652/Truly Tug of War

Truly Tug of War
Date of Scene:	20 March 2020
Location:	James Barnes' Room, Residential Wing, Triskelion
Synopsis:	Another thrilling saga in the life of the super-soldiers: Lili is defeated at tug of war, but flaunts her toy nonetheless! Ice cream is shared! Noogies are threatened! Star Wars is apparently a good movie series!
Cast of Characters:	James Barnes, Steve Rogers

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James Barnes has posed:
So, Buck loves ice cream. And now he's sharing some of the weirder flavors with Steve. He's eating his way through a big bowl of Moose Tracks, because there will never be enough chocolate in the world. Lili, for her part, is so determined to get that knotted rope from Steve. She's shaking her head and mock-growling and generally pretending to be a ferocious horrible beast, except that her tail is wagging and her eyes are bright. "Only you, Steven Rogers," he says, tongue somewhat numb, "Could go on a trip and get made king of earth."

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve's ice cream is currently stashed out of reach of canine noses and tongues whilst he plays with Lili. His grip around one end of the knotted rope is enduring; his other hand pillows his head on the floor of the residential room on rent to Bucky. With sock-warmed feet propped up on a chair, he lies on the ground and simply lets Lili work like a fiend to yank the toy away.

"I really didn't mean to have this happen," the man insists in bemused rue. "The All-Father said, 'I name thee Lord of Midgard' and I thought to myself that it was some extra fancy title for 'Ambassador of Earth' there in the Court. If I'd know I'd end up being taken as literal 'Lord of Midgard', I'd've politely declined...for whatever that would've been worth. Thor seemed to imply that it wasn't wise to look a gift horse in the mouth after he explained the situation to me 'nd I told him I'd like to speak to his father about it." His arm remains outstretched for a bit more until he slowly starts curling it in to offer resistance for Lili to tug against.

James Barnes has posed:
Another mouthful of ice cream. With his metabolism, he could eat lard on a stick and not gain weight. He cocks an eye at his friend. "Of course you didn't mean to," he says, sighing. "Look at you. You just wanted to join the Army in 1943, like a million guys, and here we are. Here we are in a future where coffee costs five a dollars a cup. Yeah, I wouldn't wanna fight or argue with Thor, let alone his dad. So....did you, though? I guess you didn't. I'd've liked to see you try and explain things to a god-king."

Lili keeps up her assault on the rope. OMG, my rope, second best human. She's as delighted as a pup.

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve's arm uncurls and he lets it be jerked about tremendously as another whiplashing shake goes through the rope toy. Bucky gets an equal eyeing back.

"You know I would've done just fine explaining my reasoning to the All-Father -- but no, didn't get to. I trusted Thor. He hasn't steered me wrong so far. Whatever his guilty feelings in matters, it came from his heart 'nd his status as Avenger, protector of Earth. Now...thing is, nobody's gonna like this."

Now the Captain grimaces, his brows knitting. "Fury's gonna pop a vein when he finds out. 'm sure he knows me 'nd Nat were off-world in Asgard. The 'why's gonna come out one way or another." He blows a sigh before looking back at his oldest friend.

"It's Lord Captain Rogers now anyways, just not in front of Fury." Cue little smirk.

James Barnes has posed:
There's Buck's slow, chortling laugh. Plenty of amusement, no real malice....but yes, he's enjoying Steve's discomfiture. "I dunno about that. Fury will probably be happy, honestly. And if you're King of Earth, what're you gonna make me? Duke of America?" The pale eyes are dancing. Of course, his default is to rib Steve.

"No, the protocol is military rank and then title of nobility, 'least in England. Captain Lord Rogers," he says, firmly. Lili drops to her belly and heaves a gusty sigh. I am vanquished.

Steve Rogers has posed:
True-blues narrow at the Soldier seated not too far away for a friendly swat to the knee. Steve desists as he hears Lili plop down and glances her way. He ripples the rope knot about a little more just to see her lips flop and then gently tosses it so she can have it all to herself.

"Fine, so it's Captain Lord Rogers. I expect that from now on until the title's recinded," he notes, smirking back at Barnes. "Can't make you duke of anything unless you respect the title. Mean, you might as well start practicing your bows now, Barnes." His teeth show glistening and white now from his continued lounge on the floor, feet still crossed up on the chair. Both hands now pillow behind his head.

"Also, if you think Fury's gonna be //happy// about this? Whatever they're sneaking into your coffee in the morning, I'll take some. Think if I pull the bland face, he'll run out of steam eventually?"

James Barnes has posed:
Bucky rolls his eyes - momentarily reminiscent of the boy he was. Oh my gawwwwd, Steve. HE snorts. "You wish. I'm not too old to give you a noogie, Steve. I don't care who made you Emperor of the Galaxy." A beat, and he frowns. "Like....wasn't he that shrivelled up old guy in those movies about the kid with the laser sword?" Then he shakes his head, dismissing it.

A shrug, and he finishes the bowl, rising to take it to the kitchenette. "I know Fury is a cunning bastard. He may growl, but he'll find a way to turn it to Earth's advantage," he says, serenely.

Steve Rogers has posed:
"See, using something to your advantage doesn't preclude being happy about it." Bucky gets a pointed finger at him as he travels to the kitchenette. "Let you know how that talk goes regardless. Also, you try 'nd noogie me, 'nd there's gonna be a Barnes-shaped hole in the wall. Try patching that up with toothpaste before somebody notices."

Curling up, Steve pulls his legs down in order to rise to take up his bowl of half-melted ice cream. This is a leftover seasonal, peppermint candy cane, and it's half a slurry of white and pink, some flecks of red still floating about. "Didn't know you'd watched Star Wars. What'd'you think of it?" the Captain asks as he meanders over to the kitchenette, eating ice cream as he goes.

James Barnes has posed:
There's that funny little smile from him. "I really liked the first one they did. Luke kinna reminded me of you. The ones with the girl were good, too. The ones about Anakin, though...." He pulls a face. "I had no sympathy for him. He was a whiny little punk. I'm liking the TV show with the Mandalorian, though."

Whereupon Lili goes digging in her toybox and comes out with a plush Baby Yoda toy, that she comes waggling up to Steve to present.

Steve Rogers has posed:
"Oh, lookit that." The ice cream gets put aside in order for Steve to kneel and observe the adorable toy Lili has brought to display (and likely not to share -- eyes only, Captain, you clearly don't know how to drop things). "Haven't seen that show, but I recognize that character," he continues, gesturing at the toy Baby Yoda. "Didn't have much sympathy for that Anakin character either. He whined about sand getting everywhere...kid had no idea about how tough it can be out there."

Both soldiers, veterans of WWII, have a good idea of what can constitute 'uncomfortable'.

Standing up again, Steve takes up his ice cream once more. "Have to sit down 'nd watch it once things settle. Too much to do yet. Still...this's been great, Buck, thanks for having me over. Can't be overworried when you're around. That, 'nd this little lady here."

Lili gets smoochy sounds at her from the muscled paragon of American virtue. Lucky dog!