mucked | ( IC INBOX )

A few. We were much smaller then. Most people that showed were already familiar with conventional sidearms, just needed some first-hand experience. A few of the younger fleet members showed up, too.

Are you going to take him up on his suggestion?

[She wouldn't mind starting again so much, but she doesn't want to step on any toes.]

I'm thinking about it. Although I'm more than happy to help with the range itself, I wouldn't -- [ a pause while she selects the appropriate text. ] I would not call myself a teacher.

[She almost laughs at that.]

It's not exactly my day job, either.

If you'd like to give it a shot, maybe we can get together sometime. Talk about what works and what doesn't, or just what needs to be done. Come up with a plan.

[And of course the pun is intended.]

I wouldn't mind meeting. We can even let Jim believe it's a proper slumber party, if it'll make him feel better.

It might. He seems to think it's important we're friends.

My schedule's open all week, so stop by whenever you'd like. Bunny slippers optional.

Got any good theories as to why?

[ why jim wants to knit them up into a sort of friendship. peggy fixes natasha for a pragmatic sort of woman -- and it would be tough to survive in 'this business' without growing a thick skin. accordingly, she assumes no insult will be taken by peggy's broad question.

after all, it isn't that she's not interested in being friendly with natasha (quite the contrary!), she simply doesn't understand what business it is of jim's. ]

[Peggy's more or less right. Natasha is pragmatic, whether through birth or training or practice doesn't really matter. She doesn't mind straightforward questions, and this one especially is one she's considered more than once herself.]

Seems like it's important to him that his people all get along. Or maybe he just thinks I need to get out more.

Or maybe he's worried about who's going to be cleaning up the mess if we fight.

[ his people. once upon a time, that might have rankled her. but now -- now, it isn't such a terrible thing to be reabsorbed into that cohort. ]

Then let's try to avoid any broken noses and busted lips, so we might spare his delicate sensibilities.

[ not that she wants to fight. ]

[She might have argued once, about being anyone's anything, but now it's less urgent. And besides, it was an easier way to define their always complicated relationship. She was someone he worried about. She cared about his opinion. So. His people. And hers, too. It does help that she's genuinely curious about Peggy, though.]

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested in both going a round with you in the ring and also the look on his face afterward, but I think we can save that for another time.

[ now, that's curious. punching for pleasure isn't exactly peggy's mo. it busts stress, certainly, but she brings anger and rage behind her brawl. however, she could recall the schooled precision with which natasha had fought in that back-alley two planets ago. graceful, really, in her work. ]

Something to look forward to.

[It's not necessarily pleasure that drives the inquiry. Curiosity, maybe, remembering how she fought planetside and wondering which of them might come out on top. Call it a healthy sense of competition, if you want.]

I will. See you soon.

Hold on, now. You're not getting away so easily. [ her laughter goes unregistered. ] Care to meet up after I finish with Jim over on the Iskaulit? We're scouting out decent locations for the range.

[She may be smiling a little at that response.]

Guess I'll have to try harder next time. [Teasing? Maybe a little.]

I wouldn't want you two to cut your plans short for me.

He and I plan to have lunch back on the Heron once we're finished. You ought to join us.

[ if jim's going to meddle, then the two of them can certainly feel justified in making plans around him. ]

Well, if you're sure I'm not intruding.

[Ought to be interesting seeing what Jim makes of the two of them obviously having spoken without him, too.]

He's a grown man. In theory, he should be able to handle it.

In theory. I guess we'll find out. Should we tell him?

God, no. I want to see his face.

[You might actually be able to hear Nat laughing from outside her room at that.]

Fair. Just let me know when and where and I'll be there.

Yes, ma'am.

[ oh! if text could ever be playful, then this text certainly is. ]

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