WOOT! Chapter 4 and now things start to get a little "interesting" ehehehehe. Hope you all enjoy as much as I do *hugs*
I do not own anything Marvel and unfortunately I don't own Loki but I do own my OC.
Tatsumi couldn't help but roll her eyes into the back of her head for Loki was seriously starting to piss her the hell off.
"Midgardian how much longer must we walk before we reach at least one of our destinations for today." Loki asked for the hundreth time it seemed with a condescending tone.
"Oh I don't know. We could be there in a matter of seconds or it could be hours, it just really depends on how much you irritate me today. For all I know we might not get to our first store until tomorrow." Tatsumi says with a nonchalant air but gives Loki a look that clearly said "SHUT THE HELL UP OR ELSE " in his direction.
Making a sour face Loki catches the hint and shuts up making Tatsumi grin as she was more than happy to listen to silence. She knew it wouldn't last because in the short time they had been walking it had become apparent that Loki couldn't help but say at least something to get a rise out of her.
"Mortal."
Closing her eyes and giving a small sigh "Yes."
"I wish to go in here." He says stopping in front of one of the shops she fully intended to take him to but only later on.
"I was hoping to show you a couple other stores first and save that one for last." She says stepping to stand next to him.
"No." he says.
"No what?" She ask fully knowing what he meant.
"I want to go in here first NOT last." He says making an emphasis on the not while reaching for the door.
"Fine." Tatsumi says feeling as if a weight had been planted on her shoulders. She absolutely dreaded stores like these.
Looking around she quickly spotted one of the store clerks eyeing her suspiciously. Plastering a smile on her face she makes towards him.
"Hi. My friend and I would like to purchase some custom suits." She says making the mans eyebrows raise considerably.
"And how do you intend to pay for these suits ma'am if I may inquire." The man says while looking down his nose at her.
Keeping the smile on her face she reaches into her wallet and pulls out her favorite credit card. "This, if you must know." She says showing the man the ever elusive black card.
Eyes nearly popping out of his head "Well then miss, lets get both of your measurements shall we." he says now clearly more eager to cooperate making Tatsumi want to recoil away from the man with disgust.
Loki watched on with interest out of the corner of his eye while looking at the various materials and styles on the mannequins.
He was quite familiar with the process of getting fitted for clothing but to be honest he was curious to see how such a fitting would be for a female. No women on Asgard wore suits save for some battle regalia which they wore breeches. Loki couldn't help but smile at the seemingly ludicrous practice about to be performed.
"Just step over here ma'am and if your friend would like to look around some more we will be with him momentarily." The head tailor says, absentmindedly adding the last part seeing as she was the one paying for everything.
Stepping onto the platform after having taken off her t-shirt leaving her in a form fitting tanktop so as to make the measurements more accurate Loki couldn't help but notice the almost invisible scars she had criss crossing her arms. To a Midgardian they would be unable to be seen but since he was Asgaurdian he could see them plain as day.
"What fresh hell has this woman been through?" He couldn't help but think only to avert his gaze when he saw that she was staring back at him in the mirrors.
Tatsumi couldn't help but see Loki stiffen as he stared at her from behind making her go rigid as well. "He can't possibly... can he?" She can't help but think only to shake herself mentally and relax as soon as his eyes turned away from her to supposedly inspect one of the mannequins next to him.
The process, Loki noticed, wasn't much different than the one that would soon be performed on himself for the suit he wanted made. It did however make him uncomfortable to see a man in that close of a proximity to the mortal. He couldn't be feeling jealous could he? No. He just met this Midgardian the other day there's no way that he could have become attached to her that quickly. But still he really didn't like that money hungry man near her at any rate.
Tatsumi watched in the mirrors as Loki stole glances at her only to look more and more unhappy or distressed at the process of the tailor taking her measurements. She couldn't help but smile inwardly this was just too precious, to see the god Loki act like a child having one of his toys messed with by someone else. Too soon the tailor was done taking her measurements.
"Now miss if you would show me the style and materials you would like used I will be able to get started on you suit." The tailor says.
"I will need a moment to look around but in the meantime if you would take care of my friend I should have something picked out by the time you're done." Tatsumi says motioning to Loki with a kind smile before pulling on her shirt.
"Very well ma'am. Sir if you would." The tailor motions to the platform that previously was occupied by Tatsumi while looking at Loki.
Loki nods and takes off the shirt leaving himself in just his track pants before stepping onto the area.
Tatsumi had to use all her acting ability not to just stare at that mans chest. God it was gorgeous but she busied herself by looking at some suits instead. She had to get a grip on herself. This man, or god, whatever he was just couldn't cloud her mind like this. Finally after chastising herself Tatsumi is done finding the perfect suit and materials just in time for the tailor to be finished.
"Have you found a style you like?" The man ask.
"Yes I am quite fond of this suit right here." Tatsumi says pointing to the mannequin nearest her. It was a newer style of suit but it still looked old school enough for her to really appreciate it. "I would like this to be made from some sturdy material, but nothing wool or similar in texture and I'd prefer some silk or satin lineing."
"How about you sir? Have you made any decisions?" The man ask Loki.
"I have I'd actually like this style right here," Loki says while pointing to a mannequin three rows away from Tatsumi, "and I'd like it made of a similar material as she. I'd like the lineing to be of silk."
"Very well. You can expect your suits to be done in a week." The tailor says as he walks towards the register "Will you be paying now or once the alterations are complete if any are needed?" He asks looking at Tatsumi.
"I'd like to pay after all is said and done thank you." She says but still reaches for her wallet "But I understand you will still need my card information for afterwards."
"Indeed I will." The tailor says getting that money hungry look again when handed the card and takes the information down only to look somewhat sad upon having to hand it back.
"Come on "friend" " Tatsumi says as she heads to the door and opens it for Loki to walk through "We have much more shopping to do."
Loki frowns as he was hoping he would have a suit that day but walks through the door sending Tatsumi an unamused look at her emphasis on the word friend.
Tatsumi couldn't help but smirk at the look he gave her. "What's with the sour look? You got a suit on the way so cheer up." She says matching her stride with his. "The other stores aren't too far from here, in fact they're all located in there." Tatsumi says while gesturing to the huge mall.
Loki couldn't help but feel a little uneasy since he knew that the Avengers could show up at any time and anywhere. This of all places would NOT be ideal for any sort of confrontation he mused but followed the mortal across the street and into the building nonetheless.
"Ah here we go." Tatsumi says stepping into the entrance of Macy's "We'll be able to find you some socks and underwear in here first, then we can do the actual shopping for more outfits okay." She looks to Loki to see him none to pleased but nod his head in agreement.
"Very well. You Midgardians seem to be fond of underwear." He says walking alongside the mortal and giving her a bemused look "On Asgard we only wear the necessary attire. What lies beneath it is of little or no concern."
Tatsumi looks to him with surprise. "You mean to tell me your people find it unnecessary to wear underwear?! The whole purpose of underclothing is to protect your bodys more intimate parts from being rubbed raw by fabric that is too harsh and to, at times, make you feel..oh I don't know...sexier?" She says all this with the most confounded look of disbelief then shakes her head "Never mind. I don't want to know why your people don't believe in wearing them because you are here and while you are here you will be wearing underwear. Okay. Consider it a small step or part in blending in."
Before he could utter a reply they had reached the mens department and Tatsumi had zeroed in on the socks and boxers.
"Here. I think these should fit you, if not I can always buy you the next size up." She says while thrusting the items at Loki.
He couldn't help but feel both irritated and amused by this little beings attitude towards underclothing.
"Now lets grab you some pants, shoes, and shirts then we can get on with the other stores I have planned for our little excursion."
After going to numerous stores it appeared they arrived at the one store that the mortal had been wanting to go to since they arrived. Loki reads the sign "HOT TOPIC" he says in a neutral tone and looks at the woman only to see an mischevious glint in her eye as well as a slight tug at the corner of her lips.
"Now this is going to be fun. Come on." Taking the gods arm Tatsumi pulls him into the relatively small shop. Upon entering the store she couldn't help but look to Loki to see him looking at the clothing with interest and fascination.
Letting go of his arm Tatsumi walks to the racks and begins to pick numerous items of clothing for herself as well as Loki to try. "Here go try these on and I'll go try what I want on at the same time, that way I can get your opinion and give you mine. OH! and here try these too!" Tatsumi hands him a couple pairs of really kickass boots and grabs some for herself too.
Loki felt like throwing a tatrum at this point but settled for sending the mortal a heated look "If I try these items on will you conclude this shopping trip of ours?"
Tatsumi smiles "I will but only if you wear the outfit I deem acceptable from this store AND wear it TODAY."
Narrowing his eyes at the mortal and mulling the alternative of shopping even more "Fine. I agree."
Her grin growing by leaps and bounds as she practically skips to the back of the store "This way to get started on trying on those outfits."
Loki walked through the curtains leading to the fitting rooms close behind Tatsumi.
"I'll take this one if you want to use the one across from it." She says pointing to the first two rooms before disappearing behind one of the doors.
Tatsumi tapped her chin as she looked at the clothes to try on. She had a departed tiered dress, skull tulle dress, and a lace skull and crossbones dress along with three amazing pairs of shoes to try with them. "Hmmmm" Covering her eyes and pointing to the outfits "eeny meeny miny moe" She continues on until she comes to the end of the song and opens her eyes " So the tiered dress it is."
Meanwhile Loki was looking at the clothes the Midgardian had chosen for him with a mixed set of emotions. He was both intrigued and disgusted by having to do this but resigned himself to the task. Having decided that at least in a way the clothing seemed more to what he was used to on Asgard he settled on trying on a green t-shirt, a moto jacket, and black raw jeans along with a pair of interesting zip off boots. Doing a once over in the mirror of the small room Loki couldn't help but think that he actually liked this look.
"I'm ready to show you my outfit if you're ready to show me yours." Tatsumi calls from the room across the hall. Rolling his eyes "I'm ready as well." Loki steps from the room at the same moment as the mortal only to stop and stare at her. Once again the scars on her body stood out to him but her beauty was beyond startling in this ensemble making his breathe catch.
Shuffling her feet a little under his look Tatsumi found herself fighting a blush. "Well what do you think?"
Taking a gulp of air Loki had to snap himself out of it "I will need to see the back before I can give you a proper answer." He manages to choke out.
Doing a slow twirl while keeping eye contact with Loki "Sooo..."
"It looks very good on you. It seems to...accentuate your bodytype quite flatteringly." Loki replies admiringly loving the blush creep across the mortals cheekbones.
"Thanks. Um I like your outfit too. But as you told me I'll have to see the back as well to make sure." Loki smiles as he does the same as the woman and keeps eye contact during his slow turn. "Yep it suits you. I take it this is the outfit you've chosen?" She says having recovered a little from his scruitiny.
"Indeed. I have to ask, but are we able to wear these out of the store by chance?" He ask a little sheepishly but still managing to sound like he wasn't all at the same time.
"Sure. We just have to give them the tags at the register so I can pay." She says this while removing said tags from both of their clothing, grabbing their bags and heading to the register to hand them to the sales clerk.
She did this so quickly and gracefully that Loki could have sworn he had watched a dance.
"Well we can leave now like I promised." Just then Tatsumi's stomache growled because the store was so close to the food court she managed to catch a whiff of something wonderful.
Loki realized then too that he himself was hungry "If you like we can eat at one of those stalls containing food before we leave." He says pointing to the food court.
Tatsumi's face lit up "Come on I'll take you to the best two over there! Their food is fantastic I'm sure you'll love it."
Loki had to quicken his steps to keep up with the woman only to stop at the closest stall and hear her quickly order two drinks. "Here take it, It's a shake just be sure to drink it slow or you'll get brain freeze." She warns handing it to him as he smirked at the "brain freeze" comment.
No sooner had he taken the cup than the mortal had taken off to the opposite side of the food court and quickly told him to sit at the closest table as she went to order their food.
Just as quick as she was gone she was back with food in hand. "Mmmm you'll love this it's called bourbon chicken with brown rice and stir fry vegetables. If you don't mind I only got one order because they give you so much here that you can't possibly eat it all by yourself."
Handing him a fork she looks at him and grins "Bon Appetit!" Loki looked at the strange food and the drink deciding whether or not he wanted to eat when his stomache growled in reply. Cautiously he takes a sip of the shake. Once the creamy cold liquid hit his tongue he couldn't help but widen his eyes in surprise. With that positive enforcement in mind he took up his fork and took a bit of the food only to be just as equally shocked.
"Your Midgardian food and drinks are quite amazing! I never knew you had such delights." He said in between mouthfuls while Tatsumi just looked at him with the biggest grin on her face. "Well if you had given my world a try befor trying to take it over you'd have found many other things other than these."
Loki's stilled at the mention of this. Looking at the woman as she continued to eat like as if she hadn't just mentioned his failed attempt to take over her realm. "You knew about that and still took me in...why?" He says resuming his eating.
"Actually I didn't when I first met you I only knew you looked familiar so I looked you up on the internet right before I went to sleep last night." Tatsumi says continuing on with her meal with an attitude like as if they were talking about any normal thing.
He couldn't help but look at her with surprise "And yet you still let me stay in your home, give me food and clothe me. Why?" Loki reaches out and stops the Midgardian from taking a drink of her shake holding her stare.
"Yes. I did. I...feel something, I don't know what, when I'm near you. As I told you before I am neither fearless or naive but I don't feel like I have anything to fear when it comes to me being alone with you. Even after I read and saw footage of what you had done I still didn't feel like I had anything to worry about. I feel a pull to you. Whether my instincts are correct on this it remains to be seen but they have yet to steer me wrong." She says holding his stare before finally breaking eye contact and taking her hand back so she could finally take a drink.
Loki was speechless. For once in his life he really was at a loss for words. No one had ever felt at ease in his prescence unless his brother was by his side, in fact the only friends he had were those of Thor's. She wasn't lying when she spoke to him which only made his emotions towards this mortal feel even more confusing. "How...is it you can feel no malice towards me for what I've done? How can you stand to help me?"
Tatsumi let out a sigh "That is because I can see your point of view I suppose. Yes freedom is a great lie but what you failed to see is that it is a lie that is required for human beings to function. If you take away our freedom you take away our purpose, our reason for living the way we see fit. Yes that way may be flawed but it is our decision to make, it is our right to do so. You take away someones purpose or reason for living you will always have a fight on your hands to the death regardless. If you wanted to take over this world of mine you would have done better to show us an illusion of MORE freedom and independence rather than force us into submission. If you showed us that illusion I can gaurantee you would have most of us kneeling at your feet in no time without so much of a struggle." Tilting her head to the side Tatsumi looks even more deeply into Loki's eyes "Plus I don't think you were actually you when you attacked, your eyecolor alone makes that a huge possibility. Your eyes are naturally green are they not, but yet in all the footage I looked at your eyes were a shade of blue. Your were being manipulated just like the people you manipulated with that staff you had in your possesion."
Loki's eyes went wide with that revelation being laid out before him. Of course he knew he had been mentally taken over but he had never told anyone else. This woman had come to this conclusion just from his eyecolor alone. "You're correct in all accounts mortal. I was manipulated but yet you are the only one to see this. You really are extrodinary for a Midgardian." He says while shaking his head and continues to eat finally. "If I didn't know better I'd swear you had been alive far longer than that of your appearance."
Tatsumi had to actively keep herself from going rigid "Well here on Earth we have a name for people like that. We call them "old souls" and yes I have had many people tell me that very same thing that you just did." Tatsumi hadn't told a lie so she knew that Loki wouldn't know that he was correct in assuming her age was greater than she looked. She had been around for so long and seen so much it was the only way she could deflect anyones conclusions that she was older by telling them the same thing.
Loki nodded as he helped her finish off the last of the food "It is a fitting name for you indeed." This earned him a lopsided grin from the woman as she got up to throw the remains of their food away.
"We should be getting back to the house for I have a lot of clothing to wash after all of this shopping. But If you want later on tonight I can take you to see some of the other things that are quite amazing in this world." She says gathering up her shake and some of the bags.
"That would be nice." Loki found himself saying before he could stop. Blinking a little at this he stands to do the same as the mortal "What is it with this woman that makes me act like I have a soft heart? How can someone make me feel so different?" he couldn't help but think making him feel a little bit of panic at this.
"Coming?" Tatsumi says turning to look at him.
Loki pulls himself from his thoughts and nods to the mortal "Yes."
