002; elevator of forced honesty

[memefox]

elevator of forced honesty

» POST: a top level for your character(s) » RESPOND: to other characters ICly. your characters are now trapped in an elevator together. » UH OH: neither character can lie. » ADDITIONAL, OPTIONAL COMPLICATIONS: at player discretion characters may also... a. be unable to remain silent when asked questions b. be unable to speak around the truth when answering c. be compelled to reveal truths/secrets unprompted THE POWER OF THE ELEVATOR COMPELS YOU.

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[latrodectus]

[ She lets him grab her by the shirt, though her hands tighten into fists below. ]

I would if I could.

[ Her tone is level, but the words are woven with her own anger and grief, like a rope frayed at the edges. ]

[livingsymbol]

[ He pulls her close, eyes wide and breaths coming heavily, but it's not Natasha Steve is angry at. Underneath the rage there is pain and fear. He doesn't want to believe that Bucky died or that he somehow, again, was responsible for that death. But that in particular is something that strikes true to him. Because he was once already. He failed his partner in the worst way.

His face is still tight with a wretched grimace as he lets go, refusing to wipe away the sting in his eyes. ]

That can't be true. I wouldn't believe the rest of it, but Bucky-

Someone sabotaged us.

[latrodectus]

Us?

[ Natasha is… pretty protective of Bucky. ]

[livingsymbol]

[ He glares back at her. ]

All of us. We're a team, Natasha. This must be a trick. Someone is trying to bring everyone down.

[latrodectus]

Rick Jones thought it was the cosmic cube. [ Which seemed plausible enough, as far as these things go. But it could also be wishful thinking. And lately, Natasha hasn't felt like taking much on faith. ]

[livingsymbol]

[ Rick. At least someone has a reasonable explanation, but it's too bad Rick isn't there. Steve is still angry, so much that he looks like the pent up energy might explode from him at any given moment. He scowls, eyes leveled on Natasha with a serious stare, his jaw set. ]

I would never betray those people. I just got Bucky back. I'm not about to lose him again.

[latrodectus]

[ She isn't easily intimidated, easily moved by anger. She has her own reserves of cold fury. ]

I can't lose him again, either.

[ That was what she had said, when he was dying in front of her, a hole in his chest. This time, she hadn't been there, had only heard that he had died through whispers and wires. She isn't sure which is worse. ]

[livingsymbol]

[ Steve looks at Natasha, stares at her with the hard challenge in his eyes that he has when he's on the battlefield. Hes daring her to put him on the spot. It's not really her that he's angry with, but the idea. The thought that somewhere in some world faith has been lost in Captain America and him. He won't have it. And if that means running the gauntlet for her, Steve will run twenty. ]

You won't. Not if I have anything to say about it.

[latrodectus]

Talk is cheap, Steve. [ Natasha had never been one for inspiring speeches. They hadn't had a Captain America, where she grew up. ] And you can't unmake the past. You know that, at least.

[livingsymbol]

I'm not talking about the past. [ He sets his stance, stubborn lines making up his whole frame. ]

He's here and he's staying with us. I don't care what you believe me or not. That's how it's going to be.

[ He's willing to cross lines to save lives. That's how he has always been. This situation just drives him forward. ]

[latrodectus]

I do believe you. [ Even if it means Tony was right. See, she's not going to turn herself over in stubborn circles because of that. ] But—

[ This world, this place, is just a temporary distraction, yes? The thoughts are in her head, but she can't make them into a sentence. Timelines and alternate universes, it's all the Avengers tropes she preferred not to deal with. ]

[livingsymbol]

But nothing. [ Steve doesn't fully grasp the whole interdimensional travel, it's true. He doesn't know how they'll end up getting home or what awaits them when they do go back. But he doesn't care. Too much has happened that he can't brush off or change. ]

Whatever it is you're facing, it isn't me. And if we find a way to get back? I'm not going to let the possibility of what might lie ahead change me. If I have to turn everything around to make sure that never happens then I will.

I'll do whatever it takes.