Lessa nodded. "Yeah. I don't blame you at all." She sighed. "I do wish I could help you more."

"There is little anyone can do for me at this point," Loki said. He looked at her. "But I do appreciate the sentiment. Not many would even want to help."

Lessa just shrugged a bit. "People tend to forget that I have a rather selfish reason for trying to keep everyone around me at least decently happy."

"Indeed," Loki said. "I don't imagine you particularly like the people surrounding you to be upset in any way."

"It's not much fun," Lessa agreed, stretching out a bit. "Not that you're easy to read in particular, but even still."

"That is not unexpected, though," Loki pointed out. "As I am not mortal and therefore out of your experience."

"True, but it also makes you a puzzle sometimes. Stronger emotions are clearer, but like right now, I only get glimpses." Lessa looked at him to see if that made sense.

"When one uses as much seidr as I, one learns to keep oneself under control," Loki replied. "Otherwise, there can be... mishaps."

"I can imagine." Lessa shook her head. "Even still, it's both impressive and disconcerting."

"I'd imagine my brother is rather like an open book for you," Loki said. "I would think he would be much easier to read than I."

"Easier, yes, but still not as easy as the average human." Lessa shrugged. "Most people are very easy to read. The Avengers are more difficult, but not impossible, and you're harder than any of them except maybe Natasha."

"Unsurprising," Loki said. He'd seen Natasha; there was something distinctly unsettling about her that he didn't like.

Lessa snorted and shook her head. "Natasha is a very scary woman," she said. "I don't know if I like her."

"Indeed," Loki said. "And clever, very clever." He wasn't going admit that he kind of admired that about the woman; there was just something about how she had manipulated him that he could definitely respect.

Lessa nodded. "Indeed she is." She was quiet for a few moments, taking the time to bask in the relative calm Loki provided. Especially compared to the rest of the group.

Loki noticed, but didn't say anything. He knew the value of a quiet place from time to time, and far be it from him to take one away from her.

After a little while, though, Lessa got up with a little sigh.

"I should probably get back before Lavender comes looking."

"Of course," Loki replied, nodding a bit. He was quiet for a moment. "Thank you. I do appreciate the company."

Lessa shot him a smile as she stood. "Anytime, Loki." A bit reluctantly, she headed back out to deal with dinner and people.

Loki watched her go and settled back into his chair. Back to isolation, then.

Lavender was in the kitchen, finishing her tea from earlier.

Lessa headed back to the kitchen to finish dinner.

"So, you and Bruce, huh?"

"What?" Lavender looked over, blinking. "No, I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Oh please. I can see, apart from my extra stuff." Lessa shook her head. "You two would be cute. You should offer him some of your tea next time."

"I've offered," Lavender admitted after a moment, blushing just a bit. "He politely refused."

"Uh huh. I see." Lessa smiled. "Your blush betrays you, dear."