Chapter 27
27
Loki had indeed fled. It only took him moments to collect her things from the hotel. Throwing it all into a pocket dimension, he stood for a moment, gazing out to sea. Where to hide until he could spend the time needed to clear his mind?
He knew he was stronger than the changes wrought upon him by Eir and her ilk, but it would take time and serious effort to untangle the web of spells repressing and blurring his memories. He needed somewhere safe and quiet, a place where he could contemplate his situation, unobserved and uninterrupted.
For the moment, he decided to stay where he was; it was the last place Thor and his mortals would look, expecting him to run. The first thing Loki had done after taking on his normal Aspect, was to conceal himself from Heimdall’s gaze.
He’d also hidden from the little spider when she returned to their suite, making himself invisible. Loki silently watched as she searched, sighing as she did not find any of Luka’s belongings. She packed up her own and lugged it all down to the lobby.
Hiring a car, she headed home, speaking with someone to pick her up in a quinjet, much faster than public transport. Natasha was not looking forward to meeting Thor, but, just in case Luka had gone back to the Tower, she did not call the big, blond god right away.
Grinning to himself, Loki thought he’d keep up this charade for just a bit longer. He, or rather she, had been looking forward to being admired by all the influential people attending this evening’s gathering. He’d never minded being fawned over and the show might provide an opportunity for a little mischief, something he’d missed for a long time.
The dark god teleported himself to a shadowy corner inside the Gateway. From there, it was a simple thing to take on Luka’s form. She strutted out of the gloom and into the backstage madness. Models, makeup artists, hairdressers, people with beautiful gowns wrapped in plastic bags, several assistants with tablets and wearing headsets all swirling around in the confines of the preparation area.
The tall redhead stood regally still, straight backed, head up, her hands clasped at her waist. She waited, patiently for her, to be noticed and informed of her role. In only a few minutes, an assistant came over, looking confused. “Who are you, dearie? What are you doing here? Madame Chiuri will not be pleased with a stranger invading her domain!” The woman attempted to shoo Luka outside.
The goddess ignored all the whispers and surreptitious glances she was getting from staff and models alike. Her chin lifted and she looked down her long, straight nose at the mortal who had dared to speak to her in such a familiar manner.
“Do you have any idea of to whom you are speaking, mortal? Lady Chiuri will indeed be upset if she is not immediately apprised of my arrival. Now, if you wish to continue your employment here, I suggest you go find her and bring her to me.”
Luka’s eyes had glowed green with seidr, frightening the aide into fleeing. The snickers and comments from the others, she quelled with a superior glare that swept over the entire group. People suddenly found something to do, or somewhere else to be. The goddess just smiled. She would rule this affair before it was over.
When the aide found Chiuri, she was in the midst of giving instructions to a half dozen models. They stood around her in a semi-circle, blocking the aide’s approach. The woman jittered in place for a moment, afraid to interrupt the designer.
Finally noticed, Maria barked, “What?,” at the agitated assistant.
“There’s a very imperious woman in the dressing room looking for you, Madame. She was very insistent that I find you... and bring you to her!” The aide sounded panicked to the designer, whether afraid of the woman or angering her boss, Maria was not certain. It did not matter; it could only be Lady Luka. The designer grumbled to herself, but she went.
“Lady Luka!,” she cried as soon as she caught sight of the tall redhead. “Where have you been, my dear? I feared you had gotten lost or were unwell. I have had people searching for you all morning!”
“I have been here for some time. I felt it wise to observe quietly for a little while. Familiarise myself with the workings of this endeavour. Now, I am ready.” Luka opened her arms at waist height, her elbows still close to her sides. She was calm and relaxed, not at all concerned by the designer’s obvious agitation.
“You are... !” Chiuri muttered to herself in Italian, waving Luka to a makeup station.
“You do know I understand your native tongue, yes?” Luka murmured to the older blonde. She did not appear pleased by the comment she’d overheard.
“Uh, no, I did not know that,” Maria gulped. “Sorry, I’m a bit rushed and I was worried about you.”
“My seidr, my ‘magic,’ translates any mortal tongue. I will understand any language you speak. And my hearing is much more acute than a human’s,” Luka informed the designer, a bit snippishly.
“Ohh-kay! Good to know,” Chiuri replied. “Now, let’s get you in the first gown and your makeup on. Then we can do your hair and you’ll be ready,” she smiled, soothingly.
“I have been watching your other performers prepare and I know what is required. I do not need to be ‘made up’ however. I can take care of that and my hair myself.” Luka lifted her chin and her eyes glowed for a moment. A wave of gold-green magic passed over her face and she was done. Her hair was braided up and wrapped smoothly around her head, her eyes surrounded by kohl. It made the vibrant green of her irises stand out even more.
There were several gasps and exclamations of surprise from the people surrounding the goddess and designer. Luka ignored them and Chiuri just exhorted everyone to “sbrigare, sbrigare!.” (hurry, hurry!)
Luka looked down at the designer and chuckled. “You’ve not told anyone about your new ‘model’, have you?” She sounded quite amused. “A surprise for the audience, milady?” Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Or was it to shock your competition? I have noticed several on the guest list for tonight.”
Maria laughed lightly, not too surprised she’d been found out. “A little of both?” She patted Luka’s arm. “You will be quite the sensation, Luka. The extra notice will be good for both of us!”
“I am forgiven then, for my tardiness?” The goddess grinned. “You do seem pleased.”
“Of course, of course!” the designer nodded. “Please don’t make a habit of it, though. Not good for my heart.” She lay one hand on her chest, but she was smiling.