closed;

[divulsion]

who: Wanda Maximoff, Bryn Zethir and others.
what: Catch-All for Aeslin mice, event things, and more!
when: Starting today and onward
where: Various places
warnings: None expected!



[ooc: I requested a small colony of Aeslin mice for Wanda. They're tiny. They talk. They remember everything said and turn everything into a holiday or religious rite to be observed, or something to be worshiped, etc. Canon quotes involving the mice can be found here for those who don't mind having Seanan McGuire's InCryptid books spoiled.

All starters are closed unless otherwise noted!]

Comments

closed to sam

[divulsion]

[HAIL! HAIL THE DISCOVERY OF THE GODDESS!!

That was fifteen minutes ago. Fifteen minutes after a small colony of talking mice had found Wanda and Sam in the backyard of their home and apparently decided that Wanda was their new goddess. To be fair, she had been using her powers at the time, lifting and arranging their backyard furniture with sparkling swirls of red energy. To anyone who didn't know better they would at the very least understand that she had incredible powers of some kind. Magic. Cosmic energy manipulation. Something. To small creatures like talking mice it might very well seem like a sign of divinity, she supposed.

Whatever the case, the discovery of the mice, well, discovering them had been unexpected but fascinating. Who wouldn't find adorable mice who could speak to humans interesting, especially from a world where that sort of thing only happens in Disney movies. She'd been charmed.

At first.

It soon became apparent that Wanda couldn't convince the mice that she wasn't divine, and no amount of patient explanation would sway them in their decision to worship her. Her efforts, while varied, did little more than give Sam entertainment. The mice were fixated. Determined. Half a dozen of them were already scattered throughout the backyard, gathering flowers and colorful feathers and whatever else they could find to prepare for their celebrations tonight.

Seated on the grass, faced with a congregation of furry bodies, Wanda rests her chin in her hand and looks up at Sam. Her expression is somewhere between amusement and resignation as she speaks above the chattering mice.]

I don't think I'm going to get through to them.

[They may have just acquired thirty or so roommates in the space of a minute. She can't rightly think of them as pets since they can think and talk and apparently have feelings like humans. Even having just met them, she can feel their excitement and adoration radiating from them. They project so strongly it's impossible for her to miss.]

They're discussing what to call me because "Wanda" is too casual. Too familiar and unfitting, according to them.

[wingedman]

Makes sense.

[Sam's seated in one of the patio chairs, just looking amused at the mice that are now scattered throughout their yard. He can't think of them as pests, not when they're clearly sentient creatures.]

In just about every monotheistic human religion, the name of God is considered too sacred to be used by worshipers. Can't just call your god by their first name, that'd be blasphemy.

[He bends down for a moment and gently dissuades a mouse from taking one of his shoelaces.]

Where the hell do talking mice even come from, that's what I wanna know.

[divulsion]

[The mouse near Sam's shoe looks up and squeaks at him.]

We're from Earth!

[Wanda, lifting a brow, looks to the others who nod in agreement.]

Some version of it, at least. I think we would know about talking mice on ours, by this point.

[Not that they have any reason to speak up to people who would keep them as pets or kill them as infestations but still. Wanda starts picking some nearby flowers and begins weaving the tiniest blossoms together.]

I'm never going to hear the end of this when the rest of the team hears about this, am I?

[wingedman]

[He pretends to think for a second, but loses his composure once he realizes that she's making the smallest flower crown for one of the mice, lifting a hand to cover his laughter.]

No. No, you aren't.

[But on the other hand, he feels like having a group of mice - what's the collective noun for mice, anyway? - worship her will be good for Wanda. Not just because it'll boost her self-esteem, but because developing more emotional bonds will help her through her problems. He can't think of anyone who'd benefit more from them.]

But I'll let you tell them about it.

[It only seems proper, after all.]

[divulsion]

I appreciate that.

[Her tone is dry as she gives Sam a Look, pausing in the midst of her careful crafting. This world is lush with greenery and it's hard not to want to make things out of the flowers and grasses around when sitting idly by like this.

The mice watch her with rapt attention and eventually Wanda finishes the tiniest of flower crowns. She holds it out to a mouse with silvery fur who takes it with reverence.]

I have been Blessed by Her Holiness!. [Wanda stares. The other mice begin cheering:] A High Priestess has been chosen! A High Priestess has been chosen!

[Mildly alarmed, Wanda looks up at Sam again. There is a clear "What did I just do and what do I do now?" look on her face. Is she supposed to cheer as well? It feels like she's just digging a hole deeper, supporting this madness...]

[wingedman]

[Sam just blinks, because what the actual fuck.]

Did you just crown a mouse pope or something?

[Nope, he's not helping at all, not that he has any idea how he could help. Talking mice creating a religion around Wanda is not the sort of thing any of them have ever trained for.]

I mean, at least they know their god is real. That's more than most humans have.

[divulsion]

[The urge to place her head in her hands is so very, very strong now. But it's a little hard to do that when the mice are staring at her, cheering Hail! Hail! Hail! and the small mouse with the flower crown is looking especially ecstatic by it's rise in importance.

She looks to Sam, not all that unlike a deer in the headlights.]

I may have. And yes, it's good that they know their god is real but I am also not... [Not a god?? Wanda turns to the mice.] What about him? [She gestures to Sam.] He's my friend. How does he fit into your...theology?

[Is that even the right word? Don't ask Wanda, she's floundering a little here. She has a congregation of mice. And a mouse pope. What is her life?]

[wingedman]

Well, I'm either one of the twelve apostles or the seven dwarves.

[His father probably wouldn't be pleased by the blasphemy - or maybe he would be, Sam had to get his sense of humor from somewhere - but Sam doesn't think he's wrong.]

[divulsion]

[The newly appointed High Priestess turns to Sam. Her whiskers quiver as she considers him seriously. The rest of the mice seem to hold their breath, awaiting her response.

Then she raises her paws in the air and at last says:]

HAIL THE HIGH PRIEST YET TO BE NAMED!

[Hail the High Priest Yet To Be Named! the mice echo, making a considerable amount of noise for such small creatures. Wanda muffles a laugh, giving him a look that clearly says Well, you're in this now, Wilson..]

Is it just me or can you hear the capital letters?

[wingedman]

Wait, why am I a priest? I don't even worship you - not that you aren't worthy of it and all, it's just-

[This is going to awkward places in record time.]

And I have a name, it's Sam. Samuel Thomas Wilson. I'm not some TBA.

[divulsion]

[Wanda can't stop smiling. High Priest Yet To Be Named. Perfect.]

For a high priest, I don't think they expect you to worship me so much as give you some reverence as well.

[The littlest mouse, crown of flowers upon her head, nods in agreement. Already two of the other mice are bringing Sam offerings of flowers.]

They haven't given their mouse priestess a title like they plan to do for you, after all. Perhaps you can suggest one. High Priest of Falcons, Sam? High Priest of Waffles and Whipped Cream Breakfast?

[Oh no. Now she's done it. The mice collectively perk up at the mention of waffles, and then almost as one turn to look at Sam with hope in their astonishingly expressive eyes.]

[wingedman]

[Suddenly Sam has thirty mice staring at him, and it's a little overwhelming.]

So instead of manna, we're going for waffles, is that it? I mean, to be fair, I'd probably choose the same.

[And he points at Wanda.] Your goddess makes a mean breakfast too, though. You oughta try her french toast.

[Because if he's suddenly on the hook for mouse delicacies, he's damn well not going to be the only one.]

[divulsion]

[Oh, Sam. Trying to turn this back on Wanda. A fair number of them do turn their heads when Sam mentions her french toast, but three of the mice walk toward Sam with hopeful looks on their face.]

I think we found the way to their tiny little stomachs.

[Smiling, she holds out her hands, letting those curious enough climb up onto her fingertips and settle on her palms.]

It's a good thing that they've found their way to a place where everyone enjoys baking. Perhaps we should see if they like your cookies as well?

[In about ten seconds those mice are going to go into rapturous joy.]

closed to taako

[divulsion]

[It's been a few days since the Aeslin mice arrived. Three days of learning far more about the little creatures than she ever thought possible.

Like how they'll make a feast or celebration out of the strangest things. How they like to follow her around in the townhouse when they're not busy establishing a place for themselves in the house. How she has absolutely no privacy ever unless she bargains with them and sets strict rules.

It's the fact that they're so cute and seem to droop with every fiber of their being when she's too harsh that keeps her from losing it entirely. So far as she can tell it's all simply a part of who and what they are, and as a result she's gotten to know them as much as they've gotten to know her. The path of give and take becomes more easily walked with each interaction. So far she's managed to establish that the bathroom and bedroom are Off Limits when the doors are closed, unless told otherwise. They can take any scraps they want around the townhouse to fashion clothing so long as it's in the garbage cans or out in the yards. They can cut holes in the walls but only in places where they're obscured by furniture or the natural architecture of the house.

And, when invited, they can accompany Wanda when she goes out.

At the moment she has three of the mice with her. Their whiskers had quivered with excitement when she'd picked them at random to come with her to the market, and two had immediately tucked themselves into her purse while the third had politely asked to ride on her shoulder. Mindful of it's presence she's careful not to turn her head too quickly one way or the other as she walks toward the nearest grocery store.

It had seemed best to let the mice come to pick out their own cheese, after all.]

[spellslots]

[It's been a while since he's run into Wanda; they crossed paths a few times when they were roommates, but she'd moved out fairly early (he can't blame her, it's a very dude heavy room) and he hasn't seen much of her since.

Still, she seemed nice, so when he spots her in the market he starts making his way over to say hello even before he's registered the mouse on her shoulder. He's here to shop, obvious from the few bags in his hand, the umbra staff hooked over an arm the way it almost always is.]

Wanda! [wait] It was Wanda, wasn't it? Right?

[Honestly, he's not the best at names, but he's pretty sure he got that right.

And then he notices the mouse.]

You've got a little, ah...

[Taako gestures to his own shoulder, as if he's pointing out a stray bit of fluff or something, rather than an actual mouse. That's wearing clothes.]

[divulsion]

[Wanda recognizes Taako from their time together on the communal floor. And by time together she means sleeping uncomfortably in a room full of strangers. It had been free for a month, but before long she'd been anxious to get out. Living in a bigger place with Sam was by far the best choice she's made.

While she's never spent time with the elf, she greets him with a smile.]

A little mouse, yes.

[She turns briefly, instinctively as his attention slips to the mouse, careful not to dislodge it from her shoulder. The mouse, sensing an introduction, lifts its paw in a wave.]

It's a new friend. [She can't very well call it a worshiper. She's still getting used to that aspect of this new relationship she has with the colony.] You're Taako?

[spellslots]

Oh!

[He's so delighted by that little mouse wave that he gets distracted for a second, leaning in a bit closer to take a peek, though he doesn't infringe too much on Wanda's space.

And then it registers she asked a question.]

That's me, kinda hard to forget, right? [He shoots her a grin, it's smug but kind of obviously so, like he's just playing.] Does your friend have a name?

[divulsion]

[Wanda doesn't mind Taako leaning in. The mouse welcomes him closer with an attentive little twitch of its whiskers. Sensing company, the two other mice pop out of her purse, scurrying up the strap to her other shoulder. Wanda carefully pulls her hair back from her shoulders to give them a safe place to rest.]

The one who waved is Lucie. [She reaches up to gesture to the other two, but they speak up before she can say a word.]

Oksana! Anton! [Wanda offers Taako a little smile.] Their mouse names are...unpronounceable for humans. They let me--

Her Holiness blessed us with new names! [Lucie speaks as if this is the Highest Honor they could be given.]

[spellslots]

[Oh no this is the cutest shit.

Taako is just beaming at the mice.]

It's a pleasure to meet all three of you. I'm Taako.

[And then he arches an eyebrow at Wanda, mouthing Her Holiness, the question in it obvious.]

[divulsion]

[Wanda has the grace to look a little embarrassed. The mice have been with her three days and she's still getting used to it.]

Aeslin mice...they sometimes split off from their existing colony in search of new divinity for themselves. They saw me using my powers and decided I was theirs...

[She can't bring herself to say the word goddess, far too uncomfortable with that term.]

We're here to buy cheese and cake for the colony.

[spellslots]

[The explanation earns a laugh, the idea kind of hilarious to him as someone who's met a god; he can't help wondering if Istus sees mortals in a similar way, cute little things that probably need looking after.]

So I shouldn't show off my magic? I'd hate to start a religious war before you could even get your cheese and cake.

[He's the worst.]

[divulsion]

[Wanda grins at him. It's tempting to say he should do exactly that and steal the mice away from her...but she's grown fond of them in her own way, and already knows they wouldn't take kindly to her trying to foist them off onto another.]

Why start a religious war when you could become a priest instead?

[Anton raises up on his hind legs, interest piqued.]

You should join me and meet the rest of them. Perhaps they'll call you the Very Tall Priest or something more creative. They have more of a talent for titles than I do.

[spellslots]

[Well that's certainly a compromise; his grin turns a little sharp and he straights up, offering his arm to Wanda.]

That sounds like a wonderful idea, my dude, but I can one-up it. Skip the cake, and I'll make you something fresh, a Taako special.

[Magic and cake, what better way to impress tiny religious mice.]

[divulsion]

[Wanda lifts a brow, but at the offer of his arm she finds she can't resist. If Taako can one-up it by all means, why not let him?]

I can manage with the cake but I'm missing a few ingredients for red velvet. If you can do fresh cheese and cake then you're welcome to take care of it.

[Why spend money if she can get magic food? The mice will lose their fuzzy little tails over it.]

[spellslots]

[He'll be careful not to jostle the mice.]

I should say, if you want blue cheese, you'll have to buy it yourself, I'm afraid that one's a little too tricky to magic up.

[Namely that it's very easy to get wrong when dealing with mold and bacteria, and he's not risking a mistake.]