asthehawkflies | [#000] Appointments

[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.

[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?

Well, um... it's about Loki, and about what happened a few weeks ago.

[There is definitely some nervous fidgeting on his end, like he knows he might cross some lines and is trying very, very hard to avoid doing so. Clint, this kid is one of the farthest things from a threat.]

[Kid doesn't look like a threat but words like that are enough to make Clint's expression harden. The only thing keeping him from cutting off this message right now, is that it would probably look bad for Steve.]

Not a name I really want to hear right now. Or ever. What have you got to say?

...neither of you were right in that situation. [Because he doesn't agree with Loki's actions either, even if it was in retaliation. For a moment, he's greeted of a memory from moments before he was brought back here, of two of his closet friends (one of which a bit more intimate than that) and too much blood for his liking. He shakes his head. Focus.] I'm not going to scold you, but... but I think while we're here, we need to either work together, or at least avoid the people we can't get along with.

You might disagree with me, and I believe you have every right to! But if we're fighting each other, then it'll only cause more trouble for us in the long run. You don't need to listen to me at all, really, but I...

[Clint thinks he was right in everything but location actually and he bristles at being told off by a kid who has no idea of the situation. The Captain and Stark, fine. Even Adele and Sue to an extent. But this is a complete stranger.]

Did Loki put you up to this? Making another overture like he's sweetness and light and never done a thing to deserve every ounce of my anger?

He can play the innocent all he likes, but I will never buy it.

He didn't put me up to anything! I'm doing this because I want to. [And instantly, he feels bad for snapping.] I'm sorry, I didn't mean to raise my voice like that. But like I said before, I don't agree with what either of you did. I just think... there has to be a better way to deal with this.

[Of course, someone wanting to stand up for Loki automatically means dupe to Clint, someone Loki has wrapped around his little finger.]

No, there isn't.

Oh, I won't go after him here, not again. Don't worry about that. But after what he did, I can think of no way to deal with this that doesn't have one of us dead.

Couldn't you just not talk to each other, or do your best to avoid each other?

[...]

Things are sometimes really rough here as it is. And I know I probably sound really biased here, but... I'm sure there were people on both sides who were really upset. Right?

Like I said. I won't go after him in Luceti until he hurts someone.

My own world is another matter entirely.

[...]

Well, violence is never something I'll be a big fan of... but sometimes it's necessary, isn't it? [There's a certain amount of insecurity in his voice. He's fighting his own ideals again.] If it's necessary in your world, can I really fault you?

[This is a very forced smile, because thinking like that is painful for him.]

[Clint sighs heavily, giving the kid a sharp look.]

Loki brainwashed me, forced me to give him every secret I knew, and attack and kill the people I work with. He killed one of the only people I consider a friend, and made me try to kill the other. Then he set an army on a civilian population as he tried to set himself up as the ruler of my world.

In this case, yeah, violence is very necessary.

[Excuse him for a moment, Clint, he's trying to let all that information sink in and not get sick at the same time.]

That... [He can't even find words. And he thought his anxiety over possibly losing Tori and Michiru back home was horrible?] I-I...

Why? [In the end, that's all he can get out.]

[He maybe feels a little bad for dumping all of that on the kid, but he should know that he didn't attack Loki on some whim, because it was fun.]

Hell if I know. Is there a reason he can give that makes that all fine?

[Shakes his head.]

Only that he doesn't plan to attack anyone here, that he's putting things back home on hold while he's here. E-Even with... with what he's done, I want to believe that he won't go against that. [Jeb may very well be the king of giving the benefit of the doubt where it's not warranted.]

On hold. Nice way of putting it.

[He sighs, looking suddenly very tired.]

Believe what you want. I can't promise any more than I have. I won't attack him here, not again.

That's enough for me.

[And then, he smiles.]

For what it's worth, this first meeting makes me think you're kind in your own way. You didn't have to hear me out, and I think you probably didn't want to, but you did anyway. Thank you, Clint.

[Clint gives an incredulous look, because 'kind' is not normally a word that is applied to him. Quite the opposite.]

I'm pragmatic. No point alienating someone when I don't have to.

[And he's been warned about Loki now. That's something.]

[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.]

[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?

Barton.

[A curt nod. She's less frustrated than she had been after speaking to Steve and Stark. Steve had done much to help her come down from that vicious anger- here she needs to be calm. Cool. A surgeon first.]

May I come in?

[He regards her warily for a moment, because the last couple of days haven't helped his paranoia any, and then he nods and steps aside.]

Sure. Come in.

[She relaxes a bit once she's inside. Her shoulders loosen from their stiff line and she puts what floor they're on out of her mind. Turns to regard him, quirks a brow.]

How are your arms?

[He'd tell her to make herself at home but that's not even something he's done yet so it seems a bit futile.]

Tender.

Have you changed out the bandages today?

[#000] Appointments

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

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