Helloooo folks! I send gteetings in the midst of a power outage. Due to weather a critical power line was knocked down and it is swelteringly hot in the summer heat.
Nat's gaze was sharp, calculating. "Alright, Nova. Let's see what you can do without the staff."
Nova nodded, chest thumping with excitement and nerves. She had always relied on her staff, but she knew she needed to be flexible.
"Got it, Natasha. Ready when you are."
Nat's lips quirked up into a smirk at the formal use of her name, Nova revealing the anxiety she had hidden from her expression.
Neither moved, waiting for the other to approach them.
Nova was hesitant to strike first, wanting to prepare for whatever move Nat struck with first.
Natasha moved first, her speed and agility obviously apparent. Nat closed the distance between them in a bound, using a series of quick jabs and kicks that probed Nova's defense. Nova blocked and dodged, her movements practiced.
Without the aid of her staff, Nova relied on her enhancements coupled with the specialized fighting style of the Speakers to keep Nat at bay.
Natasha was relentless beast, her attacks a blur of motion.
Nova deflected Nat's attacks in a succession of hits and grapples, relying on all of her training to remain in the fight.
Nat planted her foot in Nova's stomach, which Nova caught before it could land, twisting to throw Nat off balance.
Nat flowed with the motion, rolling and springing to her feet. She launched into another attack, darting forward to get another hit in.
Nova blocked and deflected her attacks, but Nat's superior experience was evident.
Nova, still focused on limiting her strength, used her enhancements to keep up.
But Natasha's scary efficiency in hand-to-hand combat gave her an edge over Nova.
Whenever Nova managed to get an actual hit in, Nat would recover, using her smaller size to keep an advantage.
Nova ducked under a fist in an attempt to move in close and grapple Nat to the ground.
Nat had already anticipated the move abd shifted her weight to flip Nova over her hip.
Nova's back hit the mat, and she bounced to her feet, ready for Nat's next attack.
Nat shot her a wide smile, a rare look of approval.
"Not bad."
Nat moved in a relentless attack of punches in an aim to overwhelm the Windspeaker.
Nova used her agility to stay in the fight, managing to grab Nat's arm and twist it into submission. She felt a surge of pride at her control on her strength.
Nat slipped out of her grasp in a practiced twist, the fight continuing on in a long drawn out fight.
Both women were pushing their limits, Nova's endurance kept her in the fight, but Nat's skills was slowly becoming more apparent.
Nova attempted a feint, trying to catch Nat off guard, but Nat once again anticipated the move, using Nova's momentum against her.
In a final burst of speed, Nat executed a perfect takedown, pinning Nova to the mat. Nova struggled for a moment, but Nat's grip was firm. If Nova wanted to break free, she could break Nat's femur, but that was something she did not want to do.
"Do you yield?" Nat asked with a smile.
Nova nodded, breath coming out in gasps.
"I yield." She said.
Nat released her, and Nova collapsed back onto the mats in exhaustion.
Having pushed her limits twice, she kinda wanted to take a nap on the cushioned floor.
"You did really well, Nova. You're a force to be reckoned with." Nat said.
"Impressive, ladies. Very impressive. Welcome to the Avengers, Galewind." Tony said.
Nova glanced at Clint, who nodded, relenting.
"Yay. I'm just gonna take a little nap here to celebrate, if that's alright." Nova gave the group a weak thumbs up.
Nat looked like a smug cat walking away from Nova.
"There's a floor for you to rest in, if you'd prefer. Each Avenger has one." Tony said.
" What do you mean 'Each Avenger has one?'" Nova asked, a sort of wary concern washing over her.
"All of us have a floor dedicated to them, kitchenette and all." Steve explained.
"Whu- uh- but- but I wasn't officially an Avenger until today!" Nova exclaimed, sitting up.
"Tony insisted." Nat shrugged.
Nova gaped at the group in stunned disbelief.
Destiny insisted on looking at Nova's yet-to-be-claimed room, eagerly dragging the bewildered Windspeaker to the elevator and up to the living quarters.
Nat and Clint trailed behind, conveniently failing to notice Nova's pleading gaze.
Traitors! Nova thought angrily.
Destiny bounced in the elevator, firm grip on Nova's sweaty arm as Dee waited impatiently for them to arrive.
Destiny squeezed through the elevator doors without waiting for them to open completely, causing Nova to hit her arm on the metal hard.
Nova hissed, smacking Dee, who ignored her while oohing and ahhing at the large living quarters.
The whole floor was larger than her old apartment, spacious and bare of any decorations. Nova couldn't even begin to dream of affording an apartment this size in Manhattan, even with her salary.
Destiny released her death grip on Nova and went off to explore.
Nova turned to the duo behind her, face a shade paler.
"This?" Nova was trying to calculate the cost in her head.
" Yup." Clint confirmed.
"All of this?" Nova was aghast.
Nova jumped as JARVIS spoke.
"Sir has asked me to inform you that you may decorate how you please, all that you need to do is inform me of what you would need and I will handle it."
Nova stared up at the ceiling, trying to process what she had been told.
"Sir also asked me to inform you not to worry about the cost."
Nova sighed, massaging her brow with her hand.
"While I am thankful, JARVIS, I am perfectly fine with finding and renting an apartment on my own." Nova said.
"While your determination is commendable, Sir has insisted that he made this level for you. And I quote, 'it would only be left empty. Why waste it?'"
"You're a public figure now, Nov." Clint spoke up. "It would be safer to live here, where it's secure."
Nova closed her eyes, pressing her fingers against her temple. He had a point. Even if her identity hadn't been revealed yet, the Seekers were likely sniffing out New York as they spoke.
Nova opened her eyes, revealing a shine of determination.
"Alright. Let's keep their eyes on me." She said.
"You have a walk-in closet?!" Destiny shouted.
The trio chuckled, Destiny's cry of indignation breaking the tension.
Nova groaned in realization. "She's gonna make me fill that closet."
"Good luck." Clint said, patting her shoulder in consolation.