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

Chapter 8

Wanda Maximoff (The Scarlet Witch) winces at the pain as the searing white-hot laser coming out of Milla's fingertips burns inscriptions of runes on both of her wrists. It's the same runes that were tattooed on the child's wrists, to instil the ability to withstand the effects of intoxication.

"Done," Milla said, as she wiped the blood off Wanda's skin with a tissue-cloth. Then the child places both of her hands in them to heal the wounds with her powers - clear water streams start cleaning and closing the tiny burning stings away.

Wanda has started to recognize the girl's work routine: Brew then taste-test afterwards. Today's schedule is all about mead. They brewed nearly numerous varieties that day with the afternoon dedicated to assessing the ones in storage.

The sun has started to peek from the sky but despite the luminescence from the horizon, the frosty climate is still inescapable. Just outside Wanda's isolated wood cabin is a brilliant fire tree which despite the wintertime remains its vermillion leaves intact; like spring preserve in its keep.

Milla lay the ecru-and-cherry checkered cloth on the cold dewy grass & parked the wooden flight rack on the ground. Wanda follows as she carries the iron basket and sits on the cloth with the child.

Most meads fall from crystal-clear, dark-brown, straw, to the lemon-hued spectrum with higher-alcohol meads offering a greater depth of flavour than lighter session versions and sweeter meads providing a more viscous, full-bodied consistency.

"I brought some plain mojos from the bar," Milla said, showing the tupperware of thinly-sliced potatoes. Wanda smiles and ruffles the girl's hair.

A chalice of mead doesn't stray far from the snifter of ale they make. The townsfolk living near the borders of the Abbey describe mead as 'lustre in a goblet' - which is pretty much on point when it comes to basic, semi-sweet varieties that are exhilarating on the palate without being overly sharp.

Easy recipes provide a perfect base for a variety of other add-ins. Jammy and fruity meads brewed with berries are a great starting point for those who like sweet red wines. Stout drinkers are likely to enjoy the thicker mouthfeel and flavour profile of darker, spiced meads. Those who prefer India pale ales would opt for a drier, classic mead or one that is brewed with fruits like citrus or melons.

There's even a fusion of mead and beer together! Wanda tastes the glass of braggot, a mead created with honey and malt which showcases a wide range of flavours, colours, and characters based on the base-beer style and the variety of honey used.

Milla sips metheglin, a spiced mead that is jazzed up with the likes of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, rosemary, rose hips, ginger, rhubarb, hot peppers, coffee beans, cocoa nibs, nuts, coconut, hops, and tea leaves.

"Would you mind if we go to the other side?" Wanda said. The little girl then shifted uncomfortably, she knew that the adult refers to that ‘other world’.

"But what about our bodies?" Milla said hesitantly.

"Our bodies are safe," Wanda reassures. She raises her hand: bright red flares manifest out of the woman's hand, Milla watches as the entire scenery changes. Milla gasps as she looks around her: the sky is so clear that you could see the outer space, stars, galaxies, and beautiful nebulae.

White fluffy wispy clouds danced above them. The sun shines brightly but surprisingly it wasn't blinding - you could stare at it as it lights the entire field they're in. All she sees are the wild vegetation around them: just sturdy trees, colourful flowers, and wide grass planes, what's in front of their picnic is the sparkling sea reflecting the scenic view in the sky.