12332/Conducting Research

Conducting Research
Date of Scene:	12 October 2020
Location:	New York Public Library
Synopsis:	Clint meets a soothsayer and embarks upon a quest! Sort of.
Cast of Characters:	Hawkeye (Barton), Athena

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Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Late in the day, there aren't many readers in the Rose Main Reference Room of the New York Public Library. Sounds of people using their laptops can be heard in the background, a few hushed voices, and that's about it when it comes to noise.

Not all the readers are using a keyboard. Clint Barton, for one, prefers to use the good old block note and pen. Witha large book open in front of him on the large oak table where he is sitting, he keeps writing down notes as he peruses its yellowed pages. Around on the table can be seen a scattered assortiment of old looking books ranging from *The Odyssey of Gilgamesh*, Dante's *Divine Comedy*, to a large ancient Bible, Ancient mythology encyclopedia and the oh so necessary Oxford English Dictionary.

After a moment, Clint closes the large book. Eyes closed, he then takes a moment to stretch his strong arms, sighing. Bored. And probably with a powerful headache from reading all these old books.

Athena has posed:
As the Goddess of War, Athena likes to keep tabs on Earth's more prominent warriors whenever she visits. That usually includes a number of the Avengers team, of course, which makes New York a very convenient place as a base of operations.

A few moments after Clint closes his eyes and stretches he hears the sound of a woman's voice speaking in low tones. "That's quite an eclectic collection you have, there." she offers.

The woman is medium height and a bit on the round side. Large, thick-framed glasses cover brown eyes, her attire a mixture of woolen browns and tweed. She's carrying a large book as well, and smiles.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
If he's startled by the voice, Clint doesn't show any sign of surprise. It figures, that the only time he closes his eyes for a moment, something would happen. When he opens his eyes, the smile on his face clearly indicates that the /something/ is someone, and a rather nice looking woman at that.

"Yeah, and trust me, that's only part of what I'm subjectin' myself to read," Clint replies, offering a tired smile. With an inviting gesture of the hand, Clint points to an empty chair across the table.

"I sure could take a break," he says, keeping his voice to a low and acceptable level for the library.

Athena has posed:
The blonde-haired woman's smile widens and she slides into the offered chair before setting her book down. It's Homer, the Iliad and the Odyssey. "I'm sure." she replies, looking over the books on the table. "You're missing 'War and Peace', of course. But you sound like this isn't something you do for enjoyment."

There's a small pause, then the woman extends a slender hand with efficient nails. "I'm Mildred Minerva, but please call me Milly."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Smiling, Clint shakes the woman's hand. Years of archery made his hand a bit on the strong and calloused side. A real blue-collar hand if any, one that you'd rarely find in a Rare Books section of a library.

"I'm Clint, pleased to meet you, Milly" he replies, smiling. Yes, a nice distraction for an overdue break.

"Naw, no War and Peace for me," he replies, glancing over the old and smelly books. "I'm researching... hrm, well..." he hesitates, as if his topic of interest sounded too weird to be revealed. But heck, people research all kind of things and this place is full of weirdos anyway. Then, chuckling at the very nature of his research, he says, "The Underworld. And ye're right, no enjoyment in that!"

Athena has posed:
Milly's grip is firm and confident, her smile bright and professional. "Nice to meet you, Clint." she replies. "The Underworld? Actually it's a fascinating place, depending on which version of it you subscribe to." Milly chuckles softly, then adds. "I'm a Professor of Ancient History at NYU, currently on sabbatical. I also know a few things about ancient religions."

The woman nudges Homer's work a little closer, then. "The Greeks, for example, believed that the gods were real enough to actively interfere in the affairs of mortals. And their version of the Underworld is somewhat problematic to reach." The blonde pauses, then asks. "You're not planning to visit, are you?"

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Oh wow. That's your lucky day, Barton. A Professor of Ancient History! Forget about the bloody books, this woman might just be what you were looking for! The excitment on Clint's face is visible, as he leans over, as if to not miss a single word from her.

"Yeah, I read of the Greek's conception of Hell, or Hades and Tartarus in their case," he replies. Yes, he /did/ read a lot. "And since Asgard exists, I don't see why the Greek gods would not. I've seen weirder things, trust me."

But her question about visiting sounds eery to him, coinciding exactly with what he's actually researching. Might as well turn on the investigating mode and get as much information as possible.

"Actually," Clint says, almost matter of factly, "Yes, plannin' a road trip to Hell. With all the versions of Hell existing, there must be many doors or gates... and guardians. I don't think Hades would be very welcoming host. From what I've read, he doesn't get to have many visitors." He stops there, ready to hear her laugh at his statement about wanting to visit Hell.

Athena has posed:
Milly's eyes brighten and her smile becomes knowing. "I'm sure that you have seen quite a few unusual things. Hawkeye." she replies, casually dropping the name. The professor adjusts her glasses, then, settling back comfortably in her chair. "Hades is not, in fact, fond of visitors, and he takes great pains to protect his privacy. If you read the legends."

Elbows resting on the chair arms, she steeples her fingertips together and regards him more closely, then. "But I somehow don't think that you are ready to leave this world and move on to the next. You have lived through far too many things."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
There you go, instincts were right to be alerted. Not to the point of expecting her to know Clint's Avenger identity. The only visible reaction from the archer is to lean back against the chair, taking a moment to study Milly carefully. She's no immediate threat, and dang, his sportbag had to be deposited in a locker. Bloody libraries, one more reason to hate them.

"Who are you?" he asks, narrowing his eyes. "And I never said a one way trip, just visiting an acquaintance." It's doubtless he will divulge any more of his plans without knowing exactly who Milly is.

Athena has posed:
One of the things about being the Goddess of Wisdom is having a VERY complete knowledge of non-technical sciences. Things like Psychology, Sociology, and reading people in general. "I told you who I am, Mister Barton." she replies, brown eyes becoming a little brighter. "I'm a college professor who watches the news and has a thing for heroes. But it's nothing creepy like lurking outside your window, I promise you."

"In any case, we're in a library and both unarmed, so I'm no threat to someone of your skill." Her smile becomes a little more coy, then. "You wish to visit someone in the Underworld? Then I suggest you do your reading, for there are very, very few who have done so and returned. Perhaps you should even talk with Hercules."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Despite her explanation, Clint remains on the defensive. He's no Thor or Stark, and frankly, no one stops him on the street for an authograph. Of all the Avengers, he's probably the less known of them. In any case, Milly might be helpful for his quest, so Clint decides to get the best of the encounter.

Eyes not leaving hers, Clint thinks for a moment before replying.

"Can't get a hold of him," he says about Hercules, "Asgard /has/ Hell, but Thor wasn't talkative 'bout it. So far, the best lead I've got is a strange offer of a deal to visit Hell."

The archer pauses, then adds, "But frankly, would you risk your soul, in order to fix it?"

Athena has posed:
Milly meets his gaze evenly, perhaps a bit TOO evenly, as he replies. "As you said earlier, every religion and pantheon has its own version of Hell. But Asgard *is* a real place, so faith will only take you so far in your journey." Blonde brows raises over the thick-frame glasses, then.

"The real question is whether you would enter Hell if you could do so without risking your soul." she replies. "Personally, I would be wary of anyone offering deals to visit the Underworld. Historically speaking, they seldom have a happy ending."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
True words of wisdom, indeed. And that's exactly why Clint didn't accept the offer presented to him. He might not be a god nor a scholar, but he's rather of the surviving type, and intent on remaining on that list.

"Exactly. And the woman at Club Mjolnir - Elle - seemed legit, she knows common acquaintances of mine. But her deal... hrm, not ready to take her up on the offer," he replies, "Even if I did, I'm not sure I can do it alone, but sure thing is, I'm not gonna risk anyone else's life," he states in a voice filled with determination.

But then, if it turns out that he can't visit Hell, the problem will remain and most likely get worse.

"I guess it's only human nature to try to fix mistakes," he says, looking away for a moment, probably lost in memories, "A man can only do what he thinks must be done, and do whatever he can to achieve his goals. Should he go as far as to die for it? That's the question. I have a bow, a heart, a soul - I guess - and the conviction that my goal is honorable. Though that might not be enough."

Athena has posed:
Milly's head tilts a little at the mention of Club Mjolnir, and her smile twitches into a little smirk at the mention of 'Elle'. "Good. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." she replies. "Deals to get into Hell usually involve one's soul, which is a very valuable commodity in certain circles."

"May I ask, Mister Barton... Clint... what you seek to resolve by visiting the Underworld? While there is benefit in learning from the past, we must also learn to accept what has happened and live in the present. Certain cultures place a high value on honor, while others will tell you that it is a luxury that few can truly afford."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Clint looks over at the many books on the table, time to think, time to evaluate the risks and gains of such a foolish quest. Only one person knows of his real goal. It's not something you reveal lightly, it's more like something you feel kind of ashamed of, that you keep from your family and friends. Talking to a stranger, they say, might do the trick and ease off the weight of the unsaid.

It takes a moment, like suspended in time, before Clint finally replies, not quite sure why he does. But heck, it feels good in a way, to reveal the nature of his quest.

"My dad is in Hell," he states, matter of factly. "Oh he deserves to be there and to remain there." Quite convinced of it, it seems. "I never got a chance to forgive him for all he did," which Clint doesn't divulge, "Now I'm at a point where I can forgive him. But what's the point, if he doesn't hear it? You can't honor someone's memory, if you can't first forgive them."

Athena has posed:
Milly keeps her fingertips steepled together, her smile softening a little with the admission. "So this is a personal quest of yours, then." she replies, perhaps a big curiously. "And you don't really need to VISIT him in Hell, but simply to communicate with him."

A technicality, to be sure, but an important one to consider.

"Visiting the Underworld is fraught with problems and peril. Communicating with those who have passed is something else entirely." She gestures casually with one hand, then. "Granted, you run different risks in the form of cons and charlatans, gypsies, tramps and thieves. But it is a much more acceptable level of risk, I would think."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Clint smiles at this, something said about cons and charlatans changing his mood to a lighter one. They all warned him about the same, to be wary of scammers.

"As personal as it can get, yes ma'am," he replies, grinning. "I'm that kind of guy, who prefers to talk directly to people, face to face. Directly and truly."

And then he leans forward again, maybe feeling more at ease with Milly.

"Yes, I've tried a seance," he confides, "T'was interesting, weird thing happened, but no direct communication possible. Hopefully, no doozy from Hell stayed behind. I dunno about no other ways, do you?"

Mental note. He'd have to check on Willow to make sure she's alright.

Athena has posed:
Mildred leans forward in her chair as well, resting both elbows on the table. "A seance?" she replies, upper lip twitching. "Were there no ouija boards available?" Her expression returns becomes a little more serious, then. "No disrespect intended, but these forces do not respond to commands like a television remote."

"There may be other means to accomplish what you seek, Clint. Means that do not require sacrifices that you will later regret. You simply need to find someone with the right skillset and connections."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Clint narrows his eyes, not taking lightly to be made fun of. But she wasn't really laughing at him after all, so the archer relaxes. Among the things he mentioned he had, he forgot to mention a large ego.

"Like whom? Doc Strange?" he asks, visibly interested. Of course he's interested in other options, dying in Hell ain't really on his list of Top 10 To-Do before dying.

"So far, really, I think I looked at all available options I've heard of."

Athena has posed:
Is she testing him? Athena... Milly... definitely notes his reaction, however slight it may be. "Again, I meant no disrespect. But you could certainly do worse than Sorcerer Supreme, if you know how to find him." the woman replies. "There are certainly others, of course."

Milly regards him more closely, then. "Would you be interested in learning more? Discovering a pathway to speak to your departed father? Embarking upon a journey as even Odysseus?"

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Another name to mentally take note of. It is becoming a real life quest, but his determination doesn't falter. You can't gain your place among the Avengers with blood and sweat without a /lot/ of resolve to boot.

There, another offer. Like he said, he's open to all options, especially those of the kind that don't involve eternal torture or slow and painful death.

"Well, depends," he says, offering a grin in return, still careful about accepting without reading the small scripts first, "If I recall, he came back, but t'was a heck of a long trip. As long as it doesn't involve dying, I'm all ears. What do you have in mind?"

Athena has posed:
"Odysseus didn't die, although every single one of his companions perished along his journey. He was the most cunning of the Greeks at the battles for Troy, and yet a single offense against Poseidon nearly cost him all that was dear." Milly speaks as a historian, although in this case Athena was actually there.

"Would you feel comforted or wary if I were to offer you vague bits of prophecy, such as 'You will find great treasure, though you will not find the treasure you seek'. Such is the providence of stories and even modern film."

"I did not have a specific offer or path in mind, Clint. But I would be willing to guide you along such a journey, such as I may."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
It really sounds like a challenge, and Hawkeye is not one to back off from any challenge. Not to mention, it offers some intriguing aspects that are quite enticing.

A smile slowly creeps on his face as an obvious sign that he's up to the challenge.

"If you presented me that prophecy," he says, as if answering a test, "I'd say that the real treasure, is not to find what you are looking for, but to appreciate what you find, no matter what."

With a decided nod, he adds, "I'm in." He hesitates just for a second, "And I guess it has to remain between us, right?"

Athena has posed:
Mildred clucks her tongue softly, mirth in those brown eyes. "Truly, Mister Barton, you are already on the path to Wisdom." she replies almost wryly. "I would hardly consider myself to be a soothsayer, but there is never any harm in sharing a prophecy... or guidance... with others. The trick is what *you* choose to make of it."

When he agrees, her smile broadens once more. "Excellent. We will meet again, Clint, to discuss a plan of action. And I can almost certainly promise that no cyclops will be involved."