driftfleet | (no subject)

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(no subject)

Who: Natasha Romanoff + you (+ maybe some Bucky Barnes)
Broadcast: Video
Action: Mostly no, but we could work something out.
When: Now

[The video feed start, focusing tightly on Natasha's face, the only visible backdrop a rather generic portion of cabin wall.]

So checking the date, seems like it's been a while. Nice to see everyone's back in the air. Hopefully in one piece. I see a few people have left.

Anyone want to fill me in on the important details? Or should we let sleeping dogs—

[The sound of a door cuts her off the, and Natasha looks up. Whoever she sees, her expression softens. She smiles slightly, lifting her chin slightly and turning her head to catch a kiss from some loser tall enough that only the lower half of his face makes it in the frame. The stubble on his chin and the shape of his mouth might be enough to identify him though.]

A lot of catching up to d—

[Suddenly the feed cuts out.]

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[It's been longer for her. She claps his shoulder briefly. It's less familiar than she would have been with Steve, or even Tony, but she's genuinely glad to see him and it seems right to show that.

Maybe she's just in a good mood?]

You too. Sorry I wasn't there to give you a real welcome.

I'll make it up to you now?

Ah, it's fine. Thankfully the others on the Blue Fish were able to explain things before long.

[And he's not about to blame her for being in an artificial coma.]

I'm not sure it would have been possible even if you were awake, given the state of things on that planet.

There is that. I can't think of many people'd trust more to deal with a situation like that though.

[She's sure the cannibals didn't stand a chance.]

So what are we drinking while we catch up?

It was a remarkably vicious fight. Perhaps not surprising, since they were cannibals and not given to negotiations.

[Not that Thor tried that particular route. Others might have. He hands Natasha the menu, having already given it a good look.]

I think I'll get the whisky.

Good choice. Let's make it two.

[She smiles at his description. She's had enough time to grow to miss his particular style of reporting.]

You're right about it not being surprising. Glad to see you came through all right.

[Glad, but not surprised.]

Any luck with the hunt? For the stones, I mean.

Yes, well, other than having to borrow some weapons it was fine.

[There is a part of him that's perpetually incensed at being separated from his hammer. He takes a seat at the bar, signalling the waiter for their drinks.

He shakes his head at her question.]

No, not yet. Without much to go on other than that dream, I decided to start in the Nine Realms. I've covered Svartalfheim so far, and I was on Vanaheim just before the Fleet took me.

Could be you'll have the chance to get it back somewhere along the way. It wouldn't be the first time some people got gifts from home. Steve's got the SHIELD tucked away somewhere.

[Or technically, Steve gave the SHIELD to someone else in a fit of guilt and identity crisis, but that's inviting questions she'd rather approach from another direction.

It's true enough—the SHIELD is stashed, and Steve could gave it if he wanted it.]

That's how it usually works. They just grab you wherever you are.

[Thor huffs at the idea.]

I shouldn't need to be get back something that is already mine to begin with. Wherever we are, it's too far for Mjolnir to return on its own. Or for Heimdall to call me back to Asgard.

[You better believe he tried both of those things, as soon as he got here.]

It seems that way. I don't even recall what happened. Do you?

Nope. I remember waking up. Don't remember falling asleep.

[She shrugs, crossing her arms over her chest in a vaguely protective manner. Her posture is comfortable enough otherwise, but she'd be lying if she pretended it didn't bother her.]

Considering they tell me this is another universe entirely, not surprising it'd be too far away. Just about everything is.

Mm. Given what I've heard so far about the people brought here, it's clear there's more than one universe at play.

[Which begs the question of how these beings are able to hijack people out of different universes for their own purposes. That's a lot of power. He doesn't think even Odin could muster the power to launch someone beyond their own universe. The dark energy needed to get Thor to Earth had nearly killed them both.

He drums his fingers on the counter.]

Such as, more than one universe where the Avengers exist.

There are. I've met them. Some of them. There's a different version of Clint here, or there was. And a girl who's his protege.

[That had been strange.]

A few others.

And both Vision and Wanda were here at some point. It's too many.

[From their universe and others like it. But Natasha's comment reminds him...]

You said it had been some time since you last saw me. Did you mean from being here, or at home?

I meant from home. You haven't been here, as far as I know.

[A pause, then she adds:]

Tony's been here too. You should know, if he comes back... things might not be great between him and Steve.

[Good, since he doesn't like to think about having been here before, though the fact of Loki having been here is perpetually on his mind. Thor's eyebrows go up at Natasha's comment.]

They aren't? It isn't because of what happened with Ultron, is it?

[That had certainly been a disagreement, though Thor had thought that situation was resolved between all of them when he was last on Earth.]

No. It's a long story, and I'm not sure I'm the one to explain it.

[The problem is, she's not sure thre's anyone better either. Steve would make it dramatic, and on some level Natasha still doubted he really understood why Tony was so hurt.

That was just her angle, though.]

I can give it a shot, if you want, but... honestly, probably for the best you missed the whole thing.

[That's a big statement, and he knows Natasha wouldn't make it lightly. Considering the kinds of things he's missed over the years, he has to wonder exactly what ranks that high among them.]

Then it must be a long tale indeed. Still, I would like to hear however much you're happy to tell.

[Somehow is going to have to catch him up. And maybe it's ego, but Natasha would rather it be her than Steve—Steve is in his own head over the whole thing, and not exactly unbiased.]

After the first round, then. It'll be better after we've warmed up.

All right.

[Thor's satisfied that it's coming, even if it's a few drinks away. He has a mouthful of drink, before setting his glass down and turning back to Natasha. Brightly:]

So! Who was that with you in the video?

[If they aren't starting on the other stuff, he's going back to a question he hasn't gotten around to asking yet.]

[That question isn't as irrelevant as one might hope—may even cause some problems if Tony does come back—but Natasha still smiles at it.

She clears her throat.]

Barnes.

[She figures Thor knows who she's talking about. At this point, the two of them might have even met down on the planet or during the aftermath.]

Believe me, we were as surprised as anyone.

[Thor does know the name, both from Steve and the news at home. As yet he hasn't met the man, so he had no suspicions when seeing Natasha's video. He still straightens up in surprise.]

Rogers' friend?

That is the polite way to describe it.

[Significantly better than his code name, or other more descriptive options.]

You should meet him, if you haven't.

[He knows there are issues between Steve and Barnes - which is a charitable way of putting it. Thor hadn't been involved in the Winter Soldier's reappearance but he'd certainly heard about the aftermath. But it does seem like things have improved, if this is anything to go by.]

I should, and I will. So, you and him...?

[That gets a smile out of Natasha. If she were anyone else, it might almost be coy. She doesn't really do coy, though.]

Me and him. For a few months now. It's been good. [Which is very true. It occurs to her that it might seem quick to Thor, after Bruce, but... it'd been a while for Natasha.] He's better here.

Got here way ahead of the rest of us.

A few months... right.

[Even when you rationally know people have been here longer, it's a tough thing to automatically assume. Especially if it hasn't been so long for you. Thor returns Natasha's smile though - it's clear she's happy.]

Well, I am glad to hear it, even if I wasn't expecting it. At least something good came from these months you've spent here.

Not the only thing. And while I'd rather it wasn't here... you have to take advantage of what you have while it lasts, right?

[Because they might go home at any moment too.]

That's what I told Steve when he had cold feet over Peggy, at least.

[And eventually she took her own advice.]