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

[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.