A Comedy of Tasertricks
Chapter 1 – Turning up at the Audition
Darcy pulled into the parking bay, her loud music dying as she turned off the ignition; but she sang on, dancing to the song still playing in her head.
Gathering the battered iPod into her bag she opened the door and got out of the Volvo. An icy chill caught her ears so she tightened her soft woollen scarf and tugged her beany hat further down. Her brown tresses tucked into her duffle coat.
"Holy crap that's cold", the words fogging the air, glasses misting up.
Quickening her step she turned and locked the car remotely and rushed towards the Hall. At least the cold had quelled her nerves.
Darcy was on her way to an audition at a local (ish) Amateur Theatrical Society, having deciding that it was time to increase her confidence. Jane had suggested that being on stage might bring her out of her shell which did resonate with Darcy. The lights, the props, pretending to be someone else, and of course, meeting new people outside of Jane and poor mad Erik, might be fun?
Since moving to England with Jane she hadn't really ventured outside of the small block of streets that contained the flat, the lab, a small number of charity shops and a plethora of coffee shops. She had a comfortable rapport with the local Baristas, but she could really use a different circle of friends. Hell, just more friends would be good. Her Facebook was looking a bit sparse lately, working under the confines of Shield's confidentiality policies.
Jane had found this group online, and at 15 miles away it was further away than most. But they were producing A Comedy of Errors, which albeit a short Shakespeare play, was quite the farce. Darcy knew the play well, as with most of the Bard's comedies. None of the others were doing an outside Shakespeare comedy for summer.
There were three parts that she wanted to audition for and she had brought her own copy of the play with her. Two sisters and a Courtesan. She hoped to get the younger sister but just to be involved would be interesting.
"Oh, I hope there are no weirdo's" Darcy whispered to herself as she grabbed the door handle. It took a couple of attempts to open the heavy door. With a final heave the heavy wooden door sprung back towards her, almost knocking her over.
Hoping no-one had noticed, Darcy popped her head around the frame and peered in.
That was the first time she saw him.
There were others in the room but she was completely captivated by this tall, lanky, raven haired guy.
In perfect slow motion he turned to face her, his long black locks shifting around framing his face. What a face! Piercing green eyes, chiselled cheekbones and thin pink lips slightly curled up in a smile.
As his eyes locked on hers she was suddenly aware that a low voice was addressing her.
"Hello darling, can I help you?"
What a beautiful soft voice she mused.
"I said hello, are you with us?"
The voice was much louder now.
With a short start she realised that the impossibly tall lad was right in front of her. Craning her neck up she managed to maintain eye contact. He grinned wolfishly at her, a blush reddening her cheeks.
"Um, err, yes. I err, came to audition?"
"Let her in Loki, don't scare the poor girl"
The booming voice shook her out of her reverie and Loki turned back away from her, grin turned to sneer, clearly irritated.
Darcy reluctantly turned her attention towards the older man striding towards her, hand outstretched. He was a big man both in height and stature. Dark hair, greying at the temples framing a rugged oval face with strong features. His eyes were icy blue and focused directly on her.
She moved into the door way nervously and held up her hand to take his. The handshake was strong and warm as he pumped her arm with enthusiasm.
"Hi, my name's Darcy."
"Excellent, excellent, I'm Odin. Come through this way, I have a form for you to fill out. Have you done acting before my dear?"
Without waiting for an answer, he led her into an annex room off the main hall with its vaulted ceiling that she had first entered. Darcy hoped he had noticed her shaking her head in answer to his question.
A coffee aroma surrounded her as she realised she was in a recreational room with a kitchenette.
"Coffee?" He offered as he steered her towards a small table with a pile of forms and pens.
"Oh yes, that would be great thanks, white with two please"
As he moved away briskly towards the kitchenette Darcy reviewed the document. Just the usual information seemed to be required alongside the character part she was auditioning for. Grabbing a biro she completed the form quickly and handed it to Odin as he swapped it for a steaming mug.
"Thank you" they said in unison.
"Right, if you could wait in this area we will call you through when we require you." Odin smiled and strode off back into the main hall.
Darcy nodded in agreement and slumped onto a comfy looking armchair. Looking around she saw two lads quietly chatting together on a couch. The heavy set red head was more animated chatting to the smaller black haired guy. A statuesque older lady sat on an opposite sofa.
Darcy smiled at the woman, meeting her eye and was rewarded with a welcoming beam.
"Hello! Is this your first audition with us?" She asked, her deep blue eyes appraising the young brunette.
Darcy nodded, feeling anxious. The lady was clearly comfortable here, calmly crocheting small squares.
"I'm Frigga, Odin's wife, don't be nervous dear. We're like a happy family here."
"Hi! Um, thank you. Are you auditioning?"
"Oh no my dear, not my thing really. I prefer to be in the background ensuring everything works out. I will however, be looking after wardrobe. Those two are reading today though." Frigga pointed at the two lads "That's Volstagg and Hogan. Boys, greet this nice young lady".
They didn't notice Frigga's attention at first.
"BOYS!"
The authoritative sound of the feminine, but firm voice stopped the two lad's mid conversation and they turned towards her.
"Yes, Frigga?"
"Say hello to Darcy, boys"
"Hello Darcy!" they said in a mock monotone unison.
"Hi, you two are auditioning?" Darcy asked gently, not wanting to annoy all the younger males in the group. Loki already seemed irritated.
They nodded, and as they did Loki peered into the rec room scanning around. As he spotted Darcy he briefly smiled but lowered his emerald eyes, frowning. He continued his scan further around the room until he spotted his quarry.
"You two, time to read" His gaze snapped back to Darcy as he left the room. Hogan and Volstagg jumped up and followed him round into the main hall giving Darcy a little wave as they went.
"Who is he?"
"The tall, dark, moody one? That would be Loki, my son." Frigga chuckled and smiled warmly at Darcy noticing the blush on her cheeks. "He's auditioning too, you know, together with his older brother Thor."
"There's two of them?" Darcy thought, except she had actually said this aloud and Frigga chuckled again.
"Oh, they are both very different. Thor should actually be here by now! That boy will be late for his own funeral". With that, Frigga put away her half-finished square and rose out of the chair. She brushed down her long purple dress, gave Darcy a warm smile and sashayed towards the hall room.
Darcy was alone. She breathed out slowly trying to release her nerves. So far, it had been an interesting mix of people but she felt slightly intimidated. Everyone so far knew each other! Was she going to be accepted?
Pulling her feet up under her, drinking her coffee, fingers curled around the hot mug, she wondered if she would get to read after the two lads.
A loud kerfuffle erupted from the main hall, more voices than before, one a lot deeper than the others, similar to Odin's.
Intrigued, Darcy set her mug down and sneaked a look.
Almost everyone was in the middle of the hall surrounding a tall flaxen haired guy. He was talking excitedly with Volstagg and the others, his voice raised high enough to be heard over the hubbub of questions being put to him by the small crowd. The good cheer suggested he had accomplished something and was celebrating, Darcy wondered what could be so impressive that everyone was trying to get so close to him.
Everyone that is except Loki and Odin.
Loki was sneering unattractively whilst perched on a chaise longue, his elbows rested on the knees of his legs spread impossibly wide. Hands clenched together tightly, clearly annoyed.
Odin however, was standing just down from Darcy, his back towards her, arms behind him, facing the throng. He cleared his throat loudly.
The noise dissipated immediately and all turned to face the imposing man. Frigga moved towards her husband, standing by his side.
"I see congratulations are in order, son!" His voice was calm and commanding.
The tall blond peeled away from the crowd and walked towards Odin. Well swaggered actually, Darcy thought to herself. His long, tousled blond hair was tucked behind his ears, chin showing signs of 3 day old growth, but as sexy as that was, those features had been placed on an impressively ripped body. Wide shoulders, narrow waist and muscular thighs covered by just tight enough Levis.
Darcy couldn't help but let her eyes roam over the eye candy.
"Yes Father, I have won a place in the European Strongman competition, I have no doubt that I will prove the best and go forward to the Worlds competition." At this last statement he punched his right arm in the air, looked to his friends and roared. Everyone seemed to join in as he slowly turned surrounded by his circle of friends.
Odin clapped his hands together and as Thor came to a stop facing him. He took a firm hold of the younger man's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Does this mean you won't be able to audition for the play Thor? Odin sounded genuinely concerned.
Thor! So this was the older brother. That explains the sulking from Loki. It seemed a shame that the two brothers didn't appear close though.
"Never fear Father, your star performer will be in the summer show, before I conquer Europe with my incredible strength." Thor growled again flexing his biceps.
Darcy couldn't help but roll her eyes, this guy was a total tool. She sincerely hoped that Loki and Thor weren't alike, in fact judging by Loki's behaviour she was certain.
Loki's face showed contempt at his brother's performance, his brother was and will always be a show off and an obnoxious idiot. His eyes rolling as he laid back on the chaise longue.
The flock were so enraptured by their muscle bound friend that no one noticed the reactions of Darcy or Loki.
Frigga had though, and a smile blossomed on her face as fate unveiled itself.
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Just had a quick edit if you got Chapter 1 pinged again, sorry.
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