I don't know. I don't think so, but I—well, watch.
[ Claire once again does exactly as she did before, and yet again, the result is the same. Letting out a soft noise of disbelief, she looks back up at Wanda. ]
I couldn't do this before. I'd remember, though I haven't gardened in a while.
[wanda thinks this is going to be another serious, traumatic situation involving some unsolvable mystery involving bones, sacrifice, and kidnappings—but instead, she's delighted to see that it's just...
magic.
when claire looks back up at her, she's smiling.]
It seems you've tapped into some Abraxan magic.
[as she says this, wanda sits on her haunches to join claire. she looks down at the growing sprout, lets her finger trace a curved line around it on the wet soil.
awed, almost, because of how much magic there is in abraxas, she breathes out,]
[wanda would be inclined to say something along the lines of how everyone starts somewhere small, and it is not right for her to compare herself to those who have been mastering the arts of magic for a lot longer.
but she feels, in claire's mind, that it isn't a complaint. and so she smiles, pulling her hand back and cleaning off the soil on her skirt.]
Is this as much as you can get them to grow? With some practice, you could make them grow even bigger and faster, still.
[ Claire nods, rubbing her hands together with a smile that still hasn't faded. ]
So far this is it, but you really think I could make it stronger?
[ She's grateful for what she can do, and she wouldn't take it back. It would just be even more useful if she could grow full crops. She's willing to put in the work to get there, as well. ]
Learning about the different things magic can do has been quite a journey, and now I have some of my own.
[ Forgive her, Wanda. It's been a long time since she's delighted in her hands learning something new. ]
[truth be told, it is endearing how taken claire seems by the fact that she has attained magical capabilities, gifted by the singularity no doubt, and that she can continue learning how to use them.
she's reminded of her own fascination while in hydra, using her powers and learning to master them. the process was a little more traumatic than this, but...
but it has been quite a journey, hasn't it?]
We all start somewhere. [she nods solemnly.] If you keep at it, who knows— you might be able to control to what extent they grow. Magic is a lot about connecting with nature, with your true self. [gosh, would agatha laugh at her for trying to be a 'teacher' when she hasn't been a witch for that long, considering?] There was a time when I struggled with my magic, but I just — kept working to understand it better.
[wanda joins claire in standing up, patting down her hands on her skirts from any soil left between the creases of her fingers and palms.]
In my country, witches were part of scary stories told to children to make sure they would behave. I cannot remember witchcraft ever been seen as a crime... Though we had 'folk healers', women who could use herbs and whispers to heal someone from any ailment. Magic like this— was uncommon, or so I thought. Someone I know from America told me that witches were hunted and killed for being just that.
[she didn't exactly get a history lesson, and she looked a bit into it, but not enough.]
—I realized not too long ago. I was... thirty? I'm thirty-three now. [but.] The same person who told me about the witch trials told me that I could manipulate magic since I was a kid.
[a shrug]
My idea of magic then versus what I know now was very different, truth be told.
[ Claire's surprised at Wanda's answer, and it shows on her face after smoothing down her own skirts. ]
I never would have assumed it was so recently you realized. The control you have, and the things you can do are remarkable. Not that I'm hoping to be here in three years, but I wonder how far along I might be with my magic if I am?
[ She's growing sprouts today; perhaps in time she can grow forests. ]
My interpretation of magic is changing as well. What I was tried for, what they thought I could do, is nothing compared to what I've seen actual magic do now. It's phenomenal, and I hope you know that you are as well, at least to me. You've been quite the support, and I hope you won't mind if I lean on you a bit longer while I learn.
You might be the first person whom I've heard not sound upset at the idea of staying here for three years.
[honestly, many people feel strongly about staying, about abraxas being their new home, but the conversation never quite unspooled this way.
wanda tries to hide a small smile at being considered 'phenomenal'. claire's approval of her, her praise, it's just — it is very motherly, isn't it? wanda can't help but feel wanting to orbit around that feeling often.]
Of course. [she nods, back straightening, hands folding together. there is a pause, for a moment, as if she is trying to find the words.] I — hope you don't mind me saying, but... you feel very motherly. [it makes her heart ache, for her eyes to get a little glossy. she refuses to blink and tear up, though.] It — reminds me of my mom.
Oh, I'm upset. When I was still living in my host home when I first arrived, I went to sleep crying and woke the same way for days. But I'm quite sure no one knew because I learned quickly my anger wasn't unique. However, I will happily discuss how absolutely fucked it is that we're here [ She gives a wry smirk. ] anytime anyone would like.
[ In the early days of Boston, while she was still pregnant, she got very good at pretending her life was picture perfect on the outside, while inside she was clawing her way off the edge of a cliff. Their neighbors envied them, and behind closed doors, Claire was throwing heavy objects at Frank's head.
For a moment, her words hang until Wanda speaks again, and Claire's entire face rearranges itself into a soft expression that makes the corners of her eyes crinkle. Wanda can't know how much that means to her, when raising Bree wasn't exactly Claire's strongest moment. Her own eyes are glossy now, and she reaches out to wrap her arms around Wanda in a hug. ]
Of course I don't mind, how could I ever?
[ Pulling back, her hands go to Wanda's arms, squeezing gently. ]
I'm honored you feel that way. You certainly have made me proud.
[ Without Wanda's help with Matt, things would have taken so much longer. And not only that, but the unflinching hesitation to help others is something she's seen first hand. There's nothing she's saying now that isn't true. Wanda has a place in her heart already, and Claire squeezes gently again before letting go of her completely. ]
I think you should let me treat you to a meal. Or at the very least, I'm famished and I wouldn't mind good company if you aren't too busy for the next hour or so.
[ If Wanda can join her, Claire would like to gently ask about her mother, not knowing if she's living, and if she is, if they're close. But this moment right now, she doesn't want to unintentionally ruin. ]
[it's a little unexpected to have claire wrap her arms around her. still, part of wanda really hoped it would happen. now, faced with it, she can't help but bask in the warmth of it, letting her face rest against the older woman's shoulder. tears falls through eyes squeezed shut, but she isn't crying with the inability to stop.
how long has it been since she found these emotions within her? how much she loved her mama, how she never got to say goodbye.
at the gentle squeeze, realizing that claire is ready to let go, wanda nods once and lets her arms fall to her sides. quickly, as if just realizing, she brushes the trail of tears from her cheeks. nothing to worry about here!]
Are we ever too busy in Solvunn?
[it's meant as a bit of a joke, a quiet hint of amusement in her voice. a small smile even graces her features.]
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no subject
[ Claire once again does exactly as she did before, and yet again, the result is the same. Letting out a soft noise of disbelief, she looks back up at Wanda. ]
I couldn't do this before. I'd remember, though I haven't gardened in a while.
[ How long has she been able to do this? ]
no subject
magic.
when claire looks back up at her, she's smiling.]
It seems you've tapped into some Abraxan magic.
[as she says this, wanda sits on her haunches to join claire. she looks down at the growing sprout, lets her finger trace a curved line around it on the wet soil.
awed, almost, because of how much magic there is in abraxas, she breathes out,]
I can feel it.
no subject
So, this is what that feels like. I don’t know what I expected, really. Everyone else’s magic I’ve seen seems so grand in comparison.
[ Which isn’t a complaint. She’s happy to be able to prod along her plants. ]
This would all be so useful in my world. And yet, I nearly died for less.
[ That part of her life feels so far away, like watching a movie. Claire rubs the tips of her fingers together before smiling over at Wanda. ]
This is wonderful.
no subject
but she feels, in claire's mind, that it isn't a complaint. and so she smiles, pulling her hand back and cleaning off the soil on her skirt.]
Is this as much as you can get them to grow? With some practice, you could make them grow even bigger and faster, still.
[magic is wonderful, truly.]
no subject
So far this is it, but you really think I could make it stronger?
[ She's grateful for what she can do, and she wouldn't take it back. It would just be even more useful if she could grow full crops. She's willing to put in the work to get there, as well. ]
Learning about the different things magic can do has been quite a journey, and now I have some of my own.
[ Forgive her, Wanda. It's been a long time since she's delighted in her hands learning something new. ]
no subject
she's reminded of her own fascination while in hydra, using her powers and learning to master them. the process was a little more traumatic than this, but...
but it has been quite a journey, hasn't it?]
We all start somewhere. [she nods solemnly.] If you keep at it, who knows— you might be able to control to what extent they grow. Magic is a lot about connecting with nature, with your true self. [gosh, would agatha laugh at her for trying to be a 'teacher' when she hasn't been a witch for that long, considering?] There was a time when I struggled with my magic, but I just — kept working to understand it better.
no subject
It's good I couldn't do anything like this when I was younger, else I might have actually had a case for witchcraft against me.
[ But here, she can tap into something bigger than herself. ]
How old were you, when you realized you had magic?
no subject
In my country, witches were part of scary stories told to children to make sure they would behave. I cannot remember witchcraft ever been seen as a crime... Though we had 'folk healers', women who could use herbs and whispers to heal someone from any ailment. Magic like this— was uncommon, or so I thought. Someone I know from America told me that witches were hunted and killed for being just that.
[she didn't exactly get a history lesson, and she looked a bit into it, but not enough.]
—I realized not too long ago. I was... thirty? I'm thirty-three now. [but.] The same person who told me about the witch trials told me that I could manipulate magic since I was a kid.
[a shrug]
My idea of magic then versus what I know now was very different, truth be told.
no subject
I never would have assumed it was so recently you realized. The control you have, and the things you can do are remarkable. Not that I'm hoping to be here in three years, but I wonder how far along I might be with my magic if I am?
[ She's growing sprouts today; perhaps in time she can grow forests. ]
My interpretation of magic is changing as well. What I was tried for, what they thought I could do, is nothing compared to what I've seen actual magic do now. It's phenomenal, and I hope you know that you are as well, at least to me. You've been quite the support, and I hope you won't mind if I lean on you a bit longer while I learn.
no subject
[honestly, many people feel strongly about staying, about abraxas being their new home, but the conversation never quite unspooled this way.
wanda tries to hide a small smile at being considered 'phenomenal'. claire's approval of her, her praise, it's just — it is very motherly, isn't it? wanda can't help but feel wanting to orbit around that feeling often.]
Of course. [she nods, back straightening, hands folding together. there is a pause, for a moment, as if she is trying to find the words.] I — hope you don't mind me saying, but... you feel very motherly. [it makes her heart ache, for her eyes to get a little glossy. she refuses to blink and tear up, though.] It — reminds me of my mom.
no subject
[ In the early days of Boston, while she was still pregnant, she got very good at pretending her life was picture perfect on the outside, while inside she was clawing her way off the edge of a cliff. Their neighbors envied them, and behind closed doors, Claire was throwing heavy objects at Frank's head.
For a moment, her words hang until Wanda speaks again, and Claire's entire face rearranges itself into a soft expression that makes the corners of her eyes crinkle. Wanda can't know how much that means to her, when raising Bree wasn't exactly Claire's strongest moment. Her own eyes are glossy now, and she reaches out to wrap her arms around Wanda in a hug. ]
Of course I don't mind, how could I ever?
[ Pulling back, her hands go to Wanda's arms, squeezing gently. ]
I'm honored you feel that way. You certainly have made me proud.
[ Without Wanda's help with Matt, things would have taken so much longer. And not only that, but the unflinching hesitation to help others is something she's seen first hand. There's nothing she's saying now that isn't true. Wanda has a place in her heart already, and Claire squeezes gently again before letting go of her completely. ]
I think you should let me treat you to a meal. Or at the very least, I'm famished and I wouldn't mind good company if you aren't too busy for the next hour or so.
[ If Wanda can join her, Claire would like to gently ask about her mother, not knowing if she's living, and if she is, if they're close. But this moment right now, she doesn't want to unintentionally ruin. ]
no subject
how long has it been since she found these emotions within her? how much she loved her mama, how she never got to say goodbye.
at the gentle squeeze, realizing that claire is ready to let go, wanda nods once and lets her arms fall to her sides. quickly, as if just realizing, she brushes the trail of tears from her cheeks. nothing to worry about here!]
Are we ever too busy in Solvunn?
[it's meant as a bit of a joke, a quiet hint of amusement in her voice. a small smile even graces her features.]
I could eat.
fade for new month stuff?
We'll eat then. Solvunn and all its needs can wait on us for a little while.