Chapter 42
42
Dior’s head designer sat in her office, sipping her second coffee, and trying to decide what to do. Her office had received a call from the Asgardian goddess yesterday while she was out ‘shopping’. Looking for new materials, checking on her competition, watching what the general populace was wearing. She doodled on a large, white, artist’s pad as she thought.
Dior had two upcoming shows, the smaller haute couture in July, and the larger ready-to-wear in September. Maria rubbed her temple and sighed. Could she fit that most demanding of models into either lineup? Would Luka be willing to wear already finished designs? Would she behave? She would, no doubt, find out soon. The pair had a meeting this afternoon and Luka, as usual, was already late.
They’d never really had much chance to sit and discuss the differences in clothing between their two cultures. The small woman wondered if she could get the goddess to explain what was normal everyday wear on Asgard and what was formal dress. She was curious about design for men, too. Perhaps she might prevail on Luka to tell her about it over a meal, or at least, coffee.
Finally, Chiuri heard voices coming up the stairs. One, obviously her assistant, fretfully asking for clarification of something. A sharp answer in a rich, velvety contralto. Luka... no human had those almost subvocal tones that resonated in the gut and mind like that. It made it difficult to deny her when she wanted something.
Surprising Maria to shocked silence, Luka swished into her office in a bustier top, loose leg print jeans in faded blue and matching ballet slippers. Over it all she wore an ankle length grey jacket the same shade as the top. Her hair was pulled back into a neat bun and she had on large, dark glasses that she slipped into a straw purse with a shoulder strap. The goddess looked a perfect example of a modern Parisian woman.
“It is good to see you again, Maria. You look well. I am anticipating enjoying our working together once more.” Luka spoke as she slipped into a chair across from the designer, dropping her bag to the floor beside her seat.
After a moment to recover from her surprise, Maria grinned at the goddess. “You look amazing! A perfect outfit for a warm summer day. You have adapted to our dress beautifully. In fact, that was one of the subjects I hoped we might discuss today.”
Luka frowned, prettily, cocking her head to the side. Chiuri explained, “the differences in clothing design between our two cultures. Perhaps we could even find something from your world to adapt here. Whether for women or men... Dior does have a man’s division, too.”
Luka grinned and laughed, shaking her head. “I think you will discover most Asgardian fashion rather mediaeval looking. Somewhat similar to what you mortals wear to your ‘renaissance faires.’” The redhead even spoke with air quotes.
Noticing the sketch pad in front of the designer, Luka waved her hand toward it. “I could draw a few typical outfits if you’d like.” She shrugged, “I do not know if you will find it useful, but I am a decent artist.”
“Wonderful!” Maria said, delighted. She handed the pad to Luka, “Would you like a coffee, dear? Something to nibble on? It’s almost too late for lunch, but I could send someone to a boulangerie.”
“I would like tea, if that is possible. Preferably Earl Grey, oh, and a chocolate croissant?” Luka smiled. “I love your croissants!”
Tea and snack having arrived, Luka sipped and nibbled while she sketched. The women also chatted about Dior’s upcoming shows. Maria took out her own sketches and mentioned Luka possibly modelling in one or the other.
The goddess thought she might be willing to go for the July show, it being the high fashion one. She was unsure about committing to the later fall one, saying she did not know if she would be available; it was too far in advance. Of course, Chiuri had no way of knowing that Luka meant she might not even still be on Earth, still free, or Nornir forbid, even alive.
*
While Loki had spent his night dancing and flirting, the Avengers returned to the Tower. Tony had Friday contact the photographer, Bruce spoke with Luka’s therapist contacts, Tony himself called Pepper and Happy. Steve convinced Thor to go home and talk to Heimdall.
No one had seen nor heard from Luka for several weeks. Pepper remembered the manager of the hotel she and Luka stayed at, saying how Luka had seemed to find him very friendly, and that she and the Dior designer had spent time together, also. That made Romanov decide to check and see if the goddess had gone back there. Finally, success!
The team decided it would be best to wait for Thor before trying to contact Luka. They weren’t 100% sure who was actually in Paris; Msr. Billard said he’d dealt with Luka, but it could have been Loki in her form. The manager would not have known the difference.
Now knowing one of Loki’s Aspects was in Paris, Tony asked Pepper to call Madame Chiuri since she had spoken to the designer before. Although Pepper spoke excellent French, the ladies conversed in English. Maria confirmed that she would see Luka just that afternoon; they’d spend several hours together.
The goddess was to return the following Monday and they would decide which outfits Luka would wear at the July Paris show, if she was willing. Since that meant she should remain in Paris for several weeks, the group had time to devise a plan for contacting her. They had at least a day, (Sunday), to deal with her anxious brother and try to keep him calm.
Pepper played down the need to say anything to Luka for the designer. It was not important, just her rather overprotective brother worrying. As long as Pepper could tell him where the goddess was and that she was safe, Luka should keep her schedule with Dior. Though she said nothing directly, she made sure Chiuri understood telling Luka would likely cause her to leave. He would come for her and she wanted nothing to do with him.