Where Does The Good Times Go[Ehefera, Natasha]

Natasha noted her friend gravitating towards a hug, reorienting herself to allow the woman a moment to express herself. It was undoubtedly true that she was rarely the type to express herself, to speak at length so deeply on any subject was foreign territory for her. Or rather, it had been. Between several missions, several interactions with Liltotto, and everything else, she had recognized how bothersome it was to keep things held in, how unhealthy it was to let things simmer, festering until they reached a boiling point. And she had no intention of doing that anymore, resolving to wash away the guilt that haunted both of their spirits. Sighing softly, she toyed with her cap before offering her own set of heartfelt words.

"I'm... sorry for distancing myself the way I did. No matter how ya feel about yourself, not once did ya' ever prove to be bad company. Sure, I recognize that there was a bit of manipulation on your part, but rest assured... I had never judged ya' for it. After all, I also kinda... selfishly embraced it after a while. Like a bear with a pot of honey in his hand who had not a damn sense of control in the world, I... grew attached to the way you made me feel. Even beyond the intimacy, there were times where you reminded me I still meant somethin'. When I threw all my trauma on you at once, you were one of the select few in this city that made me feel..." She trailed off for a moment as she slowly placed a hand on her cap, turning her head away to express how she felt. Expressing oneself was a difficult venture, but she was here now, and she had to finish this train of thought, lest it bother her later down the road.

"Happy. I was a fuckin' mess that night, hardly worth the time of day. And yet, ya persisted, no matter how much I tried pushin' you away. Hell, you even revealed one of your own secrets that night. Regardless of how this started, that really meant the world to me. And that's why I felt bad when I failed to keep in contact, when I distanced myself. I let you down when ya could have benefitted from my support the most, when you could have used a shoulder to lean on. I didn't stick my neck out for ya' like you did me, and that always haunted my conscience. I detached, like I always have for the past few years, because of my past. But... I don't want to do that anymore. I don't want to push everyone away anymore, especially you. Friend like you? C'mon... give yourself some credit for once, sugar..."

Ehefera wouldn't need to close the distance this time. Natasha swept in to wind the woman into her own embrace, tears flowing freely. What was in the past would remain in the past. None of it mattered any longer. This felt more genuine. There was no confusion here, no blurred lines. She wanted to be her friend, and Natasha reciprocated that feeling as well, more so than ever before.

"Sorry for leaving ya behind. No matter what I've done, you still remain good-intentioned at heart. You accepted me back then, and somehow, you still accept me now. Of course I want a friend like you. And I sure as hell hope you want a friend like me, too, heff. One that has no intention of runnin' scared when the goin' gets tough."

Like that, she finally did away with the rest of the guilt in her spirit. Ehefera had blamed herself for her part in all of this, Natasha wanted to answer for her own. It was the first step towards moving past her own demons as well.

Holding her like this felt nostalgic. A familiar source of comfort she once thought elusive now, experienced once again for the first time in months. As Ehefera's cheek rested against her own, she pressed her face forward against her own, tightening the embrace for a few moments longer. A myriad of emotions suffused her spirits, yet the only describable term she could ascribe to this one was cathartic release, a release from all the turmoil of the past, as though it never was.

Eventually, of course, she recognized they would have to pull away, humorously reflecting on how an embrace of this nature would have been followed up by affections of a more intimate degree. Of course, likewise discernment taught her that such actions would only complicate what they were trying to build now, nor had that been her intent when she entered her house.

It would be interesting to see how everything played out from hereon out, but for now, Natasha parted with a resounding squeeze around the woman's frame, pulling away to ruffle her hair, softly chortling at her comment on her adjustment period in the future. To some extent, the feeling was mutual. Ehefera had been the only woman with whom she crossed as many lines as she did, after all. That would have to be addressed to avoid complications in the future. She would be a fool not to recognize that. Old habits would hold no sway moving forward. Genuine honesty. That would be the approach moving forward. Pinching her cheek with a playful smile, Natasha motioned toward the door.

"No kiddin'. Among solidifying our friendship, I reckon it'd be rather imperative we hash out how we want to approach things with one another, but for now, all this emotional release has got me starvin'. Wonder if the pizza man caught us havin' a moment," she humored, poking her head out to await their imminent arrival. As a show of good faith, she paid for the pizza, closing the door as she headed to the nearby table.

"First's thing's first, how have ya been, sweetheart? I mentioned it earlier, but I heard you've been makin' strides on the technology front lately. Good to see your puttin' the brain of yours to great use."

Natasha was able to properly set her side of the spread out with relative ease. She was commonly use to serving food to her own peers whenever they visited. It was a simple practice she excelled in rather well, all things considered. As expected, it was a basket of fried chicken and french fries, with a desert or two she prepared set off to the side. Unhealthy as always, to be sure, but that never crossed her mind before, nor would ever. Her body was proof that none of this was particularly hindering her anyway, outside of filling out noticeable sections of her slightly tall frame. Relaxing into the chair after pouring a lidded pitcher of sweet tea she had packed along with the the rest of the food into two cups, Natasha assumed the role of listener as Ehefera began to speak.

"Is that so? I can't imagine that's been easy for ya'. As one whose quite familiar with yer' adrenalin-fueled battle rush, I always did take ya' as a fight first kinda' gal even with your position in the research division. Funnily enough, I got a lil' taste of it in live-action with Edelo. We toyed around with it a bit, hunted down some hollow lizards, and faced off against one another afterward. If yer itchin' to get into some action, I reckon it wouldn't hurt to engage in some trainin' with one another. I've gotten mighty strong since the last time we met!"

Flexing her arms playfully with a hearty chuckle, Natasha grinned. Clearly serious about the possibility of one day throwing down against Ehefera again.

Preparing her own plate, a mixture of the pizza Ehefera ordered and the food she prepared herself, Natasha devoted most of her attention towards listening to Ehefera. Crossing her legs, Natasha listened to Ehefera with measured interest, watching with the woman curious eyes as she went to find one of her inventions around the house, returning with a small bracelet in hand. Tilting her head, Natasha nibbled on a slice of pizza as she listened to the woman explain the mechanics behind her intentions regarding the technology moving forward.

Namely, the small bracelet in her hand. The exposition was digestible enough to follow every word with little issue. She was no expert on the technological side of things, to be certain, but the explanation of her intent was intriguing. Battlefield communication, eh? Companion programs? Natasha's eyes displayed awe, clearly impressed by the concept.

In theory, it was a great idea to apply across each division. As she said, they weren't boasting much in the way of superior warriors at the top. Natasha had been aiming to fix that through repeated training, and she certainly boasted more power than she possessed since she first arrived here, but one person couldn't right the whole ship. The strength in coordinated numbers made a lot of sense based on the way they were built now.

"That's mighty impressive, heff. Can't say I expected anythin' less of ya, honestly. Strength in numbers to make up for our lack of strength at the top... I like it. Naturally, as a coordinator, I reckon ya have my approval at least. I'm predictin' the proper and official channels - namely, the Grandmaster and the Directors across each division - will likely find the idea pretty suitable, too."

Maintaining a firm bite and chew routine with her slice of pizza, Natasha's eyes blinked softly at the woman telling her to simply receive the praise. Well, she supposed when she put it that way, there wasn't much to contest. Ehefera knew her well. She was precisely the type of woman to go shooting compliments back in return, going so far as to discredit herself. Honestly, receiving such genuine praise... felt nice. It had let her know that all her efforts with these people had not been in vain. Leaning forward in her chair, she smoothly finished her first slice of pizza before picking up another and pointing it at her with a playful grin.

"Oh, lookit ya stealin' the words right out of my mouth. Someone's developed a lil' bit of confidence in my absence. I like it. Fine, I'll accept your praise without givin' it back, sweetheart. Not like ya didn't flatter me into bein' speechless just now, anywho. I must admit, feels pretty' nice bein' acknowledged like that. Glad I still have that effect on ya' after so long."