tushanshu | 001

[He needs to stop thinking that he's incapable of being surprised. By the end of the Battle of New York, Steve thought he had seen it all. Insane technology, other worlds, aliens... What else could there possibly be?

The answer, of course, is a giant turtle in a realm outside the continuity of time. He had a long chat about nearly everything with the locals that helped him earlier, but it's still crazy, and he probably wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't seen some of the turtle shell himself.

Yet here he is. It'll probably all sink in over time; Steve's been overloaded with so much information over the past few hours and it's exhausting, even for him.

Getting on the computer hadn't been his top priority, but he's already gone outside of his new home and back. Steve's experienced enough culture shock for today. He might as well at least reach out and introduce himself to all of the other people who wound up here like him.

Once he's got the computer up and running, he accesses the network using the video function. He looks a little stiff and probably as exhausted as he feels, but that's the least of his concerns right now.]

Hello. My name's Steve Rogers. The kedin- kedan? - brought me up to speed already, but I only just arrived here a few hours ago.

[Maybe longer than that. He hasn't exactly been keeping track of time. In any case, it's really jarring to be talking to a computer screen and not actually know who's on the other end.]

I have a couple questions that I'd like to have verified. [It doesn't necessarily mean he'll believe whatever he's told, but second opinions are typically useful.] We're all more or less stuck on this turtle, right? But there's a way back.

[That's a question as well, but it ends up sounding more like a statement. It sounds like a reasonable assumption. There obviously isn't a rush since no time is passing back home; he just wants to know.]

The other question I have is about jobs. Since it looks like I'll be here awhile, I'll start looking soon. Does anyone know which places are hiring offhand?

[He pauses for a moment before adding a 'thank you.']

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[The lighting on his end is decent enough so that if Sharon looks closely, she might be able to notice Steve's tinged cheeks as his face burns.]

We were going to have a date.

[He clears his throat and quickly moves on. It's weird to mention it again to a stranger, and even weirder for the said stranger to be one of Peggy's relatives.]

It's nice to meet you, Sharon.

[ That phrase shouldn't upset her. As far as he knows, he's never met her before. It's okay. She can handle this. ]

It's nice to meet you, too, Steve.

Are you settling in all right?

[If he knew about her relationship with his other self, he might have phrased it differently. Then again, if he knew about it, this conversation would've been even more awkward.]

I think so, as much as I possibly can anyway. [He glances to his side for a brief moment.] It's not Brooklyn, but I'll get used to it.

[At least a little, anyway.]

[ Right. Steve's apartment in Brooklyn. She wonders if it's the dingy efficiency he'd insisted on before he'd revealed his identity, or the larger one he'd had to share with the Ramirez family. Would his SHIELD have put him in the hi-tech apartment already with the holographic wall? ]

If you need anything, I've been here a couple months. I used to be your- the Steve in my world, his liaison with SHIELD. I'd be happy to help.

[ God damn it. The smartest thing to do would be to avoid him. Not keep opening herself up to... whatever this feeling is. Her Steve has been gone for months and is unlikely to return. This one is probably still in love with her aunt. She'll never have with him what she has with her Steve, nor does she want it. It's just that he reminds her so much of her Steve... Is it really worth it? ]

I'm sure Tony would hire you when you're ready to look for work.

[ No, this feeling isn't worth feeling like a ghost of Steve is still around. She needs to just cut the feed and walk away. ]

[He is definitely grateful for her offer to help. If there's no one else that he knows who can help him, maybe he'll take her up on it. Or maybe he'll bypass anyone else specifically to talk to her. Steve's not sure. Part of him wants to know Sharon, or at least just talk to her on another occasion.

The thing is, he knows it's because of her connection to Peggy. Not even the one he knows. That's the wrong reason to even consider it; it's not going to bring him any closer to Peggy because she's not here. At least, as far as he knows, she's not, and he's not going to get his hopes up about it. This isn't the time or place.

Sharon's a SHIELD agent, though, and in a strange place like this, it can't hurt to have too many allies. They're at least on the same side, doubly so, different universes or not.

His thoughts on all of this are far too complicated as it is, and he doesn't even know the half of it. Steve's too exhausted for this.]

Okay, thank you. I think I've got it all under control for now, at least.

[There's only a brief pause before he speaks again.]

He already offered me an office for an art department. [It sounds silly when he says it like that, but that's essentially how Tony phrased it and Steve doesn't know how else to describe it just yet. It's also impossible to not sound surprised about it, either.] I haven't looked at it yet, and I don't know what I'll do with it, but that's something.

[Something legitimately exciting, despite the circumstances. He could be potentially fulfilling a childhood dream, but he still has to keep everything in perspective.]

[ She smiles even though it hurts. She remembers Steve's paintings, how they'd always helped him find peace. His work had always been overshadowed by his work as Captain America, but even though she couldn't appreciate art the way Steve did, she'd loved it nonetheless. ]

You should do it. Tony's a good boss.

[ Even if she's not on the best of terms with him at the moment. ]

[He nods.]

I'm going to give it a shot.

Once I get everything how I want it, you'll be more than welcome to stop by.

[Steve's extending the invitation to be friendly, but only once he's done. It wouldn't be good to have anyone around if he decides he needs to punch walls out.]

[ Ouuuuuuuuuch.

The smile falters, but she soon rallies. ]

Right. Just... let me know when it's ready.

[He doesn't catch the falter, which is probably a good thing since he doesn't know the context.]

I definitely will.

[Now he's hesitating, unsure what else to say just yet, if anything.]

[ She's in the same boat, Steve.

She clears her throat. ]

Right. So, if you need anything, you know how to get in touch. And let me know when you're settled at Tony's.

I'll see you around, Steve.

[ She offers him another smile and then cuts the feed. After, she continues standing at the console for nearly a whole minute, her head hung, before leaving a message for Bruce. She suspects she needs to drink something right now, and given that she isn't entirely ecstatic to see Steve back, Bucky is probably the wrong person to drink with right now. That will come later, when she can pretend she's glad to see Steve and keep her real feelings to herself. ]

Alright. Thank you, Sharon. Take care.

[He has a lot to think about once the feed ends. Not just about what he's learnt from their conversation, but everything. Steve can't even allow himself a moment for that just yet. There are other things he has to do.

Eventually, he will be true to his word and contact her again. Steve can only hope that next time is even slightly less awkward.]

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