entranceway | 001 ☆ video

[When the video feed starts up, it shows a man seated at a desk in a rather nondescript room. Not much can be seen behind him beyond a bed and closet. Much more noteworthy is his face, which has a few bruises and a line of stitches extending outward from the corner of his mouth.

Despite that, he has a bright, open look on his face, though the fact that he's sitting up straight and looking head-on at his phone's camera makes it clear that he means business.]

So... had a few days to take everything in, read what information I could find. It's been helpful, it really has. [A lot of the work and investigation had already been done for him, though that hasn't prevented Steve from doing his own exploration.]

Just a few questions, if anyone can help. [And so far, most everyone has been helpful.] I can only assume there's some escape effort that's been put together here. A group of like-minded people, working together to get everyone home. I'd like to be a part of that. [It might seem overly transparent to ask about something like that over a network like this, but Steve has no interest in secrecy, especially not after everything that he's been through.]

Secondly, I've heard a lot about people being from different worlds. I'm trying to get an idea of how many we're dealing with. [He knows about Asgard and has heard vaguely of the Nine Realms, but beyond that he's clueless. He needs to determine the scope of this operation.]

Oh, and the name's Steve Rogers. I'll do whatever I can to get us all out of here. [It's meant mainly as a test to see if anyone here is going to recognize him, or if he actually has some manner of anonymity in this place.

With that said, he offers a small smile and then ends the feed.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I was never taught. I have lived quite far from the sea. Only those who live by its shores learn to swim.

[ it is a small lie. she had sailed its waters when she turned from sansa to her own self; but sansa's past matters little and a small lie, meant to shelter and protect the girl who came before her, cannot truly be a wicked thing. ]

I would love to look upon it. They sing many songs of the sea in my realm. Have you lived nearby it before?

[It makes sense. Why learn if there's no chance you'll actually be able to put those skills to use?]

Are you able to sing too? [Steve wouldn't mind hearing a song about the sea.] I've lived near it, yeah. [It was usually quite the trip to head down to the ocean, or over to Coney Island, but Steve had gotten a few opportunities back in the day. He'd had to be careful when swimming because of his weak lungs and heart, but he'd still enjoyed it.

They reach the entrance hall and Steve pushes on toward the front doors.]

I do, Steve Rogers, only I am not certain I am proficient enough to sing for an audience.

[ said with a humble little smile. in truth, sansa stark before her was oft praise for her sweet voice.

( sansa stark had sung for her life, had sung to the hound when the sea was burning ).

alayne had little chances to sing but she favors it, still. ]

It must be a beautiful sight to live by.

[Steve's guess is that Alayne's got a great voice, but is a little too embarrassed to sing for other people.

Which he respects. He's not going to push the subject.]

Well, it's not like I had a beachside villa or anything. But I was able to travel to it, at least.

[They exit out into the gardens and Steve quickly cuts to the left, in the direction that will take them toward the ocean.]

Just how long have you been here, anyway?

Less than a moon's cycle and most of my time, I spent indoors.

[ out of fear, out of concern. it is a new habit, to walk about on her own. she would always fear it and very rarely would she dare to ask for an escort. a girl alone, in any realm, cannot be safe. especially when she is so unprotected. some girls in this realm knew to wield swords and other such weapons but not alayne.

she knew her place and her strength. ]

This would be the farthest I have ever gone from our Mansion.

[Steve is finding that hard to imagine. Even if it's been less than a month, she's still been trapped here for what sounds like a few weeks, and she'd spent all of that inside? The mansion may be big, but it's not that big.

He has to remember that she comes from a place where the culture is very different, though, so he's just relieved he's finally given her the chance to get some fresh air.]

Well, here in Wonderland no one's going to mind if you go wandering around on your own. If you ever need someone to go with you, though, you can always give me a call.

[It's a small act in the grand scheme of things, but Steve still offers, not wanting Alayne to be cooped up for her entire stay here.]

I know, I fear it is only myself that I need to convince.

[ it is me who is lacking in courage. sansa was taught to be proper and careful as a young lady ought to be. sansa learned the importance of safety from king's landing, from queen cersei, from joffrey's cruelty. alayne remembers these lessons, remembers the importance of company and protection. without her father to aid her, it is she who would have to find a sense of certainty again. ]

Would I not be interrupting? You are not sworn to my cause and I have little to give you in return for such service.

[Sometimes it's convincing yourself that can be the hardest thing, Steve understands that. Alayne probably feels trapped, scared, uncertain in a place that she doesn't recognize or completely understand. But the more she sees of it, the more comfortable she'll become.

At her question, Steve only shrugs.] The way I see it, we're all a part of the same cause here, so helping each other out here and there isn't really a service. [He gives her an easy smile.] Besides, you seem like you're good company.

[He gestures ahead of him then, drawing her attention to the sight of the ocean as it starts coming into view.] Look, there it is now.

[ alayne's smile grows softer at his words, a bit of sansa slipping into it. her world would have been cruel to a man such as him, if he is honest. but this is not westeros and maybe -

hope is a dangerous, foolish things but alayne cannot truly control it. the view of the ocean is beautiful and she refuses to remember ser dontos falling into the water or the dark hours she spent on the ship that has taken her away from king's landing.

it was for the better. it has saved my life. ]

Is it not beautiful, Steve Rogers?

[The use of his full name is a little strange, he has to admit. It's got to be a cultural thing, though, and so Steve doesn't bother to correct her. It reminds him a little of how Thor speaks, and that's enough to bring a smile to his face.]

I told you it was worth seeing for yourself.

[He picks up the pace a little until they reach the sand, at which point he takes his shoes off and sets them neatly at the end of the beach, and then rolls up his pants to mid-calf.

If he's coming all the way down here, he's at least going to put his feet in the water.]

001 ☆ video

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