survival of the fittest

[advanced]

who: Bucky and anyone!
what: Bucky is a big old thief, tracks down his name twin, and also goes monster fighting with Clark
when: Anytime between March 8th and March 12th
where: Around Quarantine
warnings: Probably violence

[i: Around Quarantine; open to anyone]

[Bucky has chosen to eschew the communal housing gifted to him, as well as all the benefits that affords. Like food, shelter, and access to a shower. The last two aren't such a big deal, but he needs a lot of food to keep him going, the bastardised serum in his veins makes him burn through calories at a ridiculous rate.

Which is why he's ghosting through Quarantine on the look out for empty housing or possible a not very well attended street food stall, in order to snatch a hand out and take something. He can be found shoplifting in the street; or, if you'd prefer, breaking into your character's housing in search of food.]

[ii: Down a back alley somewhere; closed to Bucky Barnes]

[Ever since he saw that name on the network, his own name, Bucky has been in overdrive trying to figure out what's going on. It takes him a day or so to track down who owns the username, and then another day to just follow them around and try and figure out who they are. It's only when he catches the imposter out alone, whatever he might be doing, that he reveals himself by trying to drag the other man down an alleyway in an explosion of movement and bad decisions.]

[iii: Monster hunting; closed to Clark Kent]

[The perimeter is of interest to Bucky, partially because it means an escape from this town and partially because he knows that Stark is going to be making upgrades to it. It's why he's scouting around it today.

He's too focused on the possible security measures, trying to find surveillance equipment or defence mechanisms, that he has completely failed to notice the large monster shaped like a monstrous caterpillar creeping up behind him on silent feet.]

Comments

[prisonking]

No, not really.

[ Michael shrugs out of his jacket and picks up the menu. He already knows what he wants, but it gives him somewhere else to look, taking attention off the man across from him. Giving him some time to settle into his new surroundings, without the added pressure or expectation of immediate conversation.

He waves down the waitress for some coffee when she walks by, and it's only a minute or two until they've got two hot mugs in front of them. ]

I'm pretty new here, and as far as I know, I'm the only person from when and where I'm from. How about you?

[advanced]

I don't know.

[That's a complete lie, he knows for sure that at least three people are here from his world, and several from an alternate version of it, but he doesn't like the leading nature of the question.]

How do you know for sure that you're the only one?

[He looks human, fairly modern, he could easily fit into Bucky's world.]

[prisonking]

Because if there was someone else, I would've found them by now.

[ If his brother or Sara were here, Michael would know. It probably says something about him that he can count the people he loves, and who are still alive, on one hand.

He drinks his coffee, sits back in his seat with a casual sort of comfort he doesn't really feel. ]

They didn't give you a job?

[advanced]

[He shakes his head to the question, though he's still fixed on the idea that Michael can be so sure that he's the only one.]

How would you have found them?

[Does he have some form of power?]

How do you know we're not from the same world?

[prisonking]

Maybe you're right.

[ Michael rubs a hand over his face. He asked this man here, the least he can do is be pleasant company and answer his questions. ]

Maybe there are people from my Earth, as I left it, but they're nobody I know.

Does that make sense?

[advanced]

[He supposes that does make sense, but he doesn't understand why only people he knows would matter to him. It's the people that he doesn't recognise that bother Bucky the most, wondering if that random stranger a HYDRA agent from his world drives him far more wild than avoiding the Avengers.]

Then maybe we should find out where you're from?

[He'd rather get Michael's location than give out his own.]

Country? Year?

[prisonking]

America. 2005.

[ He sips his coffee. Michael doesn't like to lie. The truth is always easier. Cleaner. Lies require thought, effort and maintenance. You have to convince yourself before you can convince anyone else, and then you need to keep your stories straight.

The easiest way to avoid lying is to evade questions altogether. ]

So, what are you having?

[advanced]

[Behind him in the year, then, but the country could be the same. Could easily not be as well, especially from what he's heard of Clark. Another America with different major cities.

He glances down at the menu for a second, and then his brow furrows as if pained.]

I don't know.

[He doesn't remember what he likes, really.]

Whatever you order, just get two.

[prisonking]

[ Bucky's hesitation doesn't go unnoticed. Michael's face relaxes, remembering why they're here in the first place. He smiles, keeping his voice light, encouraging. ]

I'm inclined towards the Philly Cheesesteak. They don't call it that here, but that's what it is. The Riverview equivalent, anyway. We can always order two things, and you can eat whichever one you like better.

How's that sound?

[advanced]

Sure.

[He shrugs slightly as if he doesn't care, but then he pulls his menu just a bit closer to read about the Philly Cheesesteak and try to remember the taste of any of the ingredients.]

...thanks, I still don't know why you're doing this, but thanks.

[prisonking]

You can't go wrong with cheese and steak. Unless you're a vegan, but you don't seem like the type.

[ Michael flags down the waitress, places their order, and settles back into his chair with an easy smile.]

Does anyone need a reason to be kind to someone? Treat others how you wish to be treated.

[advanced]

I think my Ma told me that once.

[Or twice, or a million times. He had been raised right in a good Catholic family, he had been taught to treat others the right way, some of it still stuck underneath everything else.]

The world doesn't work that way.

[prisonking]

Be the change you want to see in the world.

[ Their food comes in short order. The sandwiches are huge, with cups of soup on the side, and both plates are heaped high with french-fries. Michael isn't shy about getting into them. ]

If it's not enough we can always order more.

[advanced]

[It's probably a good thing that they can get more, because when Bucky decides that the food is safe then he descends on it with a ravenous hunger. He has a fast metabolism thanks to the serum and he hasn't been eating well, so he has a big hole to fill.]

The world doesn't work that way.

[It's quiet, through a mouthful of fries.]

No one person can change it, no matter how hard they try.

[Though he sure came close to shaping the turn of history.]

[prisonking]

You won't know unless you try.

[ Watching Bucky eat is worth paying the biggest lunch bill in Riverview history. Michael bites into his own sandwich, careful to avoid getting any drippings on his fingers. He's particular like that. ]

Have you tried?

[advanced]

Yeah.

[He thinks that he resisted for as long as he could, but in the end it was futile.]

Have you?

[prisonking]

Yeah.

[ He chews silently for a long moment. ]

Maybe we just need to try a little harder.

[advanced]

Or maybe it's impossible.

[He's not even being pessimistic, he just sounds as if this is a truth he's come to learn the hard way.]

[prisonking]

Maybe, but what if it isn't, and we realize we could've done something, and didn't?

[ If there's an edge to Michael's voice, it's because this particular subject hits a little close to home.

He's gone so far, too far, to accomplish what he'd set out to do. He can't except that everything's been for nothing. ]

I don't think I could live with myself, not knowing.

[advanced]

[He bites back the words that it's still pointless, because something about that determined hope reminds him a bit of Steve.]

Depends how much you're trying to get done.

[Saving a single person, sure. Changing the attitudes of the whole world, no way.]

[prisonking]

It does, doesn't it?

[ Michael rubs a hand over his face with a humourless laugh. ]

Cons of being a perfectionist. I've never been able to leave 'well enough' alone. It's probably going to bite me in the ass someday, if it hasn't already.

[advanced]

I've heard that before.

[Echoes of hearing Steve say it, both on the helicarrier and many times in their past.]

Sometimes you need to learn when to back off.

[prisonking]

Yeah, sometimes.

[ Michael's almost done his sandwich. He glances over Bucky's plate, ready to call the waitress over if he's already torn through his meal. ]

How are you doing? Still hungry?

[advanced]

No, I've had enough.

[He is still hungry, but he's uncomfortable sitting in one place too long in case it becomes a target and the conversation has got too heavy for him.

Abruptly, he stands up and turns away.]

Thank you.

[It's a quiet mutter before he just strides out.]