IC Inbox - Ad Astra

[lednikovyy]

@ soldat

Comments

@nr, during the glitches

[latrodectus]

Are you going to ▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ and never talk to me again?

[lednikovyy]

depends on where this conversation's going.

[latrodectus]

I didn't send this. I'm sure you know the network is glitching.

[ The username makes her wonder, though. And it scares her, too. ]

[lednikovyy]

just trying to keep the peace. have we met?

[latrodectus]

We haven't been introduced.
But I've known a few soldiers.

[lednikovyy]

name's Bucky. the only other soldiers I know here are old men.

[ Not that Steve or Thomas look all that old. ]

[latrodectus]

James?

[ Oh, she doesn't like this. ]

[lednikovyy]

you DO know me?

[ He doesn't like this, either. It's bad enough that Steve knows him better than he knows himself. ]

[latrodectus]

[ The James she knew wouldn't use "солдат" as his callsign, unless he was in one of his self-punishing phases. Or not himself, entirely.

Still, if he responds to James… ]

It's Natalia.

[lednikovyy]

look, I have some gaping holes in my memory, so I'm going to have to confirm anything you tell me with Steve.

[ The gaping hole being about 95% of it. ]

[latrodectus]

[ Yeah, she definitely doesn't like this. What had happened to him? Steve's here? ]

You don't remember me.

[lednikovyy]

I don't remember much.

[latrodectus]

They really did a number on you, huh?

[lednikovyy]

seems like it, yeah. sorry I don't remember you. I've got some memories from the war, a few things before that, but not much. did I know you in Brooklyn or in the army?

[latrodectus]

[ Brooklyn twists something inside her. They'd lived together, there, her and James. When things were good. But it also doesn't add up. ]

After that.

Steve's here?

[lednikovyy]

[ After that sets off all sorts of warning bells in his head. ]

are you fucking HYDRA?

[latrodectus]

No.

[ But that… is a question she has for Steve. ]

I'm from the future, I guess. I really hate time travel.

[lednikovyy]

well at least we know we have one thing in common.

[latrodectus]

More than that.

I think Steve would vouch for me.

[ Unless he's secretly HYDRA. But even then, he wouldn't want to blow the cover, would he? ]

[lednikovyy]

we'll see.

[latrodectus]

Not everyone's out to get you, Barnes.

[lednikovyy]

life has taught me otherwise.

between the announcement and people heading to the uss slimehorror, voice, @nightingale

[ettersberg]

Bucky.

[ this —it not awkward, exactly. there's warmth in his tone, but it's muted, careful. still: ]

Are you planning on heading to the other ship?

[lednikovyy]

Yeah. Are you?

[ Bucky wants to at least keep track of who's going over out of His People. Thomas is clearly in that group in his mind. ]

[ettersberg]

I wasn't planning on it, no.

[ thomas is checking in for much the same reason, really. ]

Please be careful.

[lednikovyy]

I'll be as careful as I can be.

[ Something in his voice turns a little warmer, though. ]

Easier to be careful when I know someone's worried about me, though.

[ettersberg]

Of course.

[ he'd have worried even before their last encounter. now —well, it certainly hasn't lessened the sentiment. ]

I trust you're more than capable.

[lednikovyy]

If I'm not, will you come save me?

[ He's joking. Probably. ]

[ettersberg]

I would prefer if that didn't become necessary.

[ but, well- ]

Yes, of course.

[lednikovyy]

Well if it looks like I'm in danger, I guess I'll just have to assume that you'll come riding in like a knight in shining armor, then.

[ettersberg]

I would do my utmost.