past prologue.

Charlie Brown, wow. (I'm burning through my DVR - all the Rankin Bass specials are next, so watch out.)

When you sit back and look at everything that one Christmas special gave to the world (and even though it's 50 in your mind, it's still pretty new to me) -- not only do you get a host of really good jazz, but we all get to sit on our laurels and be reminded that Christmas is actually about giving.

I remember
whe It's important, more than ever before, to remember each other. And it's important to put others first -- if we're all looking out for one another, I can guarantee that everybody's back is covered.

[AVENGERS]

Let's circle the wagons. You've had a tough few weeks, (days, months, lifetimes ...) and I want to hear about what's happened. I also want to hear about our next steps. We've been batting clean up to HYDRA too much and I'd like to get one step ahead of them.

So, that means sharing key learnings and re-molding our strategy. And Stark, I know that sharing really isn't your strong suit but give her a whirl.

[America]

Hey, you.

I think every time I read the newspaper, I get a headache these days.

It's worse than homework.

But at least life is never boring.

( Kate and Kamala )

I'm so bored. We should be doing something. I mean, your the world...or at least this part of it...seems like a hot mess lately. Unless it's always been like this, in which case I take back the 'lately'. I am so sick of fighting muggers

( Steve )

So, is Blackwood as much of a douche as the papers make him seem?

But nevermind that. I'm going kind of stir-crazy. And not the kind Sunday chess will fix. Would you be up for sparring? Or idk superhero mentoring. I could be your sidekick. I already have the name for it.

( Daisy )

So, I'm a jerk who's totally dropped contact and I suck. I'm not good at feelings stuff

Want to get together and do something in spite of that?

So, I'm thinking and most anybody can tell you that's a dangerous pasttime. But I'm thinking about how, when I was a kid, I had to scrape (literally scrape) and fight for art supplies, or school supplies of any kind. The NYPD are doing their best to find the girls who are missing, and we have to make sure that them and all their friends have every implement they need to learn.

I'm asking you right now to lend a buck or two - or more - and donate supplies to local schools in the area. You can bring your donations to Stark Tower, and leave it in the lobby. We'll be sure to disburse it.

[SHIELD, SGS, OPERATION BARNES BAITING PARTICIPANTS]

To each and every one of you who took part in bringing Bucky back to the United States, and bringing him under our protection, I give you my thanks. Besides being my best friend and brother of many years, Sergeant James Barnes has the distinction of being America's longest serving prisoner of war. He was owed our devotion in bringing him back to the fold.

Our work in Havana was the first step in a journey whose distance we are only beginning to map out. So, I beg your patience. And I beg your understanding. Most especially, I beg you to remember that HYDRA is the enemy and HYDRA is still present in the world. We have data, and we have intel. Our organizations have been methodically shutting down HYDRA cells across the world. But our work isn't over.

SHIELD and SGS have to work hand in hand to root out HYDRA influence and fight it on every front presented: from the battlefield to the laboratory. And I am going to be here with you. The Avengers are going to be here with you. As long as you're here with me.

[AMERICA]

Heya. I'm back in NYC.

So, apparently I've been upgraded from books to actual communication. I don't really understand why but I'm not sure how much of an improvement it'll be, but we'll see.

So. Is everyone...recovered?

BE ADVISED. THIS COMMUNICATION IS BEING MONITORED BY STARK INDUSTRIES SECURE NETWORK. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO RESTRICT, EDIT, OR REMOVE RESPONSES AT ANY TIME.

Who: Kamala Khan, Kate Bishop and America Chavez (when she is available)
Where: Hawthorne Academy, in the cafeteria
When: First day of school, lunchtime
What: Kamala is trying to get use to being in a new high school away from her friends and is sitting like a loner at a table by herself.
Warnings: N/A
Status: In progress

( A brown girl on scholarship. )

Welcome to New York City's historic Gotham Hall, a massive and beautiful event space located in the heart of Manhattan at 1356 Broadway. Gotham Hall is style meets sophistication, with brass filigree doors, marble inlaid floors, grand architecture, and a positively soaring gilded ceiling. This oval space boasts 9,980 square feet and holds a max capacity of 800 guests. Given that the MSF charity fundraiser is one of the hottest tickets in town, every one of those tickets has been bought, raffled off, stolen, or scalped.

How does your character come to attend this event, and are there any other reasons for why they are doing so?

School starts in less than a month. Can the Avengers do something about that? Because...do not want. I got my schedule and I'm pretty sure Calculus should be classified as a supervillain.

( Kate )

Can't we just...not? Like just superhero full time and skip school for the rest of forever?

( Steve )

So...say, hypothetically, I was a superhero. With superpowers. Who superheroed around with my superpowers fighting crime...

Not that I'm saying any of that.

I hope you're looking forward to pulling out your wallets to support the Maria Stark Foundation.

[SAM, TONY]

Sam, Tony. Tony, Sam. He's got some sick wings you want to check out/fix. We'll drop them off at your workshop, cause we're about to head back south.

[AVENGERS + PHIL + SHARON + SAM]

Thanks for keeping me apprised of the data being gathered at the HYDRA bases. You all are not only sharing info - which will keep us on track - but working together, despite our ultimately strange circumstances. Let's find out more about these psychic experiments and if Bruce has any additional information about what happened to him.

Back down on my way to FL. Bucky made contact last night and transmitted [attached]. It might prove interesting, considering what we've got from Charleston and Dothan. I promised we'd clean up his tails and gather any more intel. I'm also going to see if I can get out ahead of him, which means I need you on alert. It's time to bring him in, and doing it will probably require more than just me.


And yeah. AZ = Arnim Zola.

[SHARON]

One night in NYC. One.

[AMERICA + KATE]

Heya, ladies. Let's cut the bull.

WHO: America Chavez & Kate Bishop (or rather, Miss America & Hawkeye)
WHAT: A hostage situation in a high-rise downtown has different first responders than the police.
WHEN: July 17th
WHERE: Manhattan's Financial District
RATING: TBD

( This would be a step up from dealing with muggers and lechers in Central Park or thwarting convenience store robberies. )

The longer I live, the more I understand that the world consistently renews itself. And as much as I am in awe of her ability to survive - and thrive - in the bleakest of circumstances, I think what strikes me most today is that the world is so much larger than we'd ever thought, or even hoped. There are worlds beyond our borders; worlds within worlds within our own little sphere and somehow, we're meant to all remain centered while we focus on the most basic elements of our own lives.

Ladies and gentlemen, sometimes that isn't possible. Sometimes, in order for the good people of earth to continue dwelling in peace someone must become a mediator -- a rock, against which all the waves of the worlds can buffet themselves against. I tell you right now - and with no lack of love - that as your Avengers, the same team that rebuffed the alien attacks in New York City, we are here for you. And we will continue to be here for you, whenever you need us.

WHO: America Chavez & Kate Bishop.
WHAT: America finds herself in a new world and friendship begins.
WHEN: When America first arrived, shortly after the events of Thor 2.
WHERE: Manhattan, New York.
RATING: TBD.
STATUS: In Progress.

( The alley was a perfectly normal alley. )