CHAPTER FOURTEEN: SLEEPOVER SHENANIGANS AND A SPY IN THE SHADOWS
"A pillow in the hand and danger at the gate."
🛏️ Scene 1 — The Sleepover Begins
Malibu Hills Academy – After School
"Velmir! Wait!"
He turned, adjusting the strap of his leather satchel with practiced calm, just as Mina sprinted toward him—her sneakers flashing, her eyes sparkling with reckless purpose.
"You are officially invited to the Sleepover of Destiny," she declared, dramatically placing a note in his hand.
Velmir blinked.
It was a piece of notebook paper, crinkled at the edges, plastered with sticker stars, neon doodles, and two stick figures wearing pajamas.
One of them—labeled "Velmir"—was holding a frying pan like a holy relic.
"…Is this supposed to be me?"
"You're the cook. You just… have that energy," Mina said proudly.
Velmir gave a slight bow. "Then I shall accept the role of royal chef."
Julian skidded to a stop beside them. "Horror movies."
Elliot, grinning: "And a farting contest."
Velmir nodded gravely. "An evening worthy of legend."
🧳 Scene 2 — Packing at the Mansion
Elvaris Estate – Twilight
Velmir stood before a towering closet, arms folded, studying a wall of color-coded drawers, enchanted fabrics, and alchemical accessories.
"Viera," he said calmly, "prepare an overnight kit. I require essentials for mortal bonding."
"Understood," came her reply. "Prioritizing relatability. Assembling emotional support snacks."
Velmir narrowed his eyes. "What does that mean?"
"Peach gummies, marshmallows, and the soda you've denied enjoying six separate times."
"I don't enjoy it."
"You rated it a 9.4 in your private flavor log."
"…Just pack it."
🎒 Velmir's Sleepover Loadout
Designer flannel pajamas (navy plaid)
A palm-sized plush mini-dragon (for camouflage)
Retro handheld console loaded with pixel RPGs
Silk pillow (soft enchantment: temperature-regulating, not glowing)
Bento box of sea-salt brownies
The soda (label removed for plausible deniability)
"No aura, no levitation, no enchanted cutlery," Velmir reminded her.
"Understood. Activating 'Mild Human' protocol."
🌌 Scene 3 — The Sleepover at Mina's House
7:30 PM – Blanket Fort Chaos
The living room had been transformed into a multi-layered fortress of cushions, beanbags, and fairy lights. Laughter exploded in every direction.
Mina was wielding a massive pillow like a greatsword. Julian wore socks as gloves and claimed to be the "Snack Ninja." Elliot, seated atop a couch throne, declared himself the "Pillow Emperor."
Velmir?
He sat in the center of it all, legs folded, calmly balancing a popcorn bowl on one hand while deflecting flying pillows with the other.
"He dodged that with his elbow!" Elliot cried.
"He hasn't even blinked," Mina complained.
Julian pointed accusingly. "That's not a child. That's a pillow-bending monk."
Velmir blinked, serenely.
"I am simply well-rested."
🍫 Later – Snacks & Scares
The lights dimmed.
The television glowed blue in the dark, casting haunted shadows. An old ghost-hunting movie played, complete with blurry jump-scares and dramatic music stabs.
Julian shrieked during the first scare. Mina threw popcorn. Elliot burped triumphantly.
Velmir leaned in, whispering to Elliot: "Is that fear… or indigestion?"
"Little of both."
Mina grinned. "You're too calm, Vel. We need to shake you."
"I once tripped over a turtle. That was enough chaos for one lifetime."
They burst into laughter.
🌧️ Scene 4 — Meanwhile, Back at the Mansion
11:17 PM – Hillside Woods
Rain fell gently across the outer hills of the Elvaris estate. A perimeter of spectral wards shimmered faintly—light-based surveillance, coded to ignore birds and deer but flag anomalies.
And then—
"Perimeter breach detected," Viera said aloud to herself. "Single humanoid. Injured. Vital signs: unstable. Intent: non-hostile."
Velmir was currently wrapped in three blankets, dreaming of marshmallows.
So Viera acted.
No drones. No alerts.
Just her.
From the eastern wall of the estate, a tall silver-hued humanoid form stepped out into the rain—graceful, cloaked in liquid armor, her eyes glowing faintly beneath a curved hood.
Viera Unit Alpha.
🩸 The Intruder
She stumbled through the trees, soaked and half-conscious.
Natasha Romanoff, bloodied and running from a botched off-grid mission, had made it farther than she expected.
Her side burned. Her left arm trembled. Her gun was empty.
Then—light.
Warm, not harsh. A silhouette stepping forward.
Not a man. Not a soldier. Not even human.
"…Wh-who…"
Her knees buckled.
Viera caught her before she hit the earth.
⚕️ Back at the Mansion – Recovery Room
She woke to quiet beeping.
A soft bed. Clean robes. Bandaged ribs.
And at the foot of the room stood the silver sentinel.
"You are stable," Viera said. "Antibiotics administered. Tissue regeneration underway."
Natasha blinked hard. "Where am I?"
"Elvaris Estate."
"Why help me?"
"Because leaving you to bleed in the mud would be inefficient. Master Velmir would disapprove."
Natasha's brows drew together. "That name. Velmir Elvaris. That's not a name on any record."
"Correct. That is intentional."
She sat up slowly, every nerve on edge. "This place—this isn't a normal estate."
"Also correct."
The air around them was sterile, silent… but powerful.
The kind of place that didn't appear on SHIELD maps.
Who the hell are you people…
💤 Scene 5 — Return to Peace
Back beneath a blanket fort glowing with fairy lights, Velmir lay on his back, eyes open, watching the shadows sway.
The others were asleep.
A muffled snore. A quiet sigh.
He whispered, "Great Sage?"
"Listening."
"Status?"
"Emotional saturation: optimal. Bonds stable. Trust enhanced."
"One event: unknown human intrusion at Elvaris perimeter. Responded. Subject stabilized."
"Identity unknown. Will await morning directive."
Velmir stared up at the blankets above him.
"…I'll handle it tomorrow."
He closed his eyes.
A dragon-child curled in linen and laughter.
Sleeping among his friends.
Unaware that somewhere beyond the pillow fort, a spy had crossed into his world.
And the quiet wouldn't last much longer.
[END OF CHAPTER FOURTEEN]