15658/We're Just Fine

We're Just Fine
Date of Scene:	19 August 2023
Location:	The Thrones Art Complex
Synopsis:	Tom stops in to check on Asariel and finally has a conversation. Sadly there are still not a lot of answers.
Cast of Characters:	Asariel, Tom McCarthy

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Asariel has posed:
It had been a month since Tom had been involved with the recovery of a captive woman that was...very odd. In the way that most things that SHIELD recovers are. Given his medical training he probably realized fairly quickly that her physiology wasn't normal. The doctors at SHIELD confirmed that. She was able to heal damage fairly quickly and that explained why her body wasn't marred, but there was blood everywhere in the room she'd been kept.

It would turn out that the white haired woman was one Doctor Asariel Basotini, a renowned sculptor and painter who was born in Rome, Italy. There had been a missing persons report filed by her bodyguard in London almost two months ago. But nothing turned up.

She'd been back in New York for about a week now after getting cleared by the doctors to return back to the states. Apparently she was dealing with Amnesia that the doctors felt was brought on by the trauma of being kidnapped and imprisoned. And home was in Brooklyn with a fall back apartment in Gotham. For now, she was wandering around the Thrones and trying to figure out what all she was forgetting...and if this all was permanent.

Tom McCarthy has posed:
Well, he was in Gotham generally - his apartment was there as well. It was easy enough for Tom to get assigned on maintaining an eye on the odd woman, making certain that she wasn't some odd Manchurian candidate or anything like that. He'd been fascinated with the oddities in her biology, having never really worked on a non-human in any sort of medical fashion. He wasn't about cutting her open and studying, but there was certainly a lot of questions he had.

Today he was keeping a fair enough amount of distance, letting her sort things out and browse the Thrones. He was an amiable shadow, not really interfering in anything she was doing - just keeping a watchful eye.

Asariel has posed:
While Asariel didn't know that Tom had been assigned to keep a watch on her, Giovanni was very well trained and the man had picked up on things. He was extremely well trained and well...he got paid a lot to make sure that there wasn't another screw up like London. He'd not told his employer that there was a SHIELD agent that was around.

Because it might be needed in some regards.

Asariel's mainly been trying to re-arrange the gallery, maybe trying to see if there is anything that she can do to trigger anything about her past. She's dressed in red and white today, her hair braided back to keep out of the way. "This is all so frustrating." she murmurs to herself.

Tom McCarthy has posed:
Being a shadow is a long, tiring job. It wasn't entirely what Tom was cut out to do, truth be told. Especially when he was quite curious about his charge. "I can only imagine." He offers, standing near enough for conversation, but apart enough to not crowd the woman. "I can only suggest that most cases, such as your self, do get over the injury and regain their memories." Tom comments, looking over to her with a slight smile.

"Learning to cope with what you remember is generally a whole different story. Your... situation was not pleasant, I can imagine. How we found you indicates there may be some trauma - but I really believe that the spirit is strong enough to overcome any of that." A shrug. "It's a lame saying, but it is truthful - what does not kill us makes us stronger."

Asariel has posed:
Asariel jumps when she hears the unfamiliar voice and she recoils just a little as she turns to face the man. The face was familiar though and it makes her relax...only a little. "What if the memories don't come back though?" she asks him in a quiet tone. "I can't even remember anything before the night I was released." she admits. "Giovanni is the only thing that I'm finding familiar." she sighs.

"How would you cope?" she asks him. Then there is a bit of a breath taken, "I apologize for my horrible manners, I don't think I've caught your name? Did we know each other before the night you and others found me?" she asks him.

Tom McCarthy has posed:
There's a moment of thought from Tom, though he stands his ground - not moving closer to startle her further. "Then you have the rest of your life to make your new memories." A slight smile. "And if you've got the creative mind, you can write the book of your past." A slight shrug. He looks over to where Giovanni is, offering a nod. "He may have information for you - though it will not necessarily sound correct, since it does not match what's in your head."

"Coping... is hard to describe. I've been through a lot, from the service to after." A hand goes to his chest, subconciously. "All I can say is we are exceptionally resilient beings. Our souls, hearts and minds are going to right themselves." A slight smile. "I'm Tom McCarthy. I was part of the team who freed you."

Asariel has posed:
Asariel's silvery gaze looks to him and there is a bit of a nod to that, "That is true." she states. "Giovanni has explained a lot and I'm grateful for it." she admits to that. "Though some details he's been cagey on. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing." she sighs to that.

She watches him though and there is a bit of a smile from the woman, she then takes a small step towards him and extends a dainty hand, "It's nice to meet you, Mister McCarthy and I thank you for returning me to my home and my life...even if I do not remember it." she states.

Tom McCarthy has posed:
There's a look to Giovanni, Tom trying to decide exactly what the other man may know or not. Glancing then back to Asariel, he nods. "I am sure he has his reasons. I've got some questions eventually to ask, but I am in no rush. All in good time, of course." A grin.

As she offers her hand, he shakes it firmly, if not politely. "My pleasure. I've been in the rescue business for a while." The man admits. "And you'll get there, I am sure."

Asariel has posed:
Asariel gives a look to Giovanni and he gives a bit of a head nod to Tom. He was indeed waiting for the right time...or for her to at least be home a bit more before breaking things again. There is a curious look on her face when she turns back to Tom, "What sort of questions do you have?" she asks him. "I...don't mind talking. I've met with very few people since I've been here and learning that my family is all but gone was a bit of a shock, but nothing I can do about that." she frowns at that.

"Do you work for SHIELD?" she asks him. "I guess since some of the doctors were SHIELD that you might have been. Everything has been a blur." she admits. "I hope that I can remember things." she agrees.

Tom McCarthy has posed:
Tom pauses. "I'd rather wait until you are more settled, if you are all right with that?" The man says, with a smile. "What do you know of yourself, though? What are you willing to share?" He asks, giving a glance to Giovanni. No need to rile up the other man.

"Yes, I do." Tom admits. "I was previously with the Air Force Special Forces. Para-rescue." A chuckle. "You will remember. I have faith."

Asariel has posed:
Asariel gives a gentle nod to him, "I'd be alright with that." she states to him. "I know I was born in Rome when my mother was there working. Don't know my father. I know that I had a cover name for my art work and other things until last year from what Gio has told me. He says there are other things to know, but will tell me if my memories do not return." she explains.

Then she drops her voice to a whisper, "I...I don't think I'm normal."

Then she clears her throat and reigns herself back in, "Do you like SHIELD? I'm sure working for the Air Force was it's own journey." she admits.

Tom McCarthy has posed:
There's a very slight nod to her, his body turned a bit so Giovanni might not see it. "An artist name? That's interesting. Not unusual, thankfully." Tom chuckles. "What sort of art did you make?" He wonders.

"SHIELD allows me to continue to help people, and gives me resources I would not have had on my own. Plus, I meet the most interesting people. All sorts, from Avengers to your every day good citizens."

Asariel has posed:
"Gio said that its more complicated than that...and it makes me uneasy, but apparently I've had guards since I was taken as a child. He told me that much. Apparently I was gone a year and someone anonymous person returned me." she looks bewildered by that. "I might be a magnet for trouble and I honestly don't want to drag anyone else into it." she shakes her head.

When he asks about art, she smiles, "The paintings here are mine and there are sculptures." she tells him. "Angels and things. Apparently I made a scultpture of Lucifer as well. I've got paintings in the MET as well." she admits in a surprised way. "It's odd to not remember all of it. Though I hope things come back. Or I'm going to be a very confused person for a while." she sighs to that. "Well...I am glad to have met you, Mister McCarthy. If you want to drop by and check in or ask questions please feel free to do that. I think you're the only other person I feel halfway comfortable with at the moment." she tells him quietly.

Tom McCarthy has posed:
There's an easy smile from Tom. "Trouble is really my thing, honestly." A shake of his head. "Don't worry about that with me, honestly." A slight chuckle. "My life has had some strange turns and twists lately, so... I am not too terribly shocked by any oddities. Curious, certainly."

A look to the paintings. "They are fantastic." He offers, regarding the works she's created. He ignores Digi's cursing of Lucifer in his mind. He reaches into his suit to retrieve a card, handing it over to her. "Feel free to call me if you need anything."