THE APPRENTICE II

27

"Considering you're an Avenger, I've decided not to let you fight— unless another comes by."  Xialing broke the news. She turned the knob and opened the door to an air-conditioned room. It had a black carpet floor and leather seats with a table beside each one. She gestured for her to sit and she thanked her.

"It's alright, the environment's enough. I just wanted to de-stress. I'm healing from some injuries, anyways." She plopped down a seat and put the foot recliner up. She looked around— she was the only superhero there (aside from Wong), so she assumed the rest of the people in the VIP room were rich. There weren't very many, just 3 more men, but after spending a huge chunk of her life in her monastery, she couldn't help but curl her lip at them.

"Here you go. Let me know if you need anything." She placed a pizza box by her table and approached the door.

"Yeah, thanks." She revealed with a friendly smile. She returned the expression and shut the door. Hazel opened up the box and the smell of the cheese pizza travelled through the air. Her mouth watered at the scent— she hasn't had anything to eat in hours. "Finally."

"I haven't seen you around here." A smooth and silvery voice called beside her. "Come here often?"

She ignored it and savored the bite. The slice was a piece of heaven on earth and she slowly nodded her head in approval. She fought back every urge to swear in satisfaction.

"What kind of injury are you healing from?" He continued to speak. She roughly exhaled to0 show her annoyance. The sound of him adjusting in his leather seat followed.

"Hands." She abruptly answered and took another slice.

"This seat taken?" He sat down beside her and peered over. He had dark, silvery, ashy brown hair and fair skin. His face was slightly chiseled and skin was pale. There was a regal yet boyish aura to him, she could tell he was a playful one.

"Yes." She made it know through her firm tone that she wasn't in the mood to converse. She fixed her gaze straight ahead and watched a lizard like creature that made rattling sounds battle with a woman with arnis sticks.

"Can I have one?" She could almost feel his breath on her cheek. It's like he had no concept of personal space. She gestured to the box and he took a slice. She squinted at his hands; there was a field of translucent energy that was ever so thin.

"You do magic." She concluded and hummed. He was chewing with satisfaction and there was a hint of surprise on his face. "An illusion spell, to be exact."

"You know about magic?" He raised an eyebrow. Now that she's confirmed it, the black coat he was wearing had a bit of a stronger field than the rest of his body— must be the color contrast. He tilted his head, the slight waviness of his hair following the motion. He inched closer to her and investigated her with inquisitiveness, like a puppy sniffing out a new environment.

"I know a few things about it." She hinted and continued on. "If you failed to hear, though I'm sure you didn't cause you heard the second half of my statement, I came here to de-stress,"

"What could possibly be stressing you out?" He hummed more to himself than to her. She didn't look very business-person-y. Maybe she worked in justice? Or medicine? But they aren't usually this young. When she entered, a commotion was caused. He also heard Xialing call her an Avenger, which is apparently a high-ranking status around here. Maybe she's a noble? Somebody renowned or royal.

"Having fun there?" She snapped him out of his gaze as he searched his mind for possible answers. She let out an audible sigh and turned her upper body to him. She met eyes with the man. There was a little too much time spent on looking into his eyes, as they seemed to have an illusion, too— or some kind of spell. Maybe for eyesight? To change the color? Either-way, the gray ones had the thinnest film of energy that only a sorcerer could spot. She shook her head and brought herself back to reality. "I don't want to talk to you."

When she said that, his brows immediately curved. What surprised her was that there was a look of shock, then embarrassment and hurt that flashed in his eyes. It was like he had never heard those words before. She found it more interesting, however, how there was no anger in them— little to no malice. He distanced himself instantly.

"I apologize." He muttered softly and cleared his throat. His eyes glued to his leather shoes and he took a sharp inhale.

It was her turn to tilt her head. Rarely did she ever meet a man react so gracefully to a woman's rejection. The only people she was certain that would act the way he did were the Avengers (especially Peter and Cap), and they weren't normal people. She certainly didn't expect it from him; look at him! Fine, maybe compared to the average person, he would be considered attractive, and attractive people, people who look like that, don't usually handle rejection well.  Plus, a rich person, too!There was a strange feeling that washed over her: guilt. Was she too harsh? Maybe he really was just dense. Maybe she judged him for being in the VIP lounge. What if he really was a nice person? It doesn't matter, though; what's done is done. She prayed that he would once again say something, just so she could act friendlier, this time.

Even with the dozens of people cheering on the other side of the glass, right below, the tension was still so thick. They dared not to look at one another, only straight ahead. The two decided that the silence was too uncomfortable for them to bear. They, along with the another man in the room, stood up and reached for the doorknob at the same time, once again meeting eyes. They quickly avoided each others' gaze.

"After you." He gestured and opened the door, then stepped back.

"No, no, thank you, I'll just...sorry. Bye. And thank you." She made a portal back to the New York Sanctum and disappeared without a trace.

After seeing the portal, two looked at one another, gobsmacked. He gasped audibly and pressed a palm against his face. The man beside him, who had dark skin and a larger build, let out a hearty cackle.

"You know about magic?" He mimicked with a teasing tone and pat his back harshly. He had a bit of an accent, one that was nearer to a Scottish one. "You never stood a chance, man!"

"Shut up." He put his arm around his neck in an attempt to lock it and the two began to brawl.