The ragtag group sitting in the dining hall had been quiet for a few moments, but the silence seemed to manifest itself in the room as the door swung slowly outward. The light clattering of silverware and glasses paused as all eyes switched to the entrance, waiting to see who would enter. No one expected a young woman, dressed in dark Asgardian garb as though she was prepared for battle. Her face, however, did not reflect her mildly intimidating clothes. Her features were open and inviting as she entered, her eyes lighting up once she found her beloved companions sitting together- joined by some new, yet familiar faces.

The warriors three regarded her with confusion, looking toward the reactions of others to gage their opinion of her. Hogun was the only person at the table to notice Loki relax in his seat at the sight of the woman.

"Lady Naomi!" Thor grinned, and beckoned her to join them at the table excitedly. Naomi returned his smile, and hurried her pace to take a seat beside Loki. Hogun raised an eyebrow.

"I thought I said to scrap the title." Naomi frowned playfully. A few seats over, Valkyrie reached across Fandral to grab an unopened bottle of wine set next to his plate. With a quick motion of her wrist, Valkyrie expertly slid the bottle over the table, until it was stopped in its tracks by Naomi's hand.

"Of course, but you performed nobly in battle!" Thor said, attempting to rally her up despite the general calmness at the table. "Today you are to be honored."

"Naomi- uh, listen," Bruce struggled, leaning over his plate slightly to be able to see her, since Loki was sitting in between. Naomi, in turn, propped her elbow up onto the table, resting her head on it so she could meet his gaze. "I haven't thanked you yet," Bruce continued, "But you really saved me back there- even though you barely know me-"

"Bruce." Naomi interrupted. "You don't have to thank me, obviously I'm gonna shoot a bitch before they shoot you." She shrugged, smiling. The rest of the table, who had been awkwardly listening, let out some quiet chuckles at her colorful language.

"Bruce, have you forgotten?" Thor asked, though the scientist's only reply was a confused head tilt. "Naomi knows everyone, of course she knows you." He grinned, clearly at ease with her freaky amount of intel on everyone in the hall.

"Yeah, what's up with the prophet thing again?" Valkyrie spoke up, a nearly unnoticeable drunken drawl slurring her words. No one dared count how many drinks she had had. Volstagg, who was seated across from her, nearly felt offended by her insatiable thirst for booze. Nevertheless, none of the warriors three let a slightly tipsy Valkyrie distract them from the woman who, apparently, was a prophet.

"The lady is a prophet?" Volstagg said, disbelief clearly written on his face.

"Allegedly." Naomi shrugged, pulling the cork out of Valkyrie's stolen wine and taking a swig. Last time she had alcohol, it had been with Tony back in the facility. Though now she couldn't afford to get as shit-faced as they had gotten.

"Naomi has aided us in saving countless lives." Thor smiled, happy to sing her praises for his friends. Naomi sent him a grateful look, but she wasn't overly excited to explain her 'different dimension' situation once again.

"Really?" Fandral smiled, propping his head on his hand, leaning himself forward to get a look at Naomi. "That is quite impressive, my dear lady."

"Pardon?" Loki replied immediately. He shifted forward, blocking Naomi from the mans view with a winning smile that didn't reach his eyes. Across from the trickster, Hogun raised his eyebrows and gave a small chuckle- as if he knew a secret. Naomi shot him a confused look, but quickly returned her attention to Loki, whom she had noticed tense the second Fandral addressed her.

"I was speaking to the lovely maiden, Loki, if you would excuse me." Fandral replied, his smile straining with frustration, a healthy dose of hatred in his eyes.

"Ain't gonna happen." Valkyrie stated matter-of-factly, not bothering to look at the offended blonde man next to her. He stuttered for a moment, clearly not used to being shut down so swiftly. Fandral looked to Thor for help, but the thunder god only shrugged, unbothered by the altercation. Naomi sat still, unsure of what to do. Loki was facing away from her, but his hand was clenched tightly in his lap under the tale. Discretely, she reached for it, closing her hand around his and giving light squeeze.

"Fandral." Hogun spoke, directing a condescending look toward the man, and shaking his head side to side. Fandral sputtered, giving Hogun an incredulous look before sighing deeply, visibly deflating in his seat.

"Right." Valkyrie spoke, standing from the table and giving Fandral a hard clap on the back. "Get over it. I'm finished here, Bruce?" She looked to the scientist, motioning toward the door in an invitation to leave with her. Bruce nodded quickly, and rose from his chair with an apologetic smile at Thor. As they prepared to leave, Naomi bit her lip, tempted to go but unwilling to appear rude toward the warriors and Thor.

"Shall we?" Loki's voice sounded in her ear, barely more than a whisper as his lips brushed against her hair. Naomi rolled her eyes with a smile, and turned toward him with casual, 'sure.' Loki stood first, and offered a hand to her as she rose from her own chair. She accepted it gladly, even if she was forced to roll her eyes again at his dramatics. Valkyrie and Bruce, watching the exchange, shared a knowing look between them. At the table, Volstagg and Fandral shot each other glances, finally understanding the situation as Hogun simply looked smug at their obliviousness.

Strangely, Thor seemed to be the only one who hadn't realized the nature of Naomi and Loki's relationship, as he had been too busy with a leg of meat to notice.