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He's a far cry from the haggard, grim-faced mortal, armed for bear, present at the assault on Czernobog's keep. Bucky's even got a decent suit on, and his hair pulled back and knotted in such a way to give at least the impression of being slicked back. Not that he's a ray of sunshine - he's pale and tired-looking, lips pressed into that thin line, as he waits patiently for the Enchantress to grant him audience.
*
Amora herself doesn't greet him, but rather a rather burly looking guard at the door. At the request for Amora, the man bursts into laughter and nods, waving Bucky in before leading the soldier to a large hall bedecked with a single, massive wooden table. Near the head of the table, sprawls Amora, a golden plate piled with grapes and cheeses set before her. She sprawled on a considerably large seat. No attempts at a mortal guise here.
The Enchantress looked to be relaxed, her hair spilling over her bare shoulders. A dress of deep green hung low over her shoulders, clasped around her waist with a golden cincher backed with black silk trim.
As the guard announced Bucky's presence, she hitched a brow upwards, popping a grape into her mouth. "Well, come along, Warrior. Have a seat. Help yourself to what you desire."
*
That wasn't entirely the reception he expected, by the way his brows rise. But….it looks tempting on so many levels, and she's offering hospitality. A beat of hesitation, and then he's taking a seat, gingerly. "Thank you, ma'am," he says, politely. A moment of surveying the bounty on offer, and he takes a sprig of grapes. Not blushing, at least.
*
A few others milled about the hall, but it was clear that they had other places to be. Likely the training yard judging by the ring of swords and cheers in the background. Amora tilted her head as she considered Bucky, and nodded toward the goblets. "I would avoid the tankards and mead. T'would be a bit much for you. Mortals do not handle it well."
A full lipped smile followed, but it seemed muted, as if Amora was content and not too interested in toying with Bucky for the moment. "So. What is your business here?"
*
He finishes the grapes deliberately, rather than bolting them, tempting as it might be. And follows her advice by confining himself to water. "I wanted to thank you for your help in retrieving Kai," he says, softly. "And to return the charm you lent me. You were invaluable in rescuing my friend." A glance at the way to the training yard - curiosity and longing in equal measure.
*
Amora rolled her shoulders back as she shifted, her legs upon one arm of the chair, her feet clad in high heels that dangled from her toes. She leaned back against the opposite arm, arching a brow as she considered him. Finally she wiggled her fingers in his direction.
"You needn't thank me, but since you have already, then I accept. Kai is a sweet elf and I would see my friend, Loki, not unhappy. You do realize that when we of Asgard are in such misery.. well, Loki may do more damage than most in his misery if it had come to it." She smirked, "But. You needn't return the charm. Hold it. Keep it. You may one day need it."
*
He's already got it in his hand, the one made of flesh, the little golden pendant with its winking gems held carefully. That offer makes him pause, blinking blue eyes at her. "I wouldn't like to see what Loki does when he's really mad or unhappy," he agrees, with a wry twist to his lips. "I'm glad he didn't decide to take out Kai's death on me. He could've." And that would've been the end of one James B. Barnes. They're at the table in the feasting hall, Bucky dressed in his best suit, hair pulled back, as clean-cut as he can manage.
*
"He does not blame you, I believe that fate has fallen upon Malekith and his bride. Or it did. Chernabog certainly held a good amount of it." She waved it off, looking down at the charm she had given him.
"Keep it. The other Pantheons are involved in this mess. It may or may not be well and truly over. If they wish to move against those involved with Asgard, then they shall come to you." She murmured, nodding toward the charm.
"Besides, I think you're quite the looker and if I end up trapped here on Midgard again, I shall need the help."
*
Kai's footsteps sound on the floor as he makes his way into the feasting hall. It's the first time he's been to the Embassy; given everything that has gone down and the people involved, it's time to pay a visit. He smiles when he hears two familiar voices, and he approaches Amora and Bucky swiftly.
"My friends," he says, and the Elf wears his heart on his sleeve, his big blue eyes soulful and his smile liable to light up the room. Lady Amora receives a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Bucky, a firm clasp on the flesh and blood shoulder.
…..did she just compliment his looks? Bucky's clearly nonplussed for a moment, goblet of water poised halfway to his hips, before he remembers himself and drinks, hastily. "Thank you, ma'am," he says, gravely. "If there's ever anything I can do for you…." Then there's Kai, and he relaxes. The smile is much less shy, a weaker echo of Kai's own, but genuine. "Hey, Kai," he says, pleased.
*
Amora grinned, and fluttered dark eyelashes at Bucky's awkward stiffness at her comment. Then grabbed up her goblet and took a sip. She shifted, grabbing a cushion from the chair at the head of the table to press behind her back. "I shall call upon you." She murmured, her grin cooling to a smirk. Then of course, Kai appeared and she was sitting up straighter in her chair.
"Hello darling," She returned the greeting with a flash of teeth.
"Tis good indeed to see you about once more."
*
Kai takes notice of Bucky's duds and whistles. "Loki's lucky I met him before I saw you in a suit." He sits next to Amora, inviting himself to the conversation. "My dearest lady, I can't thank you enough for coming to save me. I'm humbled by all of you." He can be Formal Elf when needs must, despite what his gran might think of his manners. He bows his head to the enchantress with grave respect. To Bucky, he says, "And you as well. That's twice you saved me in all of this."
*
Now Bucky actually blushes, pink appearing on those pale cheeks, before he hides his embarrassment in his water goblet for a moment. But he rallies and says, quietly, "Maybe that makes up for killing you. I'm still sorry, Kai. And I owe you a lot."
*
Amora grinned at Bucky's blush, "I was telling him, if I get banished once more to Midgard, I shall most assuredly look him up." Green eyes twinkled, and she settled back in her chair, goblet in hand.
"And Kai, darling, sit down. Enough with the bowing. Help yourself to mead and food. Thor is out being his usual self. Hungover likely, but tis his own fault. We were celebrating last night." She smirked, looking utterly pleased with herself.
"I want to commission you to paint me in a to scale portrait. It shall hang in my room I think."
*
If Kai thinks that he is GOING ANYWHERE without Loki following him around, he's kidding himself. For at least a month. For the most part, Loki's kept it at a distance, following him through the street tonight, until he figured out the guy was visiting the embassy. Hm. He can't go IN THERE. So, that means a disguise. And a disguise means a proper amount of illusion. Yet, still he wants to be recognizable enough so the others believe he is himself. So it is that Loki comes into the embassy, disguised in round, dark sunglasses, a beret, a black turtleneck, a gold chain, and tight green pants. His hair is pulled into a tight ponytail.
*
Kai grins as Bucky blushes, but then his expression grows serious as he says, "It's water under the bridge, mate. It worked out for the best in the end."
Settling beside Amora, he says, "Thor deserves to celebrate. He has done me favor beyond measure." He helps himself to some mead, taking a long drink before he surfaces to day, "I'll paint you any time you like, my dear. It would be a pleasure."
Then Loki steps in, and Kai looks up. He stops, sets down his mead, and he says, "Pardon me for a moment." Then he gets up and walks over to Loki, gazing at him with awe. "I… I love you."
*
…..there's Loki. Bucky, for a moment, looks as if he'd like to hide under the table. But he just watches the pair….still pink from Amora's compliment, the flush returns at Kai's reaction. Not like he didn't know how passionate that affair was….but…he turns desperately to Amora, trying to grant elf and Prince some semblance of privacy. In his haste, he grabs a goblet of mead, rather than the water he had been drinking….and promptly coughs and sputters.
Loki is aware of public protocol, so, instead of smooching and being super gross in front of the others, he just reaches his hand out to slide it down Kai's side, before stepping forwards, to guide him back to the group with his hand at the small of his back. "I love you too, Beloved. I am glad to see you out…and in keeping such honorable company."
*
Amora slid her gaze over Loki in amusement as he entered the hall, her attention shifting back to Kai as the elf got up from the seat he'd just taken. Of course, she turns those green eyes of her's to Bucky as the elf confesses his adoration and love. Her brows shooting upwards as she watched in amusement Bucky pick up a goblet of mead. She chuckled, tossing her hair back.
Then her focus returned to Loki as he steered Kai back to the table. "Hello darling," She wiggled her fingers. "Thank you for including me and Thor on that escapade. It truly made my life so much more enjoyable upon our return." Considering she was sitting just shy of the head of the table, it wasn't hard to imagine what she'd been up to.
*
Kai settles his hand at the small of Loki's back, not quite an arm around him. He can behave, too. "You look amazing," Kai whispers. "So groovy." He goes where Loki leads, sits where he bids. Utterly smitten. "I saw Doctor Strange today," he says. "He's well, excited I'm alive, and unsurprised you all managed to succeed." He nudges Loki then and looks to Bucky. "Doesn't he clean up nicely? Of course Lady Amora is always ravishing."
*
Clearly, James Barnes does not know where to look, now. And despite Amora's warning, he's having more of that mead. Soon that blush'll be explainable by the most divine liquor, rather than embarrassment, right? "Thanks, Kai," he says, in a voice made raspy.
*
Loki chuckles. "Having a feast, are we? This place is fascinating. Someday…perhaps I will be treated like a Prince here, again. Amora…" Green eyes shift to her, looking the lady up and down, "should I take Thor's affection during the trials as indication that he has made up his mind to give you a chance?" Then a regard for Bucky when Kai points out how nice he looks, "Of course, he has always been attractive…and moreso when clean. If I failed to rescue you, he was going to be my replacement for you." He teases.
*
Amora flashed Kai another smirk over the rim of her goblet, "Thank you darling," She murmured, and slid her gaze over Bucky again. "Oh poor dear. He won't be getting up from that seat." She murmured, shaking her head.
Her gaze swung back toward Loki as he spoke and she pursed those full lip's of hers and took another sip of her mead. "As much as one would give after several cups of mead, and the thrill of battle was over. The chance that I am usually gifted with." She murmured and shrugged. "I know not."
*
Kai lays a hand to his chest and says, "While I am jealous of the mere thought, I can't fault your logic." He pours a goblet of mead for Loki setting it on the table before him. It's just as well they're not in public, because Kai is not doing a great job of hiding his affections for the prince. Amora's words about Bucky getting up from the table (or not) draw a laugh from him. Poor Bucky.
*
Bucky is in a good suit, hair pulled back into a low knot, to mostly pass for slicked-back. He's intensely embarrassed, red to the ears, and trying to all but dive into a goblet of mead to hide. Not that this is doing him much good - he's already downed half of it, and Amora is spot-on. They're going to need a wheelbarrow to pour the Soldier into a guest bed.
*
Loki sits down at the table to partake of the feasting! He wiggles his head back and forth, "Groovy…I think I'm pulling this off, by the way. Especially the glasses." He tips them up and looks over at Kai, and the blushing Bucky and then slow-claps for Amora. "You've nearly killed him. And…that would mean a trip back to Hel. So…let's give the fellow a break and tell him to try the turkey."
*
Amora raised her hands in mock surrender. "I warned the mortal! Tis not my fault. Not in the least. I merely commented that he wasn't unpleasing to look at. I didn't even touch him." She blinked repeatedly as she considered Bucky.
"Besides, I believe Kai did far more to break the poor man than I did." She mused, her lips twitching. "If the man is interested in both sexes then 'tis not my fault he turned red as a cherry." She sipped at her mead, grabbed a lump of grapes and bit one off with her teeth.
*
Kai laughs and splays his hand to his chest again. "Me? Oh, well. Yes, that sounds about right. Sorry, Bucky. It's not my fault you're a looker, though." He drinks more mead. His constitution can handle it way better than the mortal's. Then he raises his glass and says, "To Bucky, worth another trip to Hell, but let's not tempt Fate." He leans lightly against Loki, two beatniks totally grooving out, man. "This still sometimes feels like a dream."
*
At that he hefts the goblet in protest. "Sorry to disappoint, gentlemen, but I only bat for the one team," Bucky's taking it in good humor, rather than genuine mortification. "And ma'am, you gotta take at least a little bit of the credit," he adds, turning a suspiciously bright stare on the Enchantress. Then he adds, sotto voce to no one in particular, "I haven't been this hammered since that time on the Eastern front. And this stuff tastes a lot better than homebrew vodka," Steve's disappointment was immense, and no one can be disappoint better than Steve Rogers.
*
"Honestly? I am starting to get the idea that his sexual orientation is 'Guns'. Which. A warrior's life" Loki makes a light gesture, trying to make it sound like a normal thing "…I have known plenty warriors of Asgard that regard their sword and shield more highly than any mate. Or. Their hammer. Which no one can handle." NOW he looks sly and takes a bite to cover his chuckles as he pokes a wee bit of fun at his brother.
*.
Amora rose from her seat with a smooth swing of her legs over the side, high heels clicking softly. Amusement twinkled in her eyes as she bent toward Bucky and reached out a delicately manicured hand toward his chin. A glance was offered over her shoulder toward Kai and Loki, hooking a golden eyebrow upwards.
"He said he favors the fairer sex," She smirked and tilted her head toward Bucky. "So darling, you owe me a great deal. Shall we seal that debt with a kiss?" She mused, and in her voice was all the wicked, sultry promise anyone could ever dream of from the Enchantress.
*
Kai slams his goblet on the table a few times. Tock tock tock! "A kiss!" he says. He hasn't even gotten drunk yet, but he's well on his way to trying. "It's the least the brave warrior deserves for such a fierce battle. And Bucky did all right, himself." He winks at the poor mortal, then upends the last of his goblet. Leaning against Loki, he says, "I think you might be onto something. We should introduce him to a nice bayonet."
*
Perhaps he owes it to the booze….perhaps old memories, back when he was a heartbreaker before the war. But Bucky doesn't hesitate to rise when Amora does, out of old-fashioned politeness, for gentlemen do not sit when a lady gets up. He's still rather flushed, but he doesn't stagger or sway as he does, and instead holds out his hand to her as she comes to him. He doesn't wait passively for her to peck him on the lips, but simply dips her with utter assurance. Someone like her will know exactly how to respond.
*
Loki arches his brows as Bucky dipsmooches Amora! He did not see that one coming! Perhaps he should have. He pauses in his bite of a turkey..he's eating with his hands by the way…just pulling meat off a small bird and eating it, like one would devour a rotisserie chicken. "My my…full marks for that one. Well done…" The Asgardian glances to Kai. "Perhaps we should all form a line to kiss Amora."
*
Loki arches his brows as Bucky dipsmooches Amora! He did not see that one coming! Perhaps he should have. He pauses in his bite of a turkey..he's eating with his hands by the way…just pulling meat off a small bird and eating it, like one would devour a rotisserie chicken. "My my…full marks for that one. Well done…" The Asgardian glances to Kai. "Perhaps we should all form a line to kiss Amora."
*
Oh and what a kiss it was, one that made promises and broke hearts all over the Nine Realms. It was a kiss that had ensnared mortals and gods alike for centuries and it would do so again. Amora smiled into it, taking full advantage of being dipped to wrap her arms around Bucky's shoulders. She was especially dense as well, likely taking a good amount of strength to hold up.
Magic sung in her movements, and when she was righted again, smirked as she leaned back. A pleased smirk painted upon her lips as she tossed her hair back over her shoulder. A glance spared back to Kai and Loki, the Enchantress fluffed her hair once, patted Bucky on the shoulder and left the likely lovelorn and love struck mortal there as she returned to her seat. A passing thwap offered to Loki's arm.
"Please, as if I would kiss you, Trickster."
*
Kai wolf whistles and sets down his goblet to clap. He tears off a piece of turkey to eat, still laughing, and he tells Loki, "It's all right, I can think of someone who would kiss you." He pauses, then shakes his head and shoulder-nudges the fallen prince. "I'll tell you who later." He pounds the table again. "Let's drink a health to the Lady Amora," he says. "For her bravery, wit, and sorcerous skill." He pours himself and Loki more mead. "And to Loki, and Thor, and all of you glorious fools who would storm Hel for one lowly elf."
*
No clumsiness, as he sets her back on her feet - the metal arm is good for that, at least. There might as well be cartoon hearts and twittering birds circling Bucky's temples, as Amora saunters back to her seat. He looks like a cat who's woken from a pleasant dream to find himself afloat on an entire sea of cream. So it's only belatedly that he settles back down and then lifts his nearly-empty goblet. "To the Lady Amora," he agrees.
*
From within the Embassy itself comes another woman, this one dark where Amora is fair, although overall Amora's more fair in many other ways as well. Black-haired and blue-eyed, Lara-El wears a silken, royal blue gown of grecian style, although she walks barefoot. Her hair is still damp, as if from having recently bathed. She pauses on entering the room and seeing Amora claiming the heart of her most recent 'victim'… then smiles, although not at the kiss. The smile came when she spotted Kai in the room. "Kai!", she calls out as she quickly strides into the room to where he sits. "I hadn't thought I'd see you again, after last we spoke. I thought you'd be… gone…", she says, quietly, though she's apparently still happy to see him.
*
Loki lifts his glass to Amora as well, waggling his brows at her from behind his round sunglasses. "Careful, beautiful, or you will give me away to the guards." And to Kaaaaai, he reaches over and takes something off his plate, like a heathen, food-stealer. The worst! At the sight of Lara-El, he holds his comment in reply to Kai, observing the elf's relationship with the woman, first, and curiously, while he keeps his own anonymity.
*
Amora chuckled at the response, and leaned over in her chair to press a kiss against Loki's cheek. "As if they could ever see beyond their own noses." She whispered and leaned back into her sprawl over the arms of the chair. She grabbed up her goblet once more, and winked over at Bucky, giving him a none too chaste once over with those green eyes of hers.
Then her gaze swung toward Lara and her smile lessened somewhat, her shoulders rolling back and her lower lip falling into something near, but not quite a pout. Which was quickly hidden behind her goblet.
*
Kai shakes his head in admiration at Bucky's smoothness. Hell, Amora's smoothness, too. It's much to be admired. He tches at Loki the food stealer, but he does nothing to try to stop him. It does however prompt him to shovel more turkey into his mouth, and he washes it down with mead. Real mead. Asgardian mead. He looks up when he hears his name spoken, and he says, "Lara! They came and got me. My friends, they brought me back." He tilts his cheek toward Amora, hoping to score one of those smooches for himself, greedy creature that he is. "I've learned so much about living from being dead."
*
Lara gets a glance, but let's be honest, Buck only has eyes for Amora. He looks like Kevin when Kai is in the kitchen. I'm over here. Just waiting for my treat, because I am a Good Dog, right? The Soldier's in a good suit, long hair tied back at his nape, and his metal hand's covered by a leather glove. The goblet, it somehow got empty….when he realizes, Bucky looks momentarily disappointed. And then he gets himself more. He's going to be comatose by the end of the evening.
*
Lara's eyes widen and she beams a bright smile at Kai, leaning down to give him a hug as he sits in his chair. "This means you can see your beloved, again!", she happily exclaims. "Wait…! Is he here?", she asks, looking first to Loki, then to Bucky, then back to Loki. "Are you he?", she asks of the dark-haired Asgardian, then smilingly goes over to offer him a hug, too. "I'm so pleased to meet you, after having seen the look of adoration in Kai's eyes when he spoke your name!", she says to him.
*
Loki puffs up. Oh my does he puff up. Kai was saying nice things about him to his new friends. "I am he. Though, while in here, perhaps just call me Serrure…instead of the other one. I am still uncertain of my status. I really should get someone to /ask/. Though, Kai likes my disguise." He pauses, then imitates the accent he's heard on Kai, "Ya dig?" He is currently dressed very 'beatnik', to throw off the guards who might ID him in his usual garb.
*
"Oh very well." She drawled. Amora rolled her eyes, smiling as she leaned over to Kai too and pecked him on the cheek. Then Amora sank back to her chair, picked up a handful of blackberries and popped them in her mouth one at a time. Then glanced toward Bucky, "Darling, if you want to give me a shoulder massage, you may." She drawled, glancing back at Lara as she spoke about Loki and Kai's bond. She blinked, and then promptly grabbed up her goblet of mead.
"Oh yes, Serrure. I'm sure the bridge keep will have been lost utterly to your 'hip' and 'groovy' clothes. He'll be utterly blinded." She drawled, her lips twitching.
*
She may regret that request, considering his hands. On the other hand, so to speak….Buck does not hesitate, but comes over to do exactly that. Inhibitions? Drowned in mead, clearly. It's potent stuff. He looks blissful just at the chance to be near her.
*
Kai hugs Lara with delight and says, "Yes!" Though he doesn't point out who. Lara's guessed anyway. "I met Lara when I was given a brief reprieve from Niflheim. I'm afraid she saw me when I was grieving." He leans against Loki and tells him, "I adore your disguise. We should dress like this all the time." Two beatniks in love, aww. He giggles when Loki says 'ya dig.' He's been putting away the mead a bit quickly, himself, and he doesn't quite have the stamina of an Asgardian. He glances between Amore and Bucky, and he says, "Do be sure to return him in mint condition to us." But hey, what happens until then…
*
Lara smiles, then her eyes widen as if in realization. "Oh! This was the victory Amora, Thor, and the others celebrated just the other day!", she says, looking to Amora for confirmation. "This is wonderful!", she says, reaching for what she hopes is an unclaimed mug of mead on the table to lift into the air as if in salute to the victory she mentioned, before bringing it to her mouth for a swig.
*
Amora leaned back with a contented sigh as Bucky came around to rub her shoulders, the Enchantress looked as contented as she could be without being Thor's sole focus of attention. Which was saying a lot. His metal hand particularly seeming to be just what she wanted for the density of her muscles and skin. She smiled, waving a hand toward Kai. "I make no promises. I am the Goddess of Desire, darling. Not the Goddess of Mortal Protection. That would be Thor's job." She murmured dismissively.
She patted Bucky's hand after a while, bidding him to stop. "Well I have other things to do. Come along, mortal." She made a beckoning motion with her finger as she stood and nodded toward Kai and Loki. A parting kiss offered to both on the tops of their heads before she sauntered out of the hall.
*
He's heading after her without a word. Amazing how easily Bucky follows orders. At least Amora's a kinder mistress than the Russians or the dark elves. That hangover's going to be a killer.
*
Kai smiles up at Amora as he's kissed on the head, and he tells her, "Have fun, then." To Bucky, he raises his goblet again and says, "Couldn't happen to a nicer fellow." Then he tears off more turkey to put on his plate, knowing full well he's sharing it with Loki whether he wills it or not. Because the turkey stolen from another plate tastes better, and Loki deserves the very best. He drinks with Lara's salute, and he tells her, "I am surrounded by truly excellent people. I'll spend the rest of my days doing what I can to live up to them."
*
Lara sits to drink, eat, and make merry, very happy to see Kai reunited with Loki, of whom she'd only heard Kai speak, before. "You do have good friends. I'm sure you'll do them proud, and honor them well", she replies.