New York - Avengers Facility - Living Area (January 2018)

[Hollywood Heidi]

Living Area of the Avengers Facility

Located in Upstate New York, this is the new Avengers Facility Tony Stark had built after the tower was destroyed. Security guard who keeps an eye on the place via monitors, especially when most of the Avengers are out, is named Stan.

The living area is the main area of operations and downtime and includes a small kitchen area attached, a round table capable of projecting holograms, a sitting area, and bookshelf.

---

[Hollywood Heidi]

***Drax, Groot, Hope, Loki, Nat, Peter Quill, and Rocket enter from Norway - New Asgard***

The car ride back to the jet had gone smoothly and the flight back relatively calm and quiet. The only bit of drama had been refusing the request of anyone but herself having a turn at flying, especially a raccoon, whether it could talk or not.

As soon as they'd landed, Nat had said a quick goodbye and gone off on her own.  Hope's attempt to talk her out of it had been quickly shut down.  She merely shrugged it off, knowing Nat was extremely capable of taking care of herself.

Hope led them to the living area. She was exhausted and starving but there was still so much to do. "Make yourselves at home." She gestured to the kitchen. "The fridge and cabinets are fully stocked. Help yourselves to whatever you'd like. I've gotta make a quick call. Tour and living quarter assignments when I get back."

She was already walking while she spoke, giving the fridge a longing look as her stomach protested against leaving before eating. They had much bigger problem coming at them. She had to find that phone Tony told her about and make that call.


***Hope exits to New York - Avengers Facility - Tony's Office***

[Kristi Lynne]

"Make yourselves at home. The fridge and cabinets are fully stocked. Help yourselves to whatever you'd like. I've gotta make a quick call. Tour and living quarter assignments when I get back."

So this was Avengers headquarters, Peter mused as he wandered around the living area, his hands deftly picking up and then nearly dropping several expensive-looking items on the shelves. This Tony Stark guy must have a lot of money. And time. Whatever, dude in a suit had only saved one planet. But it was certainly a plusher place to plan than a Ravager ship or even his Milano.

"I dunno the deal with this Stark guy," Peter remarked, making his way to the refrigerator and opening the doors to find a bounty of food and drink therein. "But he's got good taste." Peter reached in to retrieve three bottles of beer and placed two on the table for Drax and Rocket. Nevermind Loki -- the Norse demigod could get his own beer. It's not like Peter was still resentful of what Loki's brother, Thor the Pirate Angel, had done to wreck his ship.

"There ya' go, fellas. Nectar of the gods," he proclaimed. "Here's to saving the galaxy, again." He clinked his bottle against theirs and then turned it up to his mouth, drinking deeply.

[Anduin]

That lady was even more stubborn than Quill!
But at least Rocket had to retreat because the vehicle was hers…
Finally they arrived that Avengers Tower.
The Racoon couldn’t wait to enter it and see what was all inside.
There had to be so much technology – and weapons!

But first Hope made an excuse and left them for a moment on their own.
"Make yourselves at home. The fridge and cabinets are fully stocked. Help yourselves to whatever you'd like. I've gotta make a quick call. Tour and living quarter assignments when I get back."

"I dunno the deal with this Stark guy," 
Rocket bit his lips for not laughing or speaking out loud what had come to his mind at the first moment while Peter went on inspecting the room especially the refrigerator.
"But he's got good taste." "There ya' go, fellas. Nectar of the gods," "Here's to saving the galaxy, again."
No word of thanks.
Why should he?
And deep into his heart Peter should know that they were true friends like a family.
So, no need to dissimulate.
And for that reason he couldn’t keep his mouth shut any longer.
"Hey, Quill – you know what? I can tell you what’s your matter with that Stark guy. He’s a bigmouth AND a winner. And you’re just a bigmouth."
After he took a gulp of his beer he grinned at the others.
"Oh, and of course are we going to save the galaxy again - because we are the f*cking Guardians of the Galaxy!" 

[Anduin]

Natalia Romanova had gone away directly after they had arrived the Avengers Facility. It was typical for her as far as Loki remembered. Distant and calculating outwardly, caring and responsible-minded inwardly.
Actually they both weren’t as much different from each other as people might think…

Hope van Dyne showed them the Living Area and asked them to wait a few moments.
"Make yourselves at home. The fridge and cabinets are fully stocked. Help yourselves to whatever you'd like. I've gotta make a quick call. Tour and living quarter assignments when I get back."
The God of Mischief wondered whom she wanted to call but he didn’t ask.
If it would be important Hope surely would tell them later.
Maybe she was one of the kind who wanted to be sure if something really was important before telling everybody else and then noticing that it wouldn’t have been necessary.
"I dunno the deal with this Stark guy," "But he's got good taste."
It was the voice of the man from Midgard, Peter Quill. He took some drinks and offered them to his companions.
The Asgardian got none. But he didn’t mind.
"There ya' go, fellas. Nectar of the gods," 
This time Loki coughed slightly and turned at that man: "Nectar of the gods? Really?! Didn’t you learn something from my brother during your – surely exciting and unnerving – travel alongside him?" 
He remembered Thor and the other warriors drinking mead by the liter after battles or important events.
Suddenly the little furry guy tried to start an arguement with the other one – or was it just another back and forth between these strange people?
Loki wasn’t sure. And to be honest he didn’t want to get to know if or if not.
So he went for a short stroll and took a look around.

He had to think about Thor. 
"Good luck, brother! You and the others may need it…", he mumbled to himself. 
He faced the minibar and had to grin instantly.
Stark still owes him a drink.
But he wasn’t here at the moment. Neither anyone else who had been around at that time.
Without saying a word Loki took a bottle (Who knew what was iside…) and also two glasses.
One for himself, the other for Hope when she got back.
Maybe she would like to have a drink then.

[DarkSideCookie]

(temp-play by DarkSideCookie)

"There ya' go, fellas. Nectar of the gods,", Quill said as he placed two bottles of something in front of Drax and Rocket. "Here's to saving the galaxy, again."

"Nectar of the gods? Really?! Didn’t you learn something from my brother during your – surely exciting and unnerving – travel alongside him?"

"Hey, Quill – you know what?", suddenly Rocket interrupted. "I can tell you what’s your matter with that Stark guy. He’s a bigmouth AND a winner. And you’re just a bigmouth."

Drax let out one loud laughter at that before gulping his beer as well. Not quite bad actually.

"Oh, and of course are we going to save the galaxy again - because we are the f*cking Guardians of the Galaxy!"

"Hey, Quill! Maybe drinking will make you forget that your ship got shrunk to a teeny-weeny toy ship.", Drax uttered before Peter even could have placed his bottle of beer back in front of him. Yeah, he just couldn't resist bringing this funny topic up over and over again.

[Kristi Lynne]

"Hey, Quill – you know what? I can tell you what’s your matter with that Stark guy. He’s a bigmouth AND a winner. And you’re just a bigmouth."

"Hey, Quill! Maybe drinking will make you forget that your ship got shrunk to a teeny-weeny toy ship."

"Dude, it stopped being funny after the first ten times," Peter huffed, walking over to one of the couches. "And sure, yeah, this Stark's guy done a lotta' stuff. But I bet he didn't have to watch his mom die and then get kidnapped by space pirates. I mean, I had to rise above my crappy childhood." He leaned back onto the cushions and then kicked his booted feet up on the coffee table. "Not to mention the whole megalomaniac dad using me as a battery in his universe-destroying plan."

But the mention of horrible fathers only served as a reminder of Gamora and the fact that she was not with them. He sincerely hoped his hypothetical E.T. situation was not coming true. They needed to figure out where the others would have been taken, and how to get them out. "Once Hope gets back here, Rocket needs to start working on getting our people back," Peter remarked. "If Gamora can't convince them what's coming, we're screwed."

[Anduin]

This day was no special day at all.
Many of their days normally became like this one.
Troubles followed them hard on the heels. 
"Hey, Quill! Maybe drinking will make you forget that your ship got shrunk to a teeny-weeny toy ship."
And as also usual Drax was having fun.
"Dude, it stopped being funny after the first ten times,"
Quill didn’t have. 
"And sure, yeah, this Stark's guy done a lotta' stuff. But I bet he didn't have to watch his mom die and then get kidnapped by space pirates. I mean, I had to rise above my crappy childhood. Not to mention the whole megalomaniac dad using me as a battery in his universe-destroying plan."
And now he started to begging for compassion. Still a pussy.
But Rocket kept his mouth shut.
It won’t help if he started a new arguement.
And like Quill he also missed Gamora and worried for her.
"Once Hope gets back here, Rocket needs to start working on getting our people back. If Gamora can't convince them what's coming, we're screwed."
"You can count on me, buddy. Escaping from prisons is one of my greatest talents…" 
Suddenly a strange burp caught his attention.
He turned around to Groot and realized that this rebellious teenager grabbed his beer and took a sip.
"Groot! That’s not yours! You shouldn’t drink!" 
"I am Groot." 
"Yeah, of course, WE drink! But we’re adults, pal." 
"I AM Groot!" 
"I won’t argue with you, Groot. It’s my last word. Give me my bottle. Now!" 
Groot delayed giving the beer back to Rocket but in the end he did it.

[Anduin]

These people – calling themselves the Guardians of the Galaxy – just ignored him in a strange kind of way. There were all so self-absorbed with their mostly nonsense arguements.
But there was one sentence that made the Asgardian sit up and take notice. 
"Not to mention the whole megalomaniac dad using me as a battery in his universe-destroying plan."
"At least I am not the only one who was confronted with an extravagant father," he said.
It didn’t matter if Peter Quill would react on that or not. He just spoke out his thoughts.
His eyes faced the bottle and the glasses in his hands. He now thought about following Hope and leave this guys to their own dvices. He was pretty sure that Miss vanDyne would be a way more better company than these people.

[Kristi Lynne]

Peter couldn't help but chuckle as Rocket was having to do some parenting of his own with their tree-like friend. A drunk Groot might actually be highly amusing, but then again a surly teenage Groot presented its own set of problems that didn't need to be amplified by alcohol.

"At least I am not the only one who was confronted with an extravagant father."

"You kiddin'? Take a seat and join a meeting of the daddy issues club, that I have just now called to order," Peter proclaimed, gesturing at Loki toward an empty seat with his bottle. Frankly, he doubted he had much in common at all with yet another Norse god. But if this dude grew up with Thor, he might have all sorts of embarrassing stories to tell. "I'm bettin' Fabio was the the golden child, huh? Never did anything wrong, always did what your dad-slash-king wanted...." 

[Anduin]

"You kiddin'? Take a seat and join a meeting of the daddy issues club, that I have just now called to order,"
Well, not the reaction he had expected.
In truth he didn’t expect an answer at all.
So at the first moment he just starred at Peter as if he wouldn’t get what he said.
At the second moment he thought about telling him that he didn’t want to talk about his past especially about his father and their complicated relationship.
But before he could say anything like that Peter continued to speak. And even if his enunciation needed getting used to his words struck a chord with himself.
"I'm bettin' Fabio was the the golden child, huh? Never did anything wrong, always did what your dad-slash-king wanted...."
Of course, the God of Mischief wouldn’t start to open up before these strange guys.
However he decided to give it a little try.
The same applied to the bottle in his hand. He decided to open it and filled one of the glasses. There would be enough left for offering Hope a glass, too.
The Asgardian let time lapse away while he first took a sip of his drink.
"That is a good one. Mr. Stark appreciates quality." 
Then he finally refered to Peter.
He also decided to ignore the rest of Quill’s companions.
"I am not sure what Thor told you or not but to me it sounds like you have already start getting to know him a bit. But, to be honest, just a bit. Yes, he was this so-called golden child but he rarely did what our father and king told him to do." 
To be fair he had to admit that it wasn’t only Thor’s fault because there had been many cases when he was the one who incited his older brother to do something wrong in their father’s eye. But that wasn’t important to mention it at the moment. There was only a small smirk on his lips. 
"The truth is," he admitted instead, "that it often was impossible for both of us to live up to our father’s expectations." 
While speaking Loki starred at the glass in his hand.

And suddenly he had to think also about his mother.
It was more like talking to himself than really talking to the other one but he couldn’t keep his thoughts to himself.
"I am not able to change the past. And I am not sure if I would like to. But if I could there is one thing I would do. I would have protected my mother... Or at least I wish I could have been at her funeral…" 

[Anduin]

"You kiddin'? Take a seat and join a meeting of the daddy issues club, that I have just now called to order,"
"Are you kidding, Quill?!," Rocket snarled at Peter. "I’m out of here." 
He shook his head in disbelief and anger and emptied his bottle in one last gulp. Then he leaned back and crossed his arms.
"Pshaw, daddy issues…" 
"I am Groot." 
"What? Don’t dare to join them in their creepy little whatever!" 
"I AM Groot!" 
"No, Groot. You don’t have daddy issues! You’re just a grumpy teenager who doesn’t do what he is told to do." 
"I am Groot?" 
"No. No beer. No join the weird party. And that’s flat!" 

[DarkSideCookie]

(temp-play by DarkSideCookie)

Suddenly Drax took a seat right next to Rocket. "You sound like someone who is repressing the memory of a trauma you haven't come to terms with yet.", Drax suddenly commented on Rocket's grossly overstated reaction, in a way that made him sound smarter than he was. At least, he had a way with words.

Then, before his fluffy little friend could have said anything in return, Drax let out single laughter. "Just joking, my friend. I already know that you're one big mess, just like Quill and the others." A way with words, but with a lack of tact.

[Hollywood Heidi]

*** Hope enters from New York - Avengers Facility - Tony's Office ***

Happy to be back in her regular clothes, Hope made her way back toward the living area. She loved her Wasp outfit, but it wasn't exactly loungewear. It was built with combat and durability in mind out of materials that not only paired well with Pym Particles, but materials that could function well in the Quantum Realm. As soon as they could pinpoint the whereabouts of her mother, she'd be venturing in. Unfortunately, this new Thanos problem was putting the search on hold.

Hope pulled her hair free of the ponytail and was using her fingers to comb it back into place when she heard her name.


"Hope? Thought you and your guests might be hungry."

Hope turned and gave the security guard a smile full of relief. "Stan, you are amazing." She took the stack of pizzas from him and took a deep, fulfilling breath of the aroma, letting out a sigh. "No guests, though, just me," she said with a wink.


"Ah, what I meant to say was, you looked really hungry," he amended.

Hope chuckled. "Next time I see Tony, I'm suggesting a big raise."

The older gentleman chuckled and gave a little salute before heading back to his post. Stan saw most everything from his monitors. Hope knew she could count on his discretion. His family had been one of many saved during one of their missions. His loyalty was to the Avengers.

Hope put her back to the living area door and pushed it open, catching the last part of Loki's words.


...would have protected my mother... Or at least I wish I could have been at her funeral…"

It was jarring to think of him having had a mother. Even more jarring that they had something in common that each could sympathize and understand on the same level. It shone a new light but nowhere bright enough to blind her from what he'd tried to do.

Putting the welcoming hostess grin back into place, Hope headed for the large dining table. "Oh good, you guys haven't eaten yet," she said after a quick look around, seeing only beer bottles. She placed the boxes of pizza on the table then headed for the cabinets for plates. "Have you guys ever had pizza?"

[Kristi Lynne]

"I am not able to change the past. And I am not sure if I would like to. But if I could there is one thing I would do. I would have protected my mother... Or at least I wish I could have been at her funeral…"

Quill had wished the same, so many times. Now he knew exactly why his mother had died, but it didn't ease the sting of the way he had acted the last night he saw her or the way he'd been abruptly taken from his family and his home. Perhaps he and this Asgardian pretty boy weren't so different after all.

"Oh good, you guys haven't eaten yet. Have you guys ever had pizza?"

Scratch that, Peter was starving and now there was pizza. "Oh, ho, ho," he said, rubbing his hands together excitedly in anticipation. He leapt up from the couch, flipped open the lid of one of the boxes and let the steam and sweet sausage-y aroma hit him full in the face. "You have no idea how much I've missed you," he cooed at a large slice before taking a bite. "Y'know, if this guy Thanos ever tasted pizza, he might not be so quick to want to destroy half of life in the universe," he theorized between mouthfuls.

[Anduin]

Finally Hope van Dyne came back to them.
In Lokis opinion her very presence raised standards.
He still ignored the combative rodent, the talking tree (even if it were always the same words) and the obtuse musclehead.
"Oh good, you guys haven't eaten yet,"
"Of course, we were waiting for you, Miss van Dyne. This is common courtesy," the Asgardian responded.

"Have you guys ever had pizza?"
"Oh, ho, ho," "You have no idea how much I've missed you,"
Did he really talk to his food? Well, at least this human also was far away from unevenly matched.
(Maybe a bit similar to his brother.)
"Y'know, if this guy Thanos ever tasted pizza, he might not be so quick to want to destroy half of life in the universe,"

The God of Mischief filled the second glass in front of him with that good drop he got from Mr. Starks repertoire, also took his one and stood up.
First he went over to Quill and gave him a lopsided sneer.
"I am sure you and Thor had a great time together. You both act somehow similar to each other, my friend."

Then, without waiting for an answer, he turned his back on him and went over to Hope.
"I thought you might want a drink, Miss van Dyne," he said and offered her a glass. He also showed her a polite smile.  

[Anduin]

"You sound like someone who is repressing the memory of a trauma you haven't come to terms with yet."
Rocket turnend his face to Drax, an astonished look on his face.
Sometimes he wondered if Drax wasn’t as obtuse as he used to be most of the time. 
But "Huh?" was all he could say to react because his companion didn’t give him the chance to say something.
"Just joking, my friend. I already know that you're one big mess, just like Quill and the others."
Well, however he was as obtuse as they all thought. 
"Yeah, Drax – and just like YOU!" 
"I AM Groot." 
"Okay, except you. You’re the only one who’s normal," he gave back to Groot. But he emphasized the word normal.

Rocket started to ask himself why the hell everyone thought it would be fun to spite him.
Sometimes he thought that he was the only one of their team who had brain.
To be fair maybe besides Gamora because she sometimes also used hers.
"Okay, Drax," he tried to start a normal conversation with his friend, "I’m not a mess, got that? I’m just…" 
This time he was interrupted by Hope who came back to them.
"Oh good, you guys haven't eaten yet," "Have you guys ever had pizza?"
And then Peter got one of his special Earth-thing-moments. Did it have to be now?
"Oh, ho, ho,"
Rocket sighed at Quill’s behavior.
"Hey, Drax, is it just me, or does Quill act like a child now? I mean more than usual." 
"Y'know, if this guy Thanos ever tasted pizza, he might not be so quick to want to destroy half of life in the universe,"
"Quill, you’re an idiot! Oh, and you know what? If that big prick would like your pizza that much he probably would destroy all of life to have all of your fuckin' junk food for his own!" 
Meanwhile Groot lengthened his arm to take some pizza and try it.
"I am Groot," he said after he had ate it at one bite.

[DarkSideCookie]

(tempplay by DarkSideCookie)

"Okay, Drax,""I’m not a mess, got that? I’m just…"

"Misunderstood?", Drax had been asking rather quietly before Hope's voice had drowned him out - maybe for the first time, Drax had been going to say something smart and tactful. This probably just wasn't meant to be.

"Oh good, you guys haven't eaten yet,""Have you guys ever had pizza?"

"Oh, ho, ho,"

Drax head turned into Quill's direction as well, and then back to Rocket.

"Hey, Drax, is it just me, or does Quill act like a child now? I mean more than usual."

"That must have to do something with this pizar.", he said, as he studied Quill's pathetic behavior.

"Y'know, if this guy Thanos ever tasted pizza, he might not be so quick to want to destroy half of life in the universe,"

"Quill, you’re an idiot! Oh, and you know what? If that big prick would like your pizza that much he probably would destroy all of life to have all of your fuckin' junk food for his own!"

"That makes sense.", Drax acceded like they would be having a serious conversation about it.

[Hollywood Heidi]

"Of course, we were waiting for you, Miss van Dyne. This is common courtesy,"

'It's also common courtesy to not attempt taking over someone's planet,' she thought dryly. Hope kept it to herself, seeing that he was trying to be polite but more importantly because they all had to work together against a common threat.


"Oh, ho, ho," "You have no idea how much I've missed you," "Y'know, if this guy Thanos ever tasted pizza, he might not be so quick to want to destroy half of life in the universe,"

Hope couldn't help grinning at the ridiculousness of that statement, especially regarding such a serious threat. His lighthearted, joking manner reminded her of a certain someone she'd just hung up on a short while ago. She felt it was good for her to be around people like them. It helped remind her to lighten up. Despite she and her father having done some mending, it was difficult to change her attitude. She'd spent her lifetime being serious and driven, stand-offish and short with people, fueled since a young age by so much anger and hurt.


"Quill, you’re an idiot! Oh, and you know what? If that big prick would like your pizza that much he probably would destroy all of life to have all of your fuckin' junk food for his own!"

Eyebrows raised as she took in Peter's reaction, Hope returned to the table with the plates and placed a piece on hers as the talking animal finished his verbal tyraid. She stood beside Peter and raised the slice to her mouth to cover the fact she was saying something. "So much anger in such a little package," she said for his ears only just before taking a bite.

She closed her eyes, humming her appreciation and feeling her spirits lift with that one bite. Hope tried lightening the mood by embracing the ridiculous. "But if he destroyed all of life, who'd make him more pizza?" She turned to Peter. "That'd be a pretty dumb move on his part."


"I am sure you and Thor had a great time together. You both act somehow similar to each other, my friend." "I thought you might want a drink, Miss van Dyne,"

Hope did her best to maintain her smile and good attitude. He was trying, so she would try, too. "Thanks," she said, giving the glass a little raise after taking it from him. She took a sip then put it and her plate down. Hope grabbed another plate, placing a piece on it and holding it down to Rocket, an offer of kindness from one recovering anger fueled person to an actively anger fueled person, or rather, raccoon. "It might not solve world problems, but I've found a good New York pizza to be one of life's greatest comforts."

[Kristi Lynne]

"So much anger in such a little package."

"Yeah, that's our little trash panda," Peter told her, before devouring another slice of pizza.

"But if he destroyed all of life, who'd make him more pizza? That'd be a pretty dumb move on his part."

"Exactly! See?!" Peter agreed with enthusiasm and a mouthful of pepperoni. His face beamed in victory at this stunning yet clearly logical revelation as he surveyed his crewmates. It seemed they were not as impressed. 

"I am sure you and Thor had a great time together. You both act somehow similar to each other, my friend. ... I thought you might want a drink, Miss van Dyne."

"Thanks. It might not solve world problems, but I've found a good New York pizza to be one of life's greatest comforts."

"Hey, I am nothing like One-eyed muscle-y god guy," Peter protested inarticulately to Loki. "For one, I don't go around breaking crucial parts of other people's ships." But lest he fall into sulking over the fate of the now miniature Milano, Peter silenced himself by continuing to eat while everyone else secured their own meals. 

"Anyway, we're on the clock. Rocket can break outta' any prison that's ever been built," Peter explained to Hope. "But it's gonna' take more than just his and my brains and their brawn. You able to send a bat-signal or something from this place? Call in reinforcements?"

[Anduin]

"Hey, I am nothing like One-eyed muscle-y god guy,"
"For one, I don't go around breaking crucial parts of other people's ships."
The Gof od Mischief had to admit that he maybe had deceived in Peter Quill. That guy somehow still was similar to Thor but it seemed that Thor had treat him like his little brother.
So he decided to turn his head to him once again.
"My brother always takes what he want and acts like he want. Welcome to my world." 

Just when he wanted to turn his attention back to Miss van Dyne she stepped away to offer a plate to that annoying talking animal. Now she forced him to also focus on these strange people although he had done his best to ignore them before while they had have nothing else to do than argue about nearly everything.
He sighed and drunk off his glass before he decided to try this highly praised pizza.

Ironically it was Peter Quill who tried to get back to business.
"Anyway, we're on the clock. Rocket can break outta' any prison that's ever been built," 
"But it's gonna' take more than just his and my brains and their brawn. You able to send a bat-signal or something from this place? Call in reinforcements?"
At least for the first moment.
The Asgardian ignored Peter's confusing words. He was sure that asking for an explanation wouldn't be helpful for their actual Situation and just leaded to another useless arguement.
"Don’t forget that they wanted to be caught. If Stark and my foolish brother should have success they would be re-released. But let us be honest – we shouldn’t trust them to attain success." 
Loki stopped his speech for a first bite of his pizza. He couldn’t hide his surprise about noticing that this food really tasted good.
"Okay, I have to admit that this one is really good. I probably could get used to it."
So much better than the food the Grandmaster had offered him during his time on Sakkar. 

[Anduin]

"Misunderstood?"
Finally Drax acted tactful for the first time but Hope’s entrance interupted this conversation before it could become true.


And at least it was also Hope who finished their discussion about… well, pizza.
"But if he destroyed all of life, who'd make him more pizza?" "That'd be a pretty dumb move on his part."
And it was Quill who tried to command acclaim.
"Exactly! See?!"
And Groot who gave it to him.
"I am Groot!" 
"Okay, if you say so… Just…"
And again Hope who interrupted another arguement before it could start. 
"It might not solve world problems, but I've found a good New York pizza to be one of life's greatest comforts."
Rocket couldn’t help to stop talking and starring at Hope when she offered him a plate of this Earth Food. Suddenly his tummy rumbles remembered him how hungry he truely was.
"I am Groot." 
"Yah, I know, Groot," he grumpy answered before he headed to Hope. "Thanx." 

"Anyway, we're on the clock. Rocket can break outta' any prison that's ever been built,"
"Hah, he’s right. You can ask the Nova Corps. They got a list." 
"But it's gonna' take more than just his and my brains and their brawn. You able to send a bat-signal or something from this place? Call in reinforcements?"
"Quill, what the heck are you talking about?!", Rocket shouted out with his mouth full. 
"I am Groot…" 
"Sorry, pal. I didn’t mean to spit my pizza on you. Just wipe off it. It’s organic material, I think. Just like fertilizer for your growth." 
"Don’t forget that they wanted to be caught. If Stark and my foolish brother should have success they would be re-released. But let us be honest – we shouldn’t trust them to attain success."
Anyway, Thor's Little brother seemed to be a clever or rather said realistic guy.
"I don’t know your Stark-guy and what he can do or not. But – Damn it, I never thought that I would say this one day! – Quill is right. We need a plan B. If you got any information about the place where they probably would be brought to share it with me. It’s a bit uncommon to break into a prison instead of out of one but it’s nothing I can’t deal with." 
After a short pause he added with a blink at Hope: "Oh, and Quill is always good in doing the best parts of these outbreak-plans…" 
Suddenly there was a big grin on his face.

[Hollywood Heidi]

Hope was glad the talking raccoon had accepted her offering. Rocket. She should start thinking of him by his name. He seemed to have enough anger, most likely over the fact people didn't look beyond the fact he was a talking animal. Obviously, he had feelings. A hell of a lot of them. Hope acknowledged his thanks with a nod.

The boys bantered around a bit more. Hope enjoyed a couple bites of her pizza while she let them get it out of their system.


"Anyway, we're on the clock. Rocket can break outta' any prison that's ever been built,"

"Hah, he’s right. You can ask the Nova Corps. They got a list."

"But it's gonna' take more than just his and my brains and their brawn. You able to send a bat-signal or something from this place? Call in reinforcements?"

"Quill, what the heck are you talking about?!", Rocket shouted out with his mouth full.

She was still chewing and the pause gave Loki a chance to offer his input before she could inform them that she'd already gotten things rolling. Seemed they still needed more time anyway to burden themselves of some of that pent up testosterone, so Hope patiently took another bite.  She really missed having Nat around.  Being the only female in the room was burdensome but nothing she wasn't used it.


"Don’t forget that they wanted to be caught. If Stark and my foolish brother should have success they would be re-released. But let us be honest – we shouldn’t trust them to attain success." "Okay, I have to admit that this one is really good. I probably could get used to it."

"I don’t know your Stark-guy and what he can do or not. But – Damn it, I never thought that I would say this one day! – Quill is right. We need a plan B. If you got any information about the place where they probably would be brought to share it with me. It’s a bit uncommon to break into a prison instead of out of one but it’s nothing I can’t deal with." "Oh, and Quill is always good in doing the best parts of these outbreak-plans…"

Clearly there was some sort of inside joke to that statement that Hope was missing out on, judging by the look on Rocket's face, but there was finally a quiet moment and Hope grasped it to get their attention. She put her plate down and wiped her hands on a napkin, then dove into her own updates and input. "I've already called in our biggest reinforcements. I've got more I'll be reaching out to," she said, pointing to Peter as she looked at him. She shifted her finger and attention to Loki. "Yes, they did want to be caught but in case they aren't successful in convincing the government from the inside, we should be ready with a plan to break them out if we get word that this Thanos guy is heading our way." Finally, she shifted the point and attention to Rocket. "The Raft is probably where they took them. Just finding the thing can be difficult and time consuming." Hope shifted her attention to everyone now. "It could be anywhere in the ocean--which covers over 70 percent of the Earth," she added for those unfamiliar with her planet. "Hard enough to find--especially since it's usually submerged--and extremely difficult to break into, though not impossible. Cap managed it, but they probably tightened up security even more after that."

Anyone who knew the wholesome Captain America might raise an eyebrow at the thought of him breaking into a prison, but they'd most likely be bowled over by her next reveal. "Cap--Steve Rogers, a.k.a. Captain America," she clarified with the realization all but Loki wouldn't know who she kept on about, "and his team might take some time to get here. They are wanted fugitives. In the mean time, we should get settled in, do a little brainstorming of our own, catch a little rest while we still can. How 'bout a quick tour to get everyone familiarized with the place before I show you to the guest quarters?"

[Kristi Lynne]

"Oh, and Quill is always good in doing the best parts of these outbreak-plans…"

"Just for the record, I'm vetoing any part of this plan that requires me to steal someone's prosthetic limb," Quill declared. "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice...it's still shame on you."

He continued to listen intently as Hope explained about the Raft underwater prison complex, how difficult it was just to find it, and then how difficult it would be to break into it to spring their people.

"Cap--Steve Rogers, a.k.a. Captain America, and his team might take some time to get here. They are wanted fugitives. In the mean time, we should get settled in, do a little brainstorming of our own, catch a little rest while we still can. How 'bout a quick tour to get everyone familiarized with the place before I show you to the guest quarters?"

"I'm in. Ooh!" Quill's eyes widened with excitement as a thought occurred to him. "Does this place have a pool? What about a bowling alley-slash-roller rink? Stark seems like the type of guy who would have that."

[Anduin]

"Just for the record, I'm vetoing any part of this plan that requires me to steal someone's prosthetic limb," "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice...it's still shame on you."
Rocket laughed out loud.
"Quill, stop making me laughing so hard that I’m even going to cry!"
He couldn’t stop laughing for more than one or two minutes. And the fact that Drax was joining him went one step further.

When he finally calmed down a bit – at last it took nearly five minutes – he realized that they all went on with their discussion. Well, didn’t matter.
"Cap--Steve Rogers, a.k.a. Captain America, and his team might take some time to get here. They are wanted fugitives. In the mean time, we should get settled in, do a little brainstorming of our own, catch a little rest while we still can. How 'bout a quick tour to get everyone familiarized with the place before I show you to the guest quarters?"
"Who the fuck is Captain America?"
"I'm in. Ooh!" "Does this place have a pool? What about a bowling alley-slash-roller rink? Stark seems like the type of guy who would have that."
"Do whatever you want but I’m out. I just want a place to take a nap."
He put the rest of his pizza into his mouth and supped up his beer.
Suddenly he realized that Groot already had fallen asleep for a while. A slight smile appeared on the Racoon’s lips.
"You know what?! – Groot and I’ll take the sofa. Wake me up for breakfast."
Then he snuggled up to Groot and whispered to him: "Good night, pal."

[Anduin]

The God of Mischief did his best to ignore these so-called Guardians of the Galaxy. Meanwhile he was very sure that his dumb brother was getting along very well with these guys during his time on their ship. The only one which could be taken serious was the green Lady called Gamora, but she had gone with Thor and the others.

"Cap--Steve Rogers, a.k.a. Captain America, and his team might take some time to get here. They are wanted fugitives. In the mean time, we should get settled in, do a little brainstorming of our own, catch a little rest while we still can. How 'bout a quick tour to get everyone familiarized with the place before I show you to the guest quarters?"
"The glorious Captain America – a wanted fugitive. Let us be honest, it still sounds ironic."
Loki couldn’t resist to mention this.
"I am also in for a quick tour. It seems like the place has changed a little since I saw it the last time. And I feel honored to be guided by such a smart Lady like you, Miss van Dyne."

[Hollywood Heidi]

---

---

After a quick tour of the Avenger's Facility,
Hope and Peter and his crew retired for the day.

The night passes. It is now early morning.

---

---

[DarkSideCookie]

(tempplay by DarkSideCookie)

After this unbodied voice of a fair lady had talked to all of them in their quarters - at once - Drax, Rocket, Groot, and Loki did as they were told and finally gathered in the living area once more.

Drax let his eyes wander around as they sat in silence for a while. He paused at Loki's sight for a bit longer, and then back to Rocket. And once again to Loki. He observed him while avoiding any movements of the muscles in his body. Drax was sure that, this time, he was invisible indeed, as he had improved that ability a lot.

Then suddenly the growling of his stomach gave him away. Drax remained quiet though, still watching Loki, in hopes that his invisible state was making sounds coming from him inaudible as well.

[Anduin]

Rocket startled up when suddenly a voice spoke to them. But there was nobody seen so it might be another one of that Stark-guy’s technique.
He streched himself luxuriously and gave Groot a friendly poke to wake him up.
"Hey, buddy…"
"I am Groot."
"Huh, really? We only just woke up and the first thing you asked for is your stupid little videogame?! You’re killing me!"
"I am Groot?"
"Sorry, I don’t have it. I’m sure it’s still in your - by the way very very messy – room on board."
"I am… Groot?"
"No, we don’t go looking for it now! I just woke up. I’m hungry. Let’s look after something for breakfast – that’s what I prefer to do."
He decided to ignore Groot for a moment and stood up from the sofa starting to survey the cartons if he would find pickings of Pizza. Luckily he did.


Drax and that 'I’m a God'-guy entered the Living Room just as he put a piece of cold Pizza into his mouth.
Rocket gave them a short nod instead of a wordy greeting and went on to satisfy his hunger.
The others also didn’t speak.
And Drax did – well, some of his strange Drax-things. Better not to comment on this and ignore him.
After all he kept his mouth. And a silent Drax is better than a speaking one because you never knew if you should cry or laugh about his words or even feel pitty for him.

[Anduin]

These quarters weren’t compareable to the room he once had in Asgard, but to be fair none could be compared to his lost home. At least it was way more comfortable than the bed in his shelter in New Asgard.

It only took him a few minutes to enter the Living Area after they had been woken up and were advised to come together.
The God of Mischief decided to ignore Rocket and Groot as good as he can because he didn’t feel the mood to listen to one of their trivial discussions.
In fact they kept quiet. The same applied to their companion, Drax.
But that strong individual also starred at him. Loki captured himself that he was wondering if he and Thor might have tried to fight against each other…
After some moments he felt annoyed by Drax' looks.
But Drax' noisy stomach growling put him off his stride before he could even open his mouth to speak out what he thought.
So he decided to also ignore that guy and his intrusive stare.
Maybe Drax, who obviously was more dull-witted than his brother, would come up with the idea to look for leftover pieces of Pizza, too, and did them all the favor to stop his loud stomach.

'Please don’t let us wait too long, Miss vanDyne,' he wished inwardly while he covered his forehead in his left hand and sighed.