The Runaways {Winnie & Dust Bunnies}

[Bubs]

Marigold Peggy Evans

Morning broke like each other, the sun brightly shining through Marigold's window. Awakening her to work in the busy day ahead, drawing herself up out of bed. Brewing her morning tea, and tea before dressing for work in a nineteen forties frock. Hair pinned back beautifully in a setting of curls, and hairstyle of the forties. Humming a tune played during the war, sipping her tea. Lipstick of scarlet staining the side of the travel mug, as she moved along the run down streets.

The day was nice and full of promise in the eyes of the young Australian woman. Kids were playing running through the streets, calling her by the nicknames they'd given her. Little Miss Retro being called back and forth from each child as she walked passed them. Marigold could only find herself mustering a tight lipped smile. Stepping towards her shop at the busier end of town, Marigold unlocked the doors calmly opening the door. Turning on the lights around the modest store, she smiled at her hard work.

Starting her day sorting through some of the items once owned by the late Peggy Carter, Marigold lightly repaired few things. Placing few pieces on display, and others like her uniform was left to her in a letter. Marigold sat down in her stool behind the counter, running her fingers through the fabric of the uniform and dresses she gave Marigold before death. Saddened over the loss of her grandparents' dear friend and a person that the young woman truly looked up to.

At the ringing of her store bell, Marigold shifted her gaze looking up to see someone in dark clothing entering the store. Clicking of a weapon was heard, and before she could stand a gun was pointed at the base of her skull. Right in between her eyes. A sharp exhale left the young woman as swallowed back her fear. "What do you want?" Marigold asked in a thick bushy accent, quivering slightly in fear. Staring up at the hooded figure, she shivered lightly reaching her hand under the counter pressing the distress alarm for the local police.

James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes

Airs of Wakanda were fresh nothing like he had felt in years. For once Bucky thought he was finally free from the grasps of Hydra. The nightmare was finally over with them, but now he was a criminal on the run. Much like a his friends Arabella and Steve.

Freedom brought a lot of clarity toward Bucky, mainly about all he had missed. So much had happened since the war, so much more envy and greed lived among the world. He used to work for those greedy creatures too. The mere thought of following Hydra for years made him sick now, as he stood on the banks of a river in the rather peaceful nation of Wakanda. A nation that the Winter Soldier was beyond surprised when they came to his aid after the murder of their late King.

Wakanda had done much for him and Arabella since arriving, and the most recent they bought him a new arm constructed from their fine technology. Concern was building for Steve though, as even T'Challa the present king hasn't heard anything from his close friend from childhood. James felt a sense of guilt pang in his chest as he looked out over the clear and beautiful waters. "You have to be safe Steve... You're my brother..." He stated in a dry and exhausted tone of voice.

Sleep was almost impossible with the nightmares, but somehow having the peace of mind that Arabella was calming to him. Arabella used to be the contact he dreaded with her pestering and annoying amount of interest with him. But with time it slowly mellowed the man out. Becoming a sense of comfort that she was vaguely interested. Pulling a small smile of amusement, the raggered man thought about how much they'd been through together.

Closing his eyes at the coolness of the breeze hitting his face, he drew out a light sigh. Wondering if there will ever be a day where he's totally free.

 

[winnie]

arabella

no-lightbox

Sleep was never something that came easy for Arabella. Not considering she had grown up confined in labs where she was tested and probed at for hours on end, every single day. Even once she had left, the nightmares continued, plaguing her despite having been released from that hellhole she had been raised in. She had started feeling some sense of peace when she was getting her life on track in Bucharest. She was doing great in her dance academy and she had auditioned for a few productions too. Things started to look up more when she became friendly with her neighbour -- though she wasn't sure friendly could be the apt term to describe what she felt for the man now.

It had been good times. So she thought anyway. Things went downhill when Bucky suddenly disappeared. Then he reappeared to ask for her help. And after the events that followed, they were now hiding out in Wakanda. They had been there for a while now, and just a bit longer and they would be off to their next location. They couldn't stay in one place for too long. They had to be careful about things. They were fugitives now, and though the word sounded scary, Arabella was calmed by the fact that she wasn't alone. They may all be separated but at least she was with Bucky. They'd gone through a lot, even before she knew he was the Winter Soldier, and they would continue to go through more, together.

For the moment, she watched from a few feet away as Bucky stood over a lake. She had come to get him since lunch was ready, but she had been hesitant to interrupt. He seemed to be lost deep in his thoughts -- no doubt thinking of his best friend and where he could be. Arabella knew that, like them, he was off in hiding too. He was the one the authorities wanted most, aside from Bucky. He needed to be extra careful.

Approaching the other male slowly, she came to a stop beside him. "Hey," she said and looked up at him with a reassuring smile. She was almost a good foot shorter than him. "You okay?"

steve

no-lightbox

Steve was new to the whole idea of being on the run and in hiding. He had never been a fugitive. He had been the exact opposite. For years, he was Captain America, the one people could count on for help, and now he had to try and restrict himself so as to not alert the authorities. For once, taking down the bad guy might actually send him to prison because it would just let people know where he was, and he knew for a fact he was more wanted than a few petty thieves or even arsonists. Nothing could compare to the abilities of a superhero. Not that Steve intended harm anywhere, but it wasn't like people would just listen if he said that.

Still, days went by and Steve kept moving. He stayed in a place for at least two weeks before shifting somewhere else. The further away he was from New York, the better. At least elsewhere, it would take time for him to be recognised, but Brooklyn had an exhibit on him in museums -- that wasn't something New Yorkers were likely to ever forget. It felt lonely, being alone, and he constantly worried about the others, especially his best friend, but he couldn't contact them. Calls and messages could easily be traced. He just had to pray that they were okay and not caught.

Still, thoughts of the others ran through his mind as he decided to take a morning stroll. He had a cap on and put down low, to mask a shadow over his face against any passerbys. Fortunately, the streets here weren't too busy, at least at this time of day. That was when a shop nearby caught his eye. It looked so much like the one he had been brought to decades ago... but it couldn't be.

His curiosity getting the better of him, he walked over, standing by the window. before he could admire or even wonder how it looked the same, he witnessed a guy inside the shop. With a gun. Acting quickly, Steve walked through the door, keeping his head low, and in one swift movement, catching the guy off guard, he landed a punch to his arm, forcing him to drop the gun. Steve kicked it away before the guy could move."What the fuck? You broke my hand!" The guy yelled, cradling his arm.

"Make one more movement and you'll wish that was all I did." Steve glanced to the woman behind the counter. "Are you okay? You should call the cops."

 

[Bubs]

Marigold Peggy Evans

Things were slowly appearing to go pear-shaped for Marigold, when a kind person stepped in to lead a hand. Swift motions completely removed the gun from its resting position at her skull. Sliding along the floor, Marigold watched with utter shock on her face. Blinking at the realisation that she was spoken to, her gaze shifted to her hero's gaze. "They've already been notified." Marigold whispered to him, turned back to the man who was cradling his hand.

Cocking her brow at the man grimacing in pain. "He's a regular at this... Second time this week, first time with a gun though might I add.." She furrowed her brows together, folding her arms looking towards the villain in this moment. The echoing of sirens in the distance caused the woman to turn back to the hero, whom held his head low. Gazing at his features for a moment before understanding who he is, the woman cupped her mouth lightly. "Mister Rogers?" The woman stated in a thick Australian accent, her tone of stark disbelief.

Orbs of blue watched the man rather intently, before looking to the window. Moving over to the gun she placed a cloth over the handle. Taking the side of the criminal, nudging him out the door. Before turning back to Steve Rogers. "Go down the hall and hide there until they go..." Miss Evans dug her free hand into her pocket throwing him the keys for the office, allowing him a place for hiding.

"Peg your boyfriend is an arse." The guy stated holding his broken hand in his. It didn't take long for the police to take the man away, and ask her a few questions. How did the man's hand become like that? Marigold simply stated that something had fallen on him in the shop heavy enough during the ordeal.

After being with the officers the young woman thanked them and closed the store for a time. Walking down along the hallway lightly knocking on the door. "Mister Rogers, its safe now. But it might be wise to wait around here for a time before all the street settles down. Would you like something to eat or drink?" Marigold asked the man behind the closed doors in a calm tone of voice.

James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes

Arabella's approach caused Bucky to lift his gaze, returning a light smile to her. "Just caught in thought, wondering if Steve has got himself caught... I owe him so much." The soldier stated in a tone that showed minimal emotion. He thought about the instant comfort her presence gave him, how her being there didn't make him feel half alone in all of this. It was a god-sent to not be alone. Unlike Steve who was out there on his own.

"But I'm fine Arabella, thank you for your concern. What about yourself? How are you holding up?" Bucky asked his friend in a calm tone of voice, looking towards her. Holding to either catch an understanding of her feelings through her emotions, or the change of facial expression. Often, Bucky found it easy to understand how she was feeling by the expressions she pulled. Some of them could almost make James laugh because they were either silly looking, or over dramatic in her times of playing.

"I was also thinking about where we should go from here. Because I don't know how long they'd be able to keep us safe." Bucky spoke honestly to his companion, letting her know his concerns. After all, they were in the same boat and neither were really safe out there. If they were caught by the remaining Avengers, or even the last of Hydra they'd be in trouble.

 

[Bubs]

Are you still interested? @winnie