[sup][h1][center][img]https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602bd63e3ba5033eb8646dc7/1624034052565-LHOU7LTV7YQT3YDJVFRZ/Title_06_Banner.jpg[[/img][/center][b][center][color=black] I S S U E #004[/color]
[color=F5276C]I S S U E #004[/color][/center]
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For all her meagre understanding of Earth’s politics, Koriand’r believed Thor was surely of some high ranking class. It was the same on so many worlds: strength was a divine mandate. So for him to bow in respect to her, a royal with a hollow, empty title, was shocking. She stared at him, trying to process what she was experiencing emotionally. She must have been a small child the last time anyone showed even a modicum of deference toward her. Koriand’r was well aware of the treatment refugees often faced even on their home planet, and she hadn’t expected much of anything different as an alien refugee on this planet. 

A small part of her screamed to run, that he was only doing this in order to gain her trust. The High Evolutionary had been like that - kindness was a means to an end; it always came at a cost. Her suspicion was a learned response perfected over years, but her gut told her there was nothing to worry about. Thor- Donald Blake had given no evidence to the contrary. He had come to her with a gentle tone, given her space, freed her from her restraints, and even given her the opportunity to leave. 

Blinking rapidly to clear her shocked stupor, Koriand’r smiled softly in acceptance and crossed her fist over her heart with a small bow to return Donald’s gesture, [color=F5276C]”Thank you, Donald Blake. Your kindness is well received.”[/color]

She watched him with confusion as he let out a whistle short and high, his hand held at the ready to catch something invisible. Kori peered around curiously, wondering if he had signalled others to join him. When no one appeared she wracked her brain for some other reason until as if from thin air a metallic hammer appeared flying toward Thor, whizzing past the helicopter in a frighteningly-near miss. He wasn’t even looking at it! She opened her mouth to warn him only for it to nestle perfectly into his outstretched hand, his body barely seeming to flinch with the force. There was a joyful, excited look on his face as if he was proud to show off. If situation were different, she might have joined in on the seemingly playful posturing, but the timing seemed wrong. Kori recalled the High Evolutionary telling her about the rarity and reception of aliens on Earth, and she worried the exposure of her powers so immediately after her mysterious arrival could jeopardise her chance at freedom on the planet, and what better place to hide from the High Evolutionary than right under his own nose on his home planet

What truly wowed her, though, was the way Thor swung the heavy hammer as if it weighed nothing. It was effortless, leading her to believe he was impressively strong and certainly not a someone to be trifled with. Kori was glad he seemed to be on the side of good; she imagined he would be a force to be reckoned with in battle. She leaned in to get a closer look at the portal he had created, hesitant to walk into the unknown. He said it lead to his home, but it could conceivably lead anywhere. It could have all been a ruse, and on the other side was the High Evolutionary waiting to condescendingly congratulate her for a circle well run. And yet a voice in the back of her mind reminded her that life is a series of choices, one leap of faith after another.

So, she stepped through the portal not into a trap, but an apartment. The sunlight that streamed through the windows made dust specks in the air into glitter as a ball of black fur unfurled itself from a nap and yawned, showing off an impressive set of needle-like teeth. Koriand’r was immediately enamoured with the small creature, ignoring everything else around her - including Thor - to greet it. She took her time, coming down to the creature’s level to seem less threatening before she reached out and paused when it hesitated before leaning in for a thorough sniff of her hand.

[color=F5276C]”My, you are a handsome thing,” Kori crooned as she stroked gently over the satin-soft fur. She turned to Donald, delight sparkling in her eyes, “Is this the “cat” you spoke of, Donald Blake?”[/color]