Dragonscales

Chapter 55|Training

I slumped over the edge of the roof, panting. Tourmaline had been running me ragged with the flight lessons, not to mention Natasha had decided I didn't train enough. Apparently once a week wasn't enough. Tourmaline perched on the concrete looking at me in disappointment. You're not putting enough power behind your strokes. Not to mention your posture isn't aerodynamic at all. She pulled me up by the collar of my shirt and set me onto safer spot on the roof. Twenty push ups with your wings. The dragon demanded. I did as she asked, folding my arms together and pushing my body up with my wings.

As soon as I was done with that, I shrunk my wings down to the tattoo on my back and went downstairs for lunch. Steve pushed a sandwich toward me as soon as the elevator doors clicked shut behind me. "You're not eating enough." He said, concern lacing his voice. I quirked an eyebrow. I had gained all the weight back from my time banished. Plus I had gained muscle.

"What are you talking about? I eat plenty." Steve shook his head. "I notice how you forget to eat sometimes and how you never eat as much food here as you do in your village." Steve stubbornly crossed his arms. "Everyone forgets to eat sometimes, also the reason I eat more in Stardust Grove is because elven cuisine is a special occasion for me and I want to eat as much as I can before I go back to New York," I crossed my arms, "you can stop mothering me, Steve. I am a perfectly healthy elf." I grabbed the sandwich and bit into it. "Thanks."

After lunch was my training with the rest of the Avengers. Tourmaline was already sparring with a group of robotic dummies, one of Tony's inventions. They were nearly indestructible, perfect for a team of gods, an elf, a dragon, enhanced humans, and Clint. My mouth opened in a wide 'O' as I yawned, my body stretching out. I began jogging on the rubber track that encompassed the room. Steve soon joined me after I had completed a few laps. He made a good jogging buddy, as his pace mostly matched mine, although elves are naturally faster with more stamina. After a quick mile, I had warmed up.

Next up in my training routine was practicing my archery, although I barely needed it. Still, practice made perfect. Clint was already on the archery range, the string of his bow pulled taut. "Up for a friendly competition?" He loosed the arrow, hitting a bull's eye. "Hell yeah. First one to get ten bull's eyes doesn't have to clean Tourmaline's nest." I was referring to the pile of blankets in one corner of my room the dragon had made, where she stored shiny things and other items in her hoard. Tourmaline perked up from across the room, attentive at my mention of her name. "You're on," Clint pulled back his bowstring in preparation for another shot, "That last one count, by the way."

I notched an arrow, then pulled back the bowstring. Tony noticed the competition, and pushed a button on a remote. The targets started moving. I squinted my forest eyes, studying the patterns of movement. The corner of my mouth curled into a grin as I hit a bull's eye. "Thanks, Tony. It's not fun if it isn't a challenge." Tony nodded in approval, then continued sparring with his assistant, or whatever the working relationship was, Happy.

Clint and I kept shooting arrows, tied. My eyes flicked to the fan in the corner, currently sitting idle. With a subtle wave of my hand, it turned on via my magic. The wind emitted from the fan was just enough to knock the archer's arrow off course. I punched a fist in the air. "I win!" The archer frowned. "You totally cheated, Thistle." I stuck out my tongue. "Says the loser. All's fair in love and war." "Oh, so this is war?" Clint grinned devilishly as he grabbed a NERF bow and a quiver of matching arrows. I tucked the snowy hair that went down to the nape of my neck behind my ears.

The more my hair grew the more honor I had restored from killing my mother. I picked up another NERF bow from the rack of training weapons and notched an arrow. My fingers released the taut bowstring. The arrow stuck to his forehead. "Ah, I've spotted the rare unicorn, of the Barton variety." I grinned and shot another arrow at him, hitting him in the chest. "You're right. I am rare and beautiful." Clint faked flipping his hair. We both laughed, then chased each other around the training area shooting fake arrows at each other.

Thor entered the room, a sealed envelope in his hands. "Loki wanted me to give this to you." He handed me the envelope. "I recommend dressing yourself in some nicer clothes once you open it." Thor said jovially. I quirked an eyebrow, then peeled back the green wax stamped in Loki's sigil. The paper inside held a riddle.

A/N~

What's up my guys, gals, and non-binary pals? I guess it's been awhile since I've updated. Oh well... I'm almost done with finals so that's nice. Get ready folks because the next chapter's gonna be a big one.

-Author-kun