The young Asgardian woman sitting at the vanity before the mirror thoughtfully studied her reflection, tentatively touching a lock of her wavy red hair before peering down at her bosom covered by her golden hued gown.
As a chime sounded, she slowly rose, moving to the bed behind her. Noticing a hand hanging off the side from under the blanket she tucked the arm to which it was attached out of sight. Returning to the vanity, she wrapped her long, graceful fingers around the black obsidian idol of a featureless man. Lifting her skirt to reveal the white underskirt beneath, she tucked the statue into a bag tied around her waist, lowering the overskirt back in place as the chime sounded once again.
Entering the sitting room of the chambers, far smaller than Loki’s, she made her way to the door in long, purposeful masculine strides before halting, closing her eyes and taking a breath before continuing on with more feminine steps. Reaching the door she opened it to see three other female Asgardians in identical gowns standing outside.
“What took you so long? We have duties to attend to,” one of the women said in a tone of annoyance. The three women turned, making their way down the corridor as the red headed woman following them.
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“Loki?” Boda said with a mixture of anxiety and concern, stepping away from the two einherjar that stood on either side of her as Loki emerged from the throne room in a state of shock.
He came to a stop, frozen in place, staring unblinking at Boda as she stood before him, meeting her gaze before Boda bowed her head, her shoulders slumping.
“He’s sending me back to the dungeon.”
“He’s granted you pardon,” Loki finally managed to say, Boda’s expression of disbelief mirroring Loki’s own before it was replaced with one of suspicion.
“In exchange for what?”
“Nothing,” Loki answered, his demeanor swiftly altering to one of self-assurance, “He tried to test me but I saw right through it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Upon claiming my right to have a petition granted upon my betrothal he demanded that I–” Loki began before Boda interrupted.
“That was your game. You only proposed to secure a pardon to assuage your own guilt. How long do we have to carry on with this pantomime to ensure it isn’t rescinded before you call it off?” Boda said, stepping away from Loki.
“Odin’s beard!” Loki exclaimed, turning from Boda and crossing his arms, “He had placed a condition on your pardon, that I renounce any claim to the throne. I was prepared to do so when he changed his mind. If you don’t believe me, ask him,” Loki said, Boda shocked speechless for a moment as Loki continued standing with his back to her.
“You would have...you were going to...but if Thor were to...” Boda stammered in disbelief.
“Is it so difficult for you to believe someone could love you?” Loki asked, Boda hanging her head.
“As difficult for me as it is for you,” Boda replied in a meek voice, Loki remaining with his back to her as both fell silent.
“You’re right to be wary,” Loki replied after a few moments, turning to face her, his countenance transitioning from frustration to shame, “I’ve given you every reason to be. I can’t change what I’ve done in the past. I can only leave the man who did them there.”
“Not all of him, I hope. That would be boring,” Boda said, Loki’s morose expression transforming into a grin.
“I can assure you, boredom is the last thing you will ever experience with me. He wishes to speak with you.”
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Southern California
May 1979
“Anne…booth six,” the busty brunette in a low cut gold lamé top and skin tight pants carrying a tray said loudly in order to be heard over the disco song right before it ended to the honey blond woman in an identical outfit, her hair styled similar to Farrah Fawcet who stood behind the bar of the club as she mixed a drink and sat it in front of a patron.
“Thanks,” Boda said, stepping over to the male bartender and tapping him on the shoulder as the song ‘I Will Survive’ began to play, “Be back in ten,” Boda informed him, the bartender nodding.
Making her way along the edge of the dance floor full of club goers and past waitresses in gold, Boda reached a booth.
“You’re early. My shift isn’t over until—What are you doing here?” Boda asked in surprise at the sight of the man seated in the booth dressed in a smart, dark colored business suit, a drink on the table in front of him.
“I needed to get out from under my brother’s shadow for a time and enjoy the sun. You were expecting another?” Loki asked as Boda slid into the booth across from him.
“What are you wearing?” Boda asked, Loki glancing down at his clothing.
“A suit.”
“You look like a banker or something,” Boda said with a smirk, Loki peering around at the men he could see at other booths and tables before a green glow enveloped his clothing, transitioning them into a late 70s era leisure suit similar to those worn by the young men in the club, Boda looking anxiously around.
“Is this better?” Loki asked.
“What are you doing?! Someone might have seen you–” Boda hissed in alarm before Loki cut her off.
“Based on how long I waited for a drink I doubt anyone’s been paying the least bit of attention to my presence since my entrance,” Loki responded with annoyance.
“Sorry. We’re always busy on Friday night,” Boda explained.
“I see you’re sporting a new costume. Is the proprietor trying to save money by conserving fabric? The next time I visit, you'll likely be prancing about nude,” Loki said in a tone of disapproval as he eyed Boda’s outfit.
“I don’t do much ‘prancing about’ anymore. I’m making the drinks now,” Boda said, Loki picking up his drink and eyeing it before taking another sip.
“I suppose it’s a good thing you didn’t know who it was for,” Loki joked, “It’s very good.”
“It’s not that difficult. How long are you planning to stick around?” Boda asked, Loki noting her stony expression.
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“You’re not pleased to see me?”
“No…yes…I mean…I’m not not pleased,” Boda answered, flustered.
“How much have you imbibed this evening?” Loki asked with a grin.
“We’re not allowed to drink during our shift. Of course some sneak a shot here and there. It’s just the way you word your questions.”
“I find I receive more honest answers or at the very least clues that indicate deception,” Loki explained, “Your critique of my apparel was an obvious dodge. Who is it you were expecting?”
“He’s just a friend.”
“He’s a friend,” Loki repeated before downing the other half of his drink, hailing a waitress as she walked by, pointing at his empty glass and requesting another, the waitress taking the glass and placing it on a tray before moving off.
“It’s not what you think. Even if it was, it’s none of your business,” Boda replied.
“Your well being is my business.”
“If you were concerned for my well being I wouldn’t be here-–never mind. Forget it. Anyway, I could easily dispatch any mortal if the need were to arise,” Boda said, the two remaining seated in silence for a time before the waitress reappeared, setting another drink in front of Loki.
“Thank you. Keep the change,” Loki said to her, passing her a hundred dollar bill, the waitress taking it and looking at it.
“No...thank YOU!” the waitress said in amazement at the denomination.
“A lovely lady deserves to buy herself something nice,” Loki said, winking at the waitress before she smiled in return and walked away with her tray, Boda obviously perturbed at the exchange.
“It won’t work,” said Boda.
“What won’t work?”
“You’re jealous so you’re trying to make me jealous. You wouldn’t be caught dead with a mortal.”
“What cause have I to be jealous? We made no promises to each other. Even if we had, considering the circumstances they would necessarily have to be considered null and void,” Loki replied.
“As I told you, it’s not what you think…maybe it’s worse,” Boda said.
“What could possibly be more heinous?”
“When a man asks me out…and I don’t accept the invitation from just anyone…usually he takes me to dinner…places I could never afford,” Boda said, pausing before continuing, “Once I’ve eaten, I tell him I need to visit the restroom, to ‘powder my nose’ as they say here, and excuse myself. I’ll find a waitress or one of the staff and tell them I’m on a blind date, he’s a creep, and I need to slip out without being seen. If I see him again, here or elsewhere, I apologize and tell him I got cold feet, that I just went through a bad break up and I thought I was ready but I wasn’t. It’s saved me a lot of money on food. I do whatever I have to do,” Boda said, Loki's expression softening.
“You do whatever you have to do?” Loki asked, concerned.
“Not that.”
“Eventually there will be one who won’t take kindly to your little scheme. The need you spoke of will arise and then what? You abscond and go ‘on the run’ as they say? It would then become necessary to harm others to avoid being apprehended.”
“I may not have to worry about it much longer. I was offered a job the other day. It’s not too far from here, in Nevada. He said I’d make ten times what I’m making here along with room and board.”
“Doing what exactly?”
“He didn’t say. The same as I do here, I assume.”
“I’ve told you before, never assume. What was his name?”
“Joe something…Comfort I think? He gave me his card but it's in my purse. I have to go,” Boda said, sliding out of the booth, stepping over to Loki and placing a hand on his shoulder, “If I take the job I’ll let you know where you can find me the next time you ‘need some sun,’” Boda told Loki before walking away past the packed dance floor.
As Boda neared the bar, the waitress who had delivered Loki’s drink picked up a full tray, turning from it and meeting her.
“Is Mr. Moneybags your date you were talking about earlier?” the waitress asked.
“No…a guy I went to school with back home. He’s here on vacation.”
“Is he single?”
"As far as I know but I don’t think you’re his type.”
“For a guy who tips like that I can be any type,” the waitress said with a wink and a smile as she began to walk away with her tray in hand, Boda rolling her eyes before the waitress turned back to her, “Oh, by the way, when you were off last night the last guy you went out on a date with and ditched, Brian I think? He came here looking for you.”
“He did?”
“He was pretty riled. Anthony had to give him a couple drinks on the house to cool him off and had a talk with him. I don’t think he’ll cause you any trouble but watch yourself.”
“I will. Thanks, Lisa,” Boda said, the waitress turning once again and walking away, Boda slipping back behind the bar with a troubled expression.
Loki remained seated in the booth having finished his drink as Lisa walked by, glancing over and noticing the empty glass and coming to a stop just as the song that had been playing ended.
“Can I get you another?” she asked.
“No, thank you. I should be going soon…but before I do, would you care for a dance?” Loki asked sliding out of the booth and standing as another song, Alicia Bridge’s ‘I Love the Nightlife’ began.
“I wish I could but I can’t,” Lisa replied, indicating the tray of drinks.
“Are you certain?” Loki said, raising his hand, another large bill between his fingers, the waitress staring at it as Loki took the tray from her, setting it on the table, she taking the money and slipping it into her pocket.
“What’s your name or should I just call you Richie?” asked Lisa.
“John...” Loki said, saying the first common male mortal name that came to mind.
“Like Travolta? I can see it,” Lisa replied with a grin as Loki led her onto the dance floor.
Behind the bar as Boda finished mixing another drink, she looked up, freezing as she witnessed Loki and Lisa among the others on the dance floor.
“Anne? Hey…you ok?” the other bartender, Anthony, asked as he stepped over to her.
“Fine...” Boda replied, continuing to watch Loki and the waitress dancing seductively, their bodies pressed together, one of Lisa’s arm hooked around Loki’s neck, his around her waist, Anthony following Boda’s gaze.
“Is that the guy you told me about?” Anthony asked.
“Yeah. We’ve known each other since we were kids. My father worked for his father.”
“He’s just trying to get under your skin. He’s a dick. Forget about him. I’ll talk to Lisa. She’s not getting paid to dance.”
“She probably is, actually. It’s ok. I can’t fault her for not turning down a few extra bucks. I wouldn’t either.”
“Why don’t you take a few minutes…get some fresh air?” Anthony suggested.
“I just got back-” Boda began.
“It’s all right. Take however long you need.”
“Thanks."
Loki turned his attention from Lisa for a moment as he watched Boda step out from behind the bar and make her way to the club's exit, disappearing through it.
“I have to get back to work,” Lisa said as the song ended, reaching in her pocket and pulling out a slip of paper, putting it into Loki’s hand, “My shift’s over at eleven. It takes me twenty minutes or so to get home. I don’t have any plans. If you’re looking for someone–something to do, give me a call.”
Lisa turned, working her way through the crowd of people on the dance floor back to the booth, picking up the abandoned tray and hurrying off, Loki glancing around the club before heading towards the sign indicating the location of the restrooms.
Reaching the corridor where the restrooms were located, Loki picked up the receiver of a pay phone on the wall nearby, waiting as two women patrons entered the one designated for their sex, glancing quickly around for anyone else entering or leaving before hanging up the receiver and transforming himself to appear as another waitress he had noticed earlier in the club, making his way past the restrooms and out of the alcove, towards the bar.
Stealthily slipping past Anthony through the door behind the bar, Loki in the guise of the waitress stood alone in a room with small lockers attached to one wall. Scanning them he found one with ‘Anne’ written in black marker on a piece of tape affixed to it. Taking hold of the padlock, it glowed green for a moment before popping open, Loki removing it and reaching into the locker, removing a purse.
Unzipping it, Loki rifled through it, removing a wallet and searching it, finally finding what he was looking for, a business card printed with the name “Joe Conforte” and “Mustang Ranch” along with an address and phone number. Finding an ink pen in Boda’s purse, he scribbled the information on the back of the slip of paper Lisa had given him, before returning the card, wallet and pen to the purse and setting it back in the locker, reattaching the padlock.
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Boda made the long trek between the columns of the throne room of Asgard’s palace doing her best to appear confident, calm, and collected. The throne sat empty, Frigga along with two einherjar standing before it in the presentation area.
“My Queen…” Boda said, confused.
“He wishes to speak with you in his study. I’ll see you there,” Frigga said, gesturing in the direction of the exit to Odin’s study, starting towards it at Boda’s side, the two einherjar trailing behind.
Frigga entered the study, Boda behind her, to see Odin, two einherjar standing behind him, seated at a table upon which rested platters of various fruits and berries.
“Angrboda Vanargandsdottir, my King,” Frigga said, stepping aside as Odin stood.
“Would you please join me?” Odin said, indicating an empty chair across the table from him, Frigga smiling at Boda as she walked by her and approached the table, one of the two einherjar stepping around the table and pulling the chair out for her, Odin returning to his seat.