Well, this is.. horrible.

[reconstitution]

Who: SS Caprine & visitors
Broadcast: ???
Action: All aboard
When: 8/3


[Dread is probably not a good feeling to have in the face of actually having something resembling a 'team' now. Unfortunately, the way this place seems to love uprooting and depositing people out of nowhere into unfamiliar territory, and it sets him on edge.

His eyes narrow as he looks around yet another place he's unaccustomed, being bombarded by-- colorful shreds of paper and overly-cheerful music. And even more people. Once again, he longs for the familiar weight of a weapon in his hand, but this fleet just loves to suck the comfort out.

At least this is a more permanent residence? Time would tell on that one.]

Comments

[redactions]

Give it to me.

​​​​[ When the Soldier obliges — no, obeys — Jim sets it flat on the table, searches for the hem, and when he finds it, tears off the left sleeve neatly, and hands the shirt back to the Soldier. ]

There. It shouldn't give you any problems.

​​​​[ His gaze doesn't linger, but he notes the musculature. Brutally defined, like it's all carved out of some terrible marble, and his heart twists. How much pain did they need, to do this? Did he fight, if yes, for how long? He snaps himself out of it. Focus. ]

Better?

[reconstitution]

[ Adjusting his shirt doesn't take long at all, but when he's able to put it back on again, it doesn't intrude on the arm's plates. He flexes the arm, allowing the plates to shift accordingly. The fit would suffice. He didn't realize that it would really make that much of a difference.

He nods his head appreciatively. This attire is far more comfortable and less constraining than his fatigues had been. Far less hot, too. Distantly, he misses them. ]

Thank you.

[redactions]

Don't, ​​​​[ he says, firmly. ] being attired properly for your mission is a right, not a gift. You owe me nothing.

Acknowledged?

[reconstitution]

[ Being attired properly for your mission is a right, not a gift.

Something else he's going to have to try and take to heart. Honestly, that was never something that had crossed his mind- nor was it something he thought to address.

Granted, he may have at one point or another a long time ago, but that memory is long gone at this point.. ]

..Acknowledged. [ The word is almost disbelieving, but he looks at Jim with something trying to resemble awe. ]

[redactions]

​​​​[ Were he the man he was before the War he might've reached out to draw his mirror into a hug, sit beside him and ease away the sickness that chips at his heart. But he's not, so he stands there, and shuts the door against his winter, leaving only warmth and joy for the Soldier to see. ]

Good. You did good today.

​​​​[ Soft, ] I met one of your shipmates. I told her you're my brother. Is that a satisfactory cover for you?

[reconstitution]

[ The words wrap around his chest with a warmth that he hasn't felt in a long time- something he didn't think he was capable of.

Everything about him was cold and frozen- his memories, his demeanor, his heart.. His throat feels tight and he's not sure why, swallowing stubbornly to will the feeling away.

He did something good that didn't accompany bloodshed. A mark on his record.

He offers a solemn nod, processing the information. Brothers. That was..something different entirely; familiar, though he wanted to push it away. It didn't feel like a title he was worthy of.]

It will do, sir.

[redactions]

​​​​[ It's just agreement to his statement, because the Soldier's not known real choice. It's just that, and still it spreads across Jim like fire, curling, consuming everything. ]

Well, that's settled, then. My last name is Barnes. You can use that if you need something temporary.

​​​​[ It's a common name, impersonal. Less loaded than James, and far away from Bucky. ]

[reconstitution]

[ Barnes...The name the Captain had called him upon first meeting her. Just a mistake, nothing more.

He repeats the name a few times in his head and realizes that it doesn't feel wrong, but he doesn't fit it. Like an impostor trying to make a cover work.

Not quite how impersonal Winter feels, and yet.. ]

Permission to speak freely?

[ He waits for the okay before taking a calming breath and looking to Jim for approval. ]

...Winter. That's the name someone gave me; before being stationed here.. Can I use that?

[redactions]

Granted.

[ He says it like there was no chance there'd be any other answer, and listens to what the man says, his expression turning thoughtful. ]

It suits you, [ something in the snow, asleep, waiting for the whisper of spring, carrying so much unlived. ] keep it. If you want to change it at any time, for any reason, do so. Understood?

[reconstitution]

[ He's relieved when permission had been given, though Jim had given him no reason to believe he would be denied. He nods, the corner of his lip curling upward in a ghost of a smile. ]

Understood.

[ He may not have understood why he would want to change the name, but it was nice to know that he could later on. ]

[redactions]

[ He nods, absently. ]

At ease. Now, about poker...?

[reconstitution]

[ He offers a hum in reply. ]

Show me?

[redactions]

Sure. Sit down.

​​​​[ There's no chairs, just space on the floor where his abandoned Solitaire game is. Jim deals out the cards, explaining as slowly and thoroughly as he can, repeating or clarifying anything that causes confusion to cross the Soldier's face. He's more expressive than he thinks. ]

And a straight flush beats four of a kind. Got it?

[reconstitution]

[ He takes a seat, listening attentively as Jim explains the rules and the card's values. He thinks he's caught on fairly quickly, and something about it seems familiar, though he knows he's never played before.

That had always been the members of STRIKE when away on long-winded missions. He's definitely grateful for his counterpart's attentiveness in his reluctance to ask for clarification. ]

I..believe so. And a.. royal flush beats a straight flush?

[redactions]

​​​​[ He nods. ]

That's right. It's the highest hand you can get — s'why a lotta folks cheat at poker with a hand of four aces.

[reconstitution]

That..makes sense. I believe I understand now.

[ It's a completely different feeling from learning a fighting maneuver or the ins-and-outs of a weapon. This type of knowledge is throw-away and yet he's grateful for it. It's something else he can focus on while he is idle.]

[redactions]

Good.

​​​​[ He smiles, in what he hopes is an encouraging way. ]

We need four for poker, so here, I'll teach you Solitaire. You can play by yourself, it passes the time.

[reconstitution]

[ He hands the cards back, shifting slightly so that he can watch. He doubts that he'll play the game by himself, but it's good to know the option is still there... ]

Ready for the next exercise.

[redactions]

Good.

​​​​[ He keeps saying it, even though he's not a hopeful man. ]

Here.

​​​​[ He teaches Yukon first, then the Klondike Deals, answering any questions the Soldier might have about them. After all, it's just about spotting patterns and rearranging cards. It's child's play. ]

[reconstitution]

[ He decides he likes the strategy in this game a bit more than all the rigid rules of poker, though he would like a chance to practice in the future. If Jim is amicable to it, at least.

It's easier to catch on, and this one isn't so reliant upon the luck of the draw as it is planning your moves. ]

Are there more?

[redactions]

Yeah, a lot of different types. The principle is the same. I don't know all of 'em, though.

[reconstitution]

..I'd like to learn. [ A quick look to Jim's face. ]

If you will permit me to.

[redactions]

Yes, I do.

[ A pause, and he adds, ]

If I believe it's of benefit to your mission, I'll offer to teach you anything you need to know. Acknowledged?

[ If the Soldier will have him. He can't explain why his heart twists at the idea that the man might say no. ]

[reconstitution]

Acknowledged.

[ He really hopes that Jim has more to show him so that ensures that they will have more meetings like this one. He likes the quiet and the positive reinforcement. It makes him feel like he's actually doing something right. ]

[redactions]

Good.

[ with a small, pleased smile. ]

That's it for today then. Keep the cards, they're a gift. If you have any questions, call. Don't be concerned about waking me up. I don't need that much sleep.