asthehawkflies | [#003] {Violence for fun and profit} Action/Video

[It's a routine they indulge in whenever they're in the same place for more than a couple of days. This seems like a good enough time to pick it back up, test each other a little, and they claim one of the rooms in the Battle Dome, equipping it with mats and padded walls because while the simulation won't allow them to get really hurt by weapons, Clint isn't sure that it can make getting slammed to the ground any less painful.]

Ready, Tasha?

[He's grinning, as much a mask to hide his intentions as her blank expression. They take up position on the mats opposite each other, and there's no bowing, no politeness, just stillness.

He strikes first, a punch that she blocks, returns with a blow of her own, and then they're fighting in earnest. It's vicious, both of them making use of every move at their disposal, a brutal mix of martial arts and outright brawling, dirty tricks and all.

A throw sends Clint sprawling, hitting the bench where they'd left their stuff, and his journal falls open, starting to record the rest of the fight. To anyone not familiar with them, it does look like they're genuinely trying to kill each other. Neither of them really believe in pulling their punches and they're eerily silent while they fight, neither of them making any noise besides grunts of exertion.

They seemed evenly matched for the most part, Clint's size and strength well matched by Natasha's speed and agility and the training she'd undertaken since childhood. Eventually though, one of them comes out on top, and it's Clint who ends up floored and winded, laid out on his back, Natasha above him, pinning him down and her elbow pressed against his throat.

He groans softly, and then smiles.]

I yield.

[OOC: Responses will be answered by Clint, or Natasha, or more likely, both.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Not particularly difficult- the first week every three days I aged a year. This past jump was the largest and with any luck it'll continue like this so I might be my proper age all the sooner.

[Adele turns to face Natasha properly and offers a faint shrug.]

Normally? No. This is one of the Malnosso's shifts. Clint knows me, knew me, from how I ought to be while in the village- around thirty seven. Earlier in the month I was kidnapped and regressed to age fifteen. It's been a linear path back to where I was before since, though to my memory what hasn't happened is elusive and the lack of actual information from those around me regarding my future is somewhat frustrating.

[Not at all a dig at Clint's reluctance to say much of anything. Nope.]

I haven't seen you every time though so I haven't kept track of how long it takes.

[He'd kind of avoided her for a couple of days after the Loki incident and her take on what it meant.

At least Adele is prepared to explain it all and knows what is happening. He looks reluctant to talk about what happens for her in the future though, and for good reason to his mind.]

Do you really want to know everything that happens?

{Natasha casts a curious glance at Clint, because she'd sensed the sudden shift in him, the reluctance, picking up on enough of his tells to know that he's hiding something. She doesn't point this out, however, letting him keep his secrets. He usually has a good reason for that. Instead, she just adopts a sympathetic look.]

He does excel at being frustrating.

With good reason. [That incident was more than reason enough for the three of them to avoid one another. She can't blame him for it.]

Some forewarning would be appreciated. I'd like to know ahead of time if there are any more surprises in store for me. It won't help in the long run since nothing can be changed, but it may help me prepare for dealing with it whenever I return here.

[He gave a little shrug; he'd explain later what he knew. He just didn't want to talk about it now in front of Adele.]

I can only really comment on what's happened in Luceti and only for the past couple of months. Not really much help.

[She resisted giving him a Look, because that would be too telling, and merely cast Adele an apologetic glance.]

And I've been here all of three days, so I don't think I'll be able to help much either.

It is still more than I know. Between you and Obi-wan I've learned nothing useful. It's almost cute that you are both under the impression you're protecting me.

[It wasn't bitter, if anything her voice was mildly amused.]

Welcome to purgatory, Natasha.

We are both very cute.

[He reaches up to rub his forehead.]

What would you want to know first then, if I were going to answer?

[Natasha leans back against the wall and crosses her arms over her chest as she gives the woman a crooked smile.] I'm not sure this would count as purgatory, and if it did, I'm not sure why I'm here.

[She didn't comment on Clint's cute statement, although she shot him a bemused look for it, knowing he was trying very hard to evade answering something.]

Absolutely adorable.

[She doesn't quite roll her eyes, though she does frown for a moment.] I am...not certain why I phrased it in such a way. But you would likely be here for the same reason the rest of us are. God, mysterious ways, etc.

...

I suppose I would like to know if you had any idea why it was I keep a knife under my pillow and a loaded gun close to my bed.

[He sighs softly, and gives her an apologetic look.]

Same reason I do. Paranoia, because people could hurt you. You have reason to not feel safe and you're willing to protect yourself.

But I don't know the whys. I'm sorry.

[Natasha's not sure she believes in God, and encountering Thor and Loki certainly aren't helping her beliefs. Even if she did, she was fairly certain there was little the Christian God would see redeemable in her, enough to warrant a trip to purgatory for. But she wasn't here to debate religions, so she merely inclines her head, conceding the statement.

Besides, she's having more fun trying to pick how much is truth out of what Clint's saying, and what he's purposefully avoiding entirely.]

[Reason not to feel safe...in her own home? That didn't seem right. Helios and Saori gave her the impression she felt safe with them. This is disconcerting on several levels- so she does as most good little LeBlancs do and locks all those sideways thoughts away for later.]

...That is more than I knew before, and useful for it. Thank you Clint.

No problem. If it's worth anything, I don't think there's anyone you know here would deliberately hurt you.

[Even Loki hadn't intended to hurt her. That had been more flashback than attack.]

[Natasha's gaze flicked back and forth between the pair of them, curiosity in her gaze, although now was not the time or place for an interruption. Instead, she pushes off the wall and gives Adele a polite smile, nodding at Clint.]

I'll let you two talk. Are there showers in this building? If not, I'm going to head back to the apartments.

That was the bulk of what I wanted to ask, actually. I'll not take him from you anymore than I already have, Natasha.

[There wasn't much else on that angle she could ask of Clint. He wouldn't tell her. She can't hold it against him.]

It's not like it's a hassle to talk to you, Adele.

[He enjoys it, even if things are... strange at the moment.]

[#003] {Violence for fun and profit} Action/Video

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