So, Freya was a boy. Please don't make me tell you how I knew. It was merely something I noticed after making him land in an abandoned alley so I could get off the him. I pet him a bit.
"Sorry about your master. Or is it mistress?" I said to him as I pet him.
He shook himself, fluffing his wings. I shrugged and turned to go. After about ten steps, I realized he was following me. Turning, I held out a hand like a crossing guard.
"Stay," I ordered.
He stopped, pawing the ground. I, on the other hand, kept walking. Behind me, he whinnied. I looked back. Honestly, he looked pathetic. But no way was I going to take a winged horse back with me. So someone please explain to me why I was flying back to the cave on said winged horse. He, on the other hand, seemed incredibly happy.
"I'm not calling you Freya," I told him.
He shook his mane.
"Then don't," he said.
I shit you not. The horse just talked. In a male voice. I was barely used to the idea of him flying.
"You are my mistress now," he said.
"Please stop talking now," I begged as we neared the cave.
I pet him a bit.
"I'm calling you Loki," I said.
Freya, Loki, snorted but said nothing. He merely cruised into the cave. Black Canary was waiting for me and hid her surprise well. Beside her was Wonder Woman, Batman and the team.
"Hey," I greeted.
Loki landed and lowered himself a bit so I could slide off.
"Where were you?" Canary asked.
I patted Loki.
"Hey, Canary, have you met Loki?" I asked.
She crossed her arms. I lowered my eyes.
"You're not my mom. I don't have to answer to you," I said.
"That may be true but you've never had a mother to teach you boundaries," Canary returned with.
I opened my mouth to say something but Batman cut me off.
"You abandoned the team," he said.
"They did fine without me," I argued, scanning the team for bruises and injuries.
Yeah, they seemed fine.
"You ran off with a criminal," Batman went on.
He obviously meant Triple B who had dragged me away.
"Actually a criminal for hire," I corrected.
He glared, obviously not caring.
"She dragged me out," I said.
"You're perfectly capable of handling yourself," Canary put in.
She stepped forward, pushing Batman back a bit. Now her eyes filled with concern.
"What was the real reason?" she asked.
I looked at her.
"The eyes," I replied. "Her eyes were just like mine."
Canary looked genuinely shocked.
"You saw her eyes?" Canary asked.
Her hand rested on my shoulder.
"Ariel," she began.
I shrugged off her hand.
"She was a stranger," I said.
I looked at Canary.
"But she treated me better than anyone has in a long time."
Canary looked hurt. I didn't care. Instead, I crossed my arms, feeling Loki press against my back.
"You want me to join a team where no one trusts me. Where everyone's already friends. Sounds like so much fun," I spat.
Kaldur stepped forward.
"Trust is earned," he said.
He held out his hand.
"We will trust you if you will earn it. And we'd be honored by your friendship."
I looked at him. Maybe this was why he was leader. He was a real diplomat.
"I warn you," I said. "I'm lazy."
He smiled.
"We are patient."
"Most of us," Robin said, glancing at Conner.
I decided to stay.