Owner Pose
Nikolas Kamarov     Winter is slowly giving way to summer weather, the chill clinging in the evenings even where the afternoons are increasingly pleasant, if windy. It's not quite to where April rains will be coming, but in that liminal space between seasons, not quite one, not quite the other.

    It's certaily better than the equivalent weather in Russia this time of year. Or at least, a little farther south than Niko normally ends up in. He's shed his usual overcoat (which to be honest, he wears more for style than need), dressed in a high collared button up shirt with no tie and a sports coat and slacks. Meandering, perhaps, or at least apparently not heading straight for whereever he seems to be going. Generally, if he's been shadowed, he's gone to random bars, landmarks, restaurants and the like. He seems to like to people watch, or just get a meal from a food truck now and again. To just...be in New York.
Natasha Romanova As he would go along, Nikolas would likely have the impression that someone was following him. The general sensation that someone was waiting just out of peripheral vision, as soon as a shift of attention would be made in their direction, they would shift back into the crowd to try and stay out of sight, move a few people back.. And then a short while later advance again, just enough to keep up.
    Someone would be definitely tailing him, wearing something vaguely banal and very generic.
Nikolas Kamarov     The silver-haired man seems to either not notice, or not care at first. Or at least, he makes no attempt to try and shake his tail, almost casually turning from time to time to look in a shop window or such where he could spot said tail. But she's good. She blends, something he's never been as good at.

    Eventually, he detours into a small park, walking over to a bench set out in the open, then slides off his sportscoat, setting it beside him as he sits down, closing his eyes for a moment. As if he's both making it harder to just casually not stand out, but also almost...inviting?
Natasha Romanova As Nikolas goes to sit, ever so subly making his presence settled, right from behind him from almost perhaps out of -nowhere- several feet away from his back, where no one likely had -ever- been given a signal of having been, there would be a casual, "Comrade." And then Russian thick with the accent of Stalingrad, if one had ever been around the area long enough to place it.
    "Nikolas Andreyvitch Kamarov, I'm here making sure you've been minding your manners."
Nikolas Kamarov     Nico's lips curve up slightly at that as his eyes open, ice blue glancing over towards Natasha. "Romanova...' he murmurs. "As I often tell another acquaintance, the Soviets are long dead and buried. And good riddance to them." He picks up the coat, setting it across his lap to make room next to him. "I should not be surprised they would have you follow me."
Natasha Romanova Natasha Romanoff would have her hands folded in her own jacket. "I'm here to give a friendly reminder, Comrade. Keeping your nose clean, all that." Her tongue would click over to his that sort of tone a babushka might, her eyes assessing him.
Nikolas Kamarov     There's a humorless grunt from Nico at that. "What makes you think I am a free agent, in your experiences with our masters? Your former masters." he admends, tilting his head to meet Natasha's gaze. "That is why you left, after all. To be...free." He inhales and lets it out. "They still are afraid of you for that, you know. That you got away. That you broke free. Paranoid that others will as well, without steps being taken."
Natasha Romanova Natasha Romanoff would tsk, "I did. And I'm well aware of where your loyalties lie so far, Nikolas Andreyvitch Kamarov." Her addressing him by full name, ever so casually with a thick urban accent. "Call it a friendly reminder to yourself and your higher ups at the embassy if they need it."
Nikolas Kamarov     "Are you now." Nico says neutrally, his eyes flicking away from Natasha's steady gaze. "I wonder." He shrugs his shoulders slightly. "If you wish me to pass such a thing on, I can do so. For all the good it might do." His gaze returns to Natasha. "They still want you back, Romanova. You embarrass them, being free. Being an Avenger. Being out of their reach...they cannot stand that, these men and women so used to getting what they want. Or taking it."
Natasha Romanova Natasha Romanoff would fold her arms, "Yes, yes, I'm aware. I take it you're familiar with some of the conditioning htat they've been doing nlately to deployed agents and those rotating in for training?" She would offer casually as if dangling a small piece of candy as bait.
Nikolas Kamarov     For just a moment, there's a pained twitch across Nico's face before it smooths into impassivity against. He just smiles faintly, neither confirming or denying. "If there were such a thing, I could not discuss it." he notes simply. "Who would allow such things to be spoken of, if they wished them to remain secret?"
Natasha Romanova Natasha Romanoff would shrug, "Well, tha'ts the thing, Comrade. It's one of those things that they no longer really need to. It's supposedly rather effective. they seem to have hit the right wonder-drug combination to induce permanent loyalty."
Nikolas Kamarov "Hmm." Nico grunts noncommitally as he stretches a bit on the bench. "I would imagine that if it was publicized it would still be problematic. At least for their reputation. Such as it is. Because we are all such loyal, fervent sons and daughters of the Motherland." He pauses to watch a squirrel bounding between trees for a moment. "I imagine they would wonder if such things would work on one who broke out of conditioning previously though."
Natasha Romanova Natasha Romanoff would mm, "Quite possibly. And do remember, Comrade, that in the end you serve the state.. And the state's paranoia. You see yourself as loyal, they see you as someone they're afraid that might turn to someone else.. Or that might be in favor of the wrong higher up in the ongoing squabbles. But I've had to drop two of your brethren." So casually.
Nikolas Kamarov "Of course, all agents such as me must always be seen as loyal. How dangerous it would be, if others chose to follow you." Nico murmurs, closing his eyes again. "But then, if you view a group as an enemy, then it's difficult to see the truth of their situation, I suppose."
Natasha Romanova Natasha Romanoff would just smile, "I'm merely making sure that you're aware of things on both ends, Comrade. Call it a bit of professional courtesy.. And forwarning if your superiors start to think they have a new wonder toy to spread out with."
Nikolas Kamarov     "I'm quite aware." he says, a faint curve coming to his lips briefly, before he straightens up. "But again...they are men of power and authority. What need have they to listen to one such as I, hmm?" He tilts his head. "Though courtesy is always appreciated."
Natasha Romanova Natasha Romanoff would dip her head, "No, they don't always listen." she would add gingerly, "And sometimes all of us at the bototm can do is to try and make sure to keep an eye on ourselves. Hence professional courtesy."
Nikolas Kamarov     "Yes. The people under the state, these little things are what keep us...human, hmm?" He exhales slightly. "Unless, of course, those above make it impossible to extend such courtesies. In such cases, all one can do is give apologies in advance."
Natasha Romanova Natasha Romanoff would dip her head in passing, "Yes, Comrade. Call it.. Mutual understanding in the matter." They were in the end all professionals in the game, and they were loyal to something greater than themselves, for all the imperfections those things had.
Nikolas Kamarov Another faint grunt of acknowledgement, Nico's gaze flitting over to a group of college students laughing and joking as they walk along nearby. "I like this city. So different from...home. It's good to see it....but..." A faint shrug. "Is it better to have such a thing far from your gaze, or to see it just out of reach, I wonder?"
Natasha Romanova Natasha Romanoff would click her head, "That depends, comrade.. On what you mean by that. And.. In the end, your home serves whomever is the current one in charge. And here.. Well, here has something that the former lands of the Union do not." She would swing around, as if going to turn to walk away.
Nikolas Kamarov     "Many things..." Nico agrees, quietly, then raises his voice slightly. "Be careful, Romanova." He doesn't look at her this time. "There are always those that do not respect such things. Those who are greedy, and cannot stand to see anyone else have what they have." His eyes close a bit. "What is the phrase? Ah yes. Good talk." He smiles faintly.
Natasha Romanova Natasha Romanoff would laugh, "And here remembers the concept of professional courtesy. The lands of the former Union only extend them when it benefits itself. Or whomever is the one pulling the prongs of power. Good day, Comrade." Then Natasha is walking away.
    'Good talk' indeed.