The Variant [Part One] [Wanda Maximoff [FF] | Elizabeth Olsen

Chapter 36

Seaside Café

"See you, bye mom!" Milla exclaimed as she hopped on her motorbike and rode on to her school. Whilst doing so, Wanda also finished all of her chores so she could go early to her work as well. The seaside café may be smaller compared to the coffee shop where Milla does her part-time barista work but is still flocked by numerous guests typically in the mornings and at sunset when the sun illuminates the two visible planets overlooking the horizon. Nighttime has fewer people and is a perfect time for baristas to lounge on the rooftop balcony, and go stargazing (or in this case planet gazing). The ocean looks breathtaking as it mirrors the stars and the small floating islands above the waters. Wanda's green eyes gleam red as she stares at one floating island that has a small waterfall pouring down towards the ocean. "Wanda." Said a familiar male voice, the redhead looked behind expecting to see the velvet red synthezoid that was her husband but instead came face to face with a man who looks like Vision's human alter-ego / disguise.

His blue eyes sparkled with delight as he called her. Wanda smiled, "Hey there." as she walked towards him. The head barista whose name she found out to be, Vincent (face claim: Paul Bettany), earlier has agreed to teach her some 'typical' coffee samples that are ordered frequently, to begin with. The redhead could have asked Milla to teach her, but seeing how jam-packed the teen's schedule is she decided to ask the man instead. In a way, she could not help but be drawn by his presence. She doesn't know how she could explain it to Milla since the teen is accustomed to being just the two of them; wouldn't feel envious and left out when the right time comes. But hey it's too early to assume right? "Here you add one cup of Chai concentrate. One cup of milk and just one ounce of spiced rum since I wouldn't want you to get tipsy." Vincent said, his cheeks reddening. Pull yourself together Vincent! The head barista thought while preparing some spiced rum chai latte for both him and Wanda. The redhead hides her amusement, she could hear his thoughts. "Thank you, Vincent," Wanda replied as she took a sip of her beverage. "You're welcome, Wanda." He replied back.

Despite his quiet exterior the man sure is a talker. Their conversation flowed freely as they sat on the rooftop balcony despite the chilly evening sea breeze. He is easy to converse too and entertaining to be with. Turns out that Vincent is from another universe who rode the new Interuniversal Ship Transport established just a year ago (while she was still in her nexus-level punishment) to start a new life on Earth-222. Was it a coincidence? Or is he possibly Vision's human variant? Vision always had curiosity; What is it like to be human? He wanted to be one, he longed to be one. He sees beauty in her flaws, in her humanity; like Milla had seen peace in her chaos. They both saw light in her darkness. Did Vision finally achieve what he wanted? Is he human in another universe?

"Are you alright?" Vincent said, snapping Wanda from her thoughts. "What?" Wanda's eyes widened, "Oh! I'm…" She was thinking of lying but she knew that the man would seem suspicious of her reaction. The redhead let out a breath. "I'm just stressed out." She admitted. "And confused." The redhead looked around her. "So many things have changed… (Vincent nodded listening to her). I'm a single mother… Trying to find a way to make amends to my daughter who I haven't seen in 6 years," Wanda said before taking a sip of her drink. She knew that the last part would spark his curiosity about her more.

"Inter-Universe work?" Vincent asked. "Prison," Wanda said bluntly. "Oh.." Vincent said. The redhead watches his reaction and body language. She does not want to pretend anymore. It's either he accepts on his own accord or he flees. Her eyes scanned him. Vincent shudders at the thought but then relaxes. "You- know… Everyone has a chance to redeem themselves…" Vincent stutters as he tries to construct the right words, making sure he does not upset her. She's after all, trying to get her life back together the best way she can. Wanda looked at her hands as she waited silently on what he would think. "Some fell into an endless pit and could not come back up. Some chose not to change for whatever reason they're up to. And some changes for the better after prison," Vincent said. Wanda glanced back at him. "I believe you're one of those who want to make up for it…" Vincent hesitantly holds Wanda's hands. "I believe in you. And I know that your daughter believes in you too. You're just adjusting to your lives right now. That's why it seems rough but I know it will be better one day. It takes time." Vincent said. Wanda gave him a small smile. She looks at her wristwatch and notices the time. She has to go home now. "Thank you, Vincent," Wanda replied. Vincent smiled.

As they both moved out of the cafe and into their respective homes, Wanda's eyes widened when she saw Milla sitting on the bench waiting for her. The teen stood up adjusting her black leather jacket, her blue eyes scanning the adult man beside her mother. Wanda didn't even notice how much Milla had grown till she saw how striking her blue eyes were, they suddenly appeared adult and intimidating.

Milla's piercing gaze landed on Vincent. The teen tilts her head, causing Wanda to gulp in nervousness. The teen has inherited her signature head tilt and carried it on. "Hello mom," Milla said to Wanda. Then turning back to Vincent's gaze, "Hello, Dr. Vincent," Milla said.

Dr. Vincent?

"Hello, Milla," Vincent said.

Wait? Do they know each other?

Wanda looks at Milla and then back at Vincent.

"It seems like you finally met my mother, Dr. Vincent," Milla said her voice even sounding much more grown up than usual. Wanda also recognizes the thick Sokovian accent as if the teen has just spoken it minutes ago suggesting that she stopped by to her twin aunts’ office before coming to the café. The accent also made her seem so severe.

"I- I-" Vincent stutters again. The blonde man raised his hands. "I didn't know that she's your mom," Vincent chuckles shyly. Milla's facial expression softens but still retains those piercing eyes, "Well now you know, Dr. Vincent," She said calmly.

Wanda decided to stand in the middle, "You two know each other?" The redhead could feel her throat drying up. Milla spoke, "Yes, mom. Dr. Vincent here is a chemist in a firm located in the corporate districts of the city and has been helping me with my new book. However, if he's not in the labs, he's here near the coast part-timing as a barista," Milla explained to Wanda. Vincent nodded at the redhead when he notices her curious look.

"Well, it's a small world after all!" Wanda said as she clasps her hands together to ease the tension. She nearly sounded like the 50s sitcom version of herself during the Westview hex. It's ridiculous, She thought. She faces Vision's look-alike, "Thank you for tonight, Vincent," - (The man smiled shyly). Wanda faces Milla, "Aaaand its time for us to go home young lady, its been a long day,"  The redhead said.

"It sure does," Milla smirked amusingly as they walked farther away from the crowd and then flew together towards their beach house home. From a far away distance, specifically in the corporate districts of the city, Vasilisa and Mortianna mirthfully watch the whole scenario unfolds using their astral visions - the ability the twin sisters had been using when Milla is working far away from them or is at school to monitor her. The sisters share the same tub of buttered popcorn that they have conjured out of thin air, as they saw EVERYTHING that happened.