𝒊𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 | ʜᴇʟᴍᴜᴛ ᴢᴇᴍᴏ

𝟖 ᴘʀᴏᴛᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ

madripoor, malay archipelago

The island smelled of acid, sweat, and blood, and it made Kalina slightly queasy, as the four renegades walked down the bridge to Low Town. She had never been to the city, but had heard both good and bad, understanding that the lavish businessmen and women lived in High Town, wanting to remain close to their trade routes in the slums of Low Town. It would have been about the only reason anyone would want to live in Madripoor at all, because even High Town was incredibly shady and difficult to discern friend or foe. Most of the dealers she knew had preferred a life outside of the city, but that did not stop the trades from making their way back to the heart of the criminal stronghold.

Helmut had insisted she change into something less elegant as he had described it, and Kalina traded her exclusively Balmain outfit for something that looked like it had been fished out of the lost and found bin at a metal concert. Much to Helmut's dismay, she fit the role of the typical women of Low Town, but still appeared incredibly seductive. This was entirely the point. He refused to allow Kalina to identify herself, concerned that she would be targeted in the future should anything go awry.

It had taken very little convincing toward Bucky or Sam to allow Kalina to come along, in fact, there were really no choices given. Kalina had made it very clear she would not be persuaded, and the two men could not find the words to argue with her. Helmut had stepped back after their discussion in the kitchen, and mentally swore that he would keep her close to his person the entire mission. She was a strong and independent woman, but she was no match for the disgusting and ruthless parties that inhabited Low Town. He had no doubt she could hold her own, but he would never let it come to that point. Kalina would be safe so long as he had anything to say about it.

Sam quietly thought that having Kalina along would be beneficial, at least to keep Zemo in his place, but also was unfamiliar with her as a person. He had fought alongside many incredible women during his time in the military and the Avengers, and had a great deal of respectful for her. However, he did not want to bring any liabilities into the fight for the super-soldier serum, and had to convince himself that she would do more good for their mission than damage.

As they walked down the bridge, Kalina kept close, walking a few steps behind the men, allowing them to talk as she invested her interest in the city across the water. She would get lost in the clicking of her heels, and of Sam's, and tune out the conversation in front of her, until Helmut turned around to peer at her over his shoulder periodically. Breaking out of her trance, she would offer a small smile of assurance, and go back into her own head.

To say she wasn't slightly nervous would be lying. She knew the underground, and she knew low-life scum, but to be in the lion's den was an entirely different experience. Kalina felt safe with Helmut, but also kept her distance. She had convinced herself that she was here only for his well-being and for no other reason, pushing out any thoughts that might cloud her judgement. Yet, should couldn't help but continue to feel comforted knowing he was nearby.