For now, it's best you stay here until we can locate your family," the officer said.
Astrid replied, "I will stay here, and my squire Dante will accompany me."
Dante looked at Astrid in surprise. "Squire? When did that happen?"
A hint of a smile played on Astrid's lips as she replied, "When you decided to help me on my journey, you became my squire."
Dante still seemed skeptical. "I don't remember agreeing to that."
Astrid shrugged. "Well, you are now."
Dante sighed, realizing that arguing with Astrid was futile. "Fine, I'll be your squire, whatever that is."
The officer interrupted their conversation, saying, "Listen, kids, stop wasting our time with your cosplay and lovely dovey crap. We have police work to do."
Astrid bristled at the officer's dismissive tone, but Dante quickly intervened. "Sorry, officer. We'll leave now," he said, gently grabbing Astrid's arm and leading her towards the exit.
As they stepped out of the police station, Astrid muttered, "I don't understand these mortals. Why don't they believe me?"
Dante chuckled. "Maybe it's because you're dressed like a character from a comic book and claiming to be a goddess."
Astrid huffed in annoyance but couldn't deny the truth in Dante's words. She knew that her appearance must seem strange to mortals, but she couldn't help it. As an Asgardian, her armor and weapons were a part of her identity.
Dante put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Astrid. We'll figure it out."
Dante guided Astrid to his home, thinking to himself, "I am sneaking a hot girl into my room. Score!" He blurted it out accidentally, and Astrid looked at him quizzically.
Dante quickly corrected himself. "Nothing. Here is my house. You wait here; I will see if my mother is home."
He went inside and searched his house but could not find his parents. When he returned, he said, "Looks like my parents aren't home right now. You can wait here if you want, or we can go somewhere else."
Astrid nodded, looking around the living room with interest. "This is a nice place. Very cozy," she said.
Dante smiled. "Thanks. It's not much, but it's home."
Astrid looked at him, her eyes softening. "It's perfect," she said, and Dante felt a warm feeling spread through his chest.
As Astrid began to plot, Dante asked her, "How old are you anyway?"
Astrid replied, "I am 14 years old and very mighty."
Dante thought to himself, "I got an older chick into my house. I will be a legend at school."
Astrid asked, "And you?"
Dante replied, "I'm a 12-year-old." He started to lean on a lamp, trying to look cool, but it toppled over, and he fell with it.
Astrid rushed to help Dante up, asking with concern, "Are you okay?"
Dante groaned as he rubbed his head. "Yeah, I'm fine."
Astrid leaned in closely to check Dante's head, and he blurted out, "Wanna play video games with me!?"
Astrid looked at him quizzically. "Video games? What are those?"
Dante's eyes widened in surprise. "You've never played video games before?"
Astrid shook her head."no"