12840/After PT.

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After PT.
Date of Scene: 20 September 2022
Location: Food Court: Triskelion
Synopsis: Alex sits there and is hassled rudely by Jess and Silver.
Cast of Characters: Jessica Drew, Alexander Aaron, Silver Sablinova




Jessica Drew has posed:
Freshly showered, dressed in a grey pencil skirt, tailored jacket, and low heels, Jessica moves down the cafeteria line, pushing her tray in front of her.

One of the cafeteria workers breaks into a smile on seeing her, "Hey, Agent Drew. Where you been? We've got some stuff you like today."

Wielding her tongs, the woman points out a tray of all the fixings for burritos. "We got the real Hatch green sauce, too."

Jess returns the greeting with a warm smile. "Hey, Maria. Thanks!" After a quick look at the offerings, "I'll take the pork, cheese, green sauce, rice and beans, and some guac. I'm running hungry today."

While she waits, Jess turns to scan the crowd for a table to share. The woman deftly fixes her order and hands it to the agent with a smile. After she gets a drink, Jess grabs a rice pudding and coffee. The Trisk canteen makes a decent cup.

She stands for a moment, tray in hand, looking for a place to sit.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    After the heavy-lifting and the ensuing hollaring, Alexander Aaron had indeed wandered down to the cafeteria. Lady Croft had departed, and Natasha being Natasha had left to her own efforts which had ended with the young Olympian getting his own plate and settling in at the end of one table. A deep breath was taken as he surveyed his haul.
    Chicken salad? Check. Glass of energy drink? Check. Cheese sticks? Check. Perfect, everything someone needs to keep up with the demanding schedule imposed upon him by martinet drill instructors. And enough to make him crinkle his nose at that thought.
    Though it's in the next moment that he looks up to see Agent Drew walking down the aisle. A hand lifts to signal his presence in a small wave, just letting her know he's there.

Silver Sablinova has posed:
Another figure enters the Food Court but she doesn't seem to be looking for food. Silver is not an agent. Instead, she has been approved as a consultant for SHIELD, either her or her teams being brought in for specific assignments. She is dressed in a pair of slacks and a scoop-necked shirt, boots, double belts at the waist, dual holsters on thighs. Everything in her signature white. She had a file in hand and moved immediately to a table where an agent was eating his lasagna. A quick momentary interruption later, she had left the file of his now closed case for him and moved to exit.

Which is when she spotted a figure she had not expected to see here. Arching a brow, Silver changed directions and beelined right for the table where one Alexander Aaron was settled in with his meal. She took in the gear he was wearing, then a hint of a smile appeared.

"Good to see you had other options for employment," she murmured in that Eastern European accent.

Jessica Drew has posed:
Jess catches the hand signal and wends her way around some departing agents to set her tray down across from him. She smiles slightly, looking at his tray, recognizing a high-calorie consumer like herself.

"He's not easy on recruits, our Agent Martin, but he is the best at turning out people fit for the field. Is he working you hard?" With a glance down at her tray, "Maria loaded me up today with lots of green Hatch sauce, too." She indicates one of the two burritos filling her plate and picks one up, carefully peeling the foil wrapping back before taking a big bite.

Chewing, Jess sighs and swallows, then untwists the cap on her bottle of water. Just as she finishes a long swig of water, she glances sideways to see a woman in white, wearing dual holsters on her thighs, heading straight for the table. The agent's eyes widen slightly in a question to Alexander as the woman greets him with her observation on employment. Finally, she puts her bottle down and sits back in her chair, face composed as she waits to be introduced.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    At her approach, Alexander looks up and meets the grey lady's smile not-smile as he lifts his chin. "Miss Sablinova." A pause, "Silver. It's good to see you." He slips to the side to make room in case she had the inclination to join, sliding his own tray out of the way as he gives a nod.
    "Indeed, here I am, a recruit for SHIELD that will hopefully be accepted after training." Which might be a curious thing, for Silver knows that with Alexander's abilities... that it should not be a challenge a'tall. And yet...
    "Silver, do you know Jessica Drew? Ms. Drew this is Silver Sablinova." At that he'll motion and smile to them both before he addresses Jessica's earlier statement.
    "I like Agent Martin, he's a good non-com, I'd go into battle with him any day." A short nod is given as he takes up his fork and starts to dig around in his salad.

Silver Sablinova has posed:
As Jessica arrives, Silver gives her a polite smile and a nod of the head. Though her attention switches back over to Alexander at his words. There is no change of expression. Nothing to give away her thoughts. Yet, they both know she is aware of his abilities. Aware of who he is and who his father is. Aware of what is is capable of. She had video of his skill as a fighter.

Why wouldn't SHIELD take him? Were they actually more critical than the WildPack? She found that doubtful if not outright impossible. After all, their Director didn't even vet his own people!

But she accepted what he said and turned back to Jessica. His secrets were his own to reveal in his time. "Agent Drew." For someone like Jessica, Silver may already be known. Far more than the Forbes articles and the like revealed about the Symkarian. "A pleasure. You are a friend of mister..." She paused and looked between the two. "Agent Aaron?" Since maybe that was the right term even when a recruit. Or maybe it was something else. "

Jessica Drew has posed:
"Ms. Sablinova, nice to meet you," she returns with a polite nod and a gesture to sit with them. "I've seen you on our assets list and, of course, read about you in Forbes. You seem to know our new recruit, Mr. Aaron from outside his present work."

The agent is pleasantly neutral, wondering behind her composure, how much Silver knows about the man across from her and what skills she brings to SHIELD. SHIELD does not recruit anyone lightly, carefully vetting them for talents that can be used both publicly and in covert operations.

The woman wearing gun holsters so publicly seem to shout skill in using weapons, a plus in her book. Her obvious fitness speak of more than just good genetics - though she is undeniably attractive. Jess glances at Alexander's seeming insouciance and comes to a conclusion.

"Join us, please."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "There was a time when I was possibly going to work with Miss Sablinova." Alexander offers as he looks to Silver, as if trying to meet her eyes to silently ask if that is alright to confide before he does so, though he sees no reluctance as he starts to he finishes that sentence. Then he looks back to Jess, "We met at the Hellfire Club of all places."
    A small smile widens, "She saved me from a horrible bit of embarrassment. Considering the madness that goes on there you can understand why that is not something to sneeze at."
    That said he takes up a carrot stick and snaps it with his teeth, then chews for a time. "Agent Drew helped me some time ago when... I made a misstep with regards to a member of my family and an organization they ran."

Silver Sablinova has posed:
"Thank you." At the invitation, Silver pulls out one of the chairs. A habitual movement of the arm to smooth the jacket into place as she sits down at the table with the pair. She honestly had other things she could be doing but this particular pair had her interest. Not an easy thing to gain from the mercenary. Not always a good thing either but at least she fought on the side of the angels.

Tactics may be more devlish, but that wasn't under discussion.

"The Hellfire Club is a good place to hear information and make contacts. It is useful." Which meant it was a tool. Something she used to do her job more efficiently. After all, Silver had too much weighing on her shoulders to really allow herself much in the way of personal time or what most people might call fun. For her fun was getting a new gun and practicing for hours. Or training in a new hand-to-hand technique. Always it had a goal, never just wasting time.

"He did interview for a position. In the end, it was deemed he was better as a consultant. It appears he found a better offer. At least for extended employment. I have no doubt we pay better," she added.

At mention of what Jessica had done, she turned back to look more closely at the agent. "Oh? This sounds like an interesting tale, perhaps?"

Jessica Drew has posed:
Aware of the silent question Alexander asks Silver about their antecedents, the agent pretends not to see. Jess smiles faintly acknowledging Alexander's words, "Lucky man, receiving help from unlikely quarters, isn't he? But, I'll leave the tale to Agent Aaron, it is after all, his family." Her smile grows for a moment before she picks up her burrito to take another bite out of it.

"I've never been myself, but one hears about the Hellfire Club and the people who frequent it. Good for intel, as you say."

After applying herself to finishing the half, she dabs her mouth with a napkin and fixes Alex with an inquisitive look. "Only a consultant? To be sure they would pay better than SHIELD does. We specialize in dedication at low rates," said with a quick wry smile.

"Were you aware Agent Martin ranks your performance as middling?" She nods several times, affirming her words. "He was surprised when I expressed surprise. So I soft-pedaled it. Not everyone has the same clearances."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    A small scoff was heard as Silver made the comment about the pay though he crinkles his nose slightly. "Or maybe the boss is not as bad." He offers in return, but that might give even more insight into that past though there's no real ire there. More a hint of amusement.
    But when Jess punts on the tale of what brought him to her attention, he gives a nod and looks toward Silver to offer at least some semblance of an explanation. "There was a celebration, a Baccahanal that was... not a good thing. I was young and impulsive and didn't react well to it."
    Though he does not explain further about it, or why it would be a thing to come to the attention of SHIELD. Yet his expression lifts a little when Jess brings up Agent Martin, "Oh?" Middling.
    "Well, that would make sense considering my scores."

Silver Sablinova has posed:
Still keeping secrets. He didn't want to tell her the tale. Silver respected the boundary. Though the comment about the boss being better at SHIELD earned a hint of a smile. Hard to tell why but it might have actually amused her. "Undoubtedly. I am certain your current boss is far more...tolerant."

Though when the word Middling was used to describe Alexander Aaron's abilities, that earned a questioning look from Silver. She glanced to each of the pair across from her in turn them echoed the word. "Middling?" The verification from Alexander was more confusing.

"Are the tests that challenging?" she asked though she knew that was unlikely it. But why would he Choose to be middling? Then a theory came to mind which she did not give voice to.

Jessica Drew has posed:
"No, the tests are not that challenging. Or rather they are scaled for the talented people that apply. We have athletes of Olympic quality, geniuses that could be in prestigious positions in universities or private laboratories and people with super powers who are always under the eyes of the government. We even have gyms equipped to handle the agents among us with special...ah, skills." Jess smiles, obviously proud of the organization that welcomed her and made her feel at home.

"We have teams of people with very diverse skills and powers. Certainly, Mr. Aaron would belong on them. But..." The question hangs in the air. Though Jess is fairly certain that Silver knows his skills, she is reluctant to breach clear restraints on sharing knowledge with someone whose security clearance is unknown to her. Nor does she share her own powers for the same reason.

Skirting the issue, "How did you decide to ally yourself with SHIELD, Ms. Sablinova?"

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "Makes sense, since a fella needs to make his way on his own merits." Alexander offers, though he crinkles his nose a little as he doesn't append anything further to that thought that might provide more clarity. To an eavesdropper it'd make sense, to these two operatives with what they know of the recruit? They could probably understand all the more.
    Then to perhaps clear the air he says, "Miss Sablinova knows about my father, Agent Drew. Also knows that I don't like to invoke his name since some people would consider that some form of favoritism. At least I imagine so." A small shrug is given as he bites another carrot then sets the end of it down on his plate.
    "But, to be fair, I've learned a lot since I've come here. The tests are enjoyable." He seemed about to say something else, but curtailed it.

Silver Sablinova has posed:
At least that opened a few doors. Now Silver knew that Jessica was in on his little secret. Though, she suspected she already knew due to previous conversations that had happened with Alexander. After all, his power use in helping with a hostage situation is what had brought Silver into learning more details.

He also answered the question, confirming part of her theory but not fully. He wanted to make his way without being special, without being a literal god. From a family of gods. He knew her opinion on all that. Nothing to be added there that hadn't already been said between them.

"Enjoyable. I suspect that is not a term often applied to them. And would recommend your trainer not hear you say it lest they become more 'enjoyable'."

But she does turn to Jessica to answer that question. "It was more circumstance that led to the alliance. I was searching for a target. I kept running into others searching for that same target. It turned out to be SHIELD agents. With our help, the bounty was captured and turned over to SHIELD. We assisted on one more and after that, it was suggested we might be good allies. Thus consultants. Though I only consult when the fee SHIELD offers is higher than the bounty itself," she admits.

Jessica Drew has posed:
Jess chuffs a laugh at Sablinova's mercenary choices. A thought skitters through her mind that had her life gone differently, she might be very like that, but circumstances and preferences had shaped a far different outcome. Nevertheless, she was happy with her choices for the most part.

"That makes perfect sense. I knew about those operations though I wasn't deployed on them. I was busy elsewhere." Details that she doesn't furnish because of their classification.

She shifts her attention to Alexander again. "Yeah, talking about your father might not be advised. But the tests help place agents. They need to know your real abilities, so you can be used to everyone's advantage. No tedious desk job for you and the opportunity to be a real help in the field."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "I'm a glutton for punishment," Alexander offers in rejoinder to Silver, one hand gesturing to the side absently as he murmurs. Though he does take a moment to sit up a little, casting his eyes across the way to make sure he doesn't espy any of his squadmates, or Martin. Seeing no evidence of them he lowers his head once again.
    "But I don't know, I find myself... enjoying the uniformity of things. The camaraderie. Not that you didn't have that with the Wild Pack, this feels..." He seems to struggle with the word then shrugs and settles on, "Enjoyable." Again.
    A tilt of his head one side and he murmurs, "Did you know that Dickerson tried to haze me? Something about non military kids shouldn't be allowed into things. It was great. I felt like I was in one of those eighties movies with that blond guy telling me to give him my lunch money."
    Such a curious thing for him to be enthused about.
    But then Jessica gives her insight and he looks back at her, "I..." He starts to say as he winces a little and digs two fingers into the bridge of his nose as if he had the onset of a headache. He takes a deep breath, "I'm not scoring low enough to be a desk jockey. I'm scoring high enough to go field ops. Just..." He lifts a hand and waves it a little to the side, "Not high enough for them to start making me pose in a cape and get some weird codename."
    Though his eyes distance for a moment, considering after his talk with Daisy... he might be doing something similar.

Silver Sablinova has posed:
Listening to the explanation from Alexander, Silver considers him a long moment. "The problem with the Wild Pack is you would have been the new person coming into an established team, yes. Here with other recruits, it is as they are your equals. And you go through the training together, learn about one another, develop friendships. I have noticed it with some of my teams, in the past." Not Alpha Squad, but some of the lower level ones the new people are allowed to join. That Alexander even was Alpha level? That was huge. And he was far better than he was letting on here.

"Since Agent Drew seems to know quite a bit about you--and in general," she added since the woman had known of the ops the Wild Pack helped with. "I will speak more directly." Though she did make sure she kept her voice low enough and there was no one within earshot.

"Showing you are better than average in some ways is not putting you automatically in a costume with a codename. You can simply show you have skills, without showing anything... extra." Meaning his powers. "Remember, the more you are trying to hide, the more likely someone who is more skilled than your current instructor will be able to see you are holding back. Particularly in combat training." She looked to Jessica to see if the agent agreed with that analysis.

Jessica Drew has posed:
The agent makes an elaborate eye roll which she shares with them both, saying quietly, "I don't wear a cape. Hate the damned things. Tac gear is fine."

Jess relents somewhat, and raises a shoulder to signal understanding his desire to be treated like anyone else. And, for the most part, she is treated no differently than any other agent. Within months of becoming an agent, outside attitudes change toward people who have unusual gifts or the person is quietly shunted out of the best operations. Best being the most dangerous or critical to national or planetary security.

"Need I say it? Agents are valued in their teams for their contributions, no matter why the person has a certain talent. Besides, I -will- have to say something or I will be shirking my obligations."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "Ugh you guys," Alexander says, and it's curious they're both able to get this attitude out of him, since when he showed up he's been all business as he approached the role of cadet as best he could. But now they're speaking sense. To a degree. Which has him making a face as he pushes around some of the iceberg lettuce on his plate, then stabs some of it vindictively with his fork.
    "Alright, I'll start to edge up my scores some, make it so it's like... I'm getting a hang for things. But if this is a bad move, you both..." He lifts a gloved hand and points at them, "Are gonna pay."
    Such threats, though clearly he's not serious. Beyond perhaps giving them grief down the line. A deep breath is taken.
    "So now that we have my life covered, it's your guys' turns."

Silver Sablinova has posed:
"I am certain Agent Drew is trembling in her boots as much as I," Silver said in a dry tone of voice, showing she was positive neither of them was the least bit intimidated by his faux threat.

She had nodded to back Jessica's points. But as conversation turned to their lives, she gave a sort of half shrug. The barest of movements. "There is nothing to resolve in my life. Wake, work, sleep. It is sufficient. As you know."

Which brings her pale gaze back over to Jessica. "Is there some situation in your life needing resolution?"

Jessica Drew has posed:
Jess snorts a laugh at Alexander's threat, "You wish. Keep your windows locked or you might have a surprise." She raises her chin and gives Silver a bare smile, shaking her head.

"I am considering a new apartment and my new grade might just allow it." Then, she pauses for comic affect, "In a few years."

With a nod to Silver, "No, it's much the same for me work and work. Work which has taken some nice turns of late, if you like space. Which I do." Again, she can only tantalize with the broad outlines, details being too sensitive to share.

She gives them both an elaborate shrug, mouth curling into a wry smile, "I gave up dating apps years ago."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "It's traditional," Alexander says in a tone of voice that seems like he's had this or similar conversations with her in the past, "To share of oneself in a social setting. I haven't talked to you in a while and I have no idea what you've been up to."
    That said he takes a sip of his energy drink then continues to push around the iceberg lettuce with his fork until he gets a manageable portion and takes a bite. After that he cocks his head to the side, "How is X-Ray doing?"
    He asks that with a small hint of regret, because he still feels that twinge of guilt about breaking her cybernetic arm during that interview process.
    Then he looks over at Jess and motions with his fork at her, "See, she offers insight into her life. Like a normal person." Though he then adds, "Dating apps are very strange."