starlogs | ( open ) everyone knows what has got me

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( open ) everyone knows what has got me

WHO: James T. Kirk & YOU!
WHERE: Bajikan
WHEN: March 8th onwards
WHAT: Jim's exploring some areas of the planet, and keeping a safe distance from others.
WARNINGS: Violence, drinking, possible light drug use??? And nudity in one thread.

Falling onto a planet's orbit felt like a stroke of good luck, at last. Granted, a lot of things could still go wrong, but finally there was a chance that they might work out the power issues currently plaguing the entire fleet, and that, along with the opportunity to get his feet back down on solid ground, had Jim feeling a little optimistic.

And after that long being trapped in his ship with only auxiliary power working, he was exhausted and definitely ready for some down time.

Still, there was only so much he'd be willing to relax. While the Eluvio got a team together to try and acquire whatever supplies they needed, Jim chose to stay out of it this time. He'd keep his eyes and ears peeled in case of trouble, but honestly after the mess in Oros, he didn't want any part in it this time around. So he did exactly what a Starfleet officer would do on a brand new planet, and got ready to explore and gather information about Bajikan, so he could learn and —hopefully— take with him as much as he could about how the place worked.

It was a strange set-up, he'd give it that. He eyed the tokens curiously as he took in all the information about each of the different districts, and soon decided on his course of action.

First of all, Luxuria was out of the question, not without him being sure of how strong the effects could be on him. Though not averse to intimacy, he wasn't about to risk getting involved with anyone without consent being a crystal clear thing between all parties involved, and as much as he'd like to at least catch a glimpse of that district, he scratched it off the list with little hesitance.

As for the rest, though... well, he could be easily found in some of them, often times strolling around and taking notes, but engaging in different activities depending on the district.

While in Gula, he could be easily found at one of the many restaurants and food stands, stuffing his face with all the dishes on offer, or at various bars, going through their endless list of drinks and cocktails. At least he was a funny drunk these days, so it might be entertaining to stick around for it.

Avaritia offered a strange feeling he wasn't really used to, the feeling of desperately wanting to own things. And he indulged quite a lot there, with both the savings on his account and the nice deposit he received thanks to one special plant. He'd be at different clothing stores with piles on piles of clothes he was trying on, or the odd bookstore here or there, stacking up books he was definitely intent on buying. Yes, all of them.

He wasn't very sure about Ira, but eventually decided to risk it, if only to try and see if he could find some different weapons there. The effects of the air in the district took their toll on him quickly enough, so at one point or another he could be found around one of those arena fights, eyeing the place and possibly considering joining in, or he might even get a little aggressive when simply bumping into someone on the street. Either way, throwing some punches around might become a very real possibility.

Lastly, Superbia seemed fairly harmless, so Jim saw no problem with taking a look. Not at all to his surprise, the whole place was catered to people wanting to better themselves in a myriad of different ways, and strangely enough he liked the thought of that. He may be found at some spa or another, enjoying a weird beauty treatment, or maybe even deciding that yes, now was the perfect time to learn proper ballroom dancing, to such a level that it would shock people with how good he was. And damn if he wasn't good at it. (Strangely enough, he'd realize later on that this was the district where he felt the least different from himself. Go figure.)

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Both brows lifted at that smile, his eyes having issues sticking to keeping eye contact when Jim smiled like this and drew them to his lips or how damn white his teeth were. Sure as hell illuminated the fact that Jim had a tan. Also made him wonder what he'd been up to since they got there. And where he would normally just out and ask Jim, he bit the words back and frowned a little. Jim didn't need to report into him, that was just nonsense.

Or was it cause he just didn't really want to know? He didn't like that answer either to be quite honest. So he shoved it all away and gave Jim a suspicious look. "The only thing different from your usual coercions in that reassurance is the comment about it bein' a vacation planet." God, please tell him Jim wasn't thinkin' something like base jumpin' or something equally heinous and awful.

Even still, he went with the tug. Falling just behind Jim, he noted it had been a while since they were in the same space during the day. He'd made a point to give the guy space. What with being stuck on a ship and only having each other to talk to for half a month... he figured Jim would be dying to get out and socialize with anyone but him. That and he spent most of his time here lookin' for something for Jim... and he really didn't want to think about that process at all.

The only thing that distracted him from those thoughts was the sudden realization that Jim was holding a hand out to him. Something wholly unnecessary, but he found himself sliding his hand into Jim's anyway if only for the contact and... what gestures like that usually meant even if it wasn't meant that way. Shaking his head a little, he climbed into the boat and squeezed his hand before letting it go. "Is there anything in the water that can eat us? That's what I'd like to know." For once, he really didn't mean to be half as grouchy as it seemed with what he said. He made a mental note to head it off after that slip.

Jim fully planned on asking Bones what he'd been up to, actually, though not necessarily because he wanted to keep tabs on him. Sure, part of it was simple curiosity, wanting to know where Bones had been, what he'd been doing (possibly with whom), but in good part he wanted to compare notes on their findings. They may be enjoying themselves to some degree but that didn't mean they couldn't study the planet and the districts, learn as much about this place as they could without outright upsetting the system in place or making any enemies.

He for one had no intentions of leaving this place with anything weighing on his conscience, not even a minor spat with a local.

"Coercions? Don't you think you're being a little harsh there?" Fine, he did talk Bones into a lot of stuff, but he wouldn't call it coercion or manipulation. Charm and persuasion worked far better, and it was much closer to the truth. The way Bones said it almost made it sound like he put up that much resistance, when honestly, the good doctor was so very easy to sway.

Smile softening as Bones took his hand, he let go once they were both in the boat, then he started with untying the rope from around the cleat, drawing it into the boat before he took a seat behind the wheel. Though not without letting out an exasperated sound at Bones's next words. "Oh for crying out loud, Bones. Are you gonna be like that the rest of the day? Because I was planning on having a nice time, but if you don't want to..." He trailed off, eyebrows raised pointedly as he waited for Bones to decide between taking the passenger seat or getting off the boat. And they both knew the latter wasn't going to happen.

"Depends on the circumstance, really." He knew he couldn't very well say he resisted too hard. He went willingly with little pushing if only because it meant he would be there to put Jim back together when the 'fun' left him broken or bleeding. But this time, he was starting to relax a little and feelin' like just maybe he'll be fine for a change.

The moment their hands parted he felt a little lost standing in the boat like that. And he knew damn well that Jim was frustrated with him the instant he made that sound. Pressing his lips together in a fine line, he bit at the lower one in his own frustration. He didn't like the idea of sea creatures that he couldn't predict, but he also disliked Jim looking at him like that.

Which was why he sat down without a word. He thought to apologize, but he figured he's end up sayin' something else wrong and honestly, he had too much shit on his mind to risk talkin' right now. So he chose to remain silent for the time bein'.

Well he didn't need to say it, but Jim already knew it, so. As usual he shrugged off the near-insult and smiled instead, like he always did. At least this time he wasn't dragging Bones into an even remotely dangerous situation, so he had a feeling that bad mood of his wouldn't stick around for much longer. Or he hoped so, anyway.

For instance, no sea creatures for him to worry about. There might be a few fish here or there, but Jim was fairly sure there were no massive sharks or giant kraken waiting to ambush unsuspecting tourists. Wouldn't be much of a vacation planet if that were the case, and they weren't stuck in one of those 21st century B-rated monster movies, so.

"Alright, then," he nodded and turned on the engine, slowly starting to steer the boat away from the docks and towards open water. Once they were some good distance away from the shore, nothing but water around them, he glanced at Bones with a small smile, voice raising a little higher so it could be heard over the noise of the engine. "You're not gonna sulk all day, are you?"

Sinking down into the seat, he can't help but drop his head back on it and pull the sunglasses he'd picked up in one of the shopping districts out of a pocket. Pushing them on, he hoped just staring at the scenery and not talking would be for the better. And for the most part, it worked. He didn't think about his ventures in the districts too much if he was staring at the water and how clear it was.

That helped too, being able to see the bottom easily enough. Either way, he is just starting to let out some of the tension and drift off in his thoughts when Jim's voice draws him out of it. Turning his head, he lifted a brow at him and rolled his eyes. Not that it was helpful when he had sunglasses on. "I'm not sulkin'."

But he guessed his silence didn't really help with provin' that otherwise. Closing his eyes, he drank in the feeling of the wind off the water against his skin, once again just thankful for being on a planet's surface after the hell they'd been through. Least Jim was lookin' a helluva lot better now. That meant a lot to him. Which... came out before he could stop it. "You're lookin' good... you know that?"

"Right, you're just grumbling and pouting because today's a day that ends in y," Jim hummed, smiling a little wider in amusement because... well, it sort of was true. More often than not Bones spent a good portion of his days complaining about everything under the sun, and it really shouldn't surprise him that much that he was like that right now, too. Even when it was a beautiful warm and sunny day and they had it all for themselves, for a change.

Didn't mean he'd stop trying to get the doctor to smile a little more, and to enjoy himself rather than worry whether or not some ridiculous monster would pop out of the water at any moment.

Focused on taking them farther out towards the island he'd found, it wasn't until he could see the large rock in the distance that Bones spoke again, and he looked over at him with a steadily raising eyebrow. His lips twitched into a lopsided smile, and he tipped his head a little at the doctor. "Thanks. You look pretty great yourself, doc."

It irritated him slightly. For once he wasn't really upset about mundane things, but it wasn't like Jim knew that. So he didn't argue it and let him believe that's what it was. Just his normal grouchiness and displeasure with the damn universe. But it felt more like a thousand little things cutting into him and making him want to just not talk about anything.

Which was why he surprised himself that he bothered to mention how he looked. Granted, after seeing Jim struggling with self-doubt for the last few weeks, seeing him happy felt nice. He just didn't expect Jim to say something in kind back. Something that sent a flush through his face as he looked straight ahead to hide that silly reaction from Jim.

He doubted he looked that good, he was still regaining color he'd lost without sunlight and the doctor felt damn tired. But he blamed that on mental stress. Not that he should be complainin'. "This part of this world... it's pretty." He said that just loud enough to be heard but not too loud. "I like it better than the city."

Jim was more than used to Bones's reactions by now to almost guess he was blushing right now, no matter how hard he tried to keep it to himself. He didn't point it out, though, and instead just smiled knowingly as his eyes tore away from the doctor and settled on the path ahead of them.

"It is," he said in agreement, quiet on his end too, nearly drowned out by the splash of water and the engine. "The city's not bad, it's just... strange, I guess. Harder to get used to." The districts were alright too, it was just the effects of each one that weirded him out. Mostly because he just wasn't used to it, probably.

Since this was a topic he was meaning to bring up eventually, he just took the opportunity to ask right then. "Which districts did you visit so far?"

"Strange is a good word for it." He snorted softly, a small smile hinting at the corner of his lips. Finally looking at Jim again, the smile flit away from his expression at that question. Pressing his lips together, he considered just how to answer that question. "I met up with Re-L in the Gula district. Food wasn't too bad there. But it was real easy to go too far. Wasn't keen on that. Met a few other people from the Eluvio there, too."

That was the easy part. Granted thinking about that bar in Gula returned him to those thoughts of Jo and he frowned a bit. He really didn't want to think about that right now. "Avaritia was interestin'. Found some books on xenobiology in this area. Picked up some other medical supplies and xenobotany books. Figure I need to know whats around and what it does." That was the easy stuff. He likely had too much fun finding crap like that. Stuff he likely didn't even need, but he wanted to know.

Making a face, he knew it was better to just tell the truth. "Visited Luxuria with Yuuri and Victor... there were... Some items were only available there. Ran into another person from Eluvio there as well. Seemed a nice enough guy." God, he felt like he might burst into flames. "I didn't stay long. Preferred not to."

Jim wanted information, for the most part. Sure, he wanted to chat and catch up a little too, but he did want to know if Bones had learned anything new about this place, match his own pieces with the ones Bones might have to build a larger picture. So he listened intently, nodding every once or twice at some of the details, and when Bones mentioned going to Luxuria, he simply looked on ahead like it wasn't really important the kind of place it was, like it didn't really matter.

And it didn't, not really. The idea of being in a place like that might've bothered Jim enough not to go there, but that didn't have to be the case with Bones. And he was fairly sure the doctor hadn't somehow decided to get into a threesome with Victor and Yuuri, so there was that. Not that it was any of his business even if he had. Or this other guy from their fleet, for what's worth.

"Went to Gula and Avaritia too. Superbia wasn't too bad, either. Didn't really affect me much." Probably because he could be (and was for a long time) an arrogant ass already, so not much of a difference there. "But not Luxuria. Just didn't see a point. What were you looking for there?"

A small almost smile touched his lips at the idea of Jim in Superbia. that didn't surprise him. that one with the fighting arenas in it? That wouldn't have surprised him either. Still, eh noticed the lack of that one name until Jim laid it out clearly for him. Biting at his lip, he knew he couldn't really... lie to Jim. Not really. Not if Jim wanted to know.

"It only made me... talk too much about one topic." He really was dancing delicately around the subject, but he needed to tell him at least part of the truth. "As to why I went... they sell jewelry made from pieces of stars and stardust. I wanted to see it and no one else sold it." Breathing in slowly, he could almost feel that box burning into his side in his pocket.

Finally looking at Jim, he ran his eyes over Jim's face and profile. "And just got a drink while there. If it matters, that's all I did there." Not that he felt like he needed to justify that to Jim... but he wanted to. He didn't want him thinking he did or wanted anything like that. Which was why he refused to let himself look away from Jim when he said all this. "I don't do casual shit. But that jewelry. Jim, it was damn gorgeous..." He huffed a soft laugh, head ducking just a little. "Everything reminds you of something irreplaceable to you, there. But I didn't want to stay there long and deal with more than just being tangled up in one train of thought."

Oh, Ira was definitely on his list of places to visit, he just hadn't gone there yet. Plenty of time to fix that in the near future, too. Bones would likely learn about it one way or the other. Even if Jim didn't tell him, he'd probably still show up at his door like some stray cat, with a few new distinctive scrapes and bruises for him to heal.

He just didn't want to take on too much and then get overwhelmed. Small steps, all that. He didn't think he'd want to go to Luxuria, though, even if Bones's answer did leave him feeling pretty curious about the place.

"Jewelry?" Jim parroted, an eyebrow raising in amusement. He let out a chuckle, leaning back in his seat as he mumbled more quietly. "Color me surprised."

Keeping his eyes on the path ahead, he pressed his lips briefly and nodded. "Yeah, I know. You told me." Aside from the fact that he knew Bones, so he knew he wasn't the kind to just sleep with random people. Not that it was any of Jim's business, because, again, it wasn't. But he had to grin in lopsided amusement at how excited Bones sounded. "Well, at least it sounds like it was worth the trouble."

"What? I have my curious moments." Snorting softly, he rolled his eyes. "Figured you'd be curious too since it's not common to see things made out of stars." And color him impressed, the stuff was amazing to look at. Not that he would own up to actually buying something. He still wasn't sure it was the brightest idea he's ever had. Jim would likely just laugh at him when he gave it to him. If he gave it to him... Shit.

Looking away, he shrugged his shoulders. "Was tryin' to decide if I should get one for Joanna." That was a truth. But the thought just made him more depressed. Sinking lower in the seat, he played it off for relaxing as he shifted one leg up to prop up against the console languidly. "But I'll likely not get to ever give it to her."

His voice got quiet at that before he pushed it all away. "Anyway. I have no plans to go back to that district. Call the curiosity satisfied. I'd go to Superbia, but I'm afraid I'd do something stupid there tryin' to look more presentable." Humming a soft sound, he looked at Jim. "Did you notice they are a lot like the seven deadly sins? Those districts."

"I'll admit, I am a little more curious now," Jim confessed. Wasn't every day he heard about jewelry made of literal stardust. And if it impressed Bones of all people, then it really had to be amazing. Might just be enough to get him to go in there and take a look eventually, but not for now.

His smile died a little as Bones mentioned his daughter, mostly at the fact that he might not give her the jewelry as he liked. "You don't know that," he shook his head a little, shrugging as if brushing off Bones's negativity. "We came here. I'm not gonna lie and tell you we'll definitely go back, but the same way we ended up here, we might go back eventually. Might be in years or months, or it might be next week or tomorrow. You never know. So just keep it around— whatever you got her."

And then, if he managed to take it back with him, it wouldn't just be a piece made from stardust. I'd be a piece from a whole other universe. God, talk about an amazing gift.

"A lot? They're exactly like the seven deadly sins. Named after them too. Luxuria, Acedia, Ira, Avaritia... they're the sins in Latin." It had been obvious to Jim, but now it occurred to him that maybe Bones didn't know as much Latin as he did. Not that Jim knew that much, but... still. "Can't say if they designed the districts after the sins, or the names are just based on the preexisting effects of the air in those places. But either way, it's interesting."

"Long as you don't stay long, it's not bad. But the longer you stay the weirder the thoughts get." Shrugging a little, he really didn't mind it. Maybe it was more a control on his own thoughts than he thought he was capable of. Whatever it was, the most embarrassing thing was just... talking too much about, well, someone.

Running a hand through his hair pointlessly in the wind, he paused and looked over at Jim with a slight curious tilt of his head. "Didn't get anything for her yet." But the sudden desire to get her something came back full force when Jim put it that way. "If I go back to get her something... would you... like to come along? Help me pick something out?" It was a stupid idea. It was bad enough that he talked out of his head to Yuuri and Victor like he did about Jim. To go there with Jim? God... what would he do then?

Looking back ahead, he snorted softly. "Okay genius. The only Latin I learned was medical and science oriented Latin. Guess it's like Sin City, just different place and time and more blatant about it. Definitely interestin' though. Seems strange a notion like that is out here so far from home."

"Depends on your definition of 'weird', but I'll keep it in mind." Not like Jim was a stranger to sexual thoughts, it was just the not knowing when they'd come up, how they'd affect him physically, or even who he'd be thinking of that tripped him up. But if Bones was right and it didn't affect him that much at first, he should be alright.

Which was why Bones's offer didn't seem like a stupid idea in the least. Hell, sure the doctor wouldn't want to go there with him if he thought it'd put a strain between them, so... why the hell not. At least he could trust Bones to get him out of there if the effects were stronger than he'd been told. "Sure. Sounds like fun." Well, not fun, but... interesting.

Jim chuckled when Bones called him a genius in a near mocking tone. They were approaching the rocks now, and he started rounding the island to get to the largest cave. "Yeah, something like that. And I don't know if I'd call it weird. Lots of humans around, even here. Some bits of culture tend to stick, even after hundreds of years."

"Guess that's true." He supposed it would effect people differently. Not everyone would have the same issue he did. After all, not everyone had one person in mind like he did. Pointless as it was, it kept him from falling to more shallow influences of lust. So he supposed there was that.

And he wouldn't lie. Jim saying he would go without hesitation like that sent a flutter of butterflies in his stomach. Smiling softly at that, he was willing to take the risks and fight them off if Jim at least went with him. They hadn't done that much together since getting here, so why not? And honestly, where he had thought of getting one for Jo, it wasn't his main goal the first time. But Jim didn't need to know that and it at least kept him from asking why he was staring at jewelry. "Thanks, Jim."

Lifting his head to scan the rise of the island from the water, he had to admit. It was damn beautiful. Something you didn't see too often anymore on Earth if only cause of population or loss of nature over the years. But this... this looked clean and gorgeous. "So you think other people, cultures, races, aliens have the same notion of sins that came from an archaic religion?" He arched a brow, more curious to hear jim's point of view than he was skeptical. "Guess it's fascinatin' how certain themes are echoed in civilizations galaxies apart..."

"Anytime," Jim smiled at Bones. He wasn't sure how much help he'd be when picking jewelry— not like he'd ever really bought something like that for anyone, after all, but he'd do his best. Shouldn't be that hard to look at the options and say which ones he found prettier, anyway. And hopefully it wouldn't take that long either, because... well, he didn't really know how that place would affect him while Bones was near him, and he wasn't sure he wanted to find out.

The island didn't look like much from the outside, just a large bulky rock with bits of greenery on top, but it was still quite the sight. But Jim knew that once they got into the island's caves, the hidden little nooks would amaze Bones even more.

"I think that if there are humans here that look and behave even remotely like us, then they must have come from a place not all that different from the Earth we know. Possibly even an alternate version of Earth. So the ancient history might not vary all that much. Either that, or this is just some kind of cultural appropriation after so many people coming in through the anomalies. God knows how long they've been around, and how far wide they spread across this reality."

Keeping his eyes on the mountainous figure of the island rising out of the water. The entire thing was picturesque like a painting of some spot in paradise. Not that he figured you could do much on a giant hunk of rock, but it sure looked pretty. He just hoped Jim hadn't set his mind on rock climbin' or somthin'.

Glancing back at Jim, one corner of his lips rose at that. Leonard like when Jim talked like that. Reasoned things out and sounded philosophical. "Yeah, you gotta point there." Which was half the reason he pushed him to explain. It was just one more side to his multifaceted personality.

"So where exactly are we headin', Captain?" He sent the other man a smile, one brow arched just a bit in question.

It didn't take a genius to think about it like that, and considering the things the two of them had been through, then all the likelier for either of them to think of things that way. Regardless, most people here had been around long enough that even if they hadn't thought about things that way, they probably wouldn't be too surprised to hear that point of view coming from someone else.

But until they were allowed to actually take a look at all of the Eluvio's systems and every bit of information they could want, theories is all they were. Not like Jim could confirm any of it, not at this point anyway.

"Into the island," Jim nodded ahead as they approached a cave. "There." Yes, he literally meant into the island. At least he slowed down considerably as they got closer to the cave, so Bones had no reason to panic and worry about crashing into the walls as they went further inside.

His eyes shifted to the cave and both brows went up nearly into his hair line. He wanted to ask why this was a good idea, but he bit his tongue. "You've already scouted it out?" Leonard would give Jim the benefit of the doubt and assume Jim knew what was going on.

Tracing over the features of the cave, he finally looked back at Jim. The doctor made sure not to have any negative emotion in his face and managed to only look curious. "Does anybody live there?"

Even when Bones was trying not to sound too pessimistic, it still bled clearly into his quiet and cautious tone, the specific words he chose. Jim just smiled and huffed out a chuckle, though, shaking his head a little as he looked at the doctor.

"Yeah, I spent a few good hours studying the place. No one else around, trust me. Not unless someone thought of exploring it like I did," he paused then, gaze a little more serious as he caught Bones's eyes. "It's fine, I told you. Perfectly safe."

And the caves weren't that small, either. Seemed like just a path of tunnels through which they floated along the calm water, not even the tiniest of waves rocking the boat. While the sun didn't reach them, the light seemed to somehow reflect through the rocks, making it almost look like the water itself was shining brightly.

And Jim clearly had a path in mind, as he navigated through the tunnels like he was set on a specific destination.

"So you know how it is in high tide and low? Or do they even have a tide here?" In the city he'd not even paid much attention to whether or not this world had a moon. But the water had to have movement. Well, assumin' the creatures livin' in it needed oxygen of course. It was just a thought even if he knew he was still being a worrier.

Something that made him bite his lip. And when Jim insisted it was safe, all he did was nod. "I trust you." And he did. He always did. Even if he partially regretted something, he never completely regretted it. Not to a point he'd take any moment in the past back. He'd do it all again. Yeah, he must like torturing himself.

And well... the caves were damn pretty with the water lookin' like sparkling glass.

Finally sinking back down into his seat, he decided just to let it go and see where it went. No point in gettin' worked up and he did actually trust Jim. That statement had never been a lie.

Yep, Bones was doing it again, that thing where he overthought everything and worried about too much, and a lot more than he needed to. Jim laughed it off at first, then raised his eyebrows at the doctor. "My God, Bones! Okay, it was cute at first, but I'm not satisfying your paranoid streak anymore. It's fine, we're safe. This isn't some crazy mission with dangers lurking on every corner. It's time off, and I want to enjoy it with you."

And honestly, right now he'd do just about anything to shut him up, which may or may not give him all kinds of terrible ideas. So really, just shut up Bones.

Knowing just where he wanted to go to first, Jim steered the boat carefully through the tunnels, some wider and larger, others a hint narrower but still with plenty of room for them. A few hidden pools and nooks could be seen along the way, but Jim didn't stop on any of them, and eventually the tunnel opened up into a wider cavern of sorts, except the ceiling had a large opening through which sunlight filtered through and reflected on the crystalline waters, so clear that they could see the bottom of the pool. There were some smaller rocks along the edges of the pool, and small plants and flowers growing along the walls of the cave.

He stole a glance at Bones, though quietly, curious to see his reaction.

This time he shot Jim a glare. Of all his history of complaining, that wasn't even the worst he'd done. The tone really hadn't even inflected much more than curiosity. Even if he was worried about that detail, that sort of berating felt like sand paper against his skin. The doctor wanted to even point that out, but he knew there would be no point.

So he shut up like a kid that had been scolded and glared at nothing in particular as long as it was no where near the direction of Jim. Jaw tightened, he pressed his lips in a thin line to keep his reactions under wraps for the most part. It took a while for him to even see past that irritated anger enough to even see his surroundings.

He had to admit, it was damn pretty. Like a pocket of paradise hidden away from the rest of the world. And it might've taken a moment, but some of the lines of tension started to ease up in his shoulders and jaw. Not that he said anything. He still wasn't to that point of bothering to talk to Jim after that, but he did look less pissed off and more intrigued as his head turned to catch details here and there.

Suddenly he moved, rising up in his seat to lean over the edge and slip one set of fingers into the water to skim the surface as they moved. He felt cool for the most part. Not bad to swim in, but could be a little cold at first. It struck him that he didn't remember to pack a bathing suit regardless. Shame... that clear water looked perfect for swimming.

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