Chapter 29
29
Night had already arrived in Mumbai and the fashion show was in full swing. Luka watched as most of the models strutted the catwalk dressed in their Dior gowns and pantsuits. They looked like tropical birds in all colours; black, grey, white, yellow/gold, bright pinks, a lot of tan/ecru, dark blue, loud prints, many fabrics with lots of gold thread and beads or glitter.
She prepared to do her own walk, first in the only true green dress, a long, bare shoulder wrap with a slit up one leg. Her hair was braided and wrapped around her head, the lavender/pink Pride of India flowers a crown and she was barefoot as she preferred. The applause and chatter was welcome, but it was not enough. After all the others had finished, she would end the parade in a short skirted, blood red outfit.
Little did the mortals know, the goddess had a surprise planned for them. One that would guarantee her the adoration she craved in both her Aspects. She would be worshipped, whether out of fear, shocked surprise or due to tradition.
Luka sashayed down the runway as though she was due all the admiration, rather than the outfit she wore. Halfway to the end turn, her walk became a peacock’s strut, a prance. Suddenly, after a gold sparkle enveloped her, a multitude of jewellery items adorned her from her hair to her toes. Jewelled armbands with rubies and emeralds, pearl and gold necklaces and anklets, a long, red flowered, lei-like garland over all. Her now raven black hair flowed freely down her back and she was crowned with a large, jewel encrusted headpiece.
Even as the audience gasped in unison, the goddess changed again. Luka regained her birth form, becoming a midnight blue with glowing, red eyes. Several people in the audience fainted, many shrieked aloud and the orchestra stumbled to a stunned halt.
She had become the living image of Kali, the Hindu goddess of death, destruction and change, but also of creation and salvation, a Mother Nature. She had forgone the necklace of skulls and the severed head and bowl of blood, though she did still hold a scimitar shaped knife in one hand and a living flame in another.
“Meistari! Come, your adoring audience awaits!” Luka turned and held out one of her four hands to Maria, who stood just inside the archway. The designer had a hand to her chest and the other covering her mouth. She had been so shocked when Luka changed, the only sound she made was a quiet, “meep!”
Fearful of angering the goddess, several of the models and staff urged the designer forward, muttering quietly and whispering, “go, go!” “Please, Madame Chiuri, do not invite her wrath!” one of the older aides implored. He actually reached out and gently propelled her forward, a hand on her back. The designer stumbled two steps, then regained her aplomb and marched out to meet her unpredictable, dangerous, limelight-stealing, new model.
Luka ignored all the flashing lights and clicking of cameras going off. She grinned, eyes sparkling with mischief. As Maria neared, her chin lifted and she chuckled aloud. “I think you will make more than just fashion world news this night, eh, Lady Chiuri?”
The designer simply shook her head, not knowing how to respond. She was very upset, but confused. She felt angry, frightened, even a little pleased. No one was going to forget this show for a long time! So, she sighed and nodded agreement with the goddess. Taking the offered hand, they paced back under the archway together, Luka jingling cheerfully the entire time.
*
Nat gave Thor her Starkpad with the shots she had copied from Luka’s journal. He sat in the community lounge, flipping back and forth through the pages. Sighing, a heavy frown on his normally cheerful features, the big god struggled to puzzle out even a few words.
As he had suspected, most of it was written in archaic runes, in an unknown language, but it was obviously Loki’s precise script. He wondered if possibly one of the old sages his brother often consulted could translate it. That would require him going home and avoiding his friends and father while he snuck into the library. Then, he’d have to swear whomever he found to secrecy.
The Avengers spent the afternoon trying to contact various people. With no luck, they decided to break for a meal; it was getting late. Thor had no appetite, but he said he’d share a pizza with someone. The others glanced between them; the big god usually ate two or more to himself.
Meanwhile, Luka was enjoying herself immensely. It being nearly daybreak in India, the fashion show afterparty was in full swing. She had, quite soon after her little stunt, become her normal female self and happily accepted all the fawning and congratulations from the attendees.
She made sure whenever someone’s praise got too effusive, to find and include Chiuri, thanking the designer repeatedly for the ‘opportunity’ she’d been given. If either woman was asked how they had managed that stunt, they simply laughed, Luka only winked and Chiuri said it was ‘a trade secret.’
Pepper had come over and joined the think tank session, hoping they’d come up with something. Tired at the end of a long day, she thought perhaps a little distraction would help ease the tension. So, at the same time that Friday called for Tony’s attention, Pep was flipping through channels on the wall-mounted screen.
Her shriek certainly got everyone’s attention instantly. They all turned to see her jump up and point at the TV. “Look! Look! Tony, Thor! Come here!”
At the same time, Friday’s calm tones informed them this news report came directly from Paris, their late show news. The reporter chuckled as she reported the ‘amazing stunt’ Dior had pulled off at their fall show, (even though it took place in March). Her co-chairperson was not so amused, rather snobbishly remarking he didn’t think such a distinguished fashion house should have resorted to so blatant a call for attention.
The group watched as the models paraded down the runway, each soberly displaying her outfit in turn. Then, there she was, chin high, a superior smile on her made up face, strutting as though all the furor, the drama was aimed at her alone. Everyone sucked in a shocked breath when she glittered and was suddenly covered in gold and jewels. Thor actually moaned as she glowed and turned four-armed and royal blue.
“Oh, my God!” Pepper gasped. Natasha just muttered, “that’s why she asked about the statue in the lobby.” Bruce shook his head, frowning and Tony stifled the question he was going to ask after looking at Thor. The big blond appeared devastated. “No, no, no!” He groaned.