video;

[vdova]

[ Natasha’s face on the screen is blank and unreadable, but for those that know her, she’s probably very unamused. She doesn’t like it when questions aren’t answered, and even less so when she’s actively told not to ask. It just makes her want to ask more.

But this line isn’t secure, and Natasha knows better than to push her luck this early on. Thinking of this like a mission is the easiest way to deal with it. ] Hi. Natasha Romanoff. Stark, Banner, I’ve been told you’re here, so if you could check in, I’d appreciate it.

[ As for work, she’ll deal with that later. Right now, she has to get settled and get information from people who might actually give it to her. ]

Comments

[trainwrecked]

A--

[ Yeah. He can tell that she doesn't remember having been here before. And it hurts, and. She's okay. She's okay, right? ]

Miss Romanoff. I hope you're unhurt on arrival.

[vdova]

[ Okay, she's slightly startled to see the face of the MIA Sergeant James Barnes. It smooths over fairly quickly, though, and she ignores any other unsettling feelings that might come from looking at him. ] I'm a little tired, but otherwise well.

[trainwrecked]

[ Before, Natasha would have chewed him for the near-lapse, as she didn't introduce herself as Agent. Not that it's completely secret, obviously, but details like that matter. To her, and, by association, to him. ]

[ He gives a small nod, looking to the side for a moment. ]

I'll leave you to your tea... to those you know, but if they happen to leave any questions unanswered... I'm among those who've been here the longest.

[ I can and will answer your questions. But he doesn't go and actually say it. Not on an open line. ]

[vdova]

[ She frowns slightly -- she didn't catch the first slip, but the second one doesn't go unnoticed. If she doesn't draw attention to it, though, it's unlikely someone else will notice it. ] How long has that been?

[spiderkid]

Whoa, the Black Widow? You're alive? Unless this is one of those alternate universe type things.

[vdova]

[ Excuse me?? ] Who are you?

[spiderkid]

Yeah if you don't recognize me, I'm guessing alternate universe.

I'm Spider-Man.

[vdova]

[ She's never heard of you, never seen you, and she's not exactly impressed by the 'alternate universe' explanation. She just raises an eyebrow. ]

[bacondivination]

You should probably specify which Stark you want. There's douchebag Stark and super cool awesome funtime Stark.

[vdova]

Then neither of them are the Stark I'm looking for.

[bacondivination]

Uh huh, no, I think one of them is exactly who you're looking for. You also said the good doctor's name up there, after all.

[ He looks like he's seriously considering this. ]

I'm going to guess super cool awesome funtime Stark because you're not threatening me.

[manofiron]

You rang? Super cool awesome funtime Stark not really at your service, Agent Romanoff.

[vdova]

[ She missed you too, Tony. ] Are you kidding? You're really going with the nickname the younger Loki gave you?

[manofiron]

It's better than douchebag.

[ He shrugs. ]

Pint-size works for me. It's cool. He's infinitely preferable to his older, crazier counterpart.

video;

[definingfuture]

Welcome to the city. I'm sure you're already getting your bearings, but if you need anything, let me know, I guess.

[He pauses there, waiting for her reaction.]

video;

[vdova]

[ oh my god there really are two of them. ] Let me guess. Tony Stark?

video;

[definingfuture]

Sometimes. I guess this is kind of awkward for you. Me too.

video;

[wintershepherd]

[ Jack considers, then tentatively leaves it video for the moment and is ready to change it depending on whether Natasha can see or hear him on the feed. ]

First names really aren't a thing with you guys, are they?

video;

[vdova]

[ She doesn't respond, because... all she can see? Is an empty room. She doesn't hear anything, either, and frowns slightly, before turning her attention to another feed. Maybe it's broken. ]

video-->text;

[wintershepherd]

[ All right, he probably should have seen that one coming. He switched the feed to text and tried again. ]

you're a friend of Bruce and Tony's?

[angermanaging]

Welcome back.

[It's very slightly nice to see her, but it's not for any sentimental reason. Bruce just likes having back up he knows is good at the sort of thing they need right now. The time he'd spent on the team is still technically the future for him-- he'd only experienced a mystical 3D immersive movie of it.

That said, he does think he can depend on her to do what it takes to find answers here. That's not loyalty any more than it was sentiment; it's just a fact. But he doesn't need to be abrasive about it. Based on the Natasha he has met personally, the one that'd been here previously, he kind of likes her. It's a stupid thought, but he does.]

You want the run down?

[vdova]

[ By this time she's spoken to Bucky, and so she knows she's been here before. She's also got the run down, but it won't hurt at all to get it from someone else, someone she, at least, considers a teammate.

Even if something seems kind of off about him. Did he get a haircut? ] If you don't mind. Sergeant Barnes already filled me in, but your perspective would be appreciated, too.

[angermanaging]

[Bruce also tends to know some plot details from first hand investigation instead of filtered through the grape vine, so he's an unsurprisingly knowledgeable source, and he doesn't mind sharing his info. Not about Keeliai, at least.]

Alright. You probably already know your way around, so-- Fire sector. I have a lab at Stark Industries. We can talk there.

[Some of this is obviously sensitive information.]

video; Fringe encrypted 97%

[lostundercover]

Look, some version of you was here before, if you haven't heard already. That kind of thing's.. unfortunately normal around here.

The point is, that Natasha.. She had a filter for the important shit going on here. I was on it because Bucky and Banner can vouch for me. You want to see what's been going on already, you let me know. I'm hoping you're enough of the same to catch up quickly and keep it going. We need the information sharing.

video; Fringe encrypted 97%

[vdova]

[ 'That Natasha' is not a phrase she really likes hearing, but she keeps her face blank as she listens to him, watching him through the video carefully. Banner, she trusted. Barnes was someone Steve trusted, and Natasha trusted Steve's judgement enough on that. So, in essence, the word of those two could get you pretty far with Natasha Romanoff.

She's still going to assess him, though. ] Tell me what you know.