Did he mishear, earlier? Maybe. The slight inconsistency slots to the back of his mind, as it's not something he really wants to prod about. Just, perhaps something in his thoughts for later if needed. Besides, being pretty nosy about someone's asthma is pretty rude... and they're having a nice conversation! So, why ruin that. Being compared to his friend is kind of nice too, especially since there's that blatant warmth in his tone, a look of someone that truly values that friendship.
It's nice seeing, enough for Scott to smile.]
We're doing the world a favor.
[He encourages further, his smile increasing as they land in agreement. Honestly, it's been a while since he's blown something up-- not that he's going to use his optic blasts on something like this, but... the thought is a little fun. Sometimes that old recklessness from his youth calls to him and it's not like him and Steve are going to hurt anyone, quite the opposite.
So, he watches as Steve talks to the employee and hm. Maybe he can help save his new... friend? Or acquaintance, at least. He's not sure if this will work, but he'll try at least.]
...Would you make an exception for me? [His smile turns slightly lopsided, maybe a little helpless.] As a king rank here.
[ you said the magic words, scott. as soon as the employee realizes who they're talking to, their eyes get almost comically big, and they splutter and stutter over of course, i'm so sorry, i didn't know! we'll get that checked out for you tight away, sir, right away!
as the employer scurries away to get a bag for the costume, steve turns back to scott with an arched eyebrow. ]
They really weren't kidding about how much pull the royal ranks get, were they?
Scott feels just slightly bad for making the employee run off like that, because it's not like he wants people to feel intimidated around him. He's glad that Steve doesn't have try on that ridiculous outfit though, so maybe he'll just be extra appreciative and everything when they return. Maybe throw in a tip?? Scott reaches a hand up to ruffle some of his hair, before turning to Steve with a smile that's almost a grimace.]
Yeah, they... really do the best to make sure that the high ranks are treated differently. Like we're somehow more important.
[It's made it hard to blend in too, which annoying. But there's certainly some benefits, and Scott doesn't want to complain to others, especially since hearing about the poorer conditions on the lower floors. He just has to make the best of what he has and use his rank that will be helpful for others as well.]
That's not right, [ steve says immediately, because of course he does. it is not, notably, that's not fair, because while that is true, the world isn't fair, and steve knows that as well as anyone. right is more important than fair, and steve has lived his life trying to will and bend and demand the world around him to be right. it's kind of his thing. ] What does that even accomplish? Aren't all ranks integral to the game, there's no point treating any of them better than the others.
[ not that he thinks scott has the answers to these questions, or can do anything to change things. he's a king, sure, but he's not a hotel employee, or anyone with the ability to really change things within the system. he's a—he's a card in the deck, just like the rest of them, not the dealer. ]
[It's not fair, Steve's right, and Scott has zero intentions to argue against him. He may be benefiting from the system, but he's not blind to it. He's seen how lower ranks are treated by staff here and no matter how many times he tells them to stop, they only really do so temporarily.
It's not enough to cut the stem, they need to reach the root and yank it out.]
Probably meant as an incentive.
[But that's all he has to offer, Scott's own deposition taking on a more serious note because this conversation, with one of his arms crossing against his chest. He's more than willing to answer Steve's questions, they're just unfortunately quite unhelpful.]
For what we know, it's all random. If the higherups are using a guideline, no one seems to know it. [He's not exactly apologetic, but he's not totally unaffected either.]
Wouldn't being treated well be enough incentive to stay and play?
[ it's not that steve is naΓ―ve, or stupid, or even willfully obtuse. he can understand the idea that some people might be motivated to play in order to achieve a higher rank in a way they might not be motivated if they had that rank to begin with. it just seems like the vast majority of people would take the break from the real world if it came with guaranteed pleasure and comfort.
that's something he's noticed in the future: everyone's tired, these days. everyone wants an escape from their lives, even if it's just for a little while. they all want the world to just stop, so they can have time to catch up on things they want to do, not just what they need to do. no bills, no jobs, nothing and nobody to fight, all needs catered to... sure, that wouldn't motivate steve, but steve's a bit of a special case. most other people, you'd think they'd jump at the opportunity to take a break like this. ]
Well, then we have a goal: figure out the guideline.
[ not to rope this guy into a revolution that maybe he has no interest in, or anything, whoops. in the distance, steve can see the employee who'd run off to bag the costume making their way back over to him and—aw, hell. ]
I'm so sorry, I never introduced myself. Steve Rogers, [ he holds his hand out, smiling, ] nice to meet you.
[He figures that he doesn't really have to get into a whole spiel about motivation with Steve; it seems like he's figured that out well on his own. Still an unfortunate thing that every guest has to deal with, maybe it's a motivator in a different way-- a push to break down the system itself. Scott's always for something like that, especially if it's unfair. If it treats people worse.]
Thought about toppling the whole system myself, honestly. Best to start at the top, right?
[Convince those in charge. It's going to be a very different 'game' from what he normally does, however. It's not like he can really throw his weight as a X-Man around, go around saving people from certain dangers and then throw on a plastered smile in front of a camera because they're the 'good representation.' Hope that Congress doesn't pass a bill that suddenly strips their rights--
Can't say he misses that too much.]
Scott Summers. [His smile is actually genuine, shaking the offered hand in a firm grip.] It's nice to meet you, Steve.
[ it's nice to have someone around who seems to be as immediately down to fuck shit up as steve is—bucky generally is, has been, in the past, but he's also determined to be smart about it. do their due diligence, make sure they're not causing more problems than they're solving, make sure their use of force is necessary and judicious. all important stuff! he's a valuable check on steve's inclination to be a human battering ram!
but sometimes you see a poorly built tower and you want to topple it, nuts to the consequences. ]
You wouldn't hear me complaining, [ steve smiles, ] but I figure if we want to make sure nothing worse pops up in its place, we should probably figure out what we're toppling first.
[ "convince" those in charge, "remove"... whatever works, you know? steve's got ideas, but he's always open to improvising.
the employee with the costume comes up to scott and holds out the bag, talking about so sorry for the inconvenience mr. summers, i didn't recognize you, we've included some free samples for your trouble, please don't hesitate to let me know if there's anything more we can do for you—
steve meets scott's eye over the employee's head, one eyebrow raised incredulously. ]
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Did he mishear, earlier? Maybe. The slight inconsistency slots to the back of his mind, as it's not something he really wants to prod about. Just, perhaps something in his thoughts for later if needed. Besides, being pretty nosy about someone's asthma is pretty rude... and they're having a nice conversation! So, why ruin that. Being compared to his friend is kind of nice too, especially since there's that blatant warmth in his tone, a look of someone that truly values that friendship.
It's nice seeing, enough for Scott to smile.]
We're doing the world a favor.
[He encourages further, his smile increasing as they land in agreement. Honestly, it's been a while since he's blown something up-- not that he's going to use his optic blasts on something like this, but... the thought is a little fun. Sometimes that old recklessness from his youth calls to him and it's not like him and Steve are going to hurt anyone, quite the opposite.
So, he watches as Steve talks to the employee and hm. Maybe he can help save his new... friend? Or acquaintance, at least. He's not sure if this will work, but he'll try at least.]
...Would you make an exception for me? [His smile turns slightly lopsided, maybe a little helpless.] As a king rank here.
no subject
as the employer scurries away to get a bag for the costume, steve turns back to scott with an arched eyebrow. ]
They really weren't kidding about how much pull the royal ranks get, were they?
no subject
Scott feels just slightly bad for making the employee run off like that, because it's not like he wants people to feel intimidated around him. He's glad that Steve doesn't have try on that ridiculous outfit though, so maybe he'll just be extra appreciative and everything when they return. Maybe throw in a tip?? Scott reaches a hand up to ruffle some of his hair, before turning to Steve with a smile that's almost a grimace.]
Yeah, they... really do the best to make sure that the high ranks are treated differently. Like we're somehow more important.
[It's made it hard to blend in too, which annoying. But there's certainly some benefits, and Scott doesn't want to complain to others, especially since hearing about the poorer conditions on the lower floors. He just has to make the best of what he has and use his rank that will be helpful for others as well.]
no subject
[ not that he thinks scott has the answers to these questions, or can do anything to change things. he's a king, sure, but he's not a hotel employee, or anyone with the ability to really change things within the system. he's a—he's a card in the deck, just like the rest of them, not the dealer. ]
How are ranks determined, do we know?
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It's not enough to cut the stem, they need to reach the root and yank it out.]
Probably meant as an incentive.
[But that's all he has to offer, Scott's own deposition taking on a more serious note because this conversation, with one of his arms crossing against his chest. He's more than willing to answer Steve's questions, they're just unfortunately quite unhelpful.]
For what we know, it's all random. If the higherups are using a guideline, no one seems to know it. [He's not exactly apologetic, but he's not totally unaffected either.]
no subject
[ it's not that steve is naΓ―ve, or stupid, or even willfully obtuse. he can understand the idea that some people might be motivated to play in order to achieve a higher rank in a way they might not be motivated if they had that rank to begin with. it just seems like the vast majority of people would take the break from the real world if it came with guaranteed pleasure and comfort.
that's something he's noticed in the future: everyone's tired, these days. everyone wants an escape from their lives, even if it's just for a little while. they all want the world to just stop, so they can have time to catch up on things they want to do, not just what they need to do. no bills, no jobs, nothing and nobody to fight, all needs catered to... sure, that wouldn't motivate steve, but steve's a bit of a special case. most other people, you'd think they'd jump at the opportunity to take a break like this. ]
Well, then we have a goal: figure out the guideline.
[ not to rope this guy into a revolution that maybe he has no interest in, or anything, whoops. in the distance, steve can see the employee who'd run off to bag the costume making their way back over to him and—aw, hell. ]
I'm so sorry, I never introduced myself. Steve Rogers, [ he holds his hand out, smiling, ] nice to meet you.
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[He figures that he doesn't really have to get into a whole spiel about motivation with Steve; it seems like he's figured that out well on his own. Still an unfortunate thing that every guest has to deal with, maybe it's a motivator in a different way-- a push to break down the system itself. Scott's always for something like that, especially if it's unfair. If it treats people worse.]
Thought about toppling the whole system myself, honestly. Best to start at the top, right?
[Convince those in charge. It's going to be a very different 'game' from what he normally does, however. It's not like he can really throw his weight as a X-Man around, go around saving people from certain dangers and then throw on a plastered smile in front of a camera because they're the 'good representation.' Hope that Congress doesn't pass a bill that suddenly strips their rights--
Can't say he misses that too much.]
Scott Summers. [His smile is actually genuine, shaking the offered hand in a firm grip.] It's nice to meet you, Steve.
no subject
but sometimes you see a poorly built tower and you want to topple it, nuts to the consequences. ]
You wouldn't hear me complaining, [ steve smiles, ] but I figure if we want to make sure nothing worse pops up in its place, we should probably figure out what we're toppling first.
[ "convince" those in charge, "remove"... whatever works, you know? steve's got ideas, but he's always open to improvising.
the employee with the costume comes up to scott and holds out the bag, talking about so sorry for the inconvenience mr. summers, i didn't recognize you, we've included some free samples for your trouble, please don't hesitate to let me know if there's anything more we can do for you—
steve meets scott's eye over the employee's head, one eyebrow raised incredulously. ]