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

[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?

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. ]

[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. ]

That's right. The Singularity's basically the origin point of this world's magic, and no one can agree on how to use it. Or if it's to be used at all.

[He frowns, though.]

But honestly? The politics run rife in this castle, but my biggest concern is more its connection to other worlds in the multiverse. Worlds like Earth, unaware of this monolith that might be tied to its own existence somehow.

[ That has her gaze narrowing on him, her steps slowing a little as she takes that in. Tries to untangle how that's possible. ]

What do you mean, tied to its existence? Is this because of the summoning they're doing, or something else?

I mean that the monolith itself is connected to our worlds, and if my suspicions are correct, its... health, in a way.

[He gestures with a scarred hand, explanatory.]

Like a beating heart, sending magical energy out towards the multiverse, connected and providing "sustenance", as it were. And I would hate to see what happens when this heart is tampered with, or utterly stops because we are too focused on a war brewing all around us.

[ She gives him a look that is more than a little alarmed. ]

So you think, if something should happen to the monolith here - which already seems to be at the center of the conflict between all three of the Factions - it could negatively affect our world as well.

[ Why could nothing ever be simple and straightforward? She pinches the bridge of her nose between two fingers, taking a deep breath. ]

Great. That's just what I wanted to hear.

[He's caught between nodding in affirmation and shrugging almost apologetically. It is an alarming thought, of course, not to be taken casually, but this is a concern that has weighed on him nearly since his arrival to this world. The pressure is still there, but the alarm is less sharp and more bodeful, these days. Like a storm cloud hanging over his head, the guillotine's blade obscured in the fog.]

That's exactly what I think, yeah. In fact, I'm willing to bet good money on it. [You know, figuratively.] My fear is that all the factions are more concerned about how the Singularity affects this world, and what they should do with it accordingly. They're not extending their perspective to encompass the universes we all come from. Not everyone.

[Which, if one thinks about it, a little frustrating considering they were summoned into this place without any say in the matter.]

Have you shared this theory with Steve? Or Sam and Wanda?

[ It hadn't come up in her talks with them, but then again, they'd mostly discussed things back home and just the basics of their new life in this place. Maybe it just hadn't come up. But she thinks this sounds pretty serious.

Dropping her hand to her side, she turns to give him a serious look. ]

I'll take your word on this, since you're way more of a magical expert than I'll ever be. In which case, what do you need from me? Is there anything I can do to help?

Sam knows. I figure he filters all information in Steve's direction. And I let Wanda know the moment I ran into her in this world.

[Which feels like an age ago. A minus-one-returning-home-and-making-everything-weird instance ago.

He pauses, looking at Natasha. Her skillset runs so opposite of his, it's almost hard to know where to start.]

Stay here long enough, and this whole castle is nothing but a web of politics and secrets probably hiding in the walls. The thing is, I want to focus only on the magical side -- the part that lets me focus on the Singularity without putting too much of the Queen's scrutiny on my back.

[In other words, he doesn't want to get tangled in red tape.]

[ She pauses when he does, listening to his words and then cocking her head to the side with a faint, sardonic smirk. Reaching out, she pats him consolingly on the arm. ]

Well, lucky for you, you got the one teammate best equipped to deal with webs of politics and secrets, tangled or otherwise. As soon as I get up to speed on what's happening here, I'll be happy to divert that attention whenever you need it.

[Open] this doesn't look like a party

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

drags self out of post christmas and new years holiday fugue

it is DEEP

ain't it tho

stephen you really need to work on your reassuring bedside manner

no, everyone is required to stress with him

she doesn't do stress.