Ice Princess

16

"Good Morning, Melinoe, at least now it is that I am in your company." Once again he took her hand and kissed it.

"Hello, Dr. Doom." Melinoe was speaking in Romani, the Latvaria language which quickly surprised Doom. "Let's get started for the day, I've been instructed to have the afternoon to show you New York, but I warn you, many of these things I have never seen myself."

"Your Latvarian is very, very good. I am honored that you learned it and so quickly, too."

"How about were get started?" With that, she started working, her head in the facts and figures, restrictions of the project. By early afternoon, they were at a good stopping point. Bruce had checked in on them a few times. "Unfortunately, this is where we need to stop. There are a few things I need to get off world before we can continue."

"How long will that take?"

"It depends on a few things. For example, if the pilot in near and will have time to take me to the various places to gather the supplies."

"How exciting, I would love to go with you."

"Unfortunately, that is not up to me. You might want to talk to Dr. Banner about that, though. Meanwhile, I thought we would hit some of the more interesting areas of the city during the holidays."

They did all the famous things for the holiday season for New York. All the while, she kept things friendly and professional. Doom, kept putting his hand on her lower back, taking her hand and tucking it into the crook of his, calling her dear. Melinoe tried her hardest to escape him and add some space between the two of them, but he was relentless. Even though, they had lunch together, Doom did invite her back to his hotel for dinner she respectfully declined. She dropped him at his hotel and began going back to her apartment.

Stripping down, she took the hottest shower she could bare. She scrubbed herself hard and repeated several times. When she came out, she noticed her cat wasn't waiting for her. Melinoe called for Everest, she usually came, but didn't. As she wrapped a towel around her she found her sniffing at a piece of paper. She bent down and picked it up. Seeing as nothing was on it, even holding it up to the light, she figured it must be a mistake from someone putting flyers under the doors. She put it into the trash, heading back to the bedroom, she began dressing and trying to figure out what dinner would be. After getting a few things started, she put food out for the cat. Only, the cat didn't come like she normally did, which was so odd. Usually, she came running when she heard the food being taken out, let alone hit the bowl. She sat at the kitchen table and wrote in her notebook the next steps for the project she was working on. Continuing on this way while eating and into the night until she was finally tired enough to go to bed. Everest was already sleeping on her pillow like she always does, Melinoe didn't think anything of it. Perhaps she needed to go to the vet tomorrow because she was coming down with something.

The next morning, she woke up and kitty was still sleeping. Getting dressed, she noticed the food bowl wasn't touched, neither was the water bowl. Now she was worried. Walking into the bedroom, the cat still hadn't moved, touching her. No. No. This wasn't happening. The cat was cold and stiff. Sending a quick text to the office, she wrapped Everest up as best she could, carrying her down to the car, but she already knew it was too late. The vet confirmed it. Everest wasn't an old cat, wasn't a young cat either, but a heart attack was very, very odd for one perfectly healthy. Melinoe opted to have her cremated but she wouldn't be ready to take home until at earliest next week. The drive to work was a blur, she sat at her desk and someone was talking to her but she just looked up with a confused look on her face.

"I'm....I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention, my cat died this morning." She looked up in a dazed.

"I'm so sorry to hear that," Doom told her and hugged her, "Our pets sometimes become our family and our children. To lose one so unexpectedly must be heart breaking."

"Melinoe, you really should go home." Bruce told her.

"No, I'll be fine, I just need to get to work." Tomorrow Doom would go back to Latvaria and she would start going off world to collect the supplies. She was grateful Doom would be leaving and getting things prepared. Still she had to contend with him while he was there. She couldn't wait for him to leave. Tonight, they were seeing a broadway show and they had box seats. They were both going out to dinner together and then o the theater. She tried to stay present but couldn't for so many reasons. Her mind had gone down that rabbit hole of rumination. Bruce noticed and tried to talk her out of going with Doom tonight, but part of her wanted to prove that she could function.

________

Doom picked her up from her apartment at 8, she couldn't stand being there without her cat. She had taken her time getting ready, anything to keep her mind off the empty apartment. The dress she had picked was understated and covered her scars and she added bracelets to cover the ones on her wrists. Stockings took care of those on her ankles. The heels gave her some height, but even then, she was still short. The light amount of makeup gave her a natural look. A clutch and a wrap completed the look. When Doom arrived, she was already waiting in the lobby. He kissed both of her cheeks like the French do and helped her into the waiting car. While he tried to make small talk, her head was still reeling. Dinner was at an extremely good restaurant, one that she would never be able to visit herself because she lacked connections. The food felt like sawdust in her mouth.

"Is dinner not to your liking?"

"I'm sorry, I am not being a grateful guest." He reached across the table and put his hand on hers. She didn't withdraw it because she didn't feel anything about it.

"Let me distract you. Tell me of your childhood."

"There wasn't much of one. I was an orphan."

"So was I. My uncle adopted me at an early age."

"While you had family, I did not. I never knew my parents. I was a foundling. However, I imagine knowing your parents and then losing them is a great deal worse." She listed to him share stories of his youth and his parents. All the while he had a sad smile on his face.