14729/Random Acts of Violence

Random Acts of Violence
Date of Scene:	25 February 2023
Location:	Roy's Saloon, New York City
Synopsis:	Nat gets in a bar brawl and Alexander doesn't help.
Cast of Characters:	Phobos, Black Widow (Romanoff)

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Phobos has posed:
    "I am not being drawn into your web of lies and deceit."
    Famous last words uttered several times in several places around the world during the adventures of a particular Red Room graduate and a young Olympian god. Words that carry a weight of finality to them. Words that hold some measure of gravitas delivered so eloquently by the young blond man who leans against the bar of the local watering hole.
    The current establishment of Roy's Saloon, so blessed by such prestigious visitors, is likely right now wishing they had chosen somewhere else to whet their whistle for the amount of damages being perpetrated, primarily by one part of the couple, is quickly rising.
    There's a crash across the room, the sound of shattering glass, and a few shouts now and again. All suitably background of chaos. A tableau of mayhem that is not lost on the Olympian as he takes a sip of his beer and watches.
    Sure the men and one woman had been spoiling for a fight. And sure Natasha might have said something to egg them on. But there was no need for Alexander to participate. Not yet at least.
    "You know there's still time to apologize." He says just loud enough to carry, though whether it's meant fo one side of the fight or the other, it's impossible to tell.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"Oh that's right. Sit there and don't help me," comes the comment from Natasha as she fires a roundhouse kick into the face of an oncoming attacker with a broken beer bottle. He goes crashing into a nearby table, the poor piece of furniture collapsing under his weight and becoming so much kindling. "And I have nothing to apologize for." In case that was meant for her.

Which it must be as one of the men snarled, "I ain't sorry for nothing! This psycho comes in here and thinks she's too good for me to buy her a beer!"

"It wasn't the buying. It was the hands. And the fact you kept touching after I warned you to stop. You brought this on yourself." Which was punctuated by her punching that one woman who had opted to join the fray squarely in the nose.

"Are you enjoying your beer?" she called out to him in a mock cheerful tone as she spun to face another attacker.

Phobos has posed:
    "I am," Alexander says as he holds aloft the bottle with the brown and grey sticker and the stylized stallion on it. "It has a piquant odor and the taste lingers after you swallow with a tinge of molasses."
    He smirks and settles back against the bar, looking sidelong toward the people that were crowding around Natasha, though when she'd land a blow the person would fumble backwards flailing or hit the ground hard. She was playing with them, that much was clear since she hadn't broken any bones yet. Maybe a nose with that last punch. But how could he truly tell she was playing?
    Her opponents were able to get up after she had turned to the next.
    "Though I can stop drinking if you're feeling pressured. Maybe you need some help?" He smiles and tilts his head, "Want me to call the danger hot line? Get you some reinforcements." Ok that last bit was teasing and a little gratuitous.
    It was clear she didn't need any help.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"Well if you wanted to get yourself off the barstool, I think that would be all the help I need. But don't let me interrupt your drinking time," Natasha says in a sarcastic tone as she ducks under a wild swing from one of the brawlers. "And it's not that I need any help."

It wasn't so much she was toying with them as she was trying to avoid any sort of serious injuries. Minor ones would certainly be happening. But she didn't want to break bones or put someone in the hospital.

"Has anyone called the police yet?" she asked, not because she wanted them called but curious if this establishment was one of those that bothered or if they preferred things be handled in-house.

She raised her voice to the fighters. "I understand you all wanted to work off the steam but I'm certain the proprietors would appreciate us leaving some of the building intact. Care to call it a draw?"

Phobos has posed:
    There were, in fact, bouncers making their way across the room from the front. Usually most of the ruckuses would break out near the exit or the entrance with people throwing a fit one way or another. But now with the report on their radios telling them some crazy redhead was beating on four other customers, they were making their way back.
    "I don't think so?" He looked around as he pushed away from the bar, leaving a few bills on it as he ditched his beer and started to cross toward where Natasha was having her fun. He apologized with a smile to one of the patrons as he slipped behind him, then moved closer and _shoved_ one of the two men that were still threatening the spy gal.
    Luckily that opened the way for them to beat feet toward the back and he offered that option by grinning and extending his hand toward her, "C'mon, we'll go grab dinner somewhere else. Coulda at least waited til we ate."
    That said should she start to go with him he'll rest a hand on her shoulder for a loving squeeze before he falls in behind her to help their departure.
    The other fighters... they seem content not to chase after even as the bouncers shove through the crowd near them.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"I hope you left enough to cover the furniture," Natasha mutters as she glances around at the one destroyed table and a bit of glassware that had been shattered. "If not, I'll be sure to get with them to settle tomorrow."

Because right now, they just needed to exit. Though the bouncers at least seemed more intent on the troublemakers and not the exiting couple, since the bartender could verify that the others started it all.

Natasha grinned up at Alexander. "Did get the blood pumping, I'll admit. Though you're right, before dinner means that now I'm starving. Did you have something in mind?"

Phobos has posed:
    Alexander laughed as they slipped out the back door into the employee area, then kept walking through that area and toward the rear exit that he pushed open with a shoulder. Once out in the... unique smelling area of the alleyway, they were able to fall into step together and stroll a little easier.
    "I _was_ looking forward to a cheeseburger," Since Roy's was known for it, but then he smiles and shakes his head, "But let's just grab something on the way to the car park."
    That said he smiles and slips an arm around her shoulders, leaning over to kiss the top of her head since she is a good lil bit shorter than him, "You're a mad woman."

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
Automatically, she slipped her arm around his waist and continued down the path of the alley toward the general direction of the lot where they had left their SUV. "We can find a cheeseburger somewhere on the way. We'll come back here after I've made sure the damages are covered from this visit. Though they really should charge Mr. Grabby Hands back there," she added with an indignant sniff. Which she immediately regretted as she glared at the dumpster they were passing.

"As for my madness, you have chosen to be with me. So what does that say about you, hmmm?"

Phobos has posed:
    "That I'm a sucker for a redhead?" Alexander offers as they walk arm in arm. They did make a curious pair with that height difference and the sharp difference in tone with his blond hair and her crimson. Sometimes when they'd go out they'd dress well together, cut a fine silhouette together. But out and about so casually with Alexander wearing his typical jeans, white sneakers, a black t-shirt and his brown bomber jacket, well he looked rather at ease.
    Alex half-smiled a little, "Though is everything alright? Usually when we go to a bar and you have a throw down something's preying on your thoughts."
    He leans to the side a little just so he can look at her eye to eye.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"For a very specific redhead," Natasha corrected.

Then to answer his query, "Nothing at all. I was actually in a great mood and looking forward to us having a nice burger and some beers in a social atmosphere," Natasha says. She too is dressed casually in jeans, a pair of boots on her feet. Though she has on a button up blouse and her own black leather jacket that is pretty well worn. She had recently gotten her hair cut again, bringing it to that shorter look she liked at times. She went back and forth through the course of a few years typically. Sometimes long, sometimes short.

"I did give him repeated warnings to remove his hand or I'd remove it for him," she offered by way of excuse.

Phobos has posed:
    "Are you sure?"
    Alexander asks with a wry smile as he lightly nudges her hip with his own while they walk. "I thought you were doing it because you wanted to get a rise out of me." His lips twist with a hint of amusement as they stroll.
    "Though I think he might have been more trying to get into a fight with me, clearly not that he was infatuated with you." Since the world revolves around Alexander of course. He looks up at the sky as a few rain droplets start to fall, his hand uncurling to hold out trying to see the truth of the matter as they stroll.
    "He was very surprised when you punched him."

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"They usually are. They expect that to be the boyfriend taking the step. Or not in this day and age." Natasha rolled her eyes slightly. "Not a slight on you, but on a generation lost." She didn't elaborate. She didn't need to.

"But you know me. Never been one to let someone else handle my fights for me. Figuratively or literally," she added with a grin.

She glanced to his hand then the sky, having not been hit by the droplets. Yet. "Though I do have a confession." And there was that dazzling smile. "I did plan to start a fight in there to try to get you to join in. But that guy sort of jumpstarted the plan. I had intended to after we ate."

Phobos has posed:
    A slight laugh touched his lips as he paused with her there at the mouth of the alley, the rain starting to fall. "Yeah, I could get that vibe I think." His grin curves a little more wry as he pushes fingertips through her hair gently, "You had that wild look in your eye when we left the house. I half expected you to be taping up your hands in the car."
    That said he leans in and kisses her brow, taking a deep breath as he murmurs. "You are a mad woman, but I'm glad you're my mad woman."
    He squeezes her hand in his, then turns to start walking again.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"Oh dear," Natasha mused after they started walking again, mock horror in her tone. She made sure it sounded as fake as it actually was. "You are starting to figure me out. Time to change tactics before we become an old married couple who can finish each other's sentences."

Then she squeezed his hand. Showing that the voiced horror maybe wasn't so terrifying after all. It would be nice to grow old with him eventually. When she finally reached a point she might age. If she did. But even without the visual appearance of their age, in a century they likely would be well past that point.