audio;

[candothat]

[Chekov has been maintaining radio silence since the fifteenth. The rampant alcohol-induced misery in the City, however, prompts a network post.]

Celebrations yesterday, vomiting in the streets today. It feels like the first of January.

My father has told me many ways to cure a hangover--some of the ways are ridiculous--so I will share his better suggestions. Drink pickle brine; the potassium, magnesium, and electrolytes will help. Mineral water is good, too, as is kvass, but I don't know there to find that in the City. If these don't help, jump into a very cold body of water. The cold should be enough of a distraction to make you forget your other miseries.

[There's an uncertain pause.]

Also, I have a question.

I realize that, normally, actions taken during curses are to be forgiven. What if a cursed action is encouraged or preceded by uncursed actions? Say--and this is only an example--two friends have an argument, and that becomes a fight. Maybe the fight is somewhat violent, but not so bad until the curse takes hold and one of the participants does something extreme. When uncursed and cursed are close like that, how do you know where one turns into the other? Is there a time when a cursed action is not forgivable?

[He clears his throat. It's a troubling topic, which is why he feels a need to end on an entirely different note.]

Pickle brine for hangovers. Remember that. You heard it from a Russian, and a Russian never lies about these things.

Comments

[defies_reason]

There's a difference between forgiveness and trust, I think.

[candothat]

So I can forgive without trusting.

[This is a foreign concept. Give him a moment.]

I have never had to do that.

[defies_reason]

[Isaak's disinclined to do either. But he's familiar with the concept.]

Well, someone you trust shouldn't do anything you'd need to forgive, perhaps. But this place tends to bend rules.

[candothat]

I don't like it here.

[It sounds muffled. That would be because Chekov has faceplanted on his desk.]

[defies_reason]

Justifiable, but I doubt it's helpful.

Are you too hung over to have a drink?

[candothat]

Unfortunately, I haven't done anything to deserve a hangover. Not yet.

[defies_reason]

Then you're hardly in the right state to make this sort of decision.

[candothat]

Is this an invitation?

[defies_reason]

If you're amenable.

[candothat]

Always, if my keepers are also amenable.

[Not that Uhura and Lucy have been fussing. Nooo.]

[defies_reason]

Well, as long as they'll permit it.

[candothat]

Where should I meet you?

[defies_reason]

Same place as last time?

[Because nothing says trust issues like not announcing in public where you're going to be. And I can't remember any bar names right now.]

[candothat]

Very well.

[And to a less-frequented not-the-Blue-Light bar they go! Isaak will have to hurry to beat Chekov there.]

[defies_reason]

[Perhaps, or perhaps he'll merely arrive fashionably late, folding his sunglasses into his pocket as he heads for whatever seat Chekov has claimed.]

[candothat]

[Ever fashionable, sir. The teenager's claimed a spot by the wall, facing the door. Maybe it's out of respect for Isaak's preferences; maybe he's working on being less trusting. Whichever is the case, he already has a drink in hand.]

Isaak, hello.

[defies_reason]

[Someone else might be sad to see a young man's naïveté so abused; Isaak's disinclined to be so sentimental, in part because he'd rather see Chekov do what will keep him safest, in part because he rather expects the young man to bounce back, in time.]

Pavel, [he answers, amiable if not quite cheerful, slipping into his seat.] You look as if you've had better days.

[candothat]

[And bounce back he will, although he may be more cautious in the future. No one who knows him would regret a little extra caution on his part.]

I've had worse, as well. I had the experience of dying. [Said as if he's mentioning the weather. Minimizing things makes them easier to deal with, and Isaak won't make a fuss like Uhura or Lucy.]

[defies_reason]

[He won't make a fuss. He might contemplate murder on principle, but it's difficult to feel quite as compelled to avenge someone you're having a calm conversation with.

He arches an eyebrow.]

That does sound unpleasant.

[Do you want to talk about it, Chekov? He won't make you.]

[candothat]

Yes. I hope to repeat the experience only once more.

[And his drink has refilled itself. It's amazing what kind of high-quality service an establishment will offer if you drop a rainbow of coins in front of the bartender. Isaak will even find himself being offered a drink of his choosing.]

How are you?

[defies_reason]

One death is inevitable,

[he murmurs before ordering. Hearing about the... Peculiarities... Of mortality in this place is a little different from seeing it first hand.]

Intact and not hung over, [he answers, shrugging.] I've been busy getting everything in order for the bar.

[candothat]

[Yeah, well. Chekov finds it all rather strange himself.]

Is everything in order? Have you located a venue?

[defies_reason]

[He nods. If a distraction is better, this is an excellent topic.]

By early April at the latest, I expect, we ought to be ready to open.

[candothat]

Good. I'm glad that all is in order.

[Ugh, not distracting enough. Chekov sets his (now empty) glass down with an indignant clink.]

Isaak, do you have any idea what I have lived through? I have lived through the wraith of a time-traveling Romulan, the destruction of a planet, singularities, and I can't count how many curses, and how did I die? A friend stabbed me. That is stupid.

[Is that another shot? Yes? Good. Down it goes.]

[defies_reason]

[While Chekov speaks-- one might say rants, but under the circumstances certainly that's not unreasonable-- Isaak listens calmly, thoughtful. He sips his drink as the younger man takes his shot before answering.]

Skill and luck will take you quite a long ways, and I'm certain you've both in spades, but when it comes down to it-- physically speaking-- it takes very little to kill a man.

[Perhaps it's best not to wonder how he'd know.]

Do you believe your friend would have done the same, had there not been a curse?