wanda maximoff » scarlet witch (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
wundagores) wrote2025-09-21 04:08 pm
wundagores) wrote2025-09-21 04:08 pm
saltburnt | inbox
WELCOME TO THE SALTBURNT NETWORK
USERNAME: after_everything_i_did
text ❖ audio ❖ video
WELCOME TO THE SALTBURNT NETWORK
USERNAME: after_everything_i_did
text ❖ audio ❖ video
[ bob finds wanda in the hall as promised, an arm half-lifted in greeting. he looks — like shit, frankly. they probably all do. bob’s extra pale from being sick, slouched so he seems shorter than his actual stature. ]
Wanda?
[ it seems right, when he looks at her. righter than it should, for someone he’s never met. maybe she has one of those faces. an actor you can’t quite place. her name’s retro, like a black and white sitcom heroine, and her kindness reads the same way. old-fashioned comforts. a simple gesture that touches him more than she probably realises. ]
Wanda?
[ it seems right, when he looks at her. righter than it should, for someone he’s never met. maybe she has one of those faces. an actor you can’t quite place. her name’s retro, like a black and white sitcom heroine, and her kindness reads the same way. old-fashioned comforts. a simple gesture that touches him more than she probably realises. ]
[wanda may not know, exactly, who she's looking for, but she knows when she spots him almost immediately. just from the messages in the group chat, he'd sounded like he'd been struggling, and the man who calls her name now certainly shows the visible signs of it.
there's a pit in her stomach at the sight, a twisting in her chest. she's been in his shoes; she hates that this place is putting people there now.
still, her smile is kind, if small.]
Hi, Bob. [she waves him toward the door of the room she's claimed.] Come in.
there's a pit in her stomach at the sight, a twisting in her chest. she's been in his shoes; she hates that this place is putting people there now.
still, her smile is kind, if small.]
Hi, Bob. [she waves him toward the door of the room she's claimed.] Come in.
[ An unsolicited text, apparently deemed too personal for the general GC: ]
Sorry about that time you were in jail.
Sorry about that time you were in jail.
[she's still fuming, but wanda appreciates it all the same.]
Thanks. It happened to a lot of us, and it's a long story.
Thanks. It happened to a lot of us, and it's a long story.
[it takes wanda some time to respond to this — which, unfortunately, might make things worse for the poor man. she doesn't mean to, and, eventually, she starts to type.]
You didn't. It
[and she cuts that off mid-sentence, trying to figure out what to say.]
What you said was really kind, especially to someone capable of something that terrible.
You didn't. It
[and she cuts that off mid-sentence, trying to figure out what to say.]
What you said was really kind, especially to someone capable of something that terrible.
Do you plan on voting for yourself again, next round?
[girl what
this at least does cause wanda to poke her head out of her own pity party, so.]
People were very clear that they thought it was a bad idea. Are you one of them?
this at least does cause wanda to poke her head out of her own pity party, so.]
People were very clear that they thought it was a bad idea. Are you one of them?
[there's a whole mix of emotions at this message — relief to hear from him, guilt that she hadn't reached out first.]
It was intense. I'm okay.
[(and the lie detector determined that was a lie!)]
How are you? How's Ren? I didn't want to get in the way while you were helping her.
It was intense. I'm okay.
[(and the lie detector determined that was a lie!)]
How are you? How's Ren? I didn't want to get in the way while you were helping her.
[ Ren is finally on the mend enough to reach out to the people who helped her. Wanda is one she doesn't know at all - not even peripherally. Still, she was raised properly and part of that is being respectful and grateful to the people who'd helped you. ]
Hello
I wanted to say Thank You for helping me the other day. If you hadn't gotten the doctor, I might not be here. I appreciate you being willing to jump in and help when everyone is so under suspicion right now.
Ren O'Neill
Hello
I wanted to say Thank You for helping me the other day. If you hadn't gotten the doctor, I might not be here. I appreciate you being willing to jump in and help when everyone is so under suspicion right now.
Ren O'Neill
[someone, wanda thinks, surely would've stepped in; it's not something she should have the credit for. still, she won't go so far as to say that. the poor girl has been through enough.]
I'm just glad to hear you're okay, Ren. What happened to you was terrible.
I'm just glad to hear you're okay, Ren. What happened to you was terrible.
[ keeping it quick, if not any less painful. ]
Hey, kid. Can I still call you that?
Hey, kid. Can I still call you that?
[for her, it hasn't even been that long since the last time she'd been called kid, and yet, it's also been a lifetime. she feels old; her chest is heavy on the exhale.]
Yeah, you can still call me that. Hey.
Yeah, you can still call me that. Hey.
[wanda hasn't left her bed since she'd collapsed into it after the voting. she's slept off and on, but mostly, she's stared into a void, replaying all her choices from the past week, from the moment she'd arrived here, over and over in her mind. it's all only made her feel worse.
so does this text.
she reads it over three times, wipes at her eyes, and reads over it a fourth. then, finally:]
I didn't want to, and I don't want to. You're the last person I'd want to vote for this. I still don't even know if Stephen is right.
[even stephen doesn't know if stephen is right, clearly. that's about as much comfort as anything else.]
I'm sorry for this. And I'm sorry you know what it's like to have something you didn't ask for and can't control. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
so does this text.
she reads it over three times, wipes at her eyes, and reads over it a fourth. then, finally:]
I didn't want to, and I don't want to. You're the last person I'd want to vote for this. I still don't even know if Stephen is right.
[even stephen doesn't know if stephen is right, clearly. that's about as much comfort as anything else.]
I'm sorry for this. And I'm sorry you know what it's like to have something you didn't ask for and can't control. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
( Dean assembles a small, ragtag group - possibly just a pair - of spades to investigate the crime scenes. His eye is on Lanfear's death, but he can't, yet. He has to work up to it. He can still see Cas nailed to his door every time he blinks. And Ash, for whom he caught shit for investigating himself. So, he's trying on teamwork for size.
He isn't expecting to be beaten there by a - well, aren't they all familiar faces now. It's a shared cult compound.
Approaching, he lets Wally do this CSI thing alone. He'll tap in soon. )
You're Wanda.
He isn't expecting to be beaten there by a - well, aren't they all familiar faces now. It's a shared cult compound.
Approaching, he lets Wally do this CSI thing alone. He'll tap in soon. )
You're Wanda.
[when the bodies had been found, wanda had taken a breath, one last steadying breath before she'd set one foot in front of the other. the burning is what had caught her attention at first, what had sparked its own fear in her, and she'd set out on her own to try to rule out the worst before saying anything to anyone else.
but of course there'd be others out here, others all wanting the same thing: answers.
it isn't with startle that she greets the man who approaches her, or even surprise. people always know her name for the worst; here, she'd made sure of that herself.]
I am. [a quick, quiet affirmation; there's no point in anything else. her brow furrows, and after a beat:] You're — [there are so many names to match to so many faces, and it's all blurred together; guilt pangs in her chest that she can't remember this one.
but she remembers the grief as she'd watched him stand during that first round of accusations. there's only one thing to say.]
I'm sorry about your friend.
but of course there'd be others out here, others all wanting the same thing: answers.
it isn't with startle that she greets the man who approaches her, or even surprise. people always know her name for the worst; here, she'd made sure of that herself.]
I am. [a quick, quiet affirmation; there's no point in anything else. her brow furrows, and after a beat:] You're — [there are so many names to match to so many faces, and it's all blurred together; guilt pangs in her chest that she can't remember this one.
but she remembers the grief as she'd watched him stand during that first round of accusations. there's only one thing to say.]
I'm sorry about your friend.
Hello. My name is Hap — Dr. Hunter Aloysius Percy. We didn't have the opportunity to formally meet during the search.
In that same spirit, I'll cut to the chase: Kate Bishop would like to take a closer look at the arrowhead.
In that same spirit, I'll cut to the chase: Kate Bishop would like to take a closer look at the arrowhead.
Hello, Hap. I'd say I wish we were meeting under better circumstances, but I think that goes without saying.
I worked with someone who knew Kate. He knew more about arrows than anyone I've ever met, so I'd imagine she's the same.
I worked with someone who knew Kate. He knew more about arrows than anyone I've ever met, so I'd imagine she's the same.
[in all of the investigations, examining burned bodies and trying to figure out who might could, and would, shoot an arrow from a distance, wanda had — not forgotten that she was still on the table, but she'd put it out of her mind. and now....
her stomach drops.]
Over three thousand people. I gave them my nightmares, and I gave them roles to play. They forgot themselves.
her stomach drops.]
Over three thousand people. I gave them my nightmares, and I gave them roles to play. They forgot themselves.
[ The morning before Wanda's first shift at the Hex Club, an envelope finds its way to her door. Inside is a gold pin in the shape of a hexagon, as well as a note: ]
Wanda,
Welcome to the Hex Club.
I look forward to working with you.
— Silco
[a quick response:]
I don't mind at all. What is it?
I don't mind at all. What is it?
Armand has invited you to play Words With Friends! Will you accept the invitation to play the first word? Download the app now. http://wordswithfriends.com/hg89?id=135&user=armand
Really was shit at keeping in touch, but in my defense, Halloween was fucked up and I don't do real holidays, so Thanksgiving came and went. Liked Malice, though. Who knew, pampering. It's the life.
In your defense also, I haven't exactly been great at keeping in touch, either. Would you believe it if I told you that I found my brother in the middle of the Halloween party?
[speaking of things just... being a little messed up. in all honesty, wanda still isn't entirely sure how she feels.]
It's good to hear from you, Dean. I might have to check out Malice, with that review.
[speaking of things just... being a little messed up. in all honesty, wanda still isn't entirely sure how she feels.]
It's good to hear from you, Dean. I might have to check out Malice, with that review.
The pulse in your pussy tastes like summer. Solstice candy. For eating without teeth. When you laugh, it's spring, clenching like showers between sobs. I'd have you on your back in the sun, ass-up at night. Fucking my fingers after my mouth learns every shape inside of you.
[ Sent without any text: a blurry picture of two pale hands outstretched — nails painted pink and blue — chasing what can only just be barely made out to be a brown hyena pup, and at the very bottom of the frame, the toes of Silco's boots, the only things in the picture that aren't in motion. ]
[he clearly hadn't meant to send her this. but she does have to comment:]
I didn't know you had a pet.
[a cute pet.]
I didn't know you had a pet.
[a cute pet.]
what if we get a brunette to round out the blonde on blonde action as a treat?
OOH A REDHEAD fuck brunettes actually
OOH A REDHEAD fuck brunettes actually
[by this point, wanda is at least two embarrassing experiences deep to know what's happening.]
I don't know. It sounds like a brunette might be a good thing in this scenario.
[if fuck is the goal??]
I don't know. It sounds like a brunette might be a good thing in this scenario.
[if fuck is the goal??]
[do her eyes linger on that a little longer than they should? maybe, but.]
Hi, Tony. I'm going to guess this wasn't meant for me.
Hi, Tony. I'm going to guess this wasn't meant for me.
[when the probability hex blows up in your face and you end up with more of these than the average person instead of less]
Are you friends with the person that has the username jellybean456? Because I think you're trying to talk to each other and it's going to me instead.
Are you friends with the person that has the username jellybean456? Because I think you're trying to talk to each other and it's going to me instead.
hi, wanda
this is melissa. um, we talked a little bit during werewolf? anyway, sorry if this is weird, but i saw you commented to a post about other universes and i was wondering if i could ask you about what you said
this is melissa. um, we talked a little bit during werewolf? anyway, sorry if this is weird, but i saw you commented to a post about other universes and i was wondering if i could ask you about what you said
Hi, Melissa! I remember. How's Shauna?
[she's been worried about all of those girls, truth be told. werewolf had hit them especially hard.]
You can ask me anything you want. I don't mind.
[she's been worried about all of those girls, truth be told. werewolf had hit them especially hard.]
You can ask me anything you want. I don't mind.
The gift arrives on Christmas Day. On pale tissue, within a narrow black box, rests a length of red silk, shaped into a blindfold.
In the center, the fabric is subtly molded to fit the contours of large eyes shuttered close and the smooth bridge of her nose. When placed upon her face, the opacity is perfect, allowing a smooth transition into darkness from the world outside. The noise of the world is muffled, too, by the tie over her ears. Focus and solace are easier to find here, if focus and solace happen to be what one seeks.
The card simply reads: "What do you get for the girl with all the gifts?" It is signed, 'Qimir.'
Edited (edited per mod requestu) 2025-12-24 05:30 (UTC)
I'm leaving Hawk in charge of the club for the weekend. I'm trusting you and Jake to support him, and keep operations afloat.
Nobody else needs to know I'm not there. Tell anyone who asks that I have other business to attend to.
Nobody else needs to know I'm not there. Tell anyone who asks that I have other business to attend to.
Of course. Anything I can do to help.
You don't have to tell me what's going on, but know that I think of you as a friend, so I'm here to listen and keep it between us.
You don't have to tell me what's going on, but know that I think of you as a friend, so I'm here to listen and keep it between us.
Five things that happen the days before Angelus' rampage.
- He accidentally sleeps over. When he wakes, disoriented, she says: "You drooled a little." His hand rises, on reflex. Her laughter does not offend—her palm beats his there, gathering his face to kiss.
- Cloistered in her room, they eventually get naked. This is the longest he's gone with marks unhealed; long enough that habituation has lost the notes of her shampoo. Does he smell like her? Does she smell like him? She doesn't ask him to heal her, either.
Necessarily, she washes her face. He sees—admires—for the first time, the sovereign scar enthroned on her lofty brow. Touches it with his mouth. He doesn't ask. She doesn't ask about his, either. - Her hair snarls into a knot at the base of her head, from friction. With a boar's bristle brush, patience, and the stable flat of his thumb, he coaxes it loose.
- Turns out, she was married to a robot. Not as weird to him as it might be to others. He posits Vision was an extremely advanced robot and is reassured this was true. "Or, what would you talk to your husband about?"
"Don't married people talk, where you're from?"
"Never. But you weren't there."
She had started crying minutes ago, tears as fat as poppy pearls. This is not his way of stopping her. Her grief, even her shame for it, matters—but only because it's part of what makes Wanda herself. She is violently lovely. - She sleeps over. This is intentional. Finally, she sleeps.
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