( open )

[araneidal]

Who: Natasha Romanoff & you.
Where: Kitchen, library, and around the mansion.
When: September 7th.
Rating: PG
Summary: much stealth. very spy.
Notes: I wrote in brackets but prose is more than welcome. Starters in comments.

Comments

you ready for some mistaken identity? 8D

[hugedork]

[ If there's one thing Bruce has learned about Wonderland, it's that people come and go and that they take strange forms. Natasha's been gone long enough that he can't expect her to remember this place. He's already forgotten it once himself. For all he knows, this could be her leftover mirror-side counterpart, but when he catches sight of her, his breath is still knocked from him.

He'd come in for something... probably something to eat, but his appetite is hardly on his mind right now. There's a moment where he considers backing out of the doorway and pretending that he hasn't seen her at all, but if it is Natasha, she already knows that he's there. ]

Natasha?

born ready

[araneidal]

[ Natasha turns the second she's aware of being watched, and her brow creases faintly. ]

... Yes?

[ She's already been warned that people here might know her, but the reality of it never quite sinks in until it happens. She gives Bruce a quick-once over. He seems an unassuming man, someone that might've been a mark. ]

excellent

[hugedork]

[ Confusion at Wonderland is to be expected. He's been there himself, but there's a lack of familiarity here that seems sudden and stark. Even if she doesn't remember Wonderland, she should still remember him, right? There would have to be a reaction beyond that simple answer.

He purses his lips, feeling suddenly awkward but also as if a lot of pressure has just been lifted off of him. ]

You're back.

[ And they're off to a great start! ]

[araneidal]

[ Wryly, ] I am.

[ She leans against the counter. He's not wary, in fact he seems relieved — but doesn't hold the open, warm posture of a friend. ]

I'm sorry, you are...?

[hugedork]

[ Wow. Bruce doesn't do a great job of hiding his flinch, but he's familiar with the types of things Wonderland can do to people. ]

Bruce Banner. We've known each other for a while, but this place can get a little screwy.

[ Or a lot screwy in this case. Monumentally screwy. ]

[araneidal]

[ Bruce? She can believe that. Enough of the pieces slot together. ]

Oh, it's not Wonderland. [ she says, a little wryly. ] I hope this isn't your first experience with an alternate; I'm not that familiar with the science of it.

[hugedork]

[ He makes a sort of noncommittal grunting sound, because really what do you say to something like that? ]

Surprisingly, I'm also not familiar with the science of it, but we've gathered that there are people here from different Earths, at least. So you're not one of those mirror copies? You're from another world entirely?

[araneidal]

I'm sure "I'm not from the mirror side" is exactly what my mirror would say.

[ Or so she imagines, if that other Natasha doesn't try something far more terrible first. She gestures for them to sit at the table, pocketing a knife. ]

The short version: yes. The less short version: a very similar one, at least.

[hugedork]

That's still a pretty big leap.

[ He moves to sit down with her. Sure, Natasha's mirror might have lied, but then Natasha's mirror isn't necessarily a goatee-wearing evil twin. It's probably 40/60 in favor of evil twin, though. ]

Do I exist in your world, too? Am I still-- [ He starts to gesture and then cuts himself off abruptly. There's nothing to be gained from telling her about the Other Guy. ] --never mind. It's not important.

[araneidal]

It is.

[ Or he wouldn't have cared enough to mention it. She finishes his sentence, ]

You're an Avenger.

[ Whatever else the truth is, that is what he needs to hear. ]

You've been one for a very long time.

[hugedork]

Really?

[ He doesn't bother to keep the surprise from his voice. A long time is a lot longer than he'd like at this point. ]

Am I safe to be around all those people?

[araneidal]

[ His hope burns. Natasha smiles, ruefully. ]

Are any of us really safe, Bruce?

[hugedork]

You could choose to be.

[ He shrugs and it really should be as simple as that. He's dangerous, because he loses control without any say in the matter. Absently, he wonders how much this woman has in common with the Natasha he's come to know. ]

[araneidal]

That choice has been made.

[ It really should be that simple, and Natasha knows more than anyone that sometimes it isn't. Sometimes there's a line in the sand and who stands on the other side. ]

Have you become the Hulk, here? I've been warned about what the Queen does.

[hugedork]

[ He pauses before he manages to answer. ]

No, but I've had a couple of close calls. It's probably only a matter of time, but I've got a few people working on finding a way to deal with that situation so that we're at least prepared for it. This place is a little small for the Big Guy.

[araneidal]

You don't say.

[ She's working on a plan, in the back of her mind. This Bruce doesn't seem to be on talking terms with his demons. They need a heavy hitter, and possibly someone fast as well — ]

[ — it goes on, in the back of her mind. ]

How long have you been an Avenger, then?

[hugedork]

I wouldn't say I am one now, but it hasn't been that long. I take it things are much different for you.

[araneidal]

Much. We've always had a Hulk. And a Bruce.

[hugedork]

Oh, um... they have, too. The Avengers haven't been around all that long where I'm from.

[araneidal]

Three years, Steve said. You're from the same point in time?

[hugedork]

Seems like it's just about the same time, yeah. That whole time thing is hard to get a handle on without alternate versions of people we know--no offence--popping up out of nowhere.

[araneidal]

[ Natasha laughs softly. ]

Not used to it by now?

[hugedork]

You make it sound like you are.

[ And that's something Bruce wouldn't mind hearing more about. For some reason, it's easier to talk to Natasha when she's not his Natasha--not that Natasha had been his, but it's difficult to keep track of all these alternate people between the mirrors and now this... ]

[araneidal]

[ She shrugs. ]

I am.

[ By necessity. ]

[hugedork]

[ He smiles somewhat sardonically. ]

Maybe you'll tell me about it some time.

[ And maybe it's too touchy. It's not worth pushing much on for now. ]