Breakfast
Natalie Alienova Romanova
~~~
"Natalie?" Nova mumbles into the night. Natalie shifts to face the girl. Nova has gotten used to the cuff but still tugs and pulls at it.
"Yes sweet Nova?"
"Will you tell me what's out there. What's going on in the world while we're locked away here?"
"Well outside the world goes on without us. In America a man with a metal suit defeats terrorists, and a huge green man tears apart Harlem fighting against a monster. That is the only real interesting thing. Other news is just wars and hunger," Natalie replies. She saw newspapers and programs on her mission.
"So does that mean super people exist then?" Nova asks. Natalie isn't sure of a response.
"I think super people have always existed. I mean Captain America was pretty super wasn't he?"
"Oh yes I suppose so then. But what about people born with powers? Not given powers with technology and science." Natalie thinks for a minute.
"I'm sure they are some out there."
~~~
James doesn't come in the next morning with Madam Knoc.
~~~
"Where is James?" Natalie inquires after her cuff is unlocked.
"He has important work to attend to. You will go about your day normally. The girl can accompany you wherever you go," Madam Knox replies curtly. Natalie goes rigid and stares blankly. Whenever James has important business he returns memory shattered and reprogrammed. Madam Knox doesn't notice and leaves without another word.
"What do you think James is up to?" Nova questions naively.
"Nothing good. Nova when he comes back you stay away from him. Never be alone with him. Stay by me," Natalie orders. Nova looks at her confused.
"Why? James is my friend."
"When he comes back he won't be. I can't explain because I don't fully know but whenever he leaves on important business he comes back a different man. They do things to his mind," Natalie explains. Nova looks apprehensive but nods nonetheless.
"Do they take his memories? Do they program him like a machine?" The questions are spot on an surprise Natalie. It must show on her face because Nova keeps talking. "When I braid his hair he tells me things. He talks about a blonde boy, a train, a machine, and a cold cage."
"Then you understand. When he returns let me help him remember. He might lash out and hurt you," Natalie says tersely. "Promise Nova."
"Okay I promise."
~~~
"Morning Natalia, Nova," Wren greets when the two enter the dining room.
"Hello Dana, Dolly, Wren, and Rena," Nova chimes with a huge smile. The girls smile back genuinely. Nova has grown on them.
"Here Nova sit and I will get our breakfast," Natalie offers. Nova nods and sits next to Wren. Nova holds an empty seat next to her for Natalie. Natalie half listens to the chatter while getting breakfast for Nova and herself.
"Rena your hair its pink," Nova observes and the older girl chuckles.
"Well yes it is." Natalie fondly smiles and returns to the table with eggs and bacon.
"I see during my mission you made friends Nova," Natalie observes.
"She did Nova's quite the conversationalist," Dolly agrees. Her grin is back.
"She's such a cutie," Dana adds and Nova blushes. The girls all being aware of the deal freely show their feelings towards Nova knowing she is safe. The Madams take their deals very seriously.
"You're all too kind," Nova giggles.
"It's you who is kind sweet Nova," Natalie whispers in her ear. Nova blushes bright red.
"Is that what your calling me now? Sweet Nova?" Nova murmurs back.
"It's the truth. You're the sweetest thing in my life," Natalie explains.
"Oh stop it you too. Don't make this into a Romeo Juliet situation," Rena teases.
"Oh please I'd never debauch this girl," Natalie retorts.
"And I'd never rush into a marriage like that. Though I admit I've heard the story it's quite sweet," Nova admits casually. Her vocabulary has remarkably shifted since they first met. James must be teaching her how to speak like a Red Room girl. The thought slightly disturbs Natalie but she lets it rest.
"I agree a timeless love story," Wren pipes up. "Young soulmates really make me glad." If things had gone differently and Wren had gotten her soulmate mark earlier Dunya may have lived. The Madams may remove marks but killing someone soulmate is something they wouldn't do. They'd rather hold a soulmate for blackmail purposes.
"Speaking of there is something in curious about. Are any of you eighteen? Do any of you have soulmarks?" Nova questions innocently. Nova has no idea what that question does to the Red Room girls. Silence falls over the group. Wren and Rena don't make a sound. Dana stares blankly. "Have I said something wrong?"
"No. Well something we aren't okay discussing," Dana answers.
"Why Natalie?" Nova quietly asks.
"The Madams burn off soulmarks once they come in. Everything that could be more important than a mission is removed," Natalie whispers. Novas eyes glisten with a million unshed tears. "Do not pity us sweet Nova."
"But burning off soulmarks...that's so medieval and cruel," Nova mutters furrowing her eyebrows. Shock and horror are written across her face.
"Worse things have happened. But don't worry I won't let them burn you," Natalie promises.
"What about you?"
Natalie doesn't respond.
She doesn't know how to.
No one has ever asked about her.
~~~
James returns two days later.
~~~
"Natalie your escort is back," Madam Grim announces entering the room suddenly. Nova stiffens like she does every time the Madams are around and cowers. Natalie stands up straight and gives a nod.
"Thank you Madam Grim." Without another word Nadam Grim leaves closing the door behind her. James who entered with her stays.
"James," Nova and Natalie say. Natalie steps forward testing the waters boldly.
"I am Asset," James corrects. His gaze is to the floor and he's beaten up. His eyes are sunken, his hair scraggly, and bruises all over.
"No you're not. You're James," Natalie counters taking another step forward.
"I am not!" James yells and grabs Natalie's throat. He yanks her off the ground and squeezes tight.
"NATALIE!"