Marvel AU, in beyondtherift

[thebestman]

Sir, I realize that it's a little stressful to play a character that's so well-known when you've mostly stuck to original characters or little-known characters for the past few years. And that's fine. But the world's not gonna end if someone doesn't like how you play me, and the world's not gonna end if someone doesn't like your "AU", whatever that means.

For what it's worth, I think you're doing just fine. I'm not really sure why you had to bring me in with Stark, but at least I'm not in a whole new universe on my own.

Comments

[deadandred]

My gal says not many people have seemed fussed so far about me, so -- tell him not to worry about it.

[thebestman]

He says it's different with you, though I'm not really sure how.

I'll try anyway, but I doubt it'll help much. You know how people can get sometimes when they think they gotta be worked up over something.

[deadandred]

Well, maybe 'cause you're ...a bigger name than me? [--Says the man whose name was probably used to terrify Russian children into going to bed on time.]

Yeah, this dame was doing the same kinda thing last night.

[thebestman]

Maybe so. [ shrug ] She shouldn't, it's not as if anyone'll know who I am in Chicago.

[ BAHAHAHAHAH, sayeth the mun, THAT'S WHAT YOU THINK. ]

[deadandred]

...[Yeah, uh, have a disbelieving look.] Okay, Captain America.

[thebestman]

[ Gives him a LOOK ] Bucky, it's a whole other universe, why in the world would they know who I am?

[deadandred]

Because you're a goddamn hero, maybe?

[thebestman]

[ laughs - he's being so ridiculous ] Yeah, in our universe, maybe, but I haven't done anything for the people here. You're being ridiculous.

[kiss_evilgoodbye]

Mine worries about me all the time. Apparently I've got one of those quirky voices.

[thebestman]

For what it's worth, ma'am, my mun says he thinks yours has you down pat.

[kiss_evilgoodbye]

She appreciates it. And is really intrigued by whole girl Captain America thing.

[a beat]

And you can call me Buffy. Ma'am is for those who answer to me, and as far as I know you don't.

[thebestman]

[ curious headtilt ] "Girl Captain America" thing? As opposed to what, exactly?

It's basic manners, or it was back in the 40s. I don't really know you from Adam, and you're clearly an adult, so ma'am's only fair. If you're more comfortable with... Buffy, did you say? I can call you that instead. Though I'll probably forget at least a couple times. Sorry. [ Oh look, THERE'S the awkward rambling around girls. Yup. That's still a thing that happens. ]

[abetterway]

I try to assure mine, as well.

Stark seems...difficult. [Not like you'd know about difficult friends, Xavier.]

[kiss_evilgoodbye]

Well, the ones she's used to are equally adorable, but more of the male variety.

[nods]

Well, if you forget I will gently nudge you back in the right direction.

[thebestman]

They're not really fond of listening, seems like.

Stark is... complicated, I think. She puts on this show for everyone to prove how much she doesn't care, and then goes and all but sacrifices herself to save Manhattan from a nuke. [ Shakes her head ] She's hard to handle, though, for sure.

[thebestman]

Oh. [ surprised ] Huh. Guess things must've gone down different in their programs, if Erskine wasn't looking to try the serum on a woman.

[ a little sheepish ] 'ppreciate it.

[kiss_evilgoodbye]

If I remember correctly, I think they chose boy Steve because his health issues helped him value the gift he was being given. But when Xander gets into a superhero ramble I tend to zone out and just wait for the explosions to happen.

[smiles]

No problem.

[blackouts]

It stands for alternate universe. Which you've become a magnet for, from the looks of it. [ stevie brings all the boys-turned-girls to the yard. ]

[thebestman]

Well, guess that solves that one. I'm guessing this "Captain America is a fella" universe I heard about is the not-alternate one?

[ mildly exasperated? Stevie? Not at all. ]

[thebestman]

Hm. Guess that makes sense. I had my share of health problems. Chronically underfed, asthmatic, mom died of tuberculosis which doesn't tend to make folks feel like my health is great. Mostly what did it, I think, was I kept trying to enlist. And Erskine was lookin' to try the serum on a gal, it hadn't been going well with the fellas he'd tried it on before me.

[deadandred]

Still. You're kinda...the one bright spot. It sticks out.

[thebestman]

Now I know you're off your rocker. There are plenty of folks out there who are better people than me.

[deadandred]

Yeah, well, my brains got scrambled, I gotta right to be a little crazy. ....But there aren't a lot, y'know.

[kiss_evilgoodbye]

What made him pick you?

[thebestman]

[ ;_; Bucky, no, don't, she's not ready to joke about it yet. ] I think you're underestimating people's tendencies to do good and help other people.

[thebestman]

I think a lot of it was they were having trouble with the men going crazy afterwards. A similar project in another country had been having the same problem with the men, but not the women, so Erskine was keen to try it on a dame. Guess I was the only one he came across crazy enough to want to be a soldier.

[ pause ] And I don't like bullies. I didn't want to fight, exactly, but I wanted to stop the nazis and their allies from hurting anybody else. Erskine said that everything about a person would be made more because of this. So, if he used it on a bully, they'd just become more of a bully. That probably didn't hurt.

[kiss_evilgoodbye]

No, it probably didn't.

[she wonders if the shaman who decided to make the Slayer all those centuries ago put that much thought into things. Probably not, but it is a thought.]

Sounds like he made the right choice.

[deadandred]

Not really. Lotta things have changed since we were kids, doll.

[blackouts]

They're all alternate to something. Probably best not to get hung up on who came first.

[abetterway]

[Long-suffering look goes here.] So very many aren't.

That sounds...slightly familiar, honestly.

[A sudden, utterly sincere smile.] I'm sure you're up to the task, Captain.

[thebestman]

[ Stevie ducks her head a little ]

Well, I dunno about that, but I do my best.

[thebestman]

[ Stevie lets out a small bark of laughter, and shakes her head. ] Well, that makes one of us, ma'am. It's a whole new universe she has now, and she doesn't have to worry about her company at all. No telling what trouble she'll get herself into.

[thebestman]

Got a good point there, ma'am. Might as well worry about how fast we're going 'round the sun - nothing wrong with it, nothing we can do to change it.

[thebestman]

I doubt they've changed quite as much as you think. [ shoulderbump ]

[blackouts]

[ good god, she's a ma'am now. when did that happen. ]

That's the spirit.

[thebestman]

[ When Stevie. She's trying to be very polite to everyone here, as she realizes MANY UNIVERSES. ]

[ offers her hand ] Stevie Rogers, by the way. Don't think I caught your name.

[blackouts]

[ some hesitation before she shakes her hand. ]

Dr. Bryce Banner.

[thebestman]

[ Stevie's eyebrows go up, but she shakes Bryce's hand firmly, and her smile widens a little. ]

Dr. Banner, good to see you. I have to admit, this is a bit of a surprise.

[blackouts]

[ well now she's self-conscious about her handshake. it felt acceptable to her but stevie's is so confident orz. ]

The feeling's mutual, Captain.

[thebestman]

[ Nooo, your handshake is fine, don't be self-conscious omg Stevie would feel so bad. ]

Hope you've been doing well. Last time I saw you, we were kind of in the middle of stopping an alien invasion.

[blackouts]

And the last time I saw you, you were riding off into the sunset.

[deadandred]

I guess we'll just have to see, huh?

[abetterway]

You'll simply need to pull her out of it, then. ...Without too much collateral damage, hopefully. [Her own grin flickers, a bit.]

[kiss_evilgoodbye]

The best is all people can ask for, really.