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[when asked to deliver supplies to thorne, wanda does little in the way of protesting or objecting; the news of their crops being razed have spread recently, and there are concerns over how they will manage over the winter. solvunn has more than enough to share, and as arrangements are being made for her to set off in her journey to the tertiary settlement—a two-weeks long trip—wanda makes sure to leave her business in order before she does so.
steve wanted to come along, something along the lines of adventure and why the hell not. wanda personally reached out to billy, her thoughts and emotions on the young man more tenuous than not, but finding a fractured loneliness in him—missing his husband and friends—makes her want to give him a space to feel welcome in. especially with how cruel she had been upon their first meeting, and, one could imagine, a mother will always be a mother, even if they are not directly related (family still is forever). the caravan loaded with the supplies is slow at first, as they shuffle down the path and away from the primary settlement, onto road that is less looked after, with grass and shrubbery growing over it, the open road ahead opening up to vast fields and a lot of nothing.
it doesn't take long to run into aloy, camping out further outside the settlement, and a look at their party has her taking pity on them. she'll join them—as it's not every day one gets to travel so far inland and toward the coast. needless to say, the first day of their journey is spent learning to properly ride a horse and getting used to it. they take turns, sitting inside the caravan, studying the map given to them to reach the nearest portal that should bring them closer to their destination; there are a few of them spread out in solvunn—it's just a matter of finding them.
they pause for meals, stop when the sun goes down to make camp (aloy a particularly welcome expert in that field). they go past shrines along the way, copses of trees, streams and rivers to freshen up in, for their horses to drink from. the more they travel the northern trail along the coast, the saltier the breeze smells, the cooler it is.
wanda looks at the map, then sets it down so she can see what stands before them: a patch of woodland, an outcropping of rock on its side and likely the coastline on the other. she's no expert—but if they decide to go around it, it might delay their arrival to the hydra gulf. the trail disappears inside its depths, the trees voluminous and thick; they might travel inside there for a day, at least. she walks back to the others, placing a hand over the nose of the horse entrusted to her—a dark bay male horse with a white star on his forehead and dark stockings. he flicks his ears at her touch, neighing as she draws her hand away.
they had taken a break to rest up while they decided what to do next. it was still early morning, the sun not too hot on their backs, yet.]
We'll go through. I doubt there's anything too dangerous in there.
steve wanted to come along, something along the lines of adventure and why the hell not. wanda personally reached out to billy, her thoughts and emotions on the young man more tenuous than not, but finding a fractured loneliness in him—missing his husband and friends—makes her want to give him a space to feel welcome in. especially with how cruel she had been upon their first meeting, and, one could imagine, a mother will always be a mother, even if they are not directly related (family still is forever). the caravan loaded with the supplies is slow at first, as they shuffle down the path and away from the primary settlement, onto road that is less looked after, with grass and shrubbery growing over it, the open road ahead opening up to vast fields and a lot of nothing.
it doesn't take long to run into aloy, camping out further outside the settlement, and a look at their party has her taking pity on them. she'll join them—as it's not every day one gets to travel so far inland and toward the coast. needless to say, the first day of their journey is spent learning to properly ride a horse and getting used to it. they take turns, sitting inside the caravan, studying the map given to them to reach the nearest portal that should bring them closer to their destination; there are a few of them spread out in solvunn—it's just a matter of finding them.
they pause for meals, stop when the sun goes down to make camp (aloy a particularly welcome expert in that field). they go past shrines along the way, copses of trees, streams and rivers to freshen up in, for their horses to drink from. the more they travel the northern trail along the coast, the saltier the breeze smells, the cooler it is.
wanda looks at the map, then sets it down so she can see what stands before them: a patch of woodland, an outcropping of rock on its side and likely the coastline on the other. she's no expert—but if they decide to go around it, it might delay their arrival to the hydra gulf. the trail disappears inside its depths, the trees voluminous and thick; they might travel inside there for a day, at least. she walks back to the others, placing a hand over the nose of the horse entrusted to her—a dark bay male horse with a white star on his forehead and dark stockings. he flicks his ears at her touch, neighing as she draws her hand away.
they had taken a break to rest up while they decided what to do next. it was still early morning, the sun not too hot on their backs, yet.]
We'll go through. I doubt there's anything too dangerous in there.
Edited 2022-09-13 15:23 (UTC)
[if someone told her that she'd actually spend her sleeping hours while traveling to ensure the safe delivery of supplies to thorne sitting in her horizon, listening to matt go on about the laws and regulations of the free cities—she would have turned her head at the idea. as it were, with the limited amount of time they can actually spend together, wanda figures that this is as good as it's going to get.
there's a thought about the idea that he's so focused in his studying of the material given to him that even while asleep and in the horizon, his restless mind pulls back to what he's learning.
at least, now, her horizon has finally settled into something concrete, all the growing of plants and trees and critters moving within it finally done. it's convenient for matt to just walk in through the door she's connected to his horizon, so maybe one day he'll get to walk through the forest—it's something she should do, too.
maybe.
wanda sits back on the couch, leaning against the armrest, trying to find something to latch onto between all the legal jargon and mundane bureaucratic to-dos.]
If you have all this paperwork because every city has different rules and regulations, why not just create one single paperwork that combines all the options?
[he does this as a job? well, he seems thrilled enough, pacing back and forth in the living room as he puts his thoughts into words, but it's a little too much for wanda.]
there's a thought about the idea that he's so focused in his studying of the material given to him that even while asleep and in the horizon, his restless mind pulls back to what he's learning.
at least, now, her horizon has finally settled into something concrete, all the growing of plants and trees and critters moving within it finally done. it's convenient for matt to just walk in through the door she's connected to his horizon, so maybe one day he'll get to walk through the forest—it's something she should do, too.
maybe.
wanda sits back on the couch, leaning against the armrest, trying to find something to latch onto between all the legal jargon and mundane bureaucratic to-dos.]
If you have all this paperwork because every city has different rules and regulations, why not just create one single paperwork that combines all the options?
[he does this as a job? well, he seems thrilled enough, pacing back and forth in the living room as he puts his thoughts into words, but it's a little too much for wanda.]
Edited 2022-09-13 16:35 (UTC)
[the news of the attack on libertas comes swiftly after—be it through an announcement from the council or the general state of the other summoned reporting on it. it is normal to feel nervous, even worried about the circumstances; the war had been an inevitably cloud hanging over the heads since they had first arrived, one of the very first things ever mentioned when contacting those in the other factions. an element that sam had touched upon in his speech when he invited most, if not all, of the summoned.
it is unsurprising that the free cities retaliate, but at least it doesn't result in loss of lives, as far as reports go. there is a weary stalemate between thorne and the free cities, and while solvunn is pulled unscathed from this whole situation, it is normal that there is tension in the air.
the expectation for the other shoe to drop.
wanda sends an invitation to anyone interested, to those who may be restless or just wanting in company. she will be found a ways away from the farm, where the surrounding forest opens into a clearing, where a structure stands. wanda sits there, legs crossed, hands placed at her knee; she's dressed casual today, in an attire so dissonant from solvunn, threads pulled forth through her magic—jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. she waits a moment, and then speaks up.]
Magic knows no master. It belongs to neither gods nor man.
[these are words, she knows, that could make things rather difficult for her to explain to the council of solvunn. still—]
At least that is how it works in my universe.
[she knows that while in abraxas, one can learn magic. she knows, too, that many of those who are here have never even considered magic a possibility or a resource at their fingertips. to unlock it might be a matter of believing, really, and have intent, but mostly believing.
as the shadows pull longer as the sun sinks closer to the horizon, wanda reaches forward with her hand, scarlet surrounding her hand, and casts an easy spell, bringing fire to the campfire in the middle of the structure.]
I can share what I know.
it is unsurprising that the free cities retaliate, but at least it doesn't result in loss of lives, as far as reports go. there is a weary stalemate between thorne and the free cities, and while solvunn is pulled unscathed from this whole situation, it is normal that there is tension in the air.
the expectation for the other shoe to drop.
wanda sends an invitation to anyone interested, to those who may be restless or just wanting in company. she will be found a ways away from the farm, where the surrounding forest opens into a clearing, where a structure stands. wanda sits there, legs crossed, hands placed at her knee; she's dressed casual today, in an attire so dissonant from solvunn, threads pulled forth through her magic—jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. she waits a moment, and then speaks up.]
Magic knows no master. It belongs to neither gods nor man.
[these are words, she knows, that could make things rather difficult for her to explain to the council of solvunn. still—]
At least that is how it works in my universe.
[she knows that while in abraxas, one can learn magic. she knows, too, that many of those who are here have never even considered magic a possibility or a resource at their fingertips. to unlock it might be a matter of believing, really, and have intent, but mostly believing.
as the shadows pull longer as the sun sinks closer to the horizon, wanda reaches forward with her hand, scarlet surrounding her hand, and casts an easy spell, bringing fire to the campfire in the middle of the structure.]
I can share what I know.
Because it wouldn't work.
( he stops walking and shakes his head, putting his hands on his hips. )
Most cities are going to feel too protective over their rules and regulations to want to combine it with something else. It's not easy to make something universal because someone's always going to want to add something. They won't be able to agree on verbiage or punctuation. It's just...not worth it.
( and with the way these regions seemed to hate each other? it would be even worse. )
( he stops walking and shakes his head, putting his hands on his hips. )
Most cities are going to feel too protective over their rules and regulations to want to combine it with something else. It's not easy to make something universal because someone's always going to want to add something. They won't be able to agree on verbiage or punctuation. It's just...not worth it.
( and with the way these regions seemed to hate each other? it would be even worse. )
[ Billy had immediately agreed when Wanda reached out to him, not only was he itching to do something useful but he also wanted to spend more time with her, get to know her better and hopefully move past the awkward feelings that were still lingering. He had also been grateful for the buffer that was Steve and Aloy.
While Wanda looked over the map, he took it upon himself to levitate up to see the lay of the land. The shortest way was indeed through, even if that seemed like it might be the most dangerous.
Billy looks over at her as he lands softly on the ground. ]
Famous last words. But you’re right, the shortest way is through. If we go around it will add on an extra day or two at the least.
[ He turned to their other two traveling companions. ]
What do you guys think?
While Wanda looked over the map, he took it upon himself to levitate up to see the lay of the land. The shortest way was indeed through, even if that seemed like it might be the most dangerous.
Billy looks over at her as he lands softly on the ground. ]
Famous last words. But you’re right, the shortest way is through. If we go around it will add on an extra day or two at the least.
[ He turned to their other two traveling companions. ]
What do you guys think?
[wanda gets it, but thinks that all this bureaucratic stuff is unnecessary. people need help—one would think matt wouldn't have to go through all this tedious process of paperwork and queues and waiting for specific appointments to get stamps of approval on said paperwork.
she narrows her eyes a bit.]
And you enjoy all this work?
she narrows her eyes a bit.]
And you enjoy all this work?
[the barren, red wasteland of her domain is no more. it has shifted, turned green, vibrant yet monotonous in all the earthen tones. the entrance to her horizon will lead to a labyrinthine pathway of trees and grown vegetation; the sound of animals moving and scampering about in the foliage can be heard, but they are never actually seen.
except for a black bird—a raven—that perches on a nearby tree branch, observing whoever has walked in. after a while of aimless ambling about, it will start to lead the way—hopping from branch to branch, finding purchase on nearby stone structures, soaring down the path and waiting, until a bridge is reached. there and onward, the raven will tread its own path.
up the stairs, trees will open up to reveal a home, worn and weathered, but lived in. wanda will be at the porch, sitting down with a cup of tea, enjoying the chilly weather found up here above the forest. there's a kettle and an extra cup, as if she had been expecting visit.]
Tea?
[—she asks, because no one that is unwelcome here would have been guided properly by the raven to reach her home within her domain.]
except for a black bird—a raven—that perches on a nearby tree branch, observing whoever has walked in. after a while of aimless ambling about, it will start to lead the way—hopping from branch to branch, finding purchase on nearby stone structures, soaring down the path and waiting, until a bridge is reached. there and onward, the raven will tread its own path.
up the stairs, trees will open up to reveal a home, worn and weathered, but lived in. wanda will be at the porch, sitting down with a cup of tea, enjoying the chilly weather found up here above the forest. there's a kettle and an extra cup, as if she had been expecting visit.]
Tea?
[—she asks, because no one that is unwelcome here would have been guided properly by the raven to reach her home within her domain.]
[goro is difficult to ignore, particularly when he enters her domain. wanda knows that he is not the type to bear in with communication through the mental connection the summoned have, and yet she is still surprised to see him walking about her creation of tangled trees and roots, stubbornly ignoring any guidance provided by the group of ravens that have come about to look at him in curiosity.
as he continues to make his way further and further away from the path, wanda decides she should make an appearance—]
Lost?
[her voice comes from behind goro, abruptly, and she walks up to meet his stride, staring down at the broken slabs of statues scattered about. she glances them for a moment more before turning back to goro; if he is not going to follow the ravens, at least he'll follow her.
up a set of stone steps she goes.]
To what do I owe this visit?
as he continues to make his way further and further away from the path, wanda decides she should make an appearance—]
Lost?
[her voice comes from behind goro, abruptly, and she walks up to meet his stride, staring down at the broken slabs of statues scattered about. she glances them for a moment more before turning back to goro; if he is not going to follow the ravens, at least he'll follow her.
up a set of stone steps she goes.]
To what do I owe this visit?
[is she reading a little too much on his actions? the rub to the back of his neck, his shrugging—like maybe it's dismissing the fact that wanda's question could very much have sounded like she herself was being dismissive.
she straightens a little, letting her hands rest on her lap.
alright, she's listening.]
Legalese. [said slowly—sure, that's a new word for her.] You said you already got some people situated in Aquila?
she straightens a little, letting her hands rest on her lap.
alright, she's listening.]
Legalese. [said slowly—sure, that's a new word for her.] You said you already got some people situated in Aquila?
Edited 2022-09-13 21:11 (UTC)
Some but not enough.
( he thins his lips before he swipes a hand over his face. some is better than none, he knows, but it's still...of course he's going to want to do more. he just can't really rush this whole thing.
it's impossible and the free cities won't let him. )
There's a lot of people still flowing in.
( he thins his lips before he swipes a hand over his face. some is better than none, he knows, but it's still...of course he's going to want to do more. he just can't really rush this whole thing.
it's impossible and the free cities won't let him. )
There's a lot of people still flowing in.
[right, because he's not actually a lawyer here. despite his status as a summoned, suppose there are some things one needs to be certified as.]
You're doing what you can. When that Hall you go to opens tomorrow, you can go at it again.
[this is her trying to be encouraging, because she knows now how matt tends to beat himself up when he thinks he isn't doing enough. it's not healthy, by any means, so wanda hopes he remembers that he's doing what he can.
glancing back over her shoulder, wanda squints through the window to the outside; it is nighttime, her domain within the horizon exercising its own weather and time cycle, an allowance from her own magic on autopilot. peering outside, it's like she's trying to discern movement within the darkness.]
Someone else is here.
[another visitor? somewhere under the canopy of the forest.
—she turns to matt, quickly, raising a finger to point at him, before he can say anything.]
Not Bigfoot. I didn't actually put one in there.
You're doing what you can. When that Hall you go to opens tomorrow, you can go at it again.
[this is her trying to be encouraging, because she knows now how matt tends to beat himself up when he thinks he isn't doing enough. it's not healthy, by any means, so wanda hopes he remembers that he's doing what he can.
glancing back over her shoulder, wanda squints through the window to the outside; it is nighttime, her domain within the horizon exercising its own weather and time cycle, an allowance from her own magic on autopilot. peering outside, it's like she's trying to discern movement within the darkness.]
Someone else is here.
[another visitor? somewhere under the canopy of the forest.
—she turns to matt, quickly, raising a finger to point at him, before he can say anything.]
Not Bigfoot. I didn't actually put one in there.
Edited 2022-09-14 00:10 (UTC)
You expecting anyone?
( especially since it's not bigfoot. he frowns, looking towards the window like he might be able to see anyone who might be there.
he knows that a lot of people know wanda and are very protective of her. the protectiveness does include matt himself despite knowing how powerful she is. )
Should I leave?
( especially since it's not bigfoot. he frowns, looking towards the window like he might be able to see anyone who might be there.
he knows that a lot of people know wanda and are very protective of her. the protectiveness does include matt himself despite knowing how powerful she is. )
Should I leave?
[is she expecting anyone? not particularly. wanda wraps her mind around the idea of who, if any, would come around to visit her—and while matt may be right about people knowing her and feeling protective over her, it's not like she entertains very many people.
there's a reason the house in her horizon is past the labyrinth-like forest.]
No, it's fine. [wanda gets up from the couch, walking around the coffee table and pressing a hand on his arm as she walks past, as if to reassure him that he should stay.] I think I know who it might be.
[she had talked to stephen earlier, and he had mentioned to her that he was en route to land in solvunn to pick up the supplies her group of people were escorting. besides, it feels like him, if the ravens following him are anything to go by. if it is him, chances are he'll try foregoing her forest altogether and using his handy cloak of levitation.]
You never met Stephen Strange, did you?
there's a reason the house in her horizon is past the labyrinth-like forest.]
No, it's fine. [wanda gets up from the couch, walking around the coffee table and pressing a hand on his arm as she walks past, as if to reassure him that he should stay.] I think I know who it might be.
[she had talked to stephen earlier, and he had mentioned to her that he was en route to land in solvunn to pick up the supplies her group of people were escorting. besides, it feels like him, if the ravens following him are anything to go by. if it is him, chances are he'll try foregoing her forest altogether and using his handy cloak of levitation.]
You never met Stephen Strange, did you?
No.
( he's heard the name from her, at least, but he's never gotten to meet the man. he knows wanda and this strange have some kind of history which makes him feel a little more protective than he would usually.
but she can handle herself. he knows that. )
You think it's him who's here?
( he's heard the name from her, at least, but he's never gotten to meet the man. he knows wanda and this strange have some kind of history which makes him feel a little more protective than he would usually.
but she can handle herself. he knows that. )
You think it's him who's here?
The sorcerer in the memories I showed you. Graying hair at the temples, red cloak.
[—he who claimed her children were not real, the corpse of a variant burning under her magic— wanda stands by the doorway, to the hall that leads down the stairs and into the front door of the house. she knows it's him.
while she doesn't know what he might want, other than—touch base, perhaps—wanda knows for a fact that stephen is too stubborn to get the feeling that her ravens will be trying to coax him to leave, instead. all the more invitation to show up.
hm.]
I'll go check.
[matt may or may not stay put, do whatever he likes. either way, wanda will go towards the front door, see what he wants, if nothing else.]
[—he who claimed her children were not real, the corpse of a variant burning under her magic— wanda stands by the doorway, to the hall that leads down the stairs and into the front door of the house. she knows it's him.
while she doesn't know what he might want, other than—touch base, perhaps—wanda knows for a fact that stephen is too stubborn to get the feeling that her ravens will be trying to coax him to leave, instead. all the more invitation to show up.
hm.]
I'll go check.
[matt may or may not stay put, do whatever he likes. either way, wanda will go towards the front door, see what he wants, if nothing else.]
Edited 2022-09-14 13:40 (UTC)
[Where she'd been a bit suspicious of Wanda's ability to create matter out of thin air before, she's particularly thankful now that it means she has a proper bow and arrow for this excursion. She's seen enough supply runs gone south to know she wants to prevent disaster if at all possible, and though she's not entirely certain that's what will befall this group, she doesn't want to take the chance, if she can help it.
The good news is that it's mostly uneventful, to start. Aloy has never ridden a real horse--only mechanical approximations--so that takes some getting used to. She falls into the routine fairly quickly, however, thanks in part to her own experience with this very thing. More often than not she's taking point, or bringing up the rear, bow and arrow ready for a threat that, at this juncture, hasn't yet appeared.
She doesn't expect that they'll be lucky for long. "I doubt there's anything dangerous in there" are absolutely some famous last words, but she's confident enough in her own abilities.]
I can get us through. Just watch where you step.
The good news is that it's mostly uneventful, to start. Aloy has never ridden a real horse--only mechanical approximations--so that takes some getting used to. She falls into the routine fairly quickly, however, thanks in part to her own experience with this very thing. More often than not she's taking point, or bringing up the rear, bow and arrow ready for a threat that, at this juncture, hasn't yet appeared.
She doesn't expect that they'll be lucky for long. "I doubt there's anything dangerous in there" are absolutely some famous last words, but she's confident enough in her own abilities.]
I can get us through. Just watch where you step.
Edited 2022-09-15 20:12 (UTC)
[It is none other than stubborn Stephen Strange, of course. And Wanda was right about everything else — aware but ignoring the ravens, circumventing the forest altogether with his trusted cloak, which now rests comfortably at his back in patchwork red, as always. He stands in front of the door with the same kind of confidence of a man invited, even if this… isn’t necessarily the case.
Besides, he thinks it’s fine. It’s not a social visit, but one meant to touch base regarding their supply meet-up in the near future — just swing by, confirm a few details, and be on his merry way. At least, this is the intent.
Is the door closed? Then he knocks. Does she swing it open when he does? Then there he is, with his slanted smile and usual wry tone, proclaiming-]
Wanda. Though I’d swing by, see what you’ve done with the place. [no shit] Shore up a few details about the supply exchange. [Spreads his hands.] Would have given you a heads-up, but…
[Trails off. But he’s nosy as hell and didn’t think to.]
You don’t mind, do you?
Besides, he thinks it’s fine. It’s not a social visit, but one meant to touch base regarding their supply meet-up in the near future — just swing by, confirm a few details, and be on his merry way. At least, this is the intent.
Is the door closed? Then he knocks. Does she swing it open when he does? Then there he is, with his slanted smile and usual wry tone, proclaiming-]
Wanda. Though I’d swing by, see what you’ve done with the place. [no shit] Shore up a few details about the supply exchange. [Spreads his hands.] Would have given you a heads-up, but…
[Trails off. But he’s nosy as hell and didn’t think to.]
You don’t mind, do you?
( his hearing does pick up someone at the door and the few words he gives her when she opens it. matt moves to take a seat, not sure if he should stay or go all things considered.
but, for the moment, he decides to stay and wait to see how this plays out. )
but, for the moment, he decides to stay and wait to see how this plays out. )
Stephen.
[—she says in return, their greeting each other never the usual but for the call of each other's name. there is far too much history here for them to easily push into niceties. wanda prefers it this way, regardless of, and she thinks that stephen might, too.
as her hand grips the door, barring him entry to her home within the horizon, she listens to him nonetheless, raising an eyebrow at his complete disregard of giving her a heads-up. just head in and hope for the best; hope that she would be in? what a nosy man.]
For wanting to see what I've done with the place, you really skipped the scenic route.
[she glances over his shoulder at the darkness of night, then back over her own, at the warm orange lamps that give light and shadow to the house. she had never once invited stephen to her cabin, back when her horizon was different. she glances back at him, then her hand lets go of the door, letting it swing open a little more as she steps back, granting him entry.]
Of course I mind, but you're already here. We were in the living room, so...
[she shrugs her shoulders, because what else can she do? and once he's got a foot in, she starts walking up the entryway, up the narrow stairs filled with tchotchkes that adorn both wall and floor, into an equally narrow corridor, walled with bookshelves and out-of-place furniture. perhaps stephen may get a chance to study every framed picture and painting and every book she's conjured, but he would do well to follow wanda, as she disappears into one of the many available doorways.
one that brings them to a cozy, albeit busy, living room, chairs and couch and even a TV, along with way too many miscellaneous items. matt sits there too, which might answer any questions stephen might have about the 'we' she had mentioned.
wanda stands there for a moment, before raising a hand to motion towards the man already sitting here.]
Matthew Murdock. Lawyer. [then motions at stephen—] Stephen Strange. Doctor.
[a representative for each faction, funny. have at it, intellectuals.]
You're both from New York.
[there we go. with a wave of her hand, she alludes to stephen getting to sit wherever he wants. wanda walks on over to the couch, on the opposite end of where matt sits, and the closest to the farthest corner, so she can keep an eye on this... interaction.]
[—she says in return, their greeting each other never the usual but for the call of each other's name. there is far too much history here for them to easily push into niceties. wanda prefers it this way, regardless of, and she thinks that stephen might, too.
as her hand grips the door, barring him entry to her home within the horizon, she listens to him nonetheless, raising an eyebrow at his complete disregard of giving her a heads-up. just head in and hope for the best; hope that she would be in? what a nosy man.]
For wanting to see what I've done with the place, you really skipped the scenic route.
[she glances over his shoulder at the darkness of night, then back over her own, at the warm orange lamps that give light and shadow to the house. she had never once invited stephen to her cabin, back when her horizon was different. she glances back at him, then her hand lets go of the door, letting it swing open a little more as she steps back, granting him entry.]
Of course I mind, but you're already here. We were in the living room, so...
[she shrugs her shoulders, because what else can she do? and once he's got a foot in, she starts walking up the entryway, up the narrow stairs filled with tchotchkes that adorn both wall and floor, into an equally narrow corridor, walled with bookshelves and out-of-place furniture. perhaps stephen may get a chance to study every framed picture and painting and every book she's conjured, but he would do well to follow wanda, as she disappears into one of the many available doorways.
one that brings them to a cozy, albeit busy, living room, chairs and couch and even a TV, along with way too many miscellaneous items. matt sits there too, which might answer any questions stephen might have about the 'we' she had mentioned.
wanda stands there for a moment, before raising a hand to motion towards the man already sitting here.]
Matthew Murdock. Lawyer. [then motions at stephen—] Stephen Strange. Doctor.
[a representative for each faction, funny. have at it, intellectuals.]
You're both from New York.
[there we go. with a wave of her hand, she alludes to stephen getting to sit wherever he wants. wanda walks on over to the couch, on the opposite end of where matt sits, and the closest to the farthest corner, so she can keep an eye on this... interaction.]
Edited (stfu about my editing) 2022-09-16 14:33 (UTC)
[It’s homey. That’s the first thing he thinks when he glances in—after he’s successfully circumvented Wanda’s exasperation of him showing up unannounced, at least—and Stephen casts a glance around, seeming to realize that he’s never actually visited her version of a home-away-from-home domain. It had always been either outside of the cabin, or in a ruined altar with a blizzard buffetting the exterior, never from within. And there’s almost too much to look at for a man who wants to commit everything to memory, wants to parse what he can about Wanda’s living space, but he doesn’t want to be left behind; secondarily, he doesn’t want to be too rude, either, and linger in doorways he wasn’t invited into.
And so he follows. The “we” makes his brow raise (so is he interrupting something?), but when the space opens up into the living room, his eyes land on Matt, and the question of that is duly answered.
Matt Murdock. Lawyer? Lawyer. Is he interrupting a social call, or…?]
Sorry, if I had known you had company, I would have checked-in first.
[Too late now. Well, time to wear a veneer of politeness, which he admittedly slips back on with some ease. Stephen crosses close to Matt, extending a scarred hand for a shake by thoughtless habit alone.]
You can just call me Stephen. So a fellow New Yorker, huh? Which part?
And so he follows. The “we” makes his brow raise (so is he interrupting something?), but when the space opens up into the living room, his eyes land on Matt, and the question of that is duly answered.
Matt Murdock. Lawyer? Lawyer. Is he interrupting a social call, or…?]
Sorry, if I had known you had company, I would have checked-in first.
[Too late now. Well, time to wear a veneer of politeness, which he admittedly slips back on with some ease. Stephen crosses close to Matt, extending a scarred hand for a shake by thoughtless habit alone.]
You can just call me Stephen. So a fellow New Yorker, huh? Which part?
Hell's Kitchen.
( and matt's nearly certain, despite not knowing stephen strange, that he's probably only been through that area, never lived in it.
matt pushes himself up and reaches out to shake, missing once (intentionally) but finally finding his hand. he laughs a little at his clumsiness and then shrugs. )
Sorry, still working on that.
( with the handshake down, he let's his hand drop back to his side. )
You can call me Matt. No need for formaliities.
( and matt's nearly certain, despite not knowing stephen strange, that he's probably only been through that area, never lived in it.
matt pushes himself up and reaches out to shake, missing once (intentionally) but finally finding his hand. he laughs a little at his clumsiness and then shrugs. )
Sorry, still working on that.
( with the handshake down, he let's his hand drop back to his side. )
You can call me Matt. No need for formaliities.
[wanda rolls her eyes at the feigned clumsiness, because she knows that's a blind joke—still working on that—and she hates that she does find them funny. nope, not giving matt the benefit of that.]
Matt's blind. [if the glasses weren't a giveaway; moving on,] He was telling me how he's working on some legal stuff for refugees in the Free Cities.
[keeping it cool with the 'he's just a lawyer' vibe here. she turns her attention to stephen, hoping the two of them sit back down.
before stephen can get too comfortable asking more questions,]
I'm meeting Stephen to hand over supplies from Solvunn. [—by way of explanation. wanda props her legs up on the couch, crosses them under her. her eyes divert to the sorcerer, an eyebrow raised.] I didn't think the details of it were too complicated.
Matt's blind. [if the glasses weren't a giveaway; moving on,] He was telling me how he's working on some legal stuff for refugees in the Free Cities.
[keeping it cool with the 'he's just a lawyer' vibe here. she turns her attention to stephen, hoping the two of them sit back down.
before stephen can get too comfortable asking more questions,]
I'm meeting Stephen to hand over supplies from Solvunn. [—by way of explanation. wanda props her legs up on the couch, crosses them under her. her eyes divert to the sorcerer, an eyebrow raised.] I didn't think the details of it were too complicated.
[Horizon has become a point of fascination for Petra during her time here— her own domain has been transformed into an echo of her home back in Brigid, and she has found herself quite curious to see what other domains have taken shape here, beyond those of her friends from home.
She knows not where she has found herself when the raven begins to lead the way, but as it seems to move with intent, she cannot help but follow, taking in the scenery as she goes. The place itself is quite beautiful; different from the forests of Brigid in many ways, but still familiar, comforting.
When she comes to the home at the heart of it all, she finds a familiar face seated on the porch, and she gives a startled but genuine smile in response.]
I was not meaning to intrude— but it looks like you have been waiting for someone.
She knows not where she has found herself when the raven begins to lead the way, but as it seems to move with intent, she cannot help but follow, taking in the scenery as she goes. The place itself is quite beautiful; different from the forests of Brigid in many ways, but still familiar, comforting.
When she comes to the home at the heart of it all, she finds a familiar face seated on the porch, and she gives a startled but genuine smile in response.]
I was not meaning to intrude— but it looks like you have been waiting for someone.
[ steve pretty much attaches himself onto wanda at the mention of a trip, at the concept of having something to do that he actually feels like he can help with. it's a supply run, they say - thorne, one of the other countries or whatever - needs food. steve's still working on understanding what it means to be in the center of all of this, the politics and history and opinions between these countries (or...were people calling them factions?) a little harder to wrap his head around.
but they're on a supply run. this, at least, he can handle - and wanda doesn't seem too intent on telling him no. billy he's met, too, though he picks up on a kind of tension between him and wanda that steve isn't entire sure of. the third teammate, a girl named aloy, joins them a little later and steve is thankful for it, if only because she seems to be the one who knows what she's doing, and steve makes a note to watch her, to pick up on what he can.
they've taken a small break, deciding their next direction, and steve is...he's doing his best. billy is definitely just. levitating in the air. but steve is getting a lot better at just keeping his eyes moving forward, and his attention turns to aloy, to wanda, to the mention of going through the woods. ]
What all should we be worried about in there, exactly?
but they're on a supply run. this, at least, he can handle - and wanda doesn't seem too intent on telling him no. billy he's met, too, though he picks up on a kind of tension between him and wanda that steve isn't entire sure of. the third teammate, a girl named aloy, joins them a little later and steve is thankful for it, if only because she seems to be the one who knows what she's doing, and steve makes a note to watch her, to pick up on what he can.
they've taken a small break, deciding their next direction, and steve is...he's doing his best. billy is definitely just. levitating in the air. but steve is getting a lot better at just keeping his eyes moving forward, and his attention turns to aloy, to wanda, to the mention of going through the woods. ]
What all should we be worried about in there, exactly?
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