Merry Christmas!

[juststeverogers]

It took an awful lot of work to track down everyone and get their gifts in order, but Steve's going to be running around the Nexus giving out presents to all of his friends. Or inviting them over to his apartment. Whatever works for them!




((Stealing verity's setup--please go to the top level for your character and begin commenting as you like. Feel free to make Steve work to find you, he's got gifts for you all!))

Comments

Amelia

[juststeverogers]

Steve told her when she was over for Jul's eve when Christmas was for certain, so she should be relatively easy to find to get her gifts, right?

She really needs to get a phone.

[rogueinladysclothing]

The nice thing about Amelia's current residence is that there's always someone who can point her friends in the direction of her room. Which is exactly what the large hen behind the front desk does when Steve arrives.

There's a small stack of dishes sitting outside the door to her room, which seems a bit odd. At least for someone like Amelia. But there's sounds of life inside, so Steve won't have to wait for answers. Or worry about trying to find her again.

[juststeverogers]

He gives her door a good knock. Then once more for good measure.

"Amelia? It's Steve. Do you have a minute?"

[rogueinladysclothing]

There's some shuffling from inside before the door opens the slightest bit. Amelia looks ill slept and unkempt. Through the small opening, Steve can see a dagger in her hand.

"What do you want?" She's not angry or upset. She's terrified.

[juststeverogers]

"Amelia?" Steve bites at his lip, and holds up the wrapped gift he has in his slim hands.

"It's...Christmas. I brought you your gift, remember?" He looks worried. "Are...you okay?"

[rogueinladysclothing]

Calm down. It's just Steve. Your friend, remember?

"Oh. Christmas. Right." The last few days had been a blur. She isn't fully sure she's slept. But if he's here, she can't turn him away. It's not safe out there.

"Come in. Quickly." She steps aside and ushers him in. All the furniture has been pushed to form a barrier in front of the door, except for the bed, which is in the far corner of the room. Her rapier is laying unsheathed on the desk and more than a dozen daggers hang from her person. Every move is skittish, unpredictable. It's quite obvious that she's not fine.

[juststeverogers]

"What's happened? What's going on?" The present can wait. There are more important matters at hand, like how Amelia has barricaded her door.

"Amelia? You can tell me. What's going on?"

[rogueinladysclothing]

"It's not safe out there. It's not safe. Everyone is out there and they're trying to get in. I had to get away. I'm trying to stay safe." Her eyes dart around the room, and she watches the window in particular. "I want to go home. But I can't get there. No portal. No way to get to the alley I came through. So I'm here, but it's not home. Fuck, I need to get home, Steve."

Her hands are waving around wildly as she speaks. She's pacing the room slowly, though her boots don't make a sound as she does. She pulls her hair pin from her hair with her free hand and clutches it tightly.

"I can't... I can't stay here. I have to get out of here. But I don't have anywhere to go."

[juststeverogers]

"Amelia, the field is in place, nothing can hurt you." But she's not listening, and Steve doesn't want to argue with her when she's like this. Whether it's a panic attack or not, he walks right over and pulls her arms down.

"Breathe in." He waits until she does. "Out." Wait. "In." wait. "Out." When it doesn't seem to alleviate her panic, Steve gives a decisive nod.

"Okay, gather up your things. Bundle up. I'm going to take you somewhere safe. You trust me, right?"

[rogueinladysclothing]

No one can be fully trusted. Everyone is suspect. But Steve... he's a friend. With him, she feels safe. She always has. It cuts through her paranoia, allows her a single moment of clarity to answer.

"I trust you."

All of her weapons are gathered and belted, then she pulls on her neck wrap from Verity and her cloak. She throws her hair up again and then pulls the hood of her cloak down. Her hands begin shaking as she turns back to Steve. Part of her wants to ask where they're going, but she's afraid she won't follow if she does. Her voice shakes as she says, "Let's go."

[juststeverogers]

Steve reaches out and takes Amelia's hand, leading her out and into the Nexus proper. The snow is still falling, giving an ethereal quiet to the Nexus proper. Steve sticks to cleared streets and back alleys--less likely to leave footprints.

He doesn't think they're in any danger. The important part is alleviating Amelia's fears.

They're taking the most roundabout and back alley way Steve knows to get back to his apartment, and the slim man doesn't say anything the entire walk unless she asks him first. It's not until they're safely inside that Steve locks his door, latches his windows, and gives Amelia a small smile.

"Schon watches over this place. So if there's a safer place in the Nexus, I don't know about it. Go on, sit down. You can stay here as long as you like." He's going to heat up some soup so she can get something to eat.

[rogueinladysclothing]

Steve's choice of route is impeccable. There's less people on this route, which makes Amelia feel a little better about being outside. In truth, they're not in danger - she just thinks they are.

Talk of Schön's magic does nothing to alleviate her fears. She still checks every inch of the apartment once they're inside, both elated and frightened of the large number of windows. Being on the top floor is helpful, but it won't keep everyone out. The moment Steve's back is turned, she's working to barricade the door with his couch. No point in asking for permission, she figures, because it will keep them safe. Her mind is already working through more options for fortification before the couch is in place and there's no worry about sleeping arrangements because she's not planning on sleeping, pretty much ever.

[juststeverogers]

When Steve hears the couch moving, he sighs slightly and continues working to heat them up some food. She has to fall asleep eventually, and he's pretty determined to try and get her to calm down enough for it.

The gift can wait.

"Here." He makes no mention of the moved furniture, handing her a soup bowl and spoon. "Chicken and wild rice. Eat up. It'll help you focus." And hopefully start to calm her down. If he can just ride this out, be calm for her, hopefully she should start to match him.

[rogueinladysclothing]

She's trying to protest when he hands her the bowl and spoon, but she trusts him. If he made the food, it will be safe. Steve is safe.

"Thank you." The reply is soft, but she immediately digs into the soup. She doesn't sit or slow down as she eats. Her eyes are taking in every detail of the place, trying to think of all possible routes in. The front door is covered. The side windows are fairly easy to defend if only one is broken at a time. The skylight is the real problem - how does one defend against an opponent coming from above?

When she's finished with the soup, she takes the bowl to the small kitchen area. Steve doesn't have a lot of knives that could be useful in a fight, but perhaps is she left a dagger or two there it would be okay? There's no outward talk about it, but she removes a dagger from her belt and sets it down on the counter anyway. That's when another problem occurs to her.

"How much food do you have here? How long can we stretch out the supplies you have?" Because going out for more is in no way an option.

[juststeverogers]

"I just stocked up before the holiday. We should be good for a long while At least a week." And if getting more is a necessity, he'll just ask Nana to bring them food. He's sure as hell not telling Amelia that that's where a lot of his food came from already.

Whatever has scared her isn't going to be settled so easily. Luckily Steve's the patient sort.

[rogueinladysclothing]

"A week? That's all?" Despite her desire to stay away from everyone, she's not doing very well with the one person who she seems to be okay with. "How will we survive on that? We can't go back outside - it's not safe. No one out there can be trusted."

The panic is stating to rose again. The birds outside the windows are circling. The air inside is too cold. There's only enough food for a week and this place is horrible for a defensive home. Why must all this be happening now? Why couldn't she be home? Surely things would be better if she were there. If she were home, she could protect him better.

[juststeverogers]

"Don't worry, I've got contacts for supplies. Leave it to me." He gives Amelia the surest smile he can muster. "Trusting them won't be a problem either. If I suspect anything, i'll make them sample the food first before I pay."

Steve moves past Amelia to turn up the thermostat, since she seems to be cold. He keeps his apartment rather warm, but a few degrees more won't hurt.

"Why don't you keep guard on the couch? I'll stay over by the window and scout from there. Between the two of us, we should have warning if anything's coming." He's not sure if playing along is the best thing to do. But he can't force Amelia to do anything--she's stronger than he is. And he doesn't want her to run. She's safer here.

Narrative wall of text inc

[rogueinladysclothing]

The next few days are another blur for Amelia. She paces the apartment often, sleeps as infrequently as Steve will allow, and eats only when prompted. She even goes so far as to make them a sleep schedule to make sure someone is always standing guard over the apartment. Although he's never able to get her to answer the question of why she's acting the way she is, Steve gets the impression this is one of those bad things that people in the Nexus are always talking about.

With each passing day, though, Amelia gets a little bit better. Her attention isn't always focused on the dangers she believes are all around, she sleeps just a few minutes longer, hesitates before not agreeing to do something that would take her focus off her worries. Finally, one afternoon after one of his "scheduled" naps, Steve wakes to find Amelia out cold on the couch in front of the door. Rather than pester her about it, he drapes a blanket over her and lets her sleep it off. The little extra time to himself means he can get in a shower without her nagging about him taking too long, anyway. When she doesn't wake during that time, he lets her sleep through the rest of the day, hoping that this signals an end to her paranoia.

When Amelia wakes in the middle of the night, it takes longer than she wants to admit to figure out where she is. As the realization settles in, she relaxes for the first time in over a week. This place isn't home, but it's truly safe. Having slept for so long, she takes the time to use her stealth skills quietly move about and clean up a bit. Nothing noisy, but small chores that can be done silently are all taken care of before she settles in to wait out the night. Her curiosity and boredom will have her peeking through his old sketchbook by the moonlight at some point, which in turn will make her both happy to see her friends and flabbergasted to see herself among the sketches.

The following morning, Steve wakes to the sound of breakfast being made. On the table are some fruits he's sure weren't in the apartment the day before, some toast, and two mugs. In the kitchen, Amelia is finishing up making eggs and sausage, as well as a pot of coffee. It's not much, but it's the best she can do to make up for ruining Christmas.

:D!

[juststeverogers]

Steve hasn't been able to get a full night's sleep in days, not with Amelia waking him on the nose every scheduled shift. He's startled to see the sun already up, and that there isn't the now familiar sound of pacing and muttering coming from the other side of the apartment.

Steve sees to his hygienic needs before padding quietly to the kitchen, trying in vain to push his hair back in order.

"...Are you feeling alright Amelia?" He'll thank her shortly, but her health is the most important thing.

Glad you enjoyed it! :D

[rogueinladysclothing]

She doesn't look up at him - the eggs would burn if she did. It may look like she's hiding, but it's not that. Really. Yes it is.

"I'm feeling like myself again, if that's what you're asking." It's the best non-answer she can give right now. "My sleep schedule is completely fucked, though." A small sigh escapes her as she portions the eggs and sausage onto two plates. After setting aside the skillet, she motions toward the table and brings the plates over, then the coffee a moment later.

"Sorry I ruined your Christmas," she says softly as she sits down at the table. "It wasn't my intention to do so." She's going to keep her eyes down as much as possible as she pours then each a cup of coffee - it's all she can do to hide her face since her hair is always pinned up.

[juststeverogers]

"That's good to hear." No need to focus on it if she doesn't want to. The fact that he's managed to help her calm down is good news enough. She didn't hurt herself. She ate and slept. She'll get better as things go on.

Steve's sure of it. So he sets a small box down on the table and pushes it her way.

"Merry Christmas, Amelia."

[rogueinladysclothing]

After everything she just put him through, the last thing Amelia expects is to receive the Christmas present Steve mentioned when she and Verity brought him his presents. But there's that small wrapped box again. And given the way he's pushed it toward her, it seems rude to not accept it.

The pot of coffee is carefully set aside before she takes the box and opens it carefully, gasping softly when she finds the oil and the tea inside. "Steve, I... I didn't expect... I mean, certainly not after... But this..." Despite her inability to find the proper words, she looks up at him and smiles brightly. "Thank you. For everything. Really."

[juststeverogers]

"I had the oil scented especially for you." He figured she liked flowers form her hairpin, so it's rose and wildflowers, with a hint of some kind of meadow grass. Ravari did a good job with it--that much he does know.

"The tea is just...it's something I saw you drinking before. I hope it's the right kind." He shrugs. "I didn't want to give it to you until you felt better. Merry Christmas."

[rogueinladysclothing]

"That's very kind of you." Part of her wants to say 'sweet,' but it wouldn't feel right if she did. Carefully, she opens the bottle of oil and wafts the fragrance toward herself. It's light and subtle - and it reminds her vaguely of home. "This will be perfect for oiling my leathers. Thank you."

She sets aside the oil and then picks up the tea, opening up the container and taking in the light floral scent. It's a combination of rose and lavender, which, although an odd combination, is Amelia's favorite. A slight blush comes to her cheeks when she looks up at him again. "I can't believe you remembered the tea I like. I only remember ordering it once when we went to the Harp together." Because she doesn't think it's memorable when others watch her make her own tea when she visits them, apparently.

[juststeverogers]

"Don't give me all the credit on that one. I described it to the elderly gentleman and his nephew who work in the tea shop, and they were the ones who came up with the blend. All I did was pay for it." He laughs a bit to deflect the compliment as much as he can.

"But I'll be sure to stop by again and let him know it was the right selection."