[ The last of his cuts and bruises are finishing up their mending as Steve runs deeper into the forest, in search of the campfire that provides the small amount of home he's so desperate for after every trial. The familiar faces and voices, the comfort of a smile from Nancy, or the warmth and love from Cheryl greeting him with a kiss on the cheek, it's about as home-like as it gets around these parts, but it's still nothing like how Hawkins was home to Steve, where he was king.
But then he spies someone about his height and build at camp, looking a little out of place sitting by the fire. He's got on some familiar fashion, and Steve in the back of his head is wondering where the hell this dude came from, or better yet...when the hell this dude came from. This guy looks like he arrived straight out of the eighties, and then he looks up slightly, not at Steve, but the fire lights up his face enough for Steve to realize who he's looking at. ]
Holy shit.
[ Exhaled to himself, without much volume. He starts a slow jog to close the gap towards Jonathan, the look of bewilderment and joy taking turns displaying on his face. Once the distance is closed, he slaps the boy on his back lightly and sits besides him. ]
Just what the hell do we have here, Byers?
[ He says, raised eyebrow and smirk accompanying his surprised but happy tone. There's not much room in Steve's head for questions to start flooding it yet, but the dam will break once the exhilaration of having a familiar face wears off. ]
[ there is ... a lot to process right now, and that's written all across Jonathan's face as he sits on a molding log in front of the campfire, trying to make sense of the meager details he's been told, before his would-be rescuer had been swept up off into a trial, leaving him to his own devices. there are some other people here, some more friendly than others, but they seem intimately familiar with the process of welcoming a new - 'survivor,' Kate had called them, to this place. he's not in a particularly talkative mood, and he desperately wants to see Nancy, to make sure that she actually does still exist, and the other seem to sense that, because they've left Jonathan alone to clasp his hands in his lap and stare into the fire, occasionally shifting anxiously.
what the fuck is going on here? this definitely isn't the Upside Down, and part of him is thankful for that, but from what Kate had told him, they'd have a better hope at getting out if that's where they were. this is some other place, and already the details are starting to muddy in his head, his brain on information overload.
Nancy will know what to do. she's probably already hatched some sort of plan to get them out of this place.
these are the thoughts that Jonathan's lost in when he hears a familiar voice, his head snapping up as he tries to wipe the freaked out look off his face. there's something off about Steve's tone, but he doesn't stop to question that just yet. instead, Steve slaps him on the back like they're the best of friends, jolting Jonathan a little. ]
Hey, man.
[ Jonathan is relieved to see Steve, and not just because it means that he's found Nancy, as well. their relationship had been ... frankly non-existent, at first, but he'd come to respect Harrington these past couple of years. he's glad that he's okay - or as okay as he can be, given the circumstance. his eyes flick over Steve, assessing him. there's blood on his face and clothes, but at least he doesn't seem to be actively in pain. ]
I came looking for you guys. At the lab.
[ and then ... well, he probably doesn't have to tell Steve the rest. here he is. ]
Are you alright? Where's - where's Nancy?
[ it'd taken all his self-control to save the question for last. ]
[ The slight awkwardness of Byers' greeting is fair, he's never been much of a conversationalist, especially not with Steve, and the rocky start to their friendship. He can feel Jonathan peering over him, and Steve realizes he must look pretty rough. Wouldn't be the first time Jonathan's seen him bloodied up, hell, he even caused it on one occasion, not that Steve didn't return the favor. But no need to get caught up in that again, they're over it.
He says he came looking for them at the lab, which allows one question to bubble up to the surface of the dam in Steve's mind, one that's actually been bothering him since he arrived here himself, so long ago. He's only discussed it briefly with Ace, and that was a fucking mistake.
But then before he can ask it, Jonathan is speaking again.]
Yeah, yeah, don't worry about me man, just nicks and bruises, the usual. You should see the other guy, dude had it way worse, pretty sure he's got a concussion or whatever....Damn, near killed him...
[ So that started off sounding convincing, but now by the end it's clear Steve is exaggerating quite a bit, if not downright lying. But hey, he did slam the shit out of Ghost Face's head with a pallet, and elicited that ever so satisfying hhshhshshshhshs sound thing he makes.
He regains himself, and the first thing that comes to mind is his question, primed and ready.]
How long were we missing, man? Months? Years?
[ Sorry Jonathan, Steve's got kind of a one track mind, she's fine and there's more important things to know right now. He's sure Jonathan will see Nancy soon enough, and even though he's with Cheryl, he's not exactly eager to help make that happen any faster. As much as he will try to take the high road, he's still just a tad hurt by Nancy and Jonathan. But hell, maybe that'll change. Stranger things have happened. ]
[ the state that Steve's in isn't anything Jonathan hasn't seen - or caused, unfortunately - before, but in this context it's downright disturbing, and that's saying something given all the weird shit that they've dealt with in their lives. Kate's explanation - you'll die here - lingers, and maybe it's just the way she'd delivered it, matter of fact and almost cavalier, that had left him feeling unsettled. he doesn't want to die, even if they come back or whatever. dying sounds like it really fucking sucks, not to mention whatever comes before that. Jonathan has no desire to find out, but she'd basically told him that he'd have no choice in the matter.
which means that Nancy and Steve have just been here, apparently being endlessly tortured. the only small comfort is that Steve's still relatively cheerful in spite of what Jonathan's imagination is currently conjuring up. ]
Nicks and bruises? You mean you didn't die?
[ it comes out sounding a little skeptical, and that's not really how Jonathan had intended for it to come out. he just means ... if they don't have to die every time, that'd be great.
Steve's next question distracts him, his brow furrowing a little. years? is that how long they think they've been there? ]
Nancy's been missing for a week. Dustin realized you were gone not long after. How ... long have you guys been here?
[ and how, he wants to add, but some of the questions he has are better suited for Nancy. but Jonathan's starting to unfurl a little, unconsciously comforted by Steve's presence, the sight of a familiar face. people are watching them - he can feel eyes on him again, even though they'd never really gone away in the first place.
it's strange to feel dread and relief in the same pulsing wave. a small part of Jonathan that's rapidly getting larger wants to pull Steve into a hug, but he'll save it for when they're safely back in Hawkins instead.
[ There's something behind Jonathan's words, something like surprise and doubt mixed into one tentative question. That he's still here, breathing. Maybe someone had briefed him on the whole mortality is somewhat temporary thing. But maybe not, Jonathan seems like the type to carry a little anxiety about shit like this, maybe Steve should put things a little easy. Keep it casual and cool until he knows for sure Jonathan has a handle on all this stuff, the Entity, it's realm, and all it's fucking quirks... it's a lot to take in. Can't be easy on the other boy, even if he's become one of the toughest bastards Steve knows. ]
Uhhh... Well, yeah... yeah I did, man. I can explain, if you haven't already heard. But I'm fine now, tis but a flesh wound. [ He watched that movie with Dustin, right before he was brought here. ] You need an explanation, or did someone fill you in yet?
[ He doesn't know that Kate has gone over it already, or if she's covered all his questions, but he's happy to fill him in while Steve mends back to a pristine state.
Just a WEEK!??! That can't be right, he's died what's got to be a million times already, he's got to have spent thousands of hours alone experiencing the pinpointed moment of death from a mori. Death is practically his best friend here, and it's only been one measly week in Hawkins? All the confusion and mixed emotions from that one statement alone emanate on Steve's face, and he goes just a bit green while he processes the news.
If Jonathan were to hug Steve now, he'd be getting a preview for what's to come if he ever goes against the Plague, and Steve is fresh out of Tums.
After what seems like a while but is probably just a few seconds, Steve answers.]
It's been...a long time man. A long ass time. [ His tone clearly implying that it's been much longer than a week, at least here. ] Dustin, how is he!?
[ The thought of Dustin looking for Steve, missing, breaks his heart. Dustin already lost Will a couple years ago, it tore him apart, and Steve starts to feel an immense guilt building up that he himself is probably causing the same dread for Dustin now. He takes comfort in the fact that it's only been a week though, and that if Jonathan made it from Hawkins to here, then there must be a way from here to there. Got to be. He'll have to ask Jonathan exactly how he got here, but after he hears about Dustin first.]
I met Kate? [ the words tilt up in a needless question, because surely Steve's met the rest of the people who are here ... but he doesn't know just how many of them there are, and it's one of the many variables that's anxiety inducing, just another question on the burgeoning pile of them building up and threatening to tip over. ] I guess she's in a trial now. She threw something into the fire and then she disappeared.
[ along with three other people who'd been here, but he can't really recall who they are or what they'd looked like. there are more people gathered around the fire, but he's only kind of glanced at them, their faces.
Steve's answer crumples Jonathan's chest a little, knocks the wind out of his lungs. a long ass time. what does that mean, exactly? is there a way to keep time here? or is it just a feeling? focusing on back home seems like the better option, so he brightens a little when Steve asks about Dustin. ]
Dustin's good, but he's worried about you. So ... this probably won't help that.
[ god, he hopes that the kids don't get involved. and he doesn't want to think about what's going to happen when his mom realizes he's gone. ]
When ... will my first trial be?
[ trial sounds awkward on his tongue, like he doesn't really believe that they're real since he hasn't actually experienced one. ]
Oh yeah, knowing her it was probably streamers or something, she's definitely someone who's going to look out for the little man.
[ Steve's eyes land straight on Jonathan during the last of that sentence, sure he could take this a bit more seriously, but why face all this trauma head on when he can just pretend it's all a joke and keep things light by teasing the other guy? It's for Jonathan's benefit too, this is all... a lot to take in, for anyone, but especially for someone like Byers, who's already experienced more than enough weird shit and negativity for... several lifetimes.
Steve's first thoughts are right in line with Jonathan's, Don't come after me twerp. The last thing Steve needs is for the children to come here, if they even can. But knowing Dustin, if there was an inkling of a chance that Dustin was aware of, he would come here without hesitation. The thought also makes Steve smile to himself, he can't help but admire Dustin for it just a bit, but still he'd be a total dumb-shit to actually go through with it.
He doesn't actually respond with anything more than a nod and placing his hands on his hips. Not much to say about it really, not unless they have a way back to Hawkins, which if Nancy comes through on Steve's plan to sneak into Fake Hawkins Lab, they might be able to unlock a route home. ]
Soon.
[ Most likely anyway, Nancy and Steve had basically been tossed into their first bloodbath almost immediately with the Demo, right when they were taken into this hellhole. Same will probably happen for Jonathan.
Steve hopes for Jonathan's sake that he'll get to accompany him, he could show him the ropes. ]
It happens when it happens, man. I wouldn't sweat it too much. Just stay low, focus on the wires, and don't try to be a hero. You'll make it out just fine. Oh and if it's a chick in a pig's mask...Do not try to touch her snout. Thank me later. [ This is all advice that Steve at one point or another did the exact opposite of, and paid dearly for. ] With any luck we'll be in the trial together.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
!tenthfloor
But then he spies someone about his height and build at camp, looking a little out of place sitting by the fire. He's got on some familiar fashion, and Steve in the back of his head is wondering where the hell this dude came from, or better yet...when the hell this dude came from. This guy looks like he arrived straight out of the eighties, and then he looks up slightly, not at Steve, but the fire lights up his face enough for Steve to realize who he's looking at. ]
Holy shit.
[ Exhaled to himself, without much volume. He starts a slow jog to close the gap towards Jonathan, the look of bewilderment and joy taking turns displaying on his face. Once the distance is closed, he slaps the boy on his back lightly and sits besides him. ]
Just what the hell do we have here, Byers?
[ He says, raised eyebrow and smirk accompanying his surprised but happy tone. There's not much room in Steve's head for questions to start flooding it yet, but the dam will break once the exhilaration of having a familiar face wears off. ]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsccjsW8bSY
what the fuck is going on here? this definitely isn't the Upside Down, and part of him is thankful for that, but from what Kate had told him, they'd have a better hope at getting out if that's where they were. this is some other place, and already the details are starting to muddy in his head, his brain on information overload.
Nancy will know what to do. she's probably already hatched some sort of plan to get them out of this place.
these are the thoughts that Jonathan's lost in when he hears a familiar voice, his head snapping up as he tries to wipe the freaked out look off his face. there's something off about Steve's tone, but he doesn't stop to question that just yet. instead, Steve slaps him on the back like they're the best of friends, jolting Jonathan a little. ]
Hey, man.
[ Jonathan is relieved to see Steve, and not just because it means that he's found Nancy, as well. their relationship had been ... frankly non-existent, at first, but he'd come to respect Harrington these past couple of years. he's glad that he's okay - or as okay as he can be, given the circumstance. his eyes flick over Steve, assessing him. there's blood on his face and clothes, but at least he doesn't seem to be actively in pain. ]
I came looking for you guys. At the lab.
[ and then ... well, he probably doesn't have to tell Steve the rest. here he is. ]
Are you alright? Where's - where's Nancy?
[ it'd taken all his self-control to save the question for last. ]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=norVM4M1ZMk
He says he came looking for them at the lab, which allows one question to bubble up to the surface of the dam in Steve's mind, one that's actually been bothering him since he arrived here himself, so long ago. He's only discussed it briefly with Ace, and that was a fucking mistake.
But then before he can ask it, Jonathan is speaking again.]
Yeah, yeah, don't worry about me man, just nicks and bruises, the usual. You should see the other guy, dude had it way worse, pretty sure he's got a concussion or whatever....Damn, near killed him...
[ So that started off sounding convincing, but now by the end it's clear Steve is exaggerating quite a bit, if not downright lying. But hey, he did slam the shit out of Ghost Face's head with a pallet, and elicited that ever so satisfying hhshhshshshhshs sound thing he makes.
He regains himself, and the first thing that comes to mind is his question, primed and ready.]
How long were we missing, man? Months? Years?
[ Sorry Jonathan, Steve's got kind of a one track mind, she's fine and there's more important things to know right now. He's sure Jonathan will see Nancy soon enough, and even though he's with Cheryl, he's not exactly eager to help make that happen any faster. As much as he will try to take the high road, he's still just a tad hurt by Nancy and Jonathan. But hell, maybe that'll change. Stranger things have happened. ]
no subject
which means that Nancy and Steve have just been here, apparently being endlessly tortured. the only small comfort is that Steve's still relatively cheerful in spite of what Jonathan's imagination is currently conjuring up. ]
Nicks and bruises? You mean you didn't die?
[ it comes out sounding a little skeptical, and that's not really how Jonathan had intended for it to come out. he just means ... if they don't have to die every time, that'd be great.
Steve's next question distracts him, his brow furrowing a little. years? is that how long they think they've been there? ]
Nancy's been missing for a week. Dustin realized you were gone not long after. How ... long have you guys been here?
[ and how, he wants to add, but some of the questions he has are better suited for Nancy. but Jonathan's starting to unfurl a little, unconsciously comforted by Steve's presence, the sight of a familiar face. people are watching them - he can feel eyes on him again, even though they'd never really gone away in the first place.
it's strange to feel dread and relief in the same pulsing wave. a small part of Jonathan that's rapidly getting larger wants to pull Steve into a hug, but he'll save it for when they're safely back in Hawkins instead.
hopefully that's relatively soon. ]
ohhh good icons :D
Uhhh... Well, yeah... yeah I did, man. I can explain, if you haven't already heard. But I'm fine now, tis but a flesh wound. [ He watched that movie with Dustin, right before he was brought here. ] You need an explanation, or did someone fill you in yet?
[ He doesn't know that Kate has gone over it already, or if she's covered all his questions, but he's happy to fill him in while Steve mends back to a pristine state.
Just a WEEK!??! That can't be right, he's died what's got to be a million times already, he's got to have spent thousands of hours alone experiencing the pinpointed moment of death from a mori. Death is practically his best friend here, and it's only been one measly week in Hawkins? All the confusion and mixed emotions from that one statement alone emanate on Steve's face, and he goes just a bit green while he processes the news.
If Jonathan were to hug Steve now, he'd be getting a preview for what's to come if he ever goes against the Plague, and Steve is fresh out of Tums.
After what seems like a while but is probably just a few seconds, Steve answers.]
It's been...a long time man. A long ass time. [ His tone clearly implying that it's been much longer than a week, at least here. ] Dustin, how is he!?
[ The thought of Dustin looking for Steve, missing, breaks his heart. Dustin already lost Will a couple years ago, it tore him apart, and Steve starts to feel an immense guilt building up that he himself is probably causing the same dread for Dustin now. He takes comfort in the fact that it's only been a week though, and that if Jonathan made it from Hawkins to here, then there must be a way from here to there. Got to be. He'll have to ask Jonathan exactly how he got here, but after he hears about Dustin first.]
thanks u
[ along with three other people who'd been here, but he can't really recall who they are or what they'd looked like. there are more people gathered around the fire, but he's only kind of glanced at them, their faces.
Steve's answer crumples Jonathan's chest a little, knocks the wind out of his lungs. a long ass time. what does that mean, exactly? is there a way to keep time here? or is it just a feeling? focusing on back home seems like the better option, so he brightens a little when Steve asks about Dustin. ]
Dustin's good, but he's worried about you. So ... this probably won't help that.
[ god, he hopes that the kids don't get involved. and he doesn't want to think about what's going to happen when his mom realizes he's gone. ]
When ... will my first trial be?
[ trial sounds awkward on his tongue, like he doesn't really believe that they're real since he hasn't actually experienced one. ]
no subject
[ Steve's eyes land straight on Jonathan during the last of that sentence, sure he could take this a bit more seriously, but why face all this trauma head on when he can just pretend it's all a joke and keep things light by teasing the other guy? It's for Jonathan's benefit too, this is all... a lot to take in, for anyone, but especially for someone like Byers, who's already experienced more than enough weird shit and negativity for... several lifetimes.
Steve's first thoughts are right in line with Jonathan's, Don't come after me twerp. The last thing Steve needs is for the children to come here, if they even can. But knowing Dustin, if there was an inkling of a chance that Dustin was aware of, he would come here without hesitation. The thought also makes Steve smile to himself, he can't help but admire Dustin for it just a bit, but still he'd be a total dumb-shit to actually go through with it.
He doesn't actually respond with anything more than a nod and placing his hands on his hips. Not much to say about it really, not unless they have a way back to Hawkins, which if Nancy comes through on Steve's plan to sneak into Fake Hawkins Lab, they might be able to unlock a route home. ]
Soon.
[ Most likely anyway, Nancy and Steve had basically been tossed into their first bloodbath almost immediately with the Demo, right when they were taken into this hellhole. Same will probably happen for Jonathan.
Steve hopes for Jonathan's sake that he'll get to accompany him, he could show him the ropes. ]
It happens when it happens, man. I wouldn't sweat it too much. Just stay low, focus on the wires, and don't try to be a hero. You'll make it out just fine. Oh and if it's a chick in a pig's mask...Do not try to touch her snout. Thank me later. [ This is all advice that Steve at one point or another did the exact opposite of, and paid dearly for. ] With any luck we'll be in the trial together.