Winter & Vision's (not so) Excellent Adventure

[reconstitution]

Who: Winter, Vision, & You
Broadcast: n/a
Action: Forest, planetside
When: July 9th

[ This thread is going to serve both as a canon update to post Captain America: Civil War for Winter and Vision, but also be used as a monthly catch-all with prompts. ]

[ It's been a few weeks since they've landed, so Winter's finally gotten over most of his initial uneasiness. Enough to finally venture into the forest for a hike and get the lay of the land. He's familiar with the beach and the markets, and he's heard things about the forest and a certain tree, so he needs to see for himself if the rumors are true.

It's relatively peaceful, and he hasn't come across anyone else yet. He's making his way around a fallen tree when an animal jumps out of a nearby bush and startles him. Winter stumbles back, and his immediate reaction is to reach out with his left hand to steady himself. Unfortunately it's still broken, so it doesn't cooperate like it's meant to. Which means that he trips and falls. Down a steep hill. Only having one functioning arm means he raises his right to shield his head until he can manage to slow down or run into something. Which is exactly what he does before his head smacks solidly against a hard surface. ]

[Meanwhile, the Vision is similarly engaged in heading toward the tree to investigate it. He’s heard you need someone’s hand to hold in order for the magic to work, but his curiosity has the better of him and he’d like to observe it in action first. A scuffle down below his flight path catches his attention, and he swoops into the forest to see what’s going on just in time to see Winter, of all people, taking a tumble down a steep hillside. He rushes over to try and intercept the man before he seriously hurts himself, and in his rush he miscalculates his own density and slams down hard enough that Winter smacks his head against the Vision instead of catching himself safely.

Oops.

The impact is enough to snap the Vision’s head back and hit it against the tree he’d been trying to prevent Winter from hitting. So now there are two enhanced individuals knocked out on the forest floor. How very impressive.]

Comments

C

[pain_train]

[Since they seem to have enough local money for version 1.0 of the super secret project, Wrath happily takes a day off. She hasn't ever gotten to walk around in a forest like this--at least not that she remembers--so it's a cool experience to get to do it. She's feeling really good, physically a thousand times better, but there's also something mentally lighter since after the weird thing with the honey wine. Not sure what it is, but she's not going to question it too much. That's still something very ingrained.

She climbs trees, she wanders, and she eventually ends up where the big tree is--which is good, since she has directions on how to get back to the village from there. Seeing Winter is an unexpected treat, which makes it an even better day. She's briefly tempted to see if she can sneak up on him, but stealth has never really been her thing, and she doesn't want to freak him out or put him on edge. Better to just announce her presence enthusiastically.]

Winter!

[reconstitution]

[ He's been sitting in front of the tree for a while, now. He already received his gift, which Bucky was absolutely astounded by. His journals from the three years alone, tucked inside of his backpack. It's a buffer that he's thankful for- in case he forgets again. That thought definitely looms at the back of his mind. He's lost control twice already, so it's not a completely out of the question glitch...

Bucky is pulled from his thoughts by Wrath's approach and subsequent greeting. His head whips up, eyes locking on her. His shoulder drops, guard immediately lowering once he realizes who it is. He even looks pleased to see her, especially up and about the way she is. ]

Hi, Wrath. What are you up to?

[pain_train]

Since we're doing okay on credits, I took the day off. Haven't ever been in woods like this... I don't think? This is a super cool tree. It's big. And I walked all this way and my back feels totally fine!

[She plunks down next to him, though not too close, still respecting the personal space. As much as she'd like to dive in for a hug, that's not a thing you just do to guys like Winter.]

Whatcha got there?

[reconstitution]

[ It's a relief to hear that she's better, even okay to move around like this. He's always grateful for her proximity, and Wrath tries to be mindful of the space between them. Even if he doesn't mind how close she is. They've come too far now to be at much of a distance. ]

I got it from the tree.

[ He doesn't need to look inside- he knows what's there. The weight is familiar, and he'd know this backpack anywhere. ]

[pain_train]

Why would a tree give you a backpack? Trees don't wear backpacks...

[Okay, this world just got more awesomely weird.]

[reconstitution]

This tree gives you gifts. From home. I didn't think I would get anything, but I did.

[ He looks to Wrath, holding out his hand. ]

It's worked for lots of people.

[pain_train]

How does a tree give presents? [Mind: blown. But that question takes a back seat to the next point.] Why wouldn't you get anything? You deserve a move present as much as anyone else!

[This is weird, even for her. But she doesn't hesitate in taking Winter's hand, even if she has no idea why.]

[reconstitution]

I don't know how the magic tree works, Wrath.

[ He doesn't sound annoyed by the question, shit, he wishes he could answer that. ]

There are a lot of legends in the village about this tree.

[ He tilts his head, shrugging absently. ] No real reason, I guess. Just don't feel too deserving of one, is all.

oh boy my Swype errors.

[pain_train]

Oh. I guess that's why it's magic.

[She really doesn't get that whole magic thing.]

Whether you feel like you do or not, you do. You're a person. [And her friend. Her best friend. Her most important person. Good thing the tree recognized that or she'd be having to figure out how to kick a tree's ass.

She squeezes Winter's hand.]

oh it's cool!

[reconstitution]

I don't know how long it's supposed to take. It's different for everybody.

[ And that's the segue he's going to use to avoid talking about what he thinks he deserves. Her hand is warm in his, and for once, things feel like they're going to be okay. ]

[pain_train]

How long what takes?

Oh! You mean we sit here and hold hands and the tree gives us a present?

[...huh.]

[reconstitution]

Yeah, that's right.

[ He's patient, at least. Doesn't matter how long it takes, so long as Wrath gets something she misses. ]

[pain_train]

[Slightly doubtful, since when is anything ever free?] Okay.

[She sits for a bit, quietly, though she kicks her feet a little bit because she can, and it feels good. And hey, even if she doesn't magically get a present from the tree, she gets to sit in a pretty clearing in a forest and hold Winter's hand. That's right up there with making snow angels, or dancing with him.

Thinking about that makes her smile. And she'll share a little with him on that. Because he really did make her night, then. She'd thought she would just be sitting and watching everyone else have fun--which was fine, really, she didn't mind it--but actually getting to dance with a super hot guy who happens to be her best friend? That had been so important.]

You should take me dancing some time. If there's a place that has dancing. Since I can be on my feet more now.

[reconstitution]

[ He had enjoyed dancing with Wrath. Even though it went against his hatred for so many people crammed in one place, or the masks everyone wore, he enjoyed himself. It's not so different than it was seventy years ago, when James Barnes went to the dance hall every weekend with a new dame.

The music was good, fast, and loud. Everyone dressed in their Sunday best. Drinks are bountiful, and between rounds of dancing. Red stained lips. Hair curled and fastened, mussed from being flung around the dance floor. No matter who the dame attached to his arm was, he was always a proper gentleman.

Dancing with Wrath had been different. Gone is the charm, the easy smiles, the smooth flirtation. Looking back on it, though? He thinks he had more fun with her, even if they had to take it easy because of her back. Maybe in the future he can show her the dance moves he remembered. ]

I'd like that. I could show you.

[pain_train]

[Actually knowing that Winter had fun that night feels really good. And the rest that she catches is fascinating. There were dance clubs in Proles, of course, but never places she went to. It wasn't an environment she'd known how to deal with, too many people and too many flashing lights, too many strange smells in an enclosed space. Bars had always been easier, simpler, more of a transaction that served as a base reminder of being alive, or as some kind of petulant assertion that her body did belong to her in some small way.

Get drunk. Get really fucking drunk until you can almost hear your own thoughts, or the other things get drowned out, maybe. Find the biggest guy and pick a fight. Find the biggest guy and drag him into the back hallway for a quick fuck, and those bruises that get ground into your shoulder blades are markers of life. Your bruises.

Learning how to dance sounds a lot better than that. And it's another thing she gets to do because she wants to. Right? This is her wanting to do it. Dancing isn't mission critical.]

You've been a really good teacher for everything else so far. And--

[She stops because... what was that sound? Almost like a cat--a kitten?]

[reconstitution]

[ He can't imagine it was easy, living that sort of lifestyle. Needing to feel human and trying to find yourself in the arms of a stranger or at the bottom of a bottle of booze. Yet, he may be a little envious that she was able to do something like that. Maybe he could have before the war, if he'd been that kind of guy.

During the war, there were more important things to worry about. Not dying. Looking after your squad.. Living a few hours or a day at a time until it passed. After? Well. Only people got that luxury. Things are different now, but it's not for him. He's probably much better suited for being alone.

Wrath stops speaking, and he's on high alert. He hears something, too. It's a knee jerk reaction, going for the knife tucked in his boot. ]

It sounds close, whatever it is.

[pain_train]

[Wrath rises slowly to her feet, listening intensely. There it is again, and now she recognizes the sound, familiar and completely impossible.

She gestures to Winter, something that in her M. I. days would have read: hold ready, but who knows if it makes sense to him.

And she takes a step forward.]

Jellybean?

[And a calico tabby kitten comes trotting out of the underbrush, little tail held high.]

[reconstitution]

[ Bucky gets to his feet behind her, though he keeps his distance. He knows enough to recognize an order when it's given.

The cat comes out and Winter stares. It's just a cat. A very small cat, at that.

Jellyb-- oh. He knows about Jellybean. ]

[pain_train]

Jellybean!

[Wrath squats down--it's amazing, she can do this now, like it's nothing, and it's really anything--and holds out her hands to the kitten.

Jellybean bounds across the clearing and leaps into Wrath's arms.

Wrath snugs the kitten up against her, and a loud purr instantly emanates from the tiny animal.]

Winter, look! [She straightens and turns back toward him as Jellybean starts nipping her chin. It makes her laugh.]

[reconstitution]

[ It's really good seeing Wrath so happy. Having her cat is really important to her, and it's something genuinely positive happening for her after a laundry list of shit she's had to go through.

He puts the knife back and takes a few steps toward her, leaving space so he doesn't spook the kitten who hasn't noticed him yet. ]

Told you the tree was magic.

[pain_train]

[Wrath pets the frantically purring kitten, grinning all the while.]

It must be!

[Though she hopes that doesn't mean Maine is now all alone...]

Want to hold her?

[reconstitution]

[ There's no way to tell how time works while they're not home. Hell, he 'left' for three years and came back after he came to. Maybe Maine doesn't even notice. Maybe he does.

Bucky looks hesitant when the attention is put back on him. He's played around with Officer Snuggles a few times, but this kitten is so small he doesn't want to accidentally hurt her. ]

She's probably happier with you.

[pain_train]

[She recognizes that look. It's one Maine had on his face a lot. The I'm scared to hut something so tiny and cute look.

Wrath lifts Jellybean away from her chest and then carefully hooks her onto Winter's shirt.]

She really likes feeling tall and being up high.

[Jellybean is used to this drill.]

[reconstitution]

[ The slightly panicked expression stays, but he doesn't try to move the kitten. He brings his right hand up to keep the small ball of fluff in one spot. She's softer than he thought, and he brushes a finger against her coat. ]

Hey... Jellybean.

[ Don't move too fast, kitty. ]

[pain_train]

[Jellybean rewards Winter with a purr that seems disproportionately loud considering her body size. She butts her head against his chin.]

Aw, that means she likes you!