View source for 5326/How'd She Get to Be a Mediator

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2018/09/08
|Location=New York City
|Synopsis=Kate tries to drown her sorrows alone, but ends up visiting with everyone in Hell's Kitchen. Maybe she needs a new watering hole.
|Cast of Characters=84, 188, 89, 230, 245
|pretty=yes
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{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:84|Kate Bishop (84)}} has posed:'''<br>It was all over the news. All. Over. It.<br><br>Jessica Jones saves the day!<br><br>Jessica Jones speaks to angry aliens and makes peace!<br><br>Jessica Jones negotiates, bypassing laguage barriers; all life on earth is saved!!<br><br>Okay, that last one was just a little bit on the bitter side, but it had been a hard week at Hawkeye Investigations. Kate hadn't had a single client all week - she'd had to dip into her emergency 'I'm a big girl now, I don't need my trust fund' money to buy groceries. And pay the electric bill. She justified it by telling herself that Lucky needed kibble, and she could hardly keep a pet without lights and heat - and while the days were still sweltering hot, the evenings had cooled down enough that shortly they'd need that heat turned on.<br><br>Of course none of this explained why she was sitting here at Josie's, using that self same money to buy herself a beer and a plate of wings. She didn't even like wings.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:188|Darcy Lewis (188)}} has posed:'''<br>How can you NOT like -wings-?! It's inhuman! Wings and beers are fucking staples!<br><br>And staples hold paper together. Stupid paper like the kind of paper used in SHIELD reports about mind-numbing who cares what about no one cares who. Moving whole warehouses because security something is never fun. Add to it that nagging little thing about her Shitcode that Darcy was really trying not to focus on, and tonight Darcy needed a beer and some wings. <br><br>And she got into Josie's, halfway to the counter to order, when her hand reached for her shoulder for her purse... and found it missing. <br><br>Because Darcy had a DERP and left it hanging from her chair back at the office.<br><br>"Oh, fanfuckingtastic," grouses the still in uniform SHIELD agent because the need for beer and wings trumped changing out of the monkey suit. Darcy's shoulders slumped in the off the rack on clearance sale black blazer.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:89|Matt Murdock (89)}} has posed:'''<br>As it turns out it's almost impossible for a lawyer to just 'take a break' from his practice for a bit. Well, it was if you like your partner, and feel an obligation to your clients like Matt did. Maybe for the Jeryn Hogarths of the world it worked, but not for the Matt Murdocks.<br><br>So, despite on a temporary 'ninja leave' Matt had taken he had spent the day neck deep in old business and old clients, it left Matt feeling a bit homesick for the office, for the other half of his crusade to save Hell's Kitchen, so he dealt with it like any resident of the Kitchen would, he went to Josie's for a drink.<br><br>The lawyer makes his way into the bar, behind his cane, moving fairly swiftly through the room given the excuse of familiar ground. Noting Kate, and then Darcy at the bar Matt makes his way over, meaning to aks, if a seat between them was taken but Darcy's curse gives him a better 'in'. <br><br>"Darcy?" he asks upon hearing the familiar voice.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:230|Claire Temple (230)}} has posed:'''<br>Fuck it all. After a vomiting Head Start class on an impromptu clinic field trip, an obnoxious grandmother with a scalp laceration, and a slack-ass vendor with yet another delay on flu shot doses, Claire Temple has just about had enough with the world, and it's time to throw all the bullshit off and drown it, or at least singe it with buffalo sauce. One of the two...<br><br>She arrives at Josie's after as decontaminating a shower she can take at her apartment, and after a cursory glance around the space she snorts and shakes her head. The women she doesn't recognize, but the man... "You damn dog," she mutters under her breath. "Foggy was right about your bullshit," she says as she waves to Josie for a beer. Fortunately, it's not pizza night, she supposes.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:84|Kate Bishop (84)}} has posed:'''<br>Luckily, Kate doesn't hear Darcy's true thoughts about people who don't like wings. Kate only ordered them because they were on sale Friday nights. Which was weird, because usually it was Tuesdays such things were a deal - to draw in crowds. But nope, at Josie's it was Friday. 3 lbs wings, a pitcher of beer - 15 bucks. Which was a pretty good deal, especially if you were trying to have a good night out on a budget.<br><br>When the strange woman starts cursing (with Kate mentally correcting it to much politer language), Kate speaks up, "Hey, I know you don't know me, but sounds like you're having a bad day too, and there is no way I'm going to eat all of these wings or drink all this beer on my own, so how about tonight's on me?"<br><br>She smiles as she says it, and turns to look where there might be a table. Much easier for sharing than the bar itself.<br><br>Which was how she misses Matt walking in until he greets Darcy.<br><br>"So, good news is, there's a table in the back corner. Bad news? If we don't snap it up quickly, we're going to lose it to a Teamster. What say we let him have the bar, and we get more civil like?"<br><br>Her gaze sweeps back to Darcy, Matt, and, well, the woman who seems to know Matt well enough to cuss him out.<br><br>"Great. So everybody swears. It's an epidemic."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:188|Darcy Lewis (188)}} has posed:'''<br>Spoken to, offered beers and wings, Darcy turns to look at Kate. A grateful smile on her face. <br><br>"Fuck yes," says the green-eyed woman, hand falling back to her side. She looks over at Matt, the smile growing as she spies her RAM's man. <br><br>"Hey! You remembered me. I'm fucking honored," she quips right into someone else cuss-greeting Matt and then Kate laments the language and Darcy looks over with growing good mood.<br><br>"It's fuckin' New York. Welcome to America. Let's all have beer and wings," she says. Because why the fuck not?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:89|Matt Murdock (89)}} has posed:'''<br>Matt let's a breath out his nose at Claire's greeting.<br><br>"Good day at the clinic?" he asks. As for the bullshit she's talking about. He's here with two women, or at least appears to be. <br><br>"Claire, this is Darcy, a friend of a friend." he says, That friend being E. Though with them both being SHIELD he'd be willing to put money on her knowing Skye as well. "And um Darcy, if you and your friend don't mind can we join you? I'm good for a second round," he offers kindly attention shifting to Claire to see what she thinks of that.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:230|Claire Temple (230)}} has posed:'''<br>"Best fucking day this week," Claire says, raising her bottle in a jaunty salute. "Everything just gets better and better," she goes on with a swig.<br><br>She gives the other two women an appraising look and cocks her head toward Matt before turning to Darcy and extending her hand. "Claire Temple," she says. "Friend of a... friend, I guess." She looks at the other woman and puts on a general issue smile. "Fuck it all, break out the wings and beer," she says. "The lawyer's paying!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:84|Kate Bishop (84)}} has posed:'''<br>Kate's smile doesn't waver. Not even an inch. Not even when everyone seems to have potty mouth, and Darcy - as she's been introduced - seems to take utter glee in making a point of making it a thing of national pride or something to use four letter words.<br><br>She makes a number of imaginary ticks in the air, noting "Alias Investigations 8; Hawkeye Investigations 0. Well, two if you count myself and Murdock over there not swearing. I'm KateBishop, by the way" <br><br>Which means nothing if you're not a regular reader of the society pages, or kept tabs on her debutante years.<br><br>"Well, if you can't beat them, join them? It's been a hell of a week." She says hell with careful diction, rather like she's unused to uttering it and isn't sure how it should fall off her tongue.<br><br>Gathering up the plate of wings, she nods to Darcy, "You can bring the pitcher, and I guess extra glasses will come with the other order of wings?" Leaning in to Matt she murmurs, "You sure you're okay to pay for this? I mean, I've got money. I know things are pretty tough for Nelson and Murdock."<br><br>She elbows her way like a pro through the crowd to the table at the back. She's pretty good at that elbowing for someone who doesn't seem to know how to swear.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:188|Darcy Lewis (188)}} has posed:'''<br>"Darcy Lewis," replies the agent in too high heels and a pencil skirt, grinning at Claire. The hand is taken, hand-shake being returned. Introductions done, Darcy collects teh pitcher as requested and levels a brilliant (if tired) smiel on Matt.<br><br>"Of course. Just know that I will be taking a selfie with you to drunk text it to RAM before I'm too blitzed to type straight enough to drunk text her," Darcy lets the lawyer know while leaving the topic of who's pickingup the tab alone. It's not her and that's all that matters.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:89|Matt Murdock (89)}} has posed:'''<br>"For the second round," Matt corrects firmly about the lawyer paying.<br><br>"Oh and Claire, sorry this is Kate Bishop, Jess' competition and friend of the group," he says turning to Kate. "She helped with a few things a few months back."<br><br>As to paying, Matt handwobbles. "I'm alright, not spending a lot of money anyhow. You can pay if we get to a third round?" he suggests.<br><br>Given the amount of swearing from their companions, three is a conservative number.<br><br>"Not that I play," Matt says not sensing anyone at the tables, "But if you guys want to play some pool might be fun, I can listen."<br><br>Also, given the tension, knocking some balls around might be a good distraction.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:230|Claire Temple (230)}} has posed:'''<br>Claire frowns as she nabs a wing from the... ah, stack. "Competition? Our Jess?" She looks at Kate askance. "Didn't think she was the competing type," she says with a confused shrug. "Doesn't sound like a lot of fun, knowing Jess," she says. <br><br>Her initial outburst aside, Claire is mum and mollified at the amended terms of Nelson and Murdock supplying beer and wing night. Well, at least Matt's a good sport... "Listen?" she asks. "Hit ball, click-click-click. Not the most riveting radio play around. Not even with a pitcher of beer," she says, rocking her head toward the supply Darcy transported on behalf of the group.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:84|Kate Bishop (84)}} has posed:'''<br>"It's not a real competition," Kate says soothingly, while thinking 'hells it isn't' - of course she doesn't say /that/ because swearing! "I needed a schitck for my fledgling agency. I figured there had to be people who would prefer a different style of investigator, so I aimed my practice at them. Really, our paths haven't even crossed."<br><br>She makes a crossing her heart gesture, just for good measure.<br><br>"Promise. Cross my heart, hope to die. In fact, I'm sure she's a perfectly nice person when you get to know her."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:89|Matt Murdock (89)}} has posed:'''<br>"Well, if someone wanted to show me how to play?" Matt says with a growing smile. Okay so maybe he was hustling. <br><br>"But seriously, beer and wings are fine," he says waiting to see if they head for the pool table or the booth. <br><br>"And I can assure you despite herself, Jessica Jones actually a pretty nice person," Matt says honestly before adding. "As long as you don't mess up one of her cases."<br><br>He knows Claire at leas will know what he's talking about. The Xavier job. He's still living that down. <br><br>"Anyhow, it was a good add Kate, and in the spirit of good advertising if any of your clients need a good lawyer, or a clinic... you know where to send them."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:230|Claire Temple (230)}} has posed:'''<br>Claire smiles lazily and takes another drag off her beer. "If there's anyone who could get through a game of eight-ball by echolocation, it's Matt Murdock," she notes. "Might be fun to watch, but it'd be shitty to put money on. Gotta raise your retainer rates instead, counselor." <br><br>She picks some extra skin off the side of a wing drum. "Don't mess up one of her cases, no," she says, picking up on picking on Jess. And Matt. "And if you partner with her for anything, mind your P's and Q's. Don't let the rough talk and booze make you think she isn't meticulous about her work." She flicks her hand to gesture toward Matt with the wing bone. "Cover matters, right?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:84|Kate Bishop (84)}} has posed:'''<br>Kate quirks a brow saucily at Matt, "Oh you mean, Horath, Chao and Bennowitz? Gotcha. Can do. And I take it the clinic is Claire's?"<br><br>She takes a moment to smile her goodbyes at Darcy who excuses herself after a text ended the other woman's intent on wings and beer.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:89|Matt Murdock (89)}} has posed:'''<br>Matt decides on the booth, sinking down into the seat and pulling his cane in after him. "And echolocation, I mean my hearing is good, but not /that good/ " he says shaking his head. <br><br>There's a touch of exasperation on Matt's face, but he covers it well. "I went with Jess on an undercover op," he says scratching at an eyebrow as he explains it to Kate. "Might have mixed up the names of our fictional child."<br><br>He shakes his head before feining an arrow to the heart. "Really? HCB? That hurts," he exclaims before nodding. "Yeah, clinic's Claire, it's probably why she's in such a good mood tonight," he says with a bit of a smirk.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:245|Jessica Jones (245)}} has posed:'''<br>So there's all bunch of shit that gets thrown Jessica's way, some of it she knows is coming and is well prepared for but then...some of it is motherfucking ice giants from some Norse fairy tale. How about that as an excuse to tell a client, 'sorry your cheating husband got away because of fucking giants. Ice giants. Norse ones.' Yeah, that's usually not good for business. But hey, at least this go around she had an alibi. Just enough Avengers was on scene for the media to give a fuck about the incident.<br><br>Still, getting good press has gotten Jess more customers than she's used to, as well as some requests for interview in radio shows. Oh, and that cover a no name magazine offered her. Anyone else might be pleased with such an unexpected bounty of publicity, Jessica, on the other hand, comes to Josie to let off steam.<br><br>"J&amp;B," she calls at Josie as she makes a beeline for the bar seconds after getting in, "it's a blended kind of night." Was someone she knows already inside? Jess wouldn't know, because she didn't take a sec to check. Drinks come first.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:89|Matt Murdock (89)}} has posed:'''<br>Speak of the Devil, or well, the detective and so she shall appear. <br><br>Matt keeps his composure even until Jess places her order then he allows himself a smile. <br><br>"Well Kate, if you wanted to find out what sort of person Jessica Jones is, you're about to find out now."<br><br>Turning towards the sound of Jess' voice, he calls out, "Hey Jess, come join us."<br><br>He leaves the details of who Kate is until she arrives.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:84|Kate Bishop (84)}} has posed:'''<br>Kate doesn't even have time to protest before Matt is inviting the she-devil of Hell's kitchen over to join them. Not that she's really got a problem with it, but give a girl a couple seconds to adjust so that her mouth isn't agape when introductions are made!<br><br>Fortunatly, Kate has had a lot of experience with covering up that sort of surprise and by the time Matt's invitation is formally out there and Jessica is looking their way (considering Matt is calling out to her!) she's all welcoming smiles, and pleasantries.<br><br>"So you're the local hero I've been reading about." Maybe Jessica won't connect Kate Bishop eating wings and drinking beer with Kate Bishop, Hawkeye Investigations.<br><br>Okay, so the chances of that are slim to none, but a girl has to believe, and she's pulled off slimmer chances in the past.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:245|Jessica Jones (245)}} has posed:'''<br>With her glass in hand, Jessica downs it in one go, before setting it on the bar again, "that was just for the taste, fill it up, Josie, I gotta see if Murdock over there came up with new ways to ruin everything." Once she's equipped with a full glass, she starts towards the booth shared by Matt and Kate.<br><br>If Kate had any aspirations of not being recognized by the competition, she should have known better. You'd expect a P.I. to look for names behind agencies taking a swipe at them. Even if it's a subtle one.<br><br>"How's it been Murdock? Ever tried dancing with fucking ice giants from Nordic Neverland before?" Her gaze then shifts towards Kate, she doesn't look welcoming, but than that's usually how she looks. "Local hero is media superlatives, I'm no fucking hero. You got some balls on you though, going low on me in ads..." yeah, she figured that much out.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:89|Matt Murdock (89)}} has posed:'''<br>Jess' swipe about messing things up gets a roll of Matt's eyes behind his shades as he waits for the detective to join them. <br><br>When she does, he greets her with a general nod and a: "Jessica."<br><br>The question earns one of those Matt Murdock smirks, "No, not unless they dress up like ninja," he says wryly.<br><br>"And I guess I don't need to make introductions," he remarks as two detectives meet.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:84|Kate Bishop (84)}} has posed:'''<br>Well, so she does know. That takes a whole level of phony off of the table, and leaves nitty and gritty. Plus the sharing of beer and wings. Other than the fact that part of Kate's lousy week /is/ Jessica's fame. At least they share the lack of fortune.. figuratively so. If you disregard Kate's trust fund, that is.<br><br>"You can't really blame me. You'd have done the same if you thought it would get you cusomters. And besides, now you can come back with response ads: Jessica Jones, the PI that will tell you like it really is. Jessica Jones, she won't blow hot air up your skirt. Jessica Jones, not afraid to get dirty when it counts. The possibilities are endless."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:245|Jessica Jones (245)}} has posed:'''<br>"You and your ninja fetish, you know, one of these days a bitch like Elektra might prove to be your death." Can always count on Jessica to remind a friend when she thinks they're being stupid, as in, not cutting all ties with a psycho killer ninja. She does eventually sits down as she joins the other two, sitting next to Matt, facing Kate, because you didn't truly expect otherwise did you?<br><br>"Ever seen ads like that?" Jessica asks Kate a rhetorical question, "you didn't because that's not my style. I can't fight good manners, because frankly, fuck manners. But I do like the creativity. I admit I was pissed at first, but what would a stupid retort ad accomplish? Alias Investigations: we don't have time for your cases because we care about what other fuckers say?" Jess drinks about half her glass before putting it down on the table, "that would be stupid and unprofessional. Maybe if I was a fucking Disney Marketing Executive I'd like that idea more."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:89|Matt Murdock (89)}} has posed:'''<br>Matt's lips harden into a line when Jess calls Elektra a bitch, "Hey, watch it," he warns, tilting his head upwards towards the superstrong detective. "And are you really the person to be giving relationship advice?" he asks as he shifts over to let her sit.<br><br>He's quiet through the dueling detectives little back and forth though he does snort at the Disney crack.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:84|Kate Bishop (84)}} has posed:'''<br>Kate laughs outright at Jessica's return. "See. Totally what I meant. Pro-fan-i-ty. I don't mind so much, it's just not my style. And I figure the world is big enough for the both of us, huh? And if not, no hard feelings. Mostly I'm just trying to earn enough to do what I love doing best."<br><br>The mention of a lady friend doesn't go past Kate's hearing. "Oh? Elektra? That's not a very common name. I do know of one, though we've never met. Different circles of circumstance."<br><br>Which is to say Kate's family is rich.<br><br>Elektra's is richer.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:245|Jessica Jones (245)}} has posed:'''<br>"I said a bitch like Elektra," Jessica remains steadfast by her words, "I didn't say Elektra was a bitch. Isn't that how lawyers do it? What I said was miscontrued, a bitch could be like Elektra, without making Elektra a bitch, right?" Judging by the grin on Jessica's face, Matt called it absolutely correctly. But then comes the personal dig her way. Jess isn't usually one to get tweaked this way or that by a quip, but this time, Matt could tell he's on point when the response that follows is Jess emptying her glass before raising it up high, "another one, Josie..."<br><br>She snorts when Kate explains her drive, "good luck to you, being a P.I. is a shitty job...seldom rewarding, often sets you up with assholes...but hey, it pays the bills, and I'm fucking good at it." She puts on a rather fake cheerleadery smile towards Kate in regards to the profanity comment, one could tell her penchant for undercover jobs, because that smile is absolutely out of place with everything Jess shown herself to be thus far. "Yeah, because if we all talk like Ms. Manners, the world will be a better place, and there'll be nothing but kittens and rainbows for everyone." Just like that the smile is dropped, as she reiterates, "nothing in this world shows profanity is misplaced, life is fucking profane," and there's Josie with Jessica's refill to spare everyone from more of her tirade.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:89|Matt Murdock (89)}} has posed:'''<br>Matt expression remains neutral as Jess grinds that dig in just a little bit deeper, it's not quiet convincing because his fingers clench atop the table. "Sounds about right," he says breezily even though it's clear she's hit her mark. "You've got the lawyer thing down, now if only you could pass a bar." <br><br>He flinches at the remark catching too late how well his previous one landed. <br><br>"Get you another?" he says by way of offering a truce. <br><br>He's still keeping out of the detectives' spat, but the voice, the voice needs comment. "God, that's disconcerting," he remarks when she's finished.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:84|Kate Bishop (84)}} has posed:'''<br>"Now, see, you might think I'd be bothered by that, but you'd be wrong. And you're not the only one who can put on a face when it's needed. Look, if talking like that makes you happy, far be it from me to stop you. I just don't think it's necessary. I prefer to save my expletives for shock value. I grew up with way too many bored people. By the time you'd hit your second sentence, they'd have tuned you out."<br><br>She lifts her beer and takes a swallow.<br><br>"Look who I'm telling, though, right? Snaps a face on without missing a beat. You probably have crashed parties like the ones Ms. Natchios attends. And I know a woman like you probably gets great kicks out of insulting folks who like to think they're smarter than they are to their faces without them even knowing you've done so."<br><br>She shrugs.<br><br>"I didn't go into the business because I thought it was glamorous. I put in my hours. Pretty sure I've a few scars to prove it, too. And what is this story that I'm missing that you two have going on, because ouch. I know it isn't sex, so tell."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:89|Matt Murdock (89)}} has posed:'''<br>Realizing he didn't mention it earlier, Matt adds to Kate. "Probably the same Elektra," he says. "Elektra Natchios, head of Hellas International." And of course, the Hand.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:245|Jessica Jones (245)}} has posed:'''<br>There goes Jessica's second, third or was it fourth drink? Either way, Matt got her good this time around, and she seems to still be mulling over it. Even though she spared Matt an immediate retort. "Nothing makes me happy, Kate, and I feel sorry for the douche that gets shocked by profanity. That has to be some tender, tender heart bullshit." She does smirk at Kate's suggested pastime, "have to admit, that is fun." Just ask the poor sods who attended the Hellfire Club the night Jessica secured admission as payment for a case.<br><br>Getting up and leaving her empty glass behind, Jessica gives Kate the cliff's notes version. "Elektra is a rich manipulative...Greek," she somehow manages to keep to Matt's request to not call her a bitch, "she's bad news, and she wants to mix her bad news with Matt's Catholic Schoolboy sainthood. You can fill in the rest, I'm out..." and just like that she leaves, but not before leaving some crumpled bills on Josie's counter.<br> <br>
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