text

[seeingscarlet]

Do we know what happens to people who disappear? Are they safe?

[Everything is fine.]

Comments

[seeingscarlet]

[This is so weird. She's grown so used to thinking of herself as lesser by comparison in all ways the more she's learned about the other Wanda.]

it is just not very good with electricity

better than if I get hit directly but it won't last long. maybe a few hits at most

I don't think we need to worry about that today but you should know

[doubled_speed]

[Not lesser. Just different. And with better taste in clothes. Tommy would stand on that hill and die on it.]

I generate a good bit of static when i run
it going to last?

[seeingscarlet]

[Some things should just never be worn in public...]

I don't know. Is it going to shock me?

[doubled_speed]

[Yeah, and that leotard DEFINITELY has that problem. And the head dress. Oh god.]

my suit tends to resist that build up because I'm grounded, so you should be okay
but the shield wouldn't be touching us so it might.

[seeingscarlet]

My shield can take more than I can but we should test it to be safe

[doubled_speed]

very sciency
yeah we can do that.

[seeingscarlet]

Better to know now

[doubled_speed]

rather than learning in an emergency? yeah that makes sense

[seeingscarlet]

I tried to fight after I got shocked once. Bad things happened

I don't want that to happen here too

[doubled_speed]

yeah, I get that
anyway tell me where you are and we'll meet up to test and then go find Pops

[seeingscarlet]

I'm still at home

[oh no she only has like...what, three seconds? to try to make herself look presentable, doesn't she?]

[doubled_speed]

okay
tell me when you're ready and i'll come fetch you then

[seeingscarlet]

give me ten minutes

unless you want me to talk to the agrii first

[doubled_speed]

It's up to you, right?

[seeingscarlet]

[There's a notable pause.]

I don't think anyone wants me talking to the agrii right now

["""talking"""]

[doubled_speed]

he's your husband
i don't have the right to talk

[seeingscarlet]

[Another significant pause. She knows she shouldn't feel this way, she knows Vision wouldn't want her to feel this way...but she can't help it.]

they are smart to stay somewhere I can't reach

[There is one thing, apparently, that is the same in all worlds. No Wanda is going to react well when the people she loves most are in danger. And this Wanda has a serious vengeful streak and a deep distrust of people in authority.

...and nowhere to put all her rage and sadness. What could possibly go wrong?]

I don't trust them. I want to be sure that we've tried everything

[doubled_speed]

You want a hug, when I get there?

[seeingscarlet]

[This reply comes as fast as she can type.]

Please

[doubled_speed]

i'll try not to crash your ribs, aunt wanda

[seeingscarlet]

I'm sure someone can heal it but please try not to if you can

[But she understands - she just wants to cling to everyone she cares about with all her strength right now.

In those ten minutes she's able to get dressed. She's even able to brush her hair! But she isn't really able to do anything about the crying.]

[doubled_speed]

[Hey, he gets it. Because when Tommy gets there, there are tears stinging at his eyes too. Vision was... The guy was the only father figure he'd ever had, and Vision had been good to him. Loved him. And had no obligation to. So yeah, he's definitely got red, puffy eyes. He's been tearing up too.

And his arms open up to her.]

Come here.

[seeingscarlet]

[Wanda isn't a speedster, but she rushes to Tommy and flings her arms around him as quickly as she can. She holds him tightly, almost immediately bursting into tears.]

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

[For not being strong enough to protect Vision from this. For not having the power to hunt the Agrii down and make them fix this, or just fix it herself the way she's sure the other Wanda could.

For not being able to be strong for him right now.]

[doubled_speed]

[Sorry? No, that's not right. But Tommy wraps his arms carefully around her, trying to offer a firm hug that won't make breathing hard. And his fingers card through her hair gently.]

Don't apologize. You couldn't do anything. None of us could. But you're not going to be alone, Wanda. You've got your friends. You've got Sansa. And you definitely have Billy and me. We won't let you be alone.

[seeingscarlet]

[He's hit upon a time-honored tradition that Pietro and Vision have both used to calm her down. Right now Wanda is desperate for something to fill the sudden silence in her mind where Vision's presence used to be, but physical reassurance is a close second. She's still crying, but it's quieter.]

But I can't protect you. Any of you. I can't make them stop.