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]

"A cele--whaaaaaaaaat is..."

Steve's mouth drops open and he's quite frankly lost for words for a solid minute. He's kept an eye out for his Poke-friends along the edges of the Wilds by his apartment but hadn't seen much of them since they had overrun the Nexus. Now and again he'd been able to feed them but he'd nearly thought they'd forgotten all about him. When Steve does snap back to reality he laughs outright, a huge grin spreading across his face.

"You guys..!" He looks back at Theo and there's such gratitude in his expression. "I wasn't aware you knew these guys. They're real swell. Oh man...I didn't know where you all had gone off to.." Steve walks round the table and gives each of the Pokemon a head pat in greeting. A fluffy fur ruffle for Growlithe, a few gentle pats for Shieldon, and a slow and deliberate pat for the Rufflet. If it will let him he gives it a pit of pet on its head feathers. Theo will have to forgive him if he seems a bit choked up when he looks back the attendant's way.

"I don't know how you managed this Theo, but thank you so much..."

[elevator_attendant]

[Pokemon may be naturally hesitant to interact with others, but they don't forgot people who show them kindness. Especially those who've seen less love than others. So, when the pettings commence, everyone responds in a different way.

Growlithe is all up in Steve's personal space, nose nudging against nearby appendages, his tongue out in excitement. Shieldon takes the attention well, by cooing in happiness, content with keeping himself near Steve's feet.

As for Rufflet, the stubborn bird, is the most reformed of his friends. He leans in close, allowing Steve to brush his fingertips against brisk white feathers. It's very clear that the bird's health has improved since February, perhaps in part by Steve's kindness.]

"It was no trouble at all." [Theo has a clear smile on his face, as he steps aside, allowing the Pokemon to be near the birthday boy. In fact, he's already taken up a silver knife, cutting a piece of cake for Steve. Who needs to blow out the candles and make a wish when one of the best gifts has already been given.]

"Mr. Rogers, I must ask...Do you see yourself as a leader?"

[juststeverogers]

There's cake? how did Steve not notice this before? So much of this place seems surreal. Things Steve doesn't see until after double and triple checking his surroundings. At this time though, he can't hardly complain. He's busy giving affection to his poke-friends. Steve's eyes are wet when he thanks Theo with as much sincerity as he can muster. And it's quite a lot, coming from Steve.

"I don't know if you guys can eat cake, but I'll make sure you get something too." He murmurs to the pokemon as he takes a seat again.

"A leader? I..don't think so. Rather, I've never had the chance to try, I guess. I don't mind following orders but I do what's right, first and foremost."

[elevator_attendant]

[You can't have a good birthday party without cake. Or at least, that's what Theo has been told. No matter. He's already serving up a piece to Steve, then turns away to grab some cute pellet-like snacks for the pokemon. Into a bowl they go and onto the floor to prevent Pokemon from interfering with cake time. It doesn't stop the adorable creatures from looking at Steve, or brushing up against his legs gently.]

"Would you give it a try if someone asked?" [He's clearly hinting at something, as he stands across from Steve, not taking a seat or even moving from his spot.]

[juststeverogers]

Every time one of the creatures brushes up against Steve he reaches down to give it a pat or a pet. He can't keep the fond smile off of his face at seeing his small friends again. That doesn't mean he's not paying attention to Theo, however. especially considering his friend seems to be pushing Steve for an answer. He's not sure why the subject has come to this, but it's clearly important to the other.

"I wouldn't be opposed. So long as I knew what I was doing, that is. Kind of hard to lead folks when you've got no idea what to do either."

[elevator_attendant]

[The Pokemon are completely cool with this, cooing and showing copious amounts of affection, while snacking on their bits of poke'food. Theo, to be fair, doesn't care if Steve pays full attention to him; he understands how overwhelming all of this is and how it might take some time for things to settle down.]

"What about them?"

[He gestures down to the Pokemon, who chirp and pause to stare up at Steve happily.]

"Do you feel like you could lead new companions on great adventures? Perhaps a new perspective can open you up to exciting and life-changing things."

[juststeverogers]

"These guys?"

Steve glances down at the Pokemon again before turning his gaze back to Theo fully. He takes a moment to think about it, only the barest hints of concern on his face.

"Well, I've got the space for them at my apartment, and it's close to the Wilds. But I"m not sure what kinds of adventure you mean. I travel around the Nexus, sure, but I'm hardly going on adventures. If they need a home I'd be happy to give them one."

[elevator_attendant]

"Yes. These three have gotten quite attached to you, it seems. Would it not be a grand ideal to have additional company while living here in the Nexus?"

[He isn't coming off as forceful, merely kind and open to the possibilities. Theo wants what could be best for Steve, after all, since the young hero has caught his interest.]

"I believe I can offer you a solution to that problem. The first one at least. As for the opportunity for adventure, have you ever wanted to see new places? To break away from your everyday life to do something unique?"

[juststeverogers]

"Well, sure I'd be happy to take them in. The more the merrier." Steve smiles down at his poke-friends warmly and nods. It would certainly do something to ease that dull ache of loneliness he has often while he's here. It's not like he's lacking for friends, but well. The homesickness gets to him every now and then. Having some company would definitely help with that.

"Do you mean visit different worlds or different places within the Nexus?"

[elevator_attendant]

"Whatever suits your fancy. Travel in the Nexus is not as difficult as people make it out to be."

Or maybe he's wrong, because not everyone has the pleasure of working for a master that makes world traveling look easy. Theo just shrugs his shoulders, while reaching over and offering Steve a small box containing a blue key.

"If you ever find yourself in danger, or in a time and place you don't recognize, this key will lead you back here. From the Velvet Room, you can return to the Nexus and vise versa. And for your new-found friends, I have been told they can be safely transported in fancy ball-shaped devices. If you'd like, I can procure some for you?"

[juststeverogers]

Okay, there's a few things Steve needs to pick up if he'd going to be doing this. Bedding for each of them so they have a place to sleep. He's gonna have to figure out how they'll be able to get to and from his apartment while he's out. He doesn't want to keep them cooped up in his apartment, after all. They were living out in the Wilds before, he's pretty sure they'd want to continue roaming around during the day much of the time.

"What do they eat? Is there somewhere I can purchase supplies for them?" Steve worries at his bottom lip while he fervently scribbles down everything he thinks he's going to need for his newfound housemates. He looks up at the offered box containing the key and slowly reaches out a hand to accept it. There's a faint tingling in his fingertips when he touches the surface of the key. A feeling not unlike how he'd felt when he first stepped into this room. He looks Theo in the eyes and nods, slowly.

"Thank you."

The last comment seems to confuse him somewhat.

"Ball devices?" It's likely what he's picturing is not at all what these devices actually are.