Bend Around the Wind by Scyllaya

Chapter 23: Runaways

Chapter Twenty-Three

Runaways

Andromeda Galaxy

Filipima System

Open Space

Tony thought Juyu looked young when he first saw her, then she shapeshifted out of her green skin and yeah, she looked even younger. In fact she looked like a teenager, a tall high school wrestling team member teenager, but a teenager still. At least her sister Bee looked like she had to be at least in her twenties, he couldn't know for sure with either of them, because hello shapeshifters, they could look like anyone, but that was his hunch. It made the way she acted even more strange. Even Tony was unnerved a bit, even if she did not try to attack him (or Loki) since that first time. That was a good sign, but Tony did not need to observe her much to know that she was not 100% okay in the head. He knew crazy, he's been with Loki almost constantly for who knows how long, he recognized an unstable person when he saw one. The only problem was that he knew Loki's brand of crazy. He also knew that the god was a lot less unpredictable than a few months ago and definitely not as destructive and homicidal as he was back on Earth, that was sort of a rock bottom period for Loki and he definitely got better since. He knew nothing about Bee.

So yeah, right now Loki was still a little pissed at him and suspicious of the girls. Juyu was quiet and suspicious too, Bee was simply weird and had a habit of staring holes into Loki whenever he was in sight and Tony... Tony still had no idea what the hell he was doing. He definitely needed more information to properly handle the situation, but the fact that neither of the girls showed any sign of real hostility towards them in the past days was good at least.

Juyu seemed more approachable, and the only one who actually talked out of the two, so Tony decided to ask her the necessary questions. He let them just eat and rest for a few days, out of civility, since they were in a pretty bad shape, and also to keep them out of Loki's sight. Just until Loki calmed down, like when his new vambraces were done. Then he couldn't delay the inevitable any longer. So when he caught her eating alone in the kitchen he took the opportunity.

'Hey there.'

'Hello,' she greeted after swallowing. Tony grabbed a piece of fruit he still had no idea what was called, but didn't taste weird, and sat down in front of the girl.

'I'm pretty sure you know what's coming,' he said then took a bite out of the fruit.

'You have questions.'

Tony hummed a yes in response while chewing, then swallowed. 'You see, I'm pretty sure I'm entitled to a few answers. Don't worry, no interrogation, it would just put my mind at ease, not to mention Loki would be less... unpleasant if we knew more.'

'Your friend doesn't want us here,' Juyu replied.

'Loki is an asshole nine out of ten times, don't expect that to change.'

'What do you want to know?'

'This is gonna come across quite insensitive, but what is wrong with your sister?'

Juyu clenched her jaw and her face immediately became more closed-off.

'Loki told me she was dangerous,' Tony started. 'You were there, I know you heard him say it. Now Loki may be an asshole, but he's anything but stupid, and I kinda trust his judgement when it comes to things like this. So how about you tell me?'

It looked like she was not going to talk for a few moments, but then her shoulders slumped a bit and she sighed.

'She's been fine... up until a few years ago,' Juyu said. 'She's been taking care of me. I don't remember, but she told me our planet was struck by the war. Not the big war, but by those who wanted to get rid of the Skrulls in this system while the Empire fought its wars far away and was unable to help. I don't remember any of that, I know there were other Skrulls with us at the start, but then it was just the two of us... I was little and she took care of me.'