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.]

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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.

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