Marvel : the Author

Hi everyone ! Today's the day ! The day I tell something important (to me, at least). I've posted the first two chapters of my InFamous/the Boys fanfic on my Patréon. You can visit my page by searching for Cathbel on their website. It's called Conduits vs Supes : Civil War. As for the story, for now it follows the early events of Empire City with a big twist brought by the MC Frederic Saint-Clair. Unlike my other stories, it won't just focus on Frederic's PoV though, it'll show how everyone are living the events. I won't say more than that for now… just comment if you're interested !

Now, for the culture part of this post… Have you watched Extraordinary attorney Woo

? It's a Korean drama about a young autistic female lawyer. It's pretty neat, fluffy and cute with a lot of interesting facts about cetaceans… if you want something light, I recommend it !

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As feelings bubble and struggle inside me, a sentence suddenly comes to me. I'm not even sure it's accurate, but I can't help but speak it aloud :

« There are more things in heaven and Earth, Oratio… » I trail off since I don't remember the last of it. « When I read this sentence first, I thought it was about scientists, or rather, philosophers at the time, not having all the answers. But it applies here, too… » I look at Fury seeing him waiting for my explanation.

« You see… what most people think about Alter-humans is that they're the result of genetic mutations and that science can explain everything they do. In a sense, it can. But even if you can explain why someone can turn his body into metal, generate ice or suck the life out of people with a simple touch, it doesn't explain one thing : How ? Generating ice requires energy or at least a control over atoms allowing you to slow them down. The metal can't come from nowhere : our scientific principles don't allow that. As for sucking the life of people ? Well, that's another thing not easily explainable by science… » Another pause, then looking Fury directly in the eyes, I say : « But it is with magic. »

Maria Hill scoffs, though I'm still not entirely sure it's her. An expected reaction. However, Fury doesn't react : he knows about magic. Does he also know about Kamar-Taj. Not letting any emotions surface on his face, he says :

« That doesn't explain how you got your hands on an obviously extraterrestrial-made item. »

I shake my head in denial and before he can interject, I explain myself :

« Look at the belt. Does it look like something made by aliens ? The design, the engravings ? No, the belt is not made by aliens, though I do admit the material is not of this Earth… »

There is silence for a little while as he contemplates my word, his gaze fixated on the belt.

« If I take your words into account… Am I to consider this is actually some kind of magic item ? That you've somehow made it ? » I nod. « But where did you get the material, then ? »

Truth or lie ? That is the question at the moment. I don't know how much Fury knows about Aliens or the Nine Realms. Can I talk about Gagna ? Should I ? If I do, it'll just give him more questions for me to answer. The problem is… The alternative isn't much better.

« Given your reaction, you must have had your own brush with the mystic arts… Or at least, know an expert in it. And while S.H.I.E.L.D. is a spy agency with a focus on protecting the world, it does so from most mundane and apparent threats : Super-villains, evil secret societies, madmen, alien invasions, etc… However, there's another organization, hidden to the world, that faces the threats more… mystical in nature. The threats from beyond our dimension and realm… »

I stop at that, trying to imply the metal comes from Kamar-Taj while not outright saying it or mentioning its name. I don't know if Fury has any contact with them… Oh, man ! It's just now occurring to me that he could actually have informants there. Was my lie useless ? No ! If it allows me to get out of here, it'll at least have served to buy me some time. Besides, it's not like I don't have connections to Kamar-Taj through the Ancient one…

As I think all this, I try to school my face in a blank mask. I don't know how much success I'm having but I'm hoping he's not reading through my lies.

« They're the ones who made this belt, then ? » Fury asks and I almost heave a sigh of relief. I finally see the end of the tunnel !

« Alright, then… » He mutters before getting up. Maria Hill, surprised, follows him out the door and as the door starts to close, I can see how unhappy she is with Fury's actions. On the other hand, I'm left baffled by the man's abrupt departure.

« So… I can leave ? » I ask myself uncertainly.

With silence as my only answer and company, I wait for a few moments. It seemed long but I have no idea how much time actually passed. And I'm not exactly the most patient person. Getting up from the bed to head towards the door, I discover that it is locked and I'm still unable to leave. As a matter of fact, I'm not even sure if I'd be able to find my way out of this place.

I turn back toward the bed and glance at my clothes. At least, they've left those here. A couple of minutes later, the hospital garb is discarded and replaced by my robes, the belt back in its proper place.

« Now, then… » I say as I glance at the room.

It's easy for me to get out of this place and now that I have my belt, I can even open a portal to my home. Not that I'll do it however, since I don't want S.H.I.E.L.D. to know where I live. Instead, I open one in Central Park, mentally crossing my fingers that it won't be spotted by random people.

As I exit it to witness the gawking faces of a couple on a bench, I sigh to myself. Looks like I haven't managed to go unnoticed. And with my appearance… I shake my head and start walking. Reaching home will be a bit of trek, especially since I also change back in a deserted place…

As I start walking, I wonder what the next meeting with Fury will be like. Hopefully, he won't be as hostile, but knowing the man, passive-aggressive is the best attitude I can expect.