( open ) is this the place we used to love

[winscenario]

who: Jim Kirk & YOU!
what: yet another memory share post to add to the pile (sorry guys)
when: 9th - 23rd
where: wherever you like
warnings: death (his own and other people), possibly some violence. nothing too terribly intense or graphic. will update if need be!


I ▹ DREAMSCAPE

[ It's warm. It's too warm, even, the sun shining down on your head, making sweat form rapidly across skin. There's very little that offers shade too— everything is a vast wide open field, dried foliage and nothingness all around. There's an old and neglected barn not too far off, a tree well in the distance, and a beaten path that doesn't seem like it's used too often.

You'll recognize Jim, standing just to the side, eyes on that road. A car is coming in at some speed, gradually closer as it approaches the barn.

He's not really expecting company, not here of all places. What is there to see, anyway, in the middle of nowhere, Iowa? Hands in his pockets, he looks a little resigned, a little wistful, trying very hard for it not to come off as nostalgic as he turns around to greet whoever's just walked into his dream. ]

This isn't going to be terribly exciting, I'm afraid.

II ▹ VISION

[ The first few visions aren't clear or telling at all, but they are intense, loud, explosive. Sounds of people yelling, gunfire, the heat of minor explosions, the pain of broken glass piercing skin. You could swear you can feel your heart beat rapidly in your chest, a sense of panic and dread, then a deep, piercing grief you can't quite pinpoint or explain.

Eventually, the memory reveals itself completely. It starts with an attack, evidently a set-up, which comes to explain most of the feelings, the sense of fear, the rush of adrenaline. The grief, however, is only explained later, when you experience the rest of the memory. You don't know the dying man, but for a moment, it feels like you do. It feels like you love him greatly, and the loss comes with a strange sense of regret for things left unsaid. ]

III ▹ VISION

[ This particular memory starts revealing itself with an unusual physical manifestation: pain. Or the memory of it, anyway. Wherever you are, there's a sudden, intense ache, there and gone in a moment, though it leaves your heart racing, your breath coming a little short. Panic comes soon after, and without knowing how to explain it, you find yourself terrified. Before you experience the memory in its entirety, you suddenly are sure of one thing: you're going to die.

But it's not until you experience the whole memory that you understand, that those sensations are explained, as well as the glimpses of the Vulcan whom you don't think you know, so much as feel you recognize. This memory is intense for a whole other set of reasons. It's quiet for the most part, but your heart beats too loudly, your breath comes out too ragged. You feel at a loss, cold, and completely alone. And it's terrifying to the last second, until your sight blurs and dissolves into pitch black. ]

IV ▹ DREAMSCAPE

[ You come to on a ship. It looks a little worn and like it shouldn't be able to withstand flight, and yet here it is, going at an impressive speed across space. Scarier than that, though, is what can be seen on the view screen: thousands and thousands of small vessels, working in perfect coordination, taking a shape of sorts as they seemingly prepare to attack.

Among the very small crew on the bridge, there's a perfect reflection of Jim sitting in the captain's chair, fingers curling tight into the armrest. They all seem completely unaware of both your presence, and the only one who makes a note of you being there is the other Jim, in casual clothes and hair a little longer, glancing between you and the scene as he takes a moment to piece together what's happening here. ]

The swarm ships are doubling back, they are forming an attack wave, sir. [ Chekov warns the captain, to which he answers promptly, like the commands were keyed in already, just waiting for the right time. ]

We've got their attention. [ More of a murmur than anything, then— ] Hold steady, Mr. Sulu. Brace yourselves, everybody. Spock, stand by to drop out of formation. Scotty, you all cued up back there?

[ Scotty, bent over a console, nods. ] Aye, sir!

[ The Jim standing next to you smiles a little, raising his eyebrows and tipping his head. ] We should listen to my advice. This ride's about to get bumpy.

[ ooc: if you'd like any other specific memories from any of the movies, feel free to let me know and I can write a starter for you! ]

Comments

[winscenario]

Yes, unfortunately it is. [ Of course that Jim's talking and thinking about personal sacrifice, not hurting or killing others for the greater good. It's different for them; different lives, different worlds. Starfleet's principles are too different in that aspect, and when it comes to that, Jim so happens to think the same way as them. ]

Funny thing is, those stasis pods were considered ancient technology at my point in time. About two hundred years old. They were invented when space travel was expected to take years, decades or even more, and people would spend most of their journeys in those pods. It's obsolete now, with warp technology in use. We can cross the same distance in a matter of days, or sometimes even less than that.

[evasives]

[cassian includes himself in that sacrifice. he did give himself up, for the greater good. it was the least he could do after all the lives he took in the name of the same cause.]

We travel through hyperspace to cross those large distances. Most trips only take a few days at most.

I suppose we should thank your technological fore-bearers for creating something so sustainable. I hope it was a one time experience. [death, he means being injured enough for a pseudo-death.]

[winscenario]

Same. I mean, we call it subspace where I'm from, but from what I understand so far, it's more or less the same thing.

[ With some variations, likely more scientific differences than Jim can explain. He's not entirely ignorant, but he's also not Scotty or Spock. They'd know the specifications a lot better than him, so they'd be better at establishing a comparison. ]

So do I, honestly. [ But he won't discard the chance that he'll be faced with that same choice time and again. And to him, it's simple: if it means saving lives, he's not going to choose his own safety over other people's, no matter the cost. Even if that means not being as lucky the next time. ]

[evasives]

It does make me wonder what else it may be called, in other universes [hyperspace, subspace, all of it involves space. he assumes most versions of space would work similarly enough that it doesn't really matter what they're called. space travel, ayyy.]

These flashes and dreams are inconvenient for all parties, and none of us owe any kind of explanation, but thank you for giving yours.

[he's glad to know jim's not actually dead, ok. he's a good person, he doesn't deserve that.]

[winscenario]

Well, it's space, so it's all pretty amazing, no matter where. That's all I care about. [ Jim's a space nerd fanboy, no surprise there. ]

Not at all. It wasn't the most pleasant experience, but I don't mind talking about it. With people I get along with, anyway.

[ It's not a matter of him deserving it or not, really. Bad things happen to good people all the time, and life isn't always fair in that regard. He just happens to be exceptionally lucky. ]

[evasives]

I don't know. Some planets are not as enjoyable as others. [is he being serious or just poking fun, it is a mystery.mp3.]

[it's with a belated realization that cassian himself is filed under 'with people I get along with.' it makes sense, of course, because they do get along, but is this... is this friendship?? is that how it works????] Better to have someone you know see than a complete stranger, I suppose.

[winscenario]

I find that there's always something to like. If nothing else then at least the fact that I get to know and learn about a new place.

[ Maybe he's just hopelessly (and annoyingly) optimistic. But he does like being able to look at just about anything and find something good about it— even if it seems nigh impossible at times. ]

Depends on who it is that I know. [ But with Cassian, no, he doesn't mind. Whether or not Cassian expected or asked for it, he's now a friend in Jim's books. (Sorry buddy.) ] Anyway, we should finish up and head out. Unless you feel like being grounded the rest of the day.

[evasives]

[that makes you a nerd, jim.] No wonder you were captain of a ship like the Enterprise.

[it's like ship and man were made for each other, honestly.]

[cassian shakes his head. it's enough that jim was made aware of what he's seen, they even spoke about it. he's not going to pry anymore, and he got all the answers he'd hoped for. jim's not dead. good.] No. I am quite ready to get a move on.

[winscenario]

[ Fine whatever!!! He likes being a nerd anyway. ] Well, I wouldn't want to be her captain if she weren't an exploratory vessel. Perfect for going out there, meeting new places and new people.

[ Jim nods at Cassian's agreement, finishing up his work on the panel before closing it up, then making his way towards the pilot seats. ] Alright, then! Let's see if we can get this baby up in the air.