Video (Seelie & Hermione-Net Compass)

[starspangled]

For anyone who doesn't know me, my name's Steve Rogers. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to meet many of you at the feast. Things came up, but I at least wanted to introduce myself.

[For reasons, curiosity. Maybe he's a limited edition but he's definitely not one of a kind.]

I also wanted to talk about something else. Some of you might remember Sam Wilson - in fact, if you ever met him, I'm willing to bet that you do. Sam served two tours in the military, so he could definitely hold his own in a fight. But what he really loved to do was help people. My entire world had turned its back on me, and Sam took me in, made me bacon and eggs. That's the kind of friend I hope to be to anyone who'd call me one.

[Emphasis on 'anyone'.]

Sam's gone now, but he started working on something before he left. It's a clinic, he called it The Nest. There's some medicine and stuff there, but it was more than that. It was a place for people to come if they just needed to talk, or if they needed to rest. I never realized it before, but sometimes in a war people need that as much as they need bandaging up.

[Steve pauses there to take deep breath. Here comes the hard part.]

This is my friend's legacy, and I've tried to keep it afloat. The problem is, I don't know how. And it's hard for me to ask for help sometimes.

[He can barely even maintain eye contact. But the same thing keeps going through his head, fuels him on: for Sam.]

But if you have anything to offer...if you have medical knowledge or if you're just a good listener, even if you want somewhere else to stay. There's a place for you here.

I guess that's it. Again, welcome, and try to watch yourselves out there.

Comments

private

[wipedclean]

[Oh no he knows that look. He really does.]

Steve... do you... [He swallows.] Can I help?

[He spends most of his time with Ariadne these days, sure, but he can be at the Nest in the blink of an eye for Steve.]

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[starspangled]

[Bucky might not remember, might not realize just how hard it was for Steve to ask for help. And maybe it's better that way. Steve lifts his eyes for him, offers a smile.]

Of course you can help. I don't think I could do it without you.

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[wipedclean]

[He nods, shifts a little in his seat.]

What can I do?

video; locket

[cinnamoned]

I'm sorry, Steve. I thought it had been a bit since I heard from him. If you need a hand, I can see what I can do. At the very least, I've some basic first aid knowledge, and I can provide an ear for those who need it.

[Including him. She knows how difficult it can be to lose anyone one is close to here. This seems the least she can do in Sam's memory from their time together. Even if she didn't know him quite so well.]

video; locket

[starspangled]

I'm sorry I didn't let you know sooner. Sam...he made a lot of friends in a short amount of time. I didn't know them all.

Both of those would be welcome. You know, for someone whose ma was a nurse, I didn't learn as much as I should have.

video; locket

[cinnamoned]

It's okay. I know it would have been harder to do this closer to the time it happened. I understand that. But you're right, he did seem to make a lot of friends. I'm sure with that I'm hardly the only one offering to help if necessary.

[Oh, mothers. There's something almost guilty and bittersweet on thinking about her own. So long ago now.]

Unfortunately, we don't always get the chance or put in the initial interest to take up after our parents all the time.

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[bethany_hawke]

That sounds like a nice place.

I met your friend once. When I first arrived here, Caer Glaem was attacked by the jabber.. thing.

He risked his life to help me get people out of the castle. He carried a child in his arms when we were separated from the group.

[She isn't sure if this story is helping or hurting.]

I'm sure he'd be very pleased with your efforts.

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[starspangled]

It is - usually. I probably should've put out some feelers for a housekeeper too.

[Steve listens to her story, smiling by the end of it. It helps.]

That's Sam for you. I'm just trying to do what he'd do, because I know it would be the right thing.

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[bethany_hawke]

[She smiles.]

You must admire him a great deal.

[And Sam was very nice to her, so she can see why he would.]

He was very kind. And heroic. And handsome.

[Her eyes wrinkle with amusement.]

But saying that out-loud is harmless now.

[Since he's gone she doesn't have to get embarrassed about it, and she hopes it will at least amuse Steve enough to lift his spirits.]

Where is The Nest?

private; video

[fissions]

[ Mako is very quiet, studying him. He carries more sadness in his shoulders than anyone she's ever known, and somehow loss makes him kind.

But if he tends to others, who tends to him? She's been dropping in from time to time to check on him, to help him out with the clinic, and she knows exactly what it takes out of him to ask for help.

Her words are soft when she speaks up finally. She doesn't pity him, but she knows a cry for help (more than just assistance in running a clinic) when she hears one. ] Let's have some tea today.

private; video

[starspangled]

[He likes it when Mako drops by the clinic. Hell, he's grateful for it. She's the quiet type for sure, but there's a strength to it. A sort of comfort.

Steve smiles at the offer.]

You're sure you trust me with those little cups? You remember what almost happened the last time.

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[withoutprice]

[There is some fumbling and uncertainty with the locket before Angela seems satisfied with it. Once it's settled, she watches quietly while he speaks, still but for the curious flutter of the ribbons that trail around her.]

So that is how this enchantment works...

[The first is murmured to herself. Then:]

My thanks for the welcome. I see it comes at a difficult time.

[Her tone is neither kind nor sympathetic, but not insincere.]

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[starspangled]

Some days are better than others around here.

[Steve hesitates to call any of them "good", especially recently. War and cults and the Void, there's always something.]

How're you settling in so far? It looks like you've mastered the locket.

video; private | necklace

[boutant]

"Sometimes".

video; private | necklace

[starspangled]

[He snorts softly at that. Yeah, he's caught.]

Only on days that end with a "y".

video.

[chilledout]

[Unrelated to this video—completely unrelated, Bobby should probably not be trusted to do anything medically related—Bobby waves from his end of the locket at Steve.]

Hey there, Cap. You don't know me, apparently! Hercules mentioned that. [Who is also new to Bobby, but carrying on ...]

But I'm Bobby Drake, and I'm from a world where you and I met ... by being in the same room together that one time! Trust me. So, uh, hey. [Come to think of it, maybe he should've gone to grab Scott to make him do this.

He had something important to say, and he failed. Completely. Plus, he tried to keep it serious. That never works out.]

video.

[starspangled]

[It's the 'Cap' that catches attention instantly, but he sounds friendly enough that Steve doesn't have to wonder if this is some planet-eating enemy he's never heard of.]

I'm sorry, I don't. But it's nice to meet you now, Bobby.

[Steve smiles a little. Yeah, that was awkward, but he's no stranger to that himself.]

So you're a friend of Hercules?

video ; private.

[nibelheims]

[ normally, cloud doesn't deal too well with topics like the one steve presents to the seelie network. but it's thanks to his recent run-in with a painfully familiar face from the past that he stops at it now, and the more he listens, the more this sam wilson -- my friend's legacy -- reminds him of the person he'd seen.

he has no real comforting words, but this does raise a question for someone as newly arrived as he is. ]

Your friend, he sounds the type you don't often come by in life. [ so then, with a person like that in their ranks... ] Why would the faeries send him home? [ beat. ] Unless by gone you meant... [ well, the more permanent type of gone. in that case, he's sorry for even bringing this up. ]

video ; private.

[starspangled]

One in a million doesn't even begin to cover it.

[Steve agrees with a little smile. They just don't make 'em like Sam Wilson. The soft smile on his lips starts to fade as he thinks about the question.]

He didn't die here, if that's what you're worried about. One morning he was just gone. [He shakes his head gently.] I don't have much of an explanation for it myself, sorry.

private; (dat locket thing he's got)

[fulminants]

[ Johnny frowns faintly -- he knows Steve's sort, likes him well enough, and he's missed Sam, too, but it looks like the other guy's sadder than he lets on. ]

I can come by and help, if you like. What do you need done?

private; (dat locket thing he's got)

[starspangled]

Yeah, you can help me boil some water.

[Steve smirks a little bit before shaking his head.]

I appreciate it, but you shouldn't be this far south. It isn't worth the risk.

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[skjalf]

Well do I remember your friend, sir. With much fondness, at that. We spoke following the siege, and he understood in a fashion no one else could.

( She has identified herself as Unseelie, but she hopes it will matter not at all. Her expression draws tight, and then softens with much empathy and sorrow. )

I am so very sorry to hear of his disappearance. He was a bright light we sorely needed in this world. It is a darker place without him.

( Her tone is gentle, as she continues: )

Where is this clinic? Basic herb lore is within my ken, and I am good at listening to others. I would like to help you see his legacy thrive here.

» video - private

[starspangled]

[It doesn't matter to Steve, no will no matter how much they tell him it should. He smiles a little for her, nods gently at her condolences, but also in agreement. Any world is worse off when Sam Wilson isn't a part of it.]

It's in Treun, and I'd welcome the help on both fronts, if you feel like you could travel safely.

[Steve would protect anyone under his roof with his life, but he knows the dangers involved all around.]

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[burdenoftruth]

Steve Rogers?

[Her tone is incredulous, like she's not sure how her life brought her to this moment, where she's talking to Captain America on a magic locket.]

I mean, um, hi? I haven't been here long, but...the clinic sounds like a good idea.

video

[starspangled]

That's right. Have we met?

[Not in his world, he would've remembered. But the reason he came to the network so soon after the feast was in part for this reason - he wants to make contact with those who know him.]

The credit for that goes to Sam. Are you having any trouble settling in?