citylogs | Tea for Two and Two for Tea

Tea for Two and Two for Tea

WHO: Loki (

100more)

WHAT: Having some tea

WHERE: Loki’s apartment

WHEN: After the mall has released everyone/current

WARNINGS: Nothing now. Will update if anything changes

To say the last events of the mall had disturbed Loki would be an understatement. The last person he’d ever thought might torment him truly had been his mother. And though on some level he had known it wasn’t her, it had been so difficult to deny. Even just seeing her image again had torn him apart. The last time he’d even allowed himself to think of her was when Odin had said she would’ve been proud of his skills just before his death.

Now that he was free of that cursed place, he still couldn’t stop thinking of her or his past. As he made his way back to the apartment he had claimed as his own in the city, he took the Tesseract out and examined it, wished it would work even if letting him leave simply meant his death. Perhaps that would only mean sweet release.

Not that he really deserved that.

Once he entered his apartment, it felt too quiet, too lonely. Loki was no stranger to loneliness, of course, but that didn’t mean he enjoyed it. Before he could second guess himself, he sent word through the network to the one person he thought might actually want to simply spend some time with him. Not that he would ever admit to being lonely.

~~My Dear~~ Robert,

If you are free, I would appreciate your company at my new dwelling.

High tea to be served.

-Loki

[Directions on how to get to his apartment are tagged on the end of the message in private so only Hob can read it.]

It was last minute, so Loki felt sure Hob wouldn’t actually show, but he brewed a pot of tea in the pot he’d found left behind in the small kitchen of his new home, hoping he wouldn’t be trying to drink the whole thing himself.

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I'll be there. Looking forward to it.

Hob sends his reply and checks the time. There's enough to allow him to take a shower and put on some fresh clothes, including a light blue button-up over some dark jeans. He checks the address again and heads out the door, wondering what Loki's chosen apartment will be like.

He's glad to have received the invitation. It'll be nice to see Loki again, and Hob has more than enough time on his hands in this place. Without books to read or movies or watch or even music to listen to, his days often drag on slower than he prefers. Some company helps the day pass a little faster.

Along the way, he pops into a bakery, so by the time he knocks on Loki's door, he's holding a box that contains some scones and a jar of strawberry preserves. He can't greet his host empty handed.

The response comes faster than Loki expects and he suddenly feels oddly nervous. He’s never really had a friend before, someone who would just come over and spend time with him. When he was younger, he had only really ever hung out with Thor and his friends, though he had never been so foolish as to think they enjoyed his company. As such, he’d never much cared about impressing them.

He’s finding that inviting Hob over has produced the exact opposite reaction in him now. His apartment is rather modest and without his abilities, he doesn’t have the means to dress it up as he normally would have. There is some simple furniture that had been there when he’d claimed the space; a couch, a chair and a table. The space is open with a counter along the back wall that makes up what is supposedly a kitchen. It does have a working fridge and stove so he could cook if he chose to, but so far he has not done anything but make tea.

When he first arrived in the city, he’d had nothing but his Asgardian armour, which now hung in the modest closet in the small bedroom down the small hallway off to the right right of the living area, but in the few months he’s been here, he’s found a few items of clothing he actually quite likes.

The one thing he really likes about the place is that the only bathroom is en suite. Until he had the great idea to invite Hob over, he hadn’t really expected to entertain so the bathroom location had felt convenient. Now he finds himself frantically cleaning up his sleeping area in case Hob sees it. Loki might put on a controlled facade, but he’s actually a bit of a slob. Chaos and all that.

He’s just smoothing down the dark green button up top and black slacks he found in a random store recently when he hears Hob’s knock. It’s about as comfortable as he’s ever been in Midgardian clothing and he wonders if that is the doing of the city again as he opens to the door with a wide smile.

“Robert! How lovely that you could make it. And I see you’ve brought treats. Come in, come in.” He stands back, holding the door so the other man can enter.

When Loki opens the door and welcomes him with such energy, it's rather adorable. Clearly, Loki is pleased Hob accepted the invitation, and the Asgardian looks quite handsome, too. He's glad he took a bit of time to make himself more presentable before coming over. "Thank you for having me." Hob is more reserved, but his smile shows he's happy to be invited in.

Once he steps inside, he has a quick look around, noting the different areas of the apartment. "I like your place." It's surprisingly simple. Hob had imagined a god would live in more luxury. There are certainly bigger flats Loki could have claimed. "Reminds me of my own back in London." The layout is similar except for the hallway; his London home is a bit more compact.

He offers the box to his host. "I hope these are alright. Before this city, I haven't been invited to tea in many years." Hob gets along with plenty of people, but few are considered close friends. Naturally, he has to be a bit guarded about who he opens up to. Since arriving in this place, though, this is the second time he's received a friendly invitation to enjoy some tea. He supposes there are some nice things about being stuck here, after all.

The smile on Hob’s face is all Loki notices at first. Someone being genuinely happy to see him was rare. It was really only a response he got from Thor and even then his brother tended to also be annoyed when he saw him. But Hob looks nothing but pleased, the small smile lighting up his face. Loki finds he wants to see him smile more.

Closing the door behind him, Loki watches Hob as he looks around. “Thank you. I find it rather bland myself. I would have decorated more but I’m afraid I’m not used to doing so by hand.” And really, why put in the effort if he could be gone at any moment? People did seem to disappear around here and what if they all managed to free themselves? Though the longer he’s here, the more he considers trying to do something with the place. Nothing too opulent. He may have grown up in luxury, but he didn’t necessarily need all of that.

“They look wonderful, thank you Robert.” Loki takes the box from him and moves over to the kitchen counter, placing it down next to the teapot so he can finish preparing the tea. Other than running into people during odd occurrences, Loki hasn’t actively tried to spend time with anyone here yet, not that that’s really a surprise for him. “I am glad you thought to bring something. I’m afraid it was a bit of a fib when I said High Tea. I don’t tend to keep much food in.”

Not used to decorating by hand? Hob imagines a god must have the power to do whatever he wants quite easily most of the time. "I wouldn't mind helping, if you decide you want to do more with the place." Maybe it's useless to decorate, but Hob also thinks about what Johanna asked him. What will he do if they can never leave? Hob doesn't want to think of it that way, but perhaps, they can make their time here enjoyable.

Hob follows a few steps after Loki, but tries not to get in the way in the small space as the tea is prepared. "Do you not eat much?" Or at all? Dream doesn't eat or drink, really, as far as Hob knows. At least, he hasn't seen the man ingest anything, even though they talk over drinks every one hundred years.

Loki turned from the tea for a moment to give Hob a surprised look. “You would help me decorate my dwelling?” He didn’t think he’d ever had such a nice offer before. Then again, he’d never had a friend before either. Perhaps this was the kind of thing friends did for each other. “I appreciate that. I just might take you up on that offer.” He’s not sure there would be much point in putting in too much effort, but it would mean not having to stare at the bland white walls anymore… and some more time with Hob.

“Oh no, I quite enjoy food. Though I can go quite awhile without it if I need to. I’m just not much of a cook and with prepared food seemingly on offer at the restaurants around here, I simply find myself going out mostly.” Admittedly, Loki had always wanted to learn how to cook, but it hadn’t been something deemed necessary of a prince of Asgard so it hadn’t ever happened.

Would he help? "Absolutely. Please give me something to do with my time." He jokes a bit but he also means it. Something, anything to fill a few hours of his day is appreciated. Especially if it entails helping out a friend. Getting to spend more time with Loki is also a bonus.

"Food is one of the great pleasures in life," he agrees. "I'm not much of a cook, either. I can make a mean omelette, though." But breakfast food is usually reserved for.. morning company. "And some simple things. At least we don't have to worry about it here."

“Well then, since you asked so nicely. Do you have any ideas? I suppose at least a coat of paint. The white really is so bland.” As he spoke, Loki tried to push out the thought that he was simply just desperate for company from his mind. He didn’t like feeling like he needed people, but he couldn’t deny that he’d become lonely over the last few years and that was at least part of the reason why he had wanted to help Thor during Ragnarok.

He also very much enjoys Hob’s company, more than he thought he would with anyone. So yes, he did want to spend more time with him. Even if he did have to have a pretence of redecorating his drab apartment.

“Oh, it has been too long since I have eaten an omelette. I am glad eggs are an earth thing as well. Are they easy to make then? I should see if the diner makes them. It seems like something they would do.” Loki brought the teapot over to the small dining table that was next to the kitchen counter and placed it down before grabbing two teacups (notably, neither were the one he had received in his box). “How do you take your tea?”

Hob was thinking more along the lines of art, but hanging a few paintings would be quick comapred to painting the walls. "Something... a little warmer, maybe?" The stark white definitely doesn't suit him. "But also sophisticated." He just feels as though that would suit him. "Do you have any colors you like?"

"They're easy enough to make," Hob says as he follows to the table and helps by laying out a few of the scones he brought. "I can show you how." Just more excuses to be around him.

The teacups suddenly remind Hob of the last time he saw Loki. "Whatever happened to that teacup you found? The one from the bank box?"

Loki wouldn’t say no to some art either, really. He just tends to be a bit particular with what he likes in that area and doesn’t have much hope he’d find anything here he truly wants to look at every day. What he wouldn’t mind though, is spending more time with Hob searching out new things to decorate his current abode with. “I do like a nice dark green, though I think that might be too much for the walls. Perhaps I could accent with it though. For the walls, maybe a nice grey? Something neutral but not so bright. I wouldn’t mind a nice, soft taupe.” Loki looked around the room for a moment as he tried to picture it.

Turning back to the task at hand, Loki began to pour the tea as Hob set out the treats he had brought. And yet another offer to spend more time together. Loki couldn’t stop the small smile pulling at his lips, but he did try to hide it. “I would appreciate that. As much as I don’t mind going out to eat, sometimes it would be nice to not have leave quite so early every morning.” Admittedly, he wouldn’t mind being able be a bit more self-sustaining again either. Also, eating alone in public all the time really made him feel rather lonely. Somehow it was different in his own personal space.

“Ah yes, I found its owner and returned it. It wasn’t near as interesting as I had hoped.” He hesitates then, debating on what to say about his own item. He knew that Hob had been curious. Trying to sound casual he says, “my own item was a bit more interesting.”

"Those sound like wonderful color choices. Either will look great. Or we can paint one in the living area and the other in the bedroom." If Loki decides he wants to see both colors in the apartment. Hob hasn't actually bothered to think about decorating his own dwelling. He's trying not to feel too comfortable, but eventually, it may be unavoidable.

And suddenly, he realizes how distracted his mind has become. "Oh, a little milk with the tea, thank you." He wandered right away from Loki's question.

"Cooking is another nice way to kill some time. I have a feeling I'll be trying out more of that than I ever did at home." Just for something to do. Though, with Loki's newly mentioned task of redecorating, Hob finds himself looking forward to something.

Once it's ready, he accepts his cup and draws it closer, only to look up at the mention of the item. "Really? What was it?" If Loki cares to share, and Hob hopes he will.

“I think they would offset the green quite nicely,” he agrees and then considers the option. “Yes, I think that would be a good idea. Why choose when I don’t have to?” Loki has always been more of the take everything he could type anyway. That clearly was true of decorating as much as anything else.

Loki smiles, a bit amused that Hob had been a bit distracted. “I had no idea that interior decorating was so distracting for you,” he teases before moving to the small fridge to pull out milk. He also adds a small sugar bowl to the table. He’s found since arriving he sometimes likes to add a bit of sweetness to his tea and he’s feeling a bit like treating himself lately.

“Well, please feel free to use me to test anything you try to make. I promise to not hold back if it is terrible.” Loki doesn’t know much about friendship, but he is aware from how Thor’s friends can be that often they sugarcoat things so as to not hurt anyone’s feelings. Loki does not abide by that, though that could be why he doesn’t have friends.

As he grabs a couple of small plates for their treats he gives Hob a bit of a sly smile, his green eyes dancing. “Come and sit. I will show you. Though I warn you it is not in full working order or it would be much more impressive than what I am about to show you.”

The teasing about decorating gets a sheepish laugh out of Hob. He doesn't consider himself a master decorator or anything. "I've painted a wall or two in my time. Even helped assemble houses for charity." There's probably a long list of things he's done in the six hundred years he's been alive.

If Loki is going to give his honest opinion, Hob thinks he'd better master something before offering to let Loki eat it. He wouldn't want to embarrass himself.

The look and the words that follow get a curious stare. "Well, now I'm really intrigued." He'll take the offered seat, his smile becoming eager. What could Loki possibly have gotten in that small box that's so important?

“Well that puts you far and away more accomplished than I am in the realm of wall painting. I used to simple change the appearance of my quarters with my magic. Quick and easy.” Now it would just be a waste. He’s been hoarding his magic as if he could add up all the days he did nothing to use more on others. Though he knew that wasn’t how it worked.

Not realizing he had put off Hob a bit about cooking (or at least cooking for him), he simply moved on, looking forward to anything Hob might make him and steadfastly denying that it would simply be because Hob had made it.

Loki moved to the couch and placed his tea and treat down on the small coffee table before sitting himself. Though he still was very much hoarding his magic, the little he did do with it he did to protect the Tesseract. Normally he would’ve kept it in his pocket dimension, but worried now if he did, he would not be able to retrieve it. So he kept it either with him or hidden in his bedroom, which is where it was now.

Instead of showing anyone that hiding spot, he gave in and used his magic to conjure the glowing blue cube to him and held it up for Hob to see.

“This, Robert, is the Tesseract. It is a relic of unimaginable power, at least when it is not here. I cannot express how truly fascinating it is with alll it’s wealth of abilities. I believe, if I can get it working, it could free us all of this place.”

Perhaps, after his first attempt at delivering some of his cooking, Hob will feel more confident to try other things. To start, he's definitely going with his omelette, since he's the most certain about that one.

For now, Hob sets his own tea and plate down so he can sit beside Loki on the couch. The talk of magic does interest him, and he'd like to ask Loki all about that, too, but then he gets a demonstration. When the cube appears, Hob gasps, only to squint at it a little to observe it better.

As Loki tells him about the object in such a grand way, Hob can't help but lean a little closer, resting his hand on the back of the sofa by Loki's shoulder. His body twists toward the cube a bit more, knees turning in as though drawn to it.

"Incredible." He's not the sort of man who craves power, but he's never seen anything like it before and is endlessly curious. "Really?" It can free them? "How? What sort of abilities?" Clearly, it glows, so that's something it does, but the light isn't like an electric bulb. He wants to touch it, just to find out of it's warm or cool, but he doesn't dare.

Really, Loki would just be happy to share a meal with Hob. He can't imagine actually being bothered if the food wasn't fantastic because the company would be.

There's a sparkle in Loki's eye as he watches Hob take in his magic. Oh, if only he were at full power, then he could really impress him. But he supposes he'll have to take what he can get and hope he can still impress. Judging from Hob's reaction, he's successful.

As Hob moves in a bit closer to see better, Loki naturally moves to turn towards him as well so he can give him a better view. He bends his leg, bringing it up on the couch between them so he can fully face him with the cube between them, his leg lightly brushing Hobs as he shifts, but he's only vaguely aware of actually touching him as his eyes focus on the Tesseract.

"It is, isn't it?" His eyes glow with interest as he stares at the soft blue glow. Loki frowns then and looks at Hob over the cube. "I'm afraid it seems to be malfunctioning as with everything in this place. But typically yes, at full power it could teleport us all out of here, back to wherever we wanted." There's a sadness to him, as if it pains him to see it not working correctly, and in a way, it does.

"Would you like a closer look? I have tested it already and as it is not operational currently, it will not hurt you." Loki wouldn't offer if he thought it would.

Hob is already plenty impressed. To be fair, it probably doesn't take much, but he does wonder what else Loki can do.

As Loki adjusts closer, the touch doesn't seem to bother Hob. He appears perfectly at ease with Loki's proximity, even when a bit of that contact remains due to their positioning.

Hearing that the object could teleport everyone home, despite it being inoperable at the moment, gives Hob a bit of hope. "It's too bad we can't... recharge it or something." It's probably not the same thing as a battery, Hob.

When Loki says it won't hurt him, Hob trusts that it's safe, so he nods, an eagerness in his eyes as he lifts both hands to accept the cube and discover it's texture, it's temperature, or if that blue glow will leave a gentle thrumming against his hands.

"It's... pretty. Such an unusual light."

It’s a few moments before Loki notices how close they are, but he doesn’t react. Hob has not seemed to notice and Loki is enjoying their proximity too much to want to correct it. In fact, he leans a bit closer, wanting to get a better look at Hob’s reaction to the cube.

“It is too bad,” Loki said, looking back at the Tesseract. It doesn’t precisely work like that, or at least Loki doesn’t think so. He would guess it is more a long the lines of there being some sort of barrier around the Infinity Stone encased inside. But he does not treat Hob’s comment as if it were stupid as it isn’t completely wrong either. It does all have to do with power at least.

In it’s current state, Loki finds the cube colder than usual, but he wouldn’t say it was cold. It is simply missing some energy that usually warms it up some. Really, he’s just thankful it doesn’t feel dead. That would be something Loki would not be able to handle.

“It is gorgeous, isn’t it?” Loki can’t help but look adoringly upon it. He should probably be worried about his obsession with it, especially after it caused him so many issues, and with how much Thanos clearly wants it, but he can’t help but still be in awe of it, even while it’s not working. He glances up at Hob then, noting how the blue light of the Tesseract brings out Hob’s eye colour, something he can’t help but note even as he feels a bit embarrassed by it and quickly glances away again.

“It seems a mean trick, that this place would give me such an item and have it inoperable.” He sits back then and takes a sip of his tea, allowing Hob to hold it as long as he would like.

When Loki leans a bit closer, Hob does notice, his soft brown eyes looking from the cube to Loki's face. From his perspective, the light shines much more brilliantly in Loki's blue eyes than his darker ones. It's almost as though the same light were coming from within his Asgardian friend.

With some glancing back and forth from the object, Hob's eyes do meet Loki's for a moment, a small smile pulling at Hob's lips when Loki leans away, appearing a bit embarrassed. A gentle blink puts Hob's attention back on the cube for a few more seconds and then he sets the object down carefully on the coffee table.

"Perhaps it will work, eventually." He tries to give Loki a little hope. They could all use more of that. As hopeful as Hob might be, even he has sullen moments from time to time concerning their stay here.

Finally, Hob reaches for his own tea and sits back more properly to drink.

There’s something in the look he sees in Hob’s face that might at least partially have something to do with his embarrassment. He sincerely hopes that nothing too personal shows on his face. He doesn’t want to put his new friend off by being too personal too quickly because Loki has to admit he enjoys spending time with Hob more than anyone else. He doesn’t want to ruin that.

But he doesn’t see anything negative in the look he receives in return and can’t help but smile back at him. As he picks his cup up and takes a sip, he watches from over the lip of his cup as Hob continues to examine it for a moment. There’s something he quite enjoys about seeing his friend holding the cube, which is a bit odd considering how protective he’s felt over the Tesseract in the past.

It’s odd, or at least it is to Loki, when Hob sits back, sipping at his tea. For once he feels no need to fill the silence between them, rather comfortable in the man’s presence.

There is nothing negative in Hob's gaze. Quite the opposite. He likes being in Loki's company, and it's nice having him near. Were this another time and place, he'd probably handle it differently. A few hundred years ago, Loki might have thought him an insufferable flirt. Hob has tempered quite a bit over the years. Trapped here, as they are, he knows he should focus on their captivity and looking after the friends he has here from home. And yet, sitting next to Loki, quietly enjoying his cup of tea, Hob easily forgets those worries for awhile.

He reaches for one of the scones for a bite and chews thoughtfully. "Might I ask about your magic? What other things can you do?" He won't mind if Loki declines to answer and he hopes his friend doesn't feel put on the spot.

It is rather unlikely that Loki would ever consider Hob insufferable, not truly anyway. Though there was a time he might have put on an act about it. Insufferable flirts were those men and women who came onto him aggressively when Loki had known their true interest had been in getting closer to Thor. Not that Loki never took any of them up on their offers, he did get lonely after all, but if someone were to flirt with him because they actually liked him? Well, Loki couldn’t imagine that at all, but the last thing he would think was anything unpleasant.

But he doesn’t think about that much either way currently. He likes Hob a great deal and as much as he may flirt here and there himself, he’s afraid to really try anything of the sort. He’d rather have him as a friend than scare him off and lose him forever.

“Of course you may ask. I am capable of quite a few things. What I did there was in the field of conjuration. I pulled the Tesseract from where I tend to keep it when I am home. I would usually keep all my valued possessions in my pocket dimension, but I am afraid I do not have access to it here.” That is one thing that greatly bothers Loki. Not being able to keep his valuables where he can access them at will is more unsettling than he ever imagined.

As shameless as he might have been in his 'youth', Hob would never flirt with someone wth the intention of getting closer to someone else. He would definitely never hurt Loki that way, no matter how handsome Loki's brother is. Hob thought Loki incredibly handsome, besides. Beyond that is how much this new friendship means to Hob, as well.

"A pocket dimension for carrying things?" He smiles as though it's a novel idea. "I'll bet that's useful." When he thinks of all the books and work he sometimes has to carry around, he knows he'd love to have one of those to store things.

"Can everyone do that where you come from? Or is magic your own, special gift?"

That is something Loki would likely enjoy hearing. He knows he’s not bad to look at. His appearance had hardly been what had kept most people from truly wanting his company. But it seems that has been less true here. Loki can’t quite explain why, perhaps because he hasn’t yet caused much mischief, he’s unsure. Maybe he will try something and see how people really react. After all, did anyone really know him until they knew that part of him? Something to consider, especially since he’d had to try something that didn’t rely on his magic.

“Oh yes, it is quite useful. It has been rather difficult without it. I don’t remember what I did before.” Really, he couldn’t. One of the first things Loki figured out when it came to his magic was his pocket dimension. It is something he’s relied on heavily for most of his long life.

“Magic itself is not uncommon, but only those born with certain abilities can perform it. And each mage is inclined towards different types. It is not the same across the board. For example I excel in conjuration and illusions, where as my mother excelled at foresight.”

Hob cradles his tea cup as he listens, his eyes and a smile fixed on Loki as he talks about things Hob has only known a handful of times, even in his centuries of living. He saw Dream perform some magic once with his sand, and Hob has witnessed some unearthly things, but talk of magic and spells is still new and fascinating. Even hearing Johanna talk about it fills him with wonder.

"Do you have a favorite spell or illusion? One you really like?" He doesn't know if Loki is partial to anything, but Hob is curious what that would be.

Loki soaks up the attention. It really does his confidence a huge boost to have a handsome man who actually enjoys his company (and vice versa) is not just listening to him, but seems to be enjoying himself. He must be careful. Such attention could become addicting.

Not that he minds.

He smiles softly at the man, taking other sip of his tea before setting it down. “I do. It was the first my mother taught me. Would you like to see it?” He tries not to, but there is a slight hesitation to his tone. He believes Hob is interested, but he’s not really used to someone being quite this interested.

Hob is glad Loki is willing to indulge him and isn't offended at essentially being asked to show him a trick. Perhaps it helps that Hob's enthusiasm and interest are quite genuine.

He nods and also sets his tea cup down carefully so he can attentively watch whatever magic is about to be performed.

"Oh yes, please. Should I.. give you more room or something?" They are sitting quite close together.

In truth, Loki quite likes showing off some of his tricks, but he’s more interested in showing those who actually seem to care. Most people who know him at all tend to be sick of his tricks and no longer much care to see what he can do… or already know what he’s capable of.

“No, that will not be necessary,” he replies. He hasn’t done this one in quite awhile, but despite all the feats he knows he is capable of now, this will always remain his favourite. While looking at Hob, he opens his hand, palm up to show a miniature fireworks display erupting from his hand.

Hob waits, trying to anticipate what might happen. The show of sudden fireworks gets a soft gasp and then a broad smile. He can't take his eyes off the show of light, which reflects in Hob's gaze.

"Wow. That's incredible." He looks from the popping lights to Loki's hand, but there's no object there making them appear, just Loki's own palm. There's magic, real magic, and then there's the illusions magicians use back home. He knows Loki is no mere magician, but he can't help but test it.

Hob holds his hand aloft, close to the display, but feels nothing. No heat or electricity. Then he touches his fingers to Loki's open palm and strokes to his wrist. No device or wire hidden here, either.

The look of wonder on Hob’s face causes Loki to smile in return. A long time ago, when he was first learning, one of the things he enjoyed most was how entertaining people found a production of magic. Himself included really. Though soon enough he found himself using his magic for more chaos in pranks and tricks (though really he didn’t need it for such purposes). Rather quickly after that Loki became well known as an annoying prankster and no one trusted him to simply entertain anymore. He knew it was his own doing, but this response from Hob has him missing those early days.

Loki’s smile grows as Hob clearly tries to figure it out. It’s something Loki has seen before with non-magic users. It’s like even when they believe, their brains have a hard time processing the information. The look on Hob is kind of adorable actually and Loki wouldn’t mind seeing more of it.

He gasps slightly at the light touch. For some reason he hadn’t expected Hob to touch him, but he does not move away. Letting him search as much as he needs for him to understand. Unfortunately, with the weakness his magic suffers here, the display soon burns itself out, the bright lights dimming and ceasing, causing Loki’s face to fall. “I am sorry. One of the side effects of this place.”

The examination is unnecessary, but it's a funny thing how people always want to confirm things they already know. And as he looks, he can't help but notice how elegant Loki's hands are. Truly the hands of a magician, but in the very real sense.

When the show ends, Hob shakes his head and smiles. "No need to apologize. That was lovely." He really enjoyed it. "I'm afraid I've nothing impressive to share with you." Aside from his immortality, Hob is quite normal and limited as a human.

If he didn’t know any better, Loki would think that Hob was looking at more than just the magic he was producing and the thought alone causes a soft blush to rise in his cheeks. He really doesn’t know why he’s so taken with this man, but from the moment he met him, he’s simply enjoyed his company. Sometimes these things simply can’t be explained, he supposes.

The smile returns to Loki’s face and he sits back again to resume drinking his tea and eating the delightful treats Hob brought with him. “I am so glad you liked it. And I do not need anything in return, except your continued company of course.” His smile turns a bit shy which he tries to cover up as a smirk. But it’s true. Having a friend, someone who he can simply enjoy some tea and a nice chat with is something Loki never quite thought he would have. It does not hurt that he enjoys looking at and listening to the other man either.

“So, how have you been keeping since I last saw you?” If there was one thing that Loki has heard about keeping friends, it’s trying not to make everything all about himself.

Hob is the sort that gets along with just about everyone, but sometimes he meets someone he feels particularly at ease with. Loki falls into that category already. Even if they're just casually chatting, there's nothing awkward or uncomfortable about it for Hob, and he hopes Loki feels the same way because Loki's excellent company. Plus, he indulges all of Hob's questions with patience.

When asked about how he's been doing, Hob reaches for his tea again to hold the cup. "Well enough, I suppose. A friend from my world disappeared, then reappeared again. Since then, things have settled down some. He's staying with me for the time being, until he finds a place to his liking."

Loki wonders off-handedly if he would be as patient with anyone else’s questions about his magic. Not all that long ago he would’ve found something similar rather annoying, but with Hob it would seem that he finds nothing annoying. In fact, he rather enjoys his questions, finding them thoughtful and just that he seems genuinely interested has Loki smiling.

Really, it has been such a long time since he was able to have such a nice and relaxing chat. Has it ever really happened? Loki can’t remember, but seeing as he’s sure Hob is his first true friend, he thinks it unlikely.

“Disappeared and reappeared? Was he one of the ones people keep reporting as missing? I’m afraid my little attempt at keeping track of people did not really work out. So few people answered me, I admit I didn’t see the use in continuing. I am glad your friend has returned though. May I ask, was there anything different about him? Could he tell you how he left? How was he recaptured?”

Hob is genuine interested, but he would back off if Loki appeared to dislike all the questions. He just can't help but be curious.

"I don't think he was reported. He's not really the social type." Few probably realized Dream was gone, except for him and Johanna. "And he seems the same as always. He didn't remember ever being here or how he got here, just the same as all of us when we first arrive." A helpless smile follows. "I wish we could have learned more."

Perhaps that is why he feels so comfortable talking with Hob like this, because he can sense his genuine interest. That is really all it takes for Loki. The moment he feels like someone is humouring him, or teasing him, he no longer enjoys the conversation. Just that simple thought, that someone he enjoys spending time with is actually interested in him makes him feel happy in a way he’s unused to.

At the helpless smile, Loki leans forward and places a hand on Hob’s knee, squeezing lightly for a moment before pulling back. “You have nothing to apologize for. It is still something to learn that even if one disappears, they may return. And another that they will not remember being here before. I do not yet know what that might mean, but it is more information than I had before.”

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Tea for Two and Two for Tea

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