Ice Princess

33

"While adamantium is not a normally occurring mineral on earth, an asteroid long ago left deposits of it." Melinoe explained as she started up the machine to be used to extract it. "It will take time, but it can ferret out the individual particles over several days. If we get lucky, we may have something measurable over the next couple days." They were deep underground in a large cavern. While a snow storm blustered above them, they were at a depth where it was actually comfortable enough to remove their coats.

"The miners will still be able to mine, but they will use conveyor belts to load the machine. Dr. Witt designed it to use the least amount of radiation possible. Even if a miner were to sit at the machine day in and day out for days unending, it would take forty or fifty years before even the smallest amount of radiation to affect them. Still, the safety measures she had placed will ensure their health." Bruce explained.

"Excellent. Now, my dear, if you could join me, we will head back in my vehicle. Gentlemen, I suggest you do the same to prepare for tonight's ball." Doom waited until entered the vehicle and were driving off before continuing. "You seem distracted, darling. What on earth troubles you?"

"Oh, nothing. Really. I just keep thinking about the sister that passed away recently."

"I'm sure she did the most with her life. After all, she helped you become who you are today."

"Hmmm."

"So many things influence people to become who they are, but mostly it is those who were with us when we are youngest or at our most vulnerable."

"It's hard to imagine you young? Growing up with all this?" It was true, she couldn't, there were small rooms and multiple children to the small beds where she grew up.

"Ah, now you expect me to be spoiled? You hurt my pride." He kissed the back of her hand. "But I can see how it would be overwhelming. The castle wasn't always as grand or well put together as it is today. A great deal of it was in ruins and disrepair until about 20 years ago when I started to make improvements after my uncle died." He put some hair behind her ear, she allowed him even though his touches repulsed her. Melinoe was counting down the moments for this whole event to be over. Two more days, she silently told herself, two more days.

______

"Well, you clean up nice." Bruce told Bucky.

"You had to have that suit especially made didn't you?" Bucky was talking to professor Hulk.

"Well, it is nice to be able to drink and not get intoxicated. I'm sure you can appreciate that as well." He said plucking a champagne flute from a passing waiter. "Remember what we discussed. Melinoe wants to keep it professional. Agreed?"

"Agreed." While Bucky was still upset with her, he could understand why she was now upset with him and he could see how he wasn't exactly being fair to her with constantly pushing her away. It was at that exact moment he looked up and saw her descending the stairs to the ballroom floor. The silky, silver dress skimming her curves and the way her hair harkened back to old Hollywood made any ice around his heart melt. She was a vision.

"You can close your mouth now." Bruce told him. Melinoe made her way to the bar and ordered tonic with a twist.

Melinoe made her way through the crowd completely avoiding the two men. Instead of being the wallflower she was last time, she was talking with different groups of people floating from one group to the other. Bucky noticed she had a small pouch on her wrist and was putting something in or taking something out and giving it to people whom she was talking with. While Melinoe did smile, the smile never reached her eyes, Bucky saw she was wrapped in sadness. Eventually, he made his way through the crowds to talk to her however was stopped by the fanfare that signaled an announcement was about to be made. Doom took the stage and introduced himself, being met by laughter considering all there knew who he was. He thanked them all for attending, thanked the workers and the miners, then introduced Bruce, finally he introduced a blushing Melinoe. Who, Doom, went on about at length.

"Now, I need to save her from myself by asking for the first dance." Doom said as Melinoe took his hand when he offered it to her.

Even without looking at him, Melinoe could feel Bucky seething. She did what was expected of her, talked to guests, danced, and smiled at the right times. Eventually, she was spun around right into Bucky's arms. Without batting an eyelash, she danced with him as if nothing was the matter.

"You look lovely tonight." He said to her, but she refused to make eye contact.

"Lucky for me, I was able to find a pair of matching opera gloves to wear."

"Why do you need to wear them?"

"You really weren't paying attention to me last night, were you?" She sighed. "You bruised my forearms. Wearing sweaters was easy enough for day time but everything available to me had little to no sleeves."

"I didn't know."

"Does it matter? I'm just the bait or the window dressing. Like I told Bruce, I won't see you after this project is finished."

"Why is that?" He could tell that was the wrong question to ask. Melinoe took several deep breaths to calm herself down.

"Have you not been paying attention? This ball Doom is throwing wasn't just to show off the latest toy he has and to pump his ego. Look at who is here. Every man I've danced with has given me a card for an interview with their company, every woman I've talked to has exchanged cards with me as well."

"They won't be able to provide the security you need .... Look, I'm sorry and I mean it this time."

"What security? Have I not shown I can take care of myself? Perhaps I want to work in an environment that isn't as emotionally toxic? Besides, to prevent another HYDRA debacle, I will have each company vetted by Fury before interviewing with them. Now if you excuse me, I still have another dozen of so men to dance with and about 20 more women to meet before the end of the evening." She slipped away from him leaving him lost. She was tired of being yo-yo'ed through negative emotions with him. While it was true, she was getting more and more offers throughout the evening, Melinoe kept thinking about spending time with her parents and really getting to know them and her family. She had a brother she had yet to meet, half siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins. Even if it was familial love, it would be love none the less. Maybe that was the problem, she wasn't cut out to be human. Was she even human she thought? Did Thor think he was? Perhaps she would ask him when they saw each other again.