niteo_nix | [Text]

[She can't help but laugh a little.]

Questionable indeed, sir. Very aptly put.

But has someone come to help you. I'd be most happy too.

How kind of you to offer. Perhaps I might have your explanation on this odd situation that I've found myself in? I've already gathered that it's hellish and miserable, and I should prepare myself for the worst. But is there more to it than simply that?

I can try, but I have no been here so long to know so much. Where are, so I may come and find you?

Oh and I am Elizabeth Tudor.

I could come to meet you wherever you find convenient. I don't mind walking at all. But I am at the apartments, near the entrance.

A pleasure. You may call me Loki.

No, I can come down to you. I could use the exercise and... you're not outside, so I do not mind so much.

[And not so very long later, she appears. Dressed in one of the Victorian gowns Lavi had given her.]

Greetings my lord. [Well... he looks different.] Are you hungry? Or I can show you around? Not that there is much to see.

Of course. Whatever suits you most.

[He waits patiently for her, and bows with every bit of princely decorum that a thousand plus years of royal training has pushed into him when he sees her. He might be a fallen son of Asgard, but it doesn't mean that his elegance or manners have disappeared. And it is all too obvious to Loki that this is a lady of some importance. Not the average Midgardian dredges scraped up from some dark and unwanted corner, but something that demands some respect at least. And might be of some decent company, in the end.]

My lady, thank you for the welcome. I could not ask for a warmer greeting. And in these strange lands, such hospitality is comforting beyond measure. [He certainly does look different, yes. Armor and leather and thick green cloth, coming together to make odd and interesting garb.] Perhaps you could show me around, if it's not too much to ask? I'm still quite a bit disconcerted. And I think that it would be best to gather myself before I try to enjoy a meal.

[She hadn't expected to be greeted like that. It felt a little... comforting if odd. It goes by complete instinct that she curtsies back. Then looks back up as she rises and smiles, laughing a little. It might of been awhile, but it is so easy to slip back into the formality of it.]

Princely words, I've not been greeted like that since coming here. Nor should they, title's means very little here. [Different, yes. He looks something out of the older tapestries from home, she realises. It's oddly comforting when everything is so different.] I'd be most happy to. I'm afraid there is nothing too exceptional about meals here. Though Rin does his best, he's so very kind to cook for us.

... And forgive me, this might be impertinence, but did your parents name you for the God of the North countries? The God of Illusions, isn't it?

[Loki wouldn't waste his best manners on just anyone. But this woman isn't just anyone, and that's more than obvious to Loki. And she's a beacon of pleasant company and intelligence, after dealing with many of far less stellar character. And when she rises and smiles, he smiles as well, all warmth and kindness in his expression.]

Princely words, from the younger prince of Asgard. Although titles mean little in these lands, they mean much still in one's heart and behavior. Even in situations such as these, we must remember our station. And the honor that such positions hold. [He'd be rather pleased to know that he's some comfort. It's appealing to him.] You have my thanks, and my gratitude. And even the simplest of meals is something, when one is so weary.

[He laughs lightly then, and smirks just a little.] Not quite. Some say the God of Mischief, or the God of Lies. Terribly unflattering titles, don't you think? And worse ones still come with it.

[This was completely glorious in her mind. For once her sense of decorum didn't feel out of place, and for once she didn't feel displaced for it. It made her smile true and playful.]

You mean... it's real? Asgard? And your father is Odin? Everybody considers it nothing more then children's stories. [She knows those stories well, especially because they featured female warriors, and as a girl, she'd wanted to be one so badly, to make up for her mistake of being a female when he wanted a male heir.] And yes... I think so to. Just because I am not a Queen, does not mean I should act like any less of one, even if it makes me insufferably arrogant. But I think that comes with the blood line.

[That she understood, and she gives a smirk of her own back.] I know exactly what you mean. The insults against me are all so... base, too. God of Lies would be inventive, the cleverest they got was 'Bloody Bess'. The common one is... ah, let me see. 'Illegitimate, heretical whore.' Always in that order too.

[He didn't expect to find such fine company in this forsaken place. And despite the turmoil in his heart, and the brokenness that fills him, he feels something close enough to happiness when he speaks to her. And he will make a point to have many other conversations happen in the future, if he finds that he truly cannot leave these lands.]

Asgard is real as any realm can be, and more beautiful than can be imagined. [He struggles, quietly, barely twitching when she says that Odin is his father, though. He so wants him to be. He wants it to be real, that he is a real son of Asgard, not the child of a warring monster. But he nods then, and smiles.] My brother is Thor, my mother the lady Frigga. It may be of legend and story for most. But for me, the realm eternal is very much a reality. [Loki smiles then, rather gently. He's paying close attention to this conversation, trying to learn as much about this woman as possible.] You are still a queen, simply displaced. Do not let any tell you otherwise.

[Oh, he likes her even more than he thought.] Oh, of course. The word whore always tends to follow a strong woman, doesn't it? So common, so weak.

[She hardly ever expected an immortal prince to turn up either. But it makes her so pleased. She was enjoying not constantly having people under foot, but she missed this. Missed the easy back and forth way it was when someone knew how these things went.]

A realm of Gods would be. I doubt any mortal can imagine it... [Watching him carefully in short glances. She didn't want to say anything to upset him.] Thor, ah. He always reminded me of my Father in the stories. [That was to say, loud and brash. It must be hard to be brother of such a man.] I... like that it's real. Very much so. Do your women truly fight like men do? [There's so much hope in her voice. For that to be true... Oh she'd rub it in every single ministers face with pure sadistic glee, even if it was most undignified.]

It does, doesn't it? [She laughs a little, then shook her head.] It's so utterly ridiculous. The things they say I do. I don't know where I find the time to bed nearly 200 men and get all my state papers done. Of course, this is when I'm not planning out vile tortures to those that oppose me and casting black magics. Really. It's a very full schedule.

[Which on that note...] Can you... truly do sorcery? [It's a very faint question, she's not sure how she feels about it. Actually, talking to him at all. She is sure this technically does count as... well, something heretical.]

[He has little patience for mortals at all, or anyone with a lack of manners if they aren't fun enough to make their attitudes worth putting up with. But speaking to her feels natural and easy. Far easier than dealing with his family even, save for his mother.]

It is a place of splendor, of eternal beauty. I can scarcely think of how to describe it, and do it justice. [A rather nostalgic expression comes to his face for a moment, as if he'd been away from it for years instead of hours.] Some do. You'd like the lady Sif, I think. She's fiercer than most of the men I've met. Truly a warrior of merit. [Even if she's also an infuriating, stupid wench. He still has to give her credit, she's powerful in her own way. She's nothing in comparison to Thor, of course, but still. She's worth mentioning, if only for being a female warrior.] And let's not forget the Valkyries either.

[He's so amused, she's so sharp and fascinating. And certainly one who seems to understand.] If you could manage that, I think you'd deserve praise instead of insult. It'd be quite a lot of work to manage. [He snickers.] Well, they say that there's no rest for the wicked. They have a full schedule indeed.

[He tilts his head, looking gentle and somewhat concerned.] Would it matter, if I did?

[She's quietly enraptured of the way he speaks of it. She spoke of court the same way, so she understands, how difficult it was to summarise that which you were so fond when it was so vast in both good and bad memories. Not that she'd put her court on the same level of the realm of the Gods, that was probably blasphemous anyway.]

I will have to hear of it one day, I'm fascinated. The stories are remembered probably not the way they were told. But then stories do that. Men for a long time dreamed of having an afterlife fighting in the halls of Valhalla [She's doing her best to distract him from too many thoughts of home, purely because it had been done for her. It had helped in the strangest way too. Made this passing easier.] Lady Sif? How utterly glorious to be able to fight like that. And yes the Valkyrie too, but that is a little more predictable. Well what warrior wouldn't be fond of such a woman coming for him when he dies? [Not that she would ever fight, such things really were better left to those that were trained for it.]

That's a good saying, I've not heard it before. But, yes, I think so too. Honestly though, I wish they would get more creative, but they're only really concerned with the assassinations rather then name calling. How boring. [She likes him a lot, she decides. He had the same sense of humour she had. Which... was mocking at times, but only to those that did not know how to use words.]

[She spent a long time thinking on that, did it matter?] If we were in my England? Yes, it would. If only so much as I would have to have you hid to stop them... well, burning you alive. But here? No. I do not think it matters so much. As long as you do not want to hurt me, then there can be no fault. You're not so much a shock as the boy with a cat tail.

[And when he speaks of it, he sees it in his mind. Golden and glorious, with a radiating beauty that cannot be compared to. Nothing touches Asgard, nothing makes his chest tighten or his heart ache quite like his childhood home and the family that he once loved in it. He can almost tastes the roast meat and wine from the great feasts in his mouth, he can almost smell the scents of the flowers and blood from battles. But that's neither here, nor there. And he doesn't let himself focus on what's been lost for long.]

Someday we'll speak of it, then. We'll sit, we'll eat fine things that you've not had the like of since coming to these dull lands. And then you can tell me stories of your courts, of the splendor they hold in your heart. I want to hear all about them, every detail. [He's in a very good mood now, even if he's still struggling with this entire awful situation. And he is pleased to go on about Lady Sif like a friend, even if he loathes her.] It would be. But not every battle is won with strength and blades. Some require far more delicate tactics than that. But still, it helps to have a warrior to carry out the deeds. And I have seen women surpass the supposed strengths and talents of men by far. [Loki has seen many surpass those who hold the standards for acceptable power. And he'll always be one of those who takes standards, and turns them out on their heads.]

It is a fine saying, isn't it? Very accurate, and very valid. But we can't expect creativity and talented words from base people, can we? So we'll have to humor their pointless slurs, and pathetic attempts at hurtful words. Personally, I think that assassins are far more interesting than that. [He's quickly deciding that he rather likes her as well, and it shows. There's a bit more sincerity in his words, a slight show of warmth from time to time in indication.]

They could try to burn me, and I would freeze the fire. They could try to catch me, and they would fall through illusions. They could drown me, and instead choke on the air they breathe. I am no common conjurer, not witch-child to burn idly. But know that I mean no harm to you, or any here. And I only wish to survive, and well. No matter what my company, or their appearance.

[She'd never thought another words could effect her so much when they were over so simple a thing. She knew better then to be completely overcome because of them, she knew his legends, and all legends had a base of truth in them somewhere, but she greatly wished for what he said in any case. Even the way he talked felt like so much like home.]

I would like that my lord, I would like that so very much. [She was actually showing some emotion over it, God forgive her. And she gently reached to take his hand, gripping it tightly for a moment before letting go. The same way she showed her own lords favour, hoping it was the same with him.] Yes, it does help to have such warriors. But I keep wars as infrequent as possible. Having barely any army, navy and an empty treasuring forces one to other means of creating peace. Thankfully, it's something which I am skilled at. I much prefer trade. [And the only time she had taken to war, it had ended so badly, she was loathe to ever do so again.]

Assassins are at least to the point I suppose. But they do get in the way when you're having a good time. No consideration, some of them. Ruining my meals. [And she had enjoyed more luck then most with such things.]

... You are very powerful, my lord. And I never thought you were so small a thing, you are a God at one time to my people for good reason. I must admit that it scares me some, but I'll take it at your honour that you mean none of us any harm.

And I would as well. There would be nothing finer, in this place at least. You've given me a friend where before I was alone, and for that, I cannot thank you enough. [He's pleased with her emotion, he's pleased with her kindness, he's pleased to have decent, no, good company. So when she reaches to take his hand, his other slides on top of her own for a moment in a quick show of sweetness. Purely innocent, but comforting all in one motion. Especially when paired with the sincere smile he offers.] War has it's place. But that place must be kept, and remembered. There's nothing good or useful about senseless violence and casualties. [Unless they're Frost Giants, of course. And then it's acceptable entirely in Loki's mind. He still wants to slay every single monster among them.]

I don't think they ruin meals. I like to think of it as dinner and entertainment, perhaps. [It's hard to assassins to succeed in Asgard. Where most are highly skilled and alert.]

If you will take it at my honor, I will work hard to prove my intentions and worth. And I will cherish that trust put towards me entirely.

I am so happy to give that, people take it for granted, but I promise I never will. [It's small, and barely there, true displays of emotion were difficult for her to say the least, unless it was her temper, but she does smile at him properly.] I have heard that said, but sometimes it's not risk the uncertainty. You can never predict them, and it drives me utterly mad when when I am forced too. [No, Loki, not good.]

It put me off my favourite desert for awhile. They put glass in it, nothing ruins a meal like that. [She wished her guards were half so alert. It would save so much time.]

I am sure you will, and I know my trust will not be misplaced.

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