( Loki doesn't bother texting him back—he's made it obvious he's coming, and he'd rather not invite further opportunity for Dante to wind him up. He's at the palace tonight, which is convenient in the sense that it means he's much closer to a transportation mirror, and he takes a moment to straighten up his office and cast a ward before stepping out into the hall. As he moves, he lets his clothes shift from his Court robes to his preferred throat-to-floor black, a hint of a dark green lining visible with every step as he moves across the courtyard.
By the time he reaches Kyst Loki's realising that he's actually quite hungry. He finds the Bull'seye without too much trouble—it's a popular watering hole, apparently—and after slipping inside it doesn't take long for him to spot a familiar shock of silver-white hair. Dante already has himself a table, a drink, and a pizza, which Loki eyes as he passes he bar, where he orders a cup of ale for himself before heading over to greet him. )
Enjoying your freedom, are you?
( Loki smirks, setting his cup down as he settles himself into a seat. Dante looks much like he remembers him: still a little shaggy, still a little unkempt, and with an air of ridiculousness about him that somehow manages to just ... work. )
I thought your plan was to avoid the war all together, not to end up thrown in jail.
( Said lightly, even good-humouredly, before taking a sip of his drink. )
[dante's having a moment, happily taking one of the slices of pizza and bringing it down to his mouth, showing no manners whatsoever in how he goes about this eating business. all he knows is that he wants pizza in him, and the cook in the tavern has really mastered the art of... bread, sauce, and cheese. dante is a big fan. by the time loki sits down across from him with a cup of ale, dante's licking off the grease from his fingers.]
You bet.
[he's casual about it all, not really caring much for what others think of him, unlike — well, loki, for example.]
[it's only then that dante glances up at loki for the first time in, what, almost a month? how time flies when a person's busy, and how little time means when stuck in a dungeon for two weeks with very little sense of it.]
You know me, [he stretches out his arms, letting them rest over the back of his chair and that of another pushed close by the movement on the floor] I'm always about the attention. And as fun as fighting is, it's pretty sad to see humans killing each other.
Aye! [quips a bearded old man with a pint of ale nearby, which makes dante snort and wave his hand over at him.]
( That gets a snort from Loki, although he can't say he's particularly surprised. In many ways he agrees with Dante: taking sides in a war that has no meaning to you is largely pointless, in Loki's opinion, but he's the kind of person who'd much rather find ways to make it work to his advantage than openly disregard the rules. It raises the stakes somewhat if he's discovered, but on the plus side? He hasn't yet been thrown in a cell. )
Mm. Taking sides in a war, sounds terribly old-fashioned.
( Loki shrugs theatrically. His tone is light, but it doesn't sound as though he's being particularly sarcastic. Instead, he simply watches Dante peel away another slice of pizza as he leans back in his chair. )
Far be it from me to tell you how to live your life— ( Which he says with a smirk that suggests he's about to do it anyway, ) But you'd probably have more luck taking the middle road if you at least pretended to support your faction's cause.
( He swallows another mouthful of ale. )
If only for the sake of appearances.
( Which ... yes, it's fairly obvious the other man has no real interest in. Loki has always been given grief by people like Dante for spending too much time manipulating how others perceive him, but what most people don't quite understand is that it isn't vanity that drives him. After all, if Loki can control how he's understood then he can get away with breaking the rules for much longer when he's safely behind closed doors. )
[he's about to take a bite of the slice of pizza, only to pause before fulfilling the action to give loki's words some thought. maybe it's the fact that he spent two whole weeks with two guys who were definitely nero's age or younger that has dante really happy for the fact that he's having a conversation with a like-minded adult. or as like-minded as one can get to loki—or dante, as it were.]
[it takes no time at all for him to resume biting down on the pizza slice and chewing, a smile on his face.]
Don't know if you've noticed, Loki. I don't do this pretending business very well.
[a flaw? a weakness? no matter, dante doesn't mind admitting to it. he's very red as it were: stands out, is loud, has a personality to fit the bill whether he's in a good or bad mood. dante doesn't do anything halfway, and he's definitely noticeable when he does things. keeping secrets to himself and acting like there's nothing underneath the surface is something he can do well, too. were he not to speak of his affiliation with temperance, he doubts people would find out (even if the priestess did, and gave him something of a hard time about it). if people think he's a loud fool, all the better for him. were it not for his empathy link with vergil, he would have kept his twin brother fooled, too.]
[he grabs for his glass of ale and washes down the pizza in his mouth with it, setting the empty glass down on the table.]
Is that what you do? Take the middle road and pretend, for the sake of appearances?
(I don't do this pretending business very well. Loki thinks about their last conversation—about how, much as he'd been loath to admit it, there was wisdom in Dante's words—but says nothing. Even if Loki suspects that he does "this pretending business" better than he's willing to admit, what use would it be to say so? He highly doubts Dante would be any more inclined to confess to the ruse any more than he would himself. )
Of course not.
( He says smoothly, meeting Dante's eyes with a glimmer of mischief. It absolutely is what he does. The Emperor is little more than a tool Loki plans on using to get what he wants from this conflict, and he's happy to sell himself to the Court if it means that the promise they made will be honoured. )
We might not always see eye to eye but the Emperor has my full support—as my efforts for the Court have conveyed. ( Because what's he going to do, confess that he doesn't care about the Emperor or the court of Stars in a tavern where anyone could overhear? Please. Loki touches the starry pin sitting at his throat as he continues: ) In fact, I was recently given a position on their Small Council.
( It isn't a brag, it's just a way to let him know that his plans are on track so far. He's certain Dante's long since realised that Loki is playing the game for his own gain, but confirming it in as many words would be to set foot on the path to danger. )
So you see, we both have our ways. I just think yours could use a little fine-tuning.
[oh, dante gets it, perceptive as he is. loki is here to play his own game no matter how much he vows that he supports the emperor and their efforts fully. the pin that loki presents with some kind of pride doesn't go unnoticed, dante leaning into the table to have a closer look.]
Somehow I'm not surprised.
[it does sound like something loki would be happy to be part of—almost fitting, too.]
But, we're different, you and I. You do things your way and I'll do them my way. [he grins widely now though, because this is getting all into some kind of rival-like territory dante doesn't want to bother with too much so soon after being freed from jail.] Come on, try the pizza! Imagine my surprise when I got news that Sanne learned the recipe.
[is it a surprise that he is on first-name basis with the people who work the tavern?]
( Loki just holds his hands up with a light laugh: )
Alright, alright, have it your way.
( If Dante wants to keep running the risk of being jailed? So be it. They're both in good moods and Loki doesn't plan on spoiling that just yet by insisting that his way is right—and besides, it'll be fun to tease him when he inevitably gets locked up again. Instead of firing back something sarcastic he leans in to take a slice of the pizza, his stomach clenching in anticipation as his hunger surfaces with full force. )
And I'm honoured that you're willing to share your first free meal in a fortnight.
( He takes a bite, and you know? It isn't half bad—in fact he might even go so far as to say it's precisely what he needed. It's obviously not Fellden's usual fare, and he can't help but chuckle at the fact that the kitchens are now bashing out pizzas now that Dante's a regular there. )
Your surprise?
( Loki raises an eyebrow over his slice of pizza as he sucks some salty oil from the side of his thumb. )
Please, what they've actually done is secure you as a customer for the rest of your time here. I'd call that a good business decision.
[this may indeed be a reality to the fact that the tavern now has pizzas to give to their patrons, but dante wants to imagine that it's a little more than that. besides, he relies on the bartender for more than just filling up his empty glasses.]
Maybe so.
[speaking of, eryn appears with a glass of ale to replace dante's empty one. the dark-skinned man lifts an eyebrow at dante having a drinking buddy—and one that seems a lot more put-together than dante could ever be. but he smiles courteously despite his staring, returning his eyes to dante.]
Are you paying for his drink, too?
[dante scoffs, sitting back and twisting his mouth in annoyance.]
Come on, Eryn. I paid for the girls, but this guy here [he points at loki, rudely] probably has enough money to pay my tab. ["good business decision," clearly dante has a running tab. eryn sighs a little exasperated, being reminded of this fact, shaking his head.] You can always consider giving me a discount.
[dante's doing a bit where he looks up at eryn with a dopey smile and relaxed features. but the effort is lost on eryn who pulls out a small cloth to drop on dante's lap.]
Not while I have to put up with your messy eating.
[there's definitely pizza sauce on his chin, dante's smile washes away quick as he uses the back of his hand to wipe at his mouth. eryn turns to loki.]
It seems as if Dante keeps finding himself more refined friends. You're fine with just ale? We've got an assortment of other drinks— [and to dante's choked protest] on the house.
( Loki looks between Dante and Eryn with a raised eyebrow as he takes a sip of his ale, watching the scene unfold in front of him with a curl of amusement on his lips. So, then. Dante does have feelings after all—or at the very least can take the occasional break from his easygoing disinterest to get all cow-eyed about a bartender. Eryn's low-key scorn is enough to pull a smile to Loki's lips: it's always more fun to tease someone when there are two people in on it, after all. )
... I see. So, that's why you were angling for me to join you.
( He sighs, feigning disappointment as he puts the rest of his slice back on the plate. )
If I'd known you were just looking for someone to foot your bill—so you can afford to wine and dine "the girls", no doubt—I wouldn't have bothered coming.
( Loki doesn't spare Dante another glance before turning to Eryn, his expression lifting into something light and charming. He doesn't comment on the fact that just about anyone could count as more refined than Dante, but as much is almost certainly obvious to all three of them. )
And please, I insist on paying for myself. A glass of red wine would be very welcome, thank you.
I wish those words were part of Dante's vocabulary.
[eryn smiles most delightfully, aimed solely at loki and giving dante the continued cold-shoulder treatment as he walks back towards the bar with a number of empty glasses on his tray. the devil hunter looks more slumped than usual, leaning an elbow into the table and picking at another pizza slice.]
Last thing I want is to owe you anything. [he's living a pretty mediocre life] I'll pay him back. I just need business to pick up.
[as he dangles the pizza slice over his mouth to chew on; dante needs business to exist, period. eryn returns and quite pleasantly places a glass of wine before loki, looking over his shoulder to wink at dante, who only just about sulks because eryn knows how cruel he can be to dante's current attention. the bartender leaves to return to catering to more drinks.]
( Loki levels him with an unimpressed look. He just need business to pick up, does he? )
Why do I get the feeling you've said that before?
( He smiles at Eryn when he returns and takes the wine with a word of thanks, noting the wink he offers Dante as he walks away. Perhaps he isn't too upset with Dante's easygoing approach towards paying bills, but then if the two of them are a "something" then that just might explain it. As it stands, Loki's just going to assume that they are.
Sorry, Eryn. )
I suppose he must see some value in keeping you around.
( A thoughtful hum follows as he sips his wine. )
Although I can't imagine why, if you're actually the reason he's out of pocket after your visits.
[he offers with with little hesitation, still chewing on pizza before swallowing proper. nothing but manners, here. —but dante means it, being business partners. a lucky meeting, perhaps, in that eryn is a hell of a good informant for odd jobs here and there. there has been nothing really fruitful as of late because of the actual war breaking out, but their relationship is cemented past a bartender-client relationship.]
Like I said, business just needs to pick up.
[plus, loaning money to his not-brother v kind of left him scrapping the bottom of the barrel, there...]
Plus, I'm a fun guy. [don't tell him otherwise.] What's it like working for the Emperor?
( Loki repeats mildly, crossing one leg over the other before smoothing out a few creases in his robes. )
And for his sake, I hope you land a job soon.
( Which is all he really has to say on the matter. His lips curve into another smile when Dante claims to be fun—something he isn't going to openly dispute just yet—and he tilts his head just so at the sudden question about his new position in court. )
Oh, you'd hate it. ( That smile becomes a grin. ) Lots of administration and politicking, liaising with other council members, that sort of thing. Asking for an office to work from was one of my better ideas so far.
( There's also the small matter of beginning to work on a list of people who might not be entirely loyal to the Emperor, but Dante doesn't need to know that. It's for the best that people haven't yet made the connection between Loki's new position and Korra being turned in to the Emperor. )
If nothing else, the income is steady enough that I won't be racking up tabs over pizza and beer.
[loki is right; dante would hate it, and just hearing about it almost bores him to tears. if it hasn't been obvious, dante is someone who prefers working by himself and being his own boss—and if he were to partner up with others, he doens't want any of that messy "playing nice" in order to keep his position or not be talked to behind his back. lady and trish are good at that, not minding his brusque and more rude manners, and eryn is very similar to that in some regard.]
[he looks interested, mildly, in what loki says, at least.]
I wonder if you can hear how pleased you sound with yourself.
[but, again, it does seem like the kind of thing loki would prefer to entangle himself with. he ignores the comment about pizza and beer.]
What happened to the potion classes? You moving on?
( Ah, yes. The alchemy lessons. Loki's expression falters momentarily as he's forced to think about Rick, the war, and the solution he's investigating for Lottie, which has him knocking back another mouthful of the (pleasantly robust) wine. )
Not at all. I hate to leave a new skill unmastered.
( He thinks to his book of blood magic spells, his gaze roving over Dante's left arm for half a heartbeat. What sorts of interesting thing could he get up to with a drop of half-devil blood, he wonders? )
Although apparently I've made a name for myself as some kind of healer— ( He shakes his head. ) Which, believe me, no one was more surprised to hear than me.
( A shrug follows with a little half-smirk. )
Either way, I've set my sights beyond whatever can be accomplished in an infirmary.
[dante nearly spits out his drink, attempting to keep the glass level as he sets it down and uses the cloth eryn dumped on him to wipe at the ale down his chin. clearly, this is hilarious for some reason. once done, he throws the cloth down to the ground (someone will be picking that up, and it's not eryn), and dante goes for his drink again.]
["sights beyond" or whatever, dante has other questions... and he's pretty bemused by it.]
( ... Wow. Loki had expected Dane to join him in a little chuckle about the fact that someone would turn to him for help, but a spit-take? It's hard not to take that personally. )
People with nowhere else to turn, apparently.
( Said dryly, as he folds his arms across his chest. )
Although one batch of allergy medication doesn't make me the court physician—thank the Gods.
( He doesn't have time to be dealing with people wanting potions for their chills and sniffles on a regular basis. )
[allergies? man, that would be useful for someone he knows who tries to pretend she isn't always holding an empty medication bottle in her hand. despite dante's amusement, he sobers up a moment... considers bringing up lottie, but gets distracted by a short man walking past with four pints in his hands bumping into their table—offering them an excited apology before going on over back to his friends huddled close.]
[his eyes land on loki.]
I'd imagine that would be bad for all those involved.
[he grins, lifts up his glass and does a rather meaningless but harmless toast.] To your healing ways not being a permanent fixture in our lives.
[come on, loki! don't take dante's teasing too personally.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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PAYING FOR MY CRIMES
[reason he is messaging loki is because it's been a while since he last spoke with the man.]
THE USUAL
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( P f f t. )
I assume your punishment had something to do with transgressions against fashion?
( That goddamn hat still haunts him. )
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STARS REALLY WENT FOR IT THEN
YOU WISH
ANYWAY: PIZZA IN KYST
I'M CELEBRATING MY FIRST DAY OF FREEDOM THE RIGHT WAY
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Is that an invitation or a boast?
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BULL'SEYE
IT'S BY THE HARBOR. CAN'T MISS IT
I'LL BE INSIDE
TEXT — ACTION.
( Loki doesn't bother texting him back—he's made it obvious he's coming, and he'd rather not invite further opportunity for Dante to wind him up. He's at the palace tonight, which is convenient in the sense that it means he's much closer to a transportation mirror, and he takes a moment to straighten up his office and cast a ward before stepping out into the hall. As he moves, he lets his clothes shift from his Court robes to his preferred throat-to-floor black, a hint of a dark green lining visible with every step as he moves across the courtyard.
By the time he reaches Kyst Loki's realising that he's actually quite hungry. He finds the Bull'seye without too much trouble—it's a popular watering hole, apparently—and after slipping inside it doesn't take long for him to spot a familiar shock of silver-white hair. Dante already has himself a table, a drink, and a pizza, which Loki eyes as he passes he bar, where he orders a cup of ale for himself before heading over to greet him. )
Enjoying your freedom, are you?
( Loki smirks, setting his cup down as he settles himself into a seat. Dante looks much like he remembers him: still a little shaggy, still a little unkempt, and with an air of ridiculousness about him that somehow manages to just ... work. )
I thought your plan was to avoid the war all together, not to end up thrown in jail.
( Said lightly, even good-humouredly, before taking a sip of his drink. )
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You bet.
[he's casual about it all, not really caring much for what others think of him, unlike — well, loki, for example.]
[it's only then that dante glances up at loki for the first time in, what, almost a month? how time flies when a person's busy, and how little time means when stuck in a dungeon for two weeks with very little sense of it.]
You know me, [he stretches out his arms, letting them rest over the back of his chair and that of another pushed close by the movement on the floor] I'm always about the attention. And as fun as fighting is, it's pretty sad to see humans killing each other.
Aye! [quips a bearded old man with a pint of ale nearby, which makes dante snort and wave his hand over at him.]
I was supposed to take sides apparently.
[he's grabbing another slice.]
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( That gets a snort from Loki, although he can't say he's particularly surprised. In many ways he agrees with Dante: taking sides in a war that has no meaning to you is largely pointless, in Loki's opinion, but he's the kind of person who'd much rather find ways to make it work to his advantage than openly disregard the rules. It raises the stakes somewhat if he's discovered, but on the plus side? He hasn't yet been thrown in a cell. )
Mm. Taking sides in a war, sounds terribly old-fashioned.
( Loki shrugs theatrically. His tone is light, but it doesn't sound as though he's being particularly sarcastic. Instead, he simply watches Dante peel away another slice of pizza as he leans back in his chair. )
Far be it from me to tell you how to live your life— ( Which he says with a smirk that suggests he's about to do it anyway, ) But you'd probably have more luck taking the middle road if you at least pretended to support your faction's cause.
( He swallows another mouthful of ale. )
If only for the sake of appearances.
( Which ... yes, it's fairly obvious the other man has no real interest in. Loki has always been given grief by people like Dante for spending too much time manipulating how others perceive him, but what most people don't quite understand is that it isn't vanity that drives him. After all, if Loki can control how he's understood then he can get away with breaking the rules for much longer when he's safely behind closed doors. )
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[it takes no time at all for him to resume biting down on the pizza slice and chewing, a smile on his face.]
Don't know if you've noticed, Loki. I don't do this pretending business very well.
[a flaw? a weakness? no matter, dante doesn't mind admitting to it. he's very red as it were: stands out, is loud, has a personality to fit the bill whether he's in a good or bad mood. dante doesn't do anything halfway, and he's definitely noticeable when he does things. keeping secrets to himself and acting like there's nothing underneath the surface is something he can do well, too. were he not to speak of his affiliation with temperance, he doubts people would find out (even if the priestess did, and gave him something of a hard time about it). if people think he's a loud fool, all the better for him. were it not for his empathy link with vergil, he would have kept his twin brother fooled, too.]
[he grabs for his glass of ale and washes down the pizza in his mouth with it, setting the empty glass down on the table.]
Is that what you do? Take the middle road and pretend, for the sake of appearances?
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( I don't do this pretending business very well. Loki thinks about their last conversation—about how, much as he'd been loath to admit it, there was wisdom in Dante's words—but says nothing. Even if Loki suspects that he does "this pretending business" better than he's willing to admit, what use would it be to say so? He highly doubts Dante would be any more inclined to confess to the ruse any more than he would himself. )
Of course not.
( He says smoothly, meeting Dante's eyes with a glimmer of mischief. It absolutely is what he does. The Emperor is little more than a tool Loki plans on using to get what he wants from this conflict, and he's happy to sell himself to the Court if it means that the promise they made will be honoured. )
We might not always see eye to eye but the Emperor has my full support—as my efforts for the Court have conveyed. ( Because what's he going to do, confess that he doesn't care about the Emperor or the court of Stars in a tavern where anyone could overhear? Please. Loki touches the starry pin sitting at his throat as he continues: ) In fact, I was recently given a position on their Small Council.
( It isn't a brag, it's just a way to let him know that his plans are on track so far. He's certain Dante's long since realised that Loki is playing the game for his own gain, but confirming it in as many words would be to set foot on the path to danger. )
So you see, we both have our ways. I just think yours could use a little fine-tuning.
( But his smile is playful all the same. )
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Somehow I'm not surprised.
[it does sound like something loki would be happy to be part of—almost fitting, too.]
But, we're different, you and I. You do things your way and I'll do them my way. [he grins widely now though, because this is getting all into some kind of rival-like territory dante doesn't want to bother with too much so soon after being freed from jail.] Come on, try the pizza! Imagine my surprise when I got news that Sanne learned the recipe.
[is it a surprise that he is on first-name basis with the people who work the tavern?]
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( Loki just holds his hands up with a light laugh: )
Alright, alright, have it your way.
( If Dante wants to keep running the risk of being jailed? So be it. They're both in good moods and Loki doesn't plan on spoiling that just yet by insisting that his way is right—and besides, it'll be fun to tease him when he inevitably gets locked up again. Instead of firing back something sarcastic he leans in to take a slice of the pizza, his stomach clenching in anticipation as his hunger surfaces with full force. )
And I'm honoured that you're willing to share your first free meal in a fortnight.
( He takes a bite, and you know? It isn't half bad—in fact he might even go so far as to say it's precisely what he needed. It's obviously not Fellden's usual fare, and he can't help but chuckle at the fact that the kitchens are now bashing out pizzas now that Dante's a regular there. )
Your surprise?
( Loki raises an eyebrow over his slice of pizza as he sucks some salty oil from the side of his thumb. )
Please, what they've actually done is secure you as a customer for the rest of your time here. I'd call that a good business decision.
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Maybe so.
[speaking of, eryn appears with a glass of ale to replace dante's empty one. the dark-skinned man lifts an eyebrow at dante having a drinking buddy—and one that seems a lot more put-together than dante could ever be. but he smiles courteously despite his staring, returning his eyes to dante.]
Are you paying for his drink, too?
[dante scoffs, sitting back and twisting his mouth in annoyance.]
Come on, Eryn. I paid for the girls, but this guy here [he points at loki, rudely] probably has enough money to pay my tab. ["good business decision," clearly dante has a running tab. eryn sighs a little exasperated, being reminded of this fact, shaking his head.] You can always consider giving me a discount.
[dante's doing a bit where he looks up at eryn with a dopey smile and relaxed features. but the effort is lost on eryn who pulls out a small cloth to drop on dante's lap.]
Not while I have to put up with your messy eating.
[there's definitely pizza sauce on his chin, dante's smile washes away quick as he uses the back of his hand to wipe at his mouth. eryn turns to loki.]
It seems as if Dante keeps finding himself more refined friends. You're fine with just ale? We've got an assortment of other drinks— [and to dante's choked protest] on the house.
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( Loki looks between Dante and Eryn with a raised eyebrow as he takes a sip of his ale, watching the scene unfold in front of him with a curl of amusement on his lips. So, then. Dante does have feelings after all—or at the very least can take the occasional break from his easygoing disinterest to get all cow-eyed about a bartender. Eryn's low-key scorn is enough to pull a smile to Loki's lips: it's always more fun to tease someone when there are two people in on it, after all. )
... I see. So, that's why you were angling for me to join you.
( He sighs, feigning disappointment as he puts the rest of his slice back on the plate. )
If I'd known you were just looking for someone to foot your bill—so you can afford to wine and dine "the girls", no doubt—I wouldn't have bothered coming.
( Loki doesn't spare Dante another glance before turning to Eryn, his expression lifting into something light and charming. He doesn't comment on the fact that just about anyone could count as more refined than Dante, but as much is almost certainly obvious to all three of them. )
And please, I insist on paying for myself. A glass of red wine would be very welcome, thank you.
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—you two meeting might have been a bad idea—
I wish those words were part of Dante's vocabulary.
[eryn smiles most delightfully, aimed solely at loki and giving dante the continued cold-shoulder treatment as he walks back towards the bar with a number of empty glasses on his tray. the devil hunter looks more slumped than usual, leaning an elbow into the table and picking at another pizza slice.]
Last thing I want is to owe you anything. [he's living a pretty mediocre life] I'll pay him back. I just need business to pick up.
[as he dangles the pizza slice over his mouth to chew on; dante needs business to exist, period. eryn returns and quite pleasantly places a glass of wine before loki, looking over his shoulder to wink at dante, who only just about sulks because eryn knows how cruel he can be to dante's current attention. the bartender leaves to return to catering to more drinks.]
—my tab's not that bad.
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( Loki levels him with an unimpressed look. He just need business to pick up, does he? )
Why do I get the feeling you've said that before?
( He smiles at Eryn when he returns and takes the wine with a word of thanks, noting the wink he offers Dante as he walks away. Perhaps he isn't too upset with Dante's easygoing approach towards paying bills, but then if the two of them are a "something" then that just might explain it. As it stands, Loki's just going to assume that they are.
Sorry, Eryn. )
I suppose he must see some value in keeping you around.
( A thoughtful hum follows as he sips his wine. )
Although I can't imagine why, if you're actually the reason he's out of pocket after your visits.
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We're business partners.
[he offers with with little hesitation, still chewing on pizza before swallowing proper. nothing but manners, here. —but dante means it, being business partners. a lucky meeting, perhaps, in that eryn is a hell of a good informant for odd jobs here and there. there has been nothing really fruitful as of late because of the actual war breaking out, but their relationship is cemented past a bartender-client relationship.]
Like I said, business just needs to pick up.
[plus, loaning money to his not-brother v kind of left him scrapping the bottom of the barrel, there...]
Plus, I'm a fun guy. [don't tell him otherwise.] What's it like working for the Emperor?
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Business partners. Of course.
( Loki repeats mildly, crossing one leg over the other before smoothing out a few creases in his robes. )
And for his sake, I hope you land a job soon.
( Which is all he really has to say on the matter. His lips curve into another smile when Dante claims to be fun—something he isn't going to openly dispute just yet—and he tilts his head just so at the sudden question about his new position in court. )
Oh, you'd hate it. ( That smile becomes a grin. ) Lots of administration and politicking, liaising with other council members, that sort of thing. Asking for an office to work from was one of my better ideas so far.
( There's also the small matter of beginning to work on a list of people who might not be entirely loyal to the Emperor, but Dante doesn't need to know that. It's for the best that people haven't yet made the connection between Loki's new position and Korra being turned in to the Emperor. )
If nothing else, the income is steady enough that I won't be racking up tabs over pizza and beer.
( Said with a kind of pointed playfulness. )
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[he looks interested, mildly, in what loki says, at least.]
I wonder if you can hear how pleased you sound with yourself.
[but, again, it does seem like the kind of thing loki would prefer to entangle himself with. he ignores the comment about pizza and beer.]
What happened to the potion classes? You moving on?
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( Ah, yes. The alchemy lessons. Loki's expression falters momentarily as he's forced to think about Rick, the war, and the solution he's investigating for Lottie, which has him knocking back another mouthful of the (pleasantly robust) wine. )
Not at all. I hate to leave a new skill unmastered.
( He thinks to his book of blood magic spells, his gaze roving over Dante's left arm for half a heartbeat. What sorts of interesting thing could he get up to with a drop of half-devil blood, he wonders? )
Although apparently I've made a name for myself as some kind of healer— ( He shakes his head. ) Which, believe me, no one was more surprised to hear than me.
( A shrug follows with a little half-smirk. )
Either way, I've set my sights beyond whatever can be accomplished in an infirmary.
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[dante nearly spits out his drink, attempting to keep the glass level as he sets it down and uses the cloth eryn dumped on him to wipe at the ale down his chin. clearly, this is hilarious for some reason. once done, he throws the cloth down to the ground (someone will be picking that up, and it's not eryn), and dante goes for his drink again.]
["sights beyond" or whatever, dante has other questions... and he's pretty bemused by it.]
Who'd even go to you?
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( ... Wow. Loki had expected Dane to join him in a little chuckle about the fact that someone would turn to him for help, but a spit-take? It's hard not to take that personally. )
People with nowhere else to turn, apparently.
( Said dryly, as he folds his arms across his chest. )
Although one batch of allergy medication doesn't make me the court physician—thank the Gods.
( He doesn't have time to be dealing with people wanting potions for their chills and sniffles on a regular basis. )
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[his eyes land on loki.]
I'd imagine that would be bad for all those involved.
[he grins, lifts up his glass and does a rather meaningless but harmless toast.] To your healing ways not being a permanent fixture in our lives.
[come on, loki! don't take dante's teasing too personally.]
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