to: everyone

[assembles]

Hey there, everyone. My name is Steve Rogers and I'm one of the people most recently summoned to the Free Cities. I'm also a good friend of Sam Wilson's — we've worked together for a number of years. I know he's made quite the name for himself here.

I've only been here for a little over a month, but in that time I've noticed a sudden increase in military activity within Cadens. There's increased drills and training exercises, equipment moving in and out, that kind of thing. I went by Fort Wilbridge and tried to ask some questions, but all they really had to say was that they were acting out of an abundance of caution. Almost like they're expecting something.

It seems suspicious, so I was wondering if anyone else has noticed a change in how the factions are behaving, whether it's something I haven't picked up on in Cadens or something going on in Thorne or Solvunn. I figure it might be a good idea to compare notes so we won't be completely blindsided if something else is coming our way.

That's all I've got for now, but it's nice to meet you all. In a manner of speaking, anyway.

Comments

[ordinar]

Sounds like a headache.

[Get it...because the network is all mental... Anyway, he's fresh out of useful things to contribute, so...]

Um. This might be weird, but do you mind if I ask a personal question?

[assembles]

Go for it.

[ Steve isn't great with addressing personal questions, but he'll do his best. ]

[ordinar]

[So...in the flurry of messages he may have missed half of the context, but...]

Someone said you're married...?

[Which, completely out of the blue like this, is a weird thing to ask. But it's the least awkward way he could think of to ask what he's actually curious about.]

[assembles]

[ Oh. Oh no. ]

Oh, no, that was

Sorry, that was a friend of mine trying to be funny.

[ He's going to murder Thor. ]

[ordinar]

[There's a lot of oh no-ing happening over here too. (Though, he also has no idea what he was going to say next if Steve did confirm it?)]

Sorry. I shouldn't have asked.

I didn't mean anything by it.

[assembles]

You don't have to apologize. No offense taken, really.

Is there a reason you were asking?

[ordinar]

Oh, um.

Not really. It's just that...it's better to ask directly than believe rumors.

[assembles]

Well, you're not wrong about that. Sorry for all the confusion.

There's a lot of people from my world here, and they got a little carried away.

[ordinar]

It's okay.

It sounds nice, though, having some familiar faces around. Even if they're being annoying.

[assembles]

You're the only one here from your home?

[ordinar]

As far as I know.

I mean, there aren't that many of us. The summoned. So the chances of already knowing someone else here are low.

[assembles]

It may depend. A lot of the people here from my world are pretty well-known, so that could play into why we were grabbed in such large numbers.

[ordinar]

Is fame a good enough reason for them to drag someone here?

[Sorry, teenager brain over here — he's thinking of himself. He's pretty well-known, but for all the wrong reasons lately.]

[assembles]

It's possible. They weren't all that clear on why they chose me when I first got here. They just said they were honored to have me, that they needed my help, that I was important. Not sure how it was for you.

[ It's unfortunately not outside the realm of reason that the people of Abraxas are aware of the Avengers, and so Steve hadn't been too surprised by those words. ]

[ordinar]

I basically got the same thing. They must give the same speech to everybody. Regardless of what faction drags you here.

Maybe they just want us to feel important so that we'll be willing to cooperate with them.

[assembles]

That seems like a safe bet, yeah.

Were you important? Back home.

[ordinar]

Not really.

[Says future king of an entire nation.]

I mean, sort of, I guess. But not in any way that would matter here.

[assembles]

Apparently the people who brought you here don't agree with you on that.

[ordinar]

Well, I hope they're right.

[assembles]

Do you mind if I ask what way? That you're important, I mean.

[ordinar]

[Fuck, why'd he say that? Now he has to think of a lie. Or he could just...]

I don't really want to talk about it. If that's okay.

[...gracelessly shut down the conversation.]

[assembles]

Yeah, don't worry about it.

[ They haven't even met in person, and this is a semi-public platform. Steve isn't going to try and push anyone to share anything that would make them uncomfortable. ]