"Well, I try," Loki said, about her saying he was being a gentleman. He'd been forgetting himself lately, after abandoning his home and generally being displeased with the entire world. He usually needed a reminder in order to jumpstart that behaviour, though it was easier in the presence of sweet women. They were rare enough to jog his memory.

Also, the fact his mother was now here meant he had to be on high alert for keeping track of his manners.

"Well, you started us off quite nicely," he said. "And I can't be blamed for being charmed by you, either."