genessia | 01. Introduction [Voice/Action]

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01. Introduction [Voice/Action]

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I'm not sure what it says about this place that somebody put a welcome hologram next to the place where kidnap victims arrive. On one hand, I'm alarmed it's happened enough to need that kind of message. On the other, at least someone else has gone to the trouble of having a welcome speech. So, uh, thanks for that.

[ He's not happy to be here, despite the neutral expression and casual tone in his voice, but you could probably say that about any of the people who wake up in the cavern. He is, however, relieved that he -- and by assumption -- everyone else who winds up isn't immediately thrown into jail or a labor camp. It could be much worse. ]

Anyway, hi. My name is Steve and I'm new. I'd appreciate any tips or advice on how to find housing and a job, or just anything about living here. Thanks.

[ At least until he pokes around and figures out why people are being brought here, and maybe how to get everyone home. ]

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[ For the first few days, Steve plans on sticking fairly close to his temporary lodgings. He will be out and about learning his way around, though, wandering down streets and poking into interesting looking shops. Chatting with strangers, whether they're newcomers like him or native to the region, will be a top priority. Knowledge is power and he's learned through hanging around with some very intelligent ~~spies~~ people that any information you get can be used to advantage.

But it also helps knowing what kind of people are around for the sake of living together and who might be good in an emergency. Steve isn't naive enough to think trouble won't find him here. It always does. ]

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[ It's the puppy that introduces herself first. A small, white, fluff-beast of a puppy who looks more wolf than dog and who is super fascinated by this guys shoes. There's a lot of sniffing and careful following, but only so far as the dark grey leash she's on allows. The girl holding the leash is careful to pull the dog back with a sigh, making the dog sit and stay.

Stay lasts for maybe ten, fifteen seconds before the puppy is investigating again. And, it's likely she won't be okay with being petted, opting instead to roll away and hide behind her owners legs. ]

I'm sorry about Andi. She's people-shy, but super curious.

[ And the girl in question? If Steve is good at picking up this kind of thing, she's cautious. Watching her surroundings warily while watching Steve just as carefully, too. Trust issues might be fueling this behavior, as she doesn't let herself too close to the stranger. ]

[ Steve never had pets growing up. There were stray dogs and cats that would wander through the tenements, but they rarely stayed long. Hunger, other animals, and the city pound officers tended to make sure anyone who thought about staying and cozying up to a family - didn't. He's kind of wanted his own for a while, though, although his lifestyle doesn't exactly lend easily to responsible pet parenting.

So he notices the dog first and the girl second, peering down at the white ball of fluff in bemusement when she sniffles toward him. He drops into a crouch the third time she approaches, holding out a hand in case she'd like to sniff his scent. ]

She's adorable. How long have you had her?

[ Crouching serves two purposes - it gets him closer to the dog, and puts his height on a more even keel with Charlie. Because, yes, he knows furtive when he sees it. Has seen enough people with signs of PTSD even before he started chasing a spectacular case of it. And if he can make her more comfortable at his own expense, he will. ]

[ God bless smart men and their smart decisions. Steve is intimidating, just on size alone. Charlie is small for her age, both in height and weight, and she's had her fair share of terrible people and terrible things happen to her, so any new person is regarded with intense caution. Steve, however, is certainly winning points by treating Andi with respect. ]

Since Christmas. My dad got her for me. I woke up to a huge breakfast, a load of presents and a dire-wolf puppy that really wanted to chew on my ice cream themed pajamas.

[ Andi peeks out from behind Charlie for a moment, watching the new guy some more, sniffing the air. The Human She Likes is cautious, but unafraid. So Andi will be unafraid and come over to investigate, sniffing the man's hand before sitting down, tail wagging furiously.

This brings a smile to Charlie's face, one that doesn't look used too often. Like she's not even sure how exactly she should smile. But it's there. And it's not as fleeting as it use to be. ]

She seems to like you.

Probably because dogs can sense suckers when they see them. [ That's Steve - sucker for any dog willing to come over and look cute. He catches Charlie's eye, looking for a sign of permission before reaching out and scratching Andi behind her ears. ] Isn't that right, Andi?

[ He'll remain crouched as long as the puppy wants to be pet, and then straighten up, stepping back a pace or two casually. Personal space bubbles are so important. And subjective. ]

Sounds like you couldn't have asked for a better Christmas.

She's a wolf. A dire-wolf. That means she's going to be as big as a horse when she's grown. From what I understand, they're great at being able to tell if a person is a good person or not.

[ That's actually more what she's hoping. She doesn't know this for a good, solid fact, but Andi is a sweetheart. Super protective already and a fabulous cuddler. ]

It was a good Christmas.

[ Good? Good Christmas? The way she says it might be understating it. In fact, she pretty much is understating it. This was the best Christmas she's had in years. ]

What's your name?

[ The more he treats her with respect like this, the better she is about talking. She's still very guarded, but she's smiling just a tiny bit. ]

I think most canines are like that. [ And wolves are part of the canus species, along with dogs and hyenas and other variants that Steve can't think of off the top of his head. Point stands, though. ] Give 'em lots of love and food and they're man's best friend. Woman's. Uh, humankind's best friend.

[ He's still a little awkward in social situations. It's not you Charlie, it's him. ]

I'm Steve Rogers. [ He doesn't expect her to recognize the name, considering the circumstances. And maybe not even in normal circumstances. He does extend a hand, in case she'd like to shake it, but is perfectly capable of letting his arm drop if she doesn't. ] But just Steve is fine.

What's yours?

And here I had almost given up fossil collecting.

[ Natasha smiles at him warmly, relief passing briefly across her face before it morphs into a teasing glint. ]

How are you, Steve>?

I'm glad I could help you out.

[ Isn't he so helpful? Like, the most helpful guy ever? Steve's expression is a mixture of surprise, pleasure, and a dose of anger. Because he's going to find out how everyone got here, and hopefully get everyone back (hey look, plans are a good thing), but this is personal. This is Nat, one of the few people on the planet he considers a real friend. ]

Doing alright. How are you, Natasha?

[ is there anyone he needs to have a talk with? ]

[ He can't not say hi. He really, truly cannot. Peter is too polite for that and anyway, he can practically feel Aunt May telling him to greet Steve. ]

Hey, I kinda liked the Welcome speech, even if the hologram threw me off for a bit. But, maybe that's the point of it; to throw the kidnapped for a good enough loop that they briefly forget their situation?

...I don't like that theory. Ignore it.

[ Is Aunt May -- who he hasn't had the pleasure of meeting yet, or Peter for that matter, a Captain America fan. ]

Holograms are okay, I guess, once you get used to them. I think I was more disturbed by the speech. Or the need for one.

Can't ignore, I've heard it now.

[ She is. She's also a Tony Stark/Iron Man fan. Aunt May is amazing. ]

See, that's not fair or helpful, cuz now that theory is forever stuck in my head.

But, so far? Genessia isn't a bad place. I've been in stranger situations. This isn't even my first adventure in alternate universes. The place I was before here, bad stuff seemed to happen regularly.

[ He'd question her taste just a little but, considering she raised Peter, amazing works as a description. ]

You're the one who thought it up.

[ Steve is so helpful. ]

Actually, that's not reassuring me. At all. You've been kidnapped before?

[ And she only just found out about him being Spider-Man. Her reaction was, to quote, 'What the f---?!' ]

No. The other place, I volunteered to go. Someone told me that a colony in space needed help settling and growing, so I went.

[ If Steve knew Peter, this wouldn't be surprising at all. It's safe to find it absolutely ridiculous, though. ]

I was there for a few months and then unintentionally returned home.

[ And d that was bad. ]

I didn't sign up to be here. This place was the one where kidnapping is definitely a thing.

[ Sadly, he doesn't know Peter aside from the ruckus at the airport. About the only thing he knows, or thinks he knows, is that this particular superhero is from New York. And a teenager. Or was when they met. ]

Did ... did you at least tell your guardian?

[ Steve's a little hung up on that, sorry Peter. Kids these days seem more sheltered than he was. ]

Tell my guardian about heading to the space settlement? I don't think Aunt May would be down with me just vanishing without telling her. In fact, I'm convinced she'd have followed me if I did just go.

I told her what I wanted to do, though. I told her it was important and after proving this thing was real and it wasn't just midterms at school making me crazy, she was okay. I just had to keep in touch.

[ ooc: hey how would steve feel about having another artist for a friend? because julie grigio needs more CR around here.]

I-- yeah. [ He's not entirely sure what to say to that and just ends up nodding. ] I guess I can't lecture if things are square between you and your aunt.

[ outside of the kidnapping bit. ] So what are you doing to keep busy here? [ inquiring minds want to know. ]

Aunt May is a wonderful lady who puts up with a lot of ridiculousness from me. She has since both my parents died. It’s just not in me to leave an argument hanging unrectified between us.

I repair and yield computers. I have a couple friends from that other world here. One of which I have a running joke between regarding a bet and a coin we keep trying to sneak on the other person, so we hang out a lot. And I have a micro-raptor to take care of. She keeps me on my toes.

You're a good kid. A real good kid. [ Pause. ] I hope she doesn't beat me up if we ever meet.

[ He might be trying to tease Peter a little, as awkward as it is. ]

What's yield, exactly? Repairs I get. [ And Steve is about to ask after those other people, maybe just to keep an eye out for them, but Peter sufficiently distracts him. ] Wait, what? Microraptor? Like a dinosaur?

Yes, for about the fifth time.

[It's nothing personal Steven. Nothing.]

Edited 2018-12-30 22:14 (UTC)

Fifth time for what?

[ One hopes not, considering almost everyone here is a stranger to Steve. ]

You showed up here, with no memory as a bonus.

[Shrugs.]

Welcome, again.

That can't be right.

[ Because he doesn't remember ever being in this place before. ]

Uh, thanks?

More like a bad joke, but that's how the world works here. It sends you home and brings you back rebooted.

And I'm #17.

That's a really terrible joke.

[ He hesitates. ]

Seventeen is your name?

It is.

[At least he sounds confident about it.]

That's an unusual name. What's it mean?

[ other than a number. ]

[Shrug.]

You know, you weren't that curious before or didn't care, whatever. It just means I'm the 17th model created from the android series. Before you ask, yes, I'm an android.

Get used to it. You'll meet some interesting people either from Earth or not.

It wasn't me. [ Because he would remember, dammit. ] I'm often too curious for my own good.

[ depending on the topic. ]

Yeah, interesting is kind of the way my life has always been. So. You're a sentient android. How's that work? [ speaking of curious. ]

Oh, that's easy. For starters, this is human base.

[Let's put it together Steve, as he tugs slightly on the collar of his shirt.]

[ he gets a look. ]

I meant were you programmed to be sentient or did it just happen?

Well for starters, you need to give me 10% of all your earnings. Income tax and all.

And why would I do that?

Because I'm the tax collector?

Don't remember the pamphlet mentioning anything about collecting taxes.

I'm a new hire. They haven't updated the pamphlets yet.

Who is your supervisor?

The prince.

[As if that means anything. ...Or she actually consulted him...]

And what was your name again?

[ You know, for asking the authorities about. ]

Bulla Brief.

[Said with authority.]

Alright. Thanks, Miss Brief.

[ because he has no idea she's lying.

(And, for shame, lying to Captain America.) ]

I expect timely payments.

[She lies to everyone. No regrets.]

I'm sure you do.

Yup! I'm glad we could see eye-to-eye on this.

I wouldn't say that, exactly. But I think I understand your position.

Oh really? And just what position would that be?

[Cue faux indignant glare.]

That you believe you're entitled to some of my paycheck.

Well duh. I'm kind of a big deal around here. Everyone has to pay tribute. You're no exception.

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01. Introduction [Voice/Action]

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