36 : The Bastard of the Universe
While Sid laid in the Soulforge, talking distractedly to the scholars who examined her, an unseen force appeared in the room around them. However, no one seemed to notice there was a shadow slipping into the cracks and corners, listening intently to the information that was being supplied.
Thor was engaged in a conversation with the Captain and Sid was giggling at something one of the young scholars said.
Above the girl, the readings of the Soulforge danced in the air. Distinct lines of light curled between pieces of information the scholars and the shadow could read easily enough, though it left Thor and the humans a bit in the dark.
The information supplied was not quite enough for the shadow to reach a conclusion. The power of the stranger seemed inconsequential, though highly intriguing. Perhaps he could use her at some point, perhaps he could mold her into a better weapon.
He read the thoughts rallying through her mind earlier, passionate and thankful as she looked at the soldier. She was quite devoted and it showed in the tingling of her energy. If the shadow decided that he needed her, she would easily be kept in line by the love for her Captain. The shadow could have laughed, what predictable creatures humans were.
The darkness crept slowly into Sid's mind, reaching out and finding little defiance after an initial flash of defense that caused the her to flinch and the Captain to rush to her side in aid. The interloper grinned widely at the thoughts raging between them as they remained unaware of his presence. He thought there was much he could do with this disastrous situation, feeble minds and all that, but he figured he could save this knowledge for a more poignant time. The Captain placed a hand on her head to help sooth her and it made something ugly and discontent rage up inside of his gut, maybe he wouldn't need this Sid, but he did love to play his little tricks. One might be just innocent enough.
The shadow rallied a tiny bit of magic and prepared to leave. But a single stream of light folded itself into the readings of the young girl's energy and he paused, curious. The scholars missed the small blip of light, but the shadow didn't.
He knew that energy.
He craved that energy.
He surged forward, unnoticed by the tiny minds surrounding him, and gazed into the readings, searching for that tiny spark.
There.
A few moments passed.
Again.
It remained unnoticed and a slash of a grin slowly spread on pale, frenzied lips.
He gazed at the stranger, lying beneath the tendrils of the soul forge as it unlocked her deepest, darkest secrets. He was pleased by that petty sort of humming that began when the Captain touched her. Like a tuning fork resonating at the perfect pitch.
He moved himself closer and examined her features, all strange and captivating, something that could be easily used to his advantage. He reached out slowly and pressed a single finger to her chest, near her heart. As she stared at the Captain, her entire body shivered as Loki purred, "A forgotten branch…"
Yes, he would have to keep a close eye on her.