1701/Delivering Bad News

Delivering Bad News
Date of Scene:	16 May 2020
Location:	Sanctum Santorum
Synopsis:	Wanda visits Doctor Strange to warn him about Loki regaining his powers
Cast of Characters:	Wanda Maximoff, Stephen Strange

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Wanda Maximoff has posed:
With all of the methods of communication available to skilled practitioners of the mystic arts, Wanda Maximoff had resorted to a simple phone call over to 177A Bleecker Street. A quick message. Some news that was best delivered in person.

Not long after, the auburn-haired Avenger pulls up in a car. The parking spaces out front of the Sanctum always seem to have the right number of empty parking spots for expected guests. A neat enchantment that makes Wanda smile whenever she encounters it.

She climbs out, wearing a pair of black boots, a long skirt and a dark purple, long-sleeved blouse, and makes her way over to the door. She raps softly on the door, hand resting together before herself as she waits for it to be answered.

Stephen Strange has posed:
Wong, the everpresent, answers the door. "Ahh. Miss Maximoff. You are expected." He steps aside, holding the door open, and gives a glance about the street before closing the door. One is ever on the lookout for foes and enemies, after all. A series of taps on the door reengage the wards and he gestures to the stairs. "The Sorcerer Supreme is in the study." Old habits die hard and Wong's a bit of a traditionalist that way. Still, he seems confident that Wanda knows where she's going and so wanders back off to his own studies.

Meanwhile, upstairs in the study, Stephen has prepared tea. It's something of a habit for him now. A fond remembrance of when he first came to study under the Ancient One. It also gives him a few moments of separation from what his mind was previously on to turn to the matter of his guest and what their concern may be. Once the service is prepared, a simple cantrip keeps the tea warm as he settles into his favorite arm chair to wait... and meditate.

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
Wanda greets Wong warmly. The Chinese man is always charming to be around, and the smile he gets is one for an old acquaintance that Wanda is happy to see again. "Thank you, Wong. I trust that you're well," she says, before moving to head up the stairs towards the study, her boots making soft footfalls on the steps as she heads up.

Wanda moves past the various artifacts on display. Pausing once or twice to admire something in particular, before reaching the study. She knocks on the door jamb as she steps inside, spotting the tea pot. "Tea," she says happily. "Touch of honey?" she asks from her memories.

Wanda cross the room, her skirt swishing about her legs slightly as she moves over to offer Stephen both of her hands in a warm greeting. "You are always a sight for sore eyes, Stephen," she tells him in her softly accented English. "I hope I haven't come at a bad time. I certainly wish it were with better tidings."

Stephen Strange has posed:
Stephen doesn't come out of his trance immediately. Whatever he was ruminating on had his focus.. at least for enough time for him to overlook her comment on tea but still meet her hands and gaze. "Wanda." He smiles warmly as he gives her hands a squeeze then gestures to the vacant seat nearby. "If I had a nickel for every person that brought me bad news, I'd buy the Presidency. Not unlike certain people we know." Luthor? Or Stark? Both? He shrugs and leans forward to begin pouring tea.

"So what Earthshatteringly bad thing is coming now? Or was the shadow creature not defeated as was previously thought?" Yes, tea. Strange offers her a cup. "With honey." As always.

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
Wanda lets out a sigh. "I do hope it's not Earth-shatteringly bad. But it does have that potential, I'm afraid," she tells Stephen before taking a seat. Wanda lets out another small sigh. Her fingers lace together and let loose twice before she begins.

In her slow, typically deliberate way of speaking, Wanda says, "I'm guessing you might have been aware of Loki's presence on Earth for the past month or so. Odin... exiled him here. After stripping him of most of his powers." Wanda lets out another sigh and shakes her head. "We were not pleased at the news, and Captain Rogers went with Thor to speak to Odin about it. Well, things went about as we feared," Wanda says.

She picks up the tea cup and takes a small sip before continuing. "So this recent attack in Metropolis, these shadow creatures from another dimension? During the fight, Loki was assisting. And Thor found it necessary to shatter the fetters binding Loki's magic, so he could help in banishing the threat. He didn't see any other way. And we fear Loki could have instigated matters to maneuver Thor into a position he had no choice. In any event... Loki is now free, with his powers, as far as we know. He may have left the planet, but we're not certain. I thought you should be informed of the matter," she tells Stephen.

Stephen Strange has posed:
Stephen forgets his tea. Instead, he leans back into his chair and steeples his fingers as he takes a very deep breath. "Odin. Banished." His fingertips tap together then he lowers his palms to his knees. "I imagine that no one has any idea as to where Loki is now." Call it a rhetorical statement considering her suggestion he may have left the planet. "Any other news? Perhaps that Luthor now has control of the nuclear launch codes? Or that Dormammu has risen again?" He lifts a palm to stay her objections then shakes his head slightly as if to tender apology for his momentary sarcasm. The lifted hand comes to his temple and massages it. "Thank you. For letting me know. I imagine there's little point in talking to Thor. Admittedly, he usually tries to clean up his brother's messes. Should he resurface again. Even if his methods are.. crude." Small sigh.

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
Wanda gives a slow nod. "We were none too pleased," she says in her deliberate delivery, "that Odin treated Earth like... I don't know that prison is the right word. A rehab center for war criminals? Well. In any event, that he'd send him here after what he did in New York. Thor has been gutted by it, and feels even worse now, I assure you," she agrees. "He has tried to do the right thing through all of it, and has been caught in an untenable situation."

Wanda gives a small shake of her head then. "I do not know if anyone capable of tracking him was even around at the time. I heard of it after Thor's return from Metropolis," she says. "With any luck he will focus his attentions elsewhere. But I thought it would do to have you on extra guard, and be aware if something happens, he could be involved," she says.

Stephen Strange has posed:
"I don't suppose Thor has mentioned any of this to Odin?" Stephen inquires hopefully. "Either that Thor removed the bindings or that Loki is now 'at large' whereabouts unknown?" Perhaps it might spur the Asgardian to some manner of action. Now, it is time for tea. He leans forward to retrieve his cup. "I can at least set out feelers upon the ley lines. See if his particular flavor of magic has touched them. Though I doubt he'd be so obvious." God of Mischief indeed.

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
"I would imagine he has already, though I am not positive on that," Wanda tells Doctor Strange. "Clint Barton and I both volunteered to speak to Odin on the subject as well. Though in truth, I think leaving it to Steve Rogers to represent us there might be best as Odin seemed to recognize him as a bit of... ambassador."

Wanda sips the tea and nods at the steps that Doctor Strange proposes. "That would be prudent," she agrees. "I do not imagine his designs on the Earth will have gone away. But hopefully he will view as not as ripe for the taking as he once did. And the return of Superman should help that further," she says. "Though, if he did set his eyes on us again, he might take steps to weaken us. So we should probably also keep that in mind if we see any events unfolding," Wanda says.

Stephen Strange has posed:
Doctor Strange lifts his cup to his lips to sip then offers, "Then it would seem to be important for us to remain strong. Ever vigilant. I think.. it is time for tea to become a more frequent event. With more frequent visitors." There's a dip of his chin to her and a slight lift of his cup in toast. "I cannot be everywhere, after all. Being only human." As opposed to Superman who never does seem to sleep. Kryptonians. Feh.

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
Wanda nods her head. "We should make a point of getting together more. And I'll try not to be a storm crow and only come by with ill tidings," she says, lips pulling back in a soft smile for her old acquaintance. Friend? Mentor at the least.

Wanda glances around the study. "You could use some more faces around here, I'm thinking, Stephen," Wanda tells him. "Always one to bury yourself into your work, as I recall. I am guessing if or not for Wong you might go a week without seeing another friendly face sometimes," Wanda says, her soft Eastern European accent delivered in a gently teasing tone.

"I may have some investigations to make into a bit of a substance that some mercenaries took to gain enhanced powers. If you're finding yourself without something to do, perhaps you would like to work on it together when I get the samples?" she suggests.

Stephen Strange has posed:
"The Mysteries will remain Mysteries until they are studied, Wanda." Stephen reminds her of his preferred axiom with another sip of his tea. "With so many promising wizards and witches on this planet, if I do not, how will I remain Sorcerer Supreme, hmm?" With an amused arch of his brow, he lowers his cup then sets it down. "But yes. It would be a pleasant thing to be brought good news. Maybe even blueberry scone." There's a moment as his mouth salivates at the notion. He hadn't had a scone in forever. Of course, he hadn't left the Sanctum in at least that long. Hmm.

Stephen laughs at her last. "Fine. Bring me a scone and I'll help you with your samples." There was an amused shake of his head at it all. "You'd truly wonder if I've ever engaged in deals with demons and their ilk for all that you can twist my arm with such little effort."

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
Wanda takes a sip of her tea and smiles at Stephen overtop of the cup. "Deal," she agrees with a soft laugh. "Well, I'd like to think I'm easier to negotiate with," she tells him, adding another soft chuckle.

Wanda glances around the study again and then back to Stephen. "I'm still amazed you keep up with everything here. Quite a lot of work it must be. Even using magic," she says. Magic is great for fixing the bigger things, but some of the little things that need doing are just easier to do by hand. But time consuming.

Stephen Strange has posed:
"Easier? Or not as likely to demand my soul as a price." Much like Wookies are like to rip arms off, Demons do love to devour the souls of those that violate deals. Stephen lowers his cup to the table. "Wong does most of the work if you must ask. Some of the acolytes from Kamar Taj come by now and then to help. Mostly, Wong just makes sure all of the visitors clean up after themselves. If they don't, they aren't welcome back. Considering the library we have.." He shrugs as if to say its a self-correcting problem.

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
Wanda Maximoff glances back towards the large area at the top of the stairs where so many artifacts are on display. "Quite the collection you have," she comments. "I have a few things I keep for safe keeping but nowhere such as this. Mostly old secure storerooms that like to get dusty despite being stay locked up. That's a magic I still haven't figured out how it happens," she says with a gentle laugh.

Wanda finishes up her tea and says, "So scones it is," she tells him. "I'll let you know once I have the samples on hand. I'm curious to find out if it is purely scientific, or if there is magic involved in it," she tells him. "They were in the company of The Juggernaut, who I do not believe has particular skills in either arena. So a better understanding of the formula might shed a little more light there," she says.

Stephen Strange has posed:
Doctor Strange squints a little. "That is not his usual forte, no." Though Juggernaut's mere involvement does seem to sit him straighter in his chair. "Which makes me wonder who is pulling his strings. Despite his belief that he's unstoppable, he doesn't start moving without some manner of impetus. Usually money." A villain has to get by somehow, right? "Has anyone tried psychometry? Trace the history of the samples. Ahh but then you don't have them yet." He taps his nose then points at Wanda as he rises. "You have my number, of course. Wong prefers the white chocolate and cranberry ones if you can find them." It would seem the scone delivery requirements have expanded.

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
Wanda gives a small nod as if Stephen's questions about the Juggernaut's motivations mirror her own. "That is what we are looking into it. It seems there was a specific payday, a target they were after," she says. "But we're not sure yet what it was. There are items where he attacked that were captured during Loki's attack on New York. But only some. And nothing, I think, tied to Loki himself too directly. So I don't believe it has anything to do with his matter. But yes, I'd like to get to the bottom of it," she tells Stephen.

Wanda smiles to him and says, "I should get back. We're trying to keep extra people on duty for the time being until we figure out more on where Loki might have gone to. I'll be in touch when I get the samples," she tells Stephen.

Stephen Strange has posed:
"Frost Giant or Dark Elf origin, perhaps?" Stephen postulates. "There's no small number of items from that conflict that a mystic would like to get their hands on I'm sure." Hmm. "Has Damage Control done an inventory lately? It would be a shame if any of their stores of countless troublesome artifacts came up short." He was never quite comfortable with the idea that SHIELD kept these things concentrated in warehouses as they did.. but until he had an alternative at least someone was doing it.

He smiled and stepped forward for a brief hug, just a grip of the shoulders, step in, step out, "It was good to see you again. Don't be a stranger, hmm" Yes, it was a joke. He particularly liked that one, even as a groaner.

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
Wanda Maximoff returns the hugs to Stephen warmly. "Good to see you as well. Maybe I'll even stop by on one of my walks and drag you over to the village for lunch," she says, waggling a finger at him like it's a warning, though one delivered with a gentle grin.

"Doctor," she says, grinning to him and dipping her head in a goodbye before she heads for the stairs. "I'll be in touch!" she calls as she heads down and back outside to her car.