𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑹𝑩𝑶𝑹𝑵 ━━ 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚛 𝙾𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚘𝚗

𝙏𝙃𝙊𝙍: 𝙏𝙃𝙄𝙍𝙏𝙔-𝙁𝙄𝙑𝙀

STARBORN: XXXV –LET'S TALK

2000

PUENTE ANTIGUO, NM

The inside of Machete's Bar was incredibly dim; the smell of cigarettes was prominent in the air of what seems to be a testosterone cave. Alora was still dressed in her filthy clothes, her long sleeve shirt was tied around her waist leaving her with the white tank top. Her hair was dirty and wrapped in a messy bun, her gray eyes stared at the lousy place with disgust. Alora Stark needed a drink which is why she decided to follow Erik and Thor into the bar, besides she felt safe knowing if she got carried away there would be someone watching over her. Kalum, of course, tagged along since he is keen on talking to Alora about what happened the night Obadiah died.

"There's a free booth over here." Erik gesture at two booths at the very end of the bar, Alora was the first to make her way toward it with a murderous look on her face.

Erik shared a glance with a sadden Kalum, the old friend placed a reassuring hand on his friend and gave it a squeeze. "You gotta fix this Kalum, I've got no clue what you did but she seems pretty upset."

"Is this some sort of festive quarters?" Thor question as his azure eyes took in the oddly familiar environment.

"More like a playground of sorrows and misery, for big men like us." Erik shrugs.

Kalum turn to face Thor Odinson, he straightens his back before offering him a hand in which Thor shook. "Thor Odinson, you've grown."

Erik glance between them with a suspicious expression. "Karim Son of Horus." They let go of their hands. "So here's where you've been in hiding."

Kalum took in a deep breath before letting it out, his eyes glancing around the bar before meeting his azure eyes. "Well when you're exile you don't really have a say where you end up."

Thor's face falls before nodding somberly. "I understand want you mean."

Alora watches them interact from afar, her line of sight was interrupted by a waitress who brought her beer. The blonde Stark thank the lady before quickly taking a full swing of the beer, grimacing at the bitter aftertaste the beer left in her mouth. She stared at the beer as if it was the most interesting thing in the world, her eyebrows were furrow in deep concentration even if her mind was in blank. Thor's eyes wander to the lonely blonde woman, his instinct allow him to easily spot men eyeing her with interest and mischief in their eyes.

"We should probably go take a seat." Thor suggested, Kalum and Erik nodding in agreement as the trio made their way to the empty booths.

Alora turn to see them, her eyes making eye contact with a concern Thor before he quickly took a seat on the booth in front of her along with Erik. Which left her alone with Kalum Tiberius who took a seat in front of her, he placed his military baseball cap on the desk before calling the nearest waitress.

"What can I get you?" The waitress asked in a monotone voice.

Kalum gave her charming smile. "Hi love, I would like to have the same as the lady."

The waitress glance at Alora's beverage before nodding and making her way to the bar to get his Corona beer. Alora stared at Kalum with emotionless eyes, the rage she felt earlier was already gone leaving her empty and borderline disappointed. Kalum could read her like an open book, even if she believed she was doing a great job hiding her emotions from him, he knew she was incredibly hurt and betrayed by him.

"I..." Kalum began, clearing his throat, heart racing. "I owe you an apology."

"I don't want it."

Kalum let out a defeated sigh, his back leaning against the booth seat as he pinches the bridge of his nose. "Alora I'm trying to ask for forgiveness."

"Well then try harder, goddammit." Alora snaps. "A simple I'm sorry won't fix this Kalum, you know I trust—or well, trusted you with my whole being. If you told me the sky was pink, I wouldn't even second-guess you."

The waitress walks in, placing the Corona beer on the desk before leaving without a word. Kalum reaches for the beer and takes a gulp, loving the bittersweet taste the Corona beer left in his mouth. "You know, I get it. I did betray your trust which was not intentional, it was something I was asked to do."

Alora narrows her eyes, her arms crossing over her chest. "By who?"

"Your biological mother." Kalum sighed. "Howard and Maria."

Alora's face fell, heart clenching for a reason. "Why not? I deserved to know the truth."

Kalum nodded, agreeing with the young woman. "You did, but back in those days' things were more complicated. Specially due to your mother's occupation."

"My biological mother's?" Alora question, Kalum nodded. "What about her occupation? What was it?"

Kalum licked his lips, taking in another sip of his beer before throwing a cautious glance around them. "Your mother, Amanda Armstrong, was a field agent. She was part of an organization called SSR, Strategic Scientific Reserve."

Alora blinked, eyes curious yet disbelieving. "Isn't that where—?"

"—Peggy Carter and Howard Stark worked in? Yes, but none knew your mother's name." Kalum continue, Alora leaned against the desk, intrigued.

"Why not?"

"Because Amanda wanted it that way, she was scared for your safety and she didn't want you to be linked to her in case someone went after her." Kalum explained, Alora nodded slowly.

"But who could possibly hurt me? You literally never left my side, so I was more than safe." Alora wonder, her mind racing with alternative solutions.

Kalum shook his head. "It wasn't just a man or a dozen men, but an evil organization called The HYDRA."

Memories flashed through Alora's mind, reminiscing the time when Howard would tell her about Captain America and how he bravely saved New York City from going extinct. She vaguely remembers Howard mentioning an evil organization that was led by a mad German scientist who wanted to dominate the world. So upon hearing Kalum telling her that the organization led by the mad scientist was a potential threat to her seemed surreal.

"I don't understand; didn't Captain America beat them? Put an end to their organization?" Alora bombarded Kalum with her doubts. "And why would I be considered a target to them?"

Kalum ran a hand over his dark hair, cracking his neck on the process. "Here's where it gets tragic, your father was also part of the SSR but he was a double agent. A week after your birth, they went home and Amanda found out that Jude was the mole and your mother had no choice but to kill him."

"Now you're kidding me, right?"

"I wish, Jude Wolf was a HYDRA agent and your mother feared that they knew about you wish is why she made sure nobody knew about you and her." Alora stared at him with a shock look on her face, not believing how dramatic her parents life was. "Which is why I asked Howard and Maria to not mention this to you, they understood this was a life or death situation—everybody thought HYDRA was gone for good but as they say 'cut one head another shall take its place'."

"Oh my God." Alora breathed out, her back hitting the seat booth, she took a swing of her beer as she digested the news. "This is... I don't even know how to process this. I feel bad, mad, and relieved. At least I know she didn't leave me because she didn't want me."

Kalum's gave her a lopsided smile. "It was the toughest decision your mother had to make, she was all over the place but her love for you was what kept her on her feet and it gave her the strength she needed to keep fighting."

Alora stared at Kalum through watery eyes, her heart kept beating loudly and the feeling of nostalgia quickly washed down on her. She knew nothing about her biological mother, not even what she looked like but she could guess. Alora took in a deep breath before cleaning her eyes, wiping the tears away as she composes herself.

"Do you even know if she's alive?" Alora asked, her voice small.

Kalum shook his head, offering her an apologetic look. "It's been 25 years, haven't heard from her ever since."

Alora nodded, she foolishly had hopped her mother was still breathing somewhere around the world. "Yeah, of course. Just a random thought."

Kalum placed his hand on the table, inviting Alora to give him her hand. The blonde woman was still hurt by what he did but she was slowly letting go of that grudge after she learned the truth behind the secret. She allowed herself to be influenced by Obadiah's words, a man who wanted nothing else but to hurt her family, she should've listen to Kalum first instead of running away.

With a small smile, Alora placed her small hand on his larger one, this action alone made Kalum extremely happy even if he didn't show it. "I know I should've told you sooner, I just didn't see the point in ruining your happiness but that was not my decision to make."

Alora shook her head, she squeezed his hand. "No, you're right. I was definitely happier without knowing I was adopted, but the truth always comes to light. I should've trusted you more and not be influenced by Obadiah's venomous words."

Kalum chuckled. "You were just reacting as any normal human being, I just hope we can put this behind us?"

Alora stared into his hopeful expression and with a single nod, relief took over both of their aching hearts. "It's behind us."

Erik and Thor chatted while Kalum and Alora fixed their issues, one of the customers in the bar was the drunk townie that was in Isabela's diner. He motions at his friend who quickly followed his gaze as they took notice of the big hunky blond man sitting with the scientist, not noticing who were behind them. Both drunk townies made their way toward Thor and Erik's table, their expressions clearly told they were seeking a fight.

"Hey, I know you, man..." The drunk townie points a finger at Thor's direction, Alora and Kalum frown as they turn their attention at the approaching men. "You were in the diner with that hot blonde chick, heard she's quite the arm candy."

Alora arcs an eyebrow, not liking how the man expressed himself about her, Kalum's face quickly morphs into one of distaste and he feels the need to step up. "I wouldn't mind her doing a little gofundme on me." The drunk townie's friend adds with a snicker.

Before Alora or Kal could open their colorful mouths, Thor beat them to it. "I have no quarrel with you. But she's a lady, you should be more respectful."

Alora blinks in surprise, not expecting Thor to stick up for her, Kalum throws Alora a teasing smile in which she responded with a glare. "And you should shut the hell up, princess!"

Kalum lets out a chuckle, taking gulping down his beer before placing it on the table. "Listen, dickwad, why don't you and your friend Billy go piss off somewhere else?"

Alora watched them with a deadly glare, the drunk townies notice them and when their eyes settle on Alora a disgusting smile appeared on their faces. "Well, well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes."

The youngest Stark snorted. "Sorry pal, I only date real men and his name is Christian Prime."

Kalum smirk, Thor and Erik peaked over their booth as they watched Alora handle horny men without lighting up like a candle.

But the drunk townie who was getting on all men's nerves kept insisting. "Oh come on bombshell, I know how to please a woman."

"So please leave me alone." Alora rebuked, she down her Corona beer before moving to stand up followed by the rest.

"Listen you bitch!" The drunk townie grabbed Alora's arm, digging his filthy fingers on her forearm.

Alora turn to face him, her expression calm yet wicked. "You are going to regret this."

A heavy hand fell on the townie's shoulder, the man's head snaps to the source and he comes face to face with a furious Kalum Tiberius whose eyes were glowing a crystal blue. "The fuck..."

"Big mistake, dipshit." Kalum rips the man away from Alora before quickly putting himself in between him and Alora.

Thor and Erik stood behind the drunk townie as Kalum and him engaged in a fight, the friend tried to aid him but Erik was quick to jump in before Thor and head butt him hard enough that the man fell unconscious on the floor. Kalum ended the drunk townie a roundhouse kick to the face, the man landing harshly on the ground while Alora just stared at the unconscious men with a satisfied smirk.

"Told you, you'll regret it."

Thor glanced at Alora as she rubbed the area where the man had gripped her, he went to check up on her while Kalum aided a dizzy and very drunk Erik Selvig.

"Are you alright?" Thor asks, gently taking her arm in his big hands and examine the red marks. The skin to skin contact sent shocks of electricity through their body, giving them goosebumps and an accelerate heartbeat.

"Yes, nothing I can't handle." Alora chuckled, removing her arm form his hand and tried to ignore the shiver he sent down her spine. "And, uh, thanks for sticking up for me. We barely know each other, so thanks."

Thor smiled brightly, adorable wrinkles forming on the side of his eyes. "No men should ever express themselves the way he did about women, you're no object of their entertainment."

Alora nodded. "Agree, but this is how the world dominated by patriarchy and heteronormative ideals is."

"We ought to do something." Thor said with sincerity, Alora stared at him and for a moment she forgot she had a man back home waiting for her.

"We are, but it's a long term fight."

✶ ┊사랑병 ˎˊ˗

↳ ScriveFiorella_ Note

Just to be clear Alora, are
We still talking about feminism
Or are you referring to something
Else...? 🧐

I just watched Enola Holmes and I
LOVED IT!!