the vision

“You want to go to Mars?” Bruce asked, not exactly surprised by the request but rather that he was actually making said request. “I don’t see why not. I’m sure Earth can handle itself without you for a bit. Any idea where you’d start looking?”

       “I have learned a lot about human space research and it intrigues me very much, at a time where all eyes are turned towards space.” he explained. “It is lost in the Perseverance Valley, due to an aggressive sand storm. I believe it is still there and that I could sense his energy maybe better than the actual NASA technology.”

“Thanks Vis …”  Tony came in for the hug and taped on Vision’s back. He hadn’t seen him in quite a while.  “You too. How have you been  ?  “

        Vision was surprised by the hug but closed his arms around Tony as well. “I’ve been well, thank you for asking. Trying my best as always, search for our missing ones.” He smiled and pulled apart. “How are you?”

He scoffed, “Yea well the amount of people who won’t cross my path doesn’t bare thinking about; it’s its own kind of power.” Aiden added dryly. He nodded (as best a feline could) and proceeded to explain, “Yea, it’s kinda like everyone has a cloud around’em, and they’re all different colours but those colours mean something to me; it tells me what kind of person they are.” Aiden blinked slowly at the other’s explanation and made a ‘huh’ noise, “That’s… That’s weird, but it’s far from the craziest thing around here, right?”

       Vision was tilting his head a bit, trying to understand how this was working. “You see what is coloured on everybody’s soul... This is very interesting. I suppose you see a lot, in a lot of people.” He smiled then, he was used to being called weird, but never took it personally. “Maybe you’re right. There always is something weirder.”

“I’m a black cat… the embodiment of bad luck.” he added with a sigh, “Plus I can read people, for every good person I see there are ten times more bad ones.” He tilted his head a little, aiming to get a brush over his ear, “Your aura’s funny too, not in a bad way just… different.”  

       Vision tilted his head. “I think this might be a point of view, depending on the person. At least from common knowledge, I have of people.” The android seemed however interested in what Aiden had to say next. “Aura reader? This is an interesting skill.” He smiled and looked down. “That maybe is because I’m... not really human, or alive. Only my mind is, somehow. I’m an android, with an entity in my head who allow me to live like a human being.” 

Aiden sighed, “Yea well you got to live among’em. Friends and love is sweet and all but it won’t keep you warm in the middle of the night when you’re stuck outside on your own.” Okay maybe he was a little bitter about his living situation but it wasn’t like he could do much about it. He blinked a few times before purring softly, “Huh, no one’s ever been honoured around me before.”

       Vision smiled. “Indeed. But you seem very pessimistic, my friend.” He continued to brush him softly. “Well, this is not every day I have to meet someone like you, a cat whom I can speak with for the matter.”

Arran huffed and stretched, his claws coming out for a moment before retracting, “Yea sure lemme get right on trying to find a home with all the money I don’t have.” he deadpanned, “I used to have a job but when all this hero stuff kicked off I had to stop it… The pay was crap anyway. Most people don’t even want their fortunes told or aura read nowadays.” he sighed as he other moved his hand a little, “Vision?” he cracked an eye open and looked the guy over, “Weird name. It suits you. I’m Aiden.”  

       “You know I learnt while having the chance to live among humans... That home isn’t necessarily a place. It’s more the people, who make it like home. You can find two different houses, if it isn’t warm enough inside, it would not be worth to call it home, right?” He spoke while moving gently the brush on his neck. “Thank you, Aiden. I’m honored. It’s nice to meet you.”

He lifted his head and actually listened to the guy, blinking a few times as he absorbed the information, “Huh… So basically cats being cats was helpful and they ended up worshipping them because of it?” he heaved a sigh, “Wish that was the case now. Most of the time people just avoid me and some dicks try and kick me. I mean that doesn’t happen at SHIELD but it’s not like I have a home there.” he closed his eyes and a small purr escaped him as the brush met his back, “Ohhhhh, little to the left Dude.”

       “Yes.” Vision nodded with a polite smile. “We can say times have changed and it can be maybe infortunate that the old Egyptian gods are no longer worshipped around the world. Maybe you woud have a better time around here.” He tilted his head. “Maybe you should start thinking about a home somewhere? Somewhere you would feel safe and preserved and loved.” The android gently obeyed and brushed him a little to the left. “You can call me Vision.”

“Really?” he asked, blinking, “I wish I lived in ancient Egypt then… Cause right now the closest I get to being a God is not having to eat leftovers out of bins.” he sighed, “That and finding this brush, you wanna get in on this?“ he asked, poking the brush with a paw.

       “Yes. They were considered as a symbol of protection, under the deity Bastet, who was, for the believers, reincarnated in these same cats to protect her people. Mostly because they were chasing rats and other pests in grain silos and so prevent diseases to spread, also killing snakes around temples. They were mummified in some homes and taken care of.” he explicated. the android didn’t ask any question and took the brush to, well, brush Aiden on the back, gently.

“Smaller stomach, permanent fluffy coat, much more dexterous and sometimes I can beg for food if I look up at people cutely.” he elaborated in a deadpan.

       He smiled. “Many would want to be a cat themselves if you’d present them that life this way. After all, cats were sacred in Ancient Egypt, considered like... another form of deity, if I can use such a term.”

“Me too! I’d have to get some first. Being poor sucks.” he sighed, “But it’s pretty cheap to live as a cat nowadays.” 

       “I guess it is. You have a smaller stomach to fill, isn’t it?”

“I am indeed, and what a time to celebrate!” Vision was doing good work, yes, but now was the time to celebrate their victories. “You should have seen the revels we had on Asgard after our well-won battles. They were marvelous. Would you like to come celebrate with me?”

       Vision cocked an eyebrow and looked at his work. He wasn’ sure if celebrating should be something he needed to do. He needed to find Wanda and all the others... He looked at Thor again and thought for a moment. “I... think I could yes.” he replied with a smile.