Ryder sipped on a soda, sitting in the luxurious room. It didn't fit in with the features of the rest of the gritty building. If he wasn't so curious about the owners of this thing he would have teleported back to the dorm ages ago.
Instead, he waited, watching TV and eating snacks. He didn't remember anything like this in marvel, but it wasn't that bad.
Finally, after about an hour, people walked into the room. A beautiful blonde woman, her outfit revealing and her strut brimming with confidence. He kept his eyes off her body, not wanting to seem like a creep as she walked toward him and sat on the couch, a small smile playing on her lips.
'Emma frost…' He thought, his heartbeat speeding up for a second as he realized she could read his mind. She'd know he was from another reality, a reality where she was a comic book character.
In the comics, Deadpool and a select few were the only ones who knew, the rest were oblivious and when they found out they went crazy. He half expected Emma to flop to the ground, maybe talk in a foreign language as her brain was fried, but she didn't.
She just stared at him, her eyes boring into his own, like she was trying to pry him of all his secrets.
"H-Hello," He said, trying to think other thoughts as she looked at him. She smiled, holding out her hand like royalty, as if she expected him to kiss it.
Ryder hesitated for a second, glancing between her hand and her face. Emma Frost was even more intimidating in person than in the comics. The coldness in her eyes contrasted with the amused smile that never quite reached them. He shook her hand firmly, but didn't lean in to kiss it.
"Hello, Ryder," she said, her voice smooth, dripping with a sultry undertone. "I've been hearing quite a lot about you out there, big win huh?"
Ryder cleared his throat, trying to ignore the anxiety clawing at his insides. "Y-Yeah? All good things, I hope?"
Emma tilted her head slightly, her gaze still locked on him like she was trying to unravel a mystery. "Interesting things." She leaned back against the couch, crossing her legs in a way that was both casual and deliberate, as if she knew exactly how to command attention without even trying. "You're… different. Very different."
Ryder swallowed hard, doing his best to maintain his composure. He couldn't let her know anything, especially not the fact that he knew who she was or what she could do. If she realized he was from another reality, things could get messy fast.
Emma's eyes narrowed slightly, her lips curving into a curious smirk. "It's strange. I can usually read people like an open book, but you…" Her voice trailed off as she studied him, her smile growing wider. "You're a closed one. How curious."
Ryder's heart skipped a beat, and he forced himself to keep calm. "Maybe you're just off your game today?" He said, offering a nervous smile, though he knew that was a risky move. Poking at her ego was like playing with fire. If she wanted she could order him dead and that's how he'd be, dead.
Emma chuckled softly, her laughter low and knowing. "Oh, I doubt that," she replied smoothly. "No, there's something about you—something… hidden." She leaned forward slightly, her eyes never leaving his. "It makes me want to know more. I always find mysteries the most fun to unravel."
Ryder swallowed, trying to shift the conversation. "Well, sorry to disappoint, but I'm just a guy who's good at teleporting to dodge punches…"
Emma leaned back again, seemingly amused by his attempt to brush her off. "Perhaps. Or maybe you're just good at dodging the truth."
There was a pause as the tension in the room thickened. Ryder could feel his pulse quickening under her scrutiny. She was testing him, waiting for him to crack, to give something away.
She smiled again, this time more playfully. "So, Ryder, what brings a man like you to our little… operation? You don't seem the usual type to thrive in a place like this." Her eyes scanned him once more, sizing him up. "Unless there's something you're not telling me."
Ryder scratched the back of his head nervously, pushing down the instinct to teleport away as he tried his best to appear casual. "I needed the money. Simple as that."
Emma's gaze softened slightly, though the playful edge remained. "And you chose an illegal mutant fighting ring instead of, say, a regular job? Interesting choice for someone as… talented as you."
Ryder shifted uncomfortably. "Desperate times, I guess."
Emma leaned in again, her smile growing more inviting. "You know, Ryder, I could help you with that. I'm very resourceful, and I have a lot of… connections. All it takes is for you to let me in." She tapped her temple lightly, her meaning clear.
Ryder tensed. She wanted to get into his head, to read his thoughts, to peel back the layers of secrets he was trying so hard to keep hidden. He forced a smile, shaking his head lightly. "No offense, but I think I'll keep my privacy."
Emma's smile never wavered. "Suit yourself." She stood up gracefully, her eyes still locked on his as she sauntered toward the door. Just before she left, she turned to look at him over her shoulder, her gaze lingering for a moment longer. "I'll be keeping an eye on you, Ryder. I think you're going to be… quite interesting."
With that, she was gone, leaving Ryder alone in the room. He let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding, running a hand through his hair. He had dodged a bullet, for now. But he knew Emma wouldn't stop there. She was too curious, too determined to figure him out.
He'd have to be careful from here on out. One slip, and she'd know everything.
As soon as she was gone he teleported away, appearing in his dorm room in an instant. He had more control over his power already, and it hadn't even been 24 hours.
He plopped down in his bed, staring up at the ceiling as he tried to drift off to bed. He'd have to get even better, faster teleportation, farther teleportation…
He fell asleep thinking on it, excited to see just how far he'd go in this new life.