[ Per the usual routine, Natalia subtly catalogues his shared suite; exits, weapons, things that can be used as a weapon, personal details to giveaway his co-inhabitants. ]
[Vodka it is. He excuses himself to the kitchenette to get their drinks. The suite is, for the most part, tidied up he thinks. He doesn't deal with much outside of his own room, never really left his mark on this suite. Getting too comfortable seemed like a bad idea.
But his room has been straightened, anything he's gathered to use as a weapon neatly tucked away for now.]
Yeah, the suitemates are out as far as I know. [He returns to her, offering her glass.]
[ She softly murmurs 'spasibo' while taking the glass and immediately knocking some back. While noting Butcher's drink of choice for future reference, Talia wonders -- ]
[Gave him a box of chocolates for Christmas without even knowing him, made a point to chat him up. He's pretty sure the kid belongs wherever the hell she comes from.]
Between Ray and his whiskey and my vodka, feels like our room doesn't either, despite him drinking enough alcohol for the whole suite plus yours.
[ With a raised glass in gratitude for not being held accountable, Natalia finally takes the delayed sip. She moves closer to the middle of the living space, throwing glances at each visible door. ]
Speaking of too sweet for this shithole...
[ Nat gives Butcher a pointed look then, a level of sadness hovering beneath the surface. She wasn't nearly as close to Hughie, but his departure is still hitting. ]
[ Nat drifts close enough to place a hand on his bicep, her smile too sad to be anything joyful. ]
I've discussed it with others. That it's selfish and fucked up to want people from home here with you, but it's a difficult thing to not want. And sometimes the people I wait for, I know that they've done things to land them here. I don't wish for the others all that often. And...I like to think between the two of us that we could keep Hughie grounded and as whole as anyone can be here. We'd be his support system.
[ It's implied that she means to Butcher's if he'll have her, the hand on his arm squeezing supportively. ]
[His eyes trail to her hand as it drifts to his arm briefly.]
I don't know what I bloody want anymore. [It's a soft admittance. To make Homelander suffer like the cunt should? Even that doesn't hold quite the same amount of pleasure when the cunt doesn't even know him past the bastard with a grudge, know everything that happens after.
Still, he's not about to sit here in a nice puddle of self pity, so he gives a shake of his head.] Yeah, well... Hughie is easier to keep in line. One of the best. I know what I am.
[And he knows she might not want to get involved in it, so the best he can do is give her an out while there's still a chance.]
[ Having not released him, Natalia shifts her hand along the lines of Butcher's arm and crooks her pinky with his. From over her vodka, she hums thoughtfully, like she's heard this line numerous times before. ] And what's that, Butcher?
Didn't you see enough with the sharing and caring experience? [He was more like his dear father than he ever cared to admit. A monster. Nothing at all like Hughie, nothing at all like his brother...]
I saw someone being tricked into a situation they clearly chose to never be in again. People can't choose blood, but they sure as hell can choose their family. [ Read: Hughie. ] I saw that same someone thus promptly triggered by past traumas that haven't been properly worked through. So, if you're trying to say that you're some dangerous monster, I call bullshit if that's my only evidence to go off of.
[The shite he did for Becca, nearly to Becca... all because he wanted her back. The shite he put his so-called mates through. He might not regret doing it, but that doesn't mean he can't recognize it makes him a bit of a fucking cunt.
Still, he doesn't want to get into it. Instead, he leans in a little bit closer to her, meets her eyes.] But you're a bloody adult, eh? Won't say no if you want to stick around... especially right now. Got a few drinks to finish off and I won't do it alone.
I said I was here for you. [ Though he has some height on her 5'7 stature, she doesn't take the positioning as anything worth being nervous or fearful about. She simply meets his gaze and doesn't retreat. ] However, I feel it's only fair that you know a few things before I stick around any longer, given your attitude towards humans that aren't strictly human.
Nyet, that's someone else's forte. My abilities are more subtle; there's a serum in me similar to Captain America's, if you've had a run-in with Rogers yet.
[ As Butcher has yet to react drastically, Natalia takes it slowly, her body discreetly poised to deflect an attack should things dive in that direction. Hughie made his distaste rather clear, after all. ]
[And has been a cunt ever since actually. Can't say he's impressed with many of the supes he's met down here. Still he's not attacking yet, but serum leaves a bad taste in his mouth.]
[ She can't help it; Natalia releases something akin to a bark of a laugh at the image playing out in her mind. ]
Whatever did you to deserve that? Rogers isn't one to attack civilians. ((pauses)) At least, not the one I know. The Steve here, he's different.
[ Talia shifts to rest the small of her back against the counter. ]
Something too complicated to repeat in Russian, but in English, it has the not-so-clever name of the Super Soldier Serum. It's one reason why I may look as though I'm in my thirties, but in actuality I'm ninety-two, because I was born in 1928.
[ She doesn't know just how similar her story in particular is to that of Starlight, of Homelander. Of the babies who received V. ]
He didn't like that I said cunt. [He finds it hard to believe that Steve isn't as big of a cunt everywhere, but-- he's willing to accept different world and all that.]
Jesus fucking Christ. [How many worlds does this shite happen in?] We've got a little something like that back home. It's not as surprising as you might think.
So, I'm learning. There are additional alternate universes where I'm from that have a darkness staining everything. [ She waves her free hand dismissively, it's neither here nor there. ] Hughie didn't say a whole lot, just enough for me to want to be upfront with you about what I am. And that there are no hard feelings if you've changed your mind about drinking alone. Or, at least, without me for company. Because I don't think being alone right now is the wisest of decisions.
[ Natalia may not be knowledged in the extent, the bond, of their relationship, but she's picked up enough tells to confirm Butcher's been affected by the young man's disappearance. ]
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You didn't tell me we're almost neighbors.
[ And she juts a chin in the direction of her own suite, one door down. ]
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[There's a grin as he motions her inside.]
Come on, then. I promised you a drink... what's your usual poison?
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[ Per the usual routine, Natalia subtly catalogues his shared suite; exits, weapons, things that can be used as a weapon, personal details to giveaway his co-inhabitants. ]
Are we alone?
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But his room has been straightened, anything he's gathered to use as a weapon neatly tucked away for now.]
Yeah, the suitemates are out as far as I know. [He returns to her, offering her glass.]
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And who would the suitemates be, if I may ask?
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Waverly, Sara... Castiel? [It's obvious he's not all that close with them, but he was courteous enough to learn their names at least.]
Last one's not around that much anymore.
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Waverly's friendly with my own suitemate, Aiden Pearce. We cleared out some of the basement rooms together. ((a beat)) I like her well enough.
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[Gave him a box of chocolates for Christmas without even knowing him, made a point to chat him up. He's pretty sure the kid belongs wherever the hell she comes from.]
Plenty of those types around here.
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[ As Natalia takes another sip, she pauses with the drink at her mouth and realizes -- ]
Oh, fuck me, I was supposed to bring alcohol.
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[She remembered that rather flattering dress, so they'll call it even.]
We won't run dry.
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[ With a raised glass in gratitude for not being held accountable, Natalia finally takes the delayed sip. She moves closer to the middle of the living space, throwing glances at each visible door. ]
Speaking of too sweet for this shithole...
[ Nat gives Butcher a pointed look then, a level of sadness hovering beneath the surface. She wasn't nearly as close to Hughie, but his departure is still hitting. ]
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[That Hughie's out. So why the fuck doesn't it feel like it right now?]
He'd have not lasted a fucking day down here, some of the shite that happens. And if he did, he'd--
[Be broken, changed. Hughie didn't deserve that.]
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I've discussed it with others. That it's selfish and fucked up to want people from home here with you, but it's a difficult thing to not want. And sometimes the people I wait for, I know that they've done things to land them here. I don't wish for the others all that often. And...I like to think between the two of us that we could keep Hughie grounded and as whole as anyone can be here. We'd be his support system.
[ It's implied that she means to Butcher's if he'll have her, the hand on his arm squeezing supportively. ]
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I don't know what I bloody want anymore. [It's a soft admittance. To make Homelander suffer like the cunt should? Even that doesn't hold quite the same amount of pleasure when the cunt doesn't even know him past the bastard with a grudge, know everything that happens after.
Still, he's not about to sit here in a nice puddle of self pity, so he gives a shake of his head.] Yeah, well... Hughie is easier to keep in line. One of the best. I know what I am.
[And he knows she might not want to get involved in it, so the best he can do is give her an out while there's still a chance.]
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[The shite he did for Becca, nearly to Becca... all because he wanted her back. The shite he put his so-called mates through. He might not regret doing it, but that doesn't mean he can't recognize it makes him a bit of a fucking cunt.
Still, he doesn't want to get into it. Instead, he leans in a little bit closer to her, meets her eyes.] But you're a bloody adult, eh? Won't say no if you want to stick around... especially right now. Got a few drinks to finish off and I won't do it alone.
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[He doesn't sound like it'll be surprising, not with all the supes he's met.]
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[ As Butcher has yet to react drastically, Natalia takes it slowly, her body discreetly poised to deflect an attack should things dive in that direction. Hughie made his distaste rather clear, after all. ]
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[And has been a cunt ever since actually. Can't say he's impressed with many of the supes he's met down here. Still he's not attacking yet, but serum leaves a bad taste in his mouth.]
What's this little serum of yours called?
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Whatever did you to deserve that? Rogers isn't one to attack civilians. ((pauses)) At least, not the one I know. The Steve here, he's different.
[ Talia shifts to rest the small of her back against the counter. ]
Something too complicated to repeat in Russian, but in English, it has the not-so-clever name of the Super Soldier Serum. It's one reason why I may look as though I'm in my thirties, but in actuality I'm ninety-two, because I was born in 1928.
[ She doesn't know just how similar her story in particular is to that of Starlight, of Homelander. Of the babies who received V. ]
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Jesus fucking Christ. [How many worlds does this shite happen in?] We've got a little something like that back home. It's not as surprising as you might think.
[He wishes it was though.]
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[ Natalia may not be knowledged in the extent, the bond, of their relationship, but she's picked up enough tells to confirm Butcher's been affected by the young man's disappearance. ]
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