magusrobin | Laby Inbox

Loki's question once again centered on that... and while she might have thought he was redirecting the conversation... that was alright. If it was easier to focus on a different subject, she would oblige. Now how to answer...

"He is." She could answer that much honestly and straightforwardly. "I guess first he was the one who saved me... though 'buyer' is technically true too. I willingly sold myself, and Elias bought me to be his apprentice. Sleigh Beggy are rare, or so I've been told, due to the strain caused by our bodies constantly producing magic." The summary was more for her own benefit, as she sorted through her thoughts. "That's why he chose me. In that way, I'm fortunate... though I didn't think so at the time. Beyond him being my teacher, I also teach him about humans. Emotions." All things that she had probably told Loki before, but she was sort of skirting the issue. "And..."

Chise hesitated, pausing as she took another sip of iced tea. Unsure if she should admit the next part.

"Chise, you know you're not a bad storyteller, building suspense like this." It was a subtle tease for her about her hesitation. And a subtle way of saying that if she really didn't want to tell, to watch her words.

The teasing helped, actually. It relaxed her, and… hearing that subtle note - that way out that she could take - gave her some amount of courage.

Still, she gave him a somewhat-amused smile. “Really? The suspense isn’t intentional, but if you say so…”

Her gaze trailed back down to her iced tea, settling there. She gave herself a moment, one breath in, one breath out. Before she allowed herself to admit the truth.

“And… a future bride, too…” Her words were partly a whisper, filled with uncertainty and… there was that blush again. As she awaited his reaction.

It had been a warning too, to point out how she was leading someone to ask. Inwardly, Loki was pleased she hadn't shied away. "Then perhaps you need to learn to be a better story teller so it is intentional." He teased softly, but listened patiently. Letting her come to it in her own time.

"Ah." He murmured after a moment or two, a wealth of understanding in that tone. "Multiple roles and things for you to muddle over then, hmm?" He did not sound surprised or at all judgemental.

Somehow, for some reason, Loki’s lack of surprise calmed her. Maybe she expected him to freak out - just because most of the reactions she had seen from others when she told them had been just that. But… his was a collected, thoughtful response. It was refreshing. It made her feel like she could discuss more.

“Right.” She nodded. Multiple roles indeed… “I don’t really know what to expect. He said ‘future bride’ so that implies not now… but then he called a trip we took a while back a honeymoon. But… Elias isn’t exactly human, so I’m not sure what his expectations are either. ‘Marriage’ tends to imply certain things for… humans, I guess you would say but…” She let out a sigh. “I’m just not sure what to think.”

"It seems as if that's something for the two of you to discuss in detail. What 'marriage' entails, and what you both want." Loki observed with a gentle smile. "At least you don't seem unhappy or troubled by the prospect itself, just the lack of uncertainty of what it's defined as."

Chise nodded in certainty, though she felt a bit conflicted.

“Right… it’s just… despite living the past two years with Elias, I feel like I don’t know much about him. Or as much as I would like to. He’s family to me, regardless of what roles we define for each other. But… every time I ask, he tends to dodge the question. Or ask for more time. Which… I understand. I get the feeling that, maybe, Elias doesn’t know the answers himself to some of the things I ask…”

She sighed, forcing herself to take another bite of bread. “I feel like I’m going around in circles with no end in sight.”

"Is it so bad that he may not have the answers? Perhaps you, by asking and by being there, are helping him to find them." Loki offered with understanding and gentleness. "And if you find yourself going in circles, perhaps it's time to take a new path. You have time and space here to do so."

“I… guess it isn’t. But… I want to know more about him. It’s not because I don’t trust him, or I want to know everything, but he’s family. I care so… I want to know more.” Her blush deepened. Taking a few moments to avoid eye contact and exhaling a steadying breath, her gaze then met Loki’s again.

“But… you’re right. I have time. And unless Elias would show up here, it’s not like I’m in a rush…” And even if he did show up… they would figure it out. Still, a new path…? “If you don’t mind me asking, was there anything specific you meant by a ‘new path’ or…?” Curiosity drove her, mostly, as people who had talked to in the past normally had a specific suggestion when bringing that up.

"Nothing specific, only that here you have very little of the concerns that would trouble you back home. Here, you have opportunities." Loki replied, bringing up his drink and having some. "So again, what do you want to do?"

"You are right. As usual." It was said with a fondness and a small smile. She truly did treasure Loki's advice and friendship.

It was also funny, in a way, how the question he asked was one Chise had asked of many others. What did they truly want to do? What would make them happy? Maybe it was that she had yet to figure that out, so detached from the last two years of progress that she was here. Still... she would keep moving forward. "I'm... not entirely sure yet. I want to get better at controlling my magic." That, Loki was helping with. "I want... to stay myself. Through it all."

She was sure the latter didn't make much sense, but she smiled regardless, gaze going back to the fire nearby.

"I do enjoy it when other's recognize that yes, my way is the correct way." Loki replied with some smug amusement. "Figure out who you are and who you want to be. Learning to control your magic WILL change you. You're already changed from who you were before, after all. But if you know who you want to be, then your goal is easier."

She nodded, seriously taking that in. “I’m not sure what that looks like yet… as there are so many factors but… so long as you have the patience, I’d appreciate your guidance still.”

Maybe it was a bit formal, but she smiled regardless. She did want Loki to watch her growth, both as a mentor and a friend. In turn, she hoped to do the same.

“If I may ask… what do you hope to get out of all of this?” Flipping the question towards him this time.

"I think I'll leave you guessing about that." Still with that smug-amused smile and tone. "Certainly I'm enjoying the company at least."

She couldn’t help the small laugh that burst from her at that. “I understand.” It was very much like Loki, wasn’t it, that he kept her guessing? Still, it wasn’t unpleasant.

“I can agree with that, too. Everyone here… everyone that I’ve interacted with have been kinder than I deserve, I think.” Something in the air… she had thought that about this place all those months ago. Maybe it was just that, when faced with a situation bigger than any of them, the common goal kept them together? It at least spoke volumes about the character of those who she had met.

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