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Dunno- it feels like gods are starting to crop up. Though if the rules are the same, they've probably been here the whole time- in that god-plane or whatever. [ sam thinks for a moment, then shakes his head - shakes off some kind of shudder, too. ] Don't like the idea someone's been watching us, though. Or- someone else.
[ sam probably doesn't have a lot of room to complain, here - the gods have been around, have probably been watching them this whole time. but it doesn't help things, doesn't make him feel any better. even if some of these gods have started contacting summoned directly, this all feels... different, somehow.
more personal.
steve glances over towards him, and sam catches it - wonders, briefly, what all steve isn't saying yet about how he feels about the whole thing. what else they both haven't touched on. but first- their plan, and the mention of wanda has sam nodding. ]
Wanda was my first thought too, yeah. And maybe Julie? I'll have to do some checks around with my people here. [ which...well. sam doesn't sigh, exactly, but there's a feeling in the air that both of their to-do lists have just grown exponentially. ]
[ sam probably doesn't have a lot of room to complain, here - the gods have been around, have probably been watching them this whole time. but it doesn't help things, doesn't make him feel any better. even if some of these gods have started contacting summoned directly, this all feels... different, somehow.
more personal.
steve glances over towards him, and sam catches it - wonders, briefly, what all steve isn't saying yet about how he feels about the whole thing. what else they both haven't touched on. but first- their plan, and the mention of wanda has sam nodding. ]
Wanda was my first thought too, yeah. And maybe Julie? I'll have to do some checks around with my people here. [ which...well. sam doesn't sigh, exactly, but there's a feeling in the air that both of their to-do lists have just grown exponentially. ]
Not exactly.
The government's figured out my powers. Probably from the investigation all that time ago plus the corecloth I've been making, I don't know. They said they were interested in me making things for them and I could do contract work and be paid rather than being forced into anything.
Not sure I 100% believe they won't try to force me eventually, but for now they are trying to use the carrot rather than the stick.
If they've already caught me, I don't know, maybe making armor's not the worst thing I could do for coin.
[ Sam knows that this is something Jesper's feared for the entire time he's been here and he's gotten sloppy enough to be caught. And his fear of being forced into it may be why he's fatalistically considering just doing it of his own free will at this point. ]
The government's figured out my powers. Probably from the investigation all that time ago plus the corecloth I've been making, I don't know. They said they were interested in me making things for them and I could do contract work and be paid rather than being forced into anything.
Not sure I 100% believe they won't try to force me eventually, but for now they are trying to use the carrot rather than the stick.
If they've already caught me, I don't know, maybe making armor's not the worst thing I could do for coin.
[ Sam knows that this is something Jesper's feared for the entire time he's been here and he's gotten sloppy enough to be caught. And his fear of being forced into it may be why he's fatalistically considering just doing it of his own free will at this point. ]
[ It had been tempting, when they discussed it, for Steve to point out that Sam had gone to jail — a much nastier version of what was in store for him now — on Steve's behalf. That means that it was definitely Steve's turn this time around, especially since Sam has his reputation to think about it. It's not something he can toss aside so easily, though Steve suspects that he would if push came to shove.
Thankfully it hasn't gotten to that point. ]
We ran into a few guards and managed to take them down. I'm not sure if anyone was lost in the explosion, but we did everything we could to limit casualties.
[ He and Jesper had talked that out beforehand. A death count would only make things that much more complicated, and Steve did prefer to avoid cutting people down whenever he could. ]
But don't worry, I'm not planning to kick up any more of a fuss. I already did what I set out to do, so now it's just a matter of carrying out whatever sentence they give me.
[ A small price to pay, as far as he's concerned. ]
Thankfully it hasn't gotten to that point. ]
We ran into a few guards and managed to take them down. I'm not sure if anyone was lost in the explosion, but we did everything we could to limit casualties.
[ He and Jesper had talked that out beforehand. A death count would only make things that much more complicated, and Steve did prefer to avoid cutting people down whenever he could. ]
But don't worry, I'm not planning to kick up any more of a fuss. I already did what I set out to do, so now it's just a matter of carrying out whatever sentence they give me.
[ A small price to pay, as far as he's concerned. ]
And even if they have been watching us, it's not like we'd have any way of knowing it unless we asked and they copped to it.
[ Steve doesn't see much point in speculating on all that because they could just make themselves crazy considering all the possibilities. The sky feels like it's the limit with the gods now that they've gotten some sort of strange peek behind the curtain.
The best way to feel like they have some control over the situation is to actually think of things they can do, and they already have a starting point. Steve can check with Wanda, Sam can check with Julie and whoever else, and they'll see what they can learn.
While Sam doesn't actually sigh, Steve can see just from the look on his face that he's barely holding one back. He does reach out then to grab for his wrists and tug him forward, inviting him to move from the coffee table to sit next to him on the couch instead. ]
It can probably wait until tomorrow. [ That way they have tonight to process.
There's a beat, and then he leans back, head tilting to rest against the back of the couch as he stares up at the ceiling. ]
So, do we want to talk about any of that? Or are we going to write it off as a bizarre dream?
[ A way too realistic one. ]
[ Steve doesn't see much point in speculating on all that because they could just make themselves crazy considering all the possibilities. The sky feels like it's the limit with the gods now that they've gotten some sort of strange peek behind the curtain.
The best way to feel like they have some control over the situation is to actually think of things they can do, and they already have a starting point. Steve can check with Wanda, Sam can check with Julie and whoever else, and they'll see what they can learn.
While Sam doesn't actually sigh, Steve can see just from the look on his face that he's barely holding one back. He does reach out then to grab for his wrists and tug him forward, inviting him to move from the coffee table to sit next to him on the couch instead. ]
It can probably wait until tomorrow. [ That way they have tonight to process.
There's a beat, and then he leans back, head tilting to rest against the back of the couch as he stares up at the ceiling. ]
So, do we want to talk about any of that? Or are we going to write it off as a bizarre dream?
[ A way too realistic one. ]
SHIT, KID[ which isn't the real question sam wants to ask, but he knows how much jesper has been terrified of this. knows that this is a fear he's been holding close to his chest for a long time. and now, watching it all come to pass... ]
HOW MUCH DO THEY KNOW?
CAUSE I AGREE WITH YOU- THEY MIGHT BE GIVING YOU A CHOICE RIGHT NOW
BUT WHO KNOWS HOW LONG THAT LASTS
HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT IT?
AND HOW MUCH ARE THEY PAYING YOU?
[ honestly, it was tempting for both of them to bring it up, even if it hadn't been the first thought that came to sam's mind. this whole process, this whole exchange, has happened to him more recently - his time on the raft is over five years from now, for him. coming up on six. geralt's trip into the desert and subsequent jail time closer to two. thankfully sam's not quite looking at it that way - thinking about the years, the time spent, that's a rabbit hole he's not really interested in diving into right now.
instead- his focus is just on now, on what they could do to steve while he's being kept there. still- it's not a situation they're unfamiliar with, so sam's nerves are hardened but contained. ]
steve might be able to feel the sigh - a kind of exhaling of stress. ]
instead- his focus is just on now, on what they could do to steve while he's being kept there. still- it's not a situation they're unfamiliar with, so sam's nerves are hardened but contained. ]
LET'S HOPE EVERYONE GOT OUT WHO WAS IN THERE[ steve knew what sam's thoughts were on all of this. no casualties, unless necessary. but even sam knew how bad these things could get.
YOU THINK IT'LL BE ENOUGH TO STOP WHAT THEY WERE DOING?
steve might be able to feel the sigh - a kind of exhaling of stress. ]
ITS NOT YOU IM WORRIED ABOUT
JESPER'S NOT MADE TO BE KEPT BEHIND BARS
I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S GOT THE PATIENCE FOR IT
They've figured out the corecloth, must've gotten their hands on some. Hilda and I have been selling it, just very subtly. I didn't think anyone would be able to pick up on it.
[ Stupid! Reckless! ]
If they're going to be giving me no choice eventually either way, might as well take their money until they do.
Meaning: I hate it, I hate them, but I'll take coin.
[ Stupid! Reckless! ]
If they're going to be giving me no choice eventually either way, might as well take their money until they do.
Meaning: I hate it, I hate them, but I'll take coin.
Not stop them, no. They've already figured out how to make the technology, and that information is sitting in someone's brain or written down somewhere. But it at least sets them back.
[ Maybe some wouldn't consider that enough to be worth all the risk, but Steve's used to fighting wars like this. He'd taken out plenty of Hydra bases in the hopes that it would make some sort of difference, that it would save even a few lives. Sometimes it's a matter of death by a thousand cuts, and while he doesn't want to completely dismantle the Free Cities' military, he also doesn't want them to get so powerful that they conquer the other territories.
That, and it had been personal for him. He and Geralt had watched as soldiers hauled the corpse of the Thunderjaw away, and even back then they'd known what was coming.
He just wishes his best work didn't continue to be after the fact. ]
I'll keep an eye on him. I'm presenting it like this was all my idea and he was just following my lead, which is true, so hopefully he'll get a milder sentence.
He knew what he was signing up for, though. He'll be alright.
[ Maybe some wouldn't consider that enough to be worth all the risk, but Steve's used to fighting wars like this. He'd taken out plenty of Hydra bases in the hopes that it would make some sort of difference, that it would save even a few lives. Sometimes it's a matter of death by a thousand cuts, and while he doesn't want to completely dismantle the Free Cities' military, he also doesn't want them to get so powerful that they conquer the other territories.
That, and it had been personal for him. He and Geralt had watched as soldiers hauled the corpse of the Thunderjaw away, and even back then they'd known what was coming.
He just wishes his best work didn't continue to be after the fact. ]
I'll keep an eye on him. I'm presenting it like this was all my idea and he was just following my lead, which is true, so hopefully he'll get a milder sentence.
He knew what he was signing up for, though. He'll be alright.
YEAH[ still, sam would like to think it might work to dissuade them. if anything, he's hoping that the destruction will put them back on the path for long enough that they'll change their way of thinking, but until he gets a little more information, there's no telling exactly how they'll retaliate.
AND IT'S DEFINITELY WRITTEN DOWN
I TOLD YOU ABOUT VIKTOR'S LAB, RIGHT?
but sam can do this work, for right now. can keep his name in the minds of the decision makers, can be a physical presence and a reminder and hope that he can talk enough of their ways out of it. he's not looking to get jesper or steve fully pardoned - and a jail-break had certainly been on both his and steve's minds - but they're thinking about the bigger picture.
and from what he can tell, the mines are a standard fair working camp. sam doesn't like it, doesn't like the idea of jesper there (steve... well. steve knew what he was getting into, in a way. of course sam doesn't like steve being there either, but he also knows what steve can handle. jesper, he's less sure of.) - especially doesn't like the idea of jesper getting bored out there. ]
I KNOW HE KNEW[ he worries!!! ]
HONESTLY IF YOU WEREN'T THERE HE PROBABLY WOULD'A GOTTEN UP TO MORE TROUBLE
I JUST ALSO KNOW HE'S THE TYPE TO START STUFF IF HE'S FEELING TRAPPED
OR BORED
WHICH I KNOW YOU KNOW BUT
You mean everything that happened with them using his tech that they seized to develop the weapons they used to bomb Castle Thorne? He told me about it.
[ Or rather, Steve happened to be passing by when he spotted Viktor at Portham Hall, aiming to speak to someone about what they'd done even though he'd known it would likely be a futile effort.
Again, they still had to try. ]
I do know, and I'll make sure that he doesn't get himself into even more trouble while we're serving out our sentences.
I'm hoping the hours of manual labor will leave him too exhausted to cause a whole lot of trouble.
[ Or rather, Steve happened to be passing by when he spotted Viktor at Portham Hall, aiming to speak to someone about what they'd done even though he'd known it would likely be a futile effort.
Again, they still had to try. ]
I do know, and I'll make sure that he doesn't get himself into even more trouble while we're serving out our sentences.
I'm hoping the hours of manual labor will leave him too exhausted to cause a whole lot of trouble.
Edited 2024-09-27 00:54 (UTC)
WHICH MEANS THEY HAVE THE NOTES TO KEEP MAKING MORE[ sam had touched base with viktor right before that, though he doubts viktor had wanted to get cornered by the captains right in the midst of it. still, yes, they still had to try.
VIKTOR SAID HE DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING ELSE WAS TAKEN
BUT WE CAN ONLY ASSUME ANYTHING VIKTOR WAS WORKING ON IS NOW IN THE HANDS OF THE MILITARY
WHETHER OR NOT THEY CAN GET IT TO WORK IS ANOTHER STORY
they always have to try. ]
I KNOW YOU WILL[ there isn't a whole lot else they can do at this point, really, which sam hates more than anything else. but they can only take it one step at a time. ]
AND IM HOPING FOR THE SAME
I'LL SEE IF I CAN COME OUT AND VISIT MY TWO JAILBIRDS SOMETIME SOON :)
I think between what happened to Viktor and now the proof of what they were able to develop from the Thunderjaw, it's pretty obvious that anything they take they're going to find some way to weaponize.
[ In Viktor's case he hadn't even been trying to make weapons, but it does mean that any Summoned who develops tech or does engineering projects is going to have to be that much more careful. ]
Only if you can do it without bringing undue attention on you.
Don't get me wrong, I'd like to see you, but I think I'll survive a month of separation if that's what it has to be.
[ It will be an adjustment after he's spent so long seeing Sam every day, but Steve's more than used to accepting the consequences of his actions. ]
[ In Viktor's case he hadn't even been trying to make weapons, but it does mean that any Summoned who develops tech or does engineering projects is going to have to be that much more careful. ]
Only if you can do it without bringing undue attention on you.
Don't get me wrong, I'd like to see you, but I think I'll survive a month of separation if that's what it has to be.
[ It will be an adjustment after he's spent so long seeing Sam every day, but Steve's more than used to accepting the consequences of his actions. ]
Which seems unlikely, given... [ a gesture, meant to mean them. but steve has a point, that there's no real reason to speculate because if that dream has shown them anything, it's that the possibilities will continue to be endless, spinning out in every direction and then even more that they hadn't known existed.
part of sam wonders if he needs to talk to stephen about all of this, if somehow that might explain this a bit better, but he knows that won't lead him anywhere. instead, he and steve make a plan. he and steve make next steps. and yeah, there's a lot to do, a lot that he needs to do, and steve can probably read it in him judging by the way he reaches out and tugs on sam's wrists.
without really thinking about it, sam smiles, immediately feels some degree of that building stress fade. it can probably wait until tomorrow steve says, and sam follows the tug, settles onto the couch next to him. steve's head falls back and sam's hand falls to steve's knee, trying to be comforting even as he chuckles. ]
Where do you wanna start?
part of sam wonders if he needs to talk to stephen about all of this, if somehow that might explain this a bit better, but he knows that won't lead him anywhere. instead, he and steve make a plan. he and steve make next steps. and yeah, there's a lot to do, a lot that he needs to do, and steve can probably read it in him judging by the way he reaches out and tugs on sam's wrists.
without really thinking about it, sam smiles, immediately feels some degree of that building stress fade. it can probably wait until tomorrow steve says, and sam follows the tug, settles onto the couch next to him. steve's head falls back and sam's hand falls to steve's knee, trying to be comforting even as he chuckles. ]
Where do you wanna start?
IF WE'RE GOING BY LOGIC[ steve would know how much that bothers sam - something he'd had an issue back all those years ago when he'd first retired, first been grounded. the access he had to wakandan tech and avenger connections had been a boon at the time, something that sam had become very aware of when he'd first been summoned.
ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING WE'VE BUILT IS OPEN FOR THE MILITARY'S USE
SO IF YOU SEE A WHOLE LOT OF WINGS FLYING 'ROUND, LET ME KNOW SO I CAN GO HUNTING
it was hard, when tony had been around and had built the first prototype. when sam had realized that wings were something that were within reach. and then there were the patents, the understanding that the government was watching every step, and then the decision to stop reporting on each and every detail.
some part of sam knows it's just a matter of time. he can only imagine how fully viktor feels that too. ]
AND HERE I WAS READY TO PAY BACK THE JAILBREAK
PRETTY SURE ITS MY TURN
IF YOU'VE BEEN SELLING IT, YEAH[ he knows jesper's most likely beating himself up over this, so sam won't add to the pile. but it doesn't escape sam's notice, how it feels like this is happening a lot lately. a lot more than usual. ]
THEY'RE GONNA HAVE FIGURED IT OUT
THEY'VE BEEN KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON US ALL SINCE WE SHOWED UP
AND THEY'RE GONNA TAKE EVERY ADVANTAGE THEY CAN
IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THEY FIGURED IT OUT
I'LL SEE WHAT I CAN DO ON THIS END
THERE'S NOT MUCH I CAN CHANGE WHILE YOU'RE INCARCERATED
BUT THERE ARE ALSO LIMITS TO WHAT THEY'RE FORCING SUMMONED TO DO
I knew the risks I was taking.
And that I was already on their radar.
I would've done it again anyway.
[ Jesper is very pleased with the chaos he and Steve caused. Shrug. ]
They're not going to stop here. It's inevitable, Sam.
And that I was already on their radar.
I would've done it again anyway.
[ Jesper is very pleased with the chaos he and Steve caused. Shrug. ]
They're not going to stop here. It's inevitable, Sam.
Thankfully I haven't caught wind of anything like that so far, but I think we should stay vigilant just in case. Maybe they just haven't found a need for that kind of tech yet.
[ But it comes up, they'll deal with it. That's what they always do.
Steve's all too aware of how Sam feels about it. It's the issue that always comes up when trying to replicate tech from home — that looming possibility that the military is going to find a way to take advantage. It leaves them between a rock and a hard place, but is that really any different from how it had gone back home? ]
Is that how it works? Are we trading off now?
[ But it comes up, they'll deal with it. That's what they always do.
Steve's all too aware of how Sam feels about it. It's the issue that always comes up when trying to replicate tech from home — that looming possibility that the military is going to find a way to take advantage. It leaves them between a rock and a hard place, but is that really any different from how it had gone back home? ]
Is that how it works? Are we trading off now?
I ended up in Solvunn. Wanda's still here, though.
[ Sam's in Thorne. That's a lot to take in, because Steve's well aware of Sam's history with Thorne. And while it might not be as messy as some, he must still be feeling a lot of different things right now. ]
Are you alright? How have they reacted to some of you showing back up like this?
[ Sam's in Thorne. That's a lot to take in, because Steve's well aware of Sam's history with Thorne. And while it might not be as messy as some, he must still be feeling a lot of different things right now. ]
Are you alright? How have they reacted to some of you showing back up like this?
THAT’S GOOD. IF SHE’S STILL THERE THAT MAKES ME THINK THIS IS RANDOM.[ a lot to take in is one way of putting it. sam’s still not entirely sure how he feels. the introduction had been civil enough, but there are also too many new faces. unknown factors.
OR AT LEAST NOT A TERRITORY MOVE.
HAVE YOU HEARD FROM ANYONE ELSE?
add that in with the constant reminder that steve is halfway across the continent. sam feels unrooted. off balance. ]
WE’RE ALLRIGHT
NO ONE HERE KNOWS WHAT’S HAPPENING
THEY’RE GIVING US THE OPEN ROOMS AND A STIPEND SO
NO ONE’S BEEN SENT TO THE DUNGEONS YET
It does feel pretty random. I don't think there's any pattern of who went where.
[ Which is ... maybe a good thing? At least it means it wasn't calculated by any one person or nation (or god). It still leaves them with way too many unanswered questions, though. ]
I showed up here with Istredd. Not sure about anyone else.
[ Because Sam is one of the first people Steve messaged, naturally. ]
I'm glad that Sidwell's a bit more reasonable than the old guard, at least.
The people here were just as surprised when we showed up, but they've been pretty welcoming so far.
[ Which is ... maybe a good thing? At least it means it wasn't calculated by any one person or nation (or god). It still leaves them with way too many unanswered questions, though. ]
I showed up here with Istredd. Not sure about anyone else.
[ Because Sam is one of the first people Steve messaged, naturally. ]
I'm glad that Sidwell's a bit more reasonable than the old guard, at least.
The people here were just as surprised when we showed up, but they've been pretty welcoming so far.
YEAH[ istredd being there is good - sam can only imagine what sort of research istredd and wanda would get up to together.
THOUGH I DON'T KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT THE SINGULARITY GOING OFF LIKE THIS
AND WHAT THAT MIGHT MEAN FOR ANY FUTURE PORTAL MOVEMENT
ARE THE LOCALS SAYING ANYTHING ABOUT GODS BEING ANGERED OR WHATEVER?
and that is part of the problem, isn't it? this has to do with magic, fully and completely, and despite their years here amongst it all sam still feels wholly out of his depth.
also, which is worth noting, is his own. recognition. that a lot of his 'out of depth' is entirely because steve is across the continent with no way to get to. he acknowledges how lucky they've been up until this point, but he's still...irritated. ]
SO FAR HE IS, BUT WHO KNOWS
NEW MONARCHS TEND TO BE A LITTLE JUMPY AT SUDDEN CHANGE
SO WE'LL HAVE TO SEE HOW IT GOES FROM HERE
KEEP ME POSTED, THOUGH, YEAH?
NOT SAYING ANYTHING'S GONNA GO DOWN BUT
JUST IN CASE
Not that I've heard, honestly, but I'm not exactly keyed into all of that yet. Wanda might be able to get a better idea of what people are whispering about, so I'll check with her.
[ It's fair for Sam to be concerned about what this might mean, though. Whether or not the gods care about what's going on, the fact that they've been shuffled around is worrisome both because of what it means about the state of the Singularity (that it's unstable) and in terms of political tensions.
Still, nothing has blown up just yet. They can hold onto that.
He doesn't like that they're separated, either. Or that Sam has to deal with being back in Thorne, and Steve isn't even there. But he also knows they'll weather this, like they always do. ]
I don't know all that much about Sidwell, but from what I've been able to tell, he's pretty calculated in what he does, unlike the previous Queen. I don't think he'll be too reactionary, but you should be ready for anything.
You do the same on your end, but yeah, I'll let you know if anything escalates here.
Who else is with you there?
[ It's fair for Sam to be concerned about what this might mean, though. Whether or not the gods care about what's going on, the fact that they've been shuffled around is worrisome both because of what it means about the state of the Singularity (that it's unstable) and in terms of political tensions.
Still, nothing has blown up just yet. They can hold onto that.
He doesn't like that they're separated, either. Or that Sam has to deal with being back in Thorne, and Steve isn't even there. But he also knows they'll weather this, like they always do. ]
I don't know all that much about Sidwell, but from what I've been able to tell, he's pretty calculated in what he does, unlike the previous Queen. I don't think he'll be too reactionary, but you should be ready for anything.
You do the same on your end, but yeah, I'll let you know if anything escalates here.
Who else is with you there?
GONNA BE HONEST WITH YOU, STEVE[ he's concerned about that, he's concerned about steve, he feels weird being back in this castle again. feels weird that it seems that no matter how much time has passed, they're still back here.
I DON'T KNOW THE FIRST THING ABOUT SOLVUNN
THE STUFF THAT WANDA'S TOLD US IS ABOUT IT.
AND AFTER THE SHIT WE SAW IN THAT MASS HALLUCINATION, I DON'T KNOW.
BE CAREFUL.
sam recognizes the slowly growing panic. recognizes that the feeling that they're back where they started, where he started, and it somehow feels like nothing has changed...
it will be fine. he will be fine. they'll get through this.
he just doesn't have to like it. and he doesn't. ]
TRUE
BUT HE'S ALSO GOT A LOT MORE EXPERIENCE MOVING MILITARY UNITS
THE LAST THING WE NEED IS HIM THINKING HE NEEDS TO RESPOND
I DON'T KNOW THE FULL LIST
GERALT'S HERE.
WHICH HELPS.
THOUGH HE DIDN'T HAVE A GREAT TIME IN THE CASTLE LAST GO ROUND
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