"Then c'mon Thor, you don't want to get caught now do you?" Loki's childish giggles rang through the grand halls of his home as the siblings were up to some mischief- again. Most of the time, it was Loki who performed and dragged Thor into it with him. This time was no different.
During dinner, Odin had invited some nobles in for just some festiveness, but Loki hardly cared at all- even at a young age, he knew that it was Thor who was going to succeed to the throne. So why bother? Frigga had told him that he and Thor had an equal chance of succeeding the throne but Loki knew better than to have false hope. But no matter, he loved his brother more than anything and would do anything to protect him, despite Thor whining about it.
He was bored and prodding at the food for he hardly had an appetite, like always when there were guests- probably just the unfamiliarity of the people sitting in front of him. His father, Odin, was discussing some matter with one of the nobles- Lady Sia. This hardly captured Loki's attention until two girls stepped forward. One had long, golden hair cascading down to the middle of her back and brown eyes- not so uncommon for the women of Asgard. It was the second sister; he presumed they were siblings by the way they held themselves close together, that caught his attention. She had raven black hair like him and stormy grey eyes that flickered here and there, analyzing the room with mild interest.
"These are my daughters." Lady Sia said with a proud look in her eyes. "My king, it is an honor to meet you, my name is Sif." So the fair head was Sif. Loki looked at his brother Thor to see if he had any reaction from the fair maiden before him- he did. Loki smirked at the easy prediction of his brother. He then turned to study the raven-haired girl only to see her looking right at him. Ahh, you're an interesting one. Loki grinned only to have the girl raise an eyebrow back at him.
She then turned to the king and curtsied. "It is a honor, your Highness. My name is Elyra." Elyra, he rolled the name on his tongue, pleased with how it came out. Elyra then turned her head to Loki as she heard her name. She had a questioning glance. But as quick as she looked, she looked away as Lady Sia told the siblings to go back to their table.
After they left, Loki was in boredom once again. He turned his gaze to his brother only to see his face flushed. Interesting- apparently the oaf had a mild, if not major, interest on Lady Sif. He was not going to let Thor live this one down.
But at last, the God of Mischief can't possibly let this feast go on without a little… mischief. Right away, he formed a plan in his mind- for he always had a plan, and a backup plan, for the worst- unlike his idiotic brother Thor.
Loki nudged his brother with his leg under the table to avoid arousing questions. Thor threw a questioning glance towards him and Loki smirked. Thor got the idea right away and returned the favor of the smile.
"Mother, didn't you say that after the feast we would hold a special event for the noble guests we have today?" Loki purred out.
"Yes, but it is after the feast and so there is no need for worry currently, right?" Frigga couldn't help but to have a nagging sensation in her stomach as Loki smiled at her- hopefully, not another prank.
"Well Thor and I thought that as we are the Princes of Asgard, we should have the honor of giving out the appreciation that we have to the noble citizens of Asgard. For without them, there are no us. We were thinking of doing a performance." Oh it's going to be a performance alright, just wait until you see the faces of the guests.
"Very well, I shall discuss this with the Allfather and see what he thinks." Even though she trusted her sons enough, Loki was always one for mischief and there was always a slight chance of him planning something behind her back.
"Well mother, since Thor and I are going to perform, can we be excused from the table to rehearse a little?"
Frigga considered it a little, but finding no problems, she agreed.
Loki then dragged Thor away from the food and out of the great hall. "Oww, Loki stop! Just what are we going to be doing for the performance?"
"Shhhh!" Loki scolded Thor as there were two guards positioned right outside of the door to where the feast was held.
After getting far enough from the guards did Loki stop walking and turned to Thor.
"So what are we planning for?"
"You still don't know?"
Thor shook his head.
"So there are some pretty important nobles in there and I think that all that eating has gotten them pretty full and ready for some rest." Loki grinned even bigger. "And I think that we should give them what they came for: an relaxing event."
"So what are we going to do?" Thor was still kind of confused. There was a reason why in all of their adventures, he trusted Loki to plan everything.
Loki leaned in to tell Thor the plan.
The feast has now ended and it was show time for the two Asgardian Princes. But before anything else, Odin Allfather stood up and tapped Gungnir to the floor.
BANG
"Now that the feast is over, the royal family wants to entertain all of you for your gracious service to Asgard for without you, Asgard would have fallen long ago."
There was a pause in the nobles, wondering what was going on.
"My sons Loki and Thor have planned a performance for you. Please enjoy." With that, Odin sat down, with an uneasy feeling in his stomach.
Fwooosh
There was a sound of rushing wind and Loki appeared before the guests, all clad in green and gold armor- cape billowing behind him.
"Ladies and Gents, I hope that you enjoyed dinner. Please stay seated and relax."
The audience stayed silent.
"As everyday go by, we see our father working so diligently and hard. Thor and I have come to realize that we should contribute a little and so we bring you this performance. This way, our king won't have to go and prepare something for all of you and relax. Please enjoy the performance."
Odin sighed a little. By the norns should he not try anything foolish.
The doors slammed open and Thor came rushing in, carrying a bag. "Loki, brother, I heard that we are doing a performance for our lovely guests."
"Why yes brother, we are. Have you brought the tools we needed?"
The audience was confused.
"Of course."Thor bellowed.
When Thor reached Loki, he fumbled around in the bag as he looked around for the instrument.
"Here you go. See? Told you that I would have it, though it is a little cracked."
"It shall serve its purpose. No problems created."
Thor gave Loki a sly grin as he handed him the instrument. Loki reciprocated it, couldn't wait to see the faces of the nobles after they woke up from the sleep.
Loki faced to turn to the nobles.
"My audience, this is a bone flute, created by the mortals. I brought it home since my last visit to Midguard. It is said that the sound is most beautiful. I hope you enjoy."
Loki set the flute to his lips and started blowing into it. No kidding, the melody was most beautiful. Loki had practiced on it in case he needed it for some matter.
After some seconds the flute was played, the nobles started to feel a little… drowsy. One after another, they yawned and craved for sleep as if they haven't slept for days on end. One by one, each of the audience slipped from their consciousness and fell asleep.
After the last note of the melody had been played, all of the guests, including the guards and the king and queen, had fallen asleep. Well, all except for one. As Loki and Thor surveyed the people, they noticed that the Lady Elyra was still awake.
"This is the most surprising. No one could have stood up to the sleeping spell casted onto this flute when played except for those who casted the counter spell." Loki mused.
"Well, I am gifted in the art of sorcery to some extend and realized what was happening. I wasn't going let a simple spell such as that get to me, Prince Loki."
"Oh, that just makes me even more so interested. Is your sister gifted as well?"
"Thankfully, no. Her abilities lie elsewhere." Elyra smiled as she looked down to her sister.
"And, may I ask, what they are?"
"She looks to become a warrior, your majesty."
"Loki is just fine. Formalities are just a pain when you don't need it."
"Um, Loki, isn't the spell supposed to last a bit longer?"
Thor's inquiry brought Loki's attention to the groaning of others to his attention.
Uh oh. Loki quickly craned his neck around to see if anyone was totally awake.
Fortunately, only some were half awake. Most of the others were still asleep.
Unfortunately, the Allfather and the Allmother were awake.
So they were in a little bit of trouble. Fine, they were in big trouble. This is when Loki actually starts getting nervous.
"Loki Odinson. Thor Odinson. How dare you inflict this upon the honored guests." The Allfather was angry- and that was an understatement. He was furious. But the food stuck on his face like all the others were just too funny.
The Allmother stayed silent. Surprised at what just happened.
Thor started to cackle. Loki tried to suppress the smile but failed.
Now, the others started to wake and confusion settled.
"Your face!"
"What just happened?"
"Wasn't there a show?"
"Honey, your face is covered with sauce."
Loki nudged Thor with his elbow, signaling that it was time to go.
Thor nodded in agreement and grinned. Loki grinned as well.
The siblings turned and sprinted out the door. Loki spared Elyra a grin as they passed her. She nodded.
As they rushed out the doors of the great hall, they heard the Allfather yell something and the Allmother trying to calm him down. But the sound was lost as the people started to wonder.
"First one to get caught is a bilgesnipe!" Thor hollered.
"Then c'mon Thor, you don't want to get caught now do you?"Loki giggled.
That night, Loki turned and flipped, dreams filled with a black haired girl who also knew sorcery, wondering if they were ever going to meet again.