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Avengers - Loki's return
LAURA LESBEN http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...e/fgfsdgdf.jpg Quote:
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Lilian Ross Before being hired by S.H.I.E.L.D. as a consultant on all things magical Lilian made her living running a magic book store and leasing out her particular set of skills out as a sort of privet/psychic detective. She still runs her store and on occasion will help out someone who comes into her shop looking for assistance. Most of her time is taken up by S.H.I.E.D. They have a fondness for sending her all over the world whether it be to utilize her powers by stopping some crazed occultist or for research purposes. |
Blue eyes fell upon New York with a new hopefulness. Her end was within these city walls. Her hands, steady with years of practice with test tubes and beakers absentmindedly found the small knot of scarred skin on her left arm – the injection site where she had injected herself with the untested formula all those years ago. It was the only scar on her body – despite the abuse she had heaped onto it over the years. With a sigh, Laura turned away from the window. It wouldn’t be easy finding him here... New York was like a metal jungle – and although she lived through all the changes and advances, Laura had spent most of her life in the most obscure places – searching for the most potent poisons, the deadliest animals, and fiercest fighters and assassins. Imagine their confusion, as those killers, who have never missed a mark repeatedly failed in killing a defenceless young blonde. A small smile graced her lips at the memory of a particularly hot-headed assassin she met. It took him 62 times to give up...Not a particularly fun three days, since his method consisted of decapitation... |
AC/DC played out of the speakers in the lower level of Stark Tower. Tony was standing in front of a his newest baby, a smaller, less weaponized version of his Iron Man suit for Pepper. Behind him Bruce was rechecking that everything was operational and any bugs had been worked out. They had been working on the more feminine suit for the last week now and it was just about finished. Another project he had come to New York to help with.Tony had been right he had never seen anything like Tony's personal lab. "Everything looks good." He called over the music. He never really worked with so much noise going on but it didn't seem to bug Tony and it was his workshop.Looking up from the screen he took in the suit. It was a nice design, slimmer then Tony's suit and obviously made for a woman. " So when are you going to give it to her?" "When she does something really good." Looking away from the suit, and the mental picture of his little red head in it, he glanced over at Bruce smirking. The soft ding of the elevator and the doors sliding open."Or now." Turning to face Pepper the billionaire smiled wrapping his arm around her waist when she settled in next to him. "A visitor?" Running a hand through his dark hair the scientist wore a confused expression. The only woman he could think of that would be visiting him was Natasha, but Pepper knew the Russian assassin and the S.H.I.E.L.D. didn't normally come to Stark Tower. Looking over Pepper's head at the fellow Avenger Tony raised an eyebrow, "Been holding out on us Brucie. You never told me you had a lady love." Blushing at the comment, " I don't." Focusing on the woman at Tony's side he asked, " In the penthouse. okay. I'll...I'll be right back." Turning away from the couple Bruce entered the elevator and hit the Penthouse button. He really couldn't figure out who would even know he was here. He hadn't told anyone he was going to be in New York, not that he had many people to tell. Fury and the rest always seemed to know where he was but that was it. As the elevator doors shut Tony turned back to his own lady love. Leaning down he kissed the top of her head. "So I have a present for you." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ With several plastic bags full of food Lillian made her way up the stairs. She had just gotten back from a month long trip from Italy, curtsey of S.H.I.E.L.D., and her kitchen was in desperate need for food. Setting the bags down in front of her apartment door she fished her keys out of her pocket. The dark haired woman hadn't been in Portland in such a long time. Unlocking her front door the magic user let out a frustrated breath narrowing her hazel eyes at the sight of the darkly dressed man standing in her living room as if his name was on his lease. "Fury." She said as a way of greeting as she moved her bags inside. She would just have to give away all of her frozen food, again. "We need you in Brazil." Turning to face the woman Fury followed her into the kitchen. " What is it this time?" With her back to him she began putting away the food that would still be good in a few months. She hadn't thought that she would be traversing the world looking into anything even remotely magical."Medicine woman raising the dead?" "No." The word held enough authority to convoy that this was not one of her optional consulting jobs. "High energy signatures have been popping up all centered around one location. They are neither Gamma or any other type known to us." It was a good guess that they were magic based. " Let me pack." |
The disembodied voice had told her to make herself comfortable. So, she set her bag down on the edge of the couch and headed towards the bar that was in the corner of the room. Not that she was thirsty...but the man she was meeting with may be. It took her a moment, but she managed to figure out how to work the coffee machine – why did the coffee pot need to be so high tech? – though, all the buttons, and the elegance of the place made her feel out of place what with her white tang top and blue jeans. That didn’t really matter though; it was just a passing thought. Pouring two mugs, she noticed her hands were shaking as she reached for them. Closing her eyes for a moment, she opened them and quickly reached for the bottle of vodka – she was told to make herself comfortable – and downed a mouthful. Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she took a deep breath before reaching for the mugs again, this time with steady hands. |
The jet had landed one hour ago in a private hanger not far from the actual airport.Lilian had been given that single hour to get herself settled into the hotel and gather what ever she needed before they took her to the main focus point of the energy signatures. The quick knock on her door was the only warning she got before Fury, followed by three other S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, walked into the hotel room they had paid for. Trust him to have a key to her room.
Gathering up the books, crystals and other stuff she would need she placed each one in a smaller duffel bag. Slinging it over her shoulder she turned back towards the director and other agents. " Ready when you are." Fury nodded before signaling for the other agents. He disagreed with a lot of the councils decisions. They were after all a bunch of politicians who made stupid ass decisions- most of the time. Hiring someone who knew more then them about the magic that was passable as a smart choice. So far Miss Ross hadn't disappointed him. However they had hired her only a month ago, only days after the Loki situation. He had worked with more difficult people before. The image of a faded t-shirt wearing smart ass can to mind. ----------------- He only had a few seconds to take in the blond woman standing in Tony's penthouse before she was standing him front of him shaking his hand. With a grip that was stronger then she looked. Bruce was use to strong woman. When he got over her strong grip, sliding his hand away from her and flexing it at his side. He took her in fully. Searching his brain for anyone he could have known that would one know he was in New York and two be looking for him he came up blank. " I'm...sorry Miss Lesban but I don't believe we've ever met." She didn't look like one of the girls Tony was always throwing in his direction, which he would always be polite to when he told them that he wasn't interested. She wasn't as...flashy as those girls. "Why is it you've been looking for me." The thought wormed it's way into his mind that she could be after the Other Guy.That...that could be a problem. Taking a step back away from her he moved around the little blond to the bar. Wanting space between them until he knew her purpose here. --------------------------------- Tony watched as her fingers flew along the key board till he grew bored and leaned in to rest his face into her neck and play with the ends of her hair. She really was amazing. " Nope. I got you something better." Placing a kiss on her exposed neck he moved so that he was standing in front of her. " I made it myself and everything." Well with Bruce's help but that would totally take away from the gift. Smiling down at her he took hold of her thin shoulders before turning her around so she was facing the,her,suit. " I figured you could use a new outfit." It looked just like his Iron Man suit, Bruce had suggested a different color scheme but he liked the idea of his little red head's suit being clearly tied to his own. Running his hands up and down his arms his lips twitched into a little smile. " You like?" ------- The jeep pulled up next to what looked like an old building. She had already figured out that the energy was magical, the air was alive with it. As they got closer to the building S.H.I.E.L.D. was using as a base of operation she could practically taste it. Whatever was going on was powerful and was getting stronger. "Have you located the exact location?" The magic was mixed into the air and with out the time to properly scry for the source it would be way more helpful is they had more then a vague location. " Yes. We are dropping off one of the agents before we head down to the location." Fury informed her as they parked in front of the building. The clouds over head gathered to indicate an incoming storm. The man sitting in the back with her climbed out of the jeep before he saluted to Fury and made his way inside. The location of the energy source was a an open field not far from a local village. Taking one look at the symbols that were scorched into the ground Lillian pulled out on of the thicker tomes from her bag." It's magical. Strong, very very strong." Strong magic always had to potential to be either very good or very very bad. She had a feeling it was bad. Ripping open her book she dropped down to the ground tracing a finger along one of the marks as she flipped through the book to match the symbols. |
Laura chuckled at herself, as if she was just now realizing how this must look to the other. Playing it up before leaving Bruce behind the bar to head back towards the couch. “No, you’re right. We haven’t... But I’ve read all your published works on gamma radiation, and any unpublished ones I could get my hands on.” She said, pausing for a brief moment to take a sip of the still-hot coffee. “You’re quite the commodity in the science community, as I’m sure you already know...And that’s kind of why I’m here.” Taking a deep breath, she turned in the couch so she was facing him. She really had to be careful. She couldn’t have him catching on to her plan – he might get the wrong idea and think that she was here to somehow...capture him, as many who sought him out were wont to do. That wasn’t the goal at all... She was here to play with the Hulk. Luckily despite her rag-tag travel clothes, she expressed herself as a woman of science – which was what she was. |
Slipping off his glasses and tucking them into the pocket of his blazer Bruce listened to Laura. So she was here for him as a scientist, that wasn't a problem. Blushing lightly at the commodity comment him ran his fingers along one of the glasses Tony had left on the bar. Eyes averted he ran a hand through his dark hair before he hear the blond scientist swear. Eyes darted up in time to catch sight of the cup of hot liquid slammed into his chest. Stepping back in shock as coffee seeped into his shirt and onto his skin. Bruce took a deep breath feeling that twinge of anger coat his insides. The Other Guy wasn't slipping through, he had this under control. He hadn't lost control since the incident on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s plane. 'It's...It's okay." A reassurance to her as well as himself. Pulling the ends of the shirt away from his skin he focused on something other then the slight burning sensation across his stomach. Looking up he took in the blood and coffee that stained her top. "oh are you okay?" Moving around from behind the bar Bruce stood near the bar, still a good distance away, hands raised in case she needed help up but also to keep anything from hitting him again. --------- A genuine smile lite his face while he watched Pepper gush over the suit. It was some of his best work of course. He had put more time into it then he had his original suit but the suit was made to keep Pepper safe. Even if she never had to wear it it had done a fine job of rattling the unshakable Pepper Potts. The genuine smile changed into a Stark trade mark smirk. A chuckle slipped past his lips despite the knot that his stomach had tied it's self into. She thought he had built her the suit so that she could fight. Silly brave woman. "No, no you won't be doing any fighting. It's to keep you safe. You know when I'm off saving the world." He shrugged as if he didn't wake up most nights in a cold sweat with the feeling of free falling through space still clinging to his body. Wrapping his arms around her waist to keep her against him he grinned down into her face. "Well I have a few choice things you could wear to those." The look on his face telling her just how little he would prefer she wore. He liked showing her off. Of course he would like more if they ditched the benefits and got right to the fun part of the night. ---- Her knees and the back of her green shorts were getting stained dirty and the more and more she translated the less she cared. " It's a summoning circle. Something very powerful was sent here." Glancing up at the sky as a particularly loud clap of thunder Lilian worried her bottom lip. The magic had an unfamiliar under current that danced along her skin . Even with out that feeling it had taken some time to translate the symbols and even know she wasn't sure what they actually said. She would need to get back to her hotel room to gather the rest of her supplies if Fury wanted her to track what ever had been brought to this plane. For his part Nick Fury simply watched the magic user scoot along in the dirt flipping through her book and muttering words he couldn't hear. Powerful. She said it was something not of this world and it was powerful. They had slowly started rebuilding New York after the last visitor had totaled Manhattan. Turning to the agent, " Has the perimeter been set up yet." They couldn't have another Loki fiasco. They would have to move quickly to contain..it. What ever this powerful thing was. Looking back over at their consultant who was back to flipping through her book and muttering to herself. the clap of thunder and the sound of something whirling drew his attention. Was that...Yes it was Thor. What was the God of thunder doing back on earth? "Thor." He called out keeping his eyes on the flying God. ---- Kang, or Nathaniel as was his birth name, stepped out of the portal taking in the barren land before him. This past was so...primitive. It was hard to believe that it had been this time that had given birth to the Avangers. Earth mightiest heroes. By this point his dimension ad already colonized the moon. He had been travel through the different dimension of earth for some time easily conquering over the heroes of that time. Now However history had shown that these Avangers had potential to be worth opponents, though they would fall. |
Damn. Damn. Dammit. Damn. Damn. Damn!’ Seemed to be the only thing running through her mind at the moment. It hadn’t worked, and she feigned her trip a little too expertly – causing not only Bruce, but herself to be covered in coffee. Letting out a sigh of defeat, she opened her palm to assess the damage. Her body was already pushing the shards of the mug out of her hand. Frowning at it, she closed her palm. She didn’t really want Bruce to know just what her own little accident did to her – and having to explain where the blood came from without having any scratches on her palm might be a bit difficult. Squeezing her hand to push the shards back in, she bit her lip, took a big breath, and turned to look at Bruce who was also sopping wet. “Yeah, I’m fine – I’ve just been a bit clumsy since getting back to the city, the terrain in Africa is so different, I guess I just got used to it. I’m sorry about your shirt.” She added as an afterthought. |
Keeping the distance between them Bruce took in the drops of blood smeared on her white tank top ans well as the pool of red liquid the was leaking form her clenched fist. She said it was fine but that looked like an awful lot of blood. "Don't worry about it,...but ,uh,your hand. Are you sure you're okay?" Taking a half step, really it was more like he shifted her body in her direction then actually have taken a step, " I can get JARVIS to alert Ton..Mr. Stark.If you need a first aid kit or something else?" He was never good with blood though he was becoming use to it. He made no other move to stop her retreat other then to offer Tony's help in getting her hand looked at. The thought of unleashing the hulk must had startled her. Bruce really couldn't blame her. Natasha still moved away from him at the first sign that he might lose control. Though with offer of lunch and to ' nerd it up', as she put it, an awkward smile formed on his lips. "Yes lunch would be nice. It'll give us more time to talk." Tony was really the only other person he talked to about science. Still the ex-playboy didn't have the love of discovering the unknown like Bruce did. It would be nice to sit and talk to another scientist. "Are you sure you want to leave with out getting that looked at first?" He didn't want her roaming around New York with an open wound. This wasn't Africa, he'd have to remember to ask what type of work she had been doing there, and he was sure Pepper would want to make sure no one left Stark Tower bleeding. ------- JARVIS always interrupted the fun parts. Though an elevated heart rate on Bruce was cause for slight concern. He had faith that old Bruce would be able to keep his little condition under control if spilled coffee was it. It his visitor made him bleed, glancing down at Pepper then back at he suit, that could be a problem. The new and improved Stark tower had built in measures encase their big green friend ever made an unwelcome appearance. He had had Bruce bring out the big guy and go crazy in one of the rooms. It would hold him but that would trap his female visitor in their with him. Pepper would skin him alive if he didn't make sure their would be no blood shed in her baby. Giving a sigh of half defeat, " Well finish this later, yes?" He moved away from the red head towards the elevator. "I'll go check on Bruce. You stay here and check out your new toy." His smirk and voice were his normal laid back tone. JARVIS would have informed them if his friends heart rate reach a critical level no reason to worry over it. Still the part of his mind, which was pretty large, put Pepper's safety first. If there was a chance that the Hulk was going to come out to play then being down her with her suit was the best place to be. Hitting the elevator button he waited as the light signaled it was making it's way down from the Penthouse. --- Loki. That pit in his stomach since Miss Ross had mentioned magic transformed it's self into the beginnings of a migraine. That spoiled cocky God was back on his planet and no doubt was going to stir up trouble. Narrowing his one good eye he went over how long it would take to assemble(( I had to use that word)) the Avangers, and the ass chewing he was going to have to put up with from the Council. Now Thor tells him that Loki once again has help. Great so now they had two Gods running around earth. Considering all the damage Loki himself was able to do, turning some of his best men in to puppets and unleashing war on Manhattan, Fury was not looking forward to this. Turning away from Thor to shout out orders into the walki-talki he had ripped off of his side. "Rogers, do you read me? We've got an old Asgardian friend that came for a visit. He brought a date. I want them found, I'm sending more men to help with the parameter lock.Over." Directing his good eye to the agent standing by the jeep he called out, his gun making it's way out of it's holster and into his right hand. "Radio the base and tell them to send every available agent out. Tell them Loki is back on Earth and to use extreme caution." He was starting to regret not taking taking Barton and Romanova with him to Brazil. S.H.I.E.L.D. had needed them else where though. They would be briefed on the situation when their current mission was complete. --- Half listening to the conversation going on behind her Lilian moved on to another symbol. Though is the bits and pieces she had picked up from the conversation behind her were right they already knew WHO it was that had been summoned here. She would need to focus more on a way to track the magics signature before it faded or the source was to far out of range. Stopping her mental check list of ingredients she looked up at the tall blond man standing before her. It was her first time meeting one of the Avangers, she like every other American had been glued to her TV during the attack on New York. Taking in his question she looked down at the aforementioned book. The page looked to be written in some lost Nordic alphabet though there was slight differences in some of the lettering. The similarities were close enough that she had deduced the meanings of most of the rune symbols in the circle. The arrogance in his stance and question put her on the defensive.She wasn't worried he'd attack but she had dealt with enough people to know when they thought she had no clue as to what she was doing.Most people didn't believe in magic to begin with let alone fathom that some woman in her late twenties would be proficient in it. "It's a book of ancient magic. Like the kind used to summon your...kind to earth back in the days when humans actually believed in you." Unfolding herself from the crouched position she had taken on the ground. Wanting to shoe off just a bit, to whip that confident look off the man...god's face she held her hand out above the book she had left on the ground, "libro ortum" the large leather bound rose slowly from the ground before she garbed it mid air. It was a little show of magic just enough to show that she knew what she was doing. The hand not occupied with the book rested on the hip of her short green cargo shorts. |
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