Loki and I met at our favourite cafe in Winnipeg. As we stood in line to place our usual orders, I let Loki know that just for today, this wasn't going to be the case as I had something else in mind. Instead, I ordered items we had enjoyed before, but it had been some time since we had them:

Cups of 'frozen' hot chocolate and date squares.

Once we brought our items to the table and sat down, Loki gave me a quizzical look.

"Beverlee, from what I recall," Loki said, "you only order these items when celebrating or seeking comfort when sad. So, which is it? Please tell me it's the former..."

Loki had a good memory. I had discovered some time ago, this delicious combination was the ultimate sugar high to enhance or stabilize my mood.

"It is," I confirmed, "today, we're celebrating you..." I took his hand, "a year ago, you helped me find perspective when I could not find it myself. It meant so much, and I wanted to thank you for that."

"I'm flattered, but could you please explain a little more? I'd like to know what I actually did to deserve such a sweet reward."

"Loki, if you remember, mentally, I was in a bad place," I began, "my workplace had put me on a difficult project and I felt more pressure than usual to get the job done. I was very stressed... it was also the time when I learned you had come back from an assignment that exhausted you after casting a long-term illusion..."

"Yes, I do remember," Loki responded, "I surprised you with a picnic in Room Thirty-six, and we spent a good amount of time there just relaxing..." the fond memory brought a smile to his face, "but now that you mention it, we never really talked much about it after that."

"You had told me to talk to my Field Manager about what was going on so they could be aware of the situation." I briefly looked down at the table, "it did help to know they had the knowledge of understanding my plight and that they could put me on other projects for a change of pace when need be. However, a few months later, he left our workplace for another career. A standing order was put in my file about this annual project, but with him no longer there - I found it difficult to trust the other managers since they didn't know me well." I smirked, "then the project returned last month. I became worried because I felt that cycle of stress was going to strike me yet again."

"But it didn't, did it?" Loki interjected, his smile now turned curious.

"No, it didn't," I confirmed, looking into his eyes, "since there was nothing I could do to prevent myself from being assigned to it, originally I just resigned myself to perform the task... But... something inside me began to rebel. The only way to get through this ordeal was to figure out a strategy that would make this process less taxing. And I soon discovered one! It was pretty much the reverse of what they wanted me to do last year. Using this strategy also made me more productive. I took control of the situation, therefore - the stress for this project was now a thing of the past."

"Quite the commendable strategy! So how do I fit into all of this?"

"Your encouragement went a long way. I wasn't going to let what didn't kill me, attempt to try and kill me again..." I grinned, "it made me think what you would do... I simply devised a cunning plan to employ my skills to work in my favour."

"Well, Beverlee, I don't call you 'my clever girl' for nothing." Loki took a hearty sip of his frozen hot chocolate.

"That you do," I concurred, giving him a conspiratorial smile, "as of yesterday, the project was completed - ahead of schedule. My superiors were impressed, and I was given this as a thank you," I produced a piece of paper from my pocket and put it on the table.

It was a VIP movie pass for two.

"Shall we see Godzilla: King of the Monsters?" I asked.

"If you don't mind, Beverlee," Loki replied, "I'd prefer to see, 'John Wick Chapter 3 - Parabellum.'"

"Deal," I said with a smile as we tapped our cups together.

(Author's Note: If you have seen the movie "John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum" AND have read my recent book, "My Friend Loki: Strange Magic," the first 15 minutes or so will remind of places Loki and his friend visited in New York. Plus, there's a scene within an 'iconic terminal' that will remind you of another moment in the story - although hands are held, not colourful rings. For me, this was another fantastic chapter in the series, and seeing elements from my story within it, just doubled the fun!)