maskormenacelogs | ❝ — so I can't take more. ❞

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❝ — so I can't take more. ❞

WHO: GIL and LOKI
WHERE: tea cafe AKA Gil's workplace.
WHEN: 3/20 early afternoon
WHAT: Loki wants tea? Loki decides to be a hipster? Loki decides to be annoying? Who knows.
WARNINGS: ... Loki, maybe.

[ It's about time Gil wraps up his break for the day and heads back inside to pick up his shift and continue until closing. He's just behind the store while the other server works inside, finishing up his cigarette before he lets it fall to the ground and snuffs it out with his heel. Unlike one of the other employees, he picks up the trodden cigarette and brings it back inside to toss it into the trashcan behind the counter. He thoroughly rinses his hands with soap, dries them, then slips back the apron with the cafe's logo on it.

It's not easy, dealing with the public like this, but he's slowly adjusting to it. It's been relatively quiet today, which isn't good for business, but it's been good on him; less young women who forcibly have him serve them no matter who else is available. They always talk about how "exotic" his accent is.

The other employee finishes wiping one of the tables and informs Gil he's taking his break now. It's slow enough that Gil can manage the store on his own, at least. ]

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[OR SO HE THINKS.

it's been a long (and super fun) two weeks. after a short trip to Pennsylvania, where he managed to single-handedly embarrass Hank Pym at one of the local clubs before introducing himself to a colorful variety of livestock, he returned (briefly? ah, well) to mingle with those who had interest in the space program. that was, despite all the nuances that he knew were there. mingling accomplished, he had met a few fine fellows to further some questionable causes and

even more curiously

found himself here.]

Now, indulge my curiosity a bit. [his tone is light.] Is this merely a tea shop, or do you do tisanes as well? There's all kinds of mucky things in the details, aren't there? Tea grown shady, tea grown sunny, tea with all the bells and whistles.

Perhaps just a black cup of coffee, instead. You do do coffee, don't you?

[perhaps he came knowing—or maybe Gil's presence was just a pleasant surprise. despite his wordplay and self-satisfaction, he might be a bit brighter upon the sight of him.]

[ Loki's voice doesn't register immediately and so Gil finishes fixing up the counter and tosses the rag the other employee left behind (gross) before he begins to meander around the counter and greet the customer properly. It's as he lifts his head to get a proper look he freezes in his spot, taken aback with shock at the sight of Loki and seeing him in this shop, at this particular time. ]

[ Their first and what he had presumed last conversation isn't far from his thoughts. He remembers the tight, anxious, knotted feeling in his stomach that rose up to his chest when he spoke with Loki and how odd and intrusive he had been for a complete stranger. It was one thing to discuss Porters and mythology he barely understood, but when he was prodded with personal questions...

Gil pivots on his heel after standing there almost gaping, his lips curling in mild unpleasantness, and he starts to walk back behind the counter, calling for the other employee to come and deal with Loki instead of him.

His co-workers flatly declines and there's the sound of the back door being shut. ]

Why you...!

[there's a little bit of a shrug of his shoulders and an oddly inviting grin.]

Hello, Gilbert. Your place of work is charming! [he crosses his arms and holds a few fingers to his chin in motion of exaggerated contemplation. he pauses once he takes note of his expression and holds up his hands. time for all that unconvincing convincingness again.] I hadn't met you trespass, really. I wandered in from the street!

[okay, that was partially true. but even if it had been 100% true, it was still a partially dick move. honestly, he found something very drawing and fascinating about him—enough to corner him in his place of work. now to see if his annoyance overcomes his sense of jobly duty.]

—Looking for coffee!

Why are you here?!

[ Gil does feel cornered, from the moment he realized Loki had set foot in here. His co-worker won't be back for half an hour, maybe longer if he decides a slow day doesn't require two people to manage the front at all times.

Gil stays on the opposite end of the counter, as if it's a shield between him and Loki while he gazes back at him both suspiciously and irritatingly. ]

It's a tea cafe!

[ Except their menu clearly lists a few blends of coffee. ]

Why why why why? I just told you! I'm here for coffee! If I were going to lie about something, It would be about something of greater matters.

[well, no. that was completely a lie, but one that sounded enough like the truth to suspiciously be the truth? whatever, it worked for him.]

You are open to patrons, aren't you? That's the way that business goes.

[as a customer, he had the higher ground. now, how much he made use of it was going to be another thing entirely. he would see where the situation lead.

for now, he waves a dark-nailed hand toward the menu.]

[ He wants to ask him to leave. It's on the tip of his tongue, it quickly occurs to him if Loki gets his damn coffee he may take his leave. But honestly, who walks into a tea cafe expecting coffee when there are multiple cafes around the town? Gil scoffs lightly. ]

What blend of coffee.

[there's a little "hm!" and his hand goes to his chin. snippy, snippy. well, they hadn't really parted on the best of terms. Loki was tenacious enough to brush it off for the moment.]

What would you suggest?

[ah, yes, asking the guy at the tea shop which coffee to drink. whether or not Loki came on whim or came with intent was one of those questions that the universe just may never decide to answer (and Loki, of course, with a knowing smile of satisfaction). of course if this were a coffee shop, he would decide to make things difficult another way.]

[ He grits his teeth at first, reluctant to answer until it occurs to him he does need to take a quick look at the menu to see what coffees can be served. As most order teas, he hasn't familiarized himself with the small list of coffees. He reads over the menu and then looks back up at Loki, less than pleasant expression still sitting on his face. ]

Cuban. [ He says slowly. ] Cuban is popular in this state.

[ Says the small blurb on the menu. It doesn't divulge details after that. ]

[and with far too much enthusiasm:]

Then I'll take your recommendation! Cuban it is.

[and the look on Gil's face doesn't seem to discourage the faint smile on Loki's. he does, however, to definitely notice the expression when he looks up to lock their eyes.]

Did I offend you that deeply on our first meeting?

Small, medium, or large?

[ He doesn't bother asking if Loki prefers to have it in a glass mug, usually for customers staying a while at the cafe. He manages not to bristle when Loki brings up their first meeting, but he still frowns, tearing his eyes away so he can look for the plastic cups. ]

It's not important.

Make it a large, won't you?

[he says as if he's resigned to staying to a while. Loki keeps his interest on Gil while he's busying himself behind the counter.]

Then what was it, then? If it was little importance, of course.

[ Damn, so much for ushering him out of the door once the order had been filled. He lifts one the largest plastic cup they have to offer and situates it under one of the few coffee filters they have, pressing down on the switch the coffee pours out into it. As he finishes up, sealing the top off with a plastic cover, he points to the sugar, cream, etc. sitting toward the side of the counter. ]

Here.

[ He starts to ring up the price on register, brows still pinched together. ]

It's none of your concern either.

How quickly things that involve me don't become my concern.

[there's a hint of dry amusement in his voice. he's already offering the cash between two fingers, watching his coffee as if he's somehow deciding how he's going to dress it up. instead he vouches to keep it black, just to get an inkling of how terrible a coffee at a tea shop really was, or if, somehow, he'd be pleasantly surprised.]

[ He takes the money, careful not to touch Loki's fingers, as if he'll get something horrid from him in return and a couple of clicks later the drawer rolls open. He places the cash along with the other bills and pulls out what change Loki is owed, neatly dropping it into his hand. Then he grabs the bill and offers it. ]

Why are you still on it? Is that why you're here?

Oh no, the part where I'm here is completely and utterly by chance.

[some little details were always little truths rather than larger lies. but honestly, all honesty, really, some things he just knew people wouldn't believe anyway. it made the little truths a little more satisfying.]

Did you think I wanted to see you again?

[he leans partially on the counter with an elbow, his chin on his palm.]

[ His lips curl, partially disgusted by Loki's question and he backs up from the counter to keep as far as possible from him. ]

I don't think that!

[ Whatever terrible thing Loki is implying, that is! His face burns red with embarrassment and he quickly peers over his shoulders to see if his co-worker is done with his break.

Nope, the door is still closed. Honestly, it's been four minutes at most. ]

You have your coffee, now leave.

You seem insistent on it.

[Loki replies casually, leaving what's left of the coin and bills on the counter.

what was that terrible thing that he was implying? inquiring minds want to know. he watches Gil fluster behind the counter and somehow the situation gets even more satisfying.]

—Wait! You're kicking me out? I didn't even do anything this time.

You took a photo of me last time we spoke!

[ And called him a liar and "forced" him to have an existential crisis in public. Naturally, Gil is not just wary, but somewhat afraid of people who catch onto moments like that with him. He hadn't meant to drift off, but he did and he can't discuss it at length with anyone. ]

[he looks innocent enough at Gil's accusation. giving a few quick blinks as if he has to go through his own memory and find the detail.]

—Ah! Yes! I did.

[he unpockets his phone, and his fingers glide across the screen and he turns it around to show Gil the picture.]

If you want to hold me accountable for wanting to remember your face, then deal me my punishment!

[ His eyes grow wide with embarrassment. ]

Why do you still have it?!

[Loki draws the phone back and makes a small, thoughtless gesture with his fingers. it's as if to say 'really, did you really just ask me that?']

Did you think I took it with the intention of erasing it?

You shouldn't be taking photos of strangers in the first place!

[ Isn't that just common sense? He's half tempted to reach over for the phone and delete the photo himself, but by the time his arm is halfway over the counter Loki's pulled his phone back. Gil's shoulders deflate and he buries his face into his hands. ]

I don't understand you at all...!

Does this end a moral strategically placed in a poorly directed after school special?

[he's playing with his phone. his fingers darting here and there across the screen. he's either causing more trouble or checking all of his social networks.

after a moment he raises his eyes again.]

Though it would be me that I'd be worried about. I could think of some terribly nefarious things to do to your digital photo. [he lifts a hand up by his mouth, so no one else can hear.] I've downloaded an app full of mustache stickers.

[ At first, he merely peeks through his fingers to glare at Loki before his hands drop. His mouth still twitches and his face burns while he tries to fight back the blood that continues to rush into his cheeks. ]

Don't do anything of the sort! If you're done buying your drink you can leave!

[there was that 'leaving' thing again.]

I have some free time to spare. Besides, if it's as good as you claim, I may want another.

All in good company, of course.

[ He'd argue that much caffeine isn't good for anyone, but... Loki. He can't bring himself to care much just yet. ]

Then you wonder why I was offended when we first spoke...

[ Translation: Loki you're annoying. ]

You said it was the picture I took of you. Would you say it's something else?

[and here he just looks like he's having any other normal conversation.]

Perhaps we could discuss it over dinner.

I would say it's everything.

[ He nearly stumbles back suddenly. ]

W-What?! Dinner? What are you going on about now?

[ Why is time passing so slowly and why did his co-worker abandon him at such a time? Why is life being cruel to him today? ]

[and he's taking complete advantage of it.]

Since I've offended you so deeply, it's the least I could do.

[he seems sincere, anyway. though when Loki seems sincere it's very hard to tell if he's either (a) specifically displacing or (b) isn't really sincere at all. it could be a little of both, really.]

[ Gil ceases his shouting, trying to recompose himself as he remembers he's still on the clock, there are probably cameras capturing this and he doesn't want the manager to patronize him over yelling at a customer, whether or not it's warranted.

Still, he eyes Loki skeptically. ]

... That's hardly necessary. Just delete that photo!

[he looks at Gil, and then glances to the pocket where he conveniently tucked away his phone and his expression turns into a contemplative frown.]

And if I'd like to keep it?

The dinner may be easier.

Why would you want to keep a photo of a stranger?

[ Dinner with a strange man he doesn't know and who made him have a slight existential crisis at party. This sounds like a recipe for disaster. ]

... I must decline.

[because it seems to be bothering you just. that. much.]

That's disappointing. There's really no other way that I can make it up to you? Dancing, maybe? Do you do dancing?

[ WHAT. ]

[ He no longer understands what Loki is trying to communicate here, but his face is hot again. ]

S-Stop messing around!

[he leans in a little bit to get a good look at his face. there's a faint curiosity as he brings his eyes from his forehead to his chin and back again.]

I wasn't that time.

I don't dance!

[ Kind of another lie; he can dance, but he doesn't like to. ]

Stop proposing such odd questions!

That's too bad, you have quite the pair of dancer's feet.

[he points absently down toward the floor behind the counter and takes the first sip of a now lukewarm coffee.]

Breakfast, maybe? Pancakes are better with company.

[ His fingers twitch, almost as if he's ready to leap over the counter and strangle Loki.

Honestly? No... he doesn't have that sort of resolve. Not in this state of mind, anyway. Now, if he had been pushed for other reasons than it's quite possible Gil would have wrapped both hands around his neck. ]

If I say yes will you stop bothering me?

For a full breakfast? You have my word.

[it's possible that he had a fairly good idea of just how much he was pushing Gil, but it was only coupled with how much he didn't care (or how pleased he was about it). there was something about him that he couldn't shake—something that he got a glimpse of that day, that he was determined to see again.]

[ He could just make breakfast and save the money, but he gets the feeling mentioning he's more than capable in the kitchen would result in Loki finding his way into his current place of residence and mooching off him forever. He cannot have that. ]

... Fine. Breakfast it is.

Edited (edits like a year later sorry) 2014-04-03 11:50 (UTC)

[good intuition, Gil. Lokis will travel far for breakfast.]

You've my best interest at heart.

[he grabs the coffee by the base of the cup and seems to, somehow, brighten just a little. his little victory puts him in a bit of a better mood, even if it still leaves a sour look on Gil's face.]

Thanks for the coffee.

[and he turns easily, coffee in hand, and makes his way to the door, relishing in his triumph.]

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❝ — so I can't take more. ❞

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