TEST DRIVE MEME #7

[abraxasmods]

TEST DRIVE MEME

Welcome to the seventh test drive meme for Abraxas! This meme is run a little bit differently than most in that you'll be asked to choose one of the three different arrival scenarios below for your character to take. If you have any questions about this mechanic or anything else related to the TDM, please take a look at the questions below or ask one of your own under the Questions header below. For general game questions please still use the FAQ.

Our Setting pages are full of information on the world of Abraxas, and an overview of the story so far can be found on our Game History page! Anything on that page - including information about the Horizon and the Singularity - can be assumed to be told to newcomers after they arrive, no matter which faction they are received in. For more information on Ambrose and the apprentice mages, Marlo, and Rowan, please see our NPCs page.

You can also find answers to questions asked on previous TDMs in their respective questions threads.

For characters who arrive in SOLVUNN: Recently, following the events in which some of the Summoned received visions of each other's past, locals in Solvunn have begun to approach the Summoned with a sort of awe and respect. Those who arrive in Solvunn will find themselves treated much the same way and may be asked for advice or given gifts that seem like offerings such as wine, harvest bounties, or some incredibly delicious goat cheese. Your character is free to turn these down and should they turn down enough people, they will not be bothered further, out of concern of offending the Summoned.

Arrival

You awaken suspended in the abyss, silent darkness stretching out in all directions. If you try to yell, you'll find that the sound doesn't carry. If you try to move, you'll find it's impossible to tell whether or not you're actually getting anywhere. If you reach for an item you were carrying last time you remember being awake, your hand will only touch bare skin.

You're naked and floating helplessly through the void, and what little air you have in your lungs is running out.

There's a pinprick of light that almost looks like a faraway star but as it grows it becomes clear that it's actually quite close. Through the opening you can see a bright room, but it's hard to make out any individual objects, as if you're looking from beneath rippling water.

Scenario One: Welcome to Thorne

A hand plunges through and you realize water is just what it is. Whether you take hold of the hand or not it will grab you and yank you up through the surface, lifting you out until you're sprawled on solid ground. Once you catch your breath, you can get a better look at the surroundings: tall trees and even taller stone pillars surround the platform you're laying on. Behind you is an ornate fountain, the base of which is so deep and so dark you might be compelled to scramble away from it lest it suck you back in to that endless abyss. Ahead of you are the walls of a large castle with several tall towers reaching up towards the sky.

If you had any powers, they feel unusually weak. Attempts to use magic or enhanced strength or powers of any sort fizzle out without any effect, but they don't feel completely gone, either.

Set into an indent on a marble slab behind the fountain is a card bearing the image of one of the arcana.

An apprentice mage - the one whose hand lifted you out of the fountain - brushes the water off on their robes and runs back to join a group of three others, who all stare intently at a mage with highly decorated robes and a large, heavy book. He peers up at you for a moment and starts flipping through the book.

"One moment," he says, not bothering to look up from the tome. He looks tired. "I am Ambrose Rhett, the High Mage of the Kingdom of Thorne. We’ll explain everything in a moment, but for now, please calm down. You’re completely fine."

Regardless of your response, he keeps flipping through the pages, until he stops on one specific passage, stares at it for a moment, and then sighs with relief:

"Finally!"

Ambrose's expression brightens, relief visible across his features. He waves one of the apprentices over with a fine silk tunic, pants, and some basic sandals and with a wave of his hand they reshape to fit you perfectly.

"Oh, thank heavens," he says, closing the book and approaching you with a sort of worn-out relief. “I was beginning to believe we’d never get it exactly right.”

Now that he's not hunching over the book, he doesn't seem quite so stuffy and inapproachable. The apprentices all seem to visibly relax, and the one that handed you the tunic stops to take the tarot card down from the marble slab. If you show any curiosity about the card, they'll let you take a longer look, but won't let you touch it.

"Please, come with me," he says, motioning for you to follow him towards the castle. "As promised, my pupils will explain your current situation. And, ah - if you had any magic of your own, or other special abilities you can't access right now, fear not, they'll return within the week. The summoning takes a lot out of you."

One of the apprentices steps forward and rattles on and on about the castle, Thorne itself, the names of a bunch of royals and nobles, and of course, your reason for being here. The Kingdom and the world itself is in great peril, and tales of your exploits have reached far and wide across universes. If asked about these exploits, the apprentice will simply smile and shrug. The High Mage was happy to see you and that's good enough.

Once inside the castle you're taken to the North Wing, which has been set up as living quarters for you and your fellow newcomers. There are four people to a room, but each generously-sized bed has opaque curtains that can be drawn around it. You can meet your roommates here and discuss your shared situation (those who were previously brought in may have a great deal of information to tell you), or you can wander around and meet the others.

There's also a dining hall stocked with a rotating 24/7 buffet in celebration of the new honored guests. Somehow, your very favorite food is part of the rotation (or at least an attempted recreation of it given the limited technology available to the Thorneans). The town surrounding the castle is all abuzz as well, with most shops and services willing to give free samples of their wares to the new arrivals.

You may also notice that your sign is embroidered on your tunic: the same image you saw on the card from before with the name of the sign itself beneath it. If you ask the castle residents, they'll tell you a little bit about your sign (and will mostly stick to the positives, although some might point out the negatives).

Last (and, if you ask anyone else in the castle, least) there is a worn stone staircase leading underground to the dungeon. You can go there, if you wish, but all powers are restricted in the dungeons and most of the cells stand empty.

Scenario Two: Welcome to the Free Cities

You find yourself pulled from the water by a pair of strong hands. Dry warmth hits you at once as you're set on a warm hard floor. As your senses return you realize you're on dull ruddy stone and surrounded by strangers. Men and women in unfamiliar uniforms of brown and red leather stand in a semi-circle around a small pool of water. The very pool you were just pulled from. The water is still now, rimmed in pale gold tiles with odd symbols etched into them. Across it on the far side is a raised pedestal with a card propped on it. The card bears an arcana symbol.

You feel weak. Drained. Any abilities or magical powers you have seem far away and impossible to access. You're in what looks like a cave lit by dozens and dozens of torches set into the wall. There's no furniture or decoration to be seen besides the pool. It's almost uncomfortably warm and there's the sound of rushing wind somewhere in the distance. Flickering shadows obscure the faces of the guards. A robed woman stands off to the side, looking at you anxiously and then to the authoritative woman standing before you. She's grinning, dressed in a fancier uniform than the others. There's a sword at her hip. A guard covers you with a blanket and returns to their place in the semi-circle.

The woman with the sword gives a nod of approval and smiles warmly.

"Sorry about the circumstances."

She gives you a good hard look before standing again.

"Take a minute, catch your breath, you've had quite a shock. Take it nice and easy. I'm Prime Minister Marlo Reiner and you're in The Free Cities. That nice lady over there will explain everything to you and get you settled." A nod to the robed woman off to the side.

Marlo Reiner steps back and the robed mage approaches to help you up.

"Come with me, please." She brings you out of the cave through a corridor that angles upwards until you emerge in what looks like some kind of storage facility. Shelves of wooden boxes and cloth bags line them, unidentifiable parts of what might be machines are tucked into corners and propped against shelving units. "This is one of the Free Cities' outposts," the mage explains as she leads you. "We're honored to have you with us, I'm sure you have many questions but please save them. You need to recover!"

You'll learn you're in the Cadens Desert Outpost 003, a military outpost on the outskirts of Cadens city. You're brought to a room in the barracks that's been prepared. Each barracks room is rather sparse and utilitarian. Six simple beds set against the wall, three on each side of the room, each with a trunk at the foot of it. You're told the world is in a delicate and dangerous times and you're needed to help. You're important, you're told, and they're very grateful you're here.

You're asked to stay close for the time being, but to make yourself at home. The outpost is more a proper military base than the name implies, with full facilities. The barracks have a communal bathing room at the end of the hall, with curtains that can be pulled around the individual raised round tubs for privacy. There's a mess hall that has food available from sun up till a few hours after sundown. You're even encouraged to make use of the training grounds, if you'd like, with non-lethal training weapons available for use and obstacle courses set up. And the city of Cadens is only a couple of hours away by wagon - though you're asked initially to please be back at the outpost within a few hours of the sun going down.

For your own safety.

Scenario Three: Welcome to Solvunn

The feeling of floating is the first sense that comes to you as the edges of unconsciousness start to ebb. Sunlight filters through the rippling water as you open your eyes, making you squint. Before you have the chance to panic and inhale, firm hands grasp your arms and pull you to the surface of the water. Moments later, soft warmth is wrapped around your shoulders as you're guided on unsteady legs out of a pool of water. You're lowered to the soft grass. Men and women in simple garments with lavish embroidery stand by, waiting with bated breath, glancing seriously at an old man in an ornate robe. He holds an old leather-bound book in one hand and in the other is a card bearing an arcana symbol. His eyes move quickly over the page, and he mumbles idly to himself.

Any strength you may have possessed feels as though it has slipped through your fingers. Any abilities or magical powers you have don't come to the surface no matter how hard you try. You're in a grassy clearing in the midst of a circle of large stone slabs stacked to look like doorways. In the middle is the same glimmering pool you were just pulled from. A gentle breeze blows through, carrying the scent of flowers and herbs from an ornately decorated altar set off in front of one of the stone doorways. The mage closes his book and steps out of the water, addressing a matronly old woman. Behind her are two younger people, a rough-looking man, and a meek young girl, both of whom are also watching the mage.

“I detect no ill will from the gods, it seems we've been blessed with success.” Those that had gathered all breathe a sigh of relief and now seem pleased.

The old woman smiles and steps forward, offering to take your hands and help you stand. “Any gift the gods give us is one we will happily take. I'm certain you have many questions, and they will all be answered in time. For now, rest and know you will be taken care of.”

She pats the top of your hand and steps away with a serene smile, letting one of the others come forward with some clothes that seem to fit you perfectly. Once you're dressed, someone approaches to drape a delicate-looking charm depicting a butterfly with too many wings on a thin chain over your neck. The rough-looking man from before steps forward once you're decent and motions with his head outside of the stone circle. His speech is informal, his consonants harsh.

“Hold your horses, I can see all those questions coming about! Rowan March, at your service. I'm one of the council members of Solvunn. There's a lot to discuss, but it's best talked about over a hot meal.” He leads you to a horse-drawn carriage and helps you up into the back. He talks the entire ride to the settlement.

You find out you are in the Primary Settlement, the first of three that make up Solvunn's great territory. The settlement is situated between two lakes and is humming with life. You're brought to the center of town and escorted to an apartment above one of the establishments in town. Rowan explains that the living conditions are temporary if you'd like them to be, that local families would also be happy to host you in their home. That there are others like you who have also taken up residence within the three settlements. You're told that the world hangs upon the brink of disaster and that there are those in this world that are happy to see it fall to ruin with their meddling.

You're important. The gods have graced them with your presence. They're delighted you're here. Welcome to Solvunn.

Everything you need has been provided in this humble apartment, and if it hasn't, there are shops that line the streets and a marketplace in the center of town. Owners of some establishments or stalls are more than happy to give out samples or barter with your time for their goods. Babysitting can be a very lucrative business. You're told of the other settlements, that they'd like you to stay here for now, but if you can find a family to host you, the secondary and tertiary settlements are best to get to with an escort.

There are tales of travelers visiting the secondary settlement without invitation disappearing without a trace. The gods are as hungry as they are protective, young traveler.

You’ll find that there are more than enough activities to throw yourself into to better settle into your new life in Solvunn. Work is done in the first part of the day so that families can spend the rest of it together in leisure and work on their crafts - whatever those may be. For those children who are not of school age, they need nannies or storytellers, and there’s always a gaggle of them running about unsupervised. Families with livestock can always take a spare hand, especially since farms are so spread out, they have a tendency to wander. Whatever skills you may possess can always be of use to the community or to honor the gods.

If any of these options are no good for your lifestyle, the main roads between settlements can always use a bit of monster clean-up… just make sure you don’t go alone.

---

Questions

How many slots are open?
Please check the Taken page for how many player, franchise, and canon slots are available. Activity check will be processed before applications open, so the count may change between now and then. Existing players can apply for a second character without restriction.

How do I choose a scenario for my character?
Pick whichever situation appeals to you most. Which faction your character is drawn into has nothing to do with their personal morality, beliefs, or how highly they regard themselves and their own accomplishments. Anyone can be put into any one of the situations.

Can I try out more than one scenario?
You can! But please keep in mind that only the one you eventually choose can be game canon, if you decide to keep any of your TDM threads.

What happens if my character refuses to comply with the NPCs?
They will be forgiven for their moment of panic or anger if they have one, and the faction leaders will try to calm them and persuade them further. If they put up too much of a fight and/or start actively attacking anyone, they will be warned once that everyone is willing to put them back in the well where they came from (see below), and if they continue to fight they will make good on that promise.

My character intends on causing a lot of trouble (destroying parts of the cities, murdering the NPCs, etc.), what would happen to them?
Characters who make too much trouble for the mages and other NPCs would be thrown back in the well (which will mean drowning in the void, not returning home). Brawling with other PCs and causing minor damage is fine and will be greeted with a cranky attitude and intervention from various NPC guards, and there will be plenty of opportunity for destruction and murder later, but for now the Abraxans have no desire to keep huge liabilities around.

I want to wildcard a prompt or use one of the prompts from an earlier TDM that isn't on this one (eg. the library), can I do that?
Yes, in terms of the settings. As Thorne is no longer imprisoning any newcomers, that option is no longer applicable.

Is the power loss for characters permanent?
No, but it does take a week or so for their powers to be back in full, and certain powers (determined on a case-by-case basis) may require nerfs. If your character has world-breaking powers, please discuss with the mods what modifications may be necessary.

Can my character leave the bounds of the faction?
In Thorne, characters can leave the castle but not the city. In Cadens, they can take a trip from the outpost to the city. In Solvunn, they can explore the entirety of the Primary Settlement.

Can my character eventually change factions?
Yes. While the faction borders are currently closed, there will opportunities in the future for characters to relocate. For the time being, they are stuck where they are.

How much will my choice of scenario affect my character's plot later on?
This choice will determine where your character initially lives as well as the bias of the information they receive from NPCs (although other PCs can and most likely will give it to them a bit more straight). This decision - and every other major decision you make in game! - will also be used to flavor some mod surprises that will be coming down the line.

Don't get too anxious about this choice, though; this is just one choice you'll get to make in a game that has a lot of them, and every character in every scenario can work their way towards many, many individual goals and outcomes. You're not locking yourself out of anything in the future via the choice you made on the TDM. It will primarily impact the immediate future with the far-reaching effects being up to each player.

Are TDM threads mandatory for my application?
No, you may use other samples, but we encourage you to post to the TDM and get a feel for this game and its mechanics before you join. If you do not have a TDM thread you will still need to choose one of the three scenarios on your application.

What if I haven't settled on a sign yet?
You can ignore sign-related prompts if you're undecided (or try out different signs in different threads).

Can my character go to the Horizon?
First time visitors to the Horizon must be taken there by other characters, through either shared meditation or a physical journey to the Singularity, and all first-timers experience memory loss. For the purposes of the TDM, we suggest against using the Horizon.

What about making use of the network?
Much like Horizon they would need to be introduced to it by another PC, as no NPCs would be aware of the network or be able to access it. Because of this we would advise against using this mechanic for TDM top-levels.

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Comments

Marc Spector/Steven Grant | MCU | Solvunn | The Tower

[wagwam]

[Marc and Steven are coming from post-season one of Moon Knight, lmk if you want to avoid spoilers.]

Arrival

Steven Grant is used to difficult awakenings. It's why he generally sleeps secured to his bed.

This is an awakening that puts them all to shame. As he's pulled sputtering from the water, his first thought is there's been another incident, that Marc has been busy, or worse; Khonshu hasn't kept his word about releasing them from his service.

It...quickly becomes apparent neither of those things are true.

"Sorry, I'm not... not quite sure about the gods having no ill will." He ventures. "Have you, um...you've never actually met a god, have you?" He doesn't want to say they're wrong, but...

Primary Settlement

It's actually a bit nice out here, all that talk of "being chosen by the gods" notwithstanding. He can feel Marc's doubts; it's easier now that they're on the same page, without necessarily needing a reflective surface to facilitate things. And Marc has doubts. But there's been no sign of Khonshu, so either he's still around but keeping to himself, which has not been Steven's impression of the moon god... or he's really not here. In which case, they have some time to properly destress first before they go looking for answers. No one's coming after them, this world is in no immediate danger, so. Take a minute. Clear your head. Have some tea. Or failing that, some cheese.

And the children are so attentive!
So Steven falls back on what he knows best. No one's here to tell him to get back to his real job.

"So before the world existed, there was just this...this great, vast sea of procreation. All the bits, and stuff of life just floating in the waters, just waiting to, to be. This sea, it's not just sea, it's also a god himself, and he has a name, called Nun. And then, comes an event called the First Occasion, and this is where things start happening. This great, biiiiiiiig mound rises out of Nun, and on this mound sits the self-begotten god...ah, yes? Young fellow with the red hair in the back?"

"What does that mean, self be got them?" The young man enquires.

"'Self-begotten'." Steven corrects genially. "It means uh, that this god fellow god, a nice fellow called Atum, by the by, had no parents of his own. He just sort of...came to be, on his own. And now that he was, he could get the ball rolling on this whole creation business so he spits—" this gets the requisite sounds of amused disgust from the kids.

Going with spitting? You know, I know what you know. Marc chimes in from a nearby window that only Steven can hear. You got the fighting skills, I get the Ancient Egyptian trivia and I seem to recall, there's some debate on whether it was spit or he—

"And by doing so," Steven carries on. "He created Shu, and Tefnut, air and moisture. So, remember that, the next time you take a deep breath of that fresh air." That gets the kids laughing harder now, having learned the air is loogies.

He decides to let them get it out of their systems, and in case anyone else is drawn in and wants to hear the story.

Or maybe you're from Earth, or some variation of it and you just wanna know what's going on with that accent.

Primary Settlement

[pissoffbook]

There's another person listening in on the story. Kainé is leaned up against the side of a shop, her arms crossed under her bust and her feet crossed at the ankles.

She's dressed in one of the provided dresses, the sleeves rolled up. Even with the sleeve rolled up, her left arm is wrapped in bandages and she wears a glove.

She snorts a laugh at the 'spitting' comment and walks over, clapping her hands at the story's finish.

"Good thing he wasn't pissing..." She laughs again. That's just her sense of humor.

[wagwam]

I like her. Marc chimes in as Kaine walks over. You should get her to help tell the rest of the story. You know she's not even that far off, actually.

Steven sees the bandages and wonders if she's hurt, though she's not acting like it. Still, he smiles in greeting, and gestures her to join them.

"Ahhaa, yes. Yes we're all grateful for that. Yes, yes, come, come, join the group." He offers, before resuming the story. "Once brought into being, Shu and Tefnut fell in love with each other, and the result of that little love story was the birth of Geb, the Earth, and of But, the nighttime sky."

A young girl raises her hand. "I thought Nut was the big sea you said."

"Oh! Uh, no, actually, I can see why you're confused, but that was Nun, who was the sea, actually." Steven replies. "Nun, and Nut. Gets a bit confusing I know."

"What was Adam doing during all of this?" Another young boy interjects.

"Atum, actually. Adam is...someone else." Let's not go mixing mythologies here. "And, uhhhh, I...presume he was still on his mound during all of this. Doesn't really come up after he plays his part."

"Is that where Shoe and Tefnun made babies?"

Steven doesn't appear to have a good answer for this. "Uhhhh, well...hoo." He exhales. "You know, that's a, a good, um..."

The poor man is floundering. Help him.

[pissoffbook]

Kainé walks over behind him when he starts to get overwhelmed and decides to throw him a bone. She's not gonna call out an idiot in front of a bunch of kids.

"And everyone met up and had a big feast. The end." She ends the story with a smirk. Then she turns to the man and whispers, just to get a teasing shot in, "Just saying. There's a lot of piss, and butts, and nuts in this story."

She laughs and pats him on the shoulder. Only around children is she this sociable.

[wagwam]

Masturbation. It was masturbation, right Steve? Marc helpfully chimes in from the window. Pretty sure if it's not spit it was a good old wan—

"Yeah, all right, thank you." Steven shoots the window A Look, before turning back to the children, nodding at Kainè. "Y...yeah, that's right. To celebrate the creation of the world, they all had a big feast. Grand old time. Anyway, that's story time kiddos, off you go now. Go find your mums." He holds up a hand as the kids pick up. "Be seeing you. Home safe."

Steven likes kids but they do seem to have his number. "Yeah, well, the Ancient Egyptians were kinda like that. In the legends, I mean. S'all right though, it's a good story for the kids though, ain't it?"

Can't help but notice you left out all the incest too. You know, Shu and Tefnut being all, spit-siblings. Marc continues.

"Say, you got one of those marks." Steven points to the house arcana mark on Kainè's clothes that mirrors his own. "Pulled out of the pool too, right? Steven. Steven Grant." He offers her his hand.

And I'm Marc. Not that you can hear me, but...hello.

[pissoffbook]

Kainé waves the kids off as well, then glances down at the Hanged Man arcana embroidered on her dress.

"Yeah, they said it's 'The Hanged Man.' Whatever the hell that's supposed to mean." She shrugs,"Yeah, I was just dragged here too."

She blinks at the offered hand and clasps his wrist as warriors do to show they're unarmed, though that's not exactly true with Kainé when she can summon her weapons at will. Well, except for right now... her magic seems to be all messed up.

"I'm Kainé."

[carmesi]

"So, you're the one having all the kids spitting into the air," the accusation comes from a young woman wearing a shawl, having approached Steven some time after he's done providing entertainment to the children. News spread fast, of a story teller who knew of gods and talked about creation and the like.

The people of Solvunn, of course, are more than happy to eat up anything that will confirm to them their idea of gods incarnate.

Wanda's expression as she studies the man is, however, anything but happy. There isn't even a hint of amusement in her expression, but there is no anger in her words either.

"You must be new," and, if she were anyone else, she probably would offer her hand in greeting. As it were, she remains impassive. "Have you settled alright?"

[wagwam]

"What? Oh. Uhm. Yeah, probably." Steven admits, rubbing the back of his neck. Oh boy this one looks Severe. "Sorry about that. I thought, you know, keep 'em hooked, a bit of fun. You know." He probably should have expected they'd take the spitting to heart.

Steven. Marc's voice is urgent, his expression in the window behind Wanda focused. Steven, you need to give me the body right now. He glances past her and his hand twitches in reassurance. He's got this. They're just talking. It's fine.

"Yeah, uhm, we're doing all right. People are being accommodating. Ah, lots of messes, I'm guessing?" He asks. "I can uh, make the rounds later if you like. Try to keep it a bit cleaner in the future."

[carmesi]

Oh, he's definitely awfully — jittery? One of the kids had described him that way: talkative but in a distracted kind of way, but mostly friendly. Wanda frowns for a moment before easing off a little. He seems to be under the impression that she is trying to enforce some rules or something.

"No, it won't be necessary," she offers, instead. "Their parents are thrilled they've learned a 'tradition' from a 'god'. Even if it's pretty gross."

Wanda isn't a fan of the spitting, but who would be in their right mind?

Quite suddenly, she offers him a brochure—a copy of the one Nero had been working on for so many nights in a row.

"...here."

[wagwam]

A wide relieved grin breaks across Steven's face. "Oh, good, that's good, yeah? I wasn't wanting to step on any toes. Ancient Egypt's just...kind of my scene, you know?" It still is, even after everything with Khonshu, Harrow, and Ammit. Even if he and Marc are out of the Avatar game now. "Anyway, I got lots more so if the kids want to know, I'm happy to help out. Less gross stuff too. I'm Steven, Steven Grant." He's about to offer his hand for a shake, but Wanda is quicker with the brochure, so he ends up taking that instead.

"What's this?" He asks, unfolding it with a look of bemusement. "Oh, did one of the children draw this?" He asks. Little tot have asked her to pass it on. "Great work with the crayons." Look, the kid made himself look all strong. "Well, this is very kind of little Nero. I'll have to thank him for the hard work."

Steven, look at the names. Look at the frowny woman, look at the name, look at who you're talking to. Marc urges from the window. Again, Steven's eyes dart up past Wanda, then back to the picture of Nero and His Super Friends.

"Wanda..that's you, is it?" He asks. Bit of an unusual name to see these days, does bring to mind a certain image, seen on many a TV screen, blurry cellphone image or newscast back home. He glances up again, and stops.

"Uh...wait a second, hang on, hang on." It's kind of hard with the veil, but, then again, Marc's always been perceptive. An inattentive mercenary's a dead one.

He leans forward. "Are, you like...an Avenger?" He asks, his voice low like he doesn't want to give away the secret.

i want to think marc just wants to meet his fave hero

[carmesi]

The reaction is, honestly, a little endearing, the way the man accepts the brochure and unfolds it, as if narrating his thoughts for her benefit. A stitch of a laugh escapes her when he calls Nero 'little', and it truly is an all-encompassing description of this brochure's creation.

She waits a moment for any questions that may come up (the legged house tends to raise concerns), but instead, what she gets, is something a little more... discerning.

Wanda leans back a little when he leans forward, uncertain, but not far away enough that she can't hear his conspiratorial whispering. It's been like watching him make a connection from one end to the other.

"Uh," she's trying to think if she knows him? So far, the only people who know her from her world are other Avengers (or Avengers-adjacent individuals). This man's face and name—Steven Grant—is unfamiliar to her in every way. "I — used to be? I'm not sure what the status of the group is anymore."

Completely caught off guard.

"How do you know that?"