video;

[hypoxic]

[There's some fumbling with the camera then, the usual motion blur that can be associated with a newcomer exploring unfamiliar technology.]

Right, so that's the camera there. And the microphone is... Oh, well that's a bit on the nose isn't it? I suppose that would make it easier for the lay user.

[A bit more shifting then, until he sets his device on a flat surface. The image is a small, softbodied man with a pointed intensity in his eyes. He speaks softly, in a thick Scottish brogue.]

H-hello -- to whomever might be listening. I apologize for this interruption, but I'm searching for someone in particular. I have reason to believe that Jemma Simmons has been staying among you. If you know her, it's imperative that I make contact with her. My name is Leo Fitz -- I followed her here.

[He doesn't mention SHIELD or their duties, though. The agency is such a touchy issue in the public eye, it might be a condemnation to draw unnecessary attention to it. There was no telling what kind of people lived here.]

Oh, I hope languages won't be an issue. Though I suppose it should be fine if we utilize this text function...

[His stare shifts pensively from the display to the camera and back again. His instinct is to pull apart this hardware and improve upon the flaws, but that would be entirely counterproductive to his means.]

Comments

[hypoxic]

I know of one.

[HOW MUCH IS HE ALLOWED TO SAY? He's so bad at this game. May would be so disappointed in him.]

[widows_kiss]

She's here.

[ In case Fitz had missed that memo. ]

That puts you on Coulson's team, does it not?

[hypoxic]

Daisy mentioned that Coulson has a team?

[IS DAISY ALLOWED TO SAY THAT??]

[widows_kiss]

[ Probably not, but that cat is already well out of the bag. ]

She might have mentioned something along those lines. A few of us were quite startled over the matter, in fact. Being that he was supposed to be dead.

[hypoxic]

[Well... It isn't like all the other rules don't get thrown out the window with increasing frequency.]

A lot of people are supposed to be dead who found a way around it. Especially when one does what we do.

[Did that sound tough? He hopes Black Widow thinks he might be tough.]

[widows_kiss]

[ That's a nice try.

Personally, her first suspicion is Fury rather than some miraculous intervention. After all, he'd fooled them the same way, once. He just hadn't kept it a secret as long. ]

So what is it you do, exactly? Your team? Since you've kept under the radar so well.

[hypoxic]

[He'd be happy to know she appreciates it.]

I'm in engineering.

[He designs things that kills people. And then he figures out how to make those things not kill people and tries to build those instead. Hopefully the department is clear enough about that, though Fitz isn't entirely convinced that the specialists care enough about the peons below them to understand what the difference is.]

[widows_kiss]

You realize that doesn't answer my question at all.

[ That's a very broad scope when it comes to job descriptions, Fitz. ]

[hypoxic]

It means I build things. Unless you'd rather listen to the intricacies inherent in quantum robotics...?

[Usually going multisyllabic makes people lose interest. ]

[widows_kiss]

Not my area of expertise. I usually just hack them. Or break them.

[ Sometimes both at once. Sorry, Fitz. ]

Playing dumb doesn't work so well when you're obviously so very clever, Agent Fitz.

[hypoxic]

[He recoils slightly, but sets his jaw nonetheless. Specialists.]

It isn't playing dumb to explain how little I know about things outside my department. I do as I'm told, Ma'am.

[If Coulson wanted everyone to know what they do on the daily, he would've explained it himself.]

[widows_kiss]

[ She gives him a knowing look, because she knows that's not how Coulson works. He'd been her handler for years, he was very much about teamwork. It was one of the reasons she respected so much, one of the reasons he'd been one of the few people she counted family within SHIELD.

Also she sees that clenched jaw and hint of stubbornness showing through and it makes her smile, amused and knowing when matched with his claim. ]

Do you really?

[hypoxic]

I'm sure I wouldn't have gotten out of the Academy without picking up that particular skill. Asking questions is hardly part of the job description.

[She's leading this someplace. He can feel her leading this someplace. D: ]

[widows_kiss]

Asking questions is always part of the job description. Otherwise you never figure out the job.

And the first thing you learn after being recruited out of the Academy is when to do what you're told and when to get creative about not doing what you're told.

[ Not that she went to his Academy. She'd skipped that part of the process. ]

[hypoxic]

I wish there was more I could dell you, Ma'am. It's quite above my pay grade.

[WHY DON'T YOU GO ASK DAISY? She's apparently just spilling secrets left and right. Hmph.]

[widows_kiss]

[ Obviously she will. But for the moment she just smiles, something knowing in her gaze. ]

As you say.

Even so, your skills will probably be quite useful here. I'm sure Tony and Bruce and Jane will be thrilled.

[hypoxic]

...Much appreciated.

[Some hesitation, then:]

When...you say Bruce, do you mean Doctor Bruce Banner?

[INTERNAL SHRIEKING.]

[widows_kiss]

That would be the one.

[ Her lips twitch at his reaction. ]

He's been here for a while now, I believe. Have you met before?

[hypoxic]

I, um.

No, Ma'am.

I'm -- very much not cleared for that.

[for ANY of this, really.]

[widows_kiss]

[ Now she just smiles. ]

On the contrary, Agent. I think your clearance level just boosted exponentially.