[Open] It's a Winter Wonderland

[hulkintraining]

WHO: Teddy, OTA
WHERE: Winter Planet
WHAT: Teddy's arrival, snowball fights, investigating the food.
WHEN: During the event, late January.
WARNINGS: N/A


a; arrival
Teddy has set a new record on how many times he can get kidnapped by aliens in a twenty-four hour period. Although, the Agrii are the first aliens who have abducted him that have neither tried to kill him nor pressure him into becoming their king. And...he really doesn't know what to do with that. In fact, he barely has time to come to terms with what he's even doing on their planet before being shipped off to another one.

This new planet looks like something out of a Christmas movie, if the movie was set during the Christmas off season. If it wasn't for the other ships lined up just outside the village, he would think the place has been abandoned. Still, it looks far more welcoming than the idea of standing out in the snow does. Teddy is not dressed for winter, clad only in a pair of dark pants and a close-fitting sleeveless top. And while he does feel the icy bite of the cold air against his skin, he doesn't appear to feel it as deeply as one would expect. If that doesn't do enough to make him stand out, he's also carrying a rather large sword with some kind of runic language carved into it.

He's a bit on guard as he enters the village, not sure what kind of reception to expect. He's still half-expecting someone or something to attack.

b; snow ball fight
Growing up in New York City has taught Teddy all of the numerous ways in which to take advantage of snow. From snow angels to snowmen he's skilled in the art of transforming snow into whatever he wants it to be. But there's nothing he enjoys better than rolling up the snow into a tightly packed ball and launching it at some poor unsuspecting target.

Not hard, of course. He would never use his real strength for something like that. But his aim is impeccable, especially when his target isn't expecting it. A snow ball glides through the air, bumping into a shoulder, or against a back, and crumbling apart into smaller clumps of snow. Teddy, grinning, can easily be spotted as the culprit.

"Why don't we put this snow to some good use?"

c; this food is questionable
Despite his few misadventures in space, Teddy has never been exposed to protein gel before. And the longer he's around it the more sure he is that he's never wanted to be exposed to it. But here he is. Staring mutinously at a somewhat cleverly disguised piece of protein gel in the shape of a steak.

"Has anyone tried asking what this stuff is made out of? 'Protein' is not a good enough answer. They have the power to abduct us from our worlds but can't manage to bring any real food along for the ride?"

Comments

a, cause...i gotta, may hit the others at some point

[wearingthestars]

Billy's been playing babysitter through most of their stay on this planet, though things are finally starting to settle, with fewer and fewer children to worry about. He's finally able to take some time to himself, and thank god, because he does not feel suited to being the responsible one.

He's walking through the snow when he stops dead in his tracks, blinking in disbelief at the familiar figure he sees approaching, and after a short beat a breathless smile breaks over his face, and he's rushing to throw his arms around him tight.

"Teddy??" He looks up at his face, like he's not quite sure he's really, and gives a hushed laugh, "What are you- how- ...w-why do you have a sword?" A whole jumble of questions try to work their way out at once, and some how that's the only one he manages to get out clearly.

[hulkintraining]

He doesn't spot Billy immediately, his gaze focused off to the side, eyeing the surrounding cottages like he's expecting something or someone to come springing out of them at a moments notice. But movement in the corner of his eye has him whipping his head forward, just in time to catch the other boy as he barrels into him.

His free arm curls instinctively around Billy's waist, pulling him in, while his other arm hangs awkwardly at his side, hand clenched around his sword. He wants nothing more than to give Billy a real hug, but he hadn't exactly been given a sheath for this thing.

But more than anything he just feels relief. Not having Billy besides him when he woke on that other planet had absolutely been a worst case scenario. He's so swept away by being together again that Billy's question almost goes unnoticed. Almost.

"I know. You would think they would think twice before letting me keep th--wait. What do you mean why do I have it?" His smile fades a bit. "It just happened right before I woke up on the other planet. You were there."

[wearingthestars]

Billy shakes his head, his own smile fading a little in kind though he at least has some idea as to why they might have different ideas of what they've left behind.

"I wasn't. Not yet, anyways. I think they might have pulled you from after me. Unless one of us is from an alternate dimension."

[hulkintraining]

He takes a step back, but doesn't fully pull away from Billy. His eyes search the other boy's face for a long moment, as if he could tell whether or not this is his Billy if he just stares long enough.

"Alright, let's start with time first. For me 2015." He won't give any more away, because if this is his Billy the last thing they need to do is start messing with the timeline.

[wearingthestars]

Billy does the same, though in searching Teddy's face he feels reasonably sure this one is his, not that he can begin to explain how he feels so sure.

"2014 for me. New Years was just a few days ago...Loki threw us a party," he tries to keep the details vague but specific enough that Teddy can recognize the timeline if he shares it,

[hulkintraining]

Teddy's face visibly brightens at the mention of the New Years party. That can't just be a coincidence. But getting a little more detail wouldn't hurt. Even if it means bringing up one of the most painful times in his life.

"Right after dealing with...the Mother, right?" He hates the way his voice cracks a little saying her name. "That was about a year ago for me."

[wearingthestars]

Billy's features flinch a little, a guilty expression on his face, but he nods. It's still fairly fresh.

"...Yeah," he confirms, and he feels horrible to hear Teddy's voice crack like that, even with a year separating him from it all.

"Right after that."

[doubled_speed]

Listen, the only reason Tommy's there is because he's hungry. Or he's going to claim that if Teddy asks. But when your twin brother excitedly tells you that his fiance is around, then there you go, you're gonna look. Which he doesn't let Billy answer for him. Doesn't wanna know where Teddy is. Instead he's running around, racing until he finds the person he was looking for. He makes sure to slow down as he approaches, makes sure to let his shoes (new and perfect) make plenty of noise to Teddy knows he isn't alone.

But then he comments and Tommy can't help but burst out laughing.

"Nah, man. I really don't wanna know. But the chili one tastes good. And Vision says he can probably make chocolate ice cream out of the chocolate stuff. Or near enough."

[hulkintraining]

The sound of familiar footfalls is the only warning Teddy has before Tommy is rounding the corner into the kitchen. After talking with Billy and getting a heads up, he's not surprised to see his friend. Tommy had been bound to run into him sooner or later. Maybe literally.

The other boy's laughter prompts a responding grin from Teddy.

"The chili one?" He picks the chili flavored protein gel from the selection, eyeing it suspiciously. "You better not be joking. I'm trusting you here, Shepard. Chocolate ice cream does sound nice though."

[doubled_speed]

"It's what I go to for comfort food. But Vizh says he needs liquid nitrogen or something to make the ice cream. Anyway, get a bowl of the chili and heat it up."

Tommy's already crossed the space between them and is making himself a bowl. See, he's learned to live with the horrid experience.

[hulkintraining]

"Yum. Because nothing says dessert like a side of nitrogen. Any idea where he can find some? Or do we rely on our new alien overlords for the groceries?"

He's moved past being surprised and upset over their circumstances and moved straight into acceptance and sarcasm. It's their way.

But he does follow Tommy's instructions, grabbing a bowl from the cabinet and pouring the chili into it.

[doubled_speed]

"The liquid nitrogen to freeze it right," Tommy shrugs. He doesn't know. Don't ask him. "I mean, usually I rely on B for some stuff I need."

Vitamins and things like that. The Agrii aren't really set up to handle people like him. But he takes his bowl to the microwave to let him heat it up.

[hulkintraining]

He places the bowl of chili into the microwave, finger freezing over the buttons. "Wait...you mean Billy can still conjure stuff? I thought there was some weird power dampener thing going on and that's why he hasn't sent us all home yet."

Then he frowns and glares at Tommy in accusation. "You mean you were going to watch me eat this instead of telling me Billy could get me some real food?"

B;

[kallig]

Thing about being a Sith, was that one was always ready for a surprise attack. Even here, he didn't totally let his guard down, unless he was in a place where he felt relatively safe. And attacks, of the playful sort or not, usually came with certain emotions.

Turned away as he was, small and thin as he was, he probably looked like a child when spotted from behind- a target that would probably enjoy a snowball fight.

He was neither.

The snowball nearly hit him- but only nearly. Once it was centimeters from his head, he easily tilted it to the side, and it zipped harmlessly by.

Turning toward the culprit of the surprise attack, he tilted his head, "Not all who are here are quite so keen on playing in the snow. And I'm certain they've all got their own ideas as well, about what counts as putting it to good use."

The snowball had landed harmlessly in soft snow- he could tell that it was still whole, and used the Force to yank it back out, returning it to sender- he didn't care whether or not it hit its mark, "Next time, at least yell out a warning, hm? After all, what would you have done, had I been someone frail, or sickly?"

[hulkintraining]

Teddy is surprised--and a bit impressed--by the easy way he's able to evade the snowball, despite being turned away. But he's definitely not expecting to receive a lecture from someone who does sound like they may be older than he had first expected. And blue.

Although, considering the circumstances, the blue part isn't too surprising.

"Um, sorry? I didn't mean to upset you." He doesn't sound too upset, but from his words Teddy can only expect that he isn't very happy all the same. He's definitely not expecting to have the snow ball thrown back at him without the guy even touching it. It smacks into his shoulder and crumbles.

"It's just a game we play back in my world. It wouldn't have hurt you. See? The snow is pretty soft and crumbles on impact.

[kallig]

"I am aware that it is a game. But as I said, not all here are keen on playing."

He wasn't upset, really. And had he been in a better state of mind, perhaps he would have willingly engaged in a snowball fight, despite it being a childish way to pass the time, which he, quite honestly was way too old for. But having been recently reduced to a child, he was not entirely willing to stoop to such a low.

"Had I been someone likely to retaliate with violence, what then? Our dear hosts may have pulled us here to be heroes, but that does not mean their aim is always true."

They'd pulled him from his world, after all, and if they thought a Sith could be a hero to anyone but their own Empire, then they were sorely mistaken.

He sighed softly then, "Never mind, I suppose. I am not upset, merely a bit annoyed. And I can't recall having sensed you around before- you're new, then?"

[hulkintraining]

He looks genuinely surprised at the idea that someone would react violently to a snowball. It honestly hadn't crossed his mind that that could be an end result. But maybe he had kind of banked on the idea that the Agrii had pulled people they thought would be helpful. But that doesn't necessarily mean that they would be nice.

"I guess I wasn't thinking that far ahead. Is there someone I should be watching out for?"

The idea that there could be villains among the group is troubling, to say the least.

"Yeah, I just got here not too long ago. I guess the Agrii didn't want me to miss out on the festivities."

[kallig]

"Not anyone who immediately springs to mind, no. But I am not someone who could be called a hero myself, and yet, I am here. And I'm sure that eventually they will bring someone who is likely to lash out violently at the smallest offense."

His opinion of the Agrii wasn't exactly a positive one, nor did he have a positive view of their collective intellect. Pick the most idiotic Sith Lord of his world and you'd likely have more intellect in them than the Agrii as a whole- that was his opinion, anyway.

"I guess not, no. And I guess coming here while the Agrii are in a good mood is good for you. I don't imagine it'll always be like this."

Where peace was, danger was never too far behind. That was his experience in life, anyway.

[hulkintraining]

Teddy studies him for a moment, more curious than anything. He doesn't look like a bad dude, but the way he claims to not be a hero sounds pretty firm. Maybe he's just not the rescuing type. Or maybe it's something more. Either way, Teddy doesn't know how to ask without outright asking this guy if he's some kind of villain or something. Best to just leave it alone for a moment.

"You think they would be that careless? I can understand them being desperate, but if they're not careful they could end up burning their own planet to the ground before it can be saved."

There are countless people in his world would could manage just that if given the chance. He really hopes the Agrii are smart enough to steer clear of them.

"While they're in a good mood...? That sounds ominous. I mean, I can't say that I've met one of them yet, but they don't seem bad." Aside from the kidnapping.

@ c

[geomagnetically]

Damn, there's a lot of Avenger-types here.

At the question, Lorna shakes her head slightly. "Nope. I haven't been here that long, but I don't think I want to know. I've eaten weird shit before, and for now I'm okay not knowing where this falls on that list." She offers a half smile.

[hulkintraining]

Oh man, he's actually sharing a kitchen with Polaris! Okay, stay calm Teddy. You're around hero types all the time. And this one just happens to kind-of, sort-of be related to your fiance. No pressure.

"Well, I guess if it hasn't killed anyone yet it should be pretty safe." He gestures to the can on the counter he's been contemplating. "You want some? You know, for moral support and all."

[geomagnetically]

"Sure, why not? Moral support, team building effort, et cetera." She shrugs. "When did the powers that be here pick you up from home?"

[hulkintraining]

He works on opening the can and placing it in the microwave as they continue talking. "2015. What about you?"

[geomagnetically]

"Four years ahead of that. So, you know, the usual of more migraines." The not so subtle implication being that their world is a constant migraine.

[hulkintraining]

"Wow. And I thought being two years ahead of my teammates was rough." And here's where biting curiosity goes to war with the knowledge that he probably doesn't want to know what's in store for the future. Their world tends to have a terrible track record that way.

"Okay, well, blink once if the world is still in one piece and twice if I have to worry about some future evil war lord taking over Earth." That's vague enough to get past screwing up the timeline, right?