asthehawkflies | [#000] Appointments

Rage blinded you to the entirety of your target's surroundings. That is...I think Rick would call it sloppy.

[Daubing the cuts clean took less work than she thought. While deep they'd been mended quite a bit. She's mildly impressed.]

She'll persevere. Elicia always does. But do you see now why I said it would be unwise to go about such actions while in the village? Do you understand my concerns?

He's right. Very, very sloppy. And stupid.

I'm meant to be better than that.

[Coulson and Nat would've kicked his ass for such a stupid mistake, but neither of them are here to hold him back.]

It's not gonna happen again.

Good.

[Fresh application of antiseptic, a fresh bandage around the first cut, so normal and meticulous that it's a counterpoint to what she says next.]

If it does, and it's not done to save a child's life? I'm putting a bullet in your elbow.

[The antiseptic stings, but it only gets a twitch out of him. The wounds had hurt worse.]

Understood. You might have to get in line.

Of that I have no doubt. The village is very protective of what children we have here. They endure enough without things such as this.

[First one wound, second one to go.]

She and Yotsuba were drafted not long ago.

[He clenches his hands into fists at that and nods.]

Yeah, I know. Kids are... defenseless.

[Anyone could hurt them.

He gives Adele a sharp look at her next comment, not quite believing it.]

Kids? They... they drafted kids?

Yes. They were not injured in the fight but...they have enough to deal with here. Elicia's parents have come and gone, and she struggles with that more than anyone her age ought to.

[It's simpler to focus on her hands than what this place makes of it's residents.]

It won't be the last time, I'm sure. If a fight has to happen, it has to happen- just keep the area clear before you take your shot.

Jesus...

[He ducks his head but doesn't bother to hide how ill it makes him feel.]

A kid that age, all they want is their mom and dad, even when you know they aren't coming back. Not surprised she struggles.

[It adds a whole new level of horror to this. Adults he could accept, but putting kids into that situation?]

I'll be the consummate professional from now on.

You don't have to be a professional, Barton.

[She finishes disinfecting and bandaging his arm and drops her hands, looking him in the eye for the first time since she'd walked in.]

Just think before you act.

Yes, I do.

[He meets her gaze squarely.]

Hawkeye doesn't make mistakes.

[Clint, obviously, does.]

Hawkeye also doesn't miss.

[This isn't at all disconcerting. Another issue that she's not qualified to handle. Then again it could simply be similar to how she compartmentalizes her life. Adele, and the Surgeon.]

Exactly.

[If he'd been together, Loki would be dead and it would have been a clean kill and he would have known the positions of every person in the vicinity.]

Can't change what happened. I can make sure I don't screw up again.

And then Elicia would have had a dead body in her backyard and Loki would have been back in a week with no incentive to play nice.

[Low, almost gentle, but honest enough. Precise in her intent.]

It is not worth it, here. Should Unger arrive in the next cycle- no matter what I might wish, I would not kill him. It simply is not worth it.

[Well, when she put it like that...

It's not really a comfort at all.]

I'm an assassin. Dead things should stay dead.

[It was one of life's certainties; the things that he shot stayed dead. Everything else might go to hell, but that had always been the same, and now it wasn't.]

Unger?

Here they come back in a week. A little worse for wear, but they do come back. It isn't worth it.

[She sits back, peels off her gloves and steps away to throw them and the old bandages into the garbage. It gives her time to breathe, time to sort out what she could trust herself to say.]

...A man I was in the middle of killing when I arrived here. A man I have yet to actually kill.

[Barton's an assassin. He won't judge. She hopes.]

Yeah, and having your entire frame of reference, your entire purpose rendered pointless is kind of... it's not easy.

[The dead should stay dead. What is the point of him if they don't?

He watches her carefully, noting the tension, the rigid way she holds herself.]

...that's tough. I'm sorry you had to deal with that.

Aim to maim. It's more vicious, but efficient.

[Joints were so easily shattered. And repairing them? She pointedly does not think of the damage to her shoulder and knee that was done that night. It's easier not to.]

It was my choice. One that was made poorly and without proper planning. It doesn't end well.

I can do that.

[It's said blithely, entirely unconcerned. As long as it's effective, he doesn't really care.]

No, I guess not.

[She scrubs her face and turns back, looking him in the eye for a moment. Calculating. Looking for something, perhaps. Whether or not she finds it or finds Barton wanting, no one can say.]

No strenuous activity, try not to sleep on the cuts oddly, etc, etc. I'm certain you've already been given the lecture, yes?

[He looks back impassively. His life has been full of people judging him and he's rarely given a damn. Or at least, he's rarely let anyone know that he gives a damn. Now is no different.]

Yeah. I have medication and strict instructions not to cripple myself by trying to draw my bow too soon.

...call me if you need anything.

[She's under no obligation to make the offer. There's nothing of the man before her that is at all like the man she knew and cared for. Barton was an entirely different animal.

He seems to have more in common with her than he does Rick, and what they do have in common was precious little.

Perhaps that's why she makes it. She sighs and walks back over, packing up her case.]

[He looks surprised at the offer, the mask slipping for a moment, and he nods.]

Thank you. You... you didn't have to come.

No-one did.

...I would have come after the broadcast but.

[She closes her eyes. Shakes her head.]

I couldn't then. I could now.

[He's silent for a moment and then manages an amused look.]

I wasn't expecting anyone to come rushing to me rescue. Don't worry about it.

We've a strong sense of community, here.

[It's easier to play it off that way. It's the only explanation she has that makes sens, really. Case packed up she rests it against her leg and looks back over, manages a tired half smile.]

Besides. In a village full of gods and heroes those of us without such advantages should look out for each other.

[#000] Appointments

[Action] September 26th

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