[#004] Shattered Glass [Action] (4th Wall Event)

[asthehawkflies]

[Okay, Clint is very confused. And that's saying something considering Luceti as a whole is on the confusing side of things. People turning up out of nowhere, dead people, fucking mistletoe and zombies. There's a certain rhythm to New Feather cycles; confused journal posts, explanations, wings.

But that he can file away as normal for here at least, while this...

Why the hell is the place suddenly five times as crowded and why do none of them have wings?

Clint will be found wandering around Luceti during the event, mostly at the Battle Dome and around town getting good and people watching.]

Comments

[aintwejust]

[Now he's been in a great many places a great many times, but usually it was of his own do'n and not on account a some weird fold in time and space or whatever it was that saw him wander'n around this cozy little village in the deada winter. So many folk, some with wings, some without and it was start'n t'make him a mite twitchy. He finds the nearest quiet spot that seems kinda peaceful- not too far from a winged man that he's trying not to side eye, and looks out at the mess of folk he'd wandered in with.]

...huh.

[asthehawkflies]

[It's startling how strange it is to see people wandering around without wings. It's something to take notice of. It just emphasises how easy it is to slip into a pattern of acceptance. It makes him a little uncomfortable to think about it.

This guy has been failing to not stare for a while and it finally irritates Clint enough to comment.]

You know, if you're gonna stare, you might want to learn to be subtle.

[aintwejust]

Used up all my subtle looks first hour in. All I got left are creepify'n oogle and deadpan glower.

[Mal runs a hand over his face, trying and failing to not look at those. Wings. They're stranger up close.]

Just...to be sure that I ain't outside my mind somehow you do have little bird's wings on your back. Right?

[asthehawkflies]

Obviously need to work on your stamina then. Subtle looks are important. Some people here'd probably punch you.

[Be glad that Clint is not quite in the mood for a fight yet.

He adopts a deadpan look.]

Wings? What're you talking about? People don't have wings.

...yup, that would be them. Welcome to Luceti. It's actually stranger that you don't have them.

[aintwejust]

Subtle don't get me paid.

[Well. Sometimes it did, sometimes it didn't. Depends on the job.]

...now that ain't funny. This place is five kindsa crazy already without you mak'n me think I've gone whimsical in the brainpan.

Right unkind of ya.

[asthehawkflies]

It gets me paid.

Well, not here. Everything's free here which would be nice except for the prison thing.

[He smirks slightly, offering an entirely unrepentant shrug.]

People don't usually consider me kind so...

[aintwejust]

Seems awful nice and tidy for a prison. Don't seem to be many guards neither.

[One word and Mal's on edge just that much more, shoulders gone subtly tense and hand dropping down to rest on his leg, close to his holster.]

What do they consider you, then?

[asthehawkflies]

Oh, it's pretty fancy for a cage, but try getting out of here. Or fighting wars for our captors.

[Clint notices the movement, keeps relaxed and... that looks kinda antique for a gun.]

Well, depends who's pissed at me right this moment.

[aintwejust]

A prison and a private army. How very fanciful.

[His tone was bland as protein bars and just about as dry..]

You make a habit outa vex'n folk? Seems a dangerous hobby t'keep.

[asthehawkflies]

Yeah, it's a whole barrel of laugh. The experiments just add that perfect topping. Like... suffering sprinkles.

What can I say? I like living dangerously.

[aintwejust]

And Experiments. Well I just won the whole gorram lottery now, didn't I?

[Again face met palm, a slower drag, more time spent massaging his eyes.]

Mhm. You and every other bored soldier I've met. Can't say I blame ya. Makes life a mite more interest'n.

[asthehawkflies]

First prize. Yeah.

[He smiles a little, because he knows that reaction pretty well by now.]

It does, yeah. I have a reputation to maintain.

[aintwejust]

A reputation for vex'n folk or a reputation of being dangerous?

[asthehawkflies]

Both. I'm pretty multi-talented.

[aintwejust]

Well at least you're honest.

[asthehawkflies]

Or a particularly brilliant liar.

[aintwejust]

Nah. Too deadpan t'be ly'n.

[fivepoundbag]

[Well, Clint, you have company for your people-watching today, because there's a girl perched above you, doing... well, your typical schtick, really.

With less archery.

She won't really bother to make sure you noticed her before she talks.]

Do you always look all around you all the time? It seems kinda paranoid.

[asthehawkflies]

[Is she... copying him?

Weird things. Weirder than normal. He glances up when the woman speaks to him, giving her an impassive look.]

Incredibly paranoid. Yes. I'm a generally paranoid person.

[fivepoundbag]

[She frowns at him.]

"You should find a team. It helps."

[asthehawkflies]

[Clint looks back impassively.]

Got one. Not given me any reason to be less paranoid yet.

[fivepoundbag]

"Do you trust your team?"

[asthehawkflies]

[He shrugs dismissively.]

Well enough. They're good guys.

[He trusts Natasha. He trusts Coulson. He might trust Steve given a bit more time.]

[fivepoundbag]

"Oh, okay. Maybe you just need longer. It took me a long time too."

[asthehawkflies]

...I'm not much of a team person, honestly. Missed out on all the fun bonding activities. What I have suits me well enough.

[fivepoundbag]

"See, I thought that too. I like what I have now better, though."

[This is around the point when the other people on the team would start not-so-subtly hinting that she's being a little inappropriate.

Unfortunately, those people aren't here right now. Sorry, Clint.]

[asthehawkflies]

[Clint will just give her a sideways look because this is getting into a whole bunch of territory he isn't quite comfortable discussing with a strange.]

That's real nice for you then, miss.

[fivepoundbag]

"Great! Glad I could help!"

[asthehawkflies]

...yeah. Thanks for that...

[rainsrespite]

[Yuuna, well, she was really interested to meet this man. She'd spent the morning having a girlish fit of giggles with a certain someone, a certain someone who'd sent her out to meet people. Including the man she was watching now, from on top of a building, eyes locked onto his like a falcon. She knows he sees her, and doesn't bother to hide, or shy away. Instead, she hops down off the roof of the house and walks over purposefully.]

Clint Barton, I presume?

[asthehawkflies]

[She'd been trailing him for a while, watching him from the rooftops. Hasn't tried anything yet, but that's no reason to drop his guard. Quite the opposite. This many people arriving so suddenly, yeah, he's a little on edge.

He raises an eyebrow when she jumps down and comes over to him, addressing him by name.]

That would be me. Who's asking?

[rainsrespite]

[She stops a few feet away wearing a neutral expression, her posture relaxed, but it wouldn't be hard to presume she's capable of defending herself if need be.

She bows, stiffly and formally.]

Yuuna Sugasawa. I should like to speak with you.

[asthehawkflies]

[Clint doesn't reach for a weapon himself, but he's wary and on guard. Someone's been talking about him. Depends who.]

Uh, sure... what about?

[rainsrespite]

[Yuuna's smile widens a hair, reaching her ageless eyes for the first time.]

Saori. She told me to find you.

[Please don't pull a weapon on her Clint. She'll take offense to that.]

[asthehawkflies]

[The name she gives him does a lot to make him relax, his expression easing just a little. Saori wouldn't send someone to hurt him.]

Oh well, if you're a friend of Saori's, that's different.

[rainsrespite]

Friend. Companion. A great deal more.

[Roommate. Nurse. Lover. Partner.]

She insisted that I meet you, but wouldn't come herself. That's her way, generally. [A test to see how people react.]

So. I understand you two are close?

[asthehawkflies]

[A great deal more. That was... ominous. He wasn't entirely sure what she was implying but it wasn't difficult to make a guess.]

Yeah, we're close. Is this... look, is this the kind of conversation where I get warned off or someone threatens to break my legs?

[rainsrespite]

No.

[Yuuna's face shifted into an amused smile.]

Not at all. I'm not some jealous old girlfriend come to make threats. I just wanted to meet you. To see just who was that excited her so much. You've earned her respect, which means you've earned mine.

[asthehawkflies]

[He gives her a slightly disgruntled look for a moment but then nods, offering a half smile.]

Alright. In that case, nice to meet you. I hate conversations where people threaten to break parts of my anatomy.

She's pretty special.

[rainsrespite]

Oh, no, if I wanted to threaten you, I wouldn't do that.

[But the second comment makes her smile]

Yes, she is. One of a kind, in any lifetime. I'm beyond lucky that I met her. She's the kindest person, and best thing that's ever happened to me.

[asthehawkflies]

That is not reassuring.

I'm glad to have met her, even in Luceti. She's been good to me.

[rainsrespite]

Well, you are dating my roommate. But she's a good judge of character. If it makes you feel any better...I, Yuuna Sugasawa, do so solemnly swear that I will not harm you in any way.

[She holds up a pinkie with a genuinely amused grin.]

Pinkie promise.

[wearyofscreams]

Curious...

[Jack is standing at the panel for the Battle Dome, scratching his skull and leaning over so he can actually be closer to the panel. The human world is so short! And he is quite tall seeing how he is a skeleton and quite dead. But that is beside the point. The important thing is that this machine, this contraption is meant for some grand purpose that he can't quite divine. What could it be? What could it be???

Might as well sing.]

What secrets do you hold?
What mysteries unto~ld
Are hiding in your wiring -
Mysterious! Inspiring!
I~ si~m~ply~ must kno~w~♪

[asthehawkflies]

[The Battle Dome. The Battle Dome is a sanctuary for Clint, somewhere he can go to relax, shoot (hush, it is entirely relaxing for him) and escape from the craziness of the day.

...apparently not. Is he... well, apparently a skeleton for one thing but singing?!?!

He rubs his forehead because this... he is so tempted to just go home and hide. Except he doesn't hide from people.

He heads over.]

You having some trouble there?

[wearyofscreams]

[A fellow to share this duet perhaps? Jack turns on his heel and gestures to the panel with a flourish. To be polite, he leans down a little since he's over 7 feet tall and full of bones.]

Some help would be appreciated
By this machine I'm twitterpated
And also somewhat consternated♪
Perhaps you, my fellow, can
He~lp~ me~ un~der~sta~nd~♪

I'm sorry. I suck at lyrics XDD

[asthehawkflies]

[O-okay, that is just... creepy. Well, it would be if not for the singing. As it is, it's just... weird. Really weird.]

That's some impressive rhyming,
But we really don't have time-ing


[Oh for... he wants to groan, or swear, but apparently it doesn't fit with the song. Is this a kid's movie?]

So pay attention, pay attention,
Your capacity for retention,

will be tested...

lol so do i no worries - this is a thing of beauty

[wearyofscreams]

[Clapping his hands together, Jack spins around to the other side of the console, thumping his bony chest.]

Excellent! A master's test!
I'll pass it with the very best
Of grades or colours all a'flying
Masters and geniuses sighing
"Ah~ wha~t~ per~fec~tion~!"

[The song slows and he gestures to the panels again]

If only you would tell me
This machinery is confounding
I wrack and rend my skull all night
But still I cannot see the liiiiiight...