8623/SHIELD Lunch Time

SHIELD Lunch Time
Date of Scene:	02 August 2019
Location:	Kitchen, Triskelion
Synopsis:	In which Jemma is inspired by Bucky's arm, May have to grab thirds from the kitchen, Lili gets doggo treats for being a Good Girl, and Darcy talks herself into a new assignment, or NYPD needs to be very afraid.
Cast of Characters:	Darcy Lewis, Jemma Simmons, Melinda May, Winter Soldier

---

Darcy Lewis has posed:
Meal times see a host of characters in the food court of the Triskelion. Like usual, Darcy's among them, carrying a tray piled high with Monogolian Grill faire. Still steaming and hot, the admin makes her way to one of her favorite tables.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
A more unusual sight, Jemma Simmons is also among the throng of people. Unusual...because meal times are rarely a standard item within the Research and Development department. After all, there is a reason the Science lounge has food. Scientists tend to forget to eat.

This time, Jemma didn't forget. Or, more likely, she was told to go eat upon pain of death. As such, she is seen leaving the line, with some standard British fares upon her tray...including a cup of tea that certainly does not look to be SHIELD-issued. There is a pause in the middle of the cafeteria, as Jemma takes the time to survey her surroundings. To claim a seat, of course, which only goes to show just how often she is actually in the food court proper.

Melinda May has posed:
The job of Deputy Director is not one that usually allows for leisurely lunch breaks. But, May knows that skipping meals will ultimately be worse than taking twenty or thirty minutes out to refuel. Thus, she is already there, seated and about to start in on what looks like a salad and a slice of quiche. And, she has a cup of tea very similar to Jemma's, along with a teapot whose spout is very gently wafting out a gossamer line of steam.

Winter Soldier has posed:
Barnes and his dog have just arrived - by the way his hair's slicked back, he's freshly showered. In the Triskelion, he makes no particular efforts to hide the arm, so it's gleaming brightly in the lights of the court, beneath the hem of his t-shirt. Lili paces beside him, licking her lips contentedly. Doggos eat first, apparently.

He heads for May's table, not waiting for an invitation. There've been some near silent meals with these two.

Darcy Lewis has posed:
Darcy pausing as she spots two things: May and Barnes sitting together, and Jemma looking lost. Darcy makes her way to Jemma.

"Hi there! Join me," is offered, and if taekn up Darcy leads the way to May and Bucky's table. Because Darcy.

"Hiya May. Hi Bucky," she greets, plopping down in an empty chair.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
There is a blink of surprise as Darcy catches Jemma slightly off-guard. "Oh, hello Agent Lewis...err...I mean Darcy." And, with the invite, Jemma falls in line, walking behind Darcy. Because Jemma knows that trying to talk her way out would be a fruitless gesture.

As the two approach, Jemma offers an apologetic shrug of her shoulders to May and Barnes, if they bother to look up.

Melinda May has posed:
Passing the slice of quiche over to Barnes without a word, May looks up at Darcy and Jemma as they approach and nods to them, clearly okaying them to join the table. Not that Darcy waited for said permission, so it's kind of moot, but...

She offers Bucky a fork before taking up a second one to start in on her salad. Nope. She's not gonna toss out the first topic for conversation.

Winter Soldier has posed:
"Thanks," Buck says, to the quiche, giving May an upnod. "Hi, Darcy, Jemma," he says, amiably enough. Lili doesn't have her vest on - she's sufficiently off-duty to look between them, wagging her tail. "Simmons, I'm glad to see ya. Not to talk shop over dinner, but I'd been meanin' to track you down, see if I could get a cover that might conceal this thing." And he waves the metal hand at her, wiggling the fingers.

Darcy Lewis has posed:
Of course Darcy didn't wait. What's the fun in that? This, couples with Bucky offering hte first topic leaves Darcy clear to offer her fingertips to the off duty puppo to see if she want ear scritches.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
As the tray is placed down, the biochemist takes a moment to answer Bucky before she herself sits. "Hello, Agent Barnes." Yes, she went with the formal greeting for the time being. A smile is flashed to Lili, then Jemma claims her seat, but not before she offers an answer to the work matter at hand. "a concealment method? We can certainly do that. Would you like simply the appearance, or also the texture of flesh?"

And, just like that, Jemma is comfortable again. Nothing like talking shop to get a scientist to open up. "We have several options we can do, including holo-emitters, which Fitz would just love to develop. You know how he is with his toys." Well...probably not, but Jemma knows.

Melinda May has posed:
May seems content to let them talk about concealment methods for Barnes' arm. "I say both. Holograms are convenient enough, but won't pass muster in a tactile situation." Not that she'd expect Barnes to go out and stand on a street corner with a "Free Hugs" sign or something silly like that. But still.

Winter Soldier has posed:
"I'm thinking sturdy and easy, for the most part. Something physical. Also, a cover'd keep dust and crud out of it. IT's waterproof, yeah, but it's a pain to clean." Imagine Buck with a ruined old toothbrush, having to scrub the joints between the plates. He's more relaxed, too. Business is business.

Lili comes edging over for pettings, ears planed out to either side happily. She grunts her enjoyment at Darcy, which makes Buck grin at them.

Darcy Lewis has posed:
"What about a workout sleeve? Under Armor makes some, and you can get them textured. Or even just a long sleeve dri-fit something. Then, all you gotta worry about is the glove," Darcy offers, proving that she can multitask by listening to the conversation and giving Lili all the pets. The trouble is that while the words fit the conversation, the tone fit more along the lines of spoiling a puppers. It was sing-songy slightly, as Darcy very happily gives Lili her pets while her own food cools on her plate.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
"A compression sleeve is certainly plausible, which is more or less what Darcy is suggesting." The teacup is lifted as Jemma takes a sip, glancing over Darcy's way as a smile is obscured by the teacup. She places it down, while she continues. "And, in a pinch, that could certainly work. Though....I would imagine that having a covering that more represents flesh tone would be a benefit for undercover work. There may be occasions where wearing a workout sleeve would be somewhat conspicuous. Not as much as an entire silver bionic arm, but more so than, say, a typical-looking appendage."

Jemma is pointedly being careful in calling out terms like 'normal'. It seems part of her 'bedside' manner, given her medical training. "Sturdy would be key. I could just imagine what your idea of sturdy is....which would provide an interesting dynamic to whatever material we would design."

Melinda May has posed:
May drains her own teacup before refilling it from the teapot and offering to do the same for Jemma. She's nearly finished her salad, and the briefest sidelong glance toward the quiche she gave to Bucky might indicate that she's now possibly regretting having given him the slice of savory scrambled egg pie.

The kitchen should still have more...

"Durability and water resistance are key. Bonus if it can fool an infrared sensor as well."

Winter Soldier has posed:
"Oh, I've got those," Buck says, nodding. "But yeah, I want something that can actually pass for human at first glance." He's started to eat the quiche with his usual neat, quick bites - old soldier's habits. "Sturdy enough that it wouldn't tear with pretty rough physical activity." Lili is utterly agog, eyes nearly closing. Because James never pays attention to her ever. She is most neglected doggo....or so her attitude would indicate.

Darcy Lewis has posed:
Shifting to just one hand petting Lili, Darcy takes a bite of her lunch and seems ready to fork-fling a bite from her plate to the floor for Lili, unless she's stopped of course. With Bucky and May weighing in on what it'd take, the conversation eems to go past her, so Darcy doesn't add anything more for now, focusing on the poor doggo that never gets loves or table scraps.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
Jemma graciously turns down the refill, at least for the moment, as her mind works on the problem it was presented with. "Durable, resistant to moisture. Obfuscation from thermal scans...which means either its own internal energy or use of power via near field tech." The wheels start to turn, as Jemma adopts a thousand yard stare, her eyes gazing off into space. "that is certainly an interesting set of requirements. I....I do believe that we could make that happen."

Then, with a start, Jemma sits up....then leaps to her feet. "Oh! I think I have it! I need to check with Fitz on the logistics....but yes....I think it is possible. Oh, I need to record the particulars before I lose it. Please, excuse me!"

And, with that, Jemma grabs her tray, rushing to return it, then carting off her teacup and a scone, whisking her way to R&D.

Melinda May has posed:
Darcy's attempt to share her food with Lili gets an immediate response. "Lewis. Don't." There's no telling what seasonings were put into the meal, and there will be NO chances taken.

Jemma's sudden inspired outburst seems to not faze May at all, not even a micro-expression of surprise. Maybe one of faint smugness. She finishes her salad and points her fork at Bucky. "I'm going to get seconds, do you want anything?" Because quiche.

Winter Soldier has posed:
Winter Soldier looks down at his plate, as if he hadn't realized he'd cleaned it. That....happens a lot, honestly. Especially when he's eating dinner. "Ahh, yes, thanks," he says, before looking over to Darcy and Lili. "Oh, yeah, she's right. I've got some treats if you want to give her some." The dog immediately look to him, hopefully.

Darcy Lewis has posed:
Her name from May's lips, spoken like that, has the immediate reaction of Darcy freezing before the flick can happen. She looks up at May, almost pouting, until Bucky offers the treats.

Is it cute the way both she and Lili lok at him with the exact same expression?

She spares enough to bid a bye to Jemma, but really... puppy and treats and who needs lunch?

Melinda May has posed:
May nods to Barnes, both in approval of having treats to offer and to acknowledge that she'll be bringing him seconds. Super-soldier portions, no doubt. She carries back their now-empty plates to the washing line before having a short conversation with the kitchen staff and heading back to their table with two fresh plates and an ENTIRE quiche.

"I take it this week has been no more eventful than usual for you both?" she asks of Darcy and Bucky as she sets the items on the table and claims a single slice for herself to replace the one already eaten by Barnes.

Winter Soldier has posed:
He's got a packet of little Milkbones, in a pouch taken from his pocket. Like a mom making sure there are Cheerios for her toddler to snack on. He hands them over to Darcy with a crooked grin.

At May's question, he says, "No. Pretty quiet for me. Carter's still in DC." As if the moment Peggy returns there'll be a bacchanal with hookers and blow in their apartment in the Triskelion.

Darcy Lewis has posed:
Happily, Darcy accepts the pouch, and opens it.

"Yup. Pretty quiet. Checked up on Captain Quaid again. Glad he's out of the hospital now, and oh! Shit. Almost forgot," Darcy makes sure Lili gets her treat first before digging through the few pockets in her blazer then her bra then the pockets again and comes up with a USB.

"AHA! Here," she holds it out to May. "All his files on the Sebastion thing, and he wanted an eta on a Liason Officer from us. Didn't know what to tell him so I said I'd ask around and either one would should up, or I'd call him and give him one of two things: a date or a name. Or both. Depends on what you want me to know about who works with whom, or whatever," she says as she holds out the drive to May to take from her.

"On a side note, apparently lots of NYPD thinks he's having affairs with whatever SHIELD ladies see him?" Darcy seems confused and amused by this and she shrugs on a smirk. "Lots of beats cops drooling over me and I wasn't even wearing a skirt. Oh, and he likes pot stickers. With the hot gensing tea."

Melinda May has posed:
Starting in on her slice of quiche and pushing the rest of the pie toward Bucky, May reaches across to take the USB memory stick from Darcy. "You know, Lewis, at this rate I think I might assign you to the the NYPD liaison officer." The young woman has already proven herself to be capable of far more than just organizing office supplies.

"Think about it. If you want, the assignment is yours."

Winter Soldier has posed:
He takes it...and starts eating it like it might get up and run away. But then, there's that metabolism to deal with,and keeping up SHIELD training and dealing with your own PTSD takes a lot of energy. AT that comment, he says, "Well, you are real pretty."

Darcy Lewis has posed:
"If that's what you need, Boss. He already offered me a cushy desk job with them, but I figured the meal plan wasn't good enough to be worth it," Darcy replies on a grin, before turning to Bucky and blowing him a kiss.

"Aw, shucks. Thanks, toots. You too," she tells him on a giggle and another Milkbone for Lili before she eats a bit more of her own lunch now.

"I'm not at all opposed. He's a good guy, good head on his shoulders, and his heart's in the right place, even if he's an ass about it. And he's partner's focused, real watch dog sorta girl. I like her. Ooh, and he mentioned soething about psychotic tendencies? With Baz. May want to have the Psych Team re-eval the footage and files on him to double check it, but if it's true and the bot played us all? Prolly something we ought to get out in front of, ya know? And this is from me. I've got a habit of collecting broken," Darcy says to May now.

Melinda May has posed:
"Then consider it done, Lewis. The assignment paperwork will be in your email by the end of today." She pockets the USB to look over when she gets back to her office, and nods at Darcy's advice to have the Psych Team re-evaluate Sebastian. And she doesn't expect to be at all surprised, no matter what the results are.

Then, with a sip of her tea, she says something to Barnes in Mandarin.

Winter Soldier has posed:
He blinks for a moment, and says something back, tentatively. Smiling a little. "You'll do fine," he tells Darcy, in English. "They won't buffalo you."

Darcy Lewis has posed:
"Oh. Thanks. I think?" Darcy quips at May, falling silent as Chinese is spoken. She waits, clueless as to what's being said before looking at Bucky.

"Oh.." For a moment, there's nothing, because Darcy has NO idea what he means by that, but that Darcy does what Darcy does best. She leaps to what she thinks it means and then just runs with it.

"Yeah. Pretty sure I'd still break them all if they tried. Welp, I'm going ot take this to-go, and go fill out transfer paperwork for Jeffery. If I'm going to be Liason-ing or whatever, I can't get called back because he did a stupid again and no one else can figure it out. I swear May, what the fuck is he even on my team again? I've fixed supply delivery. It's brainless, but every time. Every fuckign time. Boom, diaster," she grouses amusedly as she pushes up and give LIli one last treat for being such a waonderfully good puppers! Good girl, Lili! <3