Alvin's Will to Survive

Alvin watched Fox being led away by Pepper and shook his head helplessly. He pulled the prop revolver from its holster, spun it around in his hand twice, then slid it back in. Turning to the costumer who had been waiting off to the side, he said, "Your company's props really are top-notch. This outfit has actually stirred up my courage to go exploring."

The costumer smiled as she looked Alvin over, then nodded. "Thanks for the compliment. We should print it on our promotional posters.

"Too bad the media can't come in today. Our boss would make a fortune."

Alvin chuckled and shook his head. "Then you'll have to ask whether the celebrities on Stark's guest list would agree.

"And you should consider yourselves lucky. This is Hell's Kitchen. When something happens here, it can be hard to tell whether the outcome will be good or bad."

Alvin nodded to the rather amusing costumer, then went over to Frigga and warmly draped an arm around her shoulders. As they walked out, he said, "Is that old coot Odin dead yet? If he's already in a coffin, would you mind having one more suitor?"

Frigga rolled her eyes and zapped Alvin, making him jump. Then she gave the smooth-talking rascal a proper hug and said happily, "Next time, remember to say that to Odin's face...

"What's going on with your fiancée? She seems to have something against Hela.

"You're the person Hela trusts most on Earth. Do me a favor, an injured old woman, and look after her."

Alvin rolled his eyes at the "wicked" queen, who was spouting nonsense, twisting the truth, and driving a wedge between people for her daughter's sake. He shook his head helplessly. "You should worry about your silly son instead. Hela doesn't need looking