for Kirk

[sharktoothtotem]

 Taylor stepped through the PINpoint access stretching as she did, the smell of the salt air, with the right hint of volcanic ash actually felt good after being in the NEXXUS so long.  Not that Taylor would complain about that bit, she had needed the break away from her favored islands.  

Today she was there to help a friend find suitable vintage (to him) clothes, so she was dressed to blend in a little more than her usual bikini top, mesh top over it and swim trunks or black fatigues.  A cheery blue sundress and wedges with her hair pulled up gave more of the appearance that she was either a rich girl or military brat.  Considering they were near the base, she figured may as well help the time tourist get less of a look over than if she was in her usual treasure hunter outfit.  

Since they had come out in an alley she knew would be mostly empty, she turned to face her companion.  "Welcome to the twenty first century.  Which do you want first?  My favorite coffee shop on the Big Island, or shopping?"  Though she paused.  "Okay, we'll hit the coffee place first.  Only because it's close to a Lei stand, and every visitor needs a proper Lei.  It's a law for the islands."

Comments

[smartass_captain]

So long as no one looks too closely Jim's clothing doesn't stick out that much. The fabric is smoother and more synthetic than anything anyone else is wearing but at a glance it is still just jeans and a teeshirt. He decided to lose the jacket after asking Taylor what to expect so far as weather was concerned. San Francisco is a far cry after all when compared to Hawaii.

He's peeping out of the alley a bit, trying to catch a glimpse of anyone else walking around but stops to pay attention when Taylor faces his way.

"You have to ask? Coffee first will make the rest of this trip all the better, unless the stores around here are pretty strict on not bringing anything in." He squints a little as if he can't tell if she's serious or not about the whole Lei Law thing but it's the 2000s. Who knows how many nonsense laws they've got on the books back then.

"Sure, I'd rather not get in trouble my first time here."

[sharktoothtotem]

Not like anyone is really going to look, most people are more interested in the sights of the islands, or too busy with orders from higher ups to take a good look at the pair, Taylor does rub her wrist though, feeling weird being there without her hidden blade. She laughs though at his comment about the lei. "It's a tradition, all visitors get one their first day on the island, it's kind of an insult to not accept it though. And it's on the way to the coffee shop." She turned to face him walking backwards a bit. "Helps to blend in and all."

The walk to the plaza wasn't far, and they only had to cross one city street with cars. "If anything looks interesting ask, I really don't mind playing tour guide."

[smartass_captain]

Jim Definitely looks the part of a visitor. The man can't quite help himself from gawking a little. What's that smell? It's so much warmer than he'd been quite prepared for. Look at the pattern on that woman's dress! It's all so different to the Earth Jim's used to. Then again, even in his time he's never been to Hawaii. It's not got a military installment anymore for certain and the old uniforms really draw his eye.

"Far be it from me to complain. Especially if it's on the way to coffee." Without the magic of the Nexus Jim's accent sounds a little strange to the ear, some of the words catching oddly. But he's still able to be understood and that's all that matters.

Don't leave Jim unsupervised around a busy street though. He's absolutely awestruck over all these classic cars in one place. The smell of the air pollution is strange to him and the noises of their engines so much louder than the smooth thrums he's used to.

"That's right, nothing's maglev yet. It's...wow."

[sharktoothtotem]

Taylor is amused at his reactions. "Yeah, we're still reliant on fossil fuels. At least most of us. My board is resin. There are some that still use wooden boards and I would love to get one at some point."

Though how he looks at the cars, makes him wish hers was accessible. "I have a classic Mustang, older than I am, and it purrs like a kitten, or at least did last time I drove him." She grinned brightly. "Getting parts for it is a bitch. We have to wait for room on a plane for most things here." The pollution isn't that bad with the sea breeze at least. She doesn't really think anything of it as she stops at a kiosk with brightly colored flower necklaces. "Maglev?". She ponders a few moments. "Sounds like something they would have for the high speed train in Japan."

She picks 2 blue leis, allowing the lady at the kiosk to put one on her. Her eyes are off Jim only a few moments.

[smartass_captain]

In truth the pollution probably isn't nearly as bad as other places in this version of Earth but for a man unused to smelling any of it the scent stands out a bit more. He's not quite sure what it even is until Taylor says 'fossil fuels' and then he's nodding, though he hardly seems able to tear his gaze away until they've moved on far enough where he'd have to turn around to keep gawking.

"You almost never see grounded vehicles in my time. They haven't all been phased out so the infrastructure is still mostly there, though you'd probably find it unsatisfactory given how reliant this time is on it." He almost misses the kiosk they've stopped at until someone's clearing their throat politely to offer him a lei in turn.

Jim halts abruptly. The Law. Right.

"S-sorry. Thank you." With all the formality of a man caught jaywalking by a cop or any other minor infraction. Best not upset the locals.

[sharktoothtotem]

He should be glad they're on the islands and not say L.A. She chuckles a little as he's gawking. "Okay we'll take the scenic route to the shops. I could always rent us a car if you want."

When he accepts the lei the woman smiles saying a polite traditional greeting. "Hope you enjoy your stay on the island."

"I will make sure he does Auntie, wouldn't want to be a horrible host after all."

[smartass_captain]

He's been in NYC once before. Convincing him to go Out much took a bit of bribery because he was very much not accustomed to the smell. "Rent a car? How far away of a walk is it?" He turns back around halfway and grins Taylor's way. "I don't mind walking." Probably best not to assume road laws are anything close to what he's used to either.

The charming smile he offers the woman is polite and as inoffensive as possible. Jim's got no real way of knowing if he sticks out or not. "How could anyone not? Have they not looked around?" The lei smells nice too. That's pretty nice. Once they aren't immediately in danger of being overheard he casts another glance Taylor's way. "This place is gorgeous by the way. I have no idea what this place is like even in my time. Never had an opportunity to go." Or reason really, but then Jim's never been one for vacations that weren't disappearing into the woods somewhere to do camping or hiking.

[sharktoothtotem]

New York is an experience in it's self. She grinned at him. "It's about half mile from the cafe, unless you want to see more of the island, which is what the car would be for." She added as the grinned. The smell was one of the reasons she had chosen that kiosk, it was one of a few she knew that sold real leis, with real flowers.

The woman smiles at him, the charm is working. "Minnow, you keeping this one?" She asks Taylor who gets flustered.

"He is a friend, I'm playing tour guide today while he has some time off while. Auntie, you'll say hi to Coz Tak right?"

"Of course, we could always make room for two more for dinner tonight."

"Not tonight, though maybe another time. We're going to Keiana's for coffee, then some shopping. But next time I'm in town I'll make sure to visit okay."

When they walked away she grinned. "Well, this is an island paradise. If it's not like this back on your world, whenever you need to, you are welcome here to reground." She led the way towards the cafe. "It's a good place to do that."

[smartass_captain]

'This one' is married with the ring to prove it and Taylor is young Enough in comparison that Jim gives a nervous little laugh and makes a mental note to Not look like he's flirting with this acquaintance he's barely met more than twice ever. He doesn't know how other worlds or times handle this kind of thing at all and the last thing he wants is to give the wrong impression. Let him just politely wave and not say anything that might stick his foot into his mouth or the situation until they're free to talk.

"I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to cause any trouble for you." 'Auntie' certainly seemed nice after all. "I didn't consider that even walking around with me would get you into the old 'found a partner' routine from the people here."

[sharktoothtotem]

Taylor laughed at that. "Auntie is always trying to set me up." She grinned. "And Auntie is harmless. Really she just likes knowing my friends. I was just hoping that she wasn't embarrassing you." Which was partly true, the people she was friendly with, were usually keeping an eye on her for either her guardian, or the group her mother had belonged to. The Lei seller, was a member of her mother's people.

"And it's fine." She walked with him silent a moment. "So, what's San Fran like on your world?" Hey, topic change? Yeah good. Besides, she was kind of seeing someone on the Nexus anyway. Last thing she wanted to do was mess that up. "Besides, you're not the only one who has someone. I just haven't brought him here yet. Pretty sure I'd have to fight to convince him to come here less armed than I've ever seen him." And she'd have to figure out how to get him to relax first.

[smartass_captain]

"I've never really had relatives like that." Jim confesses, but he's laughing right along side Taylor with relief that there was no real trouble caused here. Doubly relieving to know she does have her own healthy private life that she just hasn't gotten around to sharing. It's not Jim's business any more than it is her Auntie's in his opinion but the Nexus does have a way of introducing people to all sorts.

A warrior of some kind, if he had to guess by Taylor's description. Maybe. Just because a man carries a sword (or a phaser even) doesn't make them a fighter by default. Somehow he gets the feeling this is a bit different though.

But oh, talking about different places is also intriguing. Jim takes a half second to answer because he's focused on how crowded the streets seem even though he can see wide expanses that look comparatively empty on the horizon. "More built up..." Jim murmurs as he looks around. "But it's more consistent. Then again, San Francisco doesn't exactly have mountains jutting out every which way. It's hilly there, and I'd get turned around anytime I had to drive in the heart of the city but thankfully the public transport system is pretty good. Plus, I spent most of my time on base for Starfleet. That's like it's own microcosm by itself." He falls into step with Taylor as they continue on. One hand strays up to touch at his lei now and again.

It's nice. He feels a little silly but the flowers are pretty and the smell is very pleasant.

[sharktoothtotem]

"My found family is a little strange. They do mean well, even if they do unintentionally embarrass me." She grinned, glad he was laughing about it.

In some Earth cultures, the darker side of warrior. Not that she'll tell completely. She walks towards the cafe, her eyes scanning out of habit for danger. Something that she really can't break, though she isn't obvious about it.

"Sounds kind of like here, once you're on base, it's almost like being on the mainland, even though you're still on the island of Hawaii. Though it would be interesting to see sometime. Though I'm pretty sure that would mean I would have to actually dress like a Mainlander," There was a small pout at that. "I like standing out."

The sign for the cafe was now visible. "Hm, wonder if they have taro or pineapple mochi today." Both were some of her favorites. "And you'll probably smell those the rest of the day, even if you take it off, the clothing shop we're going to happens to be open air, and be surrounded by a garden. It always smells like flowers, and if it rains, it's an even more amazing smell. But I love the smell of storms and the ocean and water."

[smartass_captain]

"Would you though? No harm in looking like you're from out of town, at least not When I'm from. Tourism's one thing, but people fly in for business too. Or to see family." Maybe it's different here. Or maybe Taylor means something a bit less obvious than her words suggest. Jim has to admit though...

"I'd definitely stand out if I wore some of these shirts I'm seeing around San Francisco though, admittedly." Also he'd probably get cold. They seem pretty thin for as loud as the patterns and colors are.

Jim doesn't notice the cafe sign until it's pointed out to him but then h's also going to beam brightly when he does take notice. Soon. Soon there will be coffee. Also snacks if Taylor's wonderings are anything to go by. "I can't do pineapple, which is a shame, but I'll enjoy the smell of it enough."

[sharktoothtotem]

"Would I stand out? Probably, unless I get upstaged by... Wait in the future we have contact with aliens yet? I mean from other worlds?" Because that brings up more archeological sites she could explore, which in her mind would be the only reason to go to space, to learn about other cultures even if they aren't human ones.

"So a no go on Hawaiian prints. Got it." She grinned. I was thinking more muted anyway with you. Band tees though might look good on you with a good leather jacket."

Taylor mock gasps. "No pineapple? And you're On the Islands... that's almost a sin." She flashes a bright grin to let him know she's kidding. "It's cool not everyone can eat pineapple."