( 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

[donotcallmethis]

[Helena shrugs just a little, picking up her box of cookies again.]

Memories. This is all that makes sense. Wonderland survives on other's memories. It is why things happen from worlds we do not know. It is someone else's life.

[araneidal]

[ Brainwashing holds little terror for Natasha. Meh. She can step out of her head if she needs to, absorb whatever pieces are left after the flood. She's always been fragments, it's just a question of having more to draw from than less. ]

Who have they made you be?

[donotcallmethis]

I have been lucky here. Nothing has changed me yet, but it is an inevitable thing. One day, I know. My time will come.

[And then she'll be something. She doesn't want to be something anymore, though. All that she can do is try to keep it from happening.]

[araneidal]

We should help each other.

[ Like it's an expectation, instead of a desire. Natasha doesn't want to see this woman hurt more, when she's had to walk free. ]

It will happen to us both.

[donotcallmethis]

And how can we do this, the two of us?

[She's listening, ready to consider what is being proposed to her.]

[araneidal]

I'm not sure yet.

[ Natasha thumbs at her cheek. ]

You know better than me what to expect. All I know is that I don't want to be made a slave again, but this place doesn't care about that.

[donotcallmethis]

No. This place will not care what you think. Not ever. About anything. So you must have people to trust, if you wish to be successful in this.

[They would have to trust each other, is the point, if they are to help each other.]

[araneidal]

[ Natasha tilts her head, and something lurks in her tone as she asks, ]

So do you trust me, Helena?

[donotcallmethis]

I do not know you.

[A knife throw and conversation while she eats a box of cookies does not trust make.]

But I can give you chance just as you will give me one. Only one.

[She has a feeling Natasha is going to understand.]

[araneidal]

[ Natasha nods, and almost-smiles. Right answer. ]

Only one.

[ It's also more than fair. ]

[donotcallmethis]

We will see what happens, then. And if there is trust, I will tell you others to also trust. Good people I have come to know.

[But just in case, she won't be doing any introductions yet.]

[araneidal]

[ She nods. ]

The same goes for you.

[ A beat. ]

If I am made a slave and you come across me, do not hesitate to protect yourself.

[ Not many people would understand. Fewer would act. She thinks Helena might fit one or both. ]

[donotcallmethis]

[Helena nods, just once.]

And for me. I expect nothing less if I am turned into something that hurts others.

[Especially children.]

[araneidal]

[ Natasha nods. They have an understanding. ]

I will not hesitate. [ she pockets a knife, and then, ] Well, Helena, it was a pleasure. I will leave you to your cookies. I still have the rest of the house to look through.

[ She couldn't go unarmed. ]

[donotcallmethis]

[Helena notes the knife and nods.]

Find a room and use the closet. It will give you weapon you want, most days.

We will talk soon, Natasha.