14807/Sporting Advantages

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Sporting Advantages
Date of Scene: 16 March 2023
Location: Sporting Courts, The Triskelion
Synopsis: Alex gets a new boss and tells Nat about it over dinner plans.
Cast of Characters: Phobos, Black Widow (Romanoff)




Phobos has posed:
    The young man known as Alexander Aaron does not get to the Triskelion as often as he once did. Though still an occasional contractor for SHIELD, he had been removed from active duty ever since the Latveria Incident which had outed him to those nearest him as a being of... unusual heritage. It also created a small international incident that put some heat on SHIELD's activities in other countries. But the removal from active duty had done what it needed to, gave them some time to clear the air, investigate... and find out the whole story of Latveria's clandestine operations.
    Which meant Alexander was an asset that was back on the table, and when he had received the call to go back into the Triskelion neither of them knew what it was about. Which was a rarity, since Ms. Natasha Romanoff was a nosy buttinski.
    Though after the appointed time he had agreed to meet with her. A quick text message had been sent and he was told to head to the Sporting Courts... which led to his answer.
    << What are Sporting Courts and when did SHIELD get them? >>
    Yet he did end up going, strolling down the halls with his VISITOR++ badge on. He reached the double doors that led into the long hallway that showed all of the glass sectioned areas. He did not at first see a tiny redhead yet, so he started walking down the hall with an east step. He cut a decent silhouette at least, wearing a black suit of comfortable business attire. He looked less like a SHIELD agent and more like one of those mythical men in black. Though without the shades.
    Those were in his pocket.
Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
The response to her message got a roll of the eyes, not that he could see it of course. <<You'll see. Follow the signs.>> And she left him to his own devices. Thankfully he did not get lost and did not end up dying of starvation in one of those big empty corridors underground. This time. It was still early.

Natasha was sitting in the viewing area for the racketball court, watching a pair of agents below. She was dressed in her regular work clothes since she was still on duty at the moment. Then she caught a glimpse of him through the wall and waved him over her direction. Though she did stand up and prepare to walk out the door to the hallway in case he didn't so she could intercept him.

"Aren't you looking handsome." Which was followed by her rising on tiptoe to steal a kiss, no matter who might be looking. It wasn't a secret they were a couple, particularly after this long.

Then that concern in her eyes. "How'd it go?"
Phobos has posed:
    He slipped an arm around her and drew her into a small embrace, just a bare moment and that shared kiss. He smiles and as she asks her question his eyebrows rise. "Tough read, Agent McCall was..." His brow furrows as he looks to the side, then back. "Very intent on letting me know she would be the boss, that my bloodline didn't count for anything in SHIELD, that I'd be starting over on probation and would not be able to work alone."
    He slides his hands into his pockets, gaze returning to her, he smiles a little. Just a wan smile. "I don't think she knew I had been doing missions now and again since the whole... Latveria thing. But I suppose that's good too." He takes a deep breath, nose crinkling. "When she railed about my family, she seemed to treat it like I was... expecting to be given special treatment. Like why did she think I was trying to keep it on the down low?"
    Another shrug as he starts to walk with her, their footsteps even. "Though worst part..." His eyes distance as he looks thoughtful. "She was afraid of me. So that'll be... yeah."
Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"Probably less she thought you expected special treatment and more she wanted to feel like she was the one in control in order to overcome her fear." Natasha often had a good understanding of people. She'd been exposed to them for such a long time, she'd learned a lot. Arm-chair psychologist perhaps in a lot of ways since there was no formal education but it didn't mean she was wrong either. Which was annoying to the actual psychologists on staff sometimes.

"Just try to ignore it. I mean, it should sort of bleed into the background for you, no?" Then she grinned a little, trying to lighten the mood a bit to take his mind off concern for complications in his new superior officer.

"After all, I'm sure she's scared of me too. Because we all know I'm far scarier than some god."
Phobos has posed:
    "People are scared of you, I wonder why?" Alex says with a smirk as he walks along, his hand reaching out and touching hers with a small squeeze, but otherwise no overt public displays of affection for now. He tilts his head to the side, "Want me to hang around until you're finished here, or should I head home and get dinner started?"
    He paused to look into one of the batting cages and quirks an eyebrow, as if considering giving it a go, but then he's walking again with that steady even step.
    "Unless you think you'll be here even longer, then I'll go out and find an ancient ninja clan that has sworn a blood oath against me and my family, and then face their roaming death squads as I attempt to make it home before you finish your shift. Something like that." He says it all so deadpan that it's as if he's talking about picking up some groceries. So normal.
Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"No idea why they would be. I'm a very petite woman who wouldn't hurt a fly." The that considering face. "People though..." And she grinned as they continued down the hall.

She was about to answer his question about if she was finished or not but then he continued into his narrative. Which had her pausing as she considered him. Stopping dead in her tracks and looking up at his face. "Have you been watching old samurai movies again? Or what is that one everyone talks about these days. Older but some series. John Wick? Is that the one?" Which might give him the truth--she's never seen it. Any of them. Because Alexander learned long ago she tended to be hyper critical of anything with spies or assassins. Although she did enjoy a good Bond film just for the silliness of it all.
Phobos has posed:
    His answer to her is simple.
    "Yes."
    He has been watching old samurai movies.
    "And nope, not John Wick. Though you should see it some time." He gives a single solemn nod as he strolls along, hands in his pockets. He turns to consider her, "But what would be more convenient? I have the rest of the day free for the most part."
    Which has him again considering those batting cages as they stroll on past, his smile twisting up a little. He quirks an eyebrow, "Though what do you know of Agent McCall? Anything I should be aware of? I get the feeling she had... some sort of bad experience. But couldn't get a feel as to the what."
Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"She really is a good agent. Has a good head on her shoulders. But you read her right," Natasha admits. She pauses and glances toward the batting cages he keeps looking at then back to him, the question there for him. If he would be interested in going in and giving it a try. Not that he was dressed for it but since when did that matter?

"About three years ago she had a mission go all sorts of wrong. She had a squad including a probie that was powered." Had. "He'd passed all his tests, done a few low level missions. This was the first big one for him. And he completely lost it. The team needed him and he panicked. No cliche loss of power and hurting his own team, he just completely froze and couldn't help. She lost a few people and took some time out of the field. She only just got back in this year. And I think you're the first powered person she's had assigned since. So you are getting the brunt of her negative feelings, I suspect."
Phobos has posed:
    A nod is given, the batting cage forgotten for now. It's a firm nod, accepting that and clearly adding it into his perception of the woman. He chews on the inside of his cheek, then murmured, "Something then that only time can really address I imagine."
    That said he shakes his head, then starts walking again. One hand pushes through his wild hair, as if trying to straighten it, only for it to fwoompf back into the mess it almost always is. He tilts his head, "Did you have any preference for dinner?" He pauses and leans against the wall, now at a corner of the courts, a touch more privacy than being out in front of those glass cages where people are competing.
    "I should tell you I was tempted to make a comment about your love of Borscht and Vodka, but I'm being good." His lip twists, and to be fair she has never told him she loved Borscht. Vodka on the other hand...
Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"While a good borscht is amazing, there are too many bad ones out there and it's not worth taking the chance," Natasha admitted, filling in that blank for him. Now he knew her belief on that particular native dish. There was no question on the vodka. While she didn't really get affected by alcohol, she did enjoy a good drink once in a while and her go to was typically vodka.

"And to answer your earlier question, I'm able to go at any time. My shift was over but I wanted to wait to see how your meeting went before heading out." She took his hand and gave it a little squeeze. "No preferences really on dinner. Did you want to go out, pick up something on the way home, delivery?" So many options. Oh and one more. "Or did you want to cook?" While she could cook, she didn't usually volunteer as he enjoyed it more.
Phobos has posed:
    "I could, we have that ground beef we need to cook." His eyes rise as he considers, then he nods toward the door that leads outside. His footsteps are quiet and once they're out there he gives her hand another small squeeze. But then they're walking the halls of the Triskelion like any two other employees in conversation. No overt signs of friendship or more.
    His smile turns a little wry, "And those smol tortillas." He rubs his chin, "Can make a sauce with the guac and sour cream, some tomatoes and onions for salsa." He gives a nod as he composes the menu in his head, then looks sidelong at her. "C'mon, you can be my assistant."
Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"Only if you let me touch the knives this time."

Natasha grinned up at him but continued their passage through the halls. They drew a glance here or there but nothing really overt. Though certainly there were rumors that had circulated about her for years. And now, he probably had a few as well though they were few and far between as his actions had been under strict clearance levels. Yet, sometimes people found things out.

"If you just want me to stand there and stir the beef, I'll sit in the living room and see if John Wick is available. But be prepared. You know what you have gotten yourself into."
Phobos has posed:
    "You can be my soux chef, do all the prep work. Which means..." He says sidelong, "You get to quarter and zest the lime. I hate doing that." He gives a nod, "That tiny cheese grater we use for zesting. So small, it's more fitting for someone of your... stature."