InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "You son of a B!"

vαи dyиє (punches) wrote in avengers_logs,
@ 2018-04-09 18:48:00

Entry tags:

-complete, hope van dyne, stephen strange

Who: Hope & Doc Strange
What: Take a ride on the Welcome Wagon~
When: Today?
Where: A cafe that is not Starbucks but similar to
Rating: Green

Things had escalated pretty quickly, and that was an understatement. They'd kept up with the news, had combed the papers over breakfast and listened to the reports, morning, afternoon, and evenings while working; they'd had to go on the run after the fallout of the debacle with the Accords - a twist to their plans, sure, but then again there was only so much they could do studying the potentials of the quantum realm. The new information provided by Scott prior to everything rolling downhill had been huge, but it also led to a hell of a lot more questions and only one person knew the answers.

Then everything had to be flipped upside down again. Convenient, as always. But no one ever said scientific breakthroughs were simple matters.

New York was a place unfamiliar to Hope, being that her headquarters - and the headquarters of the now-flattened Pym Tech - had been across the country in California. But she'd find her way here, somehow. Alone. Without her father or Scott, which caused a pang that felt suspiciously like a side stitch - but she was attached to them, she had to admit. Getting along without them would be difficult but she would do it, and hopefully have something to show for it in the long run.

But first, tea.

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punches
2018-04-11 10:39 pm UTC (link)

"The world's at risk? So that's why I was brought here?" she asked, sliding the package toward her. Having to tell this story a thousand times, to others Hope who had been displaced, must be nothing short of maddening. She wasn't sure she'd have the patience for it, so more props to Dr. Strange.

She finally was able to place her tea order, at least, and couldn't wait to receive it - hopefully she could find other tea fanatics here as well. Hank had gotten her into it, and they both converted Scott - at least finding common ground with others would help ensure she didn't feel too isolated.

"And it's no burden. I'm a scientist at heart - I need facts and info."

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doctor__strange
2018-04-11 11:35 pm UTC (link)

Strange placed his own order, and if she needed a fellow tea addict? Then she would find one in Dr. Strange.

He could understand that need for hard fact sand information. He was glad there was a color pamphlet included in the welcome package, even if it was coming from a mystical standpoint.

"I was a neurosurgeon, so I can appreciate the need to know," Stephen offered, once he was assured that everyone else was occupied with their own lives and not on them. "We're part of a multiverse, one bubble out of many possible parallel universes to this one, where there are several different versions of you and me. Some where we've died, or have yet to be born. Our entire universe, here, is at risk. This planet is the focal point, the epicenter of the disruption. Since time was broken, fragmented, it's creating random anomalies from the prime universe we originated from, or drawing things in from other planes of existence. These ripple out into the universe, from Earth. Some events were already in motion and couldn't be changed. I believe that another realm, Asgard, being destroyed caused the cracks here to worsen, and here we are. In the aftermath."

He hoped that made sense, and waited patiently, so she could absorb that explanation and ask any questions or about finer details.

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punches
2018-04-12 10:50 pm UTC (link)

"Surprisingly, I get the multiverse - well, my father and I have done extensive research on the properties of the Quantum Realm," Hope said, taking her tea with a thanks when it arrived. She didn't sip it right away though, just held the cup in her hands (they were light bulb bubble tea cups, kind of clever) and considered everything, brow furrowed. "Though of course we don't have all the answers. It's...near impossible to remember anything if you get out."

But anyway, she at least could see how time was broken - and the ripple effect from one world to another; it was a sect of physics she attempted to study, the multiverse theory, but solid conclusions were another thing. Well, looked like she was living it right now.

"What about the others we've left?" she asked. "Does that universe feel our absence?"

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doctor__strange
2018-04-13 01:46 am UTC (link)

Stephen looked surprised, his own hands gently cupped around the cup of hot tea, not enough to touch but still able to enjoy the warmth. The Ancient One sent him through many realms when they first met, when he was arrogant and cocky, and needed to be put in check. One of them he knew to be the Quantum Realm. It was a glimpse into more than he ever thought possible and here was someone who studied it.

"I've seen the Quantum Realm. Only once," he admitted, his gaze lowered to watch the steam rise from the cup. There were plenty of mysteries that science had yet to delve into, so it was good to hear of someone who actually held a scientific interest in some of the things he had seen. "As for the others we've left....we were, essentially, here already. They're still there. We're a copy, of infinite copies, of our own selves. They aren't even aware of our absence. If I wanted to, I could go into every available future, from this point, and see how many times this universe might branch off into other ones. It's possible that some of our future selves might not miss...or even know...their counterparts, either."

Universes splitting off, multiverses, loops, ripple effects, multiple realms....time was more of a burden or a curse, than it was a blessing. And with the way that time fractured along the seams, there were overlaps of people overwriting their counterparts here, coming from other places (even from outer space), or from earlier points in the joined timeline. Stephen swore he didn't just break the timeline, but he nearly obliterated it and could have wiped out everything. And that wouldn't have been fun.

He cleared his throat and his thoughts, as he took a first tentative sip of the tea. He nodded his approval. Hope certainly knew what she was talking about.

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punches
2018-04-13 11:02 pm UTC (link)

"You have?" Hope lifted her eyebrows, intrigued even more so. "And you got out - how did...what do you remember about it?" she wanted to know, trying not to sound too eager. But Scott had survived too, his mind unable to really comprehend the experience though - which was understandable, since there was only so much the human mind could wrap itself around.

To meet another person familiar with what she and Hank had been studying for years? To speak with them, someone who maybe could back up the assertions that there was a chance Janet was still alive somewhere? Damn. Hope all of a sudden wasn't complaining about ending up here.

She would try not to badger Stephen too much, however. "Sorry, I just...kind of have a personal stake in it," she explained. "So now that we're here, what do you do? Are you a researcher too, or...?" It involved a cloak, that was apparent. A sentient cloak.

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doctor__strange
2018-04-14 12:27 am UTC (link)

Stephen noted the interest and he actually didn't look too bothered that she seemed eager to know. He really only got a chance to talk to Christine and to Wanda about different realms and the ability to travel to them, although it was trickier for the inexperienced. There were still things on the astral plane that could harm one's soul or thoughts, after all.

"You don't need to apologize. It was a glimpse. I remember that it was crystaline when I entered, and everything considered infinitesimal looked...enormous in comparison to myself. It was incomprehensible. And it seemed to go on, forever." He didn't scowl, as the memory of it was more fascinating than he could describe. It was one of many places that the Ancient One showed him for a reason, although he still didn't know why. Nor did he know what Hope's personal stake was. "If it's personal, I won't pry..."

After a brief moment of contemplation, he said, "...but my job...is a master of the mystic arts. I protect this world and everyone on it. And, by extension, everyone in this universe. Earth is my priority. Obviously. I mean, we are stuck here."

He managed a wry smirk and took a drink of tea.

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punches
2018-04-14 08:39 pm UTC (link)

Sounded right. You, as a human, floating through the Quantum Realm? You were literally a speck of dust. And still continuing to shrink, while trapped in some world where nothing existed and nothing mattered - not even you. It gave her a shudder just to think of it.

"My mother - " Hope paused, sipping on her tea, blue eyes cloudy with the memory, "...she may still be in the Quantum Realm. She worked for SHIELD, back in her time. Nanotechnology is her thing, our thing - me and my father too - but while on a mission, she shrunk herself to disarm a Soviet missile, in order to save millions of lives. We just...never knew what happened to her after that."

There was a chance, wasn't there? Maybe Dr. Strange had even heard of her, stranger things (no pun intended) had happened.

"I don't know much about the mystic arts, but I was hoping to continue my research here. I don't suppose you know of anyone looking for a nanotechnology expert?" she chuckled softly.

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doctor__strange
2018-04-15 12:08 am UTC (link)

Strange wished, even in his astral form, that he could have seen more. He wanted to see and know everything. But his time there had been nothing more than a brief glimpse. He looked regretful, since that seemed like it wasn't a place one would want to get lost in, even if it was a heroic act.

"I'm sorry. Your mother sounds like she was very brave and selfless," Stephen said, issuing his condolences. He didn't know anything about Hope's mother, other than what he was told. And it would be difficult to pinpoint one person in a realm that was so infinite. There was one thing that stood out in his mind, though, and that might offer some measure of hope. "When the Ancient One showed me what I believe was the Quantum Realm? She made it seem like she was showing me something benevolent. I don't want to offer false hope, but...."

Dr. Strange sighed and shrugged a shoulder, gazing down at what was left of his tea as though it might hold the answers to every mystery. If only that were the case.

"I do know there's some scientists here. Tony Stark has a lab in the city, and there's a research center upstate. And Princess Shuri of Wakanda has a private lab in the penthouse at the corner of Church and Chambers St in Tribeca. If you need an apartment to stay in, she's taking in some of the new arrivals. Stark's hiring people on. Under the table. They're on the network, if you want to contact them."

Maybe some of those options would help.

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punches
2018-04-15 11:36 am UTC (link)

Hope tried to imagine the look on Scott's face if she told him she was working for Tony Stark - it wouldn't be a pleased look, that was for sure. But she was still a little bitter about how he just ran off to assist 'Team Cap' without considering how it might affect the people close to him. And look what happened, they all basically had to go into hiding. On the run. Because of the fight between Cap and Iron Man, because of the Accords. It was something Hope wasn't involved in, so she couldn't be expected to pick sides now.

Besides, Scott wasn't here. It felt a bit like an icy trickle down her back, realizing that, but it was unfortunately true. So while he wouldn't be pleased (and Hank really wouldn't either, for that matter - but his beef was with Howard Stark anyway; old SHIELD politics that she also wasn't involved in), hopefully he would understand later.

"Thanks," she said, offering Stephen a smile. For sharing his experiences involving the Quantum Realm and the recommendations. "I'll look around, see what I can find. And thanks for the welcome package too."

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doctor__strange
2018-04-15 07:22 pm UTC (link)

It seemed like Hope would settle in just fine. It was nice to find another sensible person around, who was able to thoughtfully navigate through a mess like this. Considering she studied another dimension that he laid eyes on before, one that not a lot of people could fathom, he wondered at her part in the greater scheme of things. Surely, with her expertise, it was going to be significant.

"You're welcome." Strange finished the remains of the tea and looked appreciative. "Thank you for the tea recommendation. And for being so understanding about our shared...situation. I'll pay for my tea on the way out. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask."

He stood up and one point of the cloak's collar waved a tiny toodle-loo of a farewell.

"Take care, Hope," Strange said, before he departed. The normal way. Toward the exit.

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