It's one thing to hear that there are other high-profile enhanced people claiming sanctuary within Wakanda's borders. With King T'Challa's activities a year ago, it makes sense that he would offer his kingdom as a safe place for those who needed it most. But to actually come face to face with one of those people...
If this meeting had happened even just a few months ago, she might have fallen back into her old fangirl ways, barely able to contain her excitement at meeting the Bucky Barnes. She'd done a deep dive into all things Avengers after the Battle of New York, after all. Now, though—
"I might need help finding my way back, but right now I'm where I want to be," she answers, continuing her slow approach toward him. The choice of a long walk hadn't just been to see the area — she's trying to build up her strength again. Adjusting the backpack on her shoulder, she feels very out of place in her decidedly American jeans and t-shirt. "Could you use some help with that?"
Bucky stops and looks at her before giving a slight bob of his head. His face will neither confirm nor deny helping her get back to the city, though when the time comes, he absolutely will. At least to the ridge where one can see all of Wakanda and the paths back to it.
"I don't know if you want to be right here," he steps back and lowers to grab another satchel of feed with his only hand and moves it over to rest against a large metal trough. "The way these cows say thanks is by letting it loose if you get what I mean."
She will need to watch where she steps.
He reaches his hand back and pulls out a hunting knife before slicing the top open. As he grabs the bottom and heaves it over the side, Bucky looks at her again.
Okay, that gets a smile from her, and even a quiet laugh. It feels good to laugh, even if it's nothing like what she used to experience. She has every reason to celebrate their victory, to take joy and pride in helping to save the world yet again, but when it comes down to it, she just can't shake the lingering threads of trauma that cling to her like spiderwebs.
Stopping a few yards from where he's working, she nods with an open expression. "I am," she confirms. "But I'm here for medical. Getting to meet an old timer like you is just a bonus."
One she hadn't expected but that she's suddenly grateful for. He'd gotten the worst deal of any of them and she can't help but wonder if there's some way she can help him.
The bag empties and Bucky's shoulders lift in a silent laugh, though the smile on his lips is a good indication that he doesn't take the ribbing too seriously. He was old and very tired, even despite looking like he was still in his early 30's. There were still some days where he did nothing but sleep in his hut. But there were also days when he'd wished for a little more to do; to be useful in some way.
"Ah, makes sense now," Bucky glances her way before grabbing another bag of feed. "Princess Shuri sent you down here, didn't she?"
She always sent people down there to see him. Even Okoye from time to time. No, Daisy didn't have to answer that. He'd have a hard time believing her if she did say no.
The smile looks good on him. Instantly, a few dozens years seem to drop away, even if only for a few moments. Maybe that's what she can do for him while she's here — help him smile a little more. It's worth a shot, anyway.
Crossing her arms casually, Daisy puts on a very unconvincing Spy Face and informs him, "I can neither confirm nor deny who sent me."
But yes, it had absolutely been Shuri who had suggested she head in this particular direction. There had been a nagging suspicion in Daisy's mind that there was a reason for the suggestion but she'd written it off because she trusted the princess. That stance might need slight reevaluation later.
The slightly comical Spy Face drops away as she answers his second question, though. In a deliberately nonchalant way, she shrugs and explains in far too simple terms, "I kinda blew up a spaceship while I was still inside it."
Bucky's lips twitch and he's nodding in a way that clearly conveys that the Spy Face is very unconvincing. He'll be sure to call Shuri on it, too, the next time he has to go in for another evaluation and some testing. It was a small price to pay for the sanctuary that he was able to have. It took the worry of being hunted off his mind.
A brow shoots up. "How the hell did you do that?" he asks, dropping the next bag against the metal bin. He stands straight and looks at her. There's no disbelief. He's not a man to underestimate anyone, let alone a petite gal like her. She works for SHIELD. They don't train agents to be passive heroes.
It's very hard not to laugh at that question — it isn't the first time she's been asked that since arriving in Wakanda. Shuri herself had been the first to pose it when Daisy had been wheeled off the Zephyr.
A slightly smug smile crosses her face as she tilts her head to the side and oh so casually answers, "With my superpower." As if that's a completely normal explanation for such an abnormal feat. But then the smile fades and she looks down at her shoes, the boots a bit dirty from the walk but thankfully not caked in cow droppings. She makes a show of lifting checking so she has an excuse not to watch his reaction as she adds, "I'm an Inhuman."
Daisy Johnson is used to people hating her for what she is, whether that hatred is earned or not. She isn't ashamed of being an Inhuman, she takes real pride in it and tries to instill that pride in others as well. Somehow, though, knowing the opinion of one Bucky Barnes on this matter is a truly terrifying prospect. She's suddenly understanding why they say you shouldn't meet your heroes.
The admission gets a quiet lift of his chin and a deep sound of understanding; the type of reaction one would have for reminding of an everyday trivial fact. Not that he wasn't a little more interested. He had heard the term being used before, knowing at least the basics of the people who are termed as such. But with his own problems, Bucky hadn't the time or attention to be letting his focus stray beyond his own recovery.
He's about to cut the top of the next bag when he stops and looks at her, quietly regarding the woman and feeling something different. Something he didn't expect -- not with someone he barely knows.
It was a connection.
"And what does that mean beyond you've got a superpower?" Bucky was very serious with his question, especially since once she admitted it, the bottom of her boot was more important. Why was she worried about his reaction? "I've got a metal arm. Doesn't.."
He pauses, suddenly not so sure he believes the words himself. So, why try to convince someone else of them in their own case. Another moment passes and finally, he goes for it anyway since he's not sure if she was the type to press, albeit in a lower voice.
It's not the reaction she was expecting, but it is one she'd been hoping for. Deep down, she'd been hoping so desperately that he would turn out to still be some semblance of the man she'd read about, the man Coulson had talked about so many times in all his history lessons. Then, with just a handful of words, he proves without a doubt that he is still that man, and it means the world to her.
Taking a deep breath, she nods her head, looking up from the ground to give him a small, grateful smile. "You're right, it doesn't." She shrugs off her backpack then, setting it down on a clear patch of ground. "A lot of people think it does. I've been called an abomination and a weapon of mass destruction. I've had death threats thrown at me and been refused service in more places than I can count. But..."
Lifting one of her hands palm-up in a meaningless gesture as she works her way through what she wants to say, she finally tells him, "Being an Inhuman — it's what I am, and it is a big part of who I am because those experiences have shaped me. But it's not all of me."
And then, because she wants it to be very clear where she stands on the matter, she takes two steps closer to him and addresses the issue head-on. "I think the same thing is true about you and what you've been through."
He can see that his reaction is a bit of a surprise to her and he's oddly satisfied that it was. At least he is until he realizes she's using his words against him even though he knows his brain is already trying to find fault in her statement. He understands that their stories are probably not so different, but rationalizing that isn't an easy thing to do when someone's List of Bad Things I've Done seems to go on and on and on and span 50 plus years. Still, it's the fact she feels sure enough to say so that forces him to not protest and just listen.
Bucky pauses for a long moment, the struggle in his head evident by his body language; his step back and his eyes casting off before he turns fully to fetch another bag of feed all classic signs of avoidance. Almost as if he feels that he can't see himself any other way than the monster he is because he deserves the agony of knowing that.
And yet, he's still there and very present in the conversation.
"Then you also know it's not an easy thing to make yourself believe that."
His reaction to her words makes her heart break. She might only know pieces of what he's been through, fragments constructing the outline of the puzzle but still so much missing, but she knows that he deserves every bit of help the world can give him. But, since world leaders have decided to shove their heads up their collective asses, it's been left to the people of Wakanda to do what they can for this slightly broken hero.
And her. Some part of Daisy wonders if Shuri knew this would happen when she sent her this way.
"Yeah, I do," she confirms with a nod, already settled on the decision to drop this particular topic. For now. So, a change of subject is in order. "My name's Daisy. In case you were wondering."
Is that a little bit of flirting in there? Agent Johnson, what are you doing...
The verbal confirmation helps, even if he still feels the heaviness of being alone on his darker days. It is a process that he's told will take some time to break free from, but Bucky can't seem to shake the blame and guilt he carries for what he did and the fear of becoming the evil responsible for doing it again.
Moving the next bag of feed to the trough it was going into, Bucky turned his face up to her and offers a smile.
"I was wondering, actually," he says, his tone shifting to something more spirited. "Ever since you walked up this way."
Something about that makes her irrationally happy. Even if she'd only caught his interest because she was a stranger coming into his territory, it was something. She smiles again, and it feels easier this time. Almost normal, even.
"You might also hear people refer to me as Quake," she adds, calling up that playful nonchalance from before. "My powers let me control vibrations. Cause earthquakes, that sort of thing. So if you feel the ground shaking anytime over the next few weeks..." She shrugs. "It's probably just me."
Not that it's likely to come to that but better to offer fair warning. Shuri and T'Challa are well aware of the possibility and have taken precautions, but she doesn't know if something like that might bother Bucky more than the average person.
He's become a lot less acutely aware, that much was true. But that was only because of how safe he felt where he was. Away from people, judgement, government officials and anyone trying to pedal their tech for the sole reason of tracking his every movement. Even if he's still not sure he trusts that the brainwashing has been reversed, the only one he would trust is Shuri's technology.
He glances up as the bag empties and nods before straightening. "Would that be you doing it voluntarily? Or is that why you're here?" Because it isn't voluntary. There's enough in her words that explain that the plane incident and what might have come before it wasn't.
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If this meeting had happened even just a few months ago, she might have fallen back into her old fangirl ways, barely able to contain her excitement at meeting the Bucky Barnes. She'd done a deep dive into all things Avengers after the Battle of New York, after all. Now, though—
"I might need help finding my way back, but right now I'm where I want to be," she answers, continuing her slow approach toward him. The choice of a long walk hadn't just been to see the area — she's trying to build up her strength again. Adjusting the backpack on her shoulder, she feels very out of place in her decidedly American jeans and t-shirt. "Could you use some help with that?"
no subject
"I don't know if you want to be right here," he steps back and lowers to grab another satchel of feed with his only hand and moves it over to rest against a large metal trough. "The way these cows say thanks is by letting it loose if you get what I mean."
She will need to watch where she steps.
He reaches his hand back and pulls out a hunting knife before slicing the top open. As he grabs the bottom and heaves it over the side, Bucky looks at her again.
"You from SHIELD?"
no subject
Stopping a few yards from where he's working, she nods with an open expression. "I am," she confirms. "But I'm here for medical. Getting to meet an old timer like you is just a bonus."
One she hadn't expected but that she's suddenly grateful for. He'd gotten the worst deal of any of them and she can't help but wonder if there's some way she can help him.
no subject
"Ah, makes sense now," Bucky glances her way before grabbing another bag of feed. "Princess Shuri sent you down here, didn't she?"
She always sent people down there to see him. Even Okoye from time to time. No, Daisy didn't have to answer that. He'd have a hard time believing her if she did say no.
"Medical, hm? What happened?"
no subject
Crossing her arms casually, Daisy puts on a very unconvincing Spy Face and informs him, "I can neither confirm nor deny who sent me."
But yes, it had absolutely been Shuri who had suggested she head in this particular direction. There had been a nagging suspicion in Daisy's mind that there was a reason for the suggestion but she'd written it off because she trusted the princess. That stance might need slight reevaluation later.
The slightly comical Spy Face drops away as she answers his second question, though. In a deliberately nonchalant way, she shrugs and explains in far too simple terms, "I kinda blew up a spaceship while I was still inside it."
no subject
A brow shoots up. "How the hell did you do that?" he asks, dropping the next bag against the metal bin. He stands straight and looks at her. There's no disbelief. He's not a man to underestimate anyone, let alone a petite gal like her. She works for SHIELD. They don't train agents to be passive heroes.
no subject
A slightly smug smile crosses her face as she tilts her head to the side and oh so casually answers, "With my superpower." As if that's a completely normal explanation for such an abnormal feat. But then the smile fades and she looks down at her shoes, the boots a bit dirty from the walk but thankfully not caked in cow droppings. She makes a show of lifting checking so she has an excuse not to watch his reaction as she adds, "I'm an Inhuman."
Daisy Johnson is used to people hating her for what she is, whether that hatred is earned or not. She isn't ashamed of being an Inhuman, she takes real pride in it and tries to instill that pride in others as well. Somehow, though, knowing the opinion of one Bucky Barnes on this matter is a truly terrifying prospect. She's suddenly understanding why they say you shouldn't meet your heroes.
no subject
He's about to cut the top of the next bag when he stops and looks at her, quietly regarding the woman and feeling something different. Something he didn't expect -- not with someone he barely knows.
It was a connection.
"And what does that mean beyond you've got a superpower?" Bucky was very serious with his question, especially since once she admitted it, the bottom of her boot was more important. Why was she worried about his reaction? "I've got a metal arm. Doesn't.."
He pauses, suddenly not so sure he believes the words himself. So, why try to convince someone else of them in their own case. Another moment passes and finally, he goes for it anyway since he's not sure if she was the type to press, albeit in a lower voice.
"It doesn't completely define who you are."
no subject
Taking a deep breath, she nods her head, looking up from the ground to give him a small, grateful smile. "You're right, it doesn't." She shrugs off her backpack then, setting it down on a clear patch of ground. "A lot of people think it does. I've been called an abomination and a weapon of mass destruction. I've had death threats thrown at me and been refused service in more places than I can count. But..."
Lifting one of her hands palm-up in a meaningless gesture as she works her way through what she wants to say, she finally tells him, "Being an Inhuman — it's what I am, and it is a big part of who I am because those experiences have shaped me. But it's not all of me."
And then, because she wants it to be very clear where she stands on the matter, she takes two steps closer to him and addresses the issue head-on. "I think the same thing is true about you and what you've been through."
no subject
Bucky pauses for a long moment, the struggle in his head evident by his body language; his step back and his eyes casting off before he turns fully to fetch another bag of feed all classic signs of avoidance. Almost as if he feels that he can't see himself any other way than the monster he is because he deserves the agony of knowing that.
And yet, he's still there and very present in the conversation.
"Then you also know it's not an easy thing to make yourself believe that."
no subject
And her. Some part of Daisy wonders if Shuri knew this would happen when she sent her this way.
"Yeah, I do," she confirms with a nod, already settled on the decision to drop this particular topic. For now. So, a change of subject is in order. "My name's Daisy. In case you were wondering."
Is that a little bit of flirting in there? Agent Johnson, what are you doing...
no subject
Moving the next bag of feed to the trough it was going into, Bucky turned his face up to her and offers a smile.
"I was wondering, actually," he says, his tone shifting to something more spirited. "Ever since you walked up this way."
no subject
"You might also hear people refer to me as Quake," she adds, calling up that playful nonchalance from before. "My powers let me control vibrations. Cause earthquakes, that sort of thing. So if you feel the ground shaking anytime over the next few weeks..." She shrugs. "It's probably just me."
Not that it's likely to come to that but better to offer fair warning. Shuri and T'Challa are well aware of the possibility and have taken precautions, but she doesn't know if something like that might bother Bucky more than the average person.
no subject
He glances up as the bag empties and nods before straightening. "Would that be you doing it voluntarily? Or is that why you're here?" Because it isn't voluntary. There's enough in her words that explain that the plane incident and what might have come before it wasn't.
There is no digging, just curiosity.