Chapter 18

The young Asgardian woman sitting at the vanity before the mirror thoughtfully studied her reflection, reaching a hand up to tentatively touch a lock of her wavy red hair before peering down at her bosom covered by her golden hued gown.

As a chime sounded, she raised and turned her head towards the doorway of the bedchambers before slowly rising and moving to the side of the bed behind her, staring down at the two long lumps under the covers. Noticing a hand hanging off the side of the bed, peeking out from under the blanket, she tucked the arm to which it was attached out of sight. Returning to the vanity, she reached her own arm out, wrapping 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 its waistband, 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 towards the door in long, purposeful masculine strides before halting, closing her eyes and taking a breath, before opening them and continuing with more feminine steps. Reaching the door she opened it to see three other female Asgardians in identical golden gowns standing outside.

"What took you so long? We have duties to attend to," one of the women said in a tone of slight annoyance. The other three women stepped away from the door, the red headed woman following them down the corridor.

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"Loki?" Boda said with a mixture of anxiety and concern, stepping forward away from the two einherjar that stood on either side of her as she waited outside the throne room as Loki emerged appearing as if in a state of shock.

Loki came to a stop, standing as if frozen in place, staring unblinking at Boda as she stood before him, reaching out and placing a hand on his cheek. Loki met her gaze, Boda bowing her head and lowering her hand.

"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."

"Test you?"

"Upon claiming my right as a son of the crown to have a petition granted upon my betrothal he–" Loki began before Boda interrupted.

"So that's it. 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 back 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 about to do so when he rescinded it. 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 were willing....you would have...but even if Thor...if he were to..." Boda stammered in disbelief.

"Is it really so difficult for you to believe you could be loved?" Loki asked.

"As difficult for me as it is for you...I'm sorry," she apologized, bowing her head remorsefully.

"No...you're right to be wary," Loki's replied, his countenance transitioning from frustration to shame, "I've given you no reason to trust me and every reason not to. I can't change what I've done in the past. I can only leave the man that did them there."

"Not all of him, I hope. That would be boring," Boda said, raising her head, Loki's morose expression transforming into a grin as he turned to face her.

"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 that ended just as she finished 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 finished mixing a drink and setting 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 there.

"I needed to get out from under my brother's shadow for a time and enjoy the sun. Finding myself in the area I thought I'd drop in and see how you've been getting on. You were expecting someone else?" Loki, dressed in a smart, dark colored business suit, a drink on the table in front of him said as Boda slowly seated herself 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! They'll notice–" Boda hissed in alarm before Loki cut her off.

"Based on how long I waited to obtain 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. Be glad it isn't Saturday. It's even worse," 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 may well 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…I likely made that one," 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.

"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 sometimes."

"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."

"Not anymore…it never was, really. 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 appearing 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 woman…or a man for that matter."

"What cause have I to be jealous? Disgusted perhaps. 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…though maybe it's worse," Boda said.

"What could possibly be more heinous than involving yourself with a mortal?"

"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 with what I earn working here," 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 someone on the staff, usually a waitress, I'll tell them I'm on a blind date and he's a creep and I need to slip out without being seen. They'll take me to the back door…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 remaining silent for a moment, his expression softening.

"You do whatever you have to do?" Loki asked, concerned.

"Not that."

"If you need money…"

"I don't need or want your help."

"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."

"As I've told you, never assume. What was his name?"

"Joe something…Comfort I think? He gave me his card but my purse is in my locker in back. I have to go," Boda said, sliding out of the booth, stepping over to Loki and placing a hand on his shoulder, "You don't have to worry about me. 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, returning to the bar 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…just a guy I went to school with back home. He's here on vacation."

"Is he single?"

"Always has been, likely always will be, 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 to fill the room.

"I wish I could, but I can't," Lisa replied, indicating the tray of drinks.

"Are you certain?" Loki said, raising his hand holding another large bill, the waitress staring at it as Loki took the tray from her with his free hand, 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.

"I'm 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.

"You told Lisa you went to school with him? Is he 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 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. I've got it. Take however long you need."

"Thanks," Boda said, making her way towards the swinging door leading to the employee entrance in the back, Loki turning his attention from Lisa for a moment, watching Boda disappear 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, making 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 making his way 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.

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Having changed his appearance once again after slipping through the same door he had seen Boda exit through, now taking her form as he stood alone in a room with small lockers attached to one wall, Loki examined them, finding the one with a label on it with 'Anne' written in black marker. Taking hold of the padlock on it, the lock glowed green for a moment before opening, 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, placing it back in his pocket before replacing everything back into the purse and returning it to the locker, attaching the padlock.

As he heard footsteps approaching he moved to stand alongside the door out of sight as Boda walked by. Rendering himself invisible he slipped from the room towards the back door from which she had just entered.

As Boda reached the door leading back out to the bar, she turned as she heard the door across the long room full of kegs, liquor bottles and other supplies close behind her. Facing forward once again, she walked back out into the club.

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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 stood facing her 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 Vanargandottir, 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, pushing it in after she had seated herself, Odin returning to his seat.