one ✪ video

[imfollowinghim]

[The video feed clicks on, except at first, the image is upside down and you're getting a pretty decent view of a blue jacket before the camera's righted and held back at an angle where you can actually see who's holding the thing.

Bucky's still wearing his Howling Commandos uniform and looks a little worse for wear, if only because he was just in a firefight that went badly after you know. He fell off of a very fast moving train and into a frozen river, but the Barge has healed any injuries and he's just ready to get going on this. He can worry about the rest of it (being dead) later. So he just smiles at the camera, and there's a touch of the familiar cockiness in the expression, even if he's more or less trying to be professional. This is a job, after all.]

This is Sergeant James Barnes, formerly with the 107th Infantry. U.S. Army. Most people call me Bucky. I've been on assignment with the Howling Commandos for the last couple months, but I guess someone decided I'd be better off transferring here for as long as this Admiral guy thinks I'll be useful. [It's a joke, see? Also Bucky really, really does not know what to think of him or this place in general, because this is really not what he thought the afterlife would look like at all.]

So if anyone's got some advice on what to expect for the new guy, I'd appreciate it. [Really, he's got a lot of questions he wants to ask, but he'll leave it at that for now.]

Comments

[imfollowinghim]

Being dead. Being dead or being able to help someone's not really much of a choice, is it?

[trenchcoatedly]

But if you've been a good person, you go to Heaven. And I can assure you that Heaven is vastly more comfortable than the Barge.

[imfollowinghim]

I think I'll take my chances. [Doing something productive here > hanging around in Heaven assuming it does exist as far as he's concerned.]

[trenchcoatedly]

Have you done things that would make you worried you might face the Pit?

[imfollowinghim]

No. There a particular reason why you're so curious?

[trenchcoatedly]

Well, if you aren't worried about going Hell, why delay salvation?

[imfollowinghim]

Because I'd rather do something with whatever time this guy's letting me have. And you didn't answering my question.

[trenchcoatedly]

Because the paths of souls interest me, as well as the fear of death.

[imfollowinghim]

Why?

[trenchcoatedly]

Because I don't have a soul and thus will never track that path, and because humans seem so eager to throw their lives away on some occasions, and are incredibly stubborn in refusing to do in others.

[imfollowinghim]

Listen, pal, I don't regret what I did to end up here at all. But when the Admiral said do you want to be dead, or do you want to do something good for another person, kinda figured the second option had more appeal.

I'm not afraid of dying or being dead, but I'd rather do something useful for someone else if I can then just sit around twiddling my thumbs in Heaven.

[trenchcoatedly]

I understand.

[imfollowinghim]

I'd hope so, if you're a warden.

[trenchcoatedly]

Wardens come from many backgrounds, and while that might be obvious to you, it might not always be the case.

[imfollowinghim]

Thanks for the warning.

[trenchcoatedly]

You're welcome.

[breakingmyheart]

Heaven and Hell are not a universal model for the afterlife. Maybe in your universe, maybe in many others. But not mine, and you don't know about anyone else's.

More importantly, this entire system is predicated on people who should be dead being offered another chance to live - who are having a second chance forced on them, even. Who are you to object to a Warden seeking out that same opportunity by choice?

private to toshiko

[trenchcoatedly]

This is upsetting to you.

I was under the impression only inmnates could be brought before death, and that the process to become a warden was a conscious and self-considered one. You decide to become warden, and so you do. You are not assigned to become a warden, nor does it happen upon the moment your death, such as becoming an inmate. It's not an "either-or" situation, I think the saying is.

I suppose becoming a warden in attempt to run from death wouldn't stop one from becoming a warden as you could still possess very positive traits regardless of that fear, though.

Private

[breakingmyheart]

I'm not upset. I'm increasingly irritated.

You don't know anything about me, or about him. Why would you assume that picking one of two options equates to a fear of the other?

Re: Private

[trenchcoatedly]

How would I know it was irritating if you weren't going to tell me?

You didn't understand. I just didn't know it was possible to be pulled by the Admiral to become a warden - I thought this was only a conscious decision one could make and follow through, rather than to decide in the moment of death - though I suppose such a thing would make a lot of sense.

Private

[breakingmyheart]

Then I'm pleased this was a positive learning experience for you. Perhaps if you avoid referring to complete strangers as cowards, the next time you're looking to educate yourself.

[Rargh. She's out.]

Re: Private

[trenchcoatedly]

[Mostly confused angel. He had more questions about him being offensive. And some cowardice is actually a good thing. But apparently they're not going to be answered. Oh well.]