wanda maximoff (fears) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2019-02-07 15:04:00 |
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Entry tags: | padme amidala, wanda maximoff (scarlet witch) |
WHO: Wanda & Padme
WHERE: New friends walking a trail
WHEN: some time after this
WHAT: Wanda and Padme walk a trail, share lunch and get to know each other.
WARNINGS: Nah
STATUS: Complete.
It had been far too long since Padmé got to go out. Winter wasn't normally a busy wedding season, and since she hated to sit around, she'd taken on more non-profit events than usual. Wanda's post had come at a good time though -- Padmé felt a surge of energy after that attack, and didn't know quite what to do. Suddenly, things like centerpieces, and flower arrangements seemed mundane. What she needed desperately was to reconnect with nature and this was the perfect opportunity.
The Panahe Nature Trail was one of her favourites -- after all, the Trestles, a world renowned surf spot was there. It was a nice, easy spot, and Padmé thought it was a good introduction to the trails around for Wanda. The other woman, although quieter than Padmé, had held her own through the conversation and the hike, leaving Padmé pleased she'd reached out.
"I'm glad you came with," she said, setting out their picnic lunch. She'd made some sandwiches, a veggie platter and picked up chips and drinks. "I sit in my office entirely too much, so this?" she gestured to the trees. "This was badly needed."
When Wanda had reached out on the net, looking for something resembling an activity to do, people to meet, she hadn't quite expected what had come of it. Between invites for drinks, a possible interview for an internship and the possibility of a new hobby to keep her attention, and someone do do it with, it seemed like maybe her teachers had been on to something with the idea of social media. Padmé's invitation for a hike was a little out there at first, but the more Wanda thought about it, the better an idea it seemed.
The nature trail that Padmé selected suited Wanda's inexperience rather well. Of course she'd had to google suitable attire for a hike, but she felt like she'd managed fairly well on the fly. She'd need to look into better shoes if she made this a common thing, but she liked the fresh air, and the scenery was breathtaking. "I am rather glad I did too," and honestly, she was. It might've not felt like her sort of thing at first, but getting out there, away from the noise of traffic and people, it reminded her of growing up. Even the lunch Padmé had sorted out felt like home, if a little less like the cuisine at home, at least it was the same simple selection. Nothing that would confuse Wanda too much.
"It's so nice out here, I can see why you like to get away." This would be a good way to gather thoughts and just be at peace. "Thank you, for inviting me."
"Anytime!" And Padmé meant it. "Once, I had a lot of different friends, ones that liked this kind of stuff, but you know, when school is done, and real life starts ..." She trailed off and sat down on the picnic table bench. If she was honest, had she even been close to anyone really? With her parents being so high profile, she'd always been a little held-back, even if she was outgoing by nature. You just never knew why people wanted to befriend you when your mother was a state senator.
Picking up a turkey sandwich, she grinned. " I love this trail in particular because it leads to Trestles, which is this surf beach. One of my favourites to come out to, when I want something fun but not too challenging. Like I said on the network, I'm pretty big on the water. Sometimes though, you don't want to get wet to enjoy nature, so here we are. What are some things you like to do, Wanda?"
The outdoors were just so nice, and even with the end of winter shaking off, everything was still so pleasant to be out in. "That sounds like quite the place, maybe one day we can go there too." The beach was so nice, even if Wanda couldn't get right into it, she wouldn't mind at all just visiting the beach to get her feet wet. "I'm sure the water is probably refreshing after a warm hike."
Because why not cool off in the middle of summer after a hike, frolicking in the water afterwards to cool off.
"I like... Reading? I'm not very active." It wasn't because she didn't want to be, Wanda liked being outside, she liked seeing the world, even just small areas of it. Getting out to see the nature hikes with Padmé was really nice for her. "I used to travel a lot, when I was at home, but I haven't for a while, and it's hard making friends." Hopefully with more friends, she could get out more.
Wanda's words reminded Padmé of a question she had. "I meant to ask you that -- where are you from? I love your accent, and please don't take that the wrong way. Sometimes, I need to be reminded of my own privilege, growing up here, being part of the majority, speaking the language.... I think it's so inspiring, how you came here from somewhere else and are making it. I don't know that I could do that. It's one of the reasons I wanted to reach out. I would like to think that if I was in your shoes, someone would also reach out." She smiled widely. "I hope I didn't offend you with this!"
"It is okay," Wanda waved it off, since a few people asked her from time to time, "I am from Romania, I have been here for two years." Her English was at least good enough that she didn't need to worry about not being understood, she knew that so many people didn't have that benefit. "My parents were Romani, and we travelled around a lot. Not everyone was kind to us, but we were a community." People made judgements based on rumours, based on what they're heard and fear of different. "I learned English when we settled in a small town, when my father was hurt by people." She had that benefit at least.
"People can be mean, but people can also be so very kind. Like the ones who helped me in Greece, after I left Romania, and the people here who are helping me get my education here." She picked at one of the sandwiches, giving her shoulders a small shrug, "I feel lucky that I'm here. And I don't mind sharing my story, so it does not offend me."
Romania. Wow. That might as well have been in Outer Space. "Eastern Europe huh...." Padmé nodded her head, and took a bite of her sandwich. "You know, I did the typical rich girl thing in university, and did a 'backpacking' tour of Europe but it was only to countries and places my parents sanctioned." She rolled her eyes. "I mean, they were paying, so I couldn't really argue, but I didn't get a chance to see a lot of place I would have loved to have seen. I'm really sorry to hear about your parents though, and the discrimination they faced. You think that by now, we'd learn how to treat others and how we're all human, but nope. Guess not. Are you liking it here then? Compared to everywhere else you've lived?"
She knew of some people who went for a trip around the world, either because they wanted to travel or because it helped them in some way. A girl on her course was assisted in her application for the class because she had been travelling, perhaps because of extra credit? "At least you have seen other cultures though, even if your parents wanted you to go certain places." Wanda could understand it though, given how not everywhere was safe.
"Safety is important, I'm sure they just wanted you to be okay while you were far away from them."
Some people never learned, they never moved outside of their bubbles, allowing fear and anger to drive them, to blame others for why they weren't happy or rich or successful, and it happened all over the world. Wanda had to hope that her generation and those after were more progressive, could change the world for the better, "It is sad that it still happens, but it is not something that I will let deter me from achieving things." People could call her names if they wanted to, it didn't change who she was. "I like it here, it's warm and so sunny, and still there is so much to sea. The ocean and the nature trails. I enjoy the beach very much." Something she'd never seen until she got to California. "I feel safe here, which is nice."
Even with the odd things that happened in Orange County.
Safe. A strange concept these days, considering everything lately, but Padmé had to agree -- she felt safe too. "Anytime you want to go out, I'm your girl! Nature really calls to me. Maybe it's because my parents tried to control so much of my life, and they didn't think being outside was 'seemly'. My mom -- and dad -- wanted that picture perfect family of two girls who did everything their parents said, and didn't get dirty and caused no scandals, and blah blah blah. I put up with it for years until I had a ...let's say epiphany and realized I CAN do things on my own. I didn't need their approval or money....although, I'll be honest, I did miss that." She grinned. Picking up a handful of chips, she munched away happily. "It's really refreshing to do things on your own though. Camping's another thing I love. Have you ever done that?"
Fresh air, the sunlight, being active after so long that she hadn't been able to be out and active. "I think I'll be taking you up on that. This should be a regular thing, certainly." Maybe if they couldn't go together weekly, Wanda could fiddle things about to do things on a monthly basis. Or at least often enough that she could maybe get to the bigger trails, walk further, be more fit.
"It's nice when you can have a say in what you do." Wanda wasn't sure that was where she was at yet, but she had certain freedoms here that she'd never have had back home, even conforming to a traditional life. "Money makes things easier, but it doesn't always mean happiness." And happiness was probably more important than having money. "I love camping. We used to have camp first and sit out under that stars for hours, telling old stories. My mother told the best stories." Wanda only remembered half of them now, but there were so many.
Padmé gave a dreamy smile, almost picturing the setting. Wanda had a lovely way of telling things. "That sounds amazing though. I mean, that closeness, and family....I have a sister who is a sister through genetics only. Whenever we talk, we fight. She's very content to do what other people tell her, and I think she would have a heart attack if she had to make her own decisions about anything." It was actually very frustrating how Sola never thought for herself. "But we're good little WASPs who call each other dutifully every weekend and talk about the weather and what we've eaten in the week." Cue the eye roll.
That sounded like a life lacking just about anything. Wanda had never had to go against her parents, she'd never really gotten to the point of rebellion at all. She wasn't sure there would be need for it with her family though, she hoped that would've been the case.
"In the long run, she is the one missing out. Missing out on spending time with you, sharing experiences, it's her loss, and maybe one day she'll realise that." As dearly as Wanda missed Pietro, as much as she believed this would all be better with him around, she hoped that he was living a life he enjoyed, while she had these experiences she could, hopefully, one day share with him. "You will have a full life, one that you enjoy and get the most out of, at least."
"You're so sweet." Padme couldn't get over how nice Wanda seemed to be. It was like she didn't have a bad bone in her body, and that was so rare these days. It made Padme even happier that she'd invited the younger woman out. "I think that kind of knowledge comes with time though, and age. She's 5 years younger than I am, so she's 23. At 23, I was a different person than I am now...not a bad person, just different."
"Maybe she'll grow into it then, the freedoms," although maybe Padme's sister just didn't want to go out and make something for herself, content to be whatever her parents wanted her to be. "Then again, not everyone wants adventure and excitement, freedom to choose." And maybe it wasn't a bad thing for those who didn't want that. It was just that Wanda couldn't imagine anything too different.
"Do you ever wonder what your life might've been like if you hadn't done something? Like, if you'd decided to do what your parents wanted?"
Wanda's question threw Padmé off guard a bit. She had been thinking about other paths not taken, especially because of the Dreams that had already started. A queen and later a senator. Both positions of power, both positions of great responsibility. Would she have been up to the task here?
"I do....my mother expected me to follow in her footsteps and go into politics. She always told me how we needed strong female leadership, and a voice for those who couldn't speak up. While I absolutely agree with her ....sometimes, I think she's lost her way. We tend to have more 'fundraising' events for questionable causes than actual grassroots events that can directly benefit people." Padmé gave a sigh and finished her sandwich, shifting in her seat a little bit. "But she's been in the game over 20 years now, and I think anyone would be jaded after seeing the same thing over and over again....but sometimes, I wonder if maybe, I could have been that vector for change. I guess I'll never really know."
Politics was largely confusing for Wanda -especially going from Europe to America, she knew it would be a while to get citizenship in order to have any say in something like elections and voting, but she could at least stay informed while she was there. For the most part, the whole thing seemed like no one knew what they were doing, so she couldn't exactly blame Padme for wanting something different. "Sometimes you just know, what's for you and what's not for you."
And if that wasn't what Padme saw for herself, well, there wasn't anything to say she couldn't still help people, right? "Besides, I don't think you need to be a politician to be a good person, or be helpful to communities and make change. You can do that without holding an office, right? And maybe be more effective, since you don't have to keep other people happy?"
Padmé smiled, finishing off her sandwich. "You're right. I used to do a lot of activism, and now I help out by planning events for not-for-profits." Brushing crumbs off of her lap, she stretched a little. "You still hungry or you want to keep walking? We're almost to that beach, and I think we might even have some time to dip our toes in the water. How does that sound?"
She'd need to keep an eye out for anything Padmé was doing, so that she could offer help or support, show up to contribute when she could. Mirroring Padmé, Wanda brushed her lap down to get rid of the sandwich crumbs, wiping her hands together. "Let's keep going," if she could dip her toes in the ocean she'd consider the day an entire success.
"I like the sound of that, let's get going then."