001 > TEXT.

[hydraated]

[Ward's throat still feels like shit and a half, but he's managed to process the following. He's no longer in jail (that's a plus), he's got super powers (he's unsure if that's a plus or minus) but he arrived and avoided the network for a few days out of fear of breaking the damn thing. He's decided long since then that he can't let Skye intimidate him.

She's here. And she's been here for awhile. She has home team advantage.

The only problem is they have a record of him. This whole registering thing was crap - what was the point of being given a second chance if he really couldn't leave Grant Ward behind? For the first time he wants to.

So time to test the waters. He's been to the ceremony, he's been sworn in, he's had a dramatic reunion with the woman he'd thought he cared about.]

New arrival here. Roomba salesman and repairman. Anybody else get a completely shit job? I know nothing about Roomba's.

Assuming Roombas here are the vaccuum robots. Y/N?

Also feel like shooting myself in the foot here, but is there some kind of a "so now you have super abilities" support group? Any help or advice appreciated.

[Reading over it two or three times he nods, satisfied that it's not incriminating, that it's blaise enough that even if people decide to ask him questions he can think up enough to talk about without screwing up.

He'd been in worse situations.

His roommates might have noticed that his doorknob on the outside was significantly bent and someone has been closing doors in their apartment very, very quietly.]

Comments

[sofentheblow]

[ Slowing her speech a little -- for clarity, or to drill in the insult? ]

I'm suggesting that your verbal clumsiness, while delightful to watch unfold, is atypical of someone who has spent significant time or been successful in groups like HYDRA. But you went straight to LMD regardless; is that what you're afraid people will think of you?

[ Correction -- mostly not interesting. Old habits die hard. ]

[hydraated]

If you were perfect when you first got here in terms of social interaction, completely at ease - then I'll pay you a hundred dollars.

[pause] or whatever kind of money people use here.

People are allowed to have bad days.

[sofentheblow]

Ah, you want to be -- cut some slack? See, this is what I mean, that doesn't sound very HYDRA. Unless they're that different in your world.

[hydraated]

...You know what? I don't have to explain myself. At all.

[He could think of explanations til the cows come home] Unless you're interested in that drink.

[He doesn't mean it. His smile is nasty and cold and mean]

[sofentheblow]

I can think of some root canals I'd rather have.

[ There's no break in her composure, no sign of actual anger or indignance. Just a gently condescending smile. ]

You show up somewhere new, you keep bringing this woman up and attempting to convince people who know her better than they know you that she's unstable. You don't see how this is perhaps not the smoothest way to go about an introduction?

[ Except this is all still public -- wow Grant it's almost like she's trying to draw more attention to this than give you advice ]

[hydraated]

[He hasn't. His mun hasn't.

He's reading over all this again before he decides - abruptly - to end the conversation. Click.]