tushanshu | [console: video]

[The back of a giant turtle probably is the strangest place he's ever been. There's some close seconds - like the bottom of the ocean for a few decades, or riding a chunk of a flying city that's threatening to come crashing down.

Speaking of:]

Natasha? Do you copy?

[His breath comes out in a frosty little cloud. He remembers the air getting thinner, but not this cold. The last thing Steve remembers at all was talking to her, so if he's lucky, maybe she's here too.

But it's not the first time that he's felt like he's alone in a world that's not his own. With or without a response, Steve will carry on.]

My name is Steve Rogers. I was hoping that other members of my team might be out there. From what I've been told since my arrival, I understand that there was a war here not so long ago. I was wondering if anyone had more information about that. Maybe something that wasn't included?

[Because if there's one thing he's learned, it's that there's always a little more to the story. Steve looks down at something, that little crease forming in his forehead.]

Someone once gave me some advice about starting over. I'm not sure this is what she meant by that, but I'll do my best while I'm here. So I'll be happy to talk to anyone who needs help. If anyone else has suggestions on how to stay busy here, I'll listen to those too.

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[The man who appears in this particular video feed is dressed in an impeccably tailored three-piece suit, charcoal grey. Erskine himself is startlingly attractive--beautiful is actually a fairly apt description. The backdrop is a cafe somewhere out in the city, and there's a cup of what looks like tea in his hands. His hands shake just slightly; he uses both of them to hold the cup, just to be safe.

When he speaks it becomes obvious he's very, very Irish.]

Your team? What sort of team might that be?

[Steve absorbs the details quickly, the man's appearance, his hands, the accent - that's one he's pretty familiar with. Just a generation or two back and they probably would've called him Captain Ireland.]

The Avengers. [And something about his next question makes him hold his breath after he asks it.] Have you heard of us?

[He hesitates for a moment, thinking, then shakes his head]

Can't say that I have. You're military, then?

[He had a feeling about that. He's not arrogant enough to just assume that everyone on Earth has heard his name. But you'd have to live under a pretty big rock to have never heard of the Avengers. The last time he checked, Ireland wasn't that much out of the loop.

One more strange thing about this place to add to the list.]

Yeah... Yeah, I was in the Army before.

Well, I hope you find the rest of your team. It's not unheard of. Two of the other men from my unit are here, and there were more up until recently.

It sounds like you've been to the Welcome Center. Have you found a place to stay yet?

Police or military?

And no, I haven't. I was given enough of the currency to get me through while I settle in, but I don't know how I feel about it.

Military. Probably nothing you'd have heard of, unless you happen to have sorcerers running around in your world.

Feel about... staying? You haven't got much of a choice on that, I'm afraid. It's best to find a place now--you're likely to be here for a while.

No, I don't think we have those.

[Yet. And he would say that nothing would surprise him at this point, but Steve's learned that that's just asking for it.]

No, I get that. It's just... [He sighs before offering the other man an awkward smile.] Being given money that I haven't earned. It makes me remember what I was like when I was young and stubborn.

[Steve, you're still stubborn.]

Then you've almost certainly never heard of the Dead Men. That makes us even, I suppose.

[He pauses and then lets out a surprised laugh, albeit a quiet one.]

What, that's what you're worried about? The juulan? Listen friend, unless you're in the habit of hopping dimensions and you've come prepared with a pocket full of gold, I wouldn't worry about the money. We all need a bit of a hand when we first arrive. Besides, I would imagine the Welcome Center would be more than happy to accept a donation back once you've found some kind of employment.

That's quite a name.

[Steve's eyebrows arch at it. He wouldn't call it catchy...just kinda ominous. He nods at the words that follow, that smile remaining as he looks down for a moment.]

When you put it that way. I guess I can just think of it as more of a loan.

So is 'the Avengers.' I'm not actually sure which of them sounds more pessimistic, really. [Kind of a sly smile, at that.]

Good. As far as where to stay, most Foreigners either find a place in the Sky Sector or go to the Midnight Hotel. If you go to the Hotel, the proprietor is a good friend of mine. He's good about arranging some form of payment for newcomers until they can pay their own way; usually it means chores around the Hotel for a while.

You got me there.

[Steve laughs softly.]

Sounds like a fair guy. Maybe I'll check it out. It's a little chilly for camping.

[Erskine laughs as well]

If it comes to that, let me know. I'm running a shelter in the Earth Sector and we have free beds available. It's more for the kedan, but I'd rather not see Foreigners sleeping in the gutters.

I'm sure I'll be fine. But it sounds like a good thing that you're doing, helping out since we are guests here.

Trying, at least. If you ever find yourself with a spare afternoon or two, I could use volunteers around the place. And the offer still stands about the bed.

Anyway, it's been a pleasure to meet you... Steve, was it?

Don't be surprised if you see me. I don't plan on using this as an excuse for R and R.

That's right. I don't think I caught your name.

Some of us needed the R and R, believe me. I certainly won't turn down another pair of hands, though.

Erskine Ravel. Pleasure to meet you, Steve.

[Erskine. Now there's a name he hasn't heard in awhile. He slips into a millisecond of nostalgia before smiling again.]

The pleasure's mine. I hope I can help.

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