05 | she's my trainer

Hope

"I have a question, and I need you to answer it honestly."

I find myself sitting on the couch in one of Tony's living rooms again after the long trip from Triad. It's not like I can actually go anywhere because I have no money, no idea where I should go for help, and no place to sleep. I can't exactly compel people to give me money or a place to sleep because if Triad finds a way to track me despite the cloaking spell, I'm risking those people's lives, just like I risked Tony's earlier today.

It's best if I stick to one person for a while. It'd be easier to handle. I only wish it didn't have to be Tony Stark.

"No promises." I answered.

He and I had been back in his place for sometime now. It was only now that he woke up.

"Did you, or did you not...spell me to sleep." He asked.

My legs are stretched over the couch while my back is leaning against its arm as I read a book in my hand, trying to look as unbothered as I can even though I am bothered by his mere presence. Maybe that way, he would tone down the talking.

"I did." I answered, truthful as ever.

At the corner of my eye, I saw him stretching his neck and shoulders, probably sore and stiff from the really uncomfortable position he was in while he was sleeping in the car.

"Dare I ask why?" I don't need to look at him to see him raising a brow at me. I can basically feel it.

"You kept coping." I said, shooting him a sarcastic smile as I reminded him of the different ways he was trying to hit on me on our way back to his house.

"That's rude, you know. Plus, It's not like I meant it anyway. I don't like you." He said.

It was my turn to look and raise an eyebrow at him.

"Dare I ask why?" I challenged.

"And risk you snapping my neck? I don't think so." Tony replied before standing up and walking towards the kitchen.

If I didn't know better, I'd think that he was just going to the kitchen for a glass of water. But I did know better. He went to the kitchen not only to grab a glass of water but to also look for his limited supply of vervain.

"You don't need to drink it, you know. The vervain." I said, my eyes staring at the same paragraph since he woke up but then I flip to the next page, acting as if I'm actually reading when in reality, nothing in the book is registering in my mind.

I heard Tony's footsteps as he walked back into the living room, his mere presence already sending tingles on my skin because of my heightened senses.

"I don't know what you're talking about." He tried to deny it.

For someone who's a genius and is leading a multinational company because of it, you'd think he'd be better at strategizing when it comes to lying. But no. Tony lies so badly, it's physically painful.

"Check your wrist. I made you a little gift." I said, my eyes still pretending to read the book in front of me.

There were a few seconds of silence in the room which I took as a sign that he was staring at the watch I made containing a vervain herb inside. Finally, I closed the book and placed it on the coffee table before swinging my legs down for my feet to touch the ground. I adjusted my sitting position on the couch before averting my gaze towards Tony only to find him wide-eyed, looking back and forth between me and the watch.

"Is there some sort of wizard trap in here?" He asked, staring at the watch suspiciously.

I rolled my eyes before shaking my head and crossing my arms against the couch as I leaned back.

"No. It's just a vervain watch. So no one can compel you. Not even me." I said.

And there it was. The annoying smirk that I knew was going to appear once I told him that I gave him a personalized watch.

"Do you like me?" He asked, either bravely or foolishly as he took a few steps towards me, his other hand not stopping in touching the watch.

"Not in a million years. You're narcissistic, irritating, incapable of shutting up, and painfully stubborn." I stated, if I had the truth orb with me, it would be glowing a bright blue right about now.

Tony shot his eyebrows upward before walking back to the couch across from me and once again opening his machine gun of a mouth.

"Thank you." He said as he propped himself down on the couch. "You're nice, too."

I had to close my eyes and take a few seconds of breather because I am once again tempted to cross the line and snap his neck like a twig.

"But seriously, why give me this? Why not wipe my mind again like you did the last time, which I'm still angry about by the way." He said.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I need a place to say."

He cocked an eyebrow.

"You're planning on staying here?" He asked, as if confirming what I just said.

"Is there a problem with that?" I asked. Even if there is, it's not like he can stop me.

"No." He answered. "But if you're going to stay here. I want in on...whatever it is you're doing."

A sarcastic laugh escaped my lips at his condition. "Yeah, that's not gonna happen."

"So what, I'm just your landlord? No, I want in." He insisted.

"Like I said, painfully stubborn." I replied.

Tony sighed deeply. He leaned forward and placed his elbows on his knees with his hands wide open as he spoke.

"I can really help you. I'm a weapons manufacturer. I can build weapons that we could use against that Triad guy. With my brain and your superpowers—"

"Please don't call them superpowers."

"Then, with my brain and your...whatever that is, we can take them down. Come on, it's a good strategy!"

Silence swallowed the whole room as we both held each other's gaze. Turns out he's as competitive asI am because he is still not looking away. I can see the confidence and the determination practically oozing out of him. Like he was meant to be facing danger. Like he was born to be involved in the more unusually complicated side of the world.

"Fine." I finally gave in.

I heard a faint 'yes' escape his lips with a matching raise of his fist as he leaned back on the couch. I simply rolled my eyes at his excited reaction. Soon enough, he's going to regret putting himself in such a situation.

"By the way, that guy, Ryan Clarke, he knows where I live. He'll come back." Tony added.

I stood up and smoothed down my clothes before I replied. "Don't worry. I cast a boundary spell. No one would be able to come in without your consent."

I walked out of the living room and into the balcony. I have been tempted to go out here because I kept hearing the satisfying splash of the waves against the shore. The moment I stepped out, I immediately got chills from the night breeze. It's colder around here since we're basically living on a beach.

My hands found themselves gently gripping the railing of the balcony as I stared ahead, gazing at how the bright silver moon is being reflected upon the ripples of the water.

I miss home. I miss Dr. Saltzman, I miss the Super Squad, I miss the boarding school...I miss everyone from my life. Being here, surrounded by very unfamiliar people and a very unfamiliar setting, it's alienating. I've never felt more alone than ever. Especially knowing that no one from the other side of the pit remembers me.

No one's coming to rescue me. I have to get myself out of this situation. I have to save myself, as I always have before.

"The beach has magic powers, too." I heard Tony's voice on top of the splashing waves.

I looked back to see him standing by the wide doorway, his hands inside the pockets of his pants and his head slightly tilted to the right. The night breeze was brushing through his dark brown hair, ruffling it. He pushed his lips into a thin line before taking steps forward and stopping just right beside me.

"It makes people think deeply." He added.

He isn't wrong, though. I took a step outside and I'm now thinking about what everyone must be doing back home. Or if they're even still alive to be doing anything with Kai Parker on the loose.

I'm sure they're all right. They're strong, united. They can take down Kai...right?

"What are you thinking?" He asked.

I turned to him with a raised eyebrow and a mild glare, causing him to take his hands out of his pockets and bring them up.

"Fine. Never mind." He said before dropping his hands to his sides. He turned away and focused his eyes on the view ahead while my gaze remained on him.

"My friends." I admitted.

My response earned a look from Tony. He's lips were slightly parted, probably shocked from the fact that I answered his question.

"They're in trouble. And I don't know what to do." I said as I looked away from him and fixated my gaze on the waves. "I'm scared that they're trapped somewhere dark and horrible."

"You're talking about the Malivore Pit." Tony replied.

My head snapped towards him when he suddenly mentioned Malivore. He might've sensed the look I was giving him, probably a mix of suspicion and confusion.

"Ryan Clarke might've shown and told me a few things." He said with a light shrug of his shoulders.

I pushed my lips into a thin line and nodded. Of course, he did. Anything to get Tony on his side.

"Did he also tell you what happens when someone goes in it?" I asked.

Tony clenched his jaw and lowered his head before nodding. He scratched his jaw, allowing me to hear his stubble brush against his nails before he spoke.

"They'd be forgotten." He answered. "Which is basically one of everyone's worst fears, to be forgotten by the world."

"Yeah." I simply muttered, maybe even a little too quiet.

"But you still remember them, right? That's a good sign. That means they're not in that dark pit of doom." He said. If I'm not mistaken, he's trying to comfort me.

"Yeah. That would be a good sign if it weren't for the fact that I'm an exception to its mind-wiping ability. I'm the only one who can still remember everyone who goes into the pit." I admitted. I looked down on my hands as I fiddled with my fingers.

I felt Tony shift uncomfortably beside me, like he didn't know how to ask me about what I just said. Though, if he did ask, am I going to tell him?

"What makes you an exception?" He finally asked after a few seconds of uneasy silence.

I looked at him and tilted my head to the side with a cock of an eyebrow and a small smile tugging on the corner of my lips.

"And why should I tell you that?" I said.

"Because I said pretty please?" he answered.

I couldn't help but stifle a laugh at his response. How the hell can he make a serious conversation, or any conversation for that matter, this light in a second? I'm starting to think that it's his talent.

"I don't think so." I answered.

"Oh, come on! If we're gonna work together, I should know things about you. Like for example, I know you're not just a vampire. According to Ryan, you're also a werewolf and a witch. That's confusing, you know? I need to know how that's possible." He rambled on. There he was again, unable to hit the brakes with his words.

"How about your last name. I should know your last name, right?" He added.

I sighed. Of course, I can't say Mikaelson. I have no idea what that name means in this timeline. For all I know, it can be the one thing that would risk my hopefully quick and discreet stay here.

"Marshall." I answered.

He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes at me. "Andrea Marshall...I thought you'd have a more badass name, but okay."

"Stop pushing your luck." I said before turning around and walking away. "Good night, Stark."

"Good night, Marshall."

—

"Get up. Let's go training."

Morning came and I found Tony sprawled across the couch as he stared at the television in front, his eyebrows furrowed in annoyance.

Tony then looks at me with a confused facial expression before responding. "Training? Why?"

"I can get past the bulky men of Triad just fine. You, on the other hand, doubtful." I said while putting my hair up in a ponytail.

"No. I'm mad at you right now. Look at what they're saying about me." Tony said as he pointed to the television.

I stopped Tony from telling someone named Obadiah Stane the truth. Instead, I told him to say that it was all just a prank. Telling anyone about Triad would only risk more people getting hurt. I've done enough damage as it is with Tony. I can't have other people being involved, too. Though, when Obadiah told the press about that, everyone who was worried about Tony's well-being were not happy.

"They're talking shit about me because they thought it was a publicity stunt." Tony said before leaning back on to the couch.

"It's what needs to be done. If you told them about the Triad, they'd go running after Clarke like headless little hybrid puppies." I said, immediately grimacing after I said hybrid puppies. Of all the things I could've said, I said that.

"I can't believe you just said hybrid puppies."

"Me neither. Let's just...go train. Come on." 

I heard him groan before he finally got up from the couch and went to change into more comfortable clothes.

I was once again greeted by the amazing view of the beach. I decided that we should train in the balcony instead of the gym he has in the basement of this house. It's wide enough for us to train on anyway. Plus, it's less suffocating.

"Ready to open up again?" I heard Tony say from behind me, surely referring to my little confession last night which I've come to regret.

"Let's start." I coldly said. "Have you fought before?"

"Couple of times, yeah. What are we doing?" Tony asked as he stretched his limbs.

"Arnis." I simply said while I walked towards the corner of the balcony.

"Arnis? But we don't even have—" Tony didn't finish his sentence when I turned around with two pairs of fighting sticks in my hands.

Tony pushes his eyebrows together as he looks at the sticks. "Did you abracadabra those?" He asked.

I grimaced at his choice of words. Surely, he knows a more appropriate word to describe my magic and yet he sticks with abracadabra.

"Did I abraca—no, Tony. I didn't. I asked Jarvis where I could find some fighting sticks and he led me to this old armory shop. And, please, don't refer to my ability to do magic as 'abracadabra' ever again." I said.

I throw the two sticks at Tony and he effortlessly caught them. Hmm, okay, I can work with that.

He took the fighting sticks with both his hands and let them find a comfortable grip before grasping it firmly.

I clutched onto the fighting sticks before I made the first move. I went after Tony, assault after assault as he continued to block every move I had made. The sound of the waves splashing and the wooden sticks clashing together were all I could hear as I continued to go after him.

Soon enough, I could also hear his loud breathing while he focused on keeping his defenses up.

I used my leg and kicked high enough that it leveled with Tony's head. He widens his eyes and instantly ducks his head before my foot could hit his face. Damn it. That was close. That would've been satisfying.

I spun before giving another kick towards his mid-section which Tony immediately blocked with two of his fighting sticks.

My gaze clashed with his when our eyes met. I can see the shock in his face at how I was constantly going after him. I couldn't help but smirk.

I felt his irritation when he pushed my foot away. I guess he's just as competitive.

The two of us moved in sync as we continued to battle with equal strengths and skills. I'm not using my vampire strength yet, but maybe I should. It's not considered cheating, right? It could prepare him for anyone with at least half of the amount of strength I have when it comes to the real thing.

I was planning on catching him off guard with my heightened strength, that is until the doorbell rang and it ripped Tony's focus away from the fight.

Looks like I don't need to use my vampire strength after all.

I took this as an opportunity to slide my right leg across the floor and trip Tony over, causing him to tumble to the ground with a loud thud.

I watched Tony as he grimaces in pain when his back made contact with the floor. He groaned loudly before seeing me towering over him with a wide victorious smile on my face. That won't be good for his gigantic ego.

"You cheated." Tony groaned as he remained on the ground.

"No, you got distracted." I replied.

Tony was about to protest when the doorbell rang once again and it caused both of us to look at the direction of the front door.

"Mr. Rhodes is at the door, Sir. Should I let him in?" Jarvis asked.

Who's Mr. Rhodes? I don't know who he is but he was important enough to make Tony widen his eyes and abruptly jerk upright from the ground.

"Rhodey's here?" I heard Tony ask himself.

"Who's Rhodes?" I asked as I furrowed my eyebrows at both Jarvis's announcement and Tony's reaction.

"A friend of mine who's supposed to be busy and a thousand miles away from Miami." Tony answered while he stood himself up from the ground.

This guy, despite having a painfully irritating personality, has a friend. I salute the poor soul who has to endure Tony's crap.

I held my fighting sticks on one hand as it rests on my shoulders before making my way towards the kitchen to get something to drink.

I let myself listen through my vampire hearing as Tony walks towards the front door and opens it.

"Rhodey!" Tony said with an overly enthusiastic tone. This man really can't lie for his sake.

"Don't 'Rhodey' me." Rhodes said which I know is accompanied with a nonchalant facial expression based on the tone of his voice. I heard him invite himself in and made his way towards the living room.

"A lot of us were freaking out trying to look for you and then you just said that it was all a prank? Are you nuts?" Rhodes said.

"I know you're upset. Everybody is. But like, can we talk about this another time? I'm in the middle of something." Tony said. Subtle, Tony, real subtle.

I should probably make my presence known before Tony says anything more dumb.

"In the middle of something? Tony, I swear to God, if there is another woman-"

"There is."

My face was as nonchalant as his. I held my fighting sticks in one hand as it rested on the crook of my neck while my other hand was holding a glass filled with cold water.

Rhodes nonchalant look broke as he watched me casually drink the water. He furrowed his eyebrows before turning back to Tony, obviously asking for an explanation.

"She's my trainer." Tony simply said.

It's not entirely a lie. I mean, I am training him. But a lot of information was missing from that sentence that it kinda sounded less believable.

"Your trainer?" Rhodes said with one of his eyebrows raised, obviously not believing what Tony just said.

"Yeah. She's teaching me Arnis." Tony said, continuing with the act as I settled the glass down at the counter.

"And she is...?" Rhodes asked, his gaze flicking towards me once again.

"Andrea Marshall." I answered.

Rhodes tilted his head and squinted his eyes at me, trying to catch me in a lie. But thankfully, he finally changed the topic as he shook his head and turned his attention back to Tony.

"Whatever. Anyway, I just had to come by and see what has gotten into you." Rhodes said.

"I appreciate that, Rhodey. But like I said, it was just a prank." Tony assured him.

"Clearly. I mean, that Ryan Clarke guy seems to be one reckless guy." Rhodes said.

My face dropped when I heard Rhodes mention Clarke's name. Looking at Tony, I could see that he was just as shocked as I am. I'm pretty sure that the police was not able to identify Clarke and Tony didn't name drop when he told Obadiah about the prank. So, how did he know about Ryan Clarke?

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Didn't you know? Ryan Clarke's in Miami and the press are all over him." Rhodes said.

Those words alone were enough for me and Tony to share a confused and frantic glance as Rhodes continued. "He kept telling people how good friends you two are and how he was sorry for causing trouble." Rhodes added.

I was still as confused as this conversation first started while Tony called for Jarvis.

"Jarvis. turn on the TV and find one of Ryan Clarke's interviews." Tony ordered.

"Will do, sir." J.A.R.V.I.S. replied before doing as he's told.

The television opened and it went through different channels before landing on one. To say that I was tempted to scratch the television when I saw Clarke's face was an understatement.

"When did you become friends with Stark Industries' CEO Tony Stark?" Asked the reporter.

"Just recently, in fact. We have-uhm-a mutual friend." Clarke responded.

I walked around the kitchen counter as I made my way towards the TV, Tony following behind.

"Well, are you going to the charity gala tomorrow night? Mr. Stark will be there." Asked by the same reporter again.

"I am. I'm looking forward to it." Clarke said with a fake humble smile on his lips before averting his eyes from the reporter and towards the camera.

For some reason, I felt like Clarke could actually see me through the screen and I clenched my jaw. I guess my stay here would be neither quick nor discreet.

"Well, crap." I heard Tony curse under his breath.

—

I swear, when Tony's POV in this chapter is revealed kskssksksksksk.

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! <3