#02; 20 May, evening.

[paragon]

[ It's your second audio post of the day, Wayward Pines. And Laura's was useful in more ways than one — it will save Steve time here, and he won't have a lot of it to ensure those listening will get through the whole message before it, too, is taken down. He waits with Poe until the evening, when the most people will be home and able to pick up when the phone rings.

He's already cut out his own tracker — has known about it for a long time — but if he's feeling any pain from Natasha stitching him up, it doesn't show in his voice. ]

This is Steve Rogers. There are some things you all need to know and this probably won't stay up for long, so I'll get to it.

[ And so he does. ]

The man the police are looking for isn't guilty of any crimes except seeing something he wasn't supposed to. He heard the same screams in the woods we've all heard, and when he went to help he found a body. He was scared, so he buried it. That's why so many people got sick — it got into the river, and it wasn't human. I know this because I saw the body before the Sheriff took it away. All I can say for sure is that maybe it was human once.

[ He wishes he could go into more detail here, but again, time isn't on his side. That much will have to suffice. ]

This man is one of us. [ Using Sarah's words, who told him everything the man in question told her, because they're good words. ] Woke up here the same as everyone else, and I don't mean in a hospital bed. The Sheriff is the exception. No one remembers seeing him in the hospital. He was never confused over missing memories, or memories of a life we're not supposed to talk about.

[ Poe leans in, glancing at Steve for the go-ahead before he speaks loud enough to make himself heard through the receiver. ] That's not all. This place is entirely walled off. All the way around. There are beings patrolling the walls, ones that I can't identify. No species I've ever encountered, and I've encountered a lot. Worse, the sheriff reports to someone invested in keeping us here and keeping us quiet.

[ And then Steve picks up where he left off. ]

But that's the only way we'll get answers. We have to talk to each other, even if it's against the law. Especially if it's against the law. There will be consequences, but I'm willing to face them if you are. We don't belong here, but they made us care about each other anyway. Let's make that a problem for 'em.

[ Fin. Like Laura's post, this message will also be gone after 3-4 minutes. Not a lot of time, considering how long it takes just to listen to it, but you might be able to get through to Steve or Poe for a while afterward, if you're quick. ]

Comments

voice;

[dragoness]

You really think that thing was human?

[ that's it, that's all she cares about ]

[paragon]

You saw it. You tell me.

[ Teacher mode or Cap mode? Hard to say. ]

annnnnnd action

[volitaunt]

[ As soon as they finish, Poe grins at Steve. ]

Think that got his attention?

[paragon]

[ His own smile is a little more muted, but still genuine. ]

Let's hope so. I'd hate to have to repeat myself.

listening;

[comesfrompain]

[Two in one day? Damn if this isn't a goddamn goldmine. Rumlow wonders if the kid's announcement has set it off, though he notices it's suspiciously absent a few minutes later. Good thing they made arrangements quick.

He doesn't say anything to this, since Rogers still ain't on good terms with him (and no wonder why), but Rumlow has to ask himself. Is he included amongst the lot of them? Should he talk? Or should he hoard everything he's learned and save him and his? Nice little moral quandary there. Especially when Rogers' words sit in his mind like a heavy weight. Does he believe he's a good man, knowing all that he does?

A damn good question. Probably not one he'll have long to contemplate. He doubts the Sheriff will sit idle over this. Maybe he'll take a few to wait and see. Might be enough to spur him to action, one way or another.]

[paragon]

[ Let's just say: when he said to leave him and his alone, he meant it. What Rumlow does when push comes to shove is up to him, but if he gets in the way of other people's lives, then it won't be anymore. ]

listening.

[ceoinstilettos]

[ she commits it to memory shortly after reading it. she can't bring herself to respond and, tbh, she's not sure she should. yet. but... it's not like she can't talk to steve in person about this nightmare. ]

[paragon]

[ He'll probably be easy to find, at least. ]

voice;

[sheriffing]

The law isn't on our side. If we can't count on them, we'll look out for each other.

[ she could have just listened to this and not said anything, but he's right. it'll be gone in a minute, Emma doesn't care if they know she's not a rule follower.]

[paragon]

[ He thought he might be able to count on her. ]

Good thing we've been getting the practice.

voice;

[unweaving]

They tell us not to talk, and you shout. Interesting tactic.

[ One she approves of, honestly. ]

Found some things in the debris that came down in the melt that could probably use another set of eyes. You know where to find me if you're interested, jailbird.

[paragon]

It's an old standby.

[ He's got a rep to uphold, after all. Or establish, apparently. ]

I'll let you know when I'm free.

voice

[guerrilla]

[Well, Robin's already been executed for breaking the law once. He might as well get in on this too.]

Have you tried just killing the guy?

[The sheriff, he means.]

[paragon]

No.

[ Yeah, he got what he meant. ]

voice;

[adamantiums]

You and Laura can keep each other company when you end up cell mates.

[The amused tone of his voice hints that he's kidding, because he is. He's kidding because neither of his daughters is going to go to jail again. Not if he's around to prevent it.

There's a pause, before he adds, with less amusement,] What do you mean, "they made us care about each other?" [The fact that his experiences in this town have been forced, or aren't real, hasn't even crossed his mind. He's far too used to having his memories fucked with, for one thing; and for another, not everything here is terrible.]

[paragon]

You'll find out for yourself soon enough. [ Steve's not being evasive or patronizing; there's a ring of truth to it. He just doesn't have a lot of time. ] Our memories of this place aren't real.

voice

[naneunyulyeongibnida]

[ He knows he's probably already overdue to be in a world of trouble, but what's right is right. Era moreugetda, as he'd say if this place hadn't messed with him however it did. ]

I can vouch for the body being not quite human.

I too am prepared to face any consequences for talking, for helping, for caring.

[paragon]

Thanks, doc.

[ And, since nothing else really needs to be said between the two of them on that matter: ]

I've got a feeling a lot of people are gonna be attempting surgery on themselves over the next few days.

voice;

[allfornothing]

[ Crowe... considers whether or not to respond for a long time.

Then, very quietly, ]

You guys have things to go back to, don't you.

[volitaunt]

Damn right.

No one is going to be left without somewhere to go, either. Not if I have anything to say about it.

[postpartor]

[ Something in her tone has changed since the last time they spoke. It's simple, subtle, like a door opened between them.

She remembers, a little. Enough. ]

A price you're willing to pay?

[paragon]

[ He doesn't have a lot of time, but . . . that gives him pause anyway. ]

Maybe I should get a speechwriter.

[windchasing]

[ After Laura's call dropped -- just like that, a blip and gone -- he doesn't doubt the call Poe and Mr. Rogers put out will disappear just as quick. But this week he's dreamed of labs and tests, of being attacked in his sleep and fighting for his life, of pitchforks and fires, and of mutants being rounded up for deportation to destinations he doesn't believe they'll reach. Tonight he's cut into his leg to find a metal chip, like he's already been branded and numbered.

And now they're telling him a non-human is dead, but humans are the ones he should trust? ]

How do you know the body wasn't human? -How can you be so sure the beings outside the perimeter are your enemy, just because they aren't?

[volitaunt]

Can't speak for the body, but I can say I don't care what species the guards are. They're keeping us here against our will, which makes them antagonists, if not enemies.

[ Prison guards are prison guards. ]

voice

[failtography]

( wow, seems like the network is hyper focused on shaking things up today.) The things you said are patrolling the walls... y'think they're under the control of whatever put us here, or what?

[paragon]

Probably won't be much longer before I get a visit from the Sheriff. [ BB-8's likely got it down to some infinitesimally small unit of time before the man shows up on Steve's doorstep, in fact. ] I'll be sure to ask him.

voice.

[magija]

[ There's an instant chill through her spine when she hears him introduce himself. It's the stern voice of a man who isn't afraid to show himself, who braves the storms that shower him like magnets. He says his name and she knows what comes after isn't going to be something pleasant.

But while the dangers he voices should scare her, especially since it makes it all the more dangerous for him to say them, it instead brings her comfort. That's what Steve Rogers does, what he's always done.

Even in the absence of her memories, just from a natural instinct in the pit of her stomach, there's no one she'd trust more. There's no one she'd more be willing to follow into the fire. And even in the calmness of his voice over the line of the phone, she knows there is bound to be one.

She takes a breath first, but there isn't a lot of time. Clearly and with conviction, she says simply, ] Steve — [ Where are you? Where do I follow? She shouldn't have to find the words to express her loyalty. ]

[paragon]

[ She doesn't need to, in order for him to understand. Outside of making sure they've all understood what's happening to them — as much as he's been able to, up to now — he's let them come by their memories in their own time, unless they've asked to know more. He knows there's a risk to it, especially when they didn't all come to this place from the same side. But to put his own thoughts, his memories of them in their heads, without respect for that — that's exactly what's been done to them here. So he won't.

But as soon as she says his name, it's all he needs to hear. ] Wanda. We're at the house—

[ If there was more after that, there's no way to know, because the line goes dead. ]

[coy]

[ oh good, the two most important pines boys of her life are being reckless. she's scared and proud. so now it's her turn to do her part:]

Where do you need me?

[paragon]

The house. Close enough to hear my voice.

[ The plan is to do this there, where there are already fewer cameras, the rest being taken care of as they speak. But if anything goes south, they need someone on the outside to come in and help them take the Sheriff elsewhere. ]

Voice;

[babyhunter]

What is this? Some Twilight Zone thing? You can't be serious.

[Clary really likes Steve, he's a good teacher and easy to talk to but Laura's message had already freaked her out and now she was completely terrified.] Then where is my mom? [She remembers that her mother is away but what if that isn't true?]

[paragon]

I'm sorry, Clary. [ There's a small exhale from his end of the line. ] Those are the answers I'm looking for.

[overdraws]

[ Allison knows this probably won't be up for long — since the smaller Laura's post was deleted so quickly. So she makes this quick: ]

I'll be by later to get the lesson plans.

[ You have her bow, Steve. She'll see you when you're out of jail. ]

[paragon]

[ It's a strange thing to feel grateful for — or maybe it's just something he's never had a chance to, part of a life he was never able to see the shape of after the ice. A little ironic to feel it now, on the precipice of pulling it all down around them.

He's not a man who often takes pause when it comes to doing the right thing, but for a moment he does, if only to feel it and put it in its place. ]

Next week's are in the downstairs bedroom, the nightstand on the left.

voice;

[modality]

[ Because it's probably rude to just show up in someone's brain, here's an attempt at a very subtle warning. ]

I think I can help. Definitely with the talking part. Some of the other things, maybe.

voice;

[volitaunt]

Hey, it's the Ewok!

[ Forest dweller... anyway, they're short on time. ]

Love to hear how. Y'know, when town hall isn't listening.

[avicula]

[ dutch has had her suspicions, but hearing it confirmed by the two of them has her clenching her fists and taking a few deep breaths before she picks up the phone to reply, so that her voice is light and even: ]

Planning on finding out who the Sheriff reports to? [ no point just going after the henchmen. ]

[paragon]

[ He's not fooled by her tone; it's entirely familiar to him thanks to Natasha, for one, but he knows Dutch too, for a certain sense of the word. Still, he offers a wry hint of his own. ]

Think he'll tell me?

[ Not a good idea to make a point of the plan where other ears are likely listening. ]

voice;

[chauffeuring]

[ ignis has been waiting for it. it's been a while since he arrived and up until now there have only been small ripples in what the sheriff considers to be peace. now people are shouting and ignis knows that remaining silent will no longer help in the long run.

that and climbing a cliff with aranea and nyx was an eyeopener.]

I find it bizarre that they feel the need to keep up quiet. With walls like that it isn't as if anyone is going to tell the world we're here. That being said, I agree. We all need to start communicating; it's been months and nothing has given way to finding a way out as of yet. Something needs to change.

[paragon]

Good—

[ Unfortunately, whatever Steve was about to say is cut off as the line goes dead. ]

[just listening]

[silver_lined]

[ Kal's not going to respond, not going to say anything, but he is going to start paying more attention to some of the things that he's been trying to put aside, input from senses that shouldn't be able to do the things they can if he's just a town fireman. Instead, he takes in the information and decides to ruminate on it a bit. He's not sure how this will play out, but something in his gut says that once he puts his feet down somewhere, he's not going to be moving them for a while. Best to make sure he puts them in the right place. ]