[ You haven't known awkward until you have had a very flustered Ensign complimenting your nail beds, Jim. Pike is a good sport when these kind of things happen, always being very tactile himself and more often than not fascinated by the extent of people's passions.

Jim...James still seems a little troubled, if it's because he discovered that his father is alive in a parallel universe or because Pike's own presence here, he can not tell but he immediately feels the need to make it better. Besides, it's not as if he's going anywhere. The Captain wanted to but he can't still remember what side of the town he was about to explore next.

Once they let go, Pike stands with his hand holding the opposite wrist in front of him, never having anything to hide. He gives a nod acknowledging James's words and offering another look of sympathy but not saying anything else. It's a sore subject, that much is obvious, and Pike has never made it a habit of pressuring people. If in the future James wants to know more about his father, he will tell the young man all he knows about him. ]

That's quite some time. I'm sure you miss your ship. I was already heartbroken when I had to leave the Enterprise in the docs to be properly repaired. But it's good to see snow again. Being grounded for a while reminds me why It's important for us to travel the stars. Reminds me who is important.

[ Even if the locals aren't the most friendly with the volunteers right now, Pike is happy to see people thriving, the kids playing around and not worrying about the battles that are lost or won among the stars. ]

It's been a really long time since I saw one of those, though. [ Looking up, he brings the mistletoe to attention. ]