Philophobia ➤ W.M.

| 02 |

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  Asgardians were known for their grace, especially the royals. It was part of their formal training as royalty, not that they should need help with natural balance. Astrilde just so happened to not be blessed with the same grace as any Asgardian. In fact, as soon as Thor and Astrilde landed on the top of a building in Midgard, the latter tripped and fell on her face, inches from the edge of the building's dangerous rooftop terrace.

  "Sister, are you okay?" Thor asked, grabbing Astrilde's hand and hoisting her up quickly. A dizzying sensation came over her body for a moment, so she took a second to answer while she steadied herself.

  "Yes, I have merely not travelled through the Bifrost in centuries!" Astrilde answered, fully recovered from her fall. Her leg had already started to bounce in excitement. She was officially on Midgard! She turned in circles, drinking up all she could of the tall buildings, the sound of bustling cars below- basically everything she had ever read about.

  To say she was an expert on Midgardian items was an understatement, she had been studying Midgard for as long as she and the realm had existed. She knew earth's history, it's 'superheroes', even all the wars ever fought. At least the ones documented. But, no book could prepare her for what Midgard actually looked and felt like. All of the years of hope, finally being fulfilled at that very moment. It was certainly overwhelming.

  Astrilde could feel her brother's gaze on her as she examined all she could of the city laid out in front of her. "Astrilde, would you like to accompany me inside to meet my friends?" Thor interrupted her sightseeing. Even with his loud voice, he was nothing compared to the bustle of New York City.

  "Oh, yes. Of course," Astrilde responded, flustered that she had almost forgotten that Thor wanted her to meet his teammates. She secretly hoped the mortals her brother had befriended would be as amazing as earth itself. That they wouldn't be as cruel, especially in the affairs of love. She narrowed her eyes. Even the thought of love plagues me here, Astrilde thought solemnly, cursing the word for appearing in her thoughts.

  Astrilde was suddenly overcome with a wave of nerves. She hoped that her brother's friends would like her, they seemed to mean much to him. So, to prolong the inevitable meeting between her and Thor's teammates, she hit behind him, almost entirely blocked from view.

  They entered the building, and Astrilde couldn't help but admire the lavish floors, comfortable looking chairs, and spotless bar laid out in front of her eyes. She was genuinely surprised that such posh spaces existed on Midgard, even though she had seen the pictures in the books she had read. Not to mention, the tower in itself was surprising, since she knew Midgardians were not physically strong like the Aesir.

  "Hey, Point Break! Who's that behind you?" A voice startled Astrilde, and she turned her attention to several people lounging on a few chairs and couches in front of Thor and herself.

  Thor pulled her out from behind him, grinning. "This is my sister, Astrilde!" He said loudly. Astrilde cringed at how close his voice was to her ears, swearing that if he was any louder that her ears would be ringing. She watched the mortals sitting in the chairs with vivid interest, noting their appearances. The man who had originally spoken had an AC-DC shirt, and there was a weird blue glow to his chest. No way, is that Tony Stark? My brother knows Iron Man and he didn't tell me?

  "Oh my gods, you are Tony Stark!" Astrilde exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. Tony turned towards the other mortals, smirking at them. They all just rolled their eyes.

  "Don't inflate his ego more than it already has been," A red haired woman addressed Astrilde. The woman wore a simple t-shirt and jeans. The princess looked at her with a calculating expression. While the woman's appearance was nice, her eyes gleamed with something she could only describe as inexplicably dangerous.

  "No, no, don't listen to Natasha, keep complimenting, please," Tony said before Astrilde could respond to the red haired woman. Her brother suddenly laughed, patting Astrilde's shoulder. Hard.

  "Do not listen to Stark, Astrilde. He jests." Thor chuckled. Tony's face was painted with fake offense, and Astrilde couldn't help but giggle. The mortals were funny, and she hadn't even been on Midgard for an hour.

  Her attention turned to a dirty blond haired man when he stood and started walking towards Astrilde and her brother. He was heavily built but had a nice aura to him. He clearly had been in love, which Astrilde could tell without even blinking. One of the curses of being the Goddess of Love: her powers act without consent, telling her everything about a person's love life. Mostly, she could contain them, though she hadn't figured out a way to stop them from telling her every person's love status.

  The blond finally reached them, and held out his hand for Astrilde. "Hello, ma'am. I'm Steve Rogers," The man, Steve, introduced himself.

  "Please, call me Astrilde," She responded warmly, shaking his hand. Steve dipped his head in response.

  "I'm guessing you'd like to meet the team?" Steve asked, and Astrilde simply nodded, vividly listening to her brother's friend. "Well this is Natasha, Clint, Bruce, and you've already met Stark." Steve pointed to each person as he said their name. She recognized the faces. They were the Avengers, a team she had somehow not realized Thor was on.

  "Nice to meet you all." Astrilde smiled. Chatter suddenly erupted throughout the group, and soon all of the Avengers, plus Astrilde, were having a pleasant conversation. She had never been happier in that moment, with the goal in mind to make friends.

***

  "Hey, Thor. While you were on Asgard, we think we discovered where Loki's scepter is. We were hoping to raid it soon," Tony suddenly spoke. "Maybe your sister can even join us," Tony winked at Astrilde in a joking manner.

  "I would love to help! Please, brother?" Astrilde asked, her eyes focused solely on Thor.

  "We'll keep her safe," Clint butt in before Thor could deny Astrilde's request.

  Thor sighed. "Of course sister, but you must stay by me the whole time."

  "I understand!" Astrilde exclaimed, squealing in excitement. Thor just smiled at her antics. "So, where are we going?!"

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