Several days later, Summer hesitated, then tapped firmly on Loki’s door. She’d wrangled with herself for most of those days, in between dreaming in code and setting things, virtual and actual, on fire, and finally concluded that regardless of anything else, she owed him an apology.
The fact that said apology consisted mostly of supplies for Macrowafter was utterly irrelevant.
Heart pounding, trying to look suitably contrite, she waited.
There was a thud from behind the door, and the mixed vocal protestations of Cat and Loki alike.
“—wouldn’t stand right behind me like that, I wouldn’t step on your tail!” Loki was saying as he opened the door, glowering down at Macrowafter, who was standing a little ways away with his bright eyes fixed on Loki, offended dignity in every line of his little body.Looking up at Summer, he assumed a neutral expression.
“Miss Summer. To what do I owe the pleasure?”“I, um, I came to apologise.” Summer ducked her head, canvas bags swinging from one hand. “I … said some really inexcusable things last time, and I’m sorry.” Looking up at Loki, her mouth quirked a bit, and a little hope, a little laughter crept into her eyes. “Do you have an altar I should lay my offerings at?”
Loki’s glower had lightened somewhat as she spoke—and the last sentence brought a smile and an appreciative gleam to his eyes.
“No. I have no altar, but Macrowafter seems to think he deserves one. Come in and he will tell you what he would like you to do.”
As if on cue, Cat rose and trotted into the parlor, mewing imperiously.
Summer laughed a little, out of relief as much as anything, and followed the little black kitten. Setting one bag on the floor, she delved into it and emerged with a handful of fuzzy, brightly coloured things — toy mice. The other hand came up with another mouse-shape, but a dark green-brown. This one she held out and waggled at Cat, before spreading them all out on the floor.
The next thing to appear out of the bag was a smallish paper box. “I brought an offering for the master, too. I hope you like chocolate.” She rose, and held out the box with a hopeful smile.