That made 'Einar' chuckle softly and smile at her enthusiasm. "Maybe someday we'll go to space too. Travel outside the Nine." He meant the Nine realms--and Loki spared a moment to wonder at the thought. Traveling with Dani...where had that come from?
Still, that giant spaceship was getting closer--and then Loki was bringing the ship into the hangar to dock in the Statesman. It was almost like a cruise-ship within, very futuristic and almost garish. Loki was shutting down the ship fully when he sighed, recognizing the two figures who were making their way over to the Commodore to meet them.
No doubt Heimdall had seen them coming, and Thor likely wanted answers.
"Dani..." He started, trying to think of how to explain. "Whatever happens...I......value your friendship. I'm not sure I've ever had a genuine friend before."
"I -- value yours too? Of course I do. I'm so sorry you feel that way, but I'm glad that we're friends..."
She trails off a little as she sees the two men moving towards the ship. One of them looks vaguely familiar, and she reaches out to grab and hold Einar's hand, giving it a squeeze.
He squeezed back, grateful. "In case you couldn't tell, that's Heimdall--who likely saw us coming. With him is Thor, who you've no doubt heard of." Loki's tone was slightly dry. "They've probably been wondering where I am, for that matter." Not like Heimdall probably couldn't tell--but Loki had taken off without a word...
Still, best to meet them and not start off on his back foot. Leading the way out of the Commodore into the hangar. If Thor was surprised at his appearance, he didn't say anything about that yet. "The Prodigal returns!" Was all he said, smiling even although there were questions in his blue eye. Especially once Dani appeared.
"Yeah, I've -- definitely heard of Thor. I follow the news," she says, a little absently because to hear about him is one thing. To be in his presence is entirely another. Dani is quietly awed. And the other man has quite the presence about him as well.
"What does he mean by the prodigal," she asks, stepping a little closer to her friend.
"I believe it refers to a story about a wayward son wandering away, and then returning to find where he feared censure, that all is forgiven." Heimdall said, giving Loki a piercing look.
"You didn't kidnap her did you?" Thor asked deciding to be direct. Loki stood up as if offended. "I did not, thankyouverymuch. I gave her a choice." He sighed, reaching up to rake his fingers through his hair. "Dani Ardor, this is Thor Odinson." A look was shot from the elder brother as if to say 'and what haven't you told her, brother?' but Loki kept himself quiet.
"It's nice to meet you, um -- what -- " She steps forward a little to offer her right hand, still holding onto Einar with her left. "What should I call you?
And no -- definitely no. He didn't kidnap me. Rescued me, maybe, but definitely not kidnapped."
Thor clasped her arm, blue-eye flickering slightly between them, before back to Dani. "I do not stand on protocol except when necessary here, Ms. Ardor. You may call me Thor, as do most of my subjects within our borders." He was, technically, a king.
"And we are glad to hear that this is not a kidnapping. It's difficult at times to tell what goes on in his head, and what his motives might be." Another look at Loki.
"I've been keeping track of him, loosely, but there's been much to do." Heimdall supplied, inclining his head in greeting towards Dani as well. "How much has he told you?"
"That like her, we're looking to make a new home." 'Einar' chimed in. "She's been through rather a lot, and I would like to see her settled and rested before you ask more questions."
"Well it's very nice to meet you. Both of you. And -- yeah. Yes. Einar's told me he was from Asgard, but you lost your planet recently. Which I am -- I am so sorry to hear about. We sort of -- became friends over that. I just lost my family, and um, he's been really helpful. Through -- everything.
He's been a great friend to me," she says insistently, stepping back towards him.
"I'm sorry for your loss, Ms. Ardor. And grateful to find that he's had someone to comfort him over his losses too." Thor replied with a genuine smile. "The rest of my questions can wait, as we should get you settled as our guest."
Heimdall again nodded his head. "Fortunately we've plenty of room, and I'll warn you now we have some who look even more strange among us. Also refugees, looking for a home." With a hint of smile towards Dani. "You'll fit right in." Now golden eyes shot to 'Einar'. "I trust you'll be responsible for her?"
Thor also looked to Loki, who nodded and squeezed Dani's hand. "She is my friend. Of course I will." Said softly, but blue-green eyes were fierce as they met the other two's gaze.
"He's taken good care of me so far," she says with a fond smile. "I understand. You're very generous, to take everybody in. To take me in. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it, I don't know how to repay you."
"There is no repayment needed." Thor said honestly. "I hope you find the peace you're looking for here, and if not--then I hope we've provided a good respite and rest on your journey."
"While you are here, we will do what we can to keep you safe." Heimdall agreed, golden eyes still focused on 'Einar'.
"But I would like to get her settled in so she can rest." 'Einar' said firmly, and moved to pull Dani gently with him. "You two can interrogate me later if you must."
"Oh -- yes, okay. Thank you," she says again to Thor and Heimdall as they pass. She follows Einar along, trying not to stare too much at all the different species that have settled and made their homes there.
"You can just um -- I mean, I don't need much. I'm just relieved to be here."
"We can provide you a room at least, Dani." Loki said quietly, still with her hand in his. "The ship is more than large enough, and we're working hard to not be too much of a burden on the local economy. You'll have space here, and no one expects you to be anything other than what you want to be."
Down corridors and hallways, before they stopped in front of a room. The door slid aside with a code entry, and within would qualify almost as a small apartment. Two rooms--a sitting area, and a bedroom with attached bathroom. It was as luxurious as a futuristic hotel room or cruise ship. Actually thinking of the Statesman as a grand cruise ship was probably the better analogy.
"I'll give you the code, and draw you a map if you need directions."
"Oh my god?" Dani gasps softly when they enter the room. Which is -- huge and magnificent. "I think this is bigger than my apartment back in Boston, this is incredible."
She lets go of Einar's hand to walk into the room and look around, hesitant to touch anything. In disbelief that this could be her new home.
"It was one of the more magnificent ship, among magnificent ships, the Grandmaster owned." Loki responded, letting her look and staying by the door. "It's originally from Sakaar, not Asgard. We actually don't have much but what we could carry or flee with ourselves. I'll help you with clothing though, and getting started here." He was and wasn't surprised to find himself with a genuine smile on his face.
"Thank you for sharing what you have with me." After she's done exploring a little, she moves back over to him and wraps her arms around his waist in a tight hug, resting her cheek against her chest.
"I can't believe I found you there. I can't believe I'm here with you now, but I'm so, so grateful for it."
In hindsight, Loki shouldn't have been surprised--but he was, so it took him a second before he's hugging back. Leaning into it, savoring the affection and holding it close. Had he ever truly had a 'real' friend? Would Dani still want to be his friend when it was all revealed?
Part of him wanted to stay as Einar forever now...
Does he make you feel held? Does he make you feel home?
Yes. Yes he does, and Dani finds herself clinging more tightly to her friend, tears rolling slowly down her cheeks without Dani entirely realizing it. "I think wherever you are could feel like home," she admits, quietly.
"You have time to find that out." He said quietly, murmured against her hair as he continued to hold her. Not caring about the crying, just letting her cling. Trying to soothe, although it was not Loki's strongpoint. "When you're ready, I'll help you finish settling in."
He sighed, and Loki internally took it as a sign of how he'd changed. "I...should tell you something too."
His heart felt lighter and heavier with her words, and Loki wanted to smile--but couldn't. Not that he wasn't glad she was happy--she deserved it in his mind. One hand came up to gently brush the tears away.
...Courage. Not something he was generally known for. But--he'd taken Thor's conversation in the elevator on Sakaar more to heart than his brother knew. Loki hated being predictable, and perhaps it was time to try new things.
"I....I've been in hiding. And hiding who I am, while among the Harga. It's the only thing I've lied about. Who I am really."
Dani bites her lip, reaching out to touch his hand lightly. "I'm sorry you felt like you had to hide. To lie about who you are. But it's okay we can talk about it. You -- you can tell me who you are, because you're still my friend. You still helped me, and you didn't have to do that.
This felt like one of the hardest things--when it should've been so simple. Loki sighed. "Einar means, roughly, lone warrior. I've...had a lot to think about. But my actual name, who I am..."
It would come out, sooner or later--better it come out while he had control, right?
There was a shimmer of green over him, returning Loki to how he normally looked. The same clothes, the same eyes--but with black hair now and no scruff. "I am Loki, of Asgard." But it was not his usual boisterous and proud declaration. More quiet, personal--and vulnerable.
She knows those eyes, at least. And that voice is still Einar's. No -- not Einar. Loki. Still, she gasps when a shimmer of green enfolds him and standing there is Loki in his true form.
She's not angry. Not really. Hurt, a little, that he felt he had to hide from her this long, but she can try to understand. "It's okay," she says again, softly. "It's okay. You're still my friend." She reaches up to brush her fingers against his cheek, the sharp line of his jaw. "It's still you."
"Is it really okay?" Loki asked, reaching up to touch her hand and hold it. "I've done horrible things before Dani, for all that I've also suffered horribly too."
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Still, that giant spaceship was getting closer--and then Loki was bringing the ship into the hangar to dock in the Statesman. It was almost like a cruise-ship within, very futuristic and almost garish. Loki was shutting down the ship fully when he sighed, recognizing the two figures who were making their way over to the Commodore to meet them.
No doubt Heimdall had seen them coming, and Thor likely wanted answers.
"Dani..." He started, trying to think of how to explain. "Whatever happens...I......value your friendship. I'm not sure I've ever had a genuine friend before."
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She trails off a little as she sees the two men moving towards the ship. One of them looks vaguely familiar, and she reaches out to grab and hold Einar's hand, giving it a squeeze.
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Still, best to meet them and not start off on his back foot. Leading the way out of the Commodore into the hangar. If Thor was surprised at his appearance, he didn't say anything about that yet. "The Prodigal returns!" Was all he said, smiling even although there were questions in his blue eye. Especially once Dani appeared.
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"What does he mean by the prodigal," she asks, stepping a little closer to her friend.
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"You didn't kidnap her did you?" Thor asked deciding to be direct. Loki stood up as if offended. "I did not, thankyouverymuch. I gave her a choice." He sighed, reaching up to rake his fingers through his hair. "Dani Ardor, this is Thor Odinson." A look was shot from the elder brother as if to say 'and what haven't you told her, brother?' but Loki kept himself quiet.
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And no -- definitely no. He didn't kidnap me. Rescued me, maybe, but definitely not kidnapped."
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"And we are glad to hear that this is not a kidnapping. It's difficult at times to tell what goes on in his head, and what his motives might be." Another look at Loki.
"I've been keeping track of him, loosely, but there's been much to do." Heimdall supplied, inclining his head in greeting towards Dani as well. "How much has he told you?"
"That like her, we're looking to make a new home." 'Einar' chimed in. "She's been through rather a lot, and I would like to see her settled and rested before you ask more questions."
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He's been a great friend to me," she says insistently, stepping back towards him.
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Heimdall again nodded his head. "Fortunately we've plenty of room, and I'll warn you now we have some who look even more strange among us. Also refugees, looking for a home." With a hint of smile towards Dani. "You'll fit right in." Now golden eyes shot to 'Einar'. "I trust you'll be responsible for her?"
Thor also looked to Loki, who nodded and squeezed Dani's hand. "She is my friend. Of course I will." Said softly, but blue-green eyes were fierce as they met the other two's gaze.
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"While you are here, we will do what we can to keep you safe." Heimdall agreed, golden eyes still focused on 'Einar'.
"But I would like to get her settled in so she can rest." 'Einar' said firmly, and moved to pull Dani gently with him. "You two can interrogate me later if you must."
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"You can just um -- I mean, I don't need much. I'm just relieved to be here."
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Down corridors and hallways, before they stopped in front of a room. The door slid aside with a code entry, and within would qualify almost as a small apartment. Two rooms--a sitting area, and a bedroom with attached bathroom. It was as luxurious as a futuristic hotel room or cruise ship. Actually thinking of the Statesman as a grand cruise ship was probably the better analogy.
"I'll give you the code, and draw you a map if you need directions."
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She lets go of Einar's hand to walk into the room and look around, hesitant to touch anything. In disbelief that this could be her new home.
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"I can't believe I found you there. I can't believe I'm here with you now, but I'm so, so grateful for it."
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Part of him wanted to stay as Einar forever now...
"...I'm grateful for you, Dani. Thank you."
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Yes. Yes he does, and Dani finds herself clinging more tightly to her friend, tears rolling slowly down her cheeks without Dani entirely realizing it. "I think wherever you are could feel like home," she admits, quietly.
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He sighed, and Loki internally took it as a sign of how he'd changed. "I...should tell you something too."
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What do you need to tell me?"
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...Courage. Not something he was generally known for. But--he'd taken Thor's conversation in the elevator on Sakaar more to heart than his brother knew. Loki hated being predictable, and perhaps it was time to try new things.
"I....I've been in hiding. And hiding who I am, while among the Harga. It's the only thing I've lied about. Who I am really."
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So it's okay. It's okay, just. Tell me now."
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It would come out, sooner or later--better it come out while he had control, right?
There was a shimmer of green over him, returning Loki to how he normally looked. The same clothes, the same eyes--but with black hair now and no scruff. "I am Loki, of Asgard." But it was not his usual boisterous and proud declaration. More quiet, personal--and vulnerable.
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She's not angry. Not really. Hurt, a little, that he felt he had to hide from her this long, but she can try to understand. "It's okay," she says again, softly. "It's okay. You're still my friend." She reaches up to brush her fingers against his cheek, the sharp line of his jaw. "It's still you."
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