ataraxion | voice;

Entry tags:

voice;

[There a click on, and the clear sound that someone is there, but there's a pause, like maybe someone is making sure.]

Is this broadcast going through?

I think I got it-

Hello, Tranquility, my name is Steve Rogers.

I'd like to be directed to whoever is in charge of Security, if that's not too much trouble. And I'd like to know if it's possible to see out into space. Are there any windows on board?

[Annnnd a pause, and a fumble.]

Is it off?

[And then another pause.]

Sorry, excuse me-

[And NOW it's off.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ A beat. Good thing it's voice, not video. Natasha replies, but it's not exactly prompt. ]

Sure.

[ Humming. ]

My partner's out. Does my room work?

It works. Do you have a preference for time?

Now's good.

[ Natasha, dont't scare wee proto-Cap, okay? ]

I'll be around, and I can always kick Clint out whenever you decide to drop by.

I'm on my way, then.

[ Well, Steve, on the bright side, at least everything here is numbered.

When the door opens Natasha kind of— pauses, gives him a long up and down look that verges on a little too still.

A beat, then: ]

Come in.

[He does come in, nodding his head. He's never really been alone like this - in a woman's bedroom - but this doesn't feel as awkward as maybe it should.

That doesn't mean it's not slightly strange for him.]

I need to ask you why everyone knows me.

[Because it's become apparent that they know him personally, not just as Captain America.]

[ Of course that's the question.

Natasha doesn't pretend to be busy — she's capable of more subtlety than that — but she does take her time, sits down on the bed that's presumably hers (and is, as a result, a little tidier. And doesn't have a bow resting on it). ]

Do you want an answer?

[ She tips her chin, studies him. ]

You're Captain America. You're an icon, a hero.

That's only half the answer.

[He looks at her, plainly, with that expression that makes most people recognize that he's the real deal. (The people who don't are usually either 13-17 years old or have the last name Stark.)]

You're asking me half the question.

[ She points out, though there's nothing inherently malicious about the way she says it. ]

Are you asking me what I know that you don't?

I'm asking to explain why you took me aside when you met me as if we worked together.

[ Natasha pauses. She takes the time to shift her body language, lean forward to rest her wrists on her knees. ]

Because we do.

[ She looks at him-- really looks. ]

What I'm going to tell you, you can't share with Barnes.

That's why I'm here, in person.

[He already figured that whatever it was, it was going to be a secret from Bucky.]

[ It's interesting, in a way, to see the Steve Rogers before the ice. There's not much different. If that's good or bad, Natasha's not telling. ]

When you crashed the plane.

[ She starts, slowly, after a beat. ]

You were suspended in the ice. It took seventy years before we found you again.

[Silence.

No, just.

Silence.

He's staring at her and finally, he nods.

Okay.]

Bucky can't know he dies.

[ Natasha almost lets out an exhale that has too much wryness in it.

(There are a lot of things James Buchanan Barnes can't know.) ]

Alright.

[ His terms, his questions. ]

Alright.

So what do I do, in the future with you? You're no soldier.

[That's not an insult, it's just a bare fact.]

[ One she appreciates, too. ]

Save lives.

[ Is that dramatic? Natasha pauses. ]

We work for an international agency, and we mitigate threats. [ She'll... talk about the aliens a little later. ] We do what we can.

For an international agency. Not the American government?

The Strategic Homeland Intervention, Eeforcement and Logistics Division.

[ Her mouth quirks, and it's not really because something strikes her as funny. ]

We keep an eye on American interests, but it's not all we do.

Someone really wanted it to spell SHIELD.

[He's just pointing out.]

[ Was that someone Peggy, Steve? Was it? ]

We have a penchant for memorable titles. [ If you want to call it that. Hey, she's just the messenger. Wait until you hear about TAHITI. ]

SSR did the trick back in my day.

[He sighs]

What else do I need to know?

[ Need instead of want is a good distinction. Natasha shrugs. ]

If I think of any, I'll let you know.

[ Is that too much of a cop-out? (She does mean it, though.) ]

[He gives a nod, as if that will clearly be enough.]

All right. I appreciate it.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

voice;

voice.

voice.

voice.

voice.

action.

Re: action.

action.

action.

action.

action.

action.

action.

action.

action.

action.

action.

action.

action.

action.

action.

action.

action.

action.

action.