InsaneJournal

Who: Loki and Lara
What: Sharing stories
Where: The Library
When: this is super backdated to thanksgiving I am so sorry pls forgive
Rating: besides general mentions of having killed people in the past, pretty low


There were a few festivals that she had seen and been a part of around the world in her time, and while it was fun to be a part of the fun, Lara also liked to observe. Since being in Goodland, she found herself being more social and taking part in some of the activities around. Which now included Thanksgiving, which she was happy to because it just meant spending more time with her friends. Lara didn’t expect to form friendships so quickly, but she had a feeling her friends back home would be impressed and even would encourage her if they were here.

Lara didn’t even spend the whole meal being quiet either, she actually engaged in a few of the conversations. Okay, so she was still quiet at times, she was naturally introverted after all, but she took a few small steps outside of her comfort zone today, and it wasn’t too terrible. However, now that it was all over, she was in a much more comfortable setting, the library. The flat, she thought would be too crowded and the library was the next best choice to look over old texts. Even better because Loki agreed to come with her to look over more of her father’s old notes.

“I ended up figuring out what the symbol met, but I thought I’d share this with you. I think you might like it and I’m a little curious if this actually happened.” She grinned at Loki, hoping that it was a true story. “It’s called Þrymskviða”.
---

Loki was a bit cross at first to find not only was he required to attend some holiday feast that held no meaning for him with his Asgardian family, but also that Thor had taken it upon himself to invite Lara. However, the latter was made to fade as Loki rationalized that regardless of his standing with her, she was still a very close friend of Valkyrie and Thor, and might have made the list regardless of his alone time spent with her. But he still couldn't shake the annoyed feeling. Like people were colluding and talking behind his back. It all felt so juvenile.

Once they had finished eating and socializing though, he wanted to make good on his promise to the woman. Plus, since he worked at the library now, it had become quite the comfortable, familiar space for him to spend time in. Which was needed now, in order to relax. For Odin's sake, Thor was filling his head with too many questions and possibilities. Lara and him were just friends, and that was simply the end of it. Trying to read too hard into things, well, then he'd just end up angry and confused all the time, and he wasn't about to muddle his clear line of thinking with that nonsense.

Instead, he focused on the text she had given him, Loki reading it over. The further he went, the more the edges of his mouth tilted upward in a smirk and his eyes twinkled with their forever mischief.

"Well, that is certainly a tale," he said with amusement, looking over at Lara and trying to feign a look of innocence that Loki surely was not capable of. "Oh, were you looking for confirmation or just to share such a masterpiece in storytelling with yours truly?" he teased.

---

Lara tried not to watch him so intently, but any hint she perceived as a smile, she couldn’t help but be amused. At the same time, she would look away and read whatever was in front of her in order not to create an uncomfortable environment.

When he finished she waited anxiously for his comments. Lara did her best to look innocent enough as he spoke.

“A bit of both, if I’m honest. I did think you would enjoy the story, but also maybe hoping for confirmation, especially if I’d get a chance to hear it from your own words.” She paused. “First accounts are better than anything I could read.”

---

Glancing over the story once more, his expression still amused, Loki brought his fingertips together to rest his chin on in a musing fashion.

"You know, this is secret, ancient history. If I tell you, then there's no turning back with the Asgardian's Lara." His tone and face were dead serious, but there was just something about him, the way he said it, that was certainly teasing. Now if she could pick up on it…

Leaning back he sighed, closing his eyes and attempting to remember. After thousands of years one's memory wasn't crystal.

"Yes. Thrym was quite a creep, you see. Needed to have his way, if he didn't, well.. that's when the fun began." Even now, it was hard for Loki to understand how he didn't see the relation to them before. But that was an aside.

"Took a shine to Freya, because who wouldn't? Even in all our altercations with them she was fierce, but still kind. Well, apparently security was lax, and the hammer taken, as you read. And we certainly weren't about to hand over our own mother, not that Odin would ever allow such a thing either. So there was… improvisation." This time, there was actually an amused expression in his face as the memories came rushing back.

"Perhaps you would like a drink? I know I would," he said with a nod, a bottle and two glasses appearing in front of them.

---

“I think I’m up for the challenge,” Lara replied. “If there’s one person who knows how to keep secrets it’s me.” Teasing or not, it was true in Lara’s case. There were a lot of secrets, ones that she couldn’t tell anyone. The only ones who knew where the people involved, like Jonah. There were plenty of secrets she even kept from her friends.

A peaceful smile grew across her face as she sat back and listened. It was truly unbelievable, that she could be sitting there, next to a literal god, and hear about stories she grew up thinking were myths. Granted, within the past several years, even myths turned out to be true in her experience. It may not be as surprising these days, but that didn’t mean she didn’t enjoy it all the same.

“Yes.” She answered. “Thank you. You know,” she started to say. “That was the first time I’ve ever been to a Thanksgiving meal.”

---

He had entirely no reason to trust her. Hell, Loki didn't trust anyone, except maybe Freya, and even that was pushing it sometimes. But something told him Lara really could keep a secret, and that was invaluable to him. Pushing that way into the back of his mind, he raised a brow at what she was saying.

"There isn't a single thing you need to thank me for in this instance, dear Lara. You've quite charmed Valkyrie and Thor. The latter is less of a challenge, you see, but the former." He shrugged slightly, pouring them both a glass of scotch. High end, extra smooth. He appreciated that in a scotch, and hoped she might as well.

"It was my first Thanksgiving meal as well. You see, rarely did I get along with most of my family stretching as far back as I can remember. We spent thousands of years embroiled in grudges, trickery, and battle. Sure, we had our moments. But not… quite in the same way as this," he mused, swirling the liquid in his glass before taking a small sip. "Thank you for humoring the lot of us and attending."

---

As he spoke, she couldn’t help but think back to Thor’s comment about Loki. Lara decided not to think too much about it and instead smile. “I’m glad. Valkyrie and I have quite a lot in common.” Lara took a small sip of the scotch and a faint smile grew. Like Loki, Lara also appreciated a good scotch.

“Understandable. Families can be complicated.” Lara thought it would be partly due to Loki being slightly different from some members of his family.

Instead she offered a small smile. “Of course. I’ve spoken to Valkyrie about this before, but I feel more comfortable around all of you than most people, even back home.” It seemed Lara was getting better at expression herself as she only felt slightly uncomfortable. “Funny enough not a lot of people understand exploring tombs and having to kill for survival.” The last part, she hadn’t expected herself to say and she shifted before taking another drink.

---

"Certainly an understatement when you add Asgardians to the mix," he teased ever so slightly, settling back in his chair once more and letting his eyes once again wander over the text that Lara had brought. Quietly, he listened to her speak, a small smile pulling at his lips. It was true here that many did not understand, or did not take kindly, to the violent pasts many participated in. Perhaps a part of Loki should have felt, what was the word, regret? For his past actions. But what was the point? He had punished himself enough while imprisoned back home. Looking forward was the only thing that could keep him going, especially trapped here and knowing he would die upon return.

That thought was strange. Real death…

Pulling himself back into the present, Loki shrugged. "We've had to kill for survival since the beginning of time whether your world or mine. It is in the essence of nearly everyone who exists, even if some deny their true nature. Survival of the fittest. Some will never kill, and that is a blessing. Some of us… Well, those of us who can are just as important to the universe as those who can not. Perhaps even more so," he added, locking eyes with Lara. He would never judge her for her past, and he wanted to convey that in some way. Hell, he understood better than most. At least with Lara, he didn't see her killing for fun. And well, Loki… well, sometimes the lines between fun and necessity were certainly blurred. Lara knew that and stuck around, which was a quality he very much appreciated thus far. It had been a long while since he felt any sort of camaraderie with another that wasn't family. It was new. Nice.

"Perhaps we could take this back to the festivities. I could make Thor tell you all about his outfit."

---

"Thank you, Loki. I appreciate you saying so." It wasn't much, but it was hard for Lara to convey how much she did appreciate Loki's response. Granted, she knew Valkryie had no judgements and she suspected that Thor wouldn't hold her actions against her either. Even the times where Lara was well, quite ruthless. Loki would understand better than anyone, given his own story, but for their friendship, his support still meant a great deal to her. Lara never thought it would happen here in Goodland. Yes, she was still restless but the people she surrounded herself with here started to feel like home. There were still a few people missing, but she didn't think she would come this close here, and she was becoming happy to be proven wrong.

Lara grinned. "I like that idea. Though, let's not head back just yet." Completely unaware of her own steps that she was taking. "I wouldn't mind hearing a story, one I might not find in a book."

---

Not just yet. Loki certainly didn't mind that idea. Finishing off the rest of his scotch, perhaps a bit quicker than he should have, he poured himself another small glass. Settling in, a look of mischief, so familiar on the trickster god, spread across his features as he located a memory from long ago. Rarely did he share stories. Information was power, and the more people knew about one's abilities and habits, the bigger foe they could easily become.

But he was comfortable here.

After a moment, he launched into a detailed story from long ago. Business with dwarves. You see, it was easy to trick them into making something powerful and exquisite, so long as their pride was on the line…

---