Chapter 5: Read My A.U.R.A.
A dark-haired man with long sideburns and a thick dark beard strode towards the black armoured car, a half-burned cigarette dangling limply from his lips. He was a tall, muscular man wearing a dark brown jacket with a black fur hood to obscure his sunglass covered eyes from view and a picture of a large lion's head printed on his black T-shirt. Over this, he wore a thick necklace of sharp-pointed fangs that glinted in the cold sunlight.
He was quick to hop into the car on the passenger's side, barely batting an eye as the white blonde-haired man in the driver's seat turned to roll his eyes at him.
"What did I say about smoking in the car Sergei?" the blonde man grunted in his deep voice.
"Fine", The man, Sergei, snorted, his Russian accent slightly thicker as he took a long drag before tossing the end of his cigarette out the window.
He turned to face the blonde man with a scowl.
"I assume this is about Elias Summers. Or else you would not have called me off my other mission-"
"That mission doesn't matter", the British man cut across him curtly.
"Doesn't matter?" the Russian tilted down his glasses to reveal a pair of beady dark eyes almost identical in shape and colour to the man's next to him. "Kirill, it's bad enough the little twerp got through to the information. If I let him slide now, he's going to get that information to -"
"Don't worry, brother." Kirill drummed his fingers on his stationary steering wheel. "Your mole will be dealt with. In the meanwhile, we have a new mission. We have to find and keep an eye on the Sorenson brat instead."
"Oh, I think not. That job I had was for a hunter, not one of Alphard's trigger-happy novices-"
"She's back." Kirill cut across him firmly.
"What? Who's back" Sergei frowned.
"She's back, Sergei. They found her." Kirill pulled out a sterling silver dog tag on a chain around his neck and showed it to his brother.
Sergei turned the tag over in his hands, his eyes widening to the size of saucers as he looked back up at Kirill.
"No way."
"Yes, way."
"After all this time? But how? Why? I would have thought the Baron and Alphard would have been pissed that she deserted us."
"She didn't desert us. She was captured and sealed away. But she's been found again and now wants to get even with our enemies." Kirill narrowed his eyes dangerously, and though he was slightly smaller than his brother, the latter backed down quickly.
"The Baron has given her control of our operations, while Alphard takes care of Elias for us -"
"Alphard?! Why bother with Alphard when the two of us could hunt down Elias and the girl at the same time. Without the Winter Soldier, we're the best they've got. Why the hell have we been pushed back to grunt work when we could be-"
"It's because we're the best that we've been assigned this mission, brother!" Kirill snapped angrily. "Besides, it'll be better for our strategy if we let that fool Alphard bluster after Elias like a bull in a China shop. With all the racket he makes, it won't take long for him to catch the Avenger's attention-"
"And when they catch it, they'll be too distracted to notice we're grabbing the kid." Sergei nodded as understanding dawned, his lip curled in a sinister sneer, one which his brother returned even more nastily.
"Yes, brother, we grab her. And who knows, once we have her, we might even be able to reel in some even bigger fish."
"Do you think she's doing okay?" Stephen Strange asked as he looked out a window of his study.
Wong rolled his eyes as he rearranged the bookshelf behind the doctor's back. That was the third time that morning that Stephen had asked that question, and despite the librarian's best assurances, he still looked rather anxious.
"For a man who claims to hate children, you sure are worried about her," he muttered.
"I felt her when I was meditating half an hour ago" Stephen glared as he flipped over a page in his spellbook. "She seemed distressed."
"You felt her presence?" Wong blinked in surprise at his charge.
"I've been practising feeling for life forces during my meditations," Stephen explained as he made a note on his computer tablet. "It's been coming along slowly, but Olivia is one of the few I can sense quickly."
"Probably because of your close emotional connection to one another. Oh, don't look at me like that." Wong's smug smirk returned full force as Stephen's eyes narrowed dangerously. "It's plain for all to see that the two of you care for one another a great deal. Besides, it's always far easier to detect the life forces of people you are close to. Especially if you are related to them by blood."
"So, if I was to say, have a biological child-" Stephen relaxed as comprehension dawned.
"The detection would be nearly instantaneous, yes." Wong nodded, turning his back on Stephen, who just stared at his book blankly, his expression somewhat worried. But he quickly shoved it off and got back to his book.
No, you're right. She'll be fine. If anything, I think I'm more worried for Tony Stark's last dregs of sanity than anything else.
He smirked at the memory of his ward's sass towards the billionaire.
Yes. Tony Stark and his team were going to have their hands full with Olivia Summers, that was for sure.
My morning with the Avengers was, well, as I said, it was eventful. After that great sparring match with Natasha, I was quickly brought back to the main area of the Avengers quarters for a tour of them.
Yeah, a tour, with the whole team trailing behind. Don't worry; it wasn't that boring, even with Tony prattling on as he did.
"And this is the theatre room. Sometimes we do movie nights after missions if everyone's not too tired." Tony boasted as he showcased what appeared to be a small cinema with a giant screen and several comfy cushioned recliners set in three rows.
Via had to admit; it was pretty cool.
"Anything to save buying a ticket, huh?" she smirked, much to the amusement of the others.
"We keep on getting swamped by fans whenever we tried going together to watch something in the picture house." Steve sighed, wearily, as if the memory was still haunting him. "It's easy if it's only one or two of us, but even then, we have to cover ourselves up just to be safe."
"Jesus, you guys must face a lot of crap outside, huh?" Via muttered sympathetically, and Natasha shrugged.
"Usually, it's alright. Bruce, Clint, and I can usually keep our heads down in public. It's more Tony, Thor and Steve that hog the spotlight."
"Hey, we don't hog; we shine!" Tony grinned smugly only to scowl as Via snorted under her breath.
"Could've fooled me, old man."
"Seriously, there has to be some way to turn that sass off." Tony groaned as his team sniggered at his expense.
"Relax, Tony", Thor chuckled "the girl's wit is sharp as a sword, but she only jests."
"Yeah, what he said" Via smiled. She barely knew the guy, but she was sure she would like Thor. Norse God or not, he seemed genuinely friendly. He reminded her a lot of her old friend Arty.
God Arty.
Via thought, her heart sinking at the thought of the stocky auburn-haired boy. Would he have forgiven her yet? Would he ever forgive her? It had only been a couple of weeks since the Ancient One's funeral, and she hadn't heard a peep from him.
I hope he's doing okay.
She was grateful that no one else seemed to notice her sudden thoughtfulness as Tony led her through all the rooms and labs until finally, they came upon the actual personal rooms located along a very long large corridor.
"And these are the bedrooms. You probably won't be seeing much of them since you won't be living here. But if you do have to stay the night, or if you just want some privacy, then you can use this room." Tony opened the third door to the right. Inside, Via was exposed to a combination of lounge, study, and bedroom.
It was large and, like the rest of the building, the room's décor was modern, but still entirely blank with a plain blue comforter and small paintings hanging on the wall. Via supposed it was luxurious and comfortable, but she honestly preferred her bedroom back at the Sanctum, which was cozy and very much hers though half the size of this room.
Oh well, at least I can use it as a private study or office or practice room or something.
She reasoned as she was led back to the main living area, where there was a sizeable high-tech kitchen area opening out onto a metal table with eight comfortable looking chairs around it.
"Right!" Tony's clap snapped her out of her thoughts as he led her and the team to the table. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm pretty hungry. Kid, you hungry? Course you are; a teenager is always hungry."
Via was about to reject when her stomach answered with a loud warble.
"Sorry," She blushed red, but the other Avengers merely waved it off.
"It's alright." Bruce patted her shoulder reassuringly. "You should hear Thor's stomach after a mission."
"Why does it sound like thunder?" Via quirked a brow to the thunder god, who chuckled.
"Aha! Good one!"
Via rolled her eyes, but Natasha quickly noticed that the girl was still smiling slightly.
The spy felt herself relax a little.
The girl was odd, and she was still a bit on the defensive if her body language was anything to go by, but she seemed alright.
At least she knows how to defend herself.
Natasha sighed as she took a seat at the table, watching the girl as she was all but forced front and centre at the head of the table by Tony as the others took their places, watching her eagerly.
"So, Via, why don't you tell us more about yourself while I get the food delivered. I'm thinking pizza-" the billionaire walked off, ignoring the now somewhat mortified face of the young girl as she sat there, bewildered.
"Sorry about him." Steve smiled apologetically. "Tony tends to get excited about stuff like this"
"Really. I'd hate to see him on caffeine." Via rolled her eyes as she sank back, folding her arms.
Again, defensive. She uses sarcasm as a crutch whenever backed into a corner socially.
Natasha thought, exchanging a wary glance with Clint, who then asked:
"So Via…you were born here in New York, right?"
Via's eyebrows rose as she answered coolly.
"I would've thought you guys would've known by now. Considering you two were once a part of SHIELD."
Both agents stiffened uncomfortably and were relieved when Bruce swooped in for the rescue, his tone soft and careful as he asked:
"Yeah, they were. But not anymore. How did you find out?"
"I read your minds." Via deadpanned.
"You are a telepath?" Thor wondered out loud.
"Not really. I just wanted to see your reactions." She smirked. "No, I googled you guys at home last night. Kinda easy to do since that whole disaster at Washington."
"Ah…that would make sense," Clint relaxed, amused, but Natasha narrowed her eyes as the girl locked her gaze and snorted derisively.
"I'm guessing you've read my file."
"Some of it," Natasha said calmly, but Via could feel the ice behind her stare. "You were born on 23rd of April year 2000. Your birthplace is unknown as there are no hospital records, but you were left at the Hope Haven Orphanage in the Bronx when you were around two weeks old. Despite there being no record of your birth parents on your birth certificate, you are the biological daughter of Freyja Sorenson, an ex-ally of SHIELD."
"Sorenson?!" Thor boomed, making Via almost jump in her seat. "As in the Sons of Soren?"
"Uh…dunno…maybe" Via gulped nervously as those blue eyes stared at her questioningly as he asked eagerly:
"The crest of your house, is it that of two dragons entwined in a ring?"
"Uh…yeah…they are. They bite each other's tails." Via frowned. "Though I don't know. Maybe they are the same clan. Umm, I guess my birth family does come from Norway-"
"Which part?" Natasha asked sharply.
"Tønsberg, I think, or at least that's where the family home is. But I've never been there. I only found out about it last week." Via spluttered, scratching the back of her head.
"Tønsberg… Tønsberg. That sounds familiar" Steve rubbed his chin. Where had he heard that name before? A report? During the Second World War, he and the Howling Commandos had done a few ops in Norway to fight the Red Skull's forces. Maybe they had passed through the city on the way to find a Hydra facility?
His thoughts were interrupted by a distinctly British but very computerised voice suddenly announcing.
"Tønsberg is a municipality in Vestfold County, southern Norway, located around 63 miles south-southwest of Oslo on the western coast of the Oslofjord near its mouth onto the Skagerrak. The municipality has a population of 41,239 and covers an area of 41 square miles. The Sorenson Family Estate is located a few miles west of the famous Oseberg farm, where the Osberg Ship was found in 1904. According to historical records, the Sorenson family is one of the oldest aristocratic families in the world, its line tracing back to the days of the Vikings."
"Whoa! What the hell was that?" Via squeaked as she all but leapt from her chair.
"Oh, that? That's Jarvis. He keeps this whole place organised and running," Tony called out as he re-entered the room, trying to carry a bag full of sodas and colas while balancing several boxes of pizza in his arms.
He nearly fell over as he deposited them on the table, much to the amusement of his friends.
"Hey, some people don't have super strength." He growled as he made to distribute the food across the table. "Dig in. Now Jarvis, what were we talking about?"
"Miss Summers was explaining her ancestral connection to the Norwegian town Tønsberg. Though I think my sudden appearance might have surprised her." Jarvis said, his voice ever so slightly apologetic.
"I'm fine. I probably shouldn't have overreacted." Via sucked in a deep breath, still looking a little rattled as she took a piece of pizza.
"Don't worry, kid, you aren't the first Jarvis has spooked," Clint grunted as he tore his teeth dog-like into a rather cheesy piece of pizza.
"Last I checked my updates Agent Barton; Tony Stark didn't program me to spook people." Jarvis clipped, and Via could've sworn the A.I. sounded almost irritated. "Nonetheless, I will endeavour to update my behavioural code so that I do not cause spontaneous distress to others when I enter a conversation unannounced."
"No-no, it's okay. No need to update," Via shook her head. "I'm fine."
"But your heart rate is elevated, and your body is exhibiting signs of stress-" Jarvis stated, only to be drowned out by Tony waving his hand.
"Yes, thank you, Jarvis, that will be all."
"Of course, sir," Jarvis answered cordially before turning quiet.
Taking advantage of the sudden pause, Clint turned back to Via, interested.
"So, Sorenson, huh? I've heard the name. But way back when I was a junior agent. They worked closely with Fury if I remember correctly." the archer quirked a brow at Via, who shrugged.
"Yeah…apparently, my mom was helping SHIELD do…well…I guess what I'm supposed to be helping you guys do apparently."
"What as in locating Loki's sceptre?" Bruce questioned curiously, and Thor's grin of wonderment widened.
"So, you are a relic hunter? That is a noble vocation."
"Well, yeah, or at least a Relic Hunter in train-wait hang on! You know about relic hunters?" Via gawked at the Thunder god who's smile widened.
"Of course! Relic Hunting is an ancient Asgardian tradition most of our most powerful sorcerers are trained for. We introduced it to many human clans back during our wars with the Frost Giants here on Midgard to help them defend themselves in battle."
"I guess that makes sense," Via looked back down to her plate, feeling her stomach churn. "I mean, from what I've been told, most of my birth family seemed to be relic hunters-"
"You mean the Sorenson's?" Steve asked, and Via shrugged.
"Yep them."
Thor beamed, his happiness shining from his perfect teeth, straight through his blonde locks.
"Ah, my friends, this is a perfect day. The Seven Sons of Soren were amongst the strongest human warriors who fought alongside my father during many battles. What great fortune it is that Tony could find the last descendant of such a famous clan. The Fates are in our favour. Yes, I think Lady Via would be an excellent addition to our team."
"Uh…thanks, Big Guy. And uh, no need to call me a Lady. Via is fine." Via gulped. "Trust me; I am no lady." Via pointed her head down to eat her pizza, hoping against hope that no one would see how red her face was.
She failed miserably.
"Oh, what's this now you're shy?" Tony laughed incredulously, his chuckles growing louder as Via narrowed her eyes dangerously at him.
"Does he have an off switch?" she asked Steve, who shook his head with a smirk.
"No. And believe me, if we found it, we would've used it by now."
"Now? We would've used it the day we met him," Natasha deadpanned, though her sharp eyes betrayed the slightest amusement as the billionaire spluttered.
"HEY!"
Everyone at the table laughed, but Via quickly stopped.
"Whoa, hey! You okay, kid?" Tony frowned as she rubbed her temple and frowned.
"Yeah…totally fine", Via grunted, but she looked disturbed. "That was weird. Where did that come from?" she muttered under her breath.
She couldn't quite explain it, but she just felt a terrible jolt somewhere in her stomach. She could tell at once that it wasn't nerves. No, this was, this was different. There was something mystical about that wave. She was sure of it.
"Apart from an elevated heart rate, Miss Summers seems to be in perfect health," Jarvis piped in.
"Is it your head? Do you want us to-"
Via put up a hand to silence Bruce, shutting her eyes as she tried to focus on the feeling, her lips racing as she recalled a few short tracing spells under her breath. It was almost like an invisible hand was tugging on a string connected to her gut.
But even as she tried to reach out with her mind, the mysterious pulsing suddenly vanished, and the familiar shiver crept over her as the fabric of the universe untwisted itself back to normal.
She opened her eyes, only to start as she saw all six adults looking at her worriedly.
Then she felt her hair gently float down back to where it was supposed to be.
"Sorry," she mumbled, avoiding their eyes, "I thought I sensed something, but it's cool."
"Sensed something? What like dead people?" Clint snorted, only for his expression to fall as Via stared blankly at him.
"No, not the dead. The dead can't use magic as a rule." Via rolled her eyes as she took another slice of pizza. "Most types of mystic energies prefer to bind themselves to the souls of the living. If you want to bind magic to a dead thing, then you'd have to know some form of Necromancy, which, yes, does exist," she added as Clint opened his mouth.
"Have you ever met a necromancer?" Tony frowned.
"Yes, or at least I think he was one." Via shuddered, "A lot of the relics he used were said to have been created by old necromancers. And the guy, well, he was evil and creepy enough to be one."
"So, what happened to him?" Natasha asked, her voice soft but careful.
"Ironically, he's dead." Via snorted, and though her tone was light, the team all saw her eyes gleam as she stood up. "Excuse me."
And before any of them could speak, she was already striding out of the room and out of sight.
About a minute's silence of staring at the spot she'd vanished, Clint frowned at the others, his friendly demeanour vanishing, to be replaced by the severe SHIELD agent he once was.
"What the hell was all that about?"
"She was involved in his death," Natasha said bluntly, her tone cold. "I'm guessing his death must've been pretty recent because those scars on her shoulders look pretty fresh."
"Crap, Tony, I know you said this kid was odd. But just who the hell is she?" Clint's pinched his nose.
"Quite honestly, I do not know. And I don't think she knows either," Tony admitted quietly, his eyes unusually grim.
"She did seem surprised to learn about her family. From how she speaks, she doesn't seem to see herself as one of them." Bruce rubbed his chin thoughtfully, though the others could see the slightly green tinge in his skin intensify ever so slightly.
"Well, she was orphaned from a young age." Steve offered.
"But why though, my friends?" Thor leaned forwards on his elbows. "The Sons of Soren were once a strong clan with many followers. How is it that they could've diminished to such a small number that their only remaining heir is left to the mercy of the Fates?"
"Times change, Thor." Tony muttered as he pulled up a few holographic images, "The Sorenson's power and prestige might have dwindled over time. Not to mention if they had produced more daughters than sons, the branches of the bearing the family name would have shrunk a hell of a lot."
"Also, her mother worked with Fury," Natasha said softly. "She would've had a lot of enemies after her. The last thing she probably would have wanted was for a famous family name to put a target on her daughter's back."
There was silence as they all digested this last bit of information, none of them noticing the small head of blond hair that darted back around the corner of the room.
Well, that's one hell of an impression you've given them Via. Now they're gonna think you're a freak.
Via sighed as she entered the nearby bathroom, leaning on its door and shutting it behind her.
She ran a hand through her curls, biting her lip hard as she tried sucking in a deep breath.
Okay, okay, just take a deep breath.
But no matter how many deep breaths she took, she could not shake out that horrifying image of that gaunt face with the one brown eye and one burnt milky white one from her vision.
"Jesus!" she squeaks as someone knocks on the door behind her.
"Hey, kid. Are you alright?" A woman's voice calls through the door.
It was Natasha.
"I'm fine," Via responded, but even she could hear the waver in her voice that was NOT fine.
She looked at herself in the mirror, shutting her eyes and listening as the spy outside her door began speaking again.
"We're gonna finish the orientation soon when you're up for it."
"Okay," Via gulped, her tone tense as she willed herself to sound as normal as she could.
There was a soft thump, and Via was sure that the woman was also leaning against the door on the other side.
"Wash your face," Natasha grunted softly, though, to Via, it sounded more like an order than anything else.
"Right." Via nodded and quickly went to do what she was told. Despite her still rolling stomach, the cold water was refreshing against her skin.
"Do you have a hairbrush?" Natasha asked as Via shut the tap off.
"Yeah…" Via frowned, unsure why the spy would be asking for such an object.
"Brush your hair."
Via brushed her hair, savouring the feel of the firm bristles against her scalp. She wondered if she had been a dog in another life because, by God, she loved it when someone scratched her head.
"You done?"
"Almost," Via muttered as she quickly brushed out the knots from the ends of her curls. They always caused her the most trouble.
You can do this
She inhaled deeply and was relieved to feel Asmund and Brynja glowing on her wrist.
Though she often complained about the lack of space in her head, she was glad they were there, even if Asmund was a jerk.
I heard that child
The dragon hissed in her head, making Via roll her eyes fondly as she opened the door to the bathroom, revealing a very calm, stoic faced Natasha.
"Better?" the agent asked.
"Yeah, better." Via nodded, smiling at the woman.
"If ever you find yourself over stressing, stop, take a step back and do something normal. Trust me, it helps." Natasha said as they began walking back down the corridor.
"I'll remember that. Thanks." Via's smile widened, and before she could stop herself, she blurted out, "By the way, that was some killer takedown you did this morning. Was it Judo?"
"Brazilian jiu-jitsu," Natasha smirked, preening herself slightly. "Speaking of fighting, I didn't think the streets of New York taught martial arts-"
"It's part of my training as a sorcerer. Not all threats are magical, so we have to know how to defend ourselves just in case." Via blushed a bright pink "But I only started a few months ago, so I'm still a novice."
"I see…" Natasha quirked a brow as they entered the main lounging area again. The pizza boxes were all gone, and the rest of the team were standing there, along with a few extras.
Via recognised Maria Hill, who was talking with Clint about something among them. A man with dark skin and a bright red T-shirt spoke to Steve, looking grave. Next to them, Tony greeted his friend Colonel Rhodes and a pretty woman in a smart white pantsuit with long red hair tied back in a ponytail.
It was she who Natasha directed Via towards as they walked into the room
"Oh, hey Nat, I was wondering where you- oh you must be Olivia?" the woman blinked at the sight of Via, who smiled nervously as Tony beamed:
"Ah! Yes, you two haven't met yet. Via this is Pepper Potts, C.E.O.O. of Stark Industries, world's best girlfriend etcetera, etcetera. Pepper, this is Via Summers, our new relic hunter, though if anyone outside asks you, she's just an intern."
"It's very nice to meet you, Miss Potts." Olivia smiled as she shook the woman's hand.
"It's nice to meet you as well, Olivia. I've heard a lot about you from Stephen at the party. He spoke very highly of you." Pepper smiled warmly, much to Tony's annoyance.
"Oh, he did? And what else did Stephen say?" he muttered darkly.
"Just because you have issues with the man doesn't mean we all do." Pepper clipped, and quickly her boyfriend retreated as she turned back to Via.
"If he irritates you feel free to tell him off."
"I'm sure I can handle him. I have plenty of experience living with a brilliant genius man-child already."
"That's good to hear."
Everyone chuckled; even Tony managed a small snort of amusement.
You can do this Via you can do this. Just smile and keep going.
Via thought as she watched everyone around her laugh, vaguely reminded of her time at Kamar Taj.
It felt like a lifetime ago she had been sitting amongst her peers at the lunch table, passing jokes about the masters or their lessons. But even then, she'd had the reassurance of Stephen or Mordo being somewhere close by.
She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up as Natasha quickly steered her to meet the man talking to Steve. His name was Sam Wilson, and though Via could see he wasn't too sure about having a kid join them, he was polite to her all the same.
Via couldn't help but wonder if that wasn't because the highly trained assassin was standing behind her.
Though cold and aloof, Via could see a lot of herself in the spy. She didn't know what it was. Maybe it was because they had sparred together, or because, unlike everyone else, she didn't treat her like a child or see the world in black and white.
Either way, she couldn't help but feel glad. At least one person in the building seemed to understand what she was going through.
Meeting with the Avengers was stressful. Not because I was meeting superheroes that everyone fawns over. But because I only just realised how much pressure I was under to get things done right.
If I failed, there was a chance of many people getting hurt or the wrong people getting away with breaking them.
Not to mention everyone had high expectations to be like my mother.
Something which I seriously wanted to put to rest as quickly as possible, and I might've done that too if Tony hadn't interfered yet again.
She was alone with Tony in one of the Labs. Everyone else was downstairs chatting when the billionaire decided to steal Via away from them.
"Technically, we still need to complete the orientation. And if you're going to be working with us, you'll need the right tools of the trade." He grunted as he stretched out towards a small metal table on which several items were sitting.
"Your ID badge for the building." he handed her a lanyard with a black card emblazoned with the Avengers "A" symbol. "Never lose this. It's your ticket into the building and-"
"You don't want any bad guys getting in?" Via finished.
"Exactly." Tony grinned. "Good, you pick up fast."
"Not really. It just makes sense."
"Fair enough," Tony turned back to the table, where he picked up two things that were small and black.
"A pocket taser and some pepper spray", he explained. "I know I promised Strange I'd keep your pretty head out of harm's way, but let's face it, you'll be working with heroes, and sometimes we get in trouble. This is just a last resort back up if you need something to fight back. Though hopefully, it will never come to that."
"I dunno. Being a sorcerer in training's not exactly a safe occupation." Via deadpanned, but she accepted the taser and the spray all the same.
"I don't doubt it," Tony muttered quietly, only to cough as he presented her with the last object on the table.
It was a slick, very slender smartphone with a black screen and a golden back on which a Stark Industries logo sticker was stuck.
"Whoa! What the-" Via spluttered as Tony turned it over, showing her all the dimensions
"It's a prototype", Tony shrugged. "Stark Industries is breaking into the smartphone market at Christmas. Production has already begun on all the models we've thought up, but this is one of the prototypes."
"And you're giving it to me?" Via looked at the billionaire as if he'd grown five extra heads.
"Well yeah, of course. The rest of the team each have one of these, and since you're gonna be working with us, you're gonna need it." He added, cutting her protestations short with a sharp look as he handed it over to her along with a plug and cable.
"Now she can be charged on this but can also be charged by body heat, so keep her close. She also can access Jarvis's databases-"
"Wait, hold up-hold up. She? Who's She exactly."
"This," Tony grinned as he swiped his thumb across the screen firmly.
At once, it came to life, a blue interface flashing before Via's eyes as a distinctly feminine British voice (that sounded oddly like a young, computerised version of Julie Andrews) spoke from the phone.
"Good afternoon Mister Stark, Miss Summers. How may I be of assistance."
"Holy crap." Via gaped in an unflattering imitation of a dead fish as Tony Stark grinned wider than ever before.
"Via Summers, meet AURA, your Augmented Utility Regulations Advisor."
"Aura." Via blinked, stunned at the tiny phone as Tony pressed it into her hands.
"She's anA.I.I like Jarvis. But much smaller and less powerful." Tony explained, smirking. "She's got all our numbers in there, as well as the one to your home. I still can't believe you guys own such an old landline, but anyway-Since you won't be living with us, you'll still need access to any information you need if you're working from home."
"So, she's a computer too?"
"Phone, computer. She's got it all." Tony smirked as he leaned back against the table. "Go on, ask her something."
"Uh…okay…uh Aura-"
"Yes, Miss Summers?" Aura asked, her genteel voice soothing.
"Uh…okay, firstly, can you stop calling me that and just call me Via?"
"Of course, designation change confirmed. Is there anything else I can do for you, Via?"
"Oh yeah, can you tell me the speed of light?"
"The speed of light is 186,000 miles per second." Aura answered swiftly "If you'd like, I could bring up some articles on space travel and light-speed for you to read-"
"No, that's great thank you, Aura." Via gulped.
"She's also equipped with the latest security to keep others locked out if anyone other than you or I try to hack her, and if you're in trouble, she will send Jarvis a distress signal upon activation and send us yourG.P.S.S co-ordinates-"
"Why?"
"Why? Because that way someone can come and help-" Tony frowned, but Via waved him off.
"That's not what I meant. I mean, why are you doing all this? Why are you trying to be so nice? Giving me all this stuff? I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for all you're doing, but why me?"
"Why not?" Tony shrugged as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Via stayed silent, not quite sure what to say. She wasn't sure if it was just a compliment or stating a fact.
Tony sighed, rubbing his forehead.
"Listen, don't let this charming face of mine fool you, but I know what it's like having the pressure of living up to other people's expectations. My dad was also an incredible man, and many people always expected me to be like him; heck, people still expect me to be like him." He added, and Via was surprised to hear a note of bitterness in his voice. "I'm guessing a lot of people have been comparing you to your mother since you found out about her?"
"Yeah, but I don't even know her or what she was like. The same goes for my Dad." Via shook her head, eyes darting to the ground.
"Yeah, well, whatever your mom was, I didn't hire her. I hired you." Tony reached out to poke her forehead lightly. "And I did that because I could tell when I met you that you were smart and tough. You don't take opportunities for granted. You see stuff as it is, not how you want it, and you call it out when it needs to be called. That takes guts."
"Or insanity." Via snorted.
"Well, you know what Plato said, all great minds are a bit crazy," Tony snorted, and Via rolled her eyes.
"Old man, it's Aristotle, and he said: 'No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness.' If you're going to quote the dead, at least get it right."
"There see! That's what I'm talking about. That grit right there." Tony's grin returned full force, though inwardly, he wondered how this girl could quote Aristotle. Then he remembered all those books in that study back at her home.
Who'd have thought little toughie here would be such a bookworm. Okay, memo to self, remind Jarvis to give her access to the library.
"Right," He clapped his hands together. "Now, come on, let's get back downstairs. I've finished your orientation, but we still don't know much of your magic hocus pocus you do. So, if you wouldn't mind, I don't know, delivering a crash course that would be great. Or not, we could do it tomorrow if you want." he added quickly.
"No pressure, huh?" Via scowled, rolling her eyes. "I guess I could explain the basics today. Everyone kinda looks like they have a lot of questions for me, so I might as well get it over and done with."
"That's alright, kid; the basics is all we need right now. Just take things at your own pace. Who knows, you might be faster than you think." He winked, and Via rolled her eyes, though he was quick to see the fear and irritation in her eyes fade ever so slightly as they walked out the door.
So, there I was, about to introduce Magic 101 to some of the most influential people on the planet.
I must admit my talk with Tony helped a lot. He acts like an overgrown child half the time, but beneath that, he's more mature and sharper than people think.
However, I just could not shake off that uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach. I wasn't sure what it was, but ever since that first jolt in the mystic forces, I knew that something was going to go wrong.
After all, when has my life ever been easy?
The whirring of sparks flying filled the ears of the two figures as they strode down the dark concrete stairs and through a door.
One was a tall, dark man, the other a tall but young teenage boy who kept his head bent down as he respectfully followed his elder through the garage workshop.
Both were wearing dark hooded sweaters over casual jeans and boots. The hoods both pulled up to hide the top halves of their faces in shadow as they wound their way through heavy equipment and boxes in the half-light cast by the blow torch somewhere towards the wall farthest from the door.
There in front of a workbench, the silhouette of a person stood hunched over something hidden by his body.
The dark man in the hood looked back to his young charge and put a hand to stop him before he could follow any further.
But even as the dark man moved forward, the man at the bench turned around to squint in the half-light.
"Can I help you?"
"I carried you into Kamar-Taj on a stretcher. And look at you now, Pangborn." the dark man said softly.
"Mordo." Pangborn breathed as the man, Mordo, stepped into the light. Behind him, the young boy shifted slightly.
"My apprentice," Mordo said softly in answer to Pangborn's silent query as he turned back to his work.
"So, what can I do for you, man?"
"I've been away for many months now, and I've had a revelation," Mordo said, pulling back his hood to reveal his stricken face "The true purpose of the sorcerer…is to twist things out of their proper shape.-"
Pangborn stiffened, his hand quietly reaching out and gripping onto a small crowbar tight in a fist. It might not be much, but if he could at least have the element of surprise.
Mordo kept his eyes trained on Pangborn as he continued speaking
"-stealing power. Perverting nature. Like you."
"I've stolen nothing," Pangborn shrugged, though his eyes were hard and cold. "This is my power. Mine."
The spark in Mordo's eyes was now a dark flame that grew as he hissed.
"Power has a purpose."
NOW!
Pangborn raised his armed hand in a swift swing, but his opponent was too quick for him.
Faster than lighting, Mordo dodged, ducked and swooped in, a dark spell coating his hand as he struck it against the other man's core.
Pangborn gasped, rasping and spluttering as he felt something warm and strong leak from his body. It was like he was bleeding, only there was no cut, and the pain was not localised. Instead, his whole body contorted in on itself, bones twisting and fracturing, muscles and ligaments ripping themselves back apart.
With a cry, he fell to the floor, clutching desperately at the lower half of his body as a horrible nothingness quickly replaced the pain.
"Why…Why are you doing this?" He gasped, fear making his heart and blood turn to ice in his veins.
"Because we, at last, can see what was wrong with the world", Mordo whispered as he towered over the terrified man. "Too many sorcerers. Cassian!"
He stood back, the gleam in his eyes bright and tense as he gestured towards his apprentice, who finally stepped out of the shadows.
He was a handsome boy, with warm brown eyes, light olive skin, a statuesque face framed by dark brown locks. But there was something about him that made Pangborn tremble with fear as the boy raised a silver clawed hand...
And sliced down hard.
"Uh…hi again," Via gulped as she stood in front of all the Avengers and their friends, including Sam and Rhodey. Even Pepper Potts was sitting in, her curiosity overriding her usual calm, professional mask.
They were all in the conference room—a large room with a large metal table set with many chairs.
Via stood at the large window that looked down over the city and the quin-jets that glinted in the afternoon sun on the tarmac.
Sucking in a deep breath to steel herself, she tightened her ponytail and cleared her throat:
"Right so. As you guys all know, I'm Via, and I'm a-uh-sorcerer in training, and well, I guess today I'm supposed to be telling you guys all about the magical stuff I'm going to be doing to help you search for the missing sceptre."
She nervously looked around at all the expectant adult faces.
Jesus Christ, I sound like a third-grader.
She thought but then shook her head slightly as she continued.
"As a sorcerer, I deal with magic, also known as the mystic arts. In a nutshell, what we do is bend the laws of reality, matter, and space to protect the Earth from threats of the more mystical kind. Stuff that a normal human cannot see like deities, dark magic, other rogue sorcerers, creatures of magic origins such as Fae and Demons-"
"Demons?" Sam raised his eyebrows, and Steve scowled, but Via just waved it down.
"No-no, it's okay. Um-I guess it does sound a little crazy, huh?"
"Kid, we've faced an army from outer space. I don't think we have a right to call anyone crazy anymore." Clint smirked, and everyone chuckled softly.
"Trust me, Clint, extra-terrestrials are the least of your worries, as I'm sure Thor can tell you. Thor," She turned to the Thunder God. "As an Asgardian, you must've faced a lot of dangerous enemies well versed in the mystic arts across the Nine Realms?"
"Indeed, I have, young one." Thor nodded with a small, proud grin. "Though it's been a while since I faced a dark sorcerer of Midgardian origins."
"Oh, don't worry, there's still plenty of those around, I should know. I've fought some." Via rolled her eyes as she turned to face the window, holding up a finger.
At once, her fingertip started to glow a bright gold, a sight that made Pepper, Rhodey and Sam's eyes bulge out of their sockets as she began to draw in the air in front of the glass: Introduction to Magic 101.
Tony snorted as she turned back to them, hands on her hips.
"Right, now. The first question you guys are probably asking is, what is magic? Magic is the manipulation and utilisation of the energies around us to shape reality. According to ancient records, it is believed that the first human practitioners of the mystic arts were taught how to manipulate mystic energy by otherworldly beings like Asgardians, Jotuns, and other such peoples from across Space. For many millennia human sorcerers lived amongst normal humans quite harmoniously, many taking on very prestigious and influential roles in their communities such as Shamans, Druids, Witch-Doctors, Oracles and so on."
"However, all that changed during the Middle Ages when the first Witch Hunts of the early fifteenth century started in Europe. During that time of great religious upheaval, magic and its practices were branded as taboo, so most of the sorcerers of the western world went into hiding or fled to other parts of the world. While many sorcerers chose to study magic on their own, several Orders of Magic existed that took these rogue sorcerers in and offered them protection in exchange for sharing knowledge. One of these was the Order of Agamotto, also known as the Order of the Mystic Arts. For many centuries the Order has protected the earth, defeating enemies, destroying threats, and finding and protecting certain magical objects from the hands of those who'd use them for their destructive means. We call these objects, Relics, and as you all probably know by now, the people who find them are called Relic Hunters, which is where I come in."
"Nice history lesson, but how does this relate to finding Loki's Sceptre?" Tony asked bluntly, ignoring Pepper's small disapproving glare beside him.
However, Via just smirked.
"And here I thought old men had patience."
Rhodey, Clint and Sam all snorted from their chairs to be silenced by Natasha's cough.
"Go on," the spy nodded to the girl, who smiled as she looked up to the ceiling.
"Uh, Jarvis?"
"Yes, Miss Summers", Jarvis spoke politely as always.
"You do those glowing 3D picture things, right?"
"I assume you're referring to my Holographic interface?" Jarvis cordially suggested.
"Yeah, that. Uh, is it possible for you to bring up some model or something of a cross-section of the earth?"
"Of course, miss", Jarvis said, and just as his sentence ended, a large holographic image appeared in front of Via.
As she had asked for, it was a cross-section of the earth complete with labels and circles around the outside to symbolise the different layers of the atmosphere.
"Okay, that is seriously cool." she pointed, and everyone else just grinned as she shook her head out to snap back into focus.
"Uh-right. Now where was I? Ancient Sorcerers, Order of the Mystic Arts-oh yes! The Earth. Now you guys know that the Earth is comprised of layers both above and below its surface. The Earth is made of slightly different layers when it comes down to the mystic arts. There are two main dimensions you guys will probably be dealing with the most. The physical world-aka here where we are talking right now-"
She pointed to the earth's crust.
"-And the Astral dimension. Where the soul can exist outside of the body." She pointed to the lowest level of the atmosphere.
"There's a whole bunch of other Dimensions out there that I'll tell you about later, like the mirror dimension and the dream dimension-"
"Dream Dimension?" Bruce blinked. "As in-"
"As in the embodiment of all living being's subconscious thought in the universe, yes, it exists." Via rolled her eyes.
"O…Kay?" Bruce frowned at everyone else. Everyone else just shrugged, completely baffled as the girl continued her lesson.
"Don't worry; you guys probably won't have to worry about the Dream Dimension. Trust me, that place is trippier than a Dali painting on crack. No, it's most likely going to be the physical and astral dimensions for you guys because that's where most of the action will happen. A long time ago, an immortal sorcerer from another realm called Agamotto, founder of the Order of Agamotto, had a great battle with an entity from a place called the Dark Dimension. His name was Dormammu."
"Dormammu?" Rhodey frowned.
"He is the consumer of worlds," Thor muttered softly, much to everyone's surprise. "A powerful being of darkness and chaos. It is said that that could manipulate all matter at will within his domain and that everything he touches is cursed. But even to Asgardians, he is but a myth-"
"Oh, I've seen him. And he's certainly, no myth." Via snorted, and Thor's eyes widened in a mixture of horror and wonder.
"You saw him, but how-"
"Two weeks ago, followers of his cult tried to summon him to our world. The Order, Stephen and I managed to stop them, but not before we got a good look at him. Let's just say that's not a meeting I'm going to forget in a hurry, not that I ever could." Via muttered, her blue eyes cold and haunted as the attention all turned back to her, but she ignored it as she steamrolled over a few open mouths.
"Anyways! Long story short, Agamotto and Dormammu fought it out here on Earth centuries ago and, in the process, caused a lot of damage, which caused big cracks throughout the universe. From these cracks, magic leaked out onto Earth and humans were exposed to mystic energies for the first time. With help from the new human sorcerers, Agamotto won the battle but had to find a way to seal these large magical fractures before Earth became overexposed."
"Did he succeed?" Pepper asked, leaning forwards interestedly.
"Yes and no" Via shook her head. "You see, he managed to seal over the three biggest cracks by creating the three Sanctum Sanctorum's. There's one here in New York. One is in London, and the last is in Hong Kong. However, there are still huge fractures left in the fabric of the universe that still let magical energy leak through."
"And you sorcerers have to find them and shut the leaks down?" Steve asked, and Via nodded.
"Yeah, but it can be difficult to keep track. You see magical energy moves constantly around us, often collecting and dispersing naturally. However, magical energy attracts more magical energy, so if there's too much of it in one spot, it can be quite damaging to the physical world."
"Sounds a lot like radiation when you put it like that," Bruce muttered, and Via shrugged.
"In a way, it kinda is. This is why it needs to be managed in secret. Jarvis, can you bring up a full model of the Earth, please?"
Jarvis was quick to fill in the half globe so that it spun slowly in front of Via, who pushed it out experimentally, pleased when it floated over to hover over the table. Then with a flick of her hand, a stream of thin lines of golden light flew out to crisscross over the globe's surface.
"And what are these supposed to be? The magical streams?" Tony grunted as he tried to follow each of the bright lines.
"Yeah, but they're called Ley Lines."
"Ley lines? Of course," Rhodey rubbed his temple; this was getting a bit too farfetched even for him.
"Yeah, I know it sounds all wishy-washy," Via rolled her eyes ", but whatever. These ley lines are streams of mystical energy that seep over the earth from the cracks in reality. Now obviously, these aren't the actual ley lines; these are just- um- a simulation, if you will. Most humans can sense them unconsciously, even if they don't know what they are. But us Sorcerers have been trained to use our sixth sense to find them in the Astral dimension. What's most important is that Relics of great power are drawn to these lines-"
"Like Loki's sceptre?" Clint asked, and Via nodded.
"Most likely. Even if humans are holding it, the sceptre will ultimately find its way back to one of these lines and follow it to its source because-"
"Magical energies attract other magical energies", Thor breathed in wonderment, and Via sighed.
"Yes. Which brings us to our very BIG problem-"
"Where are these cracks, and which ley line do we follow?" Tony finished for her.
"Exactly," Via puffed as she looked around at them all.
They were all staring at her in silence, some with bewilderment, some in awe, some in absolute confusion.
Rhodey spoke, frowning slightly as he looked her up and down sceptically.
"I'm a sorry kid, but how old are you?"
"Fourteen. I'll be fifteen in two months come April." Via folded her arms.
"And how long have you been doing this?"
"Well, technically, I've been hired by you guys since Thursday, and today is my first day on the job. But if you're asking how long I've been a sorcerer for, well then, I guess, nine or ten months, give or take a week."
"Ten months?! You hired a fourteen-year-old with ten months of-" Rhodey cried out, but Tony steamrolled over him loudly.
"It's fine, Rhodey. She's just going to be working here with us in the tower; we're not going to take her out into the field unless it's necessary, if at all," he added with a reassuring glance at a worried Pepper. "And even if I do have to go out into the field, she can only do so if her guard dog Strange allows it. Isn't that right, kid?"
Oh, for heaven's sake! Enough with the kid crap already?
"Yeah, it's in the contract you sent yesterday," Via rolled her eyes. "Listen, I know I'm not exactly the person you all had in mind for the job. I'm stubborn, rude, weird, I don't have much of a filter for my mouth, and I'm not a master sorcerer like my mom or Stephen. But I learn fast, and I work hard, and I guarantee you won't find any other sorcerer who'll give their all to find this sceptre as much as I will. So yeah, I'm a kid, but I don't take bullshit. So, if any of you still have a problem with my age, suck it up and deal 'cause as of today, you're stuck with me."
All the adults in the room stared in astonishment at the girl as she folded her arms and leaned back against the window with narrowed eyes, the challenge blazing in every fibre of her being.
Only Tony did not look surprised, but that was only because he was smirking wider than ever at Pepper, who watched the young girl closely from where she sat.
When her boyfriend had told her that he would hire a teenager to help them find Loki's Sceptre, she had perhaps been the most worried and had yelled NO at him. It had not helped to ease her consciousness one bit when she heard Stephen Strange had given his permission for the go-ahead on the deal.
Pepper might have been a little more understanding had the girl been closer to seventeen. After all, seventeen was far closer to an adult in most countries worldwide. But even as she considered the young girl's eyes, she didn't see a nervous stuttering intern on her first day at work but a strong, determined woman far older and wearier than she appeared.
She's had to grow up so fast she's never had time to enjoy being a kid.
Pepper's gaze softened as she took in the clothes the girl wore. It wasn't as if they were wrong, far from it. The girl looked smart, clean, practical and professional, more so than some adults in the room right now.
And speaking of said adults-
So, this is why you wanted the kid around.
Pepper exchanged a glance with Tony, who inclined his head in a very slight nod as if confirming her suspicions and was about to open his mouth when Clint turned to face him with a wide grin.
"Can we keep her?"
"Master Mordo-"
"I know Cassian, now quickly through the portal", Mordo hissed as he quickly summoned up a sparking circle of a fiery portal into the wall of the workshop.
He wasn't sure what was going on above their heads in the city, but they were certain that whatever it was, was immensely powerful.
He chanced a glance back at the dead body of Pangborn, which lay sprawled and twisted unnaturally by a couple of sacks and weights on the floor. Blood was oozing from a gaping hole in his gut where he'd been stabbed and the scars on his face.
Despite himself, Mordo couldn't help but feel a little guilty for not being able to place the body at rest at least, but they had no time. The powerful entity above them was far too close for comfort, and he and his apprentice needed to move fast if they wanted to avoid bumping into it, especially if it was a member of the Order of the Mystic Arts.
And so Mordo quickly closed the portal, narrowly missing the pair of black booted feet running down the darkening street outside the basement window.
"Damn it! They got away." A man's voice cursed as another pair of footsteps thundered behind him on the street.
"The Kravanoff's must have made their move last night." Another man puffed. "Kirill always was a slippery one. I'm just surprised he did not leave sooner."
"His brother probably slowed him down. Sergei likes to take his trophies with him wherever he goes."
"So, what now? Do we keep watch on the New York Sanctum instead? See if they are staking out the place?"
"If they are, then we'd be better off putting a man on the inside to keep watch on goings-on while someone else follows their movements outside."
"By 'man on the inside, I assume you're talking about me?"
"Yes. Hydra is still looking for you, so you need to stay hidden till the time is right."
"And how do you suppose we do that?"
"Hmm…I have an idea. It's crazy, but if it works, it will more than pay off."
"Why do I have a feeling I'm going to hate this?" The first man sighed.
And sure enough, a few seconds later, there was a flash of light and a loud yelp.
"Y'know the car's nice and all, but I'm okay getting home on my own. Trust me; I know nearly all the streets and back alleys of this city off by heart." Via said only for Tony to wave her off from the driver's seat of his expensive orange sports car.
"Oh, I don't doubt it, kid. And don't worry, it isn't usually company practice for the boss to drive the intern's home in the magic school bus, but I wanted to talk to Strange in person about a couple of things. Also, I did promise him that I'd do whatever it took to keep you out of harm's way, so until we've got the sceptre, Happy or Hill will come and pick you up. "
"God, how many times can I say this? I can look after myself just fine," Via grumbled under her breath.
"Wow, you aren't used to people doing nice things for you, are you?" Tony quirked a brow.
"Well, no," Via admitted softly as she glanced out her window. "I mean…yeah, when I was on the streets, some people did offer to give me nice stuff if I did nice things for them, and yes, I do mean sex stuff."
"Seriously?! But you were what nine-ten years old-" Tony spat in disgust.
"Twelve," Via corrected him waspishly. "But yeah. I was blonde; I was tall for my age; I'd just hit puberty. I mean, I didn't do any of that stuff, but there are still a lot of sickos out there who tried their luck."
"Jesus, Strange wasn't exaggerating when he said you had it rough out there." Tony shook his head as the light turned green.
"Yeah, my life sucked." Via shrugged "but whatever. I'm here now, doing what I do, so maybe it was for the best."
"Well, if it's any consolation, you did win over more than half my team today. So obviously, you did something right." Tony smirked as he caught sight of the tall, strange building on Bleeker street that was the girl's home.
"Well, here's our stop. I'll just park it here."
The car pulled over to the curb, and the billionaire and the young girl both hopped out, the latter shouldering her small leather backpack with a swish of her golden ponytail.
Tony watched her as she quickly walked ahead towards the front door of her home, frowning a little as her hand ghosted over her wrists. She was a far cry from the nervous child he had first seen that morning. Instead, she looked wary and ready to fight.
"Everything okay?" he asked as he strode up the stairs behind her.
"Yeah, it's just…hmm… no, it's okay. I thought I felt something, but it's not there." she paused quietly, running a hand over the large door knocker.
"Hmm…probably just Stephen practising or something," she muttered but turned the key in the lock and pressed open the door.
The first thing that hit her ears was the sound of soft feminine laughter and Stephen's deep chuckles.
"Stephen?" Via called as she walked cautiously through the door and into the front hall.
Stephen Strange was standing there in his blue robes and red cape, alongside a very tall woman in a black skirt suit set. She had lovely long deep brown waves and vibrant brown eyes that seemed to pierce straight through Via as she met the gaze.
The young sorceress couldn't fathom; the woman looked oddly familiar. Or was that her expression?
Around her neck was a silver necklace on which something metallic glimmered and reflected the light let in from the doorway.
"Oh, Olivia, there you are!" Stephen smiled only for it to falter as he caught sight of Tony Stark standing just behind. "And Stark, what a pleasant surprise."
"Just thought I'd drop in and have a chat. Give you an update on your ward's first day at work. And speaking of charming ladies, you are?" Tony held out a hand to the strange woman, eyeing her up and down.
Via couldn't blame him. Sure, Tony Stark was remarkably faithful to Pepper Potts, but this woman, whoever she was, was a bombshell. Even Via couldn't help but see her long shapely legs as her short, classy heels transported the woman in three smooth steps towards the billionaire.
"Susanna Ericson, I'm Doctor Strange and Miss Summers social worker. And I know you must get this all the time, but it's a pleasure to meet you face to face, mister Stark. Big fan."
"Oh, please call me Tony. Everyone does, well, except this one here." Tony smirked at Via, who just smirked back.
"Sorry, I can't help myself, old man."
"I take it that you must be the famous Olivia Summers I've been hearing so much about." Susanna chuckled, reaching out to shake her hand. "It's lovely to meet you at last finally."
"You as well." Via shook the hand politely, smiling, though Tony and Stephen could see that it didn't quite meet her slightly wary eyes.
"So, Stark, what can we do for you today?" Stephen pointedly looked at Tony, who smirked.
"Strange, I was just wondering if I could talk to you for five minutes."
"Of course, right this way. We'll just be a second." Stephen smiled at Susanna, and Via was alarmed to see he, too, was looking her up and down appreciatively as he and Tony walked over to the other side of the hall.
Well, I guess he hasn't gotten any action for the past year. Plus, he and Christine aren't' together anymore…
Via reasoned to herself.
If Susanna noticed any male attention, she either didn't show it or didn't care as she turned to Via, who folded her hands behind her back to hide the slight glowing of Asmund and Brynja. She wasn't sure why, but both dragons did not like this woman.
"So, Via, Stephen tells me you're working with the Avengers. That must be so awesome, huh?" Susanna smiled pleasantly.
"Yeah, super awesome. B-but I'm just as a gofer. Y'know, go for this, go for that." Via smiled back as sweetly as she could. "So, you're our Social Worker? I thought you weren't coming in till next week?"
"Oh, this is unofficial, out of office hours, so to speak." Susanna replied quickly without missing a beat, "I always like to meet and greet my charges before we start the adoption process. That way, we waste less time at our meetings going through all the pleasantries."
"That's smart" Via nodded. "So Susanna, it's cool if I call you Susanna, right?"
"Absolutely!" Susanna smiled, but Via could tell the woman looked slightly taken aback. She wasn't expecting Via to be so bubbly or friendly.
Good, I don't want her on my back as a troubled case just yet.
Via thought as she said oh so happily.
"Cool. First off, that's an adorable suit you're wearing."
"Oh, this old thing?" Susanna smiled. "I've had it for years. Can't afford much on my salary."
"Well, you know what they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Via chirruped, and Susanna giggled, but to Via's ears, the voice sounded ever so slightly strained.
Because I wasn't being funny at all.
Via forced a giggle of her own as Stephen and Tony walked back towards them. Tony looked smug, but Stephen chanced a confused glance to his ward.
"Well, look at you. I turn my back for two seconds, and you two are getting along like a house on fire." He quirked a brow at Via, who smiled, though her eyes were deadly as she dared him to break her cover.
"What can I say? I guess I'm still pumped from an awesome first day at work!"
"Keep up the good work, kid, because you're going to need the energy tomorrow." Tony reached out and ruffled her hair, not noticing the exchange between master and apprentice.
"Oh, Jesus, is that the time?!" Susanna gasped as she checked her watch, "Well, I guess I'm off." It was lovely to meet you, Olivia, Stephen."
"A pleasure Susanna. Would you like me to get you a cab?" Stephen offered only to get steamrolled over by Tony, who waved him off much to his irritation.
"Forget a cab; I've got my car outside if you want a lift."
"Oh, no, thank you so much, but I've already got my car parked outside", Susanna smiled, holding up her pair of keys amusedly.
"Better luck next time." Via snorted under her breath as both men deflated, their eyes fixed on Susanna's back as she turned and waved at them while exiting the front door.
As soon as it had shut, Tony turned to Stephen.
"Right, so I guess I've got to dash too. I got a date with Pepper this evening, and I don't want to be late. Via remember Happy will bring the car around tomorrow eight-thirty, so be ready."
"Got it" Via smirked and quickly added, "Old man."
"Sassy kid." Tony scowled as he turned away, but even as he reached the door, he turned back to glance at her, and the corners of his mouth were twitching upwards with amusement.
The door shut behind him, leaving Via and Stephen alone in the front hall.
"So…good first day?" the Doctor turned to his charge, who shrugged.
"Yeah. I guess."
"Stark said his team liked you a lot," Stephen smirked, and Via gulped.
"Oh…he did?"
"Yeah, said they were impressed by your guts. You told them all to grow balls and deal with the fact you were a kid straight to their faces."
"Well, some of them were still hung up about it-" Via began only to be stopped as Stephen patted her shoulder gently as he steered her back towards the staircase behind them.
"I'm not mad, Via, trust me. You've every right to stand up for yourself. Besides, if they can't deal with one kid, they need to work on their hero skills. And speaking of skills, did you spar against Natasha Romanoff?"
"Yeah," Via smiled, the first genuine smile he'd seen since she'd walked through the door. "It was awesome. I mean, yeah, sure she went easy on me because I'm a kid, and she's one of the world's best assassins, but it was so cool-"
Ah, good, there you are.
Stephen sighed in relief as Via began to prattle on and on about her match with the Black Widow. He'd been worried when he'd seen her and Susanna talking. Via was always on her guard around strangers, so seeing her acting superbly and friendly like that was unnerving.
It's probably because she's nervous about this adoption.
He mused in his head as he let her continue to describe the other Avengers in detail.
She doesn't want to be sent back to that orphanage, so she's putting on a façade to hide her anxiety.
Well, he couldn't blame her for not wanting to go back to that place. Every time she spoke about it, he got shivers. How she could've survived in such a horrible place was beyond his understanding, never mind the fact of how she was put in such a position in the first place.
"Stephen? Doc? You okay?" Via's voice snapped him out of his reverie.
They were in the kitchen, he was sitting at the island in the middle, and she was at the fridge, eyeing him oddly as she pulled out some milk for her tea.
"Sorry Olivia, I got distracted. What were you were saying?" he smiled, and Via rolled her eyes.
"I was asking where Wong was, but I'm guessing that he's probably at Kamar Taj given how relaxed you look without him."
"Yeah, he went to teach a class for some new acolytes. So, it will just be you and me for dinner."
"You sound disappointed. Let me guess; you wanted a dinner date with Miss Daddy Long Legs downstairs?" Via smirked, laughing as Stephen spluttered on his glass of water.
"Excuse me?!"
"Oh, relax, Doc, I'm just teasing," Via smirked. Yet there was something about the look in her eyes that worried him still.
"You didn't like her that much, did you?" He murmured.
"I don't feel anything about her, to be honest." she took a swig of her tea. "After all, I only just met the woman-"
"Olivia, you and I both know you don't make happy small talk with everyone you meet the first time." Stephen raised a brow, and Via rolled her eyes.
"Okay fine. You got me. I don't like her. She looks as if she's hiding something, and It's just I don't know I don't want to screw this adoption up. So, if that means I must fake smile every few weeks till the papers are signed, I'll do it okay."
"Okay…I just want to be sure." Stephen assured her as he leaned forwards and snatched a landline from the wall.
Via did a double-take.
"Wait, since when was that there?" she gaped at the contraption with wide eyes.
"Wong and I installed a new landline and intercom system in the building as well as set up the wifi. Now give me a moment; I'll get us some take-away."
"Seriously, you and your take-away." Via rolled her eyes. "Why don't we cook something? I'm sure there's plenty of stuff to cook in here."
"Because, unlike Wong, I suck at cooking. Always have, and I always will. Why? Do you know how to cook?" Stephen frowned at Via, who rolled her eyes.
"Uh, yeah…well, I know how to do sandwiches and breakfast stuff. But I'm sure I could fix something else easily if I had a recipe." Via pulled the phone away from Stephen's ear. "Come on! I'm sick of take-away. Wong's not here to boss us around; we've got a house with a kitchen and a library downstairs with cookbooks. We shouldn't waste this opportunity!"
"Wow, you are excited about this," Stephen grumbled as he put the phone back on the wall receiver. "Fine, I'll find a simple recipe on my tablet, and if you can cook it without burning down this house, we'll eat it. But if it gets burnt, even one iota, I get take-away. Agreed?"
"Agreed. Oh, and forget the tablet, I've got something better" Via grinned, pulling out her new phone.
"One of Stark's inventions?" Steve rolled his eyes, and Via smirked as she turned it on.
"Uh-huh! Watch this. Hey Aura!"
"Hello, Via, is there something I can do for you." the computerised female British voice suddenly spoke.
"What the hell?!" Stephen jumped out of his chair, the cloak of levitation also jumping off his shoulders in its shock.
"Stephen, meet Aura. The A.I. in my phone. A.U.R.A, this is my guardian, Doctor Stephen Strange."
"Hello, Doctor Strange. It's nice to meet you." Aura spoke candidly, and Via giggled as the said doctor slowly sat back down on his chair, eyeing the phone with a hilarious mixture of fear and bewilderment.
"Uh, Hello, Aura… nice to meet you too." He turned to Via and was only able to splutter. "Why does your phone sound like Julie Andrews?"
"Dunno, but I like it. Say Aura," Via spoke up as she pulled out some pasta from the small cupboard by her knees. "Could you look up some easy pasta recipes for us, please?"
"Of course, Via. Are there any particular ingredients you'd like to include in the recipe?"
"Uh…dunno. Maybe something vegetarian? I mean, we have a lot of greens in here, oh cool, we've got basil!" Via considered the contents of the fridge.
"There is a straightforward Basil pesto Pasta recipe." A.U.R.A offered, and Via beamed.
"Perfect, let's see."
Stephen glanced towards his crimson cloak, which floated up towards one of the shelves, using its hem to help grab the ingredients Aura was listing for Via to take out.
"Oh, thank you, Levi", she smiled, stroking the top of the cloak in thanks, and Stephen rolled his eyes again.
"Levi? Seriously?"
"Yeah, like the cloak of levi-tation", Via snorted as she quickly picked out a pot and filled it with water.
Good grief, what have I unleashed?
Stephen leaned back in his seat, watching Via as she bustled around the kitchen preparing dinner, occasionally checking in with Aura, who spoke in that gentle voice.
"Once the water is at the boil, add the pasta and wait for roughly eight to twelve minutes." TheA.I.I instructed as Via quickly cut open the packaged pasta with scissors, smiling widely.
It was the happiest he'd ever seen her since the battle with Kaesilius. She was almost glowing from the tips of her toes to the roots of her golden hair. If anybody met her right now, they'd never once think that this was a sorceress in training or a girl off the street. Right now, she looked about as happy as any typical teenager her age should.
Wong's right, She'll be fine. I've nothing to worry about.
Stephen's gaze softened as he quietly stood up and reached down to a lower cupboard to find a dish for her to serve and plates for them to eat from. He could've done it quickly with magic, but there was something so warmly familiar about setting the table for dinner that he'd not felt in a long while.
Now that he thought about it, he hadn't had a homecooked meal like this since his teen years. True Wong often cooked for them all in the mornings and afternoons, but there was something about the way Via was cooking that brought back all those warm memories-
"HAHA! Eureka!" she cried out with a wide grin as she turned off the stove and tasted her pesto creation.
But Stephen did not see Via. Instead, he saw a girl with black curls and eyes very like his own, grinning smugly at him.
Donna.
But then the moment quickly vanished as the Cloak of Levitation swiftly snagged some forks and placed them beside their plates as Via set the large bowl of hot, delicious smelling pasta in the middle of the island.
"Come on, Doc! Let's see if you're precious take-out can match this!"
It couldn't.