driftfleet | Belated Christmas presents are better than no presents, right?

Who: Wanda Maximoff, friends, shipmates, and YOU!
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: Yes; Starstruck
When: Early this morning (last night) through the rest of today

A) Closed to Wanda's Christmas List

[The past two months have been kind of crazy for everyone, and that certainly included Wanda. Spending the month of December with no memories of her previous time in the Fleet, regaining them (well, almost all of them) so suddenly and somewhat painfully, followed by all the chaos that came with the surprise attack on the Fleet, and then, of course, there was the necessary repair process after that, it's all been a whirlwind of distractions and activity for Wanda. Finally now, things were starting to settle back down, and that meant Wanda could turn her attention back to a project she's been discreetly working on since her memories returned.]

[She'd felt guilty that her "condition" had kept her from celebrating the Christmas holidays with her friends and shipmates. Now, it was over a full month passed, but she still really wanted to try and do something special. She'd been gathering some presents over the past year during the Fleet's travels, but she had not quiet finished her list. Thankfully, with time now available to her, she's seen to finishing her list -- which she may have added some people to post-December. But, in her eyes, they still deserved presents.]

[Anyways, last night, Wanda set about delivering her gifts to everyone. Each person will find the gift waiting outside their doors or in an easily spotted place in a communal area. The gifts have tags specifying who each present is for, and some may also have "special instructions," but none have any note as to WHO the gifts are from. Perhaps Wanda's feeling a little too embarrassed and guilty about only just now finally delivering her Christmas gifts to attach her name to them. However, each present will feature wrapping or packaging that belies a certain affinity for the color red. Naturally, some (or all) gift recipients might be able to put two and two together. If they'd then like, they may contact Wanda via communicator or in person. Just expect a very pink-face, blushing Wanda to greet you.]

B) Fleetwide Broadcast

[When Wanda turns on the broadcast, she looks noticeably... well, tired. It seems she did not get a lot of sleep last night for some reason. Hmmm. Odd. She tries to smile, friendly and cheerfully, though her eyes flutter a few times while she speaks. Girl's likely gonna take a long nap after this.]

I was, um, baking... a lot recently... and I, um... I made extra! So, if anyone would like some cookies or brownies, they are... They are on the Starstruck! ... in the kitchen... room... area...

[She covers her mouth with her hand, attempting (poorly) to cover a soft yawn.]

Help yourselves! I... um, everyone is welcome! First come, first serve though... sorry... I can make some more... later...

[The video feed cuts there, as Wanda falls back onto her bed for some much needed rest. Anybody who received a mysterious, belated Christmas gift this morning just got a big clue as to who it was that delivered them.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

No, I think Steve seems a little more like a disappointed dad when he tries. It's cute.

[But it doesn't have Clint's particular impact.]

[That gets a snort and a giggle out of Wanda.]

Either that, or perhaps a little too earnestly motivational. Sort of like those cheesy posters you see back home.

I'd say he's from a more earnest time, but you know, I don't think that's it. At this point, he's been away from the forties long enough that I'm pretty sure it's just Steve.

[Wanda proceeds to giggle a little more at that, nodding her head in agreement.]

It is just Steve.

[After a brief pause, letting herself settle again. She turns to Natasha with a more inquisitive look about her.]

What was it like? When you first met Steve Rogers, fresh out of the ice?

Confused. And disappointed. I don't think the future was all he hoped it would be.

[Natasha smiles as she says that, a little sympathy in the expression, and a little affection.]

But Steve's always Steve.

Disappointed.

[Wanda seems to dwell on that particular word for a moment. To a degree, she could sympathize with the sentiment.]

Do you think he would prefer to go back if he could?

I don't know. Maybe. He missed a lot.

[She shrugs. She could say more about that, though. How she suspected it would never be as easy as going back, even if he had the option. Whatever he regretted missing, she can only imagine how frightening it would be to think about going back. Especially now.

Or maybe she was projecting.]

I think he'd never run away from a fight, though.

[Wanda shakes her head.]

That isn't so much what I meant...

[She hesitates again. Knowing this next question is kind of heavy, but it's also something she's not really sure who else she can really talk about with.]

Do you think that... he would still feel more "at home" if he could go back? More than he does here?

[Another pause before she clarifies a bit more.]

More than he does with us?

[Not going to let Natasha get away with sidestepping. The misunderstanding was entirely intentional.

But there they are.]

Honestly? I don't know. I think it would be a hard choice.

[Wanda nods her head. It's hard for her not to look glum at that answer even though it was the one she was anticipating. An answer she'd already found on her own. She's not really sure what she was expecting Natasha to say. She and Steve had always seemed close, so perhaps part of Wanda hoped that Nat would have some special insight, a response that might quiet the doubt in Wanda's mind.]

[Wanda lets out a sigh.]

Were he able to go back and desired to do so... I would not want to stand in his way.

...

But I would miss him... a lot...

That would make two of us. A part of me is glad it's not a real question, because it would be unfair to stop him.

[Natasha shakes her head slightly.]

I think that in the end, it would probably depend on who needs him most.

[Probably wherever Barnes is.]

Belated Christmas presents are better than no presents, right?

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