[#000] Appointments

[asthehawkflies]

Need to get in touch with Clint in luceti? Please leave a message after the tone.

Please label threads with method of contact (Video/Action/Voice/etc) and the date.

Comments

[video | filtered, 90% unhackable | October 8th okay?]

[sketchingideals]

[Jeb needed a little time to pull himself back together after the latest experiment, but true to his promise to Loki, he was now trying to contact those Loki provided names for.

He didn't know who was "wrong" or "right" in this situation, but it didn't matter. While they're here, they need to work together. If they're divided among each other, they don't stand a chance. Besides, isn't that better anyway? With a small sigh, Jeb begins his video message to one Clint Barton. He's the one Loki attacked in retaliation, right? ...he needs to tread as lightly as he can.]

Hello! This is Clint Barton, right? You don't know me, but my name's Jeb Parmalee. There's... something I'd like to talk go about, if you don't mind. Is it okay if we meet up? Video's fine too, if it's not okay.

[video | filtered, 90% unhackable | October 8th okay?] Just fine!

[asthehawkflies]

[He was not expecting to be contacted by a stranger, so he's a little bit wary when he answers, and suspicious. Because he's always suspicious and Luceti hasn't helped that any.]

That's me. What do you want to talk about?

[Action] September 26th

[fleurdesel]

[After a less than productive little gathering with the heavy hitters of the Avengers, such as they were, Adele makes her way to Barton's apartment. A quick check in the welcome center provides an address. It's not that far a walk- though. It is on the fifth floor. Half a pill and a mental peptalk later and she's on her way up, knocking on his door once she's there.

When she's out of the hall, she'll be less tense. She hopes.]

[Action] September 26th

[asthehawkflies]

[He's slept for most of the day, like Katara had said he would, his body working along with the magic or whatever it was to heal him. The adrenaline crash hasn't helped either.

He's half spaced out and doesn't quite register the knock the first time. The second one though gets his attention, and he heads to the door.

He's a little surprised to see Adele there. Kinda though she'd be glad to see the back of him.]

Adele?

[Action | October 19]

[neversurrender]

[Early in the afternoon Steve shows up at Clint's apartment, arms full of bags of snacks and stuff he picked up before coming over. Clint had invited him over a few days before and he hadn't thought to ask what he should bring. After all it's rude to show up empty handed, right? And maybe the different options would make up for the last time he'd shown up out of the blue.

Shifting the bags in his arms, he reaches out and knocks on the door.]

[Action | October 19]

[asthehawkflies]

[The storm thankfully hasn't caused too much damage and he'd actually managed to get some sleep after Adele had left at... whatever ridiculous time of night it had been. Maybe talking about it even a little wasn't such a bad idea.

He's certainly feeling a little more relaxed when the knock on the door comes, and he doesn't actually draw a gun before he answers the door.

He's a little surprised to see Steve there but it's not an unpleasant one.]

Captain... Steve, hey. Come in.

[Action] November 11th, Battledome

[the_other_leblanc]

[It's early in the morning when Adele stalks through the halls, shoulders locked tight and posture tense. Frustrated. Taller and leaner and closer to the woman she'll become than she has been for the better part of the week, though it only serves to outline the angular slant of her furrowed brow. Not good enough. Everything she'd done and it hadn't been good enough. Quietly furious she doesn't pay that much attention to where she's going, shouldering past the few people in between her and the nearest free console.]

[Action] November 11th, Battledome

[asthehawkflies]

[It hasn't been a good night. Coulson being back had left him feeling raw and unsettled, although he's more than glad that the man is back and alive, at least here. But that's it, isn't it? It's only while he's here.

He's been for a run, ending at the Battle Dome, and that's helped to clear his head some. It's impossible though to not notice Adele right then. She looks older, convincing Clint that this whole ordeal has been some sort of Malnosso experiment.

More than that though, she looks furious.

He heads over to her, hands jammed into his pockets.]

You're up early.

[Action | Tuesday, November 13th]

[widows_kiss]

[There was no journal entry announcing her visit, no vocal message sent to her team to say hello. That wasn't really Natasha's style, especially when in a strange place among people she didn't know. She was a spy, she didn't do PSA's unless it was part of her cover. She usually preferred things a little more covert than that and she was not one for taking foolish risks when the odds were unknown. Not unless she absolutely had to.

And waking up here - despite not knowing how or why (and suddenly with wings) - was not the most dire situation Natasha had woken up to. She wasn't even sure it made the Top 10. Perhaps one of the strangest, but certainly not the most dire.

So she fell back on her habits. She gathered as much intel as she could from the book she'd found upon waking. She'd spotted a few familiar faces, but one in particular had something like relief loosening the tension gripping her ribcage and she could feel herself breathing. After that, her plans were much simpler.

Which was why, a little over an hour later, she'd successfully broken into Clint's apartment, poked through his things enough to assure herself that it seemed like the real deal (that would be easier to confirm once he showed up), and stolen a clean shirt and some workout pant to replace what she'd woken up in. They were far too big for her, but it was still better than the thin white dress she'd woken in.

Having poked in most corners of the apartment to reassure herself that there were no immediate threats, she settled down on his sofa, sprawled on her stomach and facing the door as she flipped through the journal, trying to see what else she could find out while she waited. But she was hoping he'd give her the answers she needed, whenever he came home, because she wasn't moving until he did.]

[Action | Tuesday, November 13th]

[asthehawkflies]

[He'd managed to fit in a good workout. It wasn't hard to do. There wasn't much else to do around here for the most part. He needed the consistency right now anyway.

He managed to juggle his things enough to get the door, pushing it open with his shoulder and stepping inside. Caught sight of the person sitting on his couch...

He had an arrow nocked and the bow drawn before he even had time to properly register exactly who it was was sitting there like she owned the place.

He stared for a long moment, looking her over because this... this was getting scary, people showing up who he knew or who knew him. But damn, there was no-one he'd rather see at least.

He lowered the bow, a tired smile appearing on his lips.]

Tasha.

[Action, December 9th]

[handing]

[Five days so far, and each one has somehow stretched further than the last. Natasha's company helps; just the sounds of someone else in the house, having a person to talk to makes it easier to be there. Makes it possible, even. Pepper's not sure she could keep going back to an empty house with its empty bed, with nothing but the promise of nightmares waiting for her. Because she has been dreaming, every time Pepper closes her eyes, it seems. Of the draft and it's horrors, and now of Tony, being led away by droids. Of him going with them willingly, no matter how often Pepper reminds herself of his reasons.

The fear and the helplessness tear away at her. Waiting, just waiting isn't something new, but it's starting to grow unbearable.

Her day-to-day routine doesn't help with it much. She goes through the motions at the gallery, but her heart isn't in it, her focus always divided. So this afternoon, while no one is there, Pepper leaves early and goes some place she normally doesn't. The Battle Dome is more Tony's place than hers, but today she's decided on something: to not merely wait. Even if it doesn't help anything at all, Pepper can't sit by any longer without losing her mind. And Tony's coming back. He promised her, and when he does Pepper will not let him see just how close to breaking she is.

She stands at the console, looking over the programs as she considers them. The option she currently has open is for a firing range, something basic and simple. Practice for a skill she lacks, and Pepper closes her eyes, takes a slow breath. Even if this isn't something she ever wanted, it's something she has to do. She can't make the same mistakes again, not when there are already so many things they can't control.]

[Action, December 9th]

[asthehawkflies]

[They'd taken Tony. That was what Natasha had said. It sends a thrill of apprehension through Clint to hear that. Loki and Jane. They'd both been taken. They'd both been tortured, cruelly, brutally. And who else had the knowledge that they needed for this project, but the instigator himself?

It was feeling more and more like they'd never had a chance.

He's used to worst case scenarios though and all that they can do is wait. He's good at waiting.

The Battle Dome is his usual escape, so it's no surprise that he ends up there. What is a surprise is who he sees at the console when he arrives. Pepper is not the kind of person he'd really expect to use to Battle Dome, but here she and she looks... well, he can see the tension running through her, every muscle taut.]

Pepper. Hey. You need some help?

[Action] January 4th

[windandrain]

[Today was a rather important day, and while Saori was loathe to head out into the chill after the beautiful breakfast Adele had cooked, she did think that perhaps it would be good to get out. Of course, the young Loki had distracted her with his silly string, and Maggir and Luminair had gotten loose in the cookie jar. Thankfully, Adele had sent her on her way and agreed to clean it up, the little creatures squeaking hungrily on her way out the door. Little troublemakers, the pair of them.

And since it was her birthday, Saori decided that there was one person she just had to see. She might've neglected to mention that today was her birthday, but that shouldn't matter, should it? Surely he wouldn't mind a visit, but...the idea of intruding on his personal space seemed rude. So, just in case she decided perhaps to send him a message that he would understand. Hopefully. It was too cold to sit around, too, but she fancied a picnic in the sun. So she wrote him a note, written vertically in a traditional Japanese style. She signed it in kanji, hoping that he'd figure out who it was. Or that he'd learned to recognize her name by now.]

Dearest Clint,

I do not know if you knew, but today is my birthday. I would very much like to spend a bit of time with you, if you are free. I will be in the Battle Dome at four this afternoon, with a simulation ready. If you have time to join me, please don't hesitate. If you find me in the simulation already, send me a message and I'll come meet you. I do not want you to feel pressured, so consider this a casual invitation rather than any sort of formal request. I hope to see you there, but I will understand. I know what's happened with Mister Coulson, and his woes take priority.

With great affection,
木村沙織

[With the scroll prepared, Saori affixed it to an arrow, figuring that perhaps a bit of drama would be appropriate for a proper first date, and she was hoping to leave a favorable impression. Pulling back the string with all her might, she loosed a shot right at his front door from the roof of a nearby house. The shot drove into the doorbell, setting it to buzzing even as the arrow quivered in the wood. Message sent.

And by the time anyone would've been outside to spot her, she was gone to prepare for the possibility of her first...date. On her four hundred and seventy second birthday.]

[Action] January 4th

[asthehawkflies]

[There was an arrow sticking into the door when he got back from walking Lucky. He stared at it for a long moment, studying it with interest. Definitely not one of his; this was wooden, traditional, nothing like his high-tech ones.

After making sure that there was no-one watching, that he wasn't under immediate threat, he reached out to take it, and unwrapped the scroll attached to it.

He smiled when he saw the symbols at the bottom, recognising them from the Christmas present. Yeah, he knew who this was from and the invitation made him feel warm.

He arrived at the battle dome just before four, dressed nicely, and he hoped that she wasn't planning on some kind of intensive training because he was not dressed for that, but this seemed more like a date thing. He spotted her just outside the door to one of the rooms, and he approached her, smiling warmly.]

Hey. Happy Birthday, Saori.

[Action]

[spohkh]

[Spock found himself knocking on the door of Clint's apartment...]

[Action]

[asthehawkflies]

[Clint hadn't been expecting anyone to visit so the knock was a surprise. He quickly wiped the grease from his hands where he'd been cleaning his gun and headed over to the door, knife sheathed at his side.

He opened the door a crack, expression darkening a little when he saw who it was.]

You want something?

[Action] January 9th, after Loki

[windandrain]

[Saori, out for one of her mid-afternoon rambles, had found herself at the Battle Dome today. She wasn't really doing anything in particular, just taking a walk as she always did around that time of day, part of her routine. Only, a familiar tingling sensation gave away the presence of someone she valued enough to place her Ban on. One Clint Barton, the closest thing the goddess ever considered to a boyfriend, was heading in her direction...with a dog in toe.

That drew an immediate, cheerful reaction from her, though...he looked upset about something. It may not have shown in his face, but she got a feeling something had upset him.]

Clint?

[Action] January 9th, after Loki

[asthehawkflies]

[It was Lucky who drew Clint's attention to Saori when he barked and bouned off towards her, tail wagging. It said a lot about Clint's state of mind that he hadn't noticed until she called.

He offered her a tired smile and jogged over to meet her.]

Saori. Hi. How are you?

Action | January 10

[somethingtoavenge]

[The day had been going quite well. Phil had adjusted to the changes that being a cat had made to his day, mainly sleeping a lot more and being active at night.

He had been napping on the back of the couch most of the morning, as he usually did when he was awoken by an unusual sound. Stirring from the ball he had been Phil looked around curiously. He could hear Clint faintly in the community kitchen, just down the hall since the door was open. But that wasn't where the sound was coming from. Instead it seems to be coming from one of the bedroom.

Phil hops down from the back of the couch and cautiously approaches the bedroom in question. Which is Clint's. Huh. Phil sniffs around the bedroom door which is shut, even as the sound of scratching comes from the other side. The scent is familiar in a way, but not quite. At best it reminds him of Red Savarin...

There is a quiet on the other side of the door which gets Phil's attention. He looks up at the door. Suddenly there is the loud sound of something hitting the door at speed and the click as the handle disengages. Phil backs up, slightly alarmed, as he starts to realize what is probably in the room.

When I was human this wouldn't have been an issue, is the wry thought. But now he is small and furry with a whole bunch of instincts that are hard to fight. The door creaks open and then is pushed further open by a dusty brown muzzle. The dog looks curiously at the small black kitten.

Dog. Big dog Compared to kitten Phil.

Hell.

Before Coulson can even consciously realize what's happening, he's already fled down the hall and out towards the kitchen. This of course is a bad idea, as dogs chase things that run.

But he is not stopping. Nope. Instead Phil takes the corners in a mad rush of speed while still happily chased by the dog.

And then there is Clint.]

Clint!

[Okay, so that sounded a little panicked. But dog. Still there. Oh hell. Screw it.

Phil jumps and climbs Clint like he's a particularly tall tree and Phil is whirling bundle of claws and panic.

Ouch.

Phil comes to a stop crouched on Clint's head and involuntarily hisses at the dog.]

Dog!

Action | January 10

[asthehawkflies]

[The first thing he hears is the skittering of nails on the kitchen floor. He turns just in time to see a bolt of black and then... then there's a small black kitten climbing him and ow those claws really hurt and seriously Coulson? You're doing this.

He can't help it. He really can't. He laughs. And laughs. And stoops down to stroke Lucky behind the ears while Coulson hisses.]

I should have known you weren't a dog man, Coulson.

Action | Morning of February 19th

[widows_kiss]

Natasha hovered outside Clint's doorway, silent and hesitant - an usual circumstance for her, despite the early hour. The floor was quiet, but that wasn't surprising. There weren't many early risers here and she'd planned that on purpose. Mostly because she'd spent the entire day yesterday hiding for the most part. Part of her had wondered if she'd be sought out, after the events of everything that had taken place during the Valentines shift, but the day had passed uninterrupted, with her left alone with her thoughts and worries.

She'd woken early this morning thoroughly disgusted with herself, because she wasn't one to hide from her problems, to let doubt and fear fester when she could clear the air with a little courage. So here she was, holding two mugs of steaming hot coffee in her hands and staring at Clint's door while she tried to figure out if this was a mistake or not.

"Idiot," she chided herself under her breath, taking a deep breath and nudging the door open with her foot before making her way into Clint's room, figuring he'd be awake or nearly there.

Action | Morning of February 19th

[asthehawkflies]

The last few days had been... yeah. He wasn't sure what to think yet. The shift had been more confusing, stranger, than he'd ever thought it could be, and crueler perhaps. Christmas had apparently made him lower his guard, made him forget that first shift where he'd been someone else and now...

No, his head was spinning right now. He'd lost his focus and this was nothing he was used to dealing with. He needed some kind of clarity. He wouldn't get it here.

He was half packed when the door was nudged open, and he winced. Fuck. He'd been hoping to slip off before anyone thought to come check, although maybe that wouldn't be the best idea. Not with people vanishing at the drop of a hat. They didn't deserve to worry about him that way.

He was silent for a moment before he looked at her, not meeting her eyes. "Hey."

[Written, February 18th]

[fleurdesel]

Are we still on for drinks?

-A

[Written, February 18th]

[asthehawkflies]

I uh... I might need to take a rain check. Or drink a lot. And I'm going on a mission tomorrow.

-Clint

Action | Early March

[jamesbarnes]

[Most of the disaster that was the experiment seems to be, if not settled, at least less of a disaster by this point, but there are still some people he needs to square with.

A small part of him has been selfishly relived that Clint was gone for the last little while, if only because it meant he could avoid this conversation, but as time wore on it was almost entirely overridden by concern. Not being in love with Clint is an honest-to-God relief, but it doesn't mean he wants to see him get hurt trying to run away from it.

He knocks on Clint's door. What else is he gonna do?]

Barton, it's me. You home?

Action | Early March

[asthehawkflies]

[The mission had given him space and time, but little of the clarity and certainty that he'd been seeking. He's as conflicted as he had been, and in worse shape.

Wrapping your own ribs is hard, and dressing other wounds is harder when you've got cracked ribs and sure, he could have gone to the clinic or called on Adele, but he just doesn't want to deal with anyone right now.

So of course there's a knock at his door. Barnes.

He lets out a sigh and thinks about ignoring him. At least he isn't going starry eyed over him this time. All that's left is what was there before. Except he can't ignore him forever.]

I'm home. Come on in.

[Voice], Filtered 100%, Late Night Post Mission (4th or 5th I think)

[windandrain]

[Immediately after returning from her mission, Saori had collapsed into her bed. She'd been gone several days longer than expected, but she'd waved aside concerns in favor of rest for the moment. Only, it was best described as a fitful sleep.

Tossing, turning, and reaching out for...whatever she could find the goddess's searching hands find her journal. For a moment, she lies there, thinking. She needs to talk to someone, she knows. A distraction. A kind voice. Her housemates, for the time being, she didn't want to trouble. She was hassle enough, and she's not even sure how to begin with them.

But there one person she thinks won't hold the need for company against her. Someone she cares for, who helps her feel like a person and not a monster, and someone she's given everything to. Blearily, she opens the book and sends Clint a message, carefully filtered.]

Clint. Are...are you awake? I...am home from my mission. And I-I can't sleep.

[Voice], Filtered 100%, Late Night Post Mission (4th or 5th I think)

[asthehawkflies]

[He sleeps lightly at the best of times, so the message arriving is enough to wake him. It takes him a few moments to work out what exactly it is, still sleep confused and the pain leaving him unfocused for a while.

He finally gets to the journal, blinking when he sees who it's from, a little concerned.]

I'm awake. Welcome home. You... bad dreams?

Action | March 7th

[widows_kiss]

He's back.

She'd known it since the first day, but now it's been several and they haven't spoken. Or seen each other. Or anything. She knows he's not getting around much, that he'd gotten hurt badly enough that Bucky had bandaged him up and that had almost pushed her into seeking him out. Three times she'd talked herself into coming to face him and three times she'd stopped outside his door, unable to take that last step.

She'd retreated each time, because she wasn't sure she was ready to see him, that he would be ready to see her and after... well. She'd handled that badly enough. So instead, she watched. Taking a page out of his book and keeping an eye on him from a distance when she could. Giving him the time and space he'd wanted. She didn't know how long it would last. Didn't want to think about that, because the days were already dragging out endlessly. She'd withdrawn, because continuing as if everything were normal and fine felt... exhausting. Part of her was tempted to escape on a mission of her own for a while, but with the portal experiment rumored to be finished any day now, it limited what time she had left.

So she roamed instead, keeping odd hours, keeping mostly out of sight, because she wasn't feeling at all social and if Coulson had to deal with her dropping in at odd hours with no warning, he didn't call her on it. Although he gave her looks but she could ignore those. And she didn't stick around long enough for him to do more, merely to get updates on the injured archer before vanishing again.

As a whole, the evasions worked probably a little too well. At least until this afternoon, when she peeked in to check on them. Coulson wasn't home, which almost made her slip back out entirely unnoticed, but she could hear Clint moving around in his room. Which meant he was probably doing something he shouldn't be, because even after everything, she still knew him all too well. She almost left him be, but...

She couldn't. A peek in the door confirmed her suspicions that he was trying to do stretches, standing there in sweatpants, his bandaged chest visible and even from here she could see the motley array of fading bruises on his skin. His back was to her and he hadn't seen her and she could still slip away, but...

"You're an idiot."

Okay, maybe it was a little too late to slip away.

Re: Action | March 7th

[asthehawkflies]

He was fairly sure that she'd been watching him. He hadn't seen her of course, or even felt her watching him; she was far too skilled for that. But he knew her (or he'd thought that he did) and it felt like something that she'd do. Also Coulson was rolling his eyes at bother of them. He was pretty sure of that too.

He didn't really want to think too closely about that.

He wasn't paying much attention to his surroundings now anyway. He aches all over, but when had he ever let that hold him back from doing something spectacularly dumb?

He works through some slow stretches, feeling out the aches and pains. He tries to be gentle, but even the slowest and easiest of stretches pulls at his injuries.

And then there's that voice. He takes a sharp breath which makes him hiss in pain, movements faltering. He drops his hands to his side and doesn't turn around, hardly daring to breathe. It's her.

"Natasha."

[Action, March 8]

[handing]

It wasn't actually the first message she'd left for Clint since hearing he'd gone on a mission, or even a day when they were scheduled to meet. But that didn't stop Pepper from trying to reach Clint over the journal, or from stopping by his apartment an hour or so after. She didn't actually know whether or not he'd be home, but she was determined to talk to him, sooner rather than later.

"Clint? Are you there?" Pepper breathed out a quiet sigh as she waited for a response. Honestly, the whole conversation probably would be unwelcome, and Natasha might even get irritated at her for having it. But ever since they'd talked at the bar, she had wanted to hear Clint's side of things. They were both her friends, and Pepper had seen hints of how close they were to each other. The last thing she wanted was for something the Malnosso had done to make that fall apart.

[Action, March 8]

[asthehawkflies]

It wasn't so much that he was ignoring the messages, just that he was ignoring the journal altogether. He'd left it shoved into his bag which was shoved under the bed, packed with fresh clothes and supplies just in case.

It's Lucky's warning bark that drags him out of his room when there's a knock on the door, because he'd probably have ignored it otherwise, but he doesn't want people to get annoyed by the dog. He wavers for a moment, uncertain whether he even wants to answer it, but he doesn't doubt that Coulson will hear about it if he ignored Pepper.

He pulls open the door, not meeting her eyes, his shirt open because doing up the buttons seemed like unnecessary hassle when it hurt so much. "Pepper. You need something?"

[Action | March 20th]

[widows_kiss]

It's late in the afternoon when Natasha gets the feed from Pepper. Though the woman is controlled, Natasha can tell by her voice and the way she holds herself that she's badly frightened. There's no hesitation as she hurries downstairs to Clint's apartment, letting herself in and heading straight for his room.

"Clint? You in? We got a mission."

[Action | March 20th]

[asthehawkflies]

He's pretty much healed from his injuries, enough that he's gone back to light training and shooting. He's on the couch when she arrives, and looks up, frowning slightly.

"I didn- this isn't a Malnosso mission, is it?" She looks actually concerned which she wouldn't over the Mallies.

Action, May 19th I am sorry for the novel.

[windandrain]

It took some time to reach the decision, but Saori had finally found the answer she needed. What she’d been doing was wrong for her, what she’d done was wrong for him, and where this was going to lead was nowhere good. A god and a mortal trapped in this strange bubble together simply could not be. She could not gift him as she’d gifted Yuuna, and she wouldn’t want to afflict that on someone like him in any event. Immortality was a burden that she’d selfishly foisted on a woman without regard for her feelings and while it had been accepted then she somehow felt that Clint Barton would grow to resent it with time. She did love him though, and that was why this choice was so difficult. But in order for him to be happy and for her to be able to live with herself, she knew what she had to do.

Marco and Morrigan had shown her that, unexpected advice from two unlikely sources, immortal beings both though she never thought to take romantic advice from a pirate and a succubus. The usual mortals she’d surrounded herself with had been oddly absent from home, an odd sort of distance driven between them that was also gnawing at her, albeit for different reasons. Vegeta and Derek had helped provide some perspective, though. None of it really prepared her for the actually of what she was going to do, though. Something she’d never thought to experience.

The afternoon had been spent preparing an enormous basket of food, a sort of ritual for her whenever she was troubled, and something she hoped might smooth over the sting of what she was going to say. Desserts, a full six course bento and various American dishes that were easy to store she packed away inside a rather large basket, along with sake. She thought she might need that, just to make the words come out. However easy it might sound in her head, actually telling someone she loved that she could not be with him was just not a thing that could be said easily. He was a good person, he deserved better than the fate she could offer, but…deep down she still wanted him to hold her and kiss her. And maybe they never would again, but it would be better than entangling him in a lie or a web of misery.

She hadn’t avoided him since reaching the decision, but today with the rain pouring down outside, it seemed the ideal time. Courage forged from the elements, even if she could’ve forced them to bend to her will weeks ago, tempered by a few weeks time, and hammered by resolve to do the right thing for someone she cared about finally spurred her out of her funk.

Stepping out of her house, armored with a parasol and in the single most elaborate kimono she could dream of. Spring blossoms, embroidered with golden thread, a full obi and quite a lot of beadwork were laced with silver that crackled with electricity. Her hair, tied up in an equally elaborate court style from the Ashikaga shogunate, was set off by the beautiful jade pin Clint had given her months before. The very model of Yamato Nadeshiko, Saori made her way from House 44 towards Community House Five ignoring anyone and anything save her mission.

Wherever she walked, the gentle rain gave way to a raging thunderstorm. Lightning lanced out above her, thunder boomed across the village, and the rain came in buckets. She was a goddess prepared for the worst, a lover in desperate need of something to cling to, and a woman who dreaded what was to come. Carefully, she glided across the ground in her wooden sandals, stoically making her way up the stairs. No flying, not this time. She needed the time to steady herself again, the basket still clutched under one arm, the parasol over one shoulder.

Once she finally reached the door, Saori froze for an instant, hand raised to knock. Could she really? Was this the right choice? Reaching up, she fingered the silver locket and the hawk pendant hanging from her neck, but her fingers brushed something else as well. A simple band of silver set with a bluish-white diamond. Yuuna’s ring. A marker of the promise they’d made together. The final bit of steel she needed.

Finally steady, she tapped on the door three times, each knock punctuated by the peal of lightning.

This had to be done.

Action, May 19th

[asthehawkflies]

Weather didn't usually bother him. He'd sat on rooftops and cranes and mountains in freezing rain and storms before and still made perfect shots. It didn't matter. But this? It makes him uneasy in a way that's a little disconcerting. Ah, he was probably just getting wary over nothing. Things had just been setting him on edge recently. Pepper leaving, mallynappings, goddam shifts. None of it led to a restful sort of feeling.

Even with the weather, he'd finished his usual workout so now he was relaxing with a book from the library, waiting for the storm to die down.

...that thunder sounded awfully close.

It took him a moment to catch the sound of the knock when it was drowned beneath the sound of the thunder. He set aside his book and headed over to answer the door.

And stared. Just for a moment.

His gaze lingered, taking in the basket and the stunning kimono and the elaborate hairstyle which the wind and rain had (understandably) done nothing to ruffle. He smiled warmly at her, letting her step inside although her expression didn't do anything to settle his mind right now.

"Hey sweetheart. If I'd known you wanted a picnic I could've set a few things up."

[Action | May 20th]

[widows_kiss]

It was a rainy morning and Natasha had been tempted to just stay curled up in bed a while longer than she normally did, but even she could only laze about for so long. Not that she was in much of a mood to be ambitious today.

Instead, she slipped downstairs, brewed a pot of coffee on Floor Five, then carried two steaming mugs down the hall to Clint's apartment, knocking softly on the door before slipping inside, wondering if he was even up yet.

[Action | May 20th]

[asthehawkflies]

He's not exactly up when she arrives, mainly because he'd never really bothered going to bed. He'd gone out shoot after... well, after, and come back, staying awake long enough to collapse onto the couch which is where he still is with Lucky curled up next to him. The dog looks up when Natasha enters, tail wagging idly for a moment before he rests his head back on Clint's chest.