010 || Sharon Carter || [video]

[agentx13]

First, I wanted to share a theory with you guys. [She holds up a bowl in her free hand and sets it on the table, turning her wristcomm so everyone can see. There's a glimpse of the kitchen of the house, some silverware bent into odd shapes on the counter and one cabinet door taken off completely. The mess is actually bigger than that, but Sharon moves the comm in such a way that the worst is hidden.] I think this is the barrier we're dealing with. Our environment is being controlled, obviously, and most of the deliveries are from above, far enough that we have no way of reaching it without technology, which we don't presently have. [Though she supposes they could use the Hulk. But she won't put that added pressure on Bruce yet. Yet.]

I suspect there are service entrances located at various points around the border, but we haven't yet been able to reach them. I'll keep looking into it, though.

Second, I'm disbanding what's left of SHIELD. I've already talked to its members and feel that it's the best thing for our current situation.

However, if you need anything, I'm still willing to offer my services. Just ask.

[Times like these, "Thank you" doesn't seem like the right thing to say. So instead instead she just cuts the feed and goes to put the bowl away. That's that.]

Comments

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[agentx13]

[ This girl. For all that she seems insane, Sharon can tell as well as the next person that insanity isn't the right word at all. More like perceptive. Perhaps even psychic. And if the girl can read the minds of the people holding them... ]

Do you think that's a possibility? Doors that are only visible if you look a certain way?

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[enchangement]

A possibility. Cannot state the probability as there haven't been any observations to catch them at it yet. Definitely not a certainty.

video;

[agentx13]

[She presses her lips together for a moment as she thinks that it's high time she found out more about River.]

River. What did you do back home?

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[enchangement]

She's a pilot now.

What you mean, what you want to know, is not what she did for a living.

What you want to know is how applications become practical.

Best a story told in person.

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[agentx13]

I'd be happy to meet with you, River. Would you like to come to my house? Or would you be more comfortable somewhere else?

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[enchangement]

You're home. [ River shrugs and turns off the communicator.

Only to show up on the doorstep to house three roughly two minutes later. ]

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[agentx13]

[ Sharon stares at the communicator for several seconds after it's turned off before leaning back in her seat at the kitchen table, thinking. This is... interesting, to say the least. But is it a good interesting or a bad interesting? After a couple moments, she gets up to move to where she can keep an eye on the door, opening it when she sees River. Since River has been dispensing with a number of pleasantries, Sharon doesn't feel so bad about doing the same, so she doesn't bother with greetings or asking how River is. After all, with all of them being captives, asking how people are is often depressing. ]

Come on in.

action;

[enchangement]

[ So River comes in, barefoot and curiously examining everything in the kitchen without picking up a single item. ]

Frame your questions, spoken or at least organized. What do you want to know?

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[agentx13]

[ The things Sharon wants to know can't be easily asked. What has happened to this girl to make her so... odd? Not necessarily in a bad way. Okay, let's start with the simple ones first. Simplest. If simple even applies here. ]

Are you telepathic?

Action;

[enchangement]

Yes. [ Well that was pretty simple, wasn't it? ] Onward?

[agentx13]

Can you read any of the thoughts of the people keeping us here? Or maybe find out if someone here isn't who they say they are?

[enchangement]

They are too far, everything gets quiet around the edges. [ River shrugs. ] Like Maria? Maybe.

[agentx13]

Did someone tell you about Maria?

[ And quiet around the edges... Hmm... That sounds almost like psychic dampeners. Sharon doesn't have much experience with them herself, but she may have to learn. And learn fast. ]

Do you mean the edges of where we're allowed to go?

[enchangement]

Stood there and said she didn't deserve to die this way. Stood there and thought a traitor's death is well and good.

[ So. You know. No one TOLD her about Maria, per se. But she has found out. ]

Yes. Everything gets less.

[agentx13]

[ That sounded familiar. ]

Who thought that, River? About Maria?

[ Dampeners. Has to be. She'll have to talk to Tony about that. Dampeners would have to be placed around the perimeter... ]

How far can you go before you can't tell what other people are thinking?

[enchangement]

[ River reaches out and touches her fingers lightly to Sharon's chest. ] You did.

[ A slight shrug. ]

Didn't test it.

[agentx13]

You read... my thoughts.

[ That's both impressive and worrisome. Mostly worrisome. Maybe it's a different kind of telepathy than her training prepared her for? Are there different kinds? ]

Do you read minds on purpose, or is it more... they're just there?

[enchangement]

Just on, incoming, without cease question or pause.

They're there and it can't be helped. Stopped. Quieted.

[agentx13]

[ Though part of her wants to find a way to keep this girl out of her head and do it now, the greater part is inclined to be patient. And she is curious. Besides, perhaps there's no quick solution. She can't torture everyone for answers. ]

Does it hurt? Does it bother you?

[enchangement]

Sometimes. Always. [ River gives off a lose shrug. ] It is what it is and what it always has been.

Charles will help. [ Something of an afterthought, that. ]

[agentx13]

Charles Xavier? [Sharon nods to herself. She can't imagine anyone else River would mean.] He's a good man. At least, the one from my universe is. Have you met Mag- Erik, yet?

[enchangement]

Of course I have. [ River fixes Sharon with a look. ] The best and the worst of them both stands before you, not in literal genetics but in position and experience.

[agentx13]

That sounds like something I'd like to hear more about. [ She motions to the couch, though she has to clear it of clutter first. The Doctor is impossible when it comes to keeping the house clean. Of course, Sharon isn't necessarily much better, but that isn't the issue right now. ]

The best and the worst, huh? [Interesting. She'd never known Mag- Erik when he wasn't at his worst. He was usually either hiding out, killing people, or planning to kill them.]

[enchangement]

[ River follows but doesn't sit on the couch properly, instead perching on the back and putting her barefeet on top of the cushion. ]

Children are adjustable and programmable. Children of wealthy parents who are convinced their government know what's best are accessible. Children who are geniuses are useful.

Children are adjustable and programmable. Children can be taught, train, brainwashed, broken until they kill on command. Children are useful.

[ River tilts her head at Sharon. ]

[agentx13]

[ Sharon follows and sits in a chair nearby - sits properly, though she notes how River sits. Or rather, perches. She's listening, too, and her eyes settle sharply on River's face as the girl talks. ]

Is that what happened to you, River?