( 001 ) ➶ ( voice )

[arches]

Okay, so not to be ungrateful--because I really appreciate being fished out of the ocean and given a crash course, really, I do--but the whole time thing? Things are just frozen, back where we came from, is that it?

_{( He pauses for a moment, and huffs. Perceptive listeners will be able to tell that he sounds exhausted, more so when he continues. )}

Yeah, I find that a little hard to swallow. More than this place, even. Has there been any verification, on that? Or am I just supposed to assume the nice people fishing me out of the ocean were telling the truth?

_{( Another pause, some muttering that isn't quite audible, though there may be a curse or two in there. Something about deserving this? Who knows. And then, just as unceremoniously as it began, the feed cuts. )}

Comments

[arches]

So I'm talking to a zombie. That's new.

[trainwrecked]

... pardon?

[Sorry, Barton. Zombies did not get linked to the undead until 1968. A bit after Bucky's time.]

[arches]

Don't worry about it. Unless you start craving human brains.

[trainwrecked]

... thanks, but no, thanks.

[arches]

Uh-huh. Be sure to watch that, though.

You seem well-adjusted, though. For a dead guy.

[trainwrecked]

Yes, sir. [Half-... self-mockingly.]

Always been adaptable, I guess. And the other options didn't seem all that good, to me.

[arches]

_{( Options like freaking out. There's some sense, there. )}

Good for you.

[trainwrecked]

[He tries.]

Thanks.

Try to watch your step. Locals are stronger than you'd expect.

[For one reason or another, that looks like a reasonable warning. Just a hunch, on Bucky's side.]

[arches]

Thanks for the warning, but I can take care of myself.

[trainwrecked]

Yeah, that seems to be the general attitude, around here.

[They'll... see if that lasts.]

[arches]

Then I guess we'll see who falls first and adjust our scale accordingly.

[trainwrecked]

... most guys I've been to war with have a brighter outlook on life.

[And that's not even counting Steve.]

[arches]

I'm sure they do. It's easy to be a soldier, that way.

_{( yup he just went there. )}

[trainwrecked]

Is it.

[arches]

Yeah, it is. You do what? Put on a uniform, go out in a line, shoot until you die or your enemy does. Then you go home and wait for the next war.

...'m not saying it's not worthy, or that they're not brave, or whatever. They're heroes, alright. But it's not as twisted as some other things.

[trainwrecked]

That... may be the wars some people fight. When you're in it for years, you kind of get a lot more than that.

[Especially if you get to be both a PoW and fighting by Captain America's side. Steve's courage never was limited to the fighting alone.
And not when the war is the WWII. And all that it held.]

Not that I'm trying to up anyone on the twisted aspect. But the killing and the dying, bad as they are, aren't the worst, no. Nor is that all there is to being a soldier.

[Morbid turn of the conversation, much?]

[arches]

_{( he lets out a breath, which is almost a laugh. )}

No, of course not. There's always worse. But, like you said, some of them still managed to be optimistic.

[trainwrecked]

Optimistic may be an overstatement - just a bit less pessimistic than what you've been saying, I guess.

[Usually, the ones that keep some shreds of hope are ones who have... somebody that they can believe in. One person, most often, or a small number. So long as that person is alive, they keep the guys (and, occasionally, gals) going.

And if that holds for this guy...]

Anyway. Not saying you're necessarily wrong. Was just surprised, I guess.

[arches]

Surprise isn't very flattering on anyone. _{( 8| )}

[trainwrecked]

[Dry grin.] Thanks.

[arches]

Any time.