[Open with some closed prompts] Where have all the good men gone?

[livingsymbol]

who: Steve Rogers and anyone else!
what: Various bonding type things
when: General March catch-all
where: Different locations, pick your favorite!
warnings: Nothing yet. Will update as needed?



I. Training exercises [OPEN]

[For any members of the Perimeter Guard hanging around the compound when they aren't on jobs or for those who just frequent the local gyms and need some extra exercise, Steve can be found at both, either very early or late when there aren't as many spectators, running through his routines. It's mostly for his own mental health, although during the midday he offers to do self-defense and combat training or take jogs with people who just want some company. If there are people he's spoken to before that have expressed some interest, he'll probably drag them into a session or two.]

So how do you feel about obstacle courses? We could race.

II. Shield toss beyond the city fences [OPEN]

[Of course Steve Rogers is exploring out alone in the dangerous open wilderness. Of course he's out of his Guard uniform and wearing the navy blue issued to him by SHIELD before he ended up in Quarantine. And of course he's poked his nose right into the middle of a nest of lizard-like creatures each the size of very large dogs, which look none too happy about the human's arrival. This normally wouldn't be too much of a problem, but Steve has somehow managed to find them in a sea of tall grass where they are hunting and the pack is far greater in number than even a super-soldier can handle alone. He's left stranded on a tall rock surrounded by very tall, angry versions of Komodo dragons that are slinking around below, trying to figure out how to reach their dinner. If he tries to attack, he'll most likely lose his one defense and possibly a limb trying to retrieve it. He might make a run for it, but without knowing where all the lizards are, his chances are pretty bad. If anyone happens to pass by or overhead, at least he has their attention.]

This is probably when I should call for help. But it'd be pretty bad for a Search and Rescue member to need rescued. How about it, boys? How smart are you, exactly?

[He may just make a run for it.]

III. Aftermath from his walk in the wilds [OPEN]

[Within the city limits on a few evenings Steve is found limping down the streets. He's probably on his way to buy a burger or some easy food from one of the familiar places he goes to after a hard day out. He has definitely been thrown around and is sporting some interesting scratches and bruises, which mostly means he'll take his meals outside so he doesn't bother other patrons. But he could stand to clean up.

If he happens to run into someone literally by not watching where he's going or if someone gives him and his battered style funny looks he'll stop and give them a polite nod.]

Sorry. I hope I'm not disturbing you.

[It's a zombie Cap cosplay!]

[Closed to MCU!Bucky] Tracking down an old friend (again)

[Steve did try to behave and respect Bucky's privacy. He's been trying to give the man some space and not crowd him, but when his Bucky mentioned that James Barnes of the other world knew who Pierce was and had a history with him, he had to find him. So he starts tracking, asking people around the city if they've seen a guy that looks like Bucky around, and hunting through the city is thankfully not as hard as tracking a man across an entire country, so eventually, with painstaking effort, Steve does catch up. He approaches him in a secluded spot away from everyone else, dropping down before Bucky can bolt.]

I was hoping that you'd call me. Or leave a message at least.

[Closed to Hiccup] Baking can be an adventure too

[As promised, Steve comes to visit Hiccup with a bag of cake making supplies. He might be a bit late considering it's a few days after their talk about his birthday, but Steve is still there and still keeping his promise. He contacts Hiccup and makes sure he's home and then heads over, knocking on the room door of the first floor where the young man and dragon are staying.]

Ready to tackle the oven?

[Closed to Pierce] Tea with enemies

[He's not happy with his own decision to meet with Pierce, but he also hadn't been entirely happy to meet with Loki the first time he did it. This choice is Steve's attempt at keeping an open mind and giving even the worst possible figure in his mind a chance to prove that he's not just out for destruction the way Steve wants to assume he is. It goes against everything Steve believes of him, but at least at this point he doesn't think Pierce will make any hostile moves. Not yet.

So he shows up as planned at the diner, nodding once he finds Pierce even if the motion is slightly stiff.]

After you.

[Because he's going to make Pierce go in first.]

[Closed to Tony Stark] Is this a serious talk?

[Tony did invite him to visit and see his work, so Steve, out of the blue, decides he's going to do that. He also wants to visit JARVIS and Dum-E, so it's not entirely a professional visit, but since Tony seems to be caught up in his own business most of the time, it's up to Steve to bridge the gap. He shows up at the workshop doorstep, greeting JARVIS and asking if Tony is around. And then, of course, making conversation.]

Are you making sure he remembers to eat? He was looking a little thin before.

[You're welcome, Stark.]

Comments

[buildsomething]

I provide frequent reminders, yes.

[The AI's slightly prim tone makes it clear just how often Tony listens, but he does at least try.

He's listening now, in fact, shooting Steve a dry look as Dum-E wheels out of his corner to come say hello.]

Not everyone can eat 5000 calories a day, you know.

[livingsymbol]

You do your best. I'm sure Tony appreciates it.

[Steve smiles with sympathy for the AI, probably pointedly laying it on a bit thick for Tony's benefit.]

Mm? I don't know what you're talking about. Oh, I brought some things.

[The blond takes a moment to give Dum-E a fist bump in greeting and set out some empty plastic cups on a table, because he's totally going to show him the game he saw at the festival earlier. After he has plastic cup bowling started, he goes back to Tony and casually holds out a paper sack which probably has a burger or two inside.]

I stopped for lunch on the way.

[buildsomething]

I see that.

[Tony blinks once at that, but reaches out to take the bag. What is it with everyone he knows trying to feed him? He'd suspect a conspiracy but he'd probably have to include JARVIS in on it, and that's just asking for trouble.]

So what's all this?

[He nods towards Steve's setup as he opens the bag and starts pulling everything out. He's going to assume at least some of it Steve brought for himself, unless he decided to load Tony up for a week for some reason.]

[thisisamazing]

I'm definitely ready to hopefully not burn down the communal kitchen. [Hiccup laughs, leading him into the kitchen. He steps over Toothless' tail on the way, where the dragon is curled up in an open area of carpet in the common living room. He's set up some things on the counter, mixing bowls and measuring cups he found in the cabinets, and a pan to bake the thing in.]

[livingsymbol]

It'll be fine. I'm sure we'll manage.

[Despite not being any sort of expert, Steve does know how to pull together a basic recipe. It's one of those minor skills he doesn't rely on too often or bring attention to, because usually it never plays into anyone's needs. That's not to say he doesn't enjoy it.

Steve empties his bag of the groceries he brought along, setting them out neatly along the counter.]

I hope you don't mind peeling and grating. We need plenty of these.

[He holds out a carrot for Hiccup. Social cooking might actually grow on him. It's sort of comforting.]

[thisisamazing]

[Baking is kind of scientific, so Hiccup figures he can probably manage with some instruction. Even if it probably isn't much like making bread back home. Hiccup takes the carrot with a laugh, and gathers up the rest of them toward his side of the counter. He digs out a grater from the cabinet, and a paring knife from a drawer.]

I don't mind. [Hiccup isn't one to shy away from work.] You know, when I was younger, most people in the village would worry when I got near sharp things. [He takes the paring knife to the carrot, stripping off the skin.] It's funny, though, because- you know, I worked in the blacksmith shop. Sharpened swords and axes since I was little- or, littler.

ii

[anotheroldsoldier]

[It's possibly unlucky for Steve that the other person taking this route is his best friend. He's never living it down now. Ever.

The familiar red laser dot of a sniper rifle some distance off fixes itself to the forehead of one of the creatures, namely one of the ones that was making the most progress getting up the rock. The shot swiftly follows, and it falls back to the ground with a loud thud, tail still twitching eerily. Whether it's dead or tranqued remains to be seen.

Across the field, Steve can probably make out Bucky's makeshift sniper nest, in the V of a conjoined tree, and the way he flashes the light-construct shield (borrowed from Steve) three times - I've got your back, you're safe to engage. He's already preparing to leave the tree and join the fight, but he'll pick off a few of the creatures first.]

[livingsymbol]

[It's unlucky for his pride that Bucky found him, but it's actually good for his health. While Steve might be lucky and determined enough to just force his way through to the city, he's not going to make it out without some nasty injuries if he tries to do it alone. He's still considering it when he spots that little sight pointer target one of the lizards. A second later, the creature drops hard and Steve looks up, tracking the line of the shot to where Bucky is perched in a tree.

Yup. He's going to carry this one with him for a while. That time he got cornered on a rock by a pack of lizards.

At the signal, Steve nods and leaps from the rock, launching himself over the closest lizards and just barely avoiding snapping jaws. He smacks one that dives in from his side with the shield, shoving it away, and punches another, then starts running. Within seconds he's being surrounded and swarmed by a pack of hungry animals.]

[anotheroldsoldier]

[Oh yeah. He's not going to forget this one any time soon. Granted, anybody but Steve Rogers would be in some serious trouble, and they all know that, so it'll just be light teasing to follow, because best friends give each other a hard time.

He's ready when Steve makes his move, leaping off the rock and vaulting over at least part of the pack of beasts, and he takes aim. Luckily he's a highly accurate shot - picking off lizard creatures that get too close to Steve as he runs would be dangerous if the sniper were anyone else. They fall one by one as they pull ahead of the rest of the crowd, making sickening screeching noises as they go, still audible over the gunshots.

Once Steve gets closer, Bucky stands from his perch and flings the hard-light shield, the angles already calculated and drilled into his muscle memory. It bounces between lizards like a pinball, hard, knocking out more. Unfortunately they just keep coming.]

How the hell do you manage to get yourself into these situations? [He shouts over the din of the fight.]

[peacemongering]

[Pierce was perfectly calm about meeting Captain America in a public place to carry on a discussion about his affiliations, which was mostly odd to do. He associated with people who either knew what his associations were and happened to be like-minded or they had no idea and would never suspect. It was a very different situation that he was in right now, where people openly knew what his associations were. This was all new and exciting territory.

So, like he had agreed, he arrived at the diner at the presented time with a folded up newspaper under his arm as if he were here to enjoy a cup of tea and read about the news.

Instead, he nodded easy and polite to Steve as he met the man and even went so far as to pat him fatherly on the shoulder before wandering to find an appropriate table. Anyone who knew anything about tactics would notice it was a corner table where he could put his back to a wall and have full view of the room, including the exits. It was all done with the utmost casualness, and really, who was going to deny an old man with a smile like his?

He set his newspaper on the table and made himself comfortable, removing his jacket and hanging it over the back of his chair.]

It's always a pleasure to have these face-to-face meetings, Captain.

[livingsymbol]

[Steve was already on edge by the time he caught sight of Pierce in the diner. The man looked as normal and harmless as the time he first met him, sending a tight twinge up between his shoulders as he remembered their exchange in the snow. He hadn't suspected anything then and the failure burned him. It just showed how much of a disconnect had grown between the cause and his own wavering heart. Things used to be so much simpler.

Or maybe he really did need to adapt to the new place. Maybe Quarantine was a place for change and growth and he was just being too attached to his old ways to allow the man a second chance.

Steve tensed slightly as the hand touched his shoulder. He followed after and sat across from Pierce at the table he picked out, stubbornly placing himself with his back exposed and his eyes fixed on his target. Nope, he was not judging Pierce too harshly.]

You didn't seem too eager to meet with me before. If I were another guy, I might think you were avoiding my questions. What do you know about me?

[peacemongering]

[Pierce wasn't in any sort of high hopes that Steve would change his mind about him or anything to do with him in the long run, not when the curtain of HYDRA hung over him as if he were nothing more than the Red Skull with a nice manner. So far, there had been no reason to show his vicious side, though he had exposed that he was tactically sound in a combat situation. He might be old, but he wasn't useless by any means.

And it was clear that even here in a public place that the blond was guarded and on edge around him, as if the truth that he didn't openly admit might rise up and swallow everyone whole. There was a reason he never spoke openly to anyone but those of his own faction of his association.

He smiled at the straight-to-the-point manner of questioning, folding his hands on the table as if they were sitting down for a nice cup of tea and to talk about the weather.]

Secrecy is prudent in many situation. Showing one's hand before the play the made is an easy way to lose at poker. [He shrugged his shoulders.] I know you aren't the Steve Rogers from my world, but you bear a striking resemblance. I know that your James Barnes rather different from one I know.

[ ii ]

[dothelokimotion]

Must you taunt everything?

[ "Oh, Loki, you should get out more" "Oh, Loki, maybe if you explore more, you won't be so touchy." He should have known better. With a sigh, he flips out his knives. ]

I doubt they're capable of responding anyhow.

[livingsymbol]

Well, I wasn't taunting them, but now that you mention it, I could probably come up with something.

[Even cornered on a rock by dozens of sharp-toothed predators, Steve is unapologetic for his poorly planned walk. He doesn't even seem upset about needing to be rescued. If anything, this just shows some of Captain America's bad sense of humor about battle. He smirks at Loki, pleased to see the god even if Loki himself looks exasperated.]

I thought you liked a little bit of excitement.

[They might have a different definition of a little excitement. Just a bit.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki casually flips his knives, slowly warming up to the prospect. ]

This is not quite what I had in mind. Though I'm not against a little blood-letting.

iii

[felinefox]

[Shalimar notices the people staring before she notices the cause; in a place like this she figures there could be any number of things causing people to sit up and take notice, even narrowed down to merely the distasteful ones.

So she notices, when she hears the apology and the subsequent flustered attempt at assurance by someone still making it clear they want away as soon as they can politely manage it. At least, to someone so accustomed to false reassurances laced with fear as Shalimar's become.

As that individual leaves, only then does she focus on the cause of the distraction - and naturally, her first instinct is a wry smile and a lightly teasing tone.]

Look at you, reminding them that danger is a thing. How are they supposed to wander in blissful ignorance now?

[livingsymbol]

[Steve notices the general wide berth the passersby give him, but he keeps going about his business as if nothing is wrong. Or he'll at least be as calm as he can and try not to disturb people too much as he continues to ignore his own very obvious problems. Because they'll go away eventually, right?

Except he's not as inconspicuous as he thinks he is. When Shalimar speaks up with a smile and amused sounding assessment, Steve huffs out a breath, similarly wry as he makes at least a small attempt to cover up a little of the blood.]

There's nothing to worry about in the city. I doubt any of them are going beyond the fences.

[advanced]

[Will people stop hunting him down when he's trying to hide and be stealthy?! It completely ruins the whole point of everything, and the scowl he's directing at Steve probably displays just how unhappy he is about this.]

Why? I don't have anything to say.

[livingsymbol]

[Unfortunately for Bucky, he's stuck with the man that forgets what stealth is most of the time. He can do it when he has to, but like now he's barging right in, determined to talk even though it is clear Bucky wants nothing to do with him.]

That's too bad, because I have questions. Do you know him?

iii.

[timmers]

Whoa, that doesn't look like a jogging accident. [Tim is carrying some groceries, still in a suit from work and contemplating dinner. Still, Steve's appearance is definitely eye-catching.]

You're not looking so swell, Cap. Do you need a hand? A hospital?

[livingsymbol]

[Steve smiles at Tim's assessment, wincing just slightly as an errant motion pulls at an open wound. It's not the worst he's seen, but it's more of a scuffle than he's had lately thanks to Quarantine being so peaceful. It's a wake up, that's for sure.]

I could use a drink. Maybe a sandwich.

[And probably a shower and some fresh bandages, but, you know, priorities.]

iii

[onlydoubts]

[ It's not like Bodhi is one hundred percent paying attention to where he's going, either, head down, hands shoved into his pockets like he's trying to make himself invisible in the crowd - already he's dressed like a civilian, instead of wearing his Imperial jumpsuit to blend in.

So, it's as much his fault as any's. The impact is enough for him to give a start and jerk his eyes upwards to Steve.

Yes, he's a little jumpy, still. ]

Oh, s-sorry. You're not disturbing anything. I wasn't watching where I was going, that's all.

You, um. You okay?

[livingsymbol]

[ If Steve were in better shape he might have been aware enough to avoid walking into Bodhi, but he's injured enough to miss the guy that's trying to be invisible as other people pass by on their own business. Steve winces as the bump jars his shoulder, sending a shock of pain through him, and almost misses how sharply the man reacts to contact. But when he hears the stammer in his voice, it gets his attention. ]

Had some trouble on a walk. It's all right, I'm used to it.

[ He gives the stranger a closer look. What has him jumpy? ]

What about you? Are you okay?

wildcards up in here for rooftop couch talks

[anotheroldsoldier]

[The rain has started to die down. It's a mostly clear night for a change, the temperatures hovering at comfortably cool levels in the early spring. Their building has thankfully not experienced much of the flooding that plagues the outskirts of the city; parts of the downstairs garage are a bit wet but nothing dramatic. It's the wee hours of the morning, around one or two am when Bucky finds himself awake.

It's not unusual. He has trouble sleeping through the night some days. It's still too early to get a start on his day, too early to go for a run around the neighborhood, and too early for most places to eat to be open, minus the all-night diner. On mornings like this, he usually winds up in one place: the rooftop.

During their time living here, the roof has collected bits and pieces, become more of a comfortable place to relax and look out over the city. Bucky brews some coffee in the kitchen and makes his way quietly up there, still dressed in pajama pants and a pullover hoodie, hair mussed from sleep and holding a mug in his right hand to soak up its warmth. He pulls the tarp off the couch they keep there, and settles onto the worn old cushions, gazing out over the twinkling lights of the city below.

It's not too long before he hears footsteps on the stairs. He's not surprised. When one of them is up at this hour, the other usually follows.] Can't sleep?

[livingsymbol]

[Sometimes Steve wakes up lonely. It's a stealthy feeling that creeps into his bed unwanted when he's not expecting it. He wakes up in the dark with visions of fallen friends still hovering in his vision and the voices of people he knew saying words he doesn't think he'll hear again. Even if he does find his way back to the world he came from, will it still be the way he remembers it? Will it remember him?

It's a selfish feeling, because he knows he already has friends and loved ones to turn to in Quarantine, but apparently his subconscious won't let him forget what loneliness tastes like. When Steve wanders up to the roof in a blue T-shirt and worn sweatpants he's relieved to find Bucky waiting. Part of him, that half-asleep part that refuses to forget his dreams, still dreads the possibility of climbs the stairs up to the roof and finding that Bucky has gone.]

Rough day. I guess I'm still restless. You?

[It's an excuse and they both know it, but Steve doesn't know how to say what he wants to say.]