14309/Foot In Mouth Syndrome Sufferers Unite

Foot In Mouth Syndrome Sufferers Unite
Date of Scene:	13 April 2022
Location:	Suite G1 Guest, The Triskelion
Synopsis:	Clint comes by to tell Nick he's not going to get tortured. Nick offers him tea.
Cast of Characters:	Hawkeye (Barton), Phantasm (Drago)

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Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
There's a light knock at the door of Nick's room. The archer hadn't seen Nick much around since their last chat at the Food Court, so he decided to drop by and see if everything's fine with the /guest/.

Clint Barton waits at the door, in the Triskelion corridor where the guest rooms are located. His regular workday - which usually consists of training and practice - being over, he traded the tactical outfit for jeans and T-shirt. Slung over his shoulder is his sport bag, while he carries a six-pack of beer in his right hand - a remnant of the piece offering used with the snipers. Before heading home, the archer had decided to stop by at Nick's suite.

"Nick, you there?" He waits for an answer, although he had already decided that he would not insist.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Hearing the knock, Nick sets a mug down upon the kitchen counter and walks over to the door quietly. Hearing Clint's voice, the musician, frowns. But, he opens the door, looking to archer through the gap. The tired eyes consider the man and then the percieved peace offering in hand. A sigh is given before Nick pushes the door open futher. With a two fingered gesture he invites Clint inside. Closing the door once the visitor's fully inside.

Guest room is a bit of an understatement. While technically not a residential suite, they are similarly furnished. And when one has spent months staying in a guest suite. There's the gradual moving in of some personal stuff to make said stay a bit more comfortable.

The first thing of notice would be in the kitchen area. There is a slow cooker set up there and judging from the mouth watering smells coming from it, it is currently in use. A plate with a ladle resting on top is situated near the cooker.

Judging from the ajar door of the office space, there's the hint of several instruments set up inside. Closest to the door, a violin rests on a small stand. The face of the string instrument simply stares back out of the room to the rest of the area.

The rest of the main area seems pretty clean. But then again there are bedrooms that have the door closed. Most likely the real mess is behind one of those doors.

Nick walks back to the counter, grabbing his mug. "Yes?"

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
And the door opened, and he was invited in. By the look of it, Nick doesn't really want to see him, which mirrors him not really wanting to be here.

As he steps in, the archer is assaulted by a very nice smell, most certainly coming from the slow cooker. Glancing around, it's clear that Nick was about to eat dinner. Which is very good timing indeed, for this will be a good reason for Clint not to stay longer than he needs.

"Well, you're making it homey in here," the archer comments as he walks toward the kitchen corner. He places the six-pack on the counter, patting it as he says, "Left over from the snipers' peace offering, I thought you might like it. Or keep it for Bucky." There, what worked with the snipers might work with Nick. "Beef stew?" he guesses, raising an eyebrow.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick sips his drink allowing for Clint to have the floor. Although it's a brief posession. The mug lowers, Eyes glancing to the beer Clint sets down and then to the slow cooker as Clint inquires. He shifts over, allowing Clint a better view of the cooker since that seems to be a point of interest for the guest. Also there's a matter of moving the beers to the fridge for later. Never know when someone's going to want one.

"Yes," Nick replies, setting the mug on the area of counter where he removes the beers. "Want some?" The fridge door is opened, "There's going to be leftovers either way."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
The archer glances at the slow cooker for a moment, before stepping back, shaking his head, "Naw, thanks. I must go get a pizza later." While he could have some stew, there's something about the way he mentions "getting a pizza" that seems loaded with a subscript. Which the archer doesn't explain.

"So hey, you look well here, considering." Considering what? There's a lot on Clint's mind, after reading everything - and boy was there a lot - of reports on Nick Drago. Damn, Barnes even made a presentation? Really, SHIELD is turning its fighters into pen-pushers!

"Anyway, just dropped by to tell you, this thing about interrogation and torture, I was pulling your leg." He pauses, then adds, "That crap is reserved for those on the paylist."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
A brow lifts at the mention of having to get a pizza instead of partaking in the food being offered right now. He leans in, sliding the bottles onto one of the shelves. "Oh. Work bullshit."

He seems to like using that word a lot.

Giving a shrug, he straightens up and closes the fridge door. "Well, Could offer you some tea I guess. Water's still hot in the kettle."

He moves back over to the area of the counter where his mug is located, picking it up before turning to look to Clint. The phrasing Clint does about looking well gets a puzzled look before there is mention about the interrogation and torture thing.

"...Oh that." Nick murmurs, "Yeah I figured that was a joke. It just wasn't funny." He glances to the door quietly and then back to Clint, "So...That's why you came over?"

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"Yeah, work bullshit," the archer agrees, and yet he doesn't explain the meaning - if any - of getting a pizza. At the mention of tea, Clint makes a face. No need to be a behaviour specialist to know right away that tea isn't the archer's cuppa.

Leaving the kitchen area, Clint steps into the living room space, where he leans against the back of the couch, legs crossed at the ankles. Looking at Nick, he shrugs.

"If I was paid to be funny, I'd be filing for bankruptcy," he says. "You weren't seen much around lately," he then explains, "So I thought I'd play mother hen and check on you. After all, we're supposed to protect you. Everything's OK?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Clint's expression is recieved, processed, and filed away. Ok minimal maintenance guest it is. With Clint walking out of the kitchen area, Nick takes a few steps to follow, keeping the other half of the conversation at least within sight. He doesn't get anything to lean against.

His head tilts, somewhat reminiscient of the raven form that once perched upon Clint's shoulder. There is a whole-hearted nod to the bankruptcy line which stops as the agent continues.

"I don't know..." Nick answers, "Are we talking like 'Ok' for me or 'Ok' for normal people? Because honestly, I've been on a different type of scale for a long time." He gives an apologetic look but tilts his head in the direction of the office. "I wasn't lying when I said I had practice to do. I'm a bit behind so..."

Nick brings his free hand up to rub the back of his neck, "I did use the Athletic area. But I usually go during the slow times."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
What is provided as a reason to be rarely seen around does make sense. Some sense anyway, for anyone who read the intel reports on Drago. "Yeah, I was more into the 'OK for you' line here. I mean, geez, after all you went through."

Following Nick's glance over at the office, the archer looks in the direction of the office where hints of musical instruments can be seen. Of course, Clint had noticed them right away while entering the room, used to automatically assess the surroundings.

"Reading Bucky's report was highly interesting. But I find that he went a bit high-level on some details." And here Nick will also realize that the archer isn't paid either as a psychologist. "Did you ever fight back the bullies when you were young? Didn't you have friends to give you a hand?"

This might sound like a strange question, coming from the left field, but maybe Clint has his own reason to ask it.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
When Clint specifies the scale of OK Nick's supposed to respond to the musician gives a half smile, "I'm getting back to that point. Music's pretty good therapy. The rock wall's fun too."

Nick glances to the office as Clint does but looks back when Clint leads to his next question. The smile fades. "Well, I kind of had to. No one else was helping. The first real friend I had was Rod and that was when I was eighteen. And through him I met Jack and Wade. But no. Nothing before that."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Clint nods at that, appreciatively, "It's good that you did," he states, "Never be a sitting duck. If you know who they are, why not go for some payback time, you ever thought of it?" At that, the archer pauses, silent for a moment as he looks away, maybe reminiscing about more personal events.

"Yes," he says, shrugging away images of the past and moving to a lighter topic, "Music tends to do that. If you stay here too long, you'll turn into the in-house musician, playing for the crowd during lunch time at the Food Court." Another example that he's not paid to be funny.

"Talking of which. Things don't seem to move quickly, that's the kind of operation that takes time to plan. Do you think you'll be able to stay here that long?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick frowns, considering the question. There's a bit of a pause as one could see him constructing his response. "Well- I got to the point where I could end most of what they started. Considering the age difference that should be embarassing." His expression lightens a bit, "And I made friends, moved out of the kitchen and got rich. So, considering that, what better payback is there than that?"

The smile dies away. "Uh, as for the staying here bit. Well- It is what it is. It's not just me that got affected and-" Nick frowns, "I don't know. I'm trying. Pissed off a lot of venues with the show cancellations. Pissed off a lot of fans. Pissed off a film studio and probably going to piss off the crew there if that project gets cancelled. At the very least Wade owns the label I'm signed with so I at least don't have to explain things to him. Although the rep from ARA is screaming his ear off."

Nick grimaces, "We're figuring out alternatives."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
A large smile appears on the archer's face as Nick describes the kind of payback he used against the bullies. "Not bad," he says, "Not bad at all, you really did well."

At that, Clint stands, and walks toward the door, not quite signifying his imminent departure, rather like someone who feels that the conversation might reach its end.

Turning to Nick, he wonders, "Any kind of virtual tour, unplugged session, you could do? Half price, and add some virtual perk to it for your fans? Y'know, this place," meaning the Triskelion, "Is full of high tech, surely they could give you a hand." Details on how this could be done are left aside, as obviously Nick would be best placed to plan such a musical event.

"I'm sure lots of people would help you, you've got some friends in here. Like Bucky. You've known him for a while, don't you? Surely he could give you a hand."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Clint's gradual move towards the door could also be considered a bit of a hint. But being Clint posed an interesting question, the musician turns. Nick's eyes follow the archer, "Something to consider- a virtual concert was considered but that'd still take some planning. Also the matter of where...and if that would screw with what was being planned here. On the bright side the office is already sound proofed so, I might be able to adapt that for session work or concept recordings."

Well, once he gets the equipment for that.

"Still not sure what story to spin to explain the absense. Although, if we leave that alone, the tabloids will probably just assume rehab."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"Rehab, or illness. I'm sure the tabloids can come up with something, and everything," Clint laughs lightly at that. "I guess it comes with fame."

At that point, the archer has his hand on the doorknob. "It doesn't have to be a tour. You could offer private recordings, one song, one grand donated to some charitable organization. That way, you'd still be seen, with minimal work while helping some people in return."

At that, Clint stops with the suggestions, for he feels he might be starting to show how little he knows about the musical gig.

"Anyway. I'm glad you're OK. You don't have to stay in here," he says, not indicating if he's talking about the room or the Triskelion, "From my part there won't be any other training for you."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"It's not the worst thing that comes with fame." Nick admits, "The things people come up with-" He shakes his head. "Well, they'd go with whichever one they think will sell more issues. Guess we'll find out later."

Nick follows over to the door as Clint gives his indication that he's planning on heading out. "I know. I'll probably pop out of my makeshift nest tomorrow. Just need to get caught up."

Nick pauses, "Hey, I- I was ok with the first thing you did. I mean, if you think of something you think might actually be useful for me to know, I'm ok with you offering to show me- Just- ask instead of telling me? I'd prefer having more say in what I'm doing. Alright?"

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
The archer raises an eyebrow, thinking it over for a moment. Then a smile appears on his face as he nods, "Right. I guess you can have a say in it, since you aren't on the paylist. I'll flip you the basic entry level training cursus, then you can pick what floats your boat."

With one last nod, Clint opens the door then exits.

"Don't forget the stew," he can be heard saying as he walks away.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick nods to the offer, "Thanks." The musician lingers at the door for a moment as Clint starts heading off. His head turns as the slowcooker beeps.

Oh. Excellent timing. The door closes shut.