driftfleet | Windrose, where the wind blows

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Windrose, where the wind blows

Who: Windrose crew and you, distinguished visitors!
Broadcast: Naaah.
Action: Windrose, various points in the near vicinity
When: Until we get off this frozen rock

[On New Year's Day, the crew on board the Windrose and those nearby may notice the chill as the doors to the cargo bay are left open, and their captain making quite a bit of noise as she inspects their newly expanded home away from home. This is likely to go on for a while. Feel free to come investigate, chat among yourselves, complain about the cold, etc!]

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I see.

[Still, Wanda appears to be cautiously keeping her distance a bit. She's just played nurse to a few of her shipmates, and has so far been lucky enough to be spared from whatever this illness was.]

Well, if you are helping them, I am sure you will be able to find some kind of cure. Otherwise, it does seem to pass with time.

[He notices, and it is disappointing but given what her powers could do if she was ill he doesn't exactly blame her.]

Yes, thankfully. Though I hope it's not how you've been passing your time?

Me? No, I have been lucky enough to avoid this illness.

[A slight pause as she cocks an eyebrow a cocks her head to the side for a moment.]

For now at least. Though, I have been taking care of a few of my shipmates, who have not been so fortunate.

Good. If it does catch up with you, please let me know; I've compiled a list of cures that seem to be effective.

I hope they've been grateful. At least chicken-equivalent soup is easily found while we're in the planet's proximity.

[She smiles warmly, nodding her head. It seemed she could always count on Vision to watch out for her.]

I will. And thank you.

Actually, if you happen to have a copy of that list, could I perhaps take one? It could help with caring for my own shipmates.

Of course. I'll send it to you right away. [Which he does efficiently from his communicator.]

Although I'll note that what worked for me was going to one of the local temples and participating in a healing ritual. It was quite interesting.

A "healing ritual?"

And this worked?

[He nods, completely serious.]

The cold symptoms disappeared soon after. Whether the ritual actually had an effect or it faded naturally by then is difficult to say.

I see.

[Well, if Vision was being serious about this, which he certainly appeared to be, then it was likely credible.]

Perhaps this is something I should investigate for myself then. See if it can be easily replicated.

I think it's worth investigating. After all, much of what Asgardians do is cloaked in ritual yet has science behind it.

[When Vision mentions the "Asgardians," Wanda perks up a little bit. It'd been so long since she'd really spoken with anyone about events back home. Not that there exactly a whole lot of people who came from the same "home," as her and Vision.]

What do you know of Asgard? The jewel... [She gestures towards the mind gem in his forehead.] It came from Asgard, didn't it? Did it come with knowledge about Asgard? What is it like?

[A fair mix of questions, and the Vision smiles lightly at them.]

It's been to Asgard, but the Infinity Stones originated long before Asgard was settled. I know a fair amount from Mr. Stark's archives and more from Thor himself; he's invited me to visit when the political situation is somewhat more stable.

Are you familiar with the phrase "sufficiently complex technology is indistinguishable from magic"?

[Wanda nods.]

Yes. In fact, it is often the only way I can think of describing my "abilities." The jewel then... it is not originally of Asgard? But from before then? Is that possible?

It's a good description for much of Asgard as well. Their aesthetic may make them seem more primitive, but there is nothing simple about their armor or weapons. It's a challenge to make the sophisticated appear underdeveloped, and one at which they excel.

[But back to the main subject.] Certainly. The galaxy is billions of years old, and Asgardians may be an older civilization but they are by no means the eldest.

I see.

[Wanda had always considered the Asgardians to be an older, advanced civilization. To hear that there are even older, it is a bit intriguing, a bit foreboding as well.]

So then, how did the jewel end up in Asgard?

[The Vision gets a distant look for a moment, accessing what he can of the Stone's memory.]

Once during a diplomatic mission. Once as the spoils of war. Once unknown to all but its bearer - that was a covert mission, I believe. It's quite skilled at manipulating others into taking it out of situations it considers undesirable; consider, for instance, why it seemed so important for the Avengers to choose that particular base of operations when there had been many other crises they could have responded to.

It was because Thor was with them, right? They were helping him locate Loki's scepter. The base in Sokovia, it was the only one left that they had not cleared.

The only one left they knew of, perhaps. Hydra is very adept at hiding from SHIELD.

It wanted to be found.

It is... sentient then? The gem?

[She thinks on this for a moment. A troubled look crosses her face.]

What does this mean for you then?

[He nods, not at all seeming to be concerned with the idea.]

That I count it as much a creator of mine as JARVIS or Ultron.

You are... still you then, yes. That is, you will stay you. The gem will not attempt to... control you? In any way?

I am still myself, yes. It influences me--how could it not? And yet I also influence it, if you can believe that. It's not quite symbiosis, but it is similar.

As far as direct control? In truth anything is possible. Would you ever attempt to control e? I'd like to think the answer is no, but I can hardly predict the circumstances of the future that might require it.

I would never-

[She stops herself as she realizes his point. She thinks over his words for a moment before continuing.]

I understand. [A thought occurs to her and she smiles.] Do not ever change.

[When he sees she gets it, he smiles and nods.]

To live is to experience change, but I do hope to see myself grow in positive ways.

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Windrose, where the wind blows

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