She scrubbed the floor with a soapy brush, muttering colorful words under her breath, but they all included the name of that dog. Bucky's footsteps sounded as he came to the doorway, another bucket of clean water in hand. Glacier barked from outside, where he had been tied onto a very long rope that connected to a post. He was grounded until they could get the mess cleaned up. The mess was the remnants of border lamb soup and anything that had at one time been on the counter. It was now smattered all over the floor, wall, and furnishings. Somehow, Glacier had gotten into the solar-powered fridge-like box that sat in the cabinets and drug out everything inside. It had sloshed everywhere, wedging itself into between the slats on the floor. They'd spent an hour cleaning and still, there was a mess. Bucky crouched beside her
"We don't have to finish this tonight, just go to bed and we'll do it in the morning."
"It'll be dried and stinky by then. You don't have to help, he's my dog." She dunked the brush again, rocking back on her heels. The flooring was mostly clean, all that's left was the walls and counters. Bucky sighed heavily, taking the other rag from her hand and chose a piece of wall to clean. "Seriously, if you want to go to bed then go ahead."
"If you're up, I'm up," he said with such finality that she just nodded quietly and moved to the wall beside him. Something had changed since they'd come to Wakanda and been healed. Bucky acted more...open...at ease. She liked this new him and hoped he stayed for good. Aubrey knew she'd changed too, being in Wakanda made one feel like nowhere else in the world existed. It was easy to ignore the rest of the world and focus on what was important, their minds, and figuring out who they were.
She fought the chair, pushing against the braces with fury. It hummed, flickering on as the handler opened a red leather book with a star on the front. She knew this book. It held the words that made her mind go blank. The chair leaned back and electricity zipped through it as she felt the last clamp land on her forehead. A scream tore its way from her mouth as the handler started speaking.
"Spitze" [Top]
She hated the word. Just hearing the first one tore at her mind.
"пятьдесят один, Adler" [Fifty-One, Eagle]
Aubrey's back stiffened as she felt the fog start to move in. It surged through her mind, covering her memories and changing who she was.
"Blauer небо, автомобиль, Leben….страх" [Blue Sky, Car, Life…..Fear]
Her body pulled taut as the fog covered every surface, changing her very being. Her eyes trained straight ahead as the words flowed from her mouth.
"готовы ot соблюдать" [Ready to Comply]
A wry smile lit her handler's face as he crouched down to her level, eyes gleaming. He studied her for a moment before straightening
"Gut, welcome back Adler. Your mission is in." [Good, welcome back Eagle. Your mission is in]
Aubrey bolted upright, narrowly missing hitting her head on the thatched ceiling. Her chest heaved as she gasped for air, waiting for her mind to clear. Stumbling out of bed, she wrapped a long robe-like cloak around herself before sliding down the ladder. Slipping her feet into the worn combat boots, Aubrey stepped outside, sucking in the fresh night air. Exoctic birds cried from the surrounding forest as she leaned against the closed door. The moon shone brightly with not a single cloud in the sky. A lone cricket played its eerie song from the grass and she used the sounds to center her mind, ground herself to the present. She was here...alive...safe...and free. Those were the words she repeated quietly..over and over until her mind believed it.
"My name is Aubrey Kaylinn Cristo, I'm in Wakanda..and I'm free. Tomorrow we are going to the market. Last night Glacier made a mess and Bucky helped me clean it up."
Reminding herself of what had happened helped clear everything, push away anything trying to take over. A whimper sounded to her left and Aubrey's head turned to Glacier. He lay in the grass, big eyes trained on her. Whimpering again, his tail thumped the ground pathetically.
"You big lug" she whispered affectionately before walking over and sitting beside him, leaning on the fence post that the rope was tied to. He crept closer, resting his head on her leg and sighing dramatically. Aubrey stroked his soft head, smiling softly. As mad as she had been last night, she still loved him. "Just don't do that again, okay Glacier?". Fingering the rope, it unwound from his collar, setting him free. But he stayed put, content with his owner beside him.
June nickered as Aubrey swung into the saddle, the motion oddly familiar. The Dark Bay mare stood patiently as she made sure Bucky was comfortably on Winslow. Clicking her tongue, the horses set off. Glacier bounded beside them, tongue lolling out as he tried to stay out of their way. The saddle sat snugly and Aubrey felt confident on the horse as they set down the dirt path. A certain fresh smell floated on the breeze as the African Blackwood trees rose up around them. The dark-colored trees wove an intricate canopy over their heads. Her Kimoyo beads said it would take fifteen to twenty minutes to get to the village. The lone wind teased its way through, causing the forest to rustle. Bucky shifted on his horse casting a nervous glance her way.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothin...I've just never been on a horse before"
"Do you like it?" She fingered June's mane, holding the braided reins.
"I guess...It's kinda slow and not very comfortable."
"We can speed up if that's what you want" she grinned, squeezing with her legs before clicking her tongue again. June whinnied before taking off at a lope. Bucky did the same, although Winslow's favorite pace seemed to be slow unless there was food involved. He reached out, snagging leaves off of tree branches as they went. She gripped the saddle horn, trying to keep in place as the horse seemed to rock back and forth. Glacier barked excitedly, bounding off-road, through and over logs and overgrown grass. Dust kicked up around them and after a few minutes, they slowed to an enthusiastic trot. Aubrey bounced up and down, desperately trying to stay on the horse. Winslow with Bucky walked several feet behind her, snickering. Soon she glimpsed brightly colored huts nestled in the trees, the forest opened up to reveal a busy, populated clearing. The huts sat in clusters, stands and tables set up in groups by a shining lake. Animals of all shapes and sizes roamed in pens or wandered among the people. Children threw a tightly woven ball of sticks around as mothers bustled around with baskets of goods. June and Winslow came to a stop at the edge of it all as their riders took in the scene, slightly overwhelmed. Leaning forward and swinging her leg over, Aubrey dismounted, sucking in a breath as the muscles in her legs ached. Bucky dug through the bag attached to his saddle, pulling out fruit they'd harvested and two canteens of goat's milk. By some miracle, they'd been able to milk several of the Doe without too much mishap. Bucky bumped her shoulder, a nervous look plastered on his face.
"Ayo said this is her home village, isn't that cool?" she murmured as they walked towards the lake. Ayo had told them who to go to for the first visit, her grandmother. A retired Dora Milaje who had served for many years. Naviti was her name and Aubrey couldn't help but wonder what it would've been like to grow up in such a magical place. A wiry woman sat on a colored blanket, leaning against a tree by the banks of the lake.. Her short, frizzy hair wiggled slightly in the wind as she gazed across the water, one memory or another shining in her eyes. They started to approach her and immediately, the woman's bright gaze turned to them, taking the pair in.
"My granddaughter mentioned I'd have some visitors. Although I expected them to be older" her thin brows raised as she chuckled breathily "But I suppose you'll do. It'll be nice to have some fresh company"
"It's very nice to meet you Ms.-" Aubrey crouched at the edge of the red and black embroidered blanket, unsure where to position herself.
"Just call me Navi dearie, come sit. Stop hovering over there you-" she waited until Aubrey settled beside her and Bucky hovered by the shore. "-Sit," the woman said, slightly more stern this time. He nodded, casting an odd look at Aubrey before sitting in front of them.
"I see you brought some things to trade, that's very good. I can help you with that in a bit. First I want to know what my granddaughter has gotten me into. I want your names, ages, and...your favorite animal" she gave them a toothy grin "mines the Violetta Macaws we have here. I have one that lives with me, I'll introduce you sometime when she's here."
"Are..you sure you want to know?...it's kind of a long story"
"Honey, I got nothing but time" Navi chuckled again, patting Aubrey's leg before reaching into her satchel and pulling out knitting needles and thread.