Loki's Last Chance: The Chosing of a King

Party Beginnings, With a Twist

Mari POV

We chose a large meeting room and moved the table against the wall for the food. Steve helped Jane put up orange and purple streamers, while Natasha and Pepper put up other decorations, like fake spiders and bats. I had just finished arranging the wheely chairs against the walls in small groups, and was putting bags of chips and snacks into bowls where they would be poured into closer to party time. Bruce was setting up the sound system in the corner and creating a suitable playlist full of Halloween classics and other good dancing songs.

As a group, we decided to invite Nick Fury and Maria Hill to our little party. This meant we had to set a time, so we asked everyone to come at seven o'clock.

So, at 5:30pm everyone who was residing in the Avenger's living quarters met up and ate dinner. As we ate, we joked and laughed about nothing in perticular, and I couldn't help but think that this was what I had been missing over the years. I had not gone to a gathering of friends or dinner party since the early fifties and had forgotten how much fun it was.

Say something. You're so quiet. I know you must have something interesting to say, living through so much. Loki encouraged from his cell.

Shouldn't you be staying in your oun mind instead of peaking through other's? I retorted.

Fine, but I still think you should show them just who they're dealing with. I know you like to just listen, but it's fun to show off every once in a while.

"You know, I have been around since the Vikings... If you guys have any questions, feel free to ask away." I remarked during a lag in conversation.

So, thanks to Loki's suggestion, we spent the rest of the diner with them asking me questions and me answering to the best of my abilities.

After supper, we all went back to our rooms to put on our costumes.

"Jarvis?" I asked aloud after putting on my authentic Victorian era undergarments.

"Yes, Miss?" The system replied, quizzically.

"Could you please ask Jane and Natasha if they would help me with my costume?"

"Of course."

A couple minutes later the two women knocked on the door. Opening the door, I sort of hid behind it incase anyone else was out there so they wouldn't see me in my "underwear".

"What are you wearing?" Jane asked after I closed it behind them.

"I need you guys to help me with my dress." I stated, overlooking her question.

With some instruction by me, they helped me slip into my outfit and laced up the corset. It was a gorgeous gown from the 1720's France with a full hoop skirt. The girls also helped me with my hair and then they got Clint -of all people- to do my makeup, then tie my mask on.

Afterwards they went back to their rooms and quickly put on their own costumes.

~!~

I stepped into the conference room where everyone was already enjoying themselves. The lights were dimmed and the area set as a dancefloor was lit up with coloured spotlights, so the room was inviting. From the speakers came a remix of "Heads Will Roll" by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Nick, dressed as Mike Wazowski (Monsters Inc), was talking to Maria Hill, who was dressed as Snow White (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfes), in the chairs against the wall. Bruce and Tony were laughing by the food as Doctor Jekyll and Jafar (Aladdin).

Others were skattered around the room chatting and drinking. I talked to Clint for a bit, who was in a Merida (Brave) dress and wig, about how he became so good at makeup. While everyone else was drinking some form of alcohol, I decided to  just have some pop. I had never been a real partier so I mostly sang softly to the music between conversations.

Early on I had noticed that Natasha had not arrived yet, but I hadn't thought much of it. That is, until she finally turned up.

I was in the centre of the dancefloor when the doors swung wide open, and in walked Natasha...

Followed by Loki...