Checking in (set after Halloween event)

[juststeverogers]

In the aftermath of the Nightmare incident in the Nexus, Steve knew the most important thing in the immediate was making sure people were okay. Hell, he'd spent most of his time tending to Amelia's wounds such that by the time he was finished most of the cafe had cleared out. He's glad the rogue got the care she needed but he hasn't seen her since.

In fact, he's not seen most of them since. He waited a bit to see if he'd spot familiar faces in the Nexus, but with things quiet he takes matters into his own hands and sends out a message to several of his friends.

Hey, it's Steve.

I know you were involved in the mess during the Halloween party and I really want to make sure you're alright. I'm sorry I haven't reached out sooner. I wanted to make sure you got the time and care you needed after everything that happened. The coordinates to my apartment are listed at the end of this message.

Please let me know you're okay.

Comments

[chiron_survivor]

Steve gets a text back from Adia within the hour.

Hi, Steve! Please don't feel bad, I should have texted you that I was okay. The Nightmare was scary but Ghost was with me and he helped me get through it. I can tell you about it some time if you are interested.

Also, I don't know if I ever mentioned my ex-boyfriend to you. His name is Caspar and we're back together again and I told him about the Nexus. I'd really like for him to meet you and the pokémon sometime, so let me know when you're free. If you're busy and you're okay with it, I'll bring Caspar the next time I check on them.

I saw Bucky a couple times since Halloween so he should know not to be worried. Don't let his complaining fool you!

[juststeverogers]

It's a relief to hear Adia is alright. Some of his other friends are soldiers and fighters and Steve hoped they'd be okay. He's been more concerned about Viatorus and Adia who aren't the kind of people used to fighting for their lives constantly.

Though he has to read her message several times. She didn't find her ex-boyfriend while she was in the nightmare, right? That would be suspect.

I'm free for the next several days. Just got back from a trip back home and picked them up from Candela's. Everyone's doing good here but I'll let them know you're bringing a friend when you come.

[chiron_survivor]

If he had any idea... well, maybe he will, once Adia fills him in. Hopefully she can also reassure him that Caspar is not some nightmare shade come to life. (Although the real story might not sit any better with him.)

Okay, great! Does tomorrow work for you at all? Or the day after?

It's only after she hits send that she realizes she'll have to tell Caspar about what happened at the Halloween party soon if she's going to talk about it with Steve in front of him. The thought fills her with mild dread. She came to terms with what happened fairly easily, she's not sure Caspar will feel the same way.

Or whenever. No rush.

[juststeverogers]

Steve nearly invites her right over but Adia's second text gives him pause. Maybe it's better to not? Or at least give her an out so she doesn't have to talk about whatever changed her mind.

Would this weekend be better for you? It'll give me time to clean the place up too. I don't want your boyfriend to get the wrong first impression of me and the pokemon after all.

[chiron_survivor]

This weekend would be perfect.

She has to tell Caspar eventually, right? Keeping it from him for too long and it turns into a secret, and that's the last thing she wants between them.

We are still arranging things in our cabin. Caspar can handle it. ;) He's a little slow to warm up to people, but he likes animals. I've been telling him all about the pokémon.

[rogueinladysclothing]

There is so much desire to not respond to that message. Amelia wants to be seen and known and acknowledged by everyone who knows her even a little these days, but the way Steve phrases his concern touches on too many things she's not willing to look back at yet. She reads the message several times after it arrives and then puts her phone away, decidedly not answering it - for now.

It eats at her, though, not responding to the person she's been closest to in the Nexus for so long. Steve took care of her when she got out of the Nightmare, walked her home that night to make sure she made it that far. She can't ignore him. Not forever, anyway.

Early one morning, a little before sunrise after Amelia's woken herself from another terrible dream, she grabs her phone and reads Steve's message again. It's been almost two weeks since he sent it. It's time to do the right thing and respond.

I'm fine. The headache only lasted a day and my leg is all but healed.

She hits send and then runs her fingers through her hair restlessly. Steve deserves more than that, but what else could she possibly say when she's feeling the way she is? A heavy sigh falls from her lips as she lifts her phone up and tries again.

Do you still drink coffee? I owe you several after everything you did for me.

That's... probably not what he's looking for, but she wants to get out of her room anyway. She doesn't want to be alone with her thoughts for too long.

[juststeverogers]

Steve knows Amelia, which is why he's not at all surprised to see her clipped and dismissive text when he gets back from his morning jog with Sarah. By the time he's had a shower and fixed himself a healthy breakfast she's texted him again. This time Steve smiles faintly when he replies.

He knows Amelia's trying, and any agreement to meet is not something to scoff at or take lightly.

I do indeed. Would you like me to meet you somewhere, or would you rather come here and speak privately?

[rogueinladysclothing]

By the time Steve's replied, Amelia's run several errands and is heading back to the inn to put a new set of books, notebooks, and fresh herbs away in their proper places. The lady has too much energy for someone who doesn't sleep much these days. And by now, she's had her fill of being seen and acknowledged for the day.

I'll come to you. Let me know when you're ready - I'll bring a fresh bag of beans for our coffee.

And some pastries of sorts to pick at so she can make it seem like she's still eating as much as she should.

[juststeverogers]

I'll be done with my morning jog and cleanup after by 8am tomorrow. Meet up for breakfast and coffee?

It'll give Amelia time to ready herself for social interactions and it'll give Steve a day to head out and get some of that tea Amelia likes as well as do a bit of tidying up around his place. Steve keeps the apartment quite clean already but with three pokemon in the place it does need constant upkeep.

[rogueinladysclothing]

I'll bring both. See you at 8:01.

True to her word, Amelia arrives at Steve's door promptly at 8:01 AM the following morning. Over one arm is a small basket containing a bag of freshly roasted coffee beans, a few pastries from her favorite coffee shop, and various fresh fruits. It's not a large breakfast and could certainly do with some supplementing, but this is about as good as it gets for the rogue these days. Eating is difficult when your stomach is always in knots.

When Steve opens the door to her after a knock, she offers him a small smile. It's not at all sincere, but she's trying. Even since he last saw her it's obvious that she's lost weight from her poor eating habits and gained a bit of color in her face from so much time out and about in the Nexus.

"Good morning. I brought coffee and both savory and sweet pastries to share. And some fruit, if you'd rather something healthy." She takes a breath, needing the extra moment to ground herself before what's certain to be a difficult time for her as she tries to hold in all of her feelings. "May I come in?"

[boldygoing]

The message sits in Jim's PINpoint for close to a week before he's finally able to deal with it. And even then, it takes him a little while to figure out what the hell to even say, too much of his ordeal so personal that there's no way he'd talk about it. Especially not like this. And "I'm fine" would be so much of a lie that even Jim would call himself on it.

I'm alive.

Well, that's a good start, anyway.

Jim hesitates over whether to say anything more. Several minutes after the first reply comes through, a second follows.

I'm physically okay but I don't know when I'll be up to running.

All right, the first half of that one's not entirely true, but it's close enough, right?

[juststeverogers]

Steve heard some of the people coming back from the nightmare were very hurt. Amelia being one of them. Steve washed the wound she'd gotten from the turned-Jim personally the night of the event. It doesn't surprise him in the least that the captain has had a rough time considering the bits and pieces he's heard.

Not even a drop in the ocean compared to all Jim experienced, but enough for Steve to know Jim's likely to be very unnerved and possibly hurt after such an ordeal. These things take time to deal with.

I'm glad to know you made it out alright. Physically. I hope the whole worgen thing isn't a permanent problem for you. I treated Amelia's wounds, so I know at least some of what you were put through. I haven't said anything to anyone, please don't worry.

And...maybe it's not the best coping mechanism, but I have a punching bag and tape hanging in my apartment if you need a safe place to let off some steam. I'll make myself scarce if you need it.

[boldygoing]

The news that not only was Amelia there, but that she was injured and it has something to do with him, comes as a surprise. It's not entirely unexpected that the beast would have threatened someone else, but he'd hoped... well, it doesn't matter.

His reply doesn't come until about a half hour later, once he's calmed down.

Not permanent. Is she okay?

Might take you up on that offer. Will let you know.

[juststeverogers]

She's fine. No bites, just a gash. We treated it night-of and a witch by the name of Hermyonie (sp???) healed her right up too.

Steve thinks for a long few minutes before adding anything to his reply. He doesn't really know a whole lot about the captain aside from the conversation they had the night of the party. Really not sure how much to say or how much support to give that won't make him feel stifled. Steve's getting definite Bucky vibes off of the guy. That's never good.

My door's always open metaphorically. Offer's standing, just give me a heads up when you do.

[boldygoing]

It's a small comfort to know that she's all right. That he didn't do any permanent damage to her body, although he can't imagine she'll be thrilled to see him the next time they run into each other. And he'd deserve her ire, this time. It's his own stupid fault he got bitten. Never mind that he didn't know what would happen, never mind that the only other option was to run like a coward and leave his counterpart to the mercies of the worgen, or that he had no control over the beast once it clawed its way out of him. Still his fault.

Appreciate it. Will do.

He doesn't feel ready for anything more just yet, still trying to get his own shit together at home, going out in public only to report to the Academy and get through classes for the day. But it helps, a little, knowing that he has options. That Steve isn't going to push, uninvited. Won't ask him too many questions or insult him by pretending that nothing bad ever happened. Just an open door and an open invitation. No pressure, whether or not he accepts.

[volurofthehearth]

Rather than a text, Steve's message is returned with a knock on his door. When he opens it he will find Runa standing outside looking like she stepped out of a Disney movie with her fur-lined, mustard coloured long coat keeping her warm and a basket clutched in her gloved hands.

She beams the moment she sees him. "Steve! It's good to see you."

[juststeverogers]

The second Steve pulls the door open a smile splits across his face.

"Runa! Good to see you, come in. Come in." He stands aside to let her in, ducking into the little kitchenette that's far too small for him now that is just to the right of the entryway. Sarah comes bounding into the hallway shortly thereafter with a little 'grow!' bark that is obviously her trying not to bark at full volume. Steve has taught his furry friends well.

"It's good to see you." He can't help but wonder if he should be concerned though, if Runa's here and Viatorus isn't.

[volurofthehearth]

"Thank you!" She steps inside and closes the door behind her, but stops for inspection when Sarah comes along. It's hard for her not to beam as she looks between the Growlithe and Steve. "Is this one of your Pokémon?"

She bends over a little and offers her hand out flat in case Sarah wants to get her scent. In her experience, a carefully offered hand can do wonders to placating an animal.

[juststeverogers]

"She is yeah. This is Sarah, Sarah this is Runa so be good, alright?"

Steve doesn't have to tell the growlithe twice. She snuffs at Runa's hand a couple of times and then gives it one very warm lick before pulling away. Her tail's wagging vigorously now. Hello new friend! She even backs away so Runa can hang her coat up and slip off her shoes.

"Can I get you anything to drink? Tea, coffee, water?"

[volurofthehearth]

"Sarah! How lovely to meet you!" She laughs with delight at the lick and then hands the basket to Steve.

"I would love a coffee, please. I brought you some fresh bread and some scones. I've been making a lot of those for Viatorus." Once her hands are free she will take off both her coat and shoes, setting them where ever there's a proper place for them. "I hope you like them."

[rekindledtitan]

Ghost here. Blaze and I are safe, Steve. We've been buried in patrols and strike work since Halloween. I'm sorry we haven't seen you. Are you all right? You weren't taken, were you?

Truth be told, the little bot isn't sure how much to say. Either about the current state of himself and his Guardian, or why it's taken him rather longer than usual to respond. Battlefield delays only account for part of it.

[juststeverogers]

By now Steve has heard from Adia somewhat on what's happened to Ghost, and the little bit she knew about Blaze's ordeals. He breathes a sigh of relief when he sees the little bot's reply on his Starkphone. It had been long enough that he'd began to worry about them.

Is it anything I can help with? Steve knows he shouldn't press but he wants so badly to see them. If they can't come to him, maybe he can go help them out. Something. Anything.

[rekindledtitan]

Ghost doesn't actually look over his shoulder at Blaze to make sure she's busy. For that matter, he hasn't got a shoulder. But he does send the message while they happen to be getting kicked off a tottering stack of shipping containers.

We're in Old Russia. The Cosmodrome. If you're able to come, I can give you our co-ordinates.

[juststeverogers]

I'm suiting up. Got my shield. Send me the coordinates.

The Cosmodrome, as it turns out, is a derelict fortress of rusting steel with panels falling off every so often along the massive walls. Shells of old cars, more rust than frame by now, lay toppled this way and that. Steve recognizes them as being similar to cars from his time--well, at least the time he's in now. There's even old planes littering the ground. Not for the first time, Steve's startled at how empty everything seems as he looks around.

Old Russia, Ghost had said. Steve wonders just where that might be, even as he takes in the odd tower rising from the walls of the Cosmodrome with the three spherical attachments to the pylon. Steve takes his shield in hand and starts walking toward the wall.

I'm here.

[rekindledtitan]

The wind is sharp, but the towering walls offer a useful shelter, and the snowfall is light. For a minute or two the only sounds on the air are the rattle of rusted panels as the wind whistles through, and a distant bark of gunfire.

There's an entrance to the wall ahead. We're not far inside, you'll hear the noise. I think we have most of the attention for now. Just watch out for snipers: there are a lot of shadows in here.

There is indeed an open doorway ahead, once pressure-sealed and now twisted back on weather-pitted hinges. Beyond that are metal stairs that circle up and through the massive outer wall to a cavernous interior bridged and lined with walkways in better or worse repair. At least the big floodlights above are on, high above.

Guttural shouts echo down from the left. Then the harsh clap and reflected light of a flashbang grenade. Heavy impacts. The high whine of arc rounds being fired.