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Post by Gummy on Apr 16, 2021 6:57:52 GMT -7
Ava turned around with a few pancakes made and put them on the table frowning at the syrup and then grinned at Natasha.
"I was looking for peanut butter syrup. It goes really well with these two. Silky smooth and wow! Just not easy to come by in New York. Had it at the youth hostel when a visitor brought it from the south.... Also when I was in lockdown."
The last was said in a not so happy tone but it gave her the skills she needed for life. She finished another couple before sitting down and spreading the toppings in neat rows: Fluff, chocolate then raspberry. Before rolling it diagonally so each bite got a little of each. She grinned from ear to ear as she was about to munch down. There was something she felt but she wasn't sure what. Then there was a comment which made her eat the wrap of pancake just to hide her reaction. She knew she could do it but did they really think she cheated all the time? Wow! That hurt.
"I don't mind dive, it is more a fall. Also... I don't do that. I have skills apart from yours. I knew how to escape way before we met in person for the second time. Lockdown taught me some, life on the street taught me others, SHIELD has helped and then there was Aliexa who had the real skill. We helped each other escape the first time. Not that we went far..."
Again the intonation of a slightly sadder tone came to her voice. Enough of that though. Focus on the here and now. The past was just that and she wasn't going back but forward. Learn and move on.
"You know, just because I can do a perfect landing in a long fall but it doesn't mean to say I don't have to work on my own physique. It took me several weeks to get up and down a rope! You saw how bad I was the first time we had to use a rope to get in somewhere! You could have been in, done the job and out again before I got to the top. Now... I think I could race and possibly win up a rope."
She grinned. She was cocky but there was good reason for her to be. A long breath escaped her lips as she munched on a pancake then started speaking with her mouth full.
"I work hard. Normally breaks from work end up... well being cursed with Widow stuff!"
She did take the hint for carry on testing security and she was but not tell anyone that she had permission to do so. The amount she was talking was unuseral for her. A cover up for what was really going on in her head. A pretend nervous teen was better than showing her true feelings, at least until they were elsewhere.
"Pancake?"
She offered one of her wrapped pancakes.
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Post by Super Chick on Apr 16, 2021 12:40:35 GMT -7
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Natasha knew Ava worked hard to strengthen her body and acuminate her dexterity, honing her SHIELD skills, the Widow also knew the girl had plenty of natural talent. Sure, Hill and the others often thought everything she could do was because of their unnatural mental link but to do was to vastly underestimate the girl. And, Natasha let them do just that. It was their responsibility to determine an individual threat. If they did not do so properly, there were consequences. The Widow considered it was better to learn of their predisposed bias toward adolescents, Ava specifically, through facing the consequences of her talents. However, she also knew it'd struck a nerve with Ava to know that was their general estimation of the matter.
She accepted the pancake Ava had provided, amused that she wanted a peanut butter syrup but not going to hunt for it in the pantry. They had plenty of options on the counter. Nat looked it over then took a bite. It was basically Diabetes all rolled up in super sweet deliciousness, but Natasha had nothing to worry about on that front. Her serum not only enhanced her longevity but also granted a resistance to all of the usual diseases that would lay claim to mortals. Her only thought was that she'd need more sausage to tame the sugar crash that would inevitably come while they were out.
"To be honest, I'm glad they underestimate you," she admitted. "And while I do think you have gained far too much by way of a "Matrix-like download," I think you have a very strong foundation on which to build all of it." She gave a look to Ava that was meant to convey seriousness behind the jest she was delivering. "As long as you can keep your ego in check, that is."
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Post by Gummy on Apr 16, 2021 13:54:14 GMT -7
Ava brightened back up a little at the compliment of being underestimated. The pancakes also helped. With Nat's last comment she raised her eyebrows and said in a sarcastic voice.
"Me? Ego? Never!"
Then she looked down at the pancake and frowned. In the past she had never managed to do what she was about to do but in this moment... maybe just maybe it might work. She took one of the plain pancakes and pointed at it with her finger a small spark shot from her finger as she concentrated leaving a slight dot on the pancake. A smile came to her face as she placed the pancake on her plate and lifted it. She pointed again but her fist closed. As she looked up to Nat.
"I'm gonna try something. Don't distract me please? The last time I did this I ended up melting the tray to the table and giving all around me a quick shock."
She rolled her eyes as she shook her head. One Tom had knocked her and so distracted her enough to cause the accident. She had been reprimanded but she had never said who had caused the issue but said it was just an accident she had caused.
Her eyes look down at the pancake and her index finger extended and she allowed a steady flow of power to fly from her finger. The concentration was immense as she lifted the plate. There was something she needed to draw but couldn't not until this moment, it hadn't occurred to her. Ava started using other fingers to draw quicker and put the plate onto the table and revealing a set of faces. She could draw better than this but she needed to do this now and fast. All the faces were similar but something seemed to have been altered in each one as if looked at through steam or wobbly window glass.
Easing off she looked at them all in silence, only a little sweat had appeared but she picked up one of her prepared pancakes and ate it slowly.
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Post by Super Chick on Apr 19, 2021 13:44:55 GMT -7
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Natasha raised a brow at Ava's fake denial of having an ego. Part of her knew the girl only thought she had a minor ego. The other part enjoyed the joke for what it was. She didn't need to say anything more, though. That was enough of a teachable moment on their vacation. Truth be told, Natasha needed this break as much as Ava, so she wanted to do as little "work" as possible. That meant talking about work as much as it did looking for trouble.
Ava started to carve into her pancake - or perhaps "burn into it" was a batter description. Natasha said nothing as she did, finding her use of her electric powers a bit odd while appreciating that the girl was using the exercise as a way to control it. The AI wasn't entirely on board, however, and Jarvis made that known with a quiet announcement. "Please do be careful, Miss Orlova."
Natasha addressed him. "It'll be fine, Jarvis... as long as you stay quiet." She added the last part as a whisper so as to accentuate her meaning. The AI said nothing else after that, but Nat noticed the sprinkler system lights blinking orange above her as if readied.
When the "pancake art" was completed to Ava's satisfaction (and the kitchen smelled of burnt toast), Natasha leaned over to look at it. It was by far not Ava's best work, which was to be expected. Oddly, though, the strange burnt face was mildly recognizable. Natasha didn't know how she recognized it, or from where, but it was someone she was at least a little acquainted with.
"Nice control. Who is it?" she asked.
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Post by Gummy on Apr 19, 2021 14:02:38 GMT -7
At Jarvis's interruption Ava had to stem the flow and it had an odd stray line which now went almost to the plate but stopped a hairs breadth away from destroying a perfectly good plate. Ava relaxed back into the work, glad to be finished. She frowned at the face a little confused.
"Thanks, it's a challenge I set myself. Seems to be helping for the most part. I would say it is a man who is in his early fifties, overweight, thinks he is important. Never seen clearly. hummm..."
One quick addition of a mark just below the chin and Ava blinked as if confused.
"That mark... is dark. It isn't always visiable as he wears a scarf to hide it. He doesn't sleep much through either insomnia or paranoia or other means. Race, is hard to tell... "
Ava shook her head.
"I don't know but he is familiar to me too."
Ava flinched as if someone suddenly spoke whom hadn't been noticed before that point.
"He... The perspective is from someone lower down which is why the mark was seen. Looking through glass. I think it is one of my own memories. A person I saw when young. I have been dreaming about him. That's what I draw most of the time."
She closed her eyes and tried to grab hold of the dream again but something stopped her from pushing forward. Her watched beeped indicating a raised pulse for several seconds, she felt disappointed with herself. Shrugging her eyes open up.
"I don't know. Probably Red Room."
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Post by Super Chick on Jun 1, 2021 15:26:02 GMT -7
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It bothered Natasha not just a little bit to know the face was familiar but not able to be placed in her mind. That was always a disconcerting feeling for a spy, but where Ava was concerned it was especially so. After all, the girl seemed to attract all the wrong kind of attention, from Ivan's cohorts to (apparently) demonic influences. Natasha nibbled at her sausage and tried not to let it bug her so much while Ava talked freely.
Ava described the man. Overweight. In his fifties. Wore a scarf to hide a dark mark. Birthmark perhaps? Never seen clearly. Sounds like a spy. These were things that could be recalled or extrapolated from the image on the pancake. However, Ava mentioned something that shouldn't be known unless she was more intimately familiar with the subject. Natasha cocked her brow at the younger Widow.
"Insomniac?" she repeated.
Then Ava mentioned the Red Room. Natasha's nose wrinkled. She never liked to get even a scent of Red Room involvement, especially where it concerned Ava. However, Ivan was dead so to Nat's mind a great portion of the danger was behind them. Few in the organization (to Nat's point of view) were as much a threat as Ivan had been. With him gone, Natasha felt like she could handle anything or anyone else her former agency would throw in her path.
"Interesting," Natasha replied, absorbing the information. She took a bite of her own pancake and spoke after swallowing. "Why did you say the man had trouble sleeping?" she asked. "It's not an obvious observation from that pancake."
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Post by Gummy on Jun 1, 2021 15:45:05 GMT -7
Ava frowned whilst looking at her pancake, she wasn't sure. Perhaps it was someone she knew? Perhaps it was something else about him. Closing her eyes she tried to get his image again. She saw it in her mind and tried to figure it out. Opening her eyes she got up and headed to her bag which was still in the middle of the living room and pulled out a pad and pencil. It was the first time she had drawn in front of Nat and to say she was good was an understatement. The pad rested next to her almost abandoned stack, almost because she picked at it a little at a time. All the while she frowned but as she worked so she relaxed, the tension which seemed to be part of Ava was fading as her shoulders and even her grip eased.
There was a distorted clock on the image and she drew multiple hands. Then she paused looking down at the picture. It was no longer an image but a smell she was getting. She quickly drew a few other items nearby it: mug which was plain, a bottle of tablets, part of an eye with heavy lines under.
Finally she looked up to Natasha and did a double blink.
"I think he was there at multiple times in a day. Also a strong coffee smell and the amount of bags under his eyes. I think the tablets might be something too. Also pacing. I can't place it."
She shrugged and half smiled.
"I don't know... I just thought if he was familiar to you then perhaps I could figure out where I know him from. It could be from when I was on the streets in Russia but I don't think so. Those memories are clear, well as clear as they can be and these seem to be before the erm... fusion?"
The last was said as a question as that was the only way she could think of what happened when she was strapped into the chair and Nat touched her to help get her out.
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Post by Super Chick on Jun 25, 2021 12:52:38 GMT -7
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Watching Ava, Natasha noticed the intensity with which she studied her art of the man and proceeded to add more details to her memory. Whatever this was - whomever this was - he obviously had been part of a time in Ava's life before she was taken in by SHIELD. That meant he was likely involved with her mother, Ivan, the Red Room or all of them. Natasha squinted at the burnt in image and turned the drawing toward her as Ava finished speaking. She took out her cell phone and snapped a picture of the image. "We'll look into it when we get back," she assured Ava. Nat purposely didn't say she would do it alone. Her pronouns included Ava because, frankly, Natasha knew Ava would probably get upset again if she thought Natasha was going to investigate it without her.
Natasha pushed the pancake back to Ava and put her phone back in her pocket. "But we're supposed to be taking a break from work and so far, aside form our splurge dinner last night and falling asleep to a movie, it's felt a lot like work."
Continuing to consume her pancakes and sausage, Natasha considered Ava. She mentioned skiing yesterday, didn't she? Perhaps today was the day they hit the slopes for some world class downhill adventure. She smiled to herself. It would be a good way to assess how much Ava gleaned from their connection and how much effort she had to put in on her own. After all, most of what Ava drew from Natasha seemed to happen (mostly) during high stress moments. Perhaps a fun day of light activity would prove their connection wasn't "on" all the time. The people at SHIELD would certainly feel better knowing that.
So would I.
"So, let's go skiing today," she suggested between bites. "We have a couple of snowmobiles that wee can use to go over the mountain to the resort. We'll pack up our gear on them and ride over. Just have a fun, relaxing day on the slopes. What do you say?"
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Post by Gummy on Jun 25, 2021 13:39:36 GMT -7
Ava chuckled at the work joke, it was taking her a while to unwind completely. Especially with the bad mental trip the night before. Her body was aching from all the training she had been doing and part of her really wanted to get the current presidents and leaders out of her mind for just a feeeeewwww minutes! Yet, the prospect of facing the challenge Nat had set for her was a little daunting.
"Ok, but there had better be training slopes."
She picked up the imaged pancake and devoured it with the others.
"Hay, could we pack something to eat and find a nice view?.... Not like Rio though please? I know how to ride a bike now but I really don't fancy having to figure out skiing in a panic!"
She pushed away from the counter, turned back and pinched the last pancake with a huge mischievous grin. Then rummaged in the cupboard for some good picnic food all the time munching on the last pancake. Once it was gone she looked at the suplies and left them on the table. Getting changed was her next objective... although the warm underlayer from SHIELD was going to stay on. It was practical AND gave really great warmth no matter what the weather. Although, rain did seep in through the areas not covered as she had discovered the last time.
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In no time at all she returned to the kitchen and prepped a few items to go with them.
"Jarvis? What is the weather for today and are there any warnings of storms?.... Ohhh and Jarvis? Can you send a text from me to Sir at the YMCA to ask him to feed Sacha Cat for me as I won't be by for a little while please?"
She called out to Nat.
"Hay Siesta? Are you ready? Anything else I need to wear or pack?"
She was wearing skiing outfit as well as the top of her collar from SHIELD peeking over the top of her lined suit.
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Post by Super Chick on Jul 11, 2021 13:32:51 GMT -7
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Breakfast ending with little ceremony and soon the pair of Russian-born American spies were dressing for a day on the slopes. Natasha was glad for the interruption of her normal routine despite her rarely turning her working brain off completely. Undoubtedly, the elder red-haired woman's thoughts would be constantly returning to the image of the man of whom Ava kept dreaming. It was an image made more haunting by the fact it was burnt into a pancake and Natasha wondered again as she thought of it that he may be insignificant. Yet she could not seem to push him entirely from her mind in the time it took to dress. It was unfortunate that such a thing would linger on a day that was supposed to bring relaxation.
"The weather today is forecast to be 21 degrees Fahrenheit or -6.1 degrees Celsius, mostly cloudy with light snow in the afternoon expected," Jarvis announced to Ava in the other room. Nat pulled on her ski hat and positioned the SHIELD-issued amber goggles over her forehead atop it. Her boots were on already, as were her ski pants and underlayer, both top and bottom. Natasha pulled her coat on over her thermals and walked from her room, gloves in hand. She looked over Ava, noticing how the younger self-proclaimed Widow displayed her SHIELD affiliation at her collar. Natasha said nothing about it but was amused nonetheless.
"You appear ready," she replied simply to Ava's question. She tossed the second pair of goggles from her backpack to her protege to complete the outfit. "Did you pack snacks in your backpack and fill your water bladder? We won't always be near the lodge when you need something."
Natasha listened for her answer while pulling out a laminated trail map of the resort. "This will help you to not get lost if we lose each other - which is highly probable if you're planning to stay very long on the bunny slope," she said with a smirk, which only grew as she added, "Which reminds me, keep your communicator live. I'd like to know if you get kidnapped or anything while we're out there 'cause we both know that you're kind of good at finding trouble."
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Post by Gummy on Jul 16, 2021 16:34:02 GMT -7
Ava shivered, her mind went back to when she was alone and cold on the streets of Russia and New York. Those were cold times made worse by loneliness. At least this time she had clothing. Tugging a few last bits of clothing she smiled to Nat, despite her best efforts her hair still showed from her hat. At the mention of snacks she grabbed a few more from the cupboard then made sure her water skin was full once more. That was more for Nat's sake than her own. Taking the map she opened her backpack and took out a waterproof pocket then slipped it inside.
At the mention of getting kidnapped she looked up with a deep frown before grinning at Nat.
"You're the more famous one of the two of us. They will be after your more than me. As for coms. The techies have been adapting a new ear piece as I blew the last one whilst training. They think it will stop me from blowing it up. Will soon find out. After all, widows are trouble magnets!"
With that she latched her top of the backpack closed and hoisted it onto her back clipping the strap and securing it tightly. The next thing were her boots, they could wait until they were upstairs. At least she had had the joy of being able to wear field equipment whilst training... these boots she hated. Not enough flexibility for her liking. Picking them up she headed for the lift, nabbing an apple as she went and proceeded to munch it.
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Post by Super Chick on Jul 20, 2021 13:49:58 GMT -7
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Natasha snorted a little when Ava tried to imply that she would be the real trouble magnet between the two of them. Sure, more people knew about the "Black Widow" than knew about the "Red Widow" as Ava called herself, but that meant little when faced with incoming threats. Of late, many more were against Ava than those targeting Natasha. In fact, Nat was of the opinion that so few seemed to target her specifically for the last few years that perhaps her enemies had finally gotten wise to the idea they could not beat her. Or, at lest, that trying was not worth the effort. Natasha was old news. Ava was new and, moreover, the less experienced Red Widow just happened to have a link to the Black Widow who had already lived two lifetimes in her prime and held more secrets than Area 51. If anyone was a more appetizing target, it was Ava.
Waiting as Ava tried to put on her ski boots, Natasha looked her over. She appeared prepared for the day's adventure on the slopes, but the younger woman had no inclination of the adventure Nat had planned before they even arrived there. Natasha inwardly smiled knowing Ava might just love their travel to the mountain resort more than she would enjoy skiing. Once Ava was fully ready and they were on the lift up, Natasha looked at her youthful counterpart. "I highly doubt anyone will attempt anything at 4500 meters, but if they do we'll make a grand game of it. In the meantime, while we wait for the proverbial shoe to drop, I have a surprise for you."
She ushered Ava outside once they were on the top floor of the rustic cabin façade. She walked them to small "hill" in the landscape and proceeded to lift a tarp that had been covering two very nice, very tech-enhanced snowmobiles. She smiled at Ava. "Think you can handle it?"
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Post by Gummy on Jul 21, 2021 12:17:29 GMT -7
Well that was a first to have Nat snorting! Wow! That was really different! She smiled to herself whilst pulling her hat lower onto her head and zipped the collar fully up over the SHIELD issue underlay. Her fencing outfit was no good for this weather although she really wished her outfit was more to her style. As they rose Ava looked to Nat a little confused and very excited. She could always just try and sneak into Nat's mind but that would spoil the surprise!
Once out and moving over slightly she looked at the 'hill'. At least it was a little clearer this morning. She could see further than the snow drift her first transport had created. She looked at the snowmobile and frowned. A little disappointed she was hoping to go for a walk with Nat but this... this was...
"WOW! OMG!"
She bounced a little in excitement showing her youth as she moved with speed over to the snowmobile. Her hand ran over the bars as she tried to take it all in. Through her gloves she knew there was power inside and her heart beat a little faster. Triggering her watch to beep, for this she didn't care. Looking back at Nat with bright eyes she nodded.
"The others had snowmobile training several months ago. I was grounded... for ... erm... well the normal. Not that it stops me. I spent time in the simulator instead. They won't let me try to fly anything yet though. I'm really looking forward to flying lessons!"
Sitting down in the padded seat she looked at all the controls. Turned it on and then went through a few of the systems. She knew just who had made adaptations to it as she pulled up Jarvis and chuckled. She really did want to change his name to Jeeves just to annoy Tony for a few minutes!
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Post by Super Chick on Jul 27, 2021 17:13:58 GMT -7
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"I think there's probably a very good reason you aren't allowed to fly a plane yet," Natasha said with a bit of a sacastic joke in her voice. She chuckled lightly and retrieved the keys from one of her many pockets. Natasha tossed a set to Ava when she was looking in her direction.
"The keys and the snowmobile are your responsibility now," she continued. "I've washed my hands of whatever happens to either of them from this point forward."
Both women knew full well that Natasha would still be held accountable by SHIELD if anything happened to their vehicles, but the Widow didn't particularly care. She doubted Ava did either. It would be a cold day in Hell before anyone would pin something on Natasha that she couldn't wiggle her way out of. There are always exceptions to her rule of always getting out of trouble, like that one time when SHIELD decided she was an enemy and Nat had to stay on the run for a while. But that was before. Now she slept with one of its directors.
The elder Widow ensured their skis and poles had already been affixed to the snowmobiles. Then she straddled hers, put on her helmet, and inserted the key. She turned it on and revved the engine a little. It was quieter than one might expect from such a vehicle, but it was exactly what was to be expected from the tech that provided it power. She turned to Ava once she also looked ready to go and tapped her earpiece to ensure Ava had hers turned on and to signal that was how she would be communicating from now on.
"If you follow me, you probably won't eject yourself off of a mountain cliff, but if that happens don't let go of the snowmobile. Hold on and hit the red button." She pointed to the button on the dashboard. "It'll provide for a safer descent."
She smiled at Ava and pulled down her dark face shield from atop the helmet. "Let's go!"
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Post by Gummy on Jul 28, 2021 2:20:53 GMT -7
Ava smiled to Nat at the comment of not being allowed to fly a plane yet. She knew the reasons why... she was too young! She caught the keys with ease and chuckled at the comment of being in charge of a powerful machine. A slight twitch of her lips showed.
"I've only broken two bikes. That was when you were supposed to be in charge."
Then nodded at Nat and placed her helmet on whilst turning on the engine. There were a few things Ava was thinking about her red Harley at training was one of them. Then she laughed into the ear piece.
"Right gotcha. Flying lesson 101 how to fall! Got it!"
Then she started following Nat whilst enjoying the views. From time to time she hung back a little to take in the views before catching up. She didn't say much on the way just enough to assure Nat she was still behind. Once at the lodge she got off her bike and removed her helmet.
"Right, which way to the learning slope? You could always go onto the others and meet me back there? Oooor you can have fun watching me fall over!"
When on her own and on the streets she had dealt with the snow by staying out of it. She had some very vague younger memories but what they were she couldn't quite pinpoint. Were they her own? Was it with her family?... Her family.... She looked over to Nat - her only family. Alexei was there but he would always be there, wouldn't he? That hurt!
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