𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 :          bonfires,     competitiveness,     hand     veins,     loud     laughs,        messy     hair,     sneaking     out     at     2am,     abandoned     beaches,      stray     dogs,     candle     lights,     body     language,          creaking     floorboards,     ouija     boards,     having     no     regrets,     karaoke,     nights     out.

𝐓𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐔𝐒 :          house     plants,     oversized     sweaters,    soft     hands,    fuzzy     socks,     visiting     big     cities,     snoozing     your     alarm     clock,   the     color     yellow,    vanilla-scented     candles,         aloe     vera,         fruit     smoothies,     baking     cookies,        the     mom     friend,     loves     the     ukulele.

“I know! It’s fucking awesome!” Jax was a nerd through and through. Losing his mind over technology on the daily and sometimes breaking it trying to solve a tricky problem. He may not look the part – extroverted, fashionable and a party boy but any time not spent hanging out with friends and clubs, he spent in his lab, often long past office hours, sometimes even passing out there. “I’d build something cool too if that was me participating in the game,” he agreed with a nod, moving further into the room.

He dropped his bag on a table and took a glance around what would probably be his second home for the next few weeks. “Yeah! I’ve got a lab with Vinson Dynamics back in Solace City. I research and develop new weapon tech.” And now he was here, exciting to see where the project would take him.

They hadn’t told him much about the project beforehand, hired him based on his expertise and history with Vinson’s. And Jax had accepted the the second they’d mentioned the Apex Games.“Did they tell you anything? What we’ll be doing?” He asked, curious, still unable to believe he’d be working with none other than Natalie Paquette.

It was a nice change of pace to have someone else who also adored technology in her presence. The other legends, while they did use their own tech, were not as interested in it as Natalie was. She watched him as he dropped his bag and would nod, that explained why he was here then- a weapons tech. It was perfect for the project they had been given, and she wasn’t really that skilled when it came to developing weaponry, so he would definitely be a big help. 

❝ Well that explains why they hired you then. ❞ She commented with a smile. ❝ They want to develop a new weapon to make the games more exciting. I’m not sure what exactly they’re looking for, but I’m looking forward to developing something with you. ❞

It wasn’t supposed to turn out like this…

From what she remembered, it started as an unexpected encounter with Overwatch agents while out for a mission in the Rialto area. She and Reaper were in charge of a squadron of Talon agents to finish the job quickly, and it would have been had it not been for that speedster and soldier’s meddling. Likely the opposing group had a recon agent on them to keep tabs on what they were doing in Rialto, and called in for backup. Thus, they brought in the polar opposites to the two high ranking Talon officials, Tracer and Soldier 76.

                                                                 Cont.

Another game, routine at this point for Natalie- the games had become a home for her. She had become used to the violence that came with the bloodbath of the arena. It was always the same, fighting to be the best team... fighting to be the champion. For whatever reasons the legends fought, they hoped to win and find glory. 

Things hadn't changed much since Hammond Robotics stepped in and put the Harvester up in the world, even then...it didn't make much a difference.

That was until there was an ear splitting sound, like something breaking the sound barrier. Her hands would move up and cover her ears, teeth gritting as she looked around- that wasn't good. It was reminiscent of the blast that went off in Kings Canyon... the one that brought the flyers.

The opportunity to get to work in the vicinity of the apex games was a recent dream come true and Jax had taken it on a whim, excited to get to be a part of the games he’d been following for so long; maybe meet some of the legends and play fanboy getting autographs while making a big circle around Mirage after their awkward break-up long before Elliott had joined the games.

He hadn’t been told much about the project beforehand nor who he’d be working with – just that it’d start in-between seasons with the chance of him continuing on it afterwards; even perhaps a long term position (though he wasn’t sure if he would or could take it, it would lose the growing splinter cell of militia a valuable source of cheap and cutting edge tech straight from the source).

Entering the lab, the friendly face greeting him was not who he had expected to see, not in his wildest dreams. “Wattson??” Jax asked the superfluous question, eyes full of excitement and a huge amount of respect. They’d briefly met a long time ago, he remembered, had been proudly bragging to his friends about meeting two of the legends before. “Damn, hi. I’m Jax. Jax Nygaard. Big fan. The way you use engineering for battle? Fucking badass.”

Natalie would blink in response, sure she expected to be recognized- but it was always still a shock to her when she was. For someone like her, it was all kind of crazy, being a legend in the games. She would have much preferred to live a quiet life, if she could have. One at home with her father...one where her mother was still alive. 

    But dreams were just dreams, and she knew she had to accept what hand she was dealt. 

A small smile would fall on her face though. It was always nice to meet a fan! And someone who appreciated her work was even better. She knew that other legends- like Mirage..the face of the games, were recognized for just that. Recognized because they looked good or because they were funny. Being recognized for her brilliance made her happy. 

❝ Thank you- I made my pylons myself, you know. ❞ A small brag, but she was genuinely proud of her work! ❝ Besides. I understand technology much more than I would other things. It makes sense to use it, no? ❞ Every legend had their unique quirks, their ways around things. And engineering just so happened to be hers. 

Breaks between the seasons of the Apex Games were always welcome. Even though Natalie had found a home in the games and a home withing the other legends, she found that the constant bloodbath that the games seemed to be could be tiresome. But, she couldn't complain. It gave her a chance to relax, well- that was when she wasn't working on projects for the commissioners of the games. Things to improve them, much like how she had worked on the ring for them. It wasn't something she minded, she enjoyed her field. She understood it more than she understood others, it was like her safe space.

Even if the time between seasons were short, maybe a few weeks if the legends were lucky. It gave her a chance to continue that work, continue her studying. And perhaps she would be able to make another great innovation... maybe she would be able to make her papa proud of her; wherever he was. That was her goal in the games, and out of them. She just wanted to live up to his legacy.

It felt a bit weird walking around in her full gear outside of the games. It made her easily recognizable, and she wasn't really one for attention. Social situations made her feel awkward. But that was how she always had been, as a child and even as she got her degree in Electrical Engineering at a young age. She always found it easier to connect through electrical currents- rather than words! Or... well... she found it easier to connect with others who she had common ground with, but alas most people weren't in her field, or similar ones.

That’s why she was excited when she heard that she would be actually working with someone today rather than alone. She wasn't sure who it was that she would be working with in the labs, but it was exciting! Hopefully she would get along with whomever it was. Natalie already had herself established in the lab space, the project relating to creating a new type of weapon that could make the games more exciting. It wasn't really her field, but she figured that she could put her own twist on it.

Gaze flickered when she heard the door open to the lab space, and her eyes would light up when it was a face she somewhat recognized. She had bumped into him a few times beforehand in her past, before she joined the games. They weren't super close acquaintances but he looked kind of familiar. She figured introductions were in order though.

          thumb  coaxes  the  knob ,    scope  honing  in  on  the  figure  down  below .    they  are  clueless ,    rummaging  through  a  corpse  blind  to  death .    vultures  seem  to  always  forget  that  the  reaper  comes  for  them  too ,    far  too  comfortable  in  it’s  presence  to  notice  the  blade  around  their  neck .    the  shot  is  perfect ,    lined  up  down  to  the  hair    &    a  digit  presses .

                                                               you  are  not  safe  here .

           longbow  is  dropped  down ,    weight  shifted  on  her  heels .    a  glint  rested  on  the  tracks  some  distance  away    &    panic  welled .    every  once  of  her  being  was  forced  forward ,    her  body  colliding  with  the  blonde’s .    violet  light  engulfed  the  both  of  them ,    voices    &    ethereal  bodies  moving  surround  them ,    pavement  hit  hard    &    fast ,    natalia’s  full  mass  landing  upon  her .    lungs  felt  crushed ,    bones  crackling  louder  than  the  portal  above  their  head’s .  

Clueless to it all, Natalie had been preparing to engage in a fight— biding time as she waited for her partner to take a shot. Wraith was always aware- the electrical engineer knew this. While she did not understand how she got her intuition, Natalie knew that she was reliable. She felt SAFE when around her. Granted, thats how she felt around most of the other legends.

But oh how she had not expected that sudden movement. A small gasp leaving her as she felt a body colliding with hers & air would hitch in her chest. It took her a moment. She felt a bit DAZED. Out of it. The crackling of the portal & the sickening sound of what she assumed were bones rang through the stagnant air.

                   It felt like a charge of electricity hanging there  — waiting to activate. 

Snapping to her senses, Natalie would take in a deep, shaky breath. Gaze flickering down to the woman beneath her. Eyes widened. Oh no- this wasn't good. The situation they were in wasn't good.

❝ Wraith-❞ her voice was quiet as she slipped off from her and got on her feet, trying to stay low. She was frantic— looking around for any signs of danger. ❝ Are you hurt? ❞