Once home Ashera showered, allowing the hot water to roll over her aching body and slowly wash the mud down the drain. Finally clean, she began to wonder what she should say to the God who was still willing to find her. But her brain could hardly put a sentence together. She realized how tired she still was and how little sleep she had actually gotten. Her stomach ached as well, she hadn't eaten yet. Sighing she sat down on the couch putting the lilac bundle on her side table. Its scents were so relaxing she began to drift off to sleep once again.
She nearly fell off the couch when she heard a knock at her door. She stumbled up in confusion and looked through the peep hole. Jane stood looking awkward with a container in hand. Ashera rubbed her eyes as she opened the door.
"Hey!" Jane said, relief on her face, "You feeling better? I brought you soup." She held up the container and smiled nervously.
"Hey, wow thanks Jane, come in." Ashera said gesturing her in. "I'll umm, get a bowl."
"I figured you wouldn't be in any condition to go anywhere and I hadn't heard from you, so I picked it up from the diner."
Jane had only been to Ashera's place once before when Darcy was still around. Darcy had wanted to plan a girl's night and it had been largely unsuccessful. She had rented some movies and ordered take out and all of them had been unsure of what to do from there. They had gone to Ashera's apartment because it was the only place that wasn't the lab. They had thrown in a movie and stuffed their faces. Ashera had immediately fallen asleep and Jane had picked apart the movie until Darcy had simply turned it off. Everyone had parted ways after that and they had never attempted a night like it again. Ashera could not help but be relieved by this fact. Friends were something she never really had and could never bring herself to get close to. It was just too dangerous to set down roots anywhere.
It was slightly awkward as Ashera reheated the soup while Jane took a seat on the couch. Ashera took a bite as she walked back to the living room. It was delicious and she scarfed more down having forgotten her hunger yet again.
"This is so good" she said with her mouth full.
"I'm glad you like it," Jane said bashfully, "I figured someone should check on you."
"Thanks Jane," Ashera ate another spoonful, "So you don't think I can take care of myself?" She said with an impish grin.
"Well you weren't answering my texts and I guess I figured… well you don't have family here. I wanted to help you out." She smiled. "I know when I'm sick I miss my family and someone to take care of me."
"Oh, yeah," Ashera cleared her throat suddenly feeling guilty. "Sorry about that, I kind of just slept for a day straight. I'm feeling a bit better now though. Thanks for stopping by and brining soup." Just then her stomach growled loud enough the neighbors probably heard it. Her cheeks reddened with embarrassment, "I guess I don't always take good care of myself." She admitted reluctantly, "I haven't eaten in a while" she gave a weak smile.
"Oh don't worry!" Jane replied. "I'm here to help! You know you can text or call me right? I could have come by sooner." She smiled as she looked around. "Looks like I'm not your only visitor though." she said slyly.
Ashera looked at her in confusion until Jane pointed to the bundle of lilacs. "Whoever it is they must be into you, lilacs are hard to find around here." She raised an eyebrow teasingly. "Who is he?"
Ashera almost choked on her soup. Feeling another blush come to her cheeks she looked into her bowl letting her hair fall to mask her face, how would she explain this away?!
Jane giggled at her reaction then said, "It's ok you don't have to tell me… yet."
Ashera shook her head; she would have to come up with a convincing story. She hated having to lie so much. It felt worse when she actually liked the person she was forced to lie to.
Ashera cleared her throat and looked up, "So, how is your research going?" she tried to redirect.
Jane gave a smile that said she knew what Ashera was doing and she would not soon forget this particular conversation; but she dropped it for the time being and answered the new question.
"I have been comparing and researching further and I actually think the portal may still be open. It seems to have moved but I think it's still there, unless it's a new one, but the signature appears to be the same." Her excitement changed to chagrin as she added, "I knew Thor couldn't trust Loki to simply close a portal. Who knows what he has planned now that he knows about it." Jane shook her head disdainfully, "Anyway, I will have to keep looking but I think I will try to find it soon. I want to be able to warn Thor. You have next weekend off right? As long as you're feeling better we should set up a trip to look for it together!"
"I'm sure we can plan something." Ashera responded. She tried to keep the worry from her voice. If they did find the portal again what would that mean for her and Loki? They hadn't even gotten to a new arrangement yet.
"Well, I'm glad you are feeling better and hope to see you back at the lab soon. I will let you rest up some more but text me ok? Let me know if you need anything."
"Thanks Jane. I will." Ashera reassured her.
With that Jane gave a smile and a wave before closing the door behind her.
Ashera reflected for a moment. Jane was certainly more of a friend than she had ever cared to consider. It was a nice feeling but also concerning. Friends and being a werewolf did not tend to work out. She may have to leave town sooner than planned. Pushing that particular thought to the side she finished her soup and began preparing for the following day.
Ashera paced in her room waiting for Loki to transport her. She really needed to discuss a different way to get in touch. She wasn't sure if concentrating on Asgard was enough to get his attention or cause the portal to open on its own but she had tried briefly meditating on it before feeling stupid and giving up.
Feeling the shimmer of magic she looked over. There was the portal, and unlike her previous encounter it seemed he was giving the option to come through instead of simply taking her. He had clearly put thought and effort into their next meeting. Ahsera took a deep breath to ready herself.
Loki stood in the field, his back to the portal. He held his breath, eyes closed, waiting to hear her footsteps hoping she would accept his invitation and understand what it meant. He heard the slightest movement alerting him to her arrival. He turned slowly to view her. She stood tall looking at him with steady emerald eyes. She wore a thin white sun dress that flowed around her knees; her gold sandals strapped around her ankles as if native to Asgard. Her brown hair held a slight curl and fell down around her shoulders framing her soft oval face. He took in her expression which was carefully placed to reveal no emotions.
A smile played on his lips, he was glad she had accepted. He gave a small bow before taking a few steps toward the girl. Ashera eyed him but stepped forward as well.
They stood now silently only a few feet apart neither wanted to start this conversation but Loki knew it was up to him to begin.
"Lady Ashera," he started keeping his tone gentle. "I apologize for my actions the other day. I let a previous encounter dictate my mood."
"Thank you Prince," Ashera tilted her head in acknowledgment, "I am sorry as well, I lost my temper." She took a deep breath before continuing. "I would like to point out that fear won't do either of us any good. We need to get along and we need to be able to trust one another. I will not be made a fool of nor will I be forced into anything I am uncomfortable with."
"I agree of course." Loki took a step closer his bright eyes looking into hers, "Trust is an important boundary that must be forged in order to work together successfully." He held his hand out as a gesture of agreement, an offer for her to take if she chose to do so. "I trust you have no ill intent." He added teasingly with a wink.
"I also need to know;" Ashera hesitated, not making a move until she had all the answers she required. "Are you planning on using me, in any way?"
Loki squared his shoulders to Ashera's making their bodies only inches apart; he looked down on the girl he had tried so hard to get back. She stood tall and continued to gaze up at him pleadingly. Loki felt as though she was willing him to tell the truth with that gaze, and begging to let her trust him. She was not naive to the things he had done but her willingness to even want to trust him, to believe in his goodness; it resonated with him and had him believing he was a decent man.
A realization hit him. He did want to be trusted, and wanted to trust someone in return. But who could rely on him after all he had done? How could she believe him even if he told her what she wanted to hear? How could he promise her anything when he didn't even know if he could trust himself? His eyes darted between her green ones not sure how to explain anything he wanted to say.
No, he thought defiantly after some deliberation. He closed his eyes and inhaled the cool sweet air. He was doing this for a reason; he wanted to help this girl. The pain had been evident even when they had first met; she was as lost as he was. He did not even believe her deserving of whatever hardship she had endured. Whatever it was he saw too much of his own pain and grief in her to let her suffer alone. He had to make her believe his next words.
Loki exhaled; taking Ashera's face between his palms he looked into her glistening green eyes. In a tone as serious and steady as he could muster he answered her question.
"No my dear, I will not use you for anything. You are your own person, and I will help you find out more about your powers." He paused a moment, he needed his last statement to be felt fully. "If there is one thing I would like you to believe of me, it is that I will never lie to you."
Ashera had frozen when he touched her. The feeling of excitement and hope flashed through her once more. Her heart raced so fast it ached. His words pressed in on her. She couldn't speak she couldn't even breath. The God had just sworn to never lie to her. She realized he had left the moment and the decision completely in her hands. It was now up to her to decide whether she could trust the God of Lies. She considered him; face still trapped between his hands, eyes locked, pulse loud in her ears. What was it about this fallen prince that had her feeling so much understanding? She knew her answer. She had known since stepping onto this field with his first challenge. Her wolf instincts sensed no deception. She trusted him.
Loki, sensing her mind was made up, released her face but held her eyes with his. His brow creased slightly with worry. He could only hope he had given her enough reason to stay.
Finally, Ashera relaxed. "Very well," she agreed, satisfied with his answer. "I believe you, and I trust you; just as you can trust me. Now, I would very much like to learn from you Prince Loki." She half curtsied as if at court, a sly smile playing on her lips.
"If we are to work together," Loki smiled widely, "just Loki will do."
"Of course," she said as she nearly skipped past him to lean against the large boulder. "And Loki?" She looked up at him with gentle eyes. "Thank you." she smiled and looked away as he attempted to keep his face under control, but his smile could not be contained. He could not help but feel a little less lost now that he had found someone he knew he would call a friend.