our troubles will be out of sight

[westviews]

WHO: Wanda and you!
WHEN: Month of December
WHERE: The Inn
WHAT: Checking things out, getting a feel for her new companions, etc
WARNINGS: Will note as needed.



I.THE LAKE

[A frozen lake is a frozen lake, but this one is strange. Wanda doesn't quite step on the ice itself, but she does stay very close to the edge, eyes narrowed as she tries to discern what she thinks she saw... bump the ice from below?]

Did you see that? [She'll ask whoever is near.]

II. THE MOUTH

Are you sure that's a good idea?

[Interested in taking a sword, shield, or whatever from that pit? Well, Wanda's making a face like she certainly doesn't think it's a good idea.]

III. THE WELLS

[A morning of wandering has Wanda slowly approaching the wells. Generally, she wouldn't care to look, but she's got nothing to do and nowhere to be, so she's allowing her curiosity to win. They look very old, possibly out of use, but as she draws near the first she gives the lid a little push. Far too snug for her to move using her own muscle, which she suspected, but she didn't expect to see blood on the light dusting of snow when she stepped back.

She crouches down to get a better look. It's pretty hard to mistake blood for anything else. Still...

Come spook her while she's already feeling vaguely spooked.]

IV. THE FOREST

[Collecting herbs and berries isn't the most engaging task to help out at the inn, but it does give her an opportunity to watch the villagers. It feels colder out here, and much more dangerous. Which is why Wanda calls out to whoever she might see,]

Careful. They said there are wolves around here.

[Wolves, direwolves. Same difference.]



[ooc: Easy peasy prompts! If you want something more specific, or more actiony, feel free to PM me and I'll gladly work something out for us.]

Comments

iii. the wells

[chosenbylight]

[Anduin has been by the wells on his daily walks several times now, each time his momentary investigations filling him with deeper concern. He -- really shouldn't be getting into this, he's supposed to be resting, relaxing here at this inn. He had promised himself he would be, that he wouldn't go poking his nose into any mysteries that might open any further cans of worms, full of danger, heartache, or all of the above.

He can't help but stop by again today though. Spotting that he is not the only one who seems to be troubled by it.]

It seems to happen every day.

[he offers, not meaning to have snuck up on her...]

[westviews]

[The voice cutting through the winter air has Wanda abruptly standing upright and turning in its direction. As much as Wanda doesn't want to write anyone off as looking harmless, he doesn't make any alarms go off.

Then again, her judgement has been questionable as of late. So, she's careful.]

What does?

[She's playing ignorant, like she wasn't just directly inspecting the curious droplets near the well.]

[chosenbylight]

[Anduin had not meant to startle her, but in retrospect...

He offers her a somewhat apologetic smile. Honestly, her assessment of him is not wrong. While Anduin Wrynn is by no means harmless himself (he's quite powerful, in his own right), he is a priest and therefore he does not mean her any harm.

He motions vaguely toward the wells behind her, in response to her question.]

The wells. The... Blood. I've been trying to make sense of it, but without a proper investigation...

[He trails off, shaking his head. No, he has not done that. He is supposed to be relaxing, here.]

i. the lake

[downswing]

( They've trawled the lake's shores too long, toes and fingers blistered by the chills of an afternoon thick-misted and sprawling. When ice runs so thick, he knows — a childhood at ease in the quiescence of Cloud Recesses has taught him — it grows blindingly luminous. Their task has been simple: sweep, and outwards, so that the frosted gravel of fresh snow need not attach itself to the lake's skin and shape fresh obstacles for the skaters.

Below, something has stared from morning to midday, scattered and baleful. A danger in the animal, nictating quality of its gaze. Lan Wangji watches the watcher and does not ask (again, yet again) how it is the inn's staff rattle the dice of their fortunes in a timid hand and throw their lot in with ghosts so readily. He has looked past the gossamer of the Mistress' rehearsed, stale greetings and heard her reassurance that the salt-breaker phantasm but seeks a host, that the sisters squabble as family, that the headless man has only shown them kindness. He has known each of these excuses for their failings.

This is not his land. They are not his people. He cannot judge. Only shudder, when the latest of their newfound companions draws his eye from the sweeping to where lake ice has chipped and startled in slim rivulets and cracks like a spider's web.

Where the creature, which only ever coiled and curled and prowled before, has now stopped and focused its attention. )

It is concentrating its efforts. ( This... does not bode them. ) Perhaps, if we search closer.

( Trust a fool — this fool — to start navigating the shores until he's traversing ice to look closer. )

[westviews]

What, exactly, is it?

[Is her next question. The third might be what he thinks he's doing, stepping out on the ice, but he's too far gone for Wanda to ask it without yelling. The last thing she wants to do is draw attention to herself. So, naturally, she lightly picks her way after the dark haired young man.

She wouldn't consider herself a hero anymore, but she's not eager to see anyone fall through the ice. That's what she tells herself is the reasoning behind not just heading back to the inn.]

[downswing]

Ghostly, animal or hell's spawn.

( ...this, over his shoulder, with an air of breezy indifference, in the way one might remark one's tofu has been slightly overly braised and the broth was exceedingly vinegared, but, truly, don't trouble the cook.

He is not alone in this: the men who had bided the better part of their morning draping tender filigrees of wide leaf, fresh orange peel, flaked gold and candles briefly study the ice, but don't bother with deeper scrutiny. Whatever the creature's nature or intent, they seem at peace with its movements.

It preceded us, and it'll be here when we've gone.

...all too fair, but now it's come so close that Lan Wangji, dropping to one knee, then the next, can sit his hand on ice and watch the animal... answer the gesture with its own larger palm. )

It does not appear hosti —

( — and then a second creature suddenly rushes up from behind the first, ramming the ice and cracking it open like an egg's shell. )

iv. the forest

[clavesregni]

[Caitlyn's come into the forest specifically because of the warnings about direwolves. If one should attack, she thinks she'd be well suited to keep the villagers from harm.

A soft sound in the underbrush draws her attention, and for a long moment, she's staring through a thick nest of shrubs. Another small sound, another rustle. She starts to reach for the rifle in its case on her back and...

A rabbit shoots out of the bushes and takes off running.

Nothing to worry about, then. She starts to relax, only to suddenly whirl around at the sound of the voice addressing her.]

So I've heard. No need to worry, I can protect you.

[westviews]

[Wanda smiles slightly at both the fact that she caught her off guard and the offer.]

Very chivalrous. [Without hesitation to boot.] Is the rifle for hunting game, or the wolves?

[Both is also a valid answer.]

[clavesregni]

The wolves, mainly. Game hunting could be worthwhile. I'm sure the cooks at the inn would put the meat to good use.

[It would also give her something to do. With no household skills to speak of, her only way to help around the inn is to stand guard. And she's used to guard duty, but it does leave her itching for action.]

But I wouldn't want to venture too far afield and leave everyone vulnerable to attack.

IV. the motherfuckin forest

[saintclaire]

[Ostensibly Kim is out to collect berries, but her basket dangles from the crook of her arm like an accessory, and her hands are deep in her pockets. Her borrowed jacket is warm, and the top buttons are undone –– it's actually warmer than she thought, given how far it is from modern. Her cheeks are pink, and her blonde hair trails out from under her hat. She looks aimless. Not quite lost, but certainly someone who hasn't trudged out into the woods for god-knows how long. She certainly doesn't notice the other woman until she's called to.]

Wolves? [Ambivalent.] Wolves don't usually go after people.

[westviews]

Usually ghosts don't sweep or dust, either.

[Wanda doesn't seem particularly alarmed by either ghosts or wolves as she spots a bush with berries of some sort on it, and begins to trudge over. It's bound to be something useful if it's surviving out here.]

I think the exact term was "direwolf."

[saintclaire]

[A fair point. Kim follows, trudging through the snow with her eyes on her feet. Better not to have to shout.]

What's the difference?

II. The Mouth.

[noonlight]

Probably not, but it might be useful to have.

[ Illumination looks around to see if she can spot any of the usual warning signs of a magical or physical trap. ]

Do you think we could convince someone else to go first or ought we get a very sturdy broomhandle and see what happens?

[westviews]

[Wanda doesn't sense anything amiss, but her judgement has been questionable as of late. She doesn't trust herself, but she also doesn't trust this collection of weaponry.]

That might not be the worst idea I've heard today.

[noonlight]

I like to aim high.

[ Illumination smiles and it shows off the sharper edge of one of her canines. She looks around them, to see what's handy for their experiment. ]

I'd prefer not to use my staff.

[ Neatly tucked against her back, there's a wizard's staff make of pale wood with very little decoration. It doesn't look as if she ought to be able to move about comfortably with it, but that's one of the more useful perks of her flavour of magic. Lu might not have access to a true pocket dimension, but the occasional bit of spatial folding never hurt anyone.

With a hum, she leans down and picks up a handful of pebbles and tosses one in.

Plink?]

i

[slippin]

[ The thing about the lake is there's a nice, wide path of trampled snow leading to and around it. Jimmy's about as far as you can get from a tracker, but it's just common sense to stick to places well-trafficked by corporeal feet. Besides, it's comforting—after Serthica, populated with unwitting zombies and robots and life-size puppets—to hear normal human conversation and even the occasional wild, non-terrified shout.

Anyway. He's found a log to sit on, where he can skeptically regard a borrowed pair of blades meant to be strapped to his boots (in one hand) and a little vial of something black and sludgy (in the other). ]

Huh? [ Jimmy's head snaps up. He looks out over the lake, but sees only a few stray skaters and the fisherman who's been so still it's like he's intent on becoming one with the lake. ] Was it funny?

[westviews]

[Wanda turns her head to look at her company, then back out at the lake. No one seems to be worried. The ice is in one piece, undisturbed. But she thought there had been something. It could have been a trick of the sunlight on the ice, of course.]

I don't know.

[She lets her eyes linger on the ice for a long moment before turning around fully. Skates, and...?]

Are you going skating?

[Said with the tone of you don't look the type.]

[slippin]

[ Weird answer. Maybe the weirdest possible answer? Jimmy eyes her a minute—mostly while her head's turned—with something like puzzlement, something like concern. At her prompting, he returns his attention to the skates. The straps are all tangled up with the buckles, and he has to set the bottle down—digging it a little divot in the snow—to start teasing them apart. ]

Uh, yeah. [ He looks up, points smack dab in her direction. ] I do a mean double Axel. [ This is, needless to say, patently false. ]

What about you? [ A pointed glance at her skateless boots. ] More into luge?

iv. forest

[cosplayqueen]

[Like any teen, Kamala can't stand being stuck inside the house for long without some good video games and snacks. She's not sure if this is better. It's freezing out here. It does get her out of the house which nets her a meeting with an Avenger.

Kamala immediately does a doubletake at her advice. It can't really be Wanda Maximoff saying that. The longer Kamala stares, the clearer it is that is her.

The teen visibly brightens. This is the coolest thing that's ever happened to her. Kamala is about to laugh her advice off. She's standing by someone who protected the planet from the greatest evil the galaxy has ever seen. What does she need to be afraid of?

The fallout and circumstances around that victory start to filter back in. Her smile gradually fades. She remembers it being confirmed Wanda died in the Snap along with half of all life on Earth. She remembers that even when she came back that not all the Avengers joined her. Some of the survivors of the initial Snap were even lost in the battle too. She recalls hearing news reports about what went down in Westview before her parents quickly changed the channel. Sorrow colors her features rather than fear.

She'd been 11 when half of all life on Earth came to an end. Her parents taught her early on to only have compassion for her fellow survivors and grace with herself as they maneuvered through life at the end of half of it. Not everyone can handle so much loss and be their best selves all the time.

Kamala catches herself staring and laughs nervously.] Oh... thanks. I'm sure I'll be okay since- you know. [She gestures to Wanda only to wince. Okay maybe she shouldn't just assume Wanda even wants to superhero anymore. She probably saw her friends die in front of her.]

Sorry, I'm being a total jerk. Ignore me. [She'll just start to walk a little faster in any other direction. It's okay!!!]

[westviews]

[It's the doubletake that does it. Wanda's brow lifts, not unsettled by a teenage girl, but curious. It's stranger still when she sees her expression shift. There's something there.]

Wait.

[What is she doing, walking off like that? Wanda hesitates for a moment, then gives in to her urge to follow.]

Who are you?

[Because whoever she is, there's something strange going on here, and that's one place to start.]

[cosplayqueen]

[Kamala slows to a stop. This is so awkward. She covers her face with her hands. Can she just disappear?? Why didn't she get shrinking powers??] Literally nobody compared to you. [Kamala points out while covering her face.] I saw you on TV and you know. Everywhere else.

[Her hands slowly come down as she decides to sneak a peek at Wanda. Her mother would say she's being rude. Kamala decides to be honest.] I don't know what to say to you. You saved us from someone who tried to end all life in the galaxy after- You know what he did.

[Kamala states vaguely. No one talks about the Blip for a reason. It's too painful.] Would it be easier if I pretended not to know who you are? I don't... I just don't want to make it harder, you know? I owe you. We all do. [Even if she's made some very public mistakes.]

I late with coffee

[makemeasong]

[ Clara is staring at the ice, eyes wide which is likely enough of an answer. But she looks over at the other woman and nods. ]

I want to say no, but it'd be a lie. That's enough skating for me, then.

no such thing!

[westviews]

Yeah. I'd avoid the ice, if I were you.

[She stares at it for a long moment. Whatever might be in there is probably something that isn't meant to be on land, so she figures she'll not tempt fate.]

I didn't think anything would be capable of moving around in water that cold.

[Which means she probably doesn't want to know what could.]

v. did you order the happy meal?

[matermali]

[ Here drifts a black hole in a trench coat, carrying something that almost looks like breakfast. Not for herself, but she'll be serving up the Doctor's attempt at an omelette, which includes cheese, meat, crème fraiche, and...mashed in berries. Enjoy.

She's silent when she moves, her expression cryptic no matter the reactions of any others around her, at least until she offers Wanda her option for breakfast and lets slip a double-take. Vanessa knows what chaos smells like; the monster in her claimed to birth it. Of course she would be wary.

It's subtle, but she'll hesitate before setting the plate on the table, and she might be attempting to turn around and leave a bit more quickly than she entered. If she can get through bringing people coffee, then she's out of there. ]

where is the toy

[westviews]

[Wanda is much more interested in the woman serving the meal than the meal itself. Probably for the best. She wouldn't know what to do with it, though it's a similar feeling she finds herself with when the woman glances at her.

She frowns. Something is amiss beyond the immediate.]

Hey. Wait.

[The words slip out before she realizes they're forming in her mouth.]