Forfeiture

The start of a family

Tony was unpacking the last of their bags from France. He was sad that the fun was already over but he hoped maybe they could do it from time to time... The mechanic blushed and shook his head with a sigh. Now he was getting over excited. He flopped down onto the bed and started to work on his mobile tablet. He was currently making a 3D design model for a new suit prototype and he was already bored with it.

The cloak suddenly came in and started tugging the mechanic desperately so he could follow it. When receiving some complaints and nags from  the brunette the magical fabric threw his tablet and moved it's corners around frantically.

"Hey! That was brand new!" Tony exclaimed and glared at the enchanted cloak. "What is it, you darned thing?" The mechanic sighed heavily and got up, starting to follow the crimson fabric to wherever it was leading. "Doesn't Stephen know what texting is..." he mumbled grumpily.

The cloak floated, turning around timely to see if the mechanic was indeed following then led him outside. Where Stephen's shouts for Tony could be heard. The sorcerer was many feet away, holding something carefully and protectively in his arms.

Tony started running and when he finally caught up to Stephen he frowned in confusion. "What is it, Honey? Are we in mortal danger already? Don't worry, I've tapped into the houses security systems– it can be under lockdown in less than 20 seconds!" The brunette turned to go set off all the alarms.

"No Anthony" Stephen stood up and faced the mechanic. He looked into his husband's eyes then glanced down at what he was holding in his arms. It was a blonde little girl in a torn up lavender dress. She seemed to have passed out. "I found her in the bushes over a few feet back...I can tell she's hurt and has been through something terrible ..." Strange looked back up at the brunette. "We need to help her.."

Tony stared for a moment in shock, then nodded gravely. "You're absolutely right, Stephy. This poor girl's parents are probably worried sick as it is." The brunette took the girl carefully from his wife and rushed down to the lab with both in toe. He then laid her gently down on a specific table and started examining her. "Well, are you going to help? You're the doctor," Tony chuckled softly as he continued to check her for any wounds. "Poor little thing..." The little blonde girl groaned softly and her eyes fluttered open for an instant. "Huh?..."

"It's okay sweetie..." Stephen assures soothingly as he stroked her hair a bit. Then made a kit appear in his hands and grab some cotton and medical liquid to dab on her cuts. "You're in safe hands, let me just-"

Suddenly the girl turned into somewhat more transparent and went straight through the two like a ghost. Tony gave a small gasp of shock and saw her standing, frightened, in the corner. "Hey- hey it's okay sweetie. Me and my wife are only trying to help you..." The mechanic was concerned that this girl was obviously some sort of mutant. "What's your name, honey?" The blonde trembled and whispered, "E-Eloise..."

Stephen placed the cotton and band aids down and slowly approached her but crouched down at a small distance. "Well it's lovely to meet you Eloise. My name is Doctor Strange and I was wondering if I can tend to your scratches and cuts. I promise it'll make you feel better" he smiled softly at the girl and extended a shaking hand to her. "We'll make sure you're safe"

Eloise backed away more and looked more terrified. Tony could see that she was trembling and he wanted to help her more than ever now. "Don't worry, sweetheart, we won't touch you if you don't want..." Eloise glanced between the two and hesitantly took a step forward, extending a little hand to Stephen, but it phased right through his hand and she bit her lip. "I-I can't do it..." Her voice seemed more echoey in her transparent state.

"Hmmm maybe if you relaxed a little" Stephen suggests calmly. He sat down on the ground criss cross applesauce and opened his arms. "Do you think you can take some deep breaths and think calming thoughts? See this as like a little test if I can catch you or not"