· OPEN ·

[carmesi]

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.

Comments

[carmesi]

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.

[variantl1130]

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?

[carmesi]

[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.

[variantl1130]

[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?

hello?? inbox don't eat my notifs

[carmesi]

[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.

[variantl1130]

[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.

[carmesi]

[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?

[variantl1130]

[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.]

[carmesi]

[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.

[variantl1130]

[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.

[carmesi]

[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.

[variantl1130]

[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.

[carmesi]

[from his mother—who was raised by witches.

wanda's reminded of agatha, of her words, of how her powers are not exactly something witches like herself could see as beneficial. loki's words don't offend, but they do make her somewhat defensive, and it shows on her face, her body language. she's frowning, arms loosely crossed.]

...and why would you do that? [help her—guide her. certain that her words do come off as pretty guarded, she amends with granting a bit more of an explanation.] You won't get anything out of helping me.

[hm. carefully, she uncrosses her arms and instead settles her hands on her lap, as if aware of what she's doing, putting up walls. since pietro died, she's invariably just been... alone at this sorting out of her powers.]

I don't ... generally get offered help.

[even if she's had to learn fast out of necessity rather than anyone else's kindness.]

[variantl1130]

[Wanda does have a point. Loki wouldn't have much to gain in helping her, would he? Besides the possibility of allyship. Maybe, for once, he's feeling... generous.
Maybe a bit sympathetic.
Maybe pitiful?]

I wouldn't say I wouldn't get anything out of it. I'm sure I would have much to learn from you, as well. But, in any case, it's completely up to you. We've only just met; I understand you might not trust me enough to accept help from me.

[carmesi]

[we've only just met is the right assessment, and wanda is surprisingly relieved that he points it out. could it be manipulative? perhaps—though it should be no issue. should loki try and manipulate her, she trusts that she is strong enough to make him regret it.

but that isn't a certainty she can keep using an excuse for a guarded stance as she meets people in this place.]

... [she hums a note and looks to the floor for a moment.] I'll think about it.

[the last time she had been with another individual who could use magic, the results were not exactly positive. perhaps this time could be different; loki, doctor strange—perhaps they would be different. she offers a small smile, finishing up her food and setting the bowl in the sink to clean up.]

I'm still wrapping my head around the fact that we're all here. These things don't tend to be a coincidence. You can take as much food as you like, by the way.