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”No.” Sam said flatly folding his arms and staring at the muscular giant. ”She missed our sparring session today and Zorro seemed to be in her room longer than he wanted which is weird because she’d never let that happen.” most of the mansionites when requested often helped out the teacher’s and other students with their pets. Especially if they want to make a good impression... most of them anyways.

Sam eyed the Irishman as he fumbled with his strings and then shifted his gaze back to Herc, ”When was the last time you talked to her?” trying to get a time frame. If it was longer than 24 hours there would have been more of a sign that Zorro was locked in the room longer.

”Saw her leave this morning.” Carrick said absent mindedly. Both Herc and Sam turned back to the smaller man in the room who was plucking a string while trying to hear the note.

”You see what she was carrying? Did she say where she was going?” Sam asked quickly, his own concern for his friend was apparent seeing as it seemed so ‘not like her’.

”Hmmm?” Carrick asked before being scuffed by his shirt and lifted off the ground. This time Hercules was doing the questioning. ”Whoa!”

”Elizabeth, boy! I shall not ask again! Did she say where she was heading!?!?” the glowing became more clear as his sleeve ripped with the motions as he lifted the winged wonder. ”Careful! Still a student here! This be considered a threat to some!” Carrick placed a hand on the big guys wrist and wondered if his guitar would be enough to knock himself free. Looking at the size of Hercules’s bulbus head Carrick decided it wasn’t the best choice.

”Sam?” There was no response just Carrick getting lifted higher off the ground till he was eye-level with the giant. ”Teach!” Carrick repeated again knowing he’d get a response better that way.

”The man asked you a question.” knowing Hercules would harm a child, at least he hoped he didn’t. They were in the mansion so Doc the healer was close, not to mention Carrick’s own healing abilities. Sam was curious about them but more curious as to where his friend was. It wasn’t the forty-eight hours to report a missing person but it was enough to be concerned for her well being.

”She.. Was leaving the grounds, had a purse and got a cab!” Carrick said almost snarling. This time Sam moved close enough to place a hand on the giants arm, ”See? Pretty easy to answer. I don’t know why you are so difficult.” the tone of voice Carrick had seemed more hostile and more trapped than anything. They didn’t need to deal with his shifted form right now.

The already frozen air in the room was unsettling to Sam. The back and forth between the two seemed almost pointless now. Something was wrong the icemancer just couldn’t place it yet. Was it the way he was talking almost sounding like he was going to break out into song? No, this conversation wasn’t with Carrick and most sane people didn’t break out into song often. Sam’s hand flexed on it’s own for a moment under his ice armor. He didn’t acknowledge it but tightened his grip when he realized it happened.

”Then it shouldn’t matter if I take them off your hands.” Sam said offering a quick solution that would get them all out of there and give Sam a chance to report everything. The former assassin adjusted his posture as the man spoke suddenly feeling something that Sam could only define as ‘squirmy’ he had to move but couldn’t place it.

When Sam heard his name his jaw muscles tightened, ”Rime, been going by Rime now actually.” the one eyed X-man chuckled. Well. So much for bluffing his way through it. He could fight his way out now. Shouldn’t be that hard.

”So it seems you know my name, and enough of my history.” Sam chuckled, ”You think you can stop me from taking the researchers now? You are here quite illegally as well. Seeing as I’m doing the heroics now, I can’t really let this place remain here.” Sam said trying to shrug. His body felt movement but it wasn’t the movement he wanted.

”I’m here for the researchers..... one in particular. His wife is worried about him and I owe him a favor.” Sam said revealing more than he wanted to. His hand moved up on it’s own but was restrained by the ice covering it. Looking down at his hand ”You’re trying to control me?” this time Sam started to laugh.

The icemancer nodded debating internally if he wanted to start off by sharing his own problems when he was a kid. Maybe not all of them but enough for the guy to get an understanding that his cross was pretty hefty as well.

”You got it.” Sam said sipping his drink as well but using his powers a bit to prevent scalding his tongue from the hot liquid. Sam grabbed the muffins and trailed out after him. ”See you next time, thanks again!” he called out so all the baristas heard him. They returned with a wave and Sam exited the door.

They weren’t in meeting anymore so they didn’t have to share but it was important for Sam to build a trusting relationship with his new buddy. ”So Rex.” Sam said clearing his throat and looking around trying not to make this any less awkward for a ‘forced’ interaction.

”What do you do for fun?” he asked curiously. ”Hobbies, interests? Stuff to keep your mind occupied?” he asked sipping, ”I found it’s easier to not turn to the bottle if you’re constantly busy.”

The idea of going into the unknown structure with this many well armed guards around wasn’t normally his idea of a mission. There would be less of them, and he’d already be in the building by now. Liz stated ‘no killing’ meaning his usual methods for rescue was off the table, so he continued to play the part of ‘All-father’ just to see where things would lead him. If they did try to capture him, there would be several signs for Liz which also meant that the lines of communication to the mansion would be open. There was enough skill on the team that they’d recover everyone who was still alive.

”Very well.” Sam said following Shultz. Both knew how quickly Sam or ‘Odin’ could take down this many people. They were closer and didn’t have a helicopter. The icemancer was confident he could beat his old record if he needed to.

As they walked Sam kept his head forward but his eye swiveled around making a mental map of the building making sure to note each room and everything he could see inside. They passed a room with some men and women who were preforming some kind of group calisthenics. The echoing of the boots wasn’t lost on Sam, however drown out as he tried to hear everything he could as well. Whatever he couldn’t see or hear he did his best to ‘feel’ as a chill followed him down the hallways till they reached the ‘bosses’ room. It was obvious by the wall of guards that had been blocking most of his exits. All of them were well armed and ready for a fight.

Sam needed answers. Their comm room and where the hostages were. Those were his immediate concerns so they’d have to hold off on fighting him. For now.

The door opened and Sam sent a chill into the room. A warning. He was supposed to be some all powerful deity after all and from the ‘one’ he met it was clear they were dramatic. Sam strode into the room, his armor still covering his body, cold exuded from him.

”You want my spear?” Sam asked curiously looking around to see if anything in the room would stand out to him. Locations mainly, maybe they were global and this was only a small group. They seemed to be well funded. They used to have a helicopter. ”All for Ragnarök?” he asked wishing he had the birds with them. They were better at selling the story.

”I want the team of researchers. One of them owes me a debt I’ve come to collect on.” he said arrogantly trying his best to channel someone with a superiority complex. It wasn’t a request.

Sam out of habit with meeting any potential ‘puppet master’ refused to make eye contact with the man. Just in case.

There were no birds in the sky, none to tell him where to go next. The buildings weren’t tall enough for a jammer, meaning it was more than likely hidden in the other buildings. Which meant Sam had to check them all. Too bad they weren’t as obvious as the anti-aircraft cannons. Luckily those were off the table for now. Meaning if they did get word out someone would come to Liz’s rescue if he was captured or killed. Both weren’t something he was looking forward to.

Hearing the conversation in the radio behind him he slowed his breath and waited feeling the warm bodies near him come to life as they exited the buildings. Visibility was still low meaning they were the only ones that couldn’t' see him that well. Sam slowed the frozen fog and brought it down a bit so others could see him. ”Tell them to lower their weapons. I’d rather not kill unless I have to. A request has been made by my... assistant?” did Odin have an assistant? A request to stop him from killing anyone.

”Shultz. You have done well.” was all Sam offered as he folded his arms as the gunman surrounded him. ”I guess I’m going to find the communications room.” Schultz heard it but said nothing. Sam was talking to Elizabeth. ”Keep an eye on Bruno for me. He gets needy if I’m not around for a bit.”

The gunman surrounded Sam and aimed their weapons shouting at him to lower his arms. Sam didn’t budge and waited as Schultz steeped in front of Sam and then pointed to his armor and the snow below them. It was in another language but the message was clear as a few other gunman dropped to a knee.

Maybe Sam should keep the name. He was a fan of the respect it commanded. ”Now, where is my spear?” he asked wanting to get a tour of the facility. One two find the comms room, and two to find everyone that went missing.

The pain Rex described was all too familiar with the icemancer, any chance he got he’d avoid talking about it. This time was different though. This was part of the healing process for both of them. They made a commitment to be there so might as well put it all to work. ”Always comes back the next day.” he nodded his head in agreement. Sometimes it was accompanied by a hangover if he wasn’t still drunk.

”Seems we are in the same boat.” chuckling at his response. Sam didn’t want to talk about it either but knew it was good for them. The program did work, you just needed someone to have your back. Someone who understood everything they were struggling with. Pain, the need to forget. To distract.

”Non-alcoholic of course.” Sam added with a chuckle. It was a bad joke, but it was one he heard by some of the more seasoned members here and thought it was good at breaking the ice. Rex grabbed his jacket, Sam didn’t being one so waited for him at the door patting a few people on the shoulder as he went acknowledging that he saw them and that he was proud of them for continuing with meetings. A few did the same as they left the building.

”Been to many other groups?” Sam asked as he pushed opened the door at let the brisk cold air hit him as he walked down the steps. Making sure to clear any ice that formed on the steps. It was clear nothing had been salted yet which was odd given the time of year. His hand twitched casing a sheet of black ice to crack on the side walk.

”This one is probably my favorite, less aggressive people. More willing to help and listen.” he explained as he walked next door to a small coffee shop. The bell above the door rung as they entered. The baristas lit up when Sam entered. A few weeks ago he stopped a potential robbery here. None of them let him forget about it. One of the younger girls squeaked and waved as she notified the other two baristas. Sam raised a hand waving in return.

”Evening, Kelly. How you guys doing tonight?” he asked giving her a second to respond before adding, ”I’ll take the usual and whatever my friend Rex here wants.”

It had been a while since Sam had seen a priest. The last one healed him from death and that was a few years ago. Maybe he should look into it again? Someone else to offer insight. Even if Sam wasn’t really a believer. Talking was supposed to help. His shrink however... well he had Gemma. That poor woman. ”One day at a time.” he said nodding his head best way to take it. Made it easier to not think about drinking. Every day was new and it was a fresh start. That was how Sam did it before.

”Often found myself trying to bargain with myself. ‘Did good today Sam, didn’t even think about it. You earned one drink.’” Sam shook his head, ”Had to end that pretty quickly though.” it wasn’t conducive to healing, to getting better and back to what he wanted to be his normal. ”That was before the program though.” he said nodding his head. Sam was glad he stayed with it all these years. It was easier to recover after fumbling.

”Lot to make up for.” he said releasing the handshake and placing the hand back at his side. ”Didn’t have the easiest life growing up. Made a lot of bad decisions along the way.” he said reflecting on his past, ”I’ve got a lot to make up for.” he said trying to down play the work he had done. He had no idea what the scales were tipped at now but knew he wanted to keep helping people. For all the things he had done.

”Got the power, might as well put it to good use.” Sam said finally before thumbing towards the door. ”You want to continue this awkward conversation over a cup of coffee? Place next door does a pretty good job.” he said not sure how to proceed. He felt like he needed to get to know his new sponsor better.