riverviewlogs | missing pieces

Entry tags:

missing pieces

who: Bucky Barnes (MCU), Ivar Ragnarsson, Dick Grayson, Stephen Strange, Ellie, Tony Stark, Suigetsu Houzuki, Clark Kent, Fatima Merali, Eichi Tenshouin, Shai Ebbisaryn, Steve Rogers (MCU), Líadan Ní Donnabháin, Bucky Barnes (616), and Jonathan Kent
what: Various prompts
when: April 1st/2nd
where: Abandoned city
warnings: Probable violence
note: Though this log has closed prompts, if you would like to do anything with Bucky please just send me a PM or hit me up at

bibbety and I will be more than happy to add in a prompt for you!

[i: Sparring partners; CLOSED to Ivar Ragnarsson]

[Bucky spends a lot of his time out in the abandoned city, even sleeping there some nights when the feel of people all around him becomes a bit too much to handle. He's doing better than he was when he arrived here, he's even spoken to Steve fairly courteously once, but he's got a long way to go and he still prefers to do it alone.

Which is why he's out in the city training himself, running between buildings, jumping and vaulting various debris fields, and occasionally testing his acrobatic skills with flips and kicks off one surface to catch hold of another. What he's not expecting, after jumping one particularly large gap between rooftops, is to land by a man on the ground.

At first he thinks it's someone hurt, until he recognises the man that fought him when he was recently arrived and remembers how he couldn't use his legs. It's pretty impressive that he got up this far, let alone out here to the abandoned city in the first place.]

You okay?

[He was just going to go, but maybe Ivar really is hurt and can't get down.]

[ii: Meals on wheels; CLOSED to Dick Grayson]

[There have been a couple of times while Bucky has been skulking around the city that he's seen the man he doused in yoghurt, still patrolling in that costume. He knows his name now, made sure to look it up based on the usernames and the apartment - Dick Grayson. Not that he plans on using it, he just likes to have all the information, it can be the difference between life and death.

But what he doesn't realise is that he's the one that's been spotted tonight by Dick, as he slips out into the abandoned city and turns into one of the nearby ruins. A sleeping bag and rucksack are already stashed there, along with a surprising array of weapons. He slides into his sleeping bag, sat up against the wall, completely unaware that he's not alone... for now.]

[iii: Magic and Mayhem; CLOSED to Stephen Strange]

[Bucky has very few things that he would count as personal possessions. His weapons, clothes, and sleeping bag were all just tools that could pass in and out of his ownership without him caring that much. Though he would never like to be unarmed, he could always find more weapons if he lost these.

But he had a book that was precious to him. Just a tattered little notebook which was a quarter full of news clippings of all the various Avengers, some information both bought and stolen from the Smithsonian gift shop, and several choppy paragraphs in his own handwriting. Notes on information he's found out, memories that have resurfaced, that sort of thing.

He's sitting on the rooftop of one of the buildings in the main city, riffling through the book, when a sudden gust of wind catches it and sends it out of his hands and over the side to land at either at the feet of, or directly on the head of, the poor unsuspecting person walking by.

Sorry, Stephen.]

[iv: Dance lessons; CLOSED to Ellie]

[The flower festival isn't exactly Bucky's natural habitat, but he keeps finding himself drawn to the dance lessons and performances in the various open park areas. He doesn't really remember dancing himself, it's definitely not something the Soldier has ever done even though he has the dexterity for it, but it feels familiar.

So even though spending so much time in the crowds goes against a lot of his instincts, Bucky keeps finding himself back in the throng.

It's where he is that morning, sat with his back against a tree to make it slightly harder to sneak up on him from behind, intently watching a couple perform an exhibition piece in the style of swing dancing. These are the ones he likes the best, the ones that feel the most oddly familiar, and he has an almost peaceful expression as he watches.]

[v: Running into you; CLOSED to Tony Stark]

[Bucky spends a lot of his time either hiding, skulking in the shadows, or moving at a carefully steady pace through crowds so as not to attract attention. But sometimes he just needs to blow off steam, sometimes he just needs to burn through the excess energy that the bastardised serum gives him.

Which is why he's running.

He's at least chosen a time when he doesn't think anyone else will be near the outskirts of the city, and he's running down side streets and back alleys rather than the main streets, but he is pushing himself all out. Running faster than a normal human could, vaulting trash cans and practically skidding around corners.

It's probably lucky he hasn't crashed into anyone before now...]

[vi: Festival Fun; CLOSED to Suigetsu Houzuki]

[This festival, much like the last festival, is a good place to gather free food. The stall vendors are often so busy that they don't notice a little something here or there going missing, and lots of people end up buying food that they can't finish and just abandon. Which is why one suspicious hobo type is now casually wandering the picnic area, stooping as if to tie his shoe every so often when he's really stealing leftovers.

Don't mind him...]

[vii: A serious talk; CLOSED to Clark Kent]

[See the comments for starter.]

[viii: Kites and trees; SEMI-OPEN to anyone plotted with on the CR meme]

[Bucky has spent most of the flower festival skirting the main events, on the fringes of the crowds, or watching from a distance. But some things keep drawing him in deeper, like leftovers at the picnic area, or dance contests, or the smell of food.

To anyone wandering, he can be found in the following places:

i) staring into the window of a bakery as if the pies on display have the answer to life.
ii) up a tree in the park, watching a dance demonstration like a skulking creeper
iii) flying a kite that he got pressured into buying, sitting on the grass in a relatively secluded area. If this kite accidentally drops and wraps around your character, more's the pity.]

[ix: Football; CLOSED to Jonathan Kent]

[Bucky doesn't look like someone who's in the park to play a nice game of football... for one, he doesn't actually have a football. He's also skulking under the trees, wearing a long hoodie and gloves despite the warm weather, and is looking around at everyone entering the park as if they might be a threat to him.

But he said he wanted to do this, so he's here.

Even after he got the message from Clark that said he had somewhere else to be that morning, he was sorry, but hopefully Bucky could still have fun with Jonathan. Which was why Bucky was skulking out of place, waiting for a kid and hoping that said kid brought a football with him. Or they might be kind of scuppered.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

As proven by most Vikings except me, you don't need a brain in order to fight.

[Most other Vikings just recklessly attacked until their for was beaten. Ivar stood back and worked things out instead. He fixes Bucky with one of his penetrating stares, emphasized by his bright blue eyes.]

I want you to teach me.

I already told you no.

[He can barely trust himself to be around others even momentarily like this, how could he possibly trust himself to teach someone else combat? Even if, objectively speaking, there's nothing that he's better suited for.]

I held back when we fought because I didn't want to hurt you, I couldn't guarantee that would happen if we fought regularly.

What makes you think I'm the one whose going to get hurt?

[Ivar isn't exactly a puppy dog when it comes to fighting either. He was just as good as any Viking when it came to weapons. His face sets into a stubborn cast. He's determined to get his way.]

Because I'm better than you are.

[It's not said arrogantly, though it probably comes off that way, more that he thinks he's stating a fact.]

[There's just a slight shift in Ivar's posture, a stiffening of the shoulders and a tightening of his hands to indicate his anger. He's been hearing that his whole life. No one has ever thought he could be as good as anyone else. He was just a poor cripple to be pitied.

But there's times for anger and this was not one of them. If he gets mad, it'll just ensure Bucky never trains him. Instead, he buries the anger down to deal with later. His words, when they come, are level and measured.]

That may be so. But how am I going to get any better if you don't teach me? My father said to always learn from the best there was.

[He sees the restrained anger, but it's a mark of control that Ivar doesn't let loose with it, and perhaps that's why he finds himself softening slightly. He hadn't thought the headstrong young man capable of holding himself back.]

And if I do teach you, what then?

[Why does he want to get better?]

You'd have to understand how Vikings think to get that. Fighting is in our blood. Everyone is a warrior. If you're a cripple, you're nothing. I'm good, but I want to show them all I can be even better.

[What he doesn't say it's how he really wants to prove it to himself. To have self-worth instead of feeling like an object of condescension and pity.]

[It makes sense. He gets wanting to prove yourself, and the attitude is oddly familiar, tickling at the back of his head. Like he can almost see a skinny, asthmatic, sickly kid insisting that he can handle the fighting and screw what everyone else thinks he should be capable of. Maybe that's why he nods.]

One condition, you tell nobody. I'm not having anyone else come after me, understand?

[Ivar is surprised that Bucky finally agrees. He thought it would take a lot more convincing, or that the man would finally say 'Screw this' and leave. He nods at the condition.]

You have my word.

[And Vikings don't break their word easily.]

[He's still not entirely sure about this, and it's possible that he'll end up doing one training session and then ghosting on his promise to do more, but it's a start.]

Okay.

[He braces himself in an obvious ready stance.]

Show me what you've got.

[Ivar takes his axe off from where he keeps it strapped to his back as the light of battle comes into his pale eyes. He loves this more than anything in the world. Bucky's already seen him fight once, so he can't rely on the usual helpless cripple act that's fooled more than one opponent. No, he has to rely on strategy for this. Bucky's good, one of the best Ivar's seen, but he can use that against him. People who are the best are overconfident.

So the Viking pauses a moment before swiping at his feet with the axe blade. He won't be throwing it just yet. That would remove his primary weapon and he's got no doubt that unlike his last opponent, Bucky will know how to use it against him.]

[In direct contrast to Ivar lighting up, Bucky seems to shut down when it comes to the fight. His eyes become blank and hard, his expression completely neutral, but his movements switch to something fluid and dangerous. This is what he's been trained for, this is what he was made for.

He jumps the axe blade, attempting to time his landing to trap the blade itself under one of his boots. It's a risky move. If it works, he'll try and stamp on Ivar's hand, if it doesn't then he'll aim a kick for his face.]

[He jerks his axe back just in time to keep it from being trapped. When the kick comes his way, he rolls to the side, but it does catch him in the shoulder. There's a small grunt of pain that escapes him, but that's the only indication he's been hurt.

Ivar aims the axe blade again, and when Bucky comes near him, he aims the blade low to the ground and tries to bring it up right between his legs. Some might call it dirty fighting, but Ivar thinks of it as being pragmatic. With the disadvantage his legs present, he's got to take whatever edge he can get.]

[He darts to the side, but the blade still catches him on the thigh to gouge a deep cut. He doesn't hesitate or stumble, he's been taught how to ignore all but the most life threatening of injuries. The mission is everything.

He tries to use his momentum and the fact that it should take Ivar a moment to bring the axe back again, to jump in close aiming a punch to the temple.]

[The punch connects solidly with his head and Ivar's head snaps back, a grunt of pain escaping his mouth. He's dazed for a moment, but he has the good sense not to let go of his axe. He's refocused in a few seconds, back in the fight, too stubborn to give up now.

He'd learned early on back home that the best way to get the upper hand on someone was to take their legs out and get them down to his level. So with this thought in mind, he takes out a knife, aiming it at Bucky's face. As soon as the blade has left his hand, he makes his move, going for Bucky's feet to get him off-balance and on the rooftop.]

[He's good, it's obvious that he's determined and he's learned well how to fight and compensate for his disabilities in an impressive way. But his mobility is still limited, and his technique isn't perfect, maybe there are things Bucky could teach him.

He blocks the blade, letting it hit his left arm to the screech of metal on metal, though he does end up on the rooftop. His arm slams out as soon as he's down, putting all the serum strength and added strength of the vibranium enhanced arm behind the move, trying to grab Ivar around the throat.

If he manages it, he'll roll up to his feet and literally lift Ivar over the side of the building to hold him there by his throat.]

[Ivar has some brief thoughts of pulling out another knife before he feels the metallic arm close in around his throat. Gods, he's fast. Ivar finds himself dangling off the edge of the roof before he can fully comprehend how it happened.

He grabs Bucky's metal arm, not to wrench himself free, which would send him plummeting to his doom, but rather to hold onto something to ease the pressure off his throat. He's been beaten again, but it's hard to feel sore about it when he got to hold his own against such a good opponent for as long as he did.]

[He's not about to let Ivar go, he's not in this to kill the kid, and he's confident enough in his grip to hold him out for a few seconds longer. But when it becomes obvious that he's won the fight, he pulls himself back onto the rooftop properly and lowers Ivar back to the ground.]

Good.

[Very good, really, but he doesn't give out praise easily.]

You need to work on going for more than the legs. I know why you do, but it's predictable because of it.

[Ivar sits on the ground, rubbing his sore throat. He shifts one of his legs around with his hands. It's going to start aching soon, he can tell. It can't be helped, it's just a byproduct of his brittle bone disease.

His energy level is still up after the fight, the adrenaline levels high. He's smiling just a little. He listens to the advice Bucky gives intently.]

What would you do instead if you were in my position?

A few things, you need some different ranged and close weaponry to help out, and some upper body training.

[Ivar's upper body is already pretty damn impressive, but it seems more brute strength than acrobatic or athletic skill, and that's what he wants to cultivate.]

Here, get on your horse and I'll show you.

[This would be easier with a mannequin to demonstrate on, but he'll work with what he's got.]

[Ivar whistles and his Ponyta comes trotting obediently over, having lost interest in the pair of them when they had started sparring. Getting onto a horse is always a challenge for Ivar since it requires more use of his legs than he's comfortable with.]

Lie down. [Skinfaxi lies down on the ground, long legs bending at the knee. Ivar puts one hand on his neck and one on his back, using the horse's solid weight to stand up. He's taller than he looks from always being on the ground, hovering right around the six feet mark. He doesn't stay like that for long, for his legs are of no use to him, and he's holding himself up solely by his arms. He tries to swing a leg over, but the knee of his other leg buckles, and he nearly collapses to the ground. Only the hold he has on his horse keeps him upright.

Too prideful to ever ask for help, Ivar makes a second attempt. Gripping his fire horse's neck tightly, he manages to swing one leg over his back, and quickly collapses onto Skinfaxi. He pats the Ponyta gratefully and the horse rises up. Bucky will notice he's staying on the horse purely through the grasp of his hands. His leg muscles are too weak to grip the horse's side like a proper rider should be able to do.]

Alright. I'm up. Now what?

[He doesn't offer to help because he knows Ivar is capable and can manage it himself, he wouldn't have caught himself a horse if he couldn't ride one or get onto it. He just stands and waits patiently for as long as it takes for him to get up onto the horse, no look of pity on his face.]

Be ready to brace your fall with your arms.

[Obviously an enemy wouldn't be given that sort of consideration, but Ivar is a student and not an enemy, he needs to be watching what Bucky does. He had him get on the horse so that he's taller, so he can see someone on the ground attacking a taller target to learn.

He sits himself down and lets his legs go out in front of him, obviously letting the muscles relax so that they're doing no work at all, effectively reversing their positions for demonstration purposes.]

You ready?

[It's an interesting change of pace, being the one taller than his opponent for a change. Ivar notices the reversal immediately, paying close attention the same way he was during the first part of their fight. He takes out his axe, still holding onto his fire horse at the spot where the neck meets the shoulders tightly with his left hand.]

Ready.

[He clicks his tongue, and after a moment's hesitation, Skinfaxi moves forward at a brisk trot. Ivar stays on the horse purely through his grip strength as he ends up bouncing along. He leans over the side of the animal, swiping at Bucky with the axe.]

[This is mostly a demonstration, rather than another fight. He doesn't need to see what Ivar can do on the horse, he needs Ivar to see how someone in his position on the ground can attack someone higher up without going for the legs. So this time he doesn't hold back.

He pushes up with his arms, literally vaulting himself upwards on the power of his upper body towards the horse. He twists in the air to try and land his arm across Ivar's throat and literally drag him down from the horse with his own weight and momentum.

It's a move he'd like Ivar to learn, because it'll effectively get an opponent down to his level without going for the obvious weak spots.]

[Whatever Ivar was expecting Bucky to do, that definitely wasn't in the top five guesses. He's knocked right off the horse and dragged onto the ground, though he avoids getting too bruised by bracing himself with his arms like Bucky had suggested. The wind's been knocked out of him and he lies there for a moment to catch his breath. Then he taps Bucky's arm. Okay, he got it. Let him up now.]

It's going to take me a while to learn that one.

[But now that he's seen it, he's determined to figure it out for himself. It's true that most of his skill relies on brute strength, so it's expanding his mind to be shown another way to fight.]

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