18826/Deviation will not be tolerated

Deviation will not be tolerated
Date of Scene:	14 August 2024
Location:	New York City
Synopsis:	Sersi has a Natchat. Deviants do not attack, which is considerate of them.
Cast of Characters:	Sersi, Natasha Romanoff
Tinyplot:	Hunger

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Sersi has posed:
Agent Romanova (if that's even her name) did not give Sersi her personal cell number or even her business card when they'd parted ways at the Hall of Justice. It's almost enough to make a god think she's lost her touch or something. Fortunately, Sersi has ways to find people! Specifically, she can ask Mother Box to check global communication traffic and... well, not *listen* for Romanova; that's something beneath a Mother Box's pay grade. Rather, she's scanning the psychoemotional spectrum for the specific qualities of Romanova's aura, which would imprint themselves on her communications, naturally. Everyone knows *that.*

It takes a couple of days to sort through that much data, though, so Sersi has, if not forgotten about it, at least made a conscious effort not to remind herself of it as not to get impatient when finally Mother Box says, "Ping."

"You're sure?" Sersi asks it from her kitchen table, absently wiping the coffee that spilled when Mother Box's assertion startled her.

"Ping," Mother Box says.

"It's not that I don't believe you, I just want to be sure I won't embarrass myself dialing the wrong number."

"Ping."

Sersi could have reminded Mother Box there's no need for that kind of language, but why antagonize her? Just let her cool off. Sersi picks up her cell phone and dials the ten-digit number Mother Box gave her, rising from her seat and pacing through her hotel room with distracted, nervous energy. When did phone calls become a source of anxiety? Is it when everyone started texting?

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
It's close enough to her name to pass muster when one anglicanzes it. Natasha herself is rather surprisingly easy to track for a spy. It could be because she's a member of the Avengers, and has a public presence over at Avengers Mansion and occasionally the Triskelion.. She also has given Sersi her contact info - or at least passes over for it to grab her by!

Also it could be simple by the standards of an alien super-science semi-sentient tool of the cosmic guardians of the great experiment, the ETERNALS!

When the dial comes in from an unknown source over on her Avengers ID card, Natasha goes to pause a moment as she gets a bit of gibberish until FRIDAY recognizes it as the contact symbol of a Mother Box, from there backtracking it to confirm that it is Sersi..

Natasha is currently racing throught he streets on a beatup motorcycle, weaving in and out of traffic like a bicycle messenger going from one mission to another.

<<Sersi?>> She goes to tap her comm to acknowledge the signal and return it. <<Have your.. Patrons given you any information which they authorized you to share?>> No matter how secure the line, Natasha still feels paranoid enough to not mention who and what said patrons are, directly. Because nothing is ever completely secure.

Brainiac proved that.

Sersi has posed:
"Sersi," she confirms cheerfully. The purr of the motorcycle's engine is an oddly pleasing undercurrent to the phone conversation. In the same cheerful tone, she continues, "They didn't and won't, I'm afraid. I have other options available, but I infer you're not interested in discussing them on the telephone. Have I misread you?"

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Well, that was an unfortunate result, but the likelier one. Still, it was an attempt and it's given them another asset to put into play since Sersi seems willing to work with them. And if Sersi is, then perhaps more of the Eternals are as well. <<Correct. Where's good to meet you? I can arrive there shortly>> The sound of the motorcycle screeching through traffic can be heard over the phone.

Sersi has posed:
Sersi grins. She can't help it. "You can? What if I'm in Timbuktu?" Pause. "I assume Timuktu still exists. Haven't checked local geopolitics in a bit. Oh dear, now I'm terribly afraid I've said something tasteless. Let's hurry past it, please. You can get anywhere in seconds?"

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
There's a sigh that comes along from the comm from Natasha <<Then I would not be able to arrive there as promptly, you are correct>> The sound is rather deadpan in turn back. <<I can't. The Zeta Beam is something reserved moreso for the Titans and the Justice League. So you'll have to likelier com eto me then>> She does at least admit it as she goes to stop at a light.

Sersi has posed:
"Well then, it's fortunate I'm not in the place I just admitted I don't know exists. I'm in New York City at the moment, and have access to a spaceship if I need to be further from here if appropriate." Cheerful again, as if not discussing anything related to Armageddon. "And yourself, Ms. Romanova?"

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
If Natasha had the emotional capacity to let out a sigh, she would, but not over the comm. But the extra-cheeky Eternal could probably pick it up - or at least visualize it. "Then where is good for you to meet in New York? If you can tell me where I can ride to meet you. You have something else then? I can't tell you how much we appreciate it."

Sersi has posed:
"Not at all, dear, we're all in this together," Sersi says with a briskness that doesn't quite cover the sound of her pleasure. "For now, let's meet at, oh, let's say the bodega on Second Avenue and Forty-Sixth Street? I should probably take human conveyances rather than annoy air traffic control by flying over there. Shall we say... half an hour?"

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
There would be a tap along the comm as Natasha would navigate through the city in her head, and then acknowledge <<I can get there by then. I look forwards to talking to you.>> The screech of tires announces the bike's change of course, and then a quick comment of <<Friday, reroute traffic patterns to permit quick navigation>>

Sersi has posed:
Sersi thumbs off the cell, considers the remnants of her breakfast, and decides with a devious little smile it would be best to show up to this meeting a bit hungry. She caresses her bowl of cereal, and lines of yellow light spread across it, forming patterns that seem intentional, pictographic. The molecules, atoms, protons, neutrons, electrons in the lovely white ceramic bowl break down, as does the milk, the cereal, the fresh strawberries: at her whim, they rearrange themselves into a pair of supple, leather pants she picks up and tugs on.

What? You wear pants while eating cereal? Clearly you're the odd one, not Sersi!

She similarly conjures a pair of nice, subtle, understated boots, and, upon having achieved decency, makes for the street and the various taxis waiting to convey her to the bodega where Agent Romanova is probably already waiting for her. She stows Mother Box deep in her purse, and, while her hand is concealed in there where no one can see it, conjures a few twenties while she's at it. Technically illegal, but who cares? America's economy isn't so fragile sixty bucks will break it.

She emerges from a properly retro, yellow cab twenty minutes later, smile shining like the sun. "Natasha," she greets with an odd combination of reserve and warmth as she strides unheeding through the mass of humanity toward her... um... acquaintance? Sure, let's use that word.

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
The two are somewhat familiar (in that they've met, and Natasha knows what Sersi is, and what the group that 'sponsors' her have as goals. If only as she's fought with Ikaris a few times. And knows how big a threat certain of the groups that oppose them and ally with them are. The Eternals can be allies of convenience, but ultimately they are servants of the Celestials. And while Natasha does not know exactly what they are..

She can guess that beings who made the Savage Land have other goals in mind in the long term. And she knows what Knowwhere is. So she makes the assumption their allegiances do not always align with Earth's. And so Natasha arrives over on her bike to meet Sersi. Sersi actually beats her to there whereas Natasha is normally the type to arrive a long, long time early to a meeting to perform reconaissance. She goes to slide off her bike, park it, and goes on in. "Sersi. Good to see you." Sliding in to sit down.

Sersi has posed:
The right corner of Sersi's lower lip vanishes briefly into her mouth for a little nibble at that, biting back the obvious reply. It pops right back out for a smile as Sersi slides into her own seat across the tiny, metal mesh table from Natasha, legs crossing. "Thank you for coming so quickly, not that I don't understand why you would. It's all rather pressing business, isn't it?" Her right hand lifts into the air, fingers loosely curled into crescent fans, signalling wait staff. "My treat," she explains modestly.

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanova would glance at Sersi and give a nod, "OF course. Thank you. And I understand that your.. Employers can't give direct help or supplementary information, which is a shame but I can get that. Are you and the rest of your.. COmrades willing to give all the aid that you can otherwise and can we count on you?" The Eternals are charged wtih protecting Earth from some level of intervention - or so Natasha thinks. She's hopeful that means that they don't want to see the planet blown up.

Sersi has posed:
It's hard to make a shrug look elegant, but Sersi pulls it off with style. "I can only speak for myself. I don't know where most of the others are. We have our own lives, you see, and I've been away from Earth for some time on holiday. I can only imagine they'd help once they find out once our problem enters range, though. If I could sense it coming, most of them would see it further away than I can.

"But on the topic of distance, it occurs to me that even if the locals have no particular intelligence regarding our shared problem, surely someone out there must." She glances around to see if she's being observed, then leans over the table slightly, elbows propped on its surface for balance, eyes twinkling to beckon Natasha in for a quiet listen. "Even if no one survives the kind of destruction we're talking about, it's impossible to conceal the effects. Background gravity would be altered, forcing craft to alter their navigation. Solar systems would be knocked out of their previous alignment. SOMEONE knows something."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanova would let out a sigh, "Yes. Earth does have.. Contacts with the greater universe, but for things like the Entity.. There is little information about, at least concrete. The Oans seem to have banned all knowledge from it as if they could wipe it from existence via denial. We're pursuing what leads we have, but the Entity is almost mythical for all we can get on them. Hence why searching for things at least somewhat of a more.. ESoteric nature. Some are even consulting with demons." To see if magic can give them answers where cosmic beings cannot or will not.

"So every small bit helps. We have to pursue every possible source of information." And allies. Even if those whom faintly knew what it was would flee in terror.

Sersi has posed:
"The Oans," Sersi explains, still leaned forward over the table to keep her voice low and intimate, "are not infallible."

Sersi does not know who or what the Oans are, but that really doesn't matter. Her assessment of them is accurate.

Back on topic, she continues, "But if you're already investigating such leads, perhaps it would be a waste of my time to try what others are trying." She says this without malice: after all, she's not egotistical enough to think 'hey, let's ask people what they know' is a unique idea worth fighting for.

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha happens to agree on that, even if she's barely more fluent with them anyways. "Agreed. So there are those going to directly confront them and see if they know anything useful and if pressed with be more direct." She knows it's mostly go there and threaten them, but that's something for the Green Lanterns to handle. "We work with whatever we can. I'm glad that you're able to help us." She would let out a sigh. "And this planet seems to be rather much in a galactic crosshairs."

Sersi has posed:
Sersi smiles a little. "I suppose so. Sometimes I wonder if it just seems that way because we live here, or if it's really true."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanova would let out a sigh, "I can't tell you why. I'm sure there's a reason for it." Not that she knows what it is. But a heavy increase in interplanetary incursions definitely needs to have something doing it. It's not like the Earth was invaded several times in a decade with quick succession.

Sersi has posed:
Sersi leans back in her seat, smirking a bit. "I have my guesses, but never mind them. You seem a bit worried, Natasha. What's bothering you?"

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanova would cross her arms, "The level of threat this poses, and how we counter beings of such energy. Even those minimally empowered by the Entity seem like they could defeat the majority of the metabeings on this planet in confrontation. And there are several of them. Countering entities of such power is difficult. Much less when they are meaningless in the greater schemes of the larger threat."

Sersi has posed:
"They're not meaningless, though," Sersi observes. "If there's no need of them, then there's no need to create them or recruit them or whatever their specific relationship is. They're necessary, and therefore vulnerable."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanova would nod, "Then the question is finding a way to defeat them without the collateral damage fighting them would entail." A question for when they had information on them, rather than something to muse about. Fears lead nowhere.

Sersi has posed:
"I have some ideas about that," Sersi says, smiling wickedly. "But perhaps nothing others haven't thought of themselves." She tuts wistfully. "A shame Makkari is off I know not where."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanova would tap her chin, "BY all means do share them. At the very least, those ideas give us confirmation or things to spread around. We need as many options as possible here."

Sersi has posed:
Sersi smiles modestly and spreads her hands. "Well, if you're concerned about collateral damage, the first step is to make sure the fight happens when and where you choose. The simplest way to mount an attack before the fight comes to you, preferably before they know it's coming. Fair fights are quite overrated. But if they reach us before you reach them, your various Flashes should be able to drag most of these creatures out to the Gobi Desert, and I'm sure one or more of your Thors can conjure their pretty little Rainbow Bridge to send an enemy where you want them. Failing that, don't fight them at all. Find a telepath to shut down the battle before it begins. I'm trying to say, don't let your enemy dictate the terms. Make him fight on yours. I'm not exactly a master of battle, but even I know a little bit from a few thousand years of fighting Deviants."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanova would glance at Sersi, "These things seem to be capable of casually destroying planets. Collateral damage means that we have to engage them in the boundaries of the solar system to ensure that the fight does not come too close to anywhere inhabited or any of the things which go through our system." Because if you punch, say, Mars or Jupiter and it blows up that messes with the entire gravitational field of Sol. "But you are completely right. We'll work with what we can if we do have to fight them."

Sersi has posed:
Sersi's eyebrows raise, nonplussed. "I'm sorry, I think I've missed something. You're saying the minions can do what the master does? You're not talking about that creature who was captured by a half-dozen heroes and carried on their spaceship?"

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanova would give a slow nod to Sersi, "As near as we can tell, they are extremely empowered by their.. Master. One of them seemed to barely take any effort or concentration when it came time to throwing around multiple Lanterns and Captain Marvel. Terrax seemed to be paying little attention and effort to the fights. The Surfer is another that we have not seen demonstrate fully waht he is capable of. For now, we err on the side of caution." She means paranoia.

Sersi has posed:
"Well, that's hopeful," Sersi observes. "If he doesn't care, then he's there under duress and is conflicted about it. A potential turncoat."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanova would shake her head, "According to the reports, at least, he's a Class 3-B Tyrant. He enjoys conquest and genocide. So when he has things to slaughter and a good fight, he'll be there. Fortunately, Thor can handle him."

Sersi has posed:
Sersi seems a bit stuck on the idea, though, because she asks, "Does he enjoy conquest in someone else's name, though? Is he maybe longing to be free?"

Then she makes herself stop because, ugh, let it go, girl. Not every idea is a winner.

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanova would shake her head, "Insufficient data for now. We can only make a number of projections based off limited encounters. But that's something to keep an eye on for when we encounter him more to build a psychological profile. At least a tyrant is easily baited and predicted."

Sersi has posed:
Sersi nods, doodling on the tabletop with her forefinger. "I'm just thinking in terms of complexity here. If you imagine what we're facing as a giant machine, then it necessarily has lots of moving parts to insert some grit into." She snorts and makes a wry face at herself. "Of course, trying to imagine how to dismantle a machine I've only ever imagined isn't the best use of our time, is it?"

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanova would nod at Sersi, "Yes. WHile better to have contingencies, making too many assumptions and making too many plans can lead to a spiral of confusion. For now, information is our greatest asset. Others are finding out what they can on this.. Surfer. Since he's the one on our planet, he seems the best path."

Sersi has posed:
Sersi nods, mostly to fill out the word count for a pose because it wouldn't qualify if she did the natural thing and just asked, "What's this about a Surfer?"

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanova would 'ah'. "Someone who arrived on a flying surfboard in Times Square, announced the end of the world was coming, and then said he wished to explore as much of this world as he oculd before it was consumed and erased from existence. Rather melancholy type." She would quip.

Sersi has posed:
Sersi's eyebrows raise. "A surfboard? How retro," says the prehistoric woman with Ron Jon car window decals flashing through her mind. "So he's here on Earth right now?"

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanova would nod at Sersi, "At least as of last I was aware. He could have moved elsewhere at this point. Higher dimensional beings have mobiltiy that the rest of us who are planet bound lack. I presume that he can depart and arrive at will. He may be rendezousing with his master as well." Oh how much cosmics annoy her.

Sersi has posed:
Sersi ponders this. "If he's on this planet, I can't find him. He's too far away, and/or too weak for me to sense from this far away, and/or hiding his power levels." She shrugs, unconcerned. "Not that I have a plan for what to do if he were to pop up in front of me anyway."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanova would smile, "You're doing what you can. That's appreciated. I'm glad that you and your.. Brethren are willing to ally with us. I know that the affairs of this realm are often not things you engage in. So I wish to extend our appreciation for you doing so."

Sersi has posed:
Sersi opens her mouth to explain that most of them do, she was just on holiday in outer space looking for pretty aliens; but she reconsiders that before the words get out (not exactly the best impression there, Sersi my love) and instead says simply, "You're very welcome."