selfhelp | [IC] Appointments Post

[Tony doesn't exactly show up at Good Spirits with a kid in tow very often. But he was leaving tomorrow and needed to talk to Billy--needed to even the playing field. The meeting had only reinforced that.

So he'll be heading right up to the bar to order a Scotch, glancing over at the teen.]

What about you? Juice box? You look like a juice box type of kid.

(Continued from here)

[It probably could end in injury. Accidental or otherwise. Logan's claws are still out and now that Billy is this close, there's just enough dim light that he can probably make them out. Not to mention that when he shoulders on arm, the flat end of those claws may end up resting against his side.

For his part, Logan is not happy. But he also doesn't have the strength to really move on his own. He's a three hundred pound man thanks to his adamantium skeleton. But he's not going to pull away. Because as much as he prefers to stand on his own two feet, the man is a realist.]

You should be going ahead by yourself, kid. [Again, he's a realist. This is a lot of weight to carry for a walk that may last them all day.]

Edited 2012-08-11 14:01 (UTC)

[It'd been two days since the experiment ended, and Teddy and Billy are still inside, being very careful about where they go and what they do. After spending a few times trying to go... a little further, only to be rudely interrupted by the shift, they'd become a little paranoid about trying anything else.

But Teddy's noticed that, the very few times they'd had to open a door, nothing would happen. No falling into another room, no fighting a kraken, no nearly naked women jumping onto their bed, nothing. They'd just find the destination they were looking for, a relief Teddy took with a grain of salt.

Now, though, after two days, Teddy sits behind his boyfriend with his arms around his waist and his chin on his shoulder, lazily reading one of the few comic books they'd found in the village. It's only when they're actually done and talked out theories and what might happen next that Teddy brings up what's on his mind now.]

Hey, you think the shift's finally over?

[ooc: From here.]

Oh wow, so he knew you before you were even Captain America... that's amazing.

[He's only spoken to the man once, and what he knows is very limited - Tony Stark was always the more interesting member of the family to a young fanboy for obvious reasons. He might have to give conversing with the elder Stark another shot sometime.]

[A large boulder crashes back into the Earth as it repels off the barrier. It just barely misses a girl in her later teens. If one looks close she doesn't seem in very good condition. She's breathing heavy, her hair is a mess, and she's covered in cuts and bruises. Korra jumps a foot back, takes a deep breath, and yells. As her frustrated scream fills the area streams of fire shoot from her fists that are aimed at the barrier. Again nothing happens, and the large inferno she created dies away. Despite panting heavily now she runs close enough to the barrier that it is in arm's length. Korra throws a flurry of punches, scraping her knuckles against the edge of the cage that keeps all the Lucetians in. Soon enough her knuckles will begin to bleed, and after a while her body becomes too exhausted to stand. Korra's knees buckle, and she lands on the ground. One more holler of agonized defeat and she's done.

No. No, no, no, no, no! She was the Avatar. She was supposed to use her strength and power to save people. She was supposed to be the bring of peace, and justice, and- And she's useless. She can't even save herself, she's helpless, how is she supposed to do her job? Her destiny? Fulfill her purpose in life? She's nothing. She is a failure, broken, and a defective Avatar. This... it isn't right. Korra bites her lip, and tries not to cry.]

[Robin has been stalking a certain Billy Kaplan lately. To be fair, he generally stalks everyone all the time, but Billy's earned special attention after their impromptu meeting during the last experiment. Billy knows things. And they're the kinds of things people have absolutely no business knowing. A talk is perhaps in order.

It's easiest to rig common areas, and so if Billy's not paying close attention to his steps this morning, he'll find himself quite literally ensnared in an automated lasso, which will snatch his ankle and drag him bodily through the most convenient kitchen window.

Hope you don't mind hanging upside-down with five stories beneath you, Billy. Because this is how Robin's going to conduct this interview as he hangs from a neighboring rope, perfectly at home.]

We need to talk.

Hey, so, um, Billy? Can I ask you -- a -- small favor? Just -- it's nothing, really, I-- aaam going to the Battle Dome Clinic. To see Loki. Annnnd I need someone to know that ... that is what I'm doing. Just ... in case. I don't -- think he'll do anything. I mean, why would he, that just, you know, that wouldn't go well at all. But, you know, just ... to be safe, right?

Yeah, I'm doing something -- really stupid. I'm sorry. Thanks. Bye.

[ Two seconds later: ]

Don't tell Tony or Steve.

[All threads continued from here.]

[Loki's voice is very, very quiet. Is he... hiding in a closet?]

Billy? I am loath to trouble you, but something large and orange just fell through the roof of my house. As he seems to both recognize and dislike me, I am going to operate under the assumption that he is one of yours.

In the interest of keeping the peace, I think it would be best if someone would come fetch him before he destroys any more of my house and forces me to defend my person. Preferably someone that doesn't wish to murder me.

[He should have done this a while ago, but he'd just about put himself back together enough by now to start doing the things he should have done.

Of course, the question is what you got as a 'thanks for not letting me bleed to death' gift for a teenager boy. The hell do teenage boys like these days anyway? His own time as a teenager was not probably not a good guide.

Eventually he settles on junk food. Because teenagers love junk food and they had a decent selection of candy in the store.

He knows at the door to the apartment.]

Billy? Hey, it's Clint.

[Thankfully, Teddy's worst fears did not come true. The cure had been made before the bomb went off or Loki arrived to kill them both. Teddy had insisted that Billy get it first, as he needed it the most, before he himself got it too. And while he wanted to carry Billy out himself, he knew he was too weak and injured for that.

So now they're both back in Luceti, in the clinic now. Teddy, with his abilities back, had recovered quite a bit due to his healing (which he's extremely happy to have back, by the way). But the deterioration on the draft had made the ability slow, like it was waking up from a long sleep. It had started out way too slowly for his taste, but now, most of his injuries had been healed completely, save for a few here and there. His whole right arm had been badly damaged on the draft, so that's still in a careful, temporary splint, and there's still a bandage around his head from where he was clubbed in the temple.

He doesn't think about either of these things, though. No, what he's thinking about is the teenager with his head in his lap, still sleeping from both the sedative and the cure. The signs of infection were totally gone, though his own injuries still remain and had to be treated at the clinic. They assured Teddy that he'd be okay.

But as he sits in place of the pillow and strokes his boyfriend's cheek with his good hand, he knows that he won't stop worrying until those brown eyes open, clear and okay and alive.]

[Threads from here~]

[Sabriel had been meaning to come by and speak with Billy ever since the Draft, but between the recovery from it, getting mallynapped a second time and just trying to get settled back in Luceti the thought had been pushed to the back of her mind. Not anymore though.

Opening her journal she scribbles a quick note to him.]

Billy, would you be available to talk today?

[Late in the afternoon Loki pops up to Billy's floor in the community housing to drop off his solstice gift. He'd planned to just leave the scarf on his bed, but it seems Billy is around so it's really easier to do this. No need to be so mysterious. And since Billy is there in person, Loki can go ahead and put the ward on him as well. Loki is a paranoid man and he's taking no chances.]

Good day, Billy.

Edited (html fail) 2012-12-25 07:51 (UTC)

[It's night time, a time Teddy would usually devote to homework or reading up on his first aid book. But right now he has a lap full of Billy, a cranky one at that. It was easy enough to soothe him into muttering against his shoulder, and it's almost something he takes pride in. Like a cat that's arched up and hissing and he's the only one allowed to reach out and calmly pet its back and bring its fur down.

But now that that part's out of the way, the more difficult part comes. Particularly since he is genuinely curious.]

So what's bothering you?

[Sabriel has managed to settle in quite well in Luceti by now; she had her own set of appropriately fitting clothing, her own room, and a new family to look after her until her Father returned to get her. Along with the coat, hat and mittens she was given by Adele, she's got a backpack slung snug across her back, wings carefully fanned out to either side to avoid getting crushed while she runs around the playground. The swings were fun but right now? She's about to conquer the slide for the fifth time in a row! Sabriel might be giggling like mad as she does but who's around to see her, right?]

[It's during the day when Teddy comes home with several things. A food and water bowl, a scratching post, a few little toys, the appropriate food, a litter box, and a few grooming tools all in a bag and carried easily in one hand, and in the other is a pet carrier. He doesn't go too far inside; he sets down the items, then opens up the carrier, at first ducking his head to smile and quietly coo at what's inside before he goes about setting everything up where he thinks are good places for them to be.

Inside the carrier is a black kitten, about two months old and sitting near the back. Teddy knows how it goes. The girl's separated from her mother and is in an entirely new place, and he knows to leave her alone and let her explore on her own. Still, he can't help stopping about every three minutes to look inside, a giddy little grin on his lips every time he does.

He just hopes Billy loves her as much as Teddy already does.

Near evening, the kitten is out and about, still a little cautious, yet warming up to her environment and the boy she's come home with. Teddy's sitting on the floor with his hand out and fingers wiggling, letting the kitten bat at them and chew on them once they're caught. And - jeez, her claws and teeth might be small, but they're still pretty sharp.]

Who do you think you are, Black Panther? Come on, tch tch tch tch...

Edited 2013-03-04 06:59 (UTC)

Billy, it seems I will be going on the draft. Could I impose upon you to watch over Sif and Vakri?

[It's probably not great to ask Billy to look after the horse, but most of the people he'd even trust with the animal are on the draft.]

Edited 2013-03-29 04:22 (UTC)

[Teddy had decided to give everyone a couple of days to figure out how to expel the spirits from the possessed individuals before doing something himself. Near evening of the first, he'd looked over discussions, looked outside, and saw everyone still puzzling. Nothing new happened, although further conversation had been made. There wasn't a cure yet, no solution, nothing to try.

Nothing for everyone else, anyway. He had an idea, though it made the spirit within him restless. Part of the reason she possessed him was to keep him safe, after all, and this could be deadly.

Teddy himself isn't thinking of danger or caution or anything. He thinks this will work, it has to work. If they don't expel the spirits, particularly Twila soon, then there might be some killing going on. And he can't allow that to happen, especially not to Billy.

The second day is here, and Teddy is going through with what he planned.

He's with Billy now, watching whatever he does, and is quiet for a long moment. With a long sigh, he finally speaks up.]

Billy?

[ The second Duck hears mention of a telltale object that sounds suspiciously like a heart shard, she snaps up her journal and holds it close to her her face. ]

U-um, yes, hello? I think I might know what that is. Can you meet me somewhere?

[OOC: Continued from here!]
---

[Wow, way to be rude. A dirty look is directed right as Billy glances away and Norma rolls her eyes. You know what? Fine, she'll play this game of wits until the bitter end, pushing away the nagging voice in her head that's saying to just set the sucker's shoes on fire and cement him to the pavement.]

And thus the last of the lesser male species ended early. Oh, parting is such sweet sorrow!

[Loki calls for the magic lesson early today, and asks to have it at the stable for... nefarious purposes. Because he has a favor to ask of Billy.]

[This was the first mission the two of them had been on since they were trying to gather points for the portal project, one that would ultimately end in failure. But right now, this isn't about points. This is about just getting away for a while, away from all the heartbreak of missing friends, away from the conflict of friends who tried pushing the other away. Just a mission where everything is made up and the points don't matter. Well, the points do sort of matter, and the mission is certainly one that was already outlined and chosen by the two of them. But it's not quite their priority.

Teddy is doing his best to keep his excitement in check. They're going into space. Space! Even though he loves Earth and never wants to leave, he's always, always wanted to go to space. Hell, he can remember as a kid that if he couldn't be a super hero, he'd proclaim that he wanted to be an astronaut. And he had so many space pictures saved on his computer, and stick on glowing stars on his bedroom ceiling, both at home and in Luceti, and - okay, he's a huge space nerd.

But this is mostly about his boyfriend, who'd been hit hard by Jane's disappearance. So no matter how he feels about the dark tunnel they're walking in (he feels nothing short of disturbed, with his powers off and feeling so helpless and weak and so confined), and no matter how much bubbling excitement he feels in his chest (it all makes for rather conflicting feelings), he finds Billy's hand beside his own and takes it, lacing their fingers together, and gives him a small smile.]

Almost there. I think.

[from here]

Edited 2013-08-12 10:23 (UTC)

[Things have been improving since he took Rogue to see Tony... at least with Rogue. But the progress is slow, and Loki has still found himself in the position of needing to be her fixed point and act as her support. He's not used to doing so, and definitely not for an extended period of time. As unstable as he normally is, it's become something of a strain, even as it does feel oddly good to be able to do something like that. But also frustrated because he can't do anything, and he's been physically isolated from her again. He knows it's not intentional, and not about him, but it's one more factor that weighs heavily on him.

And that's not even touching on his own tangled feelings. He never had a chance to sort things out in his own mind after they remembered their true identities. His main concern has been over Rogue, and he's just ignored the rest because he doesn't know what to do or what to think. What makes it even worse is the involvement of Tony Stark, the fact that Pepper has already turned her back on him.

He's never been good at letting things go. And the fact that he can remember having a family of sorts, can remember Tony telling him that there were people who loved him and cared about him... he doesn't want to think about it. He can't handle this. His "family" was a lie all over again.

He's been less interested in food since the end of the event, and he hasn't been able to sleep much at all; he has too much on his mind. Worse, he hasn't had Rogue or Adele after him to take care of himself. It shows in a thousand small ways.

But while he's waiting for Billy to show up for the magic lesson, he's back to trying to maintain his illusion of being wholly in control of himself and the situation. At this point, it's all he has left. He's already made coffee by the time Billy arrives.]

[action; july twenty-second]

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