"Intelligence" Gathering

[red_room]

Natasha literally cannot believe this worked.

They sure don't make henchmen assassins the way they used to.

The door is simple, nondescript. Standard hinge placement says it's American. The other side is equally ordinary, while being just bare enough to scream 'safe house' to any seasoned agent. It's a perfectly acceptable but sparsely decorated sitting room. Throw rug placed just randomly enough to likely be covering a cache of sorts, or a hidden room.

"Want anything to drink?"

Comments

[aw_hawkguy]

"A shiny cube you're not supposed to touch--the Cosmic Cube? Yeah, not touchin' that, no way."

"Loki is... complicated. And a really long story that I don't know all of."

[red_room]

"...No. He took you from us. Made you do--It doesn't matter Clint. Don't go near Loki. Any Loki. I don't.."

I don't want to lose you again.

Nat's not certain she could handle losing anyone else right now. When did she go so soft?

"Just trust me on that one."

[aw_hawkguy]

"Okay. I'll stay away from Lokis, I promise." That's going to be an interesting promise to keep, given that there's a kid Loki running around in the Nexus, and that he's friends with Verity, but what is life if not interesting?

[red_room]

"...Thanks. I'm looking out for you. Your reckless ass has a tendency to jump headlong into danger to save friends." Still, Natasha seems less tense at the promise.

"I'll give you the code to this door. In case I ever need backup. In case you ever need me."

[aw_hawkguy]

"Thanks. For all of it." Clint's smile grows into a grin because yeah, his reckless ass totally jumps into danger. "I'll keep it quiet."

[red_room]

"I'd apologize for threatening to break you but holy hell you are a dumbass sometimes." Natasha shakes her head and sighs. Pauses, and then in fluid sign language:

You talk too well for always having been deaf. DId something happen I should be careful of?

[aw_hawkguy]

Clint signs back, doubt it. You said I left my place in Bed-Stuy, that's where this happened. Some tracksuit mafia, a real East European grab-bag, were fighting with me over my building. Their hit-clown stabbed me in the ears and shot Barney. Dick. They're dealt with.

The sign for "hit-clown" is probably an interesting one.

[red_room]

You realize we're going to make up our own codenames/signs for everyone, right? That's half the fun of this language.

Natasha smirks at Clint's signing for 'hit clown' because he's already doing it. She also makes a mental note to find Clint's door and add a few people to her list. No one hurts her friends and gets away with it.

"I've already got one for you. DO you prefer to be--"

Coffee Zombie? Or Poor Life Choices?

[aw_hawkguy]

Clint gives her a look of reproach.

What do you call your me?

[red_room]

Natasha's fingers stutter.

"My Clint was sent to kill me. He made a different call. Then again, he also makes calls to jump off of buildings and taunt villains daily. He's affectionately both of those names, too. That's why I asked."

It's difficult to keep in mind that they are strangers, no matter how much he resembles her friend. She shouldn't even trust him.


"I take it you and I are not so close as to tease, in your world."

[aw_hawkguy]

"Well, I try, but you like to do that 'stoic Russian' thing. We've... got some kinda history, though. When I was starting out, she played me like a fiddle more'n once. Yay Cold War, huh?" Doesn't he seem a little young for that? "If it's a choice, I think I'd rather be Coffee Zombie. Heh, the zombie sign's fun."

[red_room]

Eh the Berlin wall didn't come down until '89 in her world, so that's not THAT long ago probably. She does think they're both a bit young for the hardcore cold war stories though.

"It can change as often as you'd like. I only picked this up for silent communication. That was before cell phones though."

[aw_hawkguy]

"Fair enough. Heh, coffee zombie--I think I've got next Halloween nailed down."