Video | Both Courts

[starspangled]

Looks like we're getting the new arrivals again. My name's Steve Rogers, sorry I missed the feast. I should probably start by telling you that it doesn't matter which court drafted you into this war, and that it's not some shard inside of you that makes you important. But I think a lot of us already know that.

Another thing that I've learned is that you can get so focused on this world, you start to lose touch with the little things that you love about your own.

[The subject that he's about to bring up is also full of jubilation and heartbreak, love and victory and loss. And in some cases, betrayal.

He's looking at you, Dodgers.]

For me it's baseball. Does anyone else play? Because I couldn't help but notice that there's plenty of field around here. Maybe in the spring we could find a couple of bats, or even just toss a ball around for a little R and R.

See, the thing I love about baseball is that both sides get a fair shot. Everyone on the team wears the same uniform, from the manager to the rookie, and it's not over until the last out. It's for everyone, doesn't matter if you're a little bit smaller than the other players. If you can swing a bat or throw a ball, you might just make the hall of fame. It's about hope.

Plus it's a heck of a lot more fun than fighting.

[He gives a slightly sheepish smile when he's done, because Captain America waxing poetic about America's pastime, where's his handful of apple pie.]

So I guess all I really wanted to say is don't forget where you came from. You can even share what you miss about it, if you want. I'm not really much of a hunter, so I've got the time.

Comments

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[desperate_times]

Such a boyscout.

[She's amused.]

Feeling a little homesick, mate? Can't say I blame you.

Too bad we can't just settle the war in 9 innings and go home.

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[starspangled]

I miss boxes of Cracker Jack too. I heard they stopped putting toys in them.

[All a part of the ballpark experience. Steve smiles a little, nodding his agreement.]

What about you? Anything you miss?

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[notyetlegend]

What's baseball?

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[starspangled]

[Is it obvious that he was hoping someone would ask that question? A little.]

Baseball's a game where you try to hit a ball with a baseball bat - it's like a stick, only it's stronger and has a certain shape to it. If you hit the ball, then you get to try to run to first base. Make it around all four bases and you score a point for your team. The team with the most points at the end of it all, wins.

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[undividing]

[ the woman in the feed is.. well.. not human. clearly. still, she offers a small smile. ]

.. For some of us, this is another chance at life. We have no option to return to our homes or our people.

[ a pause, then she brightens faintly. ] I have heard of this sport, however. It is a common pastime among humans in the United States.

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[starspangled]

[If her appearance surprises him, he doesn't show it. It really doesn't matter to him, and his expression softens at her words, becomes a touch apologetic. He remembers when that "second chance" idea applied to Bucky too, before Steve went home and learned different. But he was also thankful for it at the time.]

That's right. [Steve brightens along with her.] You never got a chance to see it for yourself?

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[wolvering]

[Pod comes on the locket with flickering firelight casting the only light. She has her nose wrinkled just a bit in obvious confusion.]

That does sound like a fun game, but why call it "base?"

[Then she laughs a little.] Well, I suppose, if everyone is truly equal in the game, the nobles would stick up their noses at it!

And for the question, there are so many things to miss, but what I miss most, is after supper has been cleared away, and our training and evening chores done for the day, relaxing with the other 'prentices and Healers. Especially when Conor is home. One time Trouble got her paws on a visiting Healer's favorite bracelet, and led us all on a merry chase. Scrambled right over Tipper she did, and Tipper fell right over himself trying to catch her. But we got her to relinquish her prize in short enough order.

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[starspangled]

Good question. [And really, it's making Steve stupidly happy just talking about this.] It's because there's four bases, canvas covered pads on the ground. Making it around them is how a team scores.

[Steve listens in turn, eyebrows arching at names.]

Trouble? Is that your cat?

[hiddeninfidelity]

A bit idealistic aren't we? It will take more then honeyed words to bring the folks of this place. But it is admirable that you are able to hold such views even in the face of constant warfare. For that you have my respect.

[Mordred's tone was only half serious, ideals were all well and good but so often wilted under the harsh gaze of reality.]

I myself am from Britain, but I doubt the country I remember still exists outside of books and legends.

[starspangled]

I never said it would be easy. But the worthwhile stuff never is.

[Steve will keep trying - but not alone, he hopes.]

Britain? The kingdom that England was once a part of?

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[wipedclean]

[The first priority of the day was to find a sling. He's done that, found a piece of cloth and tied it to hoist his dead metal arm so it's a little more comfortable than letting it hang at his side.

The second priority was to look over the map, which he's done.

Third priority was to look over the locket and figure out how it works. And of course, almost as soon as he's got it working and figured out, he sees him.

He's shocked into staring, and suddenly his mind is rushing and his heart is pounding and he doesn't understand why. He had almost felt... stable, for a bit, even despite the strange place and the dead arm and then all of a sudden he can't keep his thoughts straight again.

He has to... he has to say something. He can't just let this by.

But what the hell is he supposed to say?

He's figured out the device well enough that he can start up a video without issue, but once it's started he can't... he can't talk.

Finally he manages to wet his lips and say something.]

You're... you're here.

[He doesn't even know what he's feeling, just that he is.]

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[starspangled]

[It's funny that it's during a subject that reminds him very much of Bucky, because who do you think he went to those games with? Who snuck them in under the fence half the time.]

Bucky.

[Steve thought he was ready for this, or at least the possibility. He'd even expected it when he'd first returned from going home, having learned the truth about Bucky's fate. And now it's here, and it doesn't feel entirely real.]

Where are you?

[He's pretty sure he knows. Bucky wouldn't exactly fit the Seelie ideal anymore.]

Are you hurt?

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[wroughtsteel]

Good day, my lord. [ A polite greeting, before she goes on to ask about what really caught her attention. ] Is baseball a sort of competition where you come from?

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[starspangled]

['My lord' are you trying to make him blush here.]

Just Steve's fine. And yeah, it's a game that you play with a stick and a ball. I know it sounds simple, but a lot of people like to watch it.

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[slugout]

Yeah man, this hunting thing blows. I almost got eaten by a bear.

[ BUT whatever, you see this baseball hat? YOU SEE THIS GIANT STUPID GRIN. hell yes. ]

But I'm up for baseball, dude!

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[starspangled]

I hope everyone's careful. There's plenty of things out there that could hunt them back.

[KINDRED SPIRIT. Steve smiles at him.]

Glad to hear it. What's your name?

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[dragonring]

[Now that's one heart warming speech, even for someone who doesn't like sports like Dave. He doesn't remember things being so equal like Steve says, gym class was the worst for the nerd. But he likes the sound of "hope". So let's give the Cap an answer as thank you!]

What do I miss? I miss... my girlfriend. My friends. My dog, my lab... [This doesn't sound as cool as Steve's speech. Let him try again.] ...I miss going to the roof of my building to watch the skyline of New York at night.

[Video]

[starspangled]

[It sounds heartfelt, and that's plenty "cool" to Steve.

That is what the kids say these days, right?

He also happens to mention something else that Steve loves and misses.]

I'm from Brooklyn myself. The skyline's changed a lot from what I remember, but I bet it's still something to see.

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[boutant]

Steve.

Did you just say baseball is about hope?

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[starspangled]

You're probably a little young to remember The Great Depression, but baseball helped a lot of people get through it. Listening to a game on the radio took your mind off of things.

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[rube]

Ain't forgettin' where I came from.

[ever. that is never happening. plus, it's too damn hard to forget.]

Think what you're doin' will work?

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[starspangled]

You didn't strike me as the type who would.

[Not even in the middle of fairies and feasts. Steve arches his eyebrows innocently.]

What? Teaching people about baseball?

[aliased]

I like to go exploring. [ pause.] How do you play baseball?

[starspangled]

Really? Where do you like to explore?

[He smiles at her. Oh no, she's cute.]

You play it with a ball and a stick, and you get to run around bases.

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[enthraller]

[Oddly enough, baseball does exist in medieval fantasy not-Europe. Just...on a very small scale, introduced very recently to the Demon race as the new national sport by a dimension-hopping Japanese high-schooler. Who is, unfortunately, a Red Sox fan.

But none of that had quite made its way over to the human territories yet, and Yuuri had never gotten around to babbling at him about it, so Saralegui is still functionally a standard oblivious medieval fantasy character on this subject.]

Is that a game?

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[starspangled]

[That is unfortunate - the Red Sox part.]

It is. The basic idea of it is to hit a ball with a stick and make it around four bases before the other team touches you with the ball. Make sense?

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[choreographics]

[Truthfully he was tuning Steve out for the most part, but then he said the magic word. And it's funny, it's funny how a baseball analogy actually drives the point home and so he finally chimes in when he's done listening.]

Solid advice. You're right...we could all use that kind of reminder. [And he's also right, baseball is a lot more fun than fighting, even though he's getting better at the latter.]

But I'm all in for baseball if you ever want to put a game together when winter's gone. I didn't think I'd miss it after I quit playing, but it'd be nice to get back to it.

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[starspangled]

I'm glad other people feel the same way.

[Steve's probably a better soldier than a shortstop. The most he could really do before the serum was throw a ball back and forth with Bucky and talk about the latest game.]

I'll keep that in mind. It'll give us something to look forward to. What position did you play?

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[tacticalturtleneck]

Who needs baseball when you have lacrosse? Seriously, baseball is for people who like to take fifteen minute naps every five minutes. Why don't you back something more action packed?

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[starspangled]

Sorry, I'm not familiar with lacrosse. And people see plenty of action here as it is. I thought I might talk about a sport that was a little something more.

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[vaccinations]

Baseball is... the one with the bases and shit, right? You run around and score hits?

I've seen the stadium. Or at least I think that's the baseball stadium.

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[starspangled]

That's right. You've never seen a game?

[red_branch]

I'd try baseball. You got the time to teach?

[starspangled]

I'd be happy to. Just need to find a few pieces of equipment, or something close enough to it.

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[cerebral]

[Steve, you are talking about so many of his favourite things.]

That's a wonderful way of putting it. [It even gets a smile, an occurrence that's starting to become more and more frequent these days. But on to the subject at hand - ] It's been a good few years. I had to give up following it when I moved to England - it's not like they really cover it on the wireless there, and then I never really picked it up when I moved home.

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[starspangled]

Internet?

[Because he's been corrected on that so many times.]

I thought they had everything on there.