Thor and Jane talk for a while. Thor gives Jane a short and sparsely detailed explanation of what we're about to do. It's so sweet that he's so careful about not outing his brother unless absolutely necessary. He's really respectful of the fact that Loki is uncomfortable with his Frost Giant heritage. I can tell Thor's somehow quickly overcome whatever prejudices he used to have against Frost Giants.
That or he has at least completely denounced any of his prejudice views on Jotuns applying to Loki in any way. Yes, I think Thor has come to full terms with the fact that Loki is the thing he once declared to hate but it now makes no difference (or even perhaps never has made any difference) to him in how he feels about his little brother.
Even though Thor's not ashamed of being brothers with a Frost Giant he still understands that Loki is very guarded about it and that it's an extremely sore topic for him. He's allowing his brother to in a way 'come out' to people he trusts at his own pace. As Thor and Jane wrap up their discussion we all look to Strange who is now ready to perform the spell. He nods to us and begins.
Orange light surrounds and levitates the DNA sample between his hands as he performs his hand movements. In doing so an odd symbol forms that seems almost deliberate I'll have to ask what it means later.
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Strange finishes the spell and the orange light forms a three dimensional image of Earth, 'so he's not in another realm at least!', it spins and an area in North America is highlighted with a more intense glow. Strange raises an eyebrow at the entire display seeming a bit confused.
"This doesn't usually happen, usually it takes us straight there via portal but it's like something's blocking me from honing in. Give me just a second, I'll try to get a closer look."
Strange repeats the hand motions again and the globe expands zooming in on a specific part of North America. Strange tries this again several times zooming further in each time before hitting a limit and determining after several failed attempts to zoom in that he won't get a more precise location. Darcy breaks the tense silence.
"Massachusetts?"
Strange nods.
"Looks like..."
He performs a hand motion and the map becomes detailed with topography, roads, and city names marked on it. He squints at the area glowing the brightest again.
"From what I see he's likely in a cave system close to Salem."
My heart skips a beat finally having a solid place to start looking for Loki. I don't want to wait another second.
"Then let's go."
Strange shakes his head.
"Wait a second Sam, I'm sensing serious dark magic-"
I glare at Strange and Thor does the same. Strange sighs immediately giving up on trying to talk our stubborn asses out of taking the risk and heading there immediately anyway.
"...And you don't care. Right, okay you know the risks."
I nod. He goes on.
"I'll bring you there then contact the team. They'll want to help."
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We start towards the cave opening that leads into the cave system Loki is supposedly in but something odd happens. No matter how many steps we take the mouth of the cave doesn't come any closer. I try running at it but it only remains the same distance away. Thor and I glance at each other in dismay but continue trying to get closer, both a little in denial about what's happening.
I become frantic after a while and throw myself in that direction only to look up from my fall and still see the cave is just as far away. I begin to cry for the hundredth time today. I yell out in frustration before bursting into sobs. Thor comes over to me able to move sideways towards me but no further forward towards the cave.
He attempts to help me up. I pull away from him and start trying to make my way towards the cave again. I'm panicking now and have no idea what's going on or how we can possibly fix this situation. All I know is Strange said my husband is in that cave system and that I have to get to him. I yell at Thor in fear and frustration over the whole situation.
"No! I have to get over there!"
My breathing's picked up and I can sense a panic attack is eminent. Thor senses it too. He ignores my anger and pulls me closer to himself and in the opposite direction of the barrier we can't seem to cross.
"Sam easy, it's obviously bewitched Strange can fix it when he gets here with the others."
My voice is gone now and I cling to Thor nodding slightly. I know he's right and I know I shouldn't be so panicked, but... 'what if Loki's hurt in there?' 'What if we take too long to get to him?' 'What if he's...he's...?' I break down into more sobs at the mere subconscious thought. Thor just gives me one of his all enveloping bear hugs.
"Sam we're close I can feel it. We just have to keep our heads, alright. We WILL find him. Alive, if there's one thing my brother excels at it's taunting Lady Death."
I nod knowing how true that is from the many stories of them in battles when he overcame the odds, his fall from the bridge, his time aboard Sanctuary enduring torture that should have killed him, and him faking his death on Svartalfheim. Loki might loose, sometimes painfully, but he doesn't die, he survives.
