Worlds Apart

Four

Chapter 4 - Goodnight

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My eyes scan around the room looking at all the well dressed guests seated at their tables. A soft jazz music fills the gap in the air through the chatter, laughter and clattering of cutlery against the dishes.

I look over and see my husband whispering away with Doctor Wilson about work business. The gentleman seated to my left begins to make conversation with me.

"A charity donation is just like any other sort of investment. You want to know that your money is being put to good use." The man smiles at me whilst waving his hand in the air.

"Well I couldn't think of a better place to put your money than in the research fund." I nod my head and smile back politely.

"Well of course you can't! Your husband is one of the board members!" He chuckles and leans his body forward closer to mine.

I could smell the food and alcohol on his breath and I quickly stand up from the table, "Sorry, would you excuse me for a minute?" I smile down at him and speedily walk off to the bathroom.

My eyes dart round the stalls to make sure no one else was in the room with me. I enter one of the toilets, close the door and sit down on top of the lid.

"Hey, how's it going?" I whisper, forming a connection with Loki.

"Uh, what?"

"I said how's it going?" I lean my arms against my legs and bend forward.

"Oh just great. Yeah great. What do you want?"

"Nothing I just wanted to check in with you! I think there might be something burning." I stifle a laugh as an odd smell wafts through my nose.

"God, this is stupid. I don't even cook! Here, smell this and tell me what you think."

I take a deep breath in through my nostrils and lean my head back in uncertainty. "Uh, what is that?"

"It's an Asgardian herb in a sauce. Is it not good?"

"No, no. It's uhh... It's maybe a bit strong. But I'm not really sure how food is supposed to be over there on Asgard." I laugh and roll my eyes.

I then focus on Loki's view and watch him throw the pot back down and run into a different room, stepping in front of a mirror. "Well, what do you think? How do I look?"

I nod my head for a few seconds, brushing my tongue over my lips. The silence clearly unsettles Loki and he begins to panic.

"Oh god, I'm wearing the wrong thing aren't I? I'm wearing the wrong thing! I have to change..."

"No, no! Loki you look great. The headpiece is a little much though." I place my hand over my mouth, trying not to let out a laugh.

Loki promptly removes the headpiece, lays it front of him and brushes his hand through his jet black hair. "How's your money dinner going anyway?"

"Ugh, you know it's pretty boring but we only have to stay a couple hours longer." My eyes flick onto the floor and I graze my fingers over my opposite arm.