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[dothelokimotion]

@ tricks
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[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.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki blinks, surprised. ]

Yes. That's exactly it. I always feel like I'm on the cusp of another betrayal.

[scythias]

I don't think there's really anything that can be done to...solve that.

( there were always going to be insecurities and such especially when you spent so much of your life being betrayed. )

All you can do is just...not close yourself off entirely because of it.

[dothelokimotion]

I have been . . . working on it.

[ he's certainly vastly improved, but some things slip under the radar. ]

Apparently the key to success is learning to "love myself".

[scythias]

That sounds trite, doesn't it?

( that the key to success is learning to love yourself. she chuckles. )

How is that going for you? Learning to love yourself.