video (un: s.rogers)

[starspangled]

[it's steve's first time on the network, though anyone who's met the other steve might need a second glance. he's sitting on his bed, a box of cookies on one side, and a familiar shield propped up against his knee.]

So I guess I'm not one of the new kids anymore. [there's new names, new faces - some familiar ones too.] For anyone who just got here, it's okay if you feel a little bit overwhelmed. I woke up once before and the world had changed, so I guess I might've been a little more prepared for it than most. My advice is to keep busy if you can - they say action is the antidote to despair. Find your friends too, or make new ones. There's no shortage of good people here.

[that's not his cue, but might as well make his introduction here.]

My name's Steve Rogers - the other one. If I can lend a hand with something, if you need an escort beyond the fences, just say the word. [steve glances down, gripping the edge of his shield for a moment.] Someone must've gone through some trouble to get this back to me. I figure I owe it to them to put it to good use.

Now, if it's the cookies you're asking about... [steve sighs, like that requires a little more consideration.] They're really good, but my ma did teach me to share. I bet I could get some more, maybe even some homemade ones.

[that little smirk has 'right, sam?' written all over it.]

Comments

[mannerism]

A brunch.

[ captain america hosting a brunch, goodness gracious, that does make her smile. ]

I suppose it'll mean I'll have to learn to make something myself by then, can't come empty-handed.

[starspangled]

Bring your smile. Trust me, it's more than enough.

[mannerism]

[ ironically, it does make her smile and far too easily as that. ]

Careful. Attitude like that and you'd have no chance at ever hosting a potluck.

[starspangled]

Sam does that better than I ever could anyway.

[mannerism]

Not a keen host?

[ she's not entirely surprised. if allowed to guess, she'd wager she's that much worse than him. ]

[starspangled]

My taste in music is outdated, I use the microwave too much, and I've been told that my conversation skills could stand to be a little more lighthearted.

[mannerism]

Aside of the microwave, I trust the same can be said for me. Funny, that.

[ funny, indeed. ]

Not that shabby at dancing, you, there's that.

[ she makes it sound like a small mercy; dancing, of all things. ]

[starspangled]

Only an idiot wouldn't hang on to your every word.

[he knows from experience that the world can be full of those, but he'd like to think that he's not one.]

I'm thinking about taking lessons. Imagine how much better I'll be then.

[mannerism]

[ she bites back her smile, she refuses outright to let this man get the better of her.

( even if he does, and so effortlessly, too. if he weren't so endearing, it'd be annoying. ) ]

Is there a dance school at Quarantine?

[starspangled]

There is, down at the community center. I've already spoken to the dance instructor there.

[mannerism]

Are you having a laugh?

[ her arms settle on her hips. ]

-- Good lord, you are, you're pulling my leg.

[starspangled]

[she looks like she's about to park him on the naught step. he wouldn't mind.]

No ma'am, not you.

[mannerism]

[ it does indeed cross her mind for a moment. ]

And? what shall you be learning, then? tango? foxtrot? Lindy hop?

[starspangled]

All of the above? I mean, you never know what kind of song they're going to play next, right?

[mannerism]

It is a bit of a bet.

[ casually, brightly, ]

I imagine you'd need practice.

[starspangled]

And lots of it. I'm a little bit worried about finding a patient enough partner.

[mannerism]

That seems to be the most important thing, is it?

[ she's thrown back to a conversation held at the docks with howard, I figured you'd never have a problem finding a man, he said and she thought back to steve when she answered, the trick is finding the right one. ]

Any ideas, then?

[starspangled]

Just one. Are you free on Tuesday nights?

[mannerism]

[ well now. she remembers the young man who prattled at her at the back of an ssr car. seems like they've both gone a long way since then. ]

As it happens. Tuesdays seem relatively uneventful.

[starspangled]

[not quite that guy, but the feelings that she inspires in steve haven't changed that much at all.]

I think we could give Fred and Ginger a run for their money, don't you?

[mannerism]

I doubt many people here would understand that reference. Who would you say are the modern Fred and Ginger?

[ don't tell her about dancing with the stars, steve, she'd find it audacious. ]

[starspangled]

[gosh, he doesn't even know. let him think about that for a sec-

ah.]

Jay Z and Beyonce? I've never actually seen him dance, but she's amazing. I can't imagine her husband not being able to.

[mannerism]

--- Those are names? People get called that in the 21st century?

[ good lord but then, oh, she has to smile. ]

Can't a woman who knows how to dance marry a man who can't?

[ it's a dangerous hypothetical conversation to be having, and yet. ]

[starspangled]

Most likely stage names. I can't judge, they're a lot more fashionable than 'Captain America' these days.

[his breath catches a little, but he's not going to let that question get away from him.]

Absolutely. But if he's any kind of gentleman, he'll do his best to learn before the wedding.

[who were they talking about again?]

[mannerism]

Well, I am not one for stage names whatsoever but all in all, I think I rather remain old-fashioned.

[ she never cared that much for Captain America, only for the man behind the title. but at the very least that title made more sense than Jay-Z. ]

Not much to learn for a wedding, I wager, they're all slow dances. I am certain Mr. Jay-Z, [ a grimace, that cannot be a name of any sort, stage or otherwise ] didn't have too much trouble.