12667/Assembling

Assembling
Date of Scene:	21 January 2021
Location:	Library, Avengers Mansion
Synopsis:	Sam and Athena cross paths in the library. Discussion of philosophy and aerial combat.
Cast of Characters:	Athena, Falcon

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Athena has posed:
It's been a little while now that the Avengers have recruited a new member to their ranks. She goes by 'Athena', and by all accounts the woman is THAT Athena in the same way that Thor is THAT Thor. Her proof? Rumor has it that she bested Stark 2 out of 3 in Galaga. Impressive, right?

Right now, the Goddess of Wisdom and War is sitting in the Mansion Library. A cup of coffee nearby, she casually flips through a stack of recent periodicals; notably Newsweek and Time magazine. Dressed in a flowing green dress, her sandaled feet are stretched out and crossed at the ankles.

Falcon has posed:
Having a quiet day, for once, Sam has opted to hang out at the mansion for a while. He'd previously been on one of the computers, taking the opportunity to practice his video gaming skills, but having grown tired of that he's decided to take a break from the digital in favor of something analog. His path takes him first into the kitchen, to grab a sports drink and a sandwich, then into the library. Upon finding someone already in there he smiles and greet them, "Hey. How's it going?" The plate and bottle are carried over to a table and placed down upon them.

Athena has posed:
Gray eyes flicker upward at the greeting, and Athena smiles. "Good morning, Sam Wilson." she replies. Yeah, she's already memorized photos and the roster. Isn't technology wonderful? She closes the magazine and sits up a little, tucking her feet under the chair. "You are the Falcon, correct? I'm Athena." The woman reaches for her coffee, then, taking a slow sip.

Falcon has posed:
"Good to meet you, Athena," Sam tells the god with a nod of his head. "Yeah, I'm the Falcon, but calling me Sam is fine." He moves to take his seat so that he can converse more comfortably, "How do you like being part of the team? Getting to do any Avenging lately or anything?" He smiles as he asks the questions.

Athena has posed:
Athena shrugs at the question, taking another sip before she answers. "I haven't seen any 'action' yet, if that's what you mean. I really just introduced myself to Mister Stark and offered my services to the team. Gods and Goddesses, whatever you may personally think of us, have a long history of watching events unfold while meddling behind the scenes. Manipulating people, guiding our followers, and the like. But this is truly the age of heroes. I felt it's time for more direct involvement."

Falcon has posed:
"Well, I'm glad you're on our side," Sam says with a grin. "Everybody could use a little more wisdom nowadays." He grabs his sports drink and spins open the lid so that he can have a drink, then sets the bottle back down. "There are certainly a lot of heroes out there. Villains, too. World's more exciting and dangerous than its ever been, probably. I'm just glad I get to do my part to keep things as safe for regular folks as possible."

Athena has posed:
Athena tilts her head at that, smiling as well. "Tony was expecting that I wanted to take over the team, I think. But that's not why I'm here. Not by a long shot." she replies. "As for offering wisdom... I do what I can. But it's been my experience that mortals are incredibly resistant to some thing." There's a sparkle in those gray eyes as she takes another sip of coffee. "So tell me about yourself, Sam. I've read your dossier, of course, but I'm curious for your perspective."

Falcon has posed:
Leaning back in his chair Sam thinks for a moment, "People can be really bad at taking advice if it clashes with their established viewpoints. I try not to be so hard headed, but I'm probably just as liable to forget how to listen as anyone else." Then he nods, "Well, I'm Air Force Pararescue. Deployed a bunch to get people out of hot spots. Got issued the wings at one point. Eventually I left the service to become a social worker so I could help people in a different way. After the big attack on New York I joined SHIELD and got the wings back and recently I joined the Avengers as well so I could keep putting good out into the world. I still do counseling, though now I do it SHIELD, usually group stuff."

Athena has posed:
"I agree, Sam. It's been my experience that people don't really want advice. What they want is for someone to agree with them and confirm their personal beliefs." Athena smiles, then. "Pilot-turned-social worker. A very good choice, and not too far from my OWN calling, I must say. What kind of Goddess of Wisdom would I be if I hoarded it all to myself, after all?"

Falcon has posed:
"I like the idea of old fashioned warriors being good at more than just combat, like Cyrano de Bergerac being a poet and philosopher and how samurai used to practice music and calligraphy," Sam chuckles a little bit at that. "There's so much out there, why limit yourself to just one thing?" Then he lifts his chin, "So Athena, if you had one piece of advice to give, especially something people usually ignore, what would it be?"

Athena has posed:
Athena lifts a brow at that. "Old fashioned...?" she echoes, mouth twitching a bit as if anticipating a challenge. "But yes, in many of the 'ancient' cultures warriors were also revered as poets. The passion is similar, after all. It's just a matter of how one chooses to express it." The goddess settles a little, then, re-crossing her ankles once those legs stretch out. "Plan for the future, but live in the moment." she declares.

Falcon has posed:
"Old fashioned is relative, I guess," Wilson says with a chuckle. "It's important to not be completely one sided. Everybody should have an outlet of some kind. Mine is helping people work through their issues. I learn a lot about myself that way, too." The advice is heard and Sam nods, "Good advice. Good advice. Hopefully I manage to do that, but only time will tell, right?"

Athena has posed:
Athena smiles at that, lifting a fingertip from the mug as well. "Likewise, it's good to learn from the past. But again, we must live in the present." Pause. Another sip. "I read that in a fortune cookie." Wink. "I really do want to train with the team sometime soon, Sam. And you, being a winged combatant, would be an excellent start. I can fly, of course."

Falcon has posed:
"Just let me know when you'd like to," Sam says regarding the training. "If I'm not on mission or in a counseling session I'm at the gym or I'm training, myself. Gotta stay on top of things if I'm going to keep running with the Avengers, after all." Then he chuckles a bit, "Be good to train with another flyer. Keep me on my toes while I'm up in the air."

Athena has posed:
Athena doesn't need the gym, of course, but she nods in agreement. "You are well-versed in modern aerial combat tactics, of course. I would enjoy the challenge." she replies. "I do prefer to fight up-close, where you can smell your opponent's sweat and feel spray of their blood." Just because she lacks Ares' bloodlust doesn't mean she doesn't appreciate the nuances of personal combat, of course.

Falcon has posed:
"Depending on who I'm up against determines what sort of tactics I use," Sam says with a nod. "I'd probably try to keep someone like you at a distance, wear you down with missiles if I could. If you're as strong as I think you are, and as good in hand to hand combat, I'd be nuts to try to engage you with my fists." There's a little chuckle, "Though in training it would be a lot of fun and damn good practice."

Athena has posed:
Athena considers, nodding slowly at Sam's assessment. One hand lowers to her side while she sits, and when she raises it up again she's holding a heavy, ornate shield with a Medusa's head. "This is Aegis." she declares, hefting it lightly with one hand. "Your missiles would be well-intended, but of minimal effect. You are probably faster than I am in the air, so keep your speed up. I would tear you apart in a turning battle." The woman smiles, then adds. "And watch for thrown spears."

Falcon has posed:
"Nice shield!" Sam exclaims when he gets a look at it. "That thing is bad ass! Is that the one Perseus used?" Then he nods his head, "I'd need to be as quick as I could be to try to outfly you, I'm guessing." That's when his phone buzzes, "Excuse me." Wilson stands up to take the mobile device out of his pocket, "Crap. I gotta fly. Good talking to you, Athena, but I've got a Quinjet to catch back at the other base. You take care of yourself, we'll do some aerial sparring soon. Just catch me on the Avengers comms." Then he's headed for the door.

Athena has posed:
Athena nods, then, as Sam look at his phone and then rises. "The very same." she replies, on the question of Perseus. "You know your history, Sam. It's been a pleasure for me as well." As he heads for the door she sets down her coffee and also rises. And somewhere in that motion, the shield disappears. Once he's out the door she adds to herself. "I look forward to it."