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Post by inakamoto on Nov 9, 2014 20:13:16 GMT -5
"I don't think that'll be a problem," Steve said, "I'm sure I can work something out."
Steve was starting to feel something he hadn't felt in some time: genuine happiness. Finally, after all this time, he was finally getting to do some good. Not as Captain America, but as Steve Rogers. It'd been some time he was able to offer help as just himself, and not the alter ego. It almost made him giddy.
"This kid sounds like something special," Steve said with a smile, "maybe you could tell me more about her?"
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2014 20:55:35 GMT -5
Lisa felt proud of herself for asking for help, and it made Steve look extremely happy, which made her feel better about the choice. Obviously this meant a lot to him, and it was interesting to place her trust in someone like this. She laughed and nodded. “Rive is a special little girl. She’s...oh, she’ll be seven soon! With blond hair and brown eyes. She can be really serious, in fact, her file said she was a very serious child who never smiled. But, apparently she opened up quite a bit after coming here, as she was smiling and even laughing when I met her. The weather is her best friend though, and I think rather protective. There were incidents, usually stemming from her getting bullied” Lisa sighed and shook her head.
“I don’t want her to go back to getting hurt and having the weather lash out in response to her unhappiness. It does as she asks or to protect her. This is why I think the circus is the best place for her to be. Nobody tries hurting her for what she has, if it's weatherpathy or an actual friendship with a sentient spirit of the weather” oh dear, she was getting teary eyed over it! Lisa grunted and scrubbed at her eyes with the heels of her hands. How embarrassing too! Right in front of Captain America!
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Post by inakamoto on Nov 9, 2014 22:55:40 GMT -5
Steve could tell Lisa was passionate about protecting this girl. He couldn't have agreed more, every child deserves their own happiness. Seeing her tear up when talking about Rive made him feel warm, deep down. It was rare to meet anyone who were this passionate, especially in regards to children. It gave him hope, that people may actually be turning out for the better after all.
"No child deserves to endure that kind of burden, no matter who their friends may be," Steve said, "and it's good to know she has grown-ups like you and Disodo to look after her. Sort of like...a mother and father she never had."
Almost immediately, he felt awkward about the statement, and bit his lip. Perhaps it was a bit presumptuous to assume they were a couple.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2014 23:30:55 GMT -5
She smiled once she'd dried her eyes and nodded. "It's good of you to think that. Goodness knows not enough people think that about kids. It's why I started doing this job, to protect kids and get them to better homes" at his presumption Lisa went bright red and looked down. "Um...well, I did go on a date with him, but it didn't end well. But we both take care of her, yea" she chanced looking up and was somewhat put at ease that he looked as embarrassed as she felt. "Even if we aren't together romantically, Disodo and I are still friends and Rive does see us as mother and father" she gently consoled. "So you weren't entirely wrong"
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Post by inakamoto on Nov 9, 2014 23:46:43 GMT -5
Steve smiled awkwardly at Lisa, scratching the back of his head. He could tell she was trying to save him some embarrassment, and he appreciated that. Still, he couldn't believe how awkward he felt talking with her. It certainly wasn't the first time talking with another woman, and 70 years under ice shouldn't mean he'd be that long out of practice. So why did he feel like he was stumbling along with his words?
"Well," Steve said with a light cough, "I'm sure you two-, three, I mean, are getting along great. I'm sure you're all lucky to have found each other."
'C'mon, Steve, get a grip,' Steve thought to himself as he gave a nervous chuckle.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2014 0:04:48 GMT -5
She raised an eyebrow and grinned teasingly. was Steve getting jealous of her relationship with Disodo? "Steve, Disodo is a shapeshifting hellhound. He's a dog. I'm not sure if it would have worked out" but Steve was adorable when stumbling over his words, he really was. Which was odd to think actually. Since he was just a story until a few minutes ago, and older than she was, and she'd just met him too. "I'm still single, I just take care of Rive" she said, gently but firmly.
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Post by inakamoto on Nov 10, 2014 0:19:31 GMT -5
"Oh, I wasn't...I mean...I would never presume to, um, you know...not that I wouldn't want to...I mean...I was...well..."
Steve couldn't believe himself; it was Junior High School all over again.
'Quick, Steve, change the subject!'
"So, uh, have you made any other friends at the cirque?" Steve asked, scratching the back of his head.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2014 0:33:33 GMT -5
Lisa laughed, but not meanly. It was sort of a novel experience, getting a guy tongue-tied, and she hadn't even meant to do it! She shook her head at the question though. "I've been fairly busy with my job, but I wouldn't mind meeting more people here. Just...if I get attached I won't be able to leave when I finish my job with Rive" she looked down.
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Post by inakamoto on Nov 10, 2014 0:54:56 GMT -5
Steve's facial features drooped a bit upon hearing her stay here was only temporary. It must've been tough for her, dealing with a career that kept her on the move. As a military man, he could relate.
"Well," Steve said, finally managing to get a handle on his words, "if you don't mind me saying so, that sounds like a kind of a lonely philosophy. The ones we meet never really leave after parting. Every face you encounter stays with you, and you learn to cherish the encounters you make. Helps you build a bigger family, if you travel enough. And eventually, you become a better person because of them."
These were words Steve held close to his heart. To this day, he could recall the names, faces, and experiences of all his fellow soldiers, family members, and friends. Even after 70 years had passed, those relationships were as much a part of him as his name-sake.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2014 1:00:40 GMT -5
Her face dropped and she bit her lip. "That...is sort of why it's hard to meet new people for me. My best friend was hit by a train and...I still hear the whistle when I think of him. My parents got divorced and I lost track of my little sister. I don't do well...meeting new people when I have to say goodbye" she shouldn't have told him that, and she shouldn't have started talking to him in the first place, because now she was getting attached to him. "It hurts, you know? losing people you get close to over and over" she gave a heavy sigh before smiling at him. "But thank you for your words of wisdom. Maybe I'll try them, sometime"
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Post by inakamoto on Nov 10, 2014 1:10:14 GMT -5
"Please do, Miss Lisa," Steve said encouragingly, placing a supportive hand on her shoulder, "it's like a friend of mine once said, 'as painful as it is to lose someone, it's even more painful to have no one to lose in the first place'."
A sudden wave of nostalgia washed over him, as though the spirit of his old friend had given him a pat on the back. He cracked a smile as he recalled the memory. A memory belonging to a face he always cherished.
"Thanks, Bucky," Steve whispered in spite of himself.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2014 1:17:03 GMT -5
Lisa gave him a quick hug without really thinking about it. He was just being so comforting. "Thank you Steve" it was good advice. And though she'd lost a lot of people, she had to remember that Steve had too. You didn't get frozen for 70 years and expect to have your friends still be around. And if he was following the advice, she could too. Lisa leaned back and looked questioningly at him. She wasn't sure if she'd heard him say anything. If she had, she wasn't sure if she wanted to pry in his private affairs
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Post by inakamoto on Nov 10, 2014 1:25:31 GMT -5
Steve was a bit caught off guard by the hug, but it didn't take long for the feeling to turn to happiness, and prompted him to return the hug. Not many people were comfortable enough around him for interactions like this. It was refreshing to be treated as a normal person for a change.
"I...I should get back to my rounds," Steve said softly, "wouldn't want to let anything slip by me."
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2014 1:33:10 GMT -5
It felt nice, being hugged back. Lisa immediately decided she liked Steve's hugs. But then it was over and she was trying not to feel a little sad. But she nodded. "And I need to get back to the paperwork and Rive. Wouldn't want someone to come take her away before I'm done with it"
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Post by inakamoto on Nov 10, 2014 1:48:06 GMT -5
Steve could tell Lisa was disappointed with them parting, so he felt one last bit of reassurance was called for.
"You're gonna make a great mother," Steve said, his hands resting gently on her shoulders, "you'll see."
There was a part of him that was momentarily tempted to lean in for a kiss. Not on the lips, mind you, but maybe on the forehead or cheek. He wasn't sure what came over him, but the way they connected with each other, the temptation was admittedly great. But, his better half got his feelings in check. A gesture like that might've been taken in bad form. He convinced himself it would be better to maintain a respectable relationship.
But, just as he made that inward resolution, he caught himself lightly brushing his hand against her cheek; an impulse he regretted almost immediately.
"I'm sorry," he said, his face slightly flushed, "that was improper. I...um..."
'Dammit, Steve!'
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