ximilialog | ( open ) time is tickin' I cannot waste it love

CHARACTERS: Erik Stevens + Everyone / Mingle! I’m not the boss of you.
LOCATION: Open Field near ish the Palace
DATE: Sometime in July
CONTENT: Party, drinks, dancing.
WARNINGS: N/A

( i. party hats )

[ this had been the stupidest condition of his goal, but it’s a doable one so erik handles it the way he would handle any kind of mission; single-mindedly. he gets to work and makes a couple of dozen party hats of various colours and size. some might seem too small, others too big, a few that are just right, no he doesn’t accept constructive criticism. ]

Just put the damn thing on, it won’t kill you.

( ii. food and stuff )

[ unfortunately there are constraints. if they were back in usa, setting up the supplies of food and drink would be a cinch. however, he’s working with fantasy asian cuisine, out of which he knows half of. still, his position as a nobleman’s attendant gave him a hefty salary and he put it to good use. there are plenty of caskets of booze, all the kinds he could find and various eateries and snacks. some from the palace, others he cobbled together with the use of their kitchen like basic butter cookies and wafers.

eat, drink, he’s not here to card you kids ]

( iii. dancing )

[ and of course, there’s music. lively music, slow tunes. erik managed to hire a band (like three people on instruments but details). the sun was setting, the breeze was cool and maybe for a brief moment, you want to enjoy yourself. give up your worries for a day. the light hits the flowers, giving the scenery a warm orange glow.

grab a partner and have a little fun. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Well, it's not the answer he was hoping for Finn, but it's not a surprising one either. He seems to come from a slightly different reality than Jim's, one where necessity has called for a different approach when it comes to space travel. Still, soldier or no, Jim trusts his gut feelings; he knows Finn's the kind of person who does good. ]

That... would be nice. I hope your galaxy's at peace, then. Or at least your corner of it, that would be a good start.

[ He knows peace isn't easy to achieve, though. Especially on such a large scale. It'll take time and work, and people like Finn. ]

[ Peace is something his galaxy knows very little of. But Finn can dream of something better. Can try to strive for it. ]

Me, too. I think it's one the way there. If not, it will be one day.

[ The fight between the light and the dark will always be there. But maybe they can keep it amongst themselves or something. ]

[ That sentiment in itself is everything already. Just that there are people striving to do better, and to be better, makes all the difference. ]

A bit like my own world. Took us a while, but we got there.

[ And even then it's not perfect, but it's as close to a utopia as anyone could imagine. ]

[ Finn smiles and almost stares into the space between them. ]

Honestly? It's hard to imagine. I grew up in this war. Always dreamed of something else, but now that it's so close, I still can't picture it.

[ But he still loves the idea. ]

We'll get there, too. One way or the other.

Guess it's the kind of thing you need to experience for yourself. You'll get there, I'm sure. You'll like it.

[ It's just a gut feeling, he doesn't know Finn well enough yet; but he seems like the kind of person who's more interested in helping others than anything. There's plenty of that even in times of peace, as Finn will undoubtedly learn for himself. Maybe a little less action, a little more paper-pushing. ]

But for now it looks like your skills will come in handy for these missions. [ Not exactly the most thrilling thing, he knows. But still. ]

[ He's sure he'll like it, too. He can see Rey or Poe getting bored eventually, but Finn's looking forward to slowing down.

Even so, he nods. ]

My experience is valuable. I don't regret it. It helps me save lives. [ And he knows it's valuable, even if their enemy isn't so familiar anymore. ] Your skills are needed here, too. You're an experienced leader. With so many different types of people, we need more of that sort of thing.

[ Finn is, too, just not nearly as experienced. Or maybe just a different kind of experienced. ]

[ Jim really likes that answer. Not only that Finn seems to appreciate his own worth, but also that his immediate thought is how he can use those assets to help others. ]

We've got a pretty varied group. A lot of different skill sets and strengths, I'm sure everyone will have something they can contribute with. We just need to learn to work and live together, for the foreseeable future anyway.

If they don't, then chances are very slim that they'll ever find a way back.

I think we can manage.

[ Even though a large part of Finn believes that, he's also a little worried. Some people would do horrible things to undo the past. People they wouldn't even suspect could betray them for something or someone they love. It's going to be a difficult road. ]

So long as morale stays up, we can do it. Just one thing at a time, right?

[ Some people would do horrible things even if it didn't undo the past; even if it just got them something they want. And yes, Jim's definitely very worried about that, especially knowing they all come from different realities and backgrounds. Some people here aren't even necessarily lacking in scruples, but they're just used to doing things a certain way just to survive.

It's going to be complicated, for sure. ]

Yeah. [ He smiles at Finn, nodding. ] No point in worrying just yet. We might need to assess this whole situation once we're back on the station, I don't think we'll have the time or opportunity to get a feel for everyone while we're here.

No, we won't. Not sure how long we'll have between missions either. Seems like this whole thing is new to everyone.

[ He's yet to meet someone that's been around for more than a month before he arrived. Which, that's fine. Means he's caught up on everything.

He offers a little smile. ] I can't really complain about being away from home, though. I like the people so far.

[ Well, Jim could complain a little, but he gets Finn's remark for the compliment that it is, and instead he ducks his head with a small smile, nudging his knee lightly against Finn's. ]

You're not so bad yourself.

[ Oh... Okay, yeah, he gets what's so endearing about the head ducking thing now. It makes his smile a little brighter. ]

Thanks. [ Though, don't get him wrong, he could definitely complain a bit, too. Just... not about right now. ]

[ Jim has this stupid urge to just kiss Finn's cheek, he's so cute. He rests a hand over Finn's arm, giving it a little squeeze, then downs the rest of his drink. ]

So how about one more dance? Maybe something slower. Up for that?

I think I can manage it. [ A tease before he knocks back the rest of his own drink and stands.

He offers his hand to Jim. ] May I?

[ Jim's smile widens into a grin, and he takes Finn's hand happily, getting to his feet. ]

You may.

[ With that he'll let himself be led into the dance floor gladly, holding onto Finn's hand. ]

( open ) time is tickin' I cannot waste it love

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