seventh bite | anon text / action | backdated day 323

[redhourglass]

[ most of the time, natasha could keep her guilt to a bare minimum. she could tell herself, "i didn't know" or "i was a pawn," and maybe that would get her through the day. maybe she could say that her life was worth it because she was atoning for her debts through her work with SHIELD, saving lives one life at a time. her ledger might be dripping red, but there would be enough time; with her expanded lifespan, she would have the rest of whatever time she had left to pay back those she'd hurt.

today, however, it was unbearable. she'd heard rumors about the apple trees around the city and never one to trust the word of others, she'd thought to try it herself. it had only taken a bite before the apple had dropped out of her hand and she'd fled, into the shadows of an alley, up a roof, and somewhere safe.

somewhere dark. somewhere high.

that was earlier. it's now evening and she's sitting at a bar, swirling a liquid in her drink that smells to high heaven and certainly does not look like water. to those that know her, she's looking more morose than usual, hard lines in her face softened to something that resembles grief. ]

if you did something so horrible that you hurt many people, but you spent the rest of your life paying for it,
how long would you have to pay before it was undone?

[ anonymous red text makes an appearance on the network. natasha swirls her glass. the world is quiet. ]

ooc: my late contribution to the Fruits of Our Labor Event! feel free to respond to natasha in person (action) or on the network!

Comments

[redhourglass]

whether or not i've eaten any weird apples lately.

[hadbadays]

[ Delay. ]

You too?

[redhourglass]

unfortunately.

what color was yours?

[hadbadays]

Red.

Really should have known it'd be a bad idea.

[redhourglass]

what did you see?

[hadbadays]

My friend being a prat. Just like any other day, really.

[ But of course there was a lot more to it. Which he isn't saying, nope. ]

[redhourglass]

relatively innocuous, i suppose.

[hadbadays]

Basically, yes.

[redhourglass]

it could all be a lie.

[hadbadays]

I got it confirmed.

[redhourglass]

every now and then, i guess this place does tell the truth.

[hadbadays]

Looks like it.

[redhourglass]

if i'd had a choice, that would be the apple i'd want to eat.

[hadbadays]

Really?

[ It's not very fun, honestly. ]

[redhourglass]

self pity isn't really my thing

[hadbadays]

You mean you got that?

[redhourglass]

that's the best way i can describe it

[hadbadays]

Fun.

[ He gets you. ]

[redhourglass]

the best kind

[hadbadays]

I don't envy you.

[redhourglass]

that makes one of us.

[hadbadays]

Just one?

[redhourglass]

i would have liked to see something from home

[hadbadays]

It wasn't all that bad, I suppose, no.

[redhourglass]

it was what it was, to you. i don't mean to marginalize it.