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[dothelokimotion]

@ tricks
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( action → date night )

[scythias]

( she'd promised him a night out and andy does intend to deliver. of course, as she starts to set things up, she finds that she's not really sure what loki likes when it comes to going out and being wined and dined. they've talked, they do know each other, but this is a little different and she wants one of his first experiences with this sort of thing to be a good one.

so, she clears out the mess hall and sticks a sign on the wall beside the door to try and keep most people away. if they need to slip in and slip out, so be it, but she doesn't want anyone to come in and interrupt. she doesn't think they'll spend all their time in there but she wants it to be something close to a proper date.

with that done, she dresses up as best this ship with let her (the jeans and shirt are clean, the jacket is pressed) and arrives at loki's door, knocking on it and waiting to pick him up. )

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki is dressed in a well-cut black suit, white shirt and a green scarf draped around his neck. he gives her a long look, suitably impressed. ]

Not bad at all.

[scythias]

Just not bad?

( she smiles though, not too put off. the fact that he's looking at her and that he's willing to do this is more than enough for her.

she even offers her arm, raising her eyebrows expectantly. )

Come on.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki winds his arm around hers with a smile. ]

I have very exacting standards.

[scythias]

I'm beginning to think I could have worn a paper bag and you would have been happy with it.

( but she hadn't done that so he was fortunate. with his arm in hers, she starts walking, peering over at him as she does. )

How are you today?

[dothelokimotion]

That is completely false.

[ but he takes it in stride. ]

I have recovered. The wounds have healed over.

[scythias]

Good.

( she gives his hand a pat and then leads him into the mess hall. )

That answers the physical but how about everything else?

[dothelokimotion]

[ he looks properly baffled. ]

What else is there?

[scythias]

( andy just laughs and doesn't push him. if he doesn't know or he doesn't want to acknowledge it, that's fine. besides, that's when they arrive at the mess and she nods at it. )

What do you think?

( it's dim inside, lit by a few candles and the food's already on the table. it's not gourmet but it's good enough, she thinks. )

You better not be expecting a violinist because that's not happening.

[dothelokimotion]

This will do nicely.

[ effort has gone into it and loki appreciates that. ]

Is it customary to have violinists?

[scythias]

I wouldn't call it customary. It happens. In some restaurants.

( she shrugs and nods at his seat, grabbing to tug it out for him. )

But I don't think a mess hall on a ship is posh enough for a violinist.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki politely takes his seat, folding his hands on his lap. ]

Perhaps we could have gotten someone else to volunteer their services.

[scythias]

Do you know anyone that can play?

( andy moves to take a seat across from him and smiles. )

Or are you about to tell me you can play too?

[dothelokimotion]

[ he shakes his head. ]

With time, I could manage it, but I'm not familiar enough with the instrument to try.

[scythias]

Well, there's no need to try.

( he taps the table and nods at the food. )

Come on, eat. Talk to me. We'll have a dance later.

[dothelokimotion]

[ he chuckles. ]

All right, all right. What are the usual topics around dating?

[scythias]

Oh, what you've been up to, what you're looking forward to, that kind of thing.

( it's a small talk kind of deal. )

Whatever's on your mind. Come on, let's hear it.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki makes a face. ]

The most tepid of foreplay then. I suppose I have been well, injuries aside. I gave my poor husband and brother a scare though, which I do feel a little guilty about.

[ he idly twists the ring on his finger. ]

[scythias]

What kind of scare?

( now that she's heard about this, she's going to badger him until he talks. )

Are you all right?

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki blinks. ]

I'm fine. They, ah, . . . worry for my well-being. I have a terrible habit of dying after all.

[scythias]

Oh, I wonder why they're worried.

( dying and all. that's so common. )

At least it doesn't stick but still.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki nods. he understands it rationally, but emotionally . . . it can be a struggle. ]

It wasn't my intent, I'm simply . . . not used to it.

[scythias]

Not used to having people that worry?

( that's understandable. it'd taken her some time to get used to it as well. she'd been alone for awhile and now she's not. she still sometimes forgets. )

That will be upset if you die even if you come back?

[dothelokimotion]

It is a difficult thing to trust.

[ a beat. ]

When I was . . . young, I was abandoned by my father. And adopted by another to make use of. For political gain.

[scythias]

I'm sorry.

( even if the words are trite, hollow and won't solve what happened. she is sorry.

she smiles, reaching across to take his hand. )

When trust is lost so badly, it is hard to make it come back. Because you're always thinking it's going to happen again.