Bucky opted for the most obvious option. As in, the most visible one. He made sure he let the people who met him know that he was hardly a dignitary - he wasn't used to luxury or ceremony - but he was going to comply with as much of their expectations as he could. If nothing else, they needed to know what lies a visiting important person would be told.
And, if nothing else, he had come to rely, somewhat, on the abilities he had acquired over the last year and a half. He would be able to charm people - thanks to Favrielle and Inara - and, also, slip their observation of him, when he needed - thanks to Rikki and Natasha. He wouldn't have considered himself the proper choice for this kind of role? But there wasn't another, and he did think it necessary.
Of course, he wasn't exactly what the Endai expected. He attended the events they organized for him (bless Steve for talking to him about all the books he'd read, because the story-telling sessions would have been very one-sided without all he'd remembered from his friend) asked them for time to sightsee around the city on his own. He was positive he had people tracking his movements - or somebody was extremely naive, but with executions happening in the streets, he doubted that explanation - but that didn't bother him. He took in the traces of unrest, but didn't push further than those assigned to attend to him were willing to give, in asking about that.
It was during the latest walk that he came across the girl. She gave him a curious look, but didn't say anything, other than reach out her hand, palm out and cupped, in a universal begging gesture. It twisted his heart, a little, thinking of Steve having been so close to doing that, once or twice.
He stopped, and sat with her. Yes, he gave her coin, but he also tried to find out where she was from, whether she had a place to sleep, anybody at all, caring for her. She didn't speak, but her gestures were clear enough, about her parents having been arrested and executed.
He stayed with her for a good while, and promised to return the next day, with fresh clothes and more food. And, in the middle of it all, he talked with her - told her that, between the two of them, he believed her parents were right. (He was taking a risk. But he couldn't just leave her fend for herself alone, in her mind.) He told her about things he'd 'heard' - about blood magic worked by people serving Malicant (not naming him, of course), about unrest, about the great turtles and the one that survived, and about Malicant trying to get him...
The dinner he was treated to that night was just as lavish as the meals before that, but he couldn't get the little beggar, orphaned girl out of his mind. This island... there was something wrong with it. And he needed to know what, and why.
Even though, considering the focus on the excesses of power application, he had a certain guess on the latter.
no subject
And, if nothing else, he had come to rely, somewhat, on the abilities he had acquired over the last year and a half. He would be able to charm people - thanks to Favrielle and Inara - and, also, slip their observation of him, when he needed - thanks to Rikki and Natasha. He wouldn't have considered himself the proper choice for this kind of role? But there wasn't another, and he did think it necessary.
Of course, he wasn't exactly what the Endai expected. He attended the events they organized for him (bless Steve for talking to him about all the books he'd read, because the story-telling sessions would have been very one-sided without all he'd remembered from his friend) asked them for time to sightsee around the city on his own. He was positive he had people tracking his movements - or somebody was extremely naive, but with executions happening in the streets, he doubted that explanation - but that didn't bother him. He took in the traces of unrest, but didn't push further than those assigned to attend to him were willing to give, in asking about that.
It was during the latest walk that he came across the girl. She gave him a curious look, but didn't say anything, other than reach out her hand, palm out and cupped, in a universal begging gesture. It twisted his heart, a little, thinking of Steve having been so close to doing that, once or twice.
He stopped, and sat with her. Yes, he gave her coin, but he also tried to find out where she was from, whether she had a place to sleep, anybody at all, caring for her. She didn't speak, but her gestures were clear enough, about her parents having been arrested and executed.
He stayed with her for a good while, and promised to return the next day, with fresh clothes and more food. And, in the middle of it all, he talked with her - told her that, between the two of them, he believed her parents were right. (He was taking a risk. But he couldn't just leave her fend for herself alone, in her mind.) He told her about things he'd 'heard' - about blood magic worked by people serving Malicant (not naming him, of course), about unrest, about the great turtles and the one that survived, and about Malicant trying to get him...
The dinner he was treated to that night was just as lavish as the meals before that, but he couldn't get the little beggar, orphaned girl out of his mind. This island... there was something wrong with it. And he needed to know what, and why.
Even though, considering the focus on the excesses of power application, he had a certain guess on the latter.