Uncanny Excalibur

Chapter 28: Awkward Reunions

By

The Uncanny R-Man

Disclaimer- ‘Aw, twenty dollars... I wanted a peanut.’- Homer Simpson

London-

In a small magic shop somewhere in one of London’s many side streets, Amora the Enchantress was closing for lunch. She was going to meet Forge in a restaurant a few blocks away.

The blonde Asgardian turned as she heard the sound of the bell above the door ringing, indicating that somebody had just walked into the shop.

‘I am sorry, but we are just about to close for lunch. If you come back in an hour or so I would be happy to tend to your magical needs…’

Then Amora recognised who had just walked into her magic shop. A tall man with shoulder length blond hair, and a hammer tied to his belt.

‘Thor.’ Amora nodded curtly at the Thunder God standing in her doorway. ‘What brings you here? On second thoughts, it does not matter. I have important things to do. It can wait.’

‘Is it wrong for me to visit my friend?’ Thor asked innocently. ‘Do I need a reason to say hello?’

‘Hello, Thor.’ Amora sighed. ‘Now, can you leave? I have an important dinner date.’

‘A dinner date?’ Thor enquired. ‘Who is the lucky man?’

Amora was rapidly beginning to lose her patience with the Thunder God.

‘Are you going to get out of my way, or will I have to move you?’ Amora frowned. ‘I do not have time for this.’

The blonde then sighed heavily when she realized the Thunder God wouldn't move. She had better hear what Thor had to say or he wouldn’t leave her alone.

‘This is against my better judgment…’ The magic-wielder sighed. ‘But I suppose that Forge would not mind if you came along. You can say whatever you came here to say once we arrive.’

‘Very well.’ Thor nodded in understanding as Amora locked the door and headed off down the street. ‘It has been such a long time since we last met. We have much to catch up on.

Meanwhile, across town-

While Amora had snagged herself an unwanted guest to lunch, Meggan and Terry were sitting in a television studio waiting for the chat show they were guests on to come back after the adverts had finished.

‘Welcome back, everybody.’ The chat show host, a pretty Scottish brunette woman called Zoe McCrimmon, smiled at the cameras. ‘For those of you that missed us before the break, this week’s guests are Meggan Braddock and Theresa Cassidy of Excalibur.’

Zoe turned to talk to her two guests.

‘I noticed that you managed to nab yourself some of those delicious treats that Mike, or guest cook, made for us before the break.’

‘Oh, yes.’ Meggan smiled. ‘They were delicious. He made it look so easy.’

‘Aye, they were tasty alright.’ Terry nodded in agreement. ‘Pity they’ll be goin’ straight to my hips.’

‘Well, they would be if they weren’t low fat.’ Zoe pointed out.

‘Pff. Low fat.’ Meggan snorted in derision. ‘Where’s the fun of that?’

‘Not everybody can change their shape like you can, Meggan.’ Terry sighed. ‘If we eat too much chocolate, we cannae change the shape of our hips to make them look slim.’

Zoe decided that it might have been a good idea if she moved the show on.

‘So, Meggan, there’s a rumour that you’re a big fan of TV and movies.’

‘There’s no rumour about it.’ Meggan answered. ‘I’ve never hidden my love of the telly. Okay, I don’t watch as much as I used too, I’ve got a young daughter to look after.’

‘Aye, sometimes we dinnae know whether she’s watching cartoons for Betsy’s benefit or hers.’ Terry joked.

‘Have you got any favourite TV programmes or films?’ Zoe enquired.

‘Oh, my.’ Meggan winced. ‘There’s so many that I like. I think it would be easier for me to tell you which ones I don’t like. Although, I did use to like that old Crossroads programme. You know, the one with all the wobbly sets. I can’t believe I actually used to love it so much. What was I thinking? I used to love Gerry Anderson's shows as well. You know, stuff like Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet.’

‘Terry, what about you?’ Zoe asked.

‘I dinnae really watch much television, I’m afraid.’ The Irish redhead sighed. ‘There isn’t anything that really catches my eye. Although, I do go out of my way to watch Top Gear. That programme has me in stitches.’

‘Oh, so are you a car fan?’ Zoe asked.

‘Nothing of the sort.’ Meggan laughed. ‘She just watches it because she fancies the short one.’ The Irish redhead blushed.

‘Do either of you have any guilty pleasures?’ Zoe enquired. ‘You know, favourite TV programmes or films that you find kind of embarrassing?’

‘I don’t feel embarrassed about what films I like.’ Meggan shrugged. ‘I’ve never kept the fact that I’m a big Flash Gordon fan girl secret.’

‘I gather you mean the old movie from the Eighties.’ Zoe surmised. ‘Not te more recent show.’

‘Oh, no.’ Meggan shook her head. ‘That new Flash Gordon show isn’t any good at all. I tried to watch the first episode but I couldn’t get into it. It just isn’t the same without Brian Blessed or a theme track by Queen, is it?’

‘Aye, ye cannae beat a nice bit of cheese to while away a rainy Sunday afternoon.’ Terry nodded in agreement. ‘And this being England, most Sunday afternoons are rainy ones.’

Back with Amora-

Amora had met Forge in the restaurant as planned. The Cheyenne mutant was a little surprised to see Thor with his date, though. He knew all about the history the pair had together. They had started out as enemies before becoming a couple. That was until the pair broke up when Amora joined Excalibur.

‘I am deeply sorry if I have caused you any trouble.’ Thor apologised. ‘I did not mean to impose upon you.’

‘Oh, think nothing of it.’ Forge reassured the Thunder God. ‘It’s a pleasure to get to meet one of Amora’s… friends.’

‘This is not as awkward as I thought it would be.’ Amora stated. ‘Just as long as you are not checking up on me to make sure that I am keeping out of trouble.’

‘Amora, I assure you that such a thing never even crossed my mind.’ Thor waved off the remark. ‘I merely wished to come and see a friend to catch up on old times.’

‘Does Sif know that you are here?’ Amora realised. ‘She and I have never exactly been close. She would not be best pleased if she found out that you are talking to a former lover.’

‘You’re in a heap of trouble there, my friend.’ Forge grimaced. ‘If Asgardians are anything like us regular mortals, then you’d best do something to appease her quick.’

‘You should tell her first.’ Amora chipped in. ‘It is not right to keep secrets from your lover.’

‘Aye, you are correct.’ Thor nodded in agreement. ‘Lady Sif has a vicious temper. It would not be wise to incur her wrath.’

‘I hope the sofas at Avengers Mansion are comfortable.’ Forge chuckled slightly. ‘Because that’s where you’ll be sleeping once Sif finds out.’

TBC…

Next: Maid Meggan and Her Merry Men

Jamie Braddock is back and this time he has a little game for Brian, Meggan, and the other members of Excalibur.