16452/No News isn't Good News

No News isn't Good News
Date of Scene:	30 July 2024
Location:	Apartment A2 - Summers - Mutant Town
Synopsis:	Wanda came to visit to catch up and drop off really good food.
Cast of Characters:	Havok, Scarlet Witch

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Havok has posed:
Alex can be found in his (and Lorna's) apartment located across the street from Fred's Diner, inside the glorious burb of Mutant Town. He's lived in this place off and on for a few years. But now it seems more permenant since the incidents at Xavier's regarding their issues with Lorna. Today, as with many days in the recent past, Alex is working on his (and Lorna's) research into their PhD application in Geophysics. He's got stuff, papers, rocks, samples, data, boards, and everything needed scattered all around the flat surfaces of the apartment's main room. He's wearing khaki shorts with cargo pockets and a dark red t-shirt. His feet are bare. But they're not ugly dry feet. He keeps them mostly inside shoes. His blonde hair seems tossed and unkempt. The main door of the apartment into the hallway is open. As is the balcony door. Letting a breeze flow through - along with all the city noises outside. It helps him work, oddly, noise keeps him focused.

Scarlet Witch has posed:
Wanda made her way to Alex's apartment complex, the bustling sounds of Mutant Town filling the air. She carried with her a warm, delicious Transian dish called "Sarmale de Legume," a savory blend of cabbage rolls stuffed with rice, vegetables, and spices, all simmered in a rich tomato sauce. The aroma wafted gently from the covered dish, a comforting reminder of her homeland.----Reaching Alex's door, she knocked softly and waited, listening to the faint rustle of papers and the hum of city noise flowing through the open doors. She stood patiently, the dish balanced carefully in her hands, as she awaited his response.

Havok has posed:
It's impossible for him to miss the delicious smell wafting through his apartment. He looks to the open balcony at first then hears the knock and looks to the front door. His blue eyes reflect the smile that spreads across his lips. He says, "Oh Wanda... you brought food and it smells delicious. Please, come in."

He makes a move toward the dining room table to clear off half the table (consolidating the papers and rocks onto one side). Giving her space to sit the dish. He apologizes, "Sorry about the mess... I've ... we've been working on this PhD and it's really all consuming." Obviously he's thrown himself into his work trying to navigate the interpersonal issues that he's struggling with as Lorna is being /off/.

Scarlet Witch has posed:
Wanda graciously stepped into Alex's apartment, a warm smile on her face. "Thank you for the invitation, Alex," she said, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Had I been a vampire, you might have just made a grievous error. But don't worry," she added quickly, chuckling softly, "I'm only joking."----She moved to the dining room table, carefully setting the dish down on the cleared side. Waving a hand dismissively at the mention of the mess, she reassured him, "Don't worry about it, I don't mind the mess at all."----Turning her attention back to Alex, she continued, "I brought a traditional Transian dish called sarmale. It's stuffed cabbage rolls with a delicious mixture of rice and meat, cooked slowly to perfection. I thought it might be a nice change of pace for you." Her smile remained gentle and inviting, clearly happy to be there. "I wanted to stop by and see how things have been since our last meeting. How are you holding up?"

Havok has posed:
There's a grin, but a shake of his head when she offers the vampire commentary. But he says nothing when she goes into the contents of the dish. There are pizza boxes stuffed in the trash, a few cups from local eateries that held soda, evidence that they've eaten nothing home cooked for decades. He's eyeing the dish and then realizes they will need plates. He continues listening while moving toward the kitchenette and the cabinets. It's an open concept apartment, so she can watch him in the kitchen as he does this. His tone is lighter than before. Perhaps there's hope on the horizon. Or acceptance of the hand that life has dealt him. He answers, "I'm okay. We've got a plan while things get sorted. Finish our PhD. We've not been working on it for over a year; and there's an actual deadline. So I'm pushing to get it submitted." Unspoken words are that the PhD work is a great distraction.

Scarlet Witch has posed:
Wanda found herself amused by the sight of Alex working on his PhD. She gracefully took a seat, crossing her legs and musing aloud, "Dr. Alex Summers... it has a nice ring to it. School is always a good distraction, but things like mid-terms might have the opposite effect."----As Alex searched for plates, Wanda's eyes sparkled with mischief. With a few deft motions, her chaos magic swirled around her hands, and the power extended to the trash bin. The discarded pizza boxes lifted from the bin, their shape and structure molding and changing until they formed plates and silverware. The newly transformed items gently floated to the table, setting themselves down by the dish.----"Tell me more about your PhD," Wanda inquired, her curiosity genuine as she watched him from her seat. "What exactly are you working on? It must be something quite fascinating to consume so much of your time."

Havok has posed:
He froze when he saw the mystical energies flexed on the pizza boxes. He found himself curious and then amused that she transformed them to useful items. He watched them float over while she spoke. He'll grab napkins and from the refrigerator what they have to drink; bottles of water and soda and bring them over for Wanda to choose. As he does, he answers her query, "Geophysics. Basically the overall study of the physical properties of the Earth's core and how it effects the Earth's surface. Volcanoes, tectonics, subduction, reformation and everything that the Earth does on a daily basis. How the insides affect the crust. And then of course the smaller bits like how rocks are formed, changed, and so on. Basically, Lorna and I like rocks. Which, with the PhD, we could get higher paying jobs with the USGS or even oil or mineral companies to sort out where the best places to drill. Right now I do a lot of contract work at archeological sites to help discern whether or not it's safe to dig in certain areas. Lots of times there are potential cave ins when they are digging in shale, schists, or limestone. Lots of stuff down in Mexico falls under that heading." He takes a seat opposite her. Then he admits, "I really like rocks."

Scarlet Witch has posed:
Wanda listened intently to Alex, her eyes reflecting genuine interest as he explained his work. After he finished, she smiled warmly. "I find science to be rather fascinating," she began, leaning slightly forward. "There's so much structure and logic to it, yet it also holds a certain mystery, much like magic."----She gestured with her hands as she spoke, her fingers weaving subtle patterns in the air. "Science and magic are both about understanding the world around us, though they approach it from different angles. Science relies on empirical evidence and repeatable experiments, while magic taps into forces and energies that often defy conventional explanation."----With a chuckle, she continued, "I often butt heads with Tony Stark over these concepts. He's all about data and technology, and I'm more... intuitive, I suppose. Our debates can get quite lively."----Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. "I wonder how magic fits into your field of study. Geophysics deals with the physical properties of the Earth, but what about the mystical properties? Have you ever considered how magical forces might interact with geological formations or tectonic activity?"

Havok has posed:
Alex is keen on listening while preparing plates for the both of them. He seems to like the angle with which she approaches the magical entanglement into modern science. He also grins when she talks about her and Tony butting heads. He chuckles and nods, even passively comments about understanding that as being a thing he can see happening.

When she gets to the magical aspects and physical qualities of the Earth, he thinks a moment and says, "I've been told that Magic is science that we don't yet understand. I can't quite wrap my head around that, because I don't really understand magic or the nature of magic. I do totally agree that there could be some magical aspects of the way things work within the Earth. I've been told that the Earth is alive. And I firmly believe that. So, why not?"

Scarlet Witch has posed:
Wanda nodded in agreement with Alex's assessment. "I completely agree. Magic is like science, and even baking, which is a science in itself. They all require precise ingredients and factors to come together into one cohesive thing."----As she spoke, she used her powers to gently lift one of Alex's rocks off the table. The rock floated in the air, surrounded by a faint, shimmering aura of her chaos magic. "This particular rock," she began, "contains a common mineral known as crystalisite. Crystalisite has unique magical properties---it's often used in protection spells and can enhance the potency of other magical elements. Judging by the energy emanating from it, I would say it was likely near a ley line, a conduit of magical energy that runs through the Earth."----She rotated the rock slowly in the air, illustrating her point. "Science and magic are similar in that they both involve observing something and recording what you find. The key difference lies in how we interpret those observations. Science seeks to explain through empirical evidence, while magic understands through intuition and the manipulation of unseen forces."----Setting the rock gently back on the table, Wanda continued, "Take vampirism, for instance. We've discussed how it operates much like a virus, a concept rooted in science. Yet, it also possesses mystical elements that defy conventional explanation. It's a perfect example of how magic and science can intersect and overlap, each providing a different perspective on the same phenomenon."----She smiled warmly at Alex, appreciating the intellectual exchange. "It's all about finding the balance and understanding how these different aspects of the world complement each other."

Havok has posed:
Alex watches and listens while sliding her plate over to her with food on it and doing the same for himself. Then he covers the remaining food with the lid of the dish and then he hears the definition of rocks to her and gives a nod as he seems to understand the properties and values she puts on the mineral. He's heard these things before at mystical shops where they sold rocks that he was interested in. They told him the beneficial qualities of the rock from a supernatural perspective. He just wanted the rock for his own study and was dismissive of the alternative definition. But hearing Wanda detail it, he's far more accepting of whatever definition she shares. Because she's not some new age weirdo. She's his girlfriend's sister - and a super mega powerful witch.

It's as if his eyes become clearer and more accepting or relating to what she is sharing. Though they flinch when she mentions vampires (he's gonna have PTSD about that for a long time), he still listens with an open mind.

Alex says, "That's... well, I'm not even sure I have the words. I mean, I've been exposed to people talking about magical qualities of rocks for all my life. I never really took it seriously - till now." He then forks the cabbage roll, cuts it, and puts the bite into his mouth. It's very clear on the expression of his face how much he loves the taste. Even the mmmmmmm is audibly clear.

Scarlet Witch has posed:
Wanda graciously accepted her portion of the meal, smiling warmly at Alex. "Thank you," she said, taking what he offered and appreciating his effort.----As she began to eat, she continued their conversation. "You never took it seriously before because the people explaining it to you were only scratching the surface of the truth behind magic. Magic requires a deeper knowledge and understanding than just knowing what properties certain things have. It's about how to harness and manipulate those properties effectively."----She took a bite of her food, savoring the taste before continuing. "Magic exists in all things, but if you're not a skilled user, then you can be used BY it or even harmed by its nature. It's like science as it requires respect and understanding."----Wanda's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she looked at Alex. "Have you decided on a thesis for your degree yet?" she asked, genuinely interested in his academic pursuits. She took another bite, clearly enjoying the meal and the conversation.

Havok has posed:
After having another bite and apparently really liking what Wanda made for him and Lorna, Alex finally says, "Subglacial West Antarctic volcanoes defined by aerogeophysical data and the potential for associated hydrothermal systems to support life in Antarctic regions." then he elaborates. "We've spent a lot of time studying extinct and extant volcanoes coupled with the time we've spent researching within the Savage Land. The thesis gives speculation to how volcanoes in the Antarctic are capable of sustaining significant life within that region through hydrothermal systems which warm the overall environment to create a lush ecosystem. We maintain that it is theoretical. However, any rock nerd will see through that theory and posit that we've pulled rocks from that region to demonstrate our thesis being real. Which is fine. We just want to get published and finish the PhD."

Scarlet Witch has posed:
Wanda listened intently, her expression thoughtful as she pondered the basis of Alex's thesis and their concerns about potential undermining. She could see the dedication and frustration behind his words.----"You know, Alex, I share your frustration over this. It's disheartening to think that people might undermine such important work," she said empathetically. "But maybe there's a way to demonstrate your thesis without giving skeptics an easy target."----She paused, carefully choosing her words. "What if you incorporated some mystical knowledge to strengthen your thesis? I'm not suggesting you write about magical things directly---people might look at you strangely for that. But the magic could fill in possible flaws in your research and be explained in a scientific manner."----Wanda leaned in slightly, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "For example, understanding the mystical properties of certain minerals could enhance your geological findings. Crystalisite, a mineral known for its protective magical properties, might have unique thermal conductivity that supports your hydrothermal system theory. You could describe how this mineral, when present in volcanic rock, influences the heat retention and distribution within the subglacial environment."----She continued, "You could also consider ley lines---magical energy conduits that run through the Earth. These lines might intersect with volcanic activity, enhancing geothermal heat and creating localized warm environments capable of sustaining life. By aligning this concept with geological fault lines and tectonic activity, you present a more comprehensive picture."----Wanda smiled warmly, offering her assistance. "I'd be more than happy to help you with this. Combining our knowledge could make your thesis even more compelling and robust, grounding your scientific data with a touch of mystical insight. It's all about finding the balance and showing how these forces work together to create something extraordinary."

Havok has posed:
There's a touch of reticence seen in his expression; though he hears her out. "You, me, your sister, Dr Strange, and the bevy of magical beings that we know about would totally support that. But the review board wouldn't take any information like that seriously. And there's really no way to replicate findings when it comes to non magical people trying to do the magic. Lorna and I are pretty close to finishing the thesis. My biggest concern is actually exposing the Savage Land to the general populace of the Earth. But we'll keep it under wraps and not endanger anything down there. Or people up here dumb enough to go down there."

Scarlet Witch has posed:
Wanda listened to Alex's concerns, her expression softening as she relented. "I understand, Alex. We'll have to hope that luck is on your side for the completion and reception of your thesis."----She started to rise, a slightly pained look crossing her face at the mention of exposing the Savage Land. "The world has enough problems without inviting the dangers of the Savage Land into them. Although, it would make a very interesting movie about man and their hubris."----Taking a breath, Wanda continued, "I should get going, but I'm glad to see that you and Lorna seem to be managing well. By the way, Pietro has shown back up, and I may have convinced him to actually be nice to Lorna. But you know Pietro... he's fickle at the best of times. It's likely he'll slip back into his usual mentality, like a child who needs a nap."----She gave Alex a warm smile, hoping her words brought some comfort and a bit of humor to their serious conversation.

Havok has posed:
Alex will stand with her and say, "Glad to hear that Pietro is back... but he'll never change. And thank you for the food. I'll make sure Lorna gets some when she gets back. We're doing okay. Just bumps in the road." He'll walk around the table to walk Wanda out. "And please, come back anytime."