Rime and Peal
Gelidity of Princehood
Impatience from these continuous drawn-out brawls was far too much to bear this time. The dark-haired heir of the Asgardian throne leaned against the banister of the spectator's balcony, his shoulders slouching and his elbows holding him up. Loki did not have any more interest in this match. The spars that his father's warriors would put on bored him, but he was told it was important to be in the company of his elder brother. He didn't mind spending time with Thor, but Loki preferred solitude. His mother often fretted over this, and wished for him to engage in a more open, friendly way. Hence, the forced outing with his brother today. Thor's eyes locked onto the battle below them, his excitement was far beyond Loki's understanding. Who in their right mind wants to watch two sweaty men jab and mount each other, Loki thought, well, besides most female Asgardians. This isn't what Loki considered an enjoyable activity, but it was easier to do what Thor wanted, and incidentally, what his mother had recommended they do together.
"Brother, is this not stimulating? To think, one day we'll have the means to hold such weaponry and skill. 'Tis fulfilling!" Thor said, not taking his gaze off of the battle. He broke Loki's train of thought, but he responded "If you think so, Thor." Thor turned his attention away momentarily, to meet his younger brother's gaze with curiosity. "Oh, do you not find this amusing, brother?" "I… don't see it as the most desirable thing to be doing. But you are enjoying yourself. Therefore, I am," Loki replied. Thor grinned and turned his grateful blue eyes back to the match. Loki looked at him still, studying the side view of his brother's face, and his reaction to the loud thumps and "EEEEYAAAH"s that went on beneath them. How he is still this entranced at the sight of this meat scrimmage I'll never know, Loki thought with a sigh. He admired his brother's passion though. Thor seemed to be driven forward by the mere thought of glory. The glory of the throne, the glory of battle, the glory of the warrior. Loki however, did not seek glory. He wasn't too involved in the excitement of reaching the throne, mainly because he was not the next in line to rule. Loki didn't like to admit it, but the thought of his brother being king over him ate at his stomach. He didn't loathe Thor for it, but his brother has always seemingly been treated in higher regard than Loki. Perhaps it was just his sibling rivalry kicking it, but Loki always felt a need to catch up to his brother, even though they were so dissimilar that there was really nothing to catch up to.
Loki raised his gaze skyward. Clouds tangled with the stars as Asgard fell into the night's arms, the last bright rays of the sun peaking over the Bifrost. He glanced back at the sparring ring. The warriors removed their training armor and wiped their sweat dripping temples with the backs of their hands. The two bowed to each other, helmets held in their arm, as was custom. At this, Thor pulled back his shoulders and reached his bare arms in a satisfied stretch. "Shall we hurry along then? It is near nightfall… or do you wish to disregard father's curfew, as usual?" Kidded Thor to grab his brother's attention. Loki's eyebrows knitted at this comment. He knew Thor was only being light-hearted, but to point out Loki's frequent night wanderings he felt was unnecessary. Thor knew Loki sneaked out into the palace halls after dark to go into the Noble's library through the back entrance occasionally, and Loki hoped he was the only one. When Loki was proven disobedient, things did not go over as well as they did for Thor. Nothing ever did.