Taste of Apples
Summary:
My name is Lexi Roux. I am twenty-years-old and because I am just that awesome, I just recently graduated from Universite Paris Sorbonne, in Paris, France. I never expected my life to change so drastically after the death of my parents. I never really expected to have to put my life on hold, my Tante Maria telling me that my parents had been agents for some S.H.I.E.L.D. agency.
I guess Tante Maria never explained to these...Avengers, that I have what people call Synethesia. Every voice carries a taste. Every touch carries a sound.
Now, if I could just get the taste of apples out of my mouth and ignore the soft whispers against my skin.
Author's Note:
Lexi Roux is of my own creation. She is twenty years old and incredibly talented in Fine Arts. She also suffers from what is called Synethesia, which is where the brain confuses some of the sensory triggers. Voices cause her to taste flavors, music causes her to see metallic-shaded colors (compare it to the visualizers for ITunes or Media Players) and anything she touches she hears sounds. This doesn't effect her normal senses; sight, hearing or smell, it might sound confusing, but it won't seem so odd when you read on. She has been living in France for many years, so she uses some French terms, but did grow up in America so her first language is English.
Because I absolutely adore Tony Stark (there are so many different sides to Tony that makes him so...delicious), this will be a Tony/OC story.
Disclaimer:
I do not own the Avengers, or anything in relation to Marvel. The plot and Lexi are completely my own.
Enjoy!
Chapter Eleven
Confusing Ties
I find myself at a loss for words as I stare at the heavily damaged building. The building that had once been the American Embassy located in Osaka, Japan, now rendered to nothing more than a pile of rubble and broken wall frames. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I watch as the team moves forward, assuming their roles as heroes, and I find myself remembering days, long ago, spent visiting the ambassador. Looking around, moving my gaze over the emergency relief specialists as they shift through the rubble in search of any remains, I shake my head at myself.
No. This isn't where I need to be. Seeing the team so busy trying to help out the authorities, I take a tentative step backwards before a few more steps follow. Turning on heel, I think hard for a brief moment before remembering the way, and I stalk down the sidewalk. Remembering various houses and shops, some of the shops having closed many years ago, I slowly recall walking this path many times. Arriving before a quaint, beautiful house, I approach the front door and knock curtly against the door.
A beautiful ebony-haired woman with dark brown almond-shaped eyes stands at the other side of the threshold. A stern, slightly cold look in her eyes makes me tense and I stand upright. Watching as her gaze looks over my simple clothing and pale skin, she seems to come to the conclusion that I am not from around here.
"Gomen'nasai. Īe intabyū wa arimasen."
"I'm not a reporter," I respond, watching her eyes widen, "My name is Lexi Roux," The surprised glint softens substantially, "I am hoping to speak with Ryuu."
"Ni kite kudasai," she insists, motioning for me to come into the house, "Ryuu has told me many good things of you. Ryuu said you dear friend."
I smile softly at her words, "You must be his wife-to-be?" A blush spreads across her cheeks and a beautiful, small smile forms on her lips, "It is nice to finally meet you."
"I am Tanaka Maki," the Japanese-beauty replies as I slip my shoes off by the door, "Ryuu-kun is down in basement."
Muttering a soft thanks, I move through the familiar layout and down a flight of stairs. The basement had been turned into a private microbiology lab, test tubes and beakers full of various chemicals lining tables. The walls of the room decorated in various plants and roots. Seeing the familiar dark-haired figure hunched over as he sits in the lab chair, I feel my eyes burn with tears at the sight. I don't remember looking, or even feeling, so emotionally compromised, not like the man before me. His handsome, sharp features pulled into a somber expression. His light brown eyes surrounded by faded-red, tear streaks trailing along his cheeks.
"Ryuu-chan?" I greet softly.
Those heart-broken eyes snap up to me and I am caught of guard as the man launches himself at me. His embrace floated along my skin in a forlorn melodic hum, and I fight back the sensation as I feel his body shaking in my grasp. I cannot imagine how he must feel. The relationship I had with my parents had been no where near the same level as Ryuu's. The deep love had always been something anyone, even a strange, could see and I respected the Rōzu family for that very reason.
"Lexi-chan. Otousan, he didn't make it out of the building. When the bomb threat was called into the Embassy, Otousan ordered everyone to evacuate. H-He stayed behind to make sure most of the people we out of the building," Ryuu says between heavy sobs.
Licking my lips as dragon fruit trickles along my tongue, I smile weakly, "Your father has always been an honorable man. I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"Do you remember me telling you about the Mason family?" Ryuu nods slowly, "Well, Angelique, my old roommate's mother, had been poisoned about a month ago. She's healthy now, but...I think whoever tried to kill her did in fact target your dad as well."
"What could you have possibly done to attract such negativity?' Ryuu questions, at a loss for my words.
"I'm not sure. Whoever is behind this, they are the same person responsible for the accident that killed my parents," I reply curtly, "A friend of mine, she says she caught a trail of one of this guy's underlings, and apparently, they are looking for a Book of Rose."
Ryuu quirks an eyebrow, "Odd. Rōzu means Rose, but I never published any of my work. I am...continuing the work my mother never finished."
"Did your mother every publish any of her work? Do you know what she had been working on?" I ask, looking over the variety of colored liquids bottled in test tubes.
"My mother was working on a naturally synthesized cure for dementia, or Alzheimer," Ryuu replied, "I am not sure what they would find useful with it."
I hum thoughtfully, "Why would my parents be connected with this? Why does this have to be confusing? None of this is adding up. My parents undercover agents. Angelique is a philanthropist by nature and donates substantial amount of money toward medical findings. Both you and your mother are working on this. How is it connected?"
"The only benefactor supporting my research is a man named Marcel," Ryuu adds as an afterthought.
Before I can respond, a sharp scream pierces the air, "Deteike! Anata dare?"
Hearing the urgency, I spring up from my chair, Ryuu quick to mimic my movements, and we race up the basement steps. Skidding into the foyer, ready to stop at nothing to protect what is left of this family, I stumble as I pull myself to a stop. Several furious faces peers at me and I giggle nervously, rubbing the back of my neck as I step back. A muttered Japanese curse breaks the tense silence as I hear a stumble of footsteps behind me and before I know it, Ryuu's body slams against my back. A fit of giggles explodes from my lips as I find myself tangled with the long, lanky limbs of Ryuu.
"If you are done laughing, Miss Roux," I wince at the disapproving tone in the pumpkin-pie flavored voice, "We would like to ask why you disappeared within the first five minutes of us touching down."
Pulling myself to my feet, I snort as Ryuu shoves me mockingly, "Take her. I've had enough of her already."
"Kono yarō," I mutter, glaring at him playfully before turning my full attention to the team of heroes standing behind a fearful Maki. "Sorry if I worried you guys. I know I should have said something, but I...I haven't seen Ryuu in ages and figured I'd swing by."
"So? You used this mission as a vacation?" Tony bites out, looking slightly annoyed and angered.
My eyes widen at the accusation, "Of course not! May I introduce you to Rōzu Ryuu, son of Rōzu Taichi, the Japanese ambassador in charge of Japan-American relations." I watch as understanding appears on their gazes, "I figured you guys would handle all the heavy lifting, so to speak, and that I would take care of the...familial matters."
"So, you really did know someone from the Embassy?" Clint hums gently, "I'm starting to think these people are targeting family friends of your's."
"Tell me something I don't know," I sigh self-deprecatingly before turning to Ryuu and Maki, "How about we go out for dinner? We can catch up, and you can tell me more about this...cure you've been working on."
"Cure?" Bruce chimes in, "Cure for what?"
"Dementia. My mother started-" Ryuu prattles off as Maki, the rest of the team and I begin making plans for dinner.
As we arrive to a lovely authentic Japanese cuisine restaurant, I watch in silence as Ryuu (you know, once horribly shy and insecure) pulled Bruce and Tony in a deep conversation where the vocabulary exceeded my knowledge. Smiling softly at the microbiologist, my thoughts turn inward at Clint's earlier statement. The targets do seem to be friends of the family, but...how is that even possible? My parents never spoke to Ryuu more than five words at a time. My always busy parents, devoting eight memorable summer vacations to exotic countries. The same parents that had been rather reluctant to agree to me attending the University, until they met my roommate. Jacques Mason, who's mother is a major benefactor in the medical world. Angelique Mason, who apparently has been making donations toward Ryuu's research in her husbands name.
Then again, why is anyone looking to get information on a Dementia cure?
"So, Ryuu, how did you and Lexi meet?" Clint asks, causing everyone to lean in curiously.
I snort, glancing away. I don't have to listen to Ryuu's account of how we met. My parents and I stayed at the American Embassy for the month we spent in Japan. I watched Ryuu tend to the gardens of his late mother. He would talk as though I was speaking, even if I never responded. Eventually, he helped me open up and instructed me to put my foot down. Ryuu had helped me face my Senior year at the Academy and I have appreciated his support ever since.
How is the Rōzu family connected in all of this?
"Ryuu, if you don't mind me asking, you never speak of your mother?" Steve questions, and I swallow at the sickeningly sweet flavor.
I shoot Steve a pointed look, but am rendered speechless as Ryuu speaks up, "My mother died a few years before I met Lexi-chan. She grew sick, very sick, and within a few months, she passed away in her sleep."
Wait a minute. There is no way these people are after me. Ryuu's mother seems to have suffered from the same symptoms as Angelique. When Taichi spoke of his beloved wife, he spoke of her deep intelligence and a burning desire to help heal people. He spoke of her determined spirit and her inner strength. So eerily similar to Angelique. These people are after whatever cure Rōzu Hana had been busy trying to create, but besides Angelique being a benefactor toward the world of medicine what is the connection?
"Lexi?" I snap out of my thoughts and glance up at Natasha, realizing everyone is staring.
"I'm sorry. I seem to have gotten lost in thought. What's up?" I ask, trying to hide my growing confusion.
"Ryuu said you and your parents stayed with his family for a month almost five summers ago. Did you guys travel often?" Natasha asks.
I nod slightly, "A month during each of my summer breaks. We traveled to various places. Brazil. China. Here. Egypt. Morocco. I vaguely remember visiting Argentina one summer."
"That's a lot of traveling. It must have been a fun experience," Bruce comments.
"Yes. I've visited some of the most interesting sights as well as met some of the most interesting people," I reply, thinking over all of the people I vaguely remember meeting.
I remember the Chinese engineer who had been making plans of creating an electronic transmitter that could be implanted into some part of the nervous system that could act as a transplant for paralyzed people, or even the mute that have no voice. I vaguely recall the Brazilian toxicologist that studied rare plant and animal poisons and created serums for antidotes, as well as medicinal needs.
Hm...why did my parents know all of these people? Everything pointed to medicinal needs, but why would the agency send a pair of agents to investigate it?
Inwardly groaning, I curse the confusion of this mess my life is.
"So, Lexi-san, Ryuu-kun tell me you are to be best man for wedding in Spring," Maki breaks me out of my thoughts, and I swallow the honeysuckle flavor and smile warmly in response.
"Hai. I asked him if my date had to wear a dress," I reply, earning a giggle from my friend's fiance, as well as a round of chuckles from the rest of the table.
"Are you going to be wearing a suit?" Tony teases.
"Of course. Black, pinstriped. Can I wear a fedora too?" I question playfully toward Ryuu.
My friend chuckles at my question, "Just promise the bachelor party has no strippers and we will be fine."
Finishing dinner, I follow the group down the sidewalk, listening as they converse with such ease with my old friend. A warm smile spreads across my cheeks as I watch Ryuu gently clasp Maki's hand in his own. Such an innocent symbol of affection, but if I'm honest, it is one that I see as more genuine than any other. A hug is a close second.
Tension snaps into me, a deep guttural growl crawling across my skin as a pair of hand suddenly grips my shoulders. Before I can say anything, I am spun around, a hand slapping against my mouth and I peer into a pair of dark hazel-brown eyes. Taking in every feature, I feel my anxiety kick in, my breathing becoming labored as the growling grip continues to scratch along my nerves.
"You are becoming a nuisance," My eyes widen and I feel nausea churn in the pit of my stomach, tears forming in my eyes as the familiar flavor whispers along my tongue. "Stay out of our business, if you know what's good for you."
"Piss off," I manage to choke out.
A sneer appears on the handsome, but distorted face, and the man to shove me backwards. Stumbling, I barely manage to catch my balance before my name rings through the air, fear and worry rushing through my mind in a heavy mixture of a chocolate-coated fruit salad. A loud honk causes me to clutch at my head, the sharp, bright swirl of maroon cutting through the other sensations.
At the sudden silence, I open my eyes and stumble back at the sight of Thor standing between me and a car, his hand planted firmly against the front grill and hood. A swirl of mixed emotions hits me, my body shaking as I feel it pulled off toward the side of the road. A million in one questions floods my senses and I place my hands against my ears, shaking my head.
"SHUT UP!"
The sudden void of silence causes me to taste the familiar residue before the near car accident and I find myself hunched over, the contents of my dinner splattering against the concrete sidewalk. Shudders rack my body as I slowly gain some semblance of normality and my eyes open, the blurry sight of my friends surrounding me.
"L-Lexi? Lexi, you're alright. You are unharmed," Steve insists.
Shaking my head, I spit at the ground, "Liquorice. I fucking hate liquorice."
"What does liquorice have anything to do with you standing in the middle of the damn street?"
The mash-up of emotional content tainted the sour-apple flavor against my taste buds and I aim a glare at Tony, "Everything."
Thanks for reading! Sorry it's taken so long, but slowly the chaos of my life is being put to rest and I should have more frequent updates in the next coming week. Before anyone starts making assumptions, the bad guy in my story is an OC, and it really is a twisted little back story between him and Lexi...which will be reveal at a later date.
Onto my lovely reviewers!
Ashes2Dust18: I am so pleased you think my story is the best! It makes me grin so much to hear words of praise!
Anonymous: THANK YOU! I can't believe I messed that up. I am truly sorry, and yes, I agree consistency is important...so...i went back and fixed everything...I even forgot to change the chapter number. Gah...sorry, my head has been a bit mixed up, but thank you.
Crystal-Wolf: Thank you my dear!
Missing A Muse: I eat everything but the rind. Watermelons are one of my favorites. Growing up in south Florida, watermelon is a must to cancel out dehydration. I am pleased you are enjoying the tension I put between them. I didn't want them to kiss...just yet anyway.
xxxRena: Thank you dear. I am pleased you enjoyed the almost kiss as well.
watergoddesskasey: I am walking my five-year-old daughter and her two friend (who's parents are busy working) during trick'r'treat. She says she wants to be a princess this year (sighs)...next year we are doing superheroes! She's quite an opinionated child. Thanks for the 'awesome' count!
Ravenclaw Slytherin: Thanks again!
withcbaby300: Lemons will be further in the story, and I would pin Loki as a more...caramel flavor...sickeningly sweet and yet irresistible. He is the God of Mischief and Lies...of course he is irresistible, so caramel would suit him best. Though...it is not Loki, and I am pleased you enjoyed the tension I put in there.
Beshineshi: -squeals- aww...you made me laugh. Yes, there will be Pepper later in the story. Kind of curious about what flavor to give her though.
gracelpv: Thank you!
Cheekymonkey97: Thank you so much. I am glad!
Artemis: mmm...chili hot chocolate is one of my favorite winter drinks...after butterscotch/chocolate (reminds me of my papaw)
WOW! 75 MINIONS AT THIS POINT! 75 reviews and little silent minions...you guys have no idea how happy you made me. It helped but a smile on my face to see that, and after the stressful week I've had, I really needed it. Thank you guys, so much!
Until Next Time!