001- I WANT to know what's going on?

[wearingthestars]

Who: Billy Kaplan and OPEN
What: Exploring the power plant, the hotel, and being sick
When: First few days on Agra 10
Where: The power plant, and the hotel
Warnings: N/A will edit as needed.



The Power Plant

Because of course Billy Kaplan would immediately head away from safety and towards possible danger. Not that the weird squirrel like things are proving too much of a hazard, but he is getting pretty far from town. The path isn't too difficult to manage, but he does have the advantage of floating lazily over any fallen debris or dangers.

His feet return to the ground as he finds the power plant, head tilting curiously as he sets out to explore. There's a bunch of tools, and some strange crystal things, none of which seem of much use until he find the data point. He hesitates a moment before giving into the urge to touch it, shivering at the strange sensation and the sudden knowledge that follows.


The Hotel

Despite how run down everything is, Billy feels wrong about approaching the stores as a means of shelter. Of course, the hotel practically screams 'you-might-get-murdered-here' but beggars can't be chooser, and he's reasons maybe they'll actually be some kind of bed. His magic isn't working so great, the less he has the conjure up the better.

He tries to get handle on the layout, exploring a few floors before finding a room that seems to be more or less empty. Of people or animals that is. What it is full of is debris. Trash, broken furniture, some stuff he doesn't want to examine too closely.

While he's still got a bit of light to work with he tries to clear the worst of it out.


The Contagion

It's slow to hit him, but Billy eventually has to admit he isn't feeling great, and it's not just his powers being weaker than usual. He's hot, and sore, and increasingly paranoid, which makes it rather difficult to get him to listen to reason and stay put.

He keeps leaving his room, too sick to make it anywhere in particular but sure he needs to get out of there, suspicious of anyone who tries to approach him.

[OOC: Fine with brackets or prose, as well as present or past tense, reply how you prefer and I will match. If you want to plot stuff out first feel free to pm me here, or hit me up on plurk @
silversomber ]

Comments

[wearingthestars]

"Never been the popular kid, could be interesting," Billy notes with a teasing grin, he nods though. He hasn't quite tested the full limits on his powers here yet, but he knows using up his strength on what amounts to luxeries in a place like this probably isn't the best idea. But a little now and then shouldn't hurt anyone.

"I'll be careful," he promises, "That's good name actually. The Replicator."

[brooklyn_boy]

"Take it from someone who can't shake their name? Don't worry about it too much. Just be the Billy for now."

He exhales and looks around the demolished area and out the window to the abandoned world. Steve smiles despite himself.

"Things like this... Being dragged away from home and plopped in a new world? It's awful but it's also a chance for a new start. Chance to meet new people and figure out yourself.

"If nothing else, it's an opportunity."

[wearingthestars]

Just Billy. Knowing what he knows about his future that's kind of a relief honestly, time to just be...himself.

He smiles softly. "...You know, getting a pep talk from you is like, one of my bucket list things. Definitely lives up the hype."

[brooklyn_boy]

Okay. That has Steve laughing openly. He reaches out to give Billy's shoulder a squeeze. "Do me a favor: say that again when someone else is around? Winter will get a kick out of knowing someone wanted a lecture from me."

He shakes his head, still laughing as he turns to continue cleaning out the room. "What else is on your list? I'm happy to help."

[wearingthestars]

"Bucket list stuff?" Billy gives a small laugh, "Uh...actually get married. Move out. Probably in reverse order. Join the Avengers for real, not just in an honorary 'everyone's an Avenger' sort of way. Meet Julie Andrews. Not really sure any of that is applicable to wherever this is."

He looks curious then, 'cause how often do you get the chance to ask? "...What about you? Anything left on the list?"

[brooklyn_boy]

It's a good question. Steve considers as he dislodges a stubborn vine.

"I guess I'd like a home that's safe and secure. Retire and maybe try that marriage thing myself." The idea of it even being possible is a thrill. He can't help but grin.

"I guess that's pretty boring? Most people probably have better ones."

[wearingthestars]

"I mean...you've done a whole lot. Nothing wrong with wanting some normal for a change," Billy offers easily. Besides, he obviously has much the same ambition, at least in terms of settling down.

"Might not be so easy suck here, but- it's not a bad one."

[brooklyn_boy]

"Have you and Buck been talkin'?"

The vine comes loose and Steve looks it over, trying to figure out if it could be used for a rope or something else useful. Right now they can't just go tossing things out carelessly. Everything could be repurposed. He coils it up around his arm and sets it down.

"Back in the last place, he was a broken record. Come to think of it, lotta people were. Are." He shrugs. "For right now it's not like I have a ton of choices..."

[wearingthestars]

He laughs and shakes his head. "Not really, but I agree with him. I mean, if anyone deserves a break from all this it's you." Generations worth of fighting the good fight. You've earned your rest, buddy.

"But you being you I figure maybe that's not so easy."

Had to find out eventually...

[brooklyn_boy]

Steve smiles bashfully and ducks his head a little. It's clear Billy is a fan of his or at least knew him enough to like him in the other's universe. Steve doesn't know how he'll take the news that he'd been offered that very choice and decided to stay behind. Even now he feels selfish for even thinking about it. But there's no reason to conceal it.

"Yeah. Well...it's an easier call when you'd lose the person you love if you don't step away. I did that once and....yeah. Harder call the second time."

[wearingthestars]

The person you love? Billy runs that line over in his head a few times before he really hears it, head tilting curiously. There's an obvious conclusion that comes to mind, but he hesitates in voicing it aloud.

"...Bucky?" he asks cautiously.

[brooklyn_boy]

Oh. Right.

"Ah," he scratches at the back of his neck, cheeks a little red. "Yeah. Bucky. Not...not the one from my universe. That one is with Nat and I'm thrilled for them. Really.

"My Bucky is from another place where he was Captain America. The rest just...sort of happened."

He was worried about Billy not liking the fact that he'd almost retired. Now he has two reasons to worry.

"That alright?"

[wearingthestars]

The near retirement's a big deal too, not one he'd be mad over, but Billy was far too distracted by the other bit of information to properly process that just now.

His cheeks go a little pink, and he nods quickly. "Yeah-! No, of course-! I just...wasn't expecting that. That's great...for you," he fumbles. This really shouldn't make him as happy as it does. It's none of his business. But so few of his idols have ever been any kind of out, he can't help but feel a flash of excitement that Cap of call people is one of them.

[brooklyn_boy]

Relieved, Steve relaxes and smiles a little. His ears go red as well as his cheeks in light of Billy's clear approval and apparent happiness.

"Yeah. Yeah, I had to get a hint about us at some point, huh?" His grin widens even just thinking about the whole thing. It's still a little new even though it's also very not at the same time. "It's good though. Real good. And, yeah, leaving him behind? That...helped make a call about the whole retirement thing. Not that it seemed to matter."

[wearingthestars]

It's the sort of knowledge that might have made his early teen years a hell of a lot easier to get through, and even now it makes him feel less alone.

"The Cap I know's retired a few times." At least from the title. Though it rarely stuck for long, "I've never seen him really settle down though, so...I'm really happy for you."

[brooklyn_boy]

Steve smiles at Billy, glad to have the support. "Thanks, Billy," he says genuinely. "It's good to know that people aren't too disappointed about the shield being hung up for a little bit." Although, in reality, it was just hung up on their room's wall since Bucky had brought it along with him. Still. Symbolism.

"Did you know me well? In your universe?"

[wearingthestars]

That requires a bit of thought. Billy wouldn't say he knows him intimately, but he's not really sure how many people Cap really opens up to.

"More in a professional sense," he offers finally, "You weren't really to keen on us, at first. Thought we were too young. You totally told on me. And I don't know if you can imagine how much worse getting ambushed with the 'we need to talk' look from your parents is when it's backed up by Captain America."

[brooklyn_boy]

Steve winces as he imagines it. "Ouch," he decides. "I don't know the context of it but. I'm sorry I put you in that spot. As someone who got told on from three to eighteen... Not a great experience."

He reaches out and gives Billy's shoulder a friendly squeeze in apology.

"I promise, here we will need every hand we got so I'll be fine overlooking your age. I think Tommy might deck me if I even mention it."

[wearingthestars]

The squeeze earns a shy sort of smile, and Billy shrugs off the apology. It was years ago now, and this Steve isn't responsible for the actions of the other him.

Besides, their Cap had happily overlooked their ages as well when it came to the whole Civil War mess.

"Pro Tip- you can get on his good side if you casually drop him being the older twin into conversation."

[brooklyn_boy]

"I appreciate the advice," he says honestly. Tommy and he aren't exactly at odds but some sort of help on how to step on less landmines in their conversations is definitely welcomed.

"He is protective of you." Steve is putting that mildly. "He loves you a great deal. I'm glad that you have someone like that here with you. Family, in all forms it comes in, is a precious commodity."

[wearingthestars]

Billy glances away, but there's a happy sort of flush on his cheeks. Honestly, he worries sometimes. Tommy's been through so much, Billy's afraid he'll scare him off. To here someone who doesn't even know them note their closeness is a reassurance Billy didn't even know he needed until he hears it.

"It is," he agrees, "I feel...selfish- for how part of me was glad he was here with me, that I wasn't alone."

[brooklyn_boy]

"Don't feel selfish about that. First, it wasn't your call whether he was taken or not. Second...trust me, everyone here who has friends is relieved they're here."

Steve purses his lips for a second, wondering how far he should go in explaining things. But Billy just seems so earnest and concerned he can't help himself.

"When I was first taken...There was a Bucky that had been taken, too. One that barely knew me and barely wanted to. When the other aliens had then decided to steal Bucky from the alternate universe--one that still acted like the friend I'd lost so long ago? Yeah. I was glad. Really, really glad.

"So, believe me. No one is selfish, here. It's just natural to want the people you love with you."

[wearingthestars]

That helps more than Billy expected, some of that guilt fading, and he gives a small nod, looking grateful.

"...It's feels better knowing I'm not the only one who feels those things," he admits. His mind is slowly starting to expand from the teenaged isolation where you think every feeling and worry is unique to you and never been felt by anyone before.

[brooklyn_boy]

"Just wait until you have three versions of your brother," Steve teases. Because, yeah. He'd had three Bucky to deal with at one point and, honestly, he's still not entirely sure how he managed that. It helped that they were all so radically different. Winter is still his best friend and Bucky is...well. More than that. Hopefully if another, alternate Tommy shows up he'll be distinct.

"But, regardless, I am sure Tommy feels the same way about you being here. Don't beat yourself up."

[wearingthestars]

Billy smiles, though he's honestly not sure if there are other versions of his brother. For all their traveling between dimensions searching for Tommy, they came across countless versions of themselves, but no other Tommy's among them. He's unique, he's not sure the world could handle more than one of him.

"Thanks. That helps. And, I promise, I'm not going to become the magic vending machine that gives people whatever they need or anything, but- if there's every anything you do need..."