The Appeal of Duplicity [Loki x OC]

Loki was seated in the open living area of the Avenger's headquarters, staring sullenly out the window at the drizzling rain. Boredom was his biggest bane since coming here, but the potential in this location was great, and his goals always outweighed his current position.

His only company at the time was the (currently) mild mannered Bruce Banner, silently reading a newspaper on one of the bar stools. Occasionally he could hear the rustling of the newspaper over the soft pattering outside whenever Banner flipped to a new page, the crinkling sound setting Loki's jaw into a taut grimace. By the fifth page turn, he was on the verge of relieving Banner of the wretched thing when the door opened and his brother came in, accompanied by an entirely new person.

A blessed relief from my boredom, he thought, scanning his brother with a passover glance, his eyes settling on the newcomer and face set in detached curiosity. She was a small, commonplace woman to be sure, though she was easy to look at – for a Midgardian anyways – her dark brown hair blended with the plain, neutral colored clothes she was wearing and didn't do much to make her stand out.

Average and plain.

Strange she was here to say the least.

She was currently avoiding eye contact with him and standing behind his adopted brother, using his girth as a shield.

“Why brother! It's so nice to see you again.” A sly smile split Loki's face and he stood to great the pair. “And who's this accompanying you?”

“This is Lady Lilith Roth,” Thor spoke in an almost businesslike fashion, a wary expression set deep in his features from Loki's disturbingly jovial welcome. “She'll be joining the team for the time being.”

Loki was entirely unphased by his brother's look, continuing on. “Ah, I see. And what brings you to our merry troupe?” he asked, turning his attention to the woman, whom shifted slightly beneath his gaze. Banner listened to the interaction, a fact Loki noted by the lack of movement from the blasted newspaper he was still barricaded behind.

“Well...” She started, casting a sideways glance at Thor for backup.

“Let's just say she's here to... test her abilities. On you dear brother,” Thor stepped in, a clearly delighted smile lighting up his face at the notion. Loki tilted his head to the side, neither insulted nor surprised by Thor's statement; it wasn't as if his brother went out of his way to find and introduce him to new members like this. Maybe to warn them that they should try and keep their distance from him, but nothing so forward as a proper introduction.

“Oh?” Was all he said in response, his lack of words spurring Lilith to reply.

“I'm not certain my magic and illusion abilities are on par with his...” she said slowly, eyeing the dark haired god; the way he was staring was a little unnerving to say the least.

“Perhaps not, but it'll be fun to see you try,” Bruce chimed in from his seat at the bar. “Well, so long as you're not destroying everything,” he said, lowering his newspaper and shooting a pointed look at Loki, who merely offered a snide smile and returned his gaze to his brother and the new arrival.

“Hmm... it would take a lot for a Midgardian to successfully outwit me,” Loki spoke, leaning in uncomfortably close. “But I agree, I would like to see you try.” That sly expression returned with a vengeance as he straightened once more, satisfied he had made his point.

She smirked then and leaned in close to whisper to him, catching the god off guard momentarily by her sudden shift in demeanor. Her mossy green eyes shone with delight and (dare he say it and spite himself?) mischief. “Oh? Well you'll be glad to know I already have,” Lilith said smugly, her body dematerializing before his eyes so all he was left staring at was empty space.

Across the room, Bruce lowered his paper, an uncharacteristically delighted look on his face until his features began to shift, transforming into the woman who moments before had been standing in front of Loki, whose face had clouded over like the skies outside, jaw set so tight the tendons in his neck rolled.

Oh, he surely was impressed, that he could admit.

But he was not amused in the slightest.

“I believe you were correct Thor. And given this little test was successful, I'm willing to keep an eye on him for the time being,” Lilith said, hopping off the bar stool and tossing the paper aside where it fluttered to the surface of the bar, resting at an angle.

“I do believe I made it clear I have no intention of trickery while I'm here,” Loki spoke once more, his face now composed. The storm clouds retreated from sight, but he would not forget such an act. Clever she was, he had to admit.

But he would see to it she would pay for her cleverness.

“Brother,” Thor started, a hint of impatience in his tone. “You're about nothing but trickery, and given the rest of us have responsibilities we need to attend to, it goes without saying that someone needs to... ah well, babysit,” he spoke in clear amusement. Loki stared back at him, unabashed.

“Hmmm well, moving along then and given the fact you have forgotten your manners,” he said sharply, turning back to Lilith with vigor. He took her in once more making a minute analysis before speaking again; the real version of her was far less meek, and stood solidly, staring him down with an intense unflinching gaze.

“I am Loki Laufeyson, God of Mischief and master of illusions,” he bowed low and dramatically, earning an amused smirk from Lilith. She dipped her head back in acknowledgment when he raised his to look at her.

“I suppose I'll have to refer to you by your full title then?” she asked with a hint of sarcasm.

“I wouldn't recommend that,” Thor leaned down and cut in, a serious look on his face. “Encouraging him in any form to boast is a bad idea.” Lilith looked gave him a blank look, and when Thor continued to look at her expectantly, she nodded slowly to show she agreed.

“Of course. Silly me,” she spoke with slight confusion.

“Don't mind him; sarcasm is not something he picks up on,” Loki said snidely, reconsidering his misfortune of being saddled with this attendant; perhaps she would be of use after all, given her talents. And if not, he would surly pay her back for her mockery, as if anyone was getting the last laugh here, it would be him.