video + action

[outstandingbalance]

Who: Natasha Romanoff
Broadcast: Yes
Action: Vanquish & Heron
When: Now

[The video begins with Natasha's face, the picture close to crop out most of the background, though what little is visible would seem to indicate she's in a cargo bay. Her expression is largely stoic, but she looks tired—and her bleach job is growing out, showing red roots.]

For those of you who hadn't noticed yet, Captain Barnes form the Heron is gone. You may have known him as Winter or Bucky, depending on when and how you met. He left a few days ago and is no longer on the ship rosters.

I'm collecting his personal effects to sort and store. If anyone had an interest in any of his things, check in with me on the Vanquish.

[There's a slight frown around her mouth, like maybe she's second guessing making this broadcast in the first place. After her brief hesitation, she commits to finishing the message.]

I suppose, the same goes for Sam Wilson. I've been keeping most of his things since he left too.

[Then a thin smile.]

Congratulations to the new captains, and thank you for letting me raid your ships.

Comments

[outstandingbalance]

More in the mood for a drink now. [As much as she's in the mood for anything. What she's mostly like to do is keep busy, push any feelings she's having down or away, but...] How about I take a break. I've been at this for a while.

[seeingscarlet]

[Well, that was easier than she was anticipating.]

I don't have anything here but I can meet you on the Iskaulit?

[outstandingbalance]

Sure... Yeah, I'll meet you there. Say... an hour? I should clean up a little first.

>> action!

[seeingscarlet]

I'll see you at the bar.

[She gets there a little early so she's ready with a table and a wave - it only seems polite to make sure that Nat doesn't have to wait by herself.]

I ordered food but I wasn't sure what you wanted to drink.

[outstandingbalance]

[It's thoughtful. Natasha notices. She's even a little proud. Wanda has always been thoughtful, but now she applies it in a way that shows more situational awareness than she might have once.

Or maybe Natasha's giving herself too much credit.]

No problem. It won't take them long to pour something.

[seeingscarlet]

[Or maybe a little of both.]

I hope you're in the mood for fried things. [Then again, it is bar food...] I like cooking, but sometimes it's nice to have food you don't have to make.

[Why yes, she is dancing around the elephant in the room, at least until she can get a better read on Nat's emotional state.]

[outstandingbalance]

[Currently, Natasha's emotional state is as buried as she can get it. Which isn't as buried as she'd like, but she's only human.]

Nothing better to go with drinks. Fries? Fried cheese?

[Not entirely convincing as far as Natasha's lies go, but that's still a pretty good lie.

If you want to call it a lie.]

[seeingscarlet]

Both. They should be out soon.

[She manages a less forced smile this time.]

I thought you could use some junk food.

[outstandingbalance]

I call that covering your bases. [She'd also call it kind.] That bad, huh?

[seeingscarlet]

[Wanda shrugs again, trying to seem casual. She's guessing that yes, it is that bad.]

It's a junk food day.

[And almost on cue, someone brings out the snacks.]

[outstandingbalance]

Who am I to argue with that? [Good timing. It gives Natasha something else to pay attention to, her eyes shifting to the fried food. It smells good, at least, even if she doesn't actually have much appetite.] Been a while since I had one of those.

[seeingscarlet]

They had fried cheese on the last planet. It was nice. But the fries taste like home.

[Simple comforts, you know? Hopefully it will help Nat as much as it would help Wanda in her place.]

[outstandingbalance]

[Natasha's willing to give it a try, at least. Going through the motions.

She hums softly at the taste.]

Hmm. Tastes like a diner.

[seeingscarlet]

[Wanda grins.]

Do you remember the first time we went to one together? The menu was so large the waitress had to come back three times before I decided.

[outstandingbalance]

[Natasha's smile is slower and significantly smaller, gentle at the memory.]

I recognized the feeling. It's ridiculous how much you can get sometimes.

[seeingscarlet]

I'd never seen a menu that large.

[Her smile falters a little - Pietro would have loved it.]

I miss that. We don't spend enough time together here.

[outstandingbalance]

[Natasha bows her head slightly. She can follow Wanda's train of thought—or she imagines she can.]

I hadn't seen anything like it until I went to the US. They do know how to do a diner.