Working Title : Loki & Annie

92 Tahini Chocolate and Fish Stories

They were walking down the sidewalk on the Downtown Main street where they had walked on their way to Walmart except on the opposite side of the street. Thor was tugging the wagon behind him while walking next to Annie who was explaining their food choices as they passed one small restaurant after another.

"So Downtown is where most people come to eat if they don't want a chain place." Annie waved her hand, "About this time is perfect because it's still a little early, before the lunch crowd."

thor shook his head in confusion that bled over into his question, "Why would one eat in a place of chains?"

"Yeah, a lot of people won't eat- oh! You think, no," Annie smiled with good humor, "It's not a place that has actual chains." She chuckled, "A chain restaurant is one that is in more than one place."

Loki was comfortable in the wagon, Annie had wrapped him in a blanket and he still had all his previous clothes on as well. The blanket kept his hands warm and it smelled like Annie so he kept it pulled up to his nose so he could breathe her scent in. He could hear her voice along with Thor's though he wasn't listening to what they were speaking because he had no interest in what they were discussing. He was enjoying watching the strange shops go by and trying to determine what could possibly be sold in them. Some were easy such as the store with many shoes visible through the large windows while other shops had items he couldn't even name. When the wagon came to a stop he looked around with interest, wanting to know what the reason was.

Annie glanced back at Loki, he was holding the blanket up to his face while covering his nose. "You cold buddy?" She didn't think it was extra cold but she also didn't know what temperature Loki was used to. Plus it wasn't as if he had any fat on him.

Shaking his head Loki looked up at Annie but didn't otherwise answer, just going back to looking at the shop they were stopped in front of. Someone came out and through the open door an unfamiliar smell floated out. He had never smelled this scent before, he knew there were spices in it but he had no name for any of them. He only knew that the smell was enticing and he hoped they ate at this tavern. He lowered the blanket and his nose flared as he sniffed the air, taking in deeper breaths.

Annie's concern was replaced with a pleased expression when she saw Loki sniff the air. "Smells good, doesn't it?" She grinned when Loki nodded his head then she looked at Thor. "What do you think, Big Guy? Want to give my favorite Indian place a try?"

As for Thor, the scent was only vaguely familiar, perhaps he had smelled them on Vanaheim? That Realm was known for its more adventurous spices while Asgard preferred to only use a few. The scent was causing him to notice his hunger, "Yes, of course. I am always willing to eat."

This time Annie laughed, "Good, come on in." She pulled the door open and motioned Thor to go on in, "We can leave the wagon in a corner. I've done it before." There was a dollar place around the corner that would justify her coming here after her shopping was done plus they had a really cheap lunch plate.

Thor entered then helped Loki out of the wagon before Annie pulled it into a corner. He kept Loki in his arms because it was an excellent excuse to hold his Brother close to him and he loved how easily Loki slipped an arm around his neck. He was finding it difficult to maintain his anger at Odin in moments like this, having a second chance with a Brother who didn't hate him could only be seen as a gift from the Norns.

As the familiar daughter of the owner made her way over Annie matched her welcoming smile, while greeting her, "Hi, Fatima!"

"Hello! It's wonderful to see you again." Fatima motioned to the tables, "Please, sit anywhere." 

Annie skipped her usual two-person table and instead chose one of the larger four-seat ones in the back. The restaurant only had a handful of people already seated, most never even looked over while the few that did only glanced their way before going back to minding their own business.