riverview | video; un: sg.rogers

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video; un: sg.rogers

How do you go about picking gifts?

[ He's just going to dive right in. No real introduction, but Steve figures that most people won't care too much about who is asking this or why. ]

I'm sure a lot of you are better at this than I am, so I guess I need some advice. How do you find a good gift for someone that already has far more than you've seen for half your lifetime? Not that I'm aiming to impress anyone, but it'd be nice to pull it off.

[ He grins a little. Okay, so maybe he's trying. Just a little. But Steve is rarely the one that surprises anyone else. He just wants a chance at doing something cool for a change. Of course, he's realistic and knows this is unlikely, but he can try. ]

I'm in a little over my head on this one. Everyone else always has the flashy stuff covered.

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[ Drawn. That's an idea. He could try... Would a god care about his simple sketches?

He does laugh a little at the sudden reaction. ]

He's a god. I'm pretty sure. So's his brother, actually. I'm sure if I asked, they could give you a demonstration.

That may sway me, my friend! [Toshi you just met hi--] Though I come from a world where nearly everyone as a sort of power or skill, and I've heard it's uncommon -- perhaps that's where my incredulity stems from.

But in that case! All the more reason to provide them something simple but full of emotion. God or not, I can't imagine anyone worth their salt disliking something from the heart.

I come from a world where a lot of people have talents too. But if we can have talents and meet aliens from other planets, then we can probably meet gods too. Not that it really matters in the end. They're friends here.

[ Steve gives him a warm chuckle. Loki appreciating something because it is from the heart sounds very much like something he would deny, and Steve can imagine him bristling at the idea. But it's also something he thinks is true. That makes it better. ]

It's not that I think he'd dislike the thought, just... I want to give back.

I can't blame you -- it's always difficult to find a gift in general.

...

Do they enjoy sweets? You could always add something delicious if your gift from the heart fails.

I... think so. He seems to like them better than other things, at least. I actually got him to eat some.

That's good to hear... Ah, my manners! Giving you such bold advice when I'm just a stranger.

I'm Toshinori Yagi, but most just call me Yagi.

I don't mind. I asked for advice and you've been helpful. Can't really ask for more than that.

[ He smiles, expression brightening as they turn to lighter talk. ]

My name is Steve Rogers. Nice to meet you, Yagi.

The pleasure's mine, my good man!

It sounds like you live quite an extraordinary life, if gods are your friends.

It's certainly not what it used to be.

[ There's a strong vein of humor in the way Steve says that. Granted, things were never the same after he volunteered to be a lab rat, but after waking up they got even stranger. And Quarantine might be weirder still.

Or more mundane. He can't tell if that is why it feels different or not. ]

Actually, meeting gods is one of the less shocking things that has happened. Like aliens. You get used to it after the first few times.

If that is one of the lesser of the shocking things, I'd be worried to hear about what exceeds it.

Well, the aliens invading can be pretty strange. But I think we can get used to anything now.

Suppose that's true. And things that seem normal in one place are apparently pretty wild in others. Back home, 80% of the world's population have some sort of power or ability, for example.

Eighty?

[ Steve sounds awed by that. There are a lot of heroes around where he's from, but the civilian population still outnumbers them easily. They're growing, but not massive. Even the mutant population hasn't grown that much. ]

How... does everyone feel about that? Is it hard for the ones that don't have an ability?

It hasn't always been that great; at one point in the past, it was a source of great anarchy, to have so many powers butting heads. But... now, a system's been set up -- heroes who can help keep villainy and crime in check, and laws to help prohibit dangerous situations while still encouraging quirks in particular settings.

[It's not perfect, but no system really is.

You just have to be able to sell it, to keep people appeased while being fair and just.]

... Quirkless. Well.

[He rubs the back of his head, smiling.]

I'm actually quirkless myself. I suppose it comes with... feeling a bit outcast.

Among other issues, but you learn to work with it.

[ He wonders what that would be like. A world full of powers and those with powers regulating each other. Part of it makes his gut wrench, because the potential for abuse is there, he's seen it, but that's another world. He can't say what it would be like with the scales weighted differently.

Sometimes he wishes he could. If he could just understand a little more, would he be able to do more good. But he can only approach things from his own perspective in the end. He tightens his lips briefly before relaxing again. ]

Hopefully the system keeps everyone in mind.

[ And that's already too much judgment. He shakes his head, shrugging off the cloud to smile sympathetically. ]

Outcast, huh? But you must have your own talents.

Oh... well... I'm a teacher, back home, but I'm admittedly pretty new at it...

[He's super talented at coughing blood and looking ill, but you know.]

I suppose I've never really worried about having talents in my day to day life. Maybe I should expand my horizons a little, now that I'm stuck here in the meanwhile.

What do you teach?

[ That might shed some light on the man's skills. Abilities or not, everyone has talents. ]

Is that what you're doing here?

I teach P.E. here. But back home, I taught social studies.

It's a bit harder to do that now... considering, you know. Very different worlds converging.

Edited 2017-12-01 21:59 (UTC)

Well, it can always be a learning experience for everyone. That's what makes it interesting.

[Of course, part of that is just Steve being glad the Quarantine isn't too quiet. Converging worlds keep him on his toes, and without that he'd be restless.]

We get a lot of interesting people coming in.

Indeed! I've met so many unique individuals, I never find myself lacking in good company.

... Lets just hope we can avoid the more unsettling figures from our worlds.

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