Of Frost and Magic

The encounter

(Pic from Cr0ss0ver Studios Loki nebula edit on YouTube)

~I included this portion because for one I wanted to just give a glimpse into a moment of his travels and I also just love Nebula and loved the idea of these two crossing paths~

1 year time skip

Lokis POV
I sat at the counter of an intergalactic bar nursing a drink. It was nice to be surrounded by other beings, wandering the galaxy mostly alone will take a toll on you. I shut my eyes and just soaked in my surroundings. Shortly, I was alerted to the sound of someone plunking themselves down heavily onto the stool next to me. My eyes opened and I peered subtly to the being next to me. I couldn't get a good look at them without being conspicuous by staring. Eventually curiosity got the better of me and I turned my head for a look, deciding I could strike up a conversation with them. The plan was immediately eliminated once I saw the purple and blue cyborg. I gasped loudly and fumbled back off my chair.

Her eyes snapped toward me and she looked just as surprised.
"You?"
She questioned suspiciously with a gruffness in her tone. Attempting to appear confident, I puffed my chest and took one step toward her.
"Daughter of Thanos."
I stated with the same roughness. She looked down momentarily and I noticed her nostrils flare.
"It's Nebula."
She took a quick swig of her drink and slammed it on the table. Part of me told me to run away quickly but another part of me took interest in her expressions. I cautiously sat back down and stayed silent for a bit.
"You're not going to bring me to him are you?"
I had to ask. She exhaled out of her nose with a subtle smirk.
"Of course not. Thanos wants nothing to do with you. You're useless to him."
"Oh good, that's good."
I sighed with relief.
"I wish I could see things that way.."
Nebula mumbled into her glass.
"I get it."
I responded.

She scoffed at me,
"No. You don't."
I smiled at her, prompting a confused look from the girl.
"I was born as son of the Jotun king, Laufey, during a time of great war between Asgardians and Frost Giants. After Odin won the war, he found me lying on a frozen rock. So he took me from my planet and raised me, without me knowing who or what I was. I was supposed to be Thor's equal but of course, Odin could never have a monst- a frost giant leading the race that hated them most. So it was always about Thor. Perfect Thor. Worthy Thor. Beloved Thor. My people would greet Thor with praise and worship yet barely acknowledge my presence. The all mighty Thor with his damn hammer and lighting. Forget about weak little Loki with his magic and wit. Odin told me I was worthless as I was hanging off a bridge over the never ending abyss of space... The only person who ever saw any potential in me was my mother Frigga and she's-"
The sound of shattered glass stopped my rambling. I opened my palm and wiped the glass shards off my skin. The bartender shot me a look of warning.
"My apologies."
I waved my hand and the glass pieced itself together.

Nebula's face stayed expressionless and glued to her drink. I turned away fearing I exposed way too much. The cyborg cleared her throat after long periods of silence,
"I was taken from my home planet as well. Thanos tortured me in so many creative ways. Pysically and emotionally. How do you think I became like this? I never started as a cyborg. Thanos took me and engineered me to make me how he wanted me. He rips me apart over and over again. My sister, Gamora, just stands by, watching me scream and thrash in agony. I can't escape him. Everyday I'm pointlessly trying to prove to him that I am worth something. But its never enough. But this is my life, and I will just have to live it until he kills me..."
My mouth was agape and I was speechless.

Nebula's next action surprised me, she stuck out her non-metallic arm to me and looked me in the eyes. I returned the gesture and she firmly shook my hand. Quickly after letting go, she tapped the metal part of her head and pulled something forward from it.
"I'm erasing this conversation from my hard drive so Thanos can't obtain it. I built it into myself without his knowledge. After I enter the code I will return to my ship. Maybe we can meet again."
She explained before tampering with some complex buttons and symbols.
"If you ever gain your freedom, come find me. I wish for us to be friends one day. It would be wonderful to have a friend, especially one like you." Something of a smile appeared on her face before pushed a last button and hurried away.

After paying the bartender, I figured I should bored my ship- well pod and chase my next destination, Midgard.