14292/A game of cat and mouse.

A game of cat and mouse.
Date of Scene:	08 April 2022
Location:	Skye's Brownstone, Greenwich Village
Synopsis:	A note from one of Skye's relatives kind of breaks the mood.
Cast of Characters:	Hawkeye (Barton), Quake, Phantasm (Drago)

---

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"Oh yeah, move that way," Clint says, as he stands by the garden table. "Yes, there. Kay, slowly, slowly..."

By that time, the neighbours learned long ago that whatever happened in the backyard of the Brownstone appartment shared by Skye Johnson and her boyfriend should be ignored. As much as possible, unless it is target shooting in the middle of the night.

Today is no different. For an hour or so already, there was yelling and shouting, not of the angry sort. But definitely of the frustrated kind.

The fact is that, upon returning, the cats Wade and Grant had been brooding and, accordingly, ignored. But when Skye and Clint decided to enjoy a bit of sun in the backyard, the damned cats ran outside. And who knows where they could go from there.

So the chase has begun. Grant had been captured and sent inside, but Ward is still escaping his owners.

Quake has posed:
"You realize that he's black."

A problem in a well lit yard but as they looked the sun was going down.. down.. and down until they had shadow at the best of times and blackness for the rest.

Skye shakes her head. "Why did I adopt a black cat again?"

A flash of black ran across her feet and scurried under some bushes.

"Fuck."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Unaware of the issues currently plaguing Skye and Clint. A certain rockstar reaches the front door of the residence. In one hand, a black cartoned six pack with white lettering advertising the Stout of choice. Seeing the letter plastered on the door, Nick takes a moment to read what it says. A curious glance is given to the home before he carefully makes his way in. Making sure to not let the cat out through the front door. Once the door is latched, Nick hangs out near the entry way. "Skye?" He calls out, "Clint?"

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"Yes, why did you adopt it?!" Clint replies, diving behind the bushes, hoping against all hopes that he's faster than a cat!

Of course, the archer is agile, but not in the same league as a frustrated feline. After a moment, Clint returns, dead leaves over his shorts and t-shirt, but catless. "I'll get my net-arrow," he groans, not sure if Skye will allow it. At the back of the backyard, a home-made shooting range has been built, with a large round target at the end. There are a few arrows, two bows and a quiver on a small table nearby.

It is unlikely that the archer heard Nick, what with his recently bruised hearing. But Skye cannot have missed hearing their friend.

Quake has posed:
"Ha ha ha, very funny. You know why I adopted him." And it wasn't his looking like the actual Ward. "He was in the plane when left. And besides we never did find out the coordinates on his tags. Did you get him?"

Fat chance, Skye.

"I swear he was just in there two seconds ago!"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Well, Clint may not have heard Nick. But with the raised voice and one less wall blocking it, Nick heard something. Stepping a bit further in, he pauses as he comes to the door to the backyard. He glances down, making sure the indoor kitty is nowhere around before he opens the door to the backyard. Only for a black blur to run by. "SH-" The door slams shut again with Nick still on the inside.

Okay.

They have TWO cats.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
A flash of black running in the apparment as the door momentarily opens and closes is enough to catch the archer's attention. Brushing the dead leaves off his clothes, Clint walks to the door, opening it carefully, just enough to see Nick inside.

A large smile on his face, the archer opens the door, enough for Nick to step outside. "Quick!" he laughs, "Else, we'll be chasing the monsters for another hour!"

Once Nick escapes the cats, Clint closes the door then turns to Skye, "Hey Keyboard, all's under control. Geez, Nick here saved the day. Again."

As it starts to be dark outside, solar outdoor lamps provide just enough light around. Perfect setting for relaxing.

Quake has posed:
Skye frowns as Clint discovers where the cat has gone. "Figures." And then louder, "Don't let him out again! Stupid cat. I swear he does that on purpose."

Getting her hands a quick brush off on her pants she stepped up on the porch. "Nice to see you Nick. And beer! You can really stay with that! " Even though she knows that Clint doesn't drink anymore. "Of course someone will need to go back inside and get some soda pop and chips?"

She thinks it will be her this time - especially as Clint had looked underneath the bushes.

"Any preference?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick turns his head, watching the little blur of shadow scoot off to the back room. When the door opens and Clint ushers him to rush through the doorway, Nick complies. Scooting over to the other side he looks back to the door as it slams shut.

Hearing Clint talk to Skye, he looks over in the dark to the code cracker and nods in greeting. "Hey. Thanks for the invite." He holds up the six pack in confirmation as Skye draws attention to the presence of it.

The mention of getting the soda and chips does cause for Nick to glance back to the door.

Godda-

He finds a place to set the six pack down. "So...How likely is it that they get out if we open that door again?"

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"If Skye goes in, chances are they will behave, hoping for some cat treats in return," Clint replies as he pulls a garden chair for Nick, before sitting down on one next to it. So yes, Skye will get the goodies. "Classic soda-like," he says, grinning at the female agent, "Not that banana-grape or orange-raspberry poison."

Turning to Nick, the archer still sports this smile of his as he says, "I'm glad you dropped by. Then you can see that we aren't fighting and training 24/7, sometimes we even have time to relax." He then notices the note that Nick found on the door. "Don't tell me you've just signed your contract?" He's not mentioning SHIELD since, well, since they aren't in a secure location.

Quake has posed:
"You bet they'll behave! I swear this was all because.. *someone*.. is jealous with Clint being around." Skye approaches the door and yells, "You better behave! Or no treats!"

Gosh she hopes there were some extra in the package! Or else she would be in trouble.

Thankfully there were!

Besides the pop, she grabbed chips and dip. "Huh, did you say he was contemplating joining? You didn't do too bad you know. Considering it was a Bucky special. Not the usual."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick nods, looking to the chair being pulled up for him. Taken the unspoken invite to sit, he accepts. Clint is rewarded with a brow raise as he inquires about the note. "Contract?" Nick repeats, "What ar-"

Oh right, the paper. "Oh thi-No, this was on your front door. Thought I'd bring it into you guys." He hands the note over to Clint, "Sorry, cats distracted me."

He glances to the back door as Skye mentioning joining. "-I'm not contemplating any such thing." Nick replies, "I got other obligations to tend to after you guys finish up with all the added bullshit you guys dug up when looking into that other bullshit."

Obscure much?

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
The archer laughs at the secret bullshit stuff, as he takes the note. "Seriously, Nick," he says, "In the end, it'll be your choice. We joke and all, but it ain't a job you should accept to do if you don't feel like doing it."

Which is true, no one should risk their life lightly, no matter how well protected, it's a dangerous gig. Not /all/ agents were real volunteers, some had been /volunteered/, but this isn't Nick's case as far as the archer knows.

Looking at the note handed to him, Clint examines it for a moment. It's a simple piece of paper folded in two, with one word written on it, while a short text appears on the other side. "Chuju," he reads, shrugging. "Don't know anyone of that name. Do you, guys? The note seems to be Chinese, I can't read it."

He then places the note on the table, taking the soda that Skye brought him. "Ah! Good ol' cola, thanks Skye." He then proceeds to open the bag of chips, silently inviting Nick to help himself with the snack.

Quake has posed:
"Your loss!" Skye chuckles as she makes certain she had made the door closed. Grant and Ward ignored everything about the outdoors now that they had treats.

Actually she knows what a horrible job that the agents had. Especially the deeper they became. They didn't have retirement plans; instead they often fanticized what their favourite death would be.. But that was the upper Agents.

With the word that Clint was trying to say, she blanched. "It's two words, with equal emphasis. Chu ju." If you put the emphasis on the first syllable it becomes fear. "Nobody calls me that."

And in Mandarin?

Except..

..her mother?

"It means Daisy."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick grows quiet at Clint's laugh, listening to the response. His posture shifts, seemingly melting to a more relaxed position. Good God, when did he tense up?

Pale eyes look over to the sheet of paper in Clint's hand, listening to the archer's assessment of the writing. Nick shakes his head regarding being able to read it and picks up a beer. "The only words I can read in Chinese are the ones indicating where the restrooms and exits are." He pauses, resting a hand on the cap before lifting it off the bottle, "Speaking...enough to order food. Working on the various 'excuse me' and 'pardon's." He pauses, "Come to think of it I haven't seen Yaozu around for a bit. Is he on vacation?"

Nick glances over to Skye as she speaks up, getting a bit of a mini chinese lesson from her. "...Daisy?"

How odd.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
For a moment, Clint considers drinking a beer instead of a soda, before settling on the soft drink. If he started drinking everytime he became anxious, this wouldn't lead in the right direction.

Glancing over at Skye as she reads the note - obviously, she can read Chinese - the archer frowns lightly out of concern, "Skye's first name," he provides, "I don't know any word of Chinese," he grins, although the grin is forced. "Some people know that Skye can read it, and well, I guess they decided to write her a note."

The /some people/ references to her Mother, and since this part of her file and past is not common knowledge, even within SHIELD, Clint doesn't say more about it. It's up to her to decide how much she wants to share.

"Bad news?" Clint simply asks her, his mind racing as he wonders what Skye's mother is up to.

Quake has posed:
Skye nods to Nick. "It was my parents name for me. It was the only thing I held onto throughout my childhood. When I decided that my past was in the past, I changed it to Skye." She gives a bitter little laugh. "Figures, I was done hoping that they would come and rescue me the way I had dreamed of since I was an orphan. You know, a nice couple that was horribly lied to and learned the truth? That one."

"It wasn't true. My father helped Hydra to capture me to get me and try to get my mother. He was really.. really strong. As strong as.. I don't know.. say Hulk. And my mother was an alien with superpowers. Regeneration. Hydra had her as a prisoner for a long time, trying to get the secrets about her powers."

Apparently, she has learned a lot since then. And this gave a wee little look as to why Skye didn't like Hydra. (It doesn't scratch the surface though. Not a bit.)

Checking out the note, it read:

~Thirty years ago I was expecting my daughter into this world. Thirty years later, I am expecting to meet her again. Do not look for me, I will find you, just as this note did. Until then, be well.~

No signature.

"What does she mean? My birthday is still a long while off??"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick quietly watches Skye as she provides an explanation to the name. When the story twists to her father's helping Hydra, the hand holding the beer lowers, setting the opened bottle down.

"...That doesn't make sense." Nick grumbles, "Did he know that they had her when he did his bullshit?"

Someone work with him on his vague terminology. Please.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Clint frowns a little more, glancing around to make sure there isn't anyone within earshot. Reassured that there isn't anyone - that he can see anyway - his voice is kept just about a whisper when he talks.

"Skye's family is so fucked up," he states, "And this is an understatement." And while she provided much more information than he expected, he's not adding anything about her parents.

"Skye has been looking for her mother for a long time," he explains to Nick, "We could never locate her. Heck, I guess all this time she knew where her daughter was."

Sighing, Clint then downs the soda, as if it was a real good cold one. Glancing over at Nick, he raises an eyebrow, "And I trust this will remain between us," he says, "If her mother plans to meet Skye, there is no saying how it can go. And if it can be prevented in the first place. She's /that/ powerful."

Quake has posed:
"Did my father know?" Skye laughs. "Good lord. How do I answer that?"

She takes a breath. "Yes, he knew. But he thought he would trick them and something before they got to me. Listen, there's a whole lot more backstory than this. Hydra was ultimately why my family broke up. My mother and father tried to hide me, and fight against Hydra."

"No go. Hydra managed to get my mother. My father though.. Oh who knows what he thought. He thought was dead and set out to get my mother back. It was a mess. The only reason I was found was SHIELD came. And eventually they decided was the best way to hide me from Hydra, and to lose me in the foster care system."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick looks over to Clint, turning his head to better hear what the near deaf man's concept of whispering is.

Hint. It's still whispering.

The musician gives the slightest of nod of agreement to the level of fuckitude being attributed to those who sprouted a Daisy.

Nick sighs, reaching over to pick up the beer again, "I'm aware of screwed up families." He admits, looking over to Skye. Still. Damn. "And it's not like you're doing this on your own, so-"

He gives a shrug before taking a swig of the dark beer.

Besides, it's not like Bucky shares everything he knows about him.

...

Well, not EVERYTHING.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
And then Clint stands, looking around, his eyes resting on the bows on the table by the target. It's a few paces, and then he grabs one of the bows, toying with the string. Those who know him the most know that the archer instinctively reaches for his bow when stressed or anxious. At this very moment, he's both.

Bow and quiver in hand, the archer returns to the garden table, but does not sit down.

"Alright, she knows where we live," he states, "Then we'll move. Skye, it might be best to stay at the Trisk for the time being." And there, he is in defensive mode. "We'll have the team analyze the note, see what they can find."

There is only one important question he's not asking, maybe he's afraid of the answer. Does Skye /want/ to meet her mother?

Quake has posed:
"I'll spare you the rest."

God lord there's more?!? (Hint: There is more. Waaaay more.)

Clint is looked at. "Fuck. You do know why I prefer to do the bulk of the internet trolling from here. Right?" SHIELD was pretty much impenetrable. Skye was even more so. But he's got a point..

"I.. I don't know. She could have taken me easily if she could put that note on the door. I don't want to live as a prisoner."

Funny that she would be saying that in front of Nick.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
The musician frowns at the word usage. "Hmm." Nick considers the two. "I have an apartment in the Baxter Building if you'd rather stay there..." He brings up, "Building's pet friendly too. Though there's just one bed. Pizza place on the lobby level's pretty good too. Worth sneaking out for."

Just don't do it when Lex Luthor just HAPPENS to wandering around down there doing photo ops.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
For a moment, the archer looks at Nick, visibly considering the offered option. The young man might not grasp the scope of Skye's mother power and powers. Still, he's not saying no.

"Thanks, Nick. We'll have to consider all the options," he then says, "Wherever her mother wants to gain access to, she will. Maybe the Trisk could keep her at bay, for a time.

Then he nods at Skye, she has a point. "Yeah, if she wanted to see you, it'd be done already. I mean, she could have this place raided in no time. Which is puzzling. Maybe she really just wants to meet you, like hug you, have a drink, chat and say goodnight?"

Quake has posed:
Skye has nothing more to say, except, "She has been hiding for years. Waiting. Whatever she's planning on I think I have to wait until she's ready."

And with that, "I think I need to have some peace while I figure this out. Glad you made it Nick."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Getting a general sense from the discussion around the note. Nick ends up downing much of the beer in minimal amounts of sips. There's no attempt to help himself to a second one as his finger taps the side of the now empty one in his hand.

And then the dismissal arrives. Nick's lips rest into a thin lineas he tilts his head down, slowly rising it for a drawn out nod. Yep. That's his cue. He starts to get up. "Well, thanks for inviting. And uh- good luck with-" He pauses, "Your mother. If you do want to use the apartment, you know where I'll probably be."

He looks over to the back door, just knowing those damn cats are on the other side of the door, just waiting.

Ok so deal with the cats or...

He runs over to the fence, leaping up and planting his hands upon the top of it. With a quick grunt, he leverages himself over the wall. Landing in a crouched position to soften the impact, he straightens himself out and heads off.

Without the rest of his beers. Dammit!

...Well there's always the pizza place he talked about.