If this wasnât a sore sight for date night.
   âDate nightâ, of course, would be in no way what either Loki or Logan would have called itâbut weâre not either of them, are we? Here in the margins we can be honest to one another. Itâs date night, and it was date night with barely-boiled ramen bowls between them because thatâs what was in the apartment fridge, and also because it took the least amount of time hovering over not-that-functional hot plates about the soup water. Sounds absolutely delicious, doesnât it? None other than the supper of beacon-tossing champions.
   Loki, naturally, was less than pleased with the situation (of why, we cannot be sure). She was picking at the noodles here and there, and occasionally went so far as to lift one up, sever it from all its other noodle companions, and shove it down her throat. It tasted more salt than noodle. During the time of which, she passed a glance in Loganâs direction, oh, every five minutes or so, maybe to think about saying something (a remark, probably, or a quip, for being Loki), and then decide against it. When Loki is declining the silent invitation to speak, you know you have a winning heart-to-heart on your hands.
    Now, if only there was something to break this sorry sceneâImprobable. Barely anything existed in this city, what could possibly happen to entertain the ideaâ
   Distantly, a roar from the direction from the hole. An announcement, slightly less dramatic: Control reclaimed at Construction Points 001 to 012. Firewall: Activated. I suggest all citizens of Spirale move to one of the glowing lights immediately. This is an emergency.
   Instead of thinking on the cautionary tale that was careful what you wish for, Loki stood up and went to the window closest, peeking out from a shanty of blinds. Sure enough, lights had consumed the backdrop of the grimly night sky, not unlike stars sent to the earth. And, dotting after those stars, further roaring, no longer so distant.
   Had to have been the traitor in her, but the first that crossed Lokiâs mind when presented with this information was the quiet wondering of how long a beast could be entertained with Logan while she ran for the hills. A second thought, a bit less smarmy, told her that if the entities above them were issuing an all points bulletin on the subject, then not long enough.
   âI hope you werenât too preoccupied with that sodium sludge, Logan,â Loki said behind her, moving now for the doorway. âIt appearsâŠâ
   Wait a minute. She felt a presence in her sheath underneath the lip of her coat. Reaching for it, she raised a brow high enough to hit the top of her forehead.
   My sword? Laevateinn? They gave Loki her sword back?
   Loki was no longer miserable. In fact, you could even say she was grinning ear to ear.
   âWe fight our way out.â
