Prologue
Kyrah
Blinking awake, I scanned the single bedroom of my small apartment, which was littered with several feathery cat toys (thanks, Cairo, dear) and all of the outfits I'd simply been too lazy to wash. It took me a while to blink the sleep out of my dark, stormy-grey eyes. Oh, Monday mornings!
Wait a minute; it was Monday morning! I checked my iPhone alarm (Which was on SILENT, Cairo!), then the time. I had 20 minutes until my shift started!
I work at a local Starbucks within a few blocks down the road. New York City was just one of those cities where you could walk or bike everywhere, and I LOVED it! If there weren't so many fast food joints, we'd all be as skinny and strong as little ants.
Leaping out of bed, I raced to the bathroom as I slipped out of my PJs and something a little more presentable for work. A mini skirt with black leggings should do, along with a cap-top, dark-blue blouse and a PINK jacket that ended at my ribs. Running a brush through my flame-colored hair and topping it off with a white fedora complete with a Starbucks-green band, I was ready for my makeup.
Some think I'm Goth or extremely dark with the amount of eye makeup I put on, not to mention all of my dark clothes with bright accessories, but I don't truly care. If they knew me, I'd like to think they'd know I was, hopefully, fun to be around.
My face consisted of 3 things- mascara, eyeliner, and tons of dark purple eyeshadow that faded to pink and swirled under my eyes. All in all, it probably took about 10 minutes.
My Egyptian Mau, Cairo, was mewling at me pitifully with his big blue eyes. I loved him so much. I planned on taking him back to his roots in Egypt, where I've wanted to go since I was little.
"What's wrong, hon'?" I asked, crouching to pet his sleek and chinchilla-soft speckled fur. He mewed again, licking me on the wrist and then leading me to his food bowl. "You sure do eat a lot." I shook my finger at him, arms crossed in mock criticism. I liked to think Cairo knew what I was talking to him about.
After feeding him and giving him enough water for until I came back later that night, I laced my custom-made Fall Out Boy and Panic! at the Disco converse boots up, put on my white corset glove, and took off to start my day.
I waved at some familiar men smoking and laughing in the corner of a stairwell, " Good morning, Butch, Randy, Slade." I nodded at them with a sweet smile, and they smiled back with a "Good morning, Miss Kyrah!" In their heavy Chicagoan accent. They were so nice!
It was a wonder no one even looked at them. Maybe it had something to do with them being in a special group? I dunno. I've never asked, really. They sure were quick to offer help when I was dropping my things on the way up to my apartment, and I was quick to accept because they were so big and strong. I felt safer with them there, and I often thought of why others didn't want them around.
I opened the door of the Starbucks and inhaled the assortment of coffee blends lacing through the air. I loved coffee and the smell of it. Making myself a Cookie Crumble Mochaccino with extra Oreos, I dropped half the price into the register. Employee discounts are fun.
"Just on time, as always, Miss Kyrah," greeted the manager. I was offered the job multiple times, but always turned it down. Others wanted it more than I did. "Hah, that was an accident! I would've been here earlier had Cairo not found my iPhone so interesting! He turned off the alarm!" I laughed merrily, thoroughly enjoying the place I worked.
I worked full shifts, from open to close. I ate breakfast as I worked, because they had some of the best chocolate chip-banana bread ever, and I always had a salad and looked at funny pictures on my iPhone when I took my 15-minute lunch break. My friend Pepper walked through the door, and I asked if she wanted the usual.
"Of course, Kyrah! And can you get me one for Tony, too? It kinda helps with his hangovers." I smiled as I swiped her card, "Want extra ice in his?" I asked, making her Iced Vanilla Latte with ground ice. "Sure," she said, and I finished Tony's in seconds. I had this thing for getting things done fast. I guess it was a mentality.
"Have a great day, Pepper!" I called after her, "Tell Tony I hope he feels better!" I waved to her as she called back as someone opened the door for her, "I will! Thanks, Kyrah!"
The rest of my day went smoothly; the customers and employees are always as sweet as the coffee smell. I loved my job. It was probably why I was constantly getting small raises here and there. I could always afford things, especially with my wealthy parents. I wondered what they were going to get me for my birthday tomorrow.
On the way back home after my shift ended, I saw a man walking hurriedly down the street. He was HUGE, and when I say huge, I mean at least a foot taller than my 5' 4" self. A long green cape was attached to some pretty ornate gold armor. Of course, he must be cosplaying! There was a convention earlier that same day.
His dark green eyes were hard to see in the dim glow of the street lamp, but as he was walking there was grim determination on his face. Was he lost? I gathered my courage and came in front of him, which seemed to startle him from his thoughts. He stopped and looked down at me.
"What mortal dares block me?" He spoke in a disgusted tone, " And a tiny one at that?"
I was a bit taken aback at his attitude, but I, for the most part, ignored it and responded nervously. "H-hi...I-I'm Kyrah," I spoke quietly and timidly, " I w-wanted to know if y-you were lost. You seemed a bit determined to get somewhere...I-I'm apparently one of the best people New York to ask where you want to go. S-sorry for being s-so shy…but I've never seen you here before."
He raised an eyebrow, "Navigational advice?" He chuckled ruefully with an are-you-serious? look on his fine features, "what possible advice could a mortal girl such as yourself give me? Obviously you are not so sheepish if you had the courage to face me."
"Well...it looked like you were lost. Are you?" I tilted my head curiously as he looked at me, a little arrogant.
"No, I'm not." He spat, trying to get past me, which he easily did, "and I certainly don't need help from a puny human such as yourself."
"Are you sure? Didn't you come from ComicCon? You're dressed exactly like Loki from the stories! It's so cool!" I jogged to catch up to him, and walked fast to match his long strides. He looked down at me resentfully, but I didn't mind.
"It's because I am from those 'stories' you ignorant calf! Why don't you go pester someone else to tell you their business and leave me? " He hissed harshly, rounding to snarl at me. Between Loki's size and his short temper, it was probably the scariest thing I'd ever seen.
"B-but...Well….O-okay...Then..." I stammered. I felt myself start to choke up. He didn't have to be so scary! I was just trying to help! I felt my eyes start to get wet with tears as my lip started quivering, my chest seizing.
"Oh, be quiet," he said crossly as he looked me up and down. "I hate how mortals cry at the silliest things. Go crawl back to your hovel and whimper there. I have no sympathy for you, 'Kyrah.'"
As Loki turned to leave me by myself, I threw his arms around his stomach. He was really skinny, but he felt really strong- inhuman, even. Startled, he tried to whip around to see what happened, his head looking over his shoulder, "Ugh! Get off me, you leech! I have better things to do than get my clothes soaked by your tears."
He managed to whirl around and shove me off, while I looked up at him and hiccupped from a sob, "J-Je pensais que quelqu'un pourrait utiliser un câlin ... Et pas seulement moi!" I nearly exploded with embarrassment. To clarify what I'd just said, I spoke fluently in French "I-I thought someone could use a hug….And not just me."
Obviously exasperated, Loki sneered at me and turned away, disappearing in a glow of gold. I thought my sleepy eyes were playing tricks on me. Maybe he just disappeared in the darkness and the streetlight made it appear as if he emitted a soft light before he was gone.
Loki
Ugh... What an obnoxious girl this 'Kyrah' was. She had no idea who she was speaking to. Even after I accidently let my tongue slip to reveal my identity, she still didn't seem to mind. Kyrah even looked as if she didn't believe me.
I could've killed her right there, but I decided not to. Why? I do not know. Maybe it was because she was so blasted innocent, even that most common thought of mine slipped. Not only this, but she was brave; stupidly brave. This "Kyrah" knew who I was and what I could do, yet she still dared to touch me, hug me, and even cry on me.
What was that strange language she had spoken? I realized her porcelain skin that shimmered in the golden glow of the streetlight, her hair caught in a dance of flame and her eyes sparkling with tears as I snapped at her. What had compelled her to talk in any language beside English? I'd never heard that particular dialect, but it made her appear…more proper than she really was. I even saw her face flush bright red when she had.
I shall admit I was a bit confused by her actions. She was easy to break, and not very strong...but she was persistent. Kyrah seemed to emit feelings that were completely foreign to most other humans. I pitied her, but I would not let that show.
I would quickly forget about her. She was nothing but a mortal weakened by petty emotions. She was of no use to me, and I don't see why I would be of any use to her. However, this 'Kyrah' seemed to be a species all on her own, something more peculiar than anything I'd ever seen or met- tiny but brave…brave but shy….shy yet willing.
No matter. She would die soon enough.