[Alexei doesn't notice Natasha's immediate reaction. He's too lost in what she's about to say- or should say, if he had his way. He used the word 'daughters' because that's what was said in the trial, but it's still very much a label he agrees with. It doesn't matter how long it's been, or how those two feel about it now. In Alexei's mind, no matter how misplaced the sentiment, both Natasha and Yelena will always be 'his girls'. That's all the more reason for the attitude he's being given to hurt.
His features scrunch up into an annoyed, almost childish scowl of disapproval. It's such an easy question, and yet nobody wants to give him a real answer.]
I did not ask Yelena because I don't want to upset her. She is very emotional. But you... You take after Melina. That is why I thought you would be straightforward about it.
[And while both his mouth and his brain utter 'straightforward', the subconscious thought behind it translates to 'detached'. That much could very well be surmised through the context in which he says it. Hardly a flattering thing for him to say, but in Alexei's book, being compared to Melina is the highest of praise.]
sorry, I got stuck and needed to double-check things with Bev and life attacked
[ Natasha's eyes narrow. That's a lot of presumption for someone who spent two years with her a lifetime ago. He's not wrong, though, and that's the infuriating part of it. She knows there are ways that she and Melina align. That's how she was able to tell something was off, why they were able to so quickly make a plan...
Her lips compress and she ignores him for a moment, taking out her relic and sending Yelena a text. She looks back up at him to explain, because she knows he must be bursting with impatience. ]
I am confirming something with Yelena. I will wait for her to respond before I talk about anything regarding who was taken. If you want other information about the Snap, I will talk about that.
[ If not, they can just sit here, for all she cares. She's already told him what she will and won't do, and he doesn't get to take her choice from her. ]
[He's bursting, alright. He's annoyed and impatient and, deep down, scared. Even if the effects of the Snap are apparently undone later, it doesn't change that many people died, loved ones included. He hasn't even heard anything yet about how it affected Melina or himself. Natasha is making it clear now he won't be getting any answers about herself and Yelena just yet, so he could take the opportunity to ask about Melina instead, but this step already cost him so much effort.
Scowling a second time, though now with more petulance, he lifts his glass again and drains it in one go. Not that changes anything. All it did was buy him a little more time to consider the offer.]
I don't know, it is... hard to believe. Half of all life in the universe? All of it? Even dogs? Even fish? [It's the most menial question he could ask, but he might as well, since they're waiting for Yelena's response.]
[ Her expression goes more composed, controlled. Her tone is slightly dry. ]
Even plants.
[ It was bizarre and juvenile, the logic of a three-year-old with a stubbed toe. All the power in the universe, the power of a creator, and that was Thanos' choice?
It had been possibly the most horrific loss she'd ever experienced. And everyone had experienced it at the same time. The world had been broken because she had failed to stop it from being broken. And there was no filling that hole, there was only moving on.
And then, there had been the chance to wind it all back, to make it right. The choice had been so simple. ]
[Even plants? That strikes Alexei as so incredibly senseless, because what did plants ever do to anyone? It leaves him speechless- a situation that always comes rare for him. The thought of such a barren world and the chaos it would cause is chilling. His lips press into a thin line and he sets the glass down on the table. When words finally do come to him, they form some very typical questions.]
[ Natasha debates for a moment, but decides to tell him the truth, regardless. She doesn't need to protect him. That's not her job. ]
He was an idealist. He didn't care who or what he had to sacrifice to achieve what he thought was the greater good. [ A beat, because at least in this way, there was a difference. ] The deaths were the point, for Thanos. He thought it would make things better for the survivors, if there was more space.
[ She fills her glass. ] He was an idiot. [ She tosses the drink back, welcoming the sting. Fucker. ] But a powerful one.
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getscooperation) wrote2024-04-01 07:14 pm
no subject
His features scrunch up into an annoyed, almost childish scowl of disapproval. It's such an easy question, and yet nobody wants to give him a real answer.]
I did not ask Yelena because I don't want to upset her. She is very emotional. But you... You take after Melina. That is why I thought you would be straightforward about it.
[And while both his mouth and his brain utter 'straightforward', the subconscious thought behind it translates to 'detached'. That much could very well be surmised through the context in which he says it. Hardly a flattering thing for him to say, but in Alexei's book, being compared to Melina is the highest of praise.]
sorry, I got stuck and needed to double-check things with Bev and life attacked
Her lips compress and she ignores him for a moment, taking out her relic and sending Yelena a text. She looks back up at him to explain, because she knows he must be bursting with impatience. ]
I am confirming something with Yelena. I will wait for her to respond before I talk about anything regarding who was taken. If you want other information about the Snap, I will talk about that.
[ If not, they can just sit here, for all she cares. She's already told him what she will and won't do, and he doesn't get to take her choice from her. ]
no subject
Scowling a second time, though now with more petulance, he lifts his glass again and drains it in one go. Not that changes anything. All it did was buy him a little more time to consider the offer.]
I don't know, it is... hard to believe. Half of all life in the universe? All of it? Even dogs? Even fish? [It's the most menial question he could ask, but he might as well, since they're waiting for Yelena's response.]
no subject
Even plants.
[ It was bizarre and juvenile, the logic of a three-year-old with a stubbed toe. All the power in the universe, the power of a creator, and that was Thanos' choice?
It had been possibly the most horrific loss she'd ever experienced. And everyone had experienced it at the same time. The world had been broken because she had failed to stop it from being broken. And there was no filling that hole, there was only moving on.
And then, there had been the chance to wind it all back, to make it right. The choice had been so simple. ]
no subject
What is the point? Why take away that much?
no subject
He was an idealist. He didn't care who or what he had to sacrifice to achieve what he thought was the greater good. [ A beat, because at least in this way, there was a difference. ] The deaths were the point, for Thanos. He thought it would make things better for the survivors, if there was more space.
[ She fills her glass. ] He was an idiot. [ She tosses the drink back, welcoming the sting. Fucker. ] But a powerful one.