Nova In Combat
Natalie Romanova
~~~
James came in after the cuffs were unlocked and the girls changed. Natalie dressed Nova in a training uniform from the closet and put one on herself.
"This is James. He is my escort you'll get one too," Natalie says gesturing to James. Nova just nods and grabs Natalie's hand. Natalie can't bring herself to pull her hand away and decidedly lets Nova hang on. The girl deserves some support. James raises an eyebrow but leads them out and to the kitchen nonetheless.
"Natalie who is your friend?" Dana inquires as soon as they enter. Dana has her medium length dyed blonde hair in a ponytail and she wears a haunting smile. She just returned from a mission so it's the smile of her victim.
"This is Nova," Natalie replies simply and sits down. James take his spot behind her chair and Nova sits next to her.
"Nice eyes," Rena compliments. Rena's hair is a striking blue from her latest mission she smiles genuinely. It was a simple Intel gathering mission.
"Thank you. I like your hair," Nova returns shyly.
"Oh she's sweet that won't last long," Dolly snipes. Her eyes have bags under them and her neck is covered with hickies. Her last mission was the hardest for any girl in the Red Room to endure. A seduction and kill. Dolly has every right to be bitter.
"What does she mean Natalie?" Nova whispers and Natalie swallows thickly.
"Nothing Nova. Don't listen to Dolly she's just had a bad week," Natalie answers. Half of what she said is true. Nova nods then looks at Dolly with an award winning smile.
"I'm sorry you've had a bad week. The sun will come out tomorrow!" Dolly looks at her critically but her forms lightens into a blank stare. Whenever the girls of the Red Room see a younger girl with light everyone softens a little. No one to shows it that much though. The last time Madam Knox and Madam Grim noticed their softening hearts they made a show of having the girl killed.
"Natalie have you received your next mission?" Dana inquires. Her escort, Marcus, just returned with her breakfast. The escorts prepare breakfast so as to assure the girls eat well so they can stay skinny and visually pleasing.
"No not yet."
"What do they mean by missions Natalie?" Nova mutters. Natalie wants to sigh and scream. This girl deserve better than the Red Room.
"Like chores," Natalie says lying through her teeth. The other girls nod in agreement with Natalie's lie. They want to let Nova stay innocent and bit longer.
~~~
"Nova as a new recruit you have much to learn. Such as standing up straight and at attention!" Madam Grim snaps and Nova jumps straightening her back instantly. Natalie watches tapping her fingers against her leg nervously. Nova stands in the middle of the room with Madam Grim circling her. Dana and Wren sit on either side of her watching intently. Novas lip quivers and her body shakes ever so slightly. "James come forward." Natalie's escort steps forward and Natalie doesn't know if she should relax or scream. Bucky has a soft spot for Natalie and small blondes but he forgets even himself sometimes. He becomes completely mindless only responding to their orders.
"What do you wish me to teach?" James inquires.
"The basics," Madam Grim states. Natalie relaxes slightly at that. Nova was obviously chosen for the Red Room because of her looks and not her skills like the other girls. Natalie has only seen one girl chosen for her looks survive in the Red Room more than a week.
James nods and grabs Novas arms pulling them up.
"Arms up high, hands in fists, and legs apart," he guides. Nova takes position slowly with a scared look. "Block this." James swings his fist and it hits Nova in the chest. She cries out and stumbles back holding her chest. Natalie tries not to show discomfort on her face when Nova whimpers on the floor. James drags her to her feet and corrects her stance forcefully before he hits again. This time Nova intercepts his punch with her arm. She yelps when it hits and cowers back.
Natalie holds back and flinch and forces herself to remain stoic.
~~~
The combat training went on for hours. Nova is weak and couldn't handle any of it. They give her no medical treatment.
~~~~
"I am sorry spiderling," James whispered to Natalie after Madam Grim had finally said combat was over.
"Not your fault," Natalie said carelessly.
~~~
"I want to go home," Nova sobs that night. Natalie takes a shuddering breath and unlocks dr cuffs before going and unlocking Novas.
"I'm sorry Nova. I'm so sorry you're here," Natalie apologizes bitterly. Nova stares at her with those red eyes that should look murderous but instead look pitiful.
"I'm never going home am I?"
Natalie's silence gives the answer very clearly and Nova sniffles.
"So that's it then? I'm stuck here forever training to become, what some kid assassin?" Nova jokes with a cackle. "That's just great. Just great. I don't have a future anymore! I'm not gonna meet my soulmate, go to college, get a job, have a family, anything!" Novas laughs are fake and her smile crude. Natalie watches the small girl fall apart and for the first time in eight years starts to tear up.
"I know I know. I know what you're going through all too well. I had a future once too. I wanted to be a ballerina," Natalie confesses.
"I wanted to be a vet," Nova says.
"This place takes everything. It takes your dreams and make you hate them. It takes your emotions and your sense of wrong and right. They burn soulmarks off and sterilize you when you turn eighteen. They take and take and take." Nova starts to cry softly and Natalie gingerly pulls her into a hug. "You can get through this. After all I'm still here."
"If they are going to make me a monster I don't want to get through this.