driftfleet | the cold never bothered me anyway

Entry tags:

the cold never bothered me anyway

Who: Wanda Maximoff and you!
Broadcast: No
Action: Yes, planetside
When: Throughout December

i. hot springs
[Oh, she could very happily stay here forever. The warmth of the water feels amazing and even her powers feel calm and refreshed. Wanda spends much of her time here, stretched out in the water with a tablet and almost the most relaxed she's ever felt.

She looks up from her reading at approaching footsteps and waves, flashing a lazy smile. This might be the happiest most people have seen her.]

ii. deck the halls
[Wanda's easily swept up in the preparations for the daily festivities - if she's not helping put decorations somewhere that can't be reached without a ladder, she's probably working in a kitchen, swapping recipes with the natives and doing a little experimentation of her own.

Maybe she's approached you for your opinion on the upper levels of a tree, or maybe she's holding out some sort of berry pastry she made in collaboration with her partner today.]

What do you think?

iii. let it go
[The tree is beautiful and even the air here feels oddly charged. It's electric, making something deep inside her thrum in time with the musical tones. Even her power stirs within her, turning her green eyes a softly glowing red.

Wanda lays a hand on it and involuntarily scarlet glows from her fingertips in response. Maybe she should be concerned that it has such a strong effect on her, but everything feels so joyful here.]

It is real, [she says in hushed, awed tones.] I wonder if the other stories about it were true.

iv. wild card!
[You know what to do. Hit me up at

dontyousonicme

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[This planet has been decidedly odd for the Vision, although not in a bad way. For the first time since he arrived at the Fleet, he's feeling some activity from the Mind Stone - nothing sharp and painful, like it had been at home right before he arrived, but it's active. Awake. So he's been spending a fair amount of time alone meditating with it, trying to learn more. Not really succeeding, but what can you do?

The rest of the time he's spending with Wanda.

The glowing water of the hot springs is just lovely to look at, and even better to rest in. There's something comforting about it even to an android, and anywhere that makes Wanda happy is a place he'll enjoy as well. he approaches her with a bottle of cold water (gotta stay hydrated) and lowers himself into the water so he's immersed up to the chest on a bench nearby where she's floating.]

Good afternoon, my dear. How is everything?

[Wanda's powers are also much closer to the surface now. It barely takes any effort to draw upon them and her eyes keep shifting red at the slightest provocation: anything more than tiny uses of her power or moments of passion or deep relaxation. She doesn't even need to consciously reach for Vision's mind; it just...happens. For the first time in her life Wanda feels utterly at peace with her powers, unafraid that they might slip her control.]

Wonderful. I wish we could stay here.

[Tablet happily abandoned, Wanda shifts to settle on Vision's lap and wind her arms loosely around his neck. Even a soft kiss makes her eyes briefly change to scarlet.]

How was your morning?

[Cold planets aren't exactly Kitty's favorite, but they don't keep her away either. She's from Chicago after all, and besides that she gets stir crazy if she spends too much time on the ships. She tries to mitigate it by at least spending the day jumping back and forth between the Twin Roses and the Iskaulit and sometimes a few other ships she may have business or pleasure on—usually the Tourist. Today, however, instead of ship jumping she's on the planet. And while she was more interested in the hike through the mountains and a little spelunking through the ice caves, she found herself drawn to the warmth surrounding the hot springs. It only takes a moment to realize there's a familiar face sticking out of the water.]

You don't find the glow kind of creepy, huh? [She's smiling though. As far as creepy things go, this is low on the list for her. Of course, also not being magically inclined at all she doesn't get the same benefits from the planet as others might.]

[Natasha isn't easy to surprise, but apparently butter pastry wasn't what she was expecting when she turned around. She blinks, glancing from the dessert to Wanda and back again.]

What is it?

[As relaxing as the waters are, they're even better when he has a beautiful woman in his arms. Mindful that they're in public, he keeps it to a gentle kiss but does wrap his arms around her in turn.]

Fairly productive, all told; I've obtained a map of some of the settlements further out so I can visit and help improve their water heating systems later. It is too late in the day to begin now, however, so I thought perhaps I would drop by and see how you were doing.

Maybe if none of the other water glowed, but...it's pretty.

[She grins, shifting her things out of the way with the barest wiggle of her fingers. It really doesn't take much here.]

At least put your feet in. You'll feel better, I promise.

Edited 2018-12-13 18:02 (UTC)

[It's an oddly-colored pastry with a distinct sugary-spicy taste, like a cinnamon roll on steroids.]

Normally they mix these flavors into a cake, but I wanted to see if they would be good tarts.

[Someone could theoretically stumble across them, but for now that's a risk she's willing to take. There's nothing wrong with stroking his cheek, is there? It's not like she's sending him dirty thoughts or anything.]

I'm sure they will be very happy to see you. But since it is late...stay with me for a while? [Her hand slides down to his shoulder and gently kneads it.] You'll do better work tomorrow if you relax now.

[Well. In that case. Natasha's expression could be more enthusiastic, but she musters a smile and takes a bite—then hums and inclines her head.]

Tastes like dessert.

I'm still waiting to see how you turn out with all that exposure. [Kidding. Mostly kidding. She is considering it. Turning it over in her mind. Maybe Wanda can even tell.] You do look relaxed though.

[It's not that late...but he did come here to be with Wanda, after all. If he'd still wanted to work, he would have kept working. As it is, he sighs and closes his eyes, smiling, and focuses on the sensations of warm water and her touch, keeping her held close.]

As long as you like.

[He stays like that for a long moment, basking in her, before cracking an eye open.]

This empowering effect of the planet - it's even stronger here in the waters, isn't it?

Probably.

[Nico's been trying to puzzle out the tree for a while now. So far, nothing he's tried has worked - though admittedly there were a couple things he was either unwilling or unable to do. Threatening to cut it down also did not provide results.]

Stories about old, magic things usually have a thread of truth to them.

[Wanda makes a contented sound and lets her head drop to rest on Vision's shoulder. The magic of the hot springs adds a new dimension to her relaxation and before long her breathing has synchronized with his. She's so warm and comfortable and now that she can feel his mind entwined with hers again the last (tiny) lingering knot of tension releases.]

Mm?

[Wanda opens her eyes and reaches up to gently stroke the Mind Stone.]

Are you still feeling all right, love? It isn't uncomfortable?

[Wanda just laughs and shrugs.]

We're on the same ship. If I get new powers from this you will be one of the first to know.

[She's not worried. This place is wonderful.]

[Wanda's waiting with baited breath.]

Good dessert that I should make more of or...?

It's good. [Reassuring, offering a slight smile.] If you made more, I wouldn't complain.

[Not surprising she should sense something of what's going on with him. It's nothing causing him distress, but it's not usual, either, and he leans his forehead into her touch.]

Not uncomfortable, no, but I'm aware of it in a way I am usually not. It seems to be more awake here.

[Sometimes that means something significant - the presence of another Infinity Stone, perhaps, or an event about to happen. Other times it seems to occur for no reason at all that he can determine. One thing is worth noting.]

I've not felt this since I arrived here, this time around. Whether it is reacting to the planet's energies or something else, I could not tell you.

[She strokes it carefully, conscious of the answering mental tingle that sends a pleasant shiver down her spine.]

I feel it. You seem...a little brighter. I think it would be harder not to link our minds than to let them connect.

[Gentle caresses of the Mind Stone slowly turn into a light massage across Vision's forehead to his temple.]

Tell me if anything changes? Maybe it is just the planet, but I'm not going to let anything happen to you.

You're certainly brighter, yourself. [Bright, yes. Sharp? Focused. It's hard to put into words, but once or twice he's flown high up into the atmosphere and let out a beam of energy to prevent it from building up in a strange way. Being around Wanda helps to calm it, though, and he's not sure if it's because she can siphon it off (she does nautrally bleed away much more energy than he does, when she's charged up) or for some other reason.

Either way, her touch relaxes him, reminds him he's safe here.]

I trust you with everything I am, Wanda. I know you would let nothing hurt me.

[He presses a light kiss to the heel of her palm, eyes half-lidded in comfort.]

Though I don't think this is anything dangerous, simply a presence.

It would be hard to believe if we hadn't seen so many strange things already.

[She glances over to him, hand falling away from the tree and returning to its normal color.]

Have you tried anything yet?

I might be able to do that.

[She smiles, glad for another excuse to visit. She definitely doesn't see enough of the other Avengers these days.]

How have you been? Do you like this planet?

[Um. Well, there aren't as many Avengers as there used to be. But Natasha does try not to be too much of a stranger.]

It's fine. I haven't seen all that much of it. Guess I've had enough of the cold.

Really? Even before Viiiision? [Exaggerating his name playfully with a little smirk. It's a little grade school, but she means it affectionately. She's happy for them.]

[No more strange than back home, but way more annoying.]

I tried doing nice stuff, but... [It didn't work. He shrugs.] Guess I need more practice. I heard maybe giving up something of value.

You haven't seen the hot springs yet?

[This isn't quite a Chesire Cat grin, but it's probably as close as Wanda gets.]

You know, we haven't had a girls' day in a while...

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the cold never bothered me anyway

Hot Springs

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Hot Springs

ii. pastry taster?

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iii. magic tree

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