Natalie's Duplex, The Hegemony Compound, Brazil, Sunday

[whenshewasnice]

Don't ask how Natalie ended up on the bathroom floor. She wasn't even entirely sure herself. Something about an identity complex and an inopportunely timed (if more than welcome) transformation back to normal, probably. The fact remained that that was where she woke up, with dried blood over her top lip and Moxy licking her face.

She woke up. Her. For the first time in over a month. She was remarkably cool about it. Picked herself up off the floor, washed her face, went to get her phone to send a text to a few people she knew would have worried. Or had specifically avoided her –– no, not her. Nathan. But his memories were still raw in her head.

All the text said was, Natalie's back.

And afterwards, when she was setting food out for Moxy and she realized that her hand was shaking, she had to wonder if she shouldn't have pretended to be gone a little longer.

[ooc: NFB, but open! If you think you got a text, you got one!]

Comments

[pursuedthestars]

It was early when Jim's phone went off. So, he ignored it. For awhile. He'd had a terrible week and just wanted to sleep for the day but his body wasn't having that.

So, he eventually rolled over, grabbed his phone and peered at the message. For a few seconds, he didn't really process what he was reading and almost threw his phone down on the floor.

But, he got it eventually. And, after some thought, sent a message back because he wasn't sure how she was just from those two words.

Welcome back.

[whenshewasnice]

Even Natalie herself wasn't sure how she was. Disoriented, maybe? She sat down by her kitchen table.

Thanks. Hi.

[pursuedthestars]

Hi. You all right?

Seemed like a good thing to say.

[whenshewasnice]

It was one of the most logical things, at least. Even if Natalie ended up just looking blankly at the message for a few moments.

Because she really wasn't sure.

I haven't been around for a month, was what she came up with. I'm not sure I even know what all right feels like right now.

[pursuedthestars]

Sorry. It's been a rough month.

For her more than him, he knew. But still. He was just treading lightly right now.

[whenshewasnice]

I know.

She was still willing her hands not to shake.

[pursuedthestars]

I'm glad to hear from you.

He wasn't typically one to say he'd missed anyone so that was as close as he'd get, probably.

[whenshewasnice]

And the whole shaking hands thing wasn't really making Natalie very good at text conversations. She was coming up empty.

Good.

Moxy tried to use her leg to climb into her lap.

[pursuedthestars]

You can call me when you're feeling more up to it. I just wanted to let you know I got your message. I'm glad you're all right.

And while Jim's hands weren't shaking, he was still Jim and not great at knowing what to do in situations like this.

[whenshewasnice]

It took longer for Natalie's reply to come, this time. Sensible, logical thought happened a bit slower when you were upset, and it took a moment to figure out what she actually wanted right now.

Out of him, and out of the outside world in general.

I think this is where you should do the boyfriend thing and offer to come over.

[pursuedthestars]

I can come over. I just didn't want to overwhelm you or make anything worse.

That'd been his logic.

[whenshewasnice]

My face in the mirror overwhelms me.

No, seriously. It kind of did. Her head was a mess.

Come anyway. I miss you.

[pursuedthestars]

Okay. I'll be there in a few. Let the security guys know because I don't wanna talk to them for long.

And then he turned off his phone so he could start getting a portal scheduled while he gathered a few things to take.

[whenshewasnice]

So Natalie told the security guys. And they seemed a little weirded out yet relieved to hear her voice after a long absence. One of them was still going to escort Jim to her door, though.

And Natalie was just going to wait and try to pull herself together as much as she could.

[so_hawkward]

Clint grinned when his phone beeped and he saw the message.

Hey welcome back! Kind of.

[whenshewasnice]

It'd be a while before Natalie would get to anything resembling grinning. But it was good to be back.

Thanks. Is the island back to normal too?

[so_hawkward]

Yup. We are officially weird-crap free. Are you totally back to normal?

He was hoping this whole mess didn't leave her with like, a third eye or something.

[whenshewasnice]

Nothing quite so drastic.

Physically yes, mentally no.

And that was the most clinical way she could put it.

[so_hawkward]

Aww, now Clint felt kind of bad.

I'm sorry. If it helps I'm glad you're back? And that you're normal again?

[whenshewasnice]

Thanks.

She was saying that a lot today.

I'll get over it. Weirdness is expected after you've been someone else for a month.

[so_hawkward]

You were still you, sort of. You knew everything about yourself and your job and Fandom. You just had dude parts.

He was trying to be consoling, honestly.

[whenshewasnice]

Aww, Clint.

Yeah. But no one knew him.

[so_hawkward]

We knew you though. Sure, it was weird but you weren't the only one.

After a minute, he sent another message: But I guess you remember everything, y?

[whenshewasnice]

Yes. I wish I didn't.

Nathan had been really stressed out, okay, and that was a heavy burden to carry.

[so_hawkward]

I'm sorry. I think a lot of folks might feel that way. It would be nice if we could punch the island sometimes.

Because violence fixed so many things!