[ Natalia takes up a stool for the moment, perching delicately and lifting her hands like she means to play some schoolyard hand clapping game. Instead, she protracts her claws, light filtering through the scarlet swirls, their macabre dance akin to a lava lamp.
Natalia observes her new weapons with pursed lips. ] They appeared at the start of the month. I experienced pain preceding the change but foolishly thought it was just Hell damping the serum, as it is wont to do. It took several hours before I could retract them, and they remained sensitive up until that same evening.
[When she unsheathes her claw, he takes a visible step back, startled.]
It's -- fortunate that you were able to pull them back eventually. Something like that could make things difficult for you otherwise.
[And then he'll work on fussing with his equipment, hesitant to come any closer to what is obviously a biological weapon. It'll take a bit before he's steeled himself enough to handle this without Jemma in the room.]
[ Amusement mixes with pity as Natalia reacts to Fitz's alarm. ]
You do realize the time for attack or murder has already passed, da? That even if I still had odious intentions, it's unlikely you would see me coming?
[ She doesn't know Fitz well enough to add further "comfort" by expressing confidence in his inability to defend himself, either. However, for the sake of the doctor's stress levels, the Widow retracts the claws, knowing that she just bring them back out when, or if, Leo requires such things. ]
[ It's difficult to miss even for an eye that isn't as trained as hers. With a pointed look between Fitz and his hands, she gently asks: ]
Is it Hell shenanigans that has you bothered, then? You are, of course, more welcome to tell me to fuck off, it being none of my business. Only, if you're about to draw blood, a steady hand is preferable.
[His shoulders twitch faintly when she chooses that subject out of all the possible subjects. But he seems able to at least continue his work while carrying this topic.]
Leopold. And I'm sure you immediately understand why I don't use it. [The pretentiousness of how it sounds isn't it, but it's a better cover than the real reason.]
[He gives a small "hm" at the idea of his name tying him to royalty in any kind of way. That was certainly the idea, wasn't it? Dad thought he should hoard status and power. There were Expectations that went unmet.]
I appreciate it.
[He returns to her, this time coming close enough to begin swabbing her inner arm with disinfectant.]
[Her pain isn't what he's concerned about, really.]
It is, but I'd find it difficult to provide an accurate answer. Time is... difficult to chart, at times. But I was among the first people brought into this particular incarnation of Hell. I'm told it's an experiment of Lucifer's. Something about allowing us the full span of human choices. Small pinch.
[And as he slides a needle into her visible vein, he looks away with a squeak he only barely swallows back. This is the bad part. He can't stomach the sight of blood.]
[ Whatever commentary she meant to provide about This Hell and the supposed experiment is lost with an uptick of brows and slight cough of a laugh. Shouldn't the patient be the one making sounds? ]
Wait, what exactly is your doctorate in, Lev?
[ Natalia feels like she should be far more concerned about this interaction, but also thinks it may be playing a role in the younger man's demeanor. ]
Right. [ Well, fuck. Impressive, surely, but fuck.
Licking her lips, Talia follows this up with a very important inquiry. ] And you're the one drawing my blood, why? The demand for phlebotomists or technicians can't be that low here.
[ It's honestly that thirst for knowing everything that has the redhead asking, because Leo clearly knows enough of what he's doing to be doing it.]
My wife's the biochemist. We work together on larger projects.
[...nine, ten, and...! He switches the vials without looking at the blood draw in progress.]
We've had a few assistants pass through, but it's hard to maintain them. People vanish without warning. It's easier to keep track of tings when we do them ourselves.
[ Natalia noticed the ring, but hadn't yet remarked on it, leaving that a door for the biochemist to open. With a quick flick of eyes to said accessory, she takes a longer gaze around the lab. ] Understandable. But then why isn't she the one taking my blood?
[She watches it, but he doesn't, hanging the live sample in place to keep it upright by pure memory rather than give it his full attention.]
It would be easier if we could do this work without all the -- blood. But it's necessary. But. Um. Going forward? I can take note of whatever you'd be comfortable sharing. It's an ongoing project, and any data helps us understand longterm affects.
/hugs I was recovering from my second vaccine, so not a problem.
The data - have you considered comparing the changes against who was dead on arrival versus those who suspect they're still alive?
[ In the seconds it took to lift the data, Talia's clearly not had the time to see for herself, but she's willing to offer up comparable information just to determine patterns, or lack thereof. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Natalia observes her new weapons with pursed lips. ] They appeared at the start of the month. I experienced pain preceding the change but foolishly thought it was just Hell damping the serum, as it is wont to do. It took several hours before I could retract them, and they remained sensitive up until that same evening.
no subject
It's -- fortunate that you were able to pull them back eventually. Something like that could make things difficult for you otherwise.
[And then he'll work on fussing with his equipment, hesitant to come any closer to what is obviously a biological weapon. It'll take a bit before he's steeled himself enough to handle this without Jemma in the room.]
precious bb
You do realize the time for attack or murder has already passed, da? That even if I still had odious intentions, it's unlikely you would see me coming?
[ She doesn't know Fitz well enough to add further "comfort" by expressing confidence in his inability to defend himself, either. However, for the sake of the doctor's stress levels, the Widow retracts the claws, knowing that she just bring them back out when, or if, Leo requires such things. ]
no subject
It isn't my intention to make you feel uncomfortable. I apologize if that's the case.
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[ Though, considering his line of work, it's possible that is a lie. ]
I don't know how much the word of another Widow means to you, but I'm not exactly looking to add another murder to my list.
no subject
[Even though his left hand is trembling enough that his right hand catches it and squeezes it still.]
no subject
Is it Hell shenanigans that has you bothered, then? You are, of course, more welcome to tell me to fuck off, it being none of my business. Only, if you're about to draw blood, a steady hand is preferable.
no subject
[And so he'll take a series of steadying breaths as he pulls out needles and vials. This is fine. He's done this before. It will be fine.]
no subject
If Fitz is your surname, what's your first?
[ Perhaps the subject change will be an easy enough distraction, she thinks, blue eyes returning to the doctor and his ministrations. ]
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Leopold. And I'm sure you immediately understand why I don't use it. [The pretentiousness of how it sounds isn't it, but it's a better cover than the real reason.]
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[ She only thoughtful for a moment and when it passes, Talia states -- ] I like it, however if Fitz is your choice, then I'll call you Fitz.
[ Same as with Teddy versus Theodore. ]
How long have you been here?
no subject
I appreciate it.
[He returns to her, this time coming close enough to begin swabbing her inner arm with disinfectant.]
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You didn't tell me how long you've been here, though. Is that also a topic not on the table?
[ It's meant to be lighthearted, and she shows as much with the tiniest twitch of lips. ]
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It is, but I'd find it difficult to provide an accurate answer. Time is... difficult to chart, at times. But I was among the first people brought into this particular incarnation of Hell. I'm told it's an experiment of Lucifer's. Something about allowing us the full span of human choices. Small pinch.
[And as he slides a needle into her visible vein, he looks away with a squeak he only barely swallows back. This is the bad part. He can't stomach the sight of blood.]
Lion* in Russian c:
Wait, what exactly is your doctorate in, Lev?
[ Natalia feels like she should be far more concerned about this interaction, but also thinks it may be playing a role in the younger man's demeanor. ]
no subject
Applied physics and quantum engineering.
[which involves wiring and metal and normal things.]
no subject
Licking her lips, Talia follows this up with a very important inquiry. ] And you're the one drawing my blood, why? The demand for phlebotomists or technicians can't be that low here.
[ It's honestly that thirst for knowing everything that has the redhead asking, because Leo clearly knows enough of what he's doing to be doing it. ]
no subject
[...nine, ten, and...! He switches the vials without looking at the blood draw in progress.]
We've had a few assistants pass through, but it's hard to maintain them. People vanish without warning. It's easier to keep track of tings when we do them ourselves.
If there's no ring, I'll edit.
[ And what happens if one of them disappears? ]
No need! There's a ring there
Because I'm the one who's here at the moment. Believe me, I'd much rather she were here.
[This is how he feels about her in general. Everything is better when Jemma is in a room.]
no subject
[ Though cheeky, Natalia wears a befuddled expression, like she's genuinely confused by this epiphany. ]
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She's allowed to take time for herself. No reason to stop supporting her or make you wait.
no subject
[ But she leaves it at that, sight moving to the tubes of blood. ]
What else do you need to know? About the transformation or my blood and me.
sorry about the wait
It would be easier if we could do this work without all the -- blood. But it's necessary. But. Um. Going forward? I can take note of whatever you'd be comfortable sharing. It's an ongoing project, and any data helps us understand longterm affects.
/hugs I was recovering from my second vaccine, so not a problem.
[ In the seconds it took to lift the data, Talia's clearly not had the time to see for herself, but she's willing to offer up comparable information just to determine patterns, or lack thereof. ]
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