Inheritance of ash

Jane Doe with a name

"Somewhere between the two, actually. They're still Earth's Mightiest Heroes, technically... but, uhm... well."

She pauses, trying to find the right words.

"Let's just say the lineup's got... personality."

Natasha shifts a bit against the wall.
"Spit it out."

Vicky avoids her eyes as she speaks, instead she fixates on the floor.
"Alright. You're all kind of... upgraded versions here. Back home, Thor's still got the hammer, but he also has a beer gut, a mullet, and a tattoo that says "Thunder Daddy."

Thor looks deeply offended.

"I beg your pardon?!"

Vicky continues.

"And don't get me started on Captain America. He wears star-spangled jorts. With the boots. And on mondays and thursdays to top it off... dark smokey-eyes."

Cap looks like she's speaking a foreign language.

"...What are jorts?"

Vicky turns to look at Tony and is about to describe her version of the grumpy playboy-philanthropist, but is interrupted by dr. Banner's entrance. He's holding a clipboard and a matching serious expression on his face. Slowly, he lifts up the shiny silver bracelet that was dimly lit green on Vicky's wrist just minutes ago. Or maybe hours... she can't remember.

"So I looked into that bracelet like you asked, Tony- "

"Dude, that's mine! Give it back!" Vicky interrupts, her voice snarky and annoyed.

Everyone freezes for a moment, noticing the way the air shifts a bit at her outburst. A lamp flickers, her hair flutters slightly in, despite the wind being nonexistent, and her eyes suddenly look more green than usual. Even Romanoff raises a curious eyebrow.

Bruce puts the silver bracelet on her nightstand and looks at her curiously.

"Does that happen often?"

She feigns innocence and shakes her head.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

He just gives her a skeptical look that says "I think you do", but doesn't question her further. She grabs the bracelet off the nightstand and wraps her fingers around it tightly in her right hand.

Tony's the first to break the silence, eyes still flicking between the bracelet and her now-totally-not-ordinary green eyes.

"So... we're just not gonna talk about that little haunted house breeze moment? No?" He looks around the room like someone else should be alarmed. "Okay. That's fine. Super chill."

"Maybe it's static," Vicky deadpans.

"Right. And I'm the queen of England," Tony mutters, turning toward Bruce. "Please tell me that thing didn't start talking in Elvish or open a portal to a dragon dimension."

Bruce ignores him. "It's not alien. Not exactly. Not in the traditional sense, anyway." He adjusts his glasses and glances back at Vicky, who is now sitting up straighter, the bracelet clutched tightly in her hand like it's the only familiar thing in the room. "Where did you say you were from again?"

"I didn't," she says simply.

Romanoff tilts her head. "And are you going to?"

Vicky considers it. Considers them.

"I... don't know," she admits finally. "There's gaps. Blurry stuff. Like my brain's trying to remember something that doesn't want to be remembered."

Thor, arms crossed, watches her closely. "You do not recall your home?"