z_jay | Luceti | Appointments

[It had been far too long since he'd considered himself in terms of a journalist but he did miss it. Grinning a bit, he listened attentively, making no remarks to mar recollection or diverge from Mr Barnes' story. So he had a friend who wanted to be an artist and he was a natural lady's man. It didn't really say much, but he didn't expect to be told anything but the cursory story.

When spoken to, however, he answered easily enough, nodding in the affirmative while he sipped his coffee]

Yeah, that war's pretty romanticized by novels and movies, now. Lots of war stories, but the history is true. What's... where were you taken from in your world? Was the war over?

No. But from what people have been tellin' me, I only missed the end by a few months. Go figure, huh?

[He takes a swallow of his coffee.]

So what about you? Just a poor journalist dragged into Wonderland?

All that fuss and no resolution. I'd feel gypped.

[Sitting up a little straighter he made a considering look, drumming his fingers thoughtfully along the mug. Truthfully, Barnes might appreciate thinking the world was wonderful, but he was also a keen observer. Anything he might try to get past the man would drive a wedge between them.]

A poor journalist dragged into Wonderland is pretty accurate. But Luceti really is a step up in the world. You could say there's a war going on, another world-scale type, in my time. The grey plague approaches, zombies at my neighbors-- I saw those headlines. I wish they were in the tabloids.

Between you and me - I do, sometimes. But then I figure, I'm here, Steve's here. We won. If I get kicked back one day, maybe I can rest easy for a while.

[Until he became a soviet assassin apparently, but he'd cross that bridge when he came to it. If he ever had to.

And anyway, he was more curious about Woods' world. As much as he might admire what Woods and Holden had done during the draft, that wasn't the way straight-up civilians behaved for the most part.

The reaction to the word 'zombies' is intimidate and visceral, his fingers tightening against the mug in such a quick motion he's lucky it doesn't crack. He sets it back down, and sits up a little straighter himself, shoulders square.

He wants to think that Woods is joking, but he doubts it.]

Zombies? Are you serious? I don't envy you, buddy. The first draft I went on here, they nearly bombed the enclosure to stop the infection, and that was after everything went straight to hell. How the hell did you make out with a whole world full of 'em?

[The scale of the zombie invasion wasn't something Eugene had considered in Luceti-- though he really should have-- and he froze a little too still and too quiet at mention of the enclosure nearly bombed. Catching himself after a moment, he licked his lips and grinned, rueful, but shaken]

I wish I were, the idea seems so far-off from reality. But it is out reality. Listen-- don't tell folks about it. Jack and I prefer to keep it under wraps.

[Mostly, they wanted to be as far away from that reality as possible without losing who they were. If he knew more about Bucky, perhaps he wouldn't even need to ask for the discretion, but they had time to get to know each other yet]

We live in a township called Abel-- it's really just a farmhouse with some really reinforced walls. But we call it home, and it keeps the zoms out.

You got it.

[He understood, in a way. He talked around the actual war whenever possible, and even he had been dealing with people - crazy, occasionally superpowered people, but still people - not something as horrible as what he'd seen out at that enclosure, on a global scale.]

Never thought I'd say this to anyone else around here, so don't take it the wrong way but - on the off chance someone gets a way home worked out, I hope you guys can stick around. [He gives Eugene a wry smile.] It'll be nice to have some company.

[There had been an almost chance a while back, before the draft? He remembered there being a possibility with this Stark guy, or maybe it was hearsay. Regardless, he wasn't going to go back home if he could help it and he offered Bucky a rueful smile and a wink]

I'm afraid you're stuck with us, Mr Barnes. Whether you like it or not. Even if there was a chance to go home, going back is... It's not really living. It's just surviving. Every day a constant reminder of just how quickly our social standards can be shattered.

[Bucky lifted his mug in return, a silent salute before he took another swallow to finish the contents of it.

Hundreds, maybe thousands of different universes out there, he supposes it makes sense that the world really ended in one of them. It's not a nice thing to think about, good people like Jack and Eugene just surviving, day after day.]

Like I said, I'll be glad for the company. [He leans over the counter to clasp Eugene's upper arm briefly.] And you know, if you ever wanna talk... I think it's safe to say we've both been in some pretty bad places.

Maybe one day, but we're doing alright. We have each other.

[Which might explain the slightly codependent relationship he had on Jack. Through thick, thin, unsure, desperate, and dangerous times. But the grip on his arm was nice and reassuring and he couldn't help but grin to know that there was at least a commonality between them that extended beyond coworkers in Natasha's coffee shop.

It also helped he was cute.

So, now that we've established we'll be good friends for a nice long time-- can I call you Jim? Or... anything but Mr Barnes? You can call me Gene if you want, Jack does.

Bucky. My friends call me Bucky. Try to stick me with any version of Jim and I'll deck you clear across the counter.

[His eyes are bright with good humor, taking any edge off the weight of his tone. He wouldn't actually deck Eugene for it, but he really does hate being called Jim.]

So Gene, huh? Is that all he calls you? Or just in public? [He raises his eyebrows, teasing, since it's just the two of them.]

Careful, Bucky [he began, resting his chin over his knuckles in a purely amused way] I might like the strength required to knock me clear across the counter more than you might expect.

And only in public, I'm not telling you what he calls me out of the public eye. You couldn't handle it, my good friend.

[Especially not since 'luv' was on the lower end of the naughty scale and a hell of a lot higher on the adorable one. Or at least the kind to have them both acting awkward]

If I told you I'd have to kill you, and all that.

[Bucky chuckles at that. He'd complain about all his threats getting turned around, but he's dating Natasha so really, he can't say that he doesn't see the appeal.

He considers changing the topic, but he's actually having a pretty good time flirting with Eugene, and seeing as how they're both attached, it's harmless fun. And, okay, maybe he gets a bit of a kick out of it. Flirting with other guys in public isn't exactly what he'd have considered 'harmless' back home.]

If you told me, you'd have to try. [Bucky smirks at him.] And I think between the two of us, I'd come out on top.

Ah-- yeah. I can't deny that. Former cripple, here, still trying to get back. Even in my prime I think you'd kick my ass with your pinky.

[Hiking and camping and the occasional hockey tournament was the most exertion Eugene had ever given voluntarily. The zombie apocalypse had improved his cardio for a time, but without a leg for near on two years, that went pretty fast.]

But... Nah, we really aren't as kinky as people might like to think we are. ...Speaking of things to discuss between friends, though. Would you mind sort of, I mean, unless they already planned for one with that infamous zombie invasion prior to our arrival, helping us develop a cohesive plan in case that happens again?

[Bucky's expression goes from teasing to thoughtful, his gaze flicking over Eugene like he's actually sizing him up.] Not necessarily.

[There was more to a fight than what you can do head-on - and thank God for that, because if it wasn't true, he'd have died a lot sooner.

He lets Eugene change the topic, and his brow furrows briefly at the question, but he nods.]

Yeah, that's probably a good idea. Some of the brains here worked out a vaccine for the virus that went through Kin'cora - the enclosure that got hit - but if something like that could happen over there, it could happen anywhere.

[There was a small smile when Bucky refuted his original claim and it felt nice to have a soldier say you weren't as useless as you thought. One day, he'd take Bucky up on some advice of his own regarding personal combat.]

Kin'cora? Is it still functioning now? I admit some morbid curiosity but just because I'd like to know there's no... threat.

[Not that there was much more could be done. And he was understandably skeptical of any 'vaccines' developed. They'd been developed as a countermeasure back home but their efficacy was... of questionable value.]

Did the vaccine work? Or did it prevent the infected from turning?

Understandably. It's fully functioning - we see some of the guys from that enclosure on drafts sometimes. They've gotta hate the Malnosso more than anyone. From the looks of things, Kin'cora gets some of the worst experiments thrown their way.

[He's not even sure this wasn't one. Sure, the Malnosso had pulled out those who weren't infected, but... He didn't trust them. Not by a long shot. He pauses, trying to recall the details.]

It worked, I'm pretty sure. Stopped the damage, the cravings. Recovery took a while after we got 'em all home, but the people who could still come back from it are normal now. Some of them were too far gone. The virus had been keeping 'em going.

[He runs his thumb absently over the rim of his cup.] We got those back a week later. You know how it is around here.

[A grim reality, to be too late to save some, but it was a truth he was more familiar with. Almost comfortable with, in lieu of this too-perfect Luceti. Lips pressed together in a thoughtful line, he nodded, eyes darting from a nondescript point on the wall to Bucky's face.]

They've still got this vaccine, I hope? As a contingency plan in case this comes at us again. I am not claiming to be an expert or anything of the sort regarding that, but it seems smar-- heh. Y'know, I think I'm taking this way too seriously. The Malnosso seem the type to keep throwing new things at people, not the same old.

Nothing that we can properly plan for at least.

That's the thing. But it gives you a little peace of mind, doing what you can. I dunno if the next thing is gonna be something I can fight, but I still like to be ready when it is.

[That was something, right? It was rarely a matter of if his skills would be useful, and more often a matter of when. He thought that applied to Eugene too. He also had a pretty specific skill set.]

You'd have to ask the doctors for the specifics. I'd think they kept samples at least. And if it's any consolation, a lot of the experiments turn out more ridiculous than... traumatic.

Well at least there's that... I'd rather laugh at something than be forever scarred by it. Trust me on this one.

[He'd check in with the doctors, then, at some point. He only trusted one-- well, two... but he didn't know anyone other than Maxine in that capacity that he trusted all the same. ]

They have these weird shift things happen often? Seems like this place has been relatively quiet as of late.

Yeah, no kidding.

Don't jinx it. We get one every month or so, I guess? We'll have some new faces around early next month - it's usually quiet at least until they all get in.

[That was fair enough and he ducked his head apologetically, not wanting to call attention to a lack of anything dastardly happening recently. He'd had his lifetime share of that and then some]

Pepper mentioned something about New Feathers. i must confess I didn't know about it for a while, till I got my leg back, in fact.

Yeah, New Feathers has still gotta be the worst name I've ever heard. If anyone called me that when I showed up I'd probably have socked 'em for it.

[His wings flick once, like he's shaking something off them.]

People seem to leave off whenever, but new ones only show up at a certain time. I guess they just replace the ones that leave, or something like that.

No rhyme or reason to it, looks like. I wonder if this could be someone's elaborate dream.

[Although, Inception was a bit different than this. He grinned faintly when he saw Bucky's wings twitch, looking from them back to his eyes]

I think Pepper came up with the name? Or perhaps she's just in charge of making sure the newbs don't get themselves killed on the first day.

[but now that they were more comfortable chatting with one another he decided now was a good time to revisit a mentioned name]

So, who's Steve?

[Dryly:] I am pretty dreamy.

There's a book, but I can't remember if the name is in it. Just don't tell her I said anything - she already thinks plotting torture with my girlfriend is a fun pastime.

[The question actually surprises him. Seems like everyone knows Steve, even here. He gives Eugene a wry smile.] Better known as Captain America, or that lunatic in the flag outfit. You might have seen him during the drafts, or in your history books if you paid attention.

[Captain America in a history book-- the only time he'd seen him in a history book was his mention in the history of comic books. If he hadn't noticed him in the drafts, he really must have been focused on other things.]

...I hadn't actually realized he was here. Or in the flesh.

[It also seemed Pepper had a more devious side than he'd realized, grinning softly when he heard about torment, Bucky, and his girlfriend and how Pepper would plot for it. It was always the ones you least expect]

Y'think she's looking for contributions for ideas?

Luceti | Appointments

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