An All American Birthday Abroad [Open Thread, backdated to July 4th]

[juststeverogers]

There were no fireworks, no parades, no flags waving when Steve was out in the Nexus. Why would there be? It's a day like any other here. One more summer day of decidedly nice, if not a bit warm, weather and people strolling about living their lives as though nothing were different.

It should be special, though. A birth of a nation. His home. The same home that for all he knows is still caught up in a terrible war. He wonders if the parade still went by his old apartment. If Missus Johanessan upstairs is wondering where he is when she bakes that swell cobbler of hers and tries to invite him up for dinner like she always does on his birthday.

Even if he was home, it wouldn't be the same. He'd be alone. Wouldn't be worth going out to the dance halls, or down to the pier by himself.He'd probably be doing what he is now. Sitting on the steps out front of the apartment complex with his sketchbook in his lap, idly drawing memories.

He's drawing the parade he remembers today, trying to remember what it would be like if he were home on this holiday.

Comments

[juststeverogers]

Steve can't help the chuckle he gives when he spots his currently-fuzzy friend approaching. Harrow always manages to have the most interesting clothes Steve has ever seen, and today is no exception. They even fit his worgen body! Which only looks funnier, all things considered. He gets to his feet and trots down the steps with a wave once Harrow is close enough.

"Isn't it hotter with all that fur?" Steve is warm just looking at him. "Oh! Yeah, we can. Happy 4th of July Harrow." The expression brings a warm smile to Steve's face. The homesickness he'd been feeling is forgotten about, at least for the moment.

[westfallcorndog]

Harrow smiles at the holiday well-wishing, baring his big dog teeth in the process. Then he looks down at his hairy arms with a laugh and a shake of his head that causes his fluffy ears to wobble.

"Hot? I don't even notice it. But if you're hot, I could always cool you down a little. I learned a couple'a tricks from that Reynard guy." He winks, but... Honestly, Harrow, should you be joking about that after how all of that went down?

Regardless, he's moving past it. He sets down the grill and opens it to reveal bags of hotdog buns and wieners. Quite a few, actually! More than two people could probably eat on their own, but then again he is a worgen right now.

"Do you know how hard it was to carry those hotdogs here without eating any?" he asks with a laugh. Using his footpaw he kicks open the top to the cooler to reveal that there are beers and sodas poking out of the top of a solid chunk of ice.

[juststeverogers]

"Don't you? Augh, man I am jealous right now. I'm dyin' out here." Steve retreats back to the lowest step that is still technically shaded and takes a seat. He's content to watch Harrow work for a moment or two. The summer heat is oppressive and Steve's asthma does not like it one bit.

"I can imagine. Thanks for coming over to celebrate. It...means a lot to me."

[westfallcorndog]

Harrow's ears perk up when he catches Steve's tone of voice. The guy's not lying, it really does mean a lot to him, doesn't it? Sweet Steve... Harrow leans down and with utmost gentleness reaches out to pull Steve into a fuzzy embrace. It's all too easy to lift his pal off his feet; the hard part is not accidentally crushing him or drowning him in neck fur. And, conscious that it's a hot day, he does his best to radiate a little cold to keep Steve from overheating in the hug.

He tries to crane his neck to get a look at Steve while he pins him to his chest that rumbles as he speaks. "You know I'm happy to be here for you."

Then Steve is set down, free to stand on his own two feet again. "Would you like to tell me what the fourth is like where you come from? How do you celebrate it?"

[juststeverogers]

The cool radiating off of Harrow makes Steve sigh in relief, hugging Harrow back as tight as he can. It is still a rather weak hug for what Harrow is used to, he's sure, but darn it Steve's doing his best here with his little twig arms. He has never ever been mroe grateful that Harrow can do this ice magic stuff than right now. It feels so much better than being outside has been in general.

"And I appreciate it more than you know." Steve insists, chuckling slightly as his feet dangle off of the ground. He'd be embarrassed but really this is just how Harrow is and Steve has gotten pretty sued to it over the year he's been stuck here.

"I thought you'd have researched it already." Steve teases back, but nods. "There's a parade that used to come right by my apartment, and lots of fireworks. Folks putting out their nice flags. And then for supper the lady upstairs would always bake me something. A cake, or even better a pie because it's my birthday. And then if we could manage it, we'd go down to the pier and watch the fireworks. Me an' Buck." He sounds so happy talking about it. Happy memories of his home and his loved ones.

"The barbecues are traditional though."

[westfallcorndog]

Harrow's ears swivel around as he listens to Steve and thinks about what he's got to say. But then, wait – birthday?

"You were born on America day? It's your birthday and you didn't tell me? Steve Rogers! If I knew your middle name I'd be calling you by it. You should have told me, I would have prepared something!"

His nostrils flare as he looks around, searching his mind for a memory. "But... Actually, I do have something... I have a gift for you stashed away. I've been meaning to bring it to you for a while, but it's always slipped my mind. If I left to get it, would you still be here? It won't take me an hour."

[juststeverogers]

"Grant. Steven Grant Rogers."

Steve brushes his bangs out of his face and laughs.

"No one's called me by my full name since before my Ma passed." Always a sure sign someone was in trouble, that's for damn sure. Bucky just called him a punk. Or other choice four letter words when Steve went and did something reckless or dangerous because it was the right thing to do. Man's always looking for a fight, even ones he can't win. "I didn't think it was a big deal. My birthday and all. Not compared to the Fourth. Er, America Day. We call it Independence Day."

Steve jerks a thumb over to the grill.

"Hey, someone's gotta watch the barbecue. I'll be here. Probably sketching on the step, same as before you showed up." In the blessed blessed shade.

My paid icons lapsed, pretend I used the serious worgen icon haha

[westfallcorndog]

Harrow nods once, checks that the bindings on his wrists are tight, and then he drops to all fours. Hey, Steve is technically taller than him like this!... Though not by much. "I'll be back as soon as I can," he says, and without any more delay turns and is off running.

A solid half-hour passes with no sign that he'll be returning. And then another ten. And five. But he's never been one to leave a tag undone for two weeks abandon a friend, and this time is no different. He arrives walking back on two legs with nothing in his hands, but there is something different about him. There's some kind of rope tied across his chest, lashing something to his back. It's mostly hidden, but one small side of it is visible from under his arm: green, glinting... It looks like a large sheet of glass?

When he's finally in front of Steve again he undoes his wrist wrappings and uses his freed hands to remove the object from his back and hand it to Steve without the need to twist around. It's... Some kind of circular, green crystal disc?

"It's a shield," he explains, readjusting his handpaws so they're no longer in the way of the design on the front of the buckler. Most of the incredibly smooth crystal has been shaped into an intricate eagle in the very center, wheat in one talon and arrows in another. Its chest is protected by a heater shield with the design of an American flag on it. Rays of light have been carved to radiate upward from beneath its tail, while the outside of the buckler is ornamented with a ring of stars – fifty, presumably. It's certainly based off of an American seal, but could pass for a classic warrior's herald shield.

"I saw how well you used that buckler when we trained a while back. I figured if you had a shield of your own..." Whatever he figured is left unsaid. He inches the shield a little closer for Steve to take. Try it on!

[juststeverogers]

Steve waves when Harrow comes back into sight. He had, as he predicted, moved back to the relative safety of the shade to go back to sketching. The hand he waves with is smudged with graphite from his pencil, but he seems to be in good spirits. Even better ones now that his friend has returned.

"Harrow, hey!" He trots down the steps, pausing when he gets close to his fuzzy friend and the glinting something he has slung across her back. His eyes grow to nearly saucers when he sees the design on the shield. Slim fingers trace down some of the carvings, blue eyes flitting to every detail he can see. "Harrow this is....amazing." There's not mistaking the awe in his voice.

The first thing Steve notices is that it's light. This was definitely made with his limitations in mind, or has been imbued with a magic that makes it possible for Steve to hold up easily. It's a bit large on him, though no surprises there. most things are. Despite the size, Steve can't help the smile that creeps onto his face.

"Harrow....do...did you do this because..." He falters here. It's difficult for him to talk about Captain America. The other Steve Rogers he knows he's supposed to be, and isn't. "...I really like it." He says instead, voice heavy with emotion. "It feels like it was made for me."

[westfallcorndog]

Harrow's quick to shake his head. "I didn't do it myself, I'm not that talented. I paid an artist to carve it out of clay, and then my buddy Ixis Naugus turned it into magic crystals. It's kinda his thing."

He scratches at the surface with a claw. "It's indestructible. That's what he says. Can't melt, can't be cracked. I thought it sounded like exactly what you need. Don't take any maintenance, don't gotta worry it's gonna fail you when you need it."

His floating hands hover in a circle around the perimeter of the shield without touching the surface. "I talked to a couple'a paladins about the shape. I said I gave you a buckler once and you already had the instincts to slam with it. They said it'd be best to stick with a round shield. Lightweight and aerodynamic. Plus, you can throw a round shield." He laughs self-consciously and adds, "But I don't know nothin' about that. Never really used a shield myself. You're gonna have to find someone else to train you in the finer points."

[juststeverogers]

"Still!"

Steve isn't about to let you be too modest here Harrow. This means an awful lot to him, and he's going to be grateful for it. He holds the shield up with his right arm, marveling at the details and the ease with which he can pick it up. It looks like it would be unbearably heavy but it just isn't. Though he's sure to change his mind on that when his noodle arms give out anyway.

"Thank you! I love it, Harrow." His face splits into a huge smile and he gives his furry friend another hug.

[westfallcorndog]

Harrow gladly returns that hug. "It was the least I could do... You've been such a good friend to me here. And, hey." He leans back from the hug to get a better look at The Steve way down there, and with a doggy smile says, "Next time I wind up stuck in your body I'll have a bitchin' crystal shield to protect me."

Then with a sweep of his arm he motions to the grill. "Now show me how to celebrate Independence Day. Cook me a dog, Steve!"

[juststeverogers]

"Okay."

Steve nods with a confident smile and turns toward the grill. Harrow has done a stand up job of bringing most anything they could need with him. Not that Steve is surprised at all. If anyone has done their research on how to celebrate American anything, it's Harrowheart.

"Hop on the grill."

That isn't to say Steve is above a joke or two. Though he manages to keep his expression in check. What? Harrow said to cook him a dog!

[westfallcorndog]

Harrow laughs like a barking dog at Steve's terrible joke. Forgetting his own strength he shoves his friend playfully. "You little jerk! This is my first Independence Day slash Steve's Birthday, and you're gonna deny me my American hot dog for bad jokes."

To prove how much he refuses to comply with being grilled he heavily flops down onto the stoop with a doggy groan and sits, massive handpaws on his tiny knees. How can one creature be so top-heavy without constantly falling over?...

"Tell me about Independence Day while you make my hotdog, wiener slave." Suspicious choice of words there, but it's said and he's rolling with it. "You got freedom from England, right? Does that mean you and Viatorus should be mortal enemies, like elves and trolls?"

[juststeverogers]

"Woah!"

Steve topples right over, landing with his butt in the dirt and a giggle already bubbling up as he curls over on his side and laughs. He can't suppress the grin he's got when he sits up again, blonde hair all over the place. It's been a long time since he laughed this genuinely. Harrow really is making this the best birthday ever.

"I'm a punk, not a jerk." He corrects as he scrambles to get back to his feet. Hearing his own nickname for Bucky out of Harrow's mouth somehow makes the smile even wider. It feels...like he's home, sitting with the giant wolf man.

"Well, that was hundreds of years ago. By my time, we're Allies with England. Nothing mends old ties like a common enemy and economic benefits of cooperation." Steve looks over the grill a few times, then glances back at Harrow. "You realize I've never actually used one of these things? We just boiled everything back in the day."