"Heimdall."
"Yes, Loki?"
"I have reason to believe that Lady Ava is still alive and well on Earth." Loki replied.
"Your reason is correct." Heimdall replied. "I have also been searching the nine realms for her. She was the only casualty of that day and that was the first time anyone had ever escaped my watch."
"Have you found her?" Loki asked, hopeful.
"I have." Heimdall answered. "She is indeed on Earth."
"Why haven't you brought her back?"
"She has no memory of her life on Asgard." He explained. "She believes that she is human, but an abnormal one."
"What do you mean?"
"She knows that she has already lived longer than the humans do...centuries longer. She has watched the time change. She knows she is different, but she doesn't remember."
"You must send me to her." Loki said.
"I would, but..." Heimdall began to protest.
"Heimdall, you must send me to her. I can help her remember and bring her back." Loki said, practically begging. "If you do not, I will find my own way to her."
Heimdall nodded. "I will send you. Just be careful. If you deliver the news in the wrong way, she may never return with you."
Loki nodded. "I will be gone as long as it takes. I will bring her back."
Heimdall opened the bi-frost and Loki was transported to Earth. He looked around him and saw that there was snow falling from the sky and slowly beginning to cover the ground and the trees surrounding him. He began walking through the forest and soon came to a road.
"Humans have come a ways since I was last here." Loki observed. He then noticed lights that he figured would lead him to a small town. "That must be where I'll find her." He started walking towards the town, as he came closer he saw what the people were wearing and knew that he would need to change his appearance.
Loki used his magic to change into a suit and tie. He had a long jacket over the suit and a green scarf around his neck. He made his way to the center of town. "Grizzly's Pub." He read the sign above the door and then walked inside.
Ava...
Ava walked through the pub, carrying a tray of drinks. She stopped at a the proper table and delivered the drinks. "Is there anything else I can get you?" She asked.
"Nothing right now, sweetheart." One of the men at the table replied.
Ava nodded and then turned to check the other tables in her section. She went over to clear off a table where some others had left. She took the dirty dishes to the back and disposed of the trash. She washed her hands and returned to the floor. She was surprised to find the table she had just cleared to have now a single occupant.
She walked over to the table. "Hello my name is Ava and I'll be your server." She greeted. "What can I start you off with?"
The man looked up at her and gave her a smile. "I'll have an ale." He answered, his voice accented.
His smile seemed to warm her and his voice seemed to wash over her like crushed velvet. A genuine smile came to her face. "I'll be right back with that."
"Thank you." He replied.
Ava left and walked up to the bar to order the ale. The bar tender brought her the ale and she carried it back over to the table. "Anything else for you?" She asked, setting the ale down in front of him.
He looked up from the menu in his hand. "What would you recommend?" He inquired.
"Well, the wings are good." Ava answered. "And so are the fries."
"I'll have that then." He answered.
Ava smiled as she took the menu from him. She looked into his eyes, and found something familiar about them. "I'll...be right back."
"Thank you."
Ava placed the order at the kitchen and found herself having a hard time concentrating on her job. She knew she had to take care of the other customers, but she just couldn't stop glancing over at the stranger with the dark hair and blue eyes. There was something that seemed so familiar about him.
The cook called for her, the order was ready. Ava was having a hard time not running over to the table. She set the food down in front of him. "Is there anything else I can get for you? A refill on your ale perhaps?"
"No, thank you. One is enough." He replied.
"Alright. If you need anything else, just let me know."
"Thank you. I will."
Ava walked off, to wait on her other tables. Over the next few hours, people came in and out of the pub. Ava waited on several different people. The familiar stranger stayed at the table the entire night. She couldn't help but to keep looking over at him and she was pretty sure that he was looking at her, too.
A new group of guys arrived at a table in Ava's section. She walked over. "Hello, my name is Ava. I'll be your server, how can I help you?" She greeted them.
"Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" One of the men greeted.
Ava did her best to ignore the comment. "Can I get you something to drink?"
"We'll all have a round of beer, baby." The man answered.
"I'll bring those right out." Ava replied, turning to head to the bar. She got their drinks and brought them back to the table. "Anything for you boys?" She asked.
"Yeah, your phone number." One of the men answered.
"Or a date?" Another said.
"No." Ava answered, turning and heading for the bar.
"Oh now, come on sweet cheeks." One of the men said, grabbing her by the arm. "We're only havin' a little fun."
"I believe the lady said no." The stranger with the smooth velvety voice spoke, standing behind the rowdy patron.
"Hey buddy, stay out of this."
"Unhand her." The stranger said.
"Just back off. This has nothing to do with you."
"You really don't have to do this." Ava found herself speaking up, worried for the stranger's safety.
"Yeah, listen to the girl. You're gonna regret it, if you don't."
The stranger grabbed the man's arm. "Let her go."
The man glared at the stranger. He let go of Ava and lifted his other hand in a fist and swung at the stranger. The stranger nimbly dodged the punch. The other three men at the table got up to join the fight. The stranger easily dodged every punch they threw at him. Two of the men came at him at once, both ready to pound him into the ground. The stranger kept a calm look on his face the entire time. He timed it just right and dodged out of the way, causing the two men to knock each other out.
"You little..." One of the men said, charging at the stranger.
The stranger smiled and dodged easily. The man ended up running into a wall and knocking himself out. Finally all that was left was the one man that had grabbed Ava. "You're gonna pay for this." He said.
The stranger smiled. "I believe you're the one who is going to pay."
The man let his anger get the better of him and ran after the stranger. The stranger moved out of the way and placed his foot out and tripped the man. The bar tender came and threw the men out of the bar. He then turned to the stranger. "Thank you for standing up for one of my girls. For that your meal and drink are on the house."
"It was nothing." The stranger replied.
"You're welcome here any time. Your meals will always be on the house."
"Thank you, but I just did what anyone with good manners would do."
The bar tender nodded and then turned to Ava. "You can take the rest of the night off with pay."
"Thank you." She told him. Once thee bar tender walked away, Ava turned to the stranger. "Thank you for that. You really didn't have to."
He smiled at her. "Oh, but I did."
"I...I don't even know your name." Ava replied.
"Lawrence." He answered.
Ava smiled. "Thank you, Lawrence. I...don't really know how to thank you."
"Would you perhaps consider joining me for dinner?" He asked.
Ava knew that she really should say no, but he had just helped her out. Plus there was just something so familiar about him. She felt that she could trust him. "Alright. I know this great little diner just up the street."
"That sounds perfect." Lawrence answered.
"I'll just grab my coat."
"I'll be waiting."
Ava went to the back room and threw on her coat. She walked back out and found Lawrence waiting for her by the door. "Are you ready?" He asked, offering her his arm.
Ava smiled as she looped her arm through his. "Yeah."
They walked out of the pub and into the cold night. The wind whipped at them, causing a shiver to run down Ava's spine. She shivered and without thinking, got closer to Lawrence. They soon reached the diner and walked inside. They grabbed a booth and a waitress came. "What can I get you two?" She asked.
"I'll have a coffee." Ava answered.
"I'll have the same." Lawrence said.
"I'll be right back with that." She said and then walked off.
Ava looked at the man sitting across from her. "So, when did you get into town?"
"Just a few hours ago." He answered. "Have you lived here long?"
"A few years." Ava answered, not used to talking about herself.
The waitress then returned with two coffee mugs and a pot full of coffee. She set the cups down in front of them and poured the coffee. She then took their orders and walked off.
"What brings you to town?" Ava asked.
"Oh, just needed to get away for a while." Lawrence answered. "I thought the cool mountain air would be good for me."
"It is refreshing." Ava replied. "Are you from Britain?"
"Oh...uhm what gave you that idea?"
"Your accent, it's British, isn't it?"
"Why yes." Lawrence answered.
The waitress returned with their food "If you need anything else just let me know."
"Thank you." Lawrence replied.
Ava and Lawrence sat and ate and talked for a while. Ava found herself laughing, something she hadn't done in a long time. They stayed till the diner closed. They stood out on the side walk. "Allow me to walk you home?" Lawrence asked.
"Sure." Ava replied with a smile.
Lawrence offered Ava is arm once again and she looped her arm through his. Something about it felt so familiar to her. They talked more on their way. They soon walked into the lobby of Ava's apartment building. Lawrence walked with her all the way to her door.
"Thank you again for tonight." Ava told him.
"It was nothing." Lawrence replied.
"You made those guys look like fools."
"Oh, no. I'm pretty sure they did that all on their own."
Ava let out a small laugh. "Either way, you really didn't have to step in...and I had a good time tonight."
"I did as well." Lawrence replied. "I would like to see you again."
"I would like that, too." Ava replied.
"Are you free tomorrow?"
"Yes." Ava answered.
"Shall I come by in the afternoon?"
"That sounds like a plan to me." Ava answered.
"Well then, I guess this is good night." He said, reaching a hand out and took Ava's right hand in his. "Good night, my lady." He said, placing a kiss to the back of her hand.
Ava felt her cheeks reddening at the strange and yet familiar gesture. "Good night, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Until then." He said, turning and walking away.
Part of Ava wanted to have him stay, but she knew that that was crazy. She walked into her apartment and shut the door behind her. She closed her eyes for a moment and she was in the golden palace once again. This time she wasn't running or playing. She was there for something different, something more serious.
"It'll all be over soon, then we can play again."
Ava looked over to her side, there stood the boy from her previous dream. He was smiling at her, mischief making his blue eyes sparkle. She smiled back at him. "I hate these parties, Loki. I hate having to behave properly. I just want to run and play."
"I know." Loki replied. "But we all just have to make an appearance and then we can leave."
Ava opened her eyes and she was back in her apartment. She shook her head. "This is just too weird."
Loki...
Loki walked out of Ava's apartment building and headed down the street. He made his way to a hotel and checked in. He sat on the bed of the room and looked through brochures of tourist attractions in the area.
"It has to be something fun." He said, looking over the items. "She and I have always had fun together. I hope that will help bring back the good memories."