"Loki my brother," Thor's smile was bright and welcoming. The younger brother quickly assessed the room before he gave his brother a nod and half smile.
With that Thor patted his brother's back and gestured with a nod, issuing an invitation for Loki to join their comrades, Sif and the Warriors Three; Fandral, Hogun, and Volstagg.
"Come brother, meet our new guest."
Leading his brother to the near center of the hall he guided him to a small settee.
Loki took a moment as he had not noticed her on his first inspection of the room. But no wonder she'd been sitting on the plush settee with her back to him, and the richness of its rust red fabric and high back offered a good amount of cover.
Deep in thought she did not notice the men until they stood in front of her. With cheeks turned red and looking out of place amongst them, she hastily stood.
"Keira, this is my brother Prince Loki,." Thor then turned to Keira "This is Keira, and she has come a great distance to honor us with her presence."
Bending forward Loki gently kissed her warm hand, giving a polite smile. There was the smell of violets about her.
Their eyes locked, there was a fleeting moment of recognition between the two. A feeling of déjà vu was triggered something in the back of his memory. Then it was gone from him like the tail end of a dream upon waking.
His face never changed, however hers did. Keira's eyes opened wider and she drew back just an inch, it was barely noticeable. It bothered him more then he thought it should have.
Upon letting go of her hand, Loki took a closer look and could easily tell she was from Midgard. Her clothing alone, dark denim jeans and a black t-shirt, were clearly not of Asgard.
"Hello", her voice was hushed and uncertain. Apparently she didn't know how to address Asgardian royalty.
Again with a slight smile he gave her a nod, "Greetings, how are you enjoying yourself thus far? Hopefully our friends have treated you well."
With more confidence in her voice, she told him she was being treated very well and was as comfortable as the situation allowed.
"Situation?" Loki's attention fixed fully upon Keira as he waited for a response.
At a loss, Keira gave a small sigh and looked to Thor. Getting the queue he put his arms around both of them. "There will be plenty of time for talks of serious things. Now we feast and drink and celebrate Keira's safe arrival to Asgard."
How was this human important enough to be there? More so, why was he not told she was coming?
Typical though of them to leave him out. A brief frown crossed his brow, but he kept silent.
Thor led them to the dining hall.
Walking across the room he could see she stood barely too his shoulder. She would be considered short for an Asgardian woman, short and even a bit too round about her hips though, she did carry it well. The jeans accented her curves and she had just the smallest sway to her walk.
Ample amounts of food and wine where served, they were all gathered around talking and enjoying one another's company. Keira sat on the left of Thor and Loki on his right.
As Loki discreetly studied her more, stealing glances when he could see beyond his overly large brother. The more he looked at her he could note that there was something rare about her, though he couldn't quit put his finger on it.
Slowly as the night wore on he knew she was familiar to him. He was perturbed that he could not place her.
Once he caught her looking at him, her brows was creased, a slight frown set on her full lips. When she met his eyes it took her out of her thoughts. Loki gave Keira a sly grin in return and tilted his wine glass to her. She lifted hers and returned the gesture, then with a guarded smile she quickly looked away.
His glances at the newcomer that night had not gone unnoticed… From down the table Sif narrowed her eyes wondering what Loki had in mind.
After a very late night the party quieted down and everyone started off to their respective residences.
A young handmaiden entered the hall to escort Keira to her quarters. "Lady Keira… ?"
With a cocked eyebrow Keira replied "Lady…? Are you sure you want me?" The way she said it was half in jest and half in actual doubt. Even though she had started to relax there was still a good amount of insecurity still in her.
The girl looked puzzled but smiled and continued. "I am Atla and I am to be your personal attendant while you stay here in Asgard."
Keira seemed perplexed over the idea of a personal servant. At first she assumed there had been a mistake, giving protest to the girl's assistance. After some exchange of words and a better definition of "personal attendant" Keira finely agreed to let the servant lead her to her chambers.
Loki watched this exchange quietly from the shadow of one of the huge pillars. She completely out of her element here, he thought and that makes her vulnerable. After another assessment of the woman he considered his options. With a smirk he followed the two women to Keira's chambers.
As Keira walked into her rooms she stopped glancing around the hallway, trying to see if something lurked in the dark… and it did of course. With a half shrug she stepped through the door.
Loki lingered for a short while and his patience paid off. After few minutes the door opened and Keira stepped out, Atla following behind. They were engaged in a hushed discussion.
"Atla, I'll be fine, go to bed." "But Lady you do not know your way, what if you get lost. It may be best to wait till the others are with you." Atla looked overwhelmed and at a loss.
"Atla my dear… you're supposed to do as I say, yes?" "Yes my Lady" Atla spoke very low Loki could just faintly catch her words. "Then Atla, my dear, go to bed. You won't get any trouble for my actions. I'll make sure of that… alright?" She patted the poor maid on the shoulder reassuringly.
Keira closed the door without anther word. Looking to both sides she decided to go left. Following close behind, Loki used his magic to cloak his presence. Still he had a feeling she could sense him there in the dark.
Finely she arrived at her destination, the library. The light was very dim, there was no fire and the braziers burned low. With a small wave of her hand the fires in their braziers burned high sending the room into a warm glow.
"And just how did she manage that?" Loki wondered, still hiding himself. Thought it was a simple enough trick but not one many humans would know.
Amazed by the immensity of it all she took in a lengthy breath. Her mind telling her over and over "Keep it together girl". Everything in the room was immaculate and beautiful as were all things in The Allfather's palace. There were shelves ten feet high and going on almost as far as she could see. Plush inviting chairs where placed by a huge fireplace and sturdy wooden chairs were sited around a few small tables.
Walking around the main part of the room, she ran her fingers along the book spines, looking very uncertain. Finely after looking through several books, she made a selection. It was a very simple book of children stories. She set down at a small table placing herself across from where he stood in the shadows.
Looking directly at the place where Loki stood, gathering everything she had, Keira spoke. "I know you're there." her voice full of uncertainly.
Loki stepped from the shadows with a curious grin, "well aren't you the observant one Keira, much more than any ordinary human, I would think."