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[ During the Fox and the Hare mission, after the Infiltration team gets released. ]
Natasha? Are you all okay? Do you need help or to be picked up somewhere?
Natasha? Are you all okay? Do you need help or to be picked up somewhere?
Peter. Sorry to worry you.
[Because that is clearly the most important thing right now.]
No one's hurt. I don't think we're going to be very welcome around here very soon, but otherwise...
[Obviously people know how that ended.]
How about you? It sounded like things got pretty heated.
[Smooth dodge, right?]
[Because that is clearly the most important thing right now.]
No one's hurt. I don't think we're going to be very welcome around here very soon, but otherwise...
[Obviously people know how that ended.]
How about you? It sounded like things got pretty heated.
[Smooth dodge, right?]
There's nothing to apologize for. The missions are often messy, I'm just glad you weren't badly injured.
[ He hadn't had much time to react to the news about the infiltration team, because he's gotten hurt himself, but he was worried all the same. ]
Yeah, it will probably be better if you don't go to the first circles anytime soon. I still have my job at the bar, surprisingly, and I found a small apartment in the fourth circle. If you need a place to crash, you can come over.
[ Either to hide or to rest. The apartment might not be fancy, but it's safe. And the dodge is obvious, but he can't fault Natasha for not feeling like talking about what happened. ]
A friend of mine Blue, lost control of his psychic powers when we were trying to keep the guards from leaving the tower. That's what caused the explosion and the reason the tower collapsed. Let me tell you, a building falling on you is very inconvenient, it ruined my hairstyle. And my spleen, not to mention the broken fingers and ruptured ear....but someone healed me with magic, I'm okay now.
[ For a wide definition of okay. Peter knows he's lucky to be alive. ]
[ He hadn't had much time to react to the news about the infiltration team, because he's gotten hurt himself, but he was worried all the same. ]
Yeah, it will probably be better if you don't go to the first circles anytime soon. I still have my job at the bar, surprisingly, and I found a small apartment in the fourth circle. If you need a place to crash, you can come over.
[ Either to hide or to rest. The apartment might not be fancy, but it's safe. And the dodge is obvious, but he can't fault Natasha for not feeling like talking about what happened. ]
A friend of mine Blue, lost control of his psychic powers when we were trying to keep the guards from leaving the tower. That's what caused the explosion and the reason the tower collapsed. Let me tell you, a building falling on you is very inconvenient, it ruined my hairstyle. And my spleen, not to mention the broken fingers and ruptured ear....but someone healed me with magic, I'm okay now.
[ For a wide definition of okay. Peter knows he's lucky to be alive. ]
I might need a place, though if you're still staying with your fake husband I might have to pass. I sort of promised not to get arrested.
[Not that it's something you can ever completely promise, but there's still her pride to consider.
Natasha doesn't usually get arrested, and even more rarely when it's not intentional.]
I suppose it will depend on how long we end up sticking around.
[She doubts it'll be long. It doesn't look like any of them are going to be facing a warm stay.]
Glad to hear you got fixed up, though. Sitting around waiting for injuries like that to heal the old fashion way isn't much fun, and we're already a little short on fun.
[Not that she expected it to be, but she tries to play it light.]
Are you up to meeting somewhere?
[Not that it's something you can ever completely promise, but there's still her pride to consider.
Natasha doesn't usually get arrested, and even more rarely when it's not intentional.]
I suppose it will depend on how long we end up sticking around.
[She doubts it'll be long. It doesn't look like any of them are going to be facing a warm stay.]
Glad to hear you got fixed up, though. Sitting around waiting for injuries like that to heal the old fashion way isn't much fun, and we're already a little short on fun.
[Not that she expected it to be, but she tries to play it light.]
Are you up to meeting somewhere?
Oh no, I'm sad to inform you that Jack and I broke our engagement. We're very heartbroken, but it's for the best. He's a pineapple on pizza kind of man, and I just can't stand that kind of betrayal towards pizza toppings.
[ As for Peter's other roommates, Yzak stays by Blue's side more often than not in the infirmary, and Clarke is also doing her own thing. They would be welcome in his apartment too if they needed a safe place, but for now, it is not crowded.
Sometimes arrests just happen, Natasha. It's a fact of life that Peter had long assumed as a fact of life. ]
I think we're already overstaying our welcome. [ But no one listens to him, he has no way to access the orb, and the rest of the orbers want to stay here. The only thing Peter can do is help as much as he can and wait. ]
Thanks, I do like being able to hear with both ears. It makes listening to music much more pleasant. [ Yes, the hearing is far more important to him than his spleen. Peter's priorities, ladies and gentlemen. ]
Sure thing. Just name a place and time and I'll be there.
[ As for Peter's other roommates, Yzak stays by Blue's side more often than not in the infirmary, and Clarke is also doing her own thing. They would be welcome in his apartment too if they needed a safe place, but for now, it is not crowded.
Sometimes arrests just happen, Natasha. It's a fact of life that Peter had long assumed as a fact of life. ]
I think we're already overstaying our welcome. [ But no one listens to him, he has no way to access the orb, and the rest of the orbers want to stay here. The only thing Peter can do is help as much as he can and wait. ]
Thanks, I do like being able to hear with both ears. It makes listening to music much more pleasant. [ Yes, the hearing is far more important to him than his spleen. Peter's priorities, ladies and gentlemen. ]
Sure thing. Just name a place and time and I'll be there.
That makes two of us.
[Regarding overstaying their welcome. Not that Natasha would pretend mistakes weren't made. She'd admit that. Hell, she'd made one of them herself.
At the same time, the orbers are a convenient scapegoat for a regime change that was always going to be messy. There's no way the Fables were going to liberate the prison camps bloodlessly—and all things considered, that's where the violence was isolated.
The bitter part of Natasha thinks they'd have been better off trying violence on the mayor, but they'd tried to be respectful.]
I doubt they'll get friendlier, either, though if we're here at least some of us can accomplish while we're here.
[Regarding overstaying their welcome. Not that Natasha would pretend mistakes weren't made. She'd admit that. Hell, she'd made one of them herself.
At the same time, the orbers are a convenient scapegoat for a regime change that was always going to be messy. There's no way the Fables were going to liberate the prison camps bloodlessly—and all things considered, that's where the violence was isolated.
The bitter part of Natasha thinks they'd have been better off trying violence on the mayor, but they'd tried to be respectful.]
I doubt they'll get friendlier, either, though if we're here at least some of us can accomplish while we're here.
Let's see how it goes. I don't think that our popularity will increase anytime soon, no.
[ It is not going to end well, he just knows it. This time they have the chance to stay and help the people, and while that's not a bad thing, they are not meant to stay this long once they have retrieved the orb.
And yes, they made mistakes, but no revolution or big chance is safe from some collateral. The Mayor deserved a good punching, but the guys are no longer their problem. ]
There were other missions where we wanted to help but couldn't, and that also caused frustration and anger among us. I suppose it's a matter of time to see if this decision was for the better or now.
[ He is getting a bit sidetracked since what Peter wanted was to make sure Natasha was alright. ]
Remember those rations I mentioned when we met at the university? I still have some food if you want to eat something that doesn't come in the shape of a tablet. My medical supplies are all exhausted, though. I had to patch up some friends before the magic help came.
[ It is not going to end well, he just knows it. This time they have the chance to stay and help the people, and while that's not a bad thing, they are not meant to stay this long once they have retrieved the orb.
And yes, they made mistakes, but no revolution or big chance is safe from some collateral. The Mayor deserved a good punching, but the guys are no longer their problem. ]
There were other missions where we wanted to help but couldn't, and that also caused frustration and anger among us. I suppose it's a matter of time to see if this decision was for the better or now.
[ He is getting a bit sidetracked since what Peter wanted was to make sure Natasha was alright. ]
Remember those rations I mentioned when we met at the university? I still have some food if you want to eat something that doesn't come in the shape of a tablet. My medical supplies are all exhausted, though. I had to patch up some friends before the magic help came.
The good news is that I don't need anything medicinal other than maybe a couple of shots.
[It's a kind of medicating, right? But the only thing that needs help is her bruised ego.]
The prison camps are free and a lot of people have unexploded heads because we were here. So there's that much to say for us.
[Natasha sighs and nods, sending a set of coordinates Peter's way; somewhere to meet up, once she's out of the First Circle.]
I don't suppose any of that real food looks like pizza? You mentioned it, now I have a craving for something greasy and cheesy.
[It's a kind of medicating, right? But the only thing that needs help is her bruised ego.]
The prison camps are free and a lot of people have unexploded heads because we were here. So there's that much to say for us.
[Natasha sighs and nods, sending a set of coordinates Peter's way; somewhere to meet up, once she's out of the First Circle.]
I don't suppose any of that real food looks like pizza? You mentioned it, now I have a craving for something greasy and cheesy.
What it is a miracle is that we still have a stomach after drinking the alcohol here, but I can probably get you a bottle of something that doesn't taste like sewage.
[ It's the kind of medications Peter can get behind, for sure. They can nurse that ego with some alien whiskey. ]
Damn right. We need to celebrate the not-so-small victories.
[ Otherwise, they'll end up falling into a spiral of regret and anger that helps no one. Once he gets coordinated, he only has to organize a couple of things, and he will be on his way. ]
Oh gods, I'd do really embarrass things for a pizza right now. But no, sorry, nothing cheesy. I do have chocolate protein bars, though. Good enough?
[ It's the kind of medications Peter can get behind, for sure. They can nurse that ego with some alien whiskey. ]
Damn right. We need to celebrate the not-so-small victories.
[ Otherwise, they'll end up falling into a spiral of regret and anger that helps no one. Once he gets coordinated, he only has to organize a couple of things, and he will be on his way. ]
Oh gods, I'd do really embarrass things for a pizza right now. But no, sorry, nothing cheesy. I do have chocolate protein bars, though. Good enough?
I could do a lot worse than a chocolate protein bar. As long as it's not completely dried out. I don't want to be reduced to dipping a protein bar in vodka.
[Let's pretend she's never do that.
She'd like to believe she won't find herself in a situation where she'd be too tempted.]
I'll have to stock up on something like that myself when I get a chance. Return the favor.
[Let's pretend she's never do that.
She'd like to believe she won't find herself in a situation where she'd be too tempted.]
I'll have to stock up on something like that myself when I get a chance. Return the favor.
Worry not, I kept them in good condition. Dipping a protein bar in the kind of alcohol they have here could improve the taste, so there's that silver lining.
[ Either way, he's already on the move and can meet with Natasha in about 10 minutes. ]
It never hurts to be extra prepared for the missions. We had to eat snakes once because there was no other food around. Snakes, Natasha. Ugh.
[ Guess who's afraid of them? This guy. It was really not a good time. ]
[ Either way, he's already on the move and can meet with Natasha in about 10 minutes. ]
It never hurts to be extra prepared for the missions. We had to eat snakes once because there was no other food around. Snakes, Natasha. Ugh.
[ Guess who's afraid of them? This guy. It was really not a good time. ]
[Natasha leaves the conversation there for the moment. No point in saying she wouldn't turn up her nose at a snake right about now, as long as it was cooked well.
She's waiting for Peter when he shows up, standing on the street corner in a trench coat and looking more than a little tired.
It seems like getting gassed isn't the most restful sleep.
She gives him a nod when he approaches.]
You didn't have to go too far out of your way, was it?
She's waiting for Peter when he shows up, standing on the street corner in a trench coat and looking more than a little tired.
It seems like getting gassed isn't the most restful sleep.
She gives him a nod when he approaches.]
You didn't have to go too far out of your way, was it?
[ one morning on the station, on each orber's door, the following hand-written note (in fancy calligraphy) will be taped:
the orber can choose to attend or simply listen in to the meeting when it occurs, or they may ignore it altogether. ]
the orber can choose to attend or simply listen in to the meeting when it occurs, or they may ignore it altogether. ]
[ Peter still ate a few, because he didn't want to starve himself and put the mission at risk, but he also got drunk beforehand because...ew, no. Just no. Fuck snakes. He wasn't taking that shit while sober.
Peter has his helmet on when he arrives, as well as his knapsack. The helmet makes him easier to blend in among the rest of the people here, and it saves him the trouble of people recognizing him. He taps the side as soon as he reaches Natasha, and the helmet retreats into a small metal device behind his right ear. Poor Natasha looks like she could use a decent break. ]
No, it was no problem. I brought you a couple things. Shall we go somewhere more private? Sitting down and away from prying eyes might do us good.
Peter has his helmet on when he arrives, as well as his knapsack. The helmet makes him easier to blend in among the rest of the people here, and it saves him the trouble of people recognizing him. He taps the side as soon as he reaches Natasha, and the helmet retreats into a small metal device behind his right ear. Poor Natasha looks like she could use a decent break. ]
No, it was no problem. I brought you a couple things. Shall we go somewhere more private? Sitting down and away from prying eyes might do us good.
[Natasha tries to smile when he suggests going somewhere private, though it doesn't reach her eyes. He's not wrong that she could use a break.
But looks like she won't have much to do until they head back to the station, so maybe that counts.]
Somewhere private sounds good. Private and quiet, if it's possible. I've seen enough of the news feeds to last me a while.
[With any luck they're about done making news for a while.
At least she's pretty confident she is.]
You know where we're headed. Lead the way.
But looks like she won't have much to do until they head back to the station, so maybe that counts.]
Somewhere private sounds good. Private and quiet, if it's possible. I've seen enough of the news feeds to last me a while.
[With any luck they're about done making news for a while.
At least she's pretty confident she is.]
You know where we're headed. Lead the way.
[ A good long while after all of this and more happens, Natasha will receive a text message. Or rather, it's not so much text. It's a picture of one of the bottles of alcohol from storage, sat on the floor of one of the empty, unclaimed rooms. A moment later, the room number follows as a text. ]
[There's no network response to the message. What's the point? Instead, a few moments later there's a knock on the door before it opens quietly. Natasha stands in to aperture, leaning against the the wall for a moment.]
You know, Sam, I have a single. You could have just dropped by.
[It's not a real complaint, and it's not a question.
She figures he'll tell her if he wants her to know why they're drinking.]
You know, Sam, I have a single. You could have just dropped by.
[It's not a real complaint, and it's not a question.
She figures he'll tell her if he wants her to know why they're drinking.]
So could other people.
[ There are no glasses. Sam's sitting on the floor, back against the bed. One knee drawn up, the other legs stretched out. He's no really looking towards Natasha, just staring into the middle distance. He looks a bit worse than he did in the simulation room, perhaps - something Natasha can easily clock where others couldn't. Sam's poker face is impressive after all. But it holds no candle to her. Naturally.
He just holds out the bottle in silent invitation.
This is not the happy kind of drinking, clearly. ]
[ There are no glasses. Sam's sitting on the floor, back against the bed. One knee drawn up, the other legs stretched out. He's no really looking towards Natasha, just staring into the middle distance. He looks a bit worse than he did in the simulation room, perhaps - something Natasha can easily clock where others couldn't. Sam's poker face is impressive after all. But it holds no candle to her. Naturally.
He just holds out the bottle in silent invitation.
This is not the happy kind of drinking, clearly. ]
You may be overestimating the number of guests I get.
[No, Natasha suspected it wasn't the happy kind of drinking from the photo and the text.
She takes the bottle and sits down on the bet, giving Sam's free hand a gentle rub, a little physical proof that she's there next to him.
After a conservative swig, she passes the bottle back to Sam.]
[No, Natasha suspected it wasn't the happy kind of drinking from the photo and the text.
She takes the bottle and sits down on the bet, giving Sam's free hand a gentle rub, a little physical proof that she's there next to him.
After a conservative swig, she passes the bottle back to Sam.]
I'll put out a notice on the network that you'd like company more often.
[ It's a joke. He values his life enough not to push Natasha's buttons that hard. She's not Bucky, who Sam just fails to be scared of period.
He takes the bottle back and takes a longer pull from it. His eyes are still a million miles away. Then he offers: ]
Couple months ago the orbs reactivated Bucky's trigger words when he changed his regret. He can be activated again.
[ It's a joke. He values his life enough not to push Natasha's buttons that hard. She's not Bucky, who Sam just fails to be scared of period.
He takes the bottle back and takes a longer pull from it. His eyes are still a million miles away. Then he offers: ]
Couple months ago the orbs reactivated Bucky's trigger words when he changed his regret. He can be activated again.
[Any witty quips she might have followed up that joke with are cut off by the explanation.
Her lips tighten.
She supposes the drinking makes sense in that case, though the timing doesn't exactly follow. If it was a couple of months ago, why now?]
But someone would have to have the words for that, they'd need the notebook. Unless Zemo pops up next month, how likely is that to happen?
Her lips tighten.
She supposes the drinking makes sense in that case, though the timing doesn't exactly follow. If it was a couple of months ago, why now?]
But someone would have to have the words for that, they'd need the notebook. Unless Zemo pops up next month, how likely is that to happen?
[ They spent too long in a place that's not their home, it's no wonder they're all tired. She more than anything, because being drugged unconscious is never a fun trip. He can only offer her a soft, understanding smile in return and a tilt of his head towards their right. ]
Can do, is that way.
[ The city is big, but the apartment he got is not a long way from here. Otherwise, he could have used a speeder to find Natasha. As they walk, he avoids making eye contact with other people and is generally careful not to draw too much attention to themselves as he looks into his bag for one of those chocolate protein bars he told Natasha about. He holds it out to Natasha, voice low. ]
There. You look a bit dead on your feet, no offense. Total quiet will be difficult to accomplish, it's a busy city, but once we got to the apartment I can lend you my Zune. I have some quiet songs that are good for relaxing.
[ Yes, he did say a Zune of all things. Peak modern technology right there. ]
Can do, is that way.
[ The city is big, but the apartment he got is not a long way from here. Otherwise, he could have used a speeder to find Natasha. As they walk, he avoids making eye contact with other people and is generally careful not to draw too much attention to themselves as he looks into his bag for one of those chocolate protein bars he told Natasha about. He holds it out to Natasha, voice low. ]
There. You look a bit dead on your feet, no offense. Total quiet will be difficult to accomplish, it's a busy city, but once we got to the apartment I can lend you my Zune. I have some quiet songs that are good for relaxing.
[ Yes, he did say a Zune of all things. Peak modern technology right there. ]
[Natasha sighs in relief as she takes the protein bar, ripping into it package. She hasn't had the chance to eat since well before their mission, and some real food—even in bar form—is more than welcome.
She knows from experience that eating and drinking will help her work whatever's left of the drugged gas out of her system.
It takes her a moment to fully process what he said, honest. Which is why there's a pause before she lifts her head again—]
A Zune? Like the music player?
[That's a blast from the past.]
Where did you get one of those?
She knows from experience that eating and drinking will help her work whatever's left of the drugged gas out of her system.
It takes her a moment to fully process what he said, honest. Which is why there's a pause before she lifts her head again—]
A Zune? Like the music player?
[That's a blast from the past.]
Where did you get one of those?
[ Peter still has one of two bottles of water, but that's about it, and he left them in his apartment for safety reasons. Their effort to clean the planet's water supply might yield good results in the future, but it's still scarce. Once they have privacy, he will insist she take the bottles. ]
Yeah, it's great. It can fit so many songs in it. Around 300! It was a present from my dad. Posthumous. [ Kraglin gave it to him, but it came from Yondu, and after what happened, it matters as much to Peter as the walkman he got from his mother. ] I mean, my adoptive alien dad. Not the one that was a planet. Although he was also an alien...
[ It's 'sharing weird family stories' hours, it seems. ]
Yeah, it's great. It can fit so many songs in it. Around 300! It was a present from my dad. Posthumous. [ Kraglin gave it to him, but it came from Yondu, and after what happened, it matters as much to Peter as the walkman he got from his mother. ] I mean, my adoptive alien dad. Not the one that was a planet. Although he was also an alien...
[ It's 'sharing weird family stories' hours, it seems. ]
[Thank you, Peter. Natasha's kidneys will appreciate that.
For now, she eats the protein bar with more appetite than it probably deserves. They say that hunger is the best sauce.
And the fact is, Natasha's sense of taste hasn't been the same since she damaged her olfactory nerve.]
That explains some of it.
[Some. Not necessarily all. She doesn't tell him that his technology is dated. She's kinder than that.]
It must be nice to have something from home. Or to remember your dad by.
For now, she eats the protein bar with more appetite than it probably deserves. They say that hunger is the best sauce.
And the fact is, Natasha's sense of taste hasn't been the same since she damaged her olfactory nerve.]
That explains some of it.
[Some. Not necessarily all. She doesn't tell him that his technology is dated. She's kinder than that.]
It must be nice to have something from home. Or to remember your dad by.
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