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

Ally.

[It's a minor correction. Maybe at one time, she even would have called Beetee friend. She had wanted him and Wiress as their allies in the 75th Hunger Games, hadn't she? Had admired the tributes from District 3, even enjoyed spending time around them. And then, much like her friendship with Gale, whatever had existed between them shattered with the explosion of a bomb.

But she doesn't speak of any of that. Doesn't say or do any more except watch with an impressed look on her face as the arrow head opens. And then, the pleased grin is back on her face.]

I think I would have liked one of those.

Right.

[He can appreciate the difference there. He considers most of SHIELD to be allies, but he would never consider them friends. He thinks there must be a story behind Katniss's correction, but he doesn't know her well enough to pry into the issue.

The arrows are much more fun anyway.]

They come in pretty handy. Got me out of a few tight scrapes. I try to keep one in reserve.

[She nods, glancing at the arrow again with an impressed grin. It's easy to imagine how helpful an arrow like that could have been. In the Hunger Games, in the sewers below the Capitol. How many lives could have been spared in her assassination attempt if she had been better equipped with some of Clint's arrows?]

I would, too.

Well, I've got a spare you're welcome to, although I'll have to change a few things to get it working without my bow, but I've made changes to the arrows before. It's not so hard.

[And he likes her already. He'd feel better if she had a backup plan.]

[Her grey eyes go wide at the offer and for a moment, she wonders if she even heard him correctly. An extra? One she's welcome to? If she had any arrows like his, she wouldn't part with him. Let alone for an archer that she had only just met.

It's a little embarrassing, in retrospect, the way she squeaks out:] Really?

[The excitement at the offer takes him aback a little, but maybe it isn't so surprising. He just... he knows he could have used some of his toys when he'd been her age, and alone.

And after the last draft, he's quite willing to help out.]

Really. Give me a little while to work out how to mod it and it's yours.

[She doesn't know him well enough to hug him or really offer gratitude in any obvious ways. Because even a thank you almost seems to make her feel as if she then owes him something. Rarely is something given for free, even a gift.

A nod seems simple enough. And a small smile. But the offer means more to her than her expression indicates. A grappling hook arrow. Why hadn't Beetee thought of that?]

[The nod and the smile are more than enough and he grins in return, sliding the arrow back into the quiver carefully, a slow where he'll be able to pick it out easily.]

I'll get it to you soon as I can. I hope it'll serve you well.

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

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