I12DT - She Only Drinks Now And Then

by **Natalya Romanov** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 7:59 am

Natalya sat at a table by herself in the Rose and Crown with a clear drink in her right hand and two envelopes under her left hand. She sighed, looked at the envelopes and then at the drink. She raised the drink, but set it back down before it got to her lips.

((Open))

by **Samantha McManus** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 12:42 pm

"Penny for your thoughts?" Samantha asked as she neared the table.

by **Natalya Romanov** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 12:45 pm

In answer, Natalya tossed the thicker of the two of the envelopes across the table. It had been opened and the papers inside had official SHIELD letterhead.

by **Samantha McManus** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 12:46 pm

"Is this what I think it is?"

by **Natalya Romanov** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 12:49 pm

"Among other things, I'm at fault for the loss of the team and they regretfully accept my resignation. My last paycheck's in the mail and all my personal belongings are being shipped here. Basically, it's the 'don't let the door hit you' letters."

by **Samantha McManus** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 12:49 pm

"Suppose you did know this was coming," she said as she sat down at the table.

by **Natalya Romanov** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 12:53 pm

'Knowing and seeing it in print are two different things. And I didn't expect them to throw the loss of the team on my record. It makes sense, but it still feels like salt in the wounds."

by **Samantha McManus** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 12:54 pm

"Aye. From the sound of things, Carter wanted to nail you to the wall."

by **Natalya Romanov** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 12:59 pm

"She couldn't just be content with me being out, she had to ruin my reputation in the process," she sighed. "Oh well... on the bright side, I don't have to work with her anymore."

by **Samantha McManus** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:00 pm

"Aye, and my vouching for you still counts for something with the trustees."

by **Natalya Romanov** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:08 pm

"I appreciate you sticking your neck out for me on this. You should probably see this too." She tossed the second envelope over to Sam. Inside was a plain white card on which was written:

You cost me a lot. You owe me.

There was no return address and no other ornamentation other than the postage and the address to Natalya in care of the university.

by **Samantha McManus** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:09 pm

"Somehow I doubt that was Carter," she frowned.

by **Natalya Romanov** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:10 pm

"Not her style. She would have sent me a 'Congratulations! You're fired!' card if she thought she could get away with it."

by **Samantha McManus** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:13 pm

"Makes me think this was more an interested party with the installation you crashed..."

by **Michael Asters** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:18 pm

"Strange thing about bars," Mike said as he walked in, homing in on the people he knew. "Did you know that 'I'm not as drunk as I'm about to be' has a distinct psychic feeling? True story."

by **Natalya Romanov** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:22 pm

"Wouldn't surprise me," she said to Sam, before turning to Mike. "Does it feel anything like 'I can't possibly get as drunk as I want to be'?"

by **Samantha McManus** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:24 pm

"So it's finally that time, is it? The doctors gave you the all-clear?"

by **Michael Asters** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:31 pm

"Only for a while. That fades into 'oooh, this feels good,' and then to 'oh god, what did I do.' It could use further research, though," he allowed. "Are we going to get completely irritated with me if I do the Professor Xavier thing and just know what's wrong?"

by **Nailah Weaver** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:33 pm

"Yes, they will." Nailah smirks, sitting down next tot he group.

by **Michael Asters** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:34 pm

Michael chuckled, looking at her. "Will they be surprised, though?"

by **Natalya Romanov** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:36 pm

"You really want to fish in my head for it?" Natalya said with a chuckle. "Your brain's funeral. Go for it. I'm cleared to drink a little. Hence why I can't possibly get as drunk as I need to be."

by **Michael Asters** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:38 pm

Michael chuckled, picking up the pint that got set in front of him. "Well, for what it's worth, I'm used to SHIELD's displeasure being celebrated. 'How many years I spent on their most wanted' list is a badge of honor."

by **Samantha McManus** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:41 pm

"I thought I was in the clear with Asters here, but of course you showed up," she smirked at Nailah.

by **Michael Asters** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:43 pm

"Oh, are you saying I'm harmless now?" Mike asked, cocking an eyebrow at Sam.

by **Nailah Weaver** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:44 pm

"Please. And miss this?" she chuckles.

by **Samantha McManus** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:45 pm

"I'm saying you already know about my unfortunate youth," she chuckled.

by **Natalya Romanov** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:54 pm

"She's just afraid Nailah and I will start picking on her again," Natalya said.

by **Michael Asters** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 2:00 pm

"Oh, I missed a first time? Damn. Well, if our new goal is to make Sam blush, I can get behind that..."

by **Samantha McManus** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 2:01 pm

"That and I've been assured that the floodgates are open once vodka makes an appearance."

by **Ozzie McClanahan** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 2:04 pm

"Aren't they always?" piped up a Scottish brogue, the new guy angling for entry into the conversation.

by **Natalya Romanov** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 2:10 pm

Natalya scooped up the SHIELD letters and tucked them in her lap at the new voice, but turned to it with a smile, "This man knows what he's talking about."

by **Samantha McManus** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 2:11 pm

"Ah, Doctor McClanahan. I see you're finding your way around Maldon well enough."

by **Ozzie McClanahan** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 2:16 pm

"Not in the least. I just always know where the pub is," he grinned.

by **Natalya Romanov** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 2:23 pm

"A man with his priorities straight," Natalya nodded. She finally took a sip of her drink, savoring it.

by **Ozzie McClanahan** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 2:37 pm

"That's me. Ozzie McClanahan, Mister Priorities," he said, barking a self-deprecating laugh.

by **Samantha McManus** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 2:57 pm

"So how has settling in been?"

by **Ozzie McClanahan** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 3:07 pm

"Splendid. A damn sight better accommodations than my last flat ever had."

by **Samantha McManus** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 11:02 am

"Glad to hear. Have you met everyone here?"

by **Ozzie McClanahan** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 1:44 pm

"I cannae say I've had the pleasure."

by **Nailah Weaver** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 5:27 pm

"Nailah Weaver. Literature and Language prof." she says, extending a hand to Ozzie.

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