ysabetwordsmith (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2015-07-01 11:34 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2015-07-01 11:34 pm
Story: "Coming in from the Cold: Monday: Memorial Day" Part 4
"Coming in from the Cold" is the next big piece in its series, dealing with Bucky and his continued issues with that piece-of-crap prosthesis. I'm posting each day within the story as a section unto itself, broken down into post-sized parts.
This story belongs to the series Love Is For Children which includes "Love Is for Children," "Hairpins," "Blended," "Am I Not," "Eggshells," "Dolls and Guys,""Saudades," "Querencia," "Turnabout Is Fair Play," "Touching Moments," "Splash," "Coming Around," "Birthday Girl," "No Winter Lasts Forever," "Hide and Seek," "Kernel Error," "Happy Hour," "Green Eggs and Hulk,""kintsukuroi," "Little and Broken, but Still Good," "Up the Water Spout," "The Life of the Dead," "If They Could Just Stay Little," "Anahata," "Coming in from the Cold: Saturday: Building Towers," and "Coming in from the Cold: Sunday: Shaking Foundations."
Fandom: The Avengers
Characters: Phil Coulson, Bruce Banner, Betty Ross, Bucky Barnes, Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanova, Tony Stark, Clint Barton, Happy Hogan, Peggy Carter.
Medium: Fiction
Warnings: Mention of past trauma with lingering symptoms of PTSD. Kitchen fail. Tony being a brat. Description of past deaths. Current environment is supportive.
Summary: The Avengers celebrate Memorial Day by going to Washington, D.C. for the festivities. Emotional roller-coasters ensue.
Notes: Hurt/comfort. Family. Fluff and angst. Emotional overload. Coping skills. Healthy touch. Asking for help and getting it. Cooking. Comfort food. Holidays. Medals. Veteran issues. Nonsexual intimacy. Caregiving. Competence. Gentleness. Trust. Emotional confusion. Hope. Crowds. Memorials. Mourning. Letting go. Moving on. Photography. Parades. Storytelling. War stories. Nostalgia. Hand-feeding. Heroism. Public speaking. #coulsonlives
Begin with Part 1, Part 2, Part 3. Skip to Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9.
"Coming in from the Cold: Monday: Memorial Day" Part 4
"If we're talking about tiny, I knew a medic that size once," said Clint. "I was flying medevac around Kabul."
Phil remembered this story. SHIELD had loaned out Barton's services after a hit on the Ten Rings who were stirring up the theater in Afghanistan, because he could fly like a hawk and get into places that nobody else could.
"She crawled into my chopper with what looked like a piece of meat, and I thought, what the hell?" Clint said. "Turns out it was a soldier -- no arms, no legs, just the head and torso. She got pretty ventilated herself too. I asked if she needed me to short-stop the flight so I could patch her up well enough to make it back to the base." Clint took a deep breath, and then went on. "Turned me down, told me she didn't need it. She said, 'If you fly true, I can save this one. If we stop, he's a dead man.' So I kept flying, and I tried not to knock them around dodging all the rockets in the air. By the time we landed, my boots were sloshing in blood. She was already dead -- light as a bird when I lifted her up. That guy, though, he made it. She told me true on that. Just didn't tell me what it'd cost."
Just then, the waitress came by to set a basket of pastries on the table. "Today dessert is free for veteran parties," she said, then hurried to the next table. The place was still mobbed. Phil grabbed himself a cheese danish and then passed the basket to Steve and Bucky.
"One time Peggy went on a raid with us, because she had a hot tip about some captured Sherman tanks," Bucky said, taking a caramel turnover. "She was the only one with contacts in the resistance there, and managed to hook us up with them. It was a good thing too, because we got pinned down away from our ammo dump -- the tanks were on the move and they cut us off. Steve was already down by then."
Steve flexed his left hand, right fingers rubbing over it. "Yeah, I had a perfect view from the ditch," he said. "These two British boys ran upside the tunnel where the tanks were coming out, and dropped bundles of explosives. Collapsed the whole tunnel. They didn't make it out of the blast, but they kinda saved the world that day."
"After that, Peggy and I got to the ammo dump and picked off the remaining tanks," Bucky said. "You know Ronsons --"
"Lights the first time every time!" chorused Tom and Tony.
"How do you even know that, kid?" Tom asked, eyeing Tony.
Tony shrugged. "My old man made weapons, so I know pretty much everything about them. Steve and Bucky have heard me use that line before."
"So you're old school despite your age," Tom said with a chuckle. "Eh, I've met a few others." Then he sighed. "Good people lost a lot in that war."
"Some more than others," Bucky agreed quietly.
Tom raised an eyebrow at him.
Bucky rapped his left fist on the table, and even with the skin glove, the metal underneath made a muffled clank. Phil could see the slight stiffness in the wrist, where the forearm didn't rotate quite the way a flesh-and-bone one would, because the prosthesis had a different infrastructure. "It's a good fake, but it's still fake. I left the original behind in Germany," said Bucky.
"It's not a good fake," Tony muttered.
"Perfectionist," Bucky said, his voice fond.
"Better than anything I've seen," Tom said. "Not Stark Industries work?"
Tony shook his head. "I'm working on a replacement. That one is ... adequate in performance but unreliable in other regards."
That was an effective way of shielding classified information, Phil mused. Tony may not care about rules, but he does care about protecting people. He filed away the observation in case of future need.
"I'm sure that'll be something to see," Tom said. "Starktech is popular down at the VA, at least for guys who can afford it."
"Ping me if too many people slip through the cracks," Tony said absently, fiddling with his phone. "I've got programs for that sort of thing, but it's hard to keep them current with people's needs. Easier if I can get good feedback, you know?" Deft fingers tapped at the tiny screen. Phil wondered what he was doing.
"Sure thing," Tom said. "I know a guy who works at the VA here, good counselor, he should know what you need. Let me just fly him a kite so you can hook up." Tom sent a message on his phone -- which happened to be a Starkphone -- then launched into a story about a German guard dog, three soldiers, and some black-market steak.
They kept telling stories until they emptied the basket of pastries and the waitress came back. "Thanks for taking care of my friends today," Tony said to her.
Phil caught a flash of gold paperclip as Tony tucked a fold of bills into the pocket of the waitress' apron. She probably just earned a week's income, he thought.
"It was my honor," she said with a nod to the soldiers, setting the leather folder with the bill on the table.
Or maybe a month's, Phil amended as he saw Tony scribble something extra at the bottom of the paper.
After lunch, they parted ways with Tom, who had called a friend to pick him up. Phil watched with wry amusement as said friend boggled over Tom's choice of company. Then the Avengers regrouped with Happy. He took them on another scenic drive on the way to Steve's event.
Steve was anxious, fussing with his cuffs as they climbed out. "This was a dumb idea. I should never have agreed to this. Tony, this is all your fault."
Tony just smirked, the accusations rolling off him like water over a freshly waxed car.
"Not a fan of public speaking, huh? Neither is Bruce," said Betty.
"I always feel like a dancing monkey," Steve said. "Nobody really wants to listen to me."
"Well if they don't, they're idiots," Betty said.
Steve gave a blustery sigh. "It's just ... different this time. I really care about this. I don't want to mess it up," he said.
Phil steered him firmly toward the back of the stage. "Just say what's in your heart. That will never lead you wrong," he said. "We'll be in the audience, and you can concentrate on us if you get nervous."
After leaving Steve in the capable hands of the stage manager, Phil collared one of the Secret Service guards and said, "Make sure nobody pesters Captain Rogers, please. He's skittish enough about public appearances without getting mobbed by groupies."
"Yes, sir," the guard said crisply. Phil had his connections there too.
The Avengers settled into their seats just before Senator Inouye walked onto the small stage. "Most of you have already heard me speak about the importance of moving Memorial Day back to May 30," he said. "This time I've got a new supporter who'd like to share a few words. Ladies and gentlemen, Captain Steve Rogers.
"
Steve strode to the podium with a brisk confidence that belied the anxiety only his friends could detect. "This used to be called Decoration Day. It goes back all the way to the Civil War," he said. "It's not a holiday in the sense of being a day for celebration. It's a day of mourning. You know what veterans do today? We get together and tell stories about our dead friends. War leaves marks on civilians too. I've known people who couldn't leave home on Memorial Day because the memories were too bad. You take a day like this and stick it right after a weekend, people want to turn it into a party. It's not meant to be. I don't think it's right. So I'd like to request your support for Senator Inouye's efforts to change the timing back where it belongs. Thank you and good night."
Phil had to shake himself back to awareness after the quick, sharp speech. Steve had already hustled off the stage. The audience was still staring after him in stunned silence.
"Well that was like getting hit in the face with a brick," Tony muttered. "Shit, I think Steve just broke the audience. I better go do some damage control." He slipped out of his seat and vanished expertly into the crowd.
The stage manager had come out to announce the next speaker. The audience finally responded, some individuals giving a brief spatter of applause. There also came some shuffling as people moved in or out to follow favorite speakers.
Phil saw Tony snag Steve as the taller man emerged from the wings, guiding him over to a cluster of the Senator's supporters. Poor Steve, he hates gladhanding, Phil thought. It looked much better than usual, though. Tony never left his side, coaching Steve with subtle touches that kept him on the right track. Tony smiled and nodded at the important people, doubtless smoothing the way with copious donations as well. Tony's right, of course, that much blunt truth is more than most people can hear without losing their mental balance a bit. Sometimes Steve doesn't know his own strength.
The next speaker was an elegant woman with a theme of social dynamics and what holidays say about a culture. Phil listened with half an ear as he watched his teammates. Presently Tony made it back to the group with a sweaty, frazzled Steve in tow.
"You did great," Bucky assured him. "Look at how much you got through to the audience."
Steve broke into a huge grin of relief. "You really think so?"
"Yeah, I do," Bucky said, giving him a sideways hug.
"Daniel is thrilled with our support," Tony added, but Bucky was the one whose approval Steve cared about.
By the time they made it back to the car, Steve and Bucky had deflated again. They crawled into the seat and just sat there. "You look tired," Betty said.
"A bit," Steve admitted. "Give me a few minutes and I'll bounce back."
Tony's phone jingled a text alert. He glanced at it and then said, "Happy, swing by the VA office. I need to meet someone there."
"You got it," Happy said. The ride went smoothly, and before long they pulled into the parking lot of a plain brick building.
"Bucky, would you mind coming in with me?" Tony asked. "It goes easier if I have someone to vouch for my technical expertise in prosthetic hardware. You're not wearing my tech yet, but you've volunteered to alpha-test it for me, so that should do."
"If it'll help, I'll come," Bucky said.
"I'll come too," Steve said, climbing out of the car.
"I'll sit this one out, if you guys don't mind," Clint said. Betty nodded.
"Chatter says there's an antique shop around the corner, if you want to check it out," Happy said. Evidently he was in touch with other chauffeurs. "They're open today to catch the tourist traffic."
"Have fun," Tony said, patting the car as he left.
Phil followed him into the building. Inside it was dim and mostly quiet. A small crowd of people huddled in the cheap plastic seats near the front desk. Holiday stress, Phil guessed. Tom's counselor friend must have his hands full today.
Tony leaned casually on the desk, chatting up the secretary. "I'm here to see -- actually, Tom didn't give me a name, but we talked about prosthetic support and he said one of your counselors was the guy to see. I've got some new tech in development, and I want to make sure everybody's got what they need of the old. Maybe even find a few more volunteers so I can pick their brains about what kind of fresh features would be the most useful." Tony held out his phone, evidently displaying a message. "Can you help me with that, Jenny?"
"Yes, of course," the secretary replied, her fingers pattering away on a keyboard as she checked the schedule.
* * *
Notes:
Ten Rings is a terrorist organization in the Marvelverse, behind Tony's kidnapping among other mayhem.
Kabul is the capital of Afghanistan, and an important strategic location in the war.
Due to medical advances, more soldiers survive catastrophic injuries than they used to. This includes several who have lost all four limbs.
M4 Sherman tanks got the nickname "Ronsons" (after the lighter) from their notoriously poor armor. One good hit really could set them aflame.
Evaluating casualties in combat follows some very different guidelines than in nonhostile territory.
The Veterans Administration is responsible for health care and other needs. However, it's not doing a good job of keeping up with prosthetic equipment. Outcomes for replacement arms are especially poor. Tony's persistence in digging up user input is aimed at improving performance and acceptance. Bucky still has no idea how useful his help is in this regard.
Tony likes to use gold star paperclips for holding tip money.
Public speaking entails a whole host of skills. Based on the painfully awkward examples in Captain America: The First Avenger, the army shamefully cheated Steve of suitable coaching as well as shortchanging his physical training. Learn how to prepare and deliver a good speech.
Memorial Day actually began as Decoration Day. There is a movement to return it to May 30, so that it doesn't seem like just another three-day-weekend excuse for a big party.
Gladhanding means going through an audience shaking hands, talking, and being extra-friendly. It can be a way to make connections, seek favors, or smooth ruffled feathers. Know how to work a crowd.
PTSD can make holidays hell for veterans. This is especially true in case of fireworks. There are ways for veterans to cope with holiday stress.
[To be continued in Part 5 ...]
This story belongs to the series Love Is For Children which includes "Love Is for Children," "Hairpins," "Blended," "Am I Not," "Eggshells," "Dolls and Guys,""Saudades," "Querencia," "Turnabout Is Fair Play," "Touching Moments," "Splash," "Coming Around," "Birthday Girl," "No Winter Lasts Forever," "Hide and Seek," "Kernel Error," "Happy Hour," "Green Eggs and Hulk,""kintsukuroi," "Little and Broken, but Still Good," "Up the Water Spout," "The Life of the Dead," "If They Could Just Stay Little," "Anahata," "Coming in from the Cold: Saturday: Building Towers," and "Coming in from the Cold: Sunday: Shaking Foundations."
Fandom: The Avengers
Characters: Phil Coulson, Bruce Banner, Betty Ross, Bucky Barnes, Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanova, Tony Stark, Clint Barton, Happy Hogan, Peggy Carter.
Medium: Fiction
Warnings: Mention of past trauma with lingering symptoms of PTSD. Kitchen fail. Tony being a brat. Description of past deaths. Current environment is supportive.
Summary: The Avengers celebrate Memorial Day by going to Washington, D.C. for the festivities. Emotional roller-coasters ensue.
Notes: Hurt/comfort. Family. Fluff and angst. Emotional overload. Coping skills. Healthy touch. Asking for help and getting it. Cooking. Comfort food. Holidays. Medals. Veteran issues. Nonsexual intimacy. Caregiving. Competence. Gentleness. Trust. Emotional confusion. Hope. Crowds. Memorials. Mourning. Letting go. Moving on. Photography. Parades. Storytelling. War stories. Nostalgia. Hand-feeding. Heroism. Public speaking. #coulsonlives
Begin with Part 1, Part 2, Part 3. Skip to Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9.
"Coming in from the Cold: Monday: Memorial Day" Part 4
"If we're talking about tiny, I knew a medic that size once," said Clint. "I was flying medevac around Kabul."
Phil remembered this story. SHIELD had loaned out Barton's services after a hit on the Ten Rings who were stirring up the theater in Afghanistan, because he could fly like a hawk and get into places that nobody else could.
"She crawled into my chopper with what looked like a piece of meat, and I thought, what the hell?" Clint said. "Turns out it was a soldier -- no arms, no legs, just the head and torso. She got pretty ventilated herself too. I asked if she needed me to short-stop the flight so I could patch her up well enough to make it back to the base." Clint took a deep breath, and then went on. "Turned me down, told me she didn't need it. She said, 'If you fly true, I can save this one. If we stop, he's a dead man.' So I kept flying, and I tried not to knock them around dodging all the rockets in the air. By the time we landed, my boots were sloshing in blood. She was already dead -- light as a bird when I lifted her up. That guy, though, he made it. She told me true on that. Just didn't tell me what it'd cost."
Just then, the waitress came by to set a basket of pastries on the table. "Today dessert is free for veteran parties," she said, then hurried to the next table. The place was still mobbed. Phil grabbed himself a cheese danish and then passed the basket to Steve and Bucky.
"One time Peggy went on a raid with us, because she had a hot tip about some captured Sherman tanks," Bucky said, taking a caramel turnover. "She was the only one with contacts in the resistance there, and managed to hook us up with them. It was a good thing too, because we got pinned down away from our ammo dump -- the tanks were on the move and they cut us off. Steve was already down by then."
Steve flexed his left hand, right fingers rubbing over it. "Yeah, I had a perfect view from the ditch," he said. "These two British boys ran upside the tunnel where the tanks were coming out, and dropped bundles of explosives. Collapsed the whole tunnel. They didn't make it out of the blast, but they kinda saved the world that day."
"After that, Peggy and I got to the ammo dump and picked off the remaining tanks," Bucky said. "You know Ronsons --"
"Lights the first time every time!" chorused Tom and Tony.
"How do you even know that, kid?" Tom asked, eyeing Tony.
Tony shrugged. "My old man made weapons, so I know pretty much everything about them. Steve and Bucky have heard me use that line before."
"So you're old school despite your age," Tom said with a chuckle. "Eh, I've met a few others." Then he sighed. "Good people lost a lot in that war."
"Some more than others," Bucky agreed quietly.
Tom raised an eyebrow at him.
Bucky rapped his left fist on the table, and even with the skin glove, the metal underneath made a muffled clank. Phil could see the slight stiffness in the wrist, where the forearm didn't rotate quite the way a flesh-and-bone one would, because the prosthesis had a different infrastructure. "It's a good fake, but it's still fake. I left the original behind in Germany," said Bucky.
"It's not a good fake," Tony muttered.
"Perfectionist," Bucky said, his voice fond.
"Better than anything I've seen," Tom said. "Not Stark Industries work?"
Tony shook his head. "I'm working on a replacement. That one is ... adequate in performance but unreliable in other regards."
That was an effective way of shielding classified information, Phil mused. Tony may not care about rules, but he does care about protecting people. He filed away the observation in case of future need.
"I'm sure that'll be something to see," Tom said. "Starktech is popular down at the VA, at least for guys who can afford it."
"Ping me if too many people slip through the cracks," Tony said absently, fiddling with his phone. "I've got programs for that sort of thing, but it's hard to keep them current with people's needs. Easier if I can get good feedback, you know?" Deft fingers tapped at the tiny screen. Phil wondered what he was doing.
"Sure thing," Tom said. "I know a guy who works at the VA here, good counselor, he should know what you need. Let me just fly him a kite so you can hook up." Tom sent a message on his phone -- which happened to be a Starkphone -- then launched into a story about a German guard dog, three soldiers, and some black-market steak.
They kept telling stories until they emptied the basket of pastries and the waitress came back. "Thanks for taking care of my friends today," Tony said to her.
Phil caught a flash of gold paperclip as Tony tucked a fold of bills into the pocket of the waitress' apron. She probably just earned a week's income, he thought.
"It was my honor," she said with a nod to the soldiers, setting the leather folder with the bill on the table.
Or maybe a month's, Phil amended as he saw Tony scribble something extra at the bottom of the paper.
After lunch, they parted ways with Tom, who had called a friend to pick him up. Phil watched with wry amusement as said friend boggled over Tom's choice of company. Then the Avengers regrouped with Happy. He took them on another scenic drive on the way to Steve's event.
Steve was anxious, fussing with his cuffs as they climbed out. "This was a dumb idea. I should never have agreed to this. Tony, this is all your fault."
Tony just smirked, the accusations rolling off him like water over a freshly waxed car.
"Not a fan of public speaking, huh? Neither is Bruce," said Betty.
"I always feel like a dancing monkey," Steve said. "Nobody really wants to listen to me."
"Well if they don't, they're idiots," Betty said.
Steve gave a blustery sigh. "It's just ... different this time. I really care about this. I don't want to mess it up," he said.
Phil steered him firmly toward the back of the stage. "Just say what's in your heart. That will never lead you wrong," he said. "We'll be in the audience, and you can concentrate on us if you get nervous."
After leaving Steve in the capable hands of the stage manager, Phil collared one of the Secret Service guards and said, "Make sure nobody pesters Captain Rogers, please. He's skittish enough about public appearances without getting mobbed by groupies."
"Yes, sir," the guard said crisply. Phil had his connections there too.
The Avengers settled into their seats just before Senator Inouye walked onto the small stage. "Most of you have already heard me speak about the importance of moving Memorial Day back to May 30," he said. "This time I've got a new supporter who'd like to share a few words. Ladies and gentlemen, Captain Steve Rogers.
"
Steve strode to the podium with a brisk confidence that belied the anxiety only his friends could detect. "This used to be called Decoration Day. It goes back all the way to the Civil War," he said. "It's not a holiday in the sense of being a day for celebration. It's a day of mourning. You know what veterans do today? We get together and tell stories about our dead friends. War leaves marks on civilians too. I've known people who couldn't leave home on Memorial Day because the memories were too bad. You take a day like this and stick it right after a weekend, people want to turn it into a party. It's not meant to be. I don't think it's right. So I'd like to request your support for Senator Inouye's efforts to change the timing back where it belongs. Thank you and good night."
Phil had to shake himself back to awareness after the quick, sharp speech. Steve had already hustled off the stage. The audience was still staring after him in stunned silence.
"Well that was like getting hit in the face with a brick," Tony muttered. "Shit, I think Steve just broke the audience. I better go do some damage control." He slipped out of his seat and vanished expertly into the crowd.
The stage manager had come out to announce the next speaker. The audience finally responded, some individuals giving a brief spatter of applause. There also came some shuffling as people moved in or out to follow favorite speakers.
Phil saw Tony snag Steve as the taller man emerged from the wings, guiding him over to a cluster of the Senator's supporters. Poor Steve, he hates gladhanding, Phil thought. It looked much better than usual, though. Tony never left his side, coaching Steve with subtle touches that kept him on the right track. Tony smiled and nodded at the important people, doubtless smoothing the way with copious donations as well. Tony's right, of course, that much blunt truth is more than most people can hear without losing their mental balance a bit. Sometimes Steve doesn't know his own strength.
The next speaker was an elegant woman with a theme of social dynamics and what holidays say about a culture. Phil listened with half an ear as he watched his teammates. Presently Tony made it back to the group with a sweaty, frazzled Steve in tow.
"You did great," Bucky assured him. "Look at how much you got through to the audience."
Steve broke into a huge grin of relief. "You really think so?"
"Yeah, I do," Bucky said, giving him a sideways hug.
"Daniel is thrilled with our support," Tony added, but Bucky was the one whose approval Steve cared about.
By the time they made it back to the car, Steve and Bucky had deflated again. They crawled into the seat and just sat there. "You look tired," Betty said.
"A bit," Steve admitted. "Give me a few minutes and I'll bounce back."
Tony's phone jingled a text alert. He glanced at it and then said, "Happy, swing by the VA office. I need to meet someone there."
"You got it," Happy said. The ride went smoothly, and before long they pulled into the parking lot of a plain brick building.
"Bucky, would you mind coming in with me?" Tony asked. "It goes easier if I have someone to vouch for my technical expertise in prosthetic hardware. You're not wearing my tech yet, but you've volunteered to alpha-test it for me, so that should do."
"If it'll help, I'll come," Bucky said.
"I'll come too," Steve said, climbing out of the car.
"I'll sit this one out, if you guys don't mind," Clint said. Betty nodded.
"Chatter says there's an antique shop around the corner, if you want to check it out," Happy said. Evidently he was in touch with other chauffeurs. "They're open today to catch the tourist traffic."
"Have fun," Tony said, patting the car as he left.
Phil followed him into the building. Inside it was dim and mostly quiet. A small crowd of people huddled in the cheap plastic seats near the front desk. Holiday stress, Phil guessed. Tom's counselor friend must have his hands full today.
Tony leaned casually on the desk, chatting up the secretary. "I'm here to see -- actually, Tom didn't give me a name, but we talked about prosthetic support and he said one of your counselors was the guy to see. I've got some new tech in development, and I want to make sure everybody's got what they need of the old. Maybe even find a few more volunteers so I can pick their brains about what kind of fresh features would be the most useful." Tony held out his phone, evidently displaying a message. "Can you help me with that, Jenny?"
"Yes, of course," the secretary replied, her fingers pattering away on a keyboard as she checked the schedule.
* * *
Notes:
Ten Rings is a terrorist organization in the Marvelverse, behind Tony's kidnapping among other mayhem.
Kabul is the capital of Afghanistan, and an important strategic location in the war.
Due to medical advances, more soldiers survive catastrophic injuries than they used to. This includes several who have lost all four limbs.
M4 Sherman tanks got the nickname "Ronsons" (after the lighter) from their notoriously poor armor. One good hit really could set them aflame.
Evaluating casualties in combat follows some very different guidelines than in nonhostile territory.
The Veterans Administration is responsible for health care and other needs. However, it's not doing a good job of keeping up with prosthetic equipment. Outcomes for replacement arms are especially poor. Tony's persistence in digging up user input is aimed at improving performance and acceptance. Bucky still has no idea how useful his help is in this regard.
Tony likes to use gold star paperclips for holding tip money.
Public speaking entails a whole host of skills. Based on the painfully awkward examples in Captain America: The First Avenger, the army shamefully cheated Steve of suitable coaching as well as shortchanging his physical training. Learn how to prepare and deliver a good speech.
Memorial Day actually began as Decoration Day. There is a movement to return it to May 30, so that it doesn't seem like just another three-day-weekend excuse for a big party.
Gladhanding means going through an audience shaking hands, talking, and being extra-friendly. It can be a way to make connections, seek favors, or smooth ruffled feathers. Know how to work a crowd.
PTSD can make holidays hell for veterans. This is especially true in case of fireworks. There are ways for veterans to cope with holiday stress.
[To be continued in Part 5 ...]
no subject
Thoughts
Yay! I wanted to show how mercurial Tony is -- that's canon -- at the same time showing the improvements particular to this series.
>> to his hand holding Steve though working the crowed, Tony's really rocking in this whole fic taking care of Steve and Bucky. <<
Steve really needed the help, and dammit, he deserves to have proper coaching for things that people expect him to do, not just kicked into the deep end and told to swim. It's also another chance for Tony to do something he's really good at.
>> Also Steve's speech. Perfect. Smashed the crowed in the face with his....himness. That Captain America thing he does that makes everyone within hearing distance want to be a better person. <<
Yaaaaayyyyy! I am so glad this worked for you. Those Captain America speeches are so much the core of his character, it's crucial to get them right, but very challenging.
>> And I'm guessing who the guy at the VA is gonna be!<<
I couldn't resist. ;)
no subject
Yay!
no subject
(Anonymous) 2015-07-02 01:45 pm (UTC)(link)I like how Tony is getting to shine in his element, which is being amazing in the public eye. Like you've stated before, he's the only one who is really good at it. It also shows that he has the skills to take charge when needed, and that his team will follow him, no questions asked, because they know he knows what he's doing.
I'm wondering if he will crash at the end, from the stress of holding it all together and all the negative self-talk he has going on, or if he'll hold it together?
GS
Thank you!
Yay!
>> I like how Tony is getting to shine in his element, which is being amazing in the public eye. Like you've stated before, he's the only one who is really good at it. <<
Sooth. He needs opportunities to be his best, and not all of that is in the workshop.
>>It also shows that he has the skills to take charge when needed, and that his team will follow him, no questions asked, because they know he knows what he's doing.<<
Because Tony has earned that level of trust by now. Good teamwork takes time and effort to build. You can't just wish it up out of thin air.
>> I'm wondering if he will crash at the end, from the stress of holding it all together and all the negative self-talk he has going on, or if he'll hold it together?<<
A little of both, actually, when he gets to the end of the day. It turns out altogether different from previous Memorial Days for Tony.
no subject
I've played with the proposition that Steve didn't know how to swim. I don't know about his days, but in the late 40s doctors didn't think young men with heart problems should swim. (Yes, this does read the scene with the minisub a little Stronger. AUs let you do things.)
no subject
Well...
Thoughts
It would make sense.
>> I've played with the proposition that Steve didn't know how to swim. <<
Where would he have learned? He couldn't afford to go to a pool or pay for lessons. Sure there's the beach, but he probably couldn't afford the bus fare or even to loaf around instead of working. It's possible that he learned to swim anyhow, but it would've been difficult.
>> I don't know about his days, but in the late 40s doctors didn't think young men with heart problems should swim. (Yes, this does read the scene with the minisub a little Stronger. AUs let you do things.) <<
Well, it has its pros and cons:
Pro -- good exercise, easier on the body than high-impact ones.
Con -- raises the heart rate, can stress lungs, and inhaling any bit of water could trigger an asthma attack.
Re: Thoughts
Re: Thoughts
Over in Polychrome Heroics, Mallory has asthma. And such a fucked-up risk assessment that pepper spray is one of her go-to weapons. 0_o
no subject
Well...
Then too, Tony's grasp of appropriate work/life boundaries is effectively nil. Nobody respects his need for private time or, indeed, his right to his own time at all -- until the Avengers arrive. Even Pepper is a benevolent despot in that regard. The others aren't a great deal better. So when an opportunity for work arises in the middle of a planned outing, they don't hesitate to shoehorn it in.
Re: Well...
Re: Well...
So very true.
>> but I imagine Phil is planning on addressing that at some point... <<
That actually comes up later in "Coming in from the Cold," in the context of the bots and their part of the garage.
Just an FYI
Also, I'm enjoying these shorter stories you are posting, not that I dislike the longer ones from before... I'm just glad you're posting again! I missed this series during your hiatus.
Happy Independence Day!
~PiratesRose
Re: Just an FYI
Fixed, thanks.
>> Also, I'm enjoying these shorter stories you are posting, not that I dislike the longer ones from before... <<
Yay! I'm thrilled that this has proven so popular. These are really segments of a longer storyline. I have some other ideas for actual short stories that I may get around to eventually.
>>I'm just glad you're posting again! I missed this series during your hiatus. <<
Sorry about that. I got busy with other things, but also, I painted myself into a corner with this enormous story that I couldn't finish. I had to figure out how to undo that problem.
>>Happy Independence Day!<<
And to you!
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
(Anonymous) 2015-07-03 04:59 am (UTC)(link)OOOOO
OOOOOO!!
Are we going to meet Sam?!?!!
Also you have totally converted me to moving Memorial Day back to May 30th.
~Dkin (new anon)
Re: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOO
OOOOOO!!
Are we going to meet Sam?!?!! <<
Order up! :D He is in the installment that I just posted.
>> Also you have totally converted me to moving Memorial Day back to May 30th. <<
Thank you. That's the second one I've heard. <3
no subject
Thank you!
Aw, shucks!
>> I feel like my feedback is crummy because mostly I just want to say YES YAY THANK YOU YES a lot rather than sensible things like others seem to have to say, but I do appreciate them all!! <<
It's okay. Say whatever you feel. It helps to know who is reading.
If you want tips on how to give thoughtful feedback, I have an entry on that. It doesn't have to be long! A lot of fans routinely comment with their favorite line or scene. That helps me pinpoint what people like best.
no subject
Read this & lol! I had not known that at all, and didn't get it when it rolled by in the story. I was a post-war baby, and I remember a lot of ad slogans from the early and middle fifties, especially from TV jingles; but earlier ones I only know second-hand.
Well...
Re: Well...
(Anonymous) 2015-07-04 10:32 am (UTC)(link)(Still reading, still loving, btw. Proper comment forthcoming at the end of the section.)
~Anony-Mouse
Re: Well...
Added. The Ronson lighter's slogan was "Lights the first time, every time."
>> (Still reading, still loving, btw. Proper comment forthcoming at the end of the section.) <<
Thank you!
no subject
Thank you!
no subject
Are you going to bring in Sam? I guess I'll find out but it does sound like you're going to bring him in.
Yes...
Thank you!
>> Are you going to bring in Sam? I guess I'll find out but it does sound like you're going to bring him in. <<
Yes. I couldn't resist. He was adorable in the movie. Besides, the Avengers are low on diversity, Fury is a total dick, and Rhodey has his head up his ass. So it's nice to have a strong, positive black character.
Re: Yes...
By the way, speaking of Rhodey, what are he and Pepper up to in this story? It's odd that Tony hasn't had the chance to practice his new relationship skills in his existing relationships.
Re: Yes...
The main reason I did it was just because I loved his character. He's so sweet, and yet strong too. He's also great with veterans; I loved the byplay with Steve too. And the Avengers need that.
>> By the way, speaking of Rhodey, what are he and Pepper up to in this story? It's odd that Tony hasn't had the chance to practice his new relationship skills in his existing relationships. <<
Rhodey is 1) still pissed at Tony and JARVIS over the palladium incident, and 2) also still in the doghouse with the military over his determination to rescue Tony from Afghanistan. Rhodey would like to make up, somehow, but isn't sure how and hasn't had much opportunity. I do have some scenes written about this.
Pepper has had her hands full with Stark Industries after Tony fobbed off most of his work on her. She likes it; she's good at it; and it keeps her busy. Since the Avengers have kept Tony from landing in either the emergency room or the drunk tank or worse, she is happy to fob off Tony-sitting on them. So far Pepper has only appeared offstage in phone conversations and the like. I'd like to get her on stage, but she is dragging her little spike heels over that.
Re: Yes...
Re: Yes...
In writing fanfic, I look for explanations. I'm often attracted to it for that exact reason.
What were Rhodey and Tony really fighting over? Not just Tony's misbehavior, but that Rhodey was worried about his friend going into a tailspin and not being able to help. When Rhodey found out about the truth, he was hurt and angry, but he could understand Tony being too fried to think straight. Rhodey is fucking furious at JARVIS though, for not telling him, for letting him smack around someone who was terminally ill at the time.
I took to heart a lot of what Pepper said in the movies about not wanting to be Iron Man's terrified girlfriend, about having a company to manage, and all the things she bitched about in their personal relationship. She's not very good at wrangling Tony ... she's just better at it than almost anyone else he'd met until recently, and she was tough enough to stick by him instead of fucking off into the sunset like most people. But they're not a good couple in the MCU, it's a trainwreck of a relationship. I'm sad about the hatchet job on Pepper's personality because I really like her as a character and the portrayal is pretty bad even before the WTF that was IM3. 0_o So I pick and choose, trying to put together something that'll work in this instance. I think of Pepper and Tony as friends, but they couldn't make a romance work, and it's hard to reassemble a friendship after that. They are both trying, though.