video; un: @bbarnes

[ostavil]

Hey. I've been here for a little while and I'll be the first to admit, I don't know what the fuck I'm doing. I know they've got me living down in Shantytown for now but I've got to get a job if I'm gonna keep surviving out here and I guess this is a combination job application and general "explain this place because I wanna get out of it."

( Bucky isn't the sort to complain about accommodations and he doesn't care about being in Shantytown over anywhere else - he can sleep anywhere - but he definitely cares about having a job. He's not the kinda guy to sit idle and he definitely doesn't want to make a living stealing and living hand-to-mouth like he had to in Romania. He had a good thing going in New York and now it looks like it's been ripped away from him. It wouldn't be the first time - the Blip is not something anyone can forget - but it's the first time he's living it. )

Anyone got any advice or am I flying solo?

Comments

[ostavil]

( As long as his stride is and as fast as he can move, it doesn't take Bucky long to get over to Chicory to meet Natasha. She's easy to spot, too, with all that red hair and he tosses her a quick wave. )

Long time no see, Romanoff.

[queenofbooks]

Thank you for that. I have a reputation back home, and some people don't listen to me, except Harry. I think you and he would get along. He wants to be left alone too.

I had friends here, before but most of them have left. I've seen monsters up close and you are not a monster, Bucky. They say magic is all about intent, and it seems to me that you shouldn't feel bad about things you had no control over.

We have a curse back home, it's called the Imperius curse, dark magic and those under it have to do what the caster wants. There is no choice. It sounds kind of similar.

[waypastasking]

Sure. I'll be there in a second.

(Steve speeds up slightly in order to make it to the front of his building. He stops and looks around.)

[ostavil]

It does sound similar. I definitely wasn't in control of myself when it happened, that's for damned sure. As far as reputations go, I have the worst one a man could have, so I'm sure yours is still better than mine.

( Being a war criminal will do that to a man, even being an unwilling one. )

You sound like someone to listen to, though. Of course, I barely know you, but sometimes you can just tell.

[ostavil]

( It doesn't take him long to get there, considering just how fast he can move, and Steve's easy to spot. )

Steve, God, I haven't seen you in the longest. It'll take a lot to explain but...I've missed you.

[solus_unus]

You look like a solid guy and it'll be good to have another one of those kicking around here. Honestly, thank you for making it this easy.

Anyway, like I said. Feel free to come by later this evening or tomorrow. I live upstairs and am here more than it's probably healthy.

[iwasrussian]

[ She approaches casually with a big smile and gives him a nod. ]

Hey, stranger. Decided to cut the hair, eh? Looks good. Bet it's easier to manage.

[ Natasha is teasing of course. She hasn't seen him without the mane, so she can't resist the playful comment. ]

[waypastasking]

Hey... I missed you too.

(He starts to draw him into a hug but is hesitent.)

I've got nothing but time these days.

[queenofbooks]

You have good instincts, Mr. Barnes. (She tucks her hair behind her ear before looking at the camera, giving him a wry smile.)

I apologize; I never asked you if I could use your first name. Sometimes, you can tell that people have a good spirit, too. You have a good spirit. Which you probably didn't want to know...

Anyway, I'm glad I finally met you.

[ostavil]

( Maybe Steve is hesitant to hug him but Bucky isn't so he reaches forward to do just that. )

That's...probably the best thing I've heard in a long time. Like I said, I've missed the hell out of you.

[ostavil]

You can use it. Mr. Barnes was for my father. Bucky's just fine with me. Everyone calls me that so you wouldn't be overstepping if you used it.

I'm glad I met you too. And you're right, about being able to tell if someone's good or not. There's just something you know about a person.

[ostavil]

Sure thing. And you know, you can't always be working. It's not good for you. At least that's what I've heard. I've never actually taken that advice.

[ostavil]

Yeah. It was getting hard to handle, you know? Always on your neck, gotta use half a bottle of shampoo to wash it...it was just time to change.

I bet I look less homeless with a haircut too. You'd have to be the judge of that, though.

[bossyboiler]

Hi. I'm Kate.

[ Why does she have to be the bearer of bad news? Goddamn. Since no one has told him... ]

Everyone wants to leave but I'm afraid that we don't get to pick when that is. For the moment, you are stuck here.

[ostavil]

Hi Kate. I'm Bucky.

( Her news is disappointing even if it's what he expected. Something about the feel of this place is just off and he figured that whatever that off-ness was meant he wasn't getting out soon. )

Figures it would be something like that. Not even a twelve step program or anything? Just disappear when you're ready?

[bossyboiler]

Bucky.

You disappear and reappear at the City's leisure regardless of whether or not you're ready. I know that's not what you wanted to hear but you should know that. This is my second time being here so if you have any other questions, I'll try to answer them.

[ostavil]

Damn, second time. I don't know whether or not to be glad you know what's up or sad that you've gotten stuck here again. Something in between, I guess?

So how do I get out of the miserable place they assigned me to live? Because I definitely drew the short straw.

[bossyboiler]

I mean I'm not someplace new and I don't have to find my footing again. I'm incredibly lucky that way. This isn't the worst place that I've been. No one's coming after me with pitchforks either.

You get a job and you pay for it. I'd offer you a job at my bakery but you don't seem the customer service type and Caius has you covered already. He's a pretty good guy.

[ostavil]

Yeah, customer service isn't my thing. I don't mind working my way out of it, though. It's hard work to move up in the world.

( Bucky's worked hard in his life, before the war, and he's not ashamed to do it again. )

Anything weird I should know about? I've fought aliens, so I'm probably not gonna be shocked.

[bossyboiler]

It's not everyone's cup of tea but I'm the owner. I can throw people out if they're rude and I have.

[ Like last week when everyone had been feeling spicy from the Prominence. ]

The Prominences to begin with. They are moods that effect the entire City. There's no way to avoid them and they last about a week.

[ostavil]

Moods? Do they line up with the districts or is that hoping for too much logic?

( Bucky likes it when things line up and fall together and if the districts in the city line up with these Prominences, at least that's one piece that makes sense: seven sins, seven districts, seven Prominences. )

[bossyboiler]

You're hoping for too much logic. These are city wide, not district wide.

[ostavil]

Oh, yeah, that was praying for entirely too much logic. That's me, just a logical guy.

They have a consistent schedule? These Prominences?

[bossyboiler]

I can see that.

They come around once every four to six weeks. There's no way to predict what kind of mood they'll create.

[ostavil]

Too much to hope you could predict them like the weather. What do they make you do exactly? Just more likely to do whatever the Prominence suggests?