Anthony finished lighting the last candle, and started to slip away in time to avoid anyone from outside coming in.

He was at war with himself as to whether or not he should try to meet someone, but then he would take one look in the mirror and immediately agree with Thanos.

He was better off alone.

I look like a monster...they would scream in terror if they ever saw me.

A side door opened about ten feet in front of him, and he froze. A young blonde head poked through, unsure of himself.

"Hello, um...I seem to be a bit lost...I'm looking for Minister Thanos."

Anthony stared at him in shock, wondering why this man was being so...normal towards him.

I must be having a great hair day...

"Uh...I..."

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, sorry, I'm just...tired. Um...take this flight of stairs down the hall. He is awaiting you on the...uh..."

"Thank-you for your help. Enjoy your afternoon."

As the man entered the staircase, Anthony bolted towards his room and slammed the door shut. He tried to calm down, steady his breathing, but he ended up just slumping down to the ground in defeat. Running a hand through his hair, a finger traced a part of his scar.

"I'm in trouble." He thought out loud. "I am so dead." He reached over to his little bookshelf, and took out an empty book that he had recently filled with thoughts and ideas of what it must be like out there. His mind was constantly churning, and some ideas he was brave enough to bring up to Minister Thanos. Surprisingly, Thanos actually brought some of them to life, praising his ingenuity.

"Oh, not any more..." Flipping through the pages, he wondered if he could ever try a profession someday, and what he could do. He always loved working with his hands, which is why "mysterious bellringer" was a fun one for him.

But those were only dreams...

Anthony replayed that moment in his head again and again. He started to cry.

My first new meeting with a proper person...and he was nice to me!

Maybe there is hope for me...

Thanos was looking off into the city of Paris with a stern look on his face. A caravan had just entered the town square, and people were crowding around to see who the newcomers were.

Gypsies...

His hatred for them bubbled and then quickly disappeared when the man he had been waiting for made his presence known.

"Ah, Captain Thor, it's good to finally meet you in person. I trust you had a good trip?"

"Well, considering I was leaving a war, it was definitely a change of tone. Forgive me, Minister, but might I ask why I am here?"

Thanos sighed and gestured towards the town square. "I'm afraid the people of this fine city are continuing to be corrupted. Their way of life is toxic and goes against everything this church has been trying to prevent from happening."

"So I am to capture fortune-tellers and palm readers?" Thor tried to understand.

"Ah the real war, Captain, is what you see before you. For twenty years, I have been taking care of the gypsies...one by one. And yet, for all of my success, they have thrived. I suspect they have a safe haven within the walls of this very city. A nest, if you will. They call it the Court of Miracles."

"And what are we going to do about it, sir?"

An ant was crawling along the railing, and Thanos squashed it with his thumb.

"You make your point quite vividly, sir."

"I like you, Captain." Thanos smiled. "You are young, yet so strong in virtue. A bright future I see for you here, under my counsel."

"I am honored, sir." He dismissed himself and stepped outside into the streets of Paris. People were gossiping about the new arrivals, some calling them witches, others thieves, and some not-so-pleasant things. Thor agreed, even if they were not a threat like from the war, these gypsies certainly were not good for morale. The people of Paris were a community, and he would hate to see his home be thwarted by this so-called evil. A little nudge in the right direction could not hurt.

"You look just like your father."

A voice from an alley caught his attention. "Do I know you?"

"No, but I fought with your father in the war, and now I am here to assist you with the...cleanup of the city. My men are awaiting your orders. I want to congratulate you on becoming the youngest captain we have ever had the honor of serving under."

"I see...uh..."

"Oh, I'm Lieutenant Coulson."

"There we are." Thor smiled. "Pleased to meet you."

"Yes, sir." Coulson cut his eyes around then stepped a little closer to Thor. "I know that Minister Thanos may seem a bit...extreme. But I can assure you, he's just doing his job. All he wants is what's best for the people here."

"Thank-you." Thor nodded. "It is nice to know who to trust...and who to be weary of..." He drifted away from the conversation to the group of gypsies, one in particular catching all of his focus and curiosity.