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By all means, order something if you're interested. I'd go to the bar if you want something.

[But while coffee might not have been a code, it's all pretext.]

Or we can chat first and drink later. The advantage of that is if we decide coffee isn't strong enough we have other options.

[krasnaya_smert]

I won't ever turn down coffee and booze.

b>[ Still, content, Natalia sits and conducts the usual inventory. ]

Before we talk about our new friend, I wanted to ask if you were one of those tricked into marriage?

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No. Luckily. I don't want to know what happens when they're asked to move in together and play happy little union.s

[That's a subject that cuts close to part of what Natasha wanted to discuss here, actually, and a little bit of her tension slips out.]

You?

[krasnaya_smert]

[ She shakes her head gratefully. ]

Praise be, I did not. And so far as I'm aware, neither did Aiden or Ray, so our rooming situation remains unchanged.

[ And as that was the only other topic Natalia wanted covered before scheming and the like began, she leans closer for the semblance of privacy, head canting and eyes narrowing into another level of concern. ]

This is bad. Right?

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Yeah.

[Catches herself playing with one of her fangs with her tongue as she considers how to say what she's got to say next. The last thing she needs to do right now is develop a tell because of the little distraction in her mouth.

Forcing herself to stop, sighing.]

I can't say for sure. I don't know this guy. But some of what he says... it rings a bell. I wish it didn't.

[krasnaya_smert]

[ She gives Tasha an empathetic look when noticing the tongue prod, knowing she'll need to practice subtly unsheathing her claws, just as she had to learn activating the Bites without notice.

Echoing the redhead's words, Nat's words carry weight. ]

Yeah. Like, Mother Land bells.

[ USSR propaganda. Empty Red Room promises. ]

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[Natasha nods slightly, a small but weight tip of her head.

She's not surprised Natalia makes that connection—Natasha brings this up with her because she expects her double would.]

Not just that, but here. The one time Lucifer echoed rhetoric like that, we were brainwashed into living these... these twisted versions of suburban life. Families, jobs, lives. They rewrote us.

[She searches the other woman's face for understanding.]

[krasnaya_smert]

[ Cobalt eyes darken into something tempestuous as lips harden enough to drain them of color. She lays a hand on the table, palm up, for Natasha to take. ]

We're not going to let them rewrite us again.

[ Just. Fuck that. Even if Natalia has to sacrifice herself or add more sins, she vowed to protect James's mind, and thus Bucky's by extension. ]

Maximoff did something like that once, to the mutants. Not a pretty chapter for that lot.

[deaddrop]

[Natasha touches Natalia's hand lightly, her fingers resting on the other woman's palm in a gentle but distinct bid for solidarity.

She doesn't like what she's saying right now.]

That might not be up to us.

[She's doing her best to be realistic here, compartmentalizing all the little parts of her that want to scream or cry at the prospect, each impulse boxed up and labeled and put away until she can't avoid dealing with them like so many other traumas.]

It might not be the same. Probably I should borrow trouble, but even if this guy doesn't use the same tactic, I would lay money this is going to be off the same model. Somehow. Whatever that looks like.

You should know it's happened before, and this reminds me of it. I think whatever happens next is going to hurt.

[krasnaya_smert]

Right. Fuck.

[ Natalia's free hand comes up to rub at an eye as a brief but heavy sigh pushes through her nose, and then nestles into her hair. They need to makes lists. To prepare just in case such small graces are granted. ]

Could Loki or anyone like him protect us?

[deaddrop]

Maybe. There's no way to say for sure. I know that Thor was as affected as I was during our last 'lesson.'

[She frowns as she considers the memory.]

I believe he and Loki were married. On the inside.

[krasnaya_smert]

[ Because it's Natasha sitting with her, the Russian has little reason to hide her reaction to such news, and as such, brows pop high into her hairline. ]

If that were to ever happen back home, it would absolutely have to be driven by outside influence.

[ Incest aside (which she wasn't judging, it didn't hurt her so let them be), the two loathed each other far too much. ]

But I'm hearing you; it's possible, but we can't rely solely on it. Which is why we should have Loki do whatever he can while he can. And write a note to ourselves in the event our zombie selves are able to read it and snap back. Hell, we should even consider a trigger word if anyone doesn't get affected, and they can try to bring the others back.

[deaddrop]

The good news is that some of us might be left out. I haven't seen any punishment or event here that at least some people haven't missed.

[Whether or those on the outside of the illusion will be in a position to help anyone inside remains to be seen, but it's certainly an opportunity they should prepare for if it's possible.]

Notes might be good. A network we might be able to remember inside.

[She'd like to believe it might be useful.]

Mostly I wanted to make sure you had a warning. You and Barnes both.

[krasnaya_smert]

[ With a grave nod, Natalia says -- ]

I'll let Pearce know about the note, let him decide if he wants to write one too. The three of us should agree on a word, in case it breaks through. My vote is 'Quetzalcoatl'.

[ It manages to get a slight chortle out of herself. Next to no one will be using that word elsewise. ]

Spasibo, Natasha. If we make a move, we'll want Wilson on our team. He's practically immortal.

[ And the two have gotten close enough to trust the other with their lives. ]

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I'm all right with looping him in, if you trust him.

[Natasha wouldn't exactly say she'd trust him that far but she didn't have a problem fighting with him.]

Though I'm not sure how much we'll be able to plan or what kind of fighting might be involved.

All of this could be nothing...

[She sighs, thinking back on Hell's various tricks. Not just the suburbs, but other times it has gotten in her head or in someone else's and twisted their perceptions.]

But we ought to have something in place. Something so we can at least try to keep our heads.

ANd Quetzalcoatl isn't likely to come up in casual conversation.

[krasnaya_smert]

I'll get a feel for where he stands. Draw a conclusion based off that. But I can't see him being on Team Overlord.

[ Natalia slumps down, temporarily drops her head back and falls silent in contemplation. After a moment she looks at her other self and somewhat groans. ]

Why can't Hell just be Hell?

[deaddrop]

[Natasha rubs the bridge of her nose with her free hand, willing back a headache.]

Well if it is Hell, then probably because it is Hell. Otherwise...

[Natasha shakes her head, just once, a little sideways move.]

Either way, for the time being we're stuck here.

[krasnaya_smert]

[ Not wanting to risk injury, Natalia opts to press a thumb onto Tasha's hand, versus the normal squeeze, and she gingerly slides free so that she may give an enjoyable graze of claws as well. ]

At least we have damn fine company and aren't doing this alone?

[ Though strained, and slightly sad, she manages a smile just the same, genuine in nature as Talia means what she said. ]

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You know what they say. Heaven for the weather, Hell for the company.

[Natasha curls her finger slightly in response as Talia withdraws her hand, not shying away from the claws.]

And you know, some of them here will probably be into those.

[Just a little flippant.]

That still leaves what we want to do with the new boss otherwise. Recon. Organization.

[krasnaya_smert]

[ Flexing her hand, she cants her head and wears a wicked smirk. ]

Some will also love those.

[ She both nods and pointedly looks at Natasha's mouth. Between biting and scratching, she herself tends to prefer receiving teeth and using nails. How very fitting, then. ]

Anyone we could use to make chummy with him? I'd suggest going double agent and trying to get an assistant position, but that's not a viable option anymore.

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[Natasha quirks a quick eyebrow in response. She can't disagree with that.]

Hard to say. I intend to try to talk to him if I can, one on one.

[She's thoughtful a moment.]

Not well, but I've talked to the girl who worked as Lucifer's assistant before, and she's looking at helping Lilith now. She might be one to tap. I'm not sure she's entirely reliable, but...

[She still might be a resource.]

[krasnaya_smert]

I can't offer any input, having never met her. I could tail her, though, for the next few days if you think it's worth it.

Do you need backup with Overlord? We could send Liho wired in with you.

[deaddrop]

I don't think a tail could hurt.

[For the other part, Natasha pauses. She can see the value, but... after a brief consideration, she shakes her head.]

I don't think that will be necessary. I'd rather not get outed by a wire. It would just be trying to pump him for information, not planting a bug in his office. Low risk.

[Probably.]

[krasnaya_smert]

Consider it done.

[ Eyes unfocused while Natalia weighs other options, and she perks up, tossing out -- ]

Now that Stark's here, we may be able to use his tech brain. Something to keep in mind.

[ For the potential House of M repeat or with getting the cat in as a decoy. ]

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That's another option, potentially.

[One she's considered but hesitates to leap into.]

There's no faulting his skills, but he just got here and he's about ten years behind me. He might have a little catching up to do.