[open] november catch-all

[assembles]

Who: Steve Rogers & various
When: Throughout November
Where: Cadens, the Red Path, the Horizon
What: Renovating the Sarstina inn, restoring the Red Path, being Bothered by an execution, and hanging in the Horizon.
Warnings: Mentions of execution/dead bodies.

[ Open prompts below! If you want a specific prompt or starter (or something in Nocwich), let me know and I can throw something together. Find me at demonology or on Discord at demonology. If you need any more details re: Steve's Horizon domain, also reach out! I haven't put a page together because of who I am as a person. ]

Comments

[assembles]

[ They really could go back and forth arguing about whose fault it was or wasn't, but the truth is that it didn't really fall in either of their laps. It was the magic of this place, it was the Singularity and the rifts and the arcana and they'd been helpless to do anything about it. Which is frustrating in its own right, but they shouldn't see it as a reason to steer away from one another.

It does help that Hilda's expressing herself now, even if it's coming so late. Better late than never, Steve knows, and he appreciates that she's being upfront about it.

So, he gives her a warm smile and reaches out to grip her shoulder. ]

Well, you didn't. So the next time something like this happens, and hopefully it won't, but if it does... just come talk to me, all right? I'll always listen, I promise.

[ He gives her shoulder a little shake, not enough to unbalance her, and then a pat before pulling his hand away. His smile then grows into something more playful. ]

So, does this mean we're good to resume your training from here on out?

[theidlemaiden]

[ The downside to having an overactive imagination and mind that runs a mile a minute is that as she waits for Steve's response, she's already come up with several different scenarios that all result in Steve dismissing her. Telling her that he didn't accept her apology and that he had disappointed her in her behaviour, whatever that might encompass including the timing of this belated apology.

Of course she should know better. Steve isn't the sort of that particular brand of pettiness. His hand clasping her shoulder doesn't make her physically stumble with the weight of it. Rather, it has more to do with the fact that he's so kind. Even though it should have been a no-brainer, her relief shows clear as day. There's a little nod of confirmation on her part before it dissolves into something that is the complete opposite of relief.

It should come as no surprise to Steve that his suggestion about training is immediately met with a lamenting pout. If he hadn't already been on the receiving end of this multiple times before, he might think she's on the verge of tears. His shoulder shake isn't enough to knock her off her feet - they both know she's far sturdier than that - but she dramatically staggers, feigning a faint into him. ]

What was that? I think blacked out there for a second - you weren't saying something about training, were you?

[assembles]

[ Steve had been expecting some sort of overdramatized reaction from Hilda, because that's the routine they've found themselves in when it comes to her training regimen, but pretending to faint for a moment and stumbling into him? That takes it to a whole new level.

He catches her, of course, both hands holding her by the shoulders as she slumps against his chest. Even if it's all for the sake of theater, he isn't going to let her accidentally hurt herself, and his reaction is instinctual more than anything else. ]

You must have spent too much time out in the sun. [ He can't quite hide an amused smirk as he uses one hand to wave in front of her face as a makeshift fan. ]

But yes ma'am, I was. I'll come pick you up next Tuesday, then?

[ She can whine and stamp her feet all she wants, that just means they're back to business as usual which is all that Steve could want or hope for. It means that everything has been smoothed out between them, that they can stop dancing around each other, and hopefully that Hilda is feeling better overall. ]

fin! 💕

[theidlemaiden]

[ Had a part of Hilda been hoping that he'd catch her and that she'd get to rest for a brief, blissful moment in that chest of his? Maybe. That doesn't diminish her gratefulness for his lack of petty bones in his body and quick reflexes. Because honestly? The thought of falling face first into the dusty sand isn't how she had planned to spend her time out here.

(Although, it might serve her right for the dramatics.)

Her lashes flutter rapidly as she's righted and soaks in the slight breeze from Steve's hand. ]

I've barely recovered from my heatstroke and you're already talking about training? [ Feigned fainting isn't going to stop her from lamenting. It only lasts a moment before she lets out a relenting sigh. ] Let me think about it on the walk back to the refreshment station.

[ But they both know that she'll be ready with the same song and dance next Tuesday when they inevitably meet up for training. ]