revivalproject | You are invited:

Who: Janet Van Dyne, Tony Stark, OTA
What: A party to celebrate the approximate 4th of July and one Steve Roger's B-day
When: The 4th of July
Where: Temba Beach
Warnings: TBD, Drinking, Creature Attacks

The beach had been transformed, perhaps not to the level Jan was used to back home, but still fairly impressive. A number of newly built beach pagodas littered the purple sands, sheer white draperies shifting with the breeze. There were tables and seating provided in each, for more intimate conversation, a larger buffet style table laid out for people to browse from. In addition, there was a table for special themed cocktails (and mocktails) for the guests. Jan had been very proud of finding local alternatives, but some of them may come with some…unintended side effects.

Jan had found a collection of opalescent conch like shells, and scattered them about liberally to serve as decorations. She and Tony had been working in secret for ages to pull this together for Steve, and the pair were dressed in white, a request she’d made of all the guests as well, but no one would be turned away if they couldn’t manage.

A dancefloor had been built, and Eddie had been offered something that must’ve been pretty damn valuable, because the metalhead had been talked into playing Disco for the party.

When the time came for cake the hosts got a little bashful. Jan had always hired out for this, but she had been sure it couldn't be all that hard to make a cake. It turned out she was wrong. But it was the best they had, and so it was presented rather sheepishly to the birthday boy and to be shared amongst the guests if any were brave enough to try it. It doesn't taste great, but at least there are no mystery side effects to go with it.

As the sun set, a host of glowing necklaces, wands and bracelets were passed out, and once it was truly dark the light show began. Rather than the more traditional fireworks, they had a series of drones lighting up the sky in a dazzling display.

However, something unexpected comes from this. As though awoken from the light, the shells Jan had so proudly decorated with were not as abandoned as she’d thought. Little legs slid free, and the creatures began to head for the nearest light source, whether that be the drones in the sky or any of the heroes with their glowing attire. And to make matters worse, there is a large SOMETHING in the water, shrieking with a sound that shakes the beach. What could it possibly want, and what does it have to do with the little shell creatures??

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The drinks/effects: (All effects will wear off)
Truth (cocktail): Can only speak the truth
Justice (mocktail): Temporarily Blinds Drinker
Liberty (cocktail): Extreme Excess of Energy
Fireworks (cocktail): Loss of Powers or Granting of One (1) Not Game Breaking Power
Mr. President (mocktail): Causes Short Term Amnesia

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He laughed softly, and smiled as Soldier translated it into terms more familiar to fighting. But he liked imagining a time when Soldier was still free- dancing ad having fun. He bet all the girls wanted him, and wondered if he had been a flirt back in the day. He saw bits and pieces of that from time to time.

"Am I doing okay?" he asked, sure he must not look as smooth as it felt, but still he was enjoying himself. "Can we do this again when I can see your face?"

Billy should hit up Steve if he wanted stories about the man who used to be Bucky Barnes. The Soldier remained unaware of that desire to learn more however — possibly a good thing.

"You are adjusting. Your movements now are smoother than when we started, as you become more familiar with this. But I could still surprise you." A dip then, just halfway down with the Soldier's arm firm around Billy's waist. No danger of even a tiny slip, much less a fall. "We can do this again. Perhaps on our own, not at a public celebration."

Billy wants any eventual story to come from Soldier, ones he remember or is ready share. He know how defensive he can be about his past, and learning it without him feels like cheating.

"Maybe you'll have some muscle memory for those old dances?" People used to dance more back then, right? We could dress up?" He laughs in surprise at the dip, hands jumping momentarily to clutch at Soldier despite his trust. It felt far deeper than it was, and he flushes, still laughing.

Maybe someday he would get more of the story. Maybe someday he'd even ask Billy's help in trying to recover the missing parts of his memory.

"Maybe," he answered, though privately the Soldier felt that the memories he retained most clearly were the ones involving death. He didn't wish to upset Billy by mentioning it. "Or perhaps I'll simply turn us in a circle until the song is over."

"That's good too. Long as we're having a good time." His cheek was warm against Soldier's chest, and after a pause he asked a question that was immediately clear how he'd jumped to.

"...would you miss me? If I was gone?" All this time here while others came and went. Billy was worried his time could be up any day. He didn't want to forget this. Didn't want to be forgotten.

"As long as you're feeling more comfortable. Billy was the one in distress, not the Soldier. This was all about making sure Billy felt comfortable until his sight returned.

He frowned at the turn of Billy's thoughts though. How long had such a worry been plaguing him? "Of course I would miss you. You are important to me."

"I feel good when you feel good," he mumbled in soft protest.

Soldier's answer was reassuring, though didn't fully stop his worry. Maybe he was bringing it up now because it spared him having to see Soldier's reaction to his fears.

"...I know I am. I'm scared of losing you...of not remembering you. I'm scared if I get sent home you'll close off again."

"Nope. You're the one who cannot see. This is about you." Billy would insist the same, if the tables were turned.

The frown deepened at Billy's further explanation and the Soldier brought Billy's hand in to brush his lips across Billy's fingertips. For them being in public, it was a daring move for him.

"I have made some friends here." Some of them with Billy's help. "I would not turn them away. But it might take me a long time to want to trust another the way I trust you. That is not a bad thing."

How dare you use logic against him. There was a small fond smile, and Billy conceded.

That smile grew at the brush of those lips, knowing Soldier and public displays like that didn't go together, he might as well have stuck his tongue down his throat.

His eyes blink open and he can see a hazy play of shadow and light that makes up Soldier's outline, fingers reaching up carefully to try and touch his jaw. "Hey, it's you. Mmm. I'm glad you have friends here. I want us both to be able to do more than just survive here."

The same logic Billy would use! Take that!

"Can you see me?" he asked, letting his cheek lean into the brush of those fingers. "Survival is important. But you have made it pleasant."

Billy would likely recognize the subtle tease in the Soldier's words. Their existence was more than simple survival, though a part of him worried that things were going too well. Quiet never lasted for long with the Agrii.

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