Ghost Stories

[notyourrookie]

WHO: Agent Washington
WHERE: A bit outside the South village
WHEN: April 5th
OPEN TO: Natasha Romanoff
WARNINGS: Violence and injuries

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He's been keeping to himself since the fight. Well, even more than usual. Hasn't visited the South village in a few days. He wouldn't call it embarrassment exactly; it's hardly a grappling hook to the balls, but he hates the thought of having been vulnerable, that people might know more about him than he wants them to. He really hates that North had seen him like that. Strangers weren't as bad, but people he knew? What if they thought he was crazy?

But there's only so much time he can remain scarce for before he really needs to go to the South Village to pick some things up and remind the few people who care that isn't dead.

The weather is warming up a little, and he slows down as he approaches the village, dropping to a slow jog rather than a pace that makes it seem like he's got a drill sergeant after him, and taking time to pause and stretch out.

He sees it then - someone just approaching along the road from the other direction. Their clothes look torn and they're dirty, like they've been in a fight. He knows that look well. He thinks he recognises them. Not personally, but from spending time in the village - there's few enough people there that you become familiar with the sight of most of them.

"Are you okay?"