[OKAY BUT LIKE, look on the bright side: Kirk already told him not to do the salute if he couldn't do it properly, so he will NOT be committing alien racism today at the VERY least?!??!?!
But... sure, civilized. Travis was really hoping Kirk would've smoothed the news over somewhat-- diplomat and all. No such luck, he supposes. Travis meets Spock's gaze and stiffly gets to his feet.]
It's, uh. Nice to meet you...?
[Is he expecting a handshake? God help him, he doesn't do formal, but he's already pissed them off bad enough for a single day, so he'd better at least attempt. He awkwardly sticks out a hand.]
[ No ta'al is formed to greet Travis, not when he makes the only partially correct assumption that he will not appreciate its significance. This man does, after all, know at least something about their culture or the nature of their mission, even if the method of that transfer of knowledge is still dubious to Spock at best.
His gaze lowers to a vulgar splaying of naked fingers before he looks away again, eyes locked on his, standing up straighter. Shunned. ]
That is acceptable. We may now proceed. [ Standing up, staring at each other, as uncomfortably as possible. ]
I would ask what knowledge you possess of me and my crew. [ you weird deviant ]
[Well, damn. Travis' hand goes limp in the air, his expression visibly confused, before it falls right back down to his side. At least he doesn't have to endure job interview-level pleasantries any longer.]
Everything I told Captain Kirk is everything I know. [His brows knit together: for you, Spock, he'll try to take this seriously.] In my world, it's the year 2019-- there was a popular TV show about your mission on the Enterprise that originally ran in the 1960s. It's really well known. Most people are familiar with your crew's names and faces, at least. I've seen a little bit of the show, but it's been a long time, so I don't remember all that many details. I thought the tribble thing was pretty funny when I was like, 10.
[That's a lot to take in, so Travis pauses.]
I swear I don't know your credit card numbers or classified Starfleet secrets or whatever... Scout's honor. [He was never a scout but STILL.]
It lends credence to a story that would stand out in its absurdity if the Vulcan subjected to it didn't lead such an absurd life. After all, the explanation could be relatively simple.
An alien presence could've observed the events of their mission, traveled back in time, created or manipulated beings to match their images, and mind-controlled them into scripting, acting out, and producing the show to which Travis refers. Relatively elementary in execution, if complex in potential motive. ]
I see, and I do believe you. I assume it is from Earth that you hail? I would be most interested to hear how this television show influenced your world, if at all.
[ Better to take this shit in stride than to panic. More logical... but still, the thought that an alien has been watching them is a little problematic. Is it still watching them? He hasn't ruled out the possibility that all of this is some grand illusion, either, but that's not much more appealing. ]
[What's sad is that by Travis' world's standards, that IS still a pretty reasonable explanation.
But that was... a pretty easy sell. Easier than he thought, even. Spock's supposed to be the logical one, right? Travis was expecting to have to pull out way more proof for that one. It's much less work since he believed him, though, so he won't complain about it.]
Yeah, exactly right. As for the influence... [He scratches his head a little. Don't make him think about history!] I dunno how much you know about American history, but the Civil Rights Movement was happening around the same time your show came out. If I'm remembering it right, it was a big thing that your crew was really diverse, and that the writers tackled a lot of tough topics-- especially during the 1960s.
But I haven't taken a history class in like, 20 years, so I can't give you that much more'n that.
He continues to watch Travis impassively, saying nothing as he attempts to teach his new Vulcan compatriot about the Civil Rights Movement. Fascinating. ]
Your President Eisenhower in fact signed the Civil Rights Act into law in 1957, though the desegregation of your public school systems followed the Brown vs Board of Education case in 1954. However, if I remember correctly there were many similar landmark events and protests which indeed led into the 1960s and beyond them.
Humans have long since moved past such prejudices as are based upon race. We may entertain the possibility that a more evolved society is what was meant to be shown to the humanity of that distant era. [ In stark violation, however, to the Prime Directive. Exceedingly troubling. ]
I must ask: is this information that you intend to spread freely?
[FINE, so maybe he fell asleep in junior year history one too many times, whatever. He got close enough. Travis listens, looking somewhat miffed, until Spock comes to a stop on that last question.]
No, 'course not. I'm not gonna go spilling all your secrets on the network or--
[Wait, wait, back up. Travis frowns, wracking his brain over one last thing:]
Hold up. Are you saying somebody put Star Trek on the air when they did so we'd stop being racist? And, uh, whatever other -ists?
[ He raises a pacifying hand. One thing at a time, sir. ]
It was necessary that I ask. I meant no offense. [ First of all. ]
As for this fledgling theory, it is only that. I cannot say with certainty one way or the other, but it would seem a logical conclusion. If you have any further speculation on the topic I would be interested to hear it.
I find it unlikely that such a spectacular series of events would be accidental.
[He thinks back on his whole ~video game quest~ with a furrowed brow. Badman bursting into his place to murder him aside, all of this had started because of that one fateful meeting that'd gotten the ball rolling:]
I did meet some guys a few months back. Red Ribbon and Bruno-something-or-other. They knew to flag me down on that exact stretch of highway, what guy I needed to meet, and where I needed to go to meet him.
[This is starting to get really, really freaky.]
Guess all the 'observer' and 'special point' stuff they were spouting wasn't just a load of crap.
these two should never have met, they're too powerful 1/2
You speak unclearly and without properly contextualized intent. I will attempt to extrapolate your point.
You too have experienced encounters with people possessing advanced awareness of your personal situation which they should not have had. You are not commenting on my circumstances or theory specifically but are instead submitting that you also may be experiencing outside observation of your actions.
Do you believe the same entity is behind both events?
For what effect? If you require notes I encourage you to take them yourself. I am willing to relay the information to you at a later time but we will be more effective if we work in concert.
[THIS CONVERSATION HAS NOT EVEN LASTED 15 MINUTES AND HE IS SO TIRED]
Jesus. [Travis rubs his temples, squeezing his eyes shut and stupidly flapping his hand, as if to brush the previous line of conversation away.] Okay, I'm gonna just take two steps back. Let me start over.
Yes, someone out there definitely knows too much about me. Maybe it's the same entity who knew too much about you-- and the Enterprise-- and put your life on my world's airwaves all those years ago. I couldn't say, but it's definitely weird, and even weirder that we both showed up on this planet.
However, it would be more expeditious if you would simply confirm my assessment rather than reiterate it. [ I just said all of this, okay, in much more confusing and unhelpful and patronizing language, how was I not clear. ]
I agree with your conclusion that this world may have some level of involvement in our respective situations. It appears to be a nexus of some kind, and any entity with access to such a point of connection would logically then be able to travel through its connected branches to your universe or to mine.
[He's not gonna risk having to bust out the thesaurus for an argument. NOT WORTH IT.]
Didn't they mention when we arrived that this has happened before? Like, before our cohort of new folks? Not sure where these come in [here, he flashes the coin-sized red gem on the back of his hand] but maybe they've been jumping world to world for a while?
The most likely options are that they are necessitated by this form of reality itself and thus our introduction into the universe was mitigated by their addition, or indeed that they were purposefully placed by the same entity which we have discussed. If the latter, we may assume the creature originates from this place.
Why else would it seek to benefit it by outfitting us with the means to stabilize this world?
[ He turns his own hand, a perfect emerald gem located in nearly the exact same place as Travis's. Besties for life. ]
[All this cosmic shit is far, FAR beyond him, but Spock's theories-- once the Vulcan-to-idiot translator kicks in, at least-- do make a degree of sense. Or enough that Travis won't argue about it. He nods in knowing agreement.]
That makes sense to me. My money's on some god we haven't seen directly yet, I doubt Malachite has it in 'em when they're so new...
[hey, they're twinsies!!!]
Uh. I could eat. [Why the fuck not. This might as well happen.] You got anywhere in mind?
Though I do not take umbrage at the usage of the word "god", I believe it to be inaccurate in this case. Nevertheless, I see your logic in utilizing the local nomenclature and do, in fact, agree with you.
[ The longest and most painful agreement ever but we are progressing leaps and bounds past where we started, which can only be great. ]
As for food, I do not. I have eaten only once since our arrival here and the distance of that restaurant from our present location makes it an unattractive option. I merely presumed you would benefit from continuing our conversation in a more natural setting. [ You look like you get enthusiastic about food in a way I do not understand. ]
Guess we'll have to just learn more once we meet more of whatever these 'gods' are.
[He's even starting to get the hang of parsing Spock-speak! BESTIES FOR LIFE.]
Just once? Damn, you're missing out. [He is, of course, dead on. Not even Spock could stop him from getting excited about food.] There's some good places we could walk to from here-- I'll lead the way.
[ An eyebrow quirks, though this time not with an impenetrable air of judgement. ]
Indeed. [ RANK UP
But now this newfound respect is in potential jeopardy as Travis is choosing where they will be lunching. All that remains is for Spock to trust him to choose something healthy, ethically and recently sourced, and vegan. ]
There are neon lights shaped into chickens in the windows. A chicken decal on the door. They are selling chicken-themed merchandise behind the counter. It smells... of chicken.
They enter as he stares at the side of Travis's head, not looking away even as they're shown to a table with a chicken-themed light fixture. What a novelty. It is fascinating that the chicken has retained its title and place of importance even in this society, Spock thinks, adjusting the egg-shaped salt and pepper shakers. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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But... sure, civilized. Travis was really hoping Kirk would've smoothed the news over somewhat-- diplomat and all. No such luck, he supposes. Travis meets Spock's gaze and stiffly gets to his feet.]
It's, uh. Nice to meet you...?
[Is he expecting a handshake? God help him, he doesn't do formal, but he's already pissed them off bad enough for a single day, so he'd better at least attempt. He awkwardly sticks out a hand.]
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His gaze lowers to a vulgar splaying of naked fingers before he looks away again, eyes locked on his, standing up straighter. Shunned. ]
That is acceptable. We may now proceed. [ Standing up, staring at each other, as uncomfortably as possible. ]
I would ask what knowledge you possess of me and my crew. [ you weird deviant ]
no subject
Everything I told Captain Kirk is everything I know. [His brows knit together: for you, Spock, he'll try to take this seriously.] In my world, it's the year 2019-- there was a popular TV show about your mission on the Enterprise that originally ran in the 1960s. It's really well known. Most people are familiar with your crew's names and faces, at least. I've seen a little bit of the show, but it's been a long time, so I don't remember all that many details. I thought the tribble thing was pretty funny when I was like, 10.
[That's a lot to take in, so Travis pauses.]
I swear I don't know your credit card numbers or classified Starfleet secrets or whatever... Scout's honor. [He was never a scout but STILL.]
no subject
It lends credence to a story that would stand out in its absurdity if the Vulcan subjected to it didn't lead such an absurd life. After all, the explanation could be relatively simple.
An alien presence could've observed the events of their mission, traveled back in time, created or manipulated beings to match their images, and mind-controlled them into scripting, acting out, and producing the show to which Travis refers. Relatively elementary in execution, if complex in potential motive. ]
I see, and I do believe you. I assume it is from Earth that you hail? I would be most interested to hear how this television show influenced your world, if at all.
[ Better to take this shit in stride than to panic. More logical... but still, the thought that an alien has been watching them is a little problematic. Is it still watching them? He hasn't ruled out the possibility that all of this is some grand illusion, either, but that's not much more appealing. ]
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But that was... a pretty easy sell. Easier than he thought, even. Spock's supposed to be the logical one, right? Travis was expecting to have to pull out way more proof for that one. It's much less work since he believed him, though, so he won't complain about it.]
Yeah, exactly right. As for the influence... [He scratches his head a little. Don't make him think about history!] I dunno how much you know about American history, but the Civil Rights Movement was happening around the same time your show came out. If I'm remembering it right, it was a big thing that your crew was really diverse, and that the writers tackled a lot of tough topics-- especially during the 1960s.
But I haven't taken a history class in like, 20 years, so I can't give you that much more'n that.
no subject
He continues to watch Travis impassively, saying nothing as he attempts to teach his new Vulcan compatriot about the Civil Rights Movement. Fascinating. ]
Your President Eisenhower in fact signed the Civil Rights Act into law in 1957, though the desegregation of your public school systems followed the Brown vs Board of Education case in 1954. However, if I remember correctly there were many similar landmark events and protests which indeed led into the 1960s and beyond them.
Humans have long since moved past such prejudices as are based upon race. We may entertain the possibility that a more evolved society is what was meant to be shown to the humanity of that distant era. [ In stark violation, however, to the Prime Directive. Exceedingly troubling. ]
I must ask: is this information that you intend to spread freely?
1/2
no subject
No, 'course not. I'm not gonna go spilling all your secrets on the network or--
[Wait, wait, back up. Travis frowns, wracking his brain over one last thing:]
Hold up. Are you saying somebody put Star Trek on the air when they did so we'd stop being racist? And, uh, whatever other -ists?
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It was necessary that I ask. I meant no offense. [ First of all. ]
As for this fledgling theory, it is only that. I cannot say with certainty one way or the other, but it would seem a logical conclusion. If you have any further speculation on the topic I would be interested to hear it.
I find it unlikely that such a spectacular series of events would be accidental.
why are our canons so fucking cursed the sequel
[He thinks back on his whole ~video game quest~ with a furrowed brow. Badman bursting into his place to murder him aside, all of this had started because of that one fateful meeting that'd gotten the ball rolling:]
I did meet some guys a few months back. Red Ribbon and Bruno-something-or-other. They knew to flag me down on that exact stretch of highway, what guy I needed to meet, and where I needed to go to meet him.
[This is starting to get really, really freaky.]
Guess all the 'observer' and 'special point' stuff they were spouting wasn't just a load of crap.
these two should never have met, they're too powerful 1/2
Observer. Special point. ]
i'm sorry travis i love you it's him not me 2/2
You too have experienced encounters with people possessing advanced awareness of your personal situation which they should not have had. You are not commenting on my circumstances or theory specifically but are instead submitting that you also may be experiencing outside observation of your actions.
Do you believe the same entity is behind both events?
CRIES. IM SORRY SPOCK, SUDA DID THIS TO ME!!!
[He stammers. Just a bit.]
I guess, uh-- hey, is there like, a Cliff's Notes version of you? Like a button that I can press or something?
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
A button.
For what effect? If you require notes I encourage you to take them yourself. I am willing to relay the information to you at a later time but we will be more effective if we work in concert.
no subject
Jesus. [Travis rubs his temples, squeezing his eyes shut and stupidly flapping his hand, as if to brush the previous line of conversation away.] Okay, I'm gonna just take two steps back. Let me start over.
Yes, someone out there definitely knows too much about me. Maybe it's the same entity who knew too much about you-- and the Enterprise-- and put your life on my world's airwaves all those years ago. I couldn't say, but it's definitely weird, and even weirder that we both showed up on this planet.
How's that?
1/2
2/2
However, it would be more expeditious if you would simply confirm my assessment rather than reiterate it. [ I just said all of this, okay, in much more confusing and unhelpful and patronizing language, how was I not clear. ]
I agree with your conclusion that this world may have some level of involvement in our respective situations. It appears to be a nexus of some kind, and any entity with access to such a point of connection would logically then be able to travel through its connected branches to your universe or to mine.
no subject
[He's not gonna risk having to bust out the thesaurus for an argument. NOT WORTH IT.]
Didn't they mention when we arrived that this has happened before? Like, before our cohort of new folks? Not sure where these come in [here, he flashes the coin-sized red gem on the back of his hand] but maybe they've been jumping world to world for a while?
no subject
The most likely options are that they are necessitated by this form of reality itself and thus our introduction into the universe was mitigated by their addition, or indeed that they were purposefully placed by the same entity which we have discussed. If the latter, we may assume the creature originates from this place.
Why else would it seek to benefit it by outfitting us with the means to stabilize this world?
[ He turns his own hand, a perfect emerald gem located in nearly the exact same place as Travis's. Besties for life. ]
... are you hungry, Mr. Touchdown?
no subject
[All this cosmic shit is far, FAR beyond him, but Spock's theories-- once the Vulcan-to-idiot translator kicks in, at least-- do make a degree of sense. Or enough that Travis won't argue about it. He nods in knowing agreement.]
That makes sense to me. My money's on some god we haven't seen directly yet, I doubt Malachite has it in 'em when they're so new...
[hey, they're twinsies!!!]
Uh. I could eat. [Why the fuck not. This might as well happen.] You got anywhere in mind?
no subject
[ The longest and most painful agreement ever but we are progressing leaps and bounds past where we started, which can only be great. ]
As for food, I do not. I have eaten only once since our arrival here and the distance of that restaurant from our present location makes it an unattractive option. I merely presumed you would benefit from continuing our conversation in a more natural setting. [ You look like you get enthusiastic about food in a way I do not understand. ]
feel free to godmod them wherever LOL
[He's even starting to get the hang of parsing Spock-speak! BESTIES FOR LIFE.]
Just once? Damn, you're missing out. [He is, of course, dead on. Not even Spock could stop him from getting excited about food.] There's some good places we could walk to from here-- I'll lead the way.
1/3
Indeed. [ RANK UP
But now this newfound respect is in potential jeopardy as Travis is choosing where they will be lunching. All that remains is for Spock to trust him to choose something healthy, ethically and recently sourced, and vegan. ]
2/3
3/3 you said wherever
There are neon lights shaped into chickens in the windows. A chicken decal on the door. They are selling chicken-themed merchandise behind the counter. It smells... of chicken.
They enter as he stares at the side of Travis's head, not looking away even as they're shown to a table with a chicken-themed light fixture. What a novelty. It is fascinating that the chicken has retained its title and place of importance even in this society, Spock thinks, adjusting the egg-shaped salt and pepper shakers. ]
You've been here more than once?
you did him so dirty im dying
what are you talking about this place sounds amazing
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