01. | You're as cold—

[sinistral]

Who: Bucky Barnes (sinistral) and YOU!
Broadcast: No
Action: Yes; SS Starduck, SS Iskaulit, planetside
When: from Bucky's arrival through what's left of December

---

SS STARDUCK
→ Acclimating;

If waking up on the Marsiva had been unexpected, doubly so is the teleportation to a new ship entirely. On the plus side, there are at least more people here than had been aboard the host ship. On the negative, Bucky still isn't entirely comfortable around people, and he's already on edge from the circumstances as it is. He's not outwardly unfriendly, but he is wary of everyone and everything.

But he's here in the capacity of a security officer and that means— Well, he's not entirely sure what it means. Oh, he knows what his duties are, just like he knows where he is and why, but the strangeness of it still nags at his brain. He figures at the very least that he should spend some time in exploration, in assessment of the ship that's now his home. As such he's attempting to explore every inch of it and to learn the names, responsibilities, and routines of those with whom he's now living.

SS ISKAULIT
→ Exploration;

It's strange, he thinks, the way this ship is laid out. It's much different from his assigned vehicle, and nowhere near as sterile as the Marsiva. For all that he's been told what it is, seeing it is another thing entirely. So the exploration he does is part curiosity and part reconnaissance, learning the layout of the hallways and establishments as much as he's still trying to wrap his head around the existence of the space fleet in the first place. Movement helps at least, the steady cadence of footfalls on the floor interrupted here and there when he pauses to examine the outside of an establishment that catches his eye.

Though he's not one to make the first move to seek out conversation or company, he doesn't steer away or try to avoid it if he's approached.

→ Gym;

It'd taken him a few days to get used to the whole spaceship thing, including the idea of intership travel via shuttle, but Bucky's just firmly putting it in terms with which he's more familiar: the ships are buildings, the shuttles cars. And there's a certain freedom of movement in the allowance of taking a shuttle to visit another ship. For him it's exclusively to the Iskaulit, and minus the exploration of his first visit, is exclusively for the purpose of utilizing the gym facilities. Working out is the closest thing he has to any sort of regular routine, at least right now, and it's something to which he's going to remain faithful.

It's gratifying to find that the facility has been constructed in such a way that some of the equipment caters toward the physically enhanced; it means he doesn't have to pull his punches and that he can work out to his full abilities. And that settles the mind a little as well, just thanks to the pushing of the body to its limits. He'll still step aside quietly though, in order to offer the equipment to anyone who looks like they might be waiting for it.

PLANETSIDE
→ Working;

A search for laborers attracts Bucky for two reasons: it's physical activity, something to engage both the mind and the muscles, and there's the hope that working alongside people will give him a chance to learn a little more about where they are and why. While there's been plenty of the first, it's the second that's got him a little frustrated. Everything he finds out slots in so seamlessly with what he just knows, but he has no idea how he knows it. But he's so certain about it, while at the same time so uncertain of who he is. He feels like he can't fully trust his own brain and that's not a comfortable thought at all.

But physical labor? That's easy enough, even though the work itself is hard. It keeps him moving and earns him money, and he can't complain about either of those things — especially when it offers a chance to be out of doors. The ships are nice but they're enclosed spaces, and he doesn't have the best experiences with closed spaces. He much prefers being outside like this, even with the cold, and when he sees the signal from the group leader to start packing it up, he'll pass that signal onto the person closest to him. "Looks like it's time to go."

→ Ice Caves;

The problem with being strung so tight for so long is that when there's a moment to relax, Bucky finds it hard to do so. Idleness isn't welcome, and he's not sure if it's the unease of being suddenly drafted into the Fleet or if it's the fog that he can still feel clinging stubbornly to his brain. But whatever the case, he'd rather spend his free time doing something. Fortunately, this place seems to offer plenty to satisfy that urge.

The castle tour is a little disappointing only because, while history and architecture are momentarily interesting, it still doesn't mean anything to him. Hiking is better, dressing against the cold to explore the surrounding landscape and the caves. Sure, the ice makes the footing a little treacherous, but it's nothing he can't handle. And apparently, he's not the only one. "Excuse me, just passing through—"

WILDCARD
→ Elsewhere;

Want something else? Have an idea? Hit me up at sometimesamuse. Open to wherever, whatever, and though I write starters in prose I'm more than happy to switch to brackets if it's your preference.

Comments

gym

[becomebetter]

Shun is exhausted. Acclimating to a spaceship was easy considering that he'd been on one. Picked up and dropped off on another. The biggest difference is that there hasn't been anything attacking him. Yet. He understands why he's here but he doesn't agree with it. He hadn't signed up to be entertainment for anyone. It's a nice life, sure, but that wasn't the point.

He wanted to go back to the Origin. Say goodbye, at least. Tell Henri and Baum, the others, what had happened to Lana. Loose ends. He hated those. But he was here now and he'd make the best of it while he could.

The gym is not the first stop. Not the last. Somewhere in the middle and only to blow off some steam. Frustration was Shun's nickname. He uses a machine that defends his hits. One that shoots tennis balls at him. He dodges. He shifts and moves, shirt tossed aside as he tries to expel some of his anger and confusion. The tattoos on his back and shoulder tell a story. Yakuza, ex-yakuza, and the scars lighting up his face and chest are a part of that tale. Normally he'd hide them. Doesn't want to have to explain himself but he's in his own head, not thinking about it.

He hits a sandbag and it almost swings into someone nearby.

"Sorry." Shun's voice is low and apologetic.

[sinistral]

It's a helpful thing, working out. It settles the mind in a way that nothing else does; there truly is no compare to the stretch of muscle, the flow of blood, the engagement of body and mind both. It's the one activity in which Bucky doesn't hesitate to push himself to his limits, because he knows those limits and knows exactly what he can do. There's a freedom in that knowledge that isn't quite present in anything else in his life.

That he doesn't have the facility to himself does not bother him; there seems to be a general, universal agreement among most gym goers — or at least those he's encountered thus far — that a person's workout isn't to be interrupted. The attitude suits Bucky just fine, as he's quite content to do his own thing, and to leave when he's done. And while a sandbag suddenly swinging his way is unexpected, his reflexes are more than equal to it; he turns to meet it with his gloved left hand, the quiet slide of metal accompanying the motion as the arm absorbs the impact and stops the bag's momentum.

"Don't be," he says, attention shifting from the bag to the other man, then back to the bag again. Making sure it's steady under its chains, Bucky lets his hand fall. "Accidents happen."

[becomebetter]

The problem with taking your frustration out on a sandbag is that it doesn't really feel as good as taking it out on the source. He can't do anything to the people who brought him here and he can't do anything to Siren for what they've done. So that leaves him with hitting this damn bag until his knuckles split. At least the collateral damage wasn't extreme or pissed off.

"I thought this would help."

Shun isn't exactly talkative but he has a lot to say and nobody to say it to. Might as well give the bare minimum to a complete stranger.

"Falling asleep on one damn ship to wake up on another isn't what I'd call a good time."

He balances against the bag. His body is still weak but he's managing. Shun's eyes flit over Bucky from the way he carries himself to his build and stance. Shun takes a slight step to the side, putting the bag between them. He's not trying to be an ass but he's been trained to know danger and recent events make him cautious.

[sinistral]

"It might."

It does for Bucky, but he's never been the talkative type. At least, he doesn't think he has. There's something natural about going for the bags, something that feels right. A muscle memory perhaps, the body's remembrance of old habits a meditation in and of itself.

"I know the feeling. Well, similar." Close enough anyway, never mind that Bucky hadn't been on a ship to begin with. It doesn't matter, it's the waking up in a strange place with something implanted into your body, knowledge you know you shouldn't have and the impossible reality of, apparently, being a part of a reality show. It's definitely more than a little bit to take in; Bucky's still not entirely sure he's managed all of it.

Though he doesn't miss the way the other man sidles away from him. He won't comment on it but it's there, and he certainly doesn't blame his companion for it. After all, a metal arm is inherently dangerous, isn't it? But he does at least force his shoulders to roll back and down, force his posture to remain relaxed and easy. It's no guarantee that it'll make anything about this encounter easy, but it never hurts to try.

"If it's easier to spar against a person...?" Which would of course be the opposite of relaxed and easy, but Bucky also knows what it is to be wound so tight that the choice is to expel the energy or explode.

[becomebetter]

It wasn't yet but maybe Shun wasn't giving it the time it needed to be truly beneficial.

"You're dangerous."

He calls it as he sees it. Shun doesn't hold back. There's no point. The longer they dance around the subject the less chance they have to be honest with one another. It's not really the metal arm that does it. He was trained to know who was a potential threat and he could see it. That didn't mean Bucky would do anything, only that Shun was aware of it. He'd rather he wasn't. Ignorance was bliss.

"Thank you." Bucky relaxes his shoulders, offers physical cues up to Shun that show he's not trying to be a problem. "Yes, it is. We need rules. No broken bones. Don't pin me in."

It's possible Bucky won't like how on edge Shun is and decide to leave. He knows this but he can't keep from saying what he has to.

[sinistral]

"I am." He shrugs. To Bucky, it's simply an accurate observation; he is dangerous, and he doesn't think there's any point in denying it. Not many people would state the observation so baldly though, and that's a curious thing. "Does it bother you?"

He won't blame the other man if it does, but he does want to know. People who are on edge tend to make impulsive decisions and while there's little enough to hurt or destroy in the room, it doesn't mean that a spar is a safe thing. Then again, how many truly safe things really exist?

"Acceptable." Bucky doesn't need to prove himself or anything like that; he already knows what he is capable of doing. And what he's capable of doing apparently includes offering a release to someone wound tight. But he doesn't think this will be anything like the times he was used to train others, which is why he's comfortable with offer and terms both. "Tap out when you need to."

He'll do the same of course, if it gets to that point, but it probably says something that he doesn't think he'll need to. He's far too used to his life being nothing more than a constant fight and that's not something he needs to examine too closely.

[becomebetter]

"No." Bucky was dangerous. A threat to his safety and well-being, but the same could be said for Shun. He wasn't lacking in the dangerous department. He's turned over a new leaf but it's a downhill battle. "It's comfortable."

That balance he has to find with Bucky now. He was used to dangerous. Accustomed to the tingle down his spine and the flip of his stomach when something went south.

"You got any rules?"

His simple guidelines were easy. Don't put him into a position where he'd lash out and possibly do any damage if he can. It's not a risk he wants to take. Shun carries the weight of each crime he's committed, each life he's taken. He won't add to that here.

Shun gets into a defensive stance. His hands are raised in front of him, open.

"Go when you're ready."

[sinistral]

"For some." Bucky's more than used to life as a serious of dangerous encounters — and used to being the one who provides that danger. But it's not what would be considered normal for many people, and he respects that as well. Still, it's always good to know where someone stands to anticipate something of how he or she may potentially act.

He shrugs at the question though. "Not unless you're more than human." It's not bragging; unless his companion is more than his physical appearance suggests, Bucky's pretty sure he could disable him before anything too severe happens. It gives him an advantage, he knows, and not just in the idea of being physically stronger. Bucky trusts himself not to escalate anything past the point of safety and if he is the stronger one in truth, it means he can be that safety in this spar — probably a good thing, if his partner is that on edge.

Nodding, he takes up a similar stance: light on the feet, arms up but loose and easy. One calm breath, another, and Bucky leads with an easy punch from the right hand to get a measure both of what his companion can do and what exactly he wants.