swarmkeeper ⋮ lightweaver ⋮ arcanist

anton grant ◈ intro × plots ◈ visage

sahira danvers ✷ intro × plots ✷ visage

“Hmm, depends on who you ask…My enemies and my paramours can all agree that I do possess certain…talents.” she replied with a shrug, eyes gazing up into the seemingly endless orbs of chocolate that returned her confident gaze. Admittedly, any spellcasters she’d come across were usually rather awkward or overflowing with unbearable bravado, neither of which entertained Lilith for terribly long. Gawain, however managed a delicate balancing act, landing somewhere perfectly in the middle  His remarks about her name caused her cheeks to flush slightly, only because she knew full and well he knew the true impact of bearing such a moniker. “At least one of those you mentioned is my strong suit. I’ll let you be the judge of which one,” she murmured as she took a step closer to him, her lips only a breath’s distance from his.

his question, however, took her out of the rather heady sensation that was fogging up her brain. It was a fair question, and one she’d often wondered herself. “Gods, I hope not.” she admitted with a pained smile, looking down to her feet. “I think it was more that my mother wanted me to be as powerful as her and tried to set me up for success from the moment I entered the world.” For a brief moment, Lilith debated with revealing her kinship. There were certain to be consequences if she did, but she feared the ones that would befall her should she withhold that information or lie.” In a rare moment of true vulnerability, her doe eyes reached up to meet Gawain’s steady gaze and the words left her lips before she could stop herself. 

“My mother is Agatha Harkness. The Agatha Harkness. While I had no idea that she was my mother until I turned 18 I just…I felt like you should know. Depending upon your parentage, I’m sure that could change some things about how you perceive me.”

◉

The word paramours made one of Gawain’s eyebrows shoot up. It was the plural form of the word, too, a fact that made him somewhat impressed and at the same time wary. He could definitely see why she’d have more than one, though from the stories he’s heard from his parents of magical people and those that followed them with passion and loyalty, not every card were always on the table. Still, Gawain found it in his heart to give her the benefit of the doubt, as he hoped she would him as well. The fact that she was but a kiss away helped. “ It would be my honor, and no doubt intense privilege, to be allowed to judge those...talents. ”

In a way, Gawain was starting to look forward to where this delightful exchange of wit and flatteries would lead them. Unfortunately, it appeared to be down a more dreary road than he had anticipated, than he could ever anticipate. What mother wouldn’t crave success for their daughter? And then she revealed that mother’s name, throwing caution to the wind, undressing the very magic that swallowed her whole, from head to toe: Agatha Harkness.

Where has he read the name before? Truth be told, through his readings, both mundane and the more mystical, he’s read so many names, most of them he could barely remember to put a face to. Or has he heard it from his father, the Sorcerer Supreme? Or his mother, a ruler of the Dark Dimension? There must be more to that name, but for now, Gawain’s thoughts were solely on Lilith herself, those eyes luring him in like a siren’s song. “ If it’s any consolation, my adoptive mother is from the Dark Dimension. Doesn’t get along with her uncle and relatives, though. For the most part, anyway. ” He offered her a warm smile, tucking hair behind her ear. “ Doesn’t that just make us the perfect power couple, though? ”

Jess was normally found at the bar or in the training room, and yet here she was sitting at the bar thinking about her life and their current situation going on. She did miss her time of course but she was glad to be here and not in the trouble she was. She smiled as she heard the soft voice from behind her and turned around to greet the male, “Hey there” she said as the guy was now in front of her.

◈

“ You look like you could use a friend. ” He quipped, giving her his most charming of smiles. “ That or I’m just projecting. How’s the drink? ” He couldn’t quite put a name on the face, but she reminded him of someone else, someone he knew back in his own time, in his own world. That or he was just desperate for someone familiar, something familiar. “ You know, you remind me of someone. I just can’t remember who... ” Left with no other options, he decided to introduce himself first, offering her a hand. “ I’m Anton, by the way. Anton La— Grant. ” He almost made the mistake of using his adoptive father’s name but was quick to correct himself. Did it even matter? She might not even know him. Ah, well. It is what it is. “ Pleasure to meet you, miss...? ”

“ i did. nothing in the biological sense, but in every other sense of the word, raven was my sister. ” though he wasn’t exactly sure where they stood anymore, or where she even was at this moment in time. but apparently a future version of him had adopted children with erik, so it seemed anything was possible. “ yes, she had her moments i suppose. but for the most part i was just happy to have somebody to talk to, to not feel so lonely. ” being a telepathic child in a giant and usually rather empty house had proven to be quite an isolating lifestyle, and raven had changed that for them. “ and your siblings. are they here, too ?” 

◈

Anton nodded as he took in as much as he could from the Professor’s answer. “ Wow, that’s...deep. ” That was as serious as he could go, not wanting to fall down that rabbit hole again. He was starting to think that shitty family memories were a requirement for a superhero. Not that he considered himself a superhero. Just a friend or an ally to two. “ Well, you know what they say about families... We either have them or we get to choose them. ” It was something his grandfather used to say, mostly whenever he got into an argument with her daughter, which happened a lot of time. Hank and Hope... It was a miracle that they survived the loss of his grandmother Janet. Eh, she came back, so all’s well that ends well. “ I’m not...honestly sure. I think I may have a brother here, or two, but I don’t think I’ve ever met them. I’m not even sure we come from the same...place. ” Anton had no grasp of what was going on, so for the most part, he was always confused. He did have a lot of faith on the doctor and the detective, though, that they’d help him get back to their own world, their own time, and for now, that was good enough for him. “ Is your sister here? ” 

There was a part of him that wanted to question the ‘when and where’ part of his statement, but it seemed as though it would only add to his current headache and that was the last thing that he happened to need. Instead he simply nodded content to move past it. “If you’ve happened to read a lot, anything you’d recommend to read while we’re here? So there would at least be one highlight to the whole ordeal.” 

◉

“ Hmm. ” Gawain took a second or two before nodding. Clasping his hands behind his back, he took to the nearest shelf, the one before them, and scoured the books it held, scanning and skimming the titles as fast as his dark brown eyes could get to them. What felt like an eternity passed before he settled on a book he personally enjoyed. “ Fragile Things... ” He muttered as he took it out of its shelf and looked it over before offering it to the Stark boy. “ ...short fictions and wonders... It’s by one of my favorite authors and sorcerers. He’s a good friend. ” He beamed with pride at the fact.

“With great power… What?” She prompted, though she was certain she could guess the essence of what the other was going to say. After all, when she’d been sat down and told about who her father was, and therefore what she could do - her parents had made a point of instilling that she had to be responsible, that just because they could do things others couldn’t, didn’t mean they could use that to get ahead or beat others down - she was sure anyone with powers had been sat down and given that lecture. “Depends.” She hummed at the question.  “If we’re talking about right now, no - doesn’t matter how many of those I drink, nothing would happen. But there’s ways for it to happen, not easy ones though which sort of sucks. I did hear they have like… alien alcohol here, sort of hoping I can find that to see if it’s strong enough to have an effect - otherwise I’ll just be the best bartender. Live vicariously through everyone else getting drunk.”  

✷

Sahira turned to her with a look of surprise. “ You know... With great power comes... ” Then she cut herself off once the wild realization came, eyes wide in horror and amazement at the same time. “ Do you not have a Spider-Person where you’re from? They’re everywhere back home! Just like real spiders. ” Sahira should know. She almost dated a couple from just the past year alone. A smile streaked across her lips at the mention of alien alcohol, however. She’s had a few as gifts from her parents whenever they traveled across the stars. Back then, she had to earn her stripes, often literally, before she was allowed to make the journey. When she finally got to do the same, first on her own and then as an honorary member of some other teams, she never seemed to find the time to get herself her own bottles. Can’t really drink that much when you’re the so-called captain of the ship. Blech. “ That’s pretty cool. What kind of alien alcohol? Kryptonian cocktails? ”

Wade watched the other train, more than a little impressed. He didn’t really know who all these little gremlins were, but whoever’s raised this one, really went all in. She was nothing to sneeze at, for sure. But her logic…a bit confusing. “And tiring yourself out’s the way to fix it?” Wade asked, upticking his tone to make up for the lack of an expression through the mask. “Look, kid. Dunno which world saver, time traverser, superperson got it in your head you’re a one person show, but. You’re not figurin’ this out. We got all these super nerds workin’ on it, and even they don’t know what’s up. It’ll come in time. But you can’t be tryin’ to shoulder this like you owe it to somebody.”

✷

An eyebrow raised, she turned to the man known as Deadpool with a smirk. “ Easy for you to say. You don’t die, do you? ” Even if she wasn’t privy to the identity of the person underneath the mask, a fact the doctor left out from his dossier for reasons only he understood, Sahira knew at least a thing or two about the infamous Merc with the Mouth. For one, he wouldn’t die. He also wouldn’t shut up. “ You know, you’re sort of a myth where I’m from. ” She scoffed, eyeing him from head to toe, crinkling her nose at the thought of how the suit must...be. “ At least I’ll have a pretty interesting story to tell when I finally get back home. ” He was right, though: She wasn’t a one-person show. She had the doctor working on the research part, on the whys and the hows, and the engineer... Well, he’s out there somewhere...doing something. “ It’s just that... I do owe it to somebody. Two somebodies. My moms. ” Being the daughter of two Captain Marvels was a world of weight on its own. 

“You mean you can’t claim you’re a legacy without backing it up? Colour me surprised.” Finishing with a wink on the off chance the tone wouldn’t give away she was joking. Everyone there seemed like they’d have enough pressure on their shoulders to be as heroic as their parents, and that would be a lot to deal with for anyone. Glancing over at the other, she couldn’t keep the intrigue off her face. “I can see how that would be a little more fun.” Making sure the bow was in the right place, she reached behind her to take an arrow from the quiver. “It’s too bad the tower’s close to a city and not the beach, I think we could all use some time just soaking up the sun and relaxing, instead of being crowded together to the point it’s only a matter of time before someone snaps.” 

✷

Sahira couldn’t disagree. Instead she shrugged, heaving a sigh. “ That and sometimes they do it for you. ” She stated gloomily, though the wink made her smile. It was the same thing her mothers used to do whenever they noticed her feeling down on the slumps, a simple gesture to reassure her that everything was fine. It was a nice familiarity from all the recent distance and uncertainty that clouded her judgment and emotions. “ ...claim you as a legacy to something they don’t even understand, without even listening to you. ” How many times has she tried to break off from the legacy of two Captain Marvels? Too many times for her to remember. The memory of just flying through the skies, free as a bird, journeying from city to beaches, soaking up as much sun and fresh breeze as she could, without a care in the world, made her long for her past, their future, what she had left for wherever, whenever, this was. “ Tell me about it. I just met the Hulk a while back. You know how many Hulks we have here? ” The thought was enough to send most people into a panic.

Giggling at the other’s words, she shook her head. “Now I feel a little guilty for saying the bright side is getting to do whatever we want. If you’re not technically a member of society yet, they can’t expect you to follow dumb laws can they?” A stupid comment, but it wasn’t as though they were talking about something serious. Or they were in essence, but the seriousness was starting to get to people - why not find some fun in the current situation. 

✷

Sahira shook her head, smiling. She wondered if she was actually a member of society herself. The way the public, her public, viewed her, the adopted daughter of two Captain Marvels, it was almost always from a distance, as if she were from thousands of worlds away. “ Yep... Outsiders, technically outside the law... ” Then she remembered the many warnings her parents have told her, including one that she found out was from someone else’s great uncle. “ ...but with great power... As dumb as their laws can be, we should at least respect them... ” She feigned a cough, uncertain now if that was a more serious turn for their conversation, if she was ready to go down that road again, or if they needed to have something lighter to talk about. Sahira decided to go with the last part. “ Tell me, do Kryptonians ever get drunk? ” 

Nodding in understanding, it seemed to be a place a few people were in - at least the ones who were taking a more proactive role in getting them back to their own time. It wasn’t an unusual site to see someone partying, next to someone drowning in books - everyone seemed to have a different coping mechanism, and some of those tended to clash. “Need a hand?” He was fairly certain he wasn’t in the right headspace to be too much help, but it seemed like something he should offer. “Something familiar. Figure there’s got to be something around here that’s still around in the future. Books seem like the obvious thing you’d keep around, seemed best to start here.” 

◉

“ I fear I may have reached the limits of my research from this tower. ” Gawain admitted. Most of the books, he’s already read. There were only a few left that his hands, eyes, have yet to be acquainted with. Of course there could still be more helpful tomes not contained in this library, personal pages from diaries kept, ledgers hidden, though the adopted son of the Sorcerer Supreme and a ruler of the Dark Dimension have yet found the right pretense to be made privy to such things. Hopefully, it would never come to that. “ A lot of them are familiar titles from where and when I came from, most encyclopedias and dictionaries, a few novels and fiction, though to be fair, I have read a lot from different times and places, both mundane literature and those of otherworldly dimensions, so I may not be as precise as to which endured over time and which I simply managed to salvage from other alternate pasts. ”   

Blinking as he spoke, she was almost waiting for the ‘just kidding’ at the end, but she couldn’t make out any subtle changes in his facial expression that would say he wasn’t being completely truthful. Humming at the end, she pursed her lips, before shrugging. “This seems to pale in comparison to that. But I can’t say I’ve ever met someone who’s parent rules a dimension, seems like best claim to fame I’ve heard around here. Wait… Does that mean you have some title we’re supposed to call you? Because I wouldn’t want to be rude and take away someone’s history.” It wasn’t as though she had any idea how other dimensions ran, she’d never paid her own much thought until a couple of weeks ago. 

“ You’ve read it?” Surprise evident in the words, if not in the way her brow rose. “Usually people give you odd looks when you say you read it in a foreign language for fun.  I will gladly take having a few more people around who happen to enjoy it.” 

◉

Chuckling, he shook his head. “ Yes, I suppose that would be true, if not for the fact that the other rules of the Dark Dimension have once or twice tried to breach our own dimension to enslave all of us. ” There was a sadness to that last part. While his adoptive mother, he considered a bright and lovely woman, the rest of her kin were anything but. The Dread Dormammu, in particular, has taken more from him than given anything. “ Oh, no, no titles. I’d rather not...associate with that part of my history, to be honest. As much as I thank my lucky stars for Mother, the Others have gifted me nothing but pain. ” 

With a quiet smile, bordering between one made for pleasantries and an actual frown, Gawain decided to take the opportunity and switch topics. “ Yes, a few years back. Not for fun, to be honest, but for research. Some things get lost in translation. I like to be thorough in my research. How have you been enjoying the company of new people? ” 

Nodding at a question, the ghost of a smile flickered over her face. It seemed bittersweet at that point to think of her parents teaching her as she grew up, considering presently they knew nothing about her - beside her name. That was a boat everyone was in, so she made no effort to explain the expression on her face, before shaking it off and putting an actual smile back on her face. “Yeah, it’s sort of their thing - I think it was meant partly as a bonding exercise and partly to make sure I could handle myself.” Not that she’d exactly fell into the same life her parents had, their current situation was the closest to crazy she’d ever got. “Did you ever want to try?” 

✷

A snicker escaped Sahira’s lips prompting her to lower her head as she crossed her arms and pretended it was nothing more than a sneeze or a cough. The other girl was speaking through to her. They were on the same boat. Superpowered parents and their borderline control freak issues dressed up as overprotectiveness... It’s a fine line to toe, and often it’s hard not to slip up. Sahira at least understood that. “ Not as easy to become a legacy as others would like to think... ” At the question, she balled up her fist and with a smile showed her why she was a little hesitant to try: Making her fist glow with cosmic energy. She at least offered her a smile. “ I have something else I like to shoot. ” Turning it off, as if there was a switch in her head, she heaved a lonely sigh, took a drink out of her water bottle, and continued to watch. “ I can watch, though. It’ll be a good break for me, I think. ” 

“ i do hope you’re playing fairly. and if you are then this is certainly impressive. ” charles commented. he wasn’t accusing the other of cheating, per-say, but he knew firsthand how easy it was to pick up tricks for a game that you played a lot. “ i suppose i did. ” charles couldn’t help but laugh at that, because it had been anything but intentional. “ well actually it was my sister who came up with the code names. we were called the x-men before i was deemed professor x. so technically i was named after the team. ” he’d never thought on it that hard before, he hadn’t thought about raven in a while, either, but it made sense. 

◈

with a playful smirk across his lips, he turned to the professor and gave him a wink before finally shuffling the cards between them. most people may take to it as a sign of disrespect, of a violation of professionalism, but anton’s quips and jokes always takes precedence over everything else for the adopted son of scott lang and hope pym. “ as fair as i can make it out to be, teach. ” the professor’s laughter made him smile warmly, as if proud that he had made such a legendary name break into a laugh. there wasn’t much anton was truly proud of, so this was a definite victory in his books. “ oh, that’s unexpected! i didn’t know you had a sister. ” anton didn’t know a lot of things, though, to be fair. “ i have one, too. really annoying, aren’t they? can’t live with them, can’t live without them. ” he let out a laugh of his own.

“What can I say? Subtlety isn’t my strong suit.” she shrugged, a cheshire-like grin sprawling across her face. It was rare that people didn’t find her flirtations to be abrasive, let alone actually volley them back at her. It was a nice change of pace, and even nicer to look at.  His remark about accomodation actually surprised Lilith a bit. Surely he didn’t actually mean what he said…did he? “Oh really? What sort of accommodations do you have in mind?” she asked innocently, batting her eyelashes up at him as she closed some of the space between them until they were less than a foot apart. His name actually threw her for a loop, the reference surfacing in her mind like a mummy come to life from a desolate tomb.

 “Ahh, so Sir Gawain, are you the Knight in Shining armor come to save the Lady fair?” she asked in a mock-british accent as she took his hand. She curtsied low and bowed her head, her lips grazing the top of his knuckles in a chaste, yet simultaneously evocative kiss, “Lilith. Trust me, the pleasure is most certainly mine.” Her eyes met his and for a brief moment, she could feel her breath hitch in her throat, the intensity of his gaze rooting her to where she stood.

◉

With a nod, he acknowledged her truth, his smile staying its ground upon his lips. “ What is your strong suit then? ” He looked her over, his dark brown eyes teasing her, before responding. “ Something fun. Something we’d both...enjoy. ” To say that this was the most fun Gawain has had since the event would be an understatement. A fellow spellcaster who can inspire such humor, creativity, in him is always a welcomed respite from teammates who simply took to him as a spawn of the Sorcerer Supreme and the occasional ruler of the Dark Dimension. 

“ I think the Lady can save herself, but this Knight would not say no to staying by her side. If she would allow him the honor? ” The touch of her lips was quite electrifying, though he wasn’t sure if it was just his lack of similar contact for quite a few days, weeks even, now or if it was the magic that surrounded her. But he didn’t have to dwell on that when she revealed her name. “ Lilith... That’s quite the name. Dangerous. Powerful. Very tempting... ” Although he found his imagination flooded with various possibilities, most of which personal and quite...tempting, he tried to center his thoughts, focus on one possibility that could be very dangerous if not addressed. 

“ You’re not actually related to the goddess Lilith, are you? ” She could be one, truth be told. With that beauty, Gawain had no doubt she could be a goddess herself. She certainly felt and looked like one to him. 

Jasper put a hand in front of his mouth, three fingers used to cover the smirk that the cards falling out of the other’s sleeves triggered. They hadn’t actually been completely sure if he was cheating, but. It made sense. It’s a game of chance and luck, and things just lined up for the other a bit too well. Picking the device up again, they typed quickly, flitting through the word options with some annoyance at the time it took. “Definitely. Didn’t see. Anything.” They looked up at Anton from where they’d been staring at the screen, nodding with a faux seriousness. “Because. I’m blind. Right?” God, they hated the way this thing handled questions marks. “Maybe next time. Just. Cross your arms. Throwing. Your cards everywhere. Just. Makes a mess.” Regarding the cards that had fallen from his sleeves for a moment, they shook their head before continuing. “I’m not. Cleaning those up.”

◈

For a moment or two, Anton froze. This guy’s blind, too? What is it with him and blind people? First, it was that pretty cute girl who was apparently literally blind, not figuratively, thank the doctor and his very flowery style of writing dossiers, and now, it was this guy. To be fair, he should’ve at least considered it from the way he was using that device with him. Then again, he thought it was just some cool tech from his side of the future. “ I... I didn’t know. ” The words came out of his mouth like a half-hearted apology, the other half of pure confusion. He quickly scrambled to pick up the cards, not wanting to offend him any further. “ O-of course not! You just, uhh, sit there. I’ll clean all this up. ” His dark brown eyes, wide in horror, never left the Summers son. “ Are you really blind? ” God damn it, brain.

“Mhm.” she replied softly, biting her lower lip as she tilted her chin up a bit in cheeky defiance, daring the other to make the next move. Lilith was quite pleased when the other took a sip, not backing down in the slightest. If nothing else, she’d finally found someone who had the potential to be actually interesting. His pronounced sigh caused an infectious grin to break out across her lips. Oh yes, he was going to be a lot of fun.

“Oh I’m sure you’d love to come with me.” she replied in kind, shooting him a wink before skipping off towards the break room. Turning on her heel, she extended a finger and curled it towards her, complete with a come-hither stare she knew how to do all-too-well. “Considering the amount of raw magical energy emanating from your rather dashing figure, I’m sure you would know a thing or two about stimulation…At least, as far as conversation goes.” Lilith couldn’t remember the last time she’d talked to someone like this nor what was emboldening her now. He seemed keen enough, so she consigned herself to keep things going for as long as she could. “Are you a spellcaster as well?”

◉

Gawain’s smile never faltered, even as she took the lead from him. It was, to him, an unexpected turn of events, though it was definitely a respite from everything else he’s ever experienced, suffered, in the shadow of his adoptive father. Taking her bait, he found himself reeled in with neither much effort nor protest. The girl was not like anyone he’s ever met. She was, in every sense of the world, entertaining.

“ Well, well, well... We’re already using the L-word, aren’t we? ” Not that I’m complaining. The chuckle that followed his quip was the most sincere he’s ever had. At least in the past couple of weeks. All that research owed him no time to socialize, commiserate. To say that he felt lucky having bumped into her in such an opportune moment would be an understatement. “ Beyond conversation, feel free to try and find out. I can be very accommodating. ” Gawain took a moment to pause, unintentionally emphasizing the possibility of any given meaning, context, to his words. In truth, he had not gone past the idea of this encounter. At least not yet. “ Just like you. Gawain. The pleasure’s all mine. ” He offered her his hand, his smile eternal. 

.

𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒚  𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒅  𝒕𝒉𝒆  𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒂  𝒇𝒐𝒓  awhile  and  even  tried  to  act  like  she  was  actually  playing  or  trying  to  play  and  knew  what  she  was  doing,  but  another  round?  mary  almost  laughed.   “   dude,  i  can’t  even  see  the  cards.  i  have  no  idea  why  you  asked  me  to  play  aside  for  an  ego  boost.   “

◈

“ wait, what? ” anton’s eyebrows furrowed as confusion and then disbelief drowned his mind. it was one thing to lose to a lucky hand. it was another to feign disability because she could accept such a loss. “ what do you mean you can’t see the cards? it’s right in front of— ” he cut himself off as his dark brown eyes focused on her, the realization but a spark on kindling. “ oh. ” then it resounded and the embarrassment of it all replaced all that he had earlier felt and thought. “ OH! oh my god, i am so sorry! i thought that was a figurative thing! ” he really should understand what he reads.