Drift Fleet | IC Inbox

[rebuildyourruins]

video | voice | text | action | raven

Comments

[outstandingbalance]

[Natasha has every confidence in Thor's durability; her own is more in question.

But she trusts him. And the idea is to test him, not to hurt him.

He checks her, and she rolls with it, falling into a three point crouch before coming around behind hi—all intention of losing herself on his blind side.]

[rebuildyourruins]

[It's been a long time since he sparred with an Avenger, but Thor is still well practiced at keeping his own strength in check. It helps that he's been throwing Sokka around for weeks at a much higher level, and knows where to draw the line.

This time Thor steps back quickly when Natasha drops into her crouch, putting a bit more distance between them. It's damnably easy for her to disappear from his view; they both know it. All those cracks Tony made about Fury having to turn have taken on a new dimension for Thor these days. If he ever sees Fury again, he'll really have to ask him about it.

He spins right, as wide as possible so he can get Natasha within sight again. Once he does, he runs forward, aiming a fist at her shoulder.]

[outstandingbalance]

[She falls back, getting out of the way of his fist. For the time being, she's playing a game of evasion, testing how easily she can get out of his line of sight, how much she can get him to over-commit to extending himself.]

[rebuildyourruins]

[Thor's quick to halt and change course again, still opting to turn entirely rather than lead with his head. It means it takes longer. It's another forward charge from him once Natasha comes into view.]

[outstandingbalance]

[When he charges, Natasha goes low, rolling past his leg and kicking at the back of his knee on his blind side.

This isn't a sustainable strategy in a real fight. Natasha would run out of steam long before Thor did. But she can be annoying for the moment.]

[rebuildyourruins]

[There it goes again. He grunts out of annoyance, taking the hit and lurching back around haphazardly. He goes left this time in a bid for more distance.]

[outstandingbalance]

[Natasha falls back, getting out of his way as he pulls away from her.

She takes a moment to consider, watching him closely for signs of an offensive.]

[rebuildyourruins]

[It's not long in coming. Thor surges forward again and continues with direct attacks. Before they finish he's upped his response times, less of a gap between getting blindsided and striking back. Undoing centuries of habit is going to take more than one session though.

Finally Thor comes to a halt, and holds up his hand to stop Natasha's next move.]

All right. Break?

[outstandingbalance]

[By the time he's finished, Natasha's winded and sweating. Don't let it be said she didn't push herself for this.

She smiles a little at that.]

Taking pity on me?

[Teasing.]

[rebuildyourruins]

[He grins back. It hadn't escaped his notice that Natasha was starting to flag, though he assumes she would have called time on it herself had she wanted to.]

You hardly need it. Maybe it's the back of my knee that needs some mercy.

[outstandingbalance]

Seems like that's your fault for being so tall.

[She knows her limits. Not much of a workout if she doesn't get up a sweat though, is it.

She stretches her shoulders experimentally.]

I'd have to climb you to get to your head.

[rebuildyourruins]

[Genially:] I'd throw you off first.

It was good though.

[outstandingbalance]

There's a reason I didn't do it. [And that's part of it.]

How'd it feel? Dealing with the blind spot.

[rebuildyourruins]

[Hm.]

I can handle it. [That's his immediate feeling on it. He can and will handle it. His brow does furrow though and he continues:] But it is aggravating.

[It was only a training session so he didn't let frustration get the better of him. It did start to get to him towards the end though.]

[outstandingbalance]

It's still pretty new. You'll get used to it. Learn to adapt.

[Natasha smiles slightly, brief. Call it reassurance?]

You were getting the hang of it there at the end.

[rebuildyourruins]

[For someone as long-lived as Thor, it stands to be 'new' for him for decades. Yet if the last few years have proven anything, it's that he's more capable of adapting to strange new circumstances much faster than others might expect.

Thor's own lips quirk in response.]

Well, you kept doing the same thing.

[It made it easier to work out a counter. He knows he won't be that lucky in a real fight. Thor tips his head to the side slightly, musing.]

You know, my father was missing the same eye. I never once thought to ask him how he got used to the difference.

[outstandingbalance]

You needed the practice. [Rolling with the comment, her response quick and just a little warm.]

Must be strange.

[With a shrug then.]

Maybe Fury will show up. You can ask him?

[rebuildyourruins]

It is a little.

[Ending up with the same injury like that. He does wonder if Hela did it on purpose. At the mention of the former director, Thor grins a bit.]

I could, but I wonder if he would answer.

[Not that it would stop Thor asking anyway.]

[outstandingbalance]

Only one way to find out. [Though Natasha suspects he wouldn't. Not out of secrecy, but because Nick isn't usually a helper. Waste of his time.] Might be worth it to see the look on his face though.

[rebuildyourruins]

Yes... perhaps it will distract him from the knowledge that my eye patch is better looking than his.

[outstandingbalance]

If there's one thing Nick Fury has never been, I think it's insecure about who wore it better.

[rebuildyourruins]

Then he won't mind that I do.

[Thor, on the other hand, still finds time in the day to be just a bit vain.]

[outstandingbalance]

Yes, you're very pretty.

[Archly, amused. It's not like anyone can deny that.]