Ｓᴛʀᴀᴛᴇɢɪᴄ Ｈᴏᴍᴇʟᴀɴᴅ Ｉɴᴛᴇʀᴠᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴ﹐ Ｅɴғᴏʀᴄᴇᴍᴇɴᴛ ᴀɴᴅ Ｌᴏɢɪsᴛɪᴄs Ｄɪᴠɪsɪᴏɴ discussion

Conor Gardner wandered the Helicarrier. He was being transported to the Academy after being picked up and evaluated by S.H.I.E.L.D. when he tried to stop a bank robbery. He even had his mother sew him three different super suits, which he claimed were for a short movie he and his friends were doing. He entered the training facility, absent mindedly pushing and giggling various equipment, bored out of his mind.

Astrid strode into the training facility, hoping to accomplish some training when she saw the new kid that SHIELD had picked up. Well, might as well talk with the boy, Conor, she thought. Astrid had already read what information they had on him, and approached the boy with a smile. "Hello Conor, I'm Astrid," she said kindly, taking his hand to shake. She had just gotten back from a mission recently, finally getting the information she needed after months, deep undercover. No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't seem to get the smell of smoke off her skin, which she hoped didn't irritate the boy.

Conor looked at the girl. He had not heard her come in. Blonde hair, blue eyes. She seemed like a typical teenage girl. But something told him she was far from typical. "Uh, hi? How...do you know my name?" He asked nervously. He only knew so much about SHIELD, that they nearly destroyed a city, but claimed it was some other organization - HYDRA's - doing. That they were responsible for the Avengers - like Thor. Whom he thought was pretty amazing, an alien-god? What other myths were true, what other gods were alien in origin? His money was on Kali and Shiva. The whole many-arms thing would make a lot of sense. He looked back at the girl, a bit scared.

Astrid gave Conor a warm smile, noticing that he was nervous. It was perfectly human. "It's okay Conor, I know about you and your powers. There's no need to be afraid," she said softly. "If you want to know anything about SHIELD or myself, feel free to ask," she laughed lightly, trying to get the boy to lighten up. "I bet you've heard about the Avengers. The team came into existence because of SHIELD. I just wish I was here to help when New York occurred. But alas, I was undercover on the other side of the world," Astrid gazed past Conor with a look of longing and sadness as she thought about her brother.

Well, adopted brother. She hadn't seen him in centuries, barely missing him when he left to go back home. Oh how she yearned to be back, but she much preferred Midgard. Her heart was in Asgard though, with the family she had grown to love. The only family she had left. Astrid was still beating herself up about New York though, as she felt like she would have been able to talk some sense into her brother, Loki. They had been close before Ingrid had been kidnapped... but that's a whole different story.

"A thousand apologies," she apologized as she realized her mind had wandered away from the world.

He cracked a half smile, "Uh, its fine. So, you know about me? Well, it is only fair you tell me what you can do, then." He said. He felt a tinge of betrayal. Could anyone access his file and read up on him? Wasn't there security measures to prevent such snooping? He rubbed his palms together, the burn still there from what he had done just a few hours earlier. It wound still hurt when he touched it, and no amount of his magic could heal what his magic caused. Stupid stupid stupid! He thought as he mentally beat himself up over the mistake he had made that got him caught by this organization.

Astrid's smile widened when he cracked one, finally. "Yes, I do. If you must know, I'm Asgardian. I have the abilities of a typical citizen- enhanced strength, speed, stamina, dense tissue, durability, healing, et cetera," she listed, not wanting to expose all her powers, but giving him the gist of it all. "Basically Thor's abilities, except the mighty hammer and the lightning control," she explained. "I've been a SHIELD agent for so long, I sometimes forget my manners. I'm sorry, Conor. I'm the one who compiled your file, you see, so it seems like I've known you for quite some time," she smiled apologetically.

"If you wish, I could always help with your hands," she suggested, wanting to help. "I have a first aid kit in my bag- I could basically stitch you up if needed," she told him. "I've been on Midgard- I mean, Earth, for such a long time that I've learned quite a bit. SHIELD practically saved my life. Wandering for years, alone, Pe- er, I mean Agent Carter gave me meaning. Purpose." Astrid thought of the many memories she had with the woman that was like an older sister to her, the closest thing she had on Midgard to family. She had been meaning to chat with Steve about her, although Astrid had never been able to meet any of the Avengers, despite her decades of work at SHIELD. It was quite suspicious to the Asgardian, but she hadn't questioned it. Yet.

He shook his head, "Medicine and first aid can't heal this. It...it was because of dark magic. The burns...they'll heal, eventually." He had started a black curse, but closed his fists, scared of the familiar feeling of growing hatred. His fists shook as the force clasped within them wanted to escape. He raised hands and unclenched his fists. Out came a burst of energy, a wave of force that knocked the assailant back. But from withholding that energy, his palms were scorched. He flinched at the memory. "Asgardian...like Thor...wow." Pagans once worshiped beings like her. And he was close enough to boop her on the nose. Wow. He reached out with on finger and poked her nose. "I just...boop'ed a goddess." He squealed in delight. This day got better, even though he was semi-kidnapped by this shadow organization that no longer existed, according to the government.

"Well, I wish you well and a quick recovery," she told Conor, meaning every word. Astrid noticed his change in demeanor, deciding not to point it out. She laughed when he admired her ethnicity. He then proceeded to poke her nose and Astrid had to resist the urge to grab his finger and break it. It would be so easy, but she let him poke her, despite her dislike of it. It would be near impossible to tell her dislike of the action, as she was careful about sharing all her emotions. She normally just came across as a cheerful, optimistic girl. "Actually, you bopped Thor's sister," she smiled, telling him so after she noticed his lightened mood after being told of her origins. Astrid hoped to gain the trust of the frightened boy. That she could be a familiar face. She would've loved a familiar face when she first was on the planet. Would've made it.. easier.

He frowned, "Thor's sister? So...your Odinsdottir? Or...is it Friggsdottir?" He asked. Not only an Asgardian, but royalty, too? He smiled at the thought of him having touched royalty. I'm never washing this hand again! He thought cheerily.

Astrid laughed. "It would be Odinsdottir, but I'm adopted. I actually knew my parents before, so I decided to hyphenate instead of replacing mine with the All-Father's name." she confessed. "It wouldn't be Friggadottir, as we take our father's name," she informed Conor. "So, can you tell me about yourself?" she asked curiously, clasping her hands together behind her back.

He bit his lip, over and over in his mind were the names the bullies called him. He was nervous, scared even. "Wh-what do you want to know?" He had abstained from telling SHIELD about his abnormal reproductive system, so that was not on file. So Astrid wouldn't know. And he wanted to keep it that way. The less people who knew that, the better, Conor thought. He didn't want a repeat of his middle school years.

Astrid frowned when she noticed him tense up, obviously afraid of something. "Conor, I'm a judgement free person. No one should have to live with something weighing them down or be afraid to share who they are. If you need anyone to talk to, my door's open," she said quietly. "Having people judge you and discriminate based on who you are is never fun, and I've had personal experience. Being a god surrounded by mortals for centuries can cause some uneasiness, which strikes fear. Fear leads to anger and anger leads to hate. It's caused quite a bit of problems in my past. You see, normal people are afraid of people like us. Powerful, strong, enhanced. They just tend to show it in a more negative way, deciding to lash out," Astrid explained.

"I'd like to know about Conor Gardner. What he's like, what he enjoys doing, what his skills are, aspirations, what your family is like and if you have a good relationship with them, anything you're willing to tell me," she smiled.

He stood for a while in thought. "Well, I was born in Portland, I'm the oldest of five children. I have a pet cat, Thelema. Uh, my best friend is a ginger - Brigid, she's a sweetheart. She was one of the few people who stood up for me. I had...a rather rough childhood. My father and I don't get along. I don't think he gets along with anyone but my mother. Everyone loves her, I guess I get my charms from her. My siblings and I get along okay, but we do fight at times. So, uh, yeah. I have a rather large family, a couple aunts and uncles, many cousins and even a few nieces and nephews, or second-cousins, whatever." He shrugged. He abstained from telling her about magic or his family's coven. No need for her to know about that just yet.

After Conor had told her some things about himself, she sat down on the floor as she didn't see the point in standing around if they would be here for a while. "I'm one of five children too," she told him. "I was closer with my mother, but my father was distant. He didn't know how to really talk with me since my biological father passed on. But they don't even know I'm alive, I think. I haven't seen them in centuries," she looked past Conor, then blushed. "Sorry, I'm not usually like this. It's just... certain days remind us of not so good times," she trailed off. "Anyways, back to you," Astrid said brightly, "You told me more about your family than yourself, Conor. What do you enjoy doing? What are your favorite things in the world? Things you're good at?" she asked.

He chewed on his lip, "Uh, I collect stuffed animals. And I like scented candles." He paused, "Uh, and food?" He said softly. He didn't know what to say exactly. Should he mention the magic and witchcraft?

Astrid looked at him, a bit confused. "Stuffed animals?" she asked him. Even though she had lived all these years, she never really understood the concept. "That's interesting," she remarked. Astrid noticed that he was hesitant to mention something. "It's okay to tell me anything, Conor," she calmly told him, smiling contagiously.

He shook his head, not wanting to say more. "No, its...fine. Really." He said as he began to wander the room again. When would they land? What would they do to him? Would he ever see his parents or siblings again? He sighed, "Where are you guys...taking me?" He asked.

Astrid frowned until an idea jumped into her head. "How about this- you can ask me anything, and I'll reply truthfully, and then you can tell me what's on your mind. This is a private conversation and I can guarantee that any information you give me will be for my ears only," she smiled widely, hoping he'd go for the idea. Astrid noticed him wandering the room, proceeding to ask where he was being taken. "Honestly? I think we're just flying currently. I would think we're going to one of SHIELD's bases. You see, SHIELD was sent to.. extract me from a mission. They did so, then we received a call and picked up you," she explained. "I've been undercover for quite some time, so my information is most likely outdated or too vague. I'm sorry, Conor," Astrid apologized.

He chewed his lip, he did not want to tell her want was on his mind. "I...I don't know." He said, flailing his arms. But then again, didn't the Asgardians know magic? No...Loki knew magic. And no body liked Loki. He did not want Astrid to compare him to that trickster.

(Hello?)

Astrid smiled. "Well, let me start. Hmm, where to begin," she pondered, finally deciding to tell him about her family. "I have three brothers and a sister. Thor, Loki, Erik, and little Ingrid. Erik and Ingrid were biologically related to me, although Thor and Loki were more brotherly towards me. Ingrid was.. too young to understand much, when I left. After all, she is five hundred years younger than me," Astrid chuckled. "Anyways, after my parents passed away, Erik grew distant. He wouldn't even look at me. So I was closer with Thor and Loki. Thor was.. overprotective, always trying to fix my problems if I ever talked to him. But Loki, I was closest with him," Astrid looked down at her hands and continued, speaking softly. "We could tell each other anything. He was nonjudgmental and empathetic, letting me spill out my emotions in any way possible and vice versa. You see, everyone believes me to be dead. I've seen Thor and Loki since then, although they haven't seen me. Loki... he took my death harder than anyone. He beat himself up for not protecting me better, spiraling into a state of depression and rage. So you see, I understand why he was able to do that to New York. It was his way of grieving, taking it out on others," Astrid confessed, letting her last sentence hang in the air, giving him a chance to speak.

"You think he attacked New York because he was grieving? I always thought it was because Odin lied to him, about being a Frost Giant and thus never had a chance at the throne?" He said with a shrug. "Interesting, so S.H.I.E.L.D. let someone close to Loki join?" He couldn't believe that. Weren't they worried she was a spy or something? Then again, they employed HYDRA before...

"No, you didn't know him," she told him, starting to pace without noticing. "Yes, the All-Father," she corrected, "lied to him, but he'd be fine with being adopted. He knew we were, and he loved us as if we were blood. No, something else must have happened. He wanted the throne because Thor wasn't ready. He wasn't mature enough. Loki felt like he was the logical choice, and I don't blame him. With Thor the way he was when I left.. let's just say if that Thor took the throne, he wouldn't be a great leader," she told him. Astrid stared at Conor when he practically accused her for being a traitor.

"I've been alive since before Captain America, before SHIELD. I was in this world centuries before that. Don't let appearances fool you. I knew the founder, and worked for them on and off during the past few decades. And I haven't seen my family in centuries." Astrid snapped. "I don't know them as well as I used to anymore. The Loki I knew wouldn't have hurt people like this. But he's changed. We all have," she said bitterly. "So don't for a damn minute think you know me or my family," she retorted.

Conor did not buy her story of Loki just grieving. Still, he dropped the debate. "Yeah, okay." He said as he walked away from her to look at some equipment. He never said he'd tell her what was on his mind, he did not agree to it. He did not want to tell her, and the fact that she kept pushing him was getting tiring.

Astrid could tell he wasn't going to believe her or open up now that she took her anger out on him. But it didn't seem like he was going to open up in the first place, so she turned to leave, stopping at the door. "I hope you tell someone whatever's on your mind. SHIELD will get every file that exists about you, so I suggest to tell anyone whatever you need to. Good luck and welcome to SHIELD," she calmly told him, leaving without another word.

Conor sighed, sat down, and looked down at his palm. The mark was beginning to fade. He closed his fist angrily. With a wave of his hand, he consciously altered any documents on him, temporarily glamouring them so no records existed of him being intersex. "Xev seil eht nehw ylno llaf ti yam. Esiug ym pu peek, lleps cigam yb. Xes eurt ym ton laever. seye s'loof eht won kcirt ruomalg."

(view spoiler)[Glamour trick now the fool's eyes. Reveal not my true sex. By magic spell, keep up my guise. May it fall only when the lies vex. (hide spoiler)]