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inbox (abraxas)
action | text | horizon
action | text | horizon
[ Thankfully Steve's just assuming that she's answering the second question, but it's not like it would matter too much either way.
She can judge the hot dogs for herself, assuming she can find the cart in question. ]
All right. Let's start here. Are you familiar with New York City?
[ If Wanda sent her his way, there's no reason to be suspicious or wary, though he is still a little confused by the suddenness of this from a stranger. ]
She can judge the hot dogs for herself, assuming she can find the cart in question. ]
All right. Let's start here. Are you familiar with New York City?
[ If Wanda sent her his way, there's no reason to be suspicious or wary, though he is still a little confused by the suddenness of this from a stranger. ]
[ WHAT DO YOU MEAN JUST A LITTLE - No. None of that. She can't relax, not really. She knows there are people who might want to live out their lives here. Who have their second chances - She'd found hers. She found a home she could do something for, wanted to do something for. She might not be able to turn her back on the people here as long as she was here - the children here - but that did not mean for a second she was letting herself relax, take it easy. ]
[ She twirls the dagger in hand and moves to replace it at her side - in her boot, really. For want of something to do to keep changed eyes away from him. A permanent change from what might as well feel like a permanent happening (no amount of confident words stop that dread). ]
[ She swallows something down. ]
We won't.
[ She agrees mildly, not lacking conviction, even if she adds: ] But I remember you being a hell of a lot better at speeches.
[ (This is teasing) ]
[ She twirls the dagger in hand and moves to replace it at her side - in her boot, really. For want of something to do to keep changed eyes away from him. A permanent change from what might as well feel like a permanent happening (no amount of confident words stop that dread). ]
[ She swallows something down. ]
We won't.
[ She agrees mildly, not lacking conviction, even if she adds: ] But I remember you being a hell of a lot better at speeches.
[ (This is teasing) ]
[ Steve's noted the change in Nebula's eyes, but he doesn't see a point in mentioning it and drawing attention to something that she finds uncomfortable. He's experienced a change too, though it's not something that's immediately obvious in most cases.
Her little tease does shock a laugh out of him, though. ]
Didn't think you'd be the kinda person who'd need a rousing speech, Nebula.
[ He smirks at her, then stands from the seat, sensing that it's time for them to move on. He does give her a pat on the shoulder as he stands, hopeful that little bit of camaraderie will be tolerated. ]
I'll try to make sure I have a good one prepped for next time.
Her little tease does shock a laugh out of him, though. ]
Didn't think you'd be the kinda person who'd need a rousing speech, Nebula.
[ He smirks at her, then stands from the seat, sensing that it's time for them to move on. He does give her a pat on the shoulder as he stands, hopeful that little bit of camaraderie will be tolerated. ]
I'll try to make sure I have a good one prepped for next time.
[ it's sudden and ill-mannered, frankly, but she means no harm. she just gets really excited about things like this! ]
familiar in an academic and cultural sense. there's a very robust catalog of information about new york city and it's a popular choice for period pieces and historical dramas set on earth-that-was.
familiar in an academic and cultural sense. there's a very robust catalog of information about new york city and it's a popular choice for period pieces and historical dramas set on earth-that-was.
[ Earth-that-was. That takes a few seconds to process. Granted, Steve is familiar with the idea that there are people here from an alternate universe, far in the future compared to what he knows, but it does still throw him for a loop.
Still, it sounds like even if Earth is no more, there are still records of it. ]
Earth doesn't exist anymore where you're from?
Still, it sounds like even if Earth is no more, there are still records of it. ]
Earth doesn't exist anymore where you're from?
You don't need to be sorry. Your universe is different than mine.
[ Just because Earth is gone in River's universe doesn't mean that's what's going to happen in Steve's. They already put in so much work to save it. He's not going to assume the worst. ]
I have to admit I'm curious about how it happened, though. If it's something you're willing to explain, that is.
[ Just because Earth is gone in River's universe doesn't mean that's what's going to happen in Steve's. They already put in so much work to save it. He's not going to assume the worst. ]
I have to admit I'm curious about how it happened, though. If it's something you're willing to explain, that is.
That can probably be arranged.
[ Maybe some would say that's too many hot dogs in too short a period of time, but it's not like any of them were real anyway. Steve certainly doesn't mind. ]
Do you think you can find your way to my domain? The skyscrapers should hopefully make it pretty easy to find.
[ Maybe some would say that's too many hot dogs in too short a period of time, but it's not like any of them were real anyway. Steve certainly doesn't mind. ]
Do you think you can find your way to my domain? The skyscrapers should hopefully make it pretty easy to find.
[ While Steve's now free of his jail sentence and back in Cadens, the timing is still more or less the same, as far as what he prefers.
He keeps busy during the day, generally speaking. ]
How about tonight? No reason you can't have a street dog for dinner.
[ He's well aware that Horizon food can't actually be dinner, but he assumes she'll follow his meaning. ]
He keeps busy during the day, generally speaking. ]
How about tonight? No reason you can't have a street dog for dinner.
[ He's well aware that Horizon food can't actually be dinner, but he assumes she'll follow his meaning. ]
[ A date? Steve finds it hard to believe that Wanda sent this River to him with any ulterior motives like that. He assumes that Wanda knows about him and Sam, even if they haven't strictly exchanged words about it.
Maybe he's reading into it. It's fine. He doesn't even know much about this River person beyond her name and the fact that she's from an alternative universe where Earth is gone.
Oh, and she likes hot dogs. (Probably.) ]
See you then.
[ As promised, that evening around dinnertime Steve waits on the New York City street corner — meant to emulate 2010's Brooklyn, specifically. There's nameless figures who walk up and down the sidewalk and yellow cabs that inch past through gridlocked traffic, honking periodically. The hustle and bustle is necessary for this to actually feel like NYC.
He hasn't put together a hot dog for himself yet. Instead he casts glances up and down the sidewalk, on the lookout for a Summoned he doesn't recognize. ]
Maybe he's reading into it. It's fine. He doesn't even know much about this River person beyond her name and the fact that she's from an alternative universe where Earth is gone.
Oh, and she likes hot dogs. (Probably.) ]
See you then.
[ As promised, that evening around dinnertime Steve waits on the New York City street corner — meant to emulate 2010's Brooklyn, specifically. There's nameless figures who walk up and down the sidewalk and yellow cabs that inch past through gridlocked traffic, honking periodically. The hustle and bustle is necessary for this to actually feel like NYC.
He hasn't put together a hot dog for himself yet. Instead he casts glances up and down the sidewalk, on the lookout for a Summoned he doesn't recognize. ]
[ river appears by way of a nearby subway station, mostly for the novelty of the thing, wearing only a loose blue dress with the symbol of the fool embroidered just above her heart. her bare feet against the filthy streets might be a concern if this was really new york city, but it's just a dream and she floats right through the imagined crowds with a dreamy smile as she makes her way over to steve. ]
Nǐ hǎo.
[ who knows what he may have expected of his mystery "date," but a waifish teenage girl walks right up to observe the food cart from far too close, rather than stopping to greet steve properly. ]
Is this it? The best New York City has to offer?
[ there's a joke of some sort behind the way she keeps saying this with faux-seriousness and a grin. ]
Nǐ hǎo.
[ who knows what he may have expected of his mystery "date," but a waifish teenage girl walks right up to observe the food cart from far too close, rather than stopping to greet steve properly. ]
Is this it? The best New York City has to offer?
[ there's a joke of some sort behind the way she keeps saying this with faux-seriousness and a grin. ]
[ The way she floats through the crowd, and even more notably, her bare feet, is enough to make her stand out almost instantly. That, and she has features and color that most of the other figures around her don't, but that's just the nature of the Horizon.
So, a teenage girl. Steve nods to her in greeting, even with the Mandarin that she uses. Which is an odd choice, but he isn't going to ask.
He's relieved that this obviously isn't an actual date, though he raises an eyebrow when she goes to inspect the food cart and immediately starts with the judging tone. ]
I'd taste it before you start making any assumptions.
[ The smell is already making his mouth water, honestly. There's something about the odor of the fresh dogs grilling out in the open like this that always makes him nostalgic. Either way, he steps up next to her to watch. ]
Put whatever toppings on it you want. I'd recommend the sauerkraut, though.
[ He lets her go first. It's only polite. ]
So, a teenage girl. Steve nods to her in greeting, even with the Mandarin that she uses. Which is an odd choice, but he isn't going to ask.
He's relieved that this obviously isn't an actual date, though he raises an eyebrow when she goes to inspect the food cart and immediately starts with the judging tone. ]
I'd taste it before you start making any assumptions.
[ The smell is already making his mouth water, honestly. There's something about the odor of the fresh dogs grilling out in the open like this that always makes him nostalgic. Either way, he steps up next to her to watch. ]
Put whatever toppings on it you want. I'd recommend the sauerkraut, though.
[ He lets her go first. It's only polite. ]
[ she seems utterly delighted with a childlike innocence that's hard to fake, her eyes practically sparkling as she eyes all of the options on the food cart. he says to start with the sauerkraut, but given the freedom to do whatever she wants, river scoops an ill-advised amount of every topping available onto a single hotdog that quickly disappears beneath layers of mustard and onions and peppers and various condiments…
it's messy but she's clearly having fun, holding her creation with both hands when it's done so she can marvel at it. ]
It's heavy.
[ who knows how it'll taste but it sure is colorful! river starts the comedic process of trying to figure out how she's going to effectively bite into something this large, eager to dive in without waiting for steve to make his own first. she does watch how he does it, though, while she chews and processes the information in her mouth with a strangely owlish expression. ]
it's messy but she's clearly having fun, holding her creation with both hands when it's done so she can marvel at it. ]
It's heavy.
[ who knows how it'll taste but it sure is colorful! river starts the comedic process of trying to figure out how she's going to effectively bite into something this large, eager to dive in without waiting for steve to make his own first. she does watch how he does it, though, while she chews and processes the information in her mouth with a strangely owlish expression. ]
[ Wow, she's really going for it, huh? Then again, if this is her first hot dog, she might as well go all out. Steve finds it hard to believe she can actually finish all that, but then again, this is the Horizon. Anything is possible.
And what matters most is that she's having a good time. ]
You've got the whole kitchen sink on there. I respect it, though.
[ He's quick with putting his together, adding just the right amount of his preferred toppings so that his dog is packed with flavor but also not impossible to eat. He huffs out a laugh when he sees River's face after her first bite, but then goes in for one of his own, making a sound of approval as that taste hits him again.
Never gets old.
Even while he's still chewing, he reaches out to grab a stack of napkins from the cart and hands them over to her. She's gonna need it. ]
And what matters most is that she's having a good time. ]
You've got the whole kitchen sink on there. I respect it, though.
[ He's quick with putting his together, adding just the right amount of his preferred toppings so that his dog is packed with flavor but also not impossible to eat. He huffs out a laugh when he sees River's face after her first bite, but then goes in for one of his own, making a sound of approval as that taste hits him again.
Never gets old.
Even while he's still chewing, he reaches out to grab a stack of napkins from the cart and hands them over to her. She's gonna need it. ]
[ food that's hard to eat is just a challenge to conquer, and what could be more fun than devouring your enemies? ( in a perfectly non-cannibalistic way, at least... ) river doesn't seem to mind the mess she's making in pursuit of victory either; when steve offers the napkins, she's already got stuff all over her face, and it takes her a long moment to figure out how she's going to hold the massive hot dog in one hand so she can accept the napkins in the other.
it's unwieldy but she seems undeterred, cheerfully wiping away ( some of ) the mess from her lips before speaking with a mouth that isn't completely empty yet. no manners or grace on this one, unfortunately. ]
The structural integrity has a limited load-bearing capacity, but it's a highly effective vehicle for foodstuff.
[ maybe an odd food review, when she's reflecting more on the engineering of the thing than the taste of it. but she eagerly goes back in for another messy bite, her expression pinching a little when she finds something sour and then widening at the next hint of spice. it's a confusing smorgasbord of flavor and her reactions seem to be purely reflected on her face as she works her way through it. ]
it's unwieldy but she seems undeterred, cheerfully wiping away ( some of ) the mess from her lips before speaking with a mouth that isn't completely empty yet. no manners or grace on this one, unfortunately. ]
The structural integrity has a limited load-bearing capacity, but it's a highly effective vehicle for foodstuff.
[ maybe an odd food review, when she's reflecting more on the engineering of the thing than the taste of it. but she eagerly goes back in for another messy bite, her expression pinching a little when she finds something sour and then widening at the next hint of spice. it's a confusing smorgasbord of flavor and her reactions seem to be purely reflected on her face as she works her way through it. ]
[ Not everyone is raised being taught how to keep to their manners, and some might have been raised that way, but just don't care. Steve knows that he's still on the old-fashioned side regardless of how much he's adapted to the modern day, and he does wait until he's both chewed and swallowed his food before he responds to River.
Who gives an oddly technical answer, but hey, he follows along well enough. ]
I take it you like it, then. To be fair, it's not supposed to hold quite that many toppings.
[ But she can do what she wants. He certainly isn't going to stop her.
Except it does look like she's starting to regret the sheer number of flavors she's piled onto her hot dog, judging from her face. That's not exactly a well thought out flavor profile, is it? ]
You all right? Here. [ Thanks to the Horizon, he somehow has a plastic cup of water in his hand. He reaches out to take her hot dog from her briefly so that she isn't still trying to juggle it while she drinks. It does mean he has to try and hold both their meals in one hand, but he manages as well as any New Yorker would. ]
Who gives an oddly technical answer, but hey, he follows along well enough. ]
I take it you like it, then. To be fair, it's not supposed to hold quite that many toppings.
[ But she can do what she wants. He certainly isn't going to stop her.
Except it does look like she's starting to regret the sheer number of flavors she's piled onto her hot dog, judging from her face. That's not exactly a well thought out flavor profile, is it? ]
You all right? Here. [ Thanks to the Horizon, he somehow has a plastic cup of water in his hand. He reaches out to take her hot dog from her briefly so that she isn't still trying to juggle it while she drinks. It does mean he has to try and hold both their meals in one hand, but he manages as well as any New Yorker would. ]
[Daisy probably shouldn't be staring, but when she saw Steve Rogers she couldn't help but do a double take. Not only does she know of him from the media, but she knew of him from history classes, and on a more personal level. From SHIELD, by and large because of Coulson.
The thought of Coulson felt like a punch to the gut, and the guilt that overwhelms her seems to override the thought that she has been staring at him for too long. It's not until he makes eye contact with her that she seems to snap out of it. Heat rises on her face she looks away, clearing her thought.]
Sorry. I thought you were someone else.
[Well, that's quite literally the worst lie she's ever told.]
The thought of Coulson felt like a punch to the gut, and the guilt that overwhelms her seems to override the thought that she has been staring at him for too long. It's not until he makes eye contact with her that she seems to snap out of it. Heat rises on her face she looks away, clearing her thought.]
Sorry. I thought you were someone else.
[Well, that's quite literally the worst lie she's ever told.]
[ Steve usually takes the chance to visit Nocwich whenever the weekend comes around at the start of each month. Whether it's to meet up with friends from other territories or just to get a break from the overbearing military presence in Cadens that's only worsened in past months, he's grown fond of this place.
There's not much that he needs from the merchants, but he wanders the stalls all the same, eager to give people business and support them if he can find a good reason to do so.
Nothing has really caught his eye so far, but he seems to have caught someone else's, as he's hit with the distinct sense that someone's watching him.
When he looks over he sees a woman he doesn't recognize, but the look on her face and the way she quickly averts her eyes and makes an excuse makes him suspect that's not the case for her.
He tilts his head. ]
You sure about that?
[ He's used to being recognized on the street, but it doesn't normally happen here in Abraxas.
Huh. ]
There's not much that he needs from the merchants, but he wanders the stalls all the same, eager to give people business and support them if he can find a good reason to do so.
Nothing has really caught his eye so far, but he seems to have caught someone else's, as he's hit with the distinct sense that someone's watching him.
When he looks over he sees a woman he doesn't recognize, but the look on her face and the way she quickly averts her eyes and makes an excuse makes him suspect that's not the case for her.
He tilts his head. ]
You sure about that?
[ He's used to being recognized on the street, but it doesn't normally happen here in Abraxas.
Huh. ]
[Lips pressing together, Daisy looks around. Trying to find some way out of this, thanks to her, awkward conversation. She could continue to lie, or...]
No.
[This was almost as bad as the time Daisy had stood outside Stark Tower, dressed as an Ironette years ago. Hoping to get his attention.]
I knew there were others here, from the same world I'm from.
[Daisy admits, meeting his eyes this time.]
Guess I just didn't expect to run into Captain America here.
No.
[This was almost as bad as the time Daisy had stood outside Stark Tower, dressed as an Ironette years ago. Hoping to get his attention.]
I knew there were others here, from the same world I'm from.
[Daisy admits, meeting his eyes this time.]
Guess I just didn't expect to run into Captain America here.
[ Well, that explains it pretty neatly, and Steve isn't going to give her a hard time for trying to play off her staring. It's been so long since he was recognized that he almost finds this nostalgic after over two years of getting to enjoy some anonymity.
Although even then, they were recognized here as Summoned. Someone knowing him from back home, though, that was different. ]
That's fair. [ He quirks a brief smile, arms lifting to cross over his chest. He doesn't know her at all, which puts him at a bit of a disadvantage. ] Who else have you run into so far?
[ He's guessing she isn't in the Cities or they probably would have seen each other at the Sarstina by now. ]
Although even then, they were recognized here as Summoned. Someone knowing him from back home, though, that was different. ]
That's fair. [ He quirks a brief smile, arms lifting to cross over his chest. He doesn't know her at all, which puts him at a bit of a disadvantage. ] Who else have you run into so far?
[ He's guessing she isn't in the Cities or they probably would have seen each other at the Sarstina by now. ]
[Daisy can't help but think about how much bigger he is in person, and how happy this interaction between the two of them would make Coulson. Looking upwards, she blinks back the tears that are threatening to form, playing it off as if she's trying to think over his question.]
Wanda, Matthew Murdock, and a few people that are apparently from our world but I never heard of them before coming here.
[Clearing her throat, Daisy fidgets by tucking her hair behind her ear.]
Sorry. I'm sure this has to be weird for you.
Wanda, Matthew Murdock, and a few people that are apparently from our world but I never heard of them before coming here.
[Clearing her throat, Daisy fidgets by tucking her hair behind her ear.]
Sorry. I'm sure this has to be weird for you.
[ The idea that this stranger could be tearing up definitely doesn't occur to Steve. He assumes she's concentrating or maybe even blinking back some dust that got in her eyes.
He does brighten briefly and nod as she mentions a few other familiar faces. That means she's probably in Solvunn, and learned of Matt through Wanda, but that's just a guess.
Also because she didn't mention a certain someone. ]
Sam Wilson is also here, if that name means anything to you.
[ And at her apology, he gives a quick shake of his head and lifts a hand to wave her off. ]
Don't worry about it. It's actually weirdly normal. It's been a while since I was recognized like this. What's your name?
He does brighten briefly and nod as she mentions a few other familiar faces. That means she's probably in Solvunn, and learned of Matt through Wanda, but that's just a guess.
Also because she didn't mention a certain someone. ]
Sam Wilson is also here, if that name means anything to you.
[ And at her apology, he gives a quick shake of his head and lifts a hand to wave her off. ]
Don't worry about it. It's actually weirdly normal. It's been a while since I was recognized like this. What's your name?
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