A Tale of Mischief and Mutants

Lunch with Living Legends

—-Loki—-

As Sam and I tiredly get ready to go to lunch with Thor and the others I receive a text from Thor -'Sif will be joining us I hope that's ok'- Great! Just what I wanted, a hostile woman to join us! -'That will be fine'- I respond I wouldn't want to argue today even if I had the energy for it.

Sif despises me. Admittedly, it's partly my fault for banishing her when I disguised myself as Odin and other transgressions, though her banishment likely saved her life but I digress. When Ragnarok came to pass I had us make a detour to bring her back from banishment. I just hope she's civil with Sam there.

We arrive at Drekka a local bar that serves food. Thor's already inside waiting. Sam as usual is practically hiding behind me. I'm afraid of how she will react upon seeing Korg and Miek but I want to try because her having other people around she knows she can trust would put her more at ease with the current situation.

It would also help me to know that she's comfortable with someone I know she can trust. If I was needed for a mission right now Sam would be left alone with someone she doesn't trust. Thor has saved us a big table so we will have plenty of room for Korg. We choose our seats Sam scooting herself as close to me as possible.

Finally Valkyrie and Sif walk in together they had quickly become a couple after meeting on the ship. Sif raises her eyebrow in surprise upon seeing Sam clinging to me. She obviously hadn't been told about Sam or perhaps didn't believe what Thor had told her about Sam and I.

"Hey there Lacky!"

Valkyrie teases knowing I despise the nickname. I smirk.

"Hello Brunnhilde I hope you are in good health."

She frowns. She hates her birth name and insists everyone calls her Valkyrie instead.

"Touché."

She sits down next to me with Sif sitting accross from her. Sam, who is on my other side eyes Valkyrie and Sif with uncertainty.

"So who is this?"

I'm surprised Sif asks me. She's actually acknowledging me usually she pretends I'm not there.

"That's kind of a long story."

I don't feel it's appropriate to get into it here. Thor speaks up.

"Her name is Sam, I'll fill you in on more details later just know that she's important to Loki."

I feel my cheeks flush red at his statement if they hadn't all already taken notice I'd hide it with an illusion. Sif seems perplexed.

"Is she not the mortal girl Valkyrie spoke of?"

"She is."

Sif observes Sam and I once again with curiosity. 'Damn it Thor just shut up!' I want to scream but instead busy myself with looking at the menu. Sam can sense something is bothering me and puts a hand on the wrist of my arm fumbling with the menu. 'Why am I acting this way?' 'This embarrassment is beneath me!'

"I'm fine."

I whisper to Sam. She nods but looks unconvinced. Then Korg arrives as usual carrying Miek with one arm. Sam looks at him curiously as he takes a seat. Surprisingly she already seems a bit less tense around him then she is with Thor.

"Hey guys! Is this the Sam girl Thor was talking about?"

I nod unable to stop myself from smiling at Korg's usual casual and relaxed demeanor. Korg then continues with his usual greeting he has when he meets someone new.

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Korg. I'm made of rocks, as you can see, but don't let that intimidate you. You don't need to be afraid, unless you're made of scissors!"

Miek unsheathes their bladed er hands to add to Korg's shtick.

"Just a little Rock, Paper, Scissors joke for you."

I look at Sam and she's surprisingly calm she gives Korg a small smile. How the Kronan seems to be able to put people at ease is beyond me. The waitress comes by and takes our drink orders I order a root beer for Sam knowing that it's her favorite. Sif raises an eyebrow as I do this. The waitresses leaves and Sif speaks.

"Loki, can she not speak for herself?!"

She is angry on Sam's behalf. Sam clings to my arm at Sif's outburst and looks nervously from her to me.

"Sif please don't raise your voice."

I am genuinely asking for Sam's sake knowing she's likely intimidated by Sif. Sif noticing my tone of voice and seeing Sam obviously scared, seems to catch that something else is going on that doesn't involve me being a sexist prick.

"I'm sorry."

Sif's voice is softer now. She seems to be trying to think of a possible reason for Sam reacting as she did.

"It's alright Sam."

I put an arm around her and she leans closer to me obviously now anxious about the entire situation. I whisper into her ear.

"No one here is going to harm you but if you're uncomfortable or feel overwhelmed just let me know and we can leave. I understand if this is too much at once."

I know it's only going out to eat but she hasn't done anything like this in over 5 years, it will take her a bit to readjust to being able to socialize and go out and do things again. She nods and I offer her a small smile then brush a strand of stray hair out of her face. She seems to be less anxious now knowing she has a way of getting out of the situation should she need it.

Our drinks arrive then and our orders are taken I order for Sam again knowing her favorite meal. Thor and Sif begin telling Valkyrie tales of old battles they had fought with the warriors three. I chime in every now and then correcting inaccuracies in their stories but mostly remain quiet. Valkyrie seems curious about them. Korg joins the conversation and eventually the topic shifts to video games.

Sif and Valkyrie seem alienated by this topic and break off into their own side conversation, but Sam seems to take interest hearing them talk. Her face lights up at the mention of a game called The Last of Us Part II. She listens intently to their opinions about the game. Korg makes a joke about one of the characters and I see Sam give a silent chuckle. Though I know nothing about which they speak this makes me smile.

I realize then that Sif is watching me my face flushes red again. Sif shoots me an inquisitive glance but says nothing and the meal and conversations continue. When we're done Sam seems more at ease and walks out at my side instead of behind me. We then proceed to go home and immediately fall asleep exhausted from traveling.