A Tale of Mischief and Mutants

Strange Gift

—-Loki—-

I awkwardly walk up to the table finding a gift with my name on it. I'm surprised whoever drew my name actually brought a gift for me I've never come before. Though I assume they only brought it because it's the name they happened to draw and it was expected of them. I pick it up and carry it back to my seat It's small and neatly wrapped. I carefully begin to unwrap it.

It's a plain jewelry box. 'Odd, Why would someone buy me jewelry?' I open the box. I immediately recognize the artifacts inside... it's a matching set of Sling Rings identical save for an S engraved into one and L engraved into the other. I'm not really sure what I had expected but this surely wasn't it. The giver is obvious but I'm still at a loss.

"Strange?"

He nods remaining stoic in his disposition towards me as he's always done.

"Hm well, I guess it's obvious. I know that contradicts the point of all this but I couldn't think of a better time to give them to you and your... is she still just your girlfriend?"

I smile slightly at that comment and nod. 'For now.' I should get moving on my plans to propose. I'm also taken by surprise at this gift with this ring I can travel anywhere in seconds. 'Does he trust me with that kind of power?' He's always avoided teaching me any Eldridge magic as he doesn't think it's safe to teach me anything that would give me the ability to overpower him. Though I'm not certain of it if I were fighting for my own life or Sam's I think I already could but I digress. Strange goes on his stoicism cracking ever so slightly.

"Anyway I mean no offense by this but you have a ways to go before I think I can trust you alone with a Sling Ring but I do trust Sam. So what I've done is I've bonded the two rings both of you must perform the spell at the same time to go anywhere. Each ring only works for its owner. I know that's not ideal but I thought it would be nice if you didn't have to go to your brother every time you come to New York especially with Sam's family being from here."

I don't know what to say, is he actually starting to trust me? Whatever the case this is a wonderful gift and I can understand not giving me a ring without precautions if I ever did do anything I could escape far too easily. His decision is wise and I'm grateful to no longer have to go to Thor every time I need to go somewhere.

"Thank you."

"I can show you both how to use it sometime later this week."

I could probably figure it out for myself by applying my knowledge of magic but it wouldn't be a terrible idea to let Strange show me himself. Besides, Sam will definitely need help with this she's merely a novice at magic. I nod.

"That'd be appreciated."

We move on with this game it's finally over and we're all just milling about. People begin to leave the first being Tony and Pepper due to their child. We spend some time socializing. Eventually I look at the clock on my phone keeping track of the time in Tønsberg to find it's nearly 11:00 at night.

I wouldn't normally care what time we get home but tonight is the first night in over a week we will be sleeping in the same bed again. I give Sam a look as she talks to Natasha and my message gets across she finishes up talking and flashes me a smile before coming over to me we find Thor and go home.