video; un: sg.rogers

[livingsymbol]

[Steve's being restless and actually exploring the more risque side of Carnivale this time around. Part of him is a little bit salty, but he's trying not to show it. Whether or not that is working, well, it probably depends on his conversation partner. There is a lot of noise in the background - talking, laughing, and the low thrum of bass beats.]

Does anyone want to show me how to do this?

[He turns his phone camera toward some nearby people, who are apparently customers outside of Trixie, lounging at tables and enjoying the party. Apparently the theme for the night is lingerie and everyone is dressed to fit. One of the women he turns to says something too muffled to hear in the din, but the message is clear from her grin and inviting gesture.]

Thanks, no. I don't have one. Maybe next time.

[He turns the camera back to himself, smiling a little bit dryly.]

They look like they're having fun. [Anyway.] I know we're all pretty used to holidays here, but I've been thinking a lot lately about my home. Right now, we'd be celebrating the birth of a nation. And a dream... Since some of you have been here for a while, I'd like to know more about the worlds you came from. We've got a unique city on this moon. People from all kinds of places. I'd like to celebrate that too, if you'll allow it.

[Filtered away from MCU!Loki]

And if anyone sees Loki, can you do me a favor? Wish him a happy birthday. The older one. He's probably going to avoid it, but he should enjoy the day too.

Comments

Flitered away from Loki, audio!

[11calls]

[Alex just gives him an apologetic frown, because she wishes that she could be less pessimistic about the thing, but it's hard when the orange was elected three days after you realized you probably maybe started something that ends with the world destroyed.]

The whole tapestry of people thing, huh?

[The ideal of America, when you didn't need to deal with the reality of it. Okay, Alex could get behind that.

But then a few minutes later, she's back to ask:]

Is it your birthday too? Or is it just the other Steve's?

[Sometimes being here is confusing.]

[livingsymbol]

[Steve tilts his head, raising his chin slightly in a motion that isn't really disagreeing, but not quite agreeing either.]

I don't believe it's right or fair to give up on people when something breaks down. Especially when the ones that feel the consequences the most are the ones that are usually just trying to get by.

The point of a dream isn't necessarily to escape reality. It's a goal to strive for so that we don't give up.

[And since Steve has no real idea of what she's talking about, it's a general approach that applies to her description. But he's followed through with that before in several other cases. It's one of the things he stands by, refusing to give up on a more optimistic hope for the future.]

Mm, it is, but that's not what I was trying to convey.

[11calls]

[No, Steve, Alex is trying really hard to believe this isn't her fault. Don't make her think it's her fault.]

I think you're right. It's just hard to remember now when everything is so terrible.

[Because she's totally causing the end of the world without meaning to. And then she laughs.]

It's funny because I'm normally the optimistic one about these things.