( open ) I knew the waiting had begun

[rightly]

who: Steve Trevor & YOU!
what: Steve's arrival at the Quarantine.
when: August 20th-30th
where: all around
warnings: none expected
note: feel free to poke me @ extreminator or PM if you'd like a more specific starter or have another idea for a thread!


I ▹ ARRIVAL & RECOVERY ▹ HOSPITAL

[ It's a sudden feeling to him, like being pulled violently by a rope tied around his neck. Steve finds himself gasping for air and choking on the first breath that fills his lungs. Feels like a very first breath too, it hurts and makes his throat and lungs burn, his vision blurring as if confronted by light for the first time too.

It's not heaven, he reckons that much. No sort of afterlife, period. Everything here is far too overwhelming, confusing and painful for this to be supposedly what comes after death, and after he's revived and tended to, put back to sleep again so he can have some rest, only to wake up later on, mostly alone on a bed in a communal room, he soon realizes where he is.

A hospital. He's not a stranger to them, even if everything in here is completely foreign to him. The furniture is strange, the windows and the sight beyond them boggling, the various machinery and wiring too confusing and overwhelming. There's a box by the corner with moving pictures, with the very faint sound of voices and music filtering through, but it's nothing he understands.

Honestly, he doesn't understand anything at all, ranging from what this place is, to how did he even get here. But it's not like he can do much more than just lie and wait for the doctors to let him leave— well, he could leave, but at least for the first few hours, any attempts to even get up aren't very successful, and he ends up stumbling until he's leaning against the bed, finding himself forced to sit back down on it. ]

... crying out loud...

II ▹ EXPLORING ▹ STREETS

[ To say that the city's foreign to him is putting it very mildly. Once he's released from the hospital, and is actually capable of standing on his own two feet, he immediately decides to explore the Quarantine, as if that alone will suffice to learn everything he must about the city.

He's soon proven wrong, of course. Between the cars and bikes driving by too fast, the overload of information at every corner, and the odd fashion choices of almost everyone walking up and down the streets, it's not long until Steve looks like a headless chicken walking about, looking this way and that, stopping every so often and just standing in the middle of the street, staring at a screen playing out some moving picture on a store window, or a woman's skirt that just happens to be a little too short.

It's not particularly difficult to bump into him when he's out and about, and he'll immediately turn to face the person who's just walked into him, lifting up his hands to help just in case they lose their balance. ]

Sorry— sorry, my fault. Are you alright?

III ▹ GETTING LOST ▹ STREETS

[ It's also not too terribly surprising that, after long periods spent roaming the streets and parks outside, Steve finds himself losing his way on more than one occasion. As the days go on, he starts to memorize some paths and is able to place himself a little more easily, but he still realizes he needs some help to find his way back a few times, and although his pride keeps him from reaching out immediately, he eventually accepts defeat.

Approaching anyone who seems at least vaguely friendly, he smiles, tipping his head slightly. ]

Excuse me. I was wondering... could you point me in the direction of the community housing?

IV ▹ WILDCARD ▹ ANYWHERE ELSE

[ Between looking around various places for a job, having to look for shops where he can buy a few new clothes, or simply relaxing or settling in for a quiet night reading at the balcony of the 7th floor, feel free to bump into Steve or cross paths with him just about anywhere! ]

Comments

i

[veritron]

[ Verity's had her share of rough transitions. Being teleported, Cybertronian-style, was precisely zero on the fun scale, and getting schlorped into the Noisemaze? Negative numbers. Probably squared. Or cubed. Or whatever.

This? This was almost easy. Though she did wish the robe, you know, tied up better in back. In fact, searching for her actual clothes is why she's walking by the dude's room in the first place. ]

You blow chunks yet?

They say it makes you feel better. Spoiler alert: they lie.

[rightly]

[ Steve wouldn't exactly call this a fun experience either, but at the very least he's still alive. That has to count for something, and maybe it's that fact that has him not complaining all that much.

The robes aren't exactly comfortable, though, and they don't help when all he wants to do is get off this bed and leave. It ends up being one of the reasons why he doesn't try as hard to do just that, and more often than not he settles back down on the bed, where he's not presenting anyone with the view of his naked rear. ]

I... what? [ He frowns, glancing at the woman in confusion, absolutely no idea what she just asked him. ]

[veritron]

[ Dude, if you're complaining, it means you're still alive. Then, of course, you start plotting revenge, but she's not up to that step herself yet. ]

What what?

[Seriously.]

You know, blow chunks? Toss cookies? Technicolor yawn? Worship at the porcelain altar?

[It's so OBVIOUS, man.]

[rightly]

[ Oh good, that clarification just about explains everything. Except not really. Steve just ends up staring at her for a while, finally scrunching his face and shaking his head as he waves a hand at her for her to just stop. Or slow down. Anything. ]

Alright, stop. Stop, can you... at least try to speak English? [ That'd help, just saying. ]

iii

[first_summers]

[ After a long day at the community center, Buffy is looking forward to putting up her feet with a bottle of wine and pretending she isn't exhausted from doing almost nothing at all. Well, it's not nothing to act a mentor for young girls, but compared to the life she'd led as the Slayer... But that's not her life anymore, she reminds herself for the ten thousandth time, so she just has to get used to things here and deal with it.

It's automatic to offer the handsome guy a smile, but she isn't really paying attention to what he says and so it takes a second for the question to sink in. Oh. ]

Yeah, of course. I'm headed there myself, we can walk together. [ She points in the direction they should be heading, then offers him her hand. That she's at least gotten used to. ] I'm Buffy. You're new here?

[rightly]

[ Oh, good. She seems friendly, that's nice. Not that most people here aren't friendly, mind, but it's still something of a relief. It's also a relief that she's not dressed in something terribly revealing— not that Steve would ogle, but he'd likely be a lot more embarrassed right now. ]

Really? Perfect. Shouldn't stray you from your path, then. [ He smiles, faintly surprised that a woman would offer a hand for a proper shake. Right. Social norms change. Evolve, in this case. That's not so bad.

He takes her hand, giving it a firm shake. ] Steve Trevor. And yes, I've only just arrived a few days ago. I'm still getting my bearings.

[first_summers]

[ There's something about him that strikes Buffy as adorable. Maybe it's the politeness that he's practically oozing, but not in a creepy forced way that would usually mean someone's about to hit on her. It seems natural, like it's second nature for him, and there's something in the way he speaks... Hmm.

She tries her best to keep her super strength in check for that handshake, she really does, but he'll still probably notice it's not a normal handshake. ] It can take a while. I've been here a little over a month and I still feel that way sometimes. You'll get the hang of it, though - you look like you can roll with the punches.

[rightly]

[ Well, it's not his first time meeting an unusually strong woman, so even though he does notice, he says nothing about it. Having seen Diana flip over tanks singlehandedly and practically shove him across a room with a light push, it gets easier to take these things in stride.

Maybe she's an Amazon. The thought amuses him vaguely, though he keeps it to himself. ]

I do have plenty of experience with that. Though I would rather avoid any literal punches, if I can. [ He's had more than enough fighting in his life. ] Mostly I just feel dated here, between you and I. Things are very different back in 1918.

II

[verflair]

[ You want to talk about bizarre senses of fashion, there’s this guy who looks like he rather stepped out of the past than whatever weird future that seems to permeate the Quarantine. He’s got a rapier and everything.

Truth be told, X’rhun is still trying to make sense of this place himself. He’s adjusting, but a week and some change is not enough time to make his instincts stop screaming that he’s under attack every time a particularly loud vehicle passes by. So, they were both distracted. ]

Ah, no need to apologize. I fear I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going.

[rightly]

[ Steve would like to say it brought him some comfort to see someone else looking so out of place, but it really isn't the case. The strange sight of the man confuses him slightly, though he also can't help feel bad that he's not the only one struggling with his surroundings. And well, at least a car isn't too odd for him, even if the ones here are vastly different from the models he's more familiar with. ]

This place does that to you, doesn't it? Very distracting. [ He smiles faintly, offering a hand. ] Steve Trevor. Recently arrived.

[verflair]

[ “Distracting” would be putting it mildly, but X’rhun smiles in return and takes the offered hand for a handshake. ]

X’rhun Tia. I’m somewhat new myself, but I like to think I have a decent concept of the lay of the land should you need it.

[rightly]

[ Well... that's a mouthful. Steve wants to ask how he should address the fella, but it occurs to him it might come off as rude. So for now, he'll simply avoid saying his name. ]

Honestly, I'm just trying to get used to the sights. It'll take a while, I think. I've heard there's a park nearby, though— would you know the way?

Hospital of course..

[legendary_hands]

[When the nurses warn him the patient looks a lot like his 'boyfriend', he rolls his eyes and goes over his readings and charts quietly. In fact, as he walks into the room, he doesn't even look up. Just continues to gaze over the readings before starting to speak.]

Bet you're rarin' to get on out of here. So I'm here to do one more check up before signin' the papers to clear ya.

[Looking at the last report, he finally looks up to the man laying on the bed. And for a moment, he just stares quietly. They weren't lyin' after all. This guy looks like he could have been Jim's identical twin. One brow rose slowly, but he doesn't let on beyond that just how disturbin' seein' this guy is.]

Welcome to Riverview, if now one else gave you a proper greetin'. I'm Dr. Leonard McCoy, your attending physician. How are you feelin'?

[rightly]

[ Being at a hospital, Steve's never too surprised to find doctors coming and going, both to check up on him or other people. This time, it looks like it's the former, and he shifts on the bed so he's sitting at least a little more upright, smiling faintly at the doctor once he looks up at him. ]

I've been in worse places, between you and me. But I'd appreciate being able to leave, yes.

[ Then again, he knows he's a peculiar case. Even in a place like this, bringing someone back to life can't be an easy feat. He doesn't say anything about it, though he's guessing all that information is in that patient's chart the doctor's holding in his hands. ]

Steve Trevor. As... I'm sure you know already. [ Gesturing vaguely at the chart. ] Oh, I'm alright. Legs are a little wobbly, but I figure that's just a matter of getting them moving again.

[legendary_hands]

[He starts to say 'with that face, I believe it', but he bites the words back. This isn't Jim. They don't even have the same name. Where there are different versions all over of people, this guy isn't James Kirk.

So he simply sets the tablet down and moves closer to start running a few scans with his tricorder to check his vitals and get a good handle on where he is physically.]

Hopefully that doesn't mean you lack in common sense. Seems to be an epidemic 'round here.

[Snorting softly, he pauses and glances at the man.] Nice t'meet ya. And being dragged here from where ever you're from can leave you a little off for a while. Tell ya what. You take a walk around the hospital, if your legs start to feel better, we'll discuss dischargin' ya. If you're anything like the guy you remind me of, you'll be trying to find the fastest path of escape even if it's scalin' the side of the damn building.

[Hopefully the guy will spare him that, though. He doesn't need two people with that face making him miserable with their poor sense of self preservation.]

[rightly]

[ Hey, it's not as if a face tells a whole story. Well— Steve does have something of an energetic and restless air to him right now, but only because he's not particularly used to being stuck in bed for a whole day. ]

I've got some of it. Not too much, though. It'd make things a bit boring.

[ He's kidding, honest. He really is a very sensible and careful guy. Most times. When he doesn't have to throw himself into danger and possibly sacrifice himself to save other people, but in any case. ]

A walk? Alright, then. [ He shrugs. Seems easy enough. ] Will you be keeping me company, or sending me out on my own? [ Because he's not all that sure he won't cause some accident or disaster by walking around the hospital by himself. ]

II

[seductless]

[If there is anything all her years in Sigil have taught her, it is to expect the most unexpected. It means that Fall-From-Grace is fascinated by her new surroundings, but not yet unsettled by them. It may happen in time, as the immediate wonderment settles, but for the moment she wants to immerse herself in the newness of it all.

She is currently quite taken with the device she'd been handed upon arrival, something that could have come directly from Mechanus. Perhaps overly taken with it, as she doesn't see someone coming towards her until they've collided. It draws a startled breath from her, and she instinctively takes a step back as the gentleman turns to face her, tan wings fluttering slightly behind her.]

Perfectly fine. [She smiles faintly as she says it, but finds herself studying him a bit more intently as she gets a better look. The poor man looks more than a little overwhelmed.] Are you?

[rightly]

[ She neither looks nor sounds threatening, but despite himself, Steve finds himself startling when he turns around and gets a good look at the woman. Well, he's staring at the large wings behind her more so than her.

It's probably rude. Right? Well, he's not very used to seeing women with wings, so he figures at least he has some excuse. Still, after a few seconds, he tries to tear his eyes away from them so he can look at the woman. Who, incidentally, is also very pretty.

Not that he has any problem talking to pretty women, mind. Just. An observation. ]

Still trying to make up my mind on that. [ He smiles faintly. ] I've just recently arrived, is all. There's just... a lot. I'm, uh, Steve. Steve Trevor.

[seductless]

[Grace doesn't seem bothered by the staring, still just smiling slightly. It's nothing she isn't used to.]

Oh yes, believe me, I understand. I'm new as well. I am called Fall-From-Grace.

[She pauses briefly to glance around them, like she can't help herself, before focusing in on Steve again.]

Is it very different, where you're from?

[rightly]

[ Steve has no idea if people all simply have wings where this woman comes from, but he's relieved she doesn't take his staring to heart. At least she seems friendly enough, and he doesn't feel particularly threatened, even less so when she returns his smile. ]

'Very' doesn't quite cover it, honestly. [ He chuckles, shaking his head. ] That's an unusual name you've got. Bit long, though. What should I call you?

II with a hint of wildcard, lemme know if you need it changed up

[shoplifter]

[Steve didn't run into Laura, actually — he ran into some unsavory figure that looks far more intimidating and unhappy in contrast to the small girl chewing blankly on bubblegum. She's just gonna watch the so escalation of this with some mild interest. At first she's kind of on the angry stranger's side, because Steve ruined a perfectly good sandwich, and if Laura was that guy, she'd probably give him a really intense glare and maybe some fast-flowing Spanish insults... but it's kind of getting more like he wants something for the sandwich? Maybe? She's not sure, she's got her headphones in, and the music's loud.

Tony, the guy she'd spoken to on the feed, had mentioned this sort of thing: don't kill people, not unless you need to protect yourself... or others. So she's sort of going through her head right now whether or not she needs to impale him, break something, hit him, what.

So, uh, have fun with the pissed off guy while she determines the level of severity she needs to use to step into the situation and potentially hurt someone.]

works perfectly!

[rightly]

[ Steve isn't often intimidated by people. Being big and bulky isn't enough to make him flinch or worry, and really, the fella could be perfectly average, but it's the attitude that has Steve feeling a little more defensive.

It's just a sandwich, honestly. He'd be the last person to want to waste food like that, but it was also obvious that it had been an accident, and he hadn't meant to bump into him. He started by apologizing, but at this point he's starting on an argument with the guy, for whom Steve offering to pay for a new sandwich just isn't quite enough, because he also got him to dirty his clothes with the sauce. Steve's got a feeling he's just the sort of person to not like to be embarrassed in front of other people, most likely. Either that or he's drunk. Which is getting more and more plausible. ]

Look, I don't know what to tell you, alright? I said I was sorry, I can't— [ His words cut off halfway through as the bulky man tries to take a swing at him, reflexes kicking in as he ducks just in time to avoid getting a fist in his face. This, apparently, only seems to anger the man further, but Steve turns around and tries to put some distance between them. ] Hey! I don't want to fight you. Please.

[ At this point he's probably going to have to make a run for it, isn't he? Oh, perfect. ]

1/2

[shoplifter]

[... Alright, alright.

She's not sure if Logan would have helped the guy, considering how much he didn't want to help her and Gabriela at first, but she likes to think he cared at some point. He was Wolverine, after all — he was an X-Men. Laura doesn't feel herself much of a superhero, but she wants to try not to be a dark spot in the middle of good people.

When the punch is thrown, she lunges forward. The guy doesn't expect someone half his height to practically fly over with intent to stop the fight, which works in her favor; as he moves to throw another punch, she jumps to wrap her legs around him, flips him with a swivel of her weight, and slams him hard into the ground.

She rolls, jerks her hand back, and her claws burst from her knuckles, hovering dangerously close to his nose with a sharp and animal-like growl as she regains balance on one knee. A snarl flashes on her face.]

Basta.

[shoplifter]

[The downed man puts his hands up, and she stands, the claws of one hand still extended.

When she looks back toward Steve, she's relaxed.]

... Do you want to drop money? For his sandwich?

[It's chill if you don't, the guy's being a dick, but she's just checking.]

[rightly]

[ The fella coming at him had been enough of a surprise. Steve was prepared already to take off running and find a place to hide, but apparently the day isn't done surprising him quite yet. The small figure comes out of nowhere, and for a flicker of a moment, he doesn't even process what it is, nor does he realize it's just a young girl until she manages to throw the man to the ground so effortlessly, drawing to a halt above him.

But it's when the claws push right out of the skin in her hand that he startles the most. ] Holy Christ—!

[ He'll just... take a moment to process that. And he may tense up a little when she looks back to him, even if she doesn't look threatening towards him, and her claws are still pointed at the other man. Eventually her words sink in, and he cants his head to the side. ]

You know what, I'm— I'm good. [ Besides he's not exactly in a state to be issuing credits through the phone, which he is yet to know how to use properly. Not having a physical currency is a bit of a hassle to him, admittedly. ] Just let him go.