Be My Guest

[losthunter]

Hunter is hosting a few guests at his Nexus apartment tonight. Hunter had been planning this night for awhile, ever since meeting some of the crew members of Jim's ship, getting to know them better, and then telling them about the Nexus. He has been busy planning for the evening, including grocery shopping for some home-made recipes, and finishing some art pieces that will be given as gifts.

Hunter has arranged so that the PINpoint portal is basically connected to his front door. His open concept kitchen and living room will be the first thing that his guests will see, once they arrive through the PINpoint portal. There is a small closet located to the left of the door where they can place any jackets.

The dining room in the living room has been set with all the dining places for his guests. He decided against placecards, since it is more freedom to allow his guests to choose their own seats. On the island in the kitchen is a large plate of vegetarian-friendly appetizers, which features Lavash bread topped with Guacamole and red bell peppers, alongside crescent rolls filled with Jalapeño, mushrooms and asparagus.

The open concept living room immediately flows into Hunter's art studio, where he has a few pieces still being created. There is a large set of French doors that leads out from the living room to an outdoor patio, where there is a rose garden outside. The every-spanning Nexus can be viewed from the patio balcony. Right now, the Nexus is showing the lakeside, where Hunter had first appeared when he had needed support the most.

There are a few closed doors along one wall, one of which that leads to the bathroom, and the other of which leads to Hunter's bedroom.

As Hunter chills some wine, and checks on his main course, he is pretty ready for his guests to arrive. He is feeling excited and happy to be a host.

Comments

[losthunter]

"And if you two would like, you can go through my music selection and make a choice for something to play." Hunter speaks to Spock and Uhura, gesturing to the sound system he has in the living room. There is a large CD tower that holds about 100 choices.

Hunter then leads Jim and McCoy out to the balcony outside. Tucked away on one side of the balcony is a hot tub, which is covered right now.

He lifts the lid of the barbecue, letting the smell of barbecue fill the air.

[boldygoing]

"That does smell pretty good," McCoy admits, as the scent of cooking meat wafts across the balcony.

"One of the only good things about being Earthside is getting real food," Jim agrees. Even though this isn't Earth, it still counts enough for him. He eyes the skewers, taking note of their levels of doneness and where the greater points of heat seem to be on the grill, so they can rearrange them to cook evenly.

[losthunter]

The meat-based skewers are on a closer point to the heat, where they can get an even-heat. The tofu-based skewers are on a middle rack, a little further from the heat. And the corn is on the top rack.

"When was the last time you had real food?" He asks Jim.

[boldygoing]

"You mean before our last mission?" Jim asks, since he hasn't left Earth since the day he got brought to Starfleet Medical in cryogenic suspension. It's been a little over two months since then.

"That was ten days before we came back from Nibiru," McCoy says, doing the mental math. "So that's about eleven weeks ago, give or take."

[losthunter]

"Wow. Then I hope tonight is just what you need." Hunter takes the opportunity to place his hand onto Jim's spare hand.

[boldygoing]

Jim smiles a little, giving his hand a squeeze. "I've had non-synthesized stuff since I got out of the hospital, but more's always better, especially a home-cooked meal."

[losthunter]

"You are adorable." Hunter tells him.

"I am going to get the salad ready. I am going to leave you two BBQ chefs in charge." He smiles at McCoy. "And yes, even the tofu."

[boldygoing]

McCoy rolls his eyes, but there's a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he turns to the grill, and there's a brief - if friendly - scuffle over who gets to man the tongs.

Inside the apartment, Spock and Uhura have figured out how the entertainment system works after some trial and error, and are playing samples of some of the CDs to figure out what the hell they even are.

[losthunter]

Heading into the kitchen, Hunter pulls out a watermelon and blueberry salad from the fridge. He sets it on the table, and moves over to where Spock and Uhura are at his entertainment system.

"How are things over here?"

[boldygoing]

Spock looks up from a handful of CD jewel cases, his subtle expression the same type he wears when faced with a somewhat puzzling scientific mystery. "This technology is quite... antiquated. But I believe we have ascertained its function correctly."

"We're not familiar with most of these artists," Uhura explains further, smiling at Hunter. Which should make sense; after all, nineteenth century music isn't exactly popular in most Earths in the twenty-first century.

[losthunter]

"Good. I am glad you were able to figure it out." Hunter steps over, close to Uhura to check out some of the selections she had been looking at.

"I think something from John Lennon or Harry Styles would be nice."

[boldygoing]

Uhura remembers seeing one of those names on another CD she'd looked at earlier, and she seeks it out, putting the disc into the player. The opening lines of "I Am the Walrus" comes out of the speaker, and though Spock's expression is still very stoically Vulcan, he's clearly baffled by the lyrics.

"Perhaps my study of human literary classics is lacking. I do not understand what this song is attempting to reference."

[losthunter]

"A lot of the 'Beatles' songs were written during the 1960s, a time of revolution, drugs, sex, and music. Some of their songs didn't have a reference... the band members were high." Hunter explained softly.

"Some research has claimed that the title was written in tribute to 'The Walrus and The Carpenter', written by Lewis Carroll. And that many of the different non-sequential lyrics, where things that John had dreamt of, when he was on acid. One of those drugs I mentioned."

"This is actually not the only unusual song they did. But people loved them for it." Hunter smiles.

[boldygoing]

"High," Spock repeats, sounding no less confused by the slang.

Uhura, being a linguist, understands right away where his trouble is. "Intoxicated," she clarifies.

"I see." He doesn't, exactly, in that he doesn't understand why humans have a tendency to ingest mind-altering substances for recreational purposes. But he does now understand the use of the word 'high' in this context, at least. "Human culture is... fascinating, if quite illogical."

[losthunter]

"One of John Lennon's most powerful songs is actually this..." Hunter uses the sound system remote to forward the CD a few songs, until 'Imagine' starts playing. "It started a movement."

[boldygoing]

Ah, a song that makes logical sense. Spock is far more appreciative of this one, if only because it's comprehensible.

Uhura tilts her head to the side slightly as she listens. "What sort of movement?"

[losthunter]

"It became an anthem of universal hope. And was inspiration for many who protested against that Vietnam War."

"And it has been played again long after, to protest other conflicts."

"This song was sort of the main one that defined the Hippie generation."

[boldygoing]

Spock raises an eyebrow at the word 'hippie,' wondering what any of this has to do with anatomy. Uhura just smiles a little. "He didn't get everything right, but the part about humanity coming together did eventually happen."

[losthunter]

"He was shot and killed, before he got to see any of his influence on the world." Hunter frowns softly. "But I guess that unfortunate incident made him even more famous."

[boldygoing]

"There was a comparable individual in my people's history," Spock says thoughtfully. "Surak, our most notable philosopher. He spoke of logic and controlling emotion at a time when Vulcan society was violent and distrustful of others. He died during the wars that still ravaged the planet at the time. But his founding principles of logic and infinite diversity were not extinguished with him, and they are the foundation of modern Vulcan culture today."

What little of that culture remains, anyway.

[losthunter]

"In the art world, many well-known artists only became popular after their deaths. And then their art was sought even more than before."

Hunter can only hope that things get better.

"The barbecue should be about ready to come in. Find a seat... I will be right with you."

[bed]

[boldygoing]

To the surprise of nobody, Spock and Uhura take seats next to each other at the table. Out on the balcony, Jim and McCoy have managed to successfully tend the grill without burning anything - including themselves. Jim glances over his shoulder at the sound of Hunter's approach. "All set inside?"

[losthunter]

"We are. Help me get these inside?" Hunter has three serving plates ready. One for the chicken-shrimp kabobs, one for the tofu-pineapple kabobs, and one for the corn. Jim and McCoy each get a serving plate to take to the table.

[boldygoing]

Once the food has been carried in, Jim and McCoy take their seats at the table, leaving the spot next to Jim free for Hunter to sit.

"Everything looks great," Jim tells Hunter with a smile.

[losthunter]

"Thank you. So I am a fan of an almost buffet-style serving. We pass the plates around, and you take what you want, as much as you want." Hunter will quickly grab the chilled wine, setting it on the table. It is a rose pinot, that is watermelon-flavored. It matches the barbecue theme of the night.