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It's been made clear that I'm not the only one who enjoys a good game here. Tell me, darlings, what sorts of games do you play best?

[ What sorts of games she's even talking about is questionable. Political games? Board games? Video games? She won't specify but she will take all answers. After all, it's good to find out just what sorts of things people are up to.

What sorts of games she prefers are clearly the ones she wins, if the fact that she's dressed in a bathing suit and appears to be leaning over the edge of a.. jacuzzi... with a glass of wine set next to it... has anything to say about that... ]

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[ It was likely that Loki would hear the connection between the back of her hand and his face before he realized just what had happened. Before the sharp sting would set in and before he realized that despite being small physically, she had quite the arm. ]

Do not disrespect me then pretend to play yourself for an idiot!

[ Okay, it had hurt.

For just a moment, Loki's own mask had fallen off. To say that he was surprised by her strength was an understatement, and his face clearly showed it if only for a fraction of a second. He was hasty to make a recovery, and despite the sting spreading across his face he forced an amused smile. It was what he had been raised to do, after all. Smile no matter what. ]

Yet again you prove yourself. It seems my words were out of place.

[ Even if it had caused him pain to procure it, Loki was not displeased with his position; his reward had been another piece of the puzzle that was The Red Queen Anastasia. He had tested her limits on a small scale, and though he was yet to know her secret he was another step closer to figuring out just what made her tick. ]

Edited 2014-02-11 03:26 (UTC)

[ It would appear that smacking him across the face didn't do much to improve her mood, her face still contorted into a displeased grimace as she attempted to reason with herself that Loki was not, in fact, the one at fault here. Even if smacking him didn't actually make her feel much better, she did derive some pleasure from the surprised look on his face.

Anastasia clearly didn't approve of his actions, not bothering to hide it at this point. ]

That they were, darling. Do not mistake me for fool enough to believe you to little more than the village idiot or I will not hold back the next time.

[ Loki tilted his head ever so slightly, his smile only growing at her steady loss of control. Her mask was slipping, slipping. Just what would it take to make it come crashing to the ground? He moved slightly closer, his eyes carefully studying hers. ]

So what you're asking of me is honesty.

I don't expect honesty of anyone, but I do expect you not to treat me as an imbecile.

[ As lovely as the mask she wore was built, it had always been a fairly flimsy one. Easy to crack, but fall? Loki would not be the first to try. ]

As you wish. My most humble apologies.

[ He stepped back, feeling no need to be so close to her if they were not going to be engaging in threats. Really, his intentions were not as malicious as they may have seemed; he merely needed to know her strengths and limits, as he did every other person in this prison. ]

If I am pardoned, perhaps we should speak on other matters.

[ She appreciated the "if," not assuming that she would. Perhaps it was on purpose, but she would take it. The Queen calmed down considerably, that smile returning to her lips as though it had never left at all. ]

Would you care for a glass of wine?

[ Of course it had been on purpose. Loki knew how to pull people's strings just as well as any puppeteer. ]

You would have me stay even after my faux pas?

If I didn't want you here I'd walk you over to the balcony and tell the guards you had an accident.

[ That's a you're getting wine. She's going to go get it, since he only has one useful hand so he can't very well be expected to get wine on his own properly. ]

Edited 2014-02-13 04:51 (UTC)

I'll watch my step.

[ The pure absurdity of her statement made him chuckle. How the Queen thought she could ever manage to push him off the balcony was a notion laced with amusement. She may have been stronger than he had expected, but the physical advantage was undeniably his. ]

You really don't have to serve me, your Majesty. I am capable.

[ Physical advantage, sure. Anastasia wouldn't let that stop her if she really wanted someone off the balcony. Words and a well-positioned bit of leverage could take care of that. ]

Unless you're volunteering to take the role of servant, you are my guest, darling.

[ Says the woman who wouldn't answer the door for him. ]

[ While that was true, the Queen was hardly aware of Loki's full arsenal of trickery. He was a difficult man to fool, and an even more difficult one to trap. ]

I think I will have to decline your offer for the time being. I have my hands full enough with one job I'm afraid.

[ It didn't surprise him that she wanted servants. Before she became a prisoner she likely had dozens of them at her disposal. ]

[ Naturally. Doesn't mean she wouldn't try. ]

What job might that be?

[ Now she's curious what Loki's doing. ]

[ Of course it didn't. ]

You already know of my affinity for literature. Work in the library was only appropriate. I suspect you will stay keen to ulterior methods?

[ She's sure there are a number of ulterior motives for working in the library. For one thing, it'd have information access. You'd be able to keep track of what sorts of things everyone else was interested in, possibly what they might be up to if they're clearly trying to learn a specific skill. Meet a lot of people, make connections, have easy access to certain records to get rid of them if you've got the right skill set. ]

I can think of a number of them off the top of my head.

[ At least Loki can do that then. It takes her a while to read anything anymore without getting a bad headache. She suspects once she's gotten used to this it'll be a little better at least, but..

Well, Loki doesn't have to know that she's been having troubles reading. Or that she has to practice at night to make sure she can manage her depth perception so she doesn't run into the door frames during the day. ]

[ As usual, the Queen was correct in her estimations. Loki did love to read, but passion couldn't be the only reason for a man to take a job. ]

You are nothing if not resourceful.

[ He said that with a smile, of course. He wasn't entirely keen on being bitchslapped again.

Do be a darling and share with the class if you find anything interesting. I get something I can use you may get something back.

[ Maybe. It depends on her mood at the time and just how much she needs or wants what information he has. ]

That could certainly be arranged should the circumstance arise.

[ He paused before giving her a curious look. ]

Are you implying that you may have something that would be of interest to me?

I have a number of things that may be of interest to a number of people. What matters is whether or not they have something of interest to offer me.

[ It was undeniable that the Queen was likely in possession of a great bit of information, though he did wonder how much of it would be of any real benefit to him. ]

And just what would interest you, I wonder?

A girl by the name of Babydoll recently arrived.

[ And Second has one hell of an interest in her. ]

Keep an eye on her and give me anything you have. I'm sure something will come through that grapevine of yours that might be useful.

[ And there it was. Something he could work with.

If only everyone were so cooperative. ]

Consider it done.

[ He smiled, raising his wine glass to seal their deal. ]

[ If she wanted something she went after it. No sense in assuming people could read her mind. ]

With immediate updates if anything peculiar happens, darling.

Naturally. It would be improper to keep royalty waiting.

[ Such a flattering lil shit. ]

Just what is it that you desire, Loki? I have many things I can offer, but it wouldn't do to show my cards so easily.

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