[ For the sake of doing so, Natalia confirms that they're still alone, that no one is (or is about to) enter Natasha's room, and she scoots closer so that her lowered tones are better heard. ]
So, what's the plan? Take over? Carve out a space for ourselves?
[ Even though those suggest staying, just not staying on Lucifer and Company's terms. Squalo certainly thinks he can put down roots in his own slice of 'land'. And then there's the slow moving Thing Waverly mentioned regarding Fitz. ]
[ Seeing as Natasha is equally skilled at catching things others aren't meant to, she'll possibly notice the brief tension that sets Natalia's shoulders at the mention of Steve. It's used as a segue. ]
Though I'm not at liberty to explain what or why, it not being my story to tell, I think it's at least safe enough to let you know that I can no longer associate with Rogers. It's...he's one of two reasons I didn't feel comfortable sharing a room on the ship with you.
Hm. Well, that probably depends on your definition of doing it better.
[The tension doesn't go unnoticed. Natasha is still considering what it might mean or if it's her place to ask when Natalia volunteers... well, not the reason, but when she acknowledges reaction and addresses it.
She taps the bottom of her upended shot glass but doesn't turn it back over.]
I can respect if it's not your secret to share, but I do have to ask a follow up question or two. If answering them breaches someone else's privacy, feel free not to answer...
Will whatever's going on between the two of you get in the way of me getting him out of here?
[ The redhead squirms, uncomfortable. If Rogers has actually accepted his behavior for the abuse that it is and continues to atone for it, owns it, never touches someone like that again, then no. But Natalia is trying to find a way to answer without committing to certain things. ]
I can only say that it depends. He's done nothing to me specifically.
That explains why it's not something for you to tell.
[It doesn't answer he question, though, which while Natasha had allowed that no answer was acceptable—and she meant it—but the choice not to answer has certain implications.]
Is this something I should be concerned about?
[Because Natasha is not above pulling at threads, but at the same time she has plenty of things to be concerned about without digging into rifts between her friends.]
[ Natalia almost wishes that, in this moment, her other self could simply read her mind. That she'd hear or see the shit Natalia knows without Nat having broken her promise. It doesn't seem fair nor right to be unable to at least give a warning. A (not so) simple 'just be careful'. She's staring at the other Natasha and wanting so desperately to convey that that Talia doesn't realize she's about to break the vodka bottle gripped in one hand. With a rushed intake of breath, Nat licks her lips, presses them into her mouth. ]
If the situation changes, you are on the list of first to know. It's been taken care of, so far as I'm aware.
[ Rogers hasn't done anything to Natasha or Bucky yet. Again, so far as she's aware. Maybe it'll stay that way. That they'll never have to experience what Setsuna and others have. ]
[Natasha can't read minds, not even her other self's mind. She has been trained to read microexpressions and the implications in words, to be able to tease out information from bread crumbs and minor slips.
She doesn't know what Natalia's thinking, but she can see the concern.
She might get something of the intention. Nothing as clear as a 'be careful,' but red flag, a reason to watch for signs something's off with Steve or that he's been compromised somehow. But until she sees some sign, it may just have to be that.]
In that case, I'll let it be for now. And I won't invite both of you to the same parties.
[Natasha sighs. She's tired. Tired, and unsure what to do with most of the conversation that they've had aside from sleep on it and try to tease apart the implications when she's clearer headed.
[ She makes a small affirming sound and caps her bottle. ]
To recap - sometimes it sucks and it's weird, however it's not enough to want to break up with you. Speaking for myself, of course. And as for the marriage, maybe there will be options to nullify it, maybe not, and if there's a wedding...( waves a hand ) I don't know, maybe I'll be the fucking flower spider. Probably not, but.
[ But she's being genuine about wanting to keep their relationship, feeling better having told both Bucky and Tasha what's been going on on her end. ]
I feel safe enough in assuming that at multiple points in our lives, we didn't have friends anyway. Or fought against allowing them in. [ Talia softly leans and bumps into the other woman, smirk knowing and empathetic and playful. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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She's not sure what else there is to say.
It seems to her like they both have what they wanted to say and more out of their system.
Finally she turns the shot glass over, setting it mouth down on the table to signal she's done for the moment.]
I'm not saying I'm not trying to do something. But it's not getting out. It's not staying either.
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So, what's the plan? Take over? Carve out a space for ourselves?
[ Even though those suggest staying, just not staying on Lucifer and Company's terms. Squalo certainly thinks he can put down roots in his own slice of 'land'. And then there's the slow moving Thing Waverly mentioned regarding Fitz. ]
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[She's almost flattered, though.]
I'm mostly focusing on finding a way to get other people out. Barnes. Steve. The rest of them.
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[ Seeing as Natasha is equally skilled at catching things others aren't meant to, she'll possibly notice the brief tension that sets Natalia's shoulders at the mention of Steve. It's used as a segue. ]
Though I'm not at liberty to explain what or why, it not being my story to tell, I think it's at least safe enough to let you know that I can no longer associate with Rogers. It's...he's one of two reasons I didn't feel comfortable sharing a room on the ship with you.
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[The tension doesn't go unnoticed. Natasha is still considering what it might mean or if it's her place to ask when Natalia volunteers... well, not the reason, but when she acknowledges reaction and addresses it.
She taps the bottom of her upended shot glass but doesn't turn it back over.]
I can respect if it's not your secret to share, but I do have to ask a follow up question or two. If answering them breaches someone else's privacy, feel free not to answer...
Will whatever's going on between the two of you get in the way of me getting him out of here?
cw: mentions of abuse
I can only say that it depends. He's done nothing to me specifically.
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[It doesn't answer he question, though, which while Natasha had allowed that no answer was acceptable—and she meant it—but the choice not to answer has certain implications.]
Is this something I should be concerned about?
[Because Natasha is not above pulling at threads, but at the same time she has plenty of things to be concerned about without digging into rifts between her friends.]
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If the situation changes, you are on the list of first to know. It's been taken care of, so far as I'm aware.
[ Rogers hasn't done anything to Natasha or Bucky yet. Again, so far as she's aware. Maybe it'll stay that way. That they'll never have to experience what Setsuna and others have. ]
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She doesn't know what Natalia's thinking, but she can see the concern.
She might get something of the intention. Nothing as clear as a 'be careful,' but red flag, a reason to watch for signs something's off with Steve or that he's been compromised somehow. But until she sees some sign, it may just have to be that.]
In that case, I'll let it be for now. And I won't invite both of you to the same parties.
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I can handle parties. It's anything that would be more intimate I prefer to avoid.
[ She feels exhausted from the rollercoaster that this conversation embarked on, and her sigh reflects as much. ]
This really took a turn and plummet, da?
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[Natasha sighs. She's tired. Tired, and unsure what to do with most of the conversation that they've had aside from sleep on it and try to tease apart the implications when she's clearer headed.
If that ever happens.]
But it's okay. Probably good to get that aired.
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To recap - sometimes it sucks and it's weird, however it's not enough to want to break up with you. Speaking for myself, of course. And as for the marriage, maybe there will be options to nullify it, maybe not, and if there's a wedding...( waves a hand ) I don't know, maybe I'll be the fucking flower spider. Probably not, but.
[ But she's being genuine about wanting to keep their relationship, feeling better having told both Bucky and Tasha what's been going on on her end. ]
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[Natasha shrugs and tries a slight smile. It's not especially happy, but it returns the sentiment.]
I'm glad we won't have to start dividing up our shared friends.
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[Maybe more often than that. Natasha can't think of anytime she's really made herself an easy person to be friends with.
She shrugs.]
We're not in one of those now.
Fade out ;
[ Talia drops a kiss atop Tasha's hair and happily steers the conversation to other, lighter things all whilst enjoying more drinking. ]