The Hurricane Express[Edelo, Natasha]

Aw, poor little thing hardly even registered her questions. What a joy. Natasha held back the urge to chuckle, grinning a little at the effect her charms were having on Edelo. Under normal circumstances, this playful ruthlessness was typically something Natasha chose to keep wrapped beneath some degree of maturity matching her age. Tonight, though? Simply couldn't help herself with teasing the villager. That's what usually happened when you place unsuspecting sheep around a ravenous wolf.

The way he cleared his throat and avoided looking at her reminded the woman of the good times. Something as simplistic as teasing someone was certainly a welcome distraction from her current situation. He seemed like a man with a good head on his shoulders. Prime teasing material, to be sure. Changing the subject from the questions he failed to register, he inquired about her outfit.

It made sense, considering his roots, but it wasn't the next thing she expected, considering his current predicament. If he'd glance over again, she'd playfully point towards her buxom frame with a coy smile, a faint sway of movement to toy with him before she casually answered his question.

"Ah, ya mean this, hun? Yeah, it's what we call' sportswear. And... Bingo. ya' hit it right on the nail. Before I caught ya' admirin' the view, I was out here' jogging to get my mind off of stuff that was botherin' me. Things' have been a little' rough since I've returned."

Natasha leaned into the chair, reflecting on the question posed by the young man. She almost expected it. It wasn't as if she could tease him all night long. Poor guy's equilibrium might be thrown out of balance if she laid the southern charm on too much. Stroking her chin softly, she'd lean forward, sighing softly before opening her lips to answer.

"Well, I'm sure you've seen it in some of the faces of our civilians. They're terrified. Hell, I was scared out of my boots, too. I came back to hear that some of m' sweethearts in the Vandenreich had ended up in the hospital. Add to that the commotion and each division being more guarded than they usually' are, and ya' get the idea of how chaotic things have been. Most'll tell me I can't be faulted for' bein' upset with myself' that I couldn't be there, but that doesn't exactly lessen the impact it's had on me, either."

Gazing into the sky, Natasha clicked her teeth a little. She wasn't particularly in shambles about her decision, yet neither did she feel proud to be away. Her past had always haunted her, thinking back on the people she felt she had left behind. It was a terrifying feeling. Natasha had certainly resolved to grow stronger, but what did strength matter if your comrades could simply be killed the next day, on the whims of an unexpected threat no less? Of course, it would bother her.

Natasha blinked a little, gazing up at Edelo. Huh, he was pretty tall. A sweetheart, too. Now, that was a good change of pace. It was enough to distract her from any of that terrible negativity threatening to pour over into her spirits. Gazing at the hand being offered toward her, Natasha smiled softly at the kind gesture, wrapping her hand around his own, pulling herself up from the bench. If he wasn't so tall, she could've used this moment to tease him again, but the act in of itself was so pure of heart she decided to ease up on him.

"Well, aren't you a sweetheart? Tea' sounds pretty nice' right now."