If there's no one beside you when your soul embarks...

[coldsong]

It's customary to have a Wake after the subject thereof dies. Even Loki knows that. But this is a special occasion. Ego-death is coming to his alternate, and the idea of letting him go off to perish alone, uncertain he will even be mourned, is too dark a proposition even for a flawed and callous person to contemplate.

That, and this Loki has been in a melancholy mood since speaking to the spirit of Frigga. He anticipates a dark choice of his own, sooner or later, and where the fates will send him after that, he can't know. Maybe oblivion, although even at that rate there may be worse places.

What's important right now is that no one dies unremembered. And honestly, any excuse for mischief a party. The first text rolls out to Harley, an innocent enough invitation to join them for milkshakes. Cricket is next, because it occurs to him that Cricket has plenty of liquor, which is good for a reckless celebration.

Things snowball from there.

As long as they don't destroy too much property, they'll call the night a success.

Comments

[outpostcook]

"I cook all my food myself," Kinner explains. "Wouldn't be Kinner's Kippers if I didn't."

So the younger Loki grew up? Kinner's not sure what's going on, but he's glad to see this Loki again.

"And I'm glad CJ enjoyed the salmon."

[coldsong]

Well, in that case, if would be rude not to taste them! Loki takes a couple of the shrimp delicately.

"I wish I had thought to invite him tonight. I don't have Hermione's PINpoint number, though." His smile is wry but almost soft. He really is grateful for the kindness of the witch and her familiar.

"What are you serving? Other than shrimp and salmon? I'll visit again."

[outpostcook]

Nodding, Kinner invites Loki to take the shrimp. That's what he'd brought it for!

"I got sushi, tuna, lobsters, oysters, clams, crabs...you name it, I've got it. I'll take requests ahead of time, too, if you have any."

"Hermione's a nice person. She sure was helpful to me." Kinner smiles. "She's got a nice cat, too."

[coldsong]

"If I give you my contact information, will you let me know when softshell crabs are in season? I have a taste for them occasionally." They're weird little things, visually, but it's worth ignoring the little legs sticking out for the flavor when they're properly fried.

Loki is far less food-oriented than many in the Nexus, but he likes a treat now and then. And he has no interest in eating Kinner so that's a point in his favor, surely.

[outpostcook]

Kinner fumbles in his winter coat, coming out with his PINpoint. He's still getting used to them, of course, but he likes to think he's getting better. He offers it to Loki so he can add his information to it. The technology's a marvel - nothing like it existed in Kinner's home time.

"Sure thing. I'll let you know when I've got softshell crabs in stock, no problem. I've got somethin' of a soft spot for them myself."

[coldsong]

Loki accepts the device and taps his information into the 'contact info' section easily, messages himself, and returns the PINpoint to Kinner's hand. "Excellent. And let me know if you offer any vegetarian options at any point? My female friend does not eat meat."

But it would be nice to treat her to dinner sometime.

[outpostcook]

"I do offer vegetarian options and substitutes for customers who don't eat meat," Kinner says, slipping his PINpoint back into his pocket. "They didn't have PINpoints in 1938. I'm still getting used to them, I've got to say."

One of the best things about the Nexus, in fact.

[coldsong]

"They're useful, aren't they?" Loki nods his agreement. "You're from 1938? That would be in Midgardian years, I assume?"

Earlier than Rogers, then, but not quite so early as Cricket.

[outpostcook]

The cook has certainly grown used to the Nexus's technology. If only they'd had access to these things back home! Calling for help would have been much easier.

"Midgardian?" Kinner isn't familiar with that word. "It was in the time scale of my home world."

[coldsong]

"Ah, I apologize. Midgard is the name by which my people refer to the Earth. The world of human beings. You are human, are you not?"

He's pretty sure Cricket would have mentioned if he weren't, in that offhanded 'he's-weird-but-he's-nice' way he sometimes has when referring to people he befriends in the Nexus.

[outpostcook]

Dividing conversation with dinner, Kinner grabs a shrimp, playing with it briefly in his fingers as he listens to Loki before swallowing it down. Midgard was Loki's word for Earth. That made sense enough to satisfy him.

"Yes, I'm human." He's absolutely certain that he's human, and his voice is firm. "I'm new to all the gods and dinosaurs and talkin' animals here, to be honest. But most everyone's been decent so far."