May-19-14011-Asgard, May-19-13011-Vanaheim, May-19-2013-Midgard Location: Midgard.
"Let me get this straight you've never actually met your parents." Mr. Stark asks once again apparently still needing clarification as he cracks eggs and mixes them in a bowl.
"Of course, I've met them." I reply baffled by his assumption. "I talk to them in my dreams near nightly. Mother trains me in magic and Father trains me as a warrior. Afterward we explore our territories or talk about our lives."
"That's it?" Mr. Stark asks appalled before spinning around and flipping the bacon.
"Sometimes we just sit down and read. On those nights we often we end up stopping to trade oral history as my parents debate on how certain events truly happened."
"Outside of your dreams though. Have they ever visited you in Vanheim? Or invited you to Asgard?" Mr. Banner asks seemingly disturbed.
"Well no." I state looking to Nico confused. He shrugs equally confused from where he's pouring our coffee before moving on to mix in the sugar, flavoring and creamer. We've both grown fond of Midgardian coffee as they do not have adequate morning tea here. Mr. Stark has assured us a shipment from Midgardian Britain and Japan is coming soon with blends that both my parents and the other Avengers enjoy.
"That's bulshit." Miss Romanov states tightening her clutch on her third cup of black coffee and glaring about the room.
"It is unfortunate yes but it is not without just cause and good reason." I state becoming more confused. I talked to my parents last night and they talked as though the Avengers were aware of the war.
"Alright so explain this to us." Mr. Barton asks from where he's leaning on the counter. "Because right now it sounds like child neglect and abandonment."
I feel my body heat with anger at their assumption before taking a deep breath to calm myself. I can see where they would get the idea. As my parents' friends they likely do not bring this up lightly.
"For most of my life my people have been at war."
"Like fighting war or War war." Mr. Barton asks moving to help Mr. Stark who is making some type of fried pastry with large chocolate chunks.
"War war. "I reply breathing in the smell of chocolate. "We were attacked by rebel Aesir shortly after I was born. I was only 6 months old at the time. I was sent to live with Vanir friends of my parents who were living in Midgardian Britain. We were attacked by a half-blood who killed my adoptive parents but not before managing to activate the emergency portkey in my soul mark sending me to Nico's side. Following the attack on Asgard my mother's position as the rightful heir of Jotunheim and Vaniheim was threatened by a half-blood sibling. After being defeated the two fractions joined forces and formed a diversion by attacking Midgard which falls under my parents' joint rule. They then proceeded to attempt to take both thrones only to be killed by the awaiting armies. Still their reduced fractions rebuilt attacking and gathering support wherever they could. I am told Midgard has become a battleground for the weaker fractions. You must understand how high of a declaration of war and arrogance these attacks truly represent. It has never been done since Midgard's creation. It hasn't been until recently, these past two years actually, that the war has shown signs of ending. Like many we had fled Midgard ourselves only to return this year. My parents should be working on the peace treaty as we speak."
"Wait, back up." Miss Romanov requests. "What does half-blood mean because we have papers telling us to send you to a camp full of them."
"A half-blood is a derogatory term- It's the only term actually for a child born from two separate species, often from different realms, while cheating on your soulmate. Much like what happens when you cheat on your soulmate and have a bastard such a union often causes multiple birth defects." Bianca explains as she stirs chocolate into her coffee.
"I'm guessing this is worse than peanut allergies and asthma." Mr. Barton asks while Mr. Banner begins taking notes. It is my understanding he is interested in becoming a certified healer. My parents however are unsure if Midgardian schools will allow it with his condition. They are still a young and naive realm.
"Yes. They are known to have trouble reading, holding concentration and are born with several mental illnesses and other such disorders without just cause or cure." Bianca states picking up her spoon and allowing the coffee in it to cool. "They are attacked by monsters, animals and other creatures daily. As such creatures act primarily on instinct and see them as a threat the attacks are rarely punishable. Like Basterds, half-bloods are more prone illness and injury as their parent's immune system's and bodies are often incompatible. It is said the High Gods look down upon them in sadness and at their parents in disgust. That said, it is not their fault they were born and they are treated as regular citizens by most of today's realms. Still some sneer or pity them greatly." she states before tasting her coffee from the spoon. She places it back down on the napkin and begins to add more chocolate to her drink as she has said her piece.
"On Vanheim we make laws to ensure they are treated fairly however some realms will outright banish the children. I personally believe that is the fate that should await those willing to betray their soulmate not the innocent offspring." I explain to which I see both Bianca and Miss. Romanov nod their head in agreement. I spare a look to Nico upon feeling his unease finding him sipping his coffee, his mask perfectly in place.
"That still doesn't explain why we're required to send you off to a camp named after and full of bastardized kids." Mr. Stark states beginning to put our food onto plates.
"From what Father has told me Camp-Half-Blood is a safe haven for half-bloods of Olympian descent." Nico begins stopping to take a breath as his unease skyrockets. "Cheating on your soulmate was invented and is now apparently a- a family tradition started by our uncle." My eyes widen in shock, fear and disgust at his words in the background I hear Bianca drop her spoon to the floor. "I will not be following it." Nikolaos says looking to me earnestly. I can see in his eyes he is honest, can feel it through our bond still yet- "Father has assured me he does not follow the tradition either." he states looking to Bianca who is covering her mouth eyes wide in horror.
"You dare to try and I will sever your arms until they do not grow back." I growl knowing my eyes are glowing with power at my words. I see Nico nod his head quickly in the suddenly dark room and I reign my power back in. He has done nothing wrong. My Nico will never do that to me. He has said as much. I know him well enough.
"Is this the same Uncle that's preventing your father from coming here." Miss Romanov asks sitting down her coffee and looking like she is now calmly planning a murder.
"Yes. His name is Zeus." Nico explains before sitting down. I fear I have scared him but if there is ever a just cause for doing so that was it.
"Right. Well I think it'd be best if one of us went with you kids to this camp, at least to check it out." Mr. Stark states as he hands out plates.
"I second that motion." Mr. Banner states holding up his hand.
I notice Mr. Barton looking to Ms. Romanov who nods her head in agreement at an unspoken question as he passes her a plate.
"Either you two have a backup plan or you're planning a secret randevu so which is it?" Mr. Stark asks.
"If this doesn't pan out we may have a friend that can arrange something. He normally works with human mutants but he can't resist a stray and he owes us a few favors." Miss Romanov states before taking her plate from Mr. Barton. "I don't like what I know of their uncle. God or not Zeus will not be allowed in their lives while they're with us." She makes sure to make eye contact which each of them to get her point across. If I didn't know any better I'd say she was using Midgardian legilimency. As it is, it appears she's just the unspoken alpha of the pack.
"What do you kids like on your pancakes?" Mr. Stark asks
"Those are the chocolate pastries correct?" I ask licking my lips at the same time Nico asks "What is normally put on them?"
"I will have strawberries and whipped cream if you have it, if not maple syrup will do." Binaca requests amused by our confusion. "This is why you two need to read a wider variety of books or at least socialize more. They are called pancakes and they are similar to waffles and crepes."
"Those are two vastly different things." I point out "However we both prefer them with strawberries and whipped cream." I feel Nico's pleased happiness at my words and reach over to hold his hand happy we can get away with it now but still unsure what has changed to allow it.
