InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Bend and snap!"

sᴄᴏᴛᴛ ʟᴀɴɢ ᴅɪᴅɴ'ᴛ sᴛᴇᴀʟ, ʜᴇ ʙᴜʀɢʟᴇᴅ. (burgled) wrote in avengers_logs,
@ 2018-04-19 20:50:00

Entry tags:

-complete, scott lang, stephen strange

Who: Doctor Strange & Scott Lang
What: Welcome to the new crazy
When: Today!
Where: Scott's apartment
Rating: Green

It seemed like only moments ago Scott was looking at the uncommonly clean walls of yet another cell, only to be released by Captain America for their 'crimes' against the government. Man, teenage him would have been so proud. But adult Scott that had gone off on a 'must do the right thing' binge without Hank or Hope had been regretting that because, as per the usual, there were consequences.

Yet there he was. In New York City, tied to the Avengers again. Where he could put his trust? He didn't know. Well, there was Hope. He could trust her--to put a fist halfway up his nose for being reckless. And dumb, and his usual self. Sighing as he slunk his things onto the couch of a conveniently 'philanthropic' home, Scott fidgeted with his phone to check and see if Cassie's mother had let her try to text him. No messages. No direction. And a gut full of anxiety because hell if he knew what was going on.

But then again, did he ever?

Pushing himself up, Scott pulled out his laptop over the counter, fingers flashing over the keys frantically to try and work on familiarizing himself with the local area, see if he could find some contacts, and wait at least twenty more minutes before trying to call his daughter again. Then he'd go confront Hope for a well rounded kick in the pants.

(Post a new comment)

doctor__strange
2018-04-20 01:52 am UTC (link)

Another day, another new arrival. Since every case was different, Stephen Strange tried to approach every time as a fresh start, even if he had to repeat himself. He was getting better at 'The Talk' now, or he liked to tell himself as much. It was far better than someone like Wong trying to explain what was going on. Even if Wong didn't know. Or seemed like he didn't know. It was hard to tell.

Stephen donned his cape and put on his sling ring, taking hold of one of the 'welcome gifts' for those who probably didn't need the hotel package. Then he set off.

A portal formed behind Scott's back and out stepped a gentleman who was dressed like a magician at a children's birthday party. There was the soft sound of a throat clearing and an awkward pause before Stephen said, "Hello, Mr. Lang. I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

(Reply to this) (Thread)

burgled
2018-04-20 03:33 am UTC (link)

“Holy hell!” For someone who probably should have been used to this by now, and have better reflexes, Scott was still only human and jumped out of his seat (literally), hands instinctively going up. Even though this was..his apartment. He’d seen some shit. Quantum realm. Grown bigger than a plane. Fought other Avengers. What was another dude with a cape and portals?

No big. No big at all.

“Um..no? I was just uh, settling in.” His light blue eyes stayed fixated on Stephen even as he dropped his hands, the thought of getting into the suit to shrink and run fast enough just leaving his mind. Not enough time. “Can I help you? Do we, um, know each other?” He wasn’t the other dude with the cape that he and Team Cap were fighting. But maybe they were friends. Or there was a superhero rolladex somewhere Scott just hadn’t been shown yet.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

doctor__strange
2018-04-20 09:04 am UTC (link)

Dr. Strange stood perfectly still, except for the fact that one eyebrow raised higher up than the other one. Then his lips parted and he let out a sigh, shaking his head.

"No, we don't know one another. And I'm actually here to help you." Stephen let out a sigh and held the welcome pack out. "You're nervous and you're probably going to take this as crazy talk, so here goes. I am a master of the mystic arts. I broke time saving the world. It created a parallel universe that you are a part of, while the prime universe continues on. You are exactly the same, and now you have been made aware of it. My theory is that the timeline is unstable, and it needs protected in order to stabilize. And you're one of the people chosen to do that."

One corner of the cape raised up, twisted around and wadded up into itself, to give Scott a thumbs up gesture.

"...please stop making things weirder," Stephen said under his breath, and the cape sadly drooped back down until it resembled a cape again. Nothing more, and nothing less. Except now with fifty percent more sad droop to it.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

burgled
2018-04-21 02:06 am UTC (link)

A lot to take in all at once. Yet Scott was still there, consciously in the moment, going through all of it in his head. Master of mystic arts, broken time, parallel universe. He wondered how that affected the Quantum Realm and it's correlation...but anyways.

"You broke time?" It was a rhetorical question, because it actually made Scott feel better about his own Super Hero fallouts. Not to put the guy down. He was no mystic master, just a dude in a suit after all. Who managed to stand next to some pretty amazing Avengers and other people.

Scott slowly, and just as awkwardly, returned the wave from the sentient cape. No, this was average now, Scottie. Absolutely just. Normal. Day to day stuff now. Hank didn't give him the big boy life changing second chance monologue for nothing. "Right, so, ok. Thanks?" Presents were nice. This must be the skewed timeline version of bringing your neighbor cookies. Lang took the welcome package gratefully and slowly put it on the table next to him, nodding his head, digesting. "So if time is broken and just choosing people to protect it, which I'm totally up for helping with, what exactly is going on with...everyone else in our life? Are they here?"

Like Cassie. Or Hope and Hank. Being a hero, saving the timeline if he was 'chosen' he'd do without a second thought, but Scott was only ever at his best when he was doing it for them. He'd still do it for them. Even if they...weren't here, but, he had to know.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

doctor__strange
2018-04-21 05:09 am UTC (link)

Stephen very slowly nodded while looking askew, because yes. He did break time. The cape was waving. He walked through portals as transportation, because he could and it was cheaper than Uber. Because this was their life, as messed up and odd as it was.

That included the people in it.

"Everyone you knew or loved or hated," the doctor confirmed, "are still here. Just as they always were. The two timelines are nearly identical. I couldn't tell the difference. I doubt the other me can, either."

There was a temptation to speak to his other self, but there was little doubt in Strange's mind that his counterpart was also very busy. As would be any of the variations of himself, throughout the entire multiverse.

After an awkward pause, Stephen looked at Scott and then looked at their surroundings. With a soft sigh, he asked, "Is this your place?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

burgled
2018-04-21 03:38 pm UTC (link)

"Hate is a strong word but ok, I think I got it. That's great." He let out an audible sigh of relief, the tension in his shoulders releasing as he watched the other guy check out the nearly empty small apartment. Hey, he just got here and who knew if he'd even be able to keep this up?

He'd figure it out.

He'd need to contact Hope and Hank right away to check in and make sure they weren't ready to dip him in a tub of the Paraponera clav..a...ta.ta---the bullet ants. No thank you. And of course, Cassie.

"Yeah, I'm not exactly in the greatest of places after helping Cap at the airport. Which seemed like the right thing to do at the time, but, I have a history with those sorts of situations." Scott admitted, somewhat defeated. But maybe that would explain why he wasn't on house arrest here. Or the Swats were after him. Or his ex wasn't removing his visitation with his daughter. Yet. "Did you wanna, uh, take a seat? Can I get you some tea or somethi--Oh, I didn't catch your name Mr. Mystic Master of the Arts. Are you an Avenger?" Was he an Avenger?

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

doctor__strange
2018-04-21 09:35 pm UTC (link)

"You're right. Hate is a strong word," he conceded. Stephen couldn't say he hated anyone - irritated by, certainly - but more that he hated some things. He didn't feel any irritation at Scott, certainly. He looked perfectly calm as he took in the surroundings, and was inwardly grateful that the residence wasn't 'borrowed.'

After listening with interest, there was a moment of silent contemplation and then a shake of his head.

"I'm Doctor Strange. And no, sorry I can't stay. I have some matters to attend to." Matters like an infestation of mind leeches. He didn't divulge that information since it was complicated, in an already complicated situation. "I'm not an Avenger, but there are several Avengers on the network. If not the entirety of the team. The Accords are gone now, so Captain Rogers and most of those who were with him, are no longer fugitives."

He wondered if that would extend to Scott as well, but since he wasn't keeping up with the legal logistics, he couldn't be certain either way.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

burgled
2018-04-22 12:12 am UTC (link)

Not even a real name. But who was Scott to judge? Maybe this guy was actually a doctor. And his last name was actually...Strange. This would not be the most difficult thing to believe at the moment.

"Well nice to meet you and thanks for the, uh, gift box?" Lang eyed it suspiciously once more as Strange continued to talk about the other Avengers. He even began to open it before stopping to look up. "Oh, that's great. Maybe now there's no reason to..hide." But Scott wasn't really an Avenger. He was the guy Sam called because Cap needed some help finding the other Super Soldiers that were about to go destroy the rest of the planet.

Except, they didn't fight any Super Soldiers. Just the other half of the Avengers because apparently they hadn't been getting along? That information would have been great but hey. When Captain America needs your help, right? "I'll reach out in case they need me again."

In a jail-free zone.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

doctor__strange
2018-04-22 08:49 pm UTC (link)

Strange was all of those things, and all of those things were very real. These days, he didn't even bother trying to explain it was his real name or profession, even if it was a past one. He was still, very much, a doctor that was in the business of saving lives. Only by much more esoteric means.

"I don't think there's reason to hide, unless you've done something else. Something actually illegal," replied Stephen, quirking one eyebrow up as things went horribly quiet, as though the doctor was waiting for a confession. When it didn't come, he coughed to clear his throat and continued. "I would suggest you do so. The more that help, the better. It's been a pleasure making your acquaintance, Mister Lang. If you have further questions, you can inquire over the network."

Strange turned and raised one hand, making a sweeping circular motion, until a portal opened up, sending magical sparks in every direction. He gave Scott a nod and stepped through, with the cape fluttering in such a manner, it looked as though a corner was waving goodbye.

The portal closed in on itself with a couple of sparkles flung out, fading like dying embers before they hit the floor.

(Reply to this) (Parent)