Chapter 18
18
The goddess did not go straight back to Thor’s apartment, however. Now knowing where Pepper’s office was, she popped in, unannounced. Startled, the CEO jumped up with a squeak.
“Lady Luka! Why... are you alright? What’s happened?” Pepper came around her desk, hands out to grasp the goddess’.
“Nothing is wrong, minn vinr. I need to borrow Karl Hogan, if I may. I wish to return to the Tower without alarming my brodir.” She smiled, whispering conspiratorially. “I did not tell Thor we rescheduled our visit. He would only have fretted. So now, I need him to believe I am coming back from here.”
“Oh, I see. I think. If you don’t mind my asking, where did you go?” Pepper released the goddess’ hands. “Of course, Happy can drive you. He’ll be glad to get out of the building.”
Laughing, Luka responded, “I went to see Karl Weber. You remember him? The man who apologised for disturbing our first lunch? He had someone he wished for me to meet. A lady of note in a related profession.”
“Really? Who? Sounds intriguing!” Pepper was curious, wondering what the photographer had up his sleeve.
“A lady who conceives of gowns for others, from what I understood. She does not fashion them herself, according to him, rather has many others who do that for her. Then she takes them to ‘shows’ at various places where they may be purchased. Much like the designers in that movie we watched.”
“Wow! That’s wonderful! And she wants you to model something she creates? Where?”
“Lady Chiuri said her show is in Mumbai this fall. That is only weeks away, correct? It does not give her and her saumakvennur much time. I hope they are capable.” The women were walking out as they spoke.
“Maria Chiuri, the head of Dior? Oh my god, Luka!” Pepper covered her mouth with both hands, eyes huge. She actually stopped walking, staring at the tall goddess.
Turning her bright green eyes on the excited mortal, Luka smiled, calmly. “I would gladly accept your homage, if you truly meant it, Pepper. I think you are simply overwrought, though. You mortals tend to exclaim exuberantly when roused.”
Luka laughed again at the stunned look from Pepper. “It is alright, Pepper. I am only amused by your enthusiasm, not angered. As for this Lady, I am a goddess and a princess. Is it not fitting that the meistari in whatever art or vocation is involved attend me?”
*
Thor met her as she exited the elevator on his floor. He smiled to see the cheerful expression on her beautiful face. A blush in her cheeks and a sparkle in her eyes, it gladdened his heart to note her happiness. He thought he would have to make it easier for her to leave the confines of the Tower more often. He had no idea what was coming.
The big god asked how she had spent her day, expecting a description of Pepper’s work and where they had gone for lunch. He got instead a suddenly serious look and deep sigh. His instantly worried face did garner him a small smile.
“Relax, Thor. I am well; Pepper is well. Nothing untoward happened.” When he sighed in relief, she became serious again. “Come, Storm King. Sit with me. I have much to impart and I fear you may find some of it distressing.”
“Luka?” She could tell from his tone, he expected trouble. Not to mention that worried frown.
“I confess, I misled you about my plans for today, Thor. I did not spend the day with Lady Pepper.”
“But, I asked, and she said...” he began.
“She was unaware, as well, Thunderer. Deliberately. I called from the taxi and cancelled our afternoon. I had made other plans of which I did not think you would approve.”
“Where did you go, kaereste?” Thor was scowling now. “What did you do?” This was so like Loki of old. To ask forgiveness after the fact rather than to get permission first.
“First, some background, if you will. The first time Lady Pepper and I lunched together, there was a noisy, undisciplined group eating nearby. Rather like a group of Asgardians, in truth. They disturbed all the other diners, so I silenced them.”
“Oh, Luka!” Thor interjected, horrified.
“No one was harmed, silly. The owner came and apologised, then spoke with the leader of that troop. He also came to offer remorse for their behaviour. When he saw me, he reacted strangely, I thought. Karl Weber recognised Lady Pepper, and she introduced him to me. He left us with his business card, saying if I ever wished to, he would be honoured to have the opportunity to ‘shoot me.’”
She laughed loudly at his expression. “So I thought also, until Pepper explained. He meant only to take likenesses of me, that I would have a reference for memories. And he wished to show them to people he did business with. People like those in that film you chose for us that first movie night that I was to attend? Remember?”
“So that is where you went? To see this mortal and allow him to photograph you? Alone and unescorted?” Thor’s growing annoyance was obvious. He would have insisted on going with her, of course.
“I am not defenceless, Brother! I had fun, too. Changing my dress and hair, posing for these pictures, learning new things about the mortals. At least until I returned here, and got drenched thanks to your ridiculous fretting!”
“Drenched? This did not happen today, did it?” Thunder rolled beyond the windows. Dark clouds gathered and lightning flashed.
“Control yourself, Storm King! It’s past and done. I’m sure you can see no harm has befallen me!” Luka snapped, slapping her hands onto the table.
“Today, I returned, at Bryce’s request. He had shown my likeness to an important lady in the fashion world. She flew all the way from Paris just to meet me, an unprecedented event, I am told.
“Lady Chiuri wishes to design gowns just for me. And she wishes me to accompany her to her fall showing. In Mumbai. Where I will star at this event and be feted and adored and worshipped and...” Luka burst into tears and fled into the bedroom. The look on Thor’s face said it all. He would not let her go.
Poor Thor just sat there for several minutes, completely at a loss. Where had this come from? He thought she was content, reading, occasionally sparring with Natasha, and having lunch out with her or Pepper.
Finally, he left his apartment, looking for someone to talk to, to possibly advise him. The god wandered down to the main floor, but found no one in the kitchen, lounge nor out on the patio. He thought to try Tony, searching him out in one of his labs.
“Hey, there, Point Break!” Tony greeted his alien friend. Then he took a second look. “What’s up buddy? You look like somebody pissed in your Cheerios.” Tony put down the tool in his hand.
“I am confused, my friend. I think I need advice.” Thor scrubbed his hands through his beard.
“Yeah? What with?” Tony started. “No, don’t tell me! You gotta problem with your lady, right?”
“Indeed. I know not what to do. She has told me she has visited some person I have never met. A photographer she met while dining with your Pepper.” Thor shook his head. “And she lied to me.” He sighed and leaned on a worktable.
“Oh, you’re in trouble, alright!” Tony looked at Thor, wide-eyed. Then he squinted at the god. “Are you jealous?”
“What? No!” Thor hastened to deny such an allegation. “I fear for her safety is all. I do not know this person, nor what his intentions toward Luka are, in truth. She is not as familiar with you mortals as I.”
Tony gave the big blond another narrow-eyed glance. Thor had denied that pretty quickly. “I think you should talk to one of the girls. I’m not really the best one for boy-girl relationship advice. I screwed up mine pretty good.” The inventor shrugged, with a sigh and a sad smile.
“Truth, my friend. I do understand. Females are difficult to comprehend at times.” Thor nodded agreement. “Perhaps Lady Natasha might help. She and Luka have spent time together. Do you know if she is in the Tower?”
“Good idea, L'oreal. She’s pretty savvy when it comes to figuring people out. Friday, is Nat at home today?”
“Ms. Romanov is in her quarters, Boss. Shall I inform her that Prince Thor intends to visit?”
“There ya go, big guy! Just explain your problem an’ see what she says. Gotta be better than anything I could suggest.” Tony slapped Thor on a shoulder. As the god headed out, he called after him, “Good luck, pal!”