Arista had gone to bed as soon as she was done with her story. Leaving Mellissande to catch up with her old friend Thor. She had relished in the fact that Arista opened up. Never before had she been so blatantly honest. She had projected the images of her memory for all to see. For the first time in a long time, she had used her gifts to show truth instead of lies. The only times she had ever used her gifts with total strangers before, was to project images to torture her targets.
She had earned herself several questioning glances afterward, but was too exhausted to talk afterward. Projecting into so many people at once isn't something she did often. So Mellissande had sent her off to bed.
Turning to the others she began an explanation. "She's not used to occupying so many minds at once. Normally it's only one or two at a time. Five is more of a task, which quickly fatigues her." She said with a sympathetic look. "But now you know why she despises Asgardians. Especially those directly connected to Odin." The last part directed at Thor and Loki, the latter scoffing at the reference.
Walking over to the window looking out over the balcony, Mellissande let out a sigh. She never liked having to put Arista on the spot like that. But sometimes things needed to be done to keep civility amongst the races. She did not need tension between the Prince of Asgard and fierce little warrior. She was disrupted from her thoughts when Thor decided to speak.
"Mellissande, I am sorry for what the Allfather had done to your friend. But that was long ago." The man said walking to stand next to her. "But I know not what she did to cause such a ruling from him."
"Let's just say a lot of people died. And she holds only anger for your father. Along with the members of the Council." Arista said looking up into his calm eyes. She gave him a half hearted smile before turning her attention back to the city lights. She wished she could see the stars. It had been so long since she had been able to gaze at the realm's stars. But the lights were too bright. She had forgotten the city was always alive. From the cars down below, to the speckles of mortals on the city streets, and the ever present lights. She turned her attention back to the room. She walked to a chair and sat down, hoping that Arista would not be plagued with too many questions come the next morning.
She couldn't help but notice the brooding dark haired man standing outside of the group of people, as if trying to distance himself from everyone else. He seemed familiar, but she couldn't place him. As if sensing her gaze on him, his eyes snapped to hers. Her eyes never wavering, she studied him. Black hair swept from his forehead, eyes just as cold and emotionless at Arista's, only a fierce pale green. "And you must be Loki." She said, noticing that everyone in the room had turned their attention to her.
"Very observant of you." He said as if bored. She already didn't like him. Which came as a shock to herself, seeing as she got along with most everyone she met.
"I make it a point to be observant. My job entitles it." A look of indignation spreading across her flawless face.
Arista decided to show her face at that moment, looking as if she had fallen asleep in her armor. The only pieces missing were her boots and gauntlets. "Do you know how utterly impossible it is to sleep with your emotions bouncing all over?" She asked pushing her disheveled hair from her face. Making her way to the chair that sat next to Mellissande's she flopped down and cocked one leg up on the arm, giving her friend an annoyed look. "And I most definitely don't like being a topic of conversation. Especially when I'm not in the room." She finished with a grin, staring around the room.
Bruce looked at Arista with wide eyes. "So not only can you project images into others minds, you can feel emotions?" He voiced with a hint of wonder laced in his words.
"Mmhmm." She hummed. "I thought Mels already told you I was talented." Smiling her mischievous grin, she pulled her legs under her sitting straight. "I'm tired of just sitting around. Shouldn't we be running a patrol or something?" She asked, fidgeting again.
"Do you have ADHD or something?" Tony asked, causing Steve and Bruce to choke back laughs. "I mean, you haven't sat still since you got here."
"What's ADHD?" She asked innocently. Curiosity gripping her small frame.
"Attention deficit hyperactive disorder." Bruce cut in. "It's pretty common around here."
"Arista has always anticipated battle. She has a blood lust, so to speak. It's in her genetics." Mellissande explained.
"Ah, so that's your problem. You'll get along just fine with Reindeer Games over there then." Tony said pointing to Loki.
"I do not understand why you call him that." Arista said looking the dark haired man over. She couldn't help but notice him studying her. She tried to read his emotions, but found herself pushed back. Shrugging it off she turned back to Tony.
"Why don't you go down to the on site training center down in the basement?" Tony suggested. "It might help."
"I was down there earlier when Steve found me. I've already gone through all the difficulty settings." she said pulling her hair around her shoulder and running her fingers through it. "It didn't pose much of a challenge." She finished sheepishly. Making her look innocent.
"She's right. I watched her take out all of your machines on the highest difficulty setting." Steve interjected.
Arista thought for a moment when an idea hit her. Jumping up from her chair, she dashed to her room. Have everyone downstairs in the training room, I have an Idea. She threw the thought at Mellissande. Hoping what she had planned would turn out the way she pictured.
Ten minutes later everyone had assembled inside the spacious gym. Followed momentarily by an excited looking Arista. She walked out of the elevator pulling her long hair into a high pony tail and adjusting her gauntlets.
"So can you please enlighten us as to why we're down here?" Tony asked as she walked into the main area.
"Absolutely. You're technology poses no challenge to my skills." She said tossing her sword to the floor. "And you asked earlier what my talent was." She bent at the waist and stretched her arms so her palms were flush with the floor. "And now you will get to see. One of you is going to spar with me."
She looked at each of the five men standing in the room. Who in turn, gave her questioning looks. "Stark. You're the one who asked, so I see it fitting that you experience it." She said as a smug look crossed his handsome features.
"You don't know what you're getting yourself into, Arista. But I'll play nice." He said stepping forward. In seconds, he was entombed in red and gold armor. Running from the top of his head down to the tips of his toes.
"So you are a metal man." She stated with a sly grin. "I'll have fun with you." She launched into an attack. Dodging his advances effortlessly and throwing her own at him. She cartwheeled, flung into a backflip and threw her legs over his shoulders. Straddling his neck.
"Well honey, I have to admit you're pretty, but I have a girlfriend." Tony said grabbing her wrist. She smiled and shook her head in mock disapproval. Clenching her muscles, she threw her weight into another backflip, taking him with her to the floor. The metal clad man fell to the floor with an audible 'omph' and began to try to get up. She placed her foot on his chest and grinned.
"Pinned you." She said triumphantly. Earning a chuckle from their spectators.
"Dude...you just got your ass handed to you by a girl." Clint said before he burst into laughter. "I can't wait to tell Natasha."
Arista stretched her hand out in a peace offering to the metal man. He accepted and she hoisted him up from the floor. The face plate slid back revealing the comical look he wore. "That was different." He said as he disengaged his suit. "I've never been taken down that fast." He said with shock.
"As I have said before, she is talented." Mellissand said calming herself from the round of laughter.
"Didn't your elders ever teach you never to play with fire? Because you always end up getting burned." Arista said picking up her discarded weapon and tying it to her waist.
"That was fun, we will have to do it again sometime." She said as she walked to the elevator, Mellissande, Steve, Clint, Thor and Loki in tow.
"That is the last time I instigate a being from another world." Tony said rubbing his shoulder. "I'm tired of them ganging up on me." He said following them into the elevator and heading to his penthouse. Deciding that he was ready for bed.
He had never seen anyone move the way she did. She was like water in motion. One fluid move after another. It piqued his intrest. He wanted to know more about her. She had taken down the nuisance of a man, Tony Stark, in no time at all. She was of a realm he had never seen. Only heard stories about in his younger years. Often of it's beauty. But never anything of it's people. She spoke of Odin, professing her hatred of his so called 'father'.
She had a fire inside her that he had never seen before. And he wished to see more of it. But only time would allow that. He had tried to read her the first time he saw her dressed as if ready for battle. He had never seen such armor. Nor seen anyone wear it with such pride. But when he tried to read her, he had found himself unable to see past her glacial eyes. Later to find out that she herself, was a telepath. Everyone had ventured off to their respective rooms, eager to sleep. Leaving Loki to his own wandering thoughts.
Going to the bookshelf, he pulled down the first thing his fingers touched. Taking his selection with him he made his way to the armchair nearest the fire. Immersing himself in the literature of Midgard. He had to admit, the literature wasn't bad. He had been so drawn into the book that he failed to realize he was no longer alone in the room.
Sensing a presence behind him, he turned to find Arista staring out of the window into the sprawling city below. Looking as if she had just woken up. Her hair was a wave of tousled curls down her back, and wearing only a loose fitting shirt with a pair of shorts.
"I just feel like we should be doing something more, other than sitting around waiting for him to come to us." She said as if sensing him looking at her. She never took her eyes off the city. "I have never been one for patience." A small smile playing on her lips.
He couldn't help but notice how fragile she looked. She was so petite, almost childlike, in the way she stood before him. She looked toward him began walking to the chair opposite his. She sat down and stared into the fire. The light casting a glow on her skin.
He set his book down and turned towards her. "But having patience is what will determine the outcome of this war." He said drawing her attention from the fire. Her pale blue eyes studied him for a moment.
"I know. Mel tells me that all the time. She is the brain in our unusual friendship." She said with a smirk. "I am the power."
He nodded, dwelling on the question that ran through everyone's mind. What had she done that caused Odin to give such harsh punishment? What made her so dangerous? Even sitting across from him, danger radiated from her. "I supposed you couldn't sleep either?" He asked.
She shook her head. Sending waves of chocolate hair tumbling around her shoulders. "I don't need much sleep. An hour or two here and there is all I need." She said pulling her hair over one shoulder and running her fingers through it. "It's one of the perks of my race." She finished with a distant look.
He wanted to ask her what she was, but decided better of it when he saw the look of hatred cross her features. Taking that as a sign of she didn't want to talk about it. She stood suddenly, her face becoming a blank mask once again. "I guess I should go try to fall back asleep. Mel will have a fit if she finds out I'm causing anyone any trouble." She said as she turned and disappeared in the hall leading to the room she and Mellissande shared.
What a strange creature. He thought as he stood and walked back to the bookshelf. Placing the book in it's propler spot. He turned and went to the elevator. Taking it down to the floor where his and Thor's rooms were. What a strange creature, indeed.