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Who: wanda maximoff and YOU
When: days prior to event
Where: around town, flophouse
Summary: doing a little exploring, some housekeeping, meeting people
Warnings: none atm!

A. GOOD HARBOR BEACH

[so they can't use magic.

ever since she came to learn to use her powers, magic was like second nature to her—it just didn't feel right to not be able to have the swathes of red fulfill whatever she commanded it to do.

now, she's been here for a few hours in quiet contemplation, until she got the urge to hop her way towards salt island, using the land bridge formed because of the low tide. this, however, she did not realize was because of the tides. now, annoyance has her squatting on the edge of salt island, hugging her arms around her knees, waiting for the tide to lower again. if only she could do magic without restriction, she would fly back to the beach, or even will down the tide.

hopefully no one shows up to witness her current problem. and yes, she would rather wait for the tide to lower than to swim, thanks.]

B. BONNIE'S FLOPHOUSE

[what bonnie wants in exchange of not having to pay rent is, actually, pretty sensible. wanda has no problems with that, and although she would rather just have a place of her own—she can't exactly twirl her fingers and have it happen—the flophouse is growing on her. even with all the little flaws it has.

not really wanting to worry about the cleaning or repairing, she sets about in helping with the cooking. it's a little bit of a relaxing, mindless activity, and although she has little to work with, wanda can think of a couple of dishes from her home that could feed plenty.

soon, the smell of food wafts throughout the floors of the building. as wanda's finishing up and setting plates down for anyone who would like to come down into communal area to get themselves some early supper. it's not much, really, but she's managed a pot of beef and onion stew and several stuffed cabbages filled with minced meat and rice. she reclines against the counter with a bowl of soup in her hand, and keeping an eye out for anyone who ventures in.

easy way to meet the neighbors, right?]

C. MIDNIGHT CINEMA

[the cinema does catch her attention almost immediately. the architecture of the place is rather difficult to ignore, and there is some kind of allure to it. and though it seems inviting and wanda has seen people go inside, she doesn't know if she wants to go in.

when is the last time she even saw a movie?

as if changing her mind halfway through her walking up the path to the entrance, wanda abruptly turns around to head back into the street—]

Sorry.

[—and walks right into someone.]

I didn't see you.

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[He doesn't mind the chatter as he fixes up his bowl and brings it to the table. He only answers in half-hearted nods and mm-hms. When he's situated, he can finally lift a spoonful to his nose, and, mmm. Dismissive of the chef he may be, but he is appreciative of the beauty within the dish.

And then she asks a question, which finally distracts him from his stomach. He may as well be decent enough to answer it...]

A few days, at this point. I assume you ended up here the same way? Dropped from a different timeline?

[And he can finally take a bite—oh. Mmm. His eyes fall closed, savoring it. ...He's having an experience.]

[with a shrug of her shoulder and a raised brow, she admits that that's exactly how it happened.]

We must have arrived at around the same time.

[a few days ago, for reference. but—look at him, closing his eyes and everything as he eats. it makes wanda feel pretty satisfied, even if his manners are a little lackluster when it comes to social interactions (best keep that to herself; loki might not let her hear the end of it, should she find out who he is).

look, she can't help laughing quietly into her hand.]

It's that good? Sounds like you haven't had decent food in a while.

[Still in the middle of his Experience, the comment makes him laugh. It's warm and genuine; not one of his usual mocking chuckles.]

It has been a while, in fact. At the TVA—my last job—it was bland cafeteria food every morning, noon, and night. I mean, literally, it was the only food I had access to. This, on the contrary, is...

[It's clear from his face that he's rattling his brain for a worthy compliment, but it dawns on him mid-thought that he doesn't know what he's eating. He finally turns to look the chef in the eye.] What is this, actually? Don't know that I've ever had it.

Pörkölt. It's really just beef and onion stew with a Sokovian twist.

[what's the twist? just probably a couple extra ingredients to make it more homey. she wouldn't be surprised if he's never had it, though it stands to reason if he would have had something similar.

the warm laugh won her over some.]

I can't promise I'll make something all the time, but if I make something for myself, I'll make it for everyone. Bland cafeteria food is no way to live.

[Interesting. "Sokovian" sounds familiar—Well, obviously he knows what Sokovia is, it's a central European nation on Midgard, but he hears a metaphorical asterisk attached to it. What could that... Before he can place it, the chef promises that there will be more meals in the future! Which would be a good thing, if not for the fact that she's implying this isn't her job. Wasn't everyone at the Flophouse supposed to have a job here? Is her job not "chef"?

Luckily, Loki has a lot more tact than to say that out loud. He forces a smile.] What a treat! I'll be looking forward to more Sokovian delights in th...

[It comes to him. Sokovia popped up in his TVA research. When he was looking up apocalypses. His (fake) smile falters, betraying a hint of (genuine) concern. But as quick as it appears, it disappears once again.]

In the future. Sorry, uhh... brain fart.

[...he will kick himself until the end of time for using "brain fart."]

[and for all that loki tries, wanda recognizes that kind of reaction; she's seen it stir in the faces of people who are reminded of who she is by visual association—part of the avengers, but a dangerous individual to be scared of. it's the kind of hesitation that people portray when sokovia is brought up, too.

could this guy be from her world?

too bad she can't revel at the hilarity of loki using 'brain fart'.]

Is something the matter? [tentatively,] I'm Wanda Maximoff.

Oh! No, no, not at all, no, [he responds, maybe a little too quickly.] Nothing's wrong. [He has enough forethought this time to smile it off with a practiced smile, one that looks genuine enough.

Nothing in his manner indicates that he recognizes her name. However, he does consider for a moment whether to give his own name in return... Eh, why not? She's been so kind. And he feels at least a little bad for her, if Sokovia faced a similar fate in her universe...]

I'm Loki. Thank you, again, for the meal.

[definitely a little too quickly, but that all steers clear out of her mind when he mentions his name. it doesn't click, initially, but she remembers thor, the god of thunder, red cape flowing as he sets foot into the battlefield at any given time.

oh.]

Thor's brother? [another ounce of familiarity drops.] You're the one who attacked New York.

[suddenly his face fits a puzzle; all those news reports, it was hard to miss even in sokovia. but this place is ... strange, with regards to time, so who knows what else that could spell out.]

...right?

Edited 2021-08-26 17:17 (UTC)

[His face falls. If you squint, you can see some shame in his expression. This is what he'd been trying to avoid... The shame becomes obvious when he forces an apologetic smile.]

Ah. You remember that, hm... [What to say, what to say? He racks his brain for some sort of excuse, but anything he can come up with either no longer reflects his values, or he's at least smart enough to know she won't buy it. He sighs.]

Yes, the same. I'm... Sorry doesn't cut it, I know. But that's not who I am anymore.

[well, that's only a little shocking.]

No, I — I'm not looking for an apology. Sokovia is my home, not New York.

[and no one ever really apologized for the terror bestowed upon sokovia by the people of earth themselves. she never had any kind of antagonism towards the asgardian, but her surprise simply stems from another familiar face, so far away from home.

besides, who is she to judge someone who once went against the avengers?]

My past is not too different. [she pauses] If you say you are not that man anymore, then that's that. Monsters are not forever.

[and it's kind of nice to have someone from home here?? even if it ain't steve or nat or clint, or someone she is more familiarized with.]

[Puzzling. Why doesn’t she hate him? Why wouldn’t she? This is a kindness he doesn’t expect, and certainly doesn’t think he deserves.

But “monsters aren’t forever” clues him in that this might be empathy, rather than sympathy.

…Wanda might be a friend he needs to keep.]

That’s… very kind of you to say, [he says, and attempts to offer kind words of his own. It’s new territory for him, so hopefully it comes out alright.] I’m sorry about what happened to your home.

[shouldn't the same be said about asgard? her hands tighten into fists on her jacket, her lips a thin line — but she nods. it is a kindness offered regardless of the circumstances, and it is welcome no matter how long since it has been.

she filters out something of an awkward laugh, sniffling as she turns her gaze away.]

A little strange for an introduction. [she's already given him her name, so—] I knew your brother. We fought together before as Avengers.

[but that's no more. she also knows something particular about loki.]

...is it just you here?

[she is perhaps a little hopeful—not for thor being here, but maybe for steve, or vision, or her brother, if dead men happened to also walk in this world.

really trying to skirt the thanos question.]

[She has a sense of humor, thank goodness. Her comment alleviates at least some of the tension, and he finds it in him to smile again. …Even after the Avengers namedrop.]

Oh, they recruited you? Let me guess: your superpower was carrying the whole team. [Can’t help but get a pot-shot in about the Annoyers! …Also, he’s not quite ready to talk about Thor.]

Anyone from our own universe, you mean? There’s a man on the third floor who claims to know me, but I sure as hell don’t recognize him. Strange, I think his name was?… Knowing my luck, he’s probably an Avenger, too. Do you know him?

I was not very popular. [she says softly] My powers were weird, according to them, and I was still learning how to use them.

[and although it felt like a reach to have loki, a relative stranger with quite the reputation, to give her insight on whether there was anyone she cared for around, wanda still hoped otherwise.

at the very least, the mention of stephen is enough to make her eyes shine with recognition.]

Doctor Strange. [she nods] He's not an Avenger. He helped us out at one point, but he's got his own thing going. Protector of all things magical — or something. [and wanda has run into him earlier!] He's a little nosy, but I trust him.

Edited 2021-08-30 20:32 (UTC)

Nosy is an understatement, [he says, with a half-hearted smirk.] But if you trust him, then I suppose I... will consider trusting him, maybe, in the distant future.

As for the powers... We all have to start somewhere. Even I did.

[Although Loki doesn't expect much from her in the way of magic, or superpowers or whatever Midgard calls it, he knows better than to operate on assumptions. Perhaps she's more powerful than she seems. Obviously not as powerful as he is, but, you know.]

If you don't mind me asking, what sort of powers do you have?

[she raises an eyebrow at the comment about trusting stephen, perhaps more surprising the fact that her trust in the doctor holds some kind of value to loki at all.

well, at least they're all getting along rather than going at each other's throats for no real reason.]

Perhaps you have a history together. [would explain the nosy nature of the doctor.] If our survival and return home depended on anything, I would bet on Doctor Strange any time.

[—would be nice if she shared these thoughts on the doctor with the doctor, instead of giving him the cold shoulder? eh, whatever—]

...the Mind Stone gave me psionic powers. Recently I learned it was more than that. Magic, I suppose, as someone has called me a witch before.

[okay, so someone is keeping her cards close to her chest.]

Makes it a little troublesome to try and use it here.

[The Mind Stone? Loki's mouth falls open. Time to wrap it up on Dr. Strange, this is much more pressing.]

I'll keep what you said about him in mind, but--the Mind Stone? Did you come into direct contact with it?

[that is a swift topic change? wanda is a little perplexed by the shift, momentarily, but keeps up quickly enough.]

Both my brother and I did as part of HYDRA's experiments.

[she is well aware that the two of them were lucky to have survived coming into contact with it; success where strucker hadn't experienced it, before. so, wanda sort of knows what questions will come next.]

It awakened powers that were already in us, which is why we survived.

[So, A, this changes flips his impression of her prowess on its head. To survive that kind of process, she must be more powerful than she looks. Perhaps more powerful than she realizes. More powerful, even, than Loki... if she ever properly learns how to control her powers.

And B... fuck, the terrible things she must have been through.]

That's... [A lot to process. His tongue clicks.] That's incredible.

[The awkwardness of his short response dawns on him. (It's not often he's rendered speechless.)]

I'm sorry. I'd like to know more about your powers, if you're willing to tell, but I don't mean to bring up foul memories on the spot like this. Especially not when you've so graciously fed me.

[her eyebrows raise at the response. incredible sounds like something strucker or list might have said at some point, so it's reminiscent of that. wanda, however, finds no real reason for offense, though, and waits expectantly for loki to amend what he's said.

(she's heard plenty from natasha about how much he likes to hear himself talk.)]

Sharing about my powers has only ever been reason for others to fear me.

[the mistakes she's made, the people's she's hurt accidentally, the fear in agatha's voice as she foretold doom around her newfound control of chaos magic.]

Or to want to take it from me.

[besides— loki, we've just met.]

You are not like how I've heard. [accounts from the avengers might not help much.] You are kind with your words.

[that is to say that wanda's not trying to antagonize him, even if her demeanor may shift to something colder as she guards herself from too prying questions. she crosses her arms.]

Why do you want to know about my powers?

[Of course—even when he’s trying to be kind and respect boundaries, she can’t seem to trust him. (Not that he can blame her.) He shouldn’t be as surprised as he is.

There is that nagging part of him that wants to get all defensive, but he’s trying to turn over a new leaf… A disappointed smile makes its way to his face, but he still answers with kindness.]

Sheer curiosity, I suppose. But it’s none of my business. And as for what you’ve heard, well… None of our mutual acquaintances have any reason to say anything nice about me. Not even my brother.

[The last bit slips out before he can think about it. Ugh. He really does not want to talk about Thor.]

[and she, for her part, doesn't have much to say about the god of thunder, given how short their acquaintance was, through all the things that happened. that being said, she understands this whole idea of people not really having particularly nice things to say about her.

god, is she really relating to loki?]

I think I should be allowed to set my own judgement of you.

[a fair enough allowance, perhaps? wanda twirls her fingers—curiosity, right?—and red waves of magic appear over his bowl, changing it from a modern, light dishware to a heavier stone one with intricate decorations coasting along its sides. the contents remain untouched.]

I was told you know magic.

[Oh, the relief... Bless you for not questioning the Thor thing further.

Anyway.]

I would appreciate that very much, you forming your own opinion of me. I won't say I don't deserve the reputation that precedes me, but I like to think there is more than one side to me.

[His brow shoots up curiously as the bowl changes shape. He nods to her, appreciating the show, and picks up the bowl to examine it. He is impressed! Then, he does one of his own: he points to the pot on the stove, containing the original stew, and it shifts from your basic kitchenware to an ornate, gilded pot, like something of Asgard.]

Mine's just an illusion, though.

[an opportunity to let someone draw their own conclusions than to be judged for actions in the past or what others say of them, that is something wanda understands wanting. besides, loki sounds awfully — self-aware of himself and the merit his actions deserve. she hopes he isn't taking advantage of her empathy.

though that thought quickly dissolves as he uses his own magic on the pot. wanda turns to look at it, and only when he speaks realizes that it is what he identifies it as. it takes a wave of her hand to make the illusion disappear.

she turns back to him.]

Is it normal to have magic if you're from Asgard? [she herself is curious, now. there are only two other people she knew who had magic at the grasp of their fingers: doctor strange and agatha harkness—one a sorcerer, the other a witch. she threads her fingers together.] I've had to learn about it on my own.

[Interesting question... he shrugs.]

More normal than on Earth, I suppose, but that doesn't necessarily mean it was widespread. I learned most of my magic from my mother; she was raised by witches. She and I have both had millennia to perfect our magic, you know—you're quite strong to have learned what you know in a human's lifetime.

[He considers his next offer carefully. Is it a good idea? Will it offend? We'll see.] If you ever wanted guidance, I could help you.

· OPEN ·

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hello?? inbox don't eat my notifs

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