12211/Reunion WIth Not Quite Family

Reunion WIth Not Quite Family
Date of Scene:	29 July 2022
Location:	Recreation Lounge: Triskelion
Synopsis:	Natasha and Yelena talk, sister to sister.
Cast of Characters:	Natasha Romanoff, Betty Ross, Yelena Belova

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Natasha Romanoff has posed:
It's in the recreation room of the Triskelion. Fresh from debriefing from a mission, Natasha has been left with something almost alien to her. Spare time. No assignments, no training, no calls, no reports. It's something almost entirely unheard of for her. Nothing to catch up on.. Is this what they call..
    Boredom?
    Natasha goes to sit back over in one of the areas of the recreation area as she turns the pages in a book. An old one. In Russian. If one could recognize the cover of it they could tell it was a collection of 'Great Patriotic War' propaganda posters.

Betty Ross has posed:
The elevator dings as Betty steps off it, for once in fully Betty mode instead of big and red, mostly due to having just finished exercising from the look of it. She's dressed in a comfy t-shirt and yoga pants with sneakers, with a towel slung over her shoulder and her hair still wet from the post workout shower. She wanders over to plop down not far from Natasha, popping open the bottle water she's holding. "Hey Nat..."

Yelena Belova has posed:
While //some// might be coming back from debriefing, someone else is already present and apparently finishing off a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream and not looking the least bit ashamed. Dressed in punk summer fare, that is, tank top with a good deal of flesh showing both at her belly and arms, shoulders and cleavage, it's paired with a pair of black leather pants, and servicable boots. Yelena has her long blonde hair barely tamed, back in a french braid.
    With those servicable boots on a near coffee table, she doesn't even bother to pull them down, though she does raise a hand to wave backwards. She's come to recognize footsteps already?
    "Hint. They all die horribly in the end," is given in a wry tone, her words holding a decidedly heavy Russian accent.
    Betty Ross' arrival to the room does get a reaction, but that is first to finish the last bite of ice cream, and then twist slightly around, spoon still in mouth, looking to identify the person. Pulling the spoon from her mouth, she at least waves it while tossing the 'dead soldier' into the garbage can.

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff is settled in over on her seat, going to switch through a book of faded poster copies and then turn her attention voer, "Hello Betty, how are you adjusting over to things here in SHIELD? I hope that you're feeling more like a part of the group."
    As Yelena would enter, Natasha would shift her attention over and bow her head and let out a sigh, "Yes, everyone dies in the end. They don't always die horribly though. Some of them probably drank themselves to death. I suppose that they didn't feel much of it then."

Betty Ross has posed:
    "Oh, it's fine. Mostly done with the boring classes at this point, though they haven't had us doing any duty yet." She smiles. "Mostly just been enjoying the semi-vacation honestly." She nods to Yelena as she sees her. "Is that the new flavor Ben and Jerry's just put out?" she asks curoiusly, having only gotten a brief glimpse of the container.

Yelena Belova has posed:
    "Drunk and cold is still horrible death." Yelena *pffffs* softly, the sound amused. "If you are reading Russian book, everyone dies anyway, no matter." She shrugs lightly, easily. "The end."
    Betty's question has Yelena finally pulling her boots from the table, and she sets the spoon into a pocket; a disappearing trick! "New flavor?" The blonde Russian looks towards the garbage and shrugs, "I do not know. Old, new, either way, was so very good." Yelena's brows rise, and she sounds an empathic tone, "Is worst, new training. Advice. Don't kill your trainer. They frown on that."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
    There would be a light jab along at Yelena in Russian, "No, you don't want to do that. It would make someone around rather upset. You've not seen May.. Frustrated."
    She would crane her neck over "Are you starting a collection?" She would look over at Yelena.
    "Training is for discipline and focus."

Betty Ross has posed:
Betty makes a face. "I'm not as good at that sort of thing when I'm Red. More impulsive. Discipline annoys me." She shrugs a bit. "Sublimated emotions from a lifetime of putting up with an overly controlling old man." She grins at Yelena. "I have not had to worry about killing my trainer as of yet."

Yelena Belova has posed:
    Yelena shoots back a quick response, one that anyone well versed in Russian might not know it.. unless they've learned the language of the streets. (Always the best stuff to learn in a foreign language first!) It's obviously said in jest, the wry humor sounding even in what could be a foreign tongue to those listening.
    "What? Agent May? You are not afraid of her, are you?" Does Yelena sound incredulous enough? "My disappointment knows no bounds. And do you know what that means?" The boots are on the floor, and the blonde Russian makes to rise, "It means more ice cream. I have seen it on American television. Where girls get together and eat ice cream and talk about the disappointing sex." She pauses, then, "Or disappointing sisters."
    Betty does get a look, and she cants her head, working on the words. It's obvious from her briefly quizzical expression that there are some things that aren't following, but she does pick up where she does. "Good. But, never let them think you wouldn't." She smiles quickly before laughing, "It keeps them sharp."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would nod at Betty, "I can understand." The words come out sort of thoughtfully. She has her own moments of rage, of loss of control, of purpose.. Most of all, of being outside of her own control.
    As Yelena goes on Natasha would just smile, "No, I fully respect Agent May's skills. Agent Underwood also does so." Dottie being the Red Room operative that had started in the 1930's. She considered May a peer.
    "Sisters? I suppose we are." An admission over that's put out in the sort of way an older sibling might. "This is Yelena Belova. I can introduce her but her own way is far, far more.. Riveting. Betty Ross." She would gesture over at Betty. "But you do have a point that it's good to keep your trainers on your toes. Just not killing them. They take failed attempts badly."

Betty Ross has posed:
"I'll live. May's a tiger though." Betty says, stretching out, before taking a long drink from her water bottle as she pulls her legs up to sit cross-legged in her chair. "Sister?" she says curiously, looking between Natasha and Yelena.

Yelena Belova has posed:
It was something else that Natasha had said, something about her ice cream 'soldiers', and for a moment, she looks as if she's going to fish the container from the garbage, but decides against it. Instead, Yelena begins a slow walk towards the freezer, her words sounding light and airy, the Russian lilt seemingly allowing them flight.
    "Even if you lose, they will not kill you. It looks bad. Then, you learn, and they learn. Easy, no?"
    Reaching the kitchenette, Yelena chuffs a soft breath, certainly not the first one, "Perhaps one day I will come to do the same," is opined. "I should like to see her in the field. Would be fun, all the fighting and killing and posing." A quick glance is given to Natasha, and just as quickly, a smile appears and disappears.
    At the brief introduction, Yelena does a rising wave to her hand, only to spin and use it to open the fezzer door in search of some other frozen confectionary. "It will do. Yelena Belova. Also Black Widow. It gets confusing, but one day all will come right." She nods at the question; she hadn't meant them per se, but there is something of a sisterhood in their not quite so chosen field.
    "In a very Russian way, yes. We can wear the same clothes, but I'm not sure I like how Natasha dresses.." As the thought takes hold, she continues to Natasha, "You and I, we need to go shopping."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would shrug, "Oh, I think that you'll find that most of those whom train do so not because they feel like they have to teach and to pass along their lessons to the next generation.. Those whom teach do so as they enjoy taking out their own issues on those that they feel deserve it. Namely uppity litlte younglings like yourself." A casual sort of banter going back and forth.
    "There are a few of us." She would allow after a moment. Black Widows. Tehy were a commoidty for a long time. They still were. So many.. Natasha looks almost distant for a moment. Something quick enough that Yelena might pick it up if she was looking in the right direction.
    "Oh? You're looking to accessorize that jacket of your's some, threadbare as it is?"

Betty Ross has posed:
"Both of you are Widows? Can see how you'd be sisters either way then, yeah." Betty says, leaning back in her chair as she takes another sip from her drink. "Mmm, it's fine when I'm like this, it's not like I haven't dealt with military discipline." she says dryly. "May seems like she prefers teaching to being in the field generally."

Yelena Belova has posed:
    "There is American saying, 'Those who cannot do, teach.'." This is recited solemnly, as if imparting some truth on the matter. "I like that saying. Is good one."
    The freezer door is closed with a disgusted, disappointed noise, and Yelena looks towards the exit. "Does anyone care to go to a store with me for more?" Closed or open, doesn't matter to her! "I will take recommendations."
    The question from Betty gains a grin, complete with a single nod. "There aren't many of us thank you. Not everyone is." She worked hard, and made it to the top of her pathetic, worthless class. At least that's what she was told. "So," and her voice drops, "it is fun, testing trainers, and leaders. After all, what can they do?" She shrugs lightly, and takes a step towards the door, and the acquistion of that frozen dairy.
    "Military discipline is overrated.," Yelena begins again. "It is how to teach everyone to march towards gunfire."

Betty Ross has posed:
    "Well, nice to meet you Yelena, let me know when you do that shopping trip. Unless it's siblings only.' Betty says, hopping up and sauntering towards the exist. "I need to get back to my room and take yet another test on SHIELD regulations." She rolls her eyes, finishing off her water and tossing the bottle in the recycling bin nearby. "See you two around."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would give a nod to Betty, "Well, so long as it works for you. I'm sure that you'll find that we can be.. Good with adapting here." She would offer. "And you seem like the type whom can figure things out quite a bit. And you're very direct when it comes to communications." She would nod at Betty.
    Then turning her attention over to watch the girl. "And look at them for weak points. And wonder why you're going through it again. All the pain, all the suffering. . Is it for a good cause or do you feel like you're throwing more daggers agaisnt the board?"

Yelena Belova has posed:
    Yelena upnods towards the departing Betty, adding another wave, "Good night, and good luck with tests." She lowers her voice, adding in sotto tones, "I have always hated written tests." Shaking her head, she turns around, spinning on her heel. "Do you really not like my choice of clothes?"

Looking down at her outfit, she pulls some of the shirt out to take a closer look. "I think it looks cool. Goes with my vest. Makes me look very chic. You, on the other hand?" Yelena *tsks* softly, and shakes her head, "Stuck in the 90s. Is very sad. We will go shopping, and I will help you buy latest styles. Your friends will not recognize you."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would lean back, "I think it looks very.. You, Yelena. Very, very you. It's not about whether I like it or not. It's not like it's in crass violation of regulations. It's not like it's a liability over on a stealth mission or for survival operations." The Red Room had trained them to 'keep everything on hand you need for a trip into the wilderness'..
    Namely by having them drugged a few times and randomly dropped in the wilderness with whatever they were wearing on them at the time. Pajamas or survival gear, pocket knives or dolls. The ones that made it back learned.
    "And very well, shopping. So what fashion houses do you particularly like? Would you want something for -yourself- while we're there? Or something fancy?"

Yelena Belova has posed:
    It was true, though it was also a lesson in self-sufficiency. How to survive with nothing, and those who not only survived but thrived were the ones feted. Yelena has, of course, her weapons of choice on her, even if it seems as if she doesn't. That's the joy of training; use whatever is on hand.
    "You think?"

Yelena looks down again and lets her tank-top go, and once again it conforms to her lithe, athletically toned body. "I think it's the chains I like the most. Very, very metal." She looks up once more, the pleased smile gracing her face. It's a moment where the facade is gone, dropped, and it's a look inside the younger of the Widows.
    "Fashion houses?" Yelena cants her head and considers before shaking her head. "How about, we walk the City and let it call to us. Who knows? We might find a mark or three."

Does she have targets? Maaaaaybe...

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would lean back over and smile. Going to look over the girl. Recognizing signs that had been in herself. Tha thad been in other Widows. And there's a little bit of a frown. How many lives had been ruined this way through the decades? Nearly a century. How many other ones had she thrown into hte system? Orphans made for such effective recruits. Emotionally scarred, abandoned..
    That would be brushed right away. "All right. I suppose then that us going digging somewhere that they dispose the old remnants of heavy metal muscicians when their corpses turn to dust and they're replaced with a new one is a field trip for you if you've been good?"
    Then going on about 'casing' she would cluck her tongue. "You're going about it the wrong way. That puts the clothes at risks of being torn while you're on your way in and out. Or worse, them being -wrinkled-."

Yelena Belova has posed:
Right now, Yelena is okay. She's not been pushed in the face with the lonliness of her past, but perhaps her need to go out and do 'normal' things is an attempt, a grasp at pretending she's something she's not? A freedom newly tasted, and eventually it'll come crashing down.
    Eventually.
    "That is exactly what we will do." The blonde Widow *tsks* once more, and the grin turns sly. "If we are good, there is no risk. But that is the fun part. New challenge."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would grin, "Fine then. Have you ever done your own laundry? Ironing of clothes? Pressing of them? I presume you can sew. But have youe ver had to do an entirely new outfit and tailor? Now take something of a high end and get it out without having it be smudged. Then know even if you get away the person who tailored it will fillet you."
    SHe would smile, "But, if you are so truly bored as to want something along those lines.." Uh-oh

Yelena Belova has posed:
    Her own laundry?
    Pfft.
    Yelena looks dismissive, complete with the blue-eyed eye roll that a teenager would be hard put to pull off as well as she. "I can sew, see?" She pulls a part of her shirt to the side, revealing a scar. "I sewed that. Looks good, yes? I did that when I was 10."

Yelena slowly returns towards the living area of the rec room and swings a leg up and over the back of a chair, ready to perch. "High end? Like.. um.." There's a pause, obviously a lapse in the education of a Soviet era assassin, "Versace? Chanel?"

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff wouldjust smile over, "Well, do some research. I expect i fyou are going to be robbing somewhere you have an idea of what you're after. It has to fit and it has to look good. So, priyvet. I will take you out for some looting. But I expect you to do your preparation. That's more than just the security layout."
    She says that in such an exaggerated accent. "I expect you to have your size, designs, and know exactly where they are in the store."

Yelena Belova has posed:
    "Of course."
    Yelena's fingers intertwine before her, her forearms resting upon her thighs. "Is there anywhere that will be having a showing? I will dress and attend." Upping the ante? Of course her skill is very much like Natasha's. Infiltration. "We will count and see who gets the highest dollar amount at the end."
    And look as if they belong to the jet-set.

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would smile over at Yelena, "Oh dear, I'm a little too old for that. Those things take so much time to arrange. If I see something nice, ti's far easier to just ask someone to make it for me. It's so much nicer too. They come out better. And do you want to grab something off a woman that's mostly preserved in plastic and botox for a man nearing my age to appreciate?"

Yelena Belova has posed:
    Yelena clucks her tongue, and shakes her head, laughing. "You have gone native. Where do you get all this money? Clothing made for you?"
    Brows do rise shortly after, and she looks consideringly, "There are many attractive men nearing your age." She pauses, and then amends, "No, thirty years younger." Beat. "Forty." There's a sly grin that appears before she claps her hands and swings around to drop booted feet onto the floor. "Alright, old lady." <<Sestra.>> "Introduce me to your tailor."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would smile over at Yelena, "Very well. She may be someone that you know quite well or in passing. But, since you expressed a specific interest in things.." There would be teh sense of bait being laid out, a subtle yet obvious trap dangling over pride and seeing whether the other girl would dance for it..Waiting for thsoe mometns where it would go in hook, line, and sinker and Yelena to commit.
    "If you must know, my personal tailor is Janet Van Dyne." Of the Avengers. Nadia's mother.

Yelena Belova has posed:
    Yelena whistles softly through her teeth, and another laugh rises. "I will not commit until I see such things on you. You will be my mostly preserved in plastic model." She waves her hand dismissively, "Even if you do not use botox."
    With her feet back firmly on the floor, Yelena looks back towards the door. There is the small issue of her ice cream. Ice cream and research. "I must think on this." Not quite hooked, but intrigued all the same. She makes the universal sign of 'I'll call you', with the wave of her hand by her head, thumb and pinky outstretched. "I did enjoy shopping at Hot Topic, though. Very trendy."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would smile over at Yelena, "Good, good. I'm sure that your first foray to the capitalistic model of experiences came by a thrift store. And I'm glad that we've found something to.. What is the term.. Bond over?" She would dabble that out there, in the vein of an old woman trying to sound hip over with a statement.
    "We're getting along so well! I might even take you out next time I go drinking."

Yelena Belova has posed:
    "Is better than ice cream and complaining about bad sex." Yelena adds, her tones dropping to a touch of humor. "Maybe."
    She shakes her head quickly, however, as she begins to make her way towards the door. Yelena stops and puts a hand on the doorjamb, and lets it rest lightly. "I am a very good, what is it called? Wingman. Finding the good men and weeding out the bad."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would smile, "Of course. So do you prefer to do your's by crippling, poison, or paralysis? There's a variety of ways." She would croon over to her fellow Widow. "We should.. Trade notes sometime. Maybe go out and let you flex your stingers a little. You could even get something or someone to have fun with. You don't have to spend all your time here."

Yelena Belova has posed:
    "I like a good crippling," Yelena responds conversationally, as if commenting upon the weather or some such. "I was tops in the class in garroting." So proud! "Paralysis is boring. Staring at them while they beg with their eyes is annoying."
    It is true, however. The two, while very much the same, came out at two totally different times in terms of training. Some things that Natasha learned were cast aside by the time Yelena went through, and there were things that Yelena learned that Natasha didn't have the benefit of. Comparing notes..
    Though, there's a look, fleeting though it may be; it's the hard-learned lesson of 'don't trust anyone'. It's that moment when Yelena smiles and exhales in a theatric sigh, "One day, perhaps." The comparing of notes.
    Her hand drops from the door frame, and she nods, her smile coming back, fixed and proper. "I do get a chance to go outside. Really. It would be foolish to not do so." At that, Yelena does turn around to depart, "Good night, sestra. Until our shopping trip."