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

[westviews]

[At least this is some sort of confirmation to Wanda that her heart isn't some icy match for the landscape. She can't bring herself to say no.]

It's not safe to be out here alone. Let's look together.

Assuming you don't mind.

[cosplayqueen]

[Kamala beams in response. Pretty much the best day ever minus the part where she misses her family, friends, and wants to go home like 24/7.] Are you kidding?! Total honor.

[westviews]

[She knows some people that would disagree with it being an honor, but she's not out here to argue with a girl. With a nod, Wanda starts walking.]

Where are you from?

[cosplayqueen]

[Kamala falls in step with her. She sneaks glances at Wanda while doing the task they're out here for. She can prioritize even while being as scatter brained as ever.] Jersey City. No jokes, by the way. I might have to actually get mad at you if you disrespect my hometown.

[westviews]

[Of course. Wanda takes a breath, sure this girl has heard about Westview. And yet she's so... happy to meet her. She wonders how much weight just being a former Avenger truly carries.]

Oh, I wouldn't. I liked New Jersey.

You're in high school, I take it?

[cosplayqueen]

[She nods, easily falling into step with Wanda.] Yep! I'm already starting to get those fun conversations about deciding my future. Kind of glad I didn't take those too seriously now since... [Kamala gestures around them.] you know. I'm definitely going to be retaking Junior year now.

[westviews]

It's good to have a goal in mind. University, or a trade...

[Chats she'd been ready to have with Billy and Tommy one day, because she sure as hell didn't have a plan when she was a teenager. It was just surviving one day to the next.]

But you're still young. You can't be expected to know what you want for the rest of your life when you're still figuring out who you are.

[cosplayqueen]

[She throws up her hands and shouts:] Thank you! [Kamala needed this validation! She puts down her hands to continue on less dramatically:] There's still so much to figure out, you know? I just accepted the fact I'm never going to be normal. I'm not ready for what I'm going to do with the rest of my life.

[She exhales audibly.] I just want to be the best version of Kamala right now.

[westviews]

[The abrupt change in volume in the otherwise quiet woods makes Wanda glance around them, but all seems well.]

What's your definition of normal?

[cosplayqueen]

[Her mouth twists in concentration. How does she describe this to someone who didn't grow up in the United States as the only daughter of immigrants?] You know that American dream every teen drama tells us we should want. I go to school and everyone loves me. I have like a billion followers on every social media app in existence. I get good grades despite the fact I'm always going to cool parties and getting wasted. I never have curfew and wear skimpy clothes. I have a name people can pronounce correctly the first time. My place of worship isn't under government surveillance at all times.

[I don't have powers and the responsibility that goes with them to save the world one person at a time. Kamala sighs gently.] Like I said, I learned to accept that's not me. That's Zoe Zimmer and that's okay because she turned out to be surprisingly cool when things got real.

[westviews]

[It helps that Wanda's familiar with a lot of American television. As she listens, hands in her pockets and gaze on the trees before them as they walk slowly, she can understand.]

No one's life is really like that. There's a reason you see it so often in fiction. Even "Zoe Zimmer" isn't perfect, I assure you.

[A pause, and she adds,]

Kamala is a much more beautiful name than Zoe, anyway.

[cosplayqueen]

[The words quite clearly mean a lot to Kamala. She knows logically that's the truth. Her mother tells her enough. There's a difference between logic and that feeling all teen girls have that they're secretly freaks everyone hates. Hear it from someone she idolizes makes a difference too.

Her expression softens into a warm smile, biting down on her lip briefly.] Thank you. I love your name F-Y-I. It makes you sound like some cool warrior princess.

[westviews]

[Ridiculous. Not in a terrible way, though, and Wanda shakes her head with a smile.]

I am definitely not that, but thank you.

[cosplayqueen]

I wouldn't be much of a fan if I didn't have any compliments. [Kamala claps her hands together out of nowhere.] Oh! That reminds me. No one knows about the Avengers here, but me. If you need me to dial down the Avengers' talk, just say so. I don't like embarrass you when you're trying to have breakfast or whatever by saying something like here comes the lady who stopped robots from taking over the world with cool, colorful hand gestures.

[Kamala even acts one out with one hand for good measure.]

[westviews]

[The urge to stress that she's no longer an Avenger is strong, but she lets it be.]

I'd appreciate it.

[Oh. Oh, that is what she looks like when using her powers, isn't it? Wanda breathes out a soft laugh.]

It probably wouldn't make sense to most people, anyway.

[cosplayqueen]

[Kamala laughs as well as she flashes back to the many weirded out reactions talking about home has gotten her.] Yeahh, everyone looks pretty confused when I talk about home. I think we live in one of those places where it only makes sense if you've actually been there.