Love Like Electricity (Super Minecraft meets Mystreet)

Chapter 5: Stark

It'd been six years since Jess, now known as Aphmau, had seen her husband or any of her friends. She still lived with Katelyn and Kawaii~chan who helped her raise her five year old daughter, Alina Tony Bravura. Of course, Jess made sure that if she were ever reunited with the Few the last name would be Stark. Aphmau was a very well respected name in the community for her work as a police officer, though once a year on the anniversary of her leaving the few she would take the day off to mourn. None of Aphmau's friends ever truly questioned that, believing it to be the death date of her late husband. Six years with Luka and Loki being the only remaining connection to her old life.
"Aphmau! Come on, we're going to be late!" Katelyn yelled up at me from downstairs, breaking me out of my thoughts.
I sigh but grab my purse nonetheless, making my way downstairs where Katelyn and Kawaii~chan were waiting with Alina. The group had bought a ton of tickets to a convention nearby, one that Luka had said that she would be in attendance. I was excited to see her again at least. Ever since I moved in with the ladies her visits were few and far between, mostly just us going shopping or getting our nails done. Loki wasn't any better with visits, not being able to get away for long and not wanting to risk the location of his niece. He did make it a point to call me at least once a month to check in and make sure that I was doing okay.
"Does Aphmau~senpai have everything?" Kawaii~chan asked as the four of us made our way out to Katelyn's car.
I smiled and nodded. "Yup! I have everything I need except the pass."
Katelyn shot a playful glare my way. "I have that."
Although the convention was within walking distance, Katelyn agreed to drive because Alina was still so young. While I definitely could carry her back at the end of the day, it definitely would not be ideal. The car ride wasn't eventful, us girls joking around while trashy pop music played from the radio. When we got there, I got out of the car and grabbed Alina to carry her to the entrance of the convention.
Katelyn whistled. "I'm still not used to the thought of you being able to pick her up."
"I've had to drag criminals into the back of my car, she's nothing." I deadpanned. "I'm sure that Aaron would love to tell the story of how I single handedly picked up a skinny young adult and threw him over my shoulder."
She blinked at me before nodding and walking away as if nothing had happened. Me, Kawaii~chan, and Alina burst out laughing before following suit. Meeting up with the boys, who had left earlier to get here before us, Katelyn passed out the passes to get in. I put Alina down and knelt down to put the little lanyard over her head. The bright smile I received in turn would be enough to blind a lesser woman. Slipping my own over my head, I took my daughter's hand and we all headed into the convention.
The first thing I noticed upon entering was all of the superhero propaganda, having photos of both the Avengers and the Few. I was very lucky that I had not told Alina who her father was because there is no way that the energetic five year old wouldn't been able to keep it a secret upon seeing photos of her father. Over the past year and a half, the word of superheroes had reached the small city of Phoenix Drop. It wasn't an entirely unwelcome change but it was a bit painful for me. Rumors swirled over my disappearance, not much of it being what my father probably wanted.
The next thing I noticed was actually a who. Tony Stark. My father-in-law. That's how I instantly knew that coming was a mistake. While I definitely did not look the same as I used to, my name would be a dead giveaway. It was times like these that I regretted using my middle name to hide. Mentally preparing myself for the mess that was most definitely going to happen in an attempt to keep my identity concealed, I realized something. Something that I had missed six years ago. Thor had said that I couldn't go back or stay in contact with the Few. He never said anything about me talking to my father-in-law or any of the Avengers. A smile formed on my face as I picked up Alina again and shot another glance at Tony.
"Are you a Tony Stark fan, Aph?" Zane asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice.
I shrugged. "I mean, yeah? I like Captain America better but the technology it takes for Iron Man's suit is impressive."
Laurence shook his head playfully. "I can't believe it. I'm friends with an Iron Man stan."
The two of us laughed before Katelyn nudged me. "You should go over there. Meet the man."
I smiled anxiously. "Maybe I will."
As I turned to go walk to the over side of the convention, I made eye contact with Luka. She must have instantly known who I was going to see since her eyes widened and she changed her course to meet me in the middle.
"Aphmau, are you crazy?" She hissed, concern evident in her voice.
I laughed, not letting my facial expression fall. "He never said I couldn't talk to the Avengers, just not the Few. They aren't here, are they?"
She sighed, smiled faltering for a split second. "No. They know that this is my territory. I think that Kala is the only one with the guts to come to this city."
I nodded and my way over to where Tony was giving out autographs. I knew very few people but I still checked to make sure that no one knew me here.
Tony beckoned me forward. "Well hello there! Who's the fan, you or the little one?"
I chuckled, looking at my daughter who had stars in her eyes. "A bit of both. Gotta say, I'm very impressed with the mechanics you've engineered for the suit. I still haven't been able to figure it out."
He laughed, it was so familiar that it hurt knowing the Sly and his father shared the same laugh. "Let me know if you ever do! What's your name?"
"Aphmau." I watched as he got a conflicted look in his eyes. "This little one is Alina."
Tony seemed to understand that any further conversation should be in private as he pulled out a business card and handed it to me. "Nice to meet you Aphmau and Alina. Call me when you figure the suit out."
I nodded and turned. Making my way back to the group and shoving the business card into my purse. I'd call him when I could break away from everyone.