Summary:Lena Snart contacts the Liesmith to bargain for his aid - but not for her. Log Info:Storyteller: {$storyteller} |
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Well, that message was a surprise, and in a life as long as Loki's if he's learned anything it is this - there is never a dull moment, life is /all/ about surprises. Intrigued by the cryptic request to meet, Loki pondered it for all of five or ten seconds before sending Lena Snart an affirmative.
Meet me at the observation deck of the Empire State Building, 1AM
Loki spent the rest of the day doing Loki stuff, dreary embassy folderol, much more fun work on a spell research project, scrying on his student and his PA to be sure they're both okay, teasing Sigyn. The usual. When finally it was time, he simply stepped - a silent act of will to make that step a long one, and as the footfall lands, he's at the rendezvous site, just like that. This morning finds him dressed in a deep green knit sweater, black leather patches at the shoulders and black slacks.
He appears, hands resting on the railing, deep green eyes drinking in the view.
"I came as you asked." He says, expecting that the thief is already in situ, and concealed.
She probably shouldn't be here. Her time spent with May wasn't much time at all yet, so to was her training lacking. She shouldn't be here, but she is. She was there, waiting on the deck against the cold assaults of night time, wintery air. With that height the chill could not, and would not, be missed. Watching over the city, she turns her head and faces him. Frosty eyes lined black give him the once over before looking back out to the city below.
Her own attire is fitting of her nature - blues and blacks with kisses of frosty violet. Pants, thick soled knee-high boots and a parka with a fur lined hood. Her hands rest within her pockets.
"Thank you. I was going to visit. Show some…act of good faith and calm nature by coughing up the cash for those gold skates I keep eye-balling. I'm still going to do that."
As she speaks, Loki turns to face Lena leaning on the railing with his elbow, hands clasped and ankles crossed. "So." Simply that. He smirks a little. "I am sure you'll find my pricing reasonable, after all, as I said to you then I could not provide the provenance to support their origin, so they are merely—old." Green eyes study the woman in her parka and attire in the hues of winter, a stray breeze teasing his hair, a few strands dancing.
It is very clear that the chill doesn't even begin to phase Loki, but that is probably not surpring - the man is a God, but more, he is a Jotun. Either would probably be enough to ignore the cold, BOTH? Yeah, not really an issue for him.
"Was that all you wanted?" He asks, meeting her gaze.
"I understand that." She agrees. Silent, staring in return, she doesn't seem to be bothered by the chill either. She wasn't a god, nor giant-blooded, but there was a paleness to her skin that may suggest ice could flow through her veins. It wasn't always like that, or perhaps it was. She at least seems to enjoy the space and kiss of cold across her form.
"No," she replies. "I wanted to ask a favor of you and see what it would take to buy said favor."
His smirk turns into a very inviting, very genuine smile. Of course…he is a Trickster god, called the Liesmith…it is very VERY hard to get a read on Loki, and any read you -do- get is at best unreliable. Still, the love of the cold, that's something they share, something bone deep.
Comfortable with the searching look, with the height, the chill, the silence - Loki waits until she answers his question, and then she can almost /feel/ his interest level spike. She's got his attention.
A soft purr. "A favor from me, really?" The last word dragged out long, modulated in fascination. "By all means, Lena Snart, ask your boon and we'll figure out the rest after."
Without pause, without hesitation, the girl answers smoothly. "I wish, well…you're not genie. I shouldn't say wish. I ask for Ambrose to be protected from outside forces. I do not have the power to do this for him, though I would gladly hunt down anyone that would threaten him or his family. You're a God, so answer my prayer and protect him."
Warm laughter. "I could be a genie, if that's what's needed." Loki pushes off the railing to stand. Six-four, he's a tall man, and broad of chest if a bit on the sleek and slender side, still, he's not frail looking at all.
"When you say 'outside forces', you'll need to explain in greater detail. I can offer him protection, yes, weave him spells, craft a warding object or the like - but generic protections are just that - generic. They mitigate, and oft poorly at that. Of course there's other types of protection, for Loki to say 'This family is under my protection', is no small thing. Many would respect that, more would fear that. But some would take it as a challenge."
He steps a bit closer, hands clasping behind him. "And have you told your mentor that you were going to ask this boon of me?"
"I cannot explain it to you fully. I want to offer this to him without fear of him needing to owe you for it. Offer this protection to him. Contact him. Let him know and understand that he can count on you however he needs to be done with his troubles. Have him know that you will offer him protection should he ever need it." Ever?
"No, he doesn't. It's my choice to ask you and he would have me running to keep me safe. I cannot simply stand back." As he slinks closer, she keeps her ground. Where he was a 'giant', she was somewhat petite in stature and size.
Loki throws back his head and laughs. "Ever? All his troubles? You ask me to make myself his minion, that's asking an awful lot." Loki's smile is, if possible, even brighter and more full. He /loves/ the act of negotiation, he loves making deals. "Further, you seek to take the full burden of debt upon your shoulders with him unknowing." A shake of his head. "He'll never believe I simply decided to offer him my protection, for the offer to be credible there would need to be a price."
Loki looks thoughtful. "You said you cannot explain fully, so…explain what you can. But know this, Lena Snart, you ask a very great deal of me. I need more information before I can begin to assess what I can do for him, and what it costs you…assuming it is even viable."
A firm nod, and he offers his hand. "Come, we'll talk in more secure and private surroundings, and we'll get you your golden skates." Should she take his cool hand, he'll smirk, and then wink, and between one blink and the next they'd be in the main room of Cover Story. Poof. The transit was…unsettling, a bit, a feeling of falling in multiple directions at once.
"No. I'm asking you to be his ally. Aid him in this endeavour, even if it's the only thing you offer you assistance for. That's all I'm asking. Keep him safe from this shadow of his past. Keep him and his family safe." Eyeing his hand, she reaches out her own, gloved and black, and slips her fingers across his palm.
Poof - they arrive. The travel pulling at her insides and twisting them about in such a way that she has to turn and press palm to stomach and brow. Shuddering, breathing deeply, she swallows and composes herself before facing Loki once more.
"It's magical." She explains. "Something mystical. Something I know nothing about. I do tech, and that's what I do. I'm going to hunt down this being. This person named Oliver. But, if you can reach out and tell Ambrose you'll help him, I'll be in debt to you." Jaw tight, she straightens her spine. "For him and Kent, I'll accept that price."
"Ah, a /singular/ endeavor, okay, that's much more feasible, Miss Snart." See, they're negotiating, formal just feels right in those circumstances. "So, he will have information on this shadow. I will have to find a reason to want it eliminated too." Of course Ambrose is already in his debt, and for this very issue. Loki considers, and then once Lena's stomach settles, releases her hand, heck, he even murmurs a cantrip to help speed things along.
"Oliver, yes, very well." He nods crisply.
"So, Miss Snart, your proposal is interesting, I can and will offer him my assistance and keep you out of it. Now, what price will you pay for such aid? I confess my preferred coin is favors at a later date. So…what would you pay for this service?"
"The reason is my request. You should have nor need no others. That is part of the deal. No fine print, simply blunt and stated as is." She counters, slipping her gloved hand back within her pocket. "Side condition, do not tell him I've asked you for such a thing. Simply offer your assistance and gather information from him. Call it…a benevolent act from a God that isn't a complete piece of shit."
"I can offer you a favor at a later date if that's what you prefer. I will not turn against those I care for, however. I'm going to guess you don't need any help in stealing things, either. So, I suppose it all depends on what you need out of this from me."
"You misunderstand, Miss Snart, I meant the reason that I provide Ambrose when he asks." Loki's smile takes on an edge. "Remember that though I am considering doing this service for you, I am not a lackey. You /will/ speak to me with respect." He nods then. "Yes, of course I will not mention your involvement, That is obvious from the entire tenor of the negotion, but…as you wish for explicit, here's the deal - I will offer to aid Ambrose with this one problem, this Oliver. You will not be mentioned. Your involvement will not be mentioned. You will owe me a favor, to be claimed later, I will grant you right of refusal three times, after that, the favor, whatever it is, will be honored."
Loki smiles. "I will, as a courtesy since I appreciate your spirit, not ask you to betray any loved ones." Hey, he wouldn't do it either! Seems legit to Loki.
"And that is that." He offers his hand to seal the bargain.
"My blunt and direct nature is respect, Loki. If I didn't give two fucks about this, or you, I wouldn't be here nor would I be keeping my cool. You're not a lackey. You're not a minion, you're a business partner. In this matter, my business partner. That's not something I take lightly." She smirks. First pun of the day, ladies and gents!
As he lays it out, she nods. "Fair." Hand out, she clasps to his own and gives a solid shake.
The Lord of Lies is VERY adept and detecting such. When Lena indicates her version of respect is painful bluntness, and means it, he simply nods. "Noted." Also, bonus points for punning at the same time. He's firmly of the opinion that puns are NOT the lowest form of humour - were that true one wouldn't need brains enough to fathom them. Of course…people, the vast majority of them, are idiots.
Her hand is shaken, and the deal sealed. "Done."