Natasha meets Rose

Natasha skulked around the palace on a nightly basis, covertly gathering data. After spending a few weeks in the palace as the latest member of the queen's harem, she'd become very familiar with the building's layout and guard patrol schedules and timed her movements accordingly. When she wasn't busy performing her sexual duties for Queen Bee or spending quality time with the other concubines (which she thoroughly enjoyed), she was gathering intelligence about how Bialya was conditioning their citizens into obedience, and sending that info to SHIELD.

Tonight, however, Queen Bee had a task she'd chosen for her new concubine -- welcoming a new servant -- more specifically, a guard -- to the palace. The woman had captured the attention of the Bialyan monarch -- a very beautiful woman with white hair, several faint scars marked her body, which both the Queen and Natasha surmised were from previous fights. The new guard had an air of mystery around her, something Queen Bee had told Natasha when she was 'initiated' into the harem. I guess our Queen has a type, Natasha reasoned.

"Welcome to the Queen's Palace," Natasha greeted. "My name is Irina. I have been tasked with showing you the palace and preparing you for your role. When I deem that you have performed your duties satisfactorily, I will notify the Queen, and she will very likely grant you an audience."

"Thank you. You may call me Willow," the woman responded in a dutiful tone. "I look forward to serving under our Queen."

"And I look forward to serving alongside you," replied Natasha, still looking over the woman. Natasha's instincts told her that there was more to this woman than meets the eye; she was also sure she'd find out soon enough.

Indeed, there was more to 'Willow' than than she let on. Behind the alias, the woman was known as Rose Wilson, the mercenary called Ravager, the daughter of legendary mercenary Slade Wilson. Natasha had recently locked horns with Slade on a few occasions, leading to a budding animosity between the two. Now, unbeknownst to her, she'd be working alongside his daughter...

Acting as the dutiful host, Natasha gave Rose a comprehensive tour of the palace, observing the new guard as she did so. While she was certain that she was hiding something -- and her instincts tended to be uncannily accurate -- she also had the feeling she didn't have any malicious intent. Still, Natasha wasn't about to let her guard down. For all she knew, 'Willow' might well know her true identity.

For her part, Rose listened intently to 'Irina' as she talked about the palace and the many people who worked within its walls. She was looking for someone in the palace, and had hoped her hostess might be able to shed some light on this person; while she didn't get any specific information, Rose was able to better understand the layout of the palace through the tour. Rose took in as much info as possible; it would likely come in handy later. Beyond that, Rose keenly observed 'Irina', suspecting that, much like herself, the servant was hiding something.

"...And that ends the tour of the Palace," Natasha concluded. "Now, onto our next task..."

"Our next task...?" Rose wondered aloud.

"Indeed. Our queen has given me the honor of judging your performance. Should you impress me, you will be given a private audience with her, and very likely an invitation to join her personal guard," confirmed Natasha

Rose looked at Natasha curiously. “‘My performance’…? You mean my combat skills? I had assumed the trials I underwent had already established my aptitude.”

"Our queen was thoroughly impressed with you during combat trials," Natasha replied. "Besides, my duties do not include assessing potential guards. My duties as a concubine are to please the queen... and to judge others who she deems to have potential."

Rose's eyes widened as she realized what Natasha meant. She was immediately intrigued; While neither woman may have yet known the truth about the other, the attraction between them was undeniable. "I understand. If you can provide me the opportunity to join the Queen's personal guard, I have no objection to being tested.”

"Excellent," Natasha replied, a sly smile forming on her face. "You will no doubt go far around here with that kind of enthusiasm. Well then, shall we begin?"