4394/Magic over muffins

Magic over muffins
Date of Scene:	13 December 2020
Location:	Avengers Mansion - Kitchen
Synopsis:	Definitely magic over muffins.
Cast of Characters:	Wanda Maximoff, Amanda Sefton

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Wanda Maximoff has posed:
Early afternoon in the City. The weather is unseasonably warm, which brings the tourists out and about with a force. The sidewalks are filled, and there's a tourbus that drives slowly past the Avengers' Mansion, the tourguide heard but his words unclear from both distance and the poor quality microphone and speakers.

Within the Mansion, because that is what it is, an honest to goodness mansion in the city. It sits on a good chunk of real estate, the long, well manicured driveway only a hint at the sort of property it has.

Wanda Maximoff is within, downstairs in the kitchen, her phone set to the side on one of the center counters. Upon a cooling rack to the side of the oven is a couple dozen blueberry muffins, the oven mitts sitting on top of the stove. On another section of stove, a kettle sits, slowly heating the water within.

She'd texted Amanda earlier, expressing the wish to talk with her, to take a moment and perhaps in those moments, find a way to ask for her help to calm her troubled mind. The Avengers Mansion is home to her, and as such? Invited guests are more than welcome. She'd mentioned Amanda's visit to JARVIS, so the AI wouldn't be 'surprised' by the visit. It's hard to think of JARVIS as anything but 'alive', even if he's not in a form.

Amanda Sefton has posed:
An invitation to the Avenger's Mansion isn't actually something Amanda Sefton expected to receive anytime soon. She knows both Tony and Thor, and it's never come up before. Of course, they also haven't needed her particular skillset, either. And they may be more inclined to reach out to the Sorcerer Supreme, instead of her, in any case.

Which is fine by her.

But Wanda is a different story. A fellow gypsy. A fellow witch. Amanda is happy to drop by to visit the woman, even if the invite is something of a surprise to her. Thus, when she makes her way up to the gates and gives the AI her name, she gains entry while the cosplay groupies outside and the tourbusses drifting slowly by look on. It's a little disconcerting for a woman who tends to eschew the spotlight -- no matter what her theatrical history may suggest. She slides in through the gate quickly, so as not to either prolong her exposure or provide any greater opportunity for others to perhaps 'skip the line', as it were.

Thus, when she eventually finds herself in the kitchen, she's already wondering just how upset the superteam may be if she opens a portal straight back into her apartment as her way home. Bypass the crowds altogether.

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
The door opens to Amanda just as she walks up, a soft chime ringing before,

"Good afternoon, Ms Sefton," rises in the air in a close-clipped, very English-butler sounding male voice. "Ms Maximoff is currently in the kitchen. I believe refreshments will be ready in a quarter hour."

Once Amanda crosses the threshold, the door closes behind her with a light *click*, and before her is the corridor to the back. To the sides, the studies, libraries, and the wide stairwell up to the second floor. It's polished wood, and very.. expensive looking.

"I am back here!" is called out, the redhead peeking around so she can be seen from the entry hallway. "I told JARVIS you were coming." She did hear the brief conversation, but it was the chime that caught her attention first.

"Welcome," and the young woman looks absolutely enveloped by the size and stature of the kitchen. After all, Thor cooks in here comfortably. "I did not make muffins, but they are here for all." That's the way they roll! "I found clotted cream, which I used to spoon from jar." She points to the kettle that is on a slow burn, complete with loose tea. "And tea."

Amanda Sefton has posed:
Amanda smiles as she joins Wanda in the kitchen, pulling her eyes from the scope of the mansion proper. She really shouldn't be surprised by it all. After all, she's been to Stark Tower and seen the penthouse. Even so...

"This place is huge," she says, looking at the truly impressive size of this single room, never mind any other room in the place. "If I didn't know better, I'd swear they were using a pocket dimension for it all."

She moves further into the kitchen to join Wanda near the counter. It seems the best choice. She looks at the muffins and the decidedly British fixings of clotted cream and tea. "It's lovely," she assures her new friend. "Thank you. I feel like I should have brought something with me." But, unfortunately, she didn't. Nevertheless, she smiles gamely. "But, how are you? Feeling a little better?"

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
"I am told was Stark's house." As if that'd explain it all? Wanda smiles and it's a touch mischievous, "Cooould be has pocket dimensions." She shrugs soon after, but before she can say anything more, JARVIS has his opinion on the matter. (A bit more chatty than HOMER, apparently?)

"Ms Maximoff, I am not detecting any anomalies present at the moment."

There's a good natured sigh, and Wanda casts a glance ceiling-ward, even though the AI is everywhere. Almost omnipresent. "He sometimes ruins things," is stage whispered.

Wanda doesn't look as if there was any expectation for a visiting gift, but at the very least, she wants to be a proper 'hostess', even though she shares the place with, well... the other Avengers. She shakes her head quickly, waving away the thought, "We will bargain later." Meaning, there is a future, in her mind, that there will be many meetings and many opportunities.

At the question of how she is, however, Wanda leans against the counter, her fingers entwining before her. It's the difference between 'how are you?' and 'HOW are you?', and there are times when the answer is difficult. She goes for the more honest, even if she keeps it a whole lot .. less than what it fully is. Obviously. "Uneasy." It's probably her best answer. "There is much outside, and are only few of us. So, is what I wanted to ask. To go out again, later, and look for more?" Of course, there is always the question to be posed the other way 'round.

"And you? Are you feeling this? Do you sleep?"

Amanda Sefton has posed:
Amanda chuckles softly. "I've seen Stark buildings before. He's not really inclined to use anomalies," she admits, echoing the AI's words. She glances up at the ceiling automatically, as 'he' speaks. She's far more accustomed to HOMER, not having had her friend Pepper's experience with the elder AI. "Too unpredicatable. But, still. I've never seen a Stark construction that isn't a marvel in some way or another." No matter how old.

She understands the bargain comment. She's heard it before. So, she nods her acknowledgement of the sentiment.

She moves to a chair near the table and leans against it much as Wanda has leaned against the counter. She nods again, this time in response to the other woman's unease. "We will keep hunting, yes. I want to gather allies for the hunt." Her smile fades slightly, pulling to one side as she admits, "My sleep is restless. There's something out there pulling me. It's pulling my caravan brother, as well, I think. Though maybe in different directions. But to the same conclusion, I think."

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
Wanda shrugs lightly, a hint of that mischief coming back, obviously, "What he does not know will not hurt him." Though, it is true. JARVIS doesn't really allow for it; he's got protocols in place to try and prevent such a thing. It's protection, after all. Things in the Avengers' Mansion could be considered 'sensitive' in its lowest rating, and at its highest? Who knows.

She does nod soon after, however. "They say, his childhood home." Quite a different childhood than, she could hazard a guess, either of them. Paneled walls versus caravans and the great outdoors. Leaving towns either by choice or by necessity.

The kettle begins a soft whistle, which allows Wanda to tend to the tea pot and the leaves. With a practiced hand, everything is set in the teapot to steep, the strainer nearby. Two cups are set out, sugar, cream.. and of course, a plate for muffins and the clotted cream. All while doing this, she continues the last thread of conversation. "Allies? I only know Dr Strange. I have not spoken to him about this, but I am sure he must know." She does smile in her quick work, setting everything up so it looks aligned and almost perfect. It's probably something that is helping with her discontentment, positioning everything just so.

"Pulling on you?" Wanda nods her head, her gaze going to the other witch, "I feel, yes. Also your caravan brother? He is in city with you?" Straightening up, there's an added warmness in the discovery of yet another. After all, she could easily see herself becoming good friends with the woman, and any family of hers is welcome. "He feels as well?" This, this could be news. "Is he witch? Because Pietro has not told me if he feels something. Other than hungry." The last bit is given with a touch of amused affection.

Amanda Sefton has posed:
Amanda pulls out her chair as Wanda sets up the light repast just so. She notes the precision, but doesn't comment on it. Perhaps she understands it, on some level. She pulls out the other chair for Wanda, too, before she sits herself on the first. "Dr. Strange and I have met," she admits. "But I suspect his duties as Sorcerer Supreme keep him more preoccupied than he'd like. So, yes, I am thinking of gathering others I know to help -- Kurt, my caravan brother, among them."

She smiles, her blue eyes sparkling as she speaks of the Elf, "He lives in Westchester, but comes into the city frequently. Particularly if he knows I need help." She chuckles softly. "He's a bit of a rogue and a scamp, but I love him. And he's always got my back." No doubt Wanda can relate.

Nevertheless, she leans back, letting out a soft sigh. "But, yes. I have attuned myself to this city. It strengthens my magic, otherwise it would fluctuate too greatly with the waxing and waning of the Winding Way. So, when the darnkess creeps into the city like this, it pulls at me. I need to eliminate it, or I risk falling prey to it." She might as well be honest with the other woman. Especially if they're going to share this risk.

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
Wanda murmurs a 'thank you' at the chair, and when everything is just so, she can settle into a chair, her leg pulled up and underneath her so she can sit comfortably. "Dr Strange is friend, but yes," and she nods her agreement, even if it is a touch wistful, "He is busy man. I have not seen him in awhile."

To hear of her caravan brother so described, the other witch laughs, the sound light, the sentiment echoing in her eyes. "I think all gypsy men are rogue and scamp. You have met Pietro, yes?" Of course she has! "And like you love your brother..." and she lets the thought go, its conclusion obvious, even if her brother is truly by blood, and a twin to boot! "But we would not have them any other way."

Now, though, Wanda listens attentively, catching the nuances of what Amanda says, her head bobbing in understanding if not out and out agreement. "I feel city too. And more, I think. When sick, I feel sick, but is different kind. Sometimes is surprise, the feeling. When I get sudden feeling?" She shakes her head quickly, adding, "Is not good. People become afraid of me. I become afraid of me."

Amanda Sefton has posed:
Amanda flashes a grin. "Yes, I've met Pietro. There are distinct similiarities." And considerable differences. "And, no. I wouldn't change them."

She reaches out for the tea before her and raises it to take a brief sip, murmuring the gypsy version of 'to your health' before she does.

She sips slowly, listening to Wanda's explanation of her own reaction. Her acknowledgement is a faint nod, her cup settling back on the table. "I don't doubt it," she says slowly. "Your power is formidable. Far greater than my own, I expect." Her lips twitch slightly, again drawing to one side. "All the more reason for us to resolve this swiftly, don't you think?"

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
Wanda takes up her tea and sits back in her seat, a softly murmured 'blessing' for their drink. Another 'to your health'. She exhales in a soft sigh before she nods her assent regarding her abilities, but even moreso for the quick resolution.

"I am thinking that tonight would be good night to look again. I have been inside too long again." Though, that'd mean that it'd probably be better if she had someone along, just to keep her in check. Not 'contain' her, because, well.. that'd be hard. Just, giving her a dose of reality, this present reality, would help. Maybe dumpsters, then, may be spared?

"Do I know your friends?" Of course they can be trusted. They're friends of Amanda! The circle of those who wield magic is small, and as it is, they already have one in common. Perhaps there are more?

Amanda Sefton has posed:
Amanda tilts her head as Wanda suggests they resume their hunt tonight. Considering it for a moment, she nods. "We may not have allies tonight, but, yes, I think we two could still go out and make difference. I have several friends I might call on. Most of them mages of some form or another." She chuckles softly. "I even know an angel or two." Or creatures that closely approximate them, anyway. "Nessa and Sera would be good choices. So might Sara. She's a cop, which comes in handier than you might think. And she's got... unusual abilities, too. But I really want to know more clearly what we're dealing with before I bring too many others in."

She cups her hands around the tea and considers their best approach. "Perhaps, tonight, we can go and scout a little further into the darkness. See where it strengthens and where its focus may be. That may help us determine what it is and what we need to do to stop it."

She smiles, the expression thoughtful. "Leave it with me. I've got a friend who might be able to help. I'll give him a call. He might be able to point me in the right direction. Regardless..."

She raises a hand and conjures a small card with a twist of her wrist and a snap. She pushes it toward her new friend. "That's my address. Meet me there after sunset. We'll go hunting."