open—

[itio]

Who: James T. Kirk & anyone!
What: A few open prompts, feat. the fog, Kirk's journal, his growing beard, etc.
When: Month of April
Where: Milton, mostly outside and the Community Hall

Content Warnings: None for the moment, but will edit if need be.

— the fog
— downtime at the community hall

Comments

— the fog

[itio]

[ Jim is never going to complain about the cold again. No matter how rough it was when he first got here, whatever's happening right now is so much worse.

It's bad enough that the temperatures drop; but to add to that, there's a dark, thick fog that barely lets him see a thing when he looks out the window. It would be great if he could just hole himself up near a fire, but as it is, he can't do that. First of all, they do kind of need wood to keep a fire going and he needs to get that from somewhere— and secondly, food is also a basic necessity. That and, well, the fact that there could be people in actual need of help and he's of absolutely no use locked up inside the house.

So, whenever it looks like the weather's easing up on them, Jim will take that opportunity to venture outside. His destination will more often than not be the Community Hall, but he may be headed elsewhere in search of supplies. He's not going far either way, but whatever reprieve he thought he'd get from the fog and the blizzards is short-lived, as about halfway to his destination he starts to feel it.

Shortness of breath, dizziness. Each inhale becomes more and more labored, and as his clothes get damp from the fog, it feels as though it actually hurts. It's not long before he's trudging instead of walking, his pace slowed down considerably, and his destination seems farther and farther away, no matter how hard he tries to move forward.

A hand would be great right about now. He'd love not to die out here. ]

[salamanca]

[ Then a hand he'll get! The hand that grips him around the waist warm, and steady, but a little too strong and firm, like the person it belongs to is used to grabbing people and holding them steady, but not so much supporting them in a gentle way. A body slides up underneath him, propping Jim's arm up over its shoulders to give him more support.

Lalo hates, hates, hates the chilliness of the fog. He's grateful everyday for the fire that lives inside him now. It helps keep him warm. He doesn't know what he'd do without it. With every loud crunch of his boots falling into the icy snow, Lalo is reminded that this isn't his home, or even like it, and he's left once again mentally cursing the Canadian landscape.

Who invented Canada, anyway?

The thick fog making it hard to see makes it even worse. Lalo feels the sting of ice crystals on his skin, sees the gray haze right in front of him making it hard to see more than few steps in front of his face.

Despite this, he's jovial when he speaks up. ]

Hey there! You look lost. Where were you headed? The Community Hall? Me too! Let's go.

[ Well, if Jim wasn't going to the Community Hall, he is now! It seems like the safest place for him, and besides, it's where Lalo was going, so it's where they're both going now! ]

[itio]

[ Strong works. Strong is great right now, because Jim's pretty sure he couldn't stand on his own right now. What strength he has left, though, he uses to cling to the man's shoulders, doing his best to put one foot in front of the other so he's just not a useless weight for the other guy to carry on his own.

And yes, he's absolutely fine with going to the Community Hall, regardless of where his original destination was. Anywhere that he isn't breathless and nearly passing out will work out great for him.

So, he nods and lets the man lead the way, keeping up next to him to the best of his ability. He might just stumble here or there, the snow slowing him down more than he'd like and the fog making it hard for him to see much of anything in his path, but at least he doesn't fall flat on his face or bring the guy down with him.

He does all but collapse against the door to the Community Hall as soon as they get there, gasping for breath at this point. As soon as Lalo gets that door open, Jim is going to fall on his ass. ]

[salamanca]

[ Lalo stops to fan himself with a hand the second they make their way into the Community Hall, only to immediately laugh out loud when he sees Jim fall flat on his ass.

He does appreciate, at least, that Jim tried to carry his own weight as much as he could. It's respectable. The kind of thing that makes a good first impression, at least on Lalo.

But the sight in front of him is still hilarious. ]

Easy, now. [ Lalo is still laughing, despite the gasping for breath. He takes off his coat and his scarf while he watches Jim on the floor, amusedly, but he does drop down and kneel next to Jim, watching him to see if the gasping improves. ]

You gonna be okay, man? I can help lift to a couch if you want! [ He does, of course, wait to see if the gasping improves before expecting an answer. ]

[itio]

[ He's struggling a little once they're inside, but for the most part, he feels relief. He can draw a breath without feeling it like he's been shot in the chest (he would know), he just needs a moment to recover from the effort he's had to make out there to get here.

Lalo's laughter draws his attention, though, and it ends up getting a chuckle from him, even though it dissolves into a bit of coughing. And yes, he's still with his back to the floor through all that. ]

I think I can manage that.

[ His voice is a little rough and he's still coughing occasionally, but at least he's not struggling for air anymore. He sits up, a bit more of a struggle to get to his feet, but he manages that too, leaning against the nearest wall for support. ]

Well. Let's never do that again.

sorry for the delay!! and sorry for no html, on phone...

[salamanca]

[ Lalo feels a level of relief he wasn't expecting when Kirk seems to be able to get his bearings. Truthfully, Lalo's impressed by how well he's able to handle himself after almost dying like that. His kind of guy, in Lalo's estimation. Lalo loves people with no sense of self-preservation who push themselves past their limits.

He laughs out loud at Kirk's joke. ]

Too bad. I was going to pencil us in for Tuesday.

[ Wink!!! ;)

Lalo reaches out to guide Kirk away from the wall, gently escorting him to one of the couches. ]

I'll get you something to drink. Here. Sit. My name is Lalo, by the way. It's my pleasure to meet you.

no problem!

[itio]

[ That gets a laugh from Jim, which naturally makes it all the harder for him to breathe again. He winces and starts coughing again, holding a hand up to Lalo. Could you please not. ]

Very— funny, pal.

[ He'll take the help, though, leaning a little on Lalo as he's guided to the nearest couch. He sits with some relief, already working to take off some of his outer layers, still damp from the fog. ]

Jim. Believe me, feeling's mutual.

[salamanca]

[ Lalo is delighted by that reaction, pleased Jim thinks he's funny, even if it does result in Jim wheezing. But he stops, letting Jim catch his breath.

Once Jim is settled, Lalo will fetch him a cup of water. Lalo isn't really the "nursemaid" type, to say the least, but he's taken care of Tuco after enough benders to at least be able to do this much. And unlike Tuco, Lalo isn't worried that Jim is immediately going to try to get back up to do something else stupid.

Then he drops onto the couch beside Jim, and feels his body sag into the couch with a soft, "Whew!" The muscles are surprisingly achy. Lalo's not used to that. He's used to doing whatever he wants without much physical consequences.

He turns to Jim a friendly smile. ]

I don't think I've seen you around before, Jim. So! What's your story?

[itio]

[ Right now, he would have very much welcomed something other than water, but he won't turn away the gesture. It's helpful and kind, and in a survival scenario, that's a really good sign. He wouldn't have been surprised if this whole place ended up being more of an 'every man for himself' kind of deal.

Thankfully it isn't. Jim wouldn't have lasted a week on his own.

Scarf, gloves and thick coat are all resting by the edge of the couch, and he looks visibly less breathless. Still, his voice is a bit rough as he takes the water. ]

Thanks.

[ He takes a small, careful sip, then another, and finally a more decent gulp. Careful, so he won't choke on it and start coughing again. ]

Well— [ He sighs, thinking about where to even start. ] I'm from mid-23rd century, I was born on a starship and I've lived the vast majority of my life aboard one ship or another. I'm a Captain now. Or, you know— I was, before I came here. That... tends to consume most of my time, so I guess that was mostly what my life was.

[solitarysoul]

[Levi is also on his to the hall when he runs into Jim. He, too, assumed it would be safe to be outside for a bit. The scarf wound over his mouth and nose's effect is negligible, but faring a bit better due to his Free Runner feat, though. He doesn't notice Jim until he's practically on top of the man.]

Oh! Uh...

[He offers a hand to the other man.]

I can help, if you want. Where are you going?

[itio]

[ Feels like nowhere outside is safe, right now. Plus, Jim has absolutely no extraordinary abilities to help with the conditions. Still, he couldn't just be stuck in the house and wait until this passed, so here he is. Doing something (probably) stupid. ]

Hall, [ He utters, the word hard to get out when each breath is a struggle. He winces, feeling the pain down to his core, immediately reaching for the offered hand in relief. ]

[solitarysoul]

I can get us to there.

[He helps Jim up, then unwinds his scarf and offers it.]

This doesn't do much, but it might help a bit.

[itio]

[ He hesitates to accept, mostly because if he's wearing it, then what about Levi? But he's struggling too much to do anything but take it, wrapping it over his own mouth. It does help a little.

He'll try not to lean too heavily on Levi during the trek back to the Community Hall. The fog's thick enough that he can't really see where they're going, so he'll trust Levi in leading the way, mostly focused on putting one foot in front of the other, and trying to limit how much air he breathes in. ]

[solitarysoul]

[Levi would have insisted if Jim resisted too much, so its best he took it. He puts an arm around Jim's waist and leads him towards the Hall. Slower than he'd like, but he doesn't think Jim can go very fast and he certainly can't carry the man there.]

[itio]

[ He's moving as fast as he can, but he knows better than to push himself too hard and end up just being a burden for Levi to deal with. It's enough help that Levi offers some support, and knows the way back to the Hall because he would have probably walked in circles until he passed out at this point.

Eventually they're on the track down the street to the Hall, and Jim can at least make out the outline of the buildings. He squints, trying to recognize the one they're headed to, and once they're close enough he'll pick up pace, push himself to the limit now that they're so close. ]

[solitarysoul]

[Levi does his best to split the difference between 'can't move too fast because unwell' and 'if we don't get inside soon things will get worse. He silent as they move, keeping most of his attention on the path back to the hall and checking just in case they got detoured somehow. But it was a pretty straight shot from where he found Jim, so they should get back easily enough. He'll hold the door open for Jim when they get there.]

[itio]

[ Jim all but stumbles through the door as soon as Levi opens it for him. He's just going to lean into the nearest wall, panting heavily for breath, just glad that he managed not to pass out on the way. ]

Thanks. [ He manages eventually, though his breathing's still quick and his heart's still racing. ]

— the fog 2.0

[chuju]

[ If the current pattern holds, there will be more people arriving soon. How many or exactly when is a mystery, but since the first recorded group, there have been newcomers every two months, and it's something she fully expects will continue until they figure out how to stop whatever is bringing them here and preventing them from leaving.

Which means they need to be prepared. Others seem to have long since gathered up clothing from the abandoned houses, but the houses themselves are what interest Daisy most. She doesn't have the skills necessary to make most of the small repairs needed for the buildings in the best condition, but she's doing what she can to catalog the state of the buildings and what might be salvageable from the houses that are too far gone to be lived in.

So that's her current mission, horrible fog be damned. The problem comes when she turns down a street she hasn't fully mapped yet, her feet struggling to find the sidewalk as the cold dampness thickens around her. Pulling a grey scarf out from inside her coat and wrapping it over her mouth and nose, it does little to help as she stumbles down the street. She needs to get inside for a while and catch her breath, but without her powers, she's as blind as everyone else out here. ]

Shit.

[itio]

[ A hand comes literally out of nowhere, wrapping around her elbow and giving it a tug. It's not hard, just enough to draw her attention, and once she turns around, Jim will be close enough to her that she should be able to recognize him, even with his winter coat zipped up to his face, hoodie over his head, scarf wrapped tight around his mouth. ]

What are you doing out here? Are you crazy?!

[ Pot, kettle, et cetera. They can bicker later. For now he nudges for her to follow, while he motions down the street. ]

Indoors. Let's go!

[chuju]

[ He's lucky he didn't grab her harder or he would have gotten a fist to the face when her fight-or-flight reflexes kicked in. As it is, she turns and recognizes him instantly, those eyes and that voice helping to calm her racing heart a little. Only a little though, because her wheezing struggle to breathe is trying to keep her pulse ratcheted way up from where it's supposed to be. ]

I'm crazy? [ Her words are thin and strained, but she follows in the direction he indicates, trusting him more than just about anyone else here to help get them both somewhere safe. ] What about you?

[ Yes, the bulk of the bickering can happen once they're securely indoors, but she just has to get her two cents in now. It's simply the way she is. ]

[itio]

[ To be fair, at least part of him was ready for her to react poorly to the approach. A punch to the face wouldn't have been a complete surprise. Still, it's good that it doesn't go that far. ]

We need food, don't we? [ He's not just carrying an empty backpack, okay. Shut up Daisy, he's totally in the right here.

He's just going to go ahead and lead them down the street, through the haze of the fog that's sticking to their clothes and headed to the nearest empty building. It's not their place, but at least it should offer some shelter while they can wait for the weather to let up just a little. ]

[chuju]

[ Okay, so needing food isn't something she can argue with. They can try to try to keep a few days' worth of supplies in the house, but with everything so limited in the town, it's better to keep things centralized for better management. No hoarding food, only taking what you really need... But while she can't argue, she can still complain! ]

God, I miss Postmates.

[ But that's all she can manage before a cough settles in, the damn fog feeling as if it is literally pulling the air from her lungs. That's probably an overly dramatic representation of the sensation, but she's allowed to be a little dramatic when fog is trying to kill them. ]

[itio]

[ Jim doesn't say anything else, already feeling breathless from his time outside, and the fog is now coming down a lot heavier on them. The first house he finds that's at least standing, he guides them towards it, pushing the door open with his shoulder and urging them both inside.

Once in there, door closed, he just leans with his back against the wall. There's some damage to this house, but at least there's no fog creeping in, which allows him a moment to recover his breath. Eventually, he manages to speak, and the first words he gets out are— ]

What's Postmates?

[chuju]

[ Daisy pulls her scarf down when they reach the safety of the house, tugging at the layers of fabric around her neck and chest as she alternates pulling in gulps of air and coughing. It takes a moment for the fog's effect to dissipate, but when it does, she manages a laugh at the question. Of course, he wouldn't understand the reference. She's tried to remember to offer explanations when she uses things in conversation he might not have context for, but sometimes she forgets in the moment. ]

Sorry. It's a food delivery service for when you're feeling lazy and don't want to cook or leave home to pick something up. You can order from just about anywhere and someone brings it to your door.

[itio]

[ He knows he's a broken record sometimes. Even if people here were from the same point in time as he is, he knows the chances would be incredibly slim that they'd come from the same reality. Sure, he's consummed some old media, knows a few things from what he's absorbed through movies and books, but so much is lost on him. He feels like he's spent most of his time here asking people what this or that is.

Daisy always takes it in stride, though. She's been good to have around in that regard, explaining new things, teaching him references he otherwise wouldn't. Doesn't help him feel any less like a fish out of water, but still. ]

Oh. We don't have anything like that in my world. But we do have replicators. [ Which, let's be real, is far more useful and efficient. ] Consider yourself lucky we have a means to actually cook here.