sixthiterationtexts | UN: The Brock Report

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UN: The Brock Report

So Hanukkah's just kicking off. Means we're close to Christmas. Given how many people are here from other places do you have any winter, solstice, or yule traditions? Looking for cool Holiday stories. Totally not trying to chase away Seasonal Affective Disorder

Private to Tony Stark

hey so. I had a weird dream. You and Anne were trying to convince Venom to reveal itself on camera. I know that Venom asked Anne to come but ever since this every time he's clammed up. Only answers yes or no. Seems super worried about me. I've tried to leave the house and talk to people three times and nearly barked at them. I'm not mad. Just...trying to put together what happened. Did this thing I dream actually happen?

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[Eat it. You can cook a chicken. but you need a fryer. And spices. And Popeyes.]

...I could learn. I mean. Better then eating chicken raw -

[EXCUSE YOU Raw chicken is delicious!

Eddie looks distinctly uncomfortable for a moment before he sighs.] I'm completely useless out here. I write. But y'know. I actually hate Walt Whitman.

...You guys must see a lot of people with powers. As Avengers.

[Are you finally going to talk about me?

No. Shut up.]

I know how to roast chicken.

[Her smile wavers when Eddie's features pinch with discomfort. Wanda isn't sure what's wrong or if he wants to talk about it but it's worrying.

Is he okay?

She doubts that there is anything she can do to help but Wanda's first instinct is to offer to ease that discomfort.]

I have and more than that. Prior to my time with the Avengers, I was connected to an infinity stone. It showed me the universe. [And all the dangers that live in it.] It's a pretty big place.

[He has no idea what an infinity stone is, but when he reaches inward and asks Venom Venom goes...quiet. Almost scarily quiet.]

I was investigating aliens before I ended up here. They bonded with people and gave them powers. I was just curious what you'd think. Of that.

I don't see anything wrong with it.

[She glances over at Eddie thoughtfully.]

Why do you ask?

[This didn't feel hypothetical.]

Edited 2018-12-13 04:29 (UTC)

[Is this what growing up looks like? Eddie swallows hard.] I told stark about this. Trying to...get used to telling other people but I have abilities. Okay well-the other..

shit.

I'm going to sound totally nuts. But you've met aliens. I have too and one gave me...powers.

[He is fucking this up so much. It was nice. It was flirty. It was adorable.

...I embarrass you.

No! No!

I do. It's fine.

Are we really doing this?

Eddie's gaze is frozen straight ahead at a distant point past her. his hands drop to his sides before he raises them to the table and puts his face in his hands.]

I swear to god I am not a psychopath.

You don't sound totally nuts.

[Maybe a little but Wanda's long since learned that the universe is nuts and it's best to just roll with it.

She reaches forward and gently takes his hand in hers.]

Eddie?

Are you alright? [Wanda gently squeezes his hand and watches as his eyes refocus before gently pulling away. It's a little alarming but he's done shorter spans of that a few times. Maybe it's related to his powers in some way?] You can tell me.

I won't think that you're a psychopath.

[She's met psychopath's and Eddie really doesn't qualify.]

[He remembers a conversation with Venom - Try to be less of a Dick and Venom-

That's what this is. This is you not being a dick.

Venom snorts.

No matter what. I've got us.]

I agreed to host an alien. Like...we're partners. His name is Venom. When we're together-

[That power. It's superhero level. He's always kind of wanted to be a superhero. No. He's wanted to. yearned to.]

We're superheroes. I mean not avengers level but we do help people.

That isn't so unbelievable. The universe is a very large place with many different species.

[She has first hand knowledge when it comes to the universe at large, having been connected to the stone during her time in Hydra's lab, but she didn't spend a lot of time thinking about it. The universe is big and a very very very scary place. It's one of the reasons that her and her brother were the only ones to survive Hyrda's test; most people were driven mad or killed by the power of the stone.]

It's good that you help people.

[The Avengers can't save everyone.]

-that you both help people.

[She corrects herself quickly.]

The strangest thing I've heard is that I have two son's from an alternate universe version of me. [Wanda hopes that cheers him up a little bit. He isn't the only one in a weird situation.]

[That's...surprising. When Eddie was a kid his dad used to scream at him and then abandon him at the best moments. The good moments. Ever since then he really wanted to help...

Leave that alone!

Venom's voice makes him blink. He wipes as hand over his face as something oozes beneath his skin. Visibly swelling over his fingers.

We move forward now. And what you did? What you did was good He blinks at her then as something swims across his vision before he shakes it off.]

...Sorry he uh...Nevermind. You've got people from an alternate universe too?

Yes.

[Wanda's brow furrows in a frown as she watches Eddie's expression.]

Are you sure you're okay?

[She isn't sure how often she's asked that but he's a very expression person and she has no idea what's going on within in head, all she can see is the way he wipes at his brow or the knot of tension between his eyebrows.

It makes her wonder what he's thinking about.]

[Get your shit together! You're making us look stupid!

Eddie wipes his hand over his eyes.]

Yeah I'm fine. Just trying to process somebody being accepting of the whole alien thing. People do here. It's weird.

Plus I'm listening to him.

[Eddie taps his temple.] It's like having a motivational calendar constantly in your brain. Except instead of saying nice things he says things like "Get your shit together" and "stop being a dick."

Apparently I'm a villain in another reality. That's sure a fucking thing.

[She smiles and shakes her head.]

It's really fine. You might be surprised what people are used too. I know another man from another planet. I'm sure you've heard of Thor if you know the Avengers. [Thor certainly defies a lot of stereotypes of what you think should come out of space.]

I also know what it's like to be in another's head or have more people in my own head. I can't imagine that long term but if you need to speak with him that's fine. [It explains a lot.

Her lips press together thoughtfully and she remembers the other Wanda Maximoff. The woman who would abandon her two son's.]

That person isn't you. I wouldn't worry about what they've done. Worry about you. You and your friend will decide where your life goes next.

[It's so nice listening to her talk. It feels like at any moment the other foot will drop. He'll become something else. Or he'll go back to being what he was.

Enough about me]

Kinda hard to do that when you're stuck here but. That's that I guess.

[See? Was that so hard?

I hate you so much

No you don't.

Those three words are so sincere Eddie looks shocked and then he smiles. His smile is genuine and real and he shrugs his shoulders.]

...Stark said I needed to think about telling people. Well. He told Venom not me but I guess - congratulations are in order can I get you something to drink to celebrate? I came out as a weird...superhuman hybrid.

[He pauses]

...How do you know what's to be in anoth-I thought you had some kind of energy power?

Stark is sometimes very wise.

[Sometimes.

Wanda is still getting to know the Tony Stark that's here in the village. It isn't the same man she'd met in Sokovia and it isn't the same man she knew while she'd been apart of the Avengers. He is changed and while their relationship is mending, Wanda can't help but be worried at the strain she sees in Stark's features.

She mentally shakes away the thought and focuses a light smile on Eddie.]

I could go for a drink but my understanding is that its hard to come by. Unless we're toasting water. [Which Wanda is fairly sure is bad luck.]

I do but it's more than that.

My powers- [Her tongue presses briefly against the inside of her cheek.] I can manipulate energy, use force to fly or create weapons and projectiles, but I can also mentally manipulate others or look into their thoughts.

[She shakes her head.]

Even when I had access to my abilities, it isn't something I used.

[Not after her first run-in with the Avengers.]

Everything with my powers is a little complicated.

[She can read minds. Fascinating. Venom is visibly impressed. Riot should have taken on the Avengers. I would have liked to see him obliterated, to have his connection to the hive ripped apart...]

We took care of riot.

[Pause. Blink. He sighs.] I know something about complicated abilities. I guess.

[Despite that he's grinning as he rises.] Well I have...no alcohol but water works right?

...Man. I'd kill for alcohol though. No ice is okay right?

[Wanda's lips stretched into a grin as she rose to her feet. Arado shifts off her lap and makes a little disgruntled noise but he goes back to curling up next to the table and napping. He's clearly uninterested in what's going on now and seems to trust Venom enough to nap.]

Water works though I've been told its bad luck to toast water.

[She follows a few steps so they remain in the same room while he gets them water.]

No ice. [Wanda echoes in confirmation.] So, who is Riot?

[She can't not ask.]

Then I'll just get a glass.

[He pauses and looks back at her with a wink.] the last thing I want to do is cause you bad luck.

[No ice. This is rotten.] I've been broke before but this is kind of ridiculous. Riot is-

[His hand twitches and curls into a fist before slamming itself into the countertop. Eddie grabs at it and closes his eyes.]

Riot was his squad leader. He took over Carlton Drake. I can only assume they managed to bond but...

[He's breathing hard before he moves quickly to get the water glasses.

He just pisses me the hell off.]

I know.

[Am I interrupting?! I'm sorry. Just-Riot-]

Calm down.

[Wanda's lips curl and she tries her best not to laugh. It doesn't work and a light musical huff of laughter manages to escape.] Water is fine. I don't think we can have any luck worse than being trapped here.

[Her expression remains light and at ease as she leans against the kitchen entry way. Her eyes follow Eddie around the kitchen, watching more than studying him as he spoke.]

Carlton Drake. [She pauses thoughtfully.] I think I know the name. [He is a dreadful man from what she remembers.] It's good that you and your friend were there to stop him. [There is a note of warm appreciation in her tone.] I think the world needs more people like that. [Those who stand up for what's right, even when its difficult.]

Are you talking to him?

[Her head cants curiously to the side.]

It sounds like he really hates this Riot.

[Eddie laughs weakly before shrugging his shoulder. Reaching for a glass he passes it to her before turning to lean on the counter.]

You seriously mean that?

[It's so weird. He's spent so much time wishing he was a superhero. Longing to be heroic. Longing to do good. His arms cross over his chest and he stares down at his feet.

Stop being tense. Speak to her. Relax your posture! You're -

His arms jerk to his sides and twitch there before he leans back on the counter.]

He's a jack ass. But yeah, he hates Riot. I guess he...

[He was like...a brother. But he mocked me. He made me feel terrible. I want to rip him to pieces. It is not as if I needed love. That's for...that's for weak people but...]

He's surprisingly emotional about it. Riot was like family but apparently he treated him like shit. I can relate on that. The two of us kinda have...well. I'm good at taking care of him.

Normally.

[He shrugs.]

Let's go back to crafting. You close to your family?

[Wanda takes the glass, holding it in front of her abdomen as Eddie's arms jerk, tense and flail awkwardly. Now that she knows what to look for, she's beginning to see Venom's influences.]

I do mean it.

Superpowers don't make someone a hero. It just takes someone doing something because they know its the right thing to do. [Her expression softens and saddens when Eddie asks about family.]

I was close to my family. After my parents died it was just me and my brother. Two years ago, he died protecting a young boy and a friend of mine. [He had died a hero and while Wanda has trouble talking about it, she wants everyone to know how amazing her brother was.]

I found more family since arriving here. [Her brow furrows slightly.] From alternate universes. I don't know them but I'd like too.

Your kids right?

[he pauses] Sorry alternate reality children. I'm not trying to be sarcastic either that's a big deal. I mean can I...can I help?

[Wanda tries not to smile at Eddie's awkward attempt at forming sentences.]

That's right. It's a little strange suddenly having teenagers as children. I don't think they want a mother but I'd like to get to know them.

[Her head tilts curiously to the side.]

You want to help?

...Why wouldn't I?

[He frowns] Look apparently in another reality I'm some kinda...alien obsessed villain.

[As opposed to just being alien obsessed?

Eddie chuckles under his breath before moving to lead her back to the table.]

How would you want to help?

[Wanda knows very little about children and had never intended to have children but meeting Tommy and Billy is changing that. She wants to get to know them and learn about them but she doesn't think either of them really wants another mother. From what she's learned, her alternate universe self all but abandoned her children.]

Or are you saying that I won't be like my alternate universe self?

[This conversation is going to get very confusing very fast.]

Maybe we could have a dinner with them. You have a house? I mean either at your house or here, and I could be like your wingman. I know people who would be willing to help with that too.

[He almost says Anne but he swallows that thought.]

We're gonna be stuck together.

I don't want to be alternate reality me. Alternate reality me has apparently done far more jail time then I'm comfortable with.

[ha hah ha ha fuck]

UN: The Brock Report

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