you to do anything

[She thinks about that]

I'm going to regret saying that one day. I can definitely order you to do something, but I'm not going to. Just...take care of yourself, all right?

I will try not to abuse the lack of a chain of command.

[Well, if she's not his superior officer, she must be his friend, and friends are okay with hugging and he would kind of like a hug. He hugs her carefully; nothing ventured, nothing gained.]

Thank you.

[He's cute and innocent and his hands aren't going anywhere; the hug is welcomed.]

You're welcome.

[video]

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