Chapter 8:
Pizza Party
Natasha's brisk pace was fairly difficult to keep up with normally, let alone in my weakened state. After a crash like mine, most would not even be living, yet alone chasing after a strange woman you had just met. Keeping up with the redhead proved difficult enough that it utterly consumed my mind. Keep up Nero! Move faster! It filled my mind so much that the eerie emptiness crept up on me before I noticed it.
Endless halls twisted and turned and vacant rooms abandoned. The whole complex was empty! When the chance presented itself, my sight would slither through doors left ajar and small porthole-like windows. Each room shared the same theme of scattered papers and hastily emptied file drawers, giving it the overall feeling of a rushed evacuation. Why did they evacuate? Oh, right. Some crazy alien crashed into their planet and then almost killed them with their moon. Director Fury, given the title of command, must have ordered this to happen before or shortly after I arrived. These humans feared me enough to abscond before they even identified who I was! Pathetic mortals, that's what they are.
Well, at least the ones who left. Natasha on the other hand, stayed and even confronted me with knowledge of what I could do to her. Her bravery unsettles me as my murderous tendencies must frighten her. I don't want to get on her bad side and she doesn't want to get on mine. Straightforward as that. A simple relationship that I could live with.
The continual wandering gave the impression that it would last an eternity. Natasha seemed intent on finding the longest route possible, choosing to travel through every obscure passageway instead of taking the main ones. Before we would enter a new one, she would cautiously peek around the corner. My faith and trust remained strong enough to keep on following. What if this was all a ruse to lead me to a more secure holding cell? I was quick to jump to conclusions as always. I needed to cast my doubts aside. Natasha had the truthful look in her eyes when she told me we were going to get food. There must be another reason for her suspicious behavior. The place was evacuated so why would she check for anyone before she continued. Unless it was to avoid a certain someone who had stayed. Someone like the Director himself. My guts told me that Natasha wasn't quite supposed to being doing this. Quite rebellious indeed. "Rebellious" added to the already lengthy list of qualities I found rather striking about this unknown woman.
Hunger ate at me like a wild beast, gnawing at me from the inside out through my stomach lining. The beast grumbled and growled ferociously, so aggressively that Natasha asked if I could make it on several occasions. Being as stubborn as I am, I answered that I could. But even I doubted that. Before this whole incident occurred, I hadn't eaten for close to a week and a half due to intense stress of my up coming task. Now, it was almost two weeks with nothing but water. The farther we went, the weaker I became. Famine had already started taking its toll, making my limbs heavier than lead and a broad deep ache all over. My feet stumbled forward with every step and that faint feeling couldn't very good news. If I didn't get food quickly, I would defiantly collapse.
At last, she came to a stop in front of a frosted glass door. She spun around and in her hand was- frigi fruit! There was a whole platter of the rare lush amethyst fruit just sitting there in her hand. The crisp sweetness could only be from the heavens and I was drooling to get my hands on it. Wait! Something wasn't right. Frigi was only found on Grith-
"Um, Nero?" Natasha woke me out of my trance. Frantically, I blinked my eyes. Nothing was there in her hands! Great! Now I'm delusional. How stupid I must look with my mouthwatering and drool dripping down my chain in anticipation of something that wasn't even there. Hunger and thirst ruse your mind in the strangest ways.
My attention shot back to Natasha. Her hand lingered on the door handle as she hesitated. She cleared her throat.
"I invited a few others to join us. I hope you don't mind," she told me, biting her lip. Blatantly, she was apprehensive of what my response would be.
"Alright with me. As long as it's not Director Fury," I joked halfheartedly. It bothered me that one person saw me in such a destabilized condition, but multiple? That was a whole new story. I considered changing my mind, but my hunger beat out my dignity on that one. As long as I ate, I couldn't care less currently. The exception on that was if it was Fury. I would bother to suffer through the pain that followed as long as I didn't have to be near him. A deep hatred for the man had developed prematurely. The way he treated me like scum, didn't feed me, and wouldn't even thank me after saving their world. He would go straight on my hit list if it wasn't for Natasha. I sure did not want to piss her off by killing what I had deducted to be her commander.
Natasha chuckled softly at my lame attempt at a joke and the tension in her body vanished. "I know Fury was an ass to you, but it's better if you two got along. And no, he won't be there." She swung open the door to unleash the most savory aroma I'd ever had the pleasure of smelling. The smell alone was far better than my precious frigi fruit was ever. Where was it coming from? The only table occupied was one in the center by three men. In the center of the table was- food!
With all the strength I could muster, I pushed past Natasha and practically ran over to it. With out pausing to inspect what it was, I stuffed it into my mouth. Heavenly gooey cheese melted into my mouth. Warm tangy sauce oozed from underneath the cheese, adding a layer of complex flavor pleasure. A crisp crust added much needed texture, completing the masterpiece. This was quite possibly the best thing I had ever eaten. I hadn't the faintest idea of what it was, but my stomach growled in urge of more.
Red sauce covered my fingertips. Without pausing to lick my fingers clean, I dove in for a second slice. It suffered the same fate as the last piece. I cramped it down my throat like a starved monster. The more I ate, the more I needed. More! The second slice was demolished in no time at all. Now for a third. I continued obliterating the food at my frenzied pace like I would never eat again. About halfway through it, a sturdy hand seized my thin arm and pulled the food away from my mouth. As an act of instinct, I resisted. More! More! More!
"Whoa there! Chew! We wouldn't want you chocking!" pleaded one of the men I hadn't bothered to take much notice of. I looked up at them. The one holding my arm was tan skinned-something I don't see very often- with dark wavy hair and a pair of rounded objects to apparently correct his vision. Reluctantly I took his advice and chewed what was in my mouth. It tasted much better that way.
After the third piece had vanished, my stomach threatened to burst or even upchuck my delicious meal. The weakness had turned into newfound strength. I collapsed into an empty seat and licked off the sauce from my fingers and face. Now that my hunger had been tamed, I came to the realization of how savage I must have looked. The expressions around me varied from bewilder to shock.
"It looks like someone hasn't seen a pizza before!" exclaimed the same man who told me to chew. I heard an annoyed sigh form Natasha who had taken a seat to the right of me.
"Bruce, of course she hasn't. She hasn't even seen food for-who knows how long!" she exclaimed. The man called Bruce gave me an apologetic glance. "Nero, we are giving you our sincere thanks for the deed you did for our planet. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you." Natasha was curt in her delivery of their sincere gratitude. There was something about these people. All they wanted to do was thank me from saving them from the danger I had put them in.
"Yes, we are forever thankful," began a clean-shaven man with warm blue eyes and a defined jaw line. But why did you do it? We treated you like a…villain the moment you got here. We showed you no respect, but you still did it. Why?" the man questioned delicately.
I wasn't going to answer this one. Now it was getting too personal for my liking. The more they know you, the less they fear you. Right now, fear is the only weapon I have against them. True, I told Natasha, but I was desperate for food. I sat there stone cold with my arms crossed over my chest. Playing the stubborn card was just one from my deck of emotions. Natasha, being sharper than a blade, noticed my refusal and covered for me.
"She has this no-kill policy for innocents. Just those who deserve it are the ones who get it." She was referring to death and murder without actually coming out with the cruel words. Why was she trying to get them to like me? "We were nice enough to her that she still considered us as innocent," Natasha finished.
"Excuse me for being so rude," the clean-shaven man with the blue eyes began. He stood up and extended his hand to me. "I'm Captain Steve Rogers. It is a pleasure to meet you in person." This must be some sort of introduction. What do I do? I've never introduced myself to somebody, especially not in the strange outward hand way Captain Rogers was offering. Not wanting to embarrass myself any further, I did what I saw logical. I put my hand out the same way he did, making sure I wasn't getting too close to his hand. He smiled and chuckled before reaching out to grab my hand firmly and shook it. Oh, so that's what you're supposed to do. My stone cold face shattered and my cheeks glowed bright red. Well, I guess purple because of my pale blue complexion. Damn! I blew it! I wanted to continue being stubborn. Time for some improvising. I released Captain Roger's hand and decided to play the confident but mysterious card. "Pleasure meeting you, Captain Rogers," I said with confidence and looked into his blue eyes. Unlike my icy blue ones, his were warm and welcoming. "Please, call me Steve," he added and I nodded. Captain? He must be part of some pathetic human army. I hated armies with whatever heart I had. The number of lives lost is foolish considering I could do the same job by myself.
Another man, Bruce, stepped up and offered a hand to shake. This time, to avoid any further embarrassment, I shook his hand. "I'm Doctor Bruce Banner," he introduced. I towered over him by at least two heads.
The next man stood out from the other two. Long golden hair, scruffy face, a burly build, and clothing more similar to what I would wear set him apart. His height revival mine, but only by half a head and had the most charming blue eyes. He knelt down to his knees; different from Bruce and Steve. I've seen this before, during my childhood. This would be how someone from my planet would introduce himself or herself. Think Nero! What do I do? Oh right! I'm supposed to curtsy or something along those lines.
I dipped down into a poorly executed curtsy. At least I think it was a curtsy. The burley man looked up into my eyes. What was next? There was an awkward pause as I desperately tried to recall what came next. Then it hit me. Slightly embarrassed, I extended my hand. He cupped his hands around mine. His tenderness deceived his war-like outside appearance. I remembered what came next all too well. I winced when his lips touched the back of my hand. The sensation of a kiss was foreign to me. I hadn't the foggiest idea of what to expect, never being kissed and all. To be honest, although strange, it was pleasing.
"Prince Thor Odinson of Asgard, my Lady Nero," he spoke softly. That explained why he looked so different! Asgard? Hadn't the King of the Frost Giants mentioned that Odin of Asgard had taken the Casket of a Thousand Winters? He did. This must be Odin's son, hence the name. My mind went into scheming mode and flipped to the dark part of me. Yes, it was Asgard. Well, they have my Casket. Welcome back, the real me!
An idea formed. Just the spark, that could grow into a flame, and when there us a flame, someone's bound to get burned … I don't know who. Either me and my darkness, or the whole of Asgard. It's worth the risk. The Casket is just the first important piece of a plan that would revolutionize everything-for my benefit. I can't just go strolling into Asgard the way I did before. I would need a key. That key is right in front of me.
I was relieved to find that the dark part of me still functioned properly. With some extra time on Earth, I could actually pull the plan off. Now I am determined to form a bond with these men, especially Thor, to gain his trust so he will be my key. I'm tempted to let out a chilling laugh in triumph to my new and improved plan. It will give me everything and anything. Anything. Time to play miss nice Nero. The double crossing and back stabber one I am.
Natasha cut off my evil scheming. "There are two others I wanted you to meet, but they didn't-"
Time to make them sorry for me. "Didn't feel comfortable around an evil dictator like me," I said adding a little hurt into my voice on purpose. Natasha and the others looked down at their feet, ashamed for their co-worker's actions. "Don't worry, I get that a lot," I added just for affect. They couldn't see that I was grinning ear to ear on the inside. This was too easy.
There was a beeping sound from someone's wrist. Steve looked down to his wrist where a sort of time telling device was. "Time to go down to training guys," Steve said. "We wouldn't want Fury to investigate our absences. Especially since we defied his direct orders to give our thanks to Nero."
"Why don't you join us, Nero? I was put in charge of analyzing the armor and sword that fell with you to Earth. I can get them for you, since that," gesturing to Natasha's suit I was wearing. "Doesn't look tall enough for you," Bruce finished. A little small was an understatement. The tightness was beginning to cut off the circulation of blood to my limbs.
"I would be pleased to join you," I confirmed. With that, we set off for the training facilities.
I, Nero, will return stronger than ever.
Soon.
A/N: Hey guys and girls! I know your reading this! Yes, you. Do me a favor and leave a review! :) It meanins the world to me :D
Next chapter is going to be fun! :)
I must give credit to my friend guineamania for polishing this baby up!
Till Sunday,
- Pandora :)
