captain sara lance | white canary (theyellowbird) wrote in multifariousic, @ 2015-08-11 01:42:00 |
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It was Friday, which meant another busy night at Verdant. While the doors weren’t scheduled to open for hours yet, Sara had a lot of her own errands to run, both for herself and for the club. She’d left the club on her bike, heading out with a metaphorical list of tasks to get done between now and dinner time, before she’d have to be in to set up the bar. The city streets were busy, nothing new there, it was New York. A few paid attention to her as she pulled her bike up to the sidewalk, putting it into park and removed her helmet. Despite being in the 21st century, apparently it was still strange to see a female behind the wheel of a bike. She ignored any onlookers until they went on their way. Instead she busied herself with the bag that was secured to the back of her bike, untying it and slinging it over her shoulders. She set the alarm on her bike, pocketed the keys, and started down the street. Most of what she needed to get was in a walking distance from where she was parked. But before all of that, coffee. Just a few minutes away was a small mom & pop shop, that beat the hell out of anything any chain stores were selling. Sara’s one year mark was just shy by a few months, and she had become quite use to this place. Somehow, despite it being an alternate reality, it was almost as normal as she had been in years. She still kept up her nightly activities and her job with the avengers. But she had a normal a job, a house that was slowly looking more like a home instead of a safehouse, and actual friends. As much as he missed her family, she wasn’t sure she would ever want to go back to the future that was awaiting her in her own reality. Here, she could walk down the street and no one knew her as the girl who had come back from the dead, or the daughter of the police chief. The closest thing about her was in the papers, and there was wearing a mask. A woman in black, beating up on criminals and delivering thugs to the doors of stations. The sign for the coffee shop came into view, and she was just debating her order, when someone a few meters ahead of her and coming her direction made her stop. It was James, but it wasn’t James. The same face, but he was different. From the lack of a metal arm, down to the way he moved, and the expression on his face. Thus far she had avoided the other Bucky Barnes, and the last place she had ever expected to see him was walking around New York, the city was massive enough to avoiding those kinds of situations. But there he was, heading her way. She was conflicted over his existence for many reasons, none of which were actually his fault. He probably had no idea who she was. She hesitated briefly, before continuing her pace forward. She was curious if he would spot another displaced person. Bucky hadn't been here long. It was New York City, so at least he had a general idea of where things were, even if the places themselves were different. Different owners, slightly different names, things like that. He wondered if his and Peggy's brownstone in Brooklyn was there- he hadn't even thought to check. Maybe he'd do that later. He also needed to figure out what the deal was with the Avengers- once he figured out who he needed to contact. But first, coffee. It wasn't something he really needed, but it had become a habit during his marriage with Peggy. Before they went their separate ways to work, or things with the kids or whatever they had going on, they'd usually share a cup of coffee. There was one particular neighborhood coffee shop that they'd frequented, and he was pretty happy that there was one in the same spot, although the owners here were different than the ones back home. He'd decided to walk; the morning was cool and the sun shining. He'd even slept in a little bit, but he'd been generally too restless and uneasy to stay too close to his apartment. He didn't have much there- he didn't really need much, after all. But coffee. He approached the cafe, hands in his pockets, when his gaze met another's. She was blonde- there was a flicker of recognition, but no smile, just hesitation. Bucky wondered what that was about, but he continued closer, looking up to the building and meeting her at the turn-off toward the cafe's doors. "After you," he started, offering a small smile as he paused in his tracks to let her enter before him. Sara almost thought he was going to walk right past her, which worked just fine. Instead he turned pretty much at the same time he did. Coffee made the world go ‘round. She paused for a moment, wondering if she should just skip. But then that would definitely just be weird. So instead she returned the smile, and stepped into the coffee shop with a ‘thanks.’ It wasn’t too much of a surprise that there was a line up. Afternoon pick me ups were likely needed by the majority of Americans. So Sara got in line, very much aware that another version of the man she was involved with was directly behind her. It was days like this that Sara appreciated how truly strange this place was. The mental debate to say something, or just act like he was a total stranger went on her head until two more customers had been served. Finally, she turned around as she took a step forward in line. “You don’t recognize me, do you?” she asked, trying to keep a neutral expression on her face. “You’re Bucky, right? Captain Barnes?” "You're welcome," Bucky replied, letting the door close behind them as he stepped into the line. Thankfully it wasn't too long, and he peered up at the menu, trying to decide if he wanted to try something new or not. He was surprised when the blonde turned around and he blinked. "No, I-" he started, blinking as she spoke his name. "Or Captain Carter, depending on the day." Bucky offered his most charming smile. "But Bucky's fine, yes. Er- should I know you? I'm sorry I don't.." No recognition. That was a good thing anyway, she had been trying to avoid this new set of Captain America and the Winter Soldier. Sara did not appreciate how their presence made James feel. Which she was not at all this man’s fault, but nothing if not protective of those she cared about. A charming smile did nothing for her, but she responded with her own just the same. If he was going to speak to this man, he was going to do so presenting herself as pleasant as possible. “No, that’s fine, I didn’t really expect you to.” she reassured him with a shake of her head. “I was just checking. I’m Sara, I know the other James, Steve and Natasha.” "Oh! Alright." Bucky's eyebrows raised slightly at that introduction- out of surprise- and he smiled again. "Hi, Sara. It's a pleasure to meet you. I haven't had a chance to meet many in person yet- I'm still trying to get used to this place." The line shifted again and they both stepped toward the counter. He glanced to the menu again, then looked back to Sara. "Have you been to this place before? Any idea what's good here?" “It’s a lot to adjust too.” she agreed pleasantly. “It takes time, but people seem to adjust eventually.” Either because they just had no choice, I they really did find a reason to be happy here. But she didn’t mention that. “And there are a lot of us living here. It wouldn’t be easy to get an idea of who everyone is right away.” It helped if you have been around since the start of the arrivals, like her, when there was only few of them here. “It’s one of my haunts. Yeah. Typically I just go for the dark roast, black. Unless I’m in the mood for something sweet, then it’s a Seattle Fog. It’s a latte made from early gray tea.” she was only assuming he didn’t know his lattes. Maybe he did, but there were so many out there anyway. “The coffee is good here, it’s quality. Nothing like the crap at Starbucks.” Bucky nodded slowly. "That's- that's good." His hand came up to the back of his neck and he glanced aside, half wondering for a moment if he'd ever really adjust. Everything he'd lived for was back home- his wife, his children- his grandchildren, even. The two people from his world here wanted nothing to do with him- which, okay, he got that, but he didn't know what he could do. "That people adjust, I mean. I'll have to work on meeting some of the others. Somehow. I know it's weird- awkward, sometimes, with James and Steve, but- I mean. Sorry, I'm rambling, aren't I?" He nodded again as she spoke of the drinks here. "I think I knew it as a London Fog back home, but you're right- it's a good one." Glancing to the menu again, he was glad to see a Highland Grogg on the list of flavored coffees being brewed today. Peggy had often teased him for his sweet tooth, but he couldn't help it. "Yeah, I never could get into Starbucks- it always taste like it was burnt coffee..." She actually did crack a smile, seeing that face start to ramble was not something shew as use to. “Little bit. But no worries. I get what you’re saying. Give it time. You’ll get there.” He certainly seemed nice enough, but given that he was his worlds version of Steve, that wasn’t exactly surprising. “London Fog is pretty good too.” she agreed, and it was. She’d had it once or twice when she had been in the mood and she had been in some civilization that actually made something like it. There was not that many options when she was with the League. “Well, point in your favor then.” Sort of. “How are you dealing with having another version of you, Steve and...she goes by Natalia, right?” "I hope you're right," Bucky replied with a small sigh. His hand fell back to his side, hands sliding back into his pockets. He rocked back on his heels for a moment. "I feel bad, you know? Throwing a wrench into thing like this. I don't want either of them thinking I'm trying to replace anybody- I'm not looking to take up the shield here, and I just- I can only imagine what James has gotta be thinking." He breathed a small laugh. "Dealing? I don't know. Alright, I guess. Steve seems alright. James- I've talked to him a little on the network, but I don't wanna push. And- Natasha, the other one- I haven't spoken to her yet. Rogers and Natalia from my world want nothing to do with me- probably for the best, considering the run-ins we've had in the past. So long as they don't start killing anybody here, I'm fine to leave them be." He may not have any intentions of making anyone feel replaceable, but that was basically exactly what had happened. Sara had done her best to make it clear to James that he was not replaceable in anyway. She had hoped he had understood, but he still had things to work through. She would be there for him. Sara kept her pleasant smile in place, not letting anything show that she might know more than she was letting on. “James is strong, probably more than he thinks he is.” “They would be wise not to start that. There’s a team of equally skilled people who aren’t going to stand for innocent people being killed.” Now, if they wanted to to take out some political tyrant, Sara probably wouldn’t protest. Hopefully the two of them realized that too, or found something better to do now that there wasn’t an organization ordering assassinations. She had found ways to deal with a lack of any kind of orders here, and was doing just fine. "If we're made of the same sort of stuff, I have no doubt he is," Bucky replied quietly. He had to believe that. He struggled to imagine what James had gone through, hated that he had to in the other world. He hated that Steve had to go through it in his. It was a shitty situation no matter how they spun it. "I would hope they are," he agreed mildly. "I don't know how much Hydra messed with their heads, but from what I understand, none of it was good. But you're right- there are enough people who would be just as willing to stop them, so hopefully it doesn't come to that." “From what I hear of Hydra, nothing they do is ever good.” She couldn’t even imagine being trapped as one of their assets, or soldiers, whatever the hell they were called. The League had been hard enough to survive in. Hydra seemed worse. “Maybe some sort of freedom will bring a new perspective.” It was then that the barista called “I can help who’s next” and waved Sara forward. She smiled politely at Bucky before stepping up to the counter to place her order for coffee. She wasn’t in the mood for sweet today. "No, it never is," Bucky agreed. He lifted a shoulder in a shrug and nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, maybe. I hope so." He hoped that at some point they'd be willing to at least talk to him- Steve had been a good guy, probably still was, deep down. He didn't know Natalia, but he'd seen Natasha around and there had to be a chance for Natalia. Bucky smiled in return, watching for a moment as Sara stepped forward before he was called to the next register over. He stepped forward, ordering his coffee. He glanced to Sara as he finished paying and stepped to the other end of the counter to pick up his coffee. "It was nice meeting you, Sara." Her order was simple, it was ready almost as she was finished paying. Sara picked up a sleeve for the cup, and looked back up at Bucky with a slight nod. He was Bucky, her version was James. At least to her. “I’m sure I’ll see you around.” eventually, maybe. If he was anything like the rest of them, it was hard to sit on the sidelines when you were capable of doing so much more to deal with the crap that happened in the world. Coffee in hand, she turned and headed out of the store, turning and heading in the opposite direction of her bike. She still had a list to get through before work. |