Chapter 41
41
Loki strode back and forth in his hotel room, thinking furiously. He knew the Avengers would soon think to look for him, or rather, Issa, here. But where to go? He’d left nothing of consequence behind when he’d fled the Tower. It would be a matter of moments to toss anything he wished to keep in a small dimensional ‘pocket.’
He could continue to run, even as far as another Realm, but he had grown tired of that. Who knew if he’d even be welcome? Perhaps on Alfheim, the elves respected his learning, his expertise in seidr, but they were too pacific for him to be content there for long.
Vanaheim? Home of his adopted mother? No, too close to Asgard. Svartalfheim was a dead world and Jotunheim was out of the question for so many reasons. That left only his daughter’s Realm, which he could not enter while alive or Nidavellir; but the dwarves were no friends.
The dark god had no desire to leave the relative safety of Yggdrasil’s cosmos; he’d be too exposed. So, he would remain on Midgard. Hmm, maybe return to the Luka persona? Thor and friends would likely not confront him, (as himself), if he stayed in Paris. Played at being a supermodel. Very obvious, and yet, still safe from Heimdall’s scrutiny and Odin’s torture, disguised as punishment.
Hopefully, it would also ease ‘big brother’s’ fretting. If Thor knew where he was and what he was doing, he might back off a bit. There was only one way to find out. Loki sighed and Walked to the City of Lights.
The group, minus Barton, who’d stayed with his family, cautiously entered the inn where Issa had been staying. Unsure of what they might find, only Steve and Nat approached the reception desk. The clerk, impressed by their reputations, gave them the blonde’s room number.
Of course, they found it abandoned. Food still in the fridge, even her clothes still hanging in the closet. When they returned to the front, they questioned the clerk as to when she had last been seen. Not since early Friday morning, they were told. She still had valuables in the safe, he thought. But when it was opened, Issa’s assets were missing. And there was no record of the safe being opened.
Standing in the lobby doorway, Thor moaned in pain. “He’s run, again. Now how will I find him?”
Steve turned around, hearing the big god’s heartache. “Maybe you shouldn’t try for a while. He obviously doesn’t want you, or any of us around. I think we should just go home and leave him be for now. I’m sure he’ll resurface when he’s ready, Thor. He’s on Earth, somewhere. Your Guardian would tell you if Loki’s left the planet. Right?”
“Aye. He can sense when a portal is opened between the Realms. He would inform me of such, I pray before he tells my father.”
“Maybe you should go check?” Tony asked. “Can’t hurt at this point, right?”
“If he is still here, any idea of where he might go? Any place either of you may have visited in the past that he liked?” Natasha wondered aloud.
“Paris!” Bruce suddenly blurted. “Luka loved playing model, all the attention, the acclaim. And Dior is based in Paris.”
“That’s right! She did. And they treated her like a princess, too. Anyone know Maria Chiuri’s cell number?” Natasha agreed.
“If Luka called her from a Starkphone, Friday will find it,” Tony was certain. “We may as well go home. We can check from the Tower as easily as from here. Easier, in fact. C’mon, guys! We’ll let Legolas know and grab the jet.”
*
Vincent Billard popped out of his office immediately after getting a panicked call from the front desk. He only knew there was a ‘very demanding’ lady requesting his presence ASAP. The instant he saw her, he recognised her, and his pique evaporated.
“Cherie! I am delighted to see you once more! How can I help?” The manager bowed over her hand, brushing her knuckles with his lips.
“This person claims you have no room for me. Because I have not a reservation?” Luka smiled, but he could hear the annoyance in her voice. That expressive eyebrow, lifted high, only cemented the intensity of her sentiment.
Billard glanced aside at the clerk. “Of course we shall find something befitting you, mamselle. Un moment, s' il vous plaît, while I see what is available."
“Really, Vincent! You may call me Luka. After all, we’ve already spent the night together.” Luka’s eyes sparkled as she teased the dark-haired Frenchman. She chuckled throatily when the clerk gasped.
Billard made a face, but smiled as well. Turning to his help, he murmured, “We went dancing. She kept me out until the clubs closed.” The other sighed in relief. Gabrielle Billard was not the kind of woman to share.
“Ah, here we are,” Vincent grinned. “Not as large a suite, but you are alone this visit, non?”
Luka just nodded, serenely. “At least, for now. I will want breakfast early and a car before ten. Thank you for accommodating me, Vincent. If I am still here for the rest of the weekend, perhaps we might dance again.” The goddess purred and her eyes glowed.
Just as on her first visit, the mortal only nodded, mesmerised. “Your suite is ready, cherie. Come, I will escort you up.” He glanced around, “No luggage this trip?”
“I intend on replacing my wardrobe whilst here, mon ami. Why come to Paris, if not to shop, eh?” she laughed. “I will be seeing Madame Chiuri tomorrow afternoon, also.”
Settled comfortably in a suite reserved for just these circumstances, Loki relaxed and resumed his usual form. He checked carefully, reinforcing the seidr that hid him from Asgard and others. Deciding to stay himself for a short while, he went out to see what he could find for entertainment. Changing his hair colour to auburn and his complexion ruddier, he kept his green eyes.
Since it was already after midnight in Paris, he remembered bars might be closing soon, but dance clubs would still open for several hours. The G7 taxi he hired asked for a destination and the driver told him he wanted to visit the neighbourhood known as Le Marais. It was the best area to find a ‘pretty boy,’ and dancing, as he had asked.
The slender god spent a few enjoyable hours drinking, dancing and flirting with anyone who seemed interested. He was almost surprised at how popular he appeared to these unusual mortals.
Even a few females hit on him, though he had not tried to disguise his apparent preference for men. Big, blonde, well-built men in particular. As soon as the Trickster realised what he was doing, he decided to call it a night. Loki sighed in the back of his taxi; he couldn’t seem to get away from Thor even when hidden from the Thunderer.
At least he was calm and ready to face that gutsy little mortal couturier, Maria Chiuri. First, a shower to wash away the night and breakfast to fortify him for an interesting day ahead. He’d worry about his clingy, erstwhile brother later.