[text] - anonymous

[brandingproblem]

[because listen old habits die hard and haha fuck the idea of blasting identifying information over a questionably secured at best network in a freaky mystery city!!!]

So we're all just supposed to lie back and take it like this is just where our lives are now?

If you consider this place home and are getting back to previously established lives, fine whatever. But some of us aren't exactly looking to start whole new lives in a supposedly sentient city in the middle of everywhere or nowhere.

How do we make this place hate us and spit us back out or however the hell any of this works? Who's got the brains and the lab tech to reverse the bridge that brings us in to take us back? What metaphysical bullshit needs done to fix everything?

Comments

[brandingproblem]

[Hm. That's potentially concerning. Sometimes it's easier, typing things out and deleting them and trying again. Than to just have everything tumble out with no way to stuff the words back in.]

It doesn't have to be on your shoulders.

[iwasrussian]

It won't be. It's too big for my shoulders alone. But I will have a part.

[brandingproblem]

We can try to figure out how to bring you home too.

[iwasrussian]

[ she has given the idea some thought, but it always seems to come back around to not getting her hopes up. it's one thing to know she can leave here with Clint. it's another thing entirely to know for sure that she won't disappear somewhere along the way because she's dead and going back isn't an option.

Even if the latter were the way it went, at least he wouldn't remember and wouldn't expect to see her there when he returned. ]

You're right, we can.

So just hold tight, okay? I have some people I can talk to that have been here a long time. Maybe they have an idea or know who we can talk to. We should talk to the Magistrates.

[brandingproblem]

Should we.

[Someone's a little skeptical of the local authority...]

They been helpful in the past?

[iwasrussian]

No. But those were the ones that were here before. There's nothing that we can't try that won't at least be worth a shot.

[brandingproblem]

I haven't been out of the game long enough to forget basic recon. Can't blame me to be itching to get out of here though.

You know I don't do well on my own.

[ostavil]

sure, if you wanna call it that. wouldn't be the first time i stayed up all night trying to strategize something.

( At least this person seems to be doing something about their situation and isn't settling in like this is their new home. )

should we meet up somewhere or just do video? i'm game for either.

[iwasrussian]

Well, it's a good thing you're not on your own then, right?

Clint, my door is always open. I have an extra bedroom and a lot of space. Come and stay with me at the bungalow.

[ All those times he let her stay at the farm to get away from everything. It's the least she can do. ]

[needsabreak]

nah. if this conversation is anything to go off of, i think i have a pretty good idea at how good you are at being annoying.

[Sorry, he basically set himself up for that one.]

i'm worried you might be too good at it and that the response won't be the one you're hoping for. the last thing i want to see is innocent people getting hurt because the city is retaliating and pissed at you.

i've spoken to a handful of people who were here before. it's helpful but apparently things have changed since they were last here. by how much, again seems we're all in the dark

[brandingproblem]

[At least if he decided to take up the vigilante lifestyle again, he won't be able to put thousands and thousands of miles between himself and anyone who's ever given a damn about him. Small mercies.]

I should talk to Steve. Figure things out. Maybe we'll start getting the band back together.

[He doesn't, at first, have any comment about staying with her. Would it help the ache of knowing she's here, alive in this weird city-singularity, and unable to ever actually go back home in spite of Clint's insistence that they try? Would it only drag her down, the way he's stuck in his ways and prowling around like a tiger trapped in a cage that's too small?]

Gosh but I have so much stuff I'd have to move.

[Make a joke instead. That's safer.]

[brandingproblem]

[You, he likes you.]

I don't need more people in the crosshairs for my stunning skill at causing trouble, true.

If all the answers to the most important questions are a resounding I don't know, then what? Get a team of astrophysicists to unravel the secrets of the universe in this specific localized part of said universe?

[brandingproblem]

If you want to show me your pretty face, by all means.

[iwasrussian]

Yeah, you should.

[ she notes the independence and leaves things alone. if he's distancing himself to make it easier because she's dead and he's intent on leaving, she doesn't fault him for that.

it was just a suggestion. ]

I'll check back with you soon.

[ostavil]

( Bucky laughs to himself. Pretty face, sure. That's a new one. )

Most people don't call the Winter Soldier a pretty face but sure. Might get more done in person.

[private] un: hawkeye

[brandingproblem]

Bucky? When the hell did you get here?

[ostavil]

like a day ago. should have figured it was you, clint.

[brandingproblem]

A day and already ready to start riots. Guess I know where Steve got it from.

[Not that Steve's currently kicking up any kind of storm. But...circumstances.]

[ostavil]

Look, Steve and I have never been the kind of guys to just let things lie if there's something we can do to change the circumstances. Besides, you had my back in Germany. I owe you this.

[needsabreak]

i'm not sure. that's the problem, isn't it?

um. hey. call me if you want. i don't need this next part on record... hopefully they don't record or listen in on our calls.

or better yet, swing by the shooting range. just tell the guy at the counter that you're from the network or something.

[brandingproblem]

You don't owe me anything. But I appreciate it.

He's here.
Steve.
And Natasha.

[ostavil]

Really. Maybe I should have just posted a Hi, how are you on the network or something. Although...that's not really me. I guess I need to figure out where to meet them.

[text] un: cupkate

[bossyboiler]

For the time being, you're stuck here. I know it sucks. I know it's not what you want. I know you'd rather go home. All of us would. It's not about considering this place home, it's about making the best out of a bad situation.

[canaria]

Yeeep. But I wouldn't say everyone came back; she didn't, he didn't. But if you find a powerful magic user or five, I'm willing to be whatever magical bait I need to be again.

un: quicksilver

[silversneakers]

Someone tried forcing the issue last time I was here. It didn't go well.