voicetesting what is my life?

[nomoretrbbls]

Miss Mun,

This is absolutely absurd. You can't just take a man away from his crew and his ship just to do this thing called a voice test. Wasn't that something people in the twenty-first century did? Sit around their computers staring at their screens and playing? Some of us have better things to do like make sure every single one of those blasted creatures off my ship while ensuring that my crew doesn't get into another scuffle with the Klingons.

I don't much care for your notion of sending me to Canada.

So send me back at once.

Comments

[vintage_fine]

Spock.

[quitefascinating]

I trust you are well?

[vintage_fine]

Spock, I...

Yes. Now.

[quitefascinating]

[cocks head]

Only 'now'?

[vintage_fine]

Forgive me. It's simply... Seeing you. So young, I mean.

[quitefascinating]

I understand this place to be outside of time and space in some way. I must study it further.

[I do not wish to see your face so troubled, my friend]

There is nothing to forgive, of course, but please explain. I suspect my age is not the only factor.

[vintage_fine]

And of course, you will study it. But I must ask you, Spock, not to delve too much into your own future--my past.

[quitefascinating]

...

Jim...

[vintage_fine]

Spock?

[quitefascinating]

[voice low, far from entirely comfortable with this, but your friendship is important]

What has distressed you?

[vintage_fine]

It's really all right, Spock. I don't look that much older, do I?

[He does.]

(I clearly need a post Wrath of Khan account XD)

[quitefascinating]

[eyes crinkling just a little]

Some years older, Jim. Are you from much later than our original five year mission?

(mmm, more pain!)

[vintage_fine]

Trust you not to sooth my ego. [But he smiles.] Not... much. Much has happened, however.

(delicious paaaaain, lol)

[quitefascinating]

Ego? ...ah. My apologies.

[-for stating the truth; I do not understand why apologies are necessary, only that they are]

[a pause]

I apologise, also, for the actions I will take that will cause you distress.

[vintage_fine]

[Jim looks up.]

Spock, no. You don't have to apologize.

[quitefascinating]

On the contrary, Jim.

[vintage_fine]

[Smiling gently.]

I'm not saying everything happens for a reason. But I'm sure there is a reason things happened as they did. I can't question it with hindsight.

[quitefascinating]

Yes, a reason would imply a greater power, and while there is enough order in the universe to postulate that, I remain unconvinced.

[not that you wanted to hear me ramble about religion]

[nods] I suppose I will be satisfied with that. I am quite aware of your propensity towards stubbornness, Captain.

[and I might be teasing you, just a little, in my own way]

[vintage_fine]

Believe me, there are things about the past I'd love to change. And I would try, if I thought there was a chance.

[But Spock must have had a reason for going back to Vulcan, and it pains Jim too much to tell him without it sounding like an accusation. And then there's his death...]

Just... try to remember how much you mean to... this ship. This crew.

[quitefascinating]

[inhaling sharply, did not expect you to provide more information]

I... left this ship and this crew?

[vintage_fine]

[Shit.]

You had your reasons, Spock.

[quitefascinating]

[frowning]

Reasons with which you clearly did not concur.

[vintage_fine]

Reasons which were none of my business, Spock.

[quitefascinating]

Perhaps.

Yet I find myself wishing otherwise. That I had not caused you distress.

It is not logical, but it is true, nonetheless.

[vintage_fine]

Spock...

You know that I would not wish you unhappiness. If I have sought to change you... I am sorry, and yet I am not sure I would not do it again.