Quack

[threateningflour]

Who: Coulson and anyone
What: Duck
Where: Highcrest
When: 3/16
Warnings: ridiculous ahead

[Along a dirt road in Highcrest this fine morning, one agent is continuing his daily stroll around Mallow Hallow. There is one difference today, a brood of ducklings are waddling after him.

As he crosses the road, the ducklings honk and try to rush across to follow him, prompting a frown on Coulson's face, so he turns back around, ushering them back to the side of the road and crouches down before them sternly]

Look both ways before crossing.

[No, he hasn't grown a soft spot for them. Why do you ask?]

Comments

[blueeyedflyboy]

_{[......he's seen this before somewhere....]}

...Are ducklings following one around a normal thing, here? This is the second time I've seen this occurrence.

[threateningflour]

[looks up]

Possibly. It's the first time for me.

[the ducklings crowd behind him, away from the stranger]

[blueeyedflyboy]

It is quite interesting.

_{[He watches the ducks for a moment, then kneels on the sidewalk nearby, placing a gloved hand on the ground. He then turns his attention back to the man, allowing the ducks to do their own thing.]}

As I said, I've seen it before. Once. They were following a young man in Astralfield. It's...

_{[He trails off, realizing that he's about to repeat himself.]}

They must like you.

[threateningflour]

They imprinted on the wrong person.

[one of the ducklings waddle over to the gloved hand, suspicious]

[blueeyedflyboy]

_{[Balfour wisely pays the duckling no mind and continues to watch Coulson instead. He can see the little bird from his angle just fine, but any movements would likely startle it.]}

Even still, you seem to take very good care of them. Some would have just let them waddle out into traffic and not cared.

_{[Yeep. He'd seen that.]}

[threateningflour]

[it's a good idea because the duckling is inching ever closer, peering around the glove and back again]

Everyone deserves a chance.

[though he's certainly not sure if the ducklings understood him]

[blueeyedflyboy]

I agree. It's good to know that at least someone will take care of stray ducklings.

_{[He laughs softly, glancing down at the duckling peering around his glove. This position is becoming uncomfortable, but he doesn't dare move.]}

I'd shake your hand, but I don't want to scare them. My name is Balfour.

[on_thin_ice]

[Jack laughs from his position on a branch]

Aww.

[threateningflour]

[stands and looks up at him]

Can I help you?

[on_thin_ice]

Nope, just wanted to point and laugh, Mama Duck.

[threateningflour]

They're just confused.

[one of the ducklings makes a suspiciously offended sound]

[on_thin_ice]

[He laughs.]

Ducks are smart. They taught me how to fly centuries ago. Or was that geese?

[threateningflour]

[centuries...]

Geese are smart and vicious.

[petitvoleur]

[While Coulson is crouched down, a petite slip of a girl approaches silently and begins picking his pockets. She's bored, but stealing will always be a worthwhile pastime, and this man looks like he may have something of value on him.]

[threateningflour]

[the obvious items are a gun and a tazer and he's speaking without turning around]

I wouldn't do that.

[petitvoleur]

[She half-pulls out the weaponry, and, finding it disinteresting, doesn't bother. His warning, however, causes her to pause and very carefully pull away, standing at a reasonable distance. To be honest, she's embarrassed to be caught. She usually isn't.]

You're perceptive.

[threateningflour]

Habit. [he stands and turns to face her, giving his weapons a cursory check] Don't like letting my guard down.

[petitvoleur]

A good habit to be in, no doubt.

[She surveys him briefly, and then curiosity overwhelms her.]

What were those?

[threateningflour]

Dangerous weapons. You don't know what they are?

[methemystery]

[He's watching from a safe distance so as not to spook the ducklings.]

You should get them their own little ties.

[threateningflour]

[talking cat...]

They'll have to be color coded.

[methemystery]

What, can't tell the kids apart?

[threateningflour]

It'll make it easier.

[the differences are there, thankfully]

[methemystery]

True enough. Have you named them yet?

[threateningflour]

He has. [nods over to Jack Frost] I'm apparently too boring with names.