Well, hello there! Yall didn't expect me to update again rhis week, did you? I hit 500 on another website for this story Ao3, and wanted to also celebrate reaching 1,000 views on this story as well! 3 I wanted to thank yall for taking such an interest in my writing and got excited, so I decided to update! Surprise~! Hope you enjoy! Starry out!
Despite Steve's promise, they had to separate for a time.
After leaving Lorelei the next morning at her insistence, Steve returned to the SSR and was prepared to be shipped off as Captain America to perform in front of a crowd.
Steve had been disappointed that he wouldn't be fighting on the front lines, but he had gone with the shows.
Lorelei had attended a few of the shows, but she knew she couldn't attend all of them.
She had approached the Ancient One, asking her for a way that Steve could signal her in times of need.
The Ancient One gave her a relic that would work. The ring was small and unassuming. Crafted from a dark metal that gleamed subtly in the light, the band was etched with intricate, barely perceptible runes. At its center was a small, deep blue gemstone that was reminiscent of a starry night sky.
Lorelei had handed it over to Steve after they had arrived at Lorelei's apartment, having been given a break from his (propaganda).
"Steve, I need to give you something." Lorelei said, grabbing the small, velvet-lined box off the counter.
"What is it?" He asked, curious.
"It's a relic—a special ring that I was given by my friend. I want you to have it." Lorelei didn't know how to phrase the Ancient One, so she settled for a friend.
Steve's brows shot up as she gently lifted the ring out of the box and handed it to him.
Steve took it, carefully studying the design and gemstone.
"A ring, huh? I thought I was the one who was supposed to propose." He said, half teasing and half serious.
Lorelei flushed, stammering.
Steve watched in amusement as Lorelei dug her grave further.
Clearing her throat, Lorelei decided to give up. "Not quite; the ring serves a specific purpose. If you ever need me, just concentrate on it and focus on me. It'll send a signal that I'll be able to sense through my ring. But you have to be alone when you use it, unless it's an emergency." Lorelei lifted her sling-ring.
"How will you get to me?" Steve asked.
"I'll create a portal. I'll be able to reach you that way."
Nodding, Steve slipped the ring onto his finger. The ring thrummed, the gem glowing blue as the ring shrank. When the glow faded, the ring fit perfectly, almost as if it had been made for him.
"Thank you, Lorelei. This means a lot." Steve said.
･ ｡ﾟ: *. .* :ﾟ.
Lorelei walked through the ancient halls of Kamar-Taj. Her footsteps echoed softly against the stone floors.
It had been months since she had last seen Steve. He was touring around the country as Captain America, boosting morale by punching Adolf Hitler in front of cheering crowds.
The memory lifted her lips into a faint smile that held a hint of her deep longing to see him again. But—she had her own things to prepare for.
Lorelei had finally mastered all she could learn, having passed the rank of apprentice and reaching the rank of Disciple in the Mystic Arts. Her training and dedication paid off.
The Ancient One had informed her that she was ready to receive her own relic, a tool that would aid her with her magic.
Lorelei pushed the door open, revealing row upon row of mystical artifacts. Lorelei felt a thrill go down her spine.
The Ancient One stood near the door, waiting for her with a serene smile on her face.
"Congratulations, Lorelei. I know you've worked hard to reach this point. Today, you will find the relic that resonates with you." The Ancient One said, watching Lorelei with amusement.
Lorelei took a deep breath and nodded, stomach churning with excitement and nerves. She walked through the room slowly, scanning the various objects.
The room was filled with ancient staffs, glowing amulets, and enchanted weapons, each unique and powerful in its own way.
As she moved deeper into the room, she felt a gentle pull—a soft feeling that resonated in her soul.
When she followed the sensation, she approached a pedestal with thin bracelets that sat on velvet cushions.
They were intricately designed with silver metal and set with small, shimmering gemstones that seemed to pulse with a calming blue glow.
Hand on the glass, Lorelei leaned down trying to get a better look. The glass disappeared, startling Lorelei.
"Go on." The Ancient One encouraged.
Reaching out, Lorelei's fingers brushed against the bracelets.
The moment she touched them, a wave of tranquility washed over her. Lorelei looked back at the Ancient One. She knew these were the ones.
"The bracelets of serenity. They have chosen you, Lorelei. These bracelets will enhance your abilities, allowing you to manipulate energy with greater precision and control. They align perfectly with your strengths and intentions."
Lorelei slipped them on. The metal felt warm against her skin; she could feel the magic coursing within them, merging with her own.
"They're beautiful. Thank you, Ancient One." Lorelei smiled at the Ancient One.
The Ancient One nodded, her eyes glowing with pride.
"You have earned them, Lorelei. Use them wisely and continue on your path." The Ancient One said.
Lorelei nodded, feeling the weight of the Ancient One's words. The Ancient One left the relic room.
Lorelei closed her eyes and thought of Steve, wondering where he was and hoping he was safe.
･ ｡ﾟ: *. .* :ﾟ.
Lorelei was back in New York when Steve used the relic. She felt a sort of thrumming from her sling-ring within her pocket, and she realized Steve had used his ring.
Lorelei quickly ducked into a vacant alley, closing her eyes and picturing Steve.
It took some time, but she was able to open a portal to Steve's location.
She stepped through, her robes billowing in the wind. Lorelei wiped away any trace of the portal.
It was night, with three people huddling in the dark as if they were trying not to be seen.
"Well, that's a neat trick." Howard said, raising a brow.
"Who is she?" Peggy asked.
"This is Lorelei. She's a… friend." Steve said.
Lorelei raised a cool eyebrow.
"Just a friend, Rogers?" Lorelei asked, a gaze of steel leveled at him.
"Maybe more." Steve said, the ghost of a smile on his lips.
"What's the emergency?" Lorelei asked.
"Buck's been captured, along with the 107th."
"What are we waiting for? Let's go." Lorelei said, her expression serious.
They took off into the night, soaring high above the trees.
Lorelei closed her eyes, concentrating on the task ahead, listening to the trio talk amongst themselves.
"So, sweetheart, have I seen you before?" Howard asked.
Lorelei could feel Steve tense.
Lorelei opened her eyes, the green of her iris shining with irritation.
"We have, Stank. You propositioned me with your failed prototype."
Howard spluttered while Peggy shot her a grin.
Peggy looked at Steve.
"I like her."
"Thanks," Lorelei said a bit too smugly. "By the way, Stark, if you don't want your bones to be snapped by two angry superhumans, you may want to slow your roll. I'm already taken."
Lorelei crossed her legs, winking at Steve.
"two superhumans? Where's the other?" Howard questioned.
Lorelei raised her hand.
"You?"
"I'm enhanced. Probably from radiation." Lorelei shrugged.
"How do you know about radiation?" Howard asked.
"That's a long story." Lorelei shrugged.
Peggy gave her a hard stare.
Steve began to open his mouth to defend Lorelei, who kept him silent with a hand on his arm.
"They can be trusted." Lorelei said.
Steve gave her a dubious look.
"I know they are. They're good."
"What are you talking about?" Peggy asked.
Lorelei sighed.
"I'm a scientist. From the future. I was up out in space when I was hit by an ejection from the Sun, which by the way is just as dangerous as splitting an atom," Peggy and Howard tensed at the comment, "I was out repairing a space vehicle and couldn't get inside in time. Had a portal send me here and bada bing bada boom."
"What year are you from?" Howard asked.
"2053."
Stunned silence.
"And no, I can't reveal the future, and no, I won't give you the winning lottery numbers. I doubt you would live that long either." Lorelei said.
"So you know about certain… classified projects?" Peggy asked warily.
"Most of them. Some of them have been lost to history. But you don't have to worry, there's kinda vague rules on time travel, even though where I come from time travel hasn't been invented yet, where if you blab about stuff bad things can and will happen."
"That's… quite the load you got there." Howard said.
"It's my weight to bear." Lorelei shrugged, leaning against Steve and enjoying his warmth.
The simple touch felt reinvigorating.
"By the way, if this leaves the four of us, if you breathe a word of this to your superiors without my approval, the whole course of the future could be at risk. In time I will talk to your superiors, Peggy. If a Nazi or a Hydra Agent catches wind I know what could happen: we will lose, and Hitler will be ruler of probably the whole world. I also would prefer not to be tortured to the brink of death." Lorelei said.
Steve's expression turned dark.
"As long as you speak to him." Peggy relented, a little intimidated by Steve.
She had never seen him so protective of someone before.
"Keep an eye on the sky. I really don't want to fall out of the sky today." Lorelei said, making Howard return his gaze to the sky.