Vagary

Chapter 6: “Genuine Effort”

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“When you are not fed love on a silver spoon you learn to lick it off knives.”

- Lauren Eden, The Lioness Awakens: Poems

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After enlightening the dark prince on her visions, and the tensions rising because of his accusing - it was more of a continuous insulting spree- and threatening her, Nova's shoulders straightened, her frailty momentarily overshadowed by her resolve. "I propose a chance for change. The past cannot be rewritten, but the future is yet to be determined.”

Loki's eyebrow raised, his mocking smirk returning. "Ah, so the witch has a plan. Pray, enlighten us."

Nova's lips quivered into a half-smile. "You may be a wild card, your highness, but you're also an asset. We can't deny your expertise in certain matters."

Avengers' eyes shifted from Loki to Nova, their expressions a mix of curiosity and skepticism.

Nova's gray eyes shifted between the Avengers and Loki, her tone resolute. “If you are willing to work towards redemption, to take responsibility for your actions and help us avert the disaster that is coming, then maybe, just maybe, there's a path for you out of this darkness."

Tony's skepticism was palpable, reflecting the rest of the Avenger’s concern as he looked at the young witch. "And how do we know you're not just being manipulated? Or that Loki isn't pulling another one of his tricks?"

The woman’s gaze didn't waver as she locked eyes with Tony. "Even if he does, he is the only key we have to prevent my visions on the fate of the Nines and Allmother. My neck is on the rope too, Mr. Stark. As my vision states, if he is our wolf , he and I will be the only ones who will face the consequences of our mistrust. We will be each other’s doom,” 

The room fell silent, tension still thick in the air. Loki's emerald eyes studied Nova, his thoughts inscrutable. After a moment, he let out a low chuckle. "You're quite the optimist, aren't you?"

Nova's lips quivered into a playful smile. “Oh, you have no idea."

Tony crossed his arms,  he had enough. His annoyed gaze flickered between Loki and Nova. "Alright, stop your weird flirting, let's cut to the chase. What do you want, Loki?"

The dark prince’s smirk returned, “I want many things, Stark. Power, freedom, the sweet taste of victory, violent demise of my enemies, seeing Thor constantly get roasted for his stupidity..." 

After the warning glares he received, especially from the said blonde man, he innocently added, “Oh, how could I forget to mention, also have that redemption arc you speak of, if you may?”

Steve's words cut through the air, he was quite fed up by the arrogant god's enthusiasm. "Alright, enough. You might think you're in control, Loki, but you're not the only one who can see through the deception. You better start to take this seriously because we're all watching, and we'll hold you accountable for your actions."

Loki's gaze turned to the Avengers, his expression unreadable. "Hold me accountable? You truly believe you have the power to do so?"

The air in the room grew tense, charged with the weight of conflict and distrust. Steve's jaw tightened, and his blue eyes locked onto Loki's emerald ones. "We've faced you before, aliens you brought, and threats beyond imagination. We have the means to hold anyone accountable, including you."

Loki's eyes glinted with a mixture of amusement and defiance. "Ah, the mortals planning to neutralize the God of Mischief? How exhilarating. By getting help from that lice bag pathetic sorcerer and this barely-alive hagged witch who is planning to assassinate me, I am certain it will suffice."

“ Your oll’ daddy neutered you already before you came here, Reindeer Games, you are powerless.” Tony snarked, his gaze bore on the snob god. “ You're not the only one with tricks up your sleeve, and we're not naive enough to believe you're here out of the goodness of your heart. But we can't ignore the potential you hold for both good and ill. And if you choose wrong, we won't hesitate to put you down for good.”

Natasha's voice was like ice, carrying the weight of their collective frustration. "Your actions have consequences, Loki. You've caused pain, destruction, and death. We're not here to debate your arrogance; we're here to find a way to prevent further chaos."

Loki couldn’t help but roll his eyes dramatically,  “ All of this is very touching, really. But let's not pretend that your hands are clean. You've all dabbled in darkness, too."

“ Just give me five minutes alone with that weasel, guys. Then we’ll see whose hands dabbed in where,” Everyone ignored the blonde archer’s snarl through the communication feed.

"Enough. Bickering isn't going to solve anything." Thor’s voice boomed, exhaustion and sadness evident in it. "We can't undo what's been done, but we can try to shape the future differently. If Loki truly seeks redemption, then he'll have to prove it through his actions."

Loki's face took a neutral expression, his forehead wrinkles became more visible, and his emerald eyes gleamed with hidden thoughts. "And what do you propose? Will you chain me up like a wild animal? Or perhaps throw me into the abyss?" He smiled to himself bitterly, “ Pardon me for my lack of excitement, but I’m not exactly thrilled about either a slightly smaller cage with a higher altitude or death, which I have been scandalously intimate with for quite some time now.”

Clint Barton, who had been standing by the corner of the intel room, leaned forward. "Are we just going to ignore the fact that Loki's been quieter than a church mouse for the past few minutes?"

Bruce Banner's analytical gaze was fixed on the monitor showing the said prisoner. "He's processing, weighing his options."

At last, the dark prince sighed defiantly, "You offer me redemption, a chance to change, and what do you expect in return?" Loki's question hung in the air, the silence of the room amplifying its significance.

Tony's tone was stern, "More like a cohabitation experiment. We're willing to give you a chance but make no mistake, it's a chance you have to earn."

Steve quickly added the billionaire's words with the same tone. " We expect cooperation. Accountability. And a genuine effort to right your wrongs."

“ Make no mistake,” the ginger spy added, her voice was ice as her calculating gaze pierced through the man sitting behind the glass walls. “If you betray our trust, there won't be a second one."

The rhythmical drumming coming from the long fingers of the dark prince on the ground was the only noise audible in the tense room as he considered their words, his gaze eventually landing on the halfling witch once again. There was something in his expression that suggested a flicker of genuine curiosity, a spark of interest that had ignited within him.

"Very well," Loki finally conceded, his tone devoid of mockery. "I shall play your game, Avengers. For now."

As the tension began to ease, Nova's strength seemed to wane, and she leaned heavily against the closest wall. The Avengers exchanged glances, and Steve's voice softened as he checked her temper with the back of his hand. “You need time to recover, Nova. You've been through a lot.”

Nova managed a nod of agreement, her energy spent. She was caught between her personal struggles and the pressing issues at hand. She was aware that she couldn’t be off the hook that easily. 

Her raspy voice was barely audible as a contemplative look passed through her soft facial features, “Yeah, besides, I have a lot to think of…”

 The room slowly began to clear as the Avengers made their way out, Loki's calculating gaze remained on Nova as the soldier escorted her out, "You're an intriguing one, Novandéyri Försterin. I wonder how much truth lies in your visions."

Nova managed a tired smile, her eyelids heavy. "Only time will tell, Loki."

As the cell doors slid shut, Loki was left alone again in a contemplative silence with an amused smile etched on his sly face.

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The Avengers' demands were made clear - Loki would be kept under tight control, and his interactions with tower residents monitored closely. The tower itself became an arena of guarded interactions, Loki's every move was being watched, his actions scrutinized. The tower's atmosphere was thick with tension like an over-tightened violin string just waiting to snap. Loki had quickly grown tired of his confinement but recognized that he had little choice but to cooperate for now.

Thor, in particular, was torn. He desperately wanted to believe in his brother's potential for redemption, but the scars of past betrayals ran deep. He often found himself acting as a mediator between Loki and the Avengers, attempting to facilitate conversations that could lead to reconciliation.

As the days passed, Nova's strength slowly returned, and her quest for answers intensified. She spent hours in her temporary quarters, poring over ancient texts and scrolls, seeking insights into her visions. Each evening, she would join the Avengers in the common area, her notebook filled with scribbles and diagrams.

One morning, as they gathered in the common area, Thor cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. In the spacious common area of the Avengers' tower, a tense atmosphere hung like a heavy cloud, because the fallen prince decided to join the team. "My friends, I believe it is time we set some ground rules for our newfound arrangement."

Loki, even though he was quite expressive of his distaste for Midgardian attire, was adorned in a dark blue long-sleeved pajama team, different than his usual green and black colors. He was lounging on one of the plush couches, a book of Asgardian mythology in his hands. It was a subtle way of making his presence felt, and perhaps a not-so-subtle way to provoke his captors. He rolled his emerald eyes, leaning back in his chair. "Oh, how delightful. Family meetings. Just what I always wanted."

Thor shot him a stern look before continuing. "We shall treat Loki with respect due to any resident of this tower. However, his actions will be closely monitored, and any signs of betrayal will not be tolerated."

Natasha chimed in, her voice was cold and calculating. "We have access to a wide array of containment measures, just in case anyone gets funny ideas."

Tony chuckled, but his tone remained sly. " I even rigged the pantry with alarms. One wrong move and the whole tower will know you're cheating on your diet."

Steve shot a questioning look at the genius billionaire.

“ Someone was sneaking and stealing my dark chocolate bars, Steve.” Tony grumbled, “ I did what I had to do.”

Loki chuckled, a hint of genuine amusement in his eyes. "Impressive, Stark. Your paranoia knows no bounds. Can't a man simply enjoy a chocolate bar in peace?"

Tony glared at the annoying god. “ They. Are. My. Chocolate. Bars.” 

“ Ugh, cry me a river Tony,” The ginger woman mocked while drinking her coffee on a mug with the writing:  Vodka Is The Answer ( I Don’t Remember The Question)  “You’ll buy new ones, You’re the billionaire.”  

Loki sighed dramatically, rolling his eyes. “ And he legitimately calls himself a ‘philanthropist’, You mortals have a fun way of deciphering the meanings of the words,” he tsked before licking his finger and turning the page he was reading.

Tony couldn’t help himself, “Reading up on your own tales, Loki? Must be quite the ego boost."

Loki raised an eyebrow, his eyes not leaving the pages. "I find it quite entertaining, Stark. The exploits of gods and mortals, intertwined in a tapestry of destiny. It's almost poetic."

Steve Rogers, the Captain, chimed in, his tone cautious but curious. "Is that what you think? That you're destined for greatness, despite your actions?"

Loki closed the book with a smirk, his piercing gaze locking onto Steve's. "I think, Captain, that destiny is a fickle thing. It can change with the slightest nudge."

“  I wonder what would happen if anyone here nudges you off a little from that window,”  The raspy voice chimed, surprising everyone in the room. “ Would it be still destiny… Or just boring old-school homicide?” 

With the cold glare earned from the dark prince, the blonde archer snorted at the sarcastic comment."Yeah, you may be the trickster god, but even you can't escape death from that height."

With a sardonic smile, “ Ah, half-dead witch is back. Have you come to share more of your visions, or perhaps to offer some useless cryptic wisdom?” he shot her a condescending look, “ Or did you come here to visit the pantry so you find any whimsy poor creature to put in your cauldron,”

Nova didn't miss a beat, her gray eyes flashing with a mix of annoyance and amusement as she replied with the same smile as his. " Oh, believe me, If I  need any chicken legs, I know where to find you, Your Highness. "

As she walked passed by him and greeted everyone good morning,  reached for the coffee pot on the counter, the Avengers tried their best to not cackle at Loki’s murderous face.

Clint couldn't resist throwing in his two cents as he watched Nova and Loki's exchange. "Well, well, it seems like our resident witch and the God of Mischief are becoming fast friends."

Bruce, sitting nearby, chuckled softly. "More like frenemies, I'd say. But who knows, maybe they'll surprise us."

Clint raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Or maybe they'll set the tower on fire. Either way, it's entertaining."

Bruce shook his head, his voice tinged with amusement. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that. We have enough trouble as it is."

“ Speaking of trouble,”  The monotone voice of  J. A. R. V. I. S.  interrupted everyone.  “Director Fury is in the lobby elevator with his agents and coming upstairs.”  

Tony's tone was bitter as he sighed. "So much for our secret hideout."

Fury's arrival was like a sudden storm that swept through the Avengers Tower, leaving a trail of tension in its wake. The Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. was known for his no-nonsense attitude, and the severity of his expression only heightened the seriousness of the situation. His presence demanded attention and respect, and the Avengers gathered in the meeting room to face his wrath.

Tony exchanged a quick glance with the team, everyone was bracing for the storm that was about to descend up.

Nova, standing at the edge of the room, couldn't help but feel a wave of sympathy for the Avengers. They were caught in a difficult situation, trying to balance their responsibilities to the world with their forced decision to give Loki a chance at redemption.

The Director's eye patch and stern demeanor were familiar to the team, but this time, his anger seemed particularly palpable. Fury didn't waste time with pleasantries; he got straight to the point.

"I leave for a few days, and chaos ensues," he began, his single eye swept over the assembled team, his gaze landing on Loki, who stood with a detached air of indifference. Fury's voice was sharp as he addressed the Avengers, his tone a stern reminder of his authority. "What the hell is going on here?"

Tony was the one who took on the confrontation, he leaned forward with a hint of defiance. "Fury, you're acting like we threw a party in your absence. We're handling things here."

Fury's single eye bore into Tony's with a withering gaze. "Handling things? You've brought the enemy into your own home, Stark, and you expect me to believe you're 'handling' it?"

Natasha Romanoff chimed in, her voice measured. "We're not taking this lightly, Director. We're keeping a close eye on him, and we have plans in place to ensure he doesn't escape or cause trouble."

Steve stood tall, his expression resolute. "Director, this situation is complicated. We needed to assess it before involving S.H.I.E.L.D."

Fury's gaze shifted to Loki, who was observing the proceedings with his usual air of detached amusement. "Assessing it, huh? And how is that going?" 

Steve tried to continue diplomatically, "Nick, we believed it was best to keep Loki's presence low-profile. We're monitoring him closely and -"

Fury didn't let him finish. "Monitoring him closely? Have you lost your mind?"

Tony stepped forward, his tone defensive. "We didn't have a choice. He and Point Break appeared out of nowhere, and before we knew it, we had to contain him."

Fury's expression remained unchanged as he looked at the trickster god. " And your idea of this ‘containment’ is him lurking in your halls in comfy  pajamas?" He couldn’t contain his sarcastic huff, " Better next time start with braiding each other's hair. Give me one good reason why he is not locked up." 

The ginger woman, always the voice of reason, interjected. "Director Fury, we understand the risks. But there's a larger threat looming, and we think Loki might have insights into it."

"I don't care why he's here." the man spatted, " He's a threat, and he's going to the Raft." With his head gesture, armored agents swarmed around the trickster god.

With that booming voice of Thor echoing through the room. " Fury, Loki is here because of circumstances beyond our control. I will not let you take him when he is the key to preventing a potentially catastrophic event."

With his declaration, the room ebbed in tension once again. The agents waited for the Director's command in anticipation. 

Fury's gaze flickered between the Avengers for a short time, he didn't seem to buy it. Then, he pointedly looked at Nova, who had been watching the ordeal silently, his one eye narrowing as he addressed her. "And who exactly are you, and why are you involved in this mess?"

The young witch met Fury's intense gaze without flinching, keeping her voice professional, steady but raspy from her recent ordeal. "I'm Novandéyri Försterin, a Seer. My visions have shown us a future that could bring destruction to the Nine Realms, and Loki is the only one with the knowledge to prevent it."

Fury's expression remained unyielding. "And why should I trust you, Miss Försterin?"

Clint Barton spoke for the first time since the query began. " She was the one who saved our asses about one and half months ago in 9th Avenue, Trenton, and the DC."

Barton wouldn't speak for anyone he wouldn't trust. Fury's eyebrow arched skeptically as he regarded the weak-looking woman. "So she's the 'Blue Spirit ' everyone speaks of?" His one eye looked her figure up and down. " You look nothing like a spirit right now, no offense. " His comment earned a snort from Loki, however, everyone thankfully chose to ignore his asperity.

Nova offered a tired - but - sympathetic smile in return. "No offense is taken. I'm still recovering from the last occurrence." 

Fury remained silent for a moment, his gaze unwavering, shifted back to Loki, his suspicion unwavering. "Ok, Försterin, you've got five minutes to convince me this is a good idea."

The God of Mischief, for once, remained quiet, letting the witch speak. She took a deep breath and began explaining her visions and the potential threat they posed to the realms. She laid out the reasons behind her decision to involve Loki and her belief that he could play a crucial role in preventing the impending disaster.

Fury listened intently, his eye never leaving Nova's face. When she finished, he was silent for a long moment, contemplating her words. Finally, he sighed, his shoulders relaxing marginally. His tone was slightly softer but still firm. "Alright, we'll give you a chance to prove your worth. But make no mistake, I'll be keeping a close eye on both of you.

"This is a dangerous game you're playing,"  His iron gaze turned colder as he stared at the emerald eyes. "One wrong move, and you're going to the Raft, Trickster."

He then turned to the Avengers. "But I want constant updates. I want to know every move this guy makes, every word he utters. If he breathes the wrong way, you shut him down. Understand?"

The Avengers nodded in agreement, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Agreed. We'll cooperate fully with S.H.I.E.L.D."

Fury exhaled tiredly, "And I'll deal with the World's Security Council and clean up the mess you created." he finally said, his tone a warning. "I won't tolerate any more surprises like this. Notify me of every update on the situation."

With that, Fury turned on his heel and stormed out of the tower, his agents following in his wake. The Avengers were left in the wake of his fury, the tension in the room far from dissipating. They exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of their decision heavy on their shoulders.

Bruce muttered under his breath, "Well, that went well."

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Heavy footsteps crunched the knee-deep snow as a figure covered in white fur clothing moved ahead from the distance couldn’t be seen from the blizzard to the entrance of a low cave inside the treacherous mountain step. The figure removed the same white fur hood from her head to reveal a black-haired woman who had serious scorn on her sharp features adorned with darker markings on her ultramarine-colored skin.  Her completely crimson eyes searched through the darkness as she stopped in the deep of the cave and landed on a younger woman alike to her appearance and a crooked smile appeared on her stern face. “She is late again, Ida?” 

“She’s on the way,” replied the younger one. A playful look was behind her crimson eyes, “His Majesty required a ‘private audience’ with her.” She got closer to the glaring woman opposite of her, “Don’t be jealous of your love, Di. You already know my sister has eyes only for you,”

“ I am not.” The older woman inhaled tiredly as she sat down on a piece of rock wall. “ It is that verdant boy that worries me.” 

The younger one tsked tasteless, “ It is what it is. We follow the Crown. Even if what a pity that it is him there taken after instead of  someone like the runt we are hunting.” 

The older woman gave her a puzzled look, “ That naive boy is made for it, but he is the shadow of the man who raised him,” She gazed at the entrance. “ The realms no more in need of further massacre. Enough is enough.”

 “ That’s why we are sent after,” the third voice coming from the entrance revealed to be another blue-skinned woman, her age looked between the two of the others. “ To prevent further bloodshed by that greedy shadow princeling .” 

The youngest smiled at her sister and her lover as they embraced each other. The warmth of it slowly turned taciturn. “ Are you certain going after her too is our only option to succeed?” 

The oldest one looked at the other two women expressionless, “ Her coven wants her either way,” Sadness gloomed the trio's alien features. “ Either way, she is a dead girl. This way, at least we will know, it is a merciful and honorable one, as she deserves.”

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The dark corner enlightened with a yellow light as the metal door of the steel refrigerator creek opened. The muscular arms flexed in the shadow of the person hitting the wall as they showed whatever they took from the shelf with great effort to not disturb any trap. After the lights turned off with the same creek, the folio wrap of the chocolate bar rustled.

“Hello again, sir,” the AI‘s teasing voice echoed through the pantry, “ Is the chocolate bar you’re holding which the boss made clear it is forbidden to take? Like our ‘secret’ last night?”

The man cursed lightly, “ Yes J.A.R.VI.S., just like last night.” He held his laugh, “Can you keep this one a secret too?”

“ Of course, Captain, if you promise that you’ll leave his chocolate bars alone, I’ll keep the secret, sir.”

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