abraxaslogs | [Open] this doesn't look like a party

'Ours' as in the ones here in Nocwich or do you mean where you come from?

[ She peeks one eye open to peer over at him with a curious look as she sinks a little lower into the steaming water. Bites back a contented sound because god, she hadn't realized how badly she needed this. Then again, the day's conversations had been anything but relaxing. Nothing like coming back from the dead to throw off everyone's groove.

She's also guessing he's a Summoned, but most of the people she's encountered here that weren't vampires or werewolves themselves seem to be among their number, so maybe that's a safe guess? Either way, she's not been here long enough to start picking out their faces on sight yet, having only met a handful as it is. ]

A pleasure, Geralt. [ Polite, but friendly. Although her lips curve up playfully a moment later, her eyes closed once more but her attention still firmly fixed on him. ] Come here often?

[ It could be an innocent question, it could be a line. Either way it's teasing, and this entire situation is just ridiculous enough for her that she's having fun playing with it. ]

[ Natasha blinks, digesting that information. Then coughs around a laugh, emotional though it might be. ]

Well. In that case, let me congratulate you, because you look great for your age for having a twenty-year old kid. [ Irreverent humor, maybe, but that's also skipping quite a few steps here.

Still she casts Wanda a curious look. ] What's he like? Is he different from... what you remember?

[irreverent humor is something she missed, especially coming from natasha. wanda scrunches her nose at that, barely avoids rolling her eyes, before settling to look down at her hand with a small smile. she's turning the glass over with her fingers, not seeing but sending natasha's curious look.

she is far too aware that a lot of this is incredibly new—the magic, the multiverse—and there is still so much wanda hasn't shared.]

He looks different.

[the raven that's been accompanying them gets a glance from wanda, and it glides off back into the hallway, returning a short moment later with the framed photo and setting it down for wanda to hold. she stares at it for a moment, before passing it on towards natasha.]

The Billy here has dark hair, but their eyes feel similar. [a pause—] They were ten years old then, it had — happened so fast, so I only knew them for a few days. I... guess there are just a lot of blanks I wish I could fill. What my Billy and Tommy would have been like, their favorite movies, things like that.

[it's hard to make a comparison, basically.]

Or…any of this.

[He gestures broadly to the marketplace with his free hand. Viktor is always searching out like-minded individuals who might be mechanically implied, though he believes any Summoned is worth getting to know. Wanda isn’t an engineer, but she was able to show him a television all the same.

Natasha confirms her status quickly enough, and that has Viktor a little self-satisfied, that he was able to pinpoint another of their number (not that it’s particularly difficult).]

Me? No, not yet. [He has certain issues, of course, that might make wanton experimentation with various substances a bad idea.] But there is a fair amount of, eh. Placebo, if you aren’t careful.

From home. These folk aren't mine. [ Not what he'd call ours, though more and more, he wonders if it's time that changes, too. His lips quirk. ] Appearances aside.

[ He's joking, although he has genuinely been mistaken before, and—yeah. He can understand it. Supposes it's nice to blend in for once.

His gaze slides towards her, sidelong. The noise he makes is not quite a laugh, but it's close. He looks back up at the stars. ]

Depends on the company. [ His fingers swirl idly in the water. There's a lot he could say, about Nocwich and this world and the fact that they hadn't even been allowed to set foot here until a few months ago. A year changes a hell of a lot. But he isn't keen to dig into the complications of the realm right now. He wants a fucking break. ] Should I come more often?

[Somehow, that’s exactly what Stephen needs to hear. Not a dismissal on her part—far from it—but something closer to acceptance. Of knowing that the right decision was made, even if it wasn’t an easy one. And more importantly, that she wasn’t feeling the keen knife-point of regret, now that she gets a second chance at life.

It abates the gnawing guilt. Stephen didn’t exactly say sorry, and she didn’t exactly ply forgiveness, but it feels like something similar.

He exhales, wondering how long his breath had been wound up in his lungs.]

Right. No more doom and gloom — second chances, and all that. This world’s going to need all the attention we can give it, anyway.

[Finally, the stride within the interior of the castle itself, all stone walls and echoing footsteps.]

Thankfully for you, you’re in the presence of the once-Sorcerer Supreme. [Said with faux fanfare, the sort that is a little facetious. But it’s true all the same.] Abraxan magic isn’t the same as Eldritch, but I’ve done my research. Picked up a few native tricks here and there.

But I guess I should start at the beginning: just how up to speed are you?

I'm aware of the effect. [ Although the thought of that has her laughing softly as she sets the bottle back down and gives a nod to the (disappointed) merchant behind his stand ]

Honestly, I'm more interested in what there is to find here, rather than trying to sample it all firsthand. Everything here is just different enough to be a curiosity. Although I feel like I have a lot of catching up to do.

[ Stepping a little away from the stand, she angles herself towards him as she offers him a smile. ] I'm Natasha.

Not a werewolf then. Noted. [ The playfulness is still warm in her voice as she meets his gaze with a crooked grin when he glances over her way. She's pretty sure that was almost a laugh and he seems the sort that those might be hard-won.

His question just gets a considering hum from her, however. As if she needs a moment to think that over. Or maybe just draw out the suspense of it. ]

I guess that depends. On if you enjoy the company or not.

That depends. Are we talking about here in general, or when it comes to magic? Because the latter... not at all. [ She makes a face, casting him a rueful glance. ] It's not something I had to worry about before being dragged here, so I'm afraid I'm a little more behind than most.

As for the rest of this place... that's harder to judge. Steve, Sam, and Wanda filled me in a little when I spoke to them in Nocwich earlier. And I've spoken to a few of those who've been here a while in Thorne. Who've been exceedingly welcoming, at least, so I'll give them that. But I also don't know how much I might be missing when everything about this world is so very different.

[ How did you know what to ask for, when you didn't even know if it was a thing here or not? Or if you wouldn't even have considered it in the first place? Although she's doing her best, there's still things continually taking her by surprise.

But she does cast him a crooked grin, bemused. ] Although since you're the once-Sorcerer Supreme, you should be able to tell me all that anyway, right?

And does that 'once' mean that Wong's not letting you have the title back? [ Because that's kind of hilarious. Although she's not even sure if it can be transferred like that. ]

[ Natasha takes the picture, studying it intently now that she has context for it. Her gaze lingers on Vision's face for a moment before studying each of the boys thoughtfully. She can see hints of Wanda in both of them. ]

The Billy here... was his life similar or different?

[ The multiverse is still a mystery to her and she doesn't quite understand how this even works, but at least Wanda's story helps put some of it into context. She has a feeling this is going to be something that would take a bit for her to wrap her head around anyway, even outside of what Wanda explains. ]

[that question is a little difficult to answer, truth be told. wanda shakes her head, silent for a moment. it's hard to reconcile how she calls herself a mother who loves her boys, but the moment the alternate version of one of them shows up — she reacts the way she did—

wanda brings her hands down to rest against her lap, wriggling at her fingers nervously. how much does she want to explain? about why she had reacted the way she did? how the memory of tommy and billy, scared of her, asking her not to hurt them, was so fresh in her mind when this billy showed up, calling her mom.

maybe she can circumvent that entirely?]

I've... had a hard time talking to him. We've done better lately, but it's — difficult, sometimes.

[how every wanda in the multiverse gets to have their boys, one way or the other, but not her.]

I know he didn't go through what my boys did, though.

That's not that surprising, considering it's such a painful topic for you to begin with.

[ Natasha's quiet as she watches the way Wanda falls quiet and fidgets, clearly uneasy with the topic. Or maybe that's just the lingering memories. She takes another low, measured sip of the drink they're sharing, eyes drifting over the woods outside while she thinks. ]

I'll have to keep an eye out for him, when I'm in Nocwich. Or when we come together here in the Horizon, I guess that's an option now too. Which is a really strange thing to wrap my head around, even now that I'm here.

[wanda's face pinches in amusement, looking at natasha for a moment before turning away. she appreciates that, how the other woman reads the room and shifts the conversation into less emotionally-charged territory.

straightening her shoulders, she leans an elbow onto the table.]

You'll get used to it.

[if anyone can accommodate to the new, it ought to be the black widow.]

Billy's has Avengers in his own world, so he might be familiar with another version of you. I'm sure that'll be fun to wrap your head around, too.

[ At least outwardly, she doesn't seem to find his approach bothersome. Or view it as a threat. Thancred remains friendly in turn. He's curious about her, and she doesn't seem like the sort who is easily overwhelmed, even if she is new. ]

Nothing in particular. It's more that if you spend enough time in this place, any new face is bound to stand out.

[ If she was a native of Abraxas who was simply visiting the castle, chances are that he would have heard tell of it already. She also wouldn't be asking so many questions.

He braces a hand on his hip and nods to her in greeting. ] Thancred Waters. I came out of the well some months ago.

[There was a time, not so long ago in his recollection, that he would have balked at the idea. Stephen’s not nearly as prideful as he used to be, but something kept that little bur in his side — the idea of Wong gaining the title on little more than a technicality. (A large technicality, of Stephen being space dust for five years, but a technicality all the same.) It was a loss of responsibility, and a loss of control — something that he still struggles with to this day.

But. It seems that much as been resolved, at least, because he just scoffs a little, without the heat of offense.]

Yeah, you don’t just hand the title over unless in extreme circumstances. One of those circumstances being blipped for five years.

[But what can you do.]

But I learned that doesn’t necessarily mean I’ve been… stifled, when it comes to helping the multiverse. A title’s a title. Wong just gets to boss me around now.

[But as for getting her up to speed.]

Well, you know the main point of all conflict and tension, right? The Singularity, and how each nation wants to approach it?

Which seems to be tied into their individual views of magic, or was I reading that wrong?

[ Although if the Singularity was indeed the source of magic on this world, that made sense. ]

In which case the conflicting options would be... control, destroy, and... worship? [ Her nose wrinkles slightly, because she's learned the least amount of information about Solvunn so far, so that one's a bit of a guess. ]

[ He takes a drink before offering it back to her. ]

Let's say I do. On what end of this forsaken continent does it sit?

[ Where has she been summoned to, is what he means. Thorne? Solvunn? The Free Cities, even? He has not seen her, but Cadens is large, disorganized, and Geralt doesn't spend much time at the inn where they all gather. Only on occasion, to speak to Sam or Nadine. When he's leaving Julie's room.

Though he does think she's a bit hard to miss, Natasha. ]

[ She’s flattered. But she’s easier to miss than you’d think. Although maybe that’s just when she’s trying.

Still, she takes the drink back with a crooked grin and takes another long swallow, relishing the burn of it combined with the steaming water. She couldn’t have asked for a better end to her day, to be honest.

But after that swallow, she lifts one shoulder in a shrug, heaving a deep sigh. ] When not soaking in a hot spring, you mean? Thorne is the one that summoned me. You?

[ Thorne it is. They're expanding their reach, apparently. He recalls when their numbers were fewer, after so many fled. Seems they've since rebuilt their ranks. For what purpose, he hasn't any idea. As far as he's heard, no one's been thrown into the Singularity yet at the crater like they had early in. ]

The same. [ With one difference. ] I didn't stay. Thought I'd try the burning sands.

[ No lost love for the desert here. No lost love for Thorne, either. Cadens is home for a few reasons, but the climate isn't one. Still. Not all of it is unwanted. The abundance of fruit year-round is welcome. ]

[ She pauses in between taking another sip as she arches an eyebrow, attention intensely honed for a moment, despite the steam and alcohol. ]

Were you among the original Summoned? Or did you just decide to relocate on your own?

[ She... hasn't actually heard of that happening yet. She'll have to ask Sam. ]

I can't say I blame you. Although I'm not sure the desert is exactly an ideal vacation spot for most. Do they at least have sandy beaches or something down there?

[ Actually, she just makes a face at the very idea, tone wry and a little sarcastic. ]

Yeah, because that's exactly what the multiverse needed. More of me.

[ His answer just makes her smile as she crosses her arms over her chest and returns his nod with one of her own. ]

I suppose that's true enough. Of the Summoned, at least, there's not as many of us as there could be. [ And she's already committing the faces and names of the ones she encounters and hears of to memory. Although she doesn't think his name sounds familiar yet. ]

Natasha Romanoff. I came out of it only a few days ago. As you guessed.

[Yes, all of this he can understand. It's part of the reason why he comes to Nocwich, when he's able, especially given the fact that traditional travel is somewhat difficult for him.]

It's good to get out of one's...circumstances, every now and again. When the opportunity arises.

[Circumstances, meaning the place they've been summoned to. Viktor doesn't exactly trust Nocwich, either, but the good news is that they expect no loyalty out of him. As long as he doesn't cause any diplomatic incidents, he should be able to continue using this place as a refuge.]

Viktor. [No handshake--he nods at the introduction and then seems content to move the conversation forward.] I don't think I've seen you in Cadens.

Mm. Original.

[ Although he relocated a second time after Thorne took him briefly. Again. It's complicated.

Sam would also know about that, if she asks. ]

One. About a week's ride. [ He leans his head back. Aquila is pleasant enough. Less stifling than Cadens. If not for his people, he'd have long left elsewhere. Solvunn, perhaps. Or Nott. ] I prefer the cold.

[ Interesting. She takes note of that, because she might have some questions for him at some point. You know, when they're not naked in a hot spring and sharing a drink in an attempt to relax. She doubts that topic is very relaxing at all.

Still, she gives a brief laugh as she takes another swallow and passes the drink back in exchange. ]

Now there's something I don't hear very often. Pity Thorne's not all that hospitable otherwise. Not that it's so bad right now. Just very... tense.

[Open] this doesn't look like a party

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