A Dinner For Two [Mantis X Loki]

[tr1ckortreat]

It had been a few hours since Loki had spoken to Mantis regarding their arrangements for dinner this evening. Now that the god was back in his apartment he had been busy preparing rabbit meat and vegetables to be added into a stewing pot, which was currently bubbling over a fire. Loki had created the interior by himself with the aid of his magic and a few supplies around the Nexus. It was a home from home, almost. The hearth was a useful addition since he created most of his meals inside the large iron pot suspended over a rack. It was what he was used to anyway.

Thorkitty was asleep in the corner of the room tired out by playing with the yarns of wool Loki had supplied him with. The sleeping catwing was curled up in his bed probably dreaming as he often did by twitching now and then in his slumber.

It was coming around to 7pm and Loki knew Mantis should be arriving soon judging by how dark it was getting outside. As to what the man would be wearing was a mystery to Loki, since Mantis had promised to dress for the occasion. Loki, himself, was dressed in a green jerkin with black leather pants. Simple wear for around the house. Placing in a few herbs, mostly thyme and rosemary, the bubbling pot was coming to a simmer with smells of cooked rabbit and stewed vegetables wafting around the room.

The table was set out with a green table cloth with two wooden plates for their food accompanied with knives and forks, which were steel. Loki had standards and wanted to create a meal that would enlighten him to Asgardian cooking and how it was eaten. A bottle of wine sat in the centre of the dining table with two glasses either side. If Mantis did not wish wine then Loki would summon whatever he wanted as a substitute.

Comments

[ginger_firebird]

A few hours are all it takes to get presentable. Mantis had long picked out a Nehru style shirt and cool pants to pair with it for more formal occasions, but he needed something other than the gas mask to properly survive a more formal dining environment. He ends up with a cloth mask and a large scarf that both get wrapped over and around the upper half of his face and around his head. The style isn’t one he wears often, and it’s as inspired by the customs of his homeland as much as it is the customs he’s picked up over the years. All one can see in the sea of black cloth is the space between the tip of his nose and the start of his neck and his hand, and he’s satisfied that he’s the very image of modesty. The final accessory was a small woven bag with a thick bundle of herbs and dried flowers. Never come as a guest with empty hands, after all. Satisfied between his appearance and the lack of interference with his telepathy, he’s ready to leave.

Going up to Loki’s abode, Mantis felt increasingly nervous. He hadn’t been invited to more personal dinners often in life, and he was still getting to know the god of mischief and magic. His hands came to rest over his lower abdomen, fingers flexing as he tried to calm himself. It was only dinner. Only food. There was nothing to be fearful of and nothing to indicate malice in Loki’s intention. It hardly worked, and he chided himself for continuing to be so paranoid when there was nothing to be paranoid about.

He raised his hand, fingers curled into a loose fist and knocking twice. It’s too late to chicken out, so he’s going to be brave.

[tr1ckortreat]

The twice knocking at his door caused Loki to look up and finish preparing the table for his masked guest. The god had already sensed the being close using his magic abilities, sensing Mantis' psychic powers just faintly but they were there none the less. Moving to open the door, he noticed how differently Mantis was dressed for their meal and it was a rather nice change just seeing that bit more of the man. No mask. Instead, a large scarf was wrapped around his face. Loki guessed it might make eating a little easier than having to remove the heavy mask each time.

"I'm glad you made it, Mantis. No mask this time? You are looking smart."

His eyes roamed down to what his friend was currently wearing and wondered if this was picked out especially for their meal. If it was then Loki found it humbling. Closing the door behind them, he went over to where the bottle of wine sat on the table.

"Can I get you a drink first?"

[ginger_firebird]

Mantis does have a sense of propriety, even if it's been warped around the experiences he's been through while alive. If someone is going out of their way to feed him, he will honor that invitation to a personal space. And Loki, in general, carries the air of one who dresses a little formally regardless of circumstances. The change of clothes made sense, and Mantis steps in with a bit more calm. He can tell that the cat of the house has made itself well at home and offers the bundle of herbs to Loki as he approaches the table.

"Wine is fine by me. I could smell the food from the door. I knew you might be used to a somewhat rustic manner of dining and living, but this calls back to times when I had eaten as a child. I haven't seen wooden plates of any kind in a long time."

[tr1ckortreat]

Loki fetched some wine and poured it into two rather ornate crystal goblets, passing his to Mantis and setting his own down onto the table. It was all rather elaborate but the god wanted nothing less than to impress his house guest.

"Tell me what your life was like as a child, Mantis. I would like to know more about the man behind the mask as it were."

The god offered his friend a curious smile, as he motioned for them both to sit at the table. The food was safely cooking behind them in the kitchen area so they could spare a few moments together for light conversation. Loki was partly using his magic to control the pot so there was no danger of anything getting burnt.

"The wooden plates remind me of being back home on Asgard. It's just a little touch of mine."

[ginger_firebird]

Mantis is thoroughly charmed by the presentation and sits down with nary a second thought to what might be served or not. He takes his own glass and has a hearty sip before settling back a bit against the chair.

"There isn't much to tell, and some of it is buried where I can't access the memories. I grew up in a small Czech village in the early seventies. My mother died giving birth to me, so I was mostly raised by other women and grandmothers."

He sniffs the air and smiles without thinking. It's a small thing that presses against the scars on either side of his mouth.

"Rabbit. I ate that a fair bit, even after I got old enough to afford different kinds of meat."