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abraxasooc2022-01-20 09:31 am
abraxasmods) wrote in abraxasooc2022-01-20 09:31 am
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TEST DRIVE MEME #5
TEST DRIVE MEME
Welcome to the fifth test drive meme for Abraxas! This meme is run a little bit differently than most in that you'll be asked to choose one of the three different arrival scenarios below for your character to take. If you have any questions about this mechanic or anything else related to the TDM, please take a look at the questions below or ask one of your own under the Questions header below. For general game questions please still use the FAQ.
Our Setting pages are full of information on the world of Abraxas, and an overview of the story so far can be found on our Game History page! Anything on that page - including information about the Horizon and the Singularity - can be assumed to be told to newcomers after they arrive, no matter which faction they are received in. For more information on Ambrose and the apprentice mages, Marlo, and Rowan, please see our NPCs page.
You can also find answers to questions asked on previous TDMs in their respective questions threads— 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Arrival
You awaken suspended in the abyss, silent darkness stretching out in all directions. If you try to yell, you'll find that the sound doesn't carry. If you try to move, you'll find it's impossible to tell whether or not you're actually getting anywhere. If you reach for an item you were carrying last time you remember being awake, your hand will only touch bare skin.
You're naked and floating helplessly through the void, and what little air you have in your lungs is running out.
There's a pinprick of light that almost looks like a faraway star but as it grows it becomes clear that it's actually quite close. Through the opening you can see a bright room, but it's hard to make out any individual objects, as if you're looking from beneath rippling water.
Scenario One: Welcome to Thorne
A hand plunges through and you realize water is just what it is. Whether you take hold of the hand or not it will grab you and yank you up through the surface, lifting you out until you're sprawled on solid ground. Once you catch your breath, you can get a better look at the surroundings: tall trees and even taller stone pillars surround the platform you're laying on. Behind you is an ornate fountain, the base of which is so deep and so dark you might be compelled to scramble away from it lest it suck you back in to that endless abyss. Ahead of you are the walls of a large castle with several tall towers reaching up towards the sky.
If you had any powers, they feel unusually weak. Attempts to use magic or enhanced strength or powers of any sort fizzle out without any effect, but they don't feel completely gone, either.
Set into an indent on a marble slab behind the fountain is a card bearing the image of one of the arcana.
An apprentice mage - the one whose hand lifted you out of the fountain - brushes the water off on their robes and runs back to join a group of three others, who all stare intently at a mage with highly decorated robes and a large, heavy book. He peers up at you for a moment and starts flipping through the book.
"One moment," he says, not bothering to look up from the tome. He looks tired. "I am Ambrose Rhett, the High Mage of the Kingdom of Thorne. We’ll explain everything in a moment, but for now, please calm down. You’re completely fine."
Regardless of your response, he keeps flipping through the pages, until he stops on one specific passage, stares at it for a moment, and then sighs with relief:
"Finally!"
Ambrose's expression brightens, relief visible across his features. He waves one of the apprentices over with a fine silk tunic, pants, and some basic sandals and with a wave of his hand they reshape to fit you perfectly.
"Oh, thank heavens," he says, closing the book and approaching you with a sort of worn-out relief. “I was beginning to believe we’d never get it exactly right.”
Now that he's not hunching over the book, he doesn't seem quite so stuffy and inapproachable. The apprentices all seem to visibly relax, and the one that handed you the tunic stops to take the tarot card down from the marble slab. If you show any curiosity about the card, they'll let you take a longer look, but won't let you touch it.
"Please, come with me," he says, motioning for you to follow him towards the castle. "As promised, my pupils will explain your current situation. And, ah - if you had any magic of your own, or other special abilities you can't access right now, fear not, they'll return within the week. The summoning takes a lot out of you."
One of the apprentices steps forward and rattles on and on about the castle, Thorne itself, the names of a bunch of royals and nobles, and of course, your reason for being here. The Kingdom and the world itself is in great peril, and tales of your exploits have reached far and wide across universes. If asked about these exploits, the apprentice will simply smile and shrug. The High Mage was happy to see you and that's good enough.
Once inside the castle you're taken to the North Wing, which has been set up as living quarters for you and your fellow newcomers. There are four people to a room, but each generously-sized bed has opaque curtains that can be drawn around it. You can meet your roommates here and discuss your shared situation (those who were previously brought in may have a great deal of information to tell you), or you can wander around and meet the others.
There's also a dining hall stocked with a rotating 24/7 buffet in celebration of the new honored guests. Somehow, your very favorite food is part of the rotation (or at least an attempted recreation of it given the limited technology available to the Thorneans). The town surrounding the castle is all abuzz as well, with most shops and services willing to give free samples of their wares to the new arrivals.
You may also notice that your sign is embroidered on your tunic: the same image you saw on the card from before with the name of the sign itself beneath it. If you ask the castle residents, they'll tell you a little bit about your sign (and will mostly stick to the positives, although some might point out the negatives).
Last (and, if you ask anyone else in the castle, least) there is a worn stone staircase leading underground to the dungeon. You can go there, if you wish, but all powers are restricted in the dungeons and most of the cells stand empty.
Scenario Two: Welcome to Cadens
You find yourself pulled from the water by a pair of strong hands. Dry warmth hits you at once as you're set on a warm hard floor. As your senses return you realize you're on dull ruddy stone and surrounded by strangers. Men and women in unfamiliar uniforms of brown and red leather stand in a semi-circle around a small pool of water. The very pool you were just pulled from. The water is still now, rimmed in pale gold tiles with odd symbols etched into them. Across it on the far side is a raised pedestal with a card propped on it. The card bears an arcana symbol.
You feel weak. Drained. Any abilities or magical powers you have seem far away and impossible to access. You're in what looks like a cave lit by dozens and dozens of torches set into the wall. There's no furniture or decoration to be seen besides the pool. It's almost uncomfortably warm and there's the sound of rushing wind somewhere in the distance. Flickering shadows obscure the faces of the guards. A robed woman stands off to the side, looking at you anxiously and then to the authoritative woman standing before you. She's grinning, dressed in a fancier uniform than the others. There's a sword at her hip. A guard covers you with a blanket and returns to their place in the semi-circle.
The woman with the sword gives a nod of approval and smiles warmly.
"Sorry about the circumstances."
She gives you a good hard look before standing again.
"Take a minute, catch your breath, you've had quite a shock. Take it nice and easy. I'm Prime Minister Marlo Reiner and you're in The Free Cities. That nice lady over there will explain everything to you and get you settled." A nod to the robed woman off to the side.
Marlo Reiner steps back and the robed mage approaches to help you up.
"Come with me, please." She brings you out of the cave through a corridor that angles upwards until you emerge in what looks like some kind of storage facility. Shelves of wooden boxes and cloth bags line them, unidentifiable parts of what might be machines are tucked into corners and propped against shelving units. "This is one of the Free Cities' outposts," the mage explains as she leads you. "We're honored to have you with us, I'm sure you have many questions but please save them. You need to recover!"
You'll learn you're in the Cadens Desert Outpost 003, a military outpost on the outskirts of Cadens city. You're brought to a room in the barracks that's been prepared. Each barracks room is rather sparse and utilitarian. Six simple beds set against the wall, three on each side of the room, each with a trunk at the foot of it. You're told the world is in a delicate and dangerous times and you're needed to help. You're important, you're told, and they're very grateful you're here.
You're asked to stay close for the time being, but to make yourself at home. The outpost is more a proper military base than the name implies, with full facilities. The barracks have a communal bathing room at the end of the hall, with curtains that can be pulled around the individual raised round tubs for privacy. There's a mess hall that has food available from sun up till a few hours after sundown. You're even encouraged to make use of the training grounds, if you'd like, with non-lethal training weapons available for use and obstacle courses set up. And the city of Cadens is only a couple of hours away by wagon - though you're asked initially to please be back at the outpost within a few hours of the sun going down.
For your own safety.
Scenario Three: Welcome to Solvunn
The feeling of floating is the first sense that comes to you as the edges of unconsciousness start to ebb. Sunlight filters through the rippling water as you open your eyes, making you squint. Before you have the chance to panic and inhale, firm hands grasp your arms and pull you to the surface of the water. Moments later, soft warmth is wrapped around your shoulders as you're guided on unsteady legs out of a pool of water. You're lowered to the soft grass. Men and women in simple garments with lavish embroidery stand by, waiting with bated breath, glancing seriously at an old man in an ornate robe. He holds an old leather-bound book in one hand and in the other is a card bearing an arcana symbol. His eyes move quickly over the page, and he mumbles idly to himself.
Any strength you may have possessed feels as though it has slipped through your fingers. Any abilities or magical powers you have don't come to the surface no matter how hard you try. You're in a grassy clearing in the midst of a circle of large stone slabs stacked to look like doorways. In the middle is the same glimmering pool you were just pulled from. A gentle breeze blows through, carrying the scent of flowers and herbs from an ornately decorated altar set off in front of one of the stone doorways. The mage closes his book and steps out of the water, addressing a matronly old woman. Behind her are two younger people, a rough-looking man, and a meek young girl, both of whom are also watching the mage.
“I detect no ill will from the gods, it seems we've been blessed with success.” Those that had gathered all breathe a sigh of relief and now seem pleased.
The old woman smiles and steps forward, offering to take your hands and help you stand. “Any gift the gods give us is one we will happily take. I'm certain you have many questions, and they will all be answered in time. For now, rest and know you will be taken care of.”
She pats the top of your hand and steps away with a serene smile, letting one of the others come forward with some clothes that seem to fit you perfectly. The rough-looking man from before steps forward once you're decent and motions with his head outside of the stone circle. His speech is informal, his consonants harsh.
“Hold your horses, I can see all those questions coming about! Rowan March, at your service. I'm one of the council members of Solvunn. There's a lot to discuss, but it's best talked about over a hot meal.” He leads you to a horse-drawn carriage and helps you up into the back. He talks the entire ride to the settlement.
You find out you are in the Primary Settlement, the first of three that make up Solvunn's great territory. The settlement is situated between two lakes and is humming with life. You're brought to the center of town and escorted to an apartment above one of the establishments in town. Rowan explains that the living conditions are temporary if you'd like them to be, that local families would also be happy to host you in their home. That there are others like you who have also taken up residence within the three settlements. You're told that the world hangs upon the brink of disaster and that there are those in this world that are happy to see it fall to ruin with their meddling.
You're important. The gods have graced them with your presence. They're delighted you're here. Welcome to Solvunn.
Everything you need has been provided in this humble apartment, and if it hasn't, there are shops that line the streets and a marketplace in the center of town. Owners of some establishments or stalls are more than happy to give out samples or barter with your time for their goods. Babysitting can be a very lucrative business. You're told of the other settlements, that they'd like you to stay here for now, but if you can find a family to host you, the secondary and tertiary settlements are best to get to with an escort.
There are tales of travelers visiting the secondary settlement without invitation disappearing without a trace. The gods are as hungry as they are protective, young traveler.
You’ll find that there are more than enough activities to throw yourself into to better settle into your new life in Solvunn. Work is done in the first part of the day so that families can spend the rest of it together in leisure and work on their crafts - whatever those may be. For those children who are not of school age, they need nannies or storytellers, and there’s always a gaggle of them running about unsupervised. Families with livestock can always take a spare hand, especially since farms are so spread out, they have a tendency to wander. Whatever skills you may possess can always be of use to the community or to honor the gods.
If any of these options are no good for your lifestyle, the main roads between settlements can always use a bit of monster clean-up… just make sure you don’t go alone.
How many slots are open?
Currently, there are 23 slots open for new players. We will process activity check before opening applications, so we will have a better idea of the exact count then. Existing players can apply for a second character without restriction.
How do I choose a scenario for my character?
Pick whichever situation appeals to you most. Which faction your character is drawn into has nothing to do with their personal morality, beliefs, or how highly they regard themselves and their own accomplishments. Anyone can be put into any one of the situations.
Can I try out more than one scenario?
You can! But please keep in mind that only the one you eventually choose can be game canon, if you decide to keep any of your TDM threads.
What happens if my character refuses to comply with the NPCs?
They will be forgiven for their moment of panic or anger if they have one, and the faction leaders will try to calm them and persuade them further. If they put up too much of a fight and/or start actively attacking anyone, they will be warned once that everyone is willing to put them back in the well where they came from (see below), and if they continue to fight they will make good on that promise.
My character intends on causing a lot of trouble (destroying parts of the cities, murdering the NPCs, etc.), what would happen to them?
Characters who make too much trouble for the mages and other NPCs would be thrown back in the well (which will mean drowning in the void, not returning home). Brawling with other PCs and causing minor damage is fine and will be greeted with a cranky attitude and intervention from various NPC guards, and there will be plenty of opportunity for destruction and murder later, but for now the Abraxans have no desire to keep huge liabilities around.
I want to wildcard a prompt or use one of the prompts from an earlier TDM that isn't on this one (eg. the library), can I do that?
Yes, in terms of the settings. As Thorne is no longer imprisoning any newcomers, that option is no longer applicable.
Is the power loss for characters permanent?
No, but it does take a week or so for their powers to be back in full, and certain powers (determined on a case-by-case basis) may require nerfs. If your character has world-breaking powers, please discuss with the mods what modifications may be necessary.
Can my character leave the bounds of the faction?
In Thorne, characters can leave the castle but not the city. In Cadens, they can take a trip from the outpost to the city. In Solvunn, they can explore the entirety of the Primary Settlement.
Can my character eventually change factions?
Yes. While the faction borders are currently closed, there will opportunities in the future for characters to relocate. For the time being, they are stuck where they are.
How much will my choice of scenario affect my character's plot later on?
This choice will determine where your character initially lives as well as the bias of the information they receive from NPCs (although other PCs can and most likely will give it to them a bit more straight). This decision - and every other major decision you make in game! - will also be used to flavor some mod surprises that will be coming down the line.
Don't get too anxious about this choice, though; this is just one choice you'll get to make in a game that has a lot of them, and every character in every scenario can work their way towards many, many individual goals and outcomes. You're not locking yourself out of anything in the future via the choice you made on the TDM. It will primarily impact the immediate future with the far-reaching effects being up to each player.
Are TDM threads mandatory for my application?
No, you may use other samples, but we encourage you to post to the TDM and get a feel for this game and its mechanics before you join. If you do not have a TDM thread you will still need to choose one of the three scenarios on your application.
What if I haven't settled on a sign yet?
You can ignore sign-related prompts if you're undecided (or try out different signs in different threads).
Can my character go to the Horizon?
First time visitors to the Horizon must be taken there by other characters, through either shared meditation or a physical journey to the Singularity, and all first-timers experience memory loss. For the purposes of the TDM, we suggest against using the Horizon.
What about making use of the network?
Much like Horizon they would need to be introduced to it by another PC, as no NPCs would be aware of the network or be able to access it. Because of this we would advise against using this mechanic for TDM top-levels.
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no subject
They're definitely on hugging terms — he gets a solid grip of Sam's hand and returns the hug, though with a little less intent enthusiasm in the squeeze factor. Probably red flag number one that they aren't exactly on the same page.
When they pull back, he's wearing a more serious expression. Brow knit, appropriately perplexed for how unbelievable the situation is. )
Well, they didn't exactly pull me out of that well with a cell phone.
( He was buck ass naked, pun intended. He doesn't exactly keep his phone stored up his— )
I didn't know you were here. I don't even know where the hell here is, exactly.
no subject
Doesn't really matter. You're just lucky I Welcome Wagon all the new kids, or you would've been stuck here for probably another week. Here- let's grab your shit, I can take you back to the city.
[ and if bucky is watching (sam is pretty sure he is), he'll probably notice the way sam's eyes will glance up and over bucky's shoulders, back to another set of doors, where a couple of guards are walking. back to the city is going to be their safest bet, and as sam's eyes return to bucky, he shoots him an almost apologetic look. ]
But here is kind of. Complicated. [ sam lets out a breath. ] Short answer is that we're on a different world; or planet, or- sphere, depending on what vocab you wanna use. Here here- [ sam gestures to the building around them. ] Is a set of barracks outside of Cadens, which is the Capital City of a kind of kingdom called the Free Cities- one of three major ones in this place.
I can walk and talk if you wanna grab anything you've got back in your bunk.
[ aka - there are things he wants to get into that they probably. shouldn't. not where anyone can hear them. ]
no subject
Granted, it'd take a few days for that to really catch up with him, but it still isn't his idea of a good time.
One thing's immediately clear: Sam's been here a while. Therein comes his first spike of concern.
Well, his first spike not related to being in god damn Middle Earth. )
I don't have anything. Let's go.
( He's ready to get the hell outta here. Especially considering he slightly accidentally almost choked out a guard when they first pulled him out of the water. Not starting out making friends, apparently. Best to migrate away.
Walk and talk's a solid plan; they fall into step, with him following Sam's lead.
Question number one comes coupled with a thorough, searching look. )
How long?
no subject
bucky agrees and falls into step next to him and sam notices his own sense of it- of falling into place. of having someone at his side again. sam leads them out of the training yard and through the halls, keeping alert but remaining relatively relaxed through it. there's no immediate threat, but sam knows where this conversation will end up going, and he'd rather not do it around the guards.
he can feel bucky's eyes on him and despite sam's best efforts to seem calm, his jaw tightens, a muscle jumping. no matter how many people he finds, no matter how many people he meets, it doesn't get easier. saying it to bucky, too, feels different - if only because bucky was the last person he really saw back home, other than sarah. his nephews. sam keeps walking, his voice casual when he answers. ]
About nine months, give or take.
[ and then, because sam doesn't really want to linger on it, he glances to his side at bucky. ]
You know how to ride a horse, right?
no subject
Of course I know how to ride a horse.
( Except maybe... a little too defensively.
So, here's the thing.
Horses kind of freak him out a little. )
no subject
Good- cause it's either horse or cart around here, and I only brought a horse.
[ he shrugs and keeps walking. he'll let you hold onto your pride at least for a little bit, buck. but there is only one direction they're heading in, so sam's down to let bucky face this little hole he's started digging. ]
This entire place is stuck pre-industrial revolution. There's some magic, and a little bit of tech, but we're not at electricity yet around here so you'll get to put your hobbit trivia to use.
no subject
Good. Fine.
( Maybe just like .5 seconds too quickly, and with a little shake of his head — look how fine he is and how much he's judging you for thinking he could possibly be not fine.
If he's slightly grumpier now it's completely unrelated.
He does heave a sigh at pre-industrial revolution. Yeah, he picked up on that already. He mumbles unhappily: )
I'm really gonna miss that Netflix subscription. I just figured out the app like a week ago.
( Gone too soon, and halfway through the first season of Game of Thrones. Didn't even get the chance to catch up with pop culture all the way. )
no subject
oh well. they'll figure it out soon enough.
for now, sam sighs, reaching out to pat bucky on the shoulder once. ]
I know, man. I know. [ pat pat. he was doing such a good job in being brought up to this century too. all that work... ] Between you and me, I would do some pretty bad things for a refrigerator at this point.
[ they're out of the main buildings now and in the surrounding yard. sam keeps leading them, and bucky might notice a wave or two as they pass by certain guards, certain people, certain other summoned. this will keep up until they pass through everyone and start towards the stables. ]
Long ago did they pull you through?
no subject
Sam being on Friendly Wave basis is not even remotely surprising. At most, it earns a little flat-lipped expression and an autopilot assessing glance at everybody who waves back.
He remembers being a people person back in the days of yore. That's a big nope from him now. )
Couple hours. Long enough to give me the summary of a summary of practically no information and show me the mess hall.
( And steal a couple knives, but he'll keep that part to himself.
They approach the stables, and his brisk clip beside Sam noticeably slows into something just a hair warier — much like his expression as they pass by a few horses with their noses half-buried in hay, happily minding their own business.
At least, that's what they want you to think. )
no subject
is sam also one more frustrating grocery trip away from just deciding to go full caveman diet and only eat the meat geralt brings back for him after his hunting trips? probably. because good lord the markets get so annoying... anyway. side notes. he's been here too long because those are somehow the things he ends up thinking about.
he nods. alright - not too long then. part of him feels a bit better at that. ]
Yeah, they're not great about getting everyone up to speed. But what can you expect from a military-first country on the brink of war. [ they're far enough away from the main compound that sam feels a bit easier about bringing this sort of thing up. he even appears a little more relaxed, though it'll be a little more until he really thinks they're good to go.
which may be a little longer, considering the noticeable slowing and sudden tension through him. sam, upon seeing it for himself, slows to a stop and turns to face him. ]
What's up? [ and then he puts the pieces together, looking over his shoulder to the stables and then back to bucky - watches where his eyes follow. sees where they settle. thinks back to the very, very defensive way he'd answered. sam doesn't snort, exactly, but there is some humor in his voice. ] Don't tell me you're scared of horses, Buck. Come on.
no subject
Military-first country on the brink of war.
Hearing it put like that puts a sudden understanding and sense of resignation in his bones. Of course it is. That's always what it is. Just another round of somebody yanking him wherever they want him to get him to fight a war.
Best to just focus on the horses right now. )
I'm not afraid of them. ( He retorts, distinctly crabby. ) I don't trust them. There's a difference.
( i s t h e r e ? )
They're like giant dogs with hoofs and dead eyes.
( Followed by a narrow-eyed look at the closest horse. )
I've ridden them before. ( A beat, and then... the more honest follow-up: ) Twice, in 1942.
no subject
and yeah, there is a lot more to talk about. about how the free cities feels about magic, what they've said and then what they've done, the whole issue with thorne, and then the singularity itself. stuff that sam's been collecting, information-wise, but also experience-wise too. things he's seen. things he's collected. people, he can trust and depend on, and those he's keeping an eye out for.
but that's all for later, once they're back and probably around a drink and some food. for now, sam is watching bucky go from slightly tense to slightly crabby, and he can't really help the way his smile kind of widens at it. ]
You don't trust horses. [ he repeats, and definitely doesn't do a good job of hiding the humor in his voice. it's the dead eyes that gets to sam, and he lets out an actual laugh at that - mostly because sam knows, better than most, the hilarity of it. of james buchanan barnes, the winter soldier, and now bucky, buck. scared of horses. stuck in the literal horse power fantasy era. oh god it's just too good.
it takes him a moment to stop, shaking his head. ] I'm sorry- I'm sorry. No, it's not that funny. I just. [ a snort of a laugh, but sam is trying to contain himself. really trying. ] I don't know what horse broke your trust. [ he is not laughing. ] But I can promise you our ride back is going to be fine. Her name is Tulip, and she knows me, we've done this route before.
[ sam takes the opportunity to turn back to the stables and move on inside, walking on over to where he has a large calico mare is tied up. once he's got his hand on her rear - cooing a kind of greeting, he'll look back to wherever it is bucky managed to get to. ]
It'll take days to walk back, man. But there might be a cart leaving here in a few hours. If you'd rather that. [ he is definitely not teasing. ]
no subject
Shut up and get on the horse.
( Jesus Christ.
If he's laughing now, wait until he actually hears the story.
Annoying thing number 2 comes right after Sam saddles up and hops on — a glaring oversight he did not consider until he's faced with it.
Namely — )
Why do you get to be in the front?
( Because it's his horse maybe? Is he being petty to procrastinate? Yes, okay. However, counterpoint — this sucks and is the worst. )
no subject
Uh-huh, whatever you say big guy.
[ and yes, sam is still laughing as he turns back to tulip and gets her all situated - habits and steps he's learned since arriving in the cities, thank you very much - and then sam saddles up.
bucky's look has his eyes rolling again, one hand stretched down for him. because whether or not he wants to be stubborn, it is their only way back into the city, so bucky's ego is just gonna have to get over it.
( and yes, sam is absolutely going to need that story. and he's going to get that story. one way or another. ) ]
Cause the last time you rode a horse was like a hundred years ago. So I'm driving; now put your foot there and grab my hand.
no subject
Fine.
( Begrudging as hell as he reaches for Sam's hand and gracefully hoists himself up. So far, so good — the horse hasn't bucked and he didn't look like an idiot on the way up. Guess they'll see how long this lasts. )
But if Tulip throws me off, I'm taking you down with me.
( Is he joking or is he serious? Let's hope they don't have to find out.
The only thing worse than having to ride a horse is having to ride it in the back seat, practically plastered to a guy's back. Somebody better be working on inventing cars around here. This is terrible. )
no subject
nope. not at all.
sam takes bucky's hand and helps hoist him up, grunting once just to make a show before making sure bucky gets settled and helping him figure out where it'll be easiest if he settles his feet here, holds onto this. then sam's attention is forward again, pulling the reins and getting tulip's attention. ]
Tulip's not throwing off anyone. But you're going to have to hold on. You fall off cause you get lazy, and I'll be waiting for you at the city gates. Full day's walk right along this road.
[ but really, it's all just a show, because tulip starts walking and while her gait is a bit faster than a leisurely stroll, it's nothing super crazy. they still have to chat, after all, and as much as he would love to force bucky to deal with the fact he's riding back seat right now, the teasing can only last so long.
sam waits until they're officially out of the compound and fully on the desert road before he starts trying to figure out where to start. what bucky would even be most interested in. ]
What were you doing before you got pulled through?
no subject
I'm the Winter Soldier. I'm not gonna accidentally fall off a horse.
( And yet, spooky Mr. Winter Soldier is apparently disgruntled by the thought of getting thrown off a horse.
It's different. Shut up.
Besides, he could totally outrun the horse there. If... he wasn't so goddamn fatigued from getting pulled through the multiverse. Whatever, it'll wear off and he could still probably beat Sam there. He'll console his ego with this internally.
Anyway, more importantly — )
Sleeping off the food coma I got from your family's cooking. Using a million dollars worth of super serum to overcome the diabetes. Call me crazy, but I'm pretty sure that wasn't nine months ago. I'm guessing this is another time travel thing?
( Add that to the ever-growing list of things he used to think were awesome in those scifi paperbacks he used to read, but have turned out to be unbelievably goddamn annoying in real life. )
no subject
Then we won't have any problems, will we?
[ it's not different - not at all - but this is extremely entertaining information that sam is going to carry with him for the rest of, probably, forever. but for all his threats and all his jokes, they both know sam's not going to leave him. especially when he doesn't know the extent that the well's "holding period" on the super soldier serum is going to have on bucky.
so instead - they get to move, two to the saddle, at this nice easy pace for however long it takes them. sam might even (secretly) have them moving a little slower than he normally would. just for bucky's state of mind.
bucky's answer has sam stilling for just a moment, because it's been a while since he's really been hit with that memory. of the cookout. the house. it's the same (or close enough) to sam's last memory, when he'd been pulled through, but just as bucky points out, that had been nine months ago. sam's playful, joking aura stills with him as he nods and just sort of starts in on it. ]
Yeah- well, kind of. Whatever it is they use to pick people and pull them through doesn't really care about timelines or universes. You remember that spider kid from the airport? He was here not that long ago, but the last thing he remembered was right before the blip. [ that had been months ago, too, back in the castle. a certified lifetime. sam keeps going. ] Tony Stark is here too, which is definitely not weird, but at least he remembers, or at last knows, what happens. [ sam was not ready to have that talk if he didn't. ] He's in another settlement though, hundreds of miles away.
That's the other thing - there are three separate governments, if you want to call them that, that are pulling people through those wells. All of them think that we're going to be able to save them, or be the solution, to the whole Singularity issue.
[ sam pauses just for a moment here, as if to make sure bucky's keeping up. ]