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Who: Starstruck crew and visitors
Broadcast: None
Action: The SS ~~Trainwreck~~ Starstruck
When: August

[It might be accurate to say that the crew of the Starstruck had spent the majority of the month prior avoiding each other, or people in general, but as we leave the hand holding planet perhaps the crew can get back to normal.

Whatever that means...]

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[ so many people know little fragments of Steve Rogers' life. some know it through the grandparents' stories and vintage comic books, others through their visit at the Smithsonian for the Captain America exhibit. Though people knowing him through other people's minds, well, that's a new one.

He knows of Charles but not much, the little Peggy had told him, her quiet words offering, he could help Winter and as much as Steve had wanted, childishly, to claim that it is his own duty, he had accepted the possibility and in all honesty, if it ever works, he will never be anything less than grateful.

he puts the weapon done and wipes his hands on a mop before offering one ]

That's me.

[ He puts on his best unassuming smile - the one that usually puts people at ease. Not that Charles has ever presented himself as a threatening figure. ]

I was wondering if I could ask you a favor. Winter helped me out with something and I thought you could write a testimonial in this journal.

Winter.

[ he's not surprised to hear the name. after all, he only knows of this man in relation to Winter. He has a semblance of Peggy's trust, which puts Steve more at ease. Winter and Peggy both have healthy instincts. he doesn't ask what Winter has done, though there is a hint of a smile, one of a man who feels an odd sort of pride a friend who is evidently doing better. ]

Of course.

[ at once. he takes a last look at the weapons before turning his back to them. ]

What sort of testimonial?

Whatever you'd like to say. About how you see him. It's not meant to be a reminder, but more . . . of a way to look into the window of the soul. Or the souls as he is perceived and how others perceive him.

For someone trying to find their way . . . I think it could help.

-- You may need to sit down, it might take more than one page.

[ it will absolutely require more than one page. his smile is a bit pained. trying to describe how he sees Bucky - he isn't sure whatever he's going to write will be good enough. ]

You know, he's my oldest friend. Used to keep me safe when I'd get in fights.

[ . . . Steve . . . ]

I know. I've seen a little of it.

[ he meant...!!! ]

-- How does it work?

[ and this is curiosity more than suspicion ]

Does he feel it when you - look into his mind?

[ Charles shakes his head. ]

Technically he shouldn't. People can only feel it if I want them to. But I try to be as transparent as possible when I create that kind of connection between two minds.

I know you have little experience with telepathy.

It didn't leave the best first impression on me.

[ he's willing to admit. He still feels the dread of the nightclub, the loud bangs and flashes of cameras, men who should be dead laughing together, Peggy whispering the war is over, we can go home at him and then - nothing. an entire life, gone. the thought Wanda had seen all of his regrets to create that scenery still disturbs him, sometimes, though he would never blame her for it. ]

But I know it's not all there is to it. If you can help Winter, that's all that matters.

[ His lips twitch, but he doesn't comment on it. He knows the kind of impression telepathy leaves on people. And he's heard them all. ]

He's helping himself. I'm just making sure it happens.

Do you know what could have caused it?

[ asked as he writes, pouring over the words. when asked to describe the person most meaningful to him, Steve doesn't seem to hesitate. ]

I know the who and HYDRA would do anything to get their way. it's the how that I'm confused about.

[ Did Winter not tell Steve? ]

It's conditioning. Like a set of commands - programming left in the mind. It's made so that your body moves on instinct rather than conscious thought.

I removed all of that. There shouldn't be a way for the programming to be used anymore.

[ bits and pieces, certainly. something diamond has said, is the most he got and never inquired further. it's something he can never be sure of with Winter, when to stop asking and when to press for more details. It always saddens him as the man he was before - Bucky and him were perfectly in tune. ]

-- Is that what the Atroma used to make him go off and attack everyone? That programming?

[ Charles nods, somber. ]

Yes. They tapped into it and made it active again. It should no longer be a possibility now.

[ He'll make sure of that. ]

-- How would they know how to do that? do you think it has anything to do with the augment?

[ it's worrying him more than most things. if the Atroma can look into Bucky's mind and activate an old programming left their by HYDRA, what else are they capable of? ]

-- do you think they can make people go off like that? people who aren't Winter?

I . . .

[ He trails off, uncertain. ] I don't know. The augment is there, but I don't see it present in the mindscape of the person. It is possible they could but it's not as easy as it sounds.

[ Charles shrugs helplessly. ] I don't read people's minds on principle. I can't give you a proper answer.

Is there a way to stop someone from doing that? entering your mind?

[ steve rogers, being a soldier, likes to think that each attack has its counter. it's simple battle logic. but what works on the field doesn't always work on the mind and he knows that, too. ]

Are there people who can repel that sorta thing?

I could manage it. I don't know who else in the Fleet who could.

[ And isn't that always a bit depressing? Charles, the lone powerful telepath, always having to respect everyone's space and needs. His own rarely factor in. ]

We're going to have to find another way, then.

[ it's not good news to anyone. they can't always rely on charles, no one deserves all that burden. but then, if they can access people's mind, who says the next person to try and attack anything that moves won't be Steve? ]

I want to say I will always try and keep everyone safe, but I'm not sure how to battle mind control.

[ the one time the avengers faced Wanda, they took their biggest hit, after all. ]

There isn't a way. Not really.

[ There's no convenient helmet for people to use, after all. ]

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