worthallthis (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
worthallthis) wrote2020-07-30 08:43 pm
worthallthis) wrote2020-07-30 08:43 pm
Entry tags:
The Last Voyages: IC Inbox
There is no voice message here. Better hope you got the right box.
I get the impression you're better with something to work on, am I kind of in the right ballpark there?
[There's a long wait for a response, but when it comes, it's via text, not voice.
And it is very brief:]
yes
And it is very brief:]
yes
Two days after Steve promises to get Bucky some knives, there's a short, efficient knock at Bucky's cabin door.
When he opens it, he'll find Steve standing there with two large blankets (both filched from the beds in empty cabins) topped with three chocolate bars. Hidden inside the folds of the top blanket is a knife, because he doesn't want anyone to catch him coming in here with it. Just in case.
(He might be overly paranoid.)
"Hi. I brought you some things - including what you asked for." And then, "Can I come in and show you?"
When he opens it, he'll find Steve standing there with two large blankets (both filched from the beds in empty cabins) topped with three chocolate bars. Hidden inside the folds of the top blanket is a knife, because he doesn't want anyone to catch him coming in here with it. Just in case.
(He might be overly paranoid.)
"Hi. I brought you some things - including what you asked for." And then, "Can I come in and show you?"
There's a long moment before said door opens, mostly with the Asset waiting on the other side, listening close, trying to guess who it is. And when it does open, it's only an inch or so, before sliding open the rest of the way to reveal Steve's (not-)friend. He's in regular clothes today, at least, albeit several layers of them, and he doesn't look too annoyed to see who it is.
Also, have a good look at the very spartan apartment on the other side, Steve. It's not very cozy at all.
He is frowning in mild confusion at the load even as he steps back to let Steve in, giving him plenty of space so they can stay out if arm's reach of each other. "What is all that."
Also, have a good look at the very spartan apartment on the other side, Steve. It's not very cozy at all.
He is frowning in mild confusion at the load even as he steps back to let Steve in, giving him plenty of space so they can stay out if arm's reach of each other. "What is all that."
also that was "joy" up there not "job" hello it is monday
punched_hitler
- 2020-08-10 20:27 (UTC) - Expandhi remember me, we played ball on deck your first day?
I thought I should let you know I'm a person. You looked like you wanted nothing to do with people, so I - well, wolves don't need small talk to make friends, do they?
anyway, my name's Iris, I've been working here a long time, and I hope we'll play again
xxx
I thought I should let you know I'm a person. You looked like you wanted nothing to do with people, so I - well, wolves don't need small talk to make friends, do they?
anyway, my name's Iris, I've been working here a long time, and I hope we'll play again
xxx
[It takes several hours before a response comes, but one does at least come.]
i remember
[Then a second message a couple minutes later:]
good call. wolf was okay
i remember
[Then a second message a couple minutes later:]
good call. wolf was okay
The day after he and Bucky had agreed to try meditating, Steve shows up early to the cabin number he'd given carrying two of Lark's couch cushions under one arm and a thermos of hot coffee in the other hand, two mug handles precariously threaded through his fingers.
The cabin itself is small, spartan, all sleek metal and chrome, with a simple bathroom (no shower or tub) and no bed. The only furniture, actually, is a desk and chair pushed into one corner and few closed boxes stacked over there as well, but it looks like Ford's not using Steve's old cabin for much other than storage these days. It makes sense, since Ford said he had his own lab in his cabin, now that he's a warden.
Steve sets the cushions in the middle of the bare floor and leaves the door cracked so Bucky can come in, settling down onto one cushion (both are oriented sideways to the door, so neither of them will have their back to it; Steve puts his back to the bathroom door) and getting to work taking his shoes off.
The cabin itself is small, spartan, all sleek metal and chrome, with a simple bathroom (no shower or tub) and no bed. The only furniture, actually, is a desk and chair pushed into one corner and few closed boxes stacked over there as well, but it looks like Ford's not using Steve's old cabin for much other than storage these days. It makes sense, since Ford said he had his own lab in his cabin, now that he's a warden.
Steve sets the cushions in the middle of the bare floor and leaves the door cracked so Bucky can come in, settling down onto one cushion (both are oriented sideways to the door, so neither of them will have their back to it; Steve puts his back to the bathroom door) and getting to work taking his shoes off.
The Asset also shows up early, though not as early. He might not have gotten much sleep, because he's basically a big bundle of neuroses right now, and some kind of unfamiliar training happening in the morning activated like half of them. He's... 80% sure Steve won't do anything to hurt him, but that doesn't make his brain shut up about the other 20%, or about how much else could potentially go wrong. He couldn't even research it, because that would require one, the library, or two, asking someone, both of which are big nopes.
But it's fine. He's good at working on less than the normal amount of sleep. Also good at hiding anxiety, so he just has the normal expressionless face on when he taps metal fingers on the slightly open door.
But it's fine. He's good at working on less than the normal amount of sleep. Also good at hiding anxiety, so he just has the normal expressionless face on when he taps metal fingers on the slightly open door.
[It takes almost an hour before she gets a response, and then it's via text.]
I am the Asset.
I am the Asset.
Hey, Buck. You're gonna be paired with Ellie Williams this month. It's only temporary.
It sounded like you know her? Or - I can still get to know her if you want. If you need me to talk to her or tell her anything, I will.
[He's trying to be transparent, and not just go give her the shovel talk or the equivalent without Bucky knowing.]
It sounded like you know her? Or - I can still get to know her if you want. If you need me to talk to her or tell her anything, I will.
[He's trying to be transparent, and not just go give her the shovel talk or the equivalent without Bucky knowing.]
[The response comes about fifteen minutes later, mostly because he'd forgotten that Steve was going to look at this for him, and listened anyway. Also, it's text. That's all he does, and that rarely.]
i know her. shes nice. knows about you
dont scare her or anything shes just a kid
[He's not even sure why he added the second text. Maybe some part of him does recognize Steve is gonna do the shovel talk thing.]
i know her. shes nice. knows about you
dont scare her or anything shes just a kid
[He's not even sure why he added the second text. Maybe some part of him does recognize Steve is gonna do the shovel talk thing.]
[As requested, Steve gathers a bundle from the library for his friend. From felines (a range of basic reading level to advanced) as well as an assortment of childrens' books. Dr. Seuss plays a plentiful role, of course, but there's other children's books too. He grabbed every one with fuzzies or cricklies or anything with a tactile element to them that weren't simply colorful words. Most were silly, but he sprinkles in a few with ~lessons~ like The Giving Tree or Rainbow Fish. Whether Bucky wished to read these on his own, or have someone else read to him, he would get an eclectic assortment.
So much so, in fact, it takes several trips from the library to his cabin door, carrying multiple stacks. By the end there's some 30+ books by his doorstep now. Too much? Maybe. But they're like Christmas gifts. You think you only bought a few things and then... Welp, those packages multiplied in the closet.
But, finally deciding that is a good stopping point (for now!) he knocks on Bucky's door.]
So much so, in fact, it takes several trips from the library to his cabin door, carrying multiple stacks. By the end there's some 30+ books by his doorstep now. Too much? Maybe. But they're like Christmas gifts. You think you only bought a few things and then... Welp, those packages multiplied in the closet.
But, finally deciding that is a good stopping point (for now!) he knocks on Bucky's door.]
[He might have been listening through the door as things got piled in front of it, more and more confused the more trips occurred. He's almost curious enough to check before the knock, but he's also almost afraid to find out what's out there. He has no context for this. But when the knock comes, the door opens almost immediately, about a third of the way, and the Asset peers out at Steve with a confused, slightly concerned frown.
Then he looks down-- well, he scans the hallway and then looks down. And he just kind of stares at the stacks of books, frown falling away into blankness as he tries to process. The door opens the rest of the way, at least.]
Then he looks down-- well, he scans the hallway and then looks down. And he just kind of stares at the stacks of books, frown falling away into blankness as he tries to process. The door opens the rest of the way, at least.]
"Good morning."
Disinclined as he seems toward communicators, she figures this will have been better in person. She catches him at breakfast, so on the off chance there's anything he'd like to get up to they'll have all day. (Any eagerness to have something concrete to do is neither here nor there.) Drops into the seat across from him too focused to seem breezy, plate divided primarily between eggs and fruit.
"You've probably got all the big questions about how the place runs out of the way, so I don't think there's anything there to cover. These aren't, like, compulsory, but I don't like ignoring them. I'm not gonna tail you around, but if there's anything you'd want to do, anything you'd need, I'm on call."
Disinclined as he seems toward communicators, she figures this will have been better in person. She catches him at breakfast, so on the off chance there's anything he'd like to get up to they'll have all day. (Any eagerness to have something concrete to do is neither here nor there.) Drops into the seat across from him too focused to seem breezy, plate divided primarily between eggs and fruit.
"You've probably got all the big questions about how the place runs out of the way, so I don't think there's anything there to cover. These aren't, like, compulsory, but I don't like ignoring them. I'm not gonna tail you around, but if there's anything you'd want to do, anything you'd need, I'm on call."
His own breakfast is as it usually is: oatmeal with blueberries in it, bacon, toast with jam, coffee. Things that are available every day so he doesn't have to make any decisions first thing in the morning. He'd watched her pick out her own food and find him, so he's not surprised. (He might kind of have been dreading it, but he's not surprised.)
"No big questions," he agrees. "Already asked you how I'm supposed to get better, anyway." And her answer, like everyone else's, has been less than helpful.
"No big questions," he agrees. "Already asked you how I'm supposed to get better, anyway." And her answer, like everyone else's, has been less than helpful.
It was orders. It was fine.
[He can't guess what getting along with Steve has to do with anything. The only bad thing he really picked up out of the whole ordeal was having to go to medical.]
[He can't guess what getting along with Steve has to do with anything. The only bad thing he really picked up out of the whole ordeal was having to go to medical.]
[Shortly after the Admiral's announcement, Steve sends Bucky a text:]
Hey, Buck. You've been permanently paired with Ellie.
I think it's a good match.
Hey, Buck. You've been permanently paired with Ellie.
I think it's a good match.
He doesn't even bother replying to the text. That's first because he's panicking, and then because he's taking the stairs two at a time to get to Rogers' floor so he can panic in person.
He raps on the guy's cabin door, hoping to hell he's actually in there and not on a random run or something. Metal fingers makes a very distinctive (and by now, familiar) sound on the door.
He raps on the guy's cabin door, hoping to hell he's actually in there and not on a random run or something. Metal fingers makes a very distinctive (and by now, familiar) sound on the door.
[Someone is in trouble. But not really.]
Don't freak out, but I think we need to talk. It's not bad, and I'm not mad at you or anything, and nothing is gonna happen to you. Okay?
Don't freak out, but I think we need to talk. It's not bad, and I'm not mad at you or anything, and nothing is gonna happen to you. Okay?
Well, that's very specific. Better than if she'd left any of it out, though, which he finds kind of annoying-- that he really does need all that reassurance. He doesn't bother replying, but he does come looking for her as soon as his shift with custodial is over, both hands stuck in his jacket pockets, the flesh one fiddling with something.
His demeanor is uncertain but at least not afraid. "Hi."
His demeanor is uncertain but at least not afraid. "Hi."
[Ellie doesn't usually pester B late at night. She likes to at least pretend she sleeps at a decent hour, and she wants to believe he does, too. But she's up, and she did say she'd think of something for his birthday.
It's not a big deal if he doesn't get back to her right away, anyway.]
Hey. You up?
It's not a big deal if he doesn't get back to her right away, anyway.]
Hey. You up?
[Guess who does in fact happen to be up? Sleep had happened. Briefly. Now it is done happening and he's kind of wandering the ship, because somebody closed the door to the art room so he can't play piano, and he's not in the mood for pinball.
So the little buzz on his communicator gets a quick notice, and quick response.]
yes
[Nobody said it was a good response.]
So the little buzz on his communicator gets a quick notice, and quick response.]
yes
[Nobody said it was a good response.]
B is still often in Lark's cabin, hovering around Steve, but he's not saying much when Lark's around. Even when Lark is kicking him out to go get some sleep in his own cabin, he's quieter than he was before. There's a lot going on in his head, even after Ellie's vacated the premises and is back in her own body. Piano is one way that he has to make some of that shut up.
All of that does mean he's a little surprised to see Lark at the piano, though. He eyes him sidelong, but comes over to pull out the bench, anyway. "Hi," he says, maybe a bit belatedly.
All of that does mean he's a little surprised to see Lark at the piano, though. He eyes him sidelong, but comes over to pull out the bench, anyway. "Hi," he says, maybe a bit belatedly.
So you do hair but hanging out in a fort with me was rough, huh? I'm starting to think I do actually smell.
[Busted. But not really. Ellie's glad to hear it.]
[Busted. But not really. Ellie's glad to hear it.]
[It takes him a minute to notice the comment. Then another to figure out what the hell she's talking about.]
It took me a good two minutes to bring myself to touch her after sitting down Ellie
And then another one before I could move my hands at all
[Then a second pair of texts about 20 seconds later:]
I could try with you if you want me to
There's enough hair for a little french braid
It took me a good two minutes to bring myself to touch her after sitting down Ellie
And then another one before I could move my hands at all
[Then a second pair of texts about 20 seconds later:]
I could try with you if you want me to
There's enough hair for a little french braid
B works mornings, so Lark finds him dutifully scrubbing away at the floor in one of the below-decks hallways with a mop. He looks up and frowns at Lark. He's still a little annoyed with the guy for not telling him Steve does the coma thing all the time apparently.
But not so annoyed that he'll turn down an ask for help. "With what?"
But not so annoyed that he'll turn down an ask for help. "With what?"
Lark finds B again one night, and starts with the point. "Hey. I just wanted to apologize for pressuring you the other day. I like having your around, and I was overeager about the idea of you moving in. But I don't want that to be a stress for you."
This time, he's not working, at least. He's at the pinball machine, because the art room is closed tonight, and he doesn't look up at the arrival. He does glance over briefly at the apology. "It's fine. I just don't know how to go about it. With the cat and Steve and everything. I haven't. I don't."
He stops, makes a frustrated noise, and pulls the lever a little harder than necessary. There's a memory just on the edge of his brain that's making this even more complicated. "I feel like he's turned down living with me before. But I don't remember it."
He stops, makes a frustrated noise, and pulls the lever a little harder than necessary. There's a memory just on the edge of his brain that's making this even more complicated. "I feel like he's turned down living with me before. But I don't remember it."
[They're literally genetic clones, but it would be nearly impossible to mistake this for Alec, who is relaxed and animated and buries the soldier in him where it belongs: in his bones and nowhere near the surface.
This young man is about the same age, but there's a formal stillness to him he never quite lost, and a politesse lined with something almost like gentility. His expressions are subtle but less stiff these days, and his brown eyes are warm as he tips his head slightly.
No, not the Bucky he knew, he too can see at a glance. He smiles anyway - mostly with his eyes - and offers,] Hello.
I apologize for temporarily interrupting your feed. It was not my intention.
This young man is about the same age, but there's a formal stillness to him he never quite lost, and a politesse lined with something almost like gentility. His expressions are subtle but less stiff these days, and his brown eyes are warm as he tips his head slightly.
No, not the Bucky he knew, he too can see at a glance. He smiles anyway - mostly with his eyes - and offers,] Hello.
I apologize for temporarily interrupting your feed. It was not my intention.
[The buzz from the new message doesn't take him by surprise; he's following along with a number of people's conversations. The fact that it looks like Alec (but clearly isn't) and is, on second glance, coming from his own inbox does.
It takes him a long minute to decide on a reply. And he switches quickly audio on his end, because video is still tetchy with him, but hell, it's better than text, right?]
Pretty sure I'm not who you meant to connect to. Looking for one of the other versions of me?
It takes him a long minute to decide on a reply. And he switches quickly audio on his end, because video is still tetchy with him, but hell, it's better than text, right?]
Pretty sure I'm not who you meant to connect to. Looking for one of the other versions of me?
Natasha is not expecting to see that face - again - when she's trying to get ahold of someone else entirely on her phone.
It takes her a few seconds, but just a few seconds, to figure out what's (likely) going on. She has exactly one experience with a Barnes that isn't quite hers, anyway. It seems like the most logical leap, even given the differences. There's still some undercurrent of same she can read in his eyes.
"We've got to stop meeting under whatever these circumstances are."
It takes her a few seconds, but just a few seconds, to figure out what's (likely) going on. She has exactly one experience with a Barnes that isn't quite hers, anyway. It seems like the most logical leap, even given the differences. There's still some undercurrent of same she can read in his eyes.
"We've got to stop meeting under whatever these circumstances are."
He wasn't anticipating a video connection, either. He's in his cabin, and his hair is sticking up funny, and he isn't even properly wearing black. "Natashka?" Gathering his wits up, scrubbing the flesh hand over his hair in an attempt to tame it down a little, he tries again, "Uh. Hi."
Well, he seems a little more there than the last time she met him, at least.
Well, he seems a little more there than the last time she met him, at least.
Handwritten note/chart for B, put up on the back of his door in October 2021
punched_hitler
2021-10-24 03:20 am (UTC)(link)
Steve doesn't leave a note so much as a chart. There's a large piece of paper taped to the back of B's door, where he's sure to see it before he leaves the cabin. The top part is a note, in Steve's handwriting. It starts:
Hi, B. Welcome back. You've been in a coma for and then there's a space where he's left himself a spot to tape up a new bit of paper each day to say exactly how many days it's been. (Steve's been updating the count every morning.) On each piece of paper with the current count, he's also written Today is with the current day of the week.
Below that, he's written: We are currently experiencing followed by another blank spot, where he can tape up flood or port, but which should ideally read nothing strange that I'm aware of. when B awakes at the end of the month.
And finally, at the bottom, is a list that starts with: These are the people — that I know of — who've disappeared. Probably not a complete list.
Jim Kirk
Quentin Coldwater
Larry Trainor
Cassandra
(It is, in fact, a very incomplete list, but B will probably understand that Steve is not the most social or Barge network-oriented guy.)
Also taped to the door is a paper invitation done up in very nice calligraphy inviting B, should he get his butt out of bed (yes, it reads that way, if lovingly?), to Godric's surprise birthday party the night of October 28.
Hi, B. Welcome back. You've been in a coma for and then there's a space where he's left himself a spot to tape up a new bit of paper each day to say exactly how many days it's been. (Steve's been updating the count every morning.) On each piece of paper with the current count, he's also written Today is with the current day of the week.
Below that, he's written: We are currently experiencing followed by another blank spot, where he can tape up flood or port, but which should ideally read nothing strange that I'm aware of. when B awakes at the end of the month.
And finally, at the bottom, is a list that starts with: These are the people — that I know of — who've disappeared. Probably not a complete list.
Jim Kirk
Quentin Coldwater
Larry Trainor
Cassandra
(It is, in fact, a very incomplete list, but B will probably understand that Steve is not the most social or Barge network-oriented guy.)
Also taped to the door is a paper invitation done up in very nice calligraphy inviting B, should he get his butt out of bed (yes, it reads that way, if lovingly?), to Godric's surprise birthday party the night of October 28.
Edited 2021-10-26 02:15 (UTC)
B allows himself a very, very brief feeling of guilty relief that Steve's little crush has left the ship, before guilt takes over the rest of it. Not just because Steve lost a friend, but also because he's apparently been out of commission for twenty-nine goddamn days.
He actually then has a small panic attack over the realization of all that lost time, which he treats with a long, hot bath and a very big mug of coffee.
Then Steve gets a text. Rather than thanks or apologies, he goes with: Is the party fancy dress or casual?
He actually then has a small panic attack over the realization of all that lost time, which he treats with a long, hot bath and a very big mug of coffee.
Then Steve gets a text. Rather than thanks or apologies, he goes with: Is the party fancy dress or casual?
B's not hard to find, but he's not in his room. He's pacing the hall on level one, not far from Lark's room, actually. Trying to decide if he ought to actually talk to the guy or not.
Hey, Lark totally solved that problem for him. He stops pacing, runs both hands through his hair, and says, "I don't know."
Hey, Lark totally solved that problem for him. He stops pacing, runs both hands through his hair, and says, "I don't know."
It has clearly been A Morning. Steve has been out for most of it, first walking the dogs and then showering, and later trying to investigate what suddenly seems to be going on with the tree and the hole, as well as checking on both new and old people.
But while he never paid the network much mind on the Barge, here, he's been giving it a little more attention.
He doesn't wait too long after the Nurse - and then everyone else - starts talking on the network to head back to B's cabin, knocking twice with an, "It's me," before opening the door to slip inside and see whether B is here. He's not down in the common area with the animals at the moment, so this seems like the next logical place to look.
But while he never paid the network much mind on the Barge, here, he's been giving it a little more attention.
He doesn't wait too long after the Nurse - and then everyone else - starts talking on the network to head back to B's cabin, knocking twice with an, "It's me," before opening the door to slip inside and see whether B is here. He's not down in the common area with the animals at the moment, so this seems like the next logical place to look.
B should be out with the animals, but he can't. Not yet. He's sitting on the mattress on the floor with D flopped next to him and Libby half in his lap getting a one-armed bear-hug. The cats are spread out around the room but mostly near him, too.
"Hey," B says, sounding like he's been crying again. He lets Libby go a little to scrub at his face. "Sorry. Everything okay?" With Steve, he means. Because it's clearly not so okay with B.
"Hey," B says, sounding like he's been crying again. He lets Libby go a little to scrub at his face. "Sorry. Everything okay?" With Steve, he means. Because it's clearly not so okay with B.
A note, delivered by a vampire, after the event conclusion.
dark_lady_sariss
2022-09-02 09:35 pm (UTC)(link)
[She'd written it in English, at least, rather than her usual careful Aurebesh hand - though the shakiness towards the end indicates it wasn't the easiest task.]
B-
You are a good person. I wanted you to know. I hope for better things for you than endless wardening. Be happy. My friend.
-Sariss
[He may or may not have heard what had happened by the time he reads this. If not, Najda has the tale, or others.]
B-
You are a good person. I wanted you to know. I hope for better things for you than endless wardening. Be happy. My friend.
-Sariss
[He may or may not have heard what had happened by the time he reads this. If not, Najda has the tale, or others.]
Hello, B. I'm sorry to be calling you on such unfortunate business, but I saw your posting on the network some time ago about alarms. Would it be possible to get one for Natalie and young Mr. Mandrake?
Absolutely, man. I spent like half an hour debating whether to say something on Arthur's post about everybody coming to get one. I want every person on this ship to have one, if possible, but people either think they don't need 'em or don't know me so don't trust 'em or... whatever.
Want me to bring them by? Let me know what name they both want on theirs.
Same for you and Arthur. I'll program whatever name in you want, and that's what'll show up on your device and on anyone else's when you set off the alarm.
[Everyone is getting alarms, dammit.]
Want me to bring them by? Let me know what name they both want on theirs.
Same for you and Arthur. I'll program whatever name in you want, and that's what'll show up on your device and on anyone else's when you set off the alarm.
[Everyone is getting alarms, dammit.]
excuse me??
[He recognizes the number from other network posts around, so he knows who it is, but they've never... talked. Why would he ask this. Why.]
[He recognizes the number from other network posts around, so he knows who it is, but they've never... talked. Why would he ask this. Why.]
[B fumbles for the phone from the bed, because that's the specific sound he set up for something hitting his personal box, and that's sometimes important.
He squints at the message.
Well, shit. He extracts himself from Steve and the dogs, puts on some boots, and slips out to walk the corridors, waking up enough for a decent response.]
hate to break it to you but anyone making a simulation this real and this complex, with you having already told the Admiral what deal you want most in the world, probably already knows whatever you'd write down
this is for you, not for worrying about them
He squints at the message.
Well, shit. He extracts himself from Steve and the dogs, puts on some boots, and slips out to walk the corridors, waking up enough for a decent response.]
hate to break it to you but anyone making a simulation this real and this complex, with you having already told the Admiral what deal you want most in the world, probably already knows whatever you'd write down
this is for you, not for worrying about them
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