driftfleet | An Incomplete Homecoming

Who: Wanda Maximoff
Broadcast: Yes; Network-wide
Action: Starstruck
When: Now

[The scene that appears as the communicator's video feed clicks on is that of a dimly lit bunkroom aboard one of the fleet ships. The crew of the Starstruck, and any of Wanda's friends who have visited her room, will recognize the space rather quickly as the young Maximoff girl's own. What may be surprising, however, is that, what had been an empty room for over a month, now contained someone sleeping on the cot. Wherever Wanda had gone, it had been clear that the Atroma had not exactly sent her home and out of the fleet. All of her belongings had remained in her room, and her name never left the Starstruck's or Fleet's registry. Still, she'd been absent for some time, seemingly having vanished into thin air. But now, the communicator's feed was showing her asleep in her room as if nothing had changed at all.]

[However, it soon becomes clear that something has indeed changed about Wanda. As she begins to stir, the young woman sits slowly up in bed, stretching her arms overhead as she starts to awaken fully. Her eyes spread wide in a look of first confusion that begins to seem more panicked. She looks about her own bunk room as if she's never seen it before. The note of fear in her eyes makes her seem not like someone who has spent over a year in the fleet. Instead, she seems more like --]

This... this is not where I-- What- what is this place? Did the Avengers... did they move me here in my sleep? But how could they have...

[Her voice is quiet, believing she is only speaking to herself. She seems unaware of the communicator recording all of this. Though, it is now rather clear that Wanda does not recognize where she is at all.]

[She swings her legs out over the edge of the cot, slowly getting up, and measuring the size of the room. As she studies the small interior, her eyes stop on the occasional picture or keepsake hanging on the walls. Various trinkets she's collected from the planets visited during her time in the fleet. There's a look to her eyes as if each item kindles a flicker of recognition that is then almost immediately snuffed out. Each time leaving her looking more and more bewildered and frustrated.]

[She shakes her head. Whatever was happening clearly was proving to be a lot to process. She then spies the communicator out of the corner of her eye. She takes a step over and picks the device up. Holding it out in front of her now, she stares at the screen for a moment. She looks as if this is her very first time ever handling the device. But then, in an instant, she seems to suddenly recognize what exactly it is that she's holding. She then addresses the screen with a calm, yet slightly edged tone.]

Whoever is watching this, I do not appreciate being toyed with. I did not think the Avengers were ones for such games. If this is some kind of test, I expect an explanation. Now.

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[That part of Natasha's answer isn't likely to change, though. Whether or not Wanda finds it frustrating.]

Then I suppose eventually we'll reassess. Or someone else will have different ideas about the situation.

[Not the most persuasive Natasha could be. At the same time, Natasha isn't trying to influence Wanda's position. In the long run, she doesn't see that benefiting either of them.]

But for now, seems like borrowing trouble.

So whatever this thing is that I don't remember... you're saying it would be trouble for you if I remembered?

[There might be a slight glint of red again in her eyes. Her tone carrying a discernibly menacing edge.]

Now why would that be I wonder.

I didn't say it would be trouble for me.

[Natasha takes in Wanda's expression. It's easy not to be intimidated when they're not face to face; Natasha would like to believe that she wouldn't have been any more intimidated by the show of power in person, but it's hard to say that for sure.]

It's not me I'm trying to protect.

[Again, Wanda slows off the roll some. Scarlet gleam in her eyes dissolves, but she still otherwise looks unconvinced.]

Who then?

[A pause.]

Me? You're saying it's me that you are trying to protect?

You, among others. Steve still doesn't know either. Others...

[For a moment, Natasha leaves it there. She would like if Wanda did too, but it's growing more and more apparent that she isn't likely to extend Natasha that trust.

So she continues.]

It's a complicated situation. I could explain everything I know, but you'd still be missing context. There's no real benefit to explaining the whole situation since as things stand it doesn't impact our position here and you still wouldn't remember what happened yourself and we have more than enough on our plates as it stands.

[Wanda's still not completely satisfied with that answer... but she gets the feeling it's not going to get much better than that. Naturally, she's irritated that there might be something important she is somehow being kept away from. The fact that Captain Rogers is also apparently being kept in the dark makes her even more curious.]

[However, it's at that moment that some part of her considers what it might mean to regain her memories... a whole year back home. A year spent without her twin brother. Did she really want memories of that?]

Fine.

[She lets out a very exasperated sounding sigh.]

What now then? If we are all being kept here as prisoners, then I assume the Avengers must be working on some kind of daring escape.

At the moment, there's nowhere to escape to. We're a long way from home. Maybe not even in the same universe. And there's the augments to deal with. People coming and going all the time, without warning. People's memories being played with.

[Natasha gives a restrained sigh.]

Not saying we're not looking for opportunities, but so far, there's no plan.

[Which raises an important point:]

Have you been warned about the augments?

[Wanda looks less than thrilled.]

Yes, the augments have come up.

[Not a fan. The returning anger from that particular topic now seeming to be creeping back into Wanda's tone.]

How disappointing. Neither the great Agent Romanoff or the Avengers are putting up more resistance. Instead, you are all just letting yourselves be caged. Is it really so easy to beat you all?

[A familiar sneer returns to Wanda's face.]

Well, I guess I would know. Wouldn't I?

[Okay, uncool. Wanda's clearly not putting much thought into what she's saying. Instead letting her irritation at the overall situation govern her words. Not that that in any way excuses them.]

I guess you would.

[Natasha doesn't give Wanda the satisfaction of letting the barb hit. She knows better. All of this lashing out, it has more to do with what she's going through now than her feelings about Natasha personally.

Just pay attention to the warnings you've heard about the augments. They're nothing to mess around with.

And if you have any other questions... you know where to find me.

[Naturally, she can't help but look perturbed that the barb didn't land. Or at least, Natasha wasn't going to give away to her if it did, and Wanda wasn't there in-person to be able to sense otherwise. Wanda does not respond right away. Instead, her jaw is clenched, and she seems to actually be thinking over her next words carefully. When she finally does respond, her expression has softened to something more remorseful looking. Though the confusion is still there, too.]

Why are you helping me?

Because until you decide otherwise, we're on the same side. The fact the Atroma decided to play with your memories doesn't change that.

[Wanda simply blinks at that, looking completely stunned. To Natasha's credit, her words catch Wanda completely off guard.]

I... I, um--

[Wanda looks down and away. The shame she's now feeling can be easily read all over her face.]

All right. Same side.

[That's about the closest Nat's going to get to an "I'm sorry" at the moment.]

[It's good enough. Natasha takes it.]

Take some time to sort things out and process. Drift Fleet is a lot to take in. Even the second time.

[For a second, it looks like Wanda's about to say something about that "second time" remark, but she doesn't. Instead, she simply gives Natasha a small nod. There's still a look of guilt behind her eyes.]

[]Natasha gives her the last ghost of a smile, both patient and tired. This will pass. Hopefully when they get through this, Wanda and she will be able to be... okay, at least.

After a moment of quiet, Natasha ends the communication.

An Incomplete Homecoming

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