Windrose, where the wind blows

[tothefly]

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!]

Comments

[notmutantbutmiracle]

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.

[unbearablynaive]

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

[notmutantbutmiracle]

[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?

[unbearablynaive]

[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"?

[notmutantbutmiracle]

[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?

[unbearablynaive]

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.

[notmutantbutmiracle]

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?

[unbearablynaive]

[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.

[notmutantbutmiracle]

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.

[unbearablynaive]

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

It wanted to be found.

[notmutantbutmiracle]

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?

[unbearablynaive]

[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.

[notmutantbutmiracle]

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

[unbearablynaive]

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.

[notmutantbutmiracle]

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.

[unbearablynaive]

[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.