Who: Loki and Irina What: Meeting for a glass of wine When: Oct 22 Where: Casino Warning: Low/None Status: Completed via Gdoc
Irina had a “date” that wasn’t with Chuuya. She knew her Little Gnat had read her conversation with this Loki. She wanted to see what his jealousy would drive him to. Was it a risk? Certainly. Chuuya could get it in her head that she wasn’t worth playing her games. She rather doubted that, knowing her Little Gnat as well as she did, but risk was all part of the game. Irina would prefer not to lose him, but there were always more fish in the sea. At least, that was what she told herself.
She was already in the casino bar, perched elegantly on a barstool with a deep red wine that held a touch of blood for her. Her scarlet dress was a few shades lighter than her beverage.
They knew her here, not just as a customer, but as the curator of the museum who was negotiating a collaboration with the vineyard attached to the casino. Irina got a bit of deferential treatment, so she spent her time flirting with the bartender while she waited for her date to arrive.
***
It was a “date” but it wasn’t a date. At least, Loki didn’t think so. He had Barton’s insisting that he get laid in the back of his mind, though that wasn’t at all the Trickster God’s intentions. He wondered if others in this place were looking for that sort of thing. Was that what the network was intended for? If that was the case, he hadn’t been using it properly.
He wandered into the bar attached to the Casino floor--a place where he’d been when he’d had his meeting with Captain America--and saw her instantly. She could give some of the Asgardian women he knew a run for their money where looks were concerned. Still, he wasn’t looking for anything more than some pleasant company, some information, and an entertaining way to pass a few hours.
He slipped onto the barstool next to hers and ordered a whiskey from the bartender. Then he turned to look at her. “You are stunning.” ...great introduction, Loki.
***
Irina glanced to the side when someone sat next to her. She recognized him as the man she was to meet. Her too pale blue eyes looked him over and she decided he would most certainly have been right in her wheelhouse...if she weren’t crazy about Chuuya.
That didn’t mean she didn’t preen under the compliment. A smile curled her lips as she turned to face him. “You must be Loki,” she said. There was just a hint of her Russian heritage in her voice.
***
Loki’s grin was proud, but not unkind. Of course she recognized who he was, even though the network it was practically impossible to tell what people looked like. He was the one she had come here to meet, anyway.
He nodded just a hair when she said his name, his grin brightening a little. “Guilty. And you must be Irina.” At least, he hoped she was. Otherwise he’d be barking up the wrong tree.
***
“If I must,” she said with a slight tease to her silken alto. Her eyes scanned over him with a tad more interest this time. “Better than I expected.” She could admit that much.
Her gaze never wavered. She was ever the proud Tzarina. Even though she had never truly held that title, she claimed it since she had ruled through her brother. “You will, of course, have to wear a costume if you wish to attend my masquerade.”
***
Of course he was better than she’d expected. She couldn’t possibly have expected such greatness, could she? He gave a gentle nod of his head at the comment, the smirk growing just a touch, and then leaned back again. Relaxing just slightly on the barstool. “I suppose you’re expecting a thank you?”
Oh. The Masquerade. He’d seen it, commented to it. He had no idea what constituted a costume in this world. Something with a mask, probably. He wasn’t all that fond of the idea of dressing up like some superhero. Still, it sounded like it might be a nice time.
“What sort of costume would you suggest?” Surely she could give him some guidance, seeing as he wasn’t of this Earth.
***
Irina shrugged in a languid motion. “Something elegant. Charming. Decadent.” She let the last word slide off her tongue like hot butter. “And of course a mask. Use your imagination.” And a credit card because her events were not for the weak of finance.
Suddenly, the barstool she was perched on bent then broke entirely beneath her, dumping the Tsarina onto her shapely ass. Irina’s eyes had gone wide just before it happened. They narrowed as she cast around with her eyes. She knew why that had happened and who was responsible. He was here. Watching.
***
Loki didn’t need a credit card. His glamour would be enough to change his appearance, to put on whatever costume he felt was appropriate for the occasion. Elegant. Charming. Decadent were all terms that described him by default, so they didn’t help. He would have to do some more research into this whole Halloween thing. What sorts of costumes Midgardians wore to elegant parties. He had an idea or two about who he might ask.
And then she hit the floor. Loki sprang from his seat, flicked his wrist to summon a dagger, and narrowed his eyes as he searched the room. After a moment he was satisfied that the immediate danger was merely to her backside and her pride and not to the rest of her (or to him). He turned his attention back to her and offered a hand to help her up. “Are you on the bad side of some poltergeist?”
***
Irina’s irritation narrowed her eyes as she took the assistance to her feet. So her Little Gnat was watching and had his say on the matter. Very well. Let him get an eyefull if he was going to be so childish about it.
“Just a little bug with an over developed sense of importance.” She gave Loki a languid smile but kept hold of his hand. “Perhaps we should continue this elsewhere.” Unless Loki would be willing to give Chuuya a show.
***
Loki noticed that her hand was still in his for a little longer than he’d expected. And the invitation to elsewhere? A small smirk tugged the corner of his lips up. If he didn’t know any better, he’d swear she was flirting with him. It wasn’t that far of a stretch, was it? He was definitely worthy of flirtations. Though, there was something wriggling around in the back of his mind: she seemed to have something else on hers after the crashing of that stool.
“Where do you suggest we go?” He asked, leaving her fingers in his. His hand was smooth, cool, large. He was a frost giant after all.
***
Oh she noticed the chill to his skin. It was a curiosity, but her own skin wasn’t human level warm either. Unlike other vampires, she didn’t care about the little details.
“There are private rooms here where we might talk without being annoyed by jealous little gnats.” Oh she was flirting, but she honestly had no intention of going too far. She knew that was out of character for her, and it did annoy her. Damn Chuuya and his making her love him!
***
Funny, that would have been in character for Loki before now. At least, the desire to find a secluded, private spot with a beautiful person and let things get a little out of hand was strong in the Trickster God before his stint at the TVA. After? Well, he wasn’t so sure. Had he been ruined by his experiences there? With her?
“If you lead, I will follow,” he responded. Promised. He had no idea what would come of it--the jealous little gnat comment made him think there was more to this story than meets the eye--though he was definitely interested in the woman still holding his hand. Was he being used as a weapon in some lovers’ quarrel? ...would that make him any less interested?
***
Oh, he definitely was being used, but not because she and Chuuya had fought. This was Irina’s dysfunctional way to ensuring that Chuuya was hers. Thoroughly. To her, this was a win win. If Chuuya reacted, and it seemed he had, she had him. If he shrugged it off...well, her present company was definitely in her league.
She nodded her head toward the bartender who pointed her towards a door to the side of the bar. Irina gave first him then Loki a smile as she started for the private room. She directed Loki’s hand so it was over her shoulder as they walked. “I use these rooms for business meetings. They are quite convenient.”
Use of the room would also give them another bottle of wine.
***
She was certainly confident. Loki liked that very much. Even if he was being used, it was a fun ride. He hadn’t come here expecting anything from this besides learning a little about the space, learning a little about the woman, possibly having an entertaining evening. And this was surpassing his expectations.
He followed as she led, after a quick nod to the bartender, then moved with her through the doorway toward the private rooms. “I see. And what sort of business do you conduct in these convenient rooms?” Surely she had a lot of business if she made frequent use of the private rooms.
***
Irina glanced over her shoulder with a grin, her fangs revealed. “All sorts,” she answered with a chuckle then proceeded to take a seat at the only table in the room. “Mostly investors for the museum, but sometimes...personal business.”
The bartender arrived with the new bottle of wine then got out as fast as possible. Irina paid him no mind as she poured a couple of glasses.
“Now,” she said as she held one out to Loki. “I have to admit I am using you for my own purposes.”
***
Loki nodded. He wasn’t intimidated by the reveal of the fangs. On the contrary, it intrigued him all the more. Not that he was expecting anything to come from their trip into this back room… he had a feeling that it was more for show than anything else. But he was very entertained by the events of the evening. After all, wasn’t that what this was all about?
One of his eyebrows arched curiously as he accepted the glass from her. “Should I take offense to being used in such a way?” He asked, breaking into a little smirk at the idea. He wasn’t offended.
***
Ah. So he played games as well. Irina would have been furious to learn she was being used as a pawn in a game she wasn’t part of, but she had willingly participated in the games of others whenever there had been a benefit to her. Cloak and Dagger of the heart was perhaps even more important than in business.
“Absolutely not,” she assured him. “I have very high standards, after all. And I wouldn’t reveal the truth to just anyone. I find myself...respecting you, in a way. Hence the reveal.”
It was true. Irina had spent decades manipulating her brother when he was Tzar of Russia, then centuries managing him in their business dealings so he didn’t ruin anything. She had never told Alexei what she had done, and she loved her brother dearly. She just didn’t respect him. Therefore, Loki had made an impression.
***
Loki had learned not to put a lot of stock in the goings-on of Midgardians. They were irritating at worst, and forgettable at best. His opinions of some of them had started to change a little, due to his time at the TVA showing him things both about himself and the workings of the world… though he had a ways to go before he was going to be willing to jump in, but he was making progress.
He didn’t care so much about being used. He hadn’t put a lot of stock into this … whatever it was. So it wasn’t a let down. Besides, her admission was flattering, so he’d take that.
“Well, then it’s my pleasure. How can I be of assistance in your… purpose?”
***
Oh yes. Very nice. Irina grinned as she chuckled. “I have a feeling that you have already helped.” She wouldn’t give away Chuuya’s powers. She does have a line she wouldn’t cross. “And coming in here with me is just the icing on the cake, as they say.”
She leaned back into the plush chair as she lifted her glass of wine. “So. Shall we enjoy the rest of this bottle in complete understanding?”
***
Loki settled onto one of the plush chairs, too. Not too close, but still close enough that they could enjoy the wine together. He was in complete understanding. This incredible creature belonged to someone else, and whatever mind games they were playing with one another, he wanted very little to do with it. Though, he didn’t mind being a pawn if it meant that he was able to spend a little more time with someone so beautiful and intriguing.