11693/Lunch and a Witchblade

Lunch and a Witchblade
Date of Scene:	21 June 2022
Location:	Food Court: Triskelion
Synopsis:	Sara has lunch at the Triskelion and meets Tom McCarthy. Witchblade seems to take an odd interest in him while the two get to know each other.
Cast of Characters:	Sara Pezzini, Tom McCarthy

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Sara Pezzini has posed:
Mid-afternoon found Sara Pezzini at the Triskelion to check in with her direct supervisor over the recent events in Latveria. She wore her usual NYPD work clothes, which was jeans and a sleeveless shirt beneath a light denim jacket, and of course a pair of work boots. Her report on Latveria was filed on things from her perspective, with of course the usual add on of if needed, contact her again.

Now that the business was over, there were other matters to attend to, namely lunch. One thing the Triskelion food court had was a lovely variety, and on Tuesday, it was tacos. Who didn't love taco Tuesday?

The buffet line was longer than usual, so she moved to join on the line.

Tom McCarthy has posed:
In the office, he's in a suit. Trained observers would note that he does have a sidearm under his jacket, but nothing untowards. As he stepped in, he noted the line and the scent of tacos. It was good chow, all things considered. So off to the line Tom goes, collecting a tray once one is nearby.

A polite nod to the person he'd stepped in behind, Sara. "Taco Tuesday - always a good thing, right?" He grins, making friendly conversation.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Because she is NYPD, Sara also has a side arm beneath her jacket, tucked into a shoulder holster. She makes no attempt to conceal that knowledge from anyone, she also doesn't announce it. She was in a room of armed personnel, what was one more gun?

As the man in a suit steps up behind her, the hair on the back of her neck stands up. She has no idea why, it wasn't a usual reaction, so she turns slowly to look him over.

"Popular day," she offers in response as her trained eyes search over him in a way that isn't obvious. "Tacos are a personal favorite, easy hand held food."

What was causing the hair to stand up? She couldn't see anything about him that would cause it, and then there was a whisper in her mind. One brow raises slightly at the whisper and prompts her to extend her right hand. "Sara Pezzini, part of WAND and NYPD." She introduces.

Tom McCarthy has posed:
There's a nod to Sara, smiling. "I imagine so. I wish it were a thing back in the chow halls when I was in the service." Tom chuckles. "Tom McCarthy, SHIELD... just an agent." The man laughs, even as he shakes the offered hand.

No hackles raised on Tom, he's unaware of anything odd going on. "WAND... I don't know much about that branch. Don't know if I am missing the clearance or just the skillset." He shrugs, clearly unbothered by either option.

"Tacos were always like, a godsend once we got back into civilization." He beams.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
The shake of his hand yielded Sara the information needed. She didn't have specifics really, but there was something about this guy that had Witchblade's attention, and thus her own attention.

Making sure to keep up with the line as it moves, she offers Tom a smile. "Oh? Which branch?" She then asks, keeping the conversation going while attempting to get Witchblade's babbling under control.

Tom McCarthy has posed:
"Air Force. Pararescue, so I got to work with all the special forces." The man explains, easily falling into the cafeteria line shuffle. It was second nature, really. Both hands went to the tray for stability, sliding it along the rails. "Usually we'd go... months without. Then when we hit home soil, we'd all race out for the best fast food and stuff we could find. I felt so bloated after." He laughs.

"How long have you been with SHIELD... or WAND? Are they separate?" He wonders.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Sara didn't bother with a tray, she'll just carry the plate in one hand, coffee in the other because coffee was blood.

"WAND is a department in SHIELD, and technically I am with both," she explains. The second mention of WAND causes the people just in front of her to take a couple more steps away, but she was used to it.

"What is your security level with SHIELD?" she then asks with a slight smirk. If this agent didn't know about WAND, she was guessing he was clearance 2, maybe 3, or perhaps WAND wasn't in the 'Welcome to SHIELD' packets any more.

"My father served in the Army for a short time, then came back, joined the NYPD, met my mother, got married, and ta-da... me."

Tom McCarthy has posed:
No coffee for Tom. Instead, he grabs an iced tea. "Level 3, currently. I always wonder if I'm going to get a bump after what happened recently. I'm not too worried about it, honestly." A slight shrug. "Army - good folks, those Rangers." He grins. "Always a laugh out in the field, and usually happy as hell to see me."

The shuffle of people away at the mention of WAND is noted, of course. "I thought about joining up with the police force, but..." A shrug. "I suspect there's a need for adrenaline for me. Jumping out of planes is a rush I hope to continue here with SHIELD. Except, maybe out of a Quinjet." A grin. "So WAND is a division, like R&D?"

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Moving up to the first tray of tacos, Sara looks over the tags indicating chicken, fish, beef, carne, etc. and promptly selects two different choices.

"WAND is like SWORD, a specialized division in SHIELD. We deal with the magical things out there," she says after a moment. Three was enough to know that much, maybe a touch more, but honestly she didn't care either way. More agents /needed/ to know about things.

Another agent passing by, gestures toward the tables, he and the someone with him pause momentarily to do a double take of Sara before they continue on. Their conversation is almost a stage whisper.

"Was that..." she asks him.

"Yeah, Sara Pezzini, The Witchblade," he replies before they are out of ear shot.

That conversation changes how the two who had moved away act. Both jerk their heads around to stare at her, which makes her just ignore it and keep talking to Tom.

"I'm also an Avenger," she adds now, since apparently it was time.

Tom McCarthy has posed:
Carne Asada and carnitas for Tom. Two of each, hungry man! "Magical, nice. I don't think I've run across anything like that. Altered humans, mutants - nothing like magic." A chuckle. "Then again, it's all magic to me. The science behind it all is far enough advanced that I can't tell the difference."

He does follow over to the table, letting her sit down first. "An Avenger too? That's an impressive resume." He says, once he's settled into his chair. The other people are ignored for now. "Do I have the clearance to talk to you?" He teases.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Settling herself in a chair, the plate gets set on the table. "I don't know, level three... you might get stripped and cavity searched for speaking to me," she teases right back. Witchblade still had not shut up, there was something there and it was riling him up quite a bit, but there was nothing Sara could do. She was used to this sort thing, so on the outside, her appearance and body language never changed.

"But seriously," she quickly goes on. "I can talk to whomever I want, and if someone tries to tell me other wise they can bite me," she pauses for a moment, blinking a few times as some one else goes by whispering. "I will never get used to that."

"Anyway... magic is all around you, it's in everything, but for magic lessons beyond that you'll need clearance." Another joke, made obvious by the size of her grin.

Tom McCarthy has posed:
A laugh from Tom, the man shaking his head. "I am sure I'll get debriefed." He shrugs. "We'll see. I am sure I will find out sooner or later." A napkin is tucked into his shirt, to avoid too much of a mess. He takes a bite of his taco, making sure to do so over the plate.

A glance over as someone whispers, then back to her. "Is it because of WAND?" He asks, quietly. "Or the Avenger thing?"

"True about magic, I suppose. And I'll stick with standard firearms and experimental weapons." He chuckles.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
"Avenger," Sara replies, picking up her taco and taking a bite. Taco Tuesdays, so worth the drive.

Once she has chewed and swallowed, she takes a sip of her coffee before using a napkin to wipe her lips off. "Most people around here hear the word WAND and think the worst, because honestly that's all they've seen or heard about, the worst cases of magical artifacts and devices being used." She goes on to explain. "I get their reaction, and most often they don't have the clearance to know about the good things out there, like... well, me and Witchblade. I sort of handled that whole clearance thing on my own. Joined the Avengers, went public and now I get stared at."

Tom McCarthy has posed:
"We're a fairly reactionary sort of group, honestly." Tom admits. "We all have to respond to pretty rotten things, in terms of doing our work." A wry grin. "I suspect it's like any other enhanced human situation - there are good and bad people. And what you hear more of usually, are the bad. They tend to cause a storm for everyone else to deal with, after all."

He hears the term, canting his head to the side. "Is that an alias, then? Witchblade? I think saw a few stories about you, then." A nod of respect. "Seems most the folks I run into here are enhanced." A wry grin. "It makes sense, of course - having people willing to help the world and take care of the problems that spring up around the globe."

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Tom has no way of knowing the screaming that just went off in Sara's head. Witchblade had been called many things, but alias was new to him. The ranting goes on, but all he sees is Sara smiling like she's about to laugh, and for no reason at all.

"Uh... one moment," she finally manages to say before clearing her throat. "Witchblade is a he, a sentient magical artifact crafted by the goddess Gaea to create balance among the old gods. That is the official way to explain him."

Now she does laugh because the topic in her head changed from ranting to informing her she did it wrong, but she always explained him wrong, to him. "Now for the full truth. He is as powerful as a god himself, with the purpose of maintaining the balance of this reality. There are things that shouldn't belong here, and his purpose is to remove them."

Now she holds up her right hand to show the bracelet that is Witchblade to him. A silver band bracelet with a large red stone, with a second small bravelet seemingly woven into the the intricate pattern of the first. Normally this is when she would start to explain more about it, but something happens that stops her with her mouth hanging open... the second bracelet shifts on her wrist by itself.

"What the fuc..." she mutters, blinking a few times.

Tom McCarthy has posed:
There's a puzzled look on Tom's face as Sara starts explaining - especially since she looked like she was about to burst into laughter. "A he? So he... I mean does he talk to you?" He wonders, looking at the bracelet as she displays it.

"Powerful as a god? That's... a bit terrifying, not going to lie." A wry grin. "I mean, we have gods of lore roaming our world now, so..." Tom decides. "It's just a change in our world. Something that takes getting used to." He offers, before taking another bite of his taco.

Then it moves. And Tom goes still, not sure what to make of the development - but Sara's response does not seem all that comforting.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Very slowly Sara turns her wrist over so that both red stones, on the larger and small bracelet are facing up, but the second one doesn't move again. Her eyes are scanning over the two, which really just looks like one large one, until she notes the differences in how it looks, slightly less wrapped up with the larger one.

"I'm sorry for that, I didn't mean to startle you," she offers before looking back up at Tom. "Yes, he does talk to me. He is a part of me really, our souls are combined. He is always present in my mind, which let me tell you can be a challenge at times... like right now."

Since the second one is no longer moving, she turns her hand back over again. "There's a long history to his existence, dating back to before the earth even existed... this however," and now she runs her finger over the second bracelet. "Is a more recent development, and that movement, I know you didn't miss it, is the first time it has moved on its own."

Tom McCarthy has posed:
He lets his breath out, as things seem to be under control. "No problem - just wanted to make sure everything was ok. I'm not brushed up on eldritch beings and their reactions, so I didn't want to startle the Witchblade." A smile, the man digging back into his tacos.

"So... souls combined. That sounds... kind of invasive? Did you have a choice in it, or did it just kind of happen?" He wonders, blinking. "Sorry, that sounds rude - didn't mean it as such."

As she points out that there are two bracelets, he blinks. "Does he... replicate? Procreate? Er... how does that sort of thing happen? And does he know about the second one?"

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Now Sara laughs. Every single person who heard about her and Witchblade's souls being combined asked that exact same question, and had the exact same reaction to having asked it.

"Honestly, I'm used to that question, so no need to worry yourself," she offers after a moment, and another sip of her coffee.

"He chose me as his wielder," she then continues. "I did not get a say in the matter, so naturally the first few months were a living hell for the both of us. The best I can say is, I got used to it. I understand and accept his purpose, and thus accept him."

She looks back at the second bracelet now. "He cannot procreate, that is outside his realm of abilities. This was... the work of a very dedicated group of magical nazis. Their attempt to steal him through recreation, that failed." She pauses her, closing her eyes for a moment.

Her voice goes much softer, far more quiet, "The things that happened in creating it, Witchblade refused that the lives lost be in vain, so he... kept the second part of himself." Opening her eyes again she looks up. "That is why they are intertwined, the second really is a part of him and yet not, but he refuses to let go of it... and now, I think it might be getting comfortable? I don't know. I don't know why it moved, he got strangely quiet on me, which he is also prone to doing."

Tom McCarthy has posed:
A look of relief as he didn't put his foot in his mouth. "Yeah, a forced partner can be rough in any situation, let alone something so internal as a soul." Tom chuckles. "Glad you both sorted it out, then. Else... it'd be trouble, I'm sure." Another bite from his first taco, finishing it off.

A frown at the mention of nazis. "I'd have hoped that that group would have been wiped out during the war, and no longer be an issue." Of course, the second bracelet could have been made during the war - Tom doesn't know. "I am glad they failed, though. Bad enough having super-powered nazis - a god-powered one would be devastating."

"Comfortable is good, right? Comfort with you, even better, since you are both co-inhabiting the same space."

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Once more Sara runs her finger over the second bracelet, this time lingering over the place that it had moved, where it was now less wrapped up with the actual bracelet.

"He saved my life when he choose me, so I can't complain too overly much."

Shifting her eyes back to Tom, she takes a moment to finish off her first taco, then sits back with coffee cup in her right hand. "Most believed them to have been destroyed, but the Thule Society, or a least a cell of them, exists here in New York. If we get any more activity from them, would you like a call to join in the mission?"

She knew he would likely take the opportunity, but she still asked as part of a test to see just how far this agent was willing to go.

"When it comes to this second bracelet, Witchblade doesn't share much. For all I know it could be a second separate personality, like a twin or something. What I do know is that right now, they are together as one on my wrist, and that WB is attempting to back track numerous excuses and reasons as to why the second one moved."

Tom McCarthy has posed:
Tom watches her trace at the bracelet, more than a bit curious. At the mention of going after the Thule, he nods. "If it means getting rid of bad people, I'm in. Assuming I get clearance." A chuckle. "The very least, I can help out with getting people to safety and treating any battlefield wounds." A nod. "Get everyone out alive."

"A twin? Interesting. I wonder if it is male or female presenting?" He thinks. A glance to Sara's face at that, brow arched. "Like he's trying to hide something?"

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Sara snorts as she nods. "Oh yeah, he hides things alright. He used to hide a /lot/ more, but we went through a bit of a living hell together, so he doesn't hide quite as much. This though is new, so he's allowed a little bit of time to figure it out himself and then share."

The time was coming to a close however, almost six months had passed since it was recovered, and over a year ago for it's creation.

"You have clearance to work any mission you are comfortable working," she says plainly. "The last time we faced off with the Society, they were mimicking the Avengers in how they appeared and acted, magical effect to give strength, etc. We managed to take a couple of the soldier's alive, before their uniforms exploded on them. It's only a matter of time before they show up again however, their leaders is as obsessed with Witchblade as Kenneth Irons is."

Tom McCarthy has posed:
A shake of his head, looking to the bracer. "You need to work with your partner, not against her. You can do so much more when everyone is on the same page." Hah! Scolding jewelry was not something Tom had thought would be on his bucket list, but here we are. A wink to Sara. "I imagine, depending on how old he is, it is very new in the scheme of things."

"If I am clear to go, then yeah. Definitely." A smirk. "I'm just used to more of a chain of command from the service. I don't want to step on any toes, honestly. But yeah, count me in if you get a lead. I may not have enhanced skills, but I am still an expert marksman."

Sara Pezzini has posed:
The second taco on Sara's plate gets wrapped up in first a piece of plastic, well really an evidence back from her jacket pocket, and then sealed to keep it fresh.

"WB, which yes is the /only/ acceptable nickname, is older than the Earth. He was created at the nearly the beginning of all living things in the universe, so... he's old as fuck." She picks up her coffee for another sip.

"So yes, there is a lot of things he is still learning. In fact, his last wielder was alive during World War II, so the differences just between then and now, it's a lot for an ancient entity to take in, accept, understand... but in the three years I've had him, he has improved a great deal."

At the end of speaking, she gets an odd yet funny expression on her face. "Oh for fuc... okay, /we've/ improved a lot."

Tom McCarthy has posed:
Meanwhile, Tom is powering through those tacos he chose. Nothing is going home with him! He munches away as she explains, listening to the tale of the bracelet - Witchblade. "WB, huh." A grin. "At least he accepts that, then. I imagine using a long title for someone can get old rather quickly."

"And good that he's not mired in the long ago. It'd be so difficult to explain a lot of modern technology and concepts, I would suspect." He nods. "And good for growth."

There's a pause as she gets that look. "Everything all right?"

Sara Pezzini has posed:
The bagged taco goes into her jacket pocket, a late night snack while at the precinct, then Sara looks back across the table.

"I'm going to give you an analogy that will piss WB off, but explains how our relationship works." She begins with a grin, preparing for the screaming in her head.

"His desire and need for balance leads him to a line of destruction against the things that should not exist. As this is drilled into the very core of who and what he is, there is definitely a high level of tension and anger in many situations."

So far, she seemed to be speaking without any interference from inside her own head. "Now, imagine all that power, the knowledge of thousands of years, hundreds of wielders in different times, and you have an idea of the base personality that is WB. He believes himself indestructible perfection with a purpose. Follow me so far?"

She takes another sip of her coffee before leaning forward a bit, "Now, tell that being he's wrong, or that he can't do something because, and give the reason, a perfectly acceptable and logical reason to the human mind... instant five year old throwing a tantrum."

And there is it, he can see it in her eyes, the way they sort of dim that the conversation in her head has turned into screaming, but that is the only indication of it and she keeps right on talking.

"So, when I say he is learning and improving, I mean only in how he sees and reacts to the world around him. Just now, he reminded me that I'm also learning and improving, in how to deal with him, but also, apparently, in how to deal with his powers. That is why I corrected myself, to appease him."

Tom McCarthy has posed:
That's a lot of information to take in, more so to process. It's likely lucky that Sara has had several years to do so, honestly. Tom nods after a bit, trying to puzzle it together even as he finishes the last of his tacos. "That's a whole lot of personality to deal with, I am sure." A wry grin. "And a lot of experience to sort through."

"Do you find yourself doing that often, though? Correcting yourself for something said that bothers WB?" He wonders. "Or is he getting used to your way of describing things?"

Sara Pezzini has posed:
The ranting continues. "He loaths being compared to a five year old," Sara admits with a chuckle. "But that's because he doesn't understand the concept of a five year old human child, or what they're like. Most of the time I manage to describe things in an acceptable way, other times he throws another tantrum and I correct myself to appease him."

Finishing off her coffee, she offers Tom a bright smile. "My dreams at night are often a gift from him of the lives of previous wielders, to help me learn everything he's been through in his existence, but also to learn from what they have done. That helps a lot in working through all the information, and parts of his personality. That said, I feel I should also add that there are times when he really, really, /really/ wants full control. For me to just listen to what he desires and do it. That is the daily struggle, to ensure he doesn't go off on some murderous bender against the forces of darkness and evil."

Tom McCarthy has posed:
Sipping his iced tea, Tom nods. "I suspect most people over twenty hate being compared to a five year old." The man chuckles. "And he doesn't understand childhood? That's... difficult to explain. I wonder how much knowledge he was imparted upon when he came into being?"

"Does he let you have your own dreams?" He wonders. "Or are they all from him?" The man asks, truly curious. A shake of his head. "That's rough - fighting for that sort of control."

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Going to set her cup on the table, a young woman in cafeteria uniform comes by with a cart. She offers Tom more iced tea and refills Sara's cup with a smile, the moves on to collect some dirty plates from another table.

"That is a part..." she starts then pauses with a soft hmmm. "Okay, let me think a moment. His creation was with purpose. Gaea, his mother, saw the old gods falling into chaos and decadence, using living beings as play things, that sort of thing."

She pauses again, this time leaning to add a little cream to her coffee while she puts together the thoughts in her head, or listened to Witchblade, it's one of those.

"Ooooh, okay. Now I know where my information was lacking," she then says with a smile. "First Gaea gave birth to Atum, /then/ she created Witchblade to serve as Atum's weapon against the Gods that needed an attitude adjustment, I.E. he killed them. Once that task was complete, Atum presented Witchblade to Gaea, but a piece of his own soul had merged with the artifact, giving Witchblade sentience."

Her smile goes even brighter now. "Thank you for asking that, it sparked an answer I didn't have until now. Witchblade was never a child, never a baby, he was created full on as a weapon of mass destruction. So children, they're something he had no comprehension of and I don't know anyone with kids, so I can't even show him."

Tom McCarthy has posed:
A grin. "I suppose it'd be difficult for him to go through a proper adolescence." Tom nods, sipping the tea with a polite smile to the staff. A buzz from his phone and a slight sigh. "Time to get back on shift." A chuckle. "Back to the grind."

He slowly gets to his feet, offering a smile and a hand to Sara. "Nice meeting you, Sara. And Witchblade. Hope to be on your team when going after the Thule." His tray is picked up, the man happy to bus his own table. "Be safe!"

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Sara collects her coffee as she stands, giving Tom her hand once again with a nod. "Nice meeting you Tom," is offered. "I'll be certain to contact if something comes up. I better get back to the precinct myself."