A Tale of Mischief and Mutants

Curiosity

---Loki---

There's a commotion going on in the S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters today. Something's going on but I don't bother asking because Fury isn't known for sharing his secrets especially not with 'ex-supervillains'.  Instead I simply check in with one of the S.H.I.E.L.D agents with a write up from my last mission with the rest of the Avengers. I had done something wrong, again.

I glance at the sheet the S.H.I.E.L.D agent is currently processing -'unnecessary use of violent force'- I don't understand what all the fuss is about it's not as if I had killed anyone. I don't understand why S.H.I.E.L.D cares so much about the wellbeing of neo Hydra affiliates anyway.

I'm lucky I managed to get an agent cornered, although I've been cleared by S.H.I.E.L.D after extensive observation, a look into that part of my past through Strange's use of the Time Stone proving I was acting under duress, and inspection of security tapes proving the Mind Stone was used to manipulate my emotions during New York, and I have been working with the Avengers ever since, these people still avoid me like the plague.

It's nearly impossible to get one to talk to me for more than five minutes. I'd like to tell myself I prefer it this way but that would be a lie. There's not much I can do to change this so I do what I've always done best and keep to myself.

"...And it's all on file you're good to go."

She's not trying terribly hard to hide the fact she wants me to leave she rushed through that paperwork and we both know it.

"Much appreciated."

'Not.' I'll probably need to do community service hours because of that paperwork. I get up to leave and a bigger commotion comes from one of the detainment medical rooms. My curiosity gets the better of me. I walk up to the group of agents who seem to be looking through a one-way mirror at something or someone I can't yet see. Whatever it is must be low to the ground because usually my height would allow me to see over crowds. I address one of the staff.

"What is going on here?"

Thankfully they choose not to ignore me.

"I don't really think I'm supposed to tell you..."

"I'm just curious, it's usually pretty quiet around here during this hour."

I try to seem uninterested and the man looks around nervously. He obviously knows who I am and is currently deciding who he'd rather piss off, the god of Mischief or Director Fury, evidently he decides he wants to be on my good side.

"It's this girl, she's got everybody scared."

I raise my eyebrow at this. What would this many S.H.I.E.L.D agents have to fear from one mortal girl? The staff member sees my confusion and quickly explains.

"She took out thirty of S.H.I.E.L.D's best when they went in to rescue her from some upscale human trafficking operation. She's severely wounded and nobody wants to get hurt going in to try and help, not after seeing some of the guys she took out."

Despite my indifference towards most mortals with very few exceptions, I find myself intrigued by this girl and the fear she's somehow inspired. I need to know more.

"Perhaps I could be of some assistance?"

The man almost turns pale at the prospect of trying to tell me no it's somewhat amusing.

"Uh... yeah don't ask me man. Answering that would be way above my pay grade."

"-Loki!"

I turn to see Director Fury walking towards us. ... Shit. I smile and cross my fingers my silver tongue doesn't fail me.

"Ah, Director Fury what can I do for you?"

Fury isn't having any of it or at least he thinks he's not going to. I smile innocently as he speaks.

"You can start by refraining from being a distraction to my staff."

Fury isn't angry simply annoyed and suspicious of my presence. That's good I can work with that.

"I was simply curious, and they were answering a question."

I turn to the staff member who currently looks like he would rather face Jörmungandr alone then be in his current predicament, I smile and somehow keep myself from laughing at this mortal's expense.

"I'm terribly sorry if I distracted you from your work."

Fury sighs still looking annoyed, but I can see that my politeness, as usual, is working in my favor as he doesn't look quite ready to order me off the premises. He narrows his eyes.

"What do you want Loki?"

Damn, he's good. I'm impressed, he's done this before deduced when I'm manipulating the conversation, but it's still impressive nonetheless. I'll have to choose my words more carefully now. I decide to, as Peter would put it, 'cut the crap'.

"I was informed your staff is having some sort of ordeal with a girl. I believe I could be of some help."

Fury eyes me suspiciously. Despite his attempt to hide it I can tell this is not at all what he had expected me to say.

"What's in this for you?"

'I'm in!' If he weren't open to the idea he wouldn't ask something like that.

"It will quell my curiosity."

Fury is surprised by this and I can tell he's seriously considering accepting my help as the benefits of accepting my help far outweigh the risk of me doing... whatever it is these mortals worry I'll get up to.

"And that's it?"

"Yes."

Fury seems to think it over further. I know he'll reach the conclusion that there's no reason for me to do anything but what I've said. He will still be suspicious of course, admittedly it would be unwise for him not to be. He is undoubtedly trying to figure out why I've taken an interest in this mortal. The simple answer is I don't even know myself. Fury comes to a decision.

"Fine, but you pull anything and we'll throw you in the Raft so fast you won't have time to draw a dagger."

He's deadly serious in his threat which tells me the situation with the girl is equally serious.

"Of course."

Fury then explains the condition the girl is in, her wound will need to be cauterized. He gives me a file to read on her. I quickly skim through it taking note of her being a mutant and the fact that her identity is unknown. Many of the other details in the file make me feel ill. Fury sees my expression shift as I read. He hands me a syringe of a local anesthetic.

"She's been through hell. Try not to make it worse."

I take the syringe and nod. I can't help but feel for what this girl has gone through. She didn't deserve what was done to her, pathetic mortal or not. I begin to make my way through the crowd of people by the girl's room. Fury tells them to get back to work and they quickly disperse giving me a clear path to the door. When I enter the room, I see a girl with long brown hair covering her face in the fettle position and I can't help but feel a swell of sympathy for her as she backs away from me in fear.