007 ✫ Voice

[useofaswhat]

[Is there a reason Mal is hijacking the network to publicly ask something he could just bug the Avengers about? Why yes, yes there is, and once again it comes down to the fact that he is a terrible warden. He doesn't know Natasha's room number, he can't reach her by communicator, he's hardly met half the Avengers, and thanks to reading through the logs he knows some serious shit went down that he was and remains helpless to deflect. She's given him no choice; he needs to get in touch with her, so he'll do it. He'll call her out.]

Anyone seen Nicole lately? You might know her as that crazy redhaired Russian killing machine? If anyone's talked to her or knows where she is, let me know.

I'm kinda worried about her.

[Private to Tony]

Hey you, loudmouth. What happened with your friend?

[Private to Simon]

Saw what you looked like as a kid. [Note the barely-hidden amusement. To his childlike mind, young Simon had registered as a sentient punching bag.] How bad didya get worked over?

Comments

Re: [Private]

[worldsbestmarksman]

[He didn't get her out, he offered her an opportunity. More to the point Fury offered her an opportunity. However the rest of it sounds accurate.]

That's right. She's my partner.

[Private]

[useofaswhat]

Right. Good. Glad you're here for her, then. [You really have no idea, Clint. Natasha desperately needs someone around she trusts and Mal knows he's got a long way to go until he earns that.]

She, uh – doing all right? Besides upset, we already knew that.

Re: [Private]

[worldsbestmarksman]

[Clint's eyebrows knit together] She shouldn't be an inmate.

She's done more for her country, for people without ever being asked or getting anything in return.

[Private]

[useofaswhat]

Yeah. And what d'you think that's doing to her? Tells her she ain't worth anything in return.

Re: [Private]

[worldsbestmarksman]

[Clint is genuinely confused. He stops, stares, and frowns] what are you talking about?

[Private]

[useofaswhat]

Well, son, I'm just her warden, not her friend. But from what I know, she ain't out there fighting an' spying 'cause she wants to or thinks it's right. She does it because she's been raised to. A whole life spent doing other people's dirty work for nothin' in return, just because it's always been that way an' it's what she's supposed to do.

[And she's still doing it. But he's smart enough not to trash-talk SHIELD in front of an agent.]

Way I see it, that's gotta get a little bit dehumanifying.

Re: [Private]

[worldsbestmarksman]

[Clint absorbs this] ...That's why she's here?

[Private]

[useofaswhat]

Put money on it. That ain't a losing bet.