[Closed] Orientation

[howlingcaptain]

Who: Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes, Amaterasu [closed]
What: Trying not to get serial murdered
When: Immediately after the orientation speech
Where: Freddy vs. Jason's book
Warnings: Language, but this will probably need to be updated later.



It was high time Steve learned to listen, but since he'd always been a man of action, he'd plowed ahead anyway, and here he was. Standing in the woods, nothing but crickets and fog and -- a sudden weight on his arm. He looked down to see what he already knew was there; His shield, gleaming in the moonlight.

"That's encouraging," he said dryly and turned to look around. It was followed quickly by a wince, as he realized just who had gotten caught up with him in this nonsense. "Sorry?" He actually was, but he half expected to get scolded.

Comments

[howlingcaptain]

"Agreed," Steve replied, and shifted his shield on his arm, starting to move quietly and deliberately towards the dock. He didn't like the way this place felt, either -- too much like being behind enemy lines again, and he kept glancing up, scanning the trees for danger as they went.

He stopped when they neared the edge of the woods, scanning the area. "There's a cabin," he gestured in the direction of the structure. As if everyone else hadn't already seen it. "I'll go first. Wait until I'm at least twenty yards beyond the treeline before you follow," he didn't look back to ensure they understood or agreed -- he just went. Quickly, and quietly, he made it the rest of the way to the treeline, and made it the ten yards out, eyes peeled for any sign of danger.

[cryogenics]

He stayed close to Steve as they went, glancing behind him to make sure Ammy was with them. He didn't like the idea of Steve going off ahead, but he didn't argue, just shook his head and ducked behind a tree, keeping an eye out. He didn't see anything, and he wanted to keep it that way.

"You keeping a nose out?" he asked quietly, glancing over at Ammy before scanning the open area in front of them.

[dog_of_the_sun]

Ammy was indeed, although she had no way to signal or speak with Bucky about it when he asked his question. Padding quietly behind, sniffing and alert from side to side. So far so good, as she came up behind a tree not far from Bucky.

Watching Steve, ready to move as needed. Ears flicking every now and then with sounds, and tail moving lazily as she was alert, but at ease aside from that. As much as one could be in an uneasy feeling place like this.

Still, all seemed well as Steve continued to move towards the cabin. The outside of the structure seemed old, but well-kept. Clearly it was the off-season though, since the lights were off and any outside furniture was put up for storage. Glancing in the windows, what little could be seen would confirm that it was the off-season as only spare furniture was inside. Unmade beds, chairs stacked on the table, nothing special--and deserted.

[OOC: I have an idea for how to introduce Jason, and Freddy, if you guys don't mind me doing so.]

[howlingcaptain]

Steve peered in through the cabin windows, took a look around, then waved them after him as he made his way around the building. Clearing the perimeter, as it were. Then he made his way to the door and gave the knob a little jiggle.

If it was unlocked, he pushed it open and walked right in. If it wasn't... well, he just added his shoulder to the mix and left the door frame a little splintered on the inside. He wasn't too worried about causing damage, at least not at the moment.

[cryogenics]

He would take that as a yes.

When Steve waved them over, he moved quickly and quietly, crossing the distance between them and joined Steve at the door, peering inside cautiously before stepping in. "Doesn't look like anyone's been here for a while," he said quietly.

[dog_of_the_sun]

Ammy wasn't too far at all behind Bucky, keeping herself low and ghosting along the ground. Kind of impressive for a large white wolf, especially since her markings and solar disc were visible to Bucky and Steve both. Sniffing as she entered, and then a sneeze from the hints of dust.

Amaterasu, did not look pleased with the state of tidy-unusedness.

Careful (albeit with 2 more sneezes), as she sniffed around the cabin--including attached bathing room area and toilets. No threats so far, nothing but old smells long faded. Moving to a position where she could watch both men and the door, before sitting. Ready to 'relax' at least a bit, if she could with the unease.

Actually, she was most of the way to sitting when her ears twitched and her head whipped around. Sniffing, and heading for a window to look outside, and it wasn't long before both men could hear running and a cry for help, heading their way.

A slender figure, revealing itself as a teenage girl with light hair that was loose, and a blue long shirt and shorts and bare feet. Running their way, hints of blood on her, and clearly-panicked. "Help me!"

[howlingcaptain]

It was only half a second before Steve heard it, too, and rushed out the front of the cabin, shield raised and at the ready. He looked to the girl, already moving towards her, looking for whatever threat was coming.

"Get inside, get inside!" he ordered her, only sparing a glance backward to see if Bucky or Ammy had followed, or if they were staying inside. Determining his options, tactically, and hoping that whatever was coming wasn't an army, or at least didn't have a sniper.

[cryogenics]

"Bless you," he said instinctively, the first time Ammy sneezed. It was only polite, but he stayed quiet the next times she sneezed, looking around the cabin to make sure it was as empty as it appeared before he relaxed a fraction. The tension came right back into his shoulders when he heard the girl, and he followed Steve outside.

He was ready to back him up if something happened, also to usher the girl inside so that Steve could stay focused on keeping an eye on anything that came up.

[dog_of_the_sun]

Ammy was amused at someone saying 'bless you' to her. Usually she was the one asked for blessings after all. It made sense though, from what she understood of Bucky and if they weren't now dealing with a crisis he would've gotten a doggy-chuckle.

As it is...

She was on the front steps at least, watching and ready to provide back-up if needed. The teenage girl seemed puzzled, but relieved at the same time, as she came closer. Dark hair a mess and eyes tear-streaked under some of the blood but she appeared unhurt. Heading for the cabin, and Ammy moved aside to let her in easily. Sniffing her as the girl went by, then a short whine for the other two men. Basically understood as “Get back in here!”

Closer inspection of the girl, arms around herself as she stepped inside, revealed she was in night-clothes. It was a sleep shirt and shorts, and while there was blood streaking her hair and arms and legs, she seemed unhurt otherwise. Just panicked, and pacing slightly. “Th-thank you. Just..Oh god..” A wail, and her head in her hands, breathing fast. “Johnny...” She whispered. “Ho-how? Idon't understand.”

Babbling as panic was starting to set in. Ammy moved over and gave her a light head-butt and nudge, offering comfort and then giving a look at which ever man was closer. Find this girl something to sit on, would you?

[howlingcaptain]

Steve backtracked to the cabin, keeping his back to it as he moved, watching for danger and keeping his shield up until he was back to the door. He glanced inside, then scanned the area once more before ducking in, letting Bucky bring up the rear this time.

He stayed near the doorway, though, just in case there was trouble. Standing guard, like he was used to doing. "What happened?" he asked, firmly enough to make himself wince. "We'll keep you safe," he said with a gentler tone. "But to do that, we need to know what we're up against."

He would leave handling the girl to Bucky and Ammy -- they both seemed to be better at it than he was, anyway, and he didn't like the idea of no one standing guard when they'd just found a screaming girl.

[cryogenics]

No, Bucky was pretty sure that Steve was better at dealing with people than he was, but he said nothing. Following Steve back inside, he closed the door behind them, looking around and taking note of things in case they needed to barricade the door and/or block the windows.

He got one of the folding chairs out and set it up for the girl, gesturing for her to sit. "Take a deep breath," he said. "Don't rush yourself, but we do need to know what's going on."

[dog_of_the_sun]

Some nudges from Ammy helped the girl settle on the chair, bloodied hand buried against red fur of her shoulders. "I..I'm not sure. This--" A deep breath, her other arm around herself and Ammy laid her head on the girl's knees, radiating warmth and comfort as much as she could. "It..this has to still be a dream. Yes.." A tremulous smile there, desperate hope. "It makes sense. I was at Johnny's place, we went to bed...and then now I'm here."

Hopefully that made more sense to one of them than to Ammy.

[howlingcaptain]

Steve shot a meaningful look Bucky's way. "Don't fall asleep," he said softly, then looked to the girl. "Tell us about the dream," please. His manners were the first casualty on any battlefield, and this was a definite battlefield.

He shifted his shield, peering through the windows again.

[cryogenics]

Steve seemed to have things under control for the time being, so Bucky stepped away to keep an eye out the windows, checking to make sure everything was still secure. He didn't go very far though, and when he was done checking things, he returned to Steve's side.

[dog_of_the_sun]

The poor girl had wrapped her arms around herself, trying to hold onto her belief that this was a dream, fighting with the reality. “I—I don't really...” She didn't really want to tell her dream to these strangers—but if they were part of the dream, did it matter? “It..was nice. We were walking on the beach at dusk. It was chilly, and I was cuddled in Johnny's jacket.” Hesitantly, voice wavery as she continued to try and fight off panic.

“Johnny made a joke, and I moved into the surf to splash him for it. He followed me, and tried to tackle me playfully.” A fond smile, and there might be tears in her eyes. “We...we didn't notice, when things started to get weird. The sky got darker...” A hint of blush too, but she carried on. “Then Johnny-he...he was pulled under, and there was suddenly all this red in the water...”

While the girl was telling her story, another figure was approaching the lone cabin. Quiet steps against the grass, a tall and imposing figure strode slowly towards his targets. At first it seems like a lumbering pace, slightly rusted machete hanging from one hand.

Perhaps the first warning something was off, was some scent in the air? Maybe it was a dull thud of a footstep on the cabin's porch. Amaterasu didn't register either until it was too late—focused as she was on providing comfort for the girl, furry body pressed against her legs. In any case, it was a second between that first dull-thud of footstep on wood, and then a splintering crack as the door to the cabin was kicked hard.

[howlingcaptain]

Steve was standing guard, but he was also listening to the girl, focusing on her, thinking through everything they'd been presented with. The first thing he noticed that was out of place was that step on the wood. He turned, shield raised, as the kick landed on the door. "Shit," he hissed, then glanced back. "Get her out of here, I'll hold him off," it was his first instinct. Stand between others and danger. Be the Shield.

At least he had it with him, otherwise things would be a lot more dangerous. Whoever this guy was, he was strong. Hopefully vibranium making his bones rattle would take the spring out of his step.