Cold Revenge (A Star Wars Avengers Crossover)

Chapter Three "Research Methods"

Riley wasn't entirely sure why she decided to help the strange man from the park. There was definitely something odd about him, and not the fact that he wore a brown robe and talked about being from another planet. Something else far more important, Riley felt, but she couldn't place it. It could have had something to do with the way he talked to her as if she were a rational human being and not an irrelevant child. She had been getting a lot of that lately.

But, interesting or not, the guy needed new clothes. Riley was trying to stay mostly invisible, and wandering New York City with an alien monk wasn't going to help her situation. It was a good thing her dad had always kept stashes of money around the house. Riley had been suspicious about that, but it was a big help now since she couldn't use the emergency credit cards. Too easily traced. But cash was invisible. Riley liked invisible.

"Ben" seemed confused when Riley led him to a department store. "I thought you said we were going to a library," he said.

"We will, but do you know how many people are staring at you? Everyone." Riley jerked her hand for him to follow her inside. "We don't want to bring too much attention to ourselves."

"I suppose you're right, but I don't have the proper currency for this world."

"I do. It's no trouble."

"I must thank you for your kindness. You have no obligation to help me."

"Sure, but if I'd left you there, you probably would have ended up in a mental institution, so..."

"That does not sound like a good thing."

"Well, it is if you're crazy, which I don't think you are."

"That is a comforting thought."

"Here." Riley pulled a shirt off one of the clothing racks and handed it to Ben. "I suppose it's moot asking you what your size is?"

"I haven't worn standard clothing since I was a child, so no."

"Oh, so this is a special look where you come from?" Riley eyed the floor-length robe.

"Yes, I was--I am a..."

"A what? A monk? A sorceror?"

"Kind of both, but not exactly."

"But you do have some kind of--powers?"

"Yes, you could say that."

"I thought so."

"Why is that?"

"You just seem the type. I don't know."

"You are very perceptive."

"Thanks. Don't tell anyone though. It helps if they think I'm stupid. They don't bother me so much."

"I think I'm missing something."

"Let's just say I have a weird family. My dad was the only one who really understood me, and now that he's gone, I find it better to keep to myself."

"You're different." Ben nodded. "That is not a bad thing."

"Thanks. Here." Riley gave him a pair of jeans that looked about the right size. "Go try those on, and let me know if you need a different size."

Ben took the clothes into the fitting room, and Riley waited outside. She didn't know why she had told him those things about her father. She didn't know anything about Ben aside from the fact that he was an intergalactic magical priest. Or something. At the same time, he was disarming, as if his very presence invited others to open up.

Riley didn't like the feeling, but she almost thought it was meant to be. Like she was supposed to meet him and help him. Riley had never been one to believe her life had any purpose outside of what she made it, any destiny. But her dad sometimes spoke of greater things. He was vague, oblique. He told Riley that she was special in a way even he didn't understand. Whatever that meant.