The Rogue Mage

Chapter 3

  Steve wasn't sure what he had been expecting when Strange said he was recruiting a mage for the Avengers. But this certainly was not it.

   Kimera stood slightly behind Strange, a hood pulled up over her face, her eyes shadowed. She seemed to be trying to shrink into herself, which wasn't really needed since her head barely came up to Strange's shoulder. 

  "Everyone," Strange said, "This is Kai. She'll be dealing will all mystical aspects that I have been handling so I can finally get back to work. Try to be civil."

 With that Strange vanished, leaving a wary Kimera- no Steve mentally corrected himself- a wary Kai; standing alone in the room. She was shifting slightly from foot to foot, readjusting her grip on the bag she clutched to her chest.

  "Hello Miss Kai, I'm Steve," He said, extending a hand toward her.

 Kai glanced down at his hand like she was thinking about cutting it off, then lifted one of her own hands and pushed back her hood. Her hair was cut just above her shoulders, hanging in uneven waves, small braids sticking out occasionally among the strands. Her hair was black, with streaks of red cutting through the ebony. Kai tilted her head up defiantly, "I am Kai. I'm an elemental mage and am fully equipped to assist your team in any way you might require."

     "Alright then Kai," Tony leaned back against the wall. Steve silently prayed he wouldn't say something stupid. "How about a demo?"

  "What?" Kai gave him a withering stare.

"A demonstration. Show the team what you can do."

 Kai glared at him, her eyes a strange grey color. But she raised a hand, and snapping her fingers, caused a small ball of flame to appear. It danced between her fingers; Kai twitched two of her fingers ever so slightly, and the flame flew out of her hand, stopping a breath away from Tony, where it promptly vanished. 

  Tony made a show of clapping, "Nice carnival trick."

 "Watch yourself," Kai said quietly.

  She began moving her hands again, almost as though she were dancing, and the sink behind Tony began to shake.

 He jumped away, "Hey what are you doing?"

   Grinning, Kai continued to move her hands, drawing symbols in the air that only she could see. "A demonstration."

  With that, water burst out of the sink. Instead of pouring everywhere, it became a thin stream, floating in midair. Steve did his best to not let his mouth open in awe as Kai sent the water whirling around herself in a circle. Then it split into two jets, both rushing toward Tony and soaking him with water. 

    Natasha was smirking, and Bruce looked like he was restraining laughter. Steve suppressed a smile.

 "If I remember right, there are four traditional elements," Tony said, running his hands through his now sopping hair. "What happened to Earth and Air?"

 "I should think two is enough for now. Unless you would like for me to bring the building to the ground or perhaps pull all the air from this room?"

 "I think we're good," Natasha said quickly. "Kai, how about I show you to your new room, it's right by mine."