tushanshu | video »

[ The vouchers on offer have been put to good use. Witness one Vulcan wrapped up in a couple of high-neck, long-sleeved sweaters where he sits in front of the screen. There's no way of regulating the temperature as accurately as he could on the Enterprise, so the curtains are also drawn to stave off the encroaching cold and, in the comfort of his own abode, he's donned a thick cardigan that looks like a customized blanket. ~~Winter, nngh.~~ So while Spock looks a lot fluffier, his tone is just as businesslike as usual. ]

Many of the foreign recipes I am familiar with have little bearing on the available ingredients in the market and as such may not be employed here. I would be grateful for suggestions on supplemental dishes and am willing to provide recompense for any assistance provided. On a different note, if there are any individuals with an inclination toward telepathy, I am curious as to whether any of them know where it would be most opportune to try and establish a meld with the turtle. That said, they would be welcome to participate in a psychic foray being made. I was told that this has never been attempted by a great number of minds and find the unexplored concept fascinating.

I am familiar with the weight of a great many consciousnesses and amenable to hosting temporary mental immersion with others.

[ In other words, Spock is happy to be the Red Ranger in a group setting where other minds might need to rely on him for direction or support. He goes on, lifting a hand-written stack of notes off his lap. ]

Ellie, I have compiled more information concerning space and attached a short questionnaire to serve as your homework. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to collect your personalized astronomy file.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

What are your misgivings?

[ Clearly things would be better worked out if all the factors were unveiled. ]

[He tips his head down, scratches the nail of his index finger through his eyebrow.]

There's some stuff I don't want you to see. It's not that I don't trust you, you know I do. But I like my privacy.

[In some ways, it's almost like running into the same wall Spock and Kyle did. Spock knows him better than Jim does in return, it's... weird, somehow. It feels like Jim's barely had any time at all to acquaint himself with the idea of being actually considered a friend. When he's from, he's still pretty convinced Spock didn't even know the meaning of the word.

Jim's always known they'd get there, there was too much in the Prime version's mind to do anything but. Some people, some-- souls, he guesses (although he has to resist the urge to roll his eyes at the cheesy term) are just naturally drawn together, they share a mutual gravity.

But the evidence of Spock's affection is here, plain and bright, and Jim... doesn't know how to adjust to it. It's like being on an active offensive line that's been too long at war only to find the defense of the opposing side has decided to throw a tea party and invite you in. Where he used to have to apply pressure to elicit a response, the response is now given freely, with a depth of expression he's not even sure how to quantify.

It's exhilarating. It's terrifying. It feels like he's been given something precious, but it's too fine or delicate for his clumsy hands and all he can do is hold it and hope it doesn't break.

He licks his lips.]

Yeah. Okay. Let's do it.

[He's never stopped leaping. But he's started looking sometimes, now, and there's nothing wrong with that.]

[ Spock nods to the comment about respecting privacy. He understands that completely, especially as the idea of having someone in his head again — even less frequently than T'Pring — isn't something he wants to enter into lightly. The only reason he offered to entertain the connection in the first place was the sheer overload damaging Jim's mind. ]

I should explain it in greater detail. Would you like me to send you a written document to peruse at your leisure or tell you in person?

[ Just as Jim isn't sure how to approach their friendship, Spock is learning here to restrict his approach just enough that it doesn't make his captain uncomfortable. Jim's situation is unique, one that cannot be treated with anything but delicacy and forethought wherever necessary. Invading his brain definitely counts. ]

Naw, no point. I learn best by doing.

[Besides he's been along for the ride before, when they raided the Gorn Lieutenant's mind. He can figure it out.]

Jim, you would be party to my — thoughts. [ Emotions. ] I would need to teach you to hold your own mental wards in place, once we were connected. I can do much to help, but not all. You may want to finish any work beforehand as it could be days before you grow accustomed to sharing your mind.

[ If there's a warning out there left to give, he serves it up readily, not about to let Jim go into this completely blind. ]

May I remind you, I have never attempted this with a human before.

My wards are fine.

[It's an easy, confident assurance.]

I've been using the Dreaming for a couple months now, it requires a lot of mental discipline to keep your mind from bleeding over into whoever you're doing it with. I'll be okay. And you'll do great.

[ He really doesn't like the sound of this 'Dreaming' but far be it from Spock to overcompensate for Jim when his captain forges ahead. ]

Very well. I will ease the strain of the undue mental pressures you have been under since your arrival, that will suffice for the time being. We ought to perform the bond in private. [ Because of Reasons. ] Where would you feel most comfortable?

Look, it's not-- as bad as you're making it out to be, all right?

[He's had time to recover now, and Jim always has bounced back with remarkable alacrity. He doesn't want Spock to go in there expecting a wasteland when it's more... like a plain recovering after a drought. To use a metaphor.]

Hell. I don't know. Your place?

You agreed that the Archive violated your mind. In any case, you are human and should not be undergoing any psychic imbalance. As you are and will likely persist to do so in these extenuating circumstances — [ because he knows you ] — I feel it is necessary to maintain a level of professionalism. It is an area of expertise of mine.

[ Not unkindly, he adds, ] Come when you are ready.

I think we can agree no one is meant to have five thousand years of information crammed into their head. But I know a few people who've had to deal with... similar things, who knew how to help.

[He waves a hand dismissively. Mountains, mole hills.]

I'll be there in about half an hour.

I will be expecting you. Spock out.

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video | fleet encryption; private

video | fleet encryption; private

video | fleet encryption; private

video | fleet encryption; private

video | fleet encryption; private

video | fleet encryption; private

video | fleet encryption; private

video | fleet encryption; private

video | fleet encryption; private

video | fleet encryption; private

video | fleet encryption; private