12046/The One At The Chinese Restaurant

The One At The Chinese Restaurant
Date of Scene:	17 July 2022
Location:	Royal Dragon Restaurant - Hell's Kitchen
Synopsis:	It's a small world after all when Clint bumps into Daisy and Matt Murdock at a Hell's Kitchen Chinese restaurant
Cast of Characters:	Clint Barton, Matthew Murdock, Daisy Johnson

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Clint Barton has posed:
A night with no obligations. Well, at least for now. It was no secret that Clint Barton had no issues with spending time alone. In fact there were times whn he often sought it. There were som post-op filings he had to do for SHIELD and before he returned back to his room at the Avenger's mansion, he decided to stop in for some Chinese food at the Royal Dragon. Normally it would be take-out, but this evening he decided to actually sit and eat. The place was not /too/ crowded, so he suspected he might be able ot eat in relative peace. It was not as if he took any steps to disguise himself. Sure, he was an Avenger. Sure he worked with SHIELD. Sure he has helped save the city. Yet, deep down he was just Clint, a man who relished in the simpler things and some sense of normalcy.

Entering the restaurant, the server gave him a smile. "Table for one Mr. Barton?" Oh he had been there numerouse times.

"Yeah. Anywhere is fine. Not picky." The server leeads him to a table towards the back of the restaurant and he proceeds to follow. Walking along in a pair of jeans, running shoes and a t-shirt and a simple black t-shirt. Along the way a child whispers to his mother, tugs on her shirt and points at the man, only to be told not to point. "It's alright. Here...let's do this quick." Clint kneels down beside the child and the mother stands to take a quick photo, offering her thanks.

He stands and makes his way to the offered seat, pulling it out and sitting down before asndwering the question asked. "Ice water. That will work. Thank you." Finally sitting. Finally relaxing. Chinese food awaited.

Matthew Murdock has posed:
Matt was working late at the offices of Nelson and Murdock when his phone chimed. He pressed a few buttons on it and it read the text message around.

Daisy Johnson> Have you eaten yet?

Matt dictated a message back to her> Nope not since lunch. Why, how late is it?

Daisy> It's evening! You need to eat.

Matt> I've got more work to do.

Daisy> I could meet you at Royal Dragon.

Matt> I really want to get through this tonight.

Daisy> I'm wearing this. <Photo attached>

...

...

Matt> I have no idea what you're wearing, but you've piqued my curiosity. See you there.

So about 15 minutes later, Matt walks into the Royal Dragon. His cane tapping as he waits for the hostess to say something and let him know which way to go. "I'm meeting someone. A woman. Dark brown hair, exotic features. Wearing something fantastic probably," he tells her.

Daisy Johnson has posed:
That's Daisy. Resorting to sexy coertion to have Matt eat. And it works! Of course that sending a photo to Matt is just the icing on top of the cake. Something she does often enough to get his imagination going.

And the dress-up never disappoints.

The SHIELD Agent is dressed up in a soft pink dress tonight. Perfect for the kind of hot summer night that's been blazing through Hell's Kitchen last couple of weeks. Shoulders bare. Pair of high heels on. A far cry away from the typical jeans and shirts she is often seen with. Which is also why Clint doesn't recognize her on the way in. Nor does she recognize him because really .., why would she expect Clint to be here of all places?! It's only when Clint is taking that picture with the child and mother that she recognizes him and approaches. "Well, well ..., trying to sneak dinner in the royal dragon and didn't even tell me?" she asks when she approaches his table. "I do live in Hell's Kitchen now. Matt is coming to meet me for dinner so you should eat with us." It doesn't sound like an invitation, more like a certainty.

And to settle things down she gestures to the waiter (who seems to know her quite well) and helps her bring a table over to connect to Clint's. Matt's arriving right as she finishes bringing the tables together and she waves over, "Hey come join us."

And once Matt is near she says, "Have you met Clint Barton?" she then whispering, "You know .., the one with the action-figure..." which Daisy owns of course.

Clint Barton has posed:
He did not notice her before. Taking a picture with a child and not ecpecting another member of SHIELD to be out at the Royal Garden, Daisy slipped in unnoticed' at least by him. Many other patrons cast their glance to the woman entering in th pink dress. If she was going to for a head turning entrance, it most certainly was achieved.

It was not until she addressed him that he looked up from his phone, setting it down on the table with a smile to the fellow SHIELD'er. "Daisy. A suprise seeing you here. And like...that." He gives her a non-crepy once over, raising a brow. "I was just on my way home and well...that sign was so bright and inviting. You look...different. I mean in a good way. I mean not that you didn't look good all the other tims I saw you."

He catches himself and nods. "Sure. I can do that." He starts ot stand, but notices the tables being connected and sits right back down. "Or you can join me." As Matt enters and is called over to the table, Clint rises from his chair and extends his hand. "Matt. A pleasure to meet you. It is a good to finally put a face to all the stories Daisy has insisted I listen to." He quickly adds. "All of which I have thoroughly enjoyed. I do hope I am not interuppting a date night."

Matthew Murdock has posed:
The hostess tells Matt, "Oh yes, she's here already. Quite lovely. Beautiful dress," she says, leaning close to say the last bits quietly.

Daisy's voice stands out to Matt and he walks over, tapping with his white cane in front of him. With the dark glasses, probably easy enough for Clint to note Matt's disability.

"Alright Daisy," Matt says as he reaches her, "You're going to have to describe what you're we- eeeeell always great to meet one of Daisy's... friends from work," he says as she introduces Clint. Matt extends his hand, though not taking Clint's, as he can't see it. But if Clint finishes the handshake, Matt shakes his hand.

"Nice to meet you as well. And I hope she's only told the good stories," Matt says as he folds his cane. "It is... ah, I'm not quite sure. Is it a date night, Daisy? Unscheduled one?" he asks.

Daisy Johnson has posed:
"This is our usual retreat for nice food.." Daisy says over to Clint, "We live close to here, sort of across the street so .., yea. It's also convenient.." she then leaning closer to Clint, "But don't let the owners know, they think we always come here because of the food only.."

Got to keep your favorite restaurant owners happy and in ignorance of the truth!

Daisy lets out a laugh when Matt not-so-subtly changes the subject from asking what she's wearing to talking with Clint. Not that she helps Matt any, leaving him in ignorance on what it may be. More fuel to the imagination. "I was as surprised as you about meeting Clint here. Small world that New York is sometimes.." a grin on her expression, "And of course I shared all kinds of stories. Not all the good ones. Including the ones involving pies.." Like Matt being paid in pies for his lawyer work a while back. Pies that she'd loved eating up.

"It's a 'lets feed Matt night'.." she tells Matt, "And if it goes well who knows? It can become date night.." she nudging Matt with an elbow before leaning to place a kiss on his cheek and then helping him find a seat.

Clint Barton has posed:
He most certainly would have made note of Matt's blidness, guiding his hand to the offered one and shaking it before releasing, moving once more t sit. "I promise, I have been told nothing that I felt the need to take my hearin aids out for. It is finally good to meet the man who has been able to capture Daisy's eye." He reaches for his deliveredice water and takes a sall sip from it.

"Small city it is indeed. Always running into someone. Just this time, it was two people I do not mind running into." He looks over at the couple. "So you live right around here then? That would be dangerous for me. Extra time in the training center to work off all the take-out. I had not treated myself in a while and figured it was time."

He smiles and gives a smmall laugh to Daisy's words. "I'll be sure to remember that should I ever need your services Matt, that I will ghit the local bakery first as a retaining fee." He leans back in his chair and then asks the generic question, but one he wanted to know the answer to. "So I know about pies. I know she adores you. What I don't know is how you two met. "

Matthew Murdock has posed:
Matt Murdock takes the seat with Daisy's help, and does his best to brush a hand over her back, getting a feel for what dress she's wearing, if it's one he's familiar with. Feeling the bare back and shoulders, and getting a small smile though he limits the reaction to that as he sits down.

"I was working late and she has this... antiquated idea that people should eat. Occasionally. Each day, even," Matt opines in a straight tone. He gets seated and moves his napkin to his lap.

"Ah, how we met," Matt replies to Clint. "Actually, we've known each other since we were kids. Not continuously, there were quite a few years, high school and after that we had gone our own separate ways," he explains. "But, I guess I was having a lucky day, as we ran back into each other and... well," Matt says, smiling as he shrugs. He doesn't go into the exact details of where they met as kids. If Daisy wants to share that, or not, he'll let her be the one to do so.

Daisy Johnson has posed:
"At least four times a day." Daisy adds to that, and even if Matt can't see her face it's 'felt' in her words that her brow has risen up. "Could be worst. May used to make me get eight meals a day when I was getting the initial training in SHIELD..." she shudders briefly. Those were harsh times! Some agents can be such drill masters.. But it worked out in the end..

The talk on going to the local bakery has Daisy lean over to Clint, "I like the strawberry ones.." she confides. About what flavor pies to ask for of course. A wink later and then she is looking over the menu, smile softening when Matt gets to speak on how they met.

"We grew up on the same orphanage.." she adds to it, "I was the enfant terrible. Matt was worse. If you can believe that.." she smiles. "We later found out we had a lot more in common than we thought so ... here we are now.." when the waiter comes by to get the requests Daisy pipes up, "I will have the JJ special.." the chicken with bourbon. Or is it bourbon with chicken?

Clint Barton has posed:
"I have to admit, there have been times when I found it night and realized I had not eaten. Guess I need someone to remind me sometimes. Just get wrapped up in things and...well." He pauses when the server comes to take their orde,r giving her his attention for a moment and pointing ot what he wishes on the menu as he states it. "Bulletproof beef and broccoli. That will add some health, at least to my conscience.." He closes the menu and sets it back on the table, turning back to Matt and Daisy with another grin.

"Almost seems like a moment of fate then. Bringing you back together. I've found that sharing difficult moments seems to bring people closer. A special bond. I am sure the two of you developed that while in the orphanage." He reaches for his water and then softly adds from behind the glass. "A happy Daisy is a good Daisy. If you keep that smile on her face then I will be forever in your debt." He tosses a wink to Daisy and then lowers the glass. "Strawberry pies. Got it." A note made for if he ever needed to cheer her up or get himself out of trouble. Another small word. "Truly happy for the two of you."

Matthew Murdock has posed:
Matt Murdock rests a hand gently on Daisy's back. "That's certainly my goal," Matt agrees with Clint, on keeping Daisy happy. He gives a soft smile, meant for her if not quite facing her as fully as a sighted person might when he delivers it her direction.

"I'm not sure about being the worse one though," Matt says in his typical, quiet, low emotion voice. It is a good voice for a lawyer. "Daisy didn't want anyone else coming in and taking the bed in the room she'd shared with someone who was adopted. So she hacked their computers and was redirecting any incoming girls to other facilities," Matt points out, lips quirking at his supressed grin.

Daisy Johnson has posed:
Daisy certainly seems happy now, her shoulder resting against Matt's when she feels that hand on her lower back, eyes glinting sharp, "What about you, Clint? Not settling down yet?" she inquires, "Or is there a special someone you are keeping a secret from everyone, mmm?" then she clicking her tongue, "Darn it, I should had waited until the alcohol came so you'd get looser lips.." she is joking of course.

Matt then talking about Daisy's exploits when younger has her quirk a brow. "Well, it was for their own good. I wouldn't be good company..." she murmurs. "I would make their life a living hell because I wanted Sophie to be there.."

There's a bit of a pause and then she finally adds, "But you were totally the worse, you just were never caught..." a look to Clint, "And when he was he had that silver tongue he gave the nuns. He was already a lawyer at heart back then. And they just believed him.."

Clint Barton has posed:
"I have always thought that a clever word is better than the sharpest sword. Something to be said for being able to talk yourself out of a situation. Goint to serve you well Matt with Daisy." His tone is one of sarcasm and he gives Daisy another small wink. "A clever word and strawberry pie and you are good to go."

He leans forward, placing his elbows on the table now. "That soinds like something Daisy would do. Make sure she gets what she wants by manipulating some computer system. Worked just as well back then it seems." He considers Daisy's words a moment, a soft chuckle, perhaps even a slightly nervous one. "Well you're right there, a bit of alcohol and I might be telling you things about myself that even SHIELD could not help keep hidden. Oh I don't keep secrets about that stuff. I just don't talk about it. I mean that would mean there would have to be something to talk about. Of which there is nothing really to...well...talk about."

He leans back once again and runs a hand over the back of his neck and says with another sense of sarcasm. "I mean I need ot be careful. A lot of fangirls out there. Crazy ones. I just can't um...jump into something. It might not be good for my future investments. Ain't that right Matt?"

Was there someone he had his eye on? Would he reveal more?

Matthew Murdock has posed:
Matt's arm moves to rest gently around Daisy as they sit shoulder to shoulder. At Clint's statement, Matt chuckles. "Oh, it's not quite that easy," he says of smooth talk and strawberry pie. Maybe it is, but if it was Matt certainly wouldn't admit to this in front of Daisy!

"You never know," Matt says in his quiet, deep rasp, "exactly when something is going to find you. Though it helps to be open to it when it comes along," he says, turning his head towards Daisy for a moment so she can see the smile he has for her.

"And," Matt says, "best if we stay away from too much of that SHIELD talk. It must be a downer to have just met someone when you have to kill them for talking too much in front of them," he kids.