2019-08-08 - The Fairy Spy-Mother

Summary:

Helena seeks out Natasha for one more opinion on her life plan.

Log Info:

Storyteller: None
Date: Thu Aug 8 02:07:31 2019
Location: O'Riley's Teahouse

Related Logs

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Theme Song

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black-widowhelena-wayne

Research is everything. If there's one thing Helena's learned in her life, it's the value of research. Know your enemy. Know your plan. Know your back-up plan. The more you know, the better off you'll be.

So before she makes an important decision like where she's going next with her life, she's collecting research. She talked to Jason and Peter. She talked to Steve and Bucky. But there's one more person with an insider view of things and no inclination to spare feelings when it matters whose opinion she'd like to here. She sent a text to Natasha, inviting her out for tea and talk.

Helena already has a table, with the tea set out and a tray of snacks and tiny sandwiches waiting. After all, Nat's time is precious. She seems thoughtful, idly stirring her spoon around her teacup even though the milk is thoroughly mixed already.


While Natasha is oft busy with one op or other, nevermind the occasional international trip for this or that, she does try to maintain what little semblance to the idea of family she does have. So when she got the text from Helena, she moved some things around to make the meeting happen.

"Tea is a very refined choice," Natasha remarks as she ruffles Helena's hair, having walked up from behind her, before joining at the table. "and went for the whole high tea experience I see, major bonus points, Helena, how you been?"


Helena looks up as Natasha approaches, a wry smile curving with the hair ruffle. "Hey, I figured you deserved it," she winks, taking a sip of her tea. "I took the boys to a diner. Little bit more their speed, after all."

She waits until Natasha is seated to continue, tucking her hair behind her ear. "I've been good. Enjoying the summer off, trying this whole…normal life thing people talk about. Got a boyfriend," she adds with a twinkle in her eye, smile deepening. "How about you? Find out anything interesting lately?"


"See? That's why I like you Helena, nobody else spends time thinking about what I deserve," Natasha muses with a smile on her lips. A straight out lie of course, there are many who spend time thinking all sorts of horrible demises they believe Natasha deserves.

"Hey, if they can't appreciate the value of high tea, that's on them," Natasha quips, as she goes about fixing up her cup of tea, turning the spoon about the cup with a deft motion, before tapping it twice against spills, and setting the spoon aside.

"Ohh…a boyfriend? How come I'm only hearing about it now? What's his name? Also what's my number on the list in case he hurts you?" Natasha asks in a tone that skirts the line between joking and being dead serious. "The answer to that is generally yes everytime, it's just those things tend to be classified. No time for boyfriends and stuff like that, I'll have to enjoy precariously through you. So have enough fun for me as well, ok?"


Helena snorts a laugh, shaking her head. "His name is Peter, I'm pretty sure SHIELD already has a file on him, and I think we're up to number seven or eight, but I've got faith in your ability to handle it if it's necessary," she chuckles. "He's sweet. And he's kind. And he's a certified genius, so that's nice too."

She reaches for one of the tiny sandwiches, taking a bite with her pinky in the air. Alfred would be so proud. "We're taking our time on the fun, mostly. He's pretty much the definition of the nice guy. So you probably won't have to wait in that line."


"Seven or eight, huh? Well, let others know I do tend to cut lines," Natasha winks at Helena, "Peter best be on his best behaviour." She seems satisfied hearing Peter is a nice guy, and has a sip, before reaching for a tiny cucumber sandwich.

"So what is it you wanted to meet over…? Usually there's a serious problem somewhere in plain sight," Natasha states matter of factly.


Helena chuckles, shaking her head. "Not a problem, actually," she admits, taking a sip of her tea. "Things are pretty good. But, you know. I graduated in the spring, which means it's time for me to start…doing something with my life. Or something. You know, time to be a grown up and all that. And I've been thinking about it, because the whole idea of going to a regular college just…never quite sat right, you know?"

She sets down her cup, tucking her hair behind her ear. "So the thing is, I've been thinking of enrolling at SHIELD's academy. And I wanted to know what you thought about that."


"That's good to hear, means less trouble later on," Natasha laughs, putting down her tea cup, "no reason to rush being a grown up, you know, it's a bit overrated," she offers a playful wink as she eats the sandwich in one bite. Well, it is a finger sized sandwich. She does nod at the mention of regular college, "so what's the alternative?" She wonders aloud.

"Wow." Natasha apparently wasn't expecting that one, "SHIELD Academy…? Did you talk to anyone else before coming to me?" She asks, reaching for another sip of tea, "also…why do you think you want SHIELD Academy?"


"Bucky, Steve, Jason, Peter. Not," Helena adds with a pointed look, "Mom and Dad. Because, you know. I just…want to make sure I'm sure about things before I tell them." At the question, she leans back a little bit, quiet.

"I was hesitant about regular college mostly because…Well, I'm not really much for sitting around and doing classroom learning. I prefer learning hands-on. I want to see science at work, not watch it on a chalkboard." She takes a breath, glancing from one side to the other before looking back to Natasha. "And I want to do something that's going to all be me. Not Dad pulling strings. No special treatment. Just…proving myself. In a place where I can be who I am, where I can do what I can do, and no one will find it strange. I want a part of my life that isn't family that understands the double life thing. I want to make a difference in the world. And all of those things…I can get there."


"Quite a group of people…why come to me then? You must have heard all there is to hear," Natasha muses, tilting her head ever so slightly towards one shoulder as she looks intently at Helena, an amused smile on her lips. Before nibbling on another finger bite.

"Sounds like an excellent, and very unlikely drive, Helena, good for you…" Natasha praises, before asking curiously, "what did Bucky tell you?" Clearly out of everyone, she feels his advice may very well wind up being a mirror of the one she might give.


"Because as good as you are at telling lies, you don't waste time with it when it's really important," Helena replies, a faint smile flickering across her features. Reading people has always been one of her best skills. Probably comes from growing up around Bruce Wayne. He's not the most demonstrative person around.

"Bucky said he thought it sounded good," she admits. "He thought I'd be good at it. The reasons were sound. But Bucky and Steve both always wanted something like that. I thought you might have another perspective. Just in case."


"Fair point," Natasha admits, before quipping, "some would say to never trust a word I say, on the other hand, then again, they're not family as it were." She smirks when told of Bucky's reply, though she doesn't find it surprising. "Interesting," is all she says to it, before reaching for another sip of her tea.

"I would tell you to keep your eyes open, your ears open, but be careful what you let in between them," Natasha notes, before offering, "there's two sides to every coin. Heroes & Villains, Capitalism & Communism, SHIELD & Hydra, Batman & Joker," she makes it a bit more personal on the last note somewhat intentionally, before eventually stating. "Apprentice for one or the other, and a certain set of 'values' will be ingrained in you, as well as a set of perception accepted as the 'truth'. Be aware of that if you do go, and never lie to yourself. Always do what you do with a clear conscience out of a decision that wasn't made for you."


Helena listens to the advice, gaze intent on the other woman. She has a great deal of respect for a number of people. She can't help it, growing around the people she grew up around. She's seen any number of impressive skills. But short of her father, there are few people she trusts to see the truth of the world like she trusts Natasha.

"Thank you," she says quietly, reaching for another of the tiny sandwiches. "That's why I wanted to talk to you," she smiles faintly. "You don't sugar-coat things, but you're not going to tell me one way or the other what decision to make."


Natasha does seem to speak quite sincerely, as she looks directly at Helena while offering her view of the matter. She also seems quite pleased with the way Helena is taking what she has to say, not many at her age has the patience, or capacity to actually listen. "Your father should be proud, I didn't have to elaborate. That's terrific, you'll do well, whatever choice you make. Having a choice is a wonderful thing, many of us don't get the chance."


"I hope he is." Helena is quiet, but Natasha can see the nerves underneath it all. If there's one thing Helena prizes above all else, it's her father's approval. "I hope he- I hope both of them trust me to keep the rest of the family safe, even if I'm dealing with SHIELD. But the more I think about it, the more sure I am that's the direction I want to go. I won't be happy going to school, studying something on a board so that I can sit in a lab or make money for a company. I want more than that."


Natasha smile faintly at Helena, she is well familiar with the aspiration of making a father figure proud at any cost. Perhaps to an harsher degree than most would expect. "It can be done, just look at Clint," Natasha offers in a rare show of appreciation to one of the more self assured agents of SHIELD and a fellow Avenger. "I am sure you will excel and I wish you good luck, if you want I'll put in a good word for you, though I'm sure that's not necessary…" Natasha teases, before eventually repeating her recommendation, "just, as I said, make sure company line doesn't become what you blindly believe in."


"Nope, no good words," Helena grins. "I'm doing this on my own. I'm going to crush it on my own," she winks, taking another bite of a tiny sandwich. "I'm really looking forward to the science part though. SHIELD has some of the best engineers around. No matter what Stark says." She looks back over, the corners of her eyes crinkling with her smile. "Next comes the hard part."


Natasha smiles far more brightly at Helena, as she quips, "see? Now I'm proud of you." She laughs at the mention of Stark, "he'd loathe to admit, but his father is behind many of SHIELD's early inventions, nevermind a major reason it came to exist. He really should pick up more history, aside from all the science." She does nod in full agreement in regards to the hard part, as she sets her cup down. "If I had to guess, I'd say you'll finish top of the class. Just a hunch."


"Well, we can hope, at least. And if I don't, that means SHIELD's receruiting some seriously impressive new agents, so everyone wins anyhow." Always the team player, Helena. She lifts her teacup, finishing it off. "I should probably get out and start preparing the speech for Mom and Dad, though. And I'm sure you've got world-saving things to do other than talking to teenage girls."


"You should take credit given when its deserved, none of that 'you guys are the heroes' stuff," Natasha offers with a wink, "Clint is still alive because I'm plain better than him, he knows it."

"Hey, what good of an 'auntie' am I if I can't talk, also, I got the bill this time, so don't even bother…"


"Oh, you think they don't already have my card up front?" Helena arches a brow with a playful smile. "I may have a lot to learn about the spy game, but I've been watching the 'paying for things' game my whole life. Clint's Hawkeye, right?" she asks, picking up a sugary treat from the tray. "Blackbird ran into him a couple weeks ago."


Natasha smirks at Helena, "you know, sometimes it pays off to let someone else pay for you, even if you don't need it. Just a tip." Natasha comments as if by the way. She nods at the question, before offering, "some people are touchy about codenames, so, try not to mix and match. In his case, he's been made so many times, I don't know if it even matters."

"Did Blackbird fancy him?"


"Meh," Helena shrugs, wrinkling her nose. "He seemed cool enough. Not particularly sneaky, though. Which…" She gestures toward the other woman at the comment about being made so many times, laughing. "Sounds like that's about par for the course. The bow's an interesting choice."


"He's actually one of the best I've ever seen with one," Natasha states in all seriousness. "I'm not talking Olympics medal stress, I'm talking life and death stress. If I'm teamed with him for an op, I've got no complaints. I just insist on doing all the undercover stuff with him in a sniper nest." As an added bonus, she quips, "he'll surprise you in hand to hand combat too, his grappling is very effective and fluid."


"Noted," Helena muses, nodding once. "The other Hawkeye's in with the Young Avengers. I've seen her fight. I guess from seeing and listening to her I was just expecting someone a little more overtly impressive. Something to be said for being underestimated, though," she shrugs. "And if he works with you, then I know he's got the skill to back it up," she adds, grin flashing.


"Remember what I told you about the fact looks could be deceiving? Consider he's pulling that act on purpose," Natasha offers her own two cents, clearly, she takes Clint very seriously. As if on cue, her phone vibrates, and Nat reaches to peek at it, "well, Helena, you called it…" she then looks directly at Helena. A look that for a moment, may seem threatening, before she softens and laughs, "I'll let you pay for me this time, only because I love you to bits, ok? Next time is on me, you owe me that much!"


"Deal," Helena grins, standing up and stepping over to Natasha's chair. "But it's going to cost you a hug." Because she's the designated bat-hugger, and all shall fall before her affections. "Thanks, Nat. Seriously. And don't forget, Mom and Dad are actually going to tie the knot and you should be there for it. No excuses."


"You're a tough negotiator," Natasha points out flatly, "you'll do well in SHIELD Academy," but then comes the smile as she gets up and scoops Helena into a tight embrace. "I'll be there, don't worry, even if I can't."


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