What to do about Magik?
Author's note: In the ongoing Marvel comic Savage Avengers, starting with issue twelve, we see that Magik is now in a team-up that involves the Black Widow (Natasha Romanova). A team-up that I think is somewhat problematic as the two are not exactly on friendly terms. They first encountered each other at the beginning of the Phoenix five event where they fought on the blue area of the moon, which happened at the end of the Avengers vs. X-Men war. Natasha won the physical battle, only to have Illyana stab Natasha with her soul sword and rendering Natasha unconscious (the sword did not physical hurt her), as Illyana states that this was all just a game to her because otherwise… Widow would have been dead (a statement that Natasha likely found to be unpleasant as it is very dismissive of Widow's fighting abilities).
And then there was that piece of hell that Illyana, as part of the Phoenix Five, that she crafted into a prison to hold many of the Avengers, and any other super heroes who fought the Phoenix Five. Doing such has likely been a social downer for Illyana ever since, in regards to non X-Men heroes. I've noticed that post Phoenix Five Illyana has been a bit of a Boogie Man for many of the Avengers as every encounter with Magik results in them either not being on the winning side or a stalemate at best.
So… I wonder as to the possible behind the scenes actions that allowed that team-up to happen.
Part 58a: Team-up part 1
"You want me to team-up with Magik?!" Was Natasha's angry declaration to, or to be more honest, at Doctor Strange.
Strange was assembling a team to deal with the threat of Kula Garth (a very powerful cannibal sorcerer from Conan's time who was attempting to take over the earth as both he and Conan were interacting with the present time span, this is the ongoing Savage Avengers storyline folks). The two were having tea and lunch at the appropriately name Russian Tea Room restaurant in New York City (Strange's treat, which was always a tell that Stephen was going to ask for a favor as he was a notorious cheapskate). Natasha had gone for the Caviar tasting along with smoked Sturgeon with dill and sour cream complemented by some Formosa Oolong tea (hot) with cream. Strange had selected Rooibos Chai red brush tea and a curried chicken salad. Both were dressed in civilian clothing, Natasha in a black pants suite that was tight in all the right places to show off her figure, Strange in casual jeans and a blue shirt.
"Yes…" Replied Strange after some salad munching. "Logan will be there as well, as well as additional magical practitioners and fighters."
An irritated scowl from Natasha as she inquired. "Who?"
"Doctor Voodoo, Hellstorm, Punisher, Elektra, a most skilled sword fighter by the name of Conan, and I dearly hope you."
A minute or so of quiet as Natasha chewed on his words and her food, with a touch of an internal wince over the inclusion of Electra, an addition that Natasha thought likely also involved a booty call by Stephan, then... "Why me?"
It never hurts to pay a complement. "Because you are very good at what you do Natasha, despite the bragging that Logan likes to engage in about being the best. There are both magical and non magical situations which will likely result in sub-teams. I expect that the two of you will be in different groups at first."
Natasha was irritated, very very irritated. "You do remember what that bitch did. To me… to the Avengers, and to a whole bunch of others."
An internal sigh from Strange, but he did expect that there would be difficulties in recruiting Natasha due to those prior actions by Magik. "Yes… but I like to think that is now behind us.. I'd point out that I was one of those on the receiving end of her… ire and we have moved past that misunderstanding. She has been…"
Natasha interrupted Strange as she pointed at him with a Sturgeon laden fork. "She hunted the Avengers down like dogs and imprisoned those she and her Phoenix cohorts captured in that Limbo prison of hers where they were tortured to keep them from escaping."
Yeah, that was… problematic was Strange's thought as he pointed out. "Magik has prior experience with Kula Garth, which is why she is willing to assist in this matter, and she was under the influence of the Phoenix at that time."
Natasha ate the piece of Sturgeon, then sliced off another piece. "Torture Stephen… Torture."
"Mental torture." Countered Strange. "Which is not… nice, but she did try to avoid physical harm."
Natasha was not having any of that. "And of course those who experienced her… hospitality are understanding of that little nuance… right?"
Natasha continued after a moment, and Stephen's expression that indicated that Illyana was not on very many Christmas card lists. "That be a no Stephen. Crap, she even had Thor in there at the end. I'm surprised that that Asgard didn't declare war."
A good point as many who had been imprisoned did… have residual issues, some more then others. Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers) being one of those people, likewise Luke Cage, Spider Woman, Hawkeye, Quicksilver, The Thing, and many others. Voted most hated X-Men three years running was one inside joke, and nominated for a fourth.
And one of those others being… "And you." Was Strange's soft reply.
A snarl of anger as Natasha chewed. "And me. Not… one of my better times."
Left unsaid was the prank that Illyana had played upon the Avengers, and the fallout from that prank was that the contents of Natasha's sock drawer had been revealed to one and all (See the story Magik Mischief for details). Natasha was still silently fuming about that and had so far lacked any opportunity for payback.
More silence as they both consumed a few bites and sipped upon their respective teas, then Strange spoke. "I would not ask unless it was world threatening Natasha. If we fail then…"
A resigned sigh from Natasha. "World ends, apocalypse, end of all life, dogs living with cats… I get it Stephen, it's just… you're asking a great deal."
Strange played a card that he had been holding onto. "Would… it help if the two of you spoke?"
A somewhat surprised and then a musing expression upon Natasha's face at the idea. "I suppose… now?"
"If you want."
"I don't want, but… it would make sense. Plus I'm positive you'd get all pissy at me if I shot her mutant ass the first time she turned her back on me."
An internal wince from Stephen at the use of the word mutant. Many people used the word mutant in a derogatory way, rather the N word for many of the mutant community when used by non mutants. Yes, Illyana was a mutant, and a sorceress, part demon, and one whom had even defeated Stephen in magical combat. Said combat had taken place in Limbo, which was the heart of her power so advantage to her, but defeated him non the less back when the whole attack by the Avengers, and many other heroes, had taken place upon the mutant island nation of Utopia off of San Francisco.
A suspicious look at Stephen. "Is she listening now?"
"No. That would be rude, and I asked her not to. But she will arrive if I summon her."
Best to do what one does not want to do now rather then later was Natasha's internal thought. Hmmm, I suppose I could always stab her with my knife if things go badly…
With that she gave her permission. "Well… Summon away I guess."
He did. Natasha expected to see some kind of magical ritual, and was disappointed when Stephen pulled out an Apple iPhone and texted Magik (so much for mystical incantations). Stephen had a few words with the waiter and thus a third chair, a third place setting, and a glass of water were promptly brought to the table.
Several minutes later Illyana Rasputin walked up to their table, wearing her usual tight and revealing black field garb with the spiky armor on her left shoulder and arm. Definitely not per the dress code but this was New York City and most restaurants just shrugged it off as to make a scene sometimes resulted in the destruction of said restaurant as super villains could just be so unreasonable.
Part 58b: Team-up part 2
Illyana sat down with a nod of greeting to Stephen and just a cool neutral look at Natasha.
Illyana remembered well the fight on the moon, and how Scott had been most firm as to his instructions about not killing so… Illyana had tried so very hard not to hurt the Black Widow and had noticed how quickly the Black Widow had gone for lethal action and threats, as well as her evident enjoyment of those actions; not that Widow was really capable of such with Illyana but all the same had left a most negative impression with Illyana.
"Stephen, give us a moment." Stated Natasha as she returned the cool look with Illyana.
"Of course." Strange rose, after wiping his lips with his napkin, and took his leave by wandering off, first to the little Sorcerers room and then the bar. He did hope that they would keep it civil. Hmmm, perhaps meeting in the park would have been a better idea? Well, too late now for second thoughts.
At first just silence as Natasha attempted to make Illyana stew while she ate. But Illyana was not so simple unsettled. Silence was not something that bothered Illyana so she just sat there. It was finally Natasha who spoke first, in Russian, so possible first point to Illyana.
"YA polagayu, chto prosit' izvineniy slishkom mnogo." (I suppose an apology is a bit much to ask for.)
A slight raising of Illyana's eyebrows. "Khorosho… Ne ozhidal etogo, prinimayu." (Okay… Was not expecting that, I accept.)
A scowl from Natasha. "Chto prinyat'?" (Accept what?)
Illyana replied. "Vashi izvineniya za vsyu ataku Utopii i napadeniya na Pyaterku Feniksov. Dolzhen skazat', ya ves'ma udivlen, vy ne kazhetes' mne chelovekom, gotovym priznat' oshibku." (Your apology, for the whole attacking Utopia, and the attacks on the Phoenix Five. I must say I'm rather surprised, you do not strike me as one willing to admit error.)
Natasha correct Illyana's blatant misunderstand. "YA ne prinoshu izvineniya, vy znayete." (I'm not offering an apology, you know that.)
The dawn of understanding in Illyana's expression, or perhaps it was slight sarcasm. "O, moya oshibka. Kak glupo s moyey storony ozhidat', chto Mstitel' izvinitsya za nepravil'nyy postupok" (Oh, my mistake. How silly of me to expect an Avenger to apologize for doing the wrong thing.)
More scowling from Natasha, and the resisting of the urge to stab Illyana. "My ne sdelali nichego plokhogo, suka." (We did nothing wrong, bitch.)
Just that cool stare from Illyana. "Itak ... vtorzheniye v suverennuyu stranu ne delayet nichego ... plokhogo?" (So… invading a sovereign country is not doing anything… wrong?)
An answering cool look from Natasha, as she contemplated just how fast she could pull her concealed 9mm Walther PPK. "Vash malen'kiy ostrov mutantov nedaleko ot San-Frantsisko schitali suverennym tol'ko vy i vashi tovarishchi-mutanty. Osobenno posle togo, kak odin iz vashikh sootechestvennikov napal na OON." (Your little mutant island off of San Francisco was only considered sovereign by you and your fellow mutants. Especially after one of your compatriots attacked the UN.)
Illyana's rolling of her eyes did not help the situation. "Kak glupo s nashey storony. Chto zh ... v kontse kontsov vse oboshlos'" (How silly of us. Well… things worked out in the end.)
Call it a smug expression from Natasha. "Da, vy proigrali." (Yes, you lost.)
That's when the bottle of Stolichnaya Elit Vodka arrived at the table in a bucket of ice, with two shot glasses. Stephen had ordered it on his way to the men's room as he recalled that Russians tended to discuss disagreements with booze.
Illyana examined the bottle, then poured herself a shot, then belatedly pushed the bottle to Natasha. "Da… zabludilsya. I… v kontse kontsov… sovershil to samoye, chto Mstiteli pomeshali. Itak ... vse, chto ty sdelal, bylo naprasno. Ne schitaya vsekh smertey i razrusheniy v rezul'tate vashikh deystviy. Kak ... ty, dolzhno byt', gord." (Yes… lost. And… in the end… accomplished the very thing that the Avengers got in the way of. So… everything you did was for naught. Apart from all the death and destruction that resulted from your actions. How… proud you must be.)
With that Illyana drained her shot glass. A calculated insult in that she had not given Natasha a chance to pour herself a drink. An insult that reignited Natasha's urge to just shoot Illyana in head, regardless of how upset Stephen would get. But… shooting Illyana in the head was really not an answer as Natasha knew that Illyana had long since demonstrated an uncanny ability to survive, and the whole part demon thing she had. Plus, the Avengers were trying to make nice with the X-Men and Natasha had agreed, in general, to that. So, she returned to eating her meal and concluded her answer was going to be a no to Stephen. There was just no way she could work with Magik. As she ignored Illyana there was a long stare from Illyana at the head of Natasha, or more specifically her hair. Natasha observed Illyana back as she took a final bite of her Sturgeon with a bit of caviar. Then the slightly scrunched up expression on Illyana's face prompted Natasha to ask.
"Kakaya?"" (What?")
Illyana leaned back and took a sip of her water before pouring another shot of Vodka, a shot she did not yet drink. "Pytayemsya ponyat', vyshchipyvayete li vy sedyye volosy ili krasite ikh v krasnyy tsvet." (Trying to figure out if you pluck the grey hairs or dye them red.)
Oh…. that was it. No way was Natasha taking such crap from anybody, much less a bitch like Magik. "Slabyy. Eto luchsheye, chto ty mozhesh' sdelat'? YA pomnyu, kak bil tebya po zadnitse, kak v baraban, kogda my dralis' na Lune." (Weak. Is that the best you can do? I recall beating your ass like a drum when we fought on the moon.)
With that Natasha poured a shot of Vodka and drained it.
A slight smirk from Illyana. "Pfff… Eto ne bylo drakoy. Eto byla igra. Skott razozlilsya by, yesli by ya ubil tebya tak ... chtoby pritvorit'sya." (Pfff… That wasn't a fight. That was a game. Scott would have been pissed if I'd killed you so… had to play pretend.)
A statement that really irritated Natasha. Her reply was both dismissive and insulting. "Skank. Skazhi mne, ty odna iz beskonechnogo chisla shlyukh Skotta?" (Skank. Tell me, are you one of the endless number of Scott's sluts?)
A look of mock shock from Illyana. "YA svoloch'? Tak ironichno byt' nazvannym merzavtsem ot takikh, kak ty. YA imeyu v vidu ... yest' li Mstitel', s kotorym ty ne spal? YA polagayu, chto legche otslezhivat' tekh, kogo u vas net, chem tekh, kotoryye u vas yest', v kontse kontsov, men'sheye kolichestvo. I net, ya ne nakhozhu Skotta privlekatel'nym v etom smysle, i, pokhozhe, on tozhe ne schital vas privlekatel'noy, poetomu ya dumayu, chto dlya vas net vyyemki na stoyke krovati, khotya vyyemok dolzhno byt' tak mnogo, chto krovat' dolzhna byt' prosto struzhka." (I'm a skank? Being called a skank from the likes of you is so ironic. I mean… is there an Avenger you haven't slept with? I suppose it is easier to keep track of those you haven't then the ones you have, smaller number after all. And no, I don't find Scott attractive in that way, and it sounds like he didn't find you attractive as well so I guess no notch on the bedpost for you, although there must be so many notches that the bed must be just shavings by now.)
She's good was Natasha's internal thought as she casually delivered a backhand kind of insult. "Se." (Sow.)
One Magik returned. "Telka. Ili ty v kargu sostarilsya?" (Heifer. Or have you aged into hag?)
And back at her from Natasha. "Dorogoy, ty takoy… koroviy. Gde vy sobrali takuyu informativnuyu sborku odezhdy? Vy pokhozhi na kakuyu-to boyevuyu prostitutku ili ... O, ya ponyal. Vy razdevayetes' sboku, teper' eto tak ochevidno. Kak umno sochetat' boyevoy kostyum s rabochey odezhdoy. Ili eto vecher roller-derbi?" (Why my dear, you look so… bovine. Just where did you assemble such self descriptive assemble of clothing? You look like some kind of battle hooker or… Oh I get it. You strip on the side, so obvious now. How smart, combining combat costume with work clothing. Or is it roller derby night?)
She's… good was Magik's internal thought. Not sure if she's Emma grade, but really good as the insult fest really got going. "Ne mogu poverit', chto ty sdelal Aleksa predstavitelem Mstiteley. YA imeyu v vidu… vy vidite, kak my pomeshchayem yego na pervuyu polosu?" (I can't believe you made Alex a spokesperson for the Avengers. I mean… do you see us putting him on the front page?)
Alex being Alex Summers. And no, Alex was not known for making a good impression.
A wince from Natasha as that round hit dead center. "Da… plokhaya ideya. I eto byla ne moya ideya, kogda ya v chastnom poryadke govoril ob etom Stivu, tak kak Aleks tak ..." (Yeah… bad idea. And it wasn't my idea as I privately spoke to Steve (Captain America) about it as Alex is so… )
A rolling of the eyes from Magik. "Aleks?" (Alex?)
A sigh from Natasha and Illyana as they both nodded and simultaneously said. "Aleks." (Alex.)
A brief shake of Natasha's head as if to dispel the public relations horror that is Alex. "Kak budto u vas yest' pravo na khvastovstvo ... YA imeyu v vidu ... Skol'ko zlodeyev, ubiyts i podobnykh seychas bezdel'nichayut na vashem ostrove." (Like you have any bragging rights… I mean… Just how many villains, murderous, and such are now lounging about on that island of yours.)
And strike! Just as Natasha did not wish to talk about Alex, Illyana did not really want to talk about some of the folks now welcome on Krakoa. Instead a retreat to more personal insults as Illyana commented upon Natasha's clothing. "Krasivyy vid, podkhodit tebe, Dzhey Si Penni? Ili eto Sirs?" (Nice look, fits you, JC Penny? Or is it Sears?)
A bit of a dud as Natasha just rolled her eyes. "Tak chto… infantil'no, opyat' zhe, yesli rassmotret' istochnik…" (So… infantile, then again, once one considers the source…)
Again that examining look from Illyana, then… "Chert voz'mi, ya deystvitel'no ponimayu, pochemu ty IFOM stol' mnogikh molodykh supergeroyev " (Gosh, I really see why you're the MILF of so many of the younger super hero crowd.)
A statement that hit home more than Illyana had known as Natasha's got a slight blush. Yes, it does turn out that the younger male crowd did tend to have a 'thing' for Natasha. As Natasha readied her next verbal salvo the waiter arrived with the dessert menu, causing a brief truce as nibbles were contemplated then ordered. Natasha went for the Blood Orange sorbet garnished with orange peel soaked in Grand Marnier. Illyana went for cheese cake with fresh cherries.
Then the verbal knifing, and drinking, resumed as Illyana commented after the waiter had left. "Khoroshiy vybor. YA vizhu, tebe nuzhno sledit' za svoim vesom." (Good choice. I can see you need to watch your weight.)
No stabbing… no stabbing… was Natasha's internal thoughts as she glared. Damn, and not an ounce of spare fat that could be seen on Illyana in that getup of hers, other then between her ears, and defiantly six pack abs as her belly was bare. Natasha reminded Illyana that… "Musor pridut zavtra, tak chto bud'te gotovy." (The trash gets picked up tomorrow so be ready.)
"Kha-kha. Tak smeshno. Zastavlyayet menya zhelat', chtoby u menya bylo bol'she srednikh pal'tsev." (Ha ha. So funny. Makes me wish I had more middle fingers.)
And so it went. Some good, some bad. Some cringe worthy.
…
(There is no need to repeat yourself. I ignored you just fine the first time.)
(Some people are like clouds. When they disappear, it's a beautiful day.)
(The last time I saw something like you… Flushing was involved.)
(You're about as important as a white crayon.)
(If I wanted to kill myself I'd climb your ego and jump to your IQ.)
(What are the Black Widow's super powers again? Owning a couple of tasers, or those trident things from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?)
(Is it mandatory that when in your DarkChilde form you have to wear dental floss?)
(So tell me, just how well do Depends work for you? And just how do you manage to hide that you're wearing then? Apart from the smell that is.)
(Just how do you comb your hair so the horns don't show?)
…
Part 58c: Later…
Illyana had just salvaged Natasha's workmates, meaning the Avengers. One of which being that Thor spent more time dealing with his hair then Natasha did.
But the insults had instead made Natasha more contemplative of some work issues as Natasha sat back in her chair contemplating her full shot glass. "YA imeyu v vidu ... ty pytayesh'sya rabotat' izo dnya v den' s Kapitanom Amerikoy. On takoy ... v poryadke. YA imeyu v vidu… vsegda prosto… tam. Muzhskoye fizicheskoye sovershenstvo i prosto… yest'. I ves' etot super pripoy primenim ko ... vsemu fizicheskomu i ... vynoslivosti ..." (I mean… you try working day in and day out with Captain America. He's just so… fine. I mean… always just… there. Male physical perfection and just… there. And that whole super solder stuff just applies to… everything physical and… Stamina…)
A snort from Illyana. "A potom ty mne rasskazhesh', chto tusish'sya u muzhskikh dushevykh." (Next you'll be telling me you hang out by the male showers.) Which incidentally was really easy with the X-Men as Xavier had odd ideas of where to place various facilities. Almost as if he…
Natasha disregarded Illyana's statement with a…" Pfff…. Kak budto ya k etomu sklonyayus'." (Pfff…. Like I stoop to that.)
Let unsaid was the convert spy gear Jane (The Wasp) and Natasha had installed in the male Avenger's showers. Yes it was wrong, so wrong, and a deep naughty secret that all the female Avengers in the know were sworn to never speak of. But… what was the point of being a super capable spy if you didn't get to play around from time to time.
Part 58c: Later, and much Vodka consumption…
A bit of a drunken slur in Natasha's voice. "Suka, derzhu pari, ty prosto lyubil vse to nasiliye, kotoroye ty sdelal s nami v svoyey malen'koy tyur'me." (Bitch, bet you just loved all that abuse you did to us in the little prison of yours.)
Illyana was no longer paying attention to Natasha, or much of anything to be honest. Instead she was resting her head on the table, the oh so nice flat and warm table, as she played with her shot glass, which she found fascinating as she tried to figure out if it was the glass spinning or the room? An act that prompted a snort of humor from Natasha, a snort that attracted Illyana's attention as she likewise gave a drunk sounding response.
"Kakaya?" (What?)
Granted, not the most eloquent or intellectual of utterances.
"YA skazal, suka, derzhu pari, ty prosto lyubil vse to oskorbleniye, kotoroye ty sdelal s nami v svoyey malen'koy tyur'me." (I said bitch, bet you just loved all that abuse you did to us in the little prison of yours.)
Illyana sat up in her chair and pondered what Natasha had said. Then a negatory shake of her head as she struggled to refill her glass, damn thing kept moving, or so she thought. "Neaa… pytalsya… vesti sebya khorosho. " (Naaa… was trying… to be nice.)
Natasha was incredulous. "Nitstsa? " (Nice?)
Illyana looked very mournful. "Da… priyatno. Ne… nikogo obidet'. V to vremya eto imelo smysl." (Yeah… nice. Not… hurt anyone. It… made sense at the time.)
Natasha accidently drove the knife home. "I podumat' o tom, chto ya zanimayus' glupym der'mom. Vau, eto otdel'naya liga." (And to think I do some stupid shit. Wow, that is in a league of its own.)
Illyana had an expression like a beaten puppy. "Da ... nuzhno chto-nibud', chert voz'mi, ya tvoya devushka." (Yeah… need something F'd up, I'm your gal.)
Part 58d: Much later
Stephen had belatedly realized that this was one of those 'are you ready' moments that guys have when dealing with woman. Two guys can have a massive heart to heart in under ten minutes. But woman, much like getting ready to go out, can take a great deal longer. And it wasn't like he could just leave as things could suddenly get ugly between the two of them, so… he lingered drinking club soda after club soda.
Currently the two were drunkenly negotiating a fight between the two of them.
Illyana was not receptive to Natasha's suggestion. "YA glupo vyglyazhu? Ty ... slishkom khorosho derzhish'sya pod rukoy ... nea ... nadral mne zadnitsu v pervyy raz, povtoryat' ne nuzhno. YA luchshe spravlyayus' s ... ostrymi veshchami." (Do I look stupid? You're… way too good at hand to hand… naa… kicked my ass the first time, no need of a repeat. I'm better with… pointy things.)
Natasha pointed out that… "Byk, ty eto skazal ..." (Bull, you said it…) A loud sudden burp from Natasha before she continued. "… Vse bylo igroy" (… was all a game)
A burp that so give Illyana the giggles, and then Natasha as well. Once Illyana recovered. "Da… igra… Ty… vrode kak vyigral. Itak ... mne prishlos' ... uvelichit'." (Yeah… game… You… kind of won. So… I had to… escalate.)
Vindication! "Itak ... YA deystvitel'no nadral tebe zadnitsu?" (So… I really did beat your ass?)
A wince from Illyana. "Da uzh. Kak baraban. Ty ... luchshe menya. I to zhe samoye s oruzhiyem, poetomu dueli net. Em… Mechi?" (Yeah. Like a drum. You're… better then me. And ditto with guns so dueling is out. Um… Swords?)
No freaking way was Natasha's thought. She'd spoken with Logan about the fighting abilities of various X-Men and knew that swords were Illyana's primary weapon. Now Natasha was very good with a sword, but she might not be that good. She offered a compromise. "Nozhi?" (Knives?)
A slow nod from Illyana. "Nozhi ... nozhi - eto veselo. Oy, no bez khlysta. Mne bylo nepriyatno, kak ty tashchil menya knutom. Fu." (Knives… knives are fun. Oh, but no whip. Hated how you used that whip to drag me about. Yuck.)
Yeah that had been fun was Natasha's fond thought. Illyana had banished Natasha to Limbo with a light circle when they had fought on the moon, but Natasha had used her whip to drag Illyana into her own light circle and hence to Limbo with Natasha where Natasha had kept the fight close and physically beaten Illyana very soundly before forcing Illyana to return them to the moon as a gun to the head was a good motivator. "Itak ... nozh dvoynoy." (So… a knife dual?)
A nod of agreement from Illyana. "Luchshe vsego rabotayet… chetyre iz semi?" (Works, best… four out of seven?)
"Chto ... ty ne dumayesh', chto mozhesh' prosto vyigrat'?" (What… you don't think you can just win?)
"Ty v poryadke. I ya ne durak." (You're… good. And I'm not stupid.)
With that Illyana laid her head on the table for nap time. Such a nice table… and began to snore.
A tired chuckle from Natasha as she leaned back. Ah the young just can't hold their booze as in her mind a score card lit up.
Avengers vs. X-Men: And the Winner… BLACK WIDOW!
She had to settle for snores instead of cheering crowds, but Natasha was content in her victory.
But it looked like she'd have to take a rain check on the knife fight.
