midsommaring | OPEN RP POST

"More proof, that I am not a good man. I believe he deserved it. Even with the manipulation of the Hårga, he...had choices. He could've made different ones, and I would think marginally more of him." Loki's voice was cutting, cold. "I do not believe you betrayed him, but from what you've told me--that he betrayed you first."

"No, he -- Christian was -- " She scrubs her hands over her face, trying to take a deep breath. "We were together for four years, and of course we had our fights and our problems, but -- we -- we worked." Though even as she says it, her brow furrows like she doesn't quite believe it. "We made it work.

But I don't want to talk about Christian, not now. Not when I'm about to start a new life with -- with you."

"You can do what you want, Dani." Loki reassured quietly, reaching up to hold her hands. Trying to reassure. It wasn't as if he couldn't fake it--he'd faked affection before many times. It was new though, with Dani, in that he meant it. "No one here will pressure you. We're all trying to start over."

"No, sorry. I'm -- I'm trying to say."

She takes a deep breath, turning her hands to twine her fingers with Loki's. Not quite able to look up at him. Afraid, maybe, of what she'd see in those bluegreen eyes. "Pelle asked my something about -- but I never really understood it until I spent time with you. He asked me if I felt held by him. If he made me feel home.

And you -- Loki, I do. I feel... held. By you. I feel like where you are is home."

It scared him--the strength of his reaction to that--to her words. Mostly because for once, the emotions were all genuine--he cared about her. She was his friend--his first real one that was all his.

For once his silver-tongue deserted him, as he took some time to think. Before leaning forwards. Kissing her forehead softly, and speaking quietly against it. "You will always have a home with me Dani. I swear by the Norn's weavings and the Wyrd."

"I won't pretend like I know exactly what that means." She laughs, self-consciously, but reaches up to touch his cheek again. "But I like it. I like the way it makes me feel when you say it."

"It is an oath. And I am not one who swears oaths lightly." Voice low, mouth still against her forehead. He wouldn't deny he was scared--but Loki also felt...good. Making it, and being with her. It was comforting, and strange in a good way, to have a real friend.

"I'll teach you anything you wish to know about our cultures, but only if you want to learn. For now though, we should consider sleep. Or food."

"I'm probably not going to be able to sleep for a while. Not after everything that's happened today. I should probably eat something, though. Just -- " With her free hand, she reaches out to take Loki's again.

"Stay with me?"

"Of course." Said to reassure her, even while squeezing her hand. "Do you want to go find others we can eat with, or should I get food brought here?" It was with an eye to her comfort level--the last few months since Sakaar had changed Loki in some ways. It felt...safe, for him to show these softer sides to Dani.

"Is it okay if we just -- I'm sorry, it's just a lot of people, a lot of new people, and I'm just not sure if I can -- "

Deep breaths, Dani. Like Loki taught her. She closes her eyes and presses her forehead against Loki's chest while she breathes through her oncoming panic. "Here. Here is good."

Another squeeze of her hand, before he let go. To stroke her hair softly. "Here it is then. And these are your rooms, Dani. Make yourself comfortable, and I'll handle getting food sent here." Trying to be reassuring, hoping that he was managing it. Really, the only changes he'd made to Einar were his name, and that Einar allowed himself to show things. To share...could Loki integrate Einar into himself?

"Will you -- " Dani takes a few breaths, rubbing her palms over Loki's arms. Soothing herself. "Can you stay? At least tonight? I just -- I'm sorry, I don't want to be alone tonight."

God, she needs to stop being so needy. This is what pushed Christian away. "I'm sorry, I'm -- I'm being -- I'll be fine. You should spend time with your brother, you should get settled in here, too. It's okay. I'll be okay."

Perhaps it was surprising, but he chuckled, and put his other arm around her. "I was wondering when the shock would wear off." Loki teased gently while still petting her hair. "You don't have to do this alone, Dani. I'll stay, and you're allowed to ask for help." She'd been through many big changes. "Nor am I eager, per se, to answer my brother's questions."

A sigh, and he rested his chin against her head once more. "As I said, I'd have stayed Einar many many years, to keep your friendship."

"It's just -- " She swallows hard and shakes her head a little. "In four years of being together, I never felt like I was allowed to need anything. I always felt like I had to apologize for wanting him there.

So this is new, for me. Being allowed to want or need things."

Loki sighed, and continued to hold her. "I...can't say I'm a good man. I've never had a genuine friendship. Relationships have been casual at best, or I've manipulated the person because they had something I want. But that.." Now how did he word all of this.

"First, you are different in that with you--I...just want you to be okay." He cared about her welfare and feelings. Which was a hard admission, and also very scary as it meant Loki was in uncharted territory. "I'm not simply going through the motions, with you. Which is honestly what it sounds like Christian was doing with you."

Dani nods and keeps stroking his arms, finding comfort in the gesture. He cares about her. They care about each other, which is the important part.

"I want that for you, too. For both of us to just -- be okay. I feel like it's been a long time coming, for both of us. And I trust you not to be manipulative, if you're -- if you're worried about that. I think if you're aware of it, you won't be."

"Your trust is a gift." Loki murmured, still holding her gently. "This is new for me, for what it is worth. Actually caring, and having a friend." To remind her, and remind himself perhaps.

"Still, we've been through a lot. You especially have been through a lot. When you're ready, if you can let me go, I'll call for a servant." A wry smile on his face. "Being a prince has its advantages, even if it doesn't mean as much around here as it did back on Asgard."

"A prince?" she asks, with her eyebrows raised. Surprised and a little amused. "That's -- wow." She's not even sure how to react to that. She's learning a lot about her friend today.

"Sorry, I'll -- " She takes her hands off him and takes a half step back, letting him go. "Food sounds like a good idea."

Loki chuckled, and reached out to squeeze her hand reassuringly. "I'm a Prince of Asgard, and with Laufey dead, actually the rightful king of Jotunheim. Odin adopted me when I was a baby." Stroking his thumb over her palm, Loki's expression turned sad. "I never new until about 6 years ago, and I did not find out in a good manner."

"That's not fair, that you had to find out everything so late in life. And that you didn't find out in the way you wanted to. I hope things get better for you. That you're able to settle down, and find a home here, too."

"Life is rarely fair, from all I've observed." Said with a sigh, and another squeeze of her hand. "I doubt I'll ever settle down fully. Too much curiosity and sense of mischief. But...I'm hoping I can start healing. Even if I'm not entirely sure what that means." Really, it was touching--and a bit heady--to have someone upset on his behalf. That hadn't happened before in a long long time.

"Now, let's see about getting you settled in here." One last squeeze, before Loki let her hand go and moved to a small intercom by the door. Pressing it, and speaking quietly--calling for two servants.

Dani lets out a long, slow exhale as Loki moves away from her. Running her fingers through her hair and trying to gather herself back together. There's a sofa, and she sits on it, feeling exhausted and far too awake all at once.

There's -- something. She can't just be imagining it. The two of them, they care about each other. And she feels good when she's near him. A warmth she hasn't felt in a long, long time.

Word must have spread, as it's only a few minutes before there's a knock at the door before it's sliding open. Two servants, both women, enter--one who looks old enough to be a mother, and the other who looks around Dani's age. Both have hair that is loosely braided, one fair and one brunette. Both were in a mix of modern clothes with hints of older-styles, likely Asgardian.

Loki was surprised to find he recognized the older one although he shouldn't have been. "I'd have thought you'd have found a new hobby and employment, Saldis." He greeted with a curious tilt of his head. "Nah, your highness--I've served your family since your brother was a babe, and I'll serve ye both still. Someone has to keep you both in line."

"And you've been granted that undignified job." But it was said with a smile. "This is my friend, Dani Ardor." Turning and gesturing to Dani. "She's come to us much as we came to Midgard. With little but what she could carry. These are to be her rooms, so if you could make that official. Both of us need food to be brought here, and she'll need clothing."

"Yes your highness." And both servants dipped into curtsies. "Ylfa here has become my protégé. Under His Majesty's orders, your rooms were kept ready. Would you want a change of clothing yourself?" Saldis replied, with a motherly smile and no nonsense attitude.

"Something casual...yes." Loki replied, before moving to come sit by Dani.

Saldis nodded, said something to Ylfa who dipped another curtsy and headed off. She came over and offered a curtsy to Dani. "Milady Ardor, I am Saldis, and I simply need to know a few things before I can get you settled properly."

"Oh no, gosh, just -- just Dani is fine. Hello, Saldis. It's nice to meet you, um, there's no need to -- I'm not royalty or anything." She offers her hand to the older woman, a little stunned by the whole thing. The idea of having her own rooms, having servants to attend to her.

"I really don't need much, I promise. I won't be a bother."

"Oh I doubt you'll be a bother, child." Saldis said and took her hand. "Tis courtesy, but if you insist, then Dani it will be." A look was shot at Loki, who ignored it. "Now, what have you brought with you? Any clothes that I might borrow so as to find you the right size from what we've gathered?"

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject