[ a quiet, amused kind of sound. it's been a long time. back in freelancer, he did kind of play up being the buttmonkey of the group, but it didn't take that much exaggerating. he was practical, reliable, but completely unexceptional, and most of them would've been able to wipe the floor with him one on one. things -- have changed. he still thinks of himself as unexceptional, and he's still not particularly flashy, especially next to carolina. but he's been through a lot, learned from all of it, adapted and hardened himself and somehow made it through. south says that he should be able to kick her ass, and wash thinks, yeah. i should be able to.

it's a nice vote of confidence in his own ability. something he thinks he's earned after all these years. but he's never been one to be complacent. ]

I've got years on you and all that, but you did spend a while in some other world with actual superpowers. [ he cracks the knuckles of one hand, shifting his weight, sliding into more of a ready stance, watching her steadily. ] I wouldn't count you out.