Steve Rogers | OTA

[pursuitofcappiness]

WHO: Steve and You?
WHERE: Agrii ship in the water area
WHAT: A pool party!!
WHEN: Around debates time
WARNINGS: Not sure, will edit!

Steve has been trying to get in touch with the Agrii for days now without any luck. So far it's mostly just been hanging out by the water. And a few of them can really hold their breath a long time, it seems. They seem uneasy if he swims too far, so he sticks by the shallower bit of the pool for now.

If nothing else, the lush greenery is a nice change of scenery, and some days there's all this bountiful delicious food, such that he hasn't had better since before arriving here.

So, one day, after fruitlessly searching around by himself and not finding any better leads, he invites a few fellow He-Rows over for what appears to be a pool party. It's open to anyone who happens to make it through the thick botany, and he's definitely trying to encourage the younger Agrii to come play with them. Food and drink are just from the mess hall, and the games are simple ones like a hand-drawn deck of cards, and sitting on each other's shoulders trying to knock off your opponent.

If anyone wants to play that game with him, he'd definitely make a better root than pusher - don't worry, he'll be sure to keep his balance, so long as your character wants to keep playing.

Partway through he gets tasked with going back to get more ice or snacks or something, so feel free to bump into him then or in his yellow speedo (that he most definitely did not pick out himself) and towel, gathering supplies. You'll definitely score an invitation if you ask.

Then, when the 'party' starts winding down, Steve's maybe a little disappointed in not having made much progress, though he's sure a few of the younger Agrii might be coming around to them, so it's not entirely a fruitless endeavor. But he's gotten his hands on a piece of paper and graphite, and he might even ask your character to stand still for a second, as they look really nice under this foliage, and it'll just take a few minutes, if they don't mind.

[ OoC: Feel free to respond to any of the things Steve is doing or throw up your own toplevel so other people can tag you at the 'party'! ]

Comments

[in_extremis]

a.
On the one hand, it was a party, so it wouldn't be becoming to be punctual. Then no one would be there to see him arrive. On the other, it was a stakeout, a job to be done, which granted no favours to the fashionably late. On the third (he was good with his hands), it was orders from the boss, technically. That couldn't go without a little flagrant disrespect.

Unfortunately, the flicker of annoyance in Steve's eye was not there to meet Tony when he finally managed to pick his way through the foliage. Instead, he was the one pursing his lips as he searched, and his shoulders dropped slightly in resignation. He'd even missed the snacks, apparently. Listlessly, he wandered down the shore to find himself a spot to recline on a soft patch of moss, propped up on his elbows and juggling a bottle of oil in one hand like he might put on a convincing display of sunbathing should anyone ask. That was a perfectly reasonable excuse to sit staring at the water and waiting for something to happen, but mildly less effective when there wasn't a sun up there through the dome, and he was covered from neck to toes in a thin, golden film. He still wore his sunglasses like the artificial light would make him squint, letting him maintain the appearance of being very relaxed and not incredibly alert for whatever it was the Steve thought they were going to find.

b.
There was no way Tony could sit doing nothing for very long. He was not built for espionage, clearly. Subterfuge, perhaps. Some mild manipulation. And people had a certain image of him, which made some games easier than others. "C'mere, what are you doing? Stop that," he instructed, like anything else being accomplished at this party was a waste of time compared to what he was about to offer. "Do you know how to play Blind Man's Bluff?"

It was a very straightforward game, he was happy to explain, already shuffling the deck of crafty cards. Highest card wins. The catch was, you could only see each other's cards, not your own--that goes straight onto the forehead. He was even generous enough to lay out what that meant, that this game was really one of deduction, and reading your opponent, so in order for that to really work, you had to be prepared to bet something worthwhile. Something risky. "So, what are you prepared to risk?" he asked, getting comfortable.

b

[pursuitofcappiness]

"No, I don't," he says, but listens to Tony's explanation. "Tony, you know I don't have anything to bet and even when we were back on Earth, you were the one signing my checks." At least, for awhile. And even then, a money bet is useless with someone like Tony Stark. Favors, too, because they'd do them for each other without having to put on any sort of ruse.

"Questions. You gotta answer truthfully if I win, and I gotta answer yours if you win." Now that was something they could use as a competitive bet.

[in_extremis]

Ultimately, the most valuable thing they had in this situation was information, at least until the food system had any kind of breakdown, so Tony had to betray a slow smile of appreciation for the suggestion, even if it didn't sound like the most exciting one to him. Then again, it would be a short game if they were playing for clothes. "And I was happy to get it all back at poker," he did have to point out, so it wasn't like he was adverse to betting for his own money. That wasn't why he played.

"I know you're always truthful," he agreed, and before Steve could think too hard about that statement and take the chance to amend his offer, Tony was dealing a card out to him and bringing his own up against his temple. Couldn't change the rules once the game had started. Unfortunately, Steve's Jack was going to be hard to beat, unless his poker face was as bad as it was back home.

[pursuitofcappiness]

Hey, it might not be the most exciting but they have very little else to barter. "Then you're not asking hard enough hitting questions," Steve answers him. That's another challenge then: ask Steve something he doesn't really want to answer.

He might not have the best poker face, but he definitely keeps a decent one when he draws a queen for Tony, placing it up on him. "Ready?" he asks. Tony's eyes might be blue, but, they twinkle just the same as they do at home.

[in_extremis]

That was a challenge; Steve was supposed to be a good ol', honest American boy with dirtier boots than secrets, so Tony had to assume that Steve was confident in his card to bait him like that. That twinkle then was curiosity, which he tried to play off by lounging back on his free hand like he was even capable of affecting how disruptive his honest boredom was. "You've got nothing, engine's completely dry. Raise you, two questions, you're going to evade the first one anyway," he challenged. It would have been more obvious to try to fight the fangy smirk.

[pursuitofcappiness]

"I'm not going to, that's part of the deal. But fine, I'll meet your call. Two questions." But he plays conservatively, because Tony's got a very high card, but Steve isn't much of a gambler in any case. The best thing he can do is just keep cool.

Steve doesn't think his luck is drawing a king, so.

[in_extremis]

Tony didn't even have to look at his card as he nodded and dropped it between them. Steve hadn't tried to push him; they both knew this round was Tony's. "Okay, first question," he was ready to confront, and only hesitated then briefly as he caught sight of the card when handing the deck over to Steve to shuffle. That was close, enough that it would make Tony change his tactic, but the Steve he usually played poker with wasn't typically so malleable. He watched Steve closely for any sign that he might have been different, in case he forgot to conceal that when Tony said, "What are you afraid I'll ask?"

[pursuitofcappiness]

Kinda cheating to ask that, but it's clever. Tony's always clever. "About the other you. About why he's mad at me." 'Cause it didn't really have to do with the breaking up of the team, but also, really led to the breaking up of the team.

He looks down, quite embarrassed for a second. So, no, he's not lying or bluffing.

[in_extremis]

"He's mad," Tony echoed, muttered like it was a mild curiosity and not a pointed acknowledgement of that choice of framing while he impatiently plucked a card from the deck. Now they both knew what a mercy it was when Tony held that card to his smooth, golden chest, hidden between his heart and hand as he used his second question to ask, "Did you pee in that water? Little bit?" He spread his fingers to reveal his card where he held it, eyes narrowed intently to watch Steve's face for any revealing clue.

b

[the_freak]

Eddie eyed the nine on Tony's forehead as he considered, doing his best to keep his expression neutral-ish. It was an annoying card to go up against, a lot that could beat it, plenty that couldn't, and Eddie wasn't the best at beating the odds.

Also difficult- working out what meant something to him, but that Tony might also actually want. "...pack of smokes?" he offered, a low bar to set the stage, try and glean what he could from Tony's counter.

[in_extremis]

Eddie's odds were not great. That five on his head left Tony very relaxed and prepared to agree to any risk that Eddie offered, leaning back on his hands and crossing his ankles where he was stretched out with his feet in the water. That wrinkle of concern that threatened to dislodge the card from Eddie's skin could have been a telling reaction, or just the way that Eddie tended to look.

Cigarettes weren't a terrible exciting bet, though under the circumstances did seem appropriate. "Prison rules," Tony amended slightly. "If you got a pack on you, we can play for cigarettes." He waved a hand impatiently like Eddie should have intuited that and already been dividing them evenly to hand over. "And when I win, you can replicate more, or agree to a blood debt."

[the_freak]

"Contrary to popular belief, I've never actually been," Eddie joked, but he reached for his shed coat and fished out a mostly full pack out to start dividing them. "I've only been in lock up. Didn't play a lotta games in there."

He studied Tony's face as he made conversation, less sure now than he had been. The guy always looked so damn confident. He pushed his jeans up, feet joining Tony's in the water. "You seem pretty sure. Is it that low?"

[in_extremis]

That was good to hear, and mildly surprising given Eddie's misplaced confidence in his criminal activities, in Tony's experience. "Can't recommend it," he encouraged, with a brief, guilty grimace for being the one of the pair of them to get himself properly locked down. He couldn't claim to be a role model, and was happy to move them along with a jerk of his chin toward Eddie's pile.

"Oh, not at all, you've got plenty of room to manoeuvre there, can't start by playing coy," he said. "I'll give you a hint; I can count at least that high." His grin was innocent. Still hard to read.

[the_freak]

"Old Man was in plenty," he offered, trying to counter that guilty look with reassurance that it didn't bother him any. Not that Al Munson was the best person to be compared to, but if a stint in the big house and Eddie's admiration were all they had in common, then he was doing all right.

He snorted, eyeing Tony's card and trying to calculate his odds. "...I'd do three," he offered, still a bit conservative.

[in_extremis]

Eddie's hesitance was in distinct contrast to Tony's immediate, "Five," cigarettes already in hand to drop into the pool, and already he looked expectant. Without giving Eddie much time to deal with that rapid response, Tony then asked, "That why you're so keen to try it out?"

[the_freak]

Well shit, that was a confident bid, and Eddie couldn't get a good read on if he was bluffing. "I'd do five," he agreed, dropping two more into the pot but not raising it any higher.

"What? Prison? I wouldn't say I was keen, so much as I'm genetically predisposed?" Was that it? Sort of. Trouble seemed to follow him regardless.

[in_extremis]

It didn't look as though that was a very convincing argument to Tony, who tipped his head side to side before admitting, "I guess the rest of us don't jump at the chance of getting trafficked." He was pretty sure that was a very isolated problem while they were on the station. No one had to know about Cayde getting himself into similar trouble, that was ancient history, barely relevant.

With a final, narrow look at Eddie like he couldn't quite trust the naive poker performance, he plucked his card from his head and dropped it between them, smirking as he traded it for his winnings. So far, it was pretty genuine, then.

A

[doubled_speed]

"If you were that hungry for a tan, you should have told me on the station. I found a great place for getting some."

Yeah, it's Tommy. In green booty shorts that read 'juicy' on the ass in glitter. Don't mind him as he flops down next to you, clearly shirtless, clearly having picked up a tan somewhere. Probably wherever he claimed to have found. Maybe he had found it.

"Not sure the grow lights will help you much," he observes with a smile at Tony. "But you know that. So, what are we really doing?"

[in_extremis]

"Maybe I'm growing," Tony replied, hand open to the possibility that there were other ways that the lights could be helping him. He only briefly glanced over at Tommy as he settled, keeping his watch on the water for anything out of place, but it was enough to note, "You look like you got plenty of some, wouldn't want to intrude on that. Good trip?" It was almost a shame then that they had to get back to business, even if it looked like a party.

[doubled_speed]

Growing? Tommy snorts.

"If you're a growing thing, then maybe I have some datapoint edge on understanding you. Get your chloroplasts on, man. I won't judge."

Maybe he will judge. Just a bit.

"It was useful. Got us lots of plants that, once they're out of quarantine, I'm going to work with others to get settled on the two ships. Not even going to lie man, got actual sugarcane and corn and because the world is damn good to me, onions and zucchini. Gonna keep them on the ships to keep them free of the soil and storm induced impurities here. Safest they can be. And did it all while eating better than I have in ages, and making sure Sunshine had a good birthday."

But yeah, business was something Tommy was clearly already thinking about. He had plans. He was going to help improve their lives through more growing things. And he seems happy with it. Superhero turned farmer, who would have thought?

[in_extremis]

By the time Tommy was finished his report, it was enough to actually draw Tony's attention away from his observation, letting his glasses slide down his nose enough to catch the more subtle expressions that Tommy wasn't usually so restrained to. Abruptly, he said, "That's why you haven't been hanging around Reeve." Usually, Tommy had some excuse to be abrasive, but not when he was boasting about his plants. "Engineering wasn't your thing, this is." Maybe that should have been obvious, it was all he did anymore, just most of that time it seemed like Tommy had committed to the post he assigned himself out of some kind of self-flagellation. It wasn't often that Tony ran into him in the kitchen and wasn't been scolded for making a mess. "Or," he was willing to consider, turning back toward the water, light an casual as he added, "You finally got laid."

[doubled_speed]

Reeve? Tommy frowns at that. What the actual fuck?

"What does that punk have to do with anything? And don't even tell me I'm not into engineering. I took the little bits you taught me to repair Hargrove's Walkman. I was really glad I could do it. I like machines. Probably comes from being the son of a synthezoid and the brother to another pair. But that doesn't mean I'm not happy to be helping people this way."

So yeah, plants were good too. Even if they weren't a private joy. They were his way of being a superhero here when there wasn't something to explode or someone to save. And honestly, a lot of his time with plants was just a way of fleeing from his depression and self doubt. Maybe like Tony's gift making habits there.

Also, stop making messes and you won't get scolded. Geez. It's not that hard.

"And of course I got laid. A space station full of hot and intriguing aliens? Of course I decided to explore that. Don't say you wouldn't have."

[in_extremis]

He certainly seemed happy, so it felt like a pointed reminder that Tony should still be taking this career change personally. It was in his code, as it were, if he only had someone around that he actually wanted to work with. Tony had to reroute that discomfort into a dramatic clutch at his heart, eyes rolling up to the gentle glow of the dome as he lamented, "It was a good thing we got out of there when we did, I was about to catch fire. Did you get a date with one of those gorgeous creatures with the five foot legs? Don't answer that, I'm already heartbroken. It wasn't like this before, on the other planets, I think because there were just so many different things..." He trailed off, focus back on the water, finger tapping as he considered Coruscant's buffet of new experiences that hadn't frustrated him nearly as much.

[doubled_speed]

Damn but Tony is dramatic. Maybe Tommy should try and get the guy back in his corner. But would he understand Tommy's reluctance to be romantically involved with a teen? Maybe not.

Tommy flops down fully next to the guy and sits there, legs stretched out.

"I need to thank you. For the things you taught me. They were a lot more helpful than what Beck did. Without you i couldn't have fixed Sunshine's tape player, and it made him happy. So I guess in a way you did too. Guy felt like he'd ruined everything through the symbolism of a damaged tape player. Immediate karmic punishment, instead of weird fucking luck."

[in_extremis]

That was a lot of words that had nothing to do with all of the aliens that Tommy had experienced, but Tony wasn't sure if that meant the first claim was a lie that Tommy didn't want investigated, or that he just had perfectly adapted to blocking out Tony's voice. The skill must have been incredibly finely tuned if Tommy did also learn anything from Tony. He slid a slow, dubious sidelong look Tommy's way, like he expected this graciousness to be some kind of ruse. So far, it did seem genuine enough for Tony to risk trying to talk again, "S'there a difference between 'karma' and 'luck' that's supposed to matter there?" Neither of them were empirically quantifiable forces, unlike a guy with poor coordination dropping his own tape player into the toilet.