A tall ship and a star to steer her by (starwreck) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2012-09-19 22:35:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, avatar korra, hermione granger, james kirk |
So. Tell me more about the moon.
Who: Jim Kirk and Hermione Granger, special appearance by Korra
What: Jim tries to impress Hermione with the size of his rock.
When: Wednesday evening
Where: Jasmine Dragon Tea House
Status: Complete
Rating: PG-13 for awkward
Jim had collected a large variety of moon rocks. Many he'd given away to museums, or to friends, but there were still plenty left for new friends, or to use to raise money for charity.
It was just a matter of figuring out which rock he ought to bring to Ms. Granger. Her flirting had been adorable, and he'd had a hard time resisting. Besides, it wasn't like he and Jess had settled anything beyond what had happened. Dressing in jeans and a black shirt, he walked over to his collection.
He settled on one about 1 kilogram and the size of a softball. It was irregularly shaped and currently resided in a vacuum-sealed container sitting on the seat of his car. He parked in front of the Jasmine Dragon, and walked inside with the container under his arm.
Hermione considered herself to be a free woman, even though deep in her heart that probably wasn’t true. There was a part of her that would always belong to Harry and to Ron, her truest friends in the world. She wasn’t exactly aware of that fact, though, as she was still trying to go on living her life as if she was free. Her blinders were up toward her more-than-friend-ly feelings toward Ron. Hence, attempting to flirt with, and arrange a meeting with, this Jim-the-astronaut Kirk.
Moon Rocks. Who’d have ever guessed? Really, Hermione wanted to see if he was full of hot air--then again, she thought she remembered reading something about this a while back. Perhaps there was more to the story than meets the eye.
After class she headed to the Jasmine Dragon tea shop, parked, and wandered in through the front door. She’d left her school things in the car, and now carried only a small purse. She wandered up behind who she thought was him and leaned around to see if she could catch his attention.
“Are you the moon man?”
While Jim could certainly be full of hot air, he wasn't in this case. He didn't always go trumpeting it around, but it had been a goal towards his life's ambitions - and a stepping stone towards the world of his dreams.
He turned to face her, giving her a bright smile, "I'm the man from the moon, yes. And you would be that lady who asks a lot of questions?"
He held out his free hand.
“Not too many questions, I hope,” Hermione responded, lifting her hand to shake his. “You can call me Hermione,” she added, giving his hand a little squeeze before letting go. He was more handsome in person, she noticed, as she pulled her hand back.
“So, have you been here often?” Did that sound like a lame pick-up line? Hermione frowned slightly, kicking herself. “I mean, what’s good on the menu?”
Far to the back of the shop, there were still some scorch marks on the wall from the recent 'fire' incident in the brewing area. Tastefully painted screens set up around the kitchen blocked most of the rest of the damage from view to the general public.
Korra still glanced behind her and in the direction of the screens with a sheepish look before walking up to the new guests that had arrived, and collecting two menus.
"Welcome to the Jasmine Dragon, would you two like a regular booth, zen garden, or private seating?"
He grinned at the squeeze of her hand, and let his drop to his side. She seemed very nervous, and he was about to answer when Korra showed up. Instead, he turned to her and said, "We'll take private seating, thanks. What can you recommend on the menu?"
That would probably make his tea-date even more nervous, but he gave her a reassuring smile.
Private seating? Hermione smiled and nodded to the waitress. She was a little nervous. It’d been a long time since she’d been on a date. Was this even a date? A real date? It was about as blind as dates ever got. She shifted her weight and tucked her little purse under her arm.
Lord, it was like they thought she liked tea and drank the stuff they served here or something. Korra thought that was hysterical. But she grinned anyway, and a bit knowingly at the man doing all the talking.
"We got a White Jade blend in this month that's flying out of the kettles faster than we can brew it, and these new tea cakes with cinnamon and warm spices in them to go with the season change," Korra motioned to an opening at the back of the main area that was lit up with windows, and then started heading in that direction, "The private booths are off the courtyard. Just this way."
Hermione turned to follow the way to the private seating. She wasn’t really sure what to say, if anything. She was taking her time looking up and around the place, and wondered why she’d never been here before. At least it wasn’t a long trip to get back to where they’d be taking their tea.
That sounded good enough to Jim. He took the opportunity to admire Hermione. She was attractive, if not the exotic hotness he generally went for, but she seemed to have brains and that was a bit of a thing with him.
He glanced at her as he took a seat, placing the container on the table between them, "I think I'll take whatever you recommend, ma'am."
Then he leaned forward like he was captain of the tea house, "So what kind of woman jumps all over a moon rock?"
The room Korra had seated them in was richly furnished and lit with flickering lamps. It was quite the atmosphere for a romantic tea date. Korra figured the guy really liked the girl who'd shown up. Props to you, black t-shirt guy. He was kind of cute. She was almost envious.
She also noticed the rock in its container, and squinted a bit, before smiling again, "I'll bring up a kettle of the White Jade, then. It pairs well with the cakes if you're hungry, and one Kettle should be enough for two."
Without another word - she didn't want to interrupt their conversation - she turned and headed back to the main house, silently sliding the screen closed behind her.
Hermione gave the girl a smile and a nod--that order sounded good to her--and then watched her go for a moment before turning her attention back to Kirk and the moon rock. She set her purse on the table and leaned back in her chair a little as she surveyed him.
“What kind of a woman wouldn’t jump all over a moon rock?” She asked, grinning slightly.
Jim decided that girl was getting a very, very nice tip. Maybe even a kudos!
He met her grin with his own, "You'd be surprised. Most would probably think it's an old, dusty rock. Which they'd be right, but it's an old, dusty interesting rock. I think it's just that no one remembers what it's like to wonder any more. With all the recent big events, maybe people will again."
“No, it’s a really old, dusty, really interesting rock.” Hermione grinned at him over the table, then brought her eyes back down to the container. “And you’re really generous to share your experience with those of us who show an interest.” Her eyes wandered back up to his face. He was definitely more handsome in person, she decided.
“So. Tell me more about the moon.”
"Well, it's made of cheese," He started.
She laughed. “There’s a man’s face on it?”
"I drew one. With a good enough telescope you can just barely make it out if you know the exact coordinates."
He knew the exact coordinates. He'd spent about an hour dragging a pole around to make the smiley face.
"It's really hard to describe. Aldrin was dead on, it really is beautiful desolation. I think the thing that struck me first was how pristine it all was. And then looking up and seeing the earth..."
He shook his head, "All those quotes you've heard. The pale blue dot, what others have said, none of them compare to the actual experience and the actual sight."
“I imagine that all of those quotes I’ve heard pale considerably in comparison to the actual sight.” Hermione said, wistfully. She could live a little vicariously through his experience, and by the rock he had for her.
“Why are you so willing to part with your hard found spoils?” She asked, eyeing the rock in front of him on the table.
"I got a little greedy in bringing rocks back," He admitted. "Some of them will go to good causes, like auctions for charity. Some for friends, some for silly little contests. There'll always be my three favorites I'll keep for myself."
He tapped the container, "But this one, I think, was always meant for you."
Hermione nodded. That was plausible. She would have done the same thing, if she had the chance.
"I can't deny that I'm incredibly excited, and very thankful. You know it's something I'm going to cherish forever," she added, softly. "Thank you so very much."
She reached forward for the container. "May I?"
"Go ahead, I'm sure it's not contaminated with some horrific and exotic space flu." He gently nudged it towards her, leaning forward to watch her face. He wondered if she'd notice anything at all in the outside world while inspecting it.
Hermione gingerly opened the container. It made her inhale sharply when she caught sight of it. Hermione was completely in awe. This small rock was in space. On the moon. It had travelled more miles than Hermione would ever travel, more than she could imagine traveling.
She very carefully removed the lid and slid the container to herself on the table, the entire world fading away as she examined the rock before her. She was too awed to even touch it.
The lull in the conversation was the perfect time to bring the tea tray in, and Korra took the opportunity. She silently set the tray down on the table, put a cup before Kirk and Hermione, and poured them their first cup.
She was pretty sure that rock was a moon rock, which meant that she was pretty sure the guy was the one she'd spoken to on the net. Because really, how many guys had moon rocks? Korra was beginning to think that maybe she should have offered to date him for one.
But, you know. It wasn't that impressive a rock. She bowed to the both of them, and then exited the room again. She had a tea house to run and that was kind of more important. Tea was serious business, after all.
Jim nodded at Korra, then watched Hermione examine the rock. The expression of awe on her face was impossible to fake. He sat back, picking up his cup to taste the tea, and letting the woman continue to be engrossed by the lunar material. It was a good chance to study her and learn a few things about her, from her body posture and facial expressions.
He decided she would have made a terrific science officer on the Enterprise.
Hermione didn’t even notice Korra come in and set the tray down. She barely registered that there was now a cup of tea sitting in front of her--and that was a feat considering how much she loved tea. She reached into the container and gingerly picked up the rock, then lifted it so she could inspect it from every angle.
It would definitely be a shock to her to realize how much time had gone by that she’d been so engrossed in her own thoughts.
As she lifted the rock, she happened to glance across the table and catch Jim staring at her. At once, Hermione’s cheeks went bright pink and she broke into a sheepish smile. “What?”
"You're completely engrossed by it," He replied, still giving her an easy grin. He decided he could get used to someone like her, even as just a friend. Not that he didn't want to get into her pants, "Your tea is starting to get cold."
He gestured his hand at the rock, "Do you know how dense that is compared to Earth rock?"
“It’s approximately half as dense as an Earth rock,” Hermione said, a little sheepishly. She reached one of her hands forward and lifted her teacup for a sip, then set it back down again. The tea was good. Very good, actually, but she wasn’t going to let anything distract her from the rock and the conversation about the rock.
“It’s most likely a form of basalt, probably around three and a half billion years old,” she added, turning her eyes to his face again.
Grinning, Kirk nodded his head. He figured she'd get that one and was happy to have been correct. The rest of it was just bonus information. He kept his eyes on hers, steady and even, "Yep, sounds about right. I think I got that one from the rim of Tycho crater." They'd landed nearer the pole, hoping to get some samples with water.
“Is that where you left your face?” Hermione asked, the grin ever present on her face. She kept her eyes locked with his, though it made her cheeks go rather pink. “I’ll have to get the coordinates from you so I can look it up later with my telescope.”
His grin grew wider, and he nodded. He lowered his voice flirtatiously, "I can get you whatever you need. So does it pass inspection?"
He gestured at the rock, without breaking eye contact.
Whatever I need? Hermione’s pink cheeks faded into a deeper shade. “It does.” Hermione set the rock back down in the container, finally breaking her eyes away from his, shyly. “It’s a very high quality rock, and the size is good, too.”
Anything his eyes seemed to imply. His grin tempered a bit into more of a fond smile, "I'm glad I picked right for you then. Do you have a place to put it?"
“I’ve got an open spot on my desk,” Hermione thought aloud. Her eyes lit up. “And I have a clear case that I can put it in to use for a... not a paper weight, but a... trophy of sorts.” Not another nick nack. A moon rock was way more than a silly nick nack.
“Though, to be completely honest,” Hermione said, smiling shyly up at him, batting her eyelashes a little. “I’m probably going to take some more time studying it before I put it under glass.”
"Do you think you'll find something by studying it?" Jim reached over and tapped her hand where it was still on the rock, "Something new, anyway. Or is it just the pursuit of knowledge?"
“Mostly the pursuit of knowledge,” Hermione thought for a moment, giving a little shrug. “I’m sure I’ll find something new. I always figure out new things, even if I’m not really looking for them.” She found new things to study practically every time she opened her eyes.
"Now that's the way to think about it." He sat back, letting his finger trail across Hermione's hand as he pulled away, "You mentioned classes. What are you studying?"
Goosebumps rose along Hermione’s forearm. It was probably painfully obvious. She cleared her throat and shifted her weight in her chair. “Pre-law,” she said, softly. “It’s taking up a lot of my time--a bit more than I expected it would.” They said that while studying law, students shouldn’t hold jobs on the side, even part-time. Now Hermione understood why.
"Pre-law? What draws you to that? I would have pegged you for something a bit more...educational. Or more to do with learning new things. You strike me as the sexy librarian." Jim winked, taking another sip of that delicious tea. The tea was good, the lighting made already good company even better. Especially when flustered.
Hermione let out a gentle, bark of laughter at the words ‘sexy librarian,’ and then went bright red at the wink. She was rather flustered, and wasn’t really sure what to say to that at first. “Well, thank you?” It was more of a question than a response, though. “I want to protect people and creatures who can’t protect themselves,” she added once she finally found the words. “Environmental law, maybe.”
Sexy librarians were the best to make go wild, you know!
"That's a good cause. You won't get much respect and you'll get a lot of crap. If you can weather that - which I think you will - you can do a lot of good. What about helping the poor or abused?"
“So long as I can improve one life, then my fight will be worth it.” Hermione said, though she wanted to do more than help one life. She wanted to help several, or all of them. All the lives in the world. She had a lot of love to give. That sounded good, so she decided to say it. “I have a lot to give to the world, and I think this is a good place to start,” she said. “I would love to. Honestly, I’ve got a lot to learn about how the system works. For real, rather than just on paper, you know? Then I can decide where I really belong.”
She lifted her teacup for a sip. “What about you? What do you do besides fly to the moon?”
"Well, Hermione, I hope you succeed and give all of that to the world. But," And Jim held up a finger. "Save some of yourself for yourself, or you'll just be a hollow shell before long and how can you help anyone if you've lost yourself?"
He dropped his hand, "A couple of things. Wish I could go to Mars for one. On Earth I have a part time job teaching self-defense, and another part time job running people through survival in the wild."
“You’re right. I know you’re right. That’s what everyone tells me. I think people don’t realize how much I actually enjoy studying. It’s not burning yourself out if you’re doing something that you love.” Is it?
“Teaching self defense? Maybe I should take one of your classes,” Hermione said, putting on as much of a flirtatious tone as she could. It wasn’t very good, but she was learning.
"You can still burn out on something you love," He assured her, a little sadly. "It just takes longer, and sometimes you end up hating what you love. You may not see it now, but it could happen. That's why I try to do a lot of different things I love."
"I could give you private lessons." He winked at her again, "As private as you want."
Hermione’s face went scarlet. “I’m not sure I’d learn as much in a private lesson,” she said, smiling shyly. She couldn’t look into his eyes.
"Depends on what you want to learn," He pointed out, hiding his grin with his tea.
Hermione started coughing on her tea.
“You okay?” Jim got up and slapped a hand on her back.
Hermione coughed a little, still so red she was blotchy, and laughed a little through her coughs. “Yes, sorry...” She felt absolutely ridiculous now as she set her teacup down and covered her mouth with both hands.
Jim stopped slapping her on the back and started to rub in slow circles, "Breathe. It does a body good."
Hermione gave a little nod, calming down almost instantly when she felt his hand on her back, moving in small circles. She swallowed and took a deep breath, then let it out. “Thank you.” She said after a moment. “I needed a little... reminder.”
"Seems to be doing good now," He replied, letting his hand linger a moment longer before returning to his seat. Not the way he'd intended to make her breathless, but it made her endearing.
It wasn’t as if Hermione was prone to choking on tea. Far from it. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d actually choked on a sip of tea. She’d done a spit-take recently, but actually choking? Now she was rather embarrassed, and hoped that he didn’t think her... something strange.
Well, she was something strange, wasn’t she? She hoped it was the kind of strange that he might like.
“Yes, um, I forgot what we were talking about,” she said, very sheepishly. Oh, right, private lessons.
"Private lessons," He said, waggling his eyebrows playfully. She was rather strange, but strange was good. Jim Kirk wasn't fond of boring.
Hermione gave a little chuckle. “Right. Private Lessons. I suppose we should go ahead and set those up.”
"Do you have plans tonight?" He asked, boldly. going where no man has probably gone before
“Let’s see...” Hermione pondered aloud, bringing her index fingertip up to tap against her bottom lip. “Besides studying and spending time with the lump on my sofa? No, no plans.” She gave a playful shrug. “Why?”
Jim's eyes fell to her finger on her lip, and he had to take a very long sip of tea to compose himself, "If you have nothing planned, I can give you some lessons tonight."
Hermione broke into a grin. “What sort of lessons did you have in mind? Intro to Self Defense?”
"For starters!" And he would actually teach her some things, "And then maybe move onto grappling, and wrestling. I hope you don't mind getting sweaty."
Hermione was in danger of choking on her tea again. She coughed a little and swallowed, going incredibly pink. “No, I don’t mind.”
"You don't? Hmm, I wonder if the dojo is open at this hour..." Jim was fishing a little bit, trying to see if taking her back to his place really was on the docket, or if she needed to be eased into it. He was a cad, but he was a polite and considerate cad. He genuinely liked her.
“Oh, I’m sure we can find one.” Hermione said, smiling. “Though, I might have to change into something more appropriate for wrestling and sweating,” she added. She wasn’t really thinking naughty things like he was. She was honestly thinking about yoga pants and a sports bra.
"Did you drive here?" He asked, raising an eyebrow, "Or do you need a ride to change? I'll warn you ahead of time I'll have you pinned to the mat. A lot."
“I don’t doubt it,” Hermione said, quite honestly. She wasn’t that strong, and he was bigger than she was. “I did drive here. We can split up and meet up again at a location of your choosing.”
"Would you be more comfortable at the dojo, or my place?" He asked, taking out a piece of paper to write one or the other address down. He did put his phone number on the back, first thing.
“We’ll probably have more room at the dojo,” Hermione said, though she had to admit that she was tempted to want to go back to his place for a little privacy. It was something that any red-blooded young woman would think while looking into a face as handsome as his.
"Not a problem, I have the key and the last of the classes should be over by now. We'll have some privacy, if that's what you want." He wrote the address and slipped it across the table, then pulled out his wallet. He left a large tip for Korra.
Hermione accepted the paper with the address written on it. She knew the area, and had probably driven by the place a few times, so she was confident that she could find it without a problem. She nodded, then folded it and slipped it into her purse. “A little privacy would be good. I’m sure I’m going to let out more than a few grunts of frustration, so at least I won’t be making a fool out of myself.”
Jim smiled, "If I do my job right, you might be letting out some other kinds of grunts." Did he mean pain, or what? He left that up to her as he got to his feet, "I'll see you there."
Hermione stood, and nodded. “See you there.” She said, giving him a smile.