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

[comeonthensexy]

Then why let it concern you?

[redhourglass]

failing to help others doesn't bother you?

[comeonthensexy]

Of course it does. But it's got nothing to do with goals, isn't that the point of it?

[redhourglass]

if the goal is helping others...

it's not that difficult of a leap.

[comeonthensexy]

Ah.

And you think you fail it?

[redhourglass]

yes.

[comeonthensexy]

You might never truly feel like you succeed. Best get used to it.

[redhourglass]

encouraging words

i will, then

[comeonthensexy]

Words from experience. The encouragement comes from others.

[redhourglass]

there aren't a lot of others here.

[comeonthensexy]

Plenty. All you've got to do is take a look around.

[redhourglass]

you have many friends here.

not everyone is as lucky.

[comeonthensexy]

Are you trying to tell me you haven't found any at all? I find that very hard to believe.

[redhourglass]

of course not

have you ever kept a secret that would drive everyone away if they knew?

[comeonthensexy]

I don't normally do that, no.

You'd be surprised by how much people can accept.

[redhourglass]

look at all the acceptance on this network.

[comeonthensexy]

I can't figure out if that's sarcastic or not.

[redhourglass]

i'll help you there.

it was sarcastic.

[comeonthensexy]

Thanks.

Why sarcastic?

[redhourglass]

people here aren't the most forgiving.

or haven't been, so far.

[comeonthensexy]

Different from my experience, then.

[redhourglass]

not quite from mine.

[comeonthensexy]

Clearly.

I'm sorry to hear that.

[redhourglass]

don't be. maybe it's for a good reason.

[comeonthensexy]

It tends to be, from time to time. I'm still sorry.