2 | 𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐃 ▹ LOKI LAUFEYSON

xix. the broker

A M O R A

Immediately after stepping out of their "borrowed" vessel, Amora was overwhelmed by color. Every aspect of Xandar seemed to encompass the full spectrum: the buildings, the ships, the people.

Loki seemed just as taken aback as she as he frowned at the yellow, star-shaped ships flying overhead.

"It's all so..." he trailed off slowly.

"Colorful," Amora finished, hoping to keep Loki from insulting yet another planet.

"Well, what is Asgard like?" Gamora asked, taking the lead through crowds on the walkway.

"Gold," Amora and Loki answered in unison.

Gamora faltered in her steps. "Really?"

Both nodded, but a voice behind them suddenly cried, "Woah! Jackpot!"

They turned, but saw nothing suspicious in the throng of people behind them. However, Amora looked downward to see a short, furry creature—not unlike the raccoons of Midgard—holding up a transparent screen in Loki's direction. It lit up with warnings and numbers as it focused on the trickster.

The creature called over his shoulder, "Groot, get the bag!"

At his words a flora colossus approached, towering over everyone else on the walkway. Amora could not help but cast a smirk towards Loki.

He glanced over at her and huffed. "Don't say it."

"But I did tell you so," she said, taking a step toward the two oddly paired beings and giving a small wave of her hand, "Leave us."

The raccoon paused, his nose twitching, and blinked in confusion. With a simple shrug, he turned and started in the other direction. His tall friend tilted his head, looking at the two Asgardians with a small smile, before following suit.

Amora turned and saw Gamora watching the two beings with narrowed eyes and a hand on her sword. "I hate bounty hunters," the assassin muttered.

Nodding towards a small, nearby building, Gamora said, "That's the Broker's shop."

Moving once more, Amora said to Loki, "You must have quite the bounty on your head."

He only gave a smug grin.

Gamora paused at the covered doorway and scanned the area. She eyed Loki, seemingly sizing him up. As Amora passed her to enter the shop, the sorceress warned lowly, "Don't get any ideas."

As soon as she stepped into the shop, Amor breathed in a quick gasp; her eyes wildly took in the display room.

"What is it?" Loki asked urgently, stepping swiftly beside her.

"I've seen this place before," she said in a hushed voice, "in a vision."

"This must be the right place," Gamora mused as the same strange man looked up from his desk.

His eyes quickly skimmed over the three, an obvious look of contempt appearing at the sight of their less-than-impressive attire.

"What can I do for you?" he asked snippily.

Gamora stepped forward. "We're looking for a map."

The Broker stiffened before turning and disappearing down the dimly blue-lit hall. The three stood in tense silence for a moment until he returned with a flat case. Laying down it carefully, he opened it. The lid gave a hiss, and a small puff of fog billowed out.

"Our storage technology had kept it well-preserved for many years," the Broker said as he slowly lifted a weathered piece of parchment in a glass cover out of the case.