"We're forever teetering on the brink of the unknowable, and trying to understand what can't be understood. It's what makes us men."
(Isaac Asimov, The Caves of Steel)
Taking a sip of her Earl Grey, Jane turned a page of the journal she was reading, and her gaze strayed to the clock on the opposite wall of the café.
5:10pm.
She frowned at the tea cup in her hand. Now Jane, seriously? She asked herself with disbelief. After feeling so very different and confused in this city at the beginning, she eventually acquired this late afternoon habit, and fully unintentionally in addition.
Well… so what? She shrugged, smiling lightly, and returned to her reading.
"You claimed you did not do this." a silky voice broke in, startling her to the point she almost spilled the tea.
"I guess I just try to fit in. Is that wrong?" she answered and lowered her cup, not raising her eyes to look at him.
"I'd say the degree of wrongness depends on which kind of society you try to become a part of." He said and sat down on a chair right next to her.
"This society I find pretty ok." Jane retorted, still not looking up.
"If you wish..." he replied calmly.
"So, what is it you want today?" sighing deeply and resignedly, Jane finally inspected the subject sitting beside her. He looked exactly the same as the last time they met. Only his fashionable grey coat was draped over the next seat this time, revealing his no less fashionable grey suit.
"You look the same as before…" Jane observed, letting her voice gain a bit of a letdown tone.
"Oh. Disappointed?" He raised his dark eyebrows and adjusted his collar.
"Actually…" Jane inclined her head to the side, studying his appearance. "Yes. A bit." She said and sipped her tea.
"Well, I'm sorry then, but I didn't have time to think about any new amusing costume. You see, I started a business."
At that, she burst out laughing, spitting out some of the amber liquid, and coughed.
Loki took it coolly, sitting back in his chair, his legs crossed and hands folded in his lap. He watched Jane peacefully until she finally managed to catch her breath.
"Are we ready to communicate again?" He asked eventually.
She cleared her throat, clutching at the edge of the table, as if to stabilize herself. "Yeah, yeah." she breathed out and wiped the corners of her mouth with a napkin. "Please, continue."
"It has never occurred to me starting a business could be this shocking." He noted, shaking his head, his eyebrows climbing up.
"It usually isn't…" Jane explained with a smile, "But the idea of you sitting behind a desk in an office…"
"Am I right in assuming you find it ridiculous?"
"Ah… Not exactly ridiculous. Just…" she gave a shrug, "let's say bizarre. And what is it you do for a living here?"
"Stock market."
"Hm. Interesting choice."
"It keeps me occupied."
"And how is it coming?"
"Very good, actually." Loki claimed and checked on his fingernails. "Would you care for a grant or two on your research?"
She blinked. "I think you know the answer."
"No, I don't." He looked her in the eyes. "Enlighten me."
"The answer is 'No, thanks'." She said sternly.
"Why not?" he snorted lightly. "I've earned the money legally, I give you my word. Besides, where would all the fun be if I'd cheated?"
"Why not?" Jane repeated, crossing her arms. "Because it's your money. And because you'd want something in return. Or am I wrong?"
"I was just thinking about something truly worthy to invest that money in. That's all." This time it was his turn to shrug.
"Well… science is a long-term investment." Jane narrowed her eyes. "And very insecure."
"Well… The more insecure the more entertaining. Plus, I expect to live a long life. I may look over your projects for centuries, even thousands of years after you're… gone."
"Thousands…" Jane repeated, touching the rim of her cup. "How old are you really?"
He sighed. "That depends on the perspective. The flow of the time changes as you cross the universe. Compared to this world, Asgard feels like a painting – ever unchanged and motionless."
"Yes, but-"
"I have seen many human generations come and go."
"Ah."
"Is that old enough?"
She gave it a thought. "And how old do you feel?" She asked then.
"Even older than that."
"That sounds dreadful."
"For some it certainly is."
"And how does time feel here?"
"Eventful." He said simply, and silence fell for a moment.
Jane thought for a while, and then she recalled the Isaac Asimov novel she made him read. She spoke again. "Do you still remember the novel? Have you perhaps read the sequels?"
He smiled. "I read everything Mr. Asimov had ever published."
Jane forgot to breathe for a second or two.
"I see." she managed at last. "Then… Am I right in assuming your impression of Mr. Asimov's works is rather positive?"
"Quite right. It's unbelievable such a great mind resided in a human body."
She frowned and gave a snort in reply.
"You mortals never cease to surprise me." he stated softly.
"Perhaps you could spare yourself all these surprises if you weren't so prejudiced." Jane pointed out. "But what about the stories? What did you like the most?" She returned to the subject.
"It's actually something that left quite a bitter and sad feeling in me."
"Let me guess." She said, a light smile tugging at her lips. "Daneel."
"Daneel and Elijah." He corrected. "Though I must say that Daneel alone was a fascinating character, indeed."
A million questions whirled inside Jane's brain. "But are you aware Daneel was a very kindhearted, absolutely unselfish person?" she said then.
"Was he now?" Loki looked at her with narrowed eyes. "Unselfish – that is undeniable. But I'm not sure that the term 'kindhearted' could be used in his case. One thing about him is absolutely certain, though – he was the greatest manipulator of his universe."
"True enough. That's certainly one way to view him." she admitted, and then paused.
"Now as I think of it," Loki broke the silence, "if you let me sponsor your projects and carry on your legacy, in a way, I could become your own Daneel."
"In that case," Jane spoke after a long moment, "I would become your Elijah, wouldn't I?" she asked warily.
Loki remained silent after that. "You already have." He answered then.
At that, Jane was forced to lower her eyes. "Sorry, I don't like where this conversation is heading."
"Why?"
"It's just… too strange. I mean, why would you do this for me? Why would you think of me like that? You don't even know me. And I certainly don't think of you the same way."
"I'm not asking anything of you, Jane."
"Don't say my name again." Feeling very uneasy, Jane frowned, still avoiding his gaze.
"As you wish." He said and stood up. "Here, if you wanted to think about my offer. Good bye." Leaving a business card on the table, he disappeared.
Standing by the window, Jane viewed the raindrops hit the glass and trickle down. She sighed, turned her head to inspect the abandoned lab, and slid one hand into her pocket. She had known from the start she would do that in the end; that her curiosity would eventually overpower her anger and stubbornness (and also her common sense and wariness, which was much worse).
Yeah, it's still there, she acknowledged upon finding the piece of paper. She pulled the business card out and viewed it. It had a very simple design, just the black ink on a white paper. L. Laufeyson, she read, and snorted. His impudence was remarkable.
Clearing her throat, Jane picked up her smartphone from her desk and dialed the phone number. And she barely managed to introduce herself before the answering female voice said: "Of course, Dr. Foster. Mr. Laufeyson is waiting for you."