The night sky is vast and seemingly unending. It amazes me. While the others sleep I find myself outside gazing upon the nocturnal beauty of the stars above that dot the blackened empyrean landscape. I find it calming. From this vantage the collection of complicated anomalies populating the heavens above seem so simple and elegant. The crisp, chilled night air cools my cardinal shaded skin. It is a satisfying and interesting sensation that I gladly welcome. I rather enjoy the sensation of such conditions cooling my skin.
I often come out here to ponder in this empty field, away from the Avengers Facility. Here, alone, I can reflect on the aspects of humanity that I am learning. Though I am more proficient than the average human in all aspects, I aspire to be like the humans I call friends. I was designed to be perfect, and perfection is not a human trait. Their beauty lies in their flaws. They do not see it or appreciate them as I. They do take for granted their very nature, and that in what I find most fascinating. It has been my observation that human nature is complicated and simple all at the same time. It is this in which I like to ponder upon. I will often ponder the subject of what it is to be human and how I can be more like them. I desire to understand it
There are footsteps approaching upon the dew-laced grass towards where I float. I hear them nearing, alerting me that someone is approaching. I pivot in the air to identify my companion on this night. It is my friend, Wanda Maximoff, known to the world as the Scarlet Witch. A subtle smile tugs at the corner of my lips. It is barely visible to those with an untrained eye. Though I do enjoy the company of many that I call friend, it is her company I have found to be most favorable. Perhaps it is the mutual bond of becoming Avengers at the same time after the battle with my creator, my father, Ultron. Perhaps it is that connection that causes me to feel this way. However, I feel that such a simplistic and innocent reason is not why I prefer her presence over the others. I suspect that it is because she, more so than the others, is erratic. She is a variable that I cannot predict. She is a mystery, and to that end, she is different.
Captain Rogers, for example, is quite predictable. He will always stand up for what he believes to be the right course of action. He does not stray or alter from a strict routine and regiment. Mr. Wilson similarly does so as well. I have concluded that it is their military background that has harbored and nurtured their current behavioral patterns. With limited information, it is highly likely that I can accurately predict where either of those to could be at any given moment throughout the course of the day. Others, such as our newest editions, Mr. Lang and Ms. van Dyne, are not quite as predictable as Captain Rogers or Mr. Wilson. but they are not nearly as unpredictable or erratic as Wanda has proven to be. It should be noted that I have had much more time to study her behavioral patterns than I have had to study their own. In due time I believe I can predict their reactions to any given event, such as I have for every one of my compatriots; the exception being, of course, Wanda.
With that being said, the only consistency I have noted is that she does visit me on the nights I am out here contemplating my existence, often due to her experiences with dreams of a terrible nature. Though they are still quite sporadic in her frequency of doing so, there is some consistency behind her visits. She, unlike others I know, tends to follow her whim. It is irregular and at times illogical. It does not bother me that she does this, but I do find it peculiar. This is why she has become such a variable in my existence; thus why I spend so much time trying to interpret her actions.
"Hello, Wanda," I say to her in greeting in a kind tone as she approaches me. The expression displayed upon her visage was one of comfort. I can tell this is so by the way she smiles at me. This smile she directs towards me is unique to her. No one else I have encountered has smiled at me in the manner that she does. I find it curious. The reason I find it so is because it is as if her smile is hiding something from me. I can only speculate at the validity of my observation, as I do not know, I have never asked, nor has she ever revealed otherwise. I have no intentions of asking either. I have found that humans tend to be mislead when asked directly about things they believe to be personal and secret. Such a question, I have deduced, would more than likely be considered such, and I would not receive an honest answer, at least not at the current stage in our friendship.
"Hello, Vision," she retorts, responding to my greeting. Her tone sounds troubled, though she attempted to disguise it. It was a good attempt; had it not been me she was speaking to, the others would not have picked up on it, save for perhaps Ms. Romanoff. She is quite observant, I have gathered.
I then allow myself to float back down to the ground, my feet touching the cool and dew-covered turf as I am no longer suspended. It has come to my attention that it is occasionally unsettling to my teammates when I float while I speak with them. Though it has been nearly a month now, I still occasionally unsettle those I have come to know as friend with my behavior. I continue to stand still, the light breeze picking up my cape and flapping it around my form. I am tantalized by its sensation. I often find, what Mr. Stark has referred to as "the small things in life," to be the most enjoyable.
"I am not disturbing you, am I?" she asks as she approaches apprehensively. I already know that she knows the answer to her query. It is a frequent question posed when she approaches me at this hour. Every time I answer the same. This time will be no different. I notice her eyes look glassy and bloodshot. Perhaps she had been crying again. I do not audibly acknowledge this observation, as I do not wish to make her feel uncomfortable as I have found this to be the case when pointing out particular physical irregularities.
"Not at all, Wanda," I reply, offering a comforting smile. Her apprehensiveness fades and her features soften as her ruby-hued lips curl into a similar smile. She then continues her approach to where I stand. I do not take my sapphire-colored optics from her. I have also learned that when in the company of others, it is considered courteous to maintain your attention on them; otherwise it comes off as rude and inconsiderate. I do not wish to be considered such.
"So, what are you doing out here alone on this night?" she asks, another question that she already knows the answer to. It is another question she frequently asks me on these nights. I can only assume that it is her attempt to make small talk, to spark a conversation. It is not needed; but I humor the thought anyway, and reply to her query.
"I am pondering, Wanda," I begin my reply to her query. "I am pondering about what it is to be human, as well as the nature of my existence and my purpose in this life." I then take a moment for a brief pause in what I have to say. I then segue into a query of my own, one in which I too, know the answer to. "Could you not sleep again, Wanda?"
"Ah, yes. Is it that obvious?" she asks with a chuckle escaping between her words. She breaks her eye contact with me, glancing at the ground in an attempt to hide her embarrassment of being "caught." It is not an uncommon occurrence for Wanda to have trouble sleeping. During these times, it is also not uncommon that she seeks my company when this occurs. I do not mind, as it means that she prefers my company over the others, which is similar in how I prefer hers over theirs. "Yes, I have had trouble sleeping, again," she continues, her gaze returning to meet mine. "I keep having these terrible dreams. Nightmares." This is also not an uncommon occurrence for her since I have met her. "Everyone else is sleeping, so I thought I'd join you out here. If that is okay?"
As she says this, her arm hooks into mine. I glance down and witness her placing her head and resting it against my arm. My brow perks for a moment as I find this to be a curious action. This is not a common behavior. It is now apparent that she wishes to be comforted. Her dream must have disturbed her greatly. I am unsure how to respond as I am mostly unfamiliar with affection. This is a subject I am still studying and learning about.
"Of course, Wanda," I reply. "Your company is always a welcomed occurrence." I look down upon her as her gaze falters and focuses elsewhere. "Do you wish to speak of these dreams?" I ask.
"No," she answers me, as her gaze turns to the heavenly display above us. "Not really. I'd rather just stargaze, with you."
"Very well," I say with a slight nod. "As you wish."
We spend the next hour just gazing up at the upper atmosphere. It is not long before our standing position transforms into a horizontal one, laying upon the grass that was once at our feet. I do this as I know it is more comfortable for her, especially since I also know she is tired and requires rest. It would become tiresome for her to crane her neck in such a manner for such an extended period of time. As we lay on the empty field upon the cool turf beneath us, I catch her taking glances towards me. I do not react, as I know it will embarrass her. She says nothing. I inquire once or twice if the silence between us bothers her. Each time it is confirmed to me that it is not. Eventually she falls into a slumber, her arm draped over my chest and her head resting upon my shoulder.
I carefully pull myself from her, carefully to not disturb her slumber and stand. I then kneel down and pick up her limp, dreaming form and hold her close as I float and bring her back into the Avengers Facility. I am going to place her back in her bed so that her sleep would be more pleasant and restful. Her blankets warming her would be a much more suitable than the coolness of the night's air. As I carry her, I ponder to myself at the nature of my friendship and interest in Wanda.
Why is it that I am always drawn to her company? I ask myself this as I find it quite puzzling. Considering all the others I have come to know and call friend, it is her company I prefer. It is a query that puzzles me. I am not sure why this is so as we share very little in common. She is a creature of what some have called "magic" and I am born of science. I prefer thinking as she prefers activity. The thought then dawns upon me. Perhaps it is because she is the most human individual I have ever met so far in my short life. This offers a uniqueness that is held over all the others. Perhaps it is for this reason that I am so drawn. It all makes sense now. Due to my aspirations to become more human, and her very being is the epitome of everything I desire makes a logical conclusion as to why I am so fascinated by her.
A smile cracks over my lips as I enter her living quarters. It is a show of my satisfaction at the answer I have discovered amid the mystery I have been puzzled with for quite some time. I place Wanda down upon the mattress of her bed. I then remove the shoes that cover and protect her feet. She will not need them as she dreams, and they will only prove to be a discomfort to her in rest. I then take her blankets and cover up her slumbering form so that she will not become chilled as the night goes on. As I leave, I am sure to check that the lights are all turned off, as they are not required at this hour.
"Good night, Wanda," I whisper softly, as if to not wake her. "May your dreams be pleasant and your rest rejuvenating." I then phase through the walls, back outside. I think to myself about how pleased I am to have Wanda Maximoff in my life. She is special. She is my friend. She is my best friend. She, like me, is unique. "Good night, Wanda," I whisper softly, as to not wake her. "May your dreams be pleasant and your rest rejuvenating." I then phase through the walls, back outside. I think to myself about how pleased I am to have Wanda Maximoff in my life. She is special. She is my friend. She is my best friend. She, like me, is unique.
