Thrown somewhat off-balance, Loki staggered back and into Gabriel. What had the librarian been drinking? Red wine? Oh, it wouldn look just lovely on his white robes.

Without apologising, Loki went into a fighting stance, feet planted at shoulder width, hands lifted before him, the left lower than the right, fingers slightly curled but not closed. ready to intercept an attack or attack himself. Unarmed combat had never been his favorite pastime, but he was certainly not above a barroom brawl.