Third Person POV
The air was nipping mercilessly at any New Yorker crazy enough to be out right now. But as Loki sauntered through the rising snow, it was obvious that he was unfazed by the weather-he enjoyed it even, the cold reminding him of his birthplace, Jotunheim. He veered right, following an unknown path when the sound of tiny giggles perforated the dead silent park. The god stopped in his tracks as he spotted a small, shivering figure sitting on a bench not far from him. He took measured steps as he cautiously approached the bench, come to find a small Midgardian child. Aside from her shivering, she appeared content with the snow falling softly upon her. Her head was turned up towards the dark purple sky, smiling and giggling. Loki's brow furrowed, perplexed by the girl's strange behavior. She hadn't seemed to notice his presence so he spoke.
"What are you doing?"
He asked, arching a brow curiously. His voice startled her out of her odd state and she gasped, her eyes wide as they fell on the towering god. She gazed up at him in slight awe and fear but let her voice slip out.
"Playing, what are you doing?"
She retorted, a little rudely. A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth as he shoved his hands into his pockets.
"Taking a walk. It is rather late for a child to be out alone, is it not?"
He questioned, sitting on the other end of the frosty bench. She turned her head to follow him, almost warily like she knew he was dangerous. He watched her just as intently, intrigued by her audacity-it was uncommon for him to feel anything but annoyance when in the presence of humans. At his observation, the child pursed her bottom lip in a slight pout.
"It's a secret that I'm out here."
She said in a not-so-quiet whisper, putting a urgent finger to her lips. Loki smiled down at the girl, she was a funny one, he thought.
"I promise not to tell, but are you not cold?"
He inquired, bowing his head a little lower so he could speak in a hushed tone. She grinned, showing she was missing a baby tooth on her bottom row of teeth and shook her head from side to side.
"I l-love the cold! Mommy says I can't play outside cause I'm sick but I snuck out!"
She replied, her eyes gleaming with excitement and mischief. The god chuckled at her enthusiasm and stubbornness, he could tell she was freezing.
"Well if you are sick, you must obey your mother if you wish to get better."
He told her, only saying what any other being would-he could care less about this puny Midgardian and it's well being. The girl's smile fell into a frown and she cast her eyes to her swinging feet.
"But it might be my last chance. Mom never let's me outside...I just wanted...to touch the snow, to see how it felt."
She said, her voice small. Loki looked down at the snow under his black polished shoes.
"It is cold, isn't it..."
He commented, his light-green eyes meeting her big, emerald ones. She nodded.
"What's your name?"
She asked with a small smile.
"I am Loki of Asgard."
He answered warmly, extending a hand for her to shake. She did her best to wrap her tiny, gloved hand around his but it was an impossible feat, though she shook it regardless.
"I'm Eris of 472 Randolph street."
She greeted back. The god grinned at such an ironic name.
"An odd name, for a human."
He noted, turning to look back at the park. Eris looked up at Loki, confused by what he had said.
"Aren't you human?"
She challenged, scooting a little closer to him. He shook his head.
"No, my dear. I am a god."
He said, almost proudly. Her jaw dropped and she grinned.
"Do you wanna see something cool?"
Eris asked, jumping from the bench and stood before the frost giant. Before he could answer, she grabbed his hand and pulled, trying to lead him somewhere. He obeyed, if only to play along with her wishes. She backed away from him a few feet with a grin before falling languidly into the snow, earning a laugh from Loki. He loomed over her, smiling.
"Are you alright?"
He inquired.
"Just watch."
The girl said, spreading her arms and legs out as far as she could. She did this until there was a clear shape carved into the snow. She raised her arms up in the air.
"Help..."
She said quietly. Loki took her hands in his and lifted her with ease out of the snow, setting her down on her feet next to him. He gazed down at the strange mark left where Eris had been, not sure what significance it held.
"What is it?"
He questioned, turning to the girl.
"It's a snow angel, see? It has wings and a halo."
She explained, pointing to the various parts of the snow creature she had made. Loki cocked his head slightly and narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the misshapen creation.
"I don't see it."
He confessed, shaking his head. The girl crossed her arms with a frustrated huff.
"I'd like to see you make one..."
She grumbled, kicking at the snow. Something inside him took this as a challenge and he smiled, knowing he could best her in any aspect.
"I can do you one better."
Loki said smugly as he knelt down next to Eris. He held his hands together flatly and took a deep breath. As he exhaled, blue swirled in all different shades as it began to form something round. The god continued to build around the object in his hands, crystals and frost connecting through ice. Eris watched this process with big eyes filled with wonder. When he was finished, Loki placed the ice upon the child's head with a smile.
"Much better than a plain angel's halo, you are a princess."
He told her with a grin. Eris smiled and took the ice crown off to look at it more closely. She carefully turned it in her hands, taking in every design, every fleck of frost. Then she frowned a bit.
"I've never wanted to be a princess."
She said, still looking down at the crown.
"But you can be a king, if you want."
She put the crown atop Loki's head instead with a smile. He frowned, the bitter thought that he would never be king filling his head. It was his birthright, but he could never fulfill it. He would never be anything more than a shadow.
"No, I cannot be a king."
He said, letting the crown fall and shatter on the ground. Eris looked at the crown and then to Loki, her mouth gaping.
"Why not?"
She asked as the demigod stood. He looked down at her emotionlessly and answered,
"I do not know."
He said before walking away. Eris stood in place for a moment, then chased after the raven haired man. His long strides proved difficult to catch up with but once she did, she grabbed his hand in a desperate attempt to stop her new friend.
"Wait!"
She shouted. Loki paused and glanced down at the young girl as she clung to his hand.
"You're leaving me alone?"
She asked, tears welling in her eyes. The god felt himself suddenly grow cold to the girl and her emotions.
"You were alone when I found you."
He stated blandly. Eris sniffled as her tears finally reached her cheeks.
"B-but...will you come back?"
She asked, hopeful for a happy answer. Loki felt something strange twist inside his stomach that made him unable to wound the little girl any further.
"Yes."
He lied with a smile. She wasn't convinced and held a pinky finger out to him.
"Promise?"
She pressed, wiping her tears away on her sleeve. Loki took a measured breath and exhaled, slowly becoming uncomfortable with the pit growing in his stomach.
"I wish not to make a promise that I will only break later."
He replied coldly. The girl smiled a little.
"Then don't break it."
She said, locking her pinky finger with his. Something within him thawed when he saw her smiling up at him and he knelt down to her level again with a smile of his own.
"Then, on Odin's life, I swear it. I will return."
He swore. Eris grinned and threw her arms around the god's neck. The man was unsure what to do, if he should or shouldn't reciprocate the act. Ultimately, he decided to just pat her on the back once and was released. Finally freed, he continued away from her, with no intention of keeping his promise. After all, he was a skilled liar, the silver-tongue.