widows_kiss | Appointments Post

How generous of you. Just give me a second. [She fishes her journal out of her bag to send a quick message to Tony so he'll know where she is. As she's writing it out, she glances over to Natasha with a grin.]

It's fine. I was out in the woods, so I'm dressed for a little cleaning. [As opposed to coming from the gallery.] And it'll give us a chance to catch up.

The woods? Somehow you never struck me as the nature-lover type. [Natasha's more used to picturing her in high heels and business suits in a skyscraper. Not out in the forest.]

Do we have things that need catching up on? I admit, most of my life has consisted of scrubbing, mopping, and hauling for the past two weeks.

Edited 2013-04-27 03:39 (UTC)

[She isn't, and Pepper laughs at the observation.] I'm really not. But Eferin--the fire spirit--is in the forest. Supposedly. [Said with a shrug of her shoulder that should make it clear just how that search is going so far. She's aware that it can take time, however, so Pepper's not discouraged.]

And yes, we do. I happen to know for a fact that there is more to your life than cleaning. [She sets her purse on the counter, sliding the journal back into it. The bag will be fine there while she works, and Pepper heads to the pile of rags and sponges she sees nearby.]

You're looking for a second one? [There was a hint of surprise in Natasha's voice. She was aware that Pepper had learned healing magic from one of the spirits but she was still more than a little skeptical about the entire affair. And the spirits in general.] This one has fire magic?

[Her lips quirk at Pepper's observation and she crouches back down to go back to the area she'd been working on before Pepper arrived.] That's news to me. Which facts are these you're tossing at me?

Edited 2013-04-27 04:05 (UTC)

Actually, a fifth one. [Her smile widens a touch at Natasha's surprise.] I haven't had much practical application for most of it, but I figured that it would be better to learn everything I can just in case.

And yes, Eferin teaches fire magic. Although I might not be compatible. He apparently only goes for people with an affinity for his element.

[Once she's got a sponge in hand, Pepper crouches down beside Natasha.] Where should I start? [Picking a spot on the floor is easier, and Pepper scrubs in silence for a few seconds before she picks a topic.]

How about your love life? [Which could be tricky, and she gives Natasha a glance.] How are things going between you and Clint?

[Surprise visibly flickers over Natasha's face at that, and she leans back on her heels for a moment, studying Pepper curiously.] I didn't realize you were so interested in seeking them out. You've found four of them? And how do you know what element you have an affinity with?

[At the question, Natasha gives her a rueful smile and waves at the room at large.] Pick a spot. It's all just here vying for our attention.

[She bends back to scrubbing then, although the next question gets Pepper a quick sharp glance until she meets the woman's gaze and Pepper clarifies. Natasha gives a rather undignified snort of derision and continues scrubbing. Maybe with a hint more force now.]

Unchanged. Mostly. Perhaps it's better we just forget about it. [That's what she kept trying to convince herself anyway. It's what he seemed to want, although there were still the odd exchanges, the tense moments when something seemed to hang in the air between them, heavy and waiting. Teases and looks, an absent touch. It always caught her by surprise and always left her confused in the aftermath.]

Well, I really only wanted to learn how to heal first. [Pepper's gaze drops back down to the floor, but only to concentrate on the scrubbing while she speaks.] And I did, but I was putting too much energy into doing the magic. After my first healing, I wasn't in great shape. [To say the least; she'd gone into shock after helping to heal Clint.]

I thought finding another spirit might help me understand a bit better, so I sought out Sona. She's the one who teaches water magic. And it did; I really started to understand how much effort should go into generating a particular result. From there, I just kept going.

I'm mostly guessing on the affinity bit, to be honest. [She spares Natasha a glance, a small grin playing over her lips.] But I didn't have too much difficulty working with Sona, and fire is the opposite of water.

[She shrugs a shoulder then. Pepper won't be heartbroken if she can't find or work with Eferin.

Although maybe the same can't be said for Natasha in regards to certain other topics. The sharp expression makes her curious, and Pepper doesn't miss the sudden vigor behind her cleaning, and she sighs after hearing that particular update.]

I'm sorry to hear that. He's missing out on a good thing. [It's definitely Clint's loss, in Pepper's opinion. Still, she gets the sense that there's more going on here. Just something about the way Natasha had looked at her.] So is there someone else I should ask about instead?

Natasha listens to that explanation with interest, because it made sense, even to someone who didn't understand magic. She gave a faint smile as she bent back to scrubbing again, thinking all that over. "So what is it you learned from the others? Which ones have you encountered?"

Clint's not so easy a topic to talk about, even if things do seem to have reverted to something resembling normal and she wishes Pepper wasn't as observant as she was. "We're fine the way we are. We have been for a long while." And that could be enough. Would be, because the lack of him wasn't something she wanted to have to contemplate again. "And of course not. I have mentioned being busy with cleaning, haven't I?" she countered smoothly.

"Wind manipulation from Kipinn, and earth manipulation from Faeren. Although I'm still working on more advanced skills, like freezing water and working with plants." It's a steady project, one meant to take time even if the skills themselves might not prove frequently useful.

"Is that something you start to believe if you say it often enough?" She says it gently, but with a hint of doubt. Those sort of feelings aren't easily brushed aside, although enough time has gone by that there might be some truth to Natasha's words.

Unlike the excuse Natasha offers next, which Pepper doesn't believe in the least. "Of course. So busy you've avoided all human contact whatsoever." She raises an eyebrow as she glances toward Natasha. "You know, it's okay if you let me in a little bit. You really don't have to keep everything secret from me. That's one of the benefits of being friends."

"You'll have to show me sometime. If you find a spirit that gives you magical manipulation over cleaning, let me know, would you?" Natasha added wryly, working at a particularly stubborn stain, huffing out a breath that ruffled her bangs on her forehead.

Pepper's gentle words get her a sharp look before Natasha averts her gaze again, her lips twisting into a faint grimace. "I'll let you know if I ever actually succeed."

Natasha makes a soft sound, half laugh, half scoff. "I suppose it doesn't help my case to point out that I've shared more with you than most acquaintances I've had back home for almost a decade, does it?" She paused, searching for the right words to try and explain this. She wasn't very practiced at this whole 'sharing' thing. "It's complicated. And I'm still trying to figure it out myself. But no. I haven't avoided all human contact."

"Well, since you've requested." Pepper sits back, watching as Natasha scrubs harder at the floor. She extends her arm toward the bucket of sudsy water, letting out a slow breath as she focused. A moment later a small amount of the liquid slides out, gliding over the floor without leaving a trail behind until it stops over the spot where Natasha scours.

Pepper just might be smirking a little as she releases the magic, letting the water sink into the floor.

"Please do." Her sympathy softens her amusement at Natasha's reaction to the display, and Pepper reaches over to lightly squeeze the woman's shoulder in support. It's a brief moment, however, as she shakes her head just after. "And no, it really doesn't. Although it is a good start."

And as it turns out, there is more to be told. Pepper's interest is definitely piqued, and she raises an eyebrow at the careful admission. "This is new. Just who have you been in contact with?"

Natasha moves her hands out of the way as she watches Pepper summon water through the air, a look of faint surprise on her face that melts into curiosity and fascination as Pepper releases the magic. She reaches out with her sponge, the spot coming clean with ease now and Natasha sinks back on her heels, giving the other woman a grin.

"That's it. You're hired."

The moment of scrubbing gives her a distraction from Pepper's sympathy which... she doesn't really know how to deal with. She shakes her head, because Pepper's pressing for more information, which she expected, but she still had to be careful what to give. Instead, she hesitates a moment before inclining her head, hiding a small smile.

"Bucky."

"Well, I'm so glad you approve."

Laughing, Pepper goes back to her own cleaning, but keeps an eye on Natasha as she works out just how to answer. Of course, scrubbing the floor is completely forgotten when the woman drops a particular name.

"Bucky? As in Bucky Barnes?" Natasha may have hidden her grin, but Pepper's smile is wide and bright at the news. "Oh that's great. How long have you two been together?"

Natasha doesn't roll her eyes at the grin, but it's a near thing. And she's not going to admit that her tiny smile might be growing a tiny bit wider. "I'm not sure we count as a 'together' thing. we're just... I don't know. We're trying it out."

Natasha can roll her eyes all she likes; Pepper's still thrilled for her, and she certainly doesn't miss the way that smile starts to grow as she tries to play down what she's found.

"You count. You definitely count." She reaches over to squeeze Natasha's hand, excitement clear in the gesture. "I'm thrilled for you. Both of you. I take it that this is something new, then?"

"Very," Natasha confesses, dropping her sponge for the moment to sink back on her heels again. "Maybe a week or two. Like I said, we're still figuring it out as we go."

Pepper nods, as she has some idea of how hard that can be for a person not used to actual relationships. Not that she really knows much about Natasha's romantic history, but given how hard of a time the woman has opening up, she's willing to guess.

"Well, let me know if I can help, even by listening." Although Pepper knows better than to think it will be as simple as Natasha coming to her with a problem. "Now that I know to ask, you can expect well-intentioned prying on a regular basis."

"Great," Natasha scoffs, rolling her eyes for real now, although her smile still lingers, teasing and playful. "I knew I should have said Tony so this could have evolved into a catfight instead."

"Sorry; it still wouldn't have worked. I wouldn't have fallen for it." Because despite Tony's history, Pepper knows he wouldn't cheat on her. Especially not with all they've been through, and it's why she can answer back with humor. "You're just doomed to have me concerned about your general well-being and happiness. I'm pretty sure there are worse fates out there."

"If I think of any, I'll let you know," Natasha drawled, laughing softly. "I happen to enjoy my secrets, thanks. You're going to be the death of my reputation."

"Yes, I'm sure the entire village will be convinced you wear your heart on your sleeve in no time," Pepper replies with a wry grin of her own. "I'm not asking for every detail you've hidden throughout your life, you know. Just a little trust--which I know can't come easy for a spy."

It wasn't just the spy part that made her that way. Trust was not a thing she did easily. Or rarely at all. Still, she made a face at Pepper's teasing, her manner playful. "See? I knew it. I'm onto you, Potts," she scoffed, shaking her sponge at her in mock suspicion. But her smile softened then, her expression turning rueful.

"Harder than most."

"Damn. My secret identity as a menace has been revealed." She goes along with the banter for as long as it lasts, not wanting Natasha to feel too uncomfortable. And the woman admits she has a difficult time with it, causing Pepper to nod.

"We'll get you there."

Pepper gets a wry look for that.

"And if I don't want to get there?"

Pepper raises an eyebrow. "Then maybe I'm wrong. But do you really want to stay closed off from everyone, Natasha?"

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