Forthright (Sequel of Silenced)

Chapter 22

Leidi

And so, we are back here again. I inwardly groan, not wanting to discourage Kalea. But Loki is more, erm, open, "Argh! Why is it whenever things are great, we always somehow end up here?"

I let out a heavy sigh. Kalea has different opinions. She runs around the platform- helipad, as Tony had clarified- giggling, until she runs straight into Clint. The archer is caught off guard, placing one hand instinctively to his quiver, before seeing the little girl before him.

He crouches down and smiles, "Hey, kid. You lost?" She looks at him and giggles before speeding back to us, "Mommy!! Who is he?!" She doesn't contain her excitement. "That, is uncle Clint," Thor says walking over to her. "Excuse me? Uncle?" Clint stands up, "She's yours?"

Thor shakes his head and gestures to me and Loki, who stand uncomfortably on the edge, afraid of what could go wrong. I cling to his arm. Kalea beams at the assassin. He looks at me, then at Loki, before turning back to Kalea.

How fond he was, of her. Then he learned her heritage. Clint and I have no tensions. But Loki is another story. I had learned the story of what Loki had done, and Clint was very much involved. I understand where he's coming from. I don't like being used either.

Kalea's wide, innocent eyes convince him finally. He smiles warmly at the child in my arms. There may be some ice between him and Loki, but that's no reason to take it out on the child.

I set her down and she speeds over to him. He stumbles backward, nearly hitting the ground. She looks at him with wide curious eyes. "She's got super speed," he says, "Great." The sarcasm is obvious in his voice.

Clint stands awkwardly for a minute before inviting us in. Kalea doesn't hesitate before dashing into the tower, a huge clatter following. "Kalea!" Loki and I call after her, running into the building.

She sits on the floor, her white dress stained brown, with a startled looking Steve holding the handle of what I think was a mug. The shattered bits litter the ground. Kalea looks dazed before she begins to cry.

Loki and I rush to her side. "It's so hot!!" She squeals. "I am so sorry. I didn't see her," Steve sits next to us, trying to comfort the girl. I touch the liquid and hiss. It's not very hot for a normal person, but it's hot enough to scorch a jotunn.

"Kalea, baby, it's okay. Look at me. Look at mommy. I want you to sit still. Mommy and daddy's gonna fix it," I nod. Tears stream her face. Loki holds one of her hands as I take hold of the other. Tony and Bruce rush out of a room. I presume their lab.

"Oh my god!" Tony exclaims. Bruce and he sit on either side of Kalea. Soon the lot of them are surrounding my baby. Loki and I blow frost gently on her arms. Her dress is covered with brown blotches, no longer white. Tears stream down Kalea's innocent face.

Kalea reverts to her jotunn form before her skin becomes normal. She sighs with relief. I pull her small figure into my arms, "It's okay Kalea. You're better now."

I stand, lifting Kalea with me. The others stand and look at Kalea with concern. I glare at Thor, "I told you something would go wrong. This realm is some sort of bad omen. Or only meant for the mortals who inhabit it."

"I thought it would be better this time," Thor looks down, "I am sorry." "Okay, someone tell me what the heck is going on?" Tony says, "Who is this. Wait don't tell me this is the Rockette of ages." He points to Kalea.

"Excuse me?" I say, "she has a name." Tony rolls his eyes, "She the kid you were fussing about last time? It's been ten years. How the fuck is she four?"

"Language!" Steve points to Tony. "We age slower than you mortals do. And I'd appreciate it if you do not use those atrocious words around my daughter," I say calmly. Tony shakes his head, "Fine. Want me to get her a change of clothes?"

I smile and oblige.

____________________________________

Tony and I return with Kalea a little while later to the main room, where the others seem to get along. Kalea wears one of Tony's shirt, which didn't fit her at first. We took a while I made adjustments so it would fit.

She looked adorable, but the design piqued my interest. The letters A and C were on one side of a lightning bolt and on the other side, D and C. I didn't understand, but I wasn't about to question this strange shirt.

I set her down on the ground and she runs over to her father, blowing his hair back slightly. "So, I guess he's a dad now," Tony says. "He was a dad before," I say. "Is he still mad? About the last time?"

"It was a decade ago. Of course not. And he's had his hands full anyway," I look at Loki and Kalea. Kalea tells them tales of her travels with the children of the village and the younger servants.

The Avengers watch her in amusement. I sit next to Loki and Kalea immediately complains, "Mommy, this palace is small!" "Kalea! Don't be rude!" "It's fine," Tony dismisses her comment, "She takes after her father."

She gets off of Loki's lap and runs to Tony, "Sorry. Your palace isn't that small." Tony looks at her. Then he smiles warmly and ruffles her hair, "No problem, Rockette of Ages."

She giggled, not understanding what that name meant, but she ran back to her father. Then a pair came in through the lift. They didn't look like they were related. One of them was a man with silver hair, and the other was a woman with brown hair.

The way they clung to each other, they seemed pretty close. They watched as Kalea sped to her dad. The silver haired man grinned at the woman before running over to us. But he ran the way Kalea did. He stopped in front of her and smiled down at her.

Kalea smiled brightly, "You're just like me!" "Yes I am," the man had a strange accent. But he was definitely Midgardian.  "Oh, it's been quite a while since you were gone. This is Pietro. And over there is his twin sister Wanda," Tony points to the girl. "So I take it they're fraternal?" I look between them.

Wanda walks over and smiles, "yes. And you must be Loki's wife. I've heard much about you. They all admire you for what you have done for him." "Thank you," I say, "I've not heard anything about you. But I'm sure you're a good person."

"Thank you. I think my brother has taken a liking to your daughter," she says glancing at Pietro, cheerfully playing with Kalea. "I bet I'm faster than you!" Pietro jokes. "I say thee nay, mortal. Daddy says I'm the fastest in all of the nine realms," Kalea scoffs.

"Uh, no offense, but your dad is the God of Lies," Pietro crouches in front of her. Kalea turns beet red, "it doesn't mean he always lies. I, Kalea Lokidottur, challenge you, Pietro Maximoff, to a race." She wears a confident look as Pietro stands up.

"Alright then," Pietro smirks, "Tony. Open the stairwell." Tony nods, and opens the large door, revealing stairs. "Think you can navigate?" Tony looks at Kalea. She nods. "The first one to get to the helipad without coming inside, wins," Pietro said. Natalia decides to join the fun and stands to the side of the stairwell, taking off her jacket and waving it like a flag.

"Hawkeye," she says to Clint. She then gestures to the ceiling with two fingers. Clint nods as if understanding. "3..." Natalia starts, "2... 1... GO!"

The second she yells go, Pietro and Kalea take off out the door. Clint shoots an arrow say the ceiling, causing a flash of light. Something is going to go wrong. I know it.

But before anyone can say anything, Kalea is standing on the helipad, grinning triumphantly. "I am the fastest in the nine realms!" She shouts. I shake my head and walk out, picking her up, just as Pietro runs up next, "How did you? Never mind."

"I have bested you, mortal!" Kalea says, still shouting. Pietro nods, slightly out of breaths. "GET IN HERE IF YOU GUYS WANT FOOD!" Bruce shouts from inside. I set Kalea down and she runs in with Pietro. I follow after, smoothing my hair and dress down.

Okay, one rule, no shipping Pietro and Kalea. That would be creepy and wrong.

-Liesmith