Snip to chapter 43

(Symkarian Embassy)

It’s the dead of night, nearly four, and Silver Sable has yet to have fallen asleep. The ticking clock besides her bed grating on her nerves. She is tempted to smash the thing against the wall.

But that wouldn’t bring her any peace. Her mind is too preoccupied with the day's events. Spider-Man asking for her to join him and his lovers on a group date, to see if there is anything worth exploring in regards to a romantic relationship. And if that wasn’t odd enough, he also invited Natasha Romanoff.

She recalls her conversation with the spy back at the bunker in the desert, and she wonders why Romanoff did what she did. Why did she push, well nudge really, Silver to pursue this possibility? In almost a poetic fashion, the redheaded Russian told the Symkarian born mercenary to not let societal norms influence her decision in matters of the heart. Which was why she said yes in the first place.

She was… happy? She is not sure what she felt when she said yes. Shocked by her own decision? Yes. Anxious about participating in an unorthodox relationship? Absolutely. But happy that she was going to be involved? She is not sure. She just knows after saying yes, and completing her work for the day, she went on to prepare for the date.

She spent some time, maybe more than necessary, in choosing the right dress for the evening. Applying the proper amount of makeup, and of course, rehearsing what possible lines of discussions she would bring in case there were moments of silence.

She likes to be prepared.

But once there, she found all that preparation meant nothing. The man who invited her and Romanoff was late, and two of his lovers, Sonja and Felicia, were there not surprised by his tardiness. The moment they sat down, Silver wanted to begin the conversations with the ones she rehearsed, but found herself hesitating.

She didn’t realize until that moment but she was to be involved with not only Spider-Man, but the other women as well.

She remembers him saying that the relationship isn’t just about him, but the other three as well. That simple fact did not really sync in at the time he said it.

She has never been with another woman, never even considered it. She barely looked at men in consideration for romantic purposes. She has put all her time and energy into her career, for her home.

She has no one to talk to. No one to speak with. No one to confide in. No one to trust and be vulnerable.

Tonight she had experienced something unexpected. A possibility. But with that possibility came great risks. Risks that she wasn’t certain she should take.

She is Silvija Salbinova, the Silver Sable of Symkaria. Leader of the Wild Pack. And though these all mean everything to her, she is starting to realize that they are not everything to her. She wants more.

But isn’t greedy to want more when one has enough? Then again, is what she has enough? She doesn’t regret living her life and choosing the path she is on. She knew that once on this path, there would be immense sacrifices.

The possibility of love. Of being in love and being loved. It frightens her if she were being honest.

Spider-Man was and is willing to risk everything to gain more.