Heart Of Stone

Chapter 23

Everyone was surprised to see me there, but they seemed happy to see me there. They're pretty good actors, then.

I sit as far away from the others as possible, but still close enough that it's not like I'm isolated. "What is it that you usually do here?" I ask, genuinely interested. I want to learn more about their behaviour. It's intriguing to me.

"Mostly it's just insulting each other and making jokes while we drink," Natasha says. "Well it sounds sad when you put it like that," Tony says, grabbing a glass bottle and throwing his head back, downing his alcohol swiftly. "Pick your poison, Lexis. We've got beer, wine, any other kind of drink I'm forgetting, the works."

I just stare at him in confusion. "Why would I pick poison? And what do you mean by 'the works'?"

Stark groans. "Dammit! Another one who doesn't understand slang!" "In my defence I did live in a forest for a little over a century," I point out. "I also understand the concept of shrugs, eye rolls and even high fives... I do not know where I learnt those, especially the latter, but I still understand their concepts at least."

"Pick your poison is another way of asking for an opinion," Natasha explains to me. I nod in thanks and look at the bar that Tony is gesturing me over to. "Grab whatever you want," he says, sitting back down. "Just don't get yourself drunk. I bet you're a lightweight."

"Lightweight means you don't need as much alcohol to get drunk," Steve inputs. "Well on the contrary I am by no means a lightweight," I state, though I still choose plain water over the alcoholic drinks, then sit back down again. "The eighteenth century is not always as classy as it sounds. It was never difficult to flirt my way into the possession of a beverage."

"Try without using your powers, I dare you," Tony smirks. "Who should I try it on?" I question, though I already know who he's going to suggest. "Me, of course," Tony states. "But why would I select you of all people?" I tease, earning laughter all around.

"Tell you what, try Steve," Tony tried to direct the attention away from him and his damaged ego. More laughs fill the room as Steve stares at me in shock. "What?!"

"You heard me, you're nowhere near as easy to convince as I am, so go for it," Tony shrugs. "Do I have your consent, Mr Rogers?" I ask him. "You may decline if you wish."

"No, go ahead," he shakes his head. "And call me Steve."

I nod, then get all eyes on me as I 'turn on the charm', as I believe they call it these days. I purse my lips and bat my eyelashes a little, nothing overly obvious or anything that looks ridiculous, just subtle little movements that the mind catches only subconsciously.

The mind is my domain, so I know exactly how to become a master temptress in Steve's eyes. I mimic his sitting position; one leg folded over the other with his hands placed on his knee. This allows me to squeeze my breasts together slightly with my arms. I'm not one for exploiting assets, but usually this works wonders against the male mind.

Steve seems surprised, but not exactly attracted to me. I wind a strand of hair around my finger as I stand up, swaying my hips a little as I walk closer to him. "Am I not to your liking, my dear?" I ask in a seductive tone, leaning in slightly and pouting. "Or are you simply being a gentleman as usual? I simply adore that quality in a man."

I catch him lightly blushing as I speak and I'm not the only one to pick up on it. "She got him to blush!" Tony yelled. "She just seduced Cap! She's invincible!"

Steve blushes more, his cheeks turning from a light pink to a slightly more noticeable red. I just smile at him. "They all fall in line sooner or later."

This earns some laughs yet again and while the others are making jokes about Steve I take my seat again. "Seriously, She must've used her powers," Tony claimed.

"You bet your ass!" Clint agreed. "Steve, he said a bad language word!" Wanda announced, causing more laughter. They laugh at anything, don't they?

"You all know nothing about me," I smirk. "If you did you would know that I am naturally gifted where seducing the opposite gender is concerned."

"How so?" Clint asks. "A Stone Siren is, like the name suggests, a siren," I explain. "We used to be water dwellers with tails, gills, fins... as Tony would say, the works. But one day someone used a staff wielding indescribable powers cursed the sirens with legs in exchange for our tails along with the inability to touch others unless we should wish to become statues.

As the years progressed we became known as Stone Sirens, Singing Statues, Medusa's Victim, Statue of Serenades, Mind Stones, Water Spirits-"

"Mind Stones?!" Thor gasps, standing up. "Yes," I confirm in confusion. "They say it was part of the staff used to curse the sirens, though it also fitted nicely with our abilities."

All eyes turn to the gem on Vision's forehead. "This is the Mind Stone," he told me, gesturing to it. "Another kind of Stone like it used to be inside the Tesseract, which was a part of Loki's staff. It is possible that Loki was the one who cursed your people, though it is not confirmed."

I massaged my temples, then linked my mind to the god in question. Loki, have you placed a curse on people centuries ago?

You will have to be more specific if you would like details, but yes, he confirmed in a curious manner. Why do you ask?

Did you curse anyone to trade a tail for legs? I prompt. I cursed a whole school of merfolk, actually, he answered.

I built up my walls instantly, abandoning his mind. My palms are clammy, my forehead now sporting a cold sweat. My breathing becomes uneven and I begin shaking a little.

"Loki is the reason why I am this way," I say, barely able to bite back the tears that wish to escape.