Ice Princess

22

"No gawking around. Staring will draw too much attention. Remember, this is an every day occurrence. I'm going to arrange some transportation. Wait here until I get back." Rocket told them as they entered the marketplace. For Melinoe, these really were wondrous sights and sounds. She busied herself looking at a merchant's wares trying to blend in and not just stand there. Meanwhile, people bumped into Bucky for him standing in the flow of traffic. Eventually, he joined her looking at the curiosities as well.

"We need to talk." Bucky told her.

"I don't see what there is to talk about." She said. "I didn't do anything." Bucky made a growling noise. "You instigated it."

"Miss, is he bothering you?" A stranger asked.

"She's with me." Bucky grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him holding her away from the stranger. The pull was so powerful it knocked her scarf off her head showing the mark he made.

"He's fine, just over protective." She said, she smiled sweetly. Melinoe was trying to diffuse the situation. "Please, sir, accept my apologies." Bucky went to say something but she kicked him in the shin. A small crowd was forming. "And thank you for your concern. I am sure you wife and daughters must be very proud to have you as a father."

"What was that all about?" Bucky asked.

"I was trying to diffuse the situation. You were drawing too much attention." She continued looking around like it was nothing. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw different people and how they acted towards the different objects in the market. Ones, they smelled she smelled, ones they twist and turned to look at, she did the same.

"Great, you all found the food. We'll take a few of those." Rocket pointed and paid.

"What about these? What do you think?" She held up a purple fruit.

"Nah, it's not ripe yet." Rocket told her. Bucky just followed after them brooding. "So what did you two do while I was arranging our ride?"

"Nothing. Just looked around." Bucky was surprised at her answer. Melinoe didn't react to him. When they finished, they headed towards the edge of town. "We get to ride those?" They looked like a horse crossed with a spider. She petted one of there faces as it nuzzled her.

"Good it likes you." Rocket said.

"Why would you be worried about that?" She asked. Melinoe walked over to another one and it did the same.

"They tend to be flighty about female terrans." Rocket responded.

"Why don't we just take the ship?" Bucky asked.

"Because, meathead, this is a cavern world. Nothing really exists on the surface except for spaceports. In a couple hours, this market will close up and go underground. The sun tends to get too hot here." Melinoe was already in the saddle of the third spider horse and was trying it out. It really was like riding a horse, but the ride was less jarring. "Meli has the right idea, come on get on."

"I'll walk."

"Alright hero, suit yourself, but it's going to be a few days before we get to where we need to be." They used the third animal as a pack horse and Rocket led them down below."

It was wondrous, the ceiling of the cavern had a moss on it that lit up, there was enough light from it to support plant life on the ground below them as she looked to either side. There were bird like creatures, cattle like animals, apparently they were in some sort of farm land. The walls in the distance were dug out to be homes. There were child aliens following them along a fence waving to them. It was very idyllic. All the while Bucky grumbled. The sky, for lack of a better term eventually started to change colors imitating a dusk and coming nightfall. In a wooded area, Rocket dismounted and Melinoe followed in suit.

"What can I do to help?" She asked Rocket.

"Keep the bridles and saddles on the Spelligs. Bucky and I can get what we need down for the day. How about you look for some wood for a fire?"

"Ok." She took a flashlight with her. It was easy for both Rocket and Bucky to keep track of her because her skin was so white, it glowed in the limited light they had. It was eerily beautiful.

"I don't know what you two did on the ship or in the marketplace, whatever it is... she's a good kid despite all the crap she's had to go through. Melinoe deserves a break. You two need to figure it out."

"She started it."

"Oh, real grown up answer from the 108 year old." Rocket laughed. "You know what her problem is? She's too nice and kind. When someone treats her like crap, she just locks it down, buries it. You know why?"

"No, enlighten me."

"Because she knows nothing different. She's always been treated like trash and when she tries to do anything about it, some comes along and hammers her down. Sometimes it's not even a someone, but a something. Sound familiar?" Rocket knew about Bucky and him trying to separate himself from being the Winder Soldier. "Now, I know she's going to do her job. What about you?"

Bucky's responsibility was protection and to make sure Melinoe made it back to finish the project she was working on. Bruce had been worried that she would see so many interesting things, she'd want to stay. While this may be true, Melinoe was too dedicated to getting the job done. She had just dropped an armload of firewood off and headed out for another armload.

"How did we do for today?" She asked Rocket.

"We made good time. If we continue to make good time tomorrow, we will reach the quarry by the third day."

"Great." She hopped off to gather more firewood.

"See what I'm talking about soldier boy." Rocket said setting up things for their evening meal.

"She's oblivious to everything." Bucky told him.

"No, she takes everything in. Everything is a calculated risk." Melinoe was back with another armload which was enough for the evening. The spelligs had laid down on their stomachs, happily munching on grass. At least, what she considered grass.

"There's a stream nearby. Mind if I wash up?" She asked. Both said no. She left her scarf and wrap by her mount and walked over to the stream. Kneeling down, she first looked at her reflection. Two tear drops fell into the water disrupting the surface. She told herself to stop it. Washing her hands and her face, a shadow fell over her. Looking up, it was Bucky. He looked like he was about to say something, but she walked past him.