The Widow's Belladonna (Natasha Romanoff X Fem)

The Cordelia

"Welcome to the Cordelia," the woman murmurs before sneaking her arm into the folds of the curtain.

Natalia gasps as she steps into a lavish dark cavern. Cozy and intimate, lit with soft glow radiating from water tubes that adorn the walls. Warm candles float from no more than six tables perfectly situated before a glamorous old fashion bar made of shipwreck findings. Servers in sleek simple clothing mimicking gruff pirates that begged to be on shore once more as they go about making crazy concoctions behind the bar. A trove of lost treasure linger behind the bar. Books float on the shelves haphazardly surrounding the room whilst subtle bubbling noises radiate from a blue glowing glass. Sea glass orbs float from above with in illusion of being shipwrecked at the bottom of the sea. Sea creatures pass realistically above before scampering away. She stood completely enamored as she walked into a time machine. A lone violinist stood on a platform above the bar, soothing the quiet crowd that murmur in their conversations. She turns to Theo who stood there adoring her, "what is this place?"

Theo laces her arm in Nat's, "a speakeasy," she whispers.

Talia's eyes widen, "I've never heard of this before," she murmurs.

Theo guides her slowly to a velvet cushioned booth, "it's one of the first of its kind, riddling the city. The Cordelia was a spark of what the city needed," she exclaims.

Talia gleams over the Gaslamp candle situated next to a calla lily, "how did you hear about this place?"

"Well, when I was seeking refuge in the library I read about the prohibition act in the history records. Ideas have sparked and I always wanted to create an atmosphere of illusions. A place where curious minds can fulfill their imaginations. The Cordelia's foundations of being under the sea," Theo explains pointing to certain details she had personally designed.

Talia furrows her brows, "you... you created this?" she asks in confusion. Theo nods tenderly. Talia deepens a smile, "this is wonderful. The explicit details, the secrecy of this place, everything about it. I'm so intrigued by what goes on in your mind," she gushes.

Theodora snickers fondly, "the mind is limitless when you've no time to sleep," she retorts playfully. She gestures to the bar, "indulge my mind for a second, what is choice of drink?"

"Usually something strong with a hint of something you can't quite figure out," Talia replies smugly.

Theo raises a brow teasingly, "everything on the menu is just as you want it to be," she points to the hardcover adorn with a skeleton key. "A twist of faith for meeting the kraken," she explains as Talia opens the cover. "There's a morbid twist as well," she adds pointing to various sinful concoctions.

Eyes blown wide at the menu, Talia's lips quiver over the lush ingredients, "this is a very sophisticated menu," she comments.

"Would you like me to indulge your mind?" Theo questions with a playful grin.

Talia beams with interest, "please do," she replies. Theo smiles before she gestures to awaiting server.

"Greetings madam," the handsome server bows, "what can I get you from the bar?"

"Hello Bronomir, two deadly sins to start," Theo orders in rapid French which had Talia in complete shock. Her eyes glances to Talia and back to the waiter, "the kraken's treasure trove, siren's craving and the sea dog's twisted faith. Then pirate's craving for the finish," she ends. The waiter bows in acknowledgment before taking his leave.

"What did you order?" Talia questions baffled.

Intrigued Theo leans closer, "a very fancy way of saying, the seafood tower including scallops with caviar and white sauce, a to die for seafood chowder, and my personal favorite prochiutto on bruschetta," she chuckles.

Talia snickers covering her mouth, "fitting since I love seafood," she responds as she flips through the two page menu, "pirate's craving?"

"An aged Kobe wagyu tomahawk steak imported from Japan hanging on a hook. Before they serve it, butter is torched, dripping onto the steak and onto creamy pomme aligot. Which is a creamy goodness of mash potatoes and cheese," Theo expresses her mouth watering.

Talia chuckles lovingly, "how about I leave the food in your trustful hands," she closes the menu. "I can tell you're a foodie and I trust that decision in your capable hands," she teases.

"Be careful for what you wish for darling," Theodora teases.

A handsome bartender appears beside their table with empty glasses and two filled tumblers, "madam, two deadly sins," he greets. He lifts his torch sparking the little liquor into the glass orbs as flames dances. He places it on the table momentarily before pouring the dark amber liquid snuffing out the flames. He tilts his head, "find you a willing lass that would cling to the ship in tumultuous weather. Trust her to steer into the jaws of the kraken even if it meant she gets to hold your hand," he finishes settling both glasses before the pair.

Talia's eyes beam with excitement as they clink their glasses together, "may you never fear the kraken," Theo whispers.

"And light to keep the darkness at bay," Talia returns before taking a hefty sip. The lingering licorice taste coats her palate before a strong finish of whiskey soothingly burns her throat that she adores. "This is amazing," she praises taking another sip.

"The burning of absinthe leaves the licorice taste met with spices gives it a pleasurable jolt, partnered with whiskey," Theodora informs softly rumbling as she polished her drink off.

"You never cease to amaze me," Talia jests.

"This is only the beginning Talia," Theo bickers playfully before their food was set before their eyes.

Talia reaches for the scallops gently taking it into her mouth. The briny caviar complimenting the delicate seared scallop perfectly before the creamy sauce offsets her palate. She nods approvingly as she moves on to the bruschetta giggling happily. The seafood tower drenches her tongue lovingly with each bite.

Theodora orders the whole menu in a daring taste tactic to learn more about Natalia through something they found in common, food. They gracefully devoured each tasting course paired with a flight of liquor.

As they cleared their table, small plates of dessert arrive paired with a spicy rum from Theo's special reserves. Theo had personally created each dessert from a enduring passion to seize her sweet tooth. A perfection of tiramisu was tweaked by Onyx whilst the creme brûlée was simply Orianna's favorite. The show stopper was the little Parisian rum cake set afire with a white chocolate sauce.

Talia moans over the white chocolate sauce, "I think you're right about white chocolate, I could die happy after this dessert," she praises.

Theo giggles softly, "I could happily write my tombstone, saying death by white chocolate," she jokes.

Perfectly blushed from the consumption of alcohol, Theo and Talia bid the Cordelia a wonderful night as they stumble onto the quiet streets. Feeling the alcoholic effects they sway into one another musing over their night.

"That was such an amazing experience that I've never had. Seriously, how did I not know about speakeasies?" Natalia babbles slamming into Theo's side.

Theodora snickers loudly as Nat shushes her with a giggle, "they're meant for secrecy Tesoro. I haven't had this much fun in Gods knows when," she gleams steadying the red head.

"Could we try another sometime?" Talia slurs tiredly leaning against Theo.

"Talia, may I always fulfill your endeavors," Theo muses tenderly.

Nat's eyes closes softly murmuring her little words as Theo smiles. She reaches into her pocket calling her driver before sweeping the woman off her feet and towards a bench to wait.

Minutes later, her blacked out Range Rover arrives, before her driver tosses her the keys. She carries the sleeping red head into her car making her comfortable before acknowledging her security team who drove away after she disappears. Escaping the suppression of the concrete city, she makes north for her farmhouse.

Moments later, Theo kills the SUV on the gravel before her lavish farmhouse situated privately on her farm. She peers over her shoulder at the sleeping beauty trying to sober herself. Gently she lifts Talia out of the car and into the house for a night's rest.