Open RP / PSL Post

[vintagecaptain]

OPEN RP POST
Director Rogers AU | Civil War AU

Looking to RP something with Steve Rogers?

You’re welcome to leave a comment to this entry for thread continuations, text messages, or starters for PSLs. You can check specific preferences here. If you have any questions feel free to DM this journal.

You will also find specific PSL/AU verses to tag into. Those links are above. You’ll find a description of each PSL/AU when you click the link.


code bases by tricklet

Comments

[bracchium]

[Murdock smiles at Steve. He's doing great and coming off as very charming.]

When was the most recent time he saved you from bullies?

[vintagecaptain]

Well, you see, there was this alien named Thanos who invaded Earth...

[ The prosecution starts shouting objections and Steve lets the lawyers duke it out. He can't talk about Thanos, apparently, because it has nothing to do with the crimes Bucky's accused of. Relevant information only.

Luckily, Steve has a plan. ]

My apologies, Judge. [ He looks at Bucky. ] He also saved me from the Winter Soldier.

[bracchium]

[When the sidebar upon sidebar finishes, Murdock returns to the defense table and clears his throat.]

How did he save you from the Winter Soldier?

[Bucky knows this is practiced, but he's never heard it himself. He starts to slowly look up from the table, regarding Steve with a harried expression.]

[vintagecaptain]

I don't lose a lot of fights these days. Sometimes it happens though.

[ He has the serum. He's got the strength and stamina. Steve is known for his ability to win in the face of fruitless odds. ]

But when Hydra tried to take over SHIELD they sent the Winter Soldier after me. I was fighting him on a helicarrier. I was losing. I was probably dead but Bucky stopped him from landing the killing blow. Bucky got me out of the river where I would've drown too.

[ Now, he was losing because he wasn't fighting as hard as he could have because he didn't want to hurt Bucky too badly but they sure and hell did a number on each other. ]

[bracchium]

[Bucky watches Steve talk in a way he hasn't with any other witness. His brows are furrowed but not out of guilt. He's listening and he's doing so very closely.

Murdock nods.]

If you may, please inform this jury how you can distinguish James Barnes from the Winter Soldier?

[vintagecaptain]

Bucky cares about what happens to other people. To me. To innocent lives. To everyone. Not always himself though.

[ Which Steve has been struggling again for weeks now, trying to get Bucky to give a damn about himself. ]

The Winter Soldier's just a weapon. A gun. He doesn't care what he's pointed at. He just does what he's made to do.

[bracchium]

[It's hard to hear, but Bucky doesn't look away. Murdock taps his desk.]

So you would have enough experience with both James Barnes and the Winter Soldier to distinguish them apart in this court room?

[Murdock hurries to the next question without waiting, his eagerness getting a hold of him.]

Who would you say is sitting here now? The Winter Soldier or James Barnes?

[vintagecaptain]

That's Bucky. That's my best friend. The man who saved my life.

[ There is a shout of objection and the lawyers start arguing about the question but Steve said what he knows is the truth. He believes entirely that Bucky and the Winter Solider are two different people in the same body. ]

[bracchium]

[The lawyers argue up at the bench again and Murdock returns frowning. The judge gives the instruction that the jury dispose of Steve's answer. Murdock tries to find a new way to phrase the question.]

Have you ever fought with James Barnes or seen James Barnes fight?

[Bucky frowns at the odd phrasing, but he trusts Steve, trusts Murdock. He has to or he'll never get through the day.]

[vintagecaptain]

He taught me to box before the war. And when he served on the Commandos with me I saw him fight plenty.

[ They fought side by side after all. ]

Fought each other, though? No, we've never fought.

[bracchium]

[Murdock nods and glances over to the prosecution table before asking his next question.]

Steve, how does James Barnes fight?

[There's no objection, which appears to have been Murdock's goal.]

[vintagecaptain]

He tries not to. But when he has to he takes out the threat and that's it. I mean, he ended a lot of fights with bullies back in the day by making them look stupid, not hurting them.

[ He's just waiting for the objection. The prosecution seems set on making sure Steve can't paint Bucky in a positive light at all. ]

[bracchium]

[And Steve is right. The prosecution objects and both sides are up at the bench for the umpteenth sidebar. The judge once again strikes Steve's testimony from the record and this time speaks directly to Steve.]

Please answer the question you are asked, Mr. Rogers, and only the question you are asked.

[Murdock is looking more infuriated by this particular objection, but he tries again.]

How did James Barnes fight during the war?

[vintagecaptain]

Sorry, your honor. I'm trying the best to be honest with the court.

[ Steve's known for his honesty after all. It's one of those things everyone talks about when they talk about Captain America. ]

He was the team sniper. He covered us when we would move in on a target.

[bracchium]

[Murdock nods and continues the questioning when there is no objection.]

And during that time, did James Barnes kill any civilians?

[vintagecaptain]

No. Never.

[ Steve frowns, offended by the question. The Commandos have a clean, clear military record. They make Hydra and the Nazis hurt. Not innocent people. ]

[bracchium]

[Murdock offers a brief, apologetic expression. He's clearly having to navigate around the prosecution's desire to paint Bucky in the worst light possible.]

So, would you say, James Barnes avoided civilian casualties?

[vintagecaptain]

Yes, always.

[ Some hardness has entered Steve's tone. He's annoyed that anyone would imply otherwise or even question that. ]

[bracchium]

[Murdock nods again and Bucky is back to looking down at the table.]

And the Winter Soldier? Did he avoid civilians, in your experience?

[vintagecaptain]

No. He didn't care if they were in the way.

[ Steve wishes Bucky would look at him again. ]

[bracchium]

[Another nod from Murdock as he progresses with the questioning.]

In your experience, did the Winter Soldier and James Barnes have different regards for the treatment of civilians.

[vintagecaptain]

Yes. Bucky cares about them. The Winter Soldier doesn't.

[ He thought he made that perfectly clear before but maybe it needed to be said plainly for the jury. Steve speaks the truth and he knows that comes through in his tone. ]

[bracchium]

[This time, the prosecution tries to object, but is overruled. There it is. That hope that Captain America embodies. Murdock asks a few more questions about his relationship with Barnes, their friendship primarily, and then it's time for the cross-examination.

The prosecution lawyer stands and takes a place at the podium.]

Mr. Rogers, we have on record that James Barnes first encountered HYDRA during the war, is that correct?

[vintagecaptain]

[ Their friendship is one of the cornerstone of Steve's life. He definitely wouldn't be where he is today without it and he makes that clear in his answers.

He nods as he answers Murdock's latest question. Now the questions are really going to hurt. ] Yes.

[bracchium]

[The prosecution continues,] And did this encounter with HYDRA change James Barnes, as far as you could determine?