nysalogs | october plot: open unless otherwise stated

Entry tags:

october plot: open unless otherwise stated

Who: steve rogers (

starspangle) & anyone, with some open prompts and some closed starters
What: october plot + everything in between
When: october
Where: around town
Warning(s): any necessary warnings will be clearly marked in-thread.

❚❚❚❚❚ part one.

[ It all starts in the residential district. The video pops up on the screen of his phone a little before he's about to head out on his shift with the Guard. While he's putting on his boots, the woman on-screen begins to list names, some of them he recognizes, some of them he considers friends or at the very least, well-liked allies. He shakes his head, unsure just what to believe, but determined nevertheless to get to the bottom of it. Something strange is afoot; something doesn't feel right.

This is just the beginning, assholes.

The video feed cuts off and his screen goes dark. He slides the device into his pocket, bends down far enough to swipe his shield from its spot by the foot of his bed, and heads out.

His first stop is the scene of the crime, the Market District. It's quiet in town, quieter than he's ever seen it despite how new everything still feels to him. People have either gone home or left the district to safer grounds. As he gets closer to the blast-zone, however, there are confused crowds of people, many in need of direction or guidance, someone to lead them towards the Sanctuary. Steve will stick around for a while, gather groups of the infected together and appoint someone - maybe you - to lead said group to the Sanctuary.

Look for Claire Fraser, he'll say, because she's the best medic he knows.

Steve is easily noticeable by the big circular shield on his back, red stripes framing a silver star against a blue backdrop. It's kind of beautiful the way it glints against the stubborn sun trying to pierce through the dissipating fog. It also looks heavy and just a little bit intimidating.

At some point Steve will easily be found sitting by himself, phone in front of him. He furiously types into it, sending off inbox messages to anyone he knows, just to check in on them, just to be sure that they are all okay and uninfected. He can only hope not too many people had been hurt by the explosion.

When it seems as though most of the crowd has cleared and been tended to, either by himself or a fellow Guard, Steve will take it upon himself to look for the people the mysterious red-headed woman had mentioned earlier. He flicks through the video message again, and then once more, and makes his way out of the Market and into the next sector of town. Find him milling around, gathering clues and looking for his friends and allies. Maybe you have a lead and could use a team-up - Steve's your guy. At this point, Steve could use a bit of good news too.

By late afternoon, Steve will have made it towards the Outpost. He's a little tired by this point, and probably pretty hungry too. He hasn't eaten since the morning but determination's a funny thing, and Steve has the kind of tenacity that could build Rome in a day. He continues to scout the quiet, almost desolate area, heart sinking. He hadn't expected it to be easy, of course, but the longer the names go un-found, the guiltier they look. He would know; back home, he's in something of a similar situation and he would rather believe that every one of those names are innocent until proven guilty. ]

❚❚❚❚❚ part two.

[ p e n d i n g . ]

❚❚❚❚❚ wildcard.

[ if the above prompts aren't working for you or if we've planned something outside of said prompts, pop in a starter of your own and we can get that started! if you'd like to do something else with steve, feel free to hit me up over plurk (

thwip) and/or discord (spidey#2716)! ]

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[ By the time the guards start arriving, Ariadne has been sat down - with a glass of water to stop her coughing, purple dust in her hair, prevented from leaving by people who tell her she may nee to give a statement or something to the authorities.

Great. Just what she wants.

Steve - well, Steve stands out from the crowd, that's for sure, the way the sunlight glints off his - is that a shield? Huh. ]

I thought you were a soldier. That doesn't look like any military uniform I've ever seen.

It's a little unorthodox, I guess. But it's a uniform all the same.

[ And the shield? Well, Steve's been having to explain the shield away as a symbol of his family crest, a kind of coat of arms. After all, he can't exactly tell any of the locals its true origin because that would mean having to explain himself and that's something they'd been specifically warned against - and for good reason.

He quickly studies her, looking pretty serious. ]

Hey. Are you okay?

Oh, sure, I mean it wasn't a bomb bomb, I've got all my limbs and stuff.

[ But she's coughing a lot, all the same. ]

If I turn purple tomorrow someone's going to pay, though.

Doesn't have to be a bomb bomb to be dangerous.

[ There are many ways to inflict terror on people; this is a good example of it.

He continues to watch her until he makes his mind up about something, even when his expression softens with her quip about turning purple. ]

People have been stopping by the Sanctuary, just to be cleared and assured they're okay. You should do the same.

That's the clinic John was talking about on the network.

[ It's not really a question, just her own confirmation of what he's saying. ]

I hate going to the doctor.

[ Steve's mouth twists into an expression of amusement, quirked at one corner. ]

I know what you mean. But I know a couple of doctors here - they're good people. [ He happens to live with one, in fact. Claire Fraser's one of his favourite people here.

Reassuringly: ] You'll be in good hands.

[ She nods, sighing a little. ]

Nobody else got hurt, did they?

It's probably a little too early to tell, but here's hoping it was nothing more than a scare.

[ It's probably a little optimistic to think that that's all it is, but there isn't a point in scaring Ariadne - or anyone else in the vicinity. ]

[ She nods, running her fingers through her hair. She feels like purple dust got all over it. ]

So is the shield part of your uniform, or what?

[ Yeah ... that purple dust looks suspicious.

Steve's expression is serious but he nods. ]

That's right. Never used to leave home without it.

It's very... patriotic? American, right?

[ Or maybe he's from some world where that symbolism is associated with another country? ]

[ Steve chuckles. ]

Some would say that.

[ That it's patriotic, that is. ]

Yeah. Back home I went by the name 'Captain America'. Seems pretty fitting, huh?

Well, it's about as subtle as a punch to the face, that's for sure.

[ She smiles a little, despite the tension of the situation. ]

[ Steve's smile echoes hers. ]

Coincidentally, that just so happens to be one of Captain America's specialties. Punching the bad guys.

Helps keep morale - so they say.

Sometimes bad guys need to be punched, it's true.

[ She glances around a bit. ]

Not sure who needs it in this case, though.

Well, that's what some of us are gonna figure out.

[ It's kind of a promise without explicitly being stated as such. Because you can be damned sure Captain America is going to get to the bottom of this. ]

While some of us are gonna get checked up at the Sanctuary.

[ Hint, hint. ]

For the first day or so, Ana is busy. She and Jack have long since ditched their phones and their little apartment and fallen right back into their old habits. It feels almost normal, being a fugitive again. What isn't normal is the reason, and as time goes on and she's less preoccupied with the practicalities of disappearing, what she's done begins to sink in.

Ana hasn't killed anyone. In fact, she never even spoke to the man in the red light district. She had simply taken word from Jack that their mission was a decent one, and she had helped him complete the job and split the silver. That doesn't mean that she doesn't blame herself for what happened, or that she hasn't considered turning herself in. She just doesn't see what good it would do to become a scapegoat all over again.

She's near the outpost late that afternoon partly to avoid the city, and partly to assess the situation there. She may need to use it to escape, after all.

Ana is currently setup in a tree, a notebook open in her lap. She's disguised, of course, but the fact that she's pointing a rifle at the outpost is likely enough to warrant suspicion. A keen observer might realize that she's not trying to shoot anyone. What she is doing isn't that much better: she's timing the rotation of any visible guards.

Steve's been out here for some time now, thorough in his comb-through of the area. He hasn't had luck within the city, and he's not sure how much luck he'll have out here either, but until he's learned something, the man has no plans to stop.

He comes up by a cluster of trees to take a moment to catch his breath and re-hydrate, pulling out a battered looking water-canteen, something he picked up from a nearby thrift shop.

He catches the briefest glint of something when he looks up, noticing the slightly unnatural rustling of leaves when Ana shifts, but it isn't until he really concentrates that he can make out a figure huddled and well-hidden amongst the foliage. It really is owed to his superpowers that he can make it all out without too much difficulty; the mysterious tree-dweller seems to know what he or she is doing.

Steve caps the top of his canteen, making no attempt to move into any kind of defensive position. He looks downright calm when he slowly puts said canteen away, hooking it back in place along his belt.

"You watching for something in particular?"

Ana is so focused on the distance and the relative quiet that she doesn't notice the man walking toward her until he's practically beneath her. She stills after she draws her rifle back. Sometimes, they'll tell themselves it was a trick of the light or exhaustion and just carry on. This isn't one of those times.

She looks down at him through the leaves when he finally speaks. Intelligence and tact are two compelling reasons to be weary, more so than the guard uniform he wears or the unusual shield he carries, though those are concerns as well.

"The same thing everyone else is watching for," she says, equally calm. She lifts a branch out of the way with the muzzle of her rifle, keeping it pointed at the sky. While she wears a mask, it's cobbled together with scavenged parts, like most of her outfit. Her other hand rests on her notebook, blocking her sidearm from view.

"Can I help you with something, soldier?"

"Sure." Steve doesn't think he's ever seen this person before; he certainly doesn't recognize her attire, the mask, or her voice.

He takes a breath, tilting his gaze back out towards the open scenery around them.

"You seen anything a little out of the ordinary out here on your watch?"

"Sure," Ana says. "That shield you have. It's a little much, don't you think? Why do Americans need to wear a flag everywhere they go?"

It's a bit of a gamble considering how vastly different some worlds are, but the man is nearly a splitting image of Jack when she first met him. Something about the way they stand. She hopes she can talk her way out of this with some careful misdirection - it would be a shame to waste a sleep dart on him.

Steve huffs a breath of laughter but there isn't actually all that much amusement in it. It's almost automatic, the way he reacts. He's still calm as ever, and he shrugs a shoulder.

"That's kind of the point of it," he responds. Captain America isn't Captain America without the ever-recognizable symbol and shield. He believes that anyone could fill his shoes if they wanted to, but they wouldn't be filling in for Steve Rogers. No, they'd be filling it for this superhero he becomes, for Captain America, when he dons the cowl and picks up the shield.

"Makes me recognizable. And here's proof that it works." He shrugs again. "But I'm sure you know that's not exactly what I meant."

She files the information away. She understands the need to be recognized by one's uniform alone. Overwatch had been full of eccentric characters, and even in the standard UN blue they were always distinguishable at once - for a reason.

Ana thinks about playing this out a little further. As much as her nest puts her out of reach, it's only real protection when she's going unseen.

"Let's stop being coy then," She says. She releases her grip on the rifle, catching it again by the barrel so she can lay it across her lap. Better to get ahead of this before he makes up his mind about what to do. "You don't strike me as the 'shoot first, ask questions later' type of person, so why don't you ask your questions?"

"Sounds good to me."

She's got him pegged on that point - at least this time around.

There are times when his temper and emotions get the best of him, making fist-fighting a priority before any of the talking could happen. Steve tends to get himself into trouble without thinking it through.

This, though. This is different. It's important. And he's here to gather intel, not start a fight.

"You think you might want to come down from there? It'll make it easier to speak without any other ears overhearing us."

He has his hands up in front of him, weaponless, as a sign of good faith.

Edited 2017-10-28 05:18 (UTC)

"Hold this for me," Ana says, and she tosses her rifle down to him so she can more easily drop down without the encumbrance. She's not worried about it being turned on her - it's loaded with heal darts, and having him try something with it would give her a good window of oppertunity.

Getting down from the tree serves the practical purpose of not breaking her neck if Jack Jr. decides he'd like to try knocking her down, but it's a cautious show of good faith on her part, too.

She eases down a couple of branches, then lands in a crouch that still jars her knees. She doesn't let it show. When she stands again, she gestures for her rifle back. "It's my word against their's, and mine isn't weighted with silver. Why are you interested in what I have to say?"

( now is not particularly the time for levity, yet even in the darkest of times there must be some light. seeing a friend is a light for Diana, and seeing him well gives her a small amount of relief. there are so many suffering, yet knowing one that isn't seems to lessen the vice on her lungs — fear for what will come because of the disease she has found herself powerless to stop.

the lightness he gives her just from being himself, for being well and for being in one piece, translates into her smile, and into her playfulness. she raps her knuckles on the shield before he spots her. )

This is new, ( she muses to him, in lieu of hello. she likes it, the colors especially. for her part, Diana is unarmed for the most part. she hasn't found armament useful in the work she's been doing, bringing those that need it to Sanctuary or their homes for respite. )

[ It's the metallic echo of knuckles against vibranium steel and the familiarity of her voice that has Steve turning to Diana with a smile and not a look of worry or alarm.

The feeling of relief is reflected in equal amounts on Cap's part; he'd been making the rounds in between shifts with the Guard and his own personal mission to find names on lists, checking up on his friends, either by way of their comms device or in-person but still had yet to get through to everyone.

Seeing Diana okay and in decent spirits lifts his own remarkably.

He pulls the shield from his back and nods, gazing down at the crest and the star with a fair amount of pride, fondness, and something else - something a little like guilt. ]

It is.

[ New, that is. ]

Got it back a week ago. Guess I never realized how much I missed it until it was back in my hand.

[ He's had to explain the star and the red stripes away to the locals as part of his family crest, his 'coat of arms' as it were. It's still kind of a funny thing.

He looks at her, offering her a small smile. ]

Good to see you, Diana.

It's good to see you, too.

( it's been a little while, though not an uncomfortable distance. she knows he is a man that can't help but help, and it is something she admires in him. she suspects in the time she hasn't seen him, he's been quite busy, and in a better time she might ask on what he's been up to. now, well... they probably have time for a short chat, little more.

she dusts her fingers along the star emblazoned on his shield, before pulling her hand back. )

I know the feeling. I carry a shield myself. It was strange to be without it, though... perhaps now that I've experienced it, I'm a bit more used to it.

( she's not wandering around armed to the teeth right now, for example. not that she thinks less of him for it, it never hurts to be prepared. perhaps she is just settling into the reality that she does not need a godkiller nor a shield to be powerful. )

In situations of necessity, I've learned anyone can adapt to just about anything.

[ Being weaponless in a fight isn't the ideal situation but you get to be pretty resourceful. Steve has the added benefit of his super-strength and senses, which have helped him out in more than one messy situation.

But hell, it's nice to have his shield back.

He swings it back over his shoulder. ]

You have any details about what's happened here?

Humans are uniquely capable of that.

( of finding a way to rebuild, recover, take stock and move forward. she'd seen it as she watched the brutalized faces walking away from war, she'd seen it in the people she's worked with since landing on this new planet and trying to make an ew life for herself. there were many flaws, deep darkness, unfathomable cruelty that could exist in humanity, she'd seen it all...

but there was good and heart and determination, too. Steve reminds her of that, as many of the people she's met since waking have. a quiet balm to her heart that no matter the influence of Ares, there was still good to be found.

as for what has happened, that undoubtedly falls onto the other side of the coin. Diana sends a troubled gaze over the destruction and fear laced through the square. what does she know about the event? ) Precious little. I was not present when the device was set off. I have heard of such weapons, before, in the world war. I do not relish the opportunity to see their capacity for devastation.

The World War. [ Steve repeats. His tone is suddenly heavier, laden with memories of having lived it too.

No matter how much time has passed, how much he's learned from the Internet and Sam Wilson, he can never quite shake those images of being in the trenches, of grenades, of courageous and scared men (and few women) just trying to do their best to defend their country. ] I agree with you. Last thing any one of us wants is a replay on any of those events.

[ He nods to Diana before following her gaze to their surroundings. His own expression is grim. ]

But something happened here, and whoever's behind it ... they've got to be stopped.

( those images will likely never be wiped clean. as much as Diana believes she can ease the violence instilled by Ares' manipulations, she will never be able to forget the silent stares of soldiers, the terror painted on faces bullied into trenches, the bleak atmosphere of hopelessness in each and every battlefield she'd stepped foot on.

there is no forgetting, even if perhaps they might like to. )

I've heard word of associates that were party to the attack. I haven't encountered any yet, but keep mind of them. They are said to be dangerous.

[ No, there really is no forgetting.

There is only moving forward and moving on as best as any of them could. Some find the task too difficult; Steve ... well, Steve's never been the kind of man who could ever give up on anything. ]

I've heard something similar. [ He nods. ] Haven't seen any of them about, but the names ... some of them I've heard. Some of them I recognize. [ He shakes his head. ] I just can't believe that they would willingly do something like this.

There has to be something absent in the hearts of those that would willingly partake in such an attack.

( absent, or willfully corrupted. now does not seem the time to break off on a tangent about Ares, however. not when so many are suffering, so many looking for answers. it seems as if it would dispute their experience to suggest that those that had hurt them had not been in control of themselves, even though a part of Diana still hopes that is the case.

the hope doesn't seem as strong as it used to be. )

I am helping escort the afflicted to Sanctuary now, but if you have need of another shield to look for these associates, I would join you after.

Yeah. Which is why - and call me a sucker for this, but I can't help thinking something fishy's happening. Something not quite right.

[ Some of those names have been tricked by some greater power. Maybe it was a short moment of greed or a lapse in judgment, not knowing the consequences in a strange alien planet like this, but he believes in the hearts of those he knows and he can't quite think they're capable of terrorism like this.

In any case, Steve nods. ]

Thanks, Diana. I'd gladly welcome the help.

I don't think that makes you a ... sucker.

( an odd way of putting it, she thinks, but Diana cannot argue that something seems amiss in all this. there's a deeper answer to all this, and they need to find it before they can truly feel that the threat is silenced.

she nods at his acceptance of help, though in the meantime, she settles a hand on his arm. )

Take care, Steve. I will find you soon.

( mildly ominous, actually, but don't worry, Steve; the demigoddess will find you when she is ready. in the meantime, she knows he has matters to attend to and so does she. she pulls her hand back and turns to go back to the group she'd been helping before she spotted Steve. )

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october plot: open unless otherwise stated

market;

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part one - outpost

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market

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my b i keep disappearing pls forgive

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