somethingtoavenge | Debrief #1 || [Written]

Entry tags:

Debrief #1 || [Written]

[The first thing anyone will notice is that Coulson's handwriting looks disturbingly like printed type which means it is very neat and very very easy to read.]

Greetings to residents of Luceti. My name is Phil Coulson. I have recently arrived here, and was wondering if anyone could answer my questions.

1. What do the wings do?
2. Where is Luceti?
3. Are there places the newly arrived may stay?
4. Where may I procure a sewing kit? Or new Clothes?
5. Anyone know good ways of getting blood out of clothing?
6. Is there anyone here who knows of SHIELD, The Avengers Initiative, or knows me?

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

[Yes, that was strangely polite for a New Feather. That's Coulson all over.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Pepper says 'you're welcome,' then resigns herself to waiting for Phil's next message. In the meantime, she makes her way to the fountain, which has been the best meeting place she's found so far. She's sitting on a bench, staring anxiously at her book when she finally hears his voice again.]

Yes! [The bridges lead into the village, don't they?] If you keep going further into the village, you should see stores and a plaza with a fountain in it. That's where I am.

[Pepper swallows then, because it still seems unreal. She wipes at her eyes, then goes back to waiting, constantly scanning her surroundings for any sign of him.]

Alright. I'll find you.

[Phil crosses the bridge and follows the path. Perhaps garnering a few stares for his bloodstained shirt. ...He was not going to wander in an unknown place shirtless, especially not with the pink new scar he wasn't sure he should have glaringly obvious on his chest.

Soon enough he sees shops and the large plaza to his left. He enters the area, scanning it carefully before seeing the familiar red hair of Pepper Potts. He raises an arm in greeting, closing his journal with his other hand.]

Pepper.

[And she sees him, waving as if it were any other day. Pepper puts her journal to the side, moving to her feet when Coulson comes into view.

She doesn't understand how. It's another thing to add to the long, long list that started when she woke up in Luceti. But he's actually there, and Pepper doesn't wait once she sees him.

She's always been good at running in high heels.]

Phil! It's...it's you. [She stops when she reaches him, moving a hand to cover her mouth, although she's still smiling. At least until she sees the bloodstains.] Oh, oh God, your shirt! Are you hurt? Are you okay? There are doctors here and we can find one if you need one.

[Coulson raises an eyebrow fractionally as Pepper demonstrates her unparalleled skill of running in high heels and wonders what on earth (probably quite literally actually) had happened that made her run at the sight of him. Admittedly toward him and not away, but still rather... unusual.]

Yes, it's me.

[Coulson does not glance down at his shirt. He knows exactly how ruined his favorite shirt is by now.]

I'm not hurt. I'm fine. No need for a doctor.

Okay. Good. [Then she's smiling again, and maybe wiping away a stray bit of moisture from under one eye, but Pepper composes herself after that.]

You had questions. [Pepper brushes a stray lock of hair from her face.] There's a guide in the journals that will tell you most of it. And I can show you around.

[Coulson's lips tip up in his favorite faint smile. He notices the moisture but doesn't say anything. It's as much about her pride as his sudden fear.]

I did. A guide you say? That'd be good.

[His faint smile grows a bit.]

I'd be glad to have you as a guide Pepper. Tell me though, is there anyone else here from home?

[Pepper is a nice familiar face, but someone from SHIELD would be a relief in it's own way.]

Okay. I just need--right. One second. [Pepper turns, going back to where she left her journal. She flips through the pages as she walks up to Coulson again, before tugging a pen out from the spine of the book. A moment later, a link appears in Coulson's entry.]

There. That's general information about where we are. Luceti, but you figured that out.

[Pepper wants to take him to the clothing store then, because of the blood she sees every time she looks at him. Instead she nods, closing her journal and tucking away her pen.]

Tony, Steve Rogers, and Dr. Jane Foster are all from our home. [And that's a complicated issue on top of everything else Luceti throws at them. Even that list isn't complete, and Pepper pauses before she adds a final name.]

And also...Howard Stark.

Alright.

[Coulson watches what Pepper does curiously before opening his own journal. The link appears and he blinks at it. He opens it and glances at the guide before closing his journal.]

Thank you. I saw the name when I looked through the Journal.

[Coulson listens to the list thoughtfully. Then the final name comes and Coulson winces ever so slightly.]

I see. It seems I can't escape Tony no matter where I go. [But the words are more amused than genuinely harsh or annoyed. No matter what he says, he is mostly fond of Tony. He grows on people. Like fungus.]

...Things must be interesting.

[He does not know Howard, but he's read his file. And Tony's file. And all the things both files were very firmly not saying.]

[Pepper smiles at that, knowing that Tony and Phil have their own unique ways of showing appreciation for each other.] He's actually been here the longest, out of all of us: a year. I got here just under three weeks ago, and Steve just over a week after that.

[And now Coulson. Apparently they've become popular targets.]

I'm not sure about Dr. Foster or Howard. And you are right. It's definitely interesting. [She sighs quietly.] But Howard doesn't know. People can apparently be brought here from different points in their world's timeline, and Howard's from before Tony was born. So he doesn't know Tony's his son.

[And she officially can't take the bloody shirt anymore. Pepper turns, pointing to a store.] That's the clothing store. I'll walk with you.

[Appreciation via tasers and threats. Coulson eyes widen at the time period Tony's been here compared to the others. That's...] Oh. ...Interesting.

[And that answers a few quiet questions in his head while bringing up more. especially considering the timeline issues.] ...I take it that was Tony's idea? [Coulson sighs] Well, I can't see that having bad future consequences. [The sarcasm is light, but there.]

[Coulson blinks, before looking a little sheepish.] Ah. Good idea. [He heads to the store with Pepper]

[Pepper nods.] Time is warped between our world and here. However much time passes here, no time passes at home. Tony was apparently here for months, then went home for two years only to end up back here. In Luceti's time, he was gone for a week.

[And Pepper shakes her head. It still gives her a headache to think about.

He's not wrong about the reason, and Pepper's smile is polite.] Things were complicated between them when Howard was alive. Tony just needs time.

And honestly, it's pretty low on the list of unbelievable things. Those are the people here from our world. Then there are the people from alternate versions of our world.

[Coulson is quiet a moment.] I suppose that is a relief. [Even if he does not have any time left back home as he fears.]

[Coulson gives Pepper a slight, wry smile.] I've read the files. I hope things work out but... [Coulson simply shakes his head and sighs.]

Oh? That is interesting. Have you met many of them?

[Coulson enters the store, holding the door for Pepper before starting to look for dress shirts. He check the tags for size and materials. While not especially picky, there were certain types of fabric he would not wear. Polyester for one. Just no.]

Sort of. Apparently Tony didn't remember anything about being here when he was home again. Which is why he never said anything. [To SHIELD or to Pepper.

Pepper doesn't comment on Phil's skepticism. She knows the chances aren't exactly stellar, but she still has to hope, for Tony's sake.]

A few. You'll actually have a chance yourself. Tony's hosting a meeting soon for all of us.

[She smiles her thanks to Coulson, following him in.]

If you don't hear from them before hand; asking about the Avengers or SHIELD is probably going to get their attention.

Because, even if he did remember, he is usually so open to being debriefed about weird situations he finds himself in. [Coulson voice is very dry. After all he is the one usual hunting down Tony to get the man debriefed.

Phil hopes so too, but the situation is really set up for some sort of gigantic emotional blow-out.]

Really? That would be nice.

[Coulson finds a nice white dress shirt, of correct size and decent material and picks it up. Nodding in satisfaction he look for a place to change.]

That was rather the point of asking about those two things actually. Doesn't really mean anything to anyone who doesn't know.

He never said anything to me either. And he would've contacted you. [Pepper's smile is patient enough, but everything about Luceti strikes Tony too close to home. So while she does understand Phil's position, she's also certain of what she's saying.

She nods and gives Coulson the details: date, time, location. When she notices that he's settled on a shirt, she'll motion to the back.]

Dressing rooms are that way. [And while Pepper does see the purpose in what Phil's asked, she has no doubt about who will reply. That she's less than thrilled about.

And speaking of.] There's something else. [Something Pepper doesn't want to talk about, and she'll wait until Coulson's in a dressing room before she asks.] Phil, what--what happened before you got here? What's the last thing you remember?

Ah. Yes, I suppose he would of. [Phil can acknowledge that.

Coulson memorizes the information, storing it in his mental calender.]

Thank you. [Coulson heads to a dressing room. He quickly takes off hi stained and torn shirt, careful of the wings. He wipes the ruined shirt over his chest, making sure no blood transferred from his shirt to his skin. It wasn't likely but he did it anyways. With careful fingers he also traced the new pink scar on his chest. Tender, but healed. And Pepper just asked him a question. Phil is quiet for a moment, looking at his ruined shirt.]

A lot of things happened. The last thing I remember is falling unconscious. At least, I think it was unconsciousness. I'm not sure if it was.

[Which is probably the most honest answer he is going to give about events preceding his arrival to Luceti. Coulson fixes the new shirt and shrugs it on.]

[Then it's polite acknowledgement and understanding, right up until Phil answers her question. It may not be the whole truth, but it's more honest than Pepper wants to hear, because she knows and it sounds like maybe he does too.

But she won't be the one to confirm it. Pepper refuses to tell her friend that no, it wasn't just unconsciousness.]

Okay. [Maybe her voice is a little strained, but Pepper forces herself to smile.] Even people from the same universe can be brought from different points in their timelines. But you may have already figured that out, since I mentioned Howard.

I just wanted to tell you, since--well. Other people will probably ask that too.

[Coulson has his suspicions, but they lean towards two possibilities. He isn't sure which one he'd rather believe is true. Death might be simpler to believe in for now.

Coulson buttons up the shirt then folds his old one. He is getting the shirt fixed because he likes it. It was one of his favorite shirts. Placing the tie with the folded clothing Phil exits the dressing room before replying to Pepper.]

Yes, I had assumed that.

...I suppose they will. [Coulson looks introspective a moment, before mentally shrugging.]

Thank you for the help with the clothes Pepper.

[Pepper has to choke back her emotions, but she will, because she doesn't want Coulson to see the truth on her face. So by the time he comes out, Pepper's smiling again, even if her eyes look a little puffy.]

It's one of the common questions. [And considering everything, Pepper can't imagine Tony or Steve not asking.]

You're welcome. Trust me, I was more than eager to change when I got here--although I just had a white sundress.

Let's see. [Most of what Coulson will need to know is in the guide, but Pepper tries to think of what she should tell him right away.] Oh! The wings. I know they hurt right now, but that'll stop by tomorrow. Even then though, try not to hurt them. They're sensitive, and apparently vital to our survival somehow. If you lose both your wings, you'll die.

[While Coulson notices the slight puffiness to her eyes he doesn't say anything. He's not sure he wants his fears confirmed either.]

It would be.

I woke up in white pants, but luckily my clothes were folded nearby.

[A kind concession on the part of whoever left him in this strange new world. He doesn't mind his scars, but the two new ones he has are private. Too new and too disquieting to share easily.

Coulson listens to Pepper's explanation about the wings, before moving his slightly. Sore, but nothing overly painful.]

That is good to know. Also rather interesting. [Concentrating, he hesitantly opens his new appendages. They open slightly, stretching, before folding back against his back. Hm, it's harder than it seems.] I wonder why they are there.

[Whether he notices or not, Pepper's glad Coulson doesn't say anything. She nods at the mention of the clothes, although she might not think it so kind, considering the stains on his shirt.

Then again, she hasn't seen his scars--which is proof of Coulson's point.

The wings are easier. Details about where they are.] No one really knows. Everyone has them. [Pepper included, and the blue appendages shift when she thinks of them.] You also have a barcode on the back of your neck. Something else everyone wakes up with.

[Better stains, then walking bare chested in his humble opinion.

Coulson concentrates on shifting his wings again, feeling new muscles move and pull and- He winces and the wings fold tightly against his back. That pulled on the scar on his back, and it hurt.

He sees the blue of feathers on Peppers back and gives a half-smile. The mention of a barcode is disquieting though.]

Why are there barcodes?

[Hopefully the reason is innocuous, but he doesn't think it's likely. After all barcodes are meant to label things, to tell things apart. Not an idea he wants attached to living beings.]

[She waits for Coulson to try his wings again, although she knows it has to hurt; her own pair had ached for a whole day after her arrival.]

I don't know. [Identification and recording information would be the reason back home, although Pepper has no way of knowing if that holds true here.] It's not really covered in the guide, from what I remember.

[Coulson had mostly thought the pain was a remnant from being stabbed in the chest. Now that he's focusing though the wings themselves do seem to ache. They also pull on the scar, making more aching. It's a cycle.]

I see.

[Coulson gives a small frown.]

I can't think of any good reason for a barcode on a living being.

[But, he'll deal with that bridge when they get to it.]

Probably because there isn't one. [Spoken in an appropriately dry tone.] The Malnosso don't usually give many reasons for the things they do. At least that's what I've been told.

[Certainly nothing satisfactory to the people trapped in Luceti.]

You'll probably want to go to the Item Shop next. They'll have your personal possessions, although there's a different store for weapons.

Debrief #1 || [Written]

[voice]

[voice/action]

[action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]