past prologue.

I'd forgotten that I really love discount chocolate day. There's nothing like stocking up for practically nothing and eating it while you watch one of your favorite movies. Especially when it's so cold out.

TONY:

How do y

New York Fashion Week - I'm so grateful for my team of designers who've helped me pick up the slack while I've been away. Thank you for the condolences for my father's death - it hasn't been easy, so I appreciate it so much. This show was done in his memory.

Attendance has been a little low, due to the snow storm, though. Be careful on the streets - it's very icy! Maybe celebrate Valentines' Day romantically, at home?


[Private to Avengers]

Thank you for giving me a chance to train with you. I won't let you down.

Despite my best intentions, I always did like Valentine's Day. And it isn't for all of the young lovers married in secret (as the legends say) or Lupercalia generally, it's because any day that makes you feel like someone is thinking of you is a good day.

Also, I really like those little candy hearts.

[AVENGERS]

It's been a while since we've had a check in. Why don't you spend a little time telling me about what you've got going and how you're doing. Let's make sure we're all keeping our goals in common and helping one another along.

[SHARON]

All right?

Who: Clint Barton & Tony Stark
When: Today, afternoon.
Where: Avengers Common Room.
What: Videogame challenges (something Tony has a hope of winning!) and manly srs talk.
Warnings: Probably nothing more than the typical videogame violence, boys trash talking each other, and being emotionally constipated.
Status: In progress.
___

( This is what separates the men from the boys, the wheat from the chaff, the cows from the...other cows. )

Who: Tony Stark & Steve Rogers (& drop-in Clint)
When: Tonight.
Where: The Gym, Avengers Tower
What: A little hand to hand training and talking shop.
Warnings: A bit of roughhousing as these boys do.
Status: In progress.
___

( This wasn't Captain America the hero of World War II now. This was goody two-shoes Steve Rogers with nostrils of self-righteousness and a moralistic chiseled jaw. )

WHO: Clint Barton (Hawkeye) and Fandral
WHAT: The boys play weapons (swords)!
WHEN: now!
WHERE: The workout room in the Tower
RATING: Macho (ie: weapons but no violence, tame language)

( You know I’m not a superhero, right?...No magic powers, no healing abilities, nothing. If you cut something off, it absolutely will not grow back. )

[Avengers]

We're seeing a lot more meta-humans coming up on the radar. It may be time to offer up training services. Think of it as a training academy, to help them control and focus their powers at the very least, and if they're interested in more, then they may make good candidates to support the Avengers as well. They can learn basic combat techniques for SGS personnel, but not how to deal with more unique challenges that could be provided by us truly. What say you, fellow Avergerites?

[Memo: Tower Residents, SHIELD, Avengers, etc]

On behalf of SHIELD, I'd like to express my sincerest gratitude to the Avengers for their hospitality and support these past few months while we regrouped. In particular, the assistance and resources offered by Tony Stark and Stark Industries have been of immeasurable assistance. However, now that we are back on our feet, it seems best to leave the Tower so that we can continue our mission of protecting the public.

Should you need us, you know how to reach us.

[SHIELD]

Wheels up at high noon.

Let's try not to burn any bridges. We may need them in the future.

[Bobbi Morse]

Do you have everything you need?

[Sitwell + May]

It seems the first mission was a success. Anything new to report from your end?

[Nick]

We're leaving the Tower before Stark turns us into a sacrificial lamb. Rogers passed on the chance to dismantle us a second time. We'll be in touch.

Who: Rhodey and OPEN (could be you) to anyone in the Tower Clint Barton
What: Overdue visit to Stark from its military liaison turns into an awkward encounter in the elevator
When: This afternoon
Where: Stark Tower NYC
Warnings: TBD, hopefully none

( Inspecting Stark facilities in New York was one way of doing so that neither the brass nor civilian overseers on the Hill could complain about. )

( State of the Company. )


[Avengers]
I see that both you and Coulson made it out alive, Cap. Good talk?


[Jan]
Hi. Hoping the flowers are still sitting in a nice vase somewhere and not at the bottom of your garbage bin.


[Science Brother from Another Mother]
Hey -- could use your medical expertise. I've brushed up on my bio/chem/physio in the last 12 hours but I'd like to not take chances.


[Jane]
I never did ask, but...dark matter detector?


[Barton]
One more game. Eight-ball.

SHIELD

SHIELD meeting on Sunday. Noon. There will be lunch. Attendance is mandatory - there are some things we need to discuss.

[May]

What do we need to do to be fully independent?

[Clint & Natasha]

I know that was an information dump. I thought you'd been informed already. If you want more information, your SHIELD credentials still work. Or you can come talk to me. I'm always available.

WHO: Phil Coulson, Natasha Romanoff, Clint Barton (with a May cameo)
WHEN: Sometime after the Avengers team meeting
WHERE: Delta Team Dive Bar. aka, a dingy dive bar in the East Village
WHAT: Agents who drink together stick together Phil wants to check in on his former agents. And he's not comfortable doing that in the Tower.
STATUS: Complete
Warnings: All the sad feels.

( just like old times )

WHO: Avengers
WHEN: Sunday, December 28
WHERE: An Avengers-only conference room in the Tower.
WHAT: Time to clear the air and decide on where to go next.

It's time for the Avengers to clear the air a bit, I think, and especially, to decide on where they ought to stand with SHIELD going forward.

(And to deal with some of their Issues, because they don't need SHIELD to have plenty of those already.)

Comment in the various sub-threads with what your character does/says. Go IC as necessary, if you want.

Who: Clint Barton
When: Now-ish
Where: The gym
What: Archery practice and options
Rating: Squeaky clean

( Twenty-four hits on the first shot, nine misses. Accuracy level: 72 percent. )

[ TOWER RESIDENTS/AVENGERS ]

I haven't been around for Christmas since 1944. So thanks.

[ STEVE ]

You were right. All it needed was a good shock.

Who: Clint Barton and Natasha Romanoff
What: Discussing life as a wishbone
When: Overnight, December 21-22, following the Obelisk raid
Where: On board the Staten Island Ferry
Warnings: Language

( So, looks like we just became the center of a fight between two sides who decided they can't play nice and share their toys. )

Who: Clint Barton, open to any students at the school
Where: Kamal Khan's school
When: Backdated, after this
What: Clint looks for clues in the kidnapping cases
Status: Open
Warnings: None

( It was a shot in the dark, hoping the kidnapping ring might be watching the school. )

[Fury | Coulson | Barton]

This is me being very, very, very patient.

An explanation, please.

[Added later: Steve]

You will only ever hear this from me once.

You were right. I think.

I'm sorry.

[Skye]

New Task: There's been a raid on old SHIELD storage facility in the frozen north. I need all evidence of it wiped from servers - including military servers. How quickly can you do that?

[May, Fury, Barton, Romanoff]

Good work, today. Any hiccups I need to know about before we debrief?

Suggestions on how to proceed with Rhodes?

WHO: SHEEPs (May, Fury), Avengers (Barton, Romanoff), & HYDRA (& Rhodey!), oh my.
WHEN: Today.
WHERE: The oldest SHIELD storage facility in a classified location.
WHAT: They have the map, now it was time to procure the key. It never goes easy, does it?
WARNINGS: The usual action/violence that comes with HYDRA clashes. The Obelisk gets a little horrifying action too.
___

( This is Colonel James Rhodes, US Air Force. My men have this building surrounded. You are under arrest for trespassing in a federal facility. Put your weapons down and your hands up. )