Ivory keys bowed beneath my fingertips as I performed for all of Asgard. We gathered once again for the festival of kings, where the royals of the kingdoms connected to Asgard came together for a week and made plans for the coming year and we dined and drank and had a merry time. This being my third year coming, I played a Midgardian instrument, the piano, and several classics for the gracious leaders of our time. I had been practicing many years and this Midgardian custom has not substantially reached the people of Asgard.

This was the last song I got to play before I could take my break, so I decided to end with one of my favorites, the Moonlight Sonata, by Beethoven. Though it was a long song, it played very softly and drew the attention of the crowd, who took a break from their dancing and laughing to listen.

When I finished, the large crowd clapped as I took my bow. Though I am used to performing often, the attention still made me flush beneath their gaze. After the applause stopped I made my way through the crowd towards the refreshments table, but like usual I was stopped. A kind older woman from another kingdom asked me many questions about my instrument and unfortunately wouldn't stop talking. I fidgeted and looked for an escape but found none.

But almost as if my mind was being read, a hand rested between my shoulder blades and a tall figure approached behind me.

"Excuse me, Madame, but would you mind if I steal this young lady from you for just a bit?" He asked her. The woman smiled and turned away.

I looked up towards my savior and recognized the face but not the name. I knew he was Odin's adoptive son, but I knew nothing else. He was tall with pale white skin and long black hair that was combed away from his face. His eyes were mischievous, but such a beautiful and sad shade of green. I couldn't tear my own eyes away from them.

"Would you like to dance?" he asked me.

I had no words so I nodded and took his hand. He pulled me to the dance floor and we blended into the crowd. His hand nestled into the curve of my back and pulled me close, the other one held my hand softly. He began his lead and stepped towards me, we twirled around the dance floor and he spoke to me softly.

"You play beautifully. The piano suits you well. Have you been playing long?"

"Yes, I have. Almost two hundred years now. Do you know much of the piano?" I was so glad that my voice seemed to come back to me. He raised his eyebrows and smiled slightly.

"I know not much, but I do love the sound. We don't have a piano player here in the kingdom, which is an awful shame."

"That is quite a shame. The instrument is practically universal, and can change the mood of almost any atmosphere."

"It is a very beautiful instrument. And you are a very beautiful girl."

My cheeks began to brighten and he laughed smugly. I looked down to avoid his gaze and we continued our dance in silence. When the song ended, like the rest of the pairs on the dance floor, we bowed to each other. He took my hand quickly before I ran off.

"My name," he said. "Is Loki Laufyeson, by the way. It was a pleasure dancing with you, Miss..?"

"Tarah. Tarah Pressley. It was wonderful meeting you as well, my lord."

"Please, Tarah," he bent down and kissed my hand. "Call me Loki."

I nodded and turned away, brighter than can be. I could feel the heat running up my neck to my ears and cheeks. I was completely unprepared for this.