outstandingbalance | Drift Fleet IC Contact

I imagne most people don't, if they even realize it's here.

[But that's not important. What's important is that he smiles at her and offers an arm for a quick hug. Yes, she's not really the hugging type, but--it's been a long few years, and he's developed a taste for human contact.]

It's good to see you in person, Natasha.

It's good to see you too. [She smiles slightly, gentle.] How're you taking things? Did you get the chance to talk to Bruce?

To be completely honest, I was disappointed that my ship was changed so drastically. But they'd kept my gardens and my fish tank, and some of the people I've cared most about are still here. That more than makes up for it, to me.

[And he grins a little, clearly excited.] I have, at least a bit. I'm glad to have the chance to get to know him. [..."And he doesn't seem terrified of me like Tony was in the beginning", he doesn't say.]

[No, he wouldn't be. Not that Natasha follows all of the undercurrents there, but she can guess at some of them—Bruce is a very different presence. Tony. Well, Tony's Tony.]

Hopefully it's not the only chance you'll have.

[She smiles slightly at that, if a little sad. They get Bruce, but they lost Steve. Not something she'll complain about. It's probably good luck they were here together as long as they were.

Her expression falls.]

We were going to talk about home.

I hope so as well.

[And he nods. This is the whole point - well, okay, no, he would have been happy to spend time with Natasha anyway, but he really needs to tell someone.]

I'd like to ask you to keep this in confidence. [Yes, that's been implied by the fact that he wanted to meet in person in an under-used part of the ship, but it doesn't hurt to state it plainly, either.] But to begin with, could you remind me what the last thing you recall from home is? It was after Germany?

[It could have gone without saying, all things considered. Natasha isn't free with information. She manages it as she sees fit; normally, that means keeping secrets.

She nods, though. If he wants to make it explicit, she'll agree to it.]

Hours after Leipzig. Tony let it slip that Ross knew what I did. I left.

That's it.

[He does feel more comfortable that way, and appreciates the confirmation.]

The consequences were as you might imagine; Steve, Bucky, Sam, Wanda and you vanished from the world's radar, and Mr Stark, Rhodey, and I continued on as Avengers in the public eye.

[He smiles bitterly.]

I was...caught up enough in Rhodey's recovery that I lasted nearly three months before I reached out to you, Natasha. You, because I knew you could be contacted safely. I didn't trust any of the others not to be caught by monitors.

[He pauses, about 99% sure that she atches the implication that Tony isn't the one who reached out and therefore it wasn't official Avenger business; in Steve's absence, Tony is the default leader. Or, at least, Vision and Rhodey don;t mind submitting to him.

The other implication is that by contacting them, the Vision put himself in violation of the Sokovia Accords. When he contnues, it's in a much lower voice.]

I missed you all. I missed Wanda so badly I could no longer stand it.

Makes sense. I know how to fly under the radar better than Wanda does.

[She doesn't let herself be too flattered that he recognizes it, but there is something satisfying about it. And maybe on some level she's glad to hear that they didn't lose all of their ties.

There are more important details though. She can see Vision's priorities.]

She missed you too?

She did. [So why does it make him look miserable? He does pause before continuing, gathering his thoughts.]

It was just talking, at first. And then we met up, and she realized something I hadn't. [Namely, why he was willing to break the Accords just to see her. Look, nobody ever accused the Vision of being very in-touch with his own emotions.

He finally meets her gaze, still not sure why this is so hard for him to say.]

Wanda and I have been seeing each other romantically for the better part of a year now.

Congratulations. I'm glad the two of you are trying. [She means that. They both deserve to be happy.

But it also raises other concerns.] It must be hard to leave that behind.

[A bit of tension releases at her approval - she has approved back home, or she never would have helped set up their first few encounters, but that was no guarantee that things would be the same here, and he values her opinion highly.] Even though it means another violator of the Accords, and the associated danger? I've learned a few new tricks, but I would not consider myself proficient at blending in.

[And then he clenches his fist, resisting an urge to get up and pace (he definitely gets that from Tony).] Yes and no. I don't want to pressure her, Natasha. I know she's from long before any of this. And I know that this place can change people in unexpected ways. She may not grow to love me at all here.

[He releases the fist and speaks in a softer tone.] But I know now that it's waiting for me at home, regardless. That can be enough.

[Natasha nods, taking in the facts as they are. She can't say she's sorry to have another friend still in the compound. Not that she expects Rhodes, or even Tony, to turn on her in an emergency, but someone they can actually keep in touch with even in down time.

The strategic part of Natasha's brain doesn't turn off.

But also, it's good not to lose all your friends.]

We can keep the violation of the Accords between us.

[Given that Tony is going for the world record in stubborn butthurt and Rhodey consistently errs on the side of the rules whenever he's in doubt, it's up to the Vision to be the friendly on the inside. He's happy to do it.]

--Thank you. I do feel somewhat guilty about it, even though there are parts that are terribly unfair.

[And so now that he's got past the most important-to-him part, he can catch her up on the rest of what's been going on.]

Overall, thing have been quiet in the world. Wakanda has opened its borders for the first time and has begun to share their technology with the world. Though I find it significant I haven't been invited there myself - the implication is that at least one of you is based there.

Clint has kept to his retirement. Mr. Lang--the one who could change size--is under house arrest, though his parole should be up soon. Mr. Parker, the young man with the red and blue costume, is growing into his powers and becoming a neighborhood defender in New York City.

[He hesitates a moment.]

One of the other Infinity Stones has awoken on Earth.

[There are far too many of those around, aren't there? Natasha tries not to read into it too deeply.]

Is that something on our radar—a threat?

[He also pauses, weighing his answer carefully.]

Not from its wielder or how it has been used. But an excellent point was brought up [by that jerk Loki, of all people, but that doesn't mean it isn't legit] - if a Stone is active, it can be traced. Having one active on the Earth put us on a radar. Having two makes us a target.

It might. But the kind of person who has one of those, he's not going to be a push over.

Should I take that a a compliment?

[Teasing a little, yes, but then he sobers up and taps his own Stone.]

But very recently it had begun to feel odd. Restless. As if a storm is brewing. The sensation stopped as soon as I arrived here, but I can't shake the premonition.

That sounds ominous. And frustrating, since there's not much we can do about it here.

[He smiles, though she's sure to detect a note of bitterness in it.]

Actually, it's rather relaxing, in a way. There's a welcome lack of pressure here. [He hesitates a moment.] In fact, I've begun to wonder if this stone is itself an advanced replica. I would think having something with the power of an Infinity Stone on the Fleet might cause Atroma some concern.

I see your point, but... I thought the stone was keeping you alive. At least part of what keeps you alive.

[She supposes the Atroma might have that capability, but it's an uncomfortable thought.]

Oh, it's hardwired to my own mind and provides a great deal of the power I utilize. It's as much a component of my personality map as Ultron or JARVIS. [More, since Ultron was based directly off the Mind Stone's matrix.] And yet with the function of the augment suppressing my access to it, I couldn't tell you if it's the same at all.

So what you're saying is there's no way to tell if it's safer or easier to limit the actual power of the stone, or to replace it with a replica.

Yes. I know it sounds unreal that I cannot even tell if an essential part of myself is real, but I'm afraid that's te nature of this place. [He rubs at the back of his neck where he can feel the augment.]

Oh, and one other thing about the situation at home. I believe you've changed your hair again.

Makes sense. I'm wanted in over a hundred countries at this point.

[Which doesn't even include the enemies she'd have had before she violated the accords.]

I'd want to keep a low profile. That doesn't seem all that important though.

It's not terribly important in the scheme of things, no, but it would be remiss of me not to mention it. [He hasn't actually seen Steve lately, so he doesn't know about the beard. Sad.]

I--mention it because it seems most of us have done something to change out appearance. Wanda's changed her hair as well, and I--well.

[He concentrates for just a moment and his entire skin shifts, until there's a man who looks suspiciously like Paul Bettany sitting there next to Natasha.]

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