thecapitol | [open] CATCH ALL

It's really only coming together for Elsa in this moment. She's never truly stopped and thought about how far they've come since their first meeting. In a way, it feels like they've always been like this, but it's right now that it's becoming apparent just how much she treasures Dave and needs him in her life. You can say a lot about the Capitol and how awful it is, but meeting Dave has been something she wouldn't change for the world.

She doesn't really expect him to say anything too heartfelt or mushy at her words, because he isn't that type and she knows that. He deflects and he jokes, but she knows there's true feeling underneath the way he presents himself. So his reply just makes her smile, even if it's a small one- but then he ends up doing something that makes her laugh, and she truly isn't expecting it when he gives her braid a tug and does that little sound effect. "Dave-" she says, laughing all the while, pulling her tug out his his grasp. It's a rare thing, to be able to make someone like Elsa laugh when they're so emotionally unstable.

But then he speaks again, and she isn't able to finish the sentence like she was going to, to tell him that he's silly or what have you. She doesn't know exactly what she would have said- but it doesn't matter, because his words have brought her up short. It's true, painfully true. Elsa is such a defeatist, she's making it sound like the situation is already a lost cause before it's even happened. It's perhaps silly, but guilt washes over her. In a way it feels like she's doubting Dave's ability, when in reality she very much feels like if anyone is capable of succeeding, it's him.

"You're right," she says, pushing the guilt as far back as she can, just so the mood doesn't deteriorate even more. "And..." She gives him an almost wry smile, deciding to play along. "I was always very, very selective of my Knights," she says, forcing herself to put on a royal air to her tone. "I only picked the best of the best, you know. So... I don't think think the story will be over for a long time. Because you, Sir Dave of Arendelle, are my best Knight." She gives him a bow, and somehow this is making her feel better, like playing along is cathartic. If anything, it's reaffirming the faith she has in him and she can't help but giggle, just a little.

It's silly, but sometimes silly is all you need to really change things.

Tony's quietly impressed eyebrows suggest that he's actually pretty pleased with her handshake.

"Why do you have to wear a costume? Or why do we wear them?"

Because even if he likes Anna, it doesn't mean he's actually going to be helpful with how he talks all the time.

After Eridan leaves, and them comes back to pick up his glasses before trying to attempt to still look cool. Tony just knits his eyebrows as he mutters.

"Well, now I've seen a reality that involves Hammer being a goat with speech problems."

He sounds like he isn't too sure what to make of that. But his face unwinds itself as he turns to Dave.

"So... 'Homo's'?"

After all, considering Dave's reaction to the word when Eridan said it he has a feeling that Dave knows at least some of a story there. And of course he's completely ignoring Dave's attempts to get away.

Trey is so many levels of unconvinced and it shows very clearly in his expression, as usual. Oliver is probably so used to looks like this, but it's satisfying anyway.

Now that he feels like he's hammered in his point, he drapes his arms over the duvet-shielded moron so he can hug him as best he can. He's always fussy and attentive, but it's still hard to admit how scared he is for Oliver in all of this. He doesn't know what he'd do if something serious happened to him, and the possibility of it is more and more likely as shit gets more real.

It's hard to convey all of this without getting weepy, a partial side effect of being up so late. "You better fuckin' be." He hisses, trying to sound composed.

"These are trying times, girl. I can't be getting dolled up without breakfast." He nods at the now empty cocktail glass in front of him. "I guess if it means that much to you we'll have to do real drinks sometime. Like maybe when we're not in the wake of despair running on three hours sleep- but then it'd never happen." He shrugs. "I'd let you take me out any time, though."

If he were any kind of troll, he would have kept Dave waiting a little longer, because the anticipation of what he could possibly mean or do would probably be torturous. But no, right now he's dropping that trollish nature and just trying to be as legit as he can. But he's Bro, so he can't ever be quite as legit as normal people can.

It feels that bad, in a strange and pessimistic sort of way. Of course he wants to believe that the two of them are infallible and that they can make it in and out in one piece, but at the same time he wants to prepare for the worst and he guesses preparing for the worst includes doing something like this. Weird or not, he's making it happen.

"Silly Dave," Bro says, an air of amusement to his tone as he gives him a squeeze. "I make everything weird. I thought you knew that by now." He'll pull away then, because even he has a weird-o-meter and it's nearing dangerous levels. Still, he feels better with that out of the way. He'll recover a little by reaching out and ruffling Dave's hair, before turning away. "See you around, bro." He figures the two of them could use some time alone to mentally prepare and to get their head in the game with no pressure from the other to act or say certain things, so in a few short seconds he's already disappeared into the elevator, leaving Dave alone.

Dave is almost surprised by how well she takes having her braid tugged, considering how impulsive the action had been. It makes the moment all the better for it and even he's starting to smile a little more. There's a lot of shit weighing on him, but part of that weight is from people he wants to take care of. He's not a hero, he's not innovative or a real rebel, but he'll do what he can when he can for people like Elsa and everyone he's caught up in his storm of stupidity. He's aware that being younger makes people worry all the more for him and oddly, it lights a fire under his ass to make him try a little harder.

He feels his delicate, little ego inflate just a bit at her words even if he also feels incredibly lame for it. A smile tugs at his lips despite all of that and he fidgets in an attempt to keep cool. "Hate to say it Elsa, but you're boned." He bows back as dramatically as he can, making sure to flourish his arms as best he can. Maybe a little too much. Oh well.

Finally he straightens up, looking a little sheepish. "I should.." He glances over his shoulder in thought. "Catch you on the flipside. Alright? We can unwind with some vidy games when I get back." He Fonz hands at her as he steps backward to leave.

"If you need breakfast, it's only proof that you did not get enough dinner in your system," Molotov tells him with a laugh, "but usually there's more vitamin C to be found in a screwdriver or a mimosa, so you get a pass. Tomorrow night? Somewhere fun, I don't know anything outside of the tower, really."

She shakes her head. "Both, silly! And wait, wait, are you saying you wear a costume? Like, on purpose, not because you're here and they make you wear one?"

It's obvious that this whole idea has her excited, and more than a little curious. Tony is such an enigma, and she's all about finding out more.

"Of course I fucking didn't, woman. Nobody really eats around here." He'd use the dragnet as an excuse, but he was already in bed when they burst in. Alas. "So soon? You must really like me- don't even have to wait for you to call me back." He winks. "Asking a drag queen to show you around? Dangerous, it's a date." He doesn't care how presumptuous that sounds.

"Your people must be less advanced than mine if you can't live off vodka and granola bars." Because Molotov doesn't really eat either. If not for her magnificent ass and tits, she'd probably weigh about 90 pounds soaking wet.

"Sounds more fun than having anyone else do it. Like I need a contingent of Peacekeepers and Escorts making sure I stay in line."

As he bows, she smiles fondly at him despite what he says. She doesn't believe it for a second, but she'll only let the way her head shakes lightly tell him that she very much disagrees with what he says. When he stands upright, she can tell he's about ready to go and she feels her stomach twist. She has no idea where he might go, or what he might do. Of course he won't just jump into it, but she knows he's going to be planning it.

She tries not to think that it's possibly the last time she'll really see him, if it goes badly. She tries to hold on to the fact that it isn't over, that it's still an unwritten story and that he could come back from it all. She can't bring herself to say much of anything, because the words are suddenly catching in her throat and a lump is forming.

"See you," she manages to get out. "I'll... I'll hold you to that." Elsa has to turn around, unable to watch him leave. She wants to hold onto the image of Dave in front of her, not his retreating form. It makes it easier to pretend that everything will be okay.

"I don't doubt some of these people do, but I can't deal with Joel and all my other tributes without the fruitiest cocktail I can find and a lemon slice." Damn, he's making himself hungry. This was not the intention.

"Who the hell brings peacekeepers and escorts to a date? They're awful at parties, unless their suits are nice and tight." He taps his chin thoughtfully. "I'm flattered that you trust me, I'll put on my best face for you."

"They watch pretty much everything, and because they can. It's very complicated," Charles explains. Actually, he didn't necessarily understand. He felt so monitored all the time that it didn't make sense that they couldn't just find the actual guilty party and arrest them.

"All that matters is that we behave and make sure they've never had a reason to blame us for anything like this."

"Through every act of mischief and every misdeed, they are doing exactly as they should for me." He was the god of mischief, after all, with no moral fibers. Perhaps if worship was actually important to him, he'd care how people acted about and towards him. That just wasn't how Asgardians worked.

"Not anyone can be liked and feared both," Loki said. It took true talent, he believed. Of course, his own ego constantly told him he was all of the above. "Here, you have to be both. Prove your worth, people will shower that praise back to you directly." People needed someone to root for.

"It's too risky to be associated with him when we plan to eventually assimilate. Can you imagine?" He sounded disgusted. "He might even try soliciting our assistance in his naive aims. It's best we break ties."

Or pretend to, at any rate.

If he survived - which Brainy desperately hoped he would.

Eridan still didn't quite get it, but he guessed that had more to do with not being hatched a god, instead he was a prince, one that favored being revered for his accomplishments and the like. He wanted worship, he wanted fame and recognition, but maybe that was because Eridan wasn't as confident in himself as he'd like others to think. Hm.

Oh wwell.

He did consider, for a moment, what Loki was saying. It seemed simple enough, maybe. Though, Eridan was never any good at getting people to like him, a fault that made itself abundantly clear with nearly every interaction he ever had, "I can more than prowe my bloody worth. Don't you worry about that. Honestly, this sounds like fuckin' nothin'. Just some sorta telewised wersion a FLARP, and I was a seasoned FLARP champion. I know how to perform."

"I don't know how you're doing it without a gallon of grain alcohol and a shotgun." Her smile is a joking one though, and she reaches out to tweak his cheek as she slides off her barstool. "I look forward to it. I'm going to try and get some more sleep before I need to head to the training center. Got about an hour before I need to be up. Tomorrow night, Miss Jolie."

"That goes without saying," Lyle said, rolling his eyes. "I hate it when people I think may be tolerable company turn out to be deranged idiots. Especially when their actions result in me having to wake up in the middle of the night and deal with armed guards and the obnoxious complaining of everyone else here."

"Well, what I wear isn't a costume so much as it is a suit of armor capable of flight."

He says contemplatively, he doesn't mean to sound so completely vague, however he also knows that he will certainly ramble if given the chance.

"And really only one of us actually wears a costume, but really when we're all together it pretty much looks like a costume party. And we wear them because it keeps us, well, safe?"

Steve has to work to control his face when Eridan ruins his exit by having to turn around to get his glasses. He won't admit how much he wants to chuckle at the poor kid's expense. Might not be his kind of person, be he's not about to be cruel. Let the kid have some level of dignity he supposes.

When Stark questions Dave, he gives him a small look of approval, because he was about to do the same. He turns his attention to Dave and adds with a cocked eyebrow, "Power Rangers?"

Dang. He should have known it wouldn't be that easy to just walk off, he'd only hoped Eridan's inelegant and awkward exit from the situation would leave everyone with so much more important things to consider.

Instead, somehow, he's come to a point in his life where he's being mentored- fathered even- by two of the most influential members of the Avengers. Should he be proud? Probably not. Is he? A little. He doesn't much care for it either way, so he just shrugs like he has no idea what the big deal is.

"I might have given him some alternative examples for words like platonic acquaintances and peacekeepers. Guy gets in my grill tighter than a stray sausage." And now he's going to glance between the two of them with a very small smirk forming. "I'm glad this could bring us all together, though. The odd couple vibe is super appreciated, really fills the sad orphan vibe in my life to completion. Should I call you both dad or would we like to designate a mom?"

With a sigh, she nods before hugging herself. Everything about this place was awful, and she wanted to go home so much.

"I don't want to kill anyone, so. I think I won't get in trouble."

"And you went with homo and Power rangers?"

There's a blank face that Tony brings to this situation, looking around at the crowd.

"Well the outfits make them look more like putties."

He wishes he could be ashamed of the fact that there was a point in his life as a grown up man that he had seen Power Rangers. The fact was at one point there was advertising for it everywhere so Tony got curious and watched a season.

He's still not too sure what to make of it.

He was about to move on to make a comment on why it is Dave is on teasing terms with some farmyard mutation project, but gets far too distracted by the following comment.

The comment of course just gets a sigh and Tony rubbing at his face. "You know that neither of us are slobs, right?" He knows that Dave is really trying to get on their 'coupley' case to annoy them, and Tony's choosing to ignore it by correcting how Dave uses the odd couple.

This conversation is already beyond ridiculous. Sure, he has no idea what a Power Ranger or a Putty is, but it doesn't matter, at this point it just doesn't matter. Stark isn't helping and Dave is now trying to stir up shit to change the subject on to them and their imagined relationship. Well, other universe one, but he and Dave already discussed this, so Steve sees this for what it is. And Stark flat out ignoring it, that only feeds into one of the two reactions he's sure Dave is after.

Still, if Dave wants to play this game, Steve can play too. People tend to underestimate how much of a troublemaker he used to be.

"Dave," he gives him a scolding look, "homo isn't a good word to throw around, you need to fix that." Otherwise it was a good prank. When he continues, he adopts a more motherly quality to his voice, "Now, your father isn't in the mood for your games, we've already talked about it anyway, so go on," Steve moves forward and gives him a kiss on the crown of his head. "Off you go, I'll be up to tuck you in later."

Steve steps back again and if he weren't smirking, he'd look like he hadn't just done anything weird. You only have yourself to blame for this one, Dave.

[open] CATCH ALL

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject