As Elsa wended her way through the crowd, she could feel the eyes of the people watching her. She had to trust that it was not because they knew who she was, but because of how she looked. Unexpectedly, she luxuriated in the feeling of the tight, electric blue mini dress she had chosen to wear to the less-than-savory establishment. Her light blonde hair was pulled back in a wispy braid that only added to the come-and-get-me attitude that Elsa could feel herself radiating.
She had never visited a nightclub before, so it wasn't that this was a place she would normally be comfortable in, but something felt right in this moment. She just felt so. Good. She had been living her life locked away, and now she was finally taking matters into her own hands to live life on her own terms. Her mouth twisted into a smirk and she loftily walked past the bystanders like a queen.
The club was dark and the strobing lights were disconcerting, but she managed to keep her bearings as she searching the shadows for the man she was here to find. He would definitely not be on the dance floor, or anywhere particularly prominent. From his reputation, he would likely be surrounded by the young and restless that she understood to frequent these establishments. She walked closer to one of the dimly lit alcoves from which laughter could be heard emanating, but before she was close enough to see through the shadows a thick arm barred her way.
"Invitation only sweetheart." The large, muscular man's casual use of the term set her teeth on edge, but his presence assured her that here was the man she was looking for. As she peered closer, she could see that a nearly invisible curtain hung in the doorway before her, its shifting surface distorting light and concealing the occupants of the alcove from view of prying eyes. Subtle, but effective. It was a location of anonymity. More than likely, some were also making a tidy sum to 'forget' exactly who this guest was or when he was here, but she knew and would not be deterred.
"Loki," she said in a strong and clear voice. "Don't you remember me?"
She could see dark forms move in the shadows, and watched as one separated from others. She didn't hear him say anything, possibly because of the loud music and throbbing bass beat, but his muscle stood down. He didn't completely leave the alcove and stood just behind the curtain, considering her. She waited patiently, knowing that within a few seconds he would see through her 'disguise' as a club girl. She didn't fault him for taking precautions. It was only reasonable after all, since he was just as prominent socially as she was politically.
After only a few seconds he turned and must have said something to the other occupants because abruptly they stood and left, filing out and walking past Elsa with sour looks on their faces. She was surprised by both who and how many had been ensconced within, unable to help but gawk at the eclectic assortment of people. Finally, after his entourage had cleared the immediate area, Loki himself stepped forward. He looked only a little different physically, the years that had passed not seeming to have affected him much outwardly, but the glint in his eye was strange. It unnerved her. His suave greeting also seemed meant to rattle her.
"Madam President, what a pleasant surprise."
He gave her his most charming smile, but he could tell she didn't buy it. Her reply was cool. "I'm surprised either of us even remembers that little nickname." He was surprised by her aloof tone, knowing how much the name had riled her the last time they had met. She had been so touchy about her marriage then, young and innocent as she was. Perhaps not completely innocent, but he could tell she didn't like what the name implied: political power, and the vicious fight required to reach one rung higher.
Now, she sounded different; colder, harder, impenetrable. He supposed six years of marriage to a man determined to work his way to the summit of the political Everest of presidency could do that to a person, even if that person was innocent little Elsa Arendelle, who had seemed so wise and so ignorant all at once. The contrast between the two Elsa's, the one in his memory and the one standing before him, lent some genuineness to his smile. An interesting change, and perhaps a puzzle he would like to solve.
"Sorry love, old habits die hard." He extended a hand to her and turned up the charm another notch, but without taking it she sashayed past him in that incredible dress. Amusing. Retracting his hand and turning, he took a moment to appreciate the vision in blue before he followed her into the now-vacant alcove. She sat primly down on the cushioned bench, leaning back ever so slightly and crossing one long, smooth leg impressively over the other. She took him in with a practiced once-over, and again he was struck by how she had changed. Gone was the quiet, shy, and barely past her teens girl. Facing him was a mature and worldy woman, one who had fought countless battles and learned how to win.
He sat opposite her, and adopted a practiced position that exuded both confidence and apathy. He was in control, but her sudden appearance had certainly caught his fancy. He relaxed his face into his signature smirk that said to the world, 'I know your secrets, and unfortunately you don't have anything to offer me.'
"I can't say I'm not surprised Elsa." He returned her level look across the space between them. "All I know about you since I last saw you is what I've heard through news feeds." He dismissively waved his hand, as if excusing her for not keeping in touch. "That aside, how have you and the governor been? All is well with your families I hope." The idle pleasantries were anything but. He appreciated the muscles around her slender neck tensing at the reminder of her infamous familial discord.
She hooded her eyes with her lashes and wondered if this really was her best recourse. Out of everyone in the city, he was the only one she could be sure wasn't under her husband's thumb or in his pocket. If anyone was free of Hans' influence, Loki was. The way he was acting threw her off, though. This individual bore little similarity to the Loki she knew, and it was more than a little irritating. She acknowledged the truth of his comment with a nod of her head, but did not hesitate to fire back.
"My family is as well as it ever is. Speaking of the whims of the media, I've been seeing some interesting pieces on you in the news lately." They exchanged a look of mutually raised eyebrows, hers in challenge and his probably in amusement. Elsa decided to forestall anything further from being said on that topic. "I digress," she admitted, "your reputation is not the reason I'm here." She glanced toward the partition, though she could glean no reassurance from what she saw, "In fact, my visit deals with a more private matter. Do you remember the last time we spoke?" She flicked her eyes over and caught a subtle shift of his features. It took him a moment too long to reply. When he did, though, nothing showed in his voice.
"I do," he said with a mischievous smile. "I believe I congratulated you on your engagement." He leaned forward, a curious glint in his emerald eyes. "Why?"
She smiled faintly. He had been the most surprised of anyone there, but he had congratulated her the most warmly. It had made the evening a little better, since she wasn't even sure if agreeing to marry Hans had been the right decision. She had long since decided she would not let herself regret it, at least. "That night you also told me how you tracked down your birth parents, the ones no one else could find." She leaned forward in her intensity. "I need your help to investigate someone."
His smile faltered, and he leaned back again. "Elsa, I'm not a cop, much as my father would like me to follow in his and Thor's footsteps." He broke eye contact as he toyed with a ring on his right hand. With a dismissive voice he told her, "You should talk with Odin because," he quipped with a wry smile, "I quit thinking I could be a hero a long time ago." He draped one arm across the back of the seat and gestured at his sprawled form with his other hand. "What you see is what you get, love."
She didn't know why he was acting like he was, but that didn't change anything. "That's not the point, Loki. I don't need a hero, and I don't need Odin. I need you." She took a breath and realized how that had sounded. Fighting off the tinge of a blush in her pale cheeks, she swiftly moved on. "You're not a politician. You're not a businessman. You're not a playboy." At his condescending grin, she sighed. Why was he doing this? "Not just a playboy," she amended. She searched for something to say that could get through to him.
"The truth is that I have reason to believe Hans may be involved in something illegal and dangerous, and I need someone… impartial, someone I can trust to investigate." His suddenly serious features and rigid posture convinced her that she had his attention now. His eyes bored into her as he stated more than asked, "This is more than just another political power struggle, isn't it."
The morning sky was just starting to lighten, birds just starting to sing, when Loki stepped across the threshold of his apartment. He sighed and rubbed a hand across his face, trying to erase the signs of the long night. Only here, in the privacy of his home, did he drop his façade and let down his guard enough to show any weariness. He slipped off his jacket and carried it to his room, where he slung it across a chair back before pulling off his shoes.
Mewling, echoed immediately, drew near, along with the sound of the soft thumps of paws. Two feline shadows padded into sight and soon entwined themselves around his legs. Loki smiled fondly at the two brothers, knowing that the lithe black cats would soon abandon him for other, more interesting pursuits if he didn't dote on them. He picked up Nari, marked by a touch of white on his two front paws, and caressed his ear. The cat leaned into his touch and purred loudly, glad as always to have attention. His brother Vali, identical but for the white markings, mewed even more plaintively.
Complete with his entourage, Loki disappeared into his closet, soon to reappear in his favorite green and yellow silk robe. He drew back the curtains, not to let the morning light in, but to give him line of sight to the view four stories below the window. There was already light traffic on the roads and sidewalks as all sorts of people began their busy days. His small corner of the city had a fair mix of ethnicity and age, but most active right now were middle-aged workaholics, along with children getting ready to go to their classes.
His eyes traced the edges of the dated architecture, appreciative as ever of the distinctive Scandinavian style, and skimmed over the water that stretched out over the horizon. It was a nice place, but it had never really felt like he belonged. He felt irritation prickle his neck and turned away from the picturesque view, realizing he was too tired to be introspective. He sighed and gently let down Nari, no longer in the mood for company. The cats, astute as ever, left for another, more interesting, locale. He watched them walk away, and their swaying tails seemed like a farewell. Fitting.
He poured himself a drink and sat down at his counter with a copy of the morning's paper. He was inclined to let his eyes glaze over the articles on the upcoming election and the candidates, but with an internal reprimand he steeled himself. Now that he had committed himself to helping Elsa, he needed to immerse himself in the world. He had enjoyed a blessedly long separation from that circle of society, but somehow, and he still wasn't sure exactly how, she had convinced him to return. He drained his glass in one swallow.
She leaned against her headboard, still wearing her dress, relieved that the evening had been a success. Well, this was really the first and probably simplest step. Still, that she had got the ball rolling had taken a huge weight off of her shoulders, and she felt like just maybe she could pull this off. They, she corrected herself. They could pull it off. She pulled her duvet over her stomach and held it there with her arms, her own warmth spreading under the covers and radiating back through her body, and her eyes slid closed just as the first rays of sun broke across the sky