testing phase

[st_ratagem]

It had been no surprise that Valkyrie was eager to try the first attempt at Asgardian liquor. There wasn't a huge amount - four reused whiskey bottles, two of which had already gone to Thor - but if he'd done it right, two would be more than enough for the moment. Even if it wasn't, it was still likely to score solid points.

The door was unlocked as he'd said, and he'd hauled the little patio table into the room and set both bottles along with a few shot glasses on it.

Then, to amuse himself, he started counting down from twenty.

Comments

[st_ratagem]

She wasn’t wrong, the proof was more than good enough. Three or four bottles of anything Midgardian wouldn't have this effect. Quite possibly it should have been worrying that Valkyrie wasn’t being as careful as she usually was, but Loki generally enjoyed her rougher tendencies.

At least for the moment, what he’d drunk was enough for him. “What, Thor and Stark? My brother has a type.”

[st_allionofdoom]

“No, not that.” Valkyrie made a wide, loose-wristed gesture, a slight slur to her speech. “I’m not surprised he fancies partners who fit in his front pocket. Thor Stark. You weren’t there but it was truly outrageous.”

[st_ratagem]

Loki shook his head mock-sadly. "I should have told him to try something fun instead of trying to be believed. He's always been a shit liar."

[st_allionofdoom]

“Quick with his hands, if not with his lips.” Nicking the control to his obedience disk was still rather impressive. Valkyrie swayed on her perch, suddenly breaking into a harsh giggle. “Or his knack for disguise. Bless him.”

[st_ratagem]

Loki wasn't entirely pleased with Valkyrie dwelling on Thor's hands or lips, but that was entirely irrational and, he felt, best suppressed by another shot. Or two.

So he did that, throwing back two more shots in quick succession. Which would almost certainly be his limit, as it was more than enough to dull not just emotional edges but mental ones. "I haven't heard of this disguise! You weren't around for the wedding dress, that's the only disguise I've ever heard of." Because it had been his idea!

[st_allionofdoom]

Giving a baffled shake of her head, Valkyrie wiped her mouth slowly. "He threw a towel over his head. That's it. ...Didn't bother to cover his face until I pointed it out."

[st_ratagem]

“Idiot.” It was mostly affectionate. “I find that entirely believable. When we were children, he used to post signs on our secret bases. ‘So people know where to avoid’ was the reasoning, I think.”

[st_allionofdoom]

"Then he saw fit to compliment my hair to distract the issue." Barking in laughter again, Valkyrie tipped forward and onto her forearms.

[st_ratagem]

“You do have lovely hair.” She had lovely everything. Not that that was the point! “And an admirable ability to avoid distraction.” Certainly when they sparred he had to get more and more artful, as Valkyrie never fell for the same trick twice unless she wanted to.

[st_allionofdoom]

“Well, look at you. Must run in the family.” Valkyrie perched her chin on the backs of her fingers, grinning.

[st_ratagem]

"Oh, but I'm not flattering." Loki leaned across the table and briefly stroked his fingers through her hair. If she wasn't interested in being touched, she'd let him know in no uncertain terms, which would also probably be entertaining. "Mine is a statement based on empirical knowledge."

[st_allionofdoom]

Her eyes followed his clever fingers as they approached and she tilted her head the slightest of inches towards them as they carded innocently (relatively speaking) through her dark locks. Not too long ago, Valkyrie would have cleaved his arm well off for the attempt. Instead, she opted to return the favor, winding a finger loosely in the ends of his waves.

"Yours isn't at all bad. For the record."

[st_ratagem]

"Thank you," he murmured. It wasn't flattery any more than his comment had been, probably. Loki pulled his hand back then, stealing a light caress along her jaw line on the way. It didn't feel like pushing his luck, although it probably should have. "Did he keep the towel or lose it well before a disguise stopped being a good idea?" He bet on the latter.

[st_allionofdoom]

Not long after, she let his hair bounce back into shape with a tug and release. "I don't even remember. I brought him and Banner to my apartment soon after for a peace offering. Likely fluttered off somewhere along the way."

[st_ratagem]

Thor and Banner, was it? Abruptly, this piece of story matched up with a few pieces of Thor's various stories and Loki had to laugh. "Dare I ask about this peace offering?" He had quite a good idea what it had been. Or rather, who.

[st_allionofdoom]

Valkyrie simply cocked her head, the smile touching her dark eyes as she stared Loki down. "You didn't put up much of a fight to waking up in chains."

[st_ratagem]

Loki laughed again. “No, I wouldn’t. That’s very on brand for me. At least some of the time.”

[st_allionofdoom]

"Probably knew what was coming. That's what I'm attributing your sudden appearance of manners, to." Valkyrie chuckled again, giving his hair another tug.

[st_ratagem]

“Could well be. I appreciate restraint when I’m sure I’ll get out.” Not as much as he appreciatedthe hair-pull but still! Appreciated. And if he’d been unconscious when she’d chained him, that was even more reason to be polite. “And even when I don’t, manners don’t hurt.”

[st_allionofdoom]

"Wonder if I could pull the same stunt this go around without His Majesty asking questions." A permanent grin was etched on Valkyrie's face, thoroughly amused with the prospect.

[st_ratagem]

“Keeping me chained in your room as a peace offering for him, or just the first half of that?” The first half at least was an interesting idea, as well as - yes - an enticing one. Loki didn’t trust, as a rule, but Valkyrie was an exception in at least some ways. In this case, he trusted that she would release him (or arrange/expect for him to release himself) when the game was over or if it went bad. “Why would you need Thor not to ask questions? It seems like an excellent reason to come up with lies for him. Of course, if you want a peace offering, you would have to pick a fight.”

[st_allionofdoom]

"I don't think I'll be doing that. I'll just say I caught you climbing curtains." Valkyrie papped his cheek with a little more force than intended, having to put some more effort into proper coordination.

[st_ratagem]

Loki caught her wrist - not as gracefully as he normally might have, but it worked, so shut up - and turned his head to kiss her palm. “Deal.”

[st_allionofdoom]

Loki's little gestures always managed to be unexpected despite the ongoing nature of their relations, making her blood beat a tick harder. "You're the worst." She lightly flicked his nose as she brought her hand back. "And so am I."

[st_ratagem]

“No wonder we get on.” They did now, anyway, and now was what mattered. He smiled brightly. “Do let me know when you’re ready to conduct this little test.”