003 ;;

[reconstitution]

Who: Winter & You
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: The Iskaulit
When: 3/20

[ Text ]

How does everyone deal with loss? How much of an impact is it meant to have?

Similar. Unrelated. Is anyone familiar with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? I would like to know more.

[ Action >> Iskaulit ]

[ If you happen to be on the Iskaulit at any time in the wee hours of the morning, between two and six, you may run into Winter utilizing the gym. There aren't really posted hours, and that's usually when no one else is around.

The poor sandbags that he helped Jim hang all those months ago are getting a beating. Winter's focus is zeroed in on the same worn spot, but apparently something gives. Winter reels his left arm back, a high metallic whine the only warning before he lands a blow. It's enough force that not only does it knock the sandbag from its hook, but it goes flying across the room like it's nothing.

Emotional? Who's emotional? Nobody here. Mind your business! ]

[ Action >> Heron ]

[ Winter may have been restless before, but without Jim, this is something new entirely. Crew have been coming and going regularly over the past few months, but this is different. The Atroma decided that he should be captain? Over someone who would probably be more capable at it. He sees what you did there. You just couldn't pass up the chance to not have to change names in the roster, huh?

He's trying to wrap his head around it. Sure, he led teams on missions as the Winter Soldier, but that was different. He wasn't really calling the shots. Being Captain is new and scary and leaves room for so much to go wrong.

If anyone wants to bother him, or happens to be visiting, he is more than likely roaming the halls trying to burn off the nervous energy. He's comfortable with the ship, but now he wants to know it inside and out. As if he hadn't already done that. Honestly, he is distraught without Jim and doesn't know how to handle it. It's not as if he can talk to Natasha about it, either. Or Steve.

The message is more than clear- don't get attached. ]

Comments

[mistyday]

I can try to teach you. The Interfaith Center's a really peaceful place to go. That's where I was headed when I felt you.

[reconstitution]

Orion's tried before. Maybe you could. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. [ The hyper-vigilance doesn't help, either.. ]

[mistyday]

Won't hurt to try at least.

[She stands again and, remembering that he don't like to be touched, simply gestures for him to follow, rather than trying to take his hand.]

Come on, why don't you come with me, see how we do?

[reconstitution]

[ He nods absently, following a few paces behind her. ]

..We'll see.

[mistyday]

[He's coming with her at least. That's good. She doesn't try to talk as they walk to the Interfaith Center, just lets him be. Quiet is something she's used to.

Once they get there, she pulls out two pillows and sets them on the floor next to each other.]

Do you like tea?

[reconstitution]

[ He hasn't been in the Interfaith Center yet, but really hasn't had a reason to. Winter watches Misty as she moves about, not really sure what he should be doing at the moment. Does he sit? Does he just wait? Do they have a ritual he has to follow to be there? ]

I do like tea.

[mistyday]

Then I'll make you some. It helps Obi-Wan get in the zone, so maybe it'll help you too.

[She gestures towards the pillows.]

You can have a seat, if you want.

[reconstitution]

If you'd like.

[ He does, at least, move to one of the pillows to sit down. Winter gets comfortable, watching Misty. ]

[mistyday]

[Misty plugs in the little kettle and while she waits for the water to boil, she goes around the room lighting the candles before dimming the overhead lights, making the space seem a lot warmer and cozier, less industrial. She hums softly as she does so. It's no song in particular, just something calm and melodious. The candles all lit, she turns to Winter again.]

You got any favorite songs?

[reconstitution]

[ Lighting the candles turns out to be really effective. He doesn't feel quite so on edge, and some of that ever-present tension melts away. His hands rest lightly in his lap, and even though he's not facing the door, he doesn't feel like someone is going to get the jump on him.

Winter looks up at her, brow creasing. How do you even begin to pick a favorite? Jim has re-introduced him to music, so he's been able to listen to all sorts. ]

I like Hey, Jude by The Beatles. Dreams by Fleetwood Mac...ah.. Beast of Burden by The Rolling Stones.

[ God, this is hard. Hey, he's at least putting a lot of thought into it. ]

[mistyday]

[Oh you just said the magic words there, Winter. She gives him the brightest smile and gets on her hands and knees to sit in front of him, close, but not touching.]

You like Fleetwood Mac too? Oh, I knew you and me were supposed to be friends!

[She sighs happily.]

Stevie's like me, you know. A witch. Only her magic's in her songs. Knows how to reach your soul, fill it with what it needs.

[reconstitution]

[ Hello there, Misty. He shifts, but doesn't move more than that. Winter enjoys her enthusiasm. The corner of his mouth twitches upward in response to her own beaming smile. ]

Oh. I didn't know that. [ He considers that for a moment. ] I suppose it makes sense. I've never felt anything negative listening to their songs.

[mistyday]

[What's that? Was that almost a smile? She's reachin' him!]

It's impossible to feel sad or lonely with Stevie. I can't promise my magic will work like hers does, but I can still sing to you, if you want.

[reconstitution]

[ Only a little one, just for you, Misty. ]

If you'd like. [ He'll leave the choice up to her. He'd like to learn how she does meditation, but if she wants to do that first, it's okay with him. ]

[mistyday]

Maybe it'll help you get into the zone.

[She moves to sit cross-legged on the pillow beside him.]

Close your eyes and try not to think about anything except the music. You can sing too if that helps.

[reconstitution]

[ He absolutely will not sing.

Getting him to close his eyes in an unfamiliar space is difficult enough, singing is asking far too much of him at their current trust level.

So, here he is, closing his eyes and trying not to think of anything. Not even the noises that the Iskaulit makes, nor the sound of Misty's heartbeat. ]

[mistyday]

[That's all right. Singin' ain't for everybody. Whatever makes him relax, that's what's important. Misty closes her eyes too as she sings.]

Thunder only happens when it's raining
Players only love you when they're playing
Say women they will come and they will go
When the rain washes you clean, you'll know, you'll know

[Maybe she doesn't have Stevie's magic exactly, but her voice is pretty enough, calm and low and sweet.]

[reconstitution]

[ Somehow, he's able to at least make the noises subdued, focusing on Misty's song instead. Tension eases, and slowly, finally, he's unconcerned about anything outside of the room.

It's achingly familiar to what he and Jim would do on nights when the noise in their head was too much, and the call of sleep was too far away. Holed up in Jim's old office, blankets in a makeshift bed behind the desk. Taking shifts between feigning sleep and watching the door. ]

[mistyday]

[As soon as she finishes the song, Misty flows easily into the next: Hey, Jude. It's not Stevie, but The Beatles are still good and this is supposed to be for him anyway. She's not as familiar with this song and mixes up some of the lyrics, even if she's got the tune down.

Slowly, though, it begins to morph into a nearly worldless chant, the "nah nah nahs" turning into gentle hums, rhythmic and regular.]