(no subject)

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve has made good use of his time in Milliways, and his drawings are done.

(The two he's giving away are. The third, he's not sure what to do with.)

He's put them into envelopes with thin pieces of cardboard, one addressed to David Posner and the other to Ellen Park. Ellen's envelope has postcards and photographs, too, from the western leg of the USO tour: California beaches, Nevada deserts, Arizona canyons, Utah rock formations, Washington forests. He's even added a few comics of his own--literally, his own, including the first Captain America issue where he socks Hitler on the jaw right on the cover.

And when he stops at the bar to drop them off, what's waiting for him but another parcel from Ellen? Even the partial pages make him smile. He loves seeing how comics are done in other places and times--he's learning so much.


Dear David,

I redid one of my trading cards for you. (Yes, they've made trading cards about me. It's all a bit silly if you ask me, but maybe it can do you some good.) Whenever you feel like it's too much for you, remember: Captain America has faith in you.

Yours,
Steve Rogers



Dear Ellen,

I'm so sorry I missed you! I was so happy to see the new pages and can't wait to look through them.

I managed to get home since the last time we talked and put your package together: more pictures, this time of the western part of the country. We even got down to Mexico for a night! I had something called Abulita for the first time. It's a spicy hot chocolate, very delicious. I aim to try it at the Bar, too.

I've also included some of the Captain America books for your world's archives, if you think they'd take them. The stories are completely made-up, but as I'm constantly reminded, good for morale.

Since you mentioned you'd never seen the ocean, I decided to give it to you my way. You'll see it someday. I'll take you myself, if it comes to that.

Take care of yourself,
Steve Rogers

With the envelopes in Bar's care, Steve orders that cup of abulita and starts looking over the comics Ellen left for him. Time stands still while he's here--he feels no guilt about putting off his return.

Comments

[gotham_knocking]

"Hey, comics! Haven't seen one in years." He's not really sure they even sell them anymore.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Partials," Steve explains. "From my friend's world, where civilization has taken a few hits. But they still managed to preserve some."

[gotham_knocking]

"Is that Ellen?" Could be someone else, sadly. He's heard about maybe six ruined realities. Which he doesn't think about. "Comics are the last thing I would think would survive."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve nods, smiling. "That's her.

"As I understand it, her people are trying to preserve as much as they can, even things that may seem frivolous at first glance."

[gotham_knocking]

"Well, I guess you got to start somewhere. But these always seemed silly. And nothing like reality." Well, except maybe for how Superman sometimes acts like a throwback to some 40s hero book.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve smiles to himself. "I don't think they're silly. Fantastical, sure, but they're just another way of telling stories. Stories are important.

"But I used to draw them, so I may not be wholly objective."

[gotham_knocking]

"Really? That's cool. What heroes?" Pause. "And when? I'm from 1995, if that makes a difference."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"1942," Steve says. "Probably no one you've heard of," and he names a few books that probably don't exist in Knox's world. (Or any world but Steve's.)

[gotham_knocking]

"Can't say I have. But you're 12 years before I was born, and the only character from back then who stuck around is Captain Thunder." And mainly as a stalwart of bad cartoons.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I don't recognize the name," Steve says apologetically. "It wouldn't surprise me if we come from different worlds entirely. I haven't met anyone yet who comes exactly from mine."

That he knows of.

"Steve Rogers," he adds, sticking out his hand.

[gotham_knocking]

"Huh. There was a pitcher on the Expos by the name." Alex shakes Steve's hands. "Only the Expos don't get formed till the 60s, so you have no idea what I'm talking about." Yes, there really was. The mun was always surprised they didn't call him Captain Canada.

"Alex Knox."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Yeah, I don't, though it's good to know baseball lasts."

"Nice to meet you, Alex."

[smallgayjew]

[ooc: Oh, Steve. David's going to tear up a little when he gets that.]

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

[ooc: Aw, David.]

[golden_lyre]

And there's a musician glancing over his shoulder.

"I wouldn't have pegged you for a comic reader."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Not only am I a reader," Steve says, smiling at him over his shoulder, "I'm an illustrator, too. Or was. Before all of this."

[golden_lyre]

"No kidding? You're an artist, hm? That much makes sense." He grins in response and takes the seat next to Steve.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve hesitates a moment, then gets out his sketchbook and opens it to the drawing he made of Orpheus playing his guitar.

He hands the book over silently.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus takes it curiously. He raises his eyebrows when he sees the drawing, surprised and a bit flattered. After a moment's consideration, he asks, "Can I have this?"

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"That's just a rough, but sure. Unless you'd rather I clean it up some first."

[golden_lyre]

"No, I like it like this."

He smiles at Steve and then shakes his head, laughing. "Sorry. I should have said it's excellent. I was just thinking...I've got an album coming out soon. I think this would make a great cover."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve laughs with surprise. "Wow, um, sure. That sounds fantastic.

"I'm glad you like it."

[golden_lyre]

"I'm glad you drew it. I'm not sure what I'd have had them put on the cover otherwise."

Suddenly in a good mood, he orders a glass of ouzo from Bar.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I was thinking about you, so I drew you."

He sips his abulita.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus smiiiiiiiirks at that.

"You were thinking about me, hm?"