tushanshu | Video;

[ The video turns on to a view of a man’s face, and those observant enough to notice nitpicky details might realize that this is a man who’s familiar with and comfortable using strange bits of technology. There’s no fear in his eyes, no outward confusion or panic. He looks calm and in control, and when he speaks, he sounds like it, too. ]

Hello. My name’s Steve Rogers and I just recently arrived from a city called New York. I was debriefed about the situation and I wanted to offer my help to anyone who needs it.

[ He pauses for a moment as he collects his thoughts. These days, it’s not often that he goes somewhere that people aren’t at least slightly familiar with who he is. Providing a brief resume is a somewhat novel experience. ]

I’ve been a soldier for a long time, but I’m also good with my hands. Construction, farming, hunting, good old-fashioned heavy lifting, I can help with that. I can speak a number of languages, too, if anyone needs translations done. I know I’m new, but I want to pull my weight. So if you know anyone who might need a hand with something, let me know.

[ Offering a faint smile, he gives the camera a short nod. ]

Thanks for your time.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Rikki was expecting the questions - really, they're sort of comforting. Steve's trying to figure things out, and she can help; it's almost business as usual. ]

Yeah. Pretty often. Not as regularly as the arrivals, but often enough. No real pattern that I've noticed, or anyone's mentioned. And... no. They don't come back.

It's been suggested to me that we're being brought here to help the turtle. Maybe those who disappear are returned home when they do their part in that. Or when it's discovered that their skill set isn't useful or compatible with whatever needs to be done.

[ Of course, he knows that there might be awful explanations for the disappearances too, but he prefers focusing on the more positive possibilities. ]

I don't know. [ Her voice is soft, and she looks down for a second, lips pressed together. ] Everyone keeps saying we're clones. I wasn't in the group that found the facility, so I don't know for sure, but if it's true... There's not really a place for us back home, is there?

[ Not that she figured she was ever going back. She died, and for some people (like Steve), that might be something you come back from. For her, it's hard not to see it as a one-way trip. ]

[ This isn't the first time he's heard speculation that they're clones. It's given him some time to think on the subject, and while it's still disturbing, he finally has an answer to the question he's been asking himself. What do we do then? ]

If that's true, then we make a new home. We find a new place and we live our lives. I'm still me. You're still you. And if there are other people out there in the universe somewhere with our same set of memories, that's okay. It doesn't change who we are.

I know. [ It's said with a tiny quirk of her lips, wry and a little sad. ] This isn't the first time I've done this, remember. I just meant, if it is true... if no one really does go home... that means something bad's happening to them when they go away. Doesn't it?

[ He isn't the sort of person to sugarcoat his words, and Rikki's strong enough to hear the truth. He won't do her the disservice of lying. ]

If it does, we'll find out and we'll stop them. In fact, maybe that should be the first thing I look into.

Okay. [ That's all she needs to hear. She knows the younger Steve is looking into it, and it's not that she doubts his ability, but... Well, having the older one on the case too can't hurt, right? ] If there's anything I can do to help, just let me know.

[ She pauses for just a second, biting her lip, and then blurts out before she can change her mind about asking: ] How long has it been for you? Since the last time you saw me?

[ How long has it been? Sometimes he feels like he judges the passage of time not by days and months like most people do, but by tragedies and catastrophes. ]

It's been a while. A lot's happened since then, but the Earth's still standing.

[ A slight pause, and he adds; ]

I never forgot you. Not a single day passed that I didn't think of you and what happened.

I know. [ It's soft, but she never doubted that for a second. If he remembered her when the rest of the heroes forgot... a little thing like being obliterated from existence can't make him forget, right? ]

My team? They're okay?

[ It only takes him a moment to comb through his memory, and once he has, he nods. ]

The Young Allies are fine. I haven't kept track of them too closely, but they're all alive and no one's in trouble. Not that I'm aware of.

[ She lets out a breath like she's been holding it for an eternity. ] Good. Not that I thought they couldn't survive without me, but... y'know. I worried.

I worry too. All the time.

[ He smiles slightly, gently. ]

I think that's probably a good thing. Shows that we care, even if we sometimes let our worries get the better of us.

Video;

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject