Sanctum Santorum-New York City
"Wow," Sauer breathed. The illusion was breath-taking. Asteroids tumbled lazily around a planetary chain, illuminated by nearby blue, orange, and yellow stars. She stopped at one planet, a shimmering ball of blue and green wrapped in purple mist, and sighed. No tears pricked her eyes, not even as the globe cracked and came apart; she was done crying.
"What was this place?" Strange murmured at her elbow.
"Eldest's and Branch's home-world," she sighed. "Tenth in the series, kind of like an archipelago in space. Thanos was destroying it when he..."she twitched, unable to finish, and she glared at the uglier parts of the illusion. "If I ever see that asshole in person, I want crosshairs," she growled.
"Firearms are little use against sorcerers," Strange counseled, as he led the woman out of the Mirror Dimension.
Clea met them in the study, and handed Sauer a tall glass. "Drink this," she directed.
She eyed it warily. "Is there liquor in that?"
"No."
"Why not?" Sauer looked up at the alien woman, horrified.
"The Doctor prescribed this to raise your blood sugar and electrolytes," the Firenze woman explained. "He also disapproves of strong drink," she confided.
"Well I do not," Loki snapped. A small vial appeared in his hand. Two drops fell into the glass of juice. "Sip."
The concoction fizzed and smoked. Sauer gave it a tentative sip, nodded approvingly, and slammed the rest. "Ahhhh...Thahs yummy," she nodded again, setting the glass down. "Ken I haz anozer?"
"Pace yourself," Loki chided her, deftly grabbing the glass as the young woman started to fall over. "Your next 5 will be water. I said SIP that."
"I did ship dat. An' then I drank the rest. Ish good schtuff," Sauer insisted, pulling herself upright into a chair. She sat up straight for a few seconds before her head dropped back. The gateway to the Mirror Dimension shimmered behind her. "Ooooh, look! Stars! When did we go outshide? They pretty!"
Strange cocked his head at Loki. "Please do not give that to Clea."
"You trust not your consort inebriated?" Loki smirked.
"She is my wife. I trust her both drunk and sober," Strange cagily, "but her hair ignites when her BAL gets above .08, and I favor my book collection."
"A fair point," Loki conceded. He motioned at the illusion of Thanos' fleet. "There are holes in Speaks-Between-Peoples' view of Thanos' armada. While his bridge is intact, some of his other ships are absent. Fortunately, I can fill in the blanks."
"So you and Speaks-Between-Peoples were held in different portions of the convoy," Strange noted.
"T'would be apparent."
"Do you know her real identity? Clea told me of their conversation."
Loki gave a curt nod. "Thanos was a torturing a female shapeshifter when he ravished both Fandral's and Miss Sauer's minds. I believe that woman died whilst Thanos was bonded with Miss Sauer, and that her shade fled into the girl."
"Why not simply go on to her people's afterlife?"
"No-one who dies in Thanos' presence does so. Thanos uses their life-force to power his seidr and his own life."
"He is a soul-eater?"
"Aye."
The look on Loki's face gave Strange pause.
"Your majesty...did Thanos ever..."
"Multiple times a day," Loki answered flatly.
"My condolences," Strange said quietly.
"I need no-one's pity. I chose my actions," Loki snapped. "I became the very monster Asgard's children have feared for millennia, in order to survive." He glanced over at the still-goggling Sauer. "I was too harsh on Speaks-Between-Peoples. We both played our parts to survive: she a whore and I a monster."
"Perhaps you should blame the pimp, and not the prostitute."
"What a people you are for mercy and comfort," Loki said curiously. "Lady Sauer also succored me, when she learned of my Thanosian diet. If t'is possible, the Aesir view me with e'en more disdain. They feel I should have died rather than eat at his table."
Dr. Strange looked down at his hands. "I know the value of a second chance," he said quietly.
"Pinch Woki," Anne Sauer sounded...wobbly.
"You should rest."
"I did. We has to go back to the castle," she insisted, "an we has to leave soon."
"What castle?"
"Ummm…Winterfell." The Midgardian looked confused.
"What is she blathering about?" Loki looked at Strange, who shrugged.
Clea snorted. "She would watch that show." Both men gave her a questioning look, and she shrugged. "Winterfell is the home of House Stark."
"You wish to return to Stark Tower?" Loki was incredulous.
"Schtark Tower…yes. No. I has to goes back. I don' want to; I has to." The tipsy woman rolled off the chair and staggered to her feet. "Is hard to see. Forward an' back, side to side, in an' out go all the strings. Old friends an' new enemies. Birdy, birdy in the sky, dropped a bullet in my eye. I'm a spider, I don' cry..."
"That was not alcohol," Strange said dryly.
"Not exactly," Loki confessed.
"I needs a cab," Sauer said, frowning. "I don' shink I should dive. I has to get back to Winterfell…no…Schtark's house…Potts house…"
She tripped over nothing and fell, gracelessly, into a countertop. Her hands splayed out for support. A moment later she pulled herself upright.
"Wow. All glowing strings an' time an' space an' in an' out. More party after the party, ok? I has to go to work again. Pot needsh me on the spot."
"You really wish to return to Stark Tower?"
Her face crinkled. "Schtark? Onee iffn I can kick him in the balls. I don' like Schtark. But Peppermint Pattie ish a good boss, an' she needs me." She pointed up at the swirling display. "I see it in the strings...in an' out an' in-between...enough time in the rabbit hole...I has to go back."
Dr. Strange raised an eyebrow. "Hangover?"
"T'will be magnificent. Pain teaches better than words." Loki looked amused. "Thank you for your hospitality, Healer. We must away."
============/================/===================/=========
Stark Tower
Charity Abel checked in with Human Resources. "Miss Potts ordered me to attend Sensitivity Training."
The crisp woman nodded and made her notations, then leaned forward conspiratorially. "Is it true?" she asked in a whisper.
"Is what true?"
"Did you really ride that hot looking friend of Thor's in the copy room yesterday?"
Charity paled and gulped. "The security cameras..."
"Oh, heavens no! They're still offline. But the audio worked just fine, and half the floor could hear you carrying on. The walls aren't soundproof, you know."
Charity pinched her nose. "Oh, god."
"So?"
The buxom woman sighed. "I suppose it doesn't matter now." She peered around them; nobody was watching. "You know they call Thor the God of Thunder, and Loki the God of Lies?"
"Yes?"
"The Norse God of Getting It On is Fandral Sannurblaðson."
"No way," the older woman said, scandalized.
Charity nodded. "Four hour romps, with time in-between for me to rest and recuperate. It's a miracle I can walk. I'm only here this morning to finish up my business with Miss Potts, and then I'm packing. Fan-Fan is taking me to Asgard."
One sculpted eyebrow went up. "You're serious? You finally found someone to make an honest woman out of you?"
Charity smiled and shrugged. "My lord may make whatever he wishes out of me," she said with a wink. "Think about that."
Awestruck, the receptionist handed her the necessary pass. "You go, girl! Room 40B for your training, and report to Miss Potts when you're done." Charity started to leave, and the woman stopped her. "Oh, we're having some problem with the LAN. Don't be surprised if the computer freezes up from time to time."
"Thanks."
============/=================/===========/====================
Hawaii
The drive was stunning: rolling, lush fields gave way to rain forest, with glimpses of black soil and a mountain that belched steam. Coulson looked ahead apprehensively as the team-plus his wife and sons-stopped at the Park Café for lunch. A mixed crowd milled about, sipping latte's and cramming food in their mouths as they chattered.
"Audrey," Coulson began, "I'd like you and the boys to stay here while we summit."
"I'm going with you." She shook her head stubbornly. "We all are."
"This could be dangerous."
"So was New York."
"I want you and the boys safe," he countered. "I signed up for this; my family did not." He glanced down at his 1-year-old twins, babbling as they munched on cut-up hamburger and fries. "If we do make contact, it will be with a Fire Giant. I want to know she's friendly before introducing her to my family."
"Doggie!" Stevie Coulson exclaimed, and dropped a piece of hamburger off of his high chair.
"AC, Pele hasn't killed anybody in over 100 years," Skye interrupted. "And according to legend, it was never without warning or a fair chance."
"Should we have this discussion in public?" Ward fretted. He scowled down at a scruffy-looking rust-colored dog, sniffing under the table for scraps. "Beat it, mutt."
"Phil, the Lewis and Clark Expedition took Pocahontas as a sign that their mission was peaceful," Audrey pointed out. "You're going to make contact, not declare war."
"Doggie!" Brucie waved, dropping some hamburger off of his tray. The little dog wagged his tail happily, ate the hamburger, and returned to sniffing under the table. Skye slipped him one of her breadfruit fries.
"Ken he eat that?" Fitz looked worried. "Dogs cannae eat errything that people ken."
"It's ok, Fitz," Skye reassured him. "Breadfruit won't hurt him."
A yelp sounded from under the table. The scruffy little dog had gotten too close to Ward, and was kicked for his trouble.
"WARD!" Skye exclaimed, abandoning her plate to pick up the crying animal. "What's wrong with you? He wasn't hurting anything!"
"It started to pee on my foot!" Ward protested.
"You didn't have to hurt him," she scolded. Fitz scooted over to Sky's aid, and together they fussed over the whimpering furball.
"Wait a minute," Audrey paused in her debate with her husband. "Is that a red dog?"
"Maybe if he had a bath," Skye said, frowning a little. "Right now he's sort of a rusty brown color. Why do you, oh!" she finished, her eyes widening a little.
"Right," Audrey nodded at the younger woman, and turned to Phil. "If you want to make a good impression, leave Ward behind!"
"Hey! Since when does a civilian have any say?" Ward scowled.
"Since the seasoned specialist-who-should-know-better failed Civilization 101," Audrey snapped.
"Oh, really? What rule is that?" he countered.
"Always be nice to dogs," Skye grouched at him. She turned to the wiggling mutt and scratched him behind both ears, cooing. "Isn't that right, little guy? 'Cause dogs are Ohana in Hawaii, yes they are, yes they are…"
"Let him go, Skye. I found his owner." Agent May finally re-joined them, leading an elderly Hawaiian woman away from the crowd.
"Fluffy! Come here my baby!" the old woman cooed. "Where have you been? And have you been begging again? Mommy has been looking everywhere…"
"May, how did you…" Coulson began.
"I looked at his tags," May shrugged. "Not rocket science, you know."
"Thank you for finding him," the old woman gushed. "I don't know what I would have done if he had run off!"
"It's no problem, Grandmother," Skye smiled up at her and scooched over to make a space. "The Menehune would have brought him back. Have a seat? This is our first trip up the mountain. We're hoping to meet Pele," she gushed.
"SKYE!" Ward exclaimed.
"What? It's true."
"What are Menehune?" May interjected.
"Hawaiian cross between leprechauns and mermaids," Skye explained. "One of them saved my life when I was a kid."
"You don't say?" Coulson gave Skye his best 'we are going to debrief later' face, and she gulped.
"Scout's honor, AC," she held up three fingers for emphasis. "I was out surfing and wiped out, and one dragged me to the surface so I wouldn't drown."
"Menehune don't exist, dear," the old woman said, patting Skye's hand. "That's an old fairy tale."
"Finally, somebody with some sense," Ward grunted.
"But I saw…"
"You saw one of the Sea People, dear. They don't usually come on land. Most of them find the Change too painful, so they stay in the ocean," the old woman nodded. "But they're quite nice, as a rule." She glanced down at her watch. "Oh, my: look at the time! It was lovely meeting you, but I really must dash. My grandson is driving me up today, and we want to summit before they decide to close the park. Have a great trip! Fluffy! Come along, now!"
Fluffy shook himself, licked Skye's hands, and took off after his mistress.
"Bye bye, Doggie!" Stevie called.
"Skye," Agent Coulson said sternly. "A word?"
"Later, Phil," May and Audrey Coulson said as one. The ladies exchanged a look, and Audrey nodded. "Did you hear what the old woman said? The Park Service might restrict access to the mountain today," May finished. "We have to get moving."
"Right."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Stark Tower
"Thor…Sir Stark…a word?" Fandral looked grim. "You as well: Lady Pepper. I do apologize for my ill words. My crassness is ill excused, but I wished to provoke Sir Stark to some understanding... I was successful, but my means…"
Pepper raised a hand. "Enough, Sir Fandral. What do you want?"
"You need to dismiss your maid, immediately. She not safe in your employ."
"Wait…I just fired Sauer yesterday, and you all chewed my ass for it. She isn't even back yet, and you want me to fire her again?" Stark looked puzzled.
"What is the meaning of this, Fandral? You already told me of her curse. I have yet to consult with Loki, an' he is still a-viking." Thor crossed his arms over his broad chest. "Matters of sorcery should be left to the sorcerer."
Fandral shook his head. "I mean not that maid, Thor, but her replacement: Charity Abel-dottir. She has been damaged."
"What do you mean, Sir Fandral?" Pepper looked at the blond giant sharply. "Half the building knows what you have been up to. If you're tired of her already, you can move on without trying to get her fired!"
"Did I not counsel you on proper decorum?" Thor's eyes sparked with anger. "We are guests!"
Fandral raised his voice before the trio could berate him in earnest.
"The maid has been tortured! She is in thrall to one of Sir Stark's enemies, and waits now for a kill order," he insisted.
The Midgardians shut up at that. Lady Pepper looked shocked.
"Sir Fandral, how do you…" she began, but he interrupted her with a wave of his hand.
"I have my own methods," he said curtly. "I suspected some foul art when we met, for the lass' aura was off. But she played the coquette readily enough, and I countered as a rake. She can no longer hide the truth from me. She sits in your training room now, Lady Pepper, and may be safe enough company, but I know not how long my spell on her mind will hold."
"Fandral," Thor said thoughtfully, looking curiously at his old friend, "how long have you been at seidr, and I have not noticed?"
"I have not Loki's skill, if 'tis your concern, Thor," Fandral said warily. "T'is but a simple charm I inherited."
"I don't see how magical this is," Stark snorted. "Lots of people blabber after sex. It's been used as a form of interrogation for…" he glanced at Pepper and licked his lips nervously, "a long time."
"Aye, in Asgard as well," Fandral nodded, "though we have many less pleasant methods. Charity was subjected to such until her will was broken. Once broken, she was trained to fit in as a servant, to escape notice as a libertine, and to kill without compunction when signaled."
"Where is she now?" Pepper's voice climbed with anxiety.
"As I said, in your training room," Fandral answered briskly. "She will do my bidding willingly for now, and I did order her to obey you."
Pepper looked shocked. Fandral turned to Thor.
"I request leave to take her to Asgard. The healers there may discover some way to break the spell for good, and divine the proper wards 'gainst it."
Thor nodded. "I do so grant you leave, Fandral. But you must have the maid's compliance in this, and without use of magic."
Fandral scowled. "Thy orders are legally sound, Thor, but mayhap not magically so. If I remove my charm from Abel-dottir's mind, she could be instantly triggered by the old thrall."
"She might start killing?" Pepper squeaked.
"Aye."
"Please, this is an office, not a Cabela's," Tony Stark interjected. "How dangerous can she be?"
TBC