The Soldat, The Captain and The Asset

3.9: The Recuitment

BACK IN THE AVENGER'S HQ, Vision is wearing normal clothes and is standing over a pot. One hand near the pot itself, the other hovering beside a book leaning against the workbench as he reads it. "'A pinch of paprika.'" He reads out-loud before looking over at a tub with red powder and attempting to bring out a pinch of it. "A pinch." He repeats, putting the pinch of paprika into the pot, looking up when he sees Wanda walk into the room.

Wanda walks over to the counter, coming around and standing beside Vision, watching him. "Is that paprikash?" She asks, looking into the pot.

"I thought it might..." He thinks for the right words. "...lift your spirits."

Wanda chuckles softly as he picks up a wooden spoon, stirring the ingredients softly. She carefully picks up the spoon and lifts it to her lips. She blows on the sauce before tasting it, a smile coming over her face. "Spirits lifted." She tells him.

"In my defence, I haven't actually ever..." He seems hesitant, pointing towards his mouth. "...eaten anything before, so..." He looks down at the woman.

"May I?" Wanda asks, using the spoon to point towards the pot.

"Please." Vision replies, backing away from the kitchen counter, allowing Wanda to doctor the food to a more favourable taste. "Wanda?" He says, looking at her. Wanda nods slightly, letting him continue. "No one dislikes you, Wanda." He tells her.

She frowns curiously, glancing up at the synthezoid. "Thanks." She answers, sounding unsure with herself.

"Oh, you're welcome." Vision answers. "No, it's a..." He looks at her. "...involuntary response in their amygdala. They can't help but be afraid of you." He explains.

Wand glances up at him for a moment. "Are you?" She asks.

"My amygdala is synthetic, so..." He gives her a soft smile.

Wanda laughs slightly at him. "I used to think of myself one way. But after this..." She raises her hand, the fingers glowing a tint of red. "I am something else. I'm still me, I think, but..." She shakes her head. "...that's not what everyone else sees."

Vision touches the yellow stone, the mind stone, in the middle of where his eyebrows would be if he had any. "Do you know, I don't know what this is?" He admits and it glows slightly. "Not really. I know it's not of this world, that it powered Loki's staff, gave you your abilities, but... its true nature is a mystery. And yet, it is part of me."

"Are you afraid of it?" Wanda asks him.

"I wish to understand it." Vision corrects her. "The more I do, the less it controls me. One day... who knows? I may even control it."

Wanda looks down at the food in a pot, walking around the counter. "I don't know what's in this but it is not paprika." She admits. "I'm gonna go to the store. I'll be back in 20 minutes."

Vision comes in front of her, stopping her from leaving. "Alternatively, we could order a pizza?" He suggests.

"Vision, are you not letting me leave?" Wanda asks carefully, looking him in the eyes.

Vision stands right in front of her, tilting his head to the side. "It is a question of safety." He answers.

"I can protect myself." Wanda argues.

Vision takes her hand softly, not letting her break free. "Not yours." He admits, almost guilty. "Mr. Stark would like to avoid the possibility of another public incident. Until the Accords are on a... more secured foundation."

"And what do you want?" Wanda questions.

"For people to see you..." He strokes her chin. "...as I do." She looks up at him gravely.