( video | un: jaguar )

[scarcastically]

[ the feed starts with him lying in his bed, tossing a ball up and down nonchalantly. there's a restless energy to him, feline and listless. ]

Hey, so like what really happens when people leave? Do they just go "nah I'm out" and go home? Do they explode? Does the orb, like, look deep in their hearts and consider them not worthy?

Kind of interesting, right? What's the criteria here?

My money's on cloning, personally.

[ a beat. ]

So we're down a genius. The princess of Wakanda high-tailed it out of here. I managed to snag some stuff from our last mission so I have a few prototype sonic disruptors ready to go plus one magic bow. Finally got that battery workin'. First come, first serve.

Comments

[unclesam]

Yeah, well. Shuri ain't the only one from back home who's gone.

[ A slight tightening of Sam's own lips, but he keeps his cool beyond that.

No point in hiding that fact, honestly. Natasha Romanoff and Steve Rogers disappearing is going to be very obvious now that they're back on the station, if it wasn't before.

Natasha's presence had been a balm, a second chance. Steve's... more complicated than that. Losing both is like old wounds ripped open again. ]

[scarcastically]

Shuri's alive, though. Romanoff's not.

[ yeah she told him. it's a weird respect among assassins. ]

[unclesam]

[ Sam looks down into the last of his drink for a moment, contemplative. ]

No. She's not. [ A beat. ] You asking how I'm handling it?

[scarcastically]

I already know that answer.

[ hint: it's not well. sam's probably good at hiding it with friends and other people. but erik's best work comes from breaking people apart and seeing their insides. ]

Just figured it's easier with a somewhat unrelated party.

[unclesam]

Presumptuous.

[ Without heat. Sam doesn't bother confirming or denying. What's the point of that? Besides, they ain't that close. Sam's not going to reveal his grief here, nor will he bother vehemently denying it. ]

We're all carrying it.

[ Him, Yelena, Tony. Steve before he disappeared. Bucky, in that he's helping Sam carry himself. ]

[scarcastically]

[ he shrugs. it is and it isn't. ]

Carrying it where? Unless you're really buying what this place is selling.

[unclesam]

Wherever you go. Some stuff you bring with you. Figure out how to carry it. And then that's what you do. I'm taking care of my people, best I can.

[ Grief, PTSD... be it war or other trauma. You carry it. You help others carry it. Until the weight becomes bearable. ]

As for this place. I've seen what some magic stones can do. So do I believe some of the promises made could be delivered? Sure. Do I think they will be delivered? I doubt it's gonna be that easy. Things usually aren't.

[scarcastically]

[ erik shakes his head momentarily. will or will not, that's not really the issue. for him, he thinks the fall out of any kind of wish that turns back reality is dangerous. it's messing with elements that might have larger fallout proportions.

it also feels like playing god and he's never been terribly fond of that. power, yes. godhood where you get to play with people's lives, even if it's positive? no thank you. ]

Honestly? Magic orbs, magic stones . . . none of it sounds like a blessing to anyone.

[unclesam]

No... it really ain't. I'll agree to that.

[ He sighs, rubs a hand over his face. ]

If something seems too good to be true, chances are it is.

[scarcastically]

So why stick around?

[ he's not asking for personal stakes. he knows the line and he knows the story. still. it's a lot to hinge your bets on. ]