5626/So, you want to join up, eh

So, you want to join up, eh
Date of Scene:	17 March 2021
Location:	Main Foyer: Triskelion
Synopsis:	NYPD Detective applies to SHIELD. Meets Agent May, decides to do some detective work on her own past.
Cast of Characters:	Achilles, Sara Pezzini, Melinda May

---

Achilles has posed:
    After a few days of letting Sara get settled back in, Angelo offered, "Let's go for a ride." And complete with travel mugs of coffee, he cajoled Sara into his car and ... drove. North of New York City, he entered the parking area for the Triskelion. Once there, he added, "Here. Wear this." as he pulls a guest badge out of his glove box. Yes, he had been prepared for this. "And let's go see how serious you are about joining SHIELD eh?" he asked.
    And now is when he escorts Sara off the elevator into the main foyer, "Floor one. No toys, lots of electronics." he says with a gesture about.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
It doesn't take much to get Sara into the car really, the coffee was enough. Looking out the car window as they drive, she finds it interesting what she remembers and what looks new to her, even though nothing really is new.

Once they arrive, she accepts the badge and puts it on. "I'm very serious Angelo, so let's go." She follows him inside without hesitation.

Once inside she immediately starts looking around, observing the coming and goings of people. She's only a little disappointed there are no 'toys' right there in the lobby, but what did she really expect?

Melinda May has posed:
May is moving across the foyer to the Triskellion when Angelo and his guest enter. She's dressed soberly, in a dark pantsuit with a blue blouse, rather than her tac suit. Apparently, today is not an action movie sort of day.

Her strides are long but relaxed. Her body carries that same easy posture, its usual tension having faded since her return from Nepal some days ago, now. There are rumours starting around the Triskellion about her. People can't decide if she's finally found someone willing to sleep with her on a more consistent basis, thus aleviating her stress, or if she's finally decided it's time to throw in the towel -- as entirely unlikely as that seems. She's as much a fixture in SHIELD as Coulson.

"Mr Tampambulos," she says in greeting, her expression businesslike but untroubled. She nods to Sara, though her question is to Angelo: "Who's your friend?"

Achilles has posed:
    Turning to regard May, Angelo gives an easy smile. He does that a lot. Especially when dealing with folks who almost never smile. Call it a defense mechanism. "Well hello there." he says as he offers a nod of his head, "Ms. May. May I present Detective Sara Pezzini of the New York Police Department?"
    A brief pause and he adds, "We met with Mr. Rhodes the other day, and he invited her to come and... demonstrate some unique talents that might make her an easy fit for SHIELD or even possibly WAND or ARMOR."
    Then he turns to Sara and says, "This is Ms. May. She is ... well let us say that she is something that we all aspire to be."

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Sara's attention is immediately drawn to the woman who approaches, not staring merely observing and offering a casual smile. She wears business casual, a charcoal blazer with matching slacks, and a white button front shirt.

Extending her hand to May as she is introduced, and she offers, "Pleasure to meet you Ms. May. Feel free to call me Sara."

Melinda May has posed:
"Agent May, actually," May says mildly, none of the hard edge that would normally be there. It's a statement of fact. Just as the Detective would merit her title in her workplace. Nevertheless, she accepts Sara's proffered hand after only the subtlest moment of hesitation.

As she does, her businesslike, impassive demeanor gives way to a brighter smile. There's a shine to her eyes and her shoulders draw back into a more open posture. "A pleasure to meet you, Detective," she says genuinely. "Sara." Her head cants curiously. "Why WAND or ARMOR? I wouldn't see that as a natural fit for an NYPD detective."

As her hand falls away, however, her shoulders relax again and the brightness in her eyes fades back into that frank impassivity of before.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Sara ohs with a nod and corrects herself immediately, "Agent May, my apologizes." She understands the importance of titles in the work place and can accept the adjustment without a problem.

Glacing for a moment to Angelo, one brow lifts at his explination. It was far better than anything she could have come up with, which likely would have been rude and blunt. Casting her eyes back to May she offers a smile.

"He summed that up better than I would have," she comments with a slight chuckle. "I would have likely pissed you off if I tried to explain it."

Achilles has posed:
    "Right. Agent May. My mistake." offers Angelo as he steps to one side to allow the woman to do their greetings and such. But he shrugs, "Well, as I said, Senior Agent Rhodes suggested that she come and demonstrate the reasons for that at a more private locale. We met him at a sidewalk cafe' by chance so..."
    He shrugs and smiles a bit, "Let us just say that the good Detective here is more than she seems. Something ancient and powerful has seen fit to... well, bond with her."

Melinda May has posed:
If May could register enough irony to give Sara a wry smile, she would. As it is, she sounds quite sincere. "I doubt it. There's not a lot that pisses me off, these days." Which, if either of them knew her better than they do, actually means there must be some layer of emotion hiding underneath all that calm neutrality. It could almost have been a funny.

Nevertheless, she nods to how Angelo explains it and then gestures towards one of the many doors leading away from the central mezzanine. "In that case, I suggest we move to a less public venue to talk."

Normally, his words would have filled her with a bristling resignation. She's spent way too much time working with WAND, lately. Seen way too much 'ancient and powerful' getting its claws into things. A month ago, she'd be growling out a groan and pushing them down the corridor. Today? It's a polite gesture to come along with her as she leads the way to a private interview room.

"Care to fill me in a little more?" she asks, once they're alone and the door has been closed. "In my experience, 'ancient and powerful' things that go bonding to people tend to cause more challenges than they solve."

Achilles has posed:
    Nodding, Angelo follows after gesturing for Sara to move ahead of him. More of an escort position for a guest. Along the way, his hands go into his pockets and he grins at May's inquiry.
    "Well, for starters, it's a lot older than I am, if that means anything. I believe what she carries predates even the gods. It is a part of creation itself, depending on which creation story you hold to. Either way, let's just say that it is a weapon that has been wielded by many. One of which was named Jean D'Arc..." yes, he pronounces it in the French way.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Looking between Angelo and May, Sara moves to follow the woman without question. This is always the hardest part of her, the explanation of it all. It would be much easier if she could just shout it from the roof of a building and let the whole world know, but that wasn't the nature of this particular beast.

As Angelo begins speaking, she holds her arm up and pulls her sleeve back to reveal a golden bracelet with a red gem. It doesn't look like anything major or fancy really, just a bracelet, rather pretty actually if you like that sort of jewelry.

"Angelo," she starts, "I can tell her everything then? Or should I just show her?"

Melinda May has posed:
May cants her head faintly at Angelo's assessment. She knows his file, has had occasion to read what isn't redacted to her security level. It's probably a good thing Nepal happened, all things considered. She feels no need to silently swear the blue streak that would be clouding her thoughts otherwise. "Whatever makes you comfortable, Sara," she says instead. "At some point, I'll likely need to see it -- or, if not me, *someone* will. Probably up the chain of the command." And formally in WAND for that matter. Maybe ARMOR, but only because Rhodes seems to have a hand in all this. And he's an Avenger.

Achilles has posed:
    "Sara." says Angelo. "If you trust me, then you can trust Agent May." and of course, there is the unspoken, 'I trust her entirely' coming from Angelo.
    That is all he says there, but inside, he's gotta be thinking at ultra-speed. Mind racing.
    Of course, there is pride in his friend. In the person who he cares for far more than she even realizes. Enough that he's not going to burden her with the knowledge of the memories she has lost recently.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Nodding, Sara does the smart thing and starts undressing. To May this might seem odd at first, but the explination for it will become clear.

"I go through a great deal of clothing as a result of this," she offers as the clothing comes off, all of it, not a single article left when she done.

Once the clothes are off, she holds up her right hand and makes a small fist. Instantly the bracelet becomes a gauntlet that covers her hand, giving her claws at the end of each finger. Tendrils of metal expand out from the gauntlet, wrapping around her body in quick movements, forming an armor that protects her vital locations and of course those places that should not be hanging out in public. As the tendrils move over her, she looks to May, the last of the metal wrapping up around her neck and kissing her cheeks, chin and around her eyes.

"This is Witchblade," she states with confidence, and in that moment a bastard sword springs into her right hand.

Melinda May has posed:
Oddly, May betrays no surprise as the other woman begins to strip. Not even any confusion. Her zen is impressive, really. She has a reputation for being pretty zen when she's practicing tai chi on the mats, but this surpasses even that. There really should be *some* reaction to such an odd situation.

Nevertheless, the only reaction the agent gives is to cant her head slightly as the suit of magical metal envelops the detective. "I see," she says evenly. "I think you're going to speak to someone in WAND, yes." It's a reasonable conclusion. "It's quite impressive." Intellectually, she knows that. "Aside from encasing you in armor," and destroying her clothes, apparently, "what can it do?"

Achilles has posed:
    Yeah. The moment Sara begins reaching for the hem of her shirt, he knows what is coming. There are conflicting emotions in him. It's not something he hasn't seen before. But.. he turns his back while she disrobes out of respect. He's supposed to be her friend, and as such, he needs to give her that respect.
    And so, he even steps a bit away, making sure that he can't even catch sight of her in a reflection. He goes silent as she does her thing too... hoo boy. Down boy. Baseball. Queen Elizabeth.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Sara returns the sword to it's proper place, nothingness. "It protects me from all damage, and heals any that does manage to get through. It can make all kinds of weapons, it gives me near super human strength, and channels energy allowing me to endure a great deal more than human beings can. I don't shoot fireballs or anything of that nature, but I am a walking tank. Just because it is magical in nature does not mean that WAND is the only option. It is armor and weapons at the core of what it is."

Melinda May has posed:
May nods to that information. "That doesn't mean someone in WAND won't want to see it. ARMOR deals specifically with interdimensional threats. I'm sure they'll find a walking tank both helpful and impressive," though she knows they've already got several of those. "But WAND will still need to know what we've brought in under our roof." Again, if Nepal hadn't happened, she'd be giving a wry smile right about now. But her matter-of-fact simplicity will have to do. "As it is, you'll end up having to show that to SciTech, too, for that matter." Fitz will be fit to be tied... in so many ways. Any other day, she might find that amusing.

She inhales a deep breath. "At the end of the day, though, the powers you bring to bear aren't what will sway anyone's decision to give you a SHIELD badge. Why do you want to leave the NYPD, Sara? Why SHIELD?"

Achilles has posed:
    Now that she is fully armored up, Angelo turns back to face the women. After Sara explains her capabilities, he lifts a hand, "Point of order. One ability that she may not even realize she possesses. When I am injured... if I am injured... I heal pretty stupid fast. Cuts from that blade heal at a far slower rate."
    That said, he looks to Sara and shrugs his shoulders, "I learned that one from a previous bearer of the blade."
    And then May asks Sara about her reasoning... and he falls silent. That one is -not- his question to answer.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
It's obvious that Sara accustomed to this armor, to how it fits and how it reveals. She isn't uncomforable or embarrassed. It is what it is.

"I cannot remove the bracelet," she states bluntly, to make that fact known. "All the tests and studies people want to do are welcome, but I obviously have to be there."

She looks over to Angelo for a moment, then her eyes return to May. "I have served the NYPD for only a short time, I'll admit that, but the struggles of New York are just those of one city. I want to do right by the world, to put this gift I have been given to use to help everyone who needs it, not just New Yorkers." She offers May a smile, and a slight shrug. "When I first got this thing, I thought of it as a curse. I lamented the 'why me!' side for a while, then slowly as I came to learn how it works and what is does I realized that it was a gift. I have to let that gift be used for the worlds safety."

Melinda May has posed:
May glances to Angelo as he adds to the information. She gives a simple nod to acknowledge him, and a second to acknowledge Sara's limitation. "Most of us with unusual talents and abilities have that restriction," she notes. Yes. Us. Moving on.

Then, however, she's listening to the woman's decision process. It seems to satisfy her, given the third, single, fainter nod in response. Most people in SHIELD have the whole 'saving the world' thing as a motivator to one degree or another. There are a few slimy bastards who see it as simple paycheque, but not the best of them.

"One more question, then. Did I hear one of you mention something about lost memories?" She glances between them. "What happened?"

Achilles has posed:
    "Well..." offers Angelo with a shrug. He gestures to Sara and goes silent himself. Again, he knows Sara doesn't like anyone speaking -for- her. And he knows May wouldn't want anyone else speaking for her.
    So he plays the good agent, good soldier, and keeps his trap shut.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
The mention of lost memories causes Sara to wince, and for a moment she wrinkles her face up in frustration and anger. It's only there a moment, just long enough for the emotion to hit and her to force it out.

"I don't know what happened," comes her blunt reply, perhaps a bit of venom to the tone but she pulls that back as she continues. "I woke up in the hospital with a head wound. I know who I am, what I am, what I can do. I know my co workers on the force, I know my boss. I remember the skills I've trained for years."

Without meaning to, she starts to pace out. Clearly the frustration is real and strong. "I remember Angelo for the most part, I think. I know he's a friend, I /know/ I can trust and rely on him... but there are holes, things missing from the last... what, year? Maybe less. Things I don't remember and it really is pissing me off."

Melinda May has posed:
May lets out a thoughtful sound at that. On another day, her empathy would be stronger than most people realize -- and likely will be again, with time. But for now, she can only intellectualize the woman's frustration. Remember times when she's shared it, even if she can't *feel* it now.

"Missing memories," she says after a moment, "may slow your application process. Those types of gaps can be problematic. But every new recruit has to pass a psychological fitness exam, regardless. It'll be up to them how big of an obstacle that is for you." It's only fair to let her know.

"However, you have a background in law enforcement in addition to your other abilities--" Abilities that would get her put on the Index, likely as not, regardless. Like every superhuman out there. "Not to mention the recommendation of a respected agent. I don't see why you shouldn't at least fill out the paperwork. The rest of the process will take care of itself, one way or the other."

Hell, compared to the last recruit May had to process, Sara is actually a *good* fit. Even in her impassive state, May knows it's a much better situation than the last.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Collecting her clothing, Sara begins the process of letting the armor retreat back into the gauntlet. The process takes the same amount of time as it did to appear, quickly, very quickly.

Once the armor has retracted, she starts dressing again, the gauntlet returning to the simple bracelet. "I know the holes in the memory might be an issue," she comments, a little less upset about it but its still there. "I'm more than willing to go through any test that's required." She dresses quickly, having seen Angelo turned around before, though no idea why. She's not modest.

Achilles has posed:
    And that is when a thought occurs to Angelo. But he doesn't voice it yet. He'll save it for later when it's not so.. public. He does not however with every statement that May makes.
    "So, with your permission then, I will take her to the desk and have her begin the process?" he asks. "I.." and there she goes again, armor starting to fade. So he just shuts his mouth and turns away once more. Chivalry it seems, was only in a coma.

Melinda May has posed:
May nods simply to Angelo. "Yeah. Go ahead," she tells him. When Sara has dressed again, the agent extends her hand to the detective. "Good luck, Sara," she tells her. And, as before, there's a bit of emotional bleed that happens when their skin touches.

Some of Sara's lingering frustration shadows May's eyes, but for the most part it's the same vibrancy as before that transforms her face. Her eyes once again shine with a reflection of Sara's own pleasure at this partial success. And if there's anything else that lingers underneath all that, the release of their touch hides it well.

As her calm return, she gives Angelo an easy nod, showing her satisfaction in all this.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Sara takes the offered hand to shake, not squeezing or anything, there's nothing to prove here, it's just a hand shake.

"Thank you Agent May, it was an honor to meet you." Sara replies before taking her hand back. "If there's anything I can do for you, please feel free to contact me."

Achilles has posed:
    Once speaking resumes, Angelo assumes it is safe to turn back to face the women. He takes a slow and deep breath before offering a nod, "Okay. Right this way Sara." he says, not trying to pretend they are not on a first name basis.
    But then he gestures to a desk up ahead. "Here we go." he states having left the side room and turned down the hall. He knocks a knuckle on the desk and smiles to the person sitting behind it, "Can I get a recruitment tablet please?" he asks before he is handed just that... which is then handed to Sara. "I just know that your Captain will hate to lose you." he tells Sara.

Melinda May has posed:
"Nice meeting you, too, Detective," May says to Sara. "You'll take care of her, Tampambulos?" She's sure he will. So, she nods.

Then, the pair are leaving, heading off to find paperwork and she watches them go. After a moment, filing away her thoughts, she turns and heads back toward the lobby and the next item on her agenda.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Again Sara follows Angelo as he's the one with a clue as to where to go. She still doesn't get the whole turning around thing, but in time she might.

Accepting the tablet, she thanks the person at the desk, then looks to Angelo. "I know he will, and a part of me really hates leaving, but this is bigger than just me, bigger than just New York. My heart will always belong to this city, but the rest of me has to put this thing to good use.

She begins the process of filling out the application on the tablet, answering the questions and finding it odd that she remembers so many of the answers. The only one she has to ask it the address of Angelo's place, she remembered the street, but not the numbers.

Achilles has posed:
    Giving the address of his carriage house, Angelo pauses and only once May has passed beyond normal overhearing range does he lean in and say softly to Sara, "By the way, if anyone tells you about a nickname for Agent May... you will want to -never- say it aloud anywhere that May can hear you."
    That said, he steps back and lets Sara finish the app process.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Looking up at Angelo for a moment, Sara blinks a few times in confusion, but she accepts this warning and files the information away. Nicknames were hit or miss, and if May didn't like one clearly it shouldn't be used, so if she hears of one she'll just ask Angelo if it's the one he's referring to.

It doesn't take her long to fill out the information in the tablet. If she had to write it all, that would have been another matter entirely. Her hand hates writing, and her writing was just barely legible. WHen done, she offers the tablet back to Angelo.

"Check to see if I missed anything? I think I got all the questions."

Achilles has posed:
    "You're a cop, and a detective. I think the station runs on paperwork filled out in triplicate. If you can survive the NYPD, I think you can handle ours." says Angelo with a smirk before he reaches for the tablet and looks the form over. HE takes a few minutes to look it over before he nods, "Just need to submit a thumbprint, and a digital signature. But that's all you have left." he offers.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Sara nods, offering up her thumb for the print then signing it. Hopefully it's not one of those use the stylus and try to write things, because no signature looks normal or even legible from one of those.

"Triplicate, then computerized, than another form filled out stating you computerized it. I'm hoping that the Law Enforcement Convetion in Gotham next week will have some new ways of doing things that I can suggest to the higher ups, cause there's no reason in this day and age that everything needs to be written out first."

Achilles has posed:
    "It is my experience that tradition has far more force and power than something as simple as advancement and truth." offers Angelo. "And trust me. I have served in hundreds of armies... things will only change when there's no choice. When changing means survival. And even then you will have roughly twenty percent lamenting that change and reluctant to embrace it. Either way.." he shrugs and grins, "You've finished that first step. So, would you like to hang around here longer or go somewhere else?"

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Chewing a little at her bottom lip, Sara looks around the area with a smile. "I can't see any of the really fun toys right now, and that will need time to process. I'm sure I'll get a call for the next step, appointments, tests, that sort of thing. What would you like to do? Sticking around here I feel we'd just be in the way."

Achilles has posed:
    "Well, I am off duty for the next day or two. I mean... as off duty as any agent can get. But if you ask me what I'd like to do..." Angelo shrugs and sucks his teeth. "I think the question should be rebounded back to you. A lot of my suggestions would be based on experiences that you lost. Memories that no longer exist. Maybe we can hit the gym here for some real sparring? Maybe that might help you to remember a bit?"

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Sara cants her head, brows furrowing slightly in a quizzical expression then slowly is shifts to saddness, "There's a lot I have forgotten, isn't there. Things you haven't told me." She sighs, shaking her head and the angers starts to creep up in her.

Before she can say or so anything she shouldn't in the SHIELD headquarters, she starts walking toward the exit, muttering in Italian the whole way.

Achilles has posed:
    "Hey! Wait a sec!" calls out Angelo as he moves after Sara. "Come on. Let's get a workout. It'll let you get some of that frustration vented. And it might even help you remember something!" Yeah, he's reaching here. He's trying to help without really being an asshat about it. "And whatever is gone, that's fine. As you said.. one should focus on the future, not the past, right?" Yep, her own words, damnit.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Stopping at the elevator, only because she has to, Sara turns and looks at him. "You remember your past, that's the difference!" she almost yells, but manages to keep it to just a slightly too loud tone. The sound of her own voice echoing and people looking her way immediately shuts her up and thankfully the elevator opens so she steps inside.

"Do you have any idea what it's like to know you're missing something? Wait, I think you do, because there are things you aren't saying so you /are/ missing things. Now triple that Angelo, triple it to include christ only knows how many things. I know you have reason for not telling me whatever it is you haven't said, I can respect that, even if I find it hard to accept. I just need to try and get on with my life, I know that, but that doesn't make this easy, alright?"

Achilles has posed:
    Standing there, Angelo takes it. He takes it because he believes he needs to. That she needs to vent, and that he can handle it. So when she winds down and finally asks him that question there at the end, he nods his head and says softly, "Look. I am sorry if I upset you. I am sorry if... well I'm just sorry. I only thought that maybe some time doing something physical that I know you enjoy doing, might help keep your mind off of this strange situation. Speaking of which... if you were in the hospital with a head wound, and the blade heals you... does that mean that the -blade- is hiding your memories? Or would anyone else have been dead, and the blade is why you are not?" Yep, trying to divert her from whatever he's been keeping from her. Yep yep!

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Sara's jaw slacks slightly, her eyes widening just a touch. She had not thought of that. What the hell. The blade heals her, it would have healed the wounds, so why is there still a bruise? Why doesn't she remember?

"Okay," she breaths, putting her hands on her knees for a moment, bent slightly. "I need to breath here, because I didn't think about that. What could have wounded me to leave a bruise and require hospitalization in the first place? If it is the blade blocking my memories, why is it? It's not malicious, it doesn't work that way, so there has to be a reason for it. I think that means we need to figure out what happened to me."

Achilles has posed:
    "Agreed. If the blade is blocking it, there's a reason. Something must have happened that it believes the memory of will wound you more than the loss of your memory. It is -not- malicious. The blade protects the bearer, sometimes even from themselves." offers Angelo as he reaches a hand for her shoulder, "Either way, you are not alone in this, alright?" he asks.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Managing to keep herself from passing out, that sudden realization having really kicked her in the ass, Sara stands back up as the elevator doors open.

"That's where the energy needs to go then," she states matter-a-factly. "I need to know what happened, what caused the injury and why the blade would block my memories. It may thing it knows what's best, but it shouldn't be permitted to make those decisions for me."

Turning to look him in the eyes she offer a bit of a sheepish smile, "Sorry for going off like that. I know I'm not alone, but this is driving me to the point I feel like drinking myself into a stupor to just forget everything."

Achilles has posed:
    "You've nothing to apologize for. I was wondering how long it was going to take you to blow your stack anyway." offers Angelo with a shrug. "Let's be honest, you've always had a -bit- of a temper." he adds, lifting his left hand and placing thumb and forefinger close together to indicate 'just a tad'.
    But then he steps into the elevator and nods before saying, "So, let's do some detective work, eh?"

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Sara smirks, giving in a squinty eyed sort of evil look. "I do not have..." yeah, she couldn't finish that and chuckles. "Okay, so I have a temper. What do you expect from an Italian?"

Stepping from the elevator she nods, "Well I am a detective, so let's get to it."