8619/Undercurrents: Atlantean Connection

Undercurrents: Atlantean Connection
Date of Scene:	01 August 2019
Location:	Atlantis-Poseidonis Embassy, Oyster Bay, New York
Synopsis:	Scarlet Witch and Captain America visit the Atlantean embassy. The learn the magic in Hook is from the underwater realm.
Thanks to:	Scarlet Witch, Captain America
Cast of Characters:	Aquaman, Scarlet Witch, Captain America
Tinyplot:	Undercurrents

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Aquaman has posed:
At the appointed time that day, an Atlantean wearing a water mask and blue dress of distinctly Atlantean cut from the Atlantis Embassy is at the Oyster Bay embassy dock to meet Scarlet Witch and Captain America. They are greeted with great courtesy. Scarlet Witch and Captain American are led aboard an Atlantean vessel, which takes takes them across the choppy waters of Oyster Bay to the Embassy without a pitch or roll.

On arrival, Scarlet Witch's and Captain America's escort leads them into the main entrance of the Embassy, telling them politely about the architecture and symbolism since it is their first visit. The walls are white and gold, with lines of flowing water inset and kept in place invisibly. The two are taken up a lift, which is really a pedestal of water that hard underfoot. They are shown to a second floor observation room with a long conference table and big window with a view toward the open ocean. There is also low table, some soft chairs and a nice view of the water. Scarlet Witch and Captain America are offered refreshments, served and left to wait for the King.

Fifteen minutes later their escort returns preceding the Atlantean King. Arthur arrives dressed in some kind of casual pants and shirt combination in a deep, deep green chased in gold.

"His Majesty King Orin II of Atlantis," the escort announces, bows and leaves.

"Welcome," Arthur greets his guests. He comes over to shake hands. "Just Arthur when nobody else is around. The royal stuff gets old fast."

Scarlet Witch has posed:
Wanda wore her Scarlet Witch attire, it being a safe choice when meeting a monarch for the first time, and especially when doing so on Avengers business. That she's also technically royalty (even if she rarely brings it up), daughter of a king who at this moment is flying a castle towards the US after making brash provocations of war? Another reason to reinforce that she's here in capacity as an Avenger.

"Your Majesty, it is a privilege. Thank you for seeing us," she says. Wanda shakes his hand when offered. "Arthur then. I'm Wanda Maximoff," she says in introduction. "Thank you for seeing us. I wish it was better tidings that brought us," she tells Arthur. She will have sent ahead some information when she arranged the meeting, so he will have an idea the reason for it. Though she has brought a tablet, and also a sealed transparent container that looks like it probably holds a sample of Hook. Though she doesn't jump into the subject yet while the introductions are underway.

Captain America has posed:
In the fifteen minutes passed since their arrival at the Embassy, Steve has lapped the waiting room at least twice. While he didn't err on the necessity of his dark-blue, silver-spangled stealth suit, he is dressed finely in a button-down beneath a dark blazer and equally dark jeans. Even if the Captain appears to be ready to entertain diplomacy, his state of dress doesn't take from the breadth of his shoulders and the quiet attentiveness of his wandering gaze.

The king's arrival pulls him from looking out one of the windows. Turning, he travels back to Wanda's side and shakes the royal's hand with proper firm pressure. "Captain Steve Rogers," says he by way of introduction. A nod echoes the Witch's sentiments. "Given the connections found through Miss Maximoff's research, we felt it best to address this sooner than later."

Aquaman has posed:
"I'll help if I can," Arthur says after introductions are made. He gestures to the low seats by the window and takes one himself.

"So you said you think there's some connection to Atlantis with this drug problem on the surface? We sell some pharmaceuticals through one of the big three pharmaceutical companies, but we don't make drugs. It's never been a problem below," Arthur explains, neglecting to mention that magic has neatly filled the niche drugs would have occupied in Atlantis.

Scarlet Witch has posed:
The information Wanda had sent over mentioned a potential connection to Atlantis and her search for more information, but hadn't gone into details on what that connection was. She moves to take one of the seats, crossing her legs and setting the tablet and the case down next to her, fingers lacing over her knee.

"I'm not certain of the connection, but I believe so," Wanda says. "I first came across the substance in the form of a girl who was overdosing on it. I could sense a very distasteful magic quality to it immediately. It seems to amplify the addictive qualities of the drug. Quite potent. Even magical healing is only temporary. If the drug is still in their system it will immediately re-affect the pathways of the person's brain to addict them again," she says.

The shake of Wanda's head, couple with her expression both troubled and distasteful, gives some impression of what it was to experience. Wanda glances over to Steve before going on. "After investigation into the magical properties, I found similarities in some old accounts of Atlantean healing magic. I'm afraid my efforts to investigate further, to figure out a source, or a treatment, have crawled to a near standstill. I thought if this is indeed related somehow, you or your people might be able to assist in it?"

Captain America has posed:
Steve finds his own chair set midway between Arthur and Wanda after fetching himself a small cup of coffee. It's of a blend he's never tasted before and even after seating himself, he has a semi-distracted air of mulling the flavors over his tongue to see if he does like it as much as he thinks. Comparing it against other roasts continues in a subconscious bleed for his busy mind and he makes a note to ask after it nearing the end of this discussion.

"We do appreciate any help you can offer." Otherwise, the Captain remains quiet, content to listen and be present as the Witch's accompaniment.

Aquaman has posed:
Arthur listens attentively to Wanda and"You'll have it, Captain. Can't believe we haven't met before," Arthur muses and notices the famed Avenger's distraction.

"Lemurian, from a plant they grow. Dried, ground, brewed, you'd think it was coffee," Arthur comments with no small amount of pride.

"Get me Carella," Arthurs speaks up to nobody in particular, then turns his attention squarely back to Wanda.

"Whoever made this is sick," Arthur adds without hiding his disgust for whoever is involved.

"I don't believe anyone in my realm would do that. Not for long," he rumbles. "You have some with you?"

Scarlet Witch has posed:
Wanda can't help but give a faint smile over towards Steve Rogers as he is made aware of a coffee-like substance that is not coffee, yet is close enough to catch his notice. The possibility of Tony setting up multiple dispensers for the testing different blends of the Lemurian and coffee can be foreseen by the woman. Followed close after by claims Steve loves the new brews more than he does Janet.

It's almost a script at this point.

But there are more serious matters to attend to. Wanda nods her agreement to Arthur and passes over the sample. "I've included a sizable quantity, if more is needed, well, it's flooding the streets. Unfortunately it is all too easy for us to acquire more," she says, memories of the 'massage parlor' they raided setting her jaw in a hard line.

Wanda unlocks the tablet and pages across it to a few displays she has prepared. "Some of my investigations are detailed here," she says, the notations done in a form that most magically trained beings would be able to decipher without too much work.

Captain America has posed:
"Wish it were under better circumstances," replies the Captain quietly in regards to meetings. Steve's brows lift in plain interest at the explanation of the brew's origins. A glance down at its oil-sheen-bright dark surface is thoughtful and bemused, his lips curling at one side at the novelty of the experience of enjoying it.

Wanda may as well have a modicum of prescience to her internal musings. "Lemurian. Hmm. Have to look into it." Given he's long since been privy to the //lack// of standard Terran-grade coffee-based caffeine's effect on his boosted physiology, the Captain does look forwards to seeing if this stuff packs more of a punch. World, get ready for a hyped-up Captain America -- apparently, he'll sleep when he's dead.

"Whoever made Hook needs to be brought to justice for it. I wasn't privy to the mission where Miss Maximoff acquired it, but it is indeed sickening." The firm set of Steve's jaw accents too the harder glint in his eyes.

Aquaman has posed:
"Looks like something Mera would get right away," Arthur says with a chuckle when he sees the script on the tablet. He takes the sample and looks at it thoughtfully.

"We'll send you home with some, Captain," Arthur adds off-handedly and nods in agremeent with the Captain.

The door swishes open behind them. "Magister Carella, your Majesty," the woman who escorted the Avengers announces. A stately looking Atlantean middle-aged seeming woman in a shimmering dress sweeps toward them. There is a faint haze or warping of light around her head, which Wanda feels as an unfamiliar magic.

"Majesty," the woman says softly and bows. "Honoured guests," she adds and inclines her head to Wanda. Then she turns her attention to Arthur.

Arthur leans back and passes the Hook sample and tablet to Carella. "They say it might be magic. Might be ours."

"Carella is my court magister. Second only to Mera in skill, twice her in knowledge," Arthur explains with a wink. Carella smiles gamely but is focused in the tablet.

"Next time bring the shield," Arthur says to Steve with a big grin. "I want to see that thing."

After a while, Carella returns the tablet to Wanda. She has a look of supreme indifference to the sample in her hand, clearly feeling this is beneath her. She passes a hand over it slowly. Her expression changes to something studiously impassive. She leans forward and whispers in Arthur's ear. He scowls.

"This is what is causing all the news above?" Arthur asks the two Avengers sharply. His mood has shifted fast as the weather at sea and he is furious.

Scarlet Witch has posed:
Wanda turns to greet Carella, offering her a gentle smile of greeting. Her magical senses note things about the woman. Perhaps some of them even tug on her memories of her mentor. Curious. She hadn't even known Agatha knew much of Atlantis, yet there is something familiar in the magical aura.

Though it is just a passing thought, something filed away and likely forgotten until the next time she sees her old teacher. Wanda is focused on the present, watching Carella's face. The magical aura of the drugs is so strong, Wanda imagines the court magister must be controlling her expression to remain so impassive.

Working around it made Wanda feel the urge to want to shower.

Wanda smiles over to Cap, not surprised that he and Arthur seem to get along well. She turns back to Arthur to nod her head at the question. "Yes. It isn't just small amounts of the drug either. Whatever the source, it is being produced in large quantities."

Captain America has posed:
"Thank you, Arthur. I'll enjoy the new blend in the mornings." Steve can be seen to relax further back into his chair. Booted feet are still left soles flat to the ground even if his grip about his cup is loose. He looks between the Atlantian ruler and the tablet, his eyes too sliding towards Wanda and then away again. When Carella arrives, the woman is given a polite, lingering nod of his head. "M'am," the Captain greets quietly.

Arthur does get a small, amused smile for his request. "We'll see if I can't fit it in the back of an Uber rental. Figured it'd make the wrong impression if I did today." After all, the vibranium shield is a weapon in itself. His smile fades in tandem with the shift of emotion within the room itself and he silently grits his molars once more. For now, the Captain chooses to remain quiet and listen as the conclusions as well as plans are drawn.

Aquaman has posed:
"That is..." Arthur starts.

"Majesty," the magisters interjects simply. Arthur waves off the objection.

"It's Atlantean alchemy," Arthur confirms. "Supposed to be used for healing but someone's twisted it."

"I want to know where this is coming from. I want know quickly," Arthur says.

"But I can't just send my people into the US to fight criminals. Are you looking into it?" he asks.

Scarlet Witch has posed:
Wanda looks unsure whether to be glad or not. She was half afraid this might turn out to be a dead end, leaving her with no leads to pursue. Yet hearing this is the source does not put her any more at ease. She leans forward, the leather in her outfit shifting softly against each other at the movement. "We are trying to find the source. And also seeking treatment for those affected," Wanda starts.

She gives a small nod and says, "So far it has mostly been law enforcement, and a few independent interests given some of the other issues happening at present." She doesn't go further into the topic that includes her father bringing a fortress of war towards the shores of her current adoptive home.

Wanda glances over to Carella and back Arthur. "Assistance on the treatment in particular would be most helpful. One who is familiar with this alchemy would have a great leg up on our efforts, I should think. Also more understanding of the nature and means might help us track it backwards. Not even counting if you might have any idea of those capable or likely to be involved?" she asks.

Aquaman has posed:
"Nobody! Nobody would do this. But you'll have the help," Arthur promises loudly. He pushes up and paces. "I don't want this getting out, not yet. Not until we know who it was. By the gods if they're under the sea they won't live long. If they're above it, I want to know how they learned our ways."

"Magister Carella will get you someone, more than someone. The Royal Hospital. Get me a couple of your best minds. They will live like kings in Atlantis and work with my people," Arthur says decisively to Wanda. Carella's expression goes from impassive to openly disapproving. Arthur does not seem to notice. The King is ranting as much as conversing now. "I /will/ find out if anyone in my realm is involved. Bring me the name of whoever is doing this on the surface and I'll crush them, too."

Scarlet Witch has posed:
Wanda's hands return to lace together and rest upon her knee as she stays sitting up more upright than the relaxed posture before. "Thank you, the assistance will be very appreciated," Wanda says. "Tens of thousands are being affected, and treatment has proven difficult," she adds, her eyes going to Carella as Wanda elaborates the impact.

"Would it be better to focus on those with magical, or medical skill? Or is both required for this sort of alchemy?" Wanda inquires, eyes between monarch and magister equally. "Medical skills will be easier to come by, but we'll find enough with magical skills, myself included if necessary," she replies. Wanda considers pulling up the projections on her tablet of the expected spread of the drug, but does not. Arthur doesn't seem the kind of monarch who requires assistance with his people.

Aquaman has posed:
Carella's head shake is a thing measured in fractions of an inch.

"Medical," Arthur replies. He turns to face Wanda and crosses his arms. He works his jaw for a moment. "You can observe, or the Sorceror Supreme. Nobody else with your skills."

Carella's look for Wanda when Arthur is not looking becomes downright venomous. It vanishes as quickly as it appeared when the king looks in Carella's direction.

"You will be given a way to get a hold of me directly. Keep in touch on this. I will be briefed by my people on our progress daily."

Scarlet Witch has posed:
If Wanda had spotted the look given to her, it doesn't show on the woman's calm expression. "Thank you," Wanda says, omitting name or title rather than having the use of one or the other cause more issues than might already exist. "I will see that we get some of the best people for it, perhaps members of the CDC or those they recommend," she says.

Wanda looks over to Carella and gives her a gentle smile. "The help saving the lives of so many is greatly appreciated," says to the woman in a pleasant tone. Wanda looks back to Arthur. "We appreciate your assistance in the matter. I will do my best to keep the nature of the matter close within my team," she says. "And if additional samples are needed, I can bring them," she offers.

Aquaman has posed:
Carella remains impassive, as if Wanda had not spoken.

"The Magister or the Master Artificer will let me know if we need more," Arthur says. He walks over and holds out his hand. "We will make this right together."

Scarlet Witch has posed:
Wanda rises to her feet and shakes Arthur's rather sizable hand with her own, far smaller one. "Thank you again," she tells him. "If I may be of assistance to you down the road, I hope you will reach out to me," she says. Wanda glances over to Carella again and gives her a pleasant enough inclination of her head. "Magister. Thank you," she says, as if not realizing the woman's feelings on the matter.

Wanda will depart then assuming the attendant comes for her, leaving Arthur with the rather displeased member of his court.

Aquaman has posed:
"I will," Arthur says. He folds his arms across his chest as Wanda walks to join the Avengers' escort who has appeared again at the door.

"Maximoff," the king says gruffly. His face is furrowed in a frown and his gaze locks on the eyes of the lady Avenger. "If the US asks for Atlantis' help, we will give it. And the Justice League may not wait to be asked."

Arthur turns to Carella without another word and they begin talking in Atlantean. Carella's tone is reserved but reproving. The king's is aggressive and stern.

The Avengers are led back through the embassy by their escort. Two human embassy employees dressed in green are waiting for them in the main lobby. Steve is presented with a gift of the Lemurian grind and instructions on how to prepare it. Wanda is presented with a new-looking leatherbound tome that discusses at a very high level the Atlantean schools and disciplines of magic. They are both given, of all fancy things, a phone number for the king.

Then it is back to a waiting vessel and the duo are whisked ashore. Their escort is there one moment as they start to walk back along the pier. When they look back the empty vessel is there but their escort is gone.