Fitz belatedly stops and backtracks, facing Stephen. He has the decency to look sheepish for slipping in that detail, at least, bring a hand to scratch at his neck. ]
Like, portals — just small ones, though. [ to illustrate, he makes an O with his hand. ] Seems to function like miniature wormholes, with an entry and exit portal, but it's difficult to test.
Oh, you've gotta be— [ mumbled to himself, but his mind's spinning fast and he's onto the next thought - ] How does it work? You picture the exit location, the exit location's random, what? And you can do this independently? Without any tools?
[ a quick glance over his shoulder assures him that no one's lingering close enough to overhear them. ]
It just happened when I was chucking something, the first time. [ the words come quickly, almost tangled, as he pieces together Strange's sudden shift. ] I picture it, yeah, no tools.
[ his stomach drops. could it have been one of Strange's powers? a variant of dimension manipulation? did I take it? he doesn't remember doing so, but he has to consider the theory that he's suffering from a mental break after the Framework, that he took powers from people in there so it's possible he did it again — or his research ended up in the wrong hands, advancing their experiments.
[ involuntarily, he tosses his head sharply to the side. it's good and bad, right and wrong - he can't cast portals without a sling ring. if the powers are related, and Fitz can do this without external aid...
he had the time stone on him when he was taken.
deep breaths, Stephen. deep breaths, deep breaths. ]
[ a quick nod and he's back in motion. being neither the spy amongst them nor the man best equipped to keep hold of his shit right now, his route is fast and direct. that we is going to have to be an I on the surveillance-checking, sorry bud. ]
[ bloody fantastic. Fitz lets Strange take the lead, hanging back to avoid drawing attention to the pair of them. the distance allows him time to suppress his anxieties, too. in this moment, he can't afford to break, not with a sort-of-Avenger waiting expectantly and a hypothesis left dangling between them.
it takes him half a minute to case the area before following suit. when he rejoins Strange, his features are arranged in near-neutrality, betrayed only by the worried furrow of his brow. ]
Okay, so. [ he fishes in his pockets for something, retrieving a rock. ] I've only been testing it out for a few days.
[ a little toss and catch, by way of explanation. Fitz has always fiddled with things like this, tossing pic 'n mix in his mouth and balled-up paper in bins. this isn't any different, except for the power stealing situation. another furtive look around the area confirms they weren't followed. if anyone walks past, they'll only see his back.
he throws the wee rock up with his good hand (the left), and a small portal appears beneath, catching it on the way down and closing shortly thereafter. another portal opens above his right hand, higher than he'd like, so he reaches up to snatch the rock out of the air. ta-dah. ]
[ Stephen isn't patient in his waiting. he ought to be, ought to at least be grateful that one of them is capable of acting with some caution here. but he wants this done, wants to know, and it's very clear on his face by the time Fitz arrives. he's patient enough only to refrain from snapping something short in response to I've only been testing it out for a few days.
luckily for the both of them, Fitz doesn't keep him waiting long after that.
... okay. ok.
there's some slim settling of held tension in his shoulders. a released breath, small but telling. ]
... Thanks.
[ it's similar, but different enough that it could either be coincidence or not. and that's worth holding on to. ]
[ Fitz lets out a laugh that's more of a wheeze, honestly. though he remains uneasy, relief loosens his features. thanks is better than accusing him of ability-theft. ]
Told you it wasn't that impressive. [ clearing his throat. ] Is that like what you can do? Under normal circumstances?
Mm. [ kind... of ] My portals can be tailored in size. They also rely on a ring to help channel the dimensional energy used to create them.
[ instinct has him half reaching out in search of that energy to give an example, such a natural thing that he doesn't even think - until the barest wince signifies the moment he stops. it isn't there, only the embering edges of the burning that comes with its absence. he can't reach. he doesn't have the ring, even if he could.
[ he nods, as if that confirms something for him. the wince doesn't go unnoticed, merely filed away for later inquiry, its significance unknown. ]
Yeah, yeah, I was thinking if they were any larger, it could cause negative side effects to my person, from all the energy involved — especially without a conduit, like the ring, or — Sorry, [ getting carried away, as per. ] have you noticed any new abilities yourself?
[ the question provides an excuse to give strange a once-over, assessing how he's taking all...this. ]
[ the stream of consciousness drags what he'd managed to separate from his own ability back into proximity, and the flaring of his nostrils isn't necessarily the most subtle of responses. god. if it is... if it is -
the question is met with a distracted but curt single shake of the head. ]
No.
[ not entirely true. he's noticed - oddness. interference, like radio static. but it's come in bursts, mostly in times of stress, and whatever the fuck it could be he's mostly put it down to the implant. maybe he'll think a little more on it now, but it's not something he's going to commit to in this context. ]
How did you first find out?
[ in his experience, creating a portal was a very purposeful, very strenuous skill to learn. but he's guessing Fitz didn't just wake up and decide he was going learn how to create a portal one day. ]
[ it's an even reply. three people with abilities is enough of a pattern to suggest others are affected, and he doesn't believe that strange hasn't noticed anything. ]
I was doing calculations, trying to map our experiences here onto a similar case of spacetime displacement. [ a SHIELD one, naturally. ] Just chucked something, missed the intended mark, and — [ snapping his fingers ] — Then I didn't miss the mark. Portal assist. [ splaying his hands, as if it's that simple. ] It's not unusual. People tend to notice abilities in times of trauma and stress equally as often as during mundane tasks, according to our data.
[ our data again being SHIELD's research. this is the part of the gig that suits him, not lying or secrecy: shoptalk. ]
[ thank you, Fitz, that's great advice and perfectly timed to be well received...
on he goes. our data. whether or not our data will prove to be useful, it's definitely going to get old fast. ]
I'm sure they do. Did you do a poll?
[ it's dry. he's going to want to know a little more about this data and where it came from, and maybe now won't be when he finds out, but it's worth planting the seed. discussion to date hasn't been entirely encouraging now he's got a little more insight. ]
[ crisply — ] Survey, actually. Post-Accords. You'd have been sent a copy, if you signed.
[ not that he's particularly gung-ho for registration. SHIELD simply adapts to the terrain. ]
I'd like to hear about your trip with Stark first, however.
[ his willingness to talk stems from an effort to make up for his previous lies (and his earnest desire to be respected by strange on some level), but he expects intelligence in return. ]
[ a little huff out through his nose. the idea of anyone out of Kamar-Taj registering is more laughable than it's worth trying to explain. ]
I'm sure you would. [ but how much to tell? Fitz is from their past. one day, Stephen's present will be his too. there's a complicated chance that telling too much of this story might start a completely different fight - who can tell what of this might carry over, if they somehow make it back?
it's too many variables to account for. he goes with the minimum, the rest needs discussing with the others. it's almost inevitable that he'll tell them eventually, but it still needs talking through. ] I was taken hostage by an alien for an item in my possession. Stark didn't want that item falling into alien hands, so he came along for the ride. The ride being that trip into space I mentioned.
[ short and to the point. there you go. the floor is open for questions ]
[ His brow creases with irritation, perhaps precisely because Strange is doing exactly what he did to Bobbi weeks prior — hitting the key points vaguely enough to avoid mucking up the timeline. ]
Alien or aliens? You mean a specific alien, singular? [ and not the bloody Cree or Chitauri or Skrulls. ] And would you describe the object as potentially cataclysmic, if left in the alien’s hands?
[ Rumour has it the world is going to end in the next few years, so he’s trying to chart their route to that future. ]
Alien singular, seemingly part of a merry band of mismatched aliens plural.
[ Fitz' reaction to his obvious withholding doesn't go missed, but he's just going to have to deal with it. he'll get what he's given, when he's given it. Stephen hasn't made any promises here. ]
If left in that alien's hands? No.
[ the Maw wouldn't have stood a chance at wielding it anywhere near efficiently without the requisite spells. if passed from that alien's hands to daddy alien's hands? absolutely. and that's information he's going to have to pass on eventually if any more signs of power bleeds spring up. but for now, a little at a time. ]
[ but in another's hands? maybe yes. it's good enough for him, tucked into the overstuffed "ways the world might end" folder of his brain. ]
Okay. [ it'll do, for now. ] How often do you work with the Avengers? [ a beat. something clicks. ] Is Thor the associate that you mentioned, when we first spoke? The one from another universe.
[ if he is, he and Strange may actually come from the same place, adjacent to Thor and Loki's universe. ]
Because he's not the right Thor for my universe, either. [ a beat. ] For you, were the Avengers first publicly on the scene in 2012, facing off against Loki and the Chitauri aliens?
Yeah. Giant alien thing over New York, spent the day living under the desperately misguided assumption that that was going to be the weirdest and most dangerous day of my life.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Stephen stops in his tracks, prominent frown in his face.
1) a new power, previously unheld?
2) — ]
Spacetime manipulation? Spacetime manipulation how?
[ you can't just I reckon and stop, Fitz. this is - god. ]
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Fitz belatedly stops and backtracks, facing Stephen. He has the decency to look sheepish for slipping in that detail, at least, bring a hand to scratch at his neck. ]
Like, portals — just small ones, though. [ to illustrate, he makes an O with his hand. ] Seems to function like miniature wormholes, with an entry and exit portal, but it's difficult to test.
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[ shit. shit shit shit. ]
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It just happened when I was chucking something, the first time. [ the words come quickly, almost tangled, as he pieces together Strange's sudden shift. ] I picture it, yeah, no tools.
[ his stomach drops. could it have been one of Strange's powers? a variant of dimension manipulation? did I take it? he doesn't remember doing so, but he has to consider the theory that he's suffering from a mental break after the Framework, that he took powers from people in there so it's possible he did it again — or his research ended up in the wrong hands, advancing their experiments.
shit. ]
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he had the time stone on him when he was taken.
deep breaths, Stephen. deep breaths, deep breaths. ]
I need you to show me.
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I can try.
[ he turns around, registering the smattering of people going about their business. ]
Alleyway, maybe? [ there, an opening between two buildings up ahead. ] We'll check for any surveillance on the way.
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it takes him half a minute to case the area before following suit. when he rejoins Strange, his features are arranged in near-neutrality, betrayed only by the worried furrow of his brow. ]
Okay, so. [ he fishes in his pockets for something, retrieving a rock. ] I've only been testing it out for a few days.
[ a little toss and catch, by way of explanation. Fitz has always fiddled with things like this, tossing pic 'n mix in his mouth and balled-up paper in bins. this isn't any different, except for the power stealing situation. another furtive look around the area confirms they weren't followed. if anyone walks past, they'll only see his back.
he throws the wee rock up with his good hand (the left), and a small portal appears beneath, catching it on the way down and closing shortly thereafter. another portal opens above his right hand, higher than he'd like, so he reaches up to snatch the rock out of the air. ta-dah. ]
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luckily for the both of them, Fitz doesn't keep him waiting long after that.
... okay. ok.
there's some slim settling of held tension in his shoulders. a released breath, small but telling. ]
... Thanks.
[ it's similar, but different enough that it could either be coincidence or not. and that's worth holding on to. ]
And that's all?
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Told you it wasn't that impressive. [ clearing his throat. ] Is that like what you can do? Under normal circumstances?
[ a faint echo of it, perhaps. ]
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[ instinct has him half reaching out in search of that energy to give an example, such a natural thing that he doesn't even think - until the barest wince signifies the moment he stops. it isn't there, only the embering edges of the burning that comes with its absence. he can't reach. he doesn't have the ring, even if he could.
stop it, Stephen. ]
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Yeah, yeah, I was thinking if they were any larger, it could cause negative side effects to my person, from all the energy involved — especially without a conduit, like the ring, or — Sorry, [ getting carried away, as per. ] have you noticed any new abilities yourself?
[ the question provides an excuse to give strange a once-over, assessing how he's taking all...this. ]
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the question is met with a distracted but curt single shake of the head. ]
No.
[ not entirely true. he's noticed - oddness. interference, like radio static. but it's come in bursts, mostly in times of stress, and whatever the fuck it could be he's mostly put it down to the implant. maybe he'll think a little more on it now, but it's not something he's going to commit to in this context. ]
How did you first find out?
[ in his experience, creating a portal was a very purposeful, very strenuous skill to learn. but he's guessing Fitz didn't just wake up and decide he was going learn how to create a portal one day. ]
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[ it's an even reply. three people with abilities is enough of a pattern to suggest others are affected, and he doesn't believe that strange hasn't noticed anything. ]
I was doing calculations, trying to map our experiences here onto a similar case of spacetime displacement. [ a SHIELD one, naturally. ] Just chucked something, missed the intended mark, and — [ snapping his fingers ] — Then I didn't miss the mark. Portal assist. [ splaying his hands, as if it's that simple. ] It's not unusual. People tend to notice abilities in times of trauma and stress equally as often as during mundane tasks, according to our data.
[ our data again being SHIELD's research. this is the part of the gig that suits him, not lying or secrecy: shoptalk. ]
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on he goes. our data. whether or not our data will prove to be useful, it's definitely going to get old fast. ]
I'm sure they do. Did you do a poll?
[ it's dry. he's going to want to know a little more about this data and where it came from, and maybe now won't be when he finds out, but it's worth planting the seed. discussion to date hasn't been entirely encouraging now he's got a little more insight. ]
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[ not that he's particularly gung-ho for registration. SHIELD simply adapts to the terrain. ]
I'd like to hear about your trip with Stark first, however.
[ his willingness to talk stems from an effort to make up for his previous lies (and his earnest desire to be respected by strange on some level), but he expects intelligence in return. ]
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I'm sure you would. [ but how much to tell? Fitz is from their past. one day, Stephen's present will be his too. there's a complicated chance that telling too much of this story might start a completely different fight - who can tell what of this might carry over, if they somehow make it back?
it's too many variables to account for. he goes with the minimum, the rest needs discussing with the others. it's almost inevitable that he'll tell them eventually, but it still needs talking through. ] I was taken hostage by an alien for an item in my possession. Stark didn't want that item falling into alien hands, so he came along for the ride. The ride being that trip into space I mentioned.
[ short and to the point. there you go. the floor is open for questions ]
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Alien or aliens? You mean a specific alien, singular? [ and not the bloody Cree or Chitauri or Skrulls. ] And would you describe the object as potentially cataclysmic, if left in the alien’s hands?
[ Rumour has it the world is going to end in the next few years, so he’s trying to chart their route to that future. ]
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[ Fitz' reaction to his obvious withholding doesn't go missed, but he's just going to have to deal with it. he'll get what he's given, when he's given it. Stephen hasn't made any promises here. ]
If left in that alien's hands? No.
[ the Maw wouldn't have stood a chance at wielding it anywhere near efficiently without the requisite spells. if passed from that alien's hands to daddy alien's hands? absolutely. and that's information he's going to have to pass on eventually if any more signs of power bleeds spring up. but for now, a little at a time. ]
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Okay. [ it'll do, for now. ] How often do you work with the Avengers? [ a beat. something clicks. ] Is Thor the associate that you mentioned, when we first spoke? The one from another universe.
[ if he is, he and Strange may actually come from the same place, adjacent to Thor and Loki's universe. ]
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Only once. [ so far, he's guessing, if their adjacent universe is anything to go by. ] Thor, yeah. Why?
[ he's guessing Thor just so happens to be the sound of a couple of tracks connecting. ]
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Because he's not the right Thor for my universe, either. [ a beat. ] For you, were the Avengers first publicly on the scene in 2012, facing off against Loki and the Chitauri aliens?
[ put it together, lads!! ]
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Yeah. Giant alien thing over New York, spent the day living under the desperately misguided assumption that that was going to be the weirdest and most dangerous day of my life.
[ he was Mistaken. but yeah, that's the one. ]
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If we're not from the same universe, then the similarities are uncanny.
[ unless there's an infinite number of universes... where minor differences splinter off... jesus christ. ]