Illyana was used to stares. She was a well known mutant, a well known danger. Even in this world she had been pulled in by Scarlet Witch and Logan, people knew her and her actions. Even if they hadn’t, they’d seen her fight on the battlefield, dashing forward and attacking the enemy from behind with her disc portals. Perhaps the only people who did not fear or avoid her were the ones that actively disliked her, and she didn’t know if it was worse or not.
She let one of her demons run around over her should and arm whilst Dr Richards and Stark argued about their vampire problem. For once, Illyana was on the CEO’s side, she’d rather just slay all the pests instead of wasting time to find a cure. Leaning back in her seat, she sighed with disinterest, earning a glare from Rogers. She raised an eyebrow at the man dressed in the colours of the American flag, crossing her arms as if to say “got a problem?”. A small smirk of triumph appeared on her lips as the soldier shook his head with a sigh and turned around to face the 2 scientists again.
Illyana zoned out again, half tempted to just open a portal to Limbo and leave this world to strangle. She had her own kingdom to fight for, one she actually cared the slightest bit about. Although she was not that eager to have to see Belasco again, so staying here and challenging vampires would have to do. Twirling her sword on the ground out of boredom, she became increasingly aware of how uncomfortable her chest armour was, a slash of weapon had tore a gap in it, digging into her skin.
Glancing around the room, everyone was either focused on what Stark was saying (the spiderling), fooling around (the, admittedly adorable, shark creature) or asleep (star lord. She hadn’t decided an opinion on him yet, but he seemed incredibly average). Deciding that it wouldn’t be worth it to stick around any way, Illyana cleared her throat as she stood up, pulling her sword out of the ground. “I have business to attent to, I assume one of you shall inform me if I am needed for further discussions that I will not attended.” She spoke dryly, not sticking around long enough to hear strange’s protests as she left the large converse room.
Taking in the Asgardian air, she made her way to the armoury as she let Soulword transform back into orange substance sinking into the ground. Opening the door to the armoury, she was met with Luna Snow and Mantis chatting whilst working on their respective suits. The pop star looked up, waving at her. “Magik ! Is the meeting over? I said I’d hang out with Peni” the woman spoke, icy particles surrounding her as she stood up. Illyana, shrugged, leaning against the polished marble walls. “It is not over yet, but I was getting bored. I’d rather join you for karaoke than listen to Stark and Richards argue like children for another hour.” She huffed, eyes narrowing as Luna lit up. “That was not an invitation, Snow” she mumbled, pointing at the singer, who was grinning widely.
“Sure Magik, sure . I’m going to keep that in mind though” the woman winked, striding out of the armoury as she blew an icy kiss towards Illyana. “I mean it, my sword might not be normal fire but it still burn” she called out, shaking her head as she heard Luna giggle.
She looked back at Mantis, who was weaving leaves into the sleeves of zir costume. “I thought leaves came naturally to you?” She raised an eyebrow, stalking closer to where the woman was sitting. Ze hummed, nodding as some green plants sprouted from zir hand. “They do, but I enjoy weaving” ze smiled at her warmly, scooting over as she sat down opposite of zir. “Hm, interesting. I need to fix my armour, do you mind?” Illyana mumbled, motioning to the gash in her chest plate as Mantis tilted zir head. “Of course! Do you require help?” The woman asked, momentarily stopping the repeated motion of sewing as ze inspected her darkly coloured armour.
Illyana hummed, shaking her head as began to take off the piece of protection. “No thank you, I just did not want to invade your space.” Mantis nodded in appreciation at her, continuing to sew partners into zir dress once again. “I have to ask, is it not impractical to fight in that skirt? I could get you a much better suit” she offered, wincing slightly as she pulled out a piece of schrapnel from the gash on her chest. Mantis laughed, shaking her head in the meantime. “No thank you, I like my costume. Plus, the plants give me more life energy” ze explained, handing Illyana vial from zir belt. “Here, for that wound. It seems uncomfortable”
She took the vial in appreciation, taking off the lid to pour it onto the slash on her chest. The potion worked its effects in an instant, relieving her with a cooling sensation. “Thank you. I should be glad it’s you who offered to heal me instead of the mischievous god or your little furry friend.” She smirked, grabbing a wrench from the shelf next to her. Mantis smiled, nodding in agreement. “The god of lies is not always focused on healing. Although I have to disagree on rocket’s part, despite being quite the agent of chaos, he will not let his friends fall.” Illyana tilted her head, observing the woman in front of her with interest.
“You and your fellow ‘guardians’ are very protective of each-other, are you not?” She inquired, wrenching the gap in her armour together whilst the woman opposite of her lit up. “Yes! They are like my family, well, Peter is my family” ze explained, finishing up the intricate flower pattern. Illyana let out an involuntary groan of annoyance, rolling her eyes. “Ah, Quill. Tell him to stop fooling around for once would you? I fear he might get himself killed by Wanda one of these days” she mumbled, smirking slightly as Mantis chuckled.
“ Yes, but no promises Magik” ze sighed, smiling whilst putting on zir new costume. “You can call me Illyana, if you’d like” she blurted out, surprising herself as she spoke the words. “Alright, Illyana !” Mantis replied, looking too happy for Illyana to take back what she said. “Yeah yeah, don’t tell anyone though, or Iron Fist will stop being intimidated by me” she muttered, rolling her eyes. “You have my word” ze grinned, holding out zir hand. Illyana took it, giving zir a firm handshake she hoped didn’t feel too aggressive. Judging by the cheerful expression on the other woman’s face, she assumed it wasn’t.
They (read, mantis) talked for a little longer, Illyana deciding that she did not mind the company the green woman provided. Actually, she felt a slight pang of disappointment as Warlock and the walking Tree (grant? Whatever) came to Mantis for assistance, making zir come along with them. “Bye Illyana” the woman waved her goodbye, smiling as she hesitantly waved back at zir.
Sighing, Illyana went back to fixing her armour in solitude as she stared at the lingering path of leaves and grass Mantis had left behind whilst walking.
Illyana jumped down from a ledge, using one of her portals to break the fall as she used her soulsword to slash through one of their enemies, rolling her eyes. “Darkchylde doesnt like snipers” she muttered as the vampire crumpled in on itself, getting stomped on by hulk as the creature passed. “Ugh, subtlety you green oaf” she sighed, dashing forward as she spotted another enemy vampire snuck up behind Moonknight. “Watch out pet of Konshu, I will not always have your back” Illyana sneered at the man clad in white, stabbing her sword through the vampire’s head. “You need to watch your mouth, Limbo spawn. You will not always have your demons to help you.” The man replied, shooting an ankh at an approaching group of enemies before jumping away.
“Asshole” Illyana grumbled, throwing up her middle finger at where Moonknigt had stood next to her. Making her way through a sludge of bodies, she arrived at the mission vehicle where Venom was pushing vampires away whilst Mantis boosted the Knull creature. “Hello Mantis, are you doing well?” She asked, letting out a content sigh of relief as the healer touched a nasty gash on her arm, healing it in an instant. “I’ve been alright, trying to keep big guy here alive” ze chuckled, pointing at a Venom who was currently mowing down anyone trying to approach them. “An easy feat, I’m sure” she replied sarcastically, watching as Mantis gave him another health boost. Ze let out a warm laugh, nodding. “I’m managing”
Illyana hummed, looking up in the sky as she heard Iron Man yell something a few streets over. “Suppose I’ll have to help him out” she sighed, swinging her sword over her shoulder. “May I have some inspiration, Родная?” She winked, smirking as Mantis smiled, zir life energy suddenly coursing through her veins. “Thanks, you’re an angel” she called out, opening a portal as she let Darkchylde take control.