I apologize for this one Chap being so extremely LATE! Gosh, I can't believe this has 24 chapters already… I was planning more like 10… OR 5! -_-'
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The Avenger gaped up at the isolated, yet lovely and cozy looking... MANSION! A four story building, more of a manor house really! You could see the usual maize to you right in the distance. The home was surrounded by healthy green fields of grass and had a pathway of white pebbles leading from the circular driveway(currently limo parking that moved around a fountain) and up to the stairs of the porch. One tree stood halfway down the pathway and put the last touch to the elegant picture. One row of white steppingstones lead around to the back of the house.
"Let's get this over with." Natasha sighed and was the first to step up the pathway, "No use delaying it."
"This is the FORTH house." Tony murmured angrily and followed behind her. He really didn't want to antagonize the master assassin more than he knew she was already irritated. Actually, everyone was irritated.
"We don't have other options, Stark." Bruce whispered to him and also followed. "We should be grateful all their houses are this isolated." He said as he studied the location more and everyone else filed in behind him. The pebbles under their feet crunched loudly as they walked.
They had driven more than an hour to reach their destination, the same as the last four 'outings'. Each of the houses came to a dead end with no sign or trace of either Lumina or Charmain, but Rhodes's superiors' determination didn't waver as the Avengers' hope had. They persisted for them to keep looking. The people that they'd found now lived in those houses were completely oblivious to the fact that there once lived two girls and only swarmed the Avengers like a pack of wild animals(Though, none of the earlier destinations was nearly as extravagant as the current one). Their reputation didn't help their assignment in the least.
"What the hell was that!?" Bruce exclaimed in shock, frozen by the feeling of four soft paws landing on his head. Everyone immediately spun around to the man under the tree, in and ready for action, but relaxed as they saw what the situation was.
Tony smirked menacingly, "What's the matter, Banner? Cat's in your hair?"
Bruce sneered at him, giving a sarcastic laugh. "Can you just get it off?" He growled and Tony stepped closer with a smug look on his face. Even Bruce had to admit that there are moments he'd love to slap it off his face.
Tony suddenly stopped and looked above Bruce's head puzzled, as did the others. "What is it?" Bruce sighed, beginning to get irritated with Tony's antics. The man had bothered Bruce the entire trip here on how Lumina's going to run into his arms and how they're going to, and he quotes, 'snog inappropriately' in front of everyone as they had done the last time.
"Dr. Banner, the cat's…" Steve paused for a moment, looking a little hesitant, but then continued, "…the cat appears to be blind."
Bruce's face turned as puzzled as the others'. Had they actually found them this time?
"Lumina?" Bruce breathed and reached up above him, but was quickly stopped by a soft meow coming from above him. The cat looked young and small, covered in long white fluff over the entirety of her body. The 'kitten' meowed again and stepped off of Bruce's head and onto his shoulder. AGAING the kitten meowed, seeming exceedingly happy, and gave Bruce's cheek an affectionate lick before jumping off him entirely. She sprinted to the door and quickly slipped into the house through the cat-door.
"Well, that proofs we can get some rest… FINALLY!" Clint breaks the tension and strides up onto the porch first, soon followed by the others.
After a few more minutes the door creaked open and Lumina's usual pearly whites showed through the creak in the door. Her eyes were shut like their first meeting. "What are you guys doin 'ere!?" She laughed and stepped out.
"Long story." Tony shrugged. He lift himself up on his toes to peer over Lumina's shoulder excitedly, "Is Charmain here? This kind of involves you both."
Lumina chuckled and nodded quickly, "Yeah, Sis is in the back. She train-"
A loud explosion cut Lumina off and vibrated around everyone. Puffs of black smoke traveled over the house and around the corners. The green grass was stained a dark shade of its usual color.
"Well, she WAS training." Lumina sighed and shook her head.
Coughing and wheezing immediately caught the guests' bewildered attention and they saw Charmain running around the house. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the crowd standing on her porch and her eyes widened in dismay. "W-what are you g-guys…?" she trailed off and looked at Lumina, "Where on earth are ya clothes this time?"
Lumina snorts and tightened the grip on her towel, "I was out for a stroll and then decided to go for a climb, that's when I crowd of familiar scents passed unda me. I didn't really have time to get dressed. Ya take me for leavin our guest out here? I don't think so. And you didn't expect me to go climbin or walkin 'round in my human form, did ya?"
"Well, no matter." Charmain shrugged. She quickly made her way up the porch and continued into the house, "Ya guys are welcome to come on in."
"Thank you, ma'am." Steve says quickly and let Lumina walk first.
"It's JUST Charmain, Cap!" they all heard Charmain yell from inside.
"She smells like charcoal." Lumina mumbled as she followed Charmain's scent.
"The lady looks like charcoal!" Thor's laughter boomed around the first room of the house, making Lumina wince and cover her ears.
"As load a voice as ever, I hear." Lumina sighs and directs everyone into the great room(It's what you call a living room in manors). Everyone first looked awestruck up at the shining chandelier dangling above the grand staircase for a minute, but then entered.
Charmain points down at the white leather couches surrounding the glass coffee table in the middle of the room, "Feel free to sit and wait
'ere while Sis and I get cleaned up and.." she turn to glare at Lumina, " Also... Get. Changed."
"Not like they 'aven't seen me like this before." Lumina pouts and walked out the door and up the stairs. Every inch of the house looked like a white old vintage style. With the traditional painting of the lord of the house at the top of the stairs and the small tables in all the corners, each with their own vibrant potted plant.
"I'm always open to help you get cleaned up, Darlin." Tony smirked and slumped down on one of the couches.
Charmain smirks back at Tony and cocks her brow "Always thinkin of others, aren't ya?"
"Well, of course." Tony grinned, "Always of service to others."
With a light shake of her head, Charmain began moving to go upstairs too. "In ya dreams, Stark. If even that much." her voice echoed around the house.
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