ximilialog | [Open] October Catch-all

Entry tags:

[Open] October Catch-all

CHARACTERS: Kaidan Alenko and you!
LOCATION: around the station
DATE: October catch-all
CONTENT: Cooking, training with body and biotics, whatever
WARNINGS: probably nothing beyond some light swearing and friendly sparring

Cooking with Kaidan

[On certain times and days, Kaidan decided to go into the kitchen and do some cooking. He looked through the fridge and food storage for ingredients he could work with and put something together. Working out what would taste best for whatever result he had in mind helped keep his brain from spinning around everything that happened on the mission. And the end result was tasty, so that was a plus.

If anyone came by while he was cooking, he would gladly strike up a conversation and offer them some of the food when he was finished]

Training Montague

Years of being in the Alliance drilled it into Kaidan to keep in shape even between missions. This last one especially prompted him to get in more training-- biotic training specifically, but he knew it wouldn't hurt to keep up with his physical prowess as well. If there was no one to spar with in the training room, he would do his own routines. He also did laps around the station.

As for his biotic training, the simulation room seemed like the safest place to do that. He wouldn't have to worry about holding back against simulated enemies. Strengthening his shield was his top priority, but Kaidan worked on his other skills as well while he was in there.

Weird Biology (closed to Newton)

[Kaidan hadn't forgotten his promise to Newton that the man could examine his biology, he sent a thought-text letting him know Kaidan was ready to be examined whenever Newton was. He would have done this regardless, since a xenobiologist was probably the best person to know, but after the mission it seemed especially important that someone on the station knew Kaidan's biology and how the biotics affected him]

Wildcard

[If none of these appeal to you, you may also find Kaidan in other parts of the station. Sometimes in the common living area reading books, sometimes in the sunlight room just enjoying the nature. Or you can poke me on plurk

seraphjewel if you want to plot something! Either actionspam or prose is fine, I'll match style]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hey, James. I was just getting in a little work-out. This place could use a punching bag and some weights, don't you think?

[He's thinking of Vega's mini-gym and how the lieutenant would definitely have those things]

Both those things should be fairly easy to get here. I am surprised there's neither, though.

[ Looking around, the room seems much more designed to fight training, than just practicing or building strength. It does make some sense, though he would argue some cardio and weightlifting would also definitely help, for both the missions and life at the station. ]

We could always spar, [ He offers. ] Or do some yoga exercises. I know some poses.

I bet we can ask Viv about it.

[He nods at the suggestions] Yoga is supposed to have a lot of benefits, like improving strength and relieving stress. My friend Thane taught me something similar while we were both in the hospital. Worth a shot.

[Plus they can talk more easily with yoga than sparring]

[ It'll also help with Jim's injury, though he doesn't say anything about that. He can stick to easier poses, and maybe suggest a couple harder ones if he's feeling up to that challenge. ]

Great. Let's start with the easy sitting position. Just sit down and fold your feet under your legs, arms resting on the knees. You can do a gyan mudra with your hands, if you want. It helps your mind focus and relax during meditation.

[ After sitting down, he touches both thumbs to his index fingers while resting the back of his hands on his knees, the rest of his fingers loosely stretched out, so Kaidan can mirror him if he wants to give it a try. ]

Then deep breath in... [ He inhales. ] And out.

[Kaidan mimics the gesture, taking in a few deep breaths. This does help a little, though he does still have a lot spinning around in his head. Still, he has a feeling they'll both talk about what's on their minds in time]

[ He's not aiming for a true meditative state here, just trying to get them to relax and unwind. He opens his eyes to look at Kaidan, smiling at the expression on the other man's face. ]

Did you make it out alright?

[He nods, opening his eyes to answer]

I had my barrier. And that shield I used to get us through the mine? I've been working on it. I have a feeling I'll need to use that again in another mission.

Yeah. Too bad you weren't nearby when I got shot. Shoulder, before you ask.

[ He lifts said shoulder, just in case Kaidan worries about it not being healed yet. ]

I'm not sure I can offer much help with that training, but feel free to ask if you can think of something.

[ Well he does have a phaser with various stun settings, so that could be a good way to test any shields. ]

I'm glad someone was on the station who could help you.

[He shakes his head] That's all right, I'll program something in the simulation room. But thank you for offering.

No problem.

[ He closes his eyes again, focusing on deep, long breaths for a while again. From this position, he shifts only slightly, instead pressing his feet against each other in a bound angle pose, both hands cupping the tips of his feet. Should Kaidan decide to mirror his movements, he'll feel that, even though the pose looks similar, there's a lot more strain put to the inner thighs. ]

[He does mimic the pose. He takes slow and even breaths. It's nice to sit here in the quiet with someone. Though after a while he breaks it]

Where did you learn these poses?

My First Officer, Spock, took an interest in yoga a while back. Helps with his meditation. He kind of roped me into it, and we've been learning and practicing together since.

[ Spock knows more poses, more of the terminology too, more of the whole principle behind it. But Jim's got some fair amount of knowledge about it too. ]

Oh, the Vulcan. You told me about him. [He's quiet for a moment] Thane taught me. It wasn't exactly like this, but his meditation and body poses were kind of like yoga. I have no doubt that it helped in my recovery.

That's right, yes. [ He smiles, pleased that Kaidan remembers that. ] And that's true, yoga and similar exercises can help with relaxation, but also stretching, balance, strength and core workout, and restoration. It's often the groups that you can divide the poses into.

Should we try another one?

Sure. Let me show you one Thane taught me.

[He shifts to sit on his feet, putting his hands behind his back with palms together]

I should probably do this more often. But the meditation part is hard for me.

[ That works just fine by him, he certainly doesn't mind it if Kaidan's the one taking the lead on this. He shifts his position so he's copying Kaidan, taking a deep breath and settling into the position without putting too much pressure on his muscles. ]

Much to Spock's frustration, I'm not great at that either, [ He admits with a smile. ] But the poses feel great, and help with flexibility.

Mm, they do. Though I usually just go running or throw shit around. Or spar with someone on the crew.

I like that too, but more for when I have a lot of pent-up energy. [ Right now he's more interested in a kind of exercise that makes his muscles loosen up and relax, something that helps him clear his mind, not necessarily burn off stress or energy. ]

I'll remember that.

[For him, it's more to get his mind off things. He's terrible at relaxing]

[ Jim falls quiet again after that. It'll be easier for them to relax and unwind if they focus completely on the exercises after all, and after one pose they move to the next, then another, lingering for some good minutes on each. The silence does help a lot in clearing his head, as well as easing the lingering ache on his shoulder. ]

[It's definitely doing the physical part right-- stretching out all the parts that need stretching to loosen muscles. And he does try to remember Thane's instructions on just focusing on his breathing and the feel of his muscles pulling as he moves to each different pose. He ends up glowing if Jim still has his eyes open to notice. But that happened sometimes when Kaidan was doing this with Thane, too.

He still has thoughts bouncing around in his head, but that's just part of who he is. Clearing his head works best for him when he can talk out his thoughts]

[ Jim will be happy to talk it out with Kaidan too, if it helps him. First, though, he goes through the whole hour and some of yoga poses, and he's feeling thoroughly relaxed by the time they wrap up.

He even looks more at peace once he opens his eyes again to meet Kaidan's, giving him a slow once-over just to check if he's about to start glowing again. ]

That was nice. And I don't know about you, but I could go for a bite.

[He holds the glow for a while after the last pose, rolling his shoulders and head to fully enjoy that looser sensation. Finally it dies down and he's back to normal]

I could eat. Let's see what we can find in the kitchen.

[He knows the way pretty well by now, having frequented there to cook meals]

[ Jim rises to his feet, stretching up above his head one last time before putting his sneakers back on, then grabbing the small bag he brought with him. Then he leads the way out of the room, headed to the kitchen. ]

[He looks for the most important thing first, the alcohol. Some beers will go great with whatever kind of food there is. There's probably some stuff in here for a snack or a sandwich]

I've been wondering: when did you get shot? I know it had to be after we split up, but how did it happen?

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