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[dothelokimotion]

@ tricks
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[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.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki shrugs. ]

It's what Thor said I should do. And I couldn't say. I have no idea what the barometer for . . . loving oneself should look like.

[scythias]

I don't think I really know either.

( as old as she was, it wasn't something she'd really paid all that much attention to. )

Do you feel like you've let people in?

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki can't help a brief flutter of a smile. ]

I'm here, am I not?

[scythias]

You are. And I'm glad you are.

( she returns that quick smile. )

I hope you're enjoying it at least a little. I haven't done this in awhile.

[dothelokimotion]

I am.

[ it's thoughtful. and loki is so rarely thought upon. he reaches out for her hand, thumb brushing over her knuckles. ]

When was the last time?

[scythias]

When was the last time I did this?

( andy thinks about it before she laughs and shakes her head. )

A long time. A very long time. I can't even remember the last time.