The ride in the elevator felt surely longer than it was in reality, but it was enough to stress out the two teenagers.
Eve hadn't been around people for a while before meeting the seven and the Jackson-Blofis, so the idea of meeting someone new wasn't delighting her.
When the doors opened she had to fight the urge to go back to the first floor, even if it meant staying a lot longer in that mortal trap.
She pushed that urge aside for Percy though, she couldn't leave him alone after what he and his family had done for her, so she stepped out of the elevator's doors, hand tightly gripped to Percy's own.
The room in front of them was clean, bright and large. Then the A.I spoke again:
《Welcome to the Penthouse. Mr. Stark will be here shortly to meet you. In the meantime you are most welcome to look around and help yourself to the kitchen on your left.》
The two teenagers looked at eachother, and then at the kitchen.
《Thank you Mr. J.A.R.V.I.S》Eve said politely.
Percy nodded in agreement as if on cue.
《No need to thank me, I'm following strict directions.》and with that the A.I went silent.
The two teenagers looked at each other in a silent request for help. Percy had no clue on what to do, and Eve had no clue on what not to do, so they both stood awkwardly next to the couch.
When the 30 years' something man walked into the room it could have been hours or just a few minutes. Eve was pretty sure it had been the latter, but she was confused by the aching of her legs, which were keeping her rigidly upward.
When he spoke it seemed like he had been rehearsing those words for a long time.
《Sup kids. I'm Tony Stark, you must be Percy- he said holding out his hand to be shaken- and you must be Eve》he did the same, receiving a short, shy shake.
《Thank you for having us Mr. Stark.》 Percy said politely, as Sally requested.
《No need for formalities. Tony will be enough, and Uncle is just as good》
《Before showing you to your rooms I'd like to introduce you to the rest of the team.》
He guides the two teenagers to the open space kitchen, and invites them to sit.
《They will be here shortly. Do you want anything to eat?》 He asks.
《No thank you.》 They both reply in unison.
《Alright...- there is an awkward silence - so...you should be starting senior year soon, right?》
They both nod, but keep silent.
《Where?》
《Midtown School of Science and Technology》 says Percy.
《So you must be really good at science.》he says, eyes almost sparkly.
《Ehm- the two look at each other- not really. It's the only school that will take us in.》 Eve answers.
There's a moment where the three of them just look at each other.
《I'm sorry, what?》 Tony asks bewildered.
《What Eve meant is that no school in Manhattan wants to accept our applications, and when the schools in Brooklyn received my files, they said no as well.》 Percy admits.
《But why? I bet you both would be brilliant at school》
《I was part of a bunch of unfortunate accidents, and Eve came from Greece with an unreliable school record.》
Tony's face is a big question mark, but instead of talking he swipes his hand on the table,where a holographic screen pops up.
From behind it, both Eve and Percy can see a file being pulled up.
《Hey!》 Percy exclaims, realizing that not only the file had his name on it, but it also had way more information about him than he would have liked to share with an almost stranger.
《Set off a cannon, burnt down a gym- Percy stops him:
《I was lifted from that one years ago.》
《Yes, but it's still registered. How did you make a toilet burst?》
《I didn't! I was just close by, then the toilet just exploded, and they thought it was me!》
A smile lights up Tony's face.
《Then I'll keep you away from the nice guest bathroom.》
Percy and Eve snicker a little, but the smile dies on their faces the moment they see a bunch of people walking out the elevator's doors.
Tony is quick to close Percy's profile.
All of them stop dead on their tracks, until a stunning redhead woman moves forward.
《You must be Tony's nephew and niece. Nice to meet you, I'm Natasha Romanoff.》 She extends her hand.
This time Eve is the first one to take the invitation.
《Eve, and this is Percy》
《It's a pleasure》 he sais right after.
She moves to the side and grabs Tony's arm, dragging him away from the rest of the people in the room.
As a tall broad man walks toward them, Eve lets her gaze follow the two that are now bickering on the other side of the room.
She hears their whispers loud and clear, and she is so caught up in the conversation that she doesn't hear the other introduction until Percy stomps her foot.
《Sorry?》 She asks, now looking at the really attractive blond man, with blue eyes, that resembles terribly to an older Jason Grace.
《Steve Rogers》she shakes his hand as well and has to force herself to focus on the others, letting the most interesting conversation in the room fade in the background.
After that it was a quite young looking ashy-haired blond man to introduce himself as Clint Barton.
Next up was Bruce Banner, a broad, curly dark haired man with a smart looking air, who seems relatively relaxed.
The last one up is none less than the Norse god of thunder: Thor.
Percy's first reaction is to step back, but Eve is quick to grab his wrist and stop him from moving any further.
They shake hands, even if with a little reluctance from Percy, and when he gets to Eve, he bends down a little and asks, just loud enough for the two of them to hear:
《Why are you here? Among mortals?》
Eve's whispered answer is quick to come:《Hiding... don't tell them》 her expression is serious, but with a small knowing smile.
《Of course, my dear heroes》He straightens his back and turns around to look at Tony.
《Oi, man of iron! You interrupted my visit to Asgard, so you better have many of those tarts that pop.》
YOU ARE READING
Palinoia - A Percy Jackson and the Avengers crossover
Fanfiction-The compulsive repetition of an act, over and over, until the act is performed perfectly- That's how Eve felt as of late. Surely the seven were great, but her life had completely changed after meeting them. And now she would have to move in with Pe...
