riverviewlogs | [closed] I can't help this awful energy

who: Wanda and Loki
what: Magical shenanigans and training.
when: July 18
where: Gramarye
warnings: None

[Wanda pauses outside Loki's office the day after their conversation, biting her lip before knocking. Of course she's a little nervous. How could she not be? Loki's the only other person she knows of who has both real experience with the Mind Stone and the magical knowledge to understand it. He's her best hope.

If he can't help her, at least there's still Stephen and Billy's books, but her powers are still some degree of different. She's not a sorcerer or a mutant...she just is, and whatever this power is, it's hers. Wanda doesn't know if she'll ever reach a point of absolute comfort with them - she has such an odd relationship with them. Some days it really feels like they're as much a part of her as any limb, but then something will happen and everything feels wrong and off, like her foot's asleep or she's having to remind herself to breathe. Still part of her, but uncomfortable and sometimes frightening in its potential.

But deep down, Wanda knows he's right - she can't keep going like this indefinitely.

She manages to school her expression into something more neutral before the door opens. Thankfully, her voice doesn't betray her.]

Hi. [Not her most eloquent but she's here at least.] Is this a good time?

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[ that . . . is quite the edge. it can add a lot of power, certainly, but the aftereffects . . . ]

Then you need to decide. Your powers can be remain near limitless that way or we can find ways to curb it.

I wish it was not so...that it didn't affect me so much. But I think maybe for this it is useful if I can still work.

Are you sure?

[ Because it seems like . . . a lot. ]

...it isn't normally like this for people like us, no?

I have never been normal. So there is little point in asking me.

But I limited those connections.

If I wanted to...how would I limit it?

[It is a lot, and while it has its uses, it would be nice to know how to not have to feel absolutely everything all the time.]

[ He frowns slightly. ]

That might be difficult. Even for me.

Later, then? I am not afraid of trying.

[Not for something like this, anyway. She really should be able to master the mental aspects of her powers if she could best the Mind Stone.]

But for the healing, what next?

Later, perhaps.

[ It's certainly not something he's prepared for, at least not right now. He reaches out to the plant, snapping away a few leaves. ]

I want you to heal that.

[Wanda turns her attention back to the plant, but the effects of her power linger unless Loki makes a conscious choice to shake it off. Her mental powers don't require constant focus.]

All right.

[Her eyes shift to red and gently she reaches tendrils of energy towards the plant. Her power is automatically drawn to the broken stems and slowly begins to stimulate regrowth.

It may be slow, but Wanda's control is improving: her power is only affecting the injured part of the plant.]

[ loki pulls it out delicately, not wanting to rip it apart. ]

It is a start.

[If nothing else, she seems to be a font of endless power and this isn't causing her strain. There's likely a more efficient way to do this, but Wanda seems fine and the plant is getting steadily better, at least.

Slowly, tiny new leaves start to unfurl. Wanda shifts her gaze to him, grinning. It's working. She's not hurting it.]

[ Loki can't help the faint smile either, driving away the tiny furrow lines on his brow. It is always pleasant to see people enjoy magic. It feels like a vindication, a small victory that no longer holds meaning anywhere else but in Loki's heart. ]

[Not just Loki's heart. Wanda's had few moments of true joy related to her powers: touching Pietro's mind for the first time or helping Vision label his emotions. Otherwise it's mostly been grim satisfaction at best.

Her power responds to her joy, flowing a little more freely into the plant and hastening the process. In a few minutes, no one would ever know that anything had happened to it at all.]

It worked.

[~~Don't sound so surprised, Wanda.~~]

[ He chuckles softly. ]

Of course it did.

I thought it would be harder, but...it's just knowing where to send the power.

[She still has plenty of room to improve, but it's not as if she has to tell the plant how to rebuild itself, just provide the energy.]

It will be harder for more sentient creatures. Starting with plants is the best way for now.

So there will be some extra potion supplies for a while?

[Well, someone might as well benefit from her practice...and Wanda would feel bad using the same plant over and over.]

I do not dabble in potions, so I'm not the best person to ask.

[ Still . . . ]

Ask some of the suppliers in Gramarye. I'm sure they'd appreciate your help in that area.

[Wanda smiles warmly. These are small, baby steps, but she's starting to feel better about her powers.]

Next week, then?

[ His smile flutters by. ]

Next week.

[Next week, Wanda is visibly better when she knocks on his door. She'd managed a deal to tend and practice on certain plants in exchange for potions to help her sleep, so she's actually had consistent rest. And her feelings about her powers are starting to shift for the better.

~~What a shame that Thor's about to shatter her good mood tonight with news from home.~~]

I hope you like these flavors. But it seems to be your color.

[She's brought cookies again to thank him, dipped in chocolate because it was fun.]

[closed] I can't help this awful energy

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