"I'm done here, right?" Christie yawned to Jennie once everything in the kitchens was tidied and cleaned, suddenly finding herself absolutely exhausted. This kind of domestic work wasn't something she was naturally used to doing.
"Amazingly, yes you are. How swiftly did that go? Isn't serving just the most fulfilling job in the world?" Christie's awkward silence as a response told Jennie all she needed to know. "Why…why don't you go out onto the Palace Balconies for a while to unwind until dinner service? They're just glorious," Jennie suggested brightly, chucking her dishcloth into a wicker basket to be washed before untying her brunette locks, so that they cascaded freely down her back. "I'm going to have a little lie down myself - these mornings honestly tire me out. I'll knock for you when it's time to come back for dinner service."
"Yeah, that's good idea. I'll see you later then," Christie breathed out in relief.
"May the protectors keep you safe, Annerledes!" Jennie waved her an excitable goodbye as she departed from the kitchens so she could go to her own headquarters. Christie wandered around the palace corridors aimlessly before she stumbled across the most beautiful winding white marble staircase, unsure of where it led to but hoping that it took her to where she needed to go.
Eventually, after getting lost a number of times and having to resort to ask a grumpy looking palace guard for directions, she found the magnificent double doors leading to the great Palace Balconies. It was just as stunning as Jennie made it out to be - the pure sight of it made her breath hitch in her throat. The balconies themselves were made of the purest navy blue and pure white marble swirled together, and they looked onto the most serene view of the Asgardian shores. The crystal blue waves lapped gently against the innocent chalky white sands. Christie felt at peace with her life for a few short seconds.
It wasn't everyday that an assassin got to feel peace - particularly one with such a difficult past. The only peace they truly knew, was in death.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" came a sudden deep voice from somewhere behind her. Christie spun round and found herself face to face with Loki himself, standing there with his arms folded. How and when he got there, she had absolutely no idea.
"It's…it's very nice," Christie hummed politely before turning back around to gaze at the view again.
"It's more than 'nice'. It's a complete vision of peace," Loki corrected her quietly, causing her to look back at him again. "My favourite part of this entire palace, always has been. In fact, my favourite part of Asgard."
"Do…do you come out here all the time?" Christie asked as casually as possible, careful not to break eye contact once. Loki's eyes flickered up and down her body for a brief second before answering again.
"I come here to think quite often, yes," he finally replied after the short pause. Christie couldn't help but stare at those stunning green eyes of his, even though they were now more focussed on the serene sight ahead of him than her.
"You come out here to think? Wow…that's deep," Christie smiled slightly. Loki briefly glanced at her again, this time in amusement - but quickly looked away.
"I don't believe we've properly been introduced," he cleared his throat softly whilst darting his eyes back up at hers uncertainly. Now he was starting to look slightly shy. "My name's-"
"Loki, the mischievous one," Christie filled it in with a smirk. Loki's eyes glinted slightly, finding it difficult to work her out but also loving the challenge of it. He was usually rather good at it, but something about her was different.
A pleasant change.
He continued to study her in wonder, for never had he seen such an interesting looking woman in his life. Her almost-sliver straight hair had been styled into a side parting and was flowing past her shoulders, almost down to her waist. Her gentle pink lips weren't overly pouty, but their natural form appeared to be slightly parted at all times. And those steely grey eyes of hers were the most prominent feature of her face, glinting in the reflection of the Asgardian moonlight.
"I'm...Annerledes," Christie decided to awkwardly introduce herself after noticing that he hadn't spoken for a few seconds too long. Loki suddenly broke out of his trancelike state and a shadow of a grin began to fade onto his face. "What's so funny?"
"Did my mother name you that?" Loki smirked knowingly.
"She did indeed - why?" Christie frowned.
"Ah, of course she did - it's an ancient language meaning 'different'… something that, to be fair, you most definitely are," Loki explained before lightly running his tongue over his bottom lip.
"Oh…that's nice of her..." Christie murmured slowly, trying to figure out if that was a compliment or not. She turned around again to soak in her surroundings - she just could't get enough of them. Everything still felt like a dream.
"Indeed. I'm going to leave now, but I'll be seeing more of you soon I hope?" Loki suggested, wistfulness lingering in his tone. Before Christie could even turn around properly to answer him, Loki had gone, leaving nothing but his citrusy scent of sweet lemon and lime lingering in the air.
Sorry I've been gone for so long! Hope you enjoyed :)