6544/Running away or running to

Running away or running to
Date of Scene:	13 June 2021
Location:	Wooded Trails in Upstate New York
Synopsis:	Bucky looks for peace in a familiar spot but fails to find it. One again, his paranoia gets the better of him and he loses the opportunity to make two new friends.
Cast of Characters:	Michael Hannigan, Morrigan MacIntyre, James Barnes

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Michael Hannigan has posed:
As the day's sunlight fades away and the night starts to awaken, there is a gentle peace to the wooded trails in upstate New York. The daytime wanderers have mostly found their fill of natural adventure and have headed home to their respective abodes filled with unnatural light and even more unnatural foods.

But peaceful as it is, that does not mean quiet. There is the sound of the evening birds, and some bugs as well in the warm darkness. The sound of water trickling along a creek off aways from the well worn path made from years of treking. Not a soul to be seen.

Over to a clearing in the trees, there is the faint glimmer of the moonlight trying to make its presence known, gifting the inky black with a purplish hue. And in the sky a shape comes closer, passing through the canopy to land in the center of the circle. The raven looks around quietly, taking stock of his surroundings. Assured he is alone, his head tucks down. Odd place to take a nap.

Or is he? In the quiet, the odd bird's form starts to shift. Growing larger as the feathers start to change shape and texture. Becoming more blends of fabric and skin. Eventually the bird is gone, leaving instead a young man, brown hair pulled back into a ponytail and some rather well worn jeans and a tee. Mike glances around once more, seemingly waiting for someone.

Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
Morrigan's not riding the motorcycle today. Sadness that it is. The Challenger however had made it's way out of the garage and was sitting off in the parking lots that held the cars while people ran...or did whatever they do in the gathering dusk of the park. She'd seen the incoming raven that touched down and followed the trail through the woods to where Michael was standing just off the pathway.

"Sorry to call on such short notice, Michael." the Irish woman stated in a quietly apologetic tone. "I hope that you didn't have any other run ins with the Punisher while you were finishing up the tour in Rome?" she asks as she steps out of the tree line.

She's dressed in her usual day to day style, something akin to the fourties but she's traded her heels out for flats that were made for her. "Hopefully the local rumor that this place is haunted is just a rumor. It's getting a little dark out here." she muses.

James Barnes has posed:
    The night before Bucky finally broke and reached out to Steve.
    Bucky had no idea where he was going when he left the Playground. He just got on his Ural and started driving. It's a good thing the sidecar is sizable enough for a German Shepherd to ride comfortably. He put Lili in that sidecar and just *drove*
    It's no wonder he ends up here, one of his favorite places to come with Peggy and the dog. He's been ordered to take down time from guarding the sphere and his friend, so... he was looking for a place connected to her, comforting, peaceful.
    But the former Winter Soldier didn't find his peace when he arrived, he's been in the woods for awhile now chasing that peace, quite literally. It started as jogging, then turned to an all out sprinting run, leaving Lili lagging behind and barely able to keep up. He doesn't have any idea how far he's run from the little clearing of a lot where he parked his bike, but odds are it's pretty far. Run, just run... Bucky, run... He's paid little to no mind to branches and limbs scraping and scratching at his face or thorns tearing at his clothes when a bush growing too far into the trail got in his way. Run... run... run...
    Until he can't anymore, until he suddenly realizes it's all in vain and the peace isn't coming. That's when he stops, that's when they'll hear it, that anguished and enraged wail of a man's scream, is that the ghost?! ... maybe not, it's followed by the sounds of something blunt hitting and splintering wood. In the direction of the scream, a treetop is shaking wildly with every sound of pounding and splintering wood. The scream goes on and on and on, even after the voice grows hoarse, the sounds of that poor tree being abused goes... on and on and on...
    ...and a dog barks frantically in the distance, a panicked bark. It doesn't sound *frightened* or mean or... as far as barks go, it sounds concerned? Like maybe Timmy's fallen down the well and needs help.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
It would be REALLY cool to say Mike was leaning against the tree, arms folded just looking over to the direction of the parking lot. But only one element of that would be true. He's just standing and watching. The musician gives a smile in greeting to the woman.

"We just finished filming so you're alright, Mo. As for the Punisher thing. The only sighting I could actually confirm is the one we shared." Mike folds his arms, glance following Morrigan's as she makes comment of hauntings. "We've dealt with worse, Mo. " The head tilts curiously, "So what is it that has us meeting out here of all places?"

A scream?

Mike turns his head in the general direction of the sound. "The fu-" Body turning to face the direction of the sounds. Curiousity has given way to concern. "That's no ghost." Mike comments to Morrigan, "Sounds like someone's in trouble."

He looks back to the principal. "Another time on the talk, I guess."

Shaking his head he turns in the direction of the noise again. Bringing up his voice "OI! You okay out there?!"

Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
Morrigan's face pales a shade, which is honestly remarkable given her coloring and those violet eyes of hers go wide as she hears the cry. "Well...I had been kidding about the place being haunted." she whispers. Throat suddenly dry. She clears her throat though and realizes that it's human. Which gives her another chill, what the heck was wrong? Was someone hurt? Or were they hurting someone?

"Well...we were meeting to talk about a vision I had in Rome...but, I can't help but think we need to see what's going on." she swallows the jitters that she had. "Or...I can go? You dial 911 just in case?" she looks to Michael before she's heading off into the treeline, making her way towards the sounds of tree splintering mixed with worried concern in the barks of the dog.

"What if it's a werewolf Morrigan?" she whispers to herself as she keeps herself straight and shoulders squared. Maybe if she didn't look terrified nothing would eat her for intruding.

"Hello?" she calls as she draws nearer.

James Barnes has posed:
    He figured he'd be out here alone, he knew he'd be running and... sweating, so Bucky isn't wearing anything but a black t-shirt, cargo pants and... a pair of combat boots? Not the most common running attire, but to him? It's familiar. His metal arm gleams in the rising moonlight just starting to peek through the trees. It's that hand, his left, that's doing the most damage to the enormous tree he's pounding on, but he's hitting it with his right more than a fair amount as well, sans gloves, blood drips from the battered knuckles.
    Bucky spins at the sound of someone's voice and lets out an involuntary, grunted growl of warning... stay the fuck away. He looks like a trapped animal truth be told. His dark hair is plastered to his face, damp with sweat. His face is scratched and bloody, wounds that'll be gone in the morning. His blue eyes are wide and wild, red rimmed and dark circled from lack of sleep. He's panting, breaths hitching in his chest, but not from exertion, no he's a long way from being physically worn out, it's from the raw emotions that're threatening to drag him under and never release him; frustration, anger, fear, loss, regret, confusion...
    ...and nearby, that poor dog, a German Shepherd, barkbarkbarkbarkbarks frantically still. It seems she may be trying to snap Bucky out of whatever dark place he's gone to? But even she knows that it might not be safe to actually approach right now.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"Like HELL I'm going to let you go wandering down the woods at night towards screaming alone!" Mike hisses, following after Morrigan and the barking. As he continues down the path, there's a small outgrowth of a nearby bush that passes through his leg unknowingly. Seems there really is a ghost in the woods.

As the wild Bucky suddenly appears in their view and the dog's barking gets louder with proximity, Mike frowns to the look upon the man's face. "Oh geez." He knows this look. "Mo... stay back. Give him room."

The musician steps forward, coming to a stop next to the dog, using it as a guide for what's an acceptable distance. He lifts up a scarred arm, waving a hand to Bucky. "Hey man. Seems you're having a hell of a day. Want to talk?"

Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
The growl is what makes Morrigan stop in her tracks. Because she's heard those sounds before and that little flight or fight reaction is kicked into the air and sent flying. She manages not to growl back at the man, but she doesn't go further, though it doesn't mean that she's out of the danger zone. She puts her hands out, showing she's not got anything in them as she gives a bit of a worried look over the man that's been beating up trees.

"I'm Morrigan. This is Michael. We don't mean you any harm." she states quietly in her accented tone. Maybe he just needed a hug? Sometimes the kids at school just needed one?! But the highly intelligent part of her brain said 'Don't hug the guy that's growling.' to her.

She steps to the side, just so her and Mike aren't directly in his path should he want to leave in a hurry, "Does your dog have a name, sir?" she asks. Maybe some familiar things would help. "I promise we aren't going to hurt your dad, sweetie. We just want to make sure he's alright." she tells Lili in a comforting tone.

James Barnes has posed:
    Her 'dad' is in the middle of a meltdown, one dude here is all... weird and the woman smells funny! Lili whimpers pitifully, makes a few feeble attempts at sounding 'guard dog' at the two strangers, and stands her ground near Bucky.
    Bucky's nostrils flare when he sucks in a deep breath. His brow is all furrowed, creased and those intense blue eyes fall first on Mike, since he was the first to speak. Gods that stare, it's enough to make a person want to crawl out of their skin. There's a heaviness to it that's almost a palpable thing. TickTickTickTick... seconds tick into at least a minute and he says nothing. Then that same stare turns its weight on Morrigan.
    In a sudden flurry of motion, he spins to plant one more solid punch to that tree with his left hand, the thing nearly topples over. That one last attempt to let loose the demons chasing him is accompanied by one last howl of emotion.
    He drops to his knees. Lili rushes in to press against him, warm and very much there, a real and solid presence to remind him of... what's real and solid. "Go away," he snarls, but the heat just isn't there anymore. ...and he's obviously not talking to the dog because he reaches up with his battered right hand to rub her neck right behind the ears.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike turns his head to look to Morrigan as she shifts over to where he and the dog is. As she introduces the pair of them to Bucky, he gives another wave as Morrigan mentions his name. The Intense blue eyes end up meeting up with pale blue ones sporting a lighter shade of the tiredness that is prevailent in Bucky's. Geez that's- Mike's jaw clenches as he keeps looking back.

The watch is broken when Bucky spins to destroy what's left of the tree. Brows raise as the musician watches the tree for a few moments, waiting for it to fall down completely. When it doesn't, he looks back to the now kneeling Bucky and canine companion.

Mike clicks his tongue, shaking his head as he glances down. Scuffing a toe into the dirt. "...I get it. But, No." Scar now relocated to the proper arm, the musician reaches it up to rub the back of his neck. "...So, how long have you had trouble sleeping?" He pauses, "I know the look. Too well."

Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
Morrigan learned a few things from Sam working at the school...and when he'd talk about counciling at other times. Don't ever push too much. And Morrigan wasn't doing that. The red head gives a wince when the man spins to try to beat out his demons but she calms herself quickly before he's turning again.

Then something clicks in her head, the dog tags, his look and...his arm.

"Sergeant Barnes?" she asks tentatively. She was approaching 'I can't compete with highly trained assassin' territory. And she didn't want to hurt someone that was having a bad night. Honestly, she just wanted to hug the guy, but she didn't want to die either. So she'd start simple!

She settles herself into a kneeling position, placing her hands on her knees as she does, no threatening gestures. "I don't want to bombard you with questions, but if you want to talk...I'll listen. Or you can answer Mike about the sleep." she tells him quietly.

James Barnes has posed:
    Bucky's head snaps up at the sound of his name. Morrigan gets the full brunt of that stare again, but it's through a mop of bangs now hanging over his eyes. It makes his forehead hard to see and damn that man expresses a lot more with that forehead and his eyebrows than any other feature of his face... so she might miss the change from before, the anger... now there's pain there. "Not anymore," he informs her quietly, words pushed out through clenched teeth. The anger's so much easier, so he's trying to hold on to it with a desperate, tentative grip that's slipping.
    Eyes still on Morrigan, he replies to Mike. "I sleep just fine." Sure! And pigs fly and the moon really is made of green cheese.
    ...and through it all, Lili is there, a gentle presence, quiet and patient. From time to time he stops petting her and she licks Bucky's hand just to keep him focused on the feeling of her warm fur.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Hearing a name being called out. Mike lowers his arm, turning his head to look to Morrigan curiously. "Wait, You know him?"

When Bucky answers his question, the musician looks back over to Bucky. "...Bullshit. The only thing 'fine' is the thickness of that thread you're hanging from." He considers the name Morrigan used. Military title. The anger. The look of fatigue. "Is it nightmares?"

Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
Morrigan's violet gaze doesn't look away from Bucky's pale blue ones. While most might run...she stays. "What do you go by now if I may ask?" she poses the question to him. Anger was easy, it really was. There's a look to Mike and a shake of her head, "I don't know him personally, but he's Steve Roger's best friend...and he knows Sam that works at school." she tells him.

Then her gaze goes back to the man that's being comforted by the dog. "I wouldn't feel right leaving you out here in the dark with your dog. While I know you're perfectly capable of taking care of yourself, there's no reason to go through whatever you're going through on your own." she states in a soft tone.

James Barnes has posed:
    The mention of nightmares causes Bucky's blue eyes to unfocus into a ninety yard stare. While he's all 'zoned out', he actually SHIVERS. Lord, poor Morrigan isn't going to be able to resist that urge to hug if this kinda shit keeps up. It only lasts fifteen seconds? Maybe and he's shaking his head as if to clear it of the memory of that last nightmare. "No... I sleep fine," he repeats stubbornly.
    Maybe he was about to tell Morrigan what he prefers to be called now? But then she mentions ... Steve. He's settled down somewhere along the line, back against the tree. He hangs his head, hiding his face behind that curtain of dark hair. That's probably why he still keeps it long... so he can hide behind it. But he can't hide the absolute LONGING and additional pain caused by the mention of his best friend... that he's not allowed to see... because fucking HYDRA is EVERYWHERE fucking up his fucking life AGAIN. "I'll be fine," barely a whisper.
    A soft whimper from Lili is followed by one little thump of her tail. Seems the dog is tattling on her person, he's not... nor will he be fine. Not yet.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike quietly watches Bucky's reaction to the question. Lips drifting into a deeper frown at the visual confirmation. The dog isn't helping Bucky's argument one bit. Steve Roger's best friend... So-

Hmm.

He glances aside. Hand balling up as he considers. "...What if I might be able to stop the nightmares for a couple nights? Would you be willing to let me try?"

Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
Morrigan didn't want to put this man through anymore pain, she curses softly under her breath and finally just settles her butt on the ground. Pants would wash. She was going to be here for awhile. She rubs her shoulder with a wince as she straightens her shirt. Then she focuses back on Bucky. The appearance of the shivers makes her heartache though. Oh lord. She doesn't speak for the moment, allowing her words earlier to gain some distance before she does anything else silly.

Mike's question makes her look to him and she offers an easy smile at that suggestion, though she doesn't say anything. She's just trying to be a calming and unthreatening presence for the moment.

James Barnes has posed:
    Bucky's head snaps up again and that curtain of hair falls back away from his face. That brow furrows more, deep lines this time. His lip curls up in a tiny bit of a reflexive snarl. "What do ya mean?" Instant distrust there, INSTANT. He tosses his guard up hard and fast. "Drugs don't help." His voice is a dangerous, low growl. ... because he's thinking Mike isn't talking about drugs and maybe what Mike IS talking about is ... probably terrifying to him.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"No." Mike replies, shakes his head. "Not drugs. " Well. Not for Bucky anyways. He looks to his hand, studying it for a few moments. "Easiest way would be to say magic?" He looks over to Morrigan, "How would you describe Raphael's Flask?"

He pauses, "Either way, if you did want to do that I'd suggest you'd be closer to a motel or hotel or something like that to sleep in. The woods is a shit location if you're catching up on rest."

Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
Morrigan's instant reaction to Bucky's head snapping up is for her to be on guard, while she's ninety five percent sure that he's not going to try to break their heads in, there is that five percent that has seen a wolf backed into a corner before and she's not going to magically whip his ass tonight...or any other night. "It's magic, yes. Not drugs, or anything like that." she offers. "But...I don't know if he's going to trust that like others will." she tells Mike with a sad look.

Then there's a look back to Bucky, "Sir...I don't want to spook you. I don't know that you're in pain...but I don't know how to help except for offering to get you out of the woods and to a place where it's a bit...safer. There's a lot that wander at night." she states as she looks around and then between the two men there.

James Barnes has posed:
    He is FAST. Bucky is up on his feet in half a blink and to Mike with his left hand around the poor guy's throat in the other half of that blink. Morrigan's words don't even register. His attention is focused solely on Mike, those burning, intense blue eyes are solely on Mike.
    "Who sent you?!" he barks as that metal hand squeezes, not enough to cut off air, but... enough to make the threat that air will be cut off. "Fucking HYDRA piece of shit!" Paranoia, it runs deep, but it's not being paranoid if they're really out to get you. "WHO SENT YOU?!"
    Lili is just as startled by the sudden movement as everyone else probably is and just as upset by Bucky's change in demeanor. She's barking frantically, uncertain... what should she do? Are they a threat? ... barkbarkbark! Growlsnarlpatheticattemptbark!

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike turns his head to look to Morrigan. "I know it's kind of weird but that's all I really got to ofFURRK!" No. It's not a new curse word but as his attention was turned to Morrigan he didn't see Bucky coming towards him. Not that would have done any good for the recently un-phantasmed performer but one could hope.

The performer's eyes widen as his hands grasp at the metal hand. See. This is what happens when concern over a dog's feelings make you drop your defensive capabilities. "Oh fuckin hell," Mike rasps out, "No one-"

The expression on Mike's face contorts as he closes his eyes. Well. Contort is understating matters as his features more or less reverse. And Bucky gets a front row seat as the scar on the lower right forearm fades away and appears on the left. Upon it fully appearing on the left side, there's no more resistance where Bucky's hand is as Mike simply falls through, stumbling back. "...asshole."

Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
It was too fast. Morrigan didn't even have time to get in between the two of them. Morrigan seems to be looking about as confused as Lili is as well. "Put. Him. Down." she manages to get the nerve to raise her voice at the soldier. But Mike gets free. "Mike, go. I'll be right behind you. I promise." she tells him.

Then her gaze falls on Bucky, she doesn't get closer, because she's not really wanting to use magic or anything else on this man. She pulls a card from her pocket and then slowly crouches to place it on the ground, "If you want to talk one on one over coffee...or across a few trees, call and we'll set something up. I'm sorry about all of this and for what you might be going through." she tells him.

Then she starts to back slowly away with her hands raised. Not a threat!

James Barnes has posed:
    What the fuck! Bucky's eyes widen in surprise for only a moment, then they narrow dangerously. His decades of training kicks in. His now empty hand reaches behind him and comes out holding a small, but wicked looking blade, that's the left hand. In one fluid, smooth, practiced and FAST motion, he squats and retrieves a Glock from a holster strapped to his calf under those loose fit jogging pants. Did anyone really think that the former Winter Soldier went anywhere, under any circumstances unarmed? The knife hand is extended in Mike's direction, freaky fucker! The gun is leveled at Morrigan.
    ...and Lili is still yapping her head off, uncertain as to who's... wrong here.
    Blue eyes flicker to the card and then back up again, quickly, no where near enough time to allow someone to get the jump on him. "Get," he spits out. "Away... now." ...he doesn't pull the trigger or throw the knife though, so there's... that.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike backs away from Bucky but the backwards momentum halts as Morrigan tells him to go. Brows lifting he looks over to Morrigan, not continuing his movement until he's sure she starts backing away as well. Sure turning around and going forward would be quicker but being the irate soldier is brandishing a knife and a gun. Maaaaaaybe having the back turned to that guy would not be a good idea.

Morrigan MacIntyre has posed:
Morrigan's eyes look to the gun that's so smoothly pulled and pointed at her. She looks away from the barrel of the gun, back to those pale blue eyes, "Already gone." she states in a whisper. The woman wasn't taking her eyes off the armed man until she was sure it was safe enough to turn and get them to safety. And maybe to a place that served VERY stiff drinks.

James Barnes has posed:
    He doesn't lower either weapon until the two are out of sight. Even then, Bucky only tucks the knife away. He keeps the gun in his hand. He bends to pick up the card left behind and looks it over before tucking it into a pocket. Gathering evidence or... considering it for later?
    Once the danger is passed, Lili pads over to her human and nudges that empty, metal left had. She lets out a soft whine.
    "I know girl, lets go..." He almost says home, until he remembers that the place they have to go back to isn't 'home', especially without Peg. Steve... fuck he misses Steve. "You wanna see Steve tomorrow?" he asks... the dog, as he picks his way through the woods and back to his parked Ural.