video;

[assays]

[The feed comes on to show Peggy standing in the middle of a room with floor mats, the kind that a gym would use to make sure that people didn’t hit the ground. Or in this case the following:]

Hello. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Peggy Carter. If anyone is interested in self defence lessons, I still have a few places available in my class. Feel free to contact me at a later time or reply to me here.

Thank you.

[There was another reason for this network address, but Peggy had to think on what to say and how to say it. Her tone becomes softer.]

I have been in this place for about a year now and if my experience has taught me anything, it’s to expect the unexpected and be prepared for the worst. That being said, it isn’t all terrible. I enjoy the work I do and I’ve made friends; I am grateful for those things. [A pause.] However, I do miss my home. I would be lying if I said otherwise. Perhaps it sounds like a cliche, but it is the truth.

I am certain I’m not the only person who feels this way. Even with that thought in mind, I am not trying to make anyone feel homesick. I just wanted to let them know I understand where they’re coming from and to remind them that there are good people here. Don’t forget that.

[She is silent for a moment or two then continues.]

Now. I believe I shall end it there before I blather on too much.

[Sometimes, Peggy wasn’t great at talking about how she felt. She was a private person so her last sentence felt like a good place to leave it at.]

Comments

( text )

[classification]

Do you think good people make up for anything someone may miss?

[ And he's not asking to be an asshole, he's just genuinely curious. ]

( text )

[assays]

I think that they can help. But missing something doesn't really go away. At least that's how I feel.

Why do you ask?

[classification]

What you said; I was simply curious. How does that make up for anything?

[assays]

I like to believe that it does. Although I understand not everyone would agree with me.

How long have you been in this place?

[classification]

Why believe something like that? I do not know if you have a point, I am just attempting to try and see it.

I have not been here long. Does that matter?

Video;

[tacticianing]

What kind of self defense?

Video;

[assays]

Hand to hand combat mostly. I can teach people how to protect themselves against an opponent, no matter what their skill level is.

Video;

[tacticianing]

I'd be interested in this.

Video;

[assays]

Excellent. Is there a particular time or day that suits you best? I can work something around your schedule if necessary.

Video;

[tacticianing]

Sunday evening would suit me best, but any evening except Saturday is fine.

video

[beautifullies]

[ This woman sounds like home. Her first home, the true one, if she's being technical. Claire debates saying anything at all, but eventually the need to reach out wins. ]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Peggy. I'm Claire Fraser. I would be interested in your lessons. I know how to use a knife if needed, and I have some military training, but I was a nurse, so it's hardly extensive.

[ She pauses for a moment before continuing. ]

Forgive me if this is out of turn, but where would you rather be? If you were given a choice to leave this all behind right here and now after a year of building a life, would you?

[ It all feels so eerily similar to what's happening at home. Claire knows what choice she made, and she often wonders not if it was the right one, but if it was selfish. ]

video

[assays]

A pleasure to meet you too, Claire. Before I got into the military I was also a nurse so it seems like we have a few things in common. And thank you for expressing interest in my classes. I'd be happy to teach you.

[ Peggy offers her a smile in return, glad to hear a familiar voice; it wasn't often that she came across someone like that. ]

That's quite the question. [ Not a surprising one, but she took some time before answering Claire. ]

I believe I would, yes. Then again, my answer may depend on what I have waiting for me back home. Or what I have here.

[ Perhaps the question was harder to answer than she thought. ]

Sorry, that isn't a very definitive response.

video

[beautifullies]

[ Claire relates to it though, she understands, and her face softens a touch more than it already is. ]

It's alright, I actually feel like I know what you mean. A complicated story, but this place could either send me to the home I want to be or a place that should be home but...hasn't felt that way in a while now. I suppose all I can do is wait and see.

video

[assays]

Unfortunately, there isn't much else you can do. [ She replies quietly, perhaps referring to herself a little too. You don't have to elaborate any more if you don't wish to.

I just hope that you end up in the place that makes you happy.

[Peggy gave her a smile. ]

This could be a conversation for another time. You said you were interested in taking a few lessons?

video

[beautifullies]

[ Claire won't go on about it today, but perhaps a friendship will grow out of this and they can each share a story. ]

I am interested, yes. I'm afraid I've been in situations before where defending myself was necessary, but I was dangerously unprepared. I never want to find myself in that position again.

video;

[subourbon]

[Given everything that's happened to her over the course of being "ported out", Alison is more than ready to sharpen her somewhat rusty self-defense skills.]

Hello again, Peggy! I'd love to sign up for one of your classes, and I'll see if I can get my sisters to join me as well.

[Sure, Sarah and Sarissa are probably great scrappers, but Cosima probably has no self-defense abilities and they could all frankly use a refresher, as far as Alison's concerned.]

video;

[assays]

Hello, Alison! [A smile.] I'm very pleased to hear that. I hope you can convince your sisters to come along to the class.

[She knew how dangerous this place could become. But Peggy doesn't say that part out loud.]

How have you been doing since we last spoke?

[subourbon]

Oh, well, I was "ported out" for awhile. So it's been... interesting, getting back into the swing of things.

[At least her business hasn't been reduced to a flaming rubble in her absence. Thank goodness for small mercies!]

And I hope things have been well with you?

[assays]

Yes, they have. Aside from the usual shall we say "strange occurrences" in this place, nothing else has really changed with me.

[Which may be for the best.]

And what about your business?

[subourbon]

I have a couple of things to smooth over, but it's nothing I can't handle. I'm sure you know the feeling.

[Because Peggy is clearly also a very capable business-owner.]

Voice

[pretendtoneedme]

I won't take up a slot, but could you use another sparring partner? I'd like to keep my hand in.

[And he has absolutely no compunctions over fighting women. They're just as lethal as men, after all, Peggy even more than most.]

Voice

[assays]

Absolutely. I think it would be a good idea to spar with someone who trained with S.H.I.E.L.D.

[Of course, the training Clint took part in may be different to what Peggy experienced but still.]

Voice

[pretendtoneedme]

[His training was definitely different, seeing as how S.H.I.E.L.D. was a very global agency in contrast to the SSR of Peggy's time, but he didn't mind that. Training against someone from a different discipline is a very good way to hone your own skill and maybe even learn new things.]

Do you have a time and place you'd like me to show up?

[assays]

I have morning and evening classes several times a week but if you prefer a particular time, that's fine.

[She takes a moment to text him the address before switching back to audio.]

What do you think?

[pretendtoneedme]

Whatever's good with you, I don't really have an established schedule yet.

[Well, the one he's set for himself, but that's basically just what it was when S.H.I.E.L.D. was active. A whole lot of physical work.]

Maybe Thursday? If you want me to show up more after that, shouldn't be a problem.