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

video; un: ghostking

[deathkid]

The other one? [ mildly as he eyes the cookies. hey look, another old man who doesn't look his age. not that nico knows this yet. ] What do you mean by you woke up and the world changed?

[starspangled]

An alternate version of me. Or maybe I'm an alternate version of him. Anyway, we have a lot in common.

I was asleep for about seventy years - sort of like cryostasis. When I came out of it, a lot had happened. It wasn't the world that I knew anymore, if that makes sense.

[deathkid]

Alternate universes are annoying.

[ huffs a little, but the sour expression soon turns to surprise. ]

You were- _{So I'm not the only one.} I um... experienced something similar

[starspangled]

They definitely have their challenges, but it hasn't been so bad.

[steve's brows knit together in concern.]

Yeah? Wanna talk about it?

[deathkid]

[ there's a slight pause, and then nico nods. ]

After my uncle, Zeus, killed my mother, my father had me and my sister hidden in a Las Vegas casino run by lotus eaters. For about seventy years. I never even realized that time had passed when we finally came out. The world was at war when we went in, and when we were taken out... another war was already brewing.

[starspangled]

[steve's expression...doesn't lighten at what he hears.]

I'm sorry about your mother. [and surprised at another common theme in both their experiences - war.] You were awake the whole time?

[deathkid]

[ nico merely shakes his head. he has few memories of his mother now that it hardly matters. ]

It's... difficult to explain. Time moved differently. It felt like I was only there for a few days.

[starspangled]

Yeah. It's like I went to sleep and woke up, and suddenly everything moved a heck of a lot faster.

What was the most surprising thing to you?

[deathkid]

Aside from finding out what I am? Apparently the Empire State Building is now the home of the Greek Gods of Olympus.

Also mobile phones. But I kind of like some of the music these days.

[starspangled]

[he'll come back to the phones and music, because there's some more common ground there too. but first things first.]

The Empire State Building. New York?

[deathkid]

[ a nod. ]

Yeah. And the entrance to the Underworld is in Los Angeles.

[starspangled]

Huh.

[an understatement. steve thinks about that for a moment.]

What about the Norse gods? Are you familiar with them?

[deathkid]

They exist where I'm from, but I never met any until I came here. The Egyptian gods are around too. I met Anubis in New Orleans.

[ beat. ]

I'm guessing you're talking about Loki, if you're referring to Norse gods?

[starspangled]

Him too, but Thor was actually a friend of mine. I was wondering if he knew about all of this.

[deathkid]

I've never met Thor. Loki's nice, though. He's not like the Loki from my world. Or... at least how he's depicted in my world.

[starspangled]

To be honest, he's not much like the one from mine either.

[deathkid]

This whole alternate universe thing is weird. Getting used to this century and trying not to get killed at the same time is difficult enough.

[starspangled]

Tell me about it. I guess we just have to learn to not be surprised regardless of what's thrown at us.

[deathkid]

Being adaptable is pretty much a survival requirement for a demigod.

[starspangled]

Sounds like you've been through a lot. Is your uncle still after you?

[deathkid]

Not so much anymore. Zeus is just... well, Zeus. And he's always pretty cranky.

[starspangled]

I think this goes a little beyond 'cranky'.

Why'd he do it?

[deathkid]

Because of a prophecy. And also because, uh, some of my demigod siblings chose the wrong side of the war. Demigods are usually really important people and Uncle Zeus and Uncle Poseidon's children were fighting for the Allies. Father's other children, however...

[ basically, it's heavily implied that nico's related to hitler. :| ]

[starspangled]

[steve frowns at that, a disapproval that touches his eyes as well as his lips.]

Why would they do that?

[fight for either side, really. but one in particular.]

[deathkid]

[ shrugs, lips pursed together for a few seconds before responding. ]

Because they were evil.