[closed] [mission log]

[anotheroldsoldier]

who: Bucky Barnes [616], Steve Rogers [616], Steve Rogers [MCU], Michael Scofield, Stephen Strange, Loki, Sam Wilson, and Yuri Plisetsky. Feat. Tony Stark as remote consultant.
what: Mission: Healing Spring
when: Forward-dated to the week of April 23rd-29th
where: Out in the wilds beyond the wall
warnings: Possible (definite) violence/monster attacks. Will update.

[ooc: Headers below for each 'stage' of the mission. This is going down mingle-style fast and loose. If you don't want threadjacks in a particular thread, just say so in your header, else it's all fair game. It might get chaotic, so if/when anything major happens I'll summarize up here.]

• Much bickering is to be had.


• Sam has cool wings.


• Michael puked out a window.


• Steve needs laser safety classes.


• ROCK LOBSTER- I mean, golems.


• Michael and Sam actually find the place.

Comments

[wingedman]

[There's a certain smug feeling that Sam hides from the others once they're stuck trekking through the jungle on foot and he keeps scouting ahead by air. At least the smugness helps him ignore the ache in his back - he has prescription painkillers for extreme situations, but chooses to stick to the over the counter stuff for daily use. (Yeah, maybe going on a mission right after an elective surgery was a bad idea, but at least he's not dumb enough to try and use the new wings for extended periods of time yet.)

He returns to the group around lunchtime, such as it is - more like a chance for everyone who isn't a super-soldier (or a god, or just crazy like Bucky) to rest for a bit while eating boring trail rations. Sure, he could eat and keep scouting out, and he has done it before. But right now, it's better to scout shorter distances in different directions, limited as they are to the speed of traveling on foot.

Sam slips out of his harness for a moment - steps away from the group and continues, taking off his jacket and peeling off the sweat-soaked tank top underneath. The skin around the metal implants in his shoulderblades is red and sore-looking, and he's got a tube of salve to rub on it. He just doesn't want to do it around everyone else.]

[ikols]

Tweet, tweet.

[ Guess which godling is suddenly leaning against that tree, right there. Yes, that one, where no one stood before.

They haven't really spoken in private since their shared breakfast which ended on sourer terms than it began. During this adventurous trek, Loki has envied Sam his bouts of flight and found the jetpack-wings have drawn his attention more than any graceless mistakes he could needle for fun; now that he has an unobstructed view and it's not as he suspected, not at all because those aren't something he can steal (so easily), he cocks his head. ]

Maybe you should have requested reinforced legs, Falcon. We could have renamed you the Emu. Way scarier.

[wingedman]

Please. If I get anything, it'll be knives on my feet, and then you can call me the Cassowary.

[...what? Sam likes birds, he knows things about them. And while falcons are much cooler-looking than cassowaries, the latter are birds you definitely don't fuck with.

Sam reaches around to his back, rubbing the salve on the sore skin. It's mostly healed by now, but being under the weight of the harness all day makes it tender.]

Is this my appointed slot of Loki-bothering time?

[ikols]

[ Since he can't seem to do anything but bother the Avenge-bros, he nods amiably without a shred of real visible reaction. ]

Can you never cut those things free from your body? Are you stuck like that forever, a man-bird cyborg?

[wingedman]

It can be reversed with another operation, they said. [Sam shrugs, then winces as he regrets the motion.] Once it heals, it'll be more convenient than the jetpack. A lot less weight on my back, although I gotta get Stark to make me a new carrier for Redwing. And faster in emergencies, too.

[ikols]

What if someone decides they want what you have, while it's still connected to you?

[wingedman]

[Uh.]

Wouldn't work too well for them, for one thing.

[As for the other, there's suddenly a gun in Sam's left hand. Useless against Loki, he's sure - he doesn't even bother to click the safety off - but he's going to make the point nonetheless.]

I don't know about the Sam you're used to, but I got a whole lot of military training behind me. [Not just with guns, but with knives and fists and feet, too.]

[ikols]

[ Quick eyes flick to the gun, hands raising in a playful Don't Shoot gesture. Loki arches a brow. ]

I'm just saying, you've made yourself a target of worth. [ Can he resist this next part? He could, but, ] Felt like you had none, surrounded by super-soldiers? Is that why you upgraded?

[ Funny how such a word can sound so dirty, implying Sam's choices were flawed, but that's Loki's angle. To seek out the truth. ]

[wingedman]

[As quickly as it appeared, the gun is reholstered. Sam simply purses his lips at Loki's words. The god isn't entirely wrong, and Sam suspects he knows that. But like hell he'll admit to it.]

It seemed interesting - closest I'll ever get to unaided flight, anyway. [And maybe he could've had unaided flight, but come on, who wants to deal with all that flapping?] If it all goes wrong, you can just call me Icarus.

[ikols]

[ That's not a real answer and Loki's smirk shows it. He tosses his hair, lightening the mood with a careless huff. ]

Whatever, 'Thou doest thou' as we say in Asgardia. Can I see your jetpack now that you're not wearing it?

[ Wanting to get his hands on it. ]

[starspangled]

[steve would've liked to keep going, but he knows that's asking too much of some of their party. he's not tired, but he is hungry, and he's tearing into those rations while keeping an eye out for anything that might ambush them.

he's also keeping an eye out for sam, so when his friend lands and quickly slips away, steve puts down his trail mix and follows.]

I thought you might like a drink.

[steve offers the canteen, that hunch supported by sam's sweat-drenched clothes. his eyes go right to the other man's shoulders.]

You okay?

[wingedman]

[Sam knows it's important to keep hydrated, and he's not dumb enough to turn down water. He takes a canteen with him while he's flying - wearing his tactical gear under the harness is enough to make him sweat like hell, and he keeps drinking regularly. He hasn't had a chance to refill his own since stopping, though, and he takes the water Steve offers gratefully, tipping it up as he takes a long drink.]

Just sore, that's all. I'll be fine.

{Which is mostly true. Even if it weren't, that's still what he'd tell Steve anyway, and they both know that.]

[starspangled]

[steve nods, a faint but knowing smile on his lips. if their positions were reversed, steve would say the exact same thing. and much like steve right now, sam would know if and when he really needed to step in.]

It must feel nice, being able to take to the air again. But you could spend a little more time with us earthbound folks. I've got a cramp in my neck from looking up at you.

[wingedman]

And have to listen to that bunch all the time?

[Sam jerks his head at the rest of their party. As much as he likes most of them, there's something about being stuck together for extended periods of time that has half of them at each others' throats. Though, from what he's been told, it's better now than when they were in the trucks.]

I could come down and keep you company now and then, though, [he relents. Sam hands the canteen back to Steve, uncaps the tube of salve he has and squeezes some into his hand.] When I'm not scouting ahead.

[starspangled]

They're not so bad. Compared to traveling with the Commandos, they're almost boring.

[steve doesn't really expect to fool him with that little fib, not sam who can practically see through him.]

I would like that. [he admits, taking the canteen back. as much as he likes the others, there's still a comfort to company from home.] You need some help? [steve gestures at the salve.] I don't have quite your medical expertise, but I'm pretty sure I can apply ointment.

[there's an old man joke in there somewhere.]

[wingedman]

Well, anything's boring compared to traveling through Nazi-occupied Europe. Can't expect that level of excitement all the time.

[Oh. This is a little awkward, but at the same time, Sam can't quite reach everything himself, and he can't deny that it would be helpful.]

Got plenty of practice rubbing Ben-Gay on your joints? [Sam helpfully supplies the old man joke as he passes the tube over to him.]

[starspangled]

That's cold. You know, someday you'll be in your nineties too.

[he hopes. guys like sam deserve long, happy lives. hanging out with steve might be a little counterproductive on both parts. steve smiles at the good-natured ribbing, but it fades as he concentrates on applying the medicine.]

I guess you really must've missed the sky. [steve's voice is quieter, thoughtful.] I hope you didn't feel like you had to do this.

[wingedman]

Probably won't look as good as you, though.

[No, Sam, do not flirt with your best friend who also happens to be rubbing salve on your back. Just don't.]

I've flown a few patrols. Couldn't keep me down these days. And don't be stupid; someone's got to keep an eye on you. [Though for all he knows, their Bucky is creeping around to watch them. He wouldn't be at all surprised.] Besides, it's interesting to see what's outside the city.

[livingsymbol]

[Despite being mostly quiet for the trip, Steve is paying attention to his teammates. He keeps an eye on them, making sure to note what they do so Bucky can concentrate on leading the way. And he notices Sam slipping from the group. Following after, he comes up behind Sam.]

You okay?

[wingedman]

[Sam's noticed that this Steve is quieter, a little more aloof than the one he's used to. Noticed it ever since they met, in fact. It's not that he's unfriendly - they've built a certain rapport, Sam thinks, and he knows Steve likes him enough to tease him. He's just...distant. It's something Sam's stored away in his mind to wonder about later, after he gets to know Steve better.]

Little sore. [He flashes Steve a reassuring smile.] If I needed to stay on the ground, I would.

[Honestly, part of his scouting is redundant; he covers a hell of a lot more ground than the party now that they're on foot. He doubles back to check routes again, circles around their backtrail and ahead of the group. He could spare a few hours to walk if he had to.]

[livingsymbol]

You sure about that?

[Steve isn't given to being too friendly with people he just met, seeing as a lot of people tend to end up as villains or unstable, particularly if they have powers. But he's not indifferent to those around him, and the change with Sam is an obvious one. It gets his notice for multiple reasons.]

That looks... painful.

[wingedman]

[Of course a couple of six-inch metal ovals sunk into someone's back looks painful. But it would hurt a hell of a lot more if he were actually using the wings right now; as it is, it's a combination of healing plus a bit of aggravation from having the weight of the jetpack on all day long.]

Might rig up some padding for the harness, see if I can't make it a little more comfortable. But I got painkillers, I'm fine.

[Mostly fine. Not enough to keep him down, anyway.]

[livingsymbol]

Fine, huh?

[Steve raises his eyebrows.]

Is that why you're getting away from the rest of the group? You're so all right that you don't need help from us?

[He smiles, but with concern.]

Is there anything I can do?

[wingedman]

Maybe I just want to preserve my delicate modesty.

[It's said with a wry smile. Anyone who's been in the military for any length of time isn't likely to be modest, and Sam? Well, he wasn't modest to begin with, as Steve can probably guess.

(But it's not entirely a lie. He doesn't want people staring at his back; he's trying to keep fairly quiet about his new additions.)]

Really, if I needed help, I'd ask for it. Promise.

[He's not a Steve, after all.]

[livingsymbol]

Well, I won't offend your modesty then.

[Steve keeps a respectful distance, accepting Sam's answer at face value and nodding.]

All right. Just don't want you to feel like you need to go off on your own. We're working together on this.

[He offers the reminder and the offer of support, but ultimately leaves the rest to Sam to choose what he will do from there.]