video | un: captamerica

[mstitel]

WHO: James Rogers & You!
WHERE: Gemini
WHEN: February 5th
WHAT: James has a proposition and a question for the network!
WARNINGS: Talk of death and grieving practices and.... I mean, it's James. There's no way the robot apocalypse won't come up.

[The camera clicks on to a view of a chair in front of a desk in a slightly cluttered room in Meropide. It's clear some effort went into tidying it up, but there's still a few shirts and socks strewn over the place and the wall is a mess of overlapping posters of various scenic views and national parks. James is partially in frame, adjusting the camera angle before stepping back, seemingly satisfied, and going to take a seat.

He's in his Captain America outfit, a blue-black top with a red star stitched into it, his hair combed back nice and neat-- he's in work mode, not chaotic little cat gremlin mode.]

So... hi. For those of you who don't know, I'm James Rogers. I came here from a different world last September, so I guess I'm what people would call an... isekai? [It's so obvious he's never said that word out loud in his life.] Anyway, that's not-- ... what I'm trying to say today.

[He makes a face, takes a deep breath, squares himself up a little more in his chair, and...]

My home world is one of many that we know of. We've been dealing with alternate realities for a long, long time. With worlds that become entirely new realities based on a single decision or a won or lost battle-- the place I was before Kaisou, I was living and dealing with three completely different versions of the guy who raised me. So situations like this aren't that uncommon for me.

And at home-- we have a team. A group of people with extraordinary abilities who came together to help fight unthinkable forces and just to help the people of the cities they lived in. In my world, I'm the leader of that team, and in the place I was before this, I helped put together another branch of it. I'd really like to do that here, too, but...

[EXHALE] I guess I just really don't want to step on any toes, and you guys have been really organized here. It's nice to see.

Because of that, I just want to know if there are any other people around my age with abilities or powers either from their worlds, or from Kaisou, who want to get together to train and maybe form a response squad in times of danger. My... father believed that the most dangerous thing people with abilities can do is not know how to use them, and I know I've gotten some weird abilities since living here that I definitely didn't have in my world.

So, if anyone wants to join the Avengers-- or at least the Kaisou branch of them, let me know! I'm sure with all the spirit realms and places constantly showing up around the city, we can find a place or two to get together and figure things out.

[This is, by far, the most anyone has ever heard James speak at once. Seems the boy can channel his father when he needs to! But as he leans forward to turn the camera off, he pauses, and sheepishly adds a little aside--]

Oh, and... for anyone who isn't interested, maybe I can just ask you a question. What... do people typically do to honor those who have died, here?

Comments

video

[prunedworlds]

"Oh, I bet there's lots of people like that here!"

She said, as if she arguably weren't one of them.

"Though for your other question... I think that depends a lot on where someone's from? And what they believe in, that sort of thing."

[mstitel]

"Yeah, I figured that'd be the case," he says, as if he doesn't live in an underwater city full of constantly spreading lycanthropy. "And it's a lot easier to figure powers out in groups-- you never know when you might find someone with abilities like yours, right?"

At least, that's how the Avengers used to be. Sets of mentors and trainees, people with explosive powers finding safety with the more established superheroes that had fought through emerging powers long ago.

"I'm... just kind of curious about all of it, honestly. I have someone I want to honor, but my world isn't exactly... great. When it comes to that."

[prunedworlds]

"I suppose that's true... I guess I've always been used to figuring out what to do with what other people could do..."

She said that thoughtfully, and with near complete obliviousness to the fact that there were a few things about her own expertise that could be read between the lines, there. She was maybe, slowly, starting to get a little bit better about it, but the inferiority complex ran deep with Ritsuka.

"Well, I don't know much about here in America, but back in Japan you'd usually leave offerings and things at someone's grave. Or maybe just make a small shrine."

[mstitel]

"You should join, then. Seriously, I just want to make a safe space for people with abilities to learn what they can do to help others, or just themselves."

At least... that's going to be the start of it. It'd be really nice for James to know of people who can have his back the next time the spirit realms spirit people away or send floods of monsters into the city. And just, you know, see if there are people here that want to help but aren't sure they can be a part of the bigger organizations.

"Can you make a shrine for someone who doesn't have a grave, here?"

[prunedworlds]

"You think so? I mean, I don't know if I'd really be able to help much..."

This wasn't just downplaying her abilities, mind, she really did have a rather narrowly specific sort of thing she excelled at. And it tended to require her to be working with others to even properly utilize.

"If you want to, yeah. Even just a shelf in your room can work for setting up a small shrine." Suddenly she remembered something. "Oh! There's a goddess here, Persephone, that when she had a shrine to her built last year, she said people could use it to remember others they lost, too. Maybe you could ask if that's still okay?"

[mstitel]

"You'd be amazed what you're capable of with some support, I promise. In my world, I don't actually have any abilities, but my siblings all do. My youngest brother can shrink and grow at will, my other brother can channel electricity and... I think he's possessed by a cat spirit? And my sister is the daughter of a god with super strength and the ability to fly. Realistically, I shouldn't be the one in charge of the team, given everything else, but Tony taught me how to fight in ways that compliment me, and because of that, I can keep up with all of them."

It's strange, how easy it is to support people in times like this. Normally, James can't say two sentences without sounding incredibly awkward, but when it has to do with his team? His legacy? It's like he becomes a whole other person.

"I definitely will. Hopefully she doesn't have anything against Asgard, though."

video; un: captainkenway

[jackdawvision]

Eh, the more the merrier. We could certainly do with more people who can help. [Although he privately worries about James leading the team, he's so damn young.] The Black Order's only just started to pull itself back together after last year, and they've still a stain on their name. POKEGO's better, but they're somewhat more focused on learning. Between you and the Aides du Meropide, it's a good idea to have more options.

[And maybe the Assassins should be another option. Hm. Maybe he could find a place around here that could serve as a bureau...?]

You mentioned your father's belief, in the danger of those who've no idea how to use their abilities. Might I make a suggestion? Cygnus Academy has training grounds you can use.

As for your question...

[There's a heavy silence, and Edward sets the phone to the side for a moment, leaning back on his palms. He thinks of Mary, her body in his arms, so light. So light.]

D'you know the song, "The Parting Glass"?

[mstitel]

In my world... there used to be teams set up everywhere in the world, sometimes multiple in the same state, guarding and helping the biggest cities. I know Kaisou isn't that big, but with everything that happens and the way the spirit realm... takes people, sometimes...

[He just lets out a slow breath.]

I think helping more people be ready, in case that happens, is safest for everyone.

[He does give Edward a relieved little smile, though. The boy's nervous about this, though he's trying not to show it.]

I'll look into Cygnus. Thanks, Edward. [But....] It's probably best to just assume I don't know about anything that isn't classic rock and stories about the 1980s.

[An education by Tony Stark is a strange one, indeed.]

[jackdawvision]

[That sounds very, very similar to the Assassins.]

It ain't, but with how often something happens around here, it'd be safer to have more teams around than the Black Order's and POKEGO's Kaisou branches, with different specialties and purposes. The Aides have the right idea, but they're more of a proper guild for professionals. You're proposing a group meant primarily for training those just coming into their powers. You're not stepping on any toes, James, you've identified a true need.

[Good kid. His father and his guardian would be proud of him. Edward's proud of him, though he's not sure if he has the right to be.

He chuckles.]

Fair point. All right. It's an old song even by my time, about parting from friends for the last time. There's...hang on, there's covers of it on YouTube. Here's one. [And he picks his phone up again to send a link to James.] A friend of mine, Anne Bonny—she sang it once, before I left my days as a pirate behind. I thought of it as something of a funeral dirge, for those we knew once.

[mstitel]

The Aides are kind of what inspired this, actually. [He shifts, his hand automatically moving to the shield projector on his other arm, a little bit of awkwardness coming back in as he thinks.] I'm a part of the Aides, too, but... I dunno. It just never feels right to me to live in a world without the Avengers in some form.

[But James does take a moment to listen to that song, sitting with his eyes closed as he soaks in the words. Until finally, softly...]

... she'd probably hate that. [Weird, how fondly that's said, with a smile pulling at his lips.] I'll have to learn it.

[jackdawvision]

I know that feeling. [How strange, to be the only Assassin. How off-putting and lonely. He gets it.] Like...you expect to be surrounded with them, aye? If there used to be so many of them. That never quite goes away.

[Sometimes Edward turns to the side because he catches sight of a hood in the crowd, and for a moment he thinks he's spotted another Assassin. And then he remembers where he is, the impossibility of it, and breathes out again.

Other times he catches a flash of red hair, or hears a Bristol drawl, or sees dark hair and a red bandana, and for a moment he's twenty-two again and all his friends are still alive. Then he blinks, and he remembers.

And since it falls unto my lot, that I should rise and you should not...]

Mm. It's a good song. I can send you the lyrics, though the melody tends to vary depending on who's singing it and the mood they're conveying. But, well—you asked what we do to honor the dead. This song is one way—it asks us to remember them when we part.

There's a bit I always liked. [He coughs, then sings the line himself:] I'll gently rise and softly call, good night and joy be with you all.

[mstitel]

[There's a sad, aching feeling clawing at James' chest, hearing Edward sing that song, remembering the echoes of the video he'd linked to him in the wake of it.

He's never really thought too much about music, there was always something else to focus on, back home. But... there really is emotion in it that he can't quite figure out.]

... do you... mind if I ask who you're singing about? [Strange-- James has never felt much like a kid, even when he was one. And yet, asking Edward this now...

He hasn't felt this small since he was a toddler, clinging to a shaking railing as his entire world was destroyed.]

private | voice | un: silhouetto

[threebetrayals]

[...you know what. He'll ask the kid some questions and hear him out.

(Kuni you are barely older than he is)]

What did the Avengers do?

private | voice

[mstitel]

[Oh man, here we go--]

In my world, they were a defense team. They started out as individual people who protected their part of the world coming together against a global threat, and eventually they found out that they worked well enough together to sit down and create a more organized team. They responded to threats that were too big for individuals and worked beyond borders and allegiances to make sure that people stayed safe from extraterrestrial, supernatural, or power-based threats.

They... became symbols, kind of. People that meant strength and security, but not in a way that inspired fear. Some of them were royalty in different countries, some of them were completely un-powered, just genius inventors and skilled fighters, and others were what our world called mutants-- people born with different powers and appearances. It-- ah... [... he's rambling, isn't he?]

... sorry, I guess you can just say that they defended people.

[threebetrayals]

Do they have to be symbols, or were there some who were just in the background?

[mstitel]

There were plenty in the background-- my mom was one of those, until the rest of the Avengers made her come into the spotlight. But there were thousands of superheroes that were a part of the Avengers, by the end. Some of them were only known by a handful of people, and even more of them worked fully in secret.

But that was my world, not here. If there are people that don't want to be in the spotlight but still want to train or help when they can, that's honestly great.

There's also the option of setting up codenames and secret identities, if you're worried about things like that. My mom was known as Black Widow for almost her entire career, instead of her actual name.

[threebetrayals]

Black Widow, and she didn't kill your father? Impressive.

[What is tact?]

Codenames sound too messy, and with this city no one will remember them anyway. [He does not know about Shroud.] I might be interested in helping out, but I'm not letting my face and name be plastered everywhere or whatever.

UN: Shroud | Video

[whiteshroud]

[Ah, he was wondering if James would do something like this. Honestly, it reminds him a bit of what the XRC would do back in his past life.

He should respond to this in an official capacity.]

It's a good idea. There are many souls who wish to protect this city and its inhabitants, so it'd be good to have something organized.

[that being said]

I won't be involving myself. Seal Knights have their set of rules regarding which matters they can involve themselves. We're meant to deal with matters that lie outside of humanity's purview.

Besides, I wish to see what you will be capable of, Avenger.

[mstitel]

[Oh, it's this guy. James has seen him around the network before, has... honestly been watching for him. There's something strangely familiar about him, but not in the sense that he knows who Shroud is, just... in that he reminds him so much of the world he was born into. The world before Ultron.]

I didn't expect you to, honestly, but I'm glad you saw this. [Come on, James. This is your first actual dealing with another superhero in this world. You can do this.] If whatever the Avengers become can help the next time the city's in danger, we will. I won't force anyone to fight, of course, but you can always keep me in mind, at least.

[But it's obvious how much Shroud's last words mean to James. The way they light a fire in his eyes, the way he puffs his chest up with pride.

Being an Avenger means a lot to him.]

[whiteshroud]

[ "I'm glad you saw this". Jun is real glad that he's wearing the shroud during this conversation, because man he's feeling the urge to hide under a rock at the notion of being perceived. Seal Knights prefer to stay in the shadows, to go unnoticed - so getting this kind of reaction from someone he hasn't really spoken to makes him scream internally.

But he manages to keep his cool, only giving a slight nod]

I look forward to seeing the results.

[He'll turn off the feed then, as he's said all he wanted to say. What comes of the Avengers was up to this young man and the people who join up with him]

un: steadyflame; video

[reignitions]

It's a good idea, and I think the more people who are able to help, the better.

[Shio's working on something in the kitchen as he responds to this, and he has a fond little smile on his face.]

I've been setting up my restaurant as a safehouse when a big, city-wide disaster hits like the one last November, but we don't always need that, necessarily, so I'd be happy to do more to help. Plus, if you need somewhere to meet up, secure or otherwise, I can provide that.

[mstitel]

Exactly-- having too many people to help out if there's an emergency is much better than having no one.

[He's a little distracted, though, leaning in towards his phone to see what Shio's doing.]

Really? That'd be great, and I'd pay you for whatever food we eat. [Even if that means he'll have to finally get a full job. Maybe he should really take that historical actor offer for Edward's museum seriously...] I'm still getting used to food not prepared by a computer... what kinds do you have?

[reignitions]

Exactly. And personally, I don't think it'd hurt to have different groups to handle different levels of threats.

[When he notices James is trying to see what he's doing, he angles the camera just enough to give him a glimpse--he's currently making gyudon.]

The restaurant serves Japanese food. My parents started it out with primarily serving soba, but the menu's been expanding over the years.

[mstitel]

Huh... [James is just staring at what Shio's showing him, looking absolutely enthralled.] I don't think I've ever actually seen food being made that isn't just in one big pot...

[.... and honestly, that settles it.]

Do you mind if I come by and take a look-- I mean, gotta check out the place, right?

[And try literally everything on the menu.]

[reignitions]

[He smiles a little, picking his phone up and sending over the address.]

It's called Gen, we're in the university district.