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The main tavern near the royal palace buzzes with activity as the day winds down. Thor, the Warriors Three, and Sif occupy their usual spots, their boisterous laughter and banter filling the air. You find solace in the background, tucked away to one side with a stack of parchment and a quill in hand, deep in thought.

The logistics of the upcoming event weigh heavily on your mind. Despite securing the green light from both Odin and the King of Vanaheim, the cooperation of the other ambassadors proved to be a formidable challenge this last week. The dwarves refuse to attend if the elves are present, and the elves reciprocate the sentiment. It's a frustrating deadlock that threatens to derail your carefully laid plans.

Frustration simmers beneath the surface as you scribble furiously on the parchment, crafting a convincing summons to the ambassador of Alfheim. The letter needs to be persuasive enough to coax their attendance without inciting further conflict with the dwarves. Every word is chosen meticulously, each sentence crafted with diplomacy and finesse.

Just as you ponder the best way to phrase your request, a shadow falls over you, interrupting your thoughts. You glance up to find Loki looming over you, his expression curious yet knowing.

"Ah, Loki," you greet, a touch of exasperation coloring your tone. "What brings you to this humble corner of the tavern?"

Loki's lips curl into a smirk as he peers down at the parchment strewn across the table. "I could ask you the same," he replies, his gaze lingering on the letter in front of you. "What are you working on? Another diplomatic missive, I presume?"

You nod, a sigh escaping your lips. "Indeed," you confirm, gesturing to the parchment. "Trying to convince the ambassador of Alfheim to attend our little gathering in Vanaheim. But it seems diplomacy is not as straightforward as one would hope."

Loki's smirk widens as he leans closer, his gaze skimming over the meticulously crafted words, and his motion heightens your awareness of his nearness. You catch a hint of the cool, fresh scent that always envelops the prince when he's nearby—a fragrance you've come to subconsciously enjoy. Your eyes flicker up at him, but you retain your upright posture as he takes the parchment to read.

As Loki reads, you can't help but notice the way his brows furrow slightly, indicating his concentration. Despite the frustration that has plagued you throughout the day, there's a strange sense of comfort in Loki's presence—a reminder that you're not facing these challenges alone.

After a moment, Loki sets down the parchment, his smirk returning as he meets your gaze. "An admirable attempt," he remarks, his tone teasing yet genuine. "But I fear subtlety might not be the most effective approach in this situation."

You raise an eyebrow, a little miffed at his criticism but intrigued by Loki's suggestion. "Oh? And what approach would you recommend, then?" you inquire, a hint of curiosity creeping into your tone.

He's still wearing a smirk as he takes the seat beside you, his eyes flickering once towards the area where his brother and the others are gathered, prompting you to do the same. That's when you notice Fandral's attention briefly on the both of you before he turns his gaze back to Thor, laughing at whatever jest the future King had just made. "I'll give us four minutes before he heads over," Loki teases quietly as your eyes return to him, and you frown, unimpressed by his implication.

"The approach, Loki?" you remind him, folding your arms slowly over the wooden table, maintaining a stern gaze on the man now seated closely beside you.

Loki leans back in his seat, tapping his chin thoughtfully as he considers his response. "Sometimes, the most effective way to resolve a deadlock is to appeal to one's sense of vanity," he explains cryptically. "Instead of simply inviting the ambassador of Alfheim, why not make them feel as though their absence would be a great loss to the event?"