03 | text

[brainsqueeze]

Natasha's gone.

( It's something that Maria had known for a few days but she'd wanted to check. Messages had come back but maybe the bracelet had gone. Deep down she'd known the truth from the start but she'd rather have really checked for her friend than to give up straight away. You don't just leave someone )

She didn't have much. Sorry if she was working on anything.

( Who knows? She certainly don't. She's also got some Natasha code to try and crack. Short and sweet, right? )

Does anyone know who had the bar?

Comments

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[bythewaves]

I did not know her, but I am sorry to hear that Commander - I assume she was a good friend of yours. Is there anything I can do to help?

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[brainsqueeze]

She was from home.

( The last one - other than her. They'd all slowly disappeared )

We keep going. Thiazi's gone but we're still here. We don't let our previous success fail now.

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[bythewaves]

Even so. If ever you need to cross blades, you know where to find me.

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[brainsqueeze]

I'll keep it in mind, thanks.

Are you okay?

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[bythewaves]

I heal, thank you. I should be well again, come the final battle. Yourself?

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[brainsqueeze]

Holding up. I feel like I got lucky.

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[bythewaves]

I count if very good fortune that at least some of us were not injured. We will need as many hands as possible, I am sure. Stay safe!

private text (and abundant tl;dr)

[selfmadman]

[ He's in the new apartment, eased against the kitchen counter and pouring an inaugural drink. He absorbs it as a welcome shock and rolls the empty glass between his palms. Idleness, light glancing off his bracelet: that's all it is. Most days the network's silent. Maybe that's the end of the world, having nothing left to say. ]

Thanks.

[ She's already gone but he feels her slip away. He bangs down the glass, clutches the edge of the counter with both hands. They'd never been acquainted, just interlaced. Meeting without surprise or disappointment. He slams his hands into the counter. The glass jumps.

Later he rereads the message. It's impersonal. Maria's grasping at something. He tries to reason what it could be, but he's tired of secrets and his last hope of discharging them is gone.

The heat stutters on. The room starts to fill with the smell of burned dust. ]

As for the bar, I don't think you were next in line.

private text. how dare you tl;dr gosh!!

[brainsqueeze]

That wasn't why I was asking.

...WELL YOU ASKED FOR IT

[selfmadman]

No?

[brainsqueeze]

I was hoping it would be staying open.

[selfmadman]

[ He turns the bracelet over in his hands, shuts his eyes. Makes a noise like a punctured laugh. ]

Does your concern extend beyond tonight?

[brainsqueeze]

We'll still need the place.
That and it's part a safe house.

[selfmadman]

For who?

[brainsqueeze]

For anyone that needed it. It was against Thiazi anyway.

[selfmadman]

[ His first day in Asgard he threw the bracelet. He's never been so tempted to repeat the gesture, ache with anger and futility in those same places. He doesn't, of course. He slaps his fitted shackle down like bus fare.

The bottle and the glass, he takes.

Deep into the night, he picks up the bracelet and the conversation. ] Well that's very noble.

Video

[samantha_grey]

... [Sigh]

It's too bad she couldn't see the end.

[It wasn't particularly brilliant, but it was the feeling she had. She'd enjoyed talking with her anyway. That much she'd known.]

text.

[brainsqueeze]

Same for a lot of people. Even more so at this point.

[samantha_grey]

[She stuck to the video function. It was just easier for her, didn't take thought. She wasn't going to push, though. Not everyone wanted to actually have their face seen at a time like this.]

I'm hoping she's one of the last. We have few enough good souls for the fight, and honestly I've lost enough of the few I'd call friends here.

[brainsqueeze]

She'd have done good.
Natasha was the last person I knew from home. I doubt any will come back before it happens.

[samantha_grey]

Yeah, she would have. [She grunted and then paused.] Ah, so you were from her world too then. I've... met a few, all gone like you said. A lot of decent people.

How well did you know her, though? She always made me... curious.

[brainsqueeze]

She wasn't someone you really knew.

( Not personally. A lot of it was pre-SHIELD but being a spy, and doing what Natasha did, didn't make you open up. It could be trouble itself )

She was a good friend. That was more important to know.

( That she had her back when needed )

[samantha_grey]

I'll buy that. She always struck me as a pretty private person. [And considering a few of their conversations, she suspected Natasha was as fitting on the strike team as she was, if not infinitely moreso.] Still, thanks for letting me know. Honestly, going to wish a few of you guys were still around when we get to the fight.

[brainsqueeze]

You're not the only one.
You always prefer when friends don't have to be here but when people could help? It's different.

( Especially when they'd already been here, or probably would try to if they had the option )

[samantha_grey]

It isn't so bad for me, but I can understand the dislike. You doing alright, considering?

[brainsqueeze]

I'm alive. It's all I need to be.

[samantha_grey]

I suppose so. In the end, staying alive is sometimes half the victory on its own. Give me a call if you need any supplies, though. Natasha used to come to me for potions stock.

Well, that and poisons. no point beating around that bush anymore.

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[daistanbul]

that is a shame

thank you for telling us

if you need me to help clear anything out at the bar let me know

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[brainsqueeze]

I might take it.

( More for company than being sad she refuses to be publicly sad )

[daistanbul]

as long as you dont mind me occasionally being on your roof thats fine

[THAT'S NOT SUSPICIOUS AT ALL, YUSUF.]

in truth i think she would like that

[brainsqueeze]

What's on the roof?

[daistanbul]

me occasionally

[Ha ha Yusuf very funny.]

find me up there sometime and i will show you