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Kai's killer, such as he is, doesn't look all that impressive on his way home from work. At first glance, in civilian work clothes of dark pants and black dress shirt, the latter open at the throat, he looks like almost any other commuter. The long sleeves hide the metal arm, as does a leather glove. His hair's longer than that of most in these days, tied at his nape, and curling past his collar. He's got a suitjacket slung over his shoulder, and his face is drawn and weary, the blue eyes hollow.
*
Amora the Enchantress was known throughout all the realms for her beauty. The sight of her more than enough to throw those around her into fits over her beauty. She'd been the cause of wars, the cause of brutal fights and chaos as she'd traveled throughout the realms. Today was no different, however she appeared in likeness to a simple mortal woman.
Golden hair curled softly around her cheeks in the height of utmost fashion. A green dress hugged her ample curves and high heels clicked on the side walk as she simply appeared, falling into step beside Bucky.
A smooth smile pulled at her lips as she walked along side him. "Hello darling, Kai said you'd be a worthy warrior." She practically purred.
*
She can see him lose the unthinking march rhythm of his steps, turn to eye her dubiously. His brow furrows in puzzlement. "Uh," he says, oh so eloquent. "For what, exactly, ma'am?" he asks, peering at her. Her beauty's diverting, terribly so….but she's so far out of his league they aren't even in the same sport. It's not meant for him.
*
A grin as she fluttered dark eyelashes, moving to try to link arms with him. "The elf has fallen into a rather miserable trap. I have offered him my services. I am Amora the Enchantress, of Asgard." She murmured, "Goddess of Desire." Another crooning tone followed and she tossed her golden locks over her shoulders as she considered her reflection in a passing car.
"I shall require strength of arms for a means to return him beyond this trap. We shall have to travel to Hela's realms to undo the damage done to him."
*
He's still regarding her uneasily, jaw tight, stare sidelong. But something in him eases fractionally at that. "IF that's what it takes, I'm in," he says, voice gruff. "But….no offense, what brings you in on this? You a friend of his?"
*
A shrug and Amora released her grip, giving him back his personal space for the moment. "My motives matter not. Merely that they are aligned with his safety and return to the land of the living." She eyed him up and down, arching a golden eyebrow upwards.
"Or do you care not what happens to the elf? For he told me you slayed him. Are you truly a friend worth having? A damaged warrior is of no use to the cause of his return.." She murmured,
*
That pale gaze sharpens, and only real effort keeps his tone low enough to refrain from being really sarcastic. He swallows, once. "I care more than you know, goddess," His tone's flat on that epithet….but he's trying to be polite. Or at least, not an utter asshole. More gently, he adds, "He's a good friend, I owe him a lot, and I don't intend to let him rot down there. I've been damaged for decades, but I'm still effective."
*
A tilt of her head followed his words, and Amora pressed a finger tip to her chin in consideration. "Perhaps with my magics I can help to seal those cracks I see that Hela would use against thee. You shall require better arms and armor as well." She pursed ruby painted lips together for a moment before she shrugged.
"Then tis settled. I have means to see us to Hela's realm and back, though it shall not be easy. She is a greedy woman, and will desire a trade. An unfair one if she can manage it. I shall continue my search for the Trickster to warn him ahead of time.." She murmured.
*
"I haven't found him," Bucky says, softly. "But then, I haven't the means to find him that some others have. Not to mention….better talk him down before he sees me, or he might just turn me into roadkill right off, you know?" Then he's cocking his head at her, doglike. "……what magics? What cracks?" he asks, intrigued despite himself.
*
"Your mind mortal, is in chaos. Hela's powers will easily tread upon you without any charms against it. She shall play upon those ghosts that you fear. The ones that all warriors must reckon with. With those lost, and those slaughtered. Hela's realm is that of the dead and all therein she controls. As a mortal, you must tread with care, for if you perish there. You shall be trapped forever." She murmured and twisted around to walk before him, facing him as she moved.
"I have the means to find Loki if he desires himself to be found at all. The Trickster and I are old friends." She smirked, and it was a wicked thing. One that made it impossible to tell what she considered 'friends' truly meant.
*
"I belong to Odin," he says, suddenly, obdurate. "I took an oath. Loki was there to witness it. If I die in battle, if I die well there….I go to Valhalla," Bucky sounds so terribly sure of it. A factory-seconds murder cyborg, determined to end up one of the warriors of the All-Father. Someone's got a sense of humor. "But….if you can help….sure."
*
A tsk and Amora sighed, "All that perish in Hela's realms risk the chance of becoming one of her creatures. She is a slippery sort and desires only the souls of those she cannot have. You would make a more tempting creature to her all the more for your oath to the All-father." She returned and with a snap of her fingers and a hint of magic fluttered into her hand.
A tiny amulet of burnished gold with a clear looking tear-drop shaped gem in the center appeared. All around the edges were runes of intricate styles. She held this out in offering to Bucky. "This is for thee, warrior. I shall be able to hear any troubles you run into, and I shall be able to protect you from more of her baser magics. 'Tis only temporary, but I give this to you now incase events spin beyond what any of us can see. Wear it close."
*
He takes it, carefully, in his right hand. The one not gloved. And then he holds it up to the last light of sunset. Something there softens in his face, a hint of wonder - he lets it spin, before he slips it over his head, and then tucks it under his shirt. "Thanks, ma'am," he says, formally. "What now? I've got a friend named Steve. Might be able to get him to come along. He's a mighty warrior in his own right, I gotta say."
*
A wave of her hand, "If you desire to seek other warriors, then do so. I know not how well mortals will fair against her soldiers, but 'tis not a venture that can include Asgard's arms. Loki is a wanted criminal. And none shall seek aught to do with him. For now, he is dead. And none now live in Asgard that know he yet lives. Tis for the better."
She crossed her arms as she considered, "Mine apprentice would be fitting as well. Hmm. Aye, bring whomever you shall think suited for such a venture."
*
"…..you've got a goddess understudy?" He's not being sarcastic, but genuinely curious. "I'll get a hold of Steve as soon as I can. Ah….how do I reach you? How much will this amulet tell you?" He taps it with a metal fingertip, very lightly.
*
A laugh, smooth and warm followed from the Enchantress. "Oh, darling, no. Mine apprentice is what you mortals call 'Mutant'. She was once Loki's and now she is mine. A brilliant creature she is. Her name is Scarlett, if you ever seek me she shall be of use to you." A smirk followed that and she glanced down at the charm.
"I shall only hear when you call upon me and invoke my name. It will protect you from only Hela's brand of magic, and only when you travel to her realm in the future. So be wary of using it beyond its intended purpose."
*
Bucky's lips part. "…..I live with Scarlett," he says, incredulous again. "She's a friend of mine. And I'll keep that in mind, about that charm. Man, she's busy. She must get around in a magical sense," he says. "I find out something new about her everyday." He sounds admiring, more than upset. There's a softening in his face at the thought of her.
*
A shrug followed and Amora fluffed her hair, "Mine apprentice is well connected on the mortal plane. However, I know of her desires are such that she does not wish to remain here unto her death. She is a bright girl, with a future well beyond Midgard's pathetic limitations. I shall happily see her rewarded as such in time." She propped her chin up with a hand and smirked.
"She did not speak of sharing a living space with warriors. How unlike her previous mein. Interesting. Very well, since you are more connected to the realms at large, warrior, then you shall be of more use than I suspected."
*
He spreads his hands. "I'm a wanted man, too," he says, with neither shame nor pride. "Not something she'd publicized. 'sides, people hear that a guy's living with a girl, they'd make the wrong assumption. And you're right, she's really smart. She does deserve better'n she'd get here. She said she wanted to come with me, if I got to go to Asgard. I don't think she'll be up for a trip to Niflheim."
*
Amora paused, surprise coloring her features as she stepped once more into Bucky's personal space with a wicked smile. She reached out with both hands in an attempt to brush her finger tips against his jawline. "You are merely wanted on Midgard, aye? Loki is wanted upon all Nine Realms for his crimes, for they are many." She murmured softly.
"What the mortals desire you for, matters to me not." She added after a moment, leaning away. "And wrong assumptions? Oh .. right, your mortal sense of morals rest upon women being married prior to living with a man. How quaint." She sighed and turned away to continue her swaying step down the sidewalk.
"There is no purpose to your setting foot in the Realm Eternal. Not if you desire to rescue Kai or to aid the Trickster from this trap. That way lays only misery for all involved. The All-father does not tolerate mortals there. I grant you, that you are at least well learned otherwise warrior. I am impressed."
*
He lets her, not flinching away or recoiling, but his eyes are mostly wondering. Definitely dazzled, but also confused. Under her fingers, his jaw is carefully cleanshaven, but there's the faintest hint of stubble. "Yeah. Midgard's enough for me," he allows. "And yeah. That's the custom here." He falls into step with her. A shrug at that, with the faintest rasp of metal plates beneath his shirt. "I owe Loki," he says, simply. "He's helped me. And….I just know some of the old myths, and I know most of 'em aren't accurate…."
*
A glance sidelong followed the comment on the myths and legends of the Trickster and she smirked. "Enough of them follow to be true. Otherwise the mortals would not have them. They gained such knowledge from our kind long ago. And while many have been.. twisted.. or embellished.." She shrugged lightly as she continued to saunter down the street alongside him.
"He is a not one to be indebted to. Aid or not. New Loki or not. The Trickster Prince shall always have his due." She grinned at her own words, as if amused by some minor jest.
"Have you any further questions mortal? I shall give you time enough to seek those you desire for this quest."
*
There's another shrug from the Soldier. "He's better than my former masters," Buck's tone is matter of fact. "And he'll have what he wants, sooner or later, yeah. But I think mostly he deals with me to humor Kai. We'll see. And…." He pauses, turns her question over. "Not at the moment, ma'am. I need to talk to Steve and Kai, maybe Scarlett, too…."
*
Amora paused, and turned around on her heels, her hands upon her hips as she raked her eyes over Bucky. She looked vaguely predatory in nature, as if calculating the ways in which he could prove useful or entertaining to her.. and then the look was gone hidden behind a smile. "You say so now, mortal, but we shall see. Shall we not?" She mused lightly, and pressed a hand against her chin.
"Take what time you need, though mind that the elf has little before he his dragged back into the trap laid for the Trickster." She murmured and with those words, vanished into a puff of green smoke.
*
Bucky blows out a breath at that. That was amazing. And then he's hurrying away, before anyone can stop him to investigate that apparent magic trick further. Someone's upped the ante there by quite a bit.