Loki, Time's Plaything (livelaughloki) wrote in chances_rpg, @ 2023-03-21 18:40:00 |
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Entry tags: | mcu: loki, ~ex the magicians: eliot waugh |
Who: Eliot Waugh and Loki
Where: Clock Bar
When: March 16, after this
What: A little investigation is done by a friend's behalf
Rating/Warnings: PG, Low
Status: Completed via GDocs
The bar was rather spectacular, by Midgardian standards at least, and Loki was dressed to match it. There was nothing self-conscious about the gesture when he smoothed a hand down his well-tailored suit jacket in a green so deep it was almost black. No, the gesture was merely appreciation for the finer things in life. While it wasn't quite St. Patrick's day, he still sipped at a bright green lime martini and waited for Eliot's arrival.
He didn't quite know what to make of that man. His early attempts at friendly conversation seemed to be rebuffed, and even the unexpected invitation for a drink had a note of antagonism about it. For the life of him, Loki couldn't really place where he may have done some kind of offense, but he didn't really put it past himself. He'd been known to cause many an Incident without purpose or intent by merely existing.
Even so, he was curious. And a curious Loki could either be a delight or a danger.
Really, it depended on how this former king and current magician chose to play things out.
Eliot arrived at the bar a few minutes early and easily spotted Loki. Walking over he slid into one of the chairs and looked the other over. “It’s good to meet you in person. Thanks for meeting with me.”
"Your invitation intrigued me, even though this isn't a date." Loki smirked over the rim of his gold leaf lined glass and took another sip. "I understand you're something of a mixologist yourself. Here's hoping these drinks meet your no doubt vaunted expectations."
Eliot laughed. He had his share of men and dates and was relatively happy. That didn’t mean he couldn’t look and appreciate beauty in both men and women. There was never harm in looking. Everyone did it. He ordered a Martini with olives then turned his attention back to Loki. “I am. The mixologist king of the physical kids cottage back where I’m from. You name it and I can probably make it. At least Earth drinks. I’m sure I wouldn’t know how to make the drinks of those from other planets and worlds.”
Reaching for his glass he took a sip of the Martini. “Very nice. I haven’t been here before, but so far, not bad.” Another sip then he sat the drink down. “I’m sure you’re curious why I asked to meet.” How was he going to put this without being obvious? Maybe he should be obvious. No names of course, but there really wasn’t a roundabout way to get the information he was after. “Okay, I’ll put it out there plainly. I have a friend who is interested in you and I told them I’d get the 411 on you so to speak. So my first question is are you currently dating anyone?”
With every beat that passed, every dollop of information dropped, Loki's calculations shifted in his head as did the waiting and expectant smile on his face. "You should ask my brother if he has a lead on any Asgardian mead. It's a bit to potent for a mortal's palette, but perhaps you could find a way to mix it down to tolerable levels. If you're not comfortable, I could ask Thor myself on your behalf."
Elegant fingers curved around the thin stem of his glass, and his smile deepened into a smirk. "A friend, hm? And what sort of friend of yours would be interested in me? Your adorable roommate, perhaps?"
Loki had a better idea than that, but he enjoyed playing a dangerous game.
“I have no problem talking to Thor. He’s a good guy. So perhaps one day we’ll see about that Asgardian mead.” Though someone would have to be a guinea pig and he wasn’t sure he’d want to ask anyone to do that for alcohol.
Eliot grinned. “No, not my adorable and sexy roommate. He’s very taken by me. Paws off.” He took another sip of his drink. “I’m not going to tell you their name, so answer my question.” If he said he was then really what was the point of continuing their conversation? Other than that his friend did want some general relationship information on Loki.
"Hm, pity," Loki returned, and not about the mead, although he'd had some inkling that something had changed between Eliot and his roommate. He'd noticed Quentin smiling a bit more in the last couple of weeks when he glimpsed the young man in the halls or the courtyard. "But also congratulations. He seems rather… delectable. As is your attractive lawyer friend. Both of them, really."
He set his drink on the bar and leaned in, dropping his tone to conspiratorial levels. "Tell me true, are you asking on one of their behalf? Your lawyer friends. I'm not trying to be obstreperous without purpose. The truth of the matter is that I'm far too old to date anyone, but I am seeing someone, if that's what you're getting at."
“He is delectable.” He quirked an eyebrow at Loki calling both Matt and Jen delectable as well. Matt wasn’t a fan of his at all. Not that he would say that. “I have a feeling you think many people are delectable. Not that you’re wrong. There’s a lot of beauty around here.”
Eliot sighed. "Listen, I’m not going to repeat this again. I’m not giving any names. I respect the privacy of my friends.” He couldn’t help laughing when Loki said he was too old to date. Most Gods were “old”, but didn’t look their true age. “Perhaps in Asgard dating and seeing someone mean two different things, but here on Earth many count them as the same thing. Yes, it varies who you talk to and for some dating means you’re 'playing' the field and looking for someone so you might be dating several people at once. So what does seeing someone mean for you? Is it exclusive? Or can you see others?”
"I suppose one might be disinclined to be forthcoming if said friend had a reputation for their temperament." Loki smiled and leaned back again. So, either Jennifer had sent her friend, or her friend was here on her behalf without her knowledge. Whatever way, he found himself charmed rather than annoyed. Funny how time spent in the TVA could have changed his outlook, let alone his predilection toward snap judgements. "I'm a god dropped amongst mortals. Such trappings as a 'relationship status' wasn't one of the many things I ever had on my plate on Asgard. And here? I don't know. And, I really do mean no offense, but this line of questioning is bordering on the far too personal and the business of your interested party and myself. But especially if that party is the lovely Jennifer Walters."
He'd already said he wouldn't be giving any names twice. This was Loki being Loki, and Eliot didn't have time for it or want to deal with it at present.
"Fair enough. I told you a friend was interested in you and if asking what your idea of dating and such is delving on the far too personal side of things then I don't think we have much more to talk about." He finished off his Martini then took out his wallet and laid some money on the bar beside the glass. "Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. Enjoy the rest of your day." Eliot stood and headed toward the exit. Jen might be disappointed, but he had tried. He simply wasn't into playing this game.
A dozen responses went through Loki's head, each more teasing and sardonic/sarcastic than the next. There were quips and barbs poking fun at his lack of patience being the probable cause for the loss of his throne, or perhaps calling into question his ability to ably navigate the rigors of court life. He could have adopted the visage of one Steve Rogers and cautioned him against acting too rashly "young man". (A particular favorite to do, if he was honest. The man was just so… earnest. It was patently absurd.)
Yet when Eliot was no less than five steps away, Loki found himself calling after him: "I like her." And then he grimaced, because it was such a pedestrian word. Still he pressed on. "I'm very fond of her. If she cares at all about my past sins, she takes great care not to show it. Makes me feel like I might be worthy of happiness someday."
It was easier to say all of this to Eliot's back. He wouldn't have been able to stand his pity. "But I also asked someone to let me be enough for them, and they wouldn't. And it hurt me deeply. So I hope you'll forgive me if I don't wish to share the dark chambers of my heart with your anonymous friend. If it's for Jennifer, however, tell her— Tell her I'd like to try, but I can make no promises. And I know full well she could flatten me like an insect just as easily as her cousin. Whatever happens, I go into it with my eyes wide open. I only hope she's willing to do the same."
Eliot stopped and took a deep breath, surprised that Loki would attempt to 'stop' him or share more. Who was "her"? And why was he talking like he knew what friend he had come on behalf of?
One thing remained true, he wasn't going to admit that Jen was the one he was there to seek some information for. He had told her he wouldn't use her name, and he would not break his word. However, he did turn around and walk back to the Asgardian. "Everyone has experienced a broken heart, the sting of rejection and the loss of love. It can be difficult to open yourself, your heart to others after such a loss, but it can be done. No one likes showing their vulnerable side, but it is that very ability that opens us up to a wonderful world of possibilities." Both good and bad, but that was life and love.
"If you like Jen then you need to tell her. She's a wonderful woman. Who knows what may come of it, but some things are worth taking a chance on. But if you do hurt her, you'll hear from me. I'm aware she's quite capable of taking care of herself, but I don't want to see her hurt." That Loki could be so open was shocking, but he didn’t know if he trusted him. He’d heard and seen things about him that he didn’t like, but only time would tell if he actually had any good intentions.
Loki let out a musing hum, far more thoughtful than dismissive. While he'd not spilled the details of falling in love with a time variant of himself—because even he knew that level of narcissism was beyond the pale—and therefore proved that he couldn't be enough for himself in the end, there was still a grain of truth to be had. To try to argue otherwise would not help his case in the slightest, but perhaps he would tell Jennifer more about it. About how scarred it had truly left him. Eventually. Maybe.
The threat went in one ear and out the other. He'd heard a million of them, after all, some earned, some not. When he glanced back at the bar, he saw Eliot's payment was still there, so he plucked it up and handed it back to the magician. There was the slightest chance that their antipathy had far more to do with their likenesses than anything else that sprang to Loki's mind. Not that he was going to tell the other man that. "I fully appreciate this is not a date, but allow me to treat you, nonetheless. For the advice, if nothing else. Have a pleasant evening, Mr Waugh. With your lawyer or your roommate."
"With respect I can pay for my own drink." Eliot placed the money back on the bar and waived the bartender over to let him know he could keep the change. "It remains to be seen if you will take any of the advice." Honestly, Eliot wouldn’t say he liked or disliked Loki. He simply didn't know him well enough. He knew things about him, but he was one to make up his own mind about people. He didn't like that he seemed more interested in stirring the pot than an actual conversation, but he believed that's just the way the other was.
"Again, enjoy the rest of your day." He nodded then left the bar and made his way back to The Station. A little herbal refreshment and a nice stiff drink sounded good.
Loki watched him go with wry amusement. Why it felt like he'd just lost an opportunity to make a friend was beyond him, but he set it aside on the secret mountain located in the dark recesses of his heart and looked toward the attractive bartender. He smiled slowly, fingers twitching in their desire to cast the glass to the ground in appreciation, instead merely saying, "Another?"