Pearl's New Friend Is Definitely Not Evil At All, Okay

[foolyoutwice]

It takes a fair amount of open space to cut down one flying ship in order to repair another. In the end, Pearl and Loki had set up shop in the grass outside the garage. His skiff--scorched, dented from bullets, gashed along one side, crooked-winged--sits next to a larger Asgardian craft, one built on similar lines but considerably more ornate. Even by Asgardian standards. The hull is covered with inlaid twining patterns that work themselves out into serpents and wolves and falcons.

It's splendid. Beautiful craftsmanship in the style of two thousand years ago. And Loki is gleefully marking off portions of it to chop up. With a flaming torch thing that he certainly hopes is adequate to the task. Pearl had thought it might be.

"Do you think we'll need to replace the entire wing? Or just the damaged section?"

Comments

[a_conversation]

Flying recklessly, hmm? "Were you in a space battle?"

...no, that's not the only situation in which one would have to fly recklessly, in space, but it's a common one.

[foolyoutwice]

"Ah--heh. No, this vessel isn't capable of breaking atmosphere, so not a space battle. But unfortunately there were a few attacks from the ground." Unfortunate-face! "It took some creativity to lose them."

He steers a hand through imagined dangers. (And shoots a grateful look at Pearl. Thanks for the reassurance, Pearl! He was worried about his boat!)

[ownerless]

"Why were they attacking you?"

She... probably should have asked that sooner.

[foolyoutwice]

"I only know what my friend told me about the situation," he says carefully. "So--heh." Wince. "I may have walked into something--volatile."

Loki hates it when that happens!

[a_conversation]

"Oh," says Garnet. Thoughtfully. "What did your friend tell you?"

[foolyoutwice]

"...that it was a matter for discretion?" His smile is apologetic, but with a bit of an edge. You're not asking him to betray a confidence, are you?

[a_conversation]

Why, of course not. "Oh. I see."

A pause.

"Well. I'm sure you and Pearl will have it up and running again in no time."

[ownerless]

"We certainly will!" Pearl chirps. "...but you really should find out what a fight's about before you join it, don't you think?"

[foolyoutwice]

"Mm." Loki doesn't quite hang his head, but he does look rueful. "It's safe to say this was a learning experience."

It was. He's still digesting some of the lessons, but it was definitely a learning experience. And as you can see, Mom, Loki is a good boy who is receptive to guidance and good advice.

[a_conversation]

"We all need those sometimes." Here Garnet smiles, though it may look more like she is baring her teeth.

[ownerless]

"Yes, we certainly do," Pearl agrees. Garnet's obvious wariness is starting to make her more visibly nervous.

[foolyoutwice]

Hm.

They're looking more uneasy than reassured. Pearl, in particular, is looking more uneasy--more uneasy, especially, now that Garnet is here. Which is somewhat interesting!

He shouldn't push those buttons, he really shouldn't, it's counterproductive, but-- "Well. I've had my share of learning experiences since coming here," he answers. "Meeting you Gems has been a revelation, for instance. Sparring with Pearl, trying out her spear..."

[a_conversation]

Garnet's head swivels in Pearl's direction.

Trying out her spear? But Garnet won't ask about that, not here. Not yet.

"How was the sparring?" This is directed at either of them, and it means multiple things: why did you let him do that, why is he so trustworthy, and also how did you manage to spar with Pearl and not get crushed, just how powerful are Asgardians anyway.

[ownerless]

...does it help that she regretted that as soon as it happened? No, that never does help.

"We were very well-matched!" Pearl cries. She's gone a bit shrill. It was fine! Everything is fine!

[foolyoutwice]

"It was an honor. And a pleasure." It really was, and Loki almost half regrets needling at an obvious insecure spot. He taps his fingers against the hull of the boat he means to cut down for scrap. "And do you fix up damaged craft as well?"

[a_conversation]

Garnet considers this. "No. Is that your hobby?"

Well-matched. With Pearl. That is...interesting.

[foolyoutwice]

He laughs. "I was wondering if I could ask you to help."

[ownerless]

"Oh, Garnet's not really..." Well, maybe she wants to! "--but you're welcome, of course!"

[a_conversation]

Garnet considers this. "I'm not an expert but I can lend a hand," she decides.

Mostly because, even though she hasn't invoked her future-vision yet, it is...nagging at her. As if it wants to be used. She won't use it while Loki is watching, but later...and in the meantime she can learn more about Loki.

"Is your friend also at Milliways, then?"

[foolyoutwice]

"The sections of hull will be heavy." And Garnet looks like she can manage heavy. As can Loki, but two to do the lifting makes things so much easier.

"My friend? Mm. Yes."

[ownerless]

"Garnet can certainly help with that!" Pearl supplies. "Who is your friend?"

[a_conversation]

"I can," Garnet echoes, and looks at Loki, awaiting his answer.

[foolyoutwice]

Loki looks back at Garnet. Quizzically. "He's a friend who values discretion," he answers. "Which I'm sure you can appreciate. I imagine you value it as well."

[a_conversation]

It's like that, is it. "Yes."

She looks at the skiff. "What needs to be done here?"

[ownerless]

"The primary damage is to the wing, as you can see!" There's still a tense edge to her bright tone. "The rest is largely superficial. But if we can borrow parts from this older model, it shouldn't be too difficult!"