Open Your Eye

⧗  » │▌ TEAM SALT –  

         THERE IS SOME SATISFACTION THERE !  Written across her face yet it is the contained sort.  Of course a retort to what had been assumed by their teammate came in full. The Songbird neither denied or agreed with his claims but she did enjoy observing the magic-user explain the grounds of their… relationship. 

          ❛ Looks like you struck a nerve. ❜ A look of amusement is shared with the redhead before gaze is trained skyward. ❛ As for our plan, I believe it is headed our way as we speak. ❜  Soon after they converged the sky bloomed white and towards the ground their supplies soared until landing before them unceremoniously. 

          Pulling the pistol forth from the kit the control panel flickers to life. ❛ It’s a tracking device. ❜ The irony of receiving such assistance given her skillset almost causes the traveler to laugh, but she refrains from doing so given the tension of the moment. ❛ It’s helpful but I may have a better idea to speed along the process since there’s no telling how far away we are from the closest beacon. ❜ Gingerly she presents the advice to Natasha as she would need both her hands free of weaponry given her next course of action. The gesture also could have easily been taken as a jab at their third member, as the Lamb had disregarded his company yet again after his fervent denial.

TEAM    SALT   ;  @ubiytsar·  〉 @infinitst·

     “Dimensional interlopers. How fancy.” For a moment, despite perhaps impending doom (although, that was nothing new to the spy), a grin broke out on Natasha’s face, flashing the whites of her teeth. Usually that was a precursor to nothing good — wolves and girls — but the expression held only amusement. She was rather good at striking nerves. “I’m known for doing that,” she said, ever the shameless provocateur.  

      She easily accepted Elizabeth’s offer of the pistol, its weight familiar in her grasp. She made the display of offering it to Strange, cursory, as they both knew that it would be Natasha who kept hold of the weapon. Hopefully she’d be able to find her own weapons soon as unlike her team-mates, unblessed as she was in the realm of magic.

      “What is it exactly you do? Space and time bending?” Once more, Natasha wished that she had paid better attention to Hank McCoy’s ramblings about time-travel —- if only he hadn’t made it so boring. The distant sound of crashing, of screeching, cut her questions short. So much for that. “Well, as long as it doesn’t make me want to throw up, zap us out of here. Or whatever it was you had in mind.”

TEAM    SALT   ;  @infinitst​      〉    @multiversatile

    A distinct metallic clatter followed the depositing of his sling ring from the skies. However, it was the other trinket for which Strange reached first, the Eye of Agamotto seized within seconds and placed securely about his neck. He had no need to assure himself of the contents, privy to the faint warmth associated with the timeless power housed within. He felt his heart skip a beat, seized by the budding realization that he had now been bequeathed a ticking time bomb, and deprived of the proper means to safeguard it. Just as well...he hoped that the city of Spirale had bigger fish to fry at the moment...

    A hand was merely raised, an open palm set perpendicular to the earth meaning to dissuade the oh so generous offer. No, certainly a tool for taking life was the last sort of trinket he needed. “It will serve more use in your hands than my own. After all, I’ve still an oath to abide by.”

    With this much put forth the doctor now seized his ring, slipping it onto two fingers in preparation. Yet, no sooner had he visualized one of the distant points and sparks had begun to fly from what was to become the portal’s epicenter did a scream splice the silence.

    Strange’s concentration broke, his efforts abandoned as his gaze turned in the direction of the plea for help, the subsequent chatter of nameless beasts shortly to follow. Had he the destination in mind he would have redirected his portal straight away. However, having only a faint notion of their destination, it was to their companion he need turn.

    “Perhaps your questions are best reserved for a later date-- Elizabeth.” He all but gave himself interruption, light eyes turned to the brunette in question. “Take us there.”

          BITTER IS HER LAUGH ! Tested yet again by their omniscient keepers yet this trial was not one to be carried out by her lonesome.  Allies she had few of and even less of the lot she wished to confront directly in light of recent revelations. Thus the traveler settled on one who was quite apprehensive about her presence. It ought to make for a compelling partnership if anything. 

         Out of thrums of lightning she strolls out into the wreckage. Azure eyes alight with keen amusement. ❛ Two doesn’t make for much of a team. How about a third ? ❜ With a thunderous clap the dimensional gateway shutters closed in her wake. Stride continues past the sorcerer though a hand does linger on his shoulder noticeably as she brushes by. His look of exasperation not lost upon her. The satisfaction she took in his discomfort was present in the curvature of rouged lips.  

           Approaching the redhead with certain poise the smugness in her smile takes on a friendlier air. ❛ Elizabeth, it’s a pleasure.❜ Introduction slides off her tongue with a cool ease.  ❛ Hope you don’t mind me dropping in. Stephen and I are… Old friends, of sorts, and admittedly I don’t really trust him on his own. ❜

TEAM    SALT   ;  @ubiytsar·  〉 @infinitst·

     Familiar enough with the way the gods and mutants of her world behaved, Natasha wasn’t phased by the way the woman appeared from thin air, gathering that Strange’s pause had something to do with her sudden arrival. Interesting.

      The amusement was obvious in the curl of the spy’s red-painted lips as her eyes darted between the pair, curious and suspicious at once. Just for a moment, when it appeared that his friend’s attention was no longer on him, Natasha glanced past her only to raise an eyebrow at the agitated doctor. Baggage wasn’t what she signed up for.

      “Natasha,” she said in return, the velvet of her voice lifting at the end just the slightest. A gloved hand came up to rest in the dip of her hip, red curls falling over her shoulder to follow the impertinent tilt of her head. “I don’t really want to get in the middle of anything,” her free hand waved between the two, “if there’s an anything. But if what you just did helps stop us from getting torn to shreds, I’m game.”

TEAM    SALT   ;    @infinitst  〉 @multiversatile

    Strange was silent during the course of the women’s exchange, evidently resigning himself to what he felt was going to be an extremely challenging partnership. Just as well, he’d dealt with worse. Still, a beat was spared for a long exhale in attempts to alleviate what tensions were left in the wake of the intruding traveler’s far-too-familiar touch.

    “There is no “anything”.” The doctor put forth, a matching brow quirked given the redhead’s chiding remark. So to follow did his voice dwindle in volume, a degree of nonchalance injected into his tone which implied a division of thought devoted to his words as much as their present predicament

    “But if you consider “old friends” to be two dimensional interlopers only occasionally grazing the path of the other in the vast expanse of the multiverse...then by that definition I suppose we are. Now then-- if that clarification will suffice, perhaps a plan of action is in order.”

     A single spider dangling on a thread was a dangerous thing —- but it didn’t hurt to have allies. Not enough time had been granted to her for Natasha to build a web large and strong enough in this new city for her to face what was to come alone. That, and a child’s voice, carrying over their new abode, giving her orders. A sigh heaved, long-suffering, before she made her decision.  

     Natasha hated crowds, and they were even worse panicked. And always getting in the goddamn way. She managed to weave herself through the commotion, another sigh threatening to leave red-painted lips, especially when someone in his alarm trod on her foot. The hole. Of course it would be the hole.

     “There you are, Strange,” she said, having spotted his red cloak. (She didn’t entirely understand what that thing was, but she’d get to the bottom of it eventually). “You can fly. I’m a spy. Want to have a shot at not dying together?”

TEAM    SALT   ;   ubiytsar  〉 @infinitst  〉 @multiversatile

    Light eyes previously trained upon the distant figure were turned over to red locks in the instant a familiar voice had made its presence known. Although their interactions had been meager up until now, there could be no doubt placed in a record of some notoriety which preceded her. So given her offer did the sorcerer permit something of a smirk to flutter to his lips, arms previously folded across his chest in mute contemplation falling to his sides.

    “Oh, I could do much more than that.” He put forth, albeit woefully conscious of his present limitations. “I think we’ve a chance. At least--” Yet, it was as he was about to remark further that a familiar wash of energy spilled over him-- the sort of feeling that one came by when the fabric of space itself was displaced. A hum of static drew his eye to a point in the air under siege by a familiar energy signature, and Strange felt his creeping exhaustion double as if in anticipation.

“Master of the Mystical Arts,” she repeated, tone unamused. “What a ridiculous title.”

Moving her arms to cross over her chest, she watched as the cape moved a bit seemingly in reaction to the words she spat at the other. So what was it a comforter for him? What a weird way to program a cape. Not sure how one would really program such a thing anyway but there was no way she was going to buy into this magic shit.

“You’re correct I don’t believe in magic, but I do believe that science can recreate things that people will attribute to magical properties.”

As she spoke, she illustrated her point by fading forward, body becoming gaseous as it twisted in on itself before she appeared behind the other. It was a lot of work to achieve this effect, but it was work well done.

“Just like so. I’ve modified myself more, but it’s been taken away from me, unfortunately. Otherwise I would love to demonstrate. I’m sure you’re understand what I mean, since you’re a doctor—or, what is your doctorate in exactly? Party tricks?”

    Her words sounded to be his own reflected back at him at one point in time. The recognition beget him a sense of amusement, for he understood the faultless angle of her logic. Certainly, from where she stood, her interpretation of his title and abilities was infallible. And, while the Ancient One was a woman who in part relished her ability to destabilize one’s perception...Stephen could not strain the same degree of pleasure from such an act.

    Yet before he was given the opportunity so was the woman’s own ability showcased before him. A wisp of smoke all but passed through him, his gaze turned to follow just in time to witness the other again take shape and form seemingly from nothing. If that was not magic...then science had certainly come far where she was from than the final stages he had known of.

    “It was an MD-PhD, actually, with a focus in neurosurgical application-- that is...stunning, by the way.” In part mumbled and rushed his words arrived at first-- not so much because he had conceded defeat before her barbed retort, but out of an eagerness to embark on an understanding of her scientific accomplishments. So he did, his tone translated into sheer amazement as he contemplated pursuing a lengthier explanation of the feat she had realized. However, this he set to the wayside out of the understanding that the secrets behind such an accomplishment were no doubt closely kept by the scientist responsible. Instead he settled for a secondary curiosity, his words to be interpreted as something akin to a challenge when accompanied by the tinge of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

TO: STEPHEN STRANGE FROM: ELIZABETH [REDACTED]

[ 1 / 1 ] Why not now?

         OMINOUS, YET THEIR STRING OF MESSAGES HALTS AT THAT ! Call her a hasty woman as sitting idle was never a skill she excelled at. At her side pale fingers quivered and the air sang with static. Time bent around her touch, giving way to a tear which illuminated the ravaged cityscape before her. She strolls through the lightening fringed entryway as if crossing the threshold of her own home, only she had never known such a comfort. Her appearance is that of chaos arrived — Only chaos wears a smart skirt and stilettos in this reality.    

         Windswept but unperturbed rouged lips pull into a pleasant smile. The tear closing behind her in a hissing gust. An eery quiet follows the grand display as the sight and sound were far from ordinary, rather they were extraordinary quite definitively. Carefully setting back a dark lock of hair she approaches with dainty steps before easing into the seat across from the man in question. ❛ Pleasure to see you again, Stephen. You look well… ❜ Elbows rest upon the rustled tablecloth. ❛ Despite all things considered. ❜ Heads tilts every so slightly revealing a faint glimmer in her azure gaze. 

    Stephen was barely given an opportunity to register the message returned to him in a flash before a misgiving in the fabric of reality betrayed the woman’s impending presence. The wormhole which began to split the serene scenario of a quiet coffee shop struck Strange as familiar-- not only on account of his similar manipulation of the space himself, but because it was the very last thing to which he had been privy in the event of their last meeting.

    Therefore, composed he remained (albeit permitting a somewhat perturbed expression to dawn on his features) as the woman made her entrance with a resounding click of polished heels. All eyes turned in recognition of the disturbance, the likes of which the doctor effectively dodged by turning his own down to the cup of tea before him-- the likes of which rippled gently with the wave of power which accompanied the tear.

    “Why does that not sound like a compliment?” A key note of amusement underlaid the man’s tone as he abandoned the spoon accompanying his cup, light eyes now firmly affixed to his head-turning accomplice in inter-dimensional breaching.

@infinitst

You had to be kidding her. What was this, some fucking street magician? For the love of god they were in a ruined city and there was a goddamned street magician just aimlessly walking around. Was this actual hell? Was she hallucinating? This felt like a fever dream. Letting out a groan, she walked up to him, hands on her hips.

“And what exactly is this,” she motioned to the entirety of him. “Are you a bloody trick magician? An actor at a renaissance fair? Is some fucking higher being looking at me and taking the piss?”

    At ease the sorcerer remained given the accusation, seemingly untroubled by the series of misrepresentations the woman put forth. Just as well, he too had once been prone to similar assumptions; so he could not fault her.

    Covertly, the corner of the high collar of his cape gravitated inwards in a faint caress of his cheek-- almost as if it were attempting to cheer him up. And, while the gesture was charming (albeit unnecessary), Strange lifted a hand as though to merely adjust his collar to dissuade the cloak from further action.

    “To the contrary, I am a doctor.” Stephen now put forth, an eyebrow distinctly quirked.

          THERE WAS A CIVILITY TO THIS INTERACTION !  A direct contrast to the mild savagery of their previous encounter. Although, perhaps with a screen between them they were far less volatile. No matter the direct cause there remained a distinct rhythm between the two. A push and pull of negative and positive attractions that allowed for the the Lamb to pursue the correspondence further. 

TO: STEPHEN STRANGE FROM: ELIZABETH [REDACTED]

[ 1 / 2 ] Is that so? Then I suppose no further apology is needed.  [ 2 / 2 ] But you still wish to see me again even after all that? You’re either extremely brave Doctor or incredibly reckless. Regardless of which case is the truth I’d be more than willing to meet with you. It’s only a question of where. 

    Perhaps he should not have been so ready to write off what responsibility the brunette bore for their final farewells (discourteous as it had been). However, the doctor saw little point in pursuing the matter further. Rather, his curiosity took precedence, lending the woman an easy acquiescence with no strings attached.

Tᴏ: Eʟɪᴢᴀʙᴇᴛʜ Fʀᴏᴍ: Sᴛᴇᴘʜᴇɴ Sᴛʀᴀɴɢᴇ

TO: mister strange FROM: natasha romanoff

(1/3) did you make it on to the island too? (2/3) do you and your cape want to buy me a stack at ihob and we can regroup? (3/3) :)

    His phone buzzed again, forcing the sorcerer to turn an exasperated gaze unto the waiting screen. A series of text met his eye which surprised him neither in a distinctly pleasant or unpleasant fashion. Although he supposed time would tell to which side of the spectrum his opinion might lean.

Tᴏ: Nᴀᴛᴀsʜᴀ Rᴏᴍᴀɴᴏꜰꜰ Fʀᴏᴍ: Sᴛᴇᴘʜᴇɴ Sᴛʀᴀɴɢᴇ

Tᴇxᴛ: Limited on Stars, are we? From what I recall you’re perfectly adept at procuring your own assets, aren’t you? Tᴇxᴛ: Very well. Send me the address. I’ll be there shortly.

    A delay, before...

        A LAUGH ESCAPES HER !  As she makes her way through the wreckage. Glass shards crack melodically under heeled feet yet the Traveler pays no mind. She had made quite an impression on the man in question and for once the outcome had been completely unintentional. A calculated existence she led and yet that instant had been utterly spontaneous —  It was … riveting in a way.

        Alas, the humor has been skillfully evaded as she had expected. All was not forgiven though she could hardly cast the blame onto him. 

TO: STEPHEN STRANGE FROM: ELIZABETH [REDACTED]

[ 1 / 2 ]  I’m flattered by the faith you have in my skillset but I’m afraid this twist in fate is not something I have woven together.  [ 2 / 2 ] You aren’t still angry about how we parted ways are you? I did try to send you somewhere nice. Although, an island was not what I had in mind and certainly accompanying you... Well, don’t read into that notion anymore than you already have.

    A modicum of thought had to be given to the query put forth by the woman. Was he angry? Surely not. While their parting was every bit as inopportune as he had stated, there was some part of him which understood the position she was coming from. At the time it had seemed a necessity to purge any outside influence from her world, regardless of what pleasantries had been paired with their meeting.

Tᴏ: Eʟɪᴢᴀʙᴇᴛʜ Fʀᴏᴍ: Sᴛᴇᴘʜᴇɴ Sᴛʀᴀɴɢᴇ

TO: STEPHEN STRANGE ( @infinitst ) FROM: ELIZABETH [REDACTED]

[ 1/1 ] Are you up ? 

        CERTAINLY SHE HAS NEVER HAD THE DISPLEASURE of living in the 2000s but she did know a thing or two about its culture. What was a little light humor to smooth some misgivings over ?

    Attentions were turned from the hot cup of coffee in hand and a bustling cafe unto the device laid upon the table. Thus far this little gift hadn’t been so much utilized for communication, but had lent Stephen much in the way of insight into this city. However, now his menagerie of maps and search engine inquiries were displaced in favor of a familiar name jotted across the screen.

    So...it hadn’t merely been a dream after all. Granted, the content of her message was beginning to make him wish sorely that it was.

Tᴏ: Eʟɪᴢᴀʙᴇᴛʜ Fʀᴏᴍ: Sᴛᴇᴘʜᴇɴ Sᴛʀᴀɴɢᴇ

     An irritated sigh left Natasha’s lips as yet another person thought it was a good idea to try and taunt her. Within moments, she had his makeshift weapon ripped from his hands and thrown out of reach and winded him with a swift punch to the throat. “Annoying,” she huffed in response to the brewing chaos. Otherwise, she remained indifferent. 

     The sound of the door chiming could barely be heard over sirens and smashing glass as Natasha stepped past the threshold. Denny’s. For as long as Natasha had been in America after her defection, she hadn’t stepped foot into one. Interesting.

     Easily identifying the back of his head, the spy slid into the seat opposite him. “Sorry I’m late,” she said, not sounding sorry at all. “A clown swung a baseball bat at my head.”

    To say that frankly he was surprised she had come at all would certainly come off as inexcusably rude. Yet, the only thing that kept this thought from adorning his lips was the long drought of water Stephen took to cleanse his pallet of the mediocre tea. By the time he had finished, so had his filter for tactless remarks caught up to him.

    “Perfectly understandable.” He noted, a last sour look cast at the tea before he slid it far off to the side out of the way. He didn’t even bother sparing a glance to the continued chaos outside, his full focus instead intent upon the fiery redhead.

“I heard that Doctor Strange sometimes transforms his mustache into tentacles and mandibles. Could you imagine?”

[ REPOST (don’t reblog) ]

RATIONALITY

You like clarity and intelligent simplicity and you get frustrated at messy thinking. This can make you seem unreasonably pushy to some, but it is actually a virtue: you are motivated by a horror at pointless effort and a longing for precision and insight into how things and people work. Your ability to synthesise and bring order is essential in producing thinking which is truly helpful.

MISANTHROPY

You have seen the darker side of human nature, even in daily life. When you look beneath the surface everyone is pretty messed up; there’s more selfishness circulating that others admit. You are never surprised by the stupidity of others, even though it annoys you. Your streak of misanthropy is, in fact, a requirement of remaining sane. You’ve wisely come to terms with your need to sometimes confidently reject people.

DEFENSIVENESS

One tendency in you – which is of course normal to the human race – is to bristle when criticised, and to defend yourself when you feel under threat from aggression or blame. Defensiveness can make you conceal your less honourable motives, from others, and from yourself. The habits once made sense: they all derive from past efforts to protect yourself. And most of the time – because we don’t get much help in loving ourselves – you still need them to feel secure.

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