The parents had come to get their kids shortly dater we arrived back at Sonja's home, and many were thanking her profusely for taking them on such an adventure. She had smiled and explained how it was nothing, but once they were all gone her smile was gone. She clenched her fists as they began to shake, and she began to consider moving again. Of all the realms, why did he have to be on this one? Why did he have to recognize her? How had he recognized her? She looked at her long brown hair, frowning. Maybe it was time to cut it again after all.

A sharp knock on the door pulled Sonja violently from her thoughts. She approached slowly, opening it just a crack. There he stood, on her doorstep with a pained, regretful look on his face. She didn't particularly want to see him, but she wasn't about to admit he was right, either.

"What are you doing here?" She didn't open the door anymore, not wanting him to think she was inviting him into her home. He took a deep breath, and she briefly wondered if this was hard on him as well.

"Sigyn, I know it is you. You may appear as the mortals do, but I know you best." He pressed as close as the door allowed, and she had to fight the urge to slam it in his face. "Please, let me in. I simply wish to speak with you, nothing more." Memories came unbidden and unwanted to her mind, of the times they had sat in his sitting room, discussing books and court gossip. She took a shaky breath, opening the door just a bit more but blocking the opening with her body.

"Loki, you need to leave." She let her natural accent slip through, and a look of relief crossed his face. He reached for her, but she shook her head. "No. You need to leave, please, before someone sees you here." He looked confused.

"I did not come to harm you, if that is your worry. I can have Thor come to chaperone if it's truly a problem." She groaned, closing her eyes briefly and taking a deep breath.

"Loki, it is not a matter of propriety. I don't want you here. And there is nothing we need to discuss." Her chest ached with feelings she was sure she hadn't felt in over a century; she certainly didn't want to feel them now. He looked wounded, and she couldn't help the regret that poured into her. She debated a few minutes before cursing herself under her breath quietly and opening the door fully. "Fine, you can have five minutes. But then you leave." He rushed in before she could stop him and pulled her into a hug.

"I'm to have five minutes? Norns, Sigyn, I haven't seen you in 200 years!" He exclaimed. She wriggled out of his grasp and moved to close the door, before leading the way to the den. Loki followed behind, looking around in interest at her home. A home you'll have to leave now… The bitter thought was more than unwelcome as she took a seat on her couch. Loki sat next to her, turning to face her as fully as he could. He studied her closely, seeming to be comparing what he saw to his memory.

"So, why are you here, Loki?" He blinked at her wary tone, taking in her crossed arms.

"Sigyn, we were the best of friends, and then one day you were gone. You didn't say goodbye, or leave a note, and all my mother would say was you had gone home." He shook his head. "I wanted to look for you, but she said I couldn't. Why did you leave?" Her jaw clenched at his innocent question, though she had spent a long time hoping this day wouldn't come.

"I left because I couldn't stand to be at court any longer. My family was…disappointed, but understanding. I would not have wanted you to come looking for me, and I'm less than happy that you found me today." She had dropped her gaze to the sofa, shifting uncomfortably. She knew he was looking at her, and she knew what was coming next. "I don't know what you expected, coming here to speak with me. It does not change anything." He moved closer, and she fought with herself on whether or not to move closer or away. He took her chin gently and brought her face back up to his.

"Sigyn, I came here to plead with you. I have missed my friend deeply." Loki looked genuinely sad, and Sonja couldn't help but feel bad. "At least tell me what at court made you leave us." She studied him for a bit, wondering if he already knew and was simply making her admit it; he didn't seem to.

"I left because you found yourself enthralled with the Lady Sif, Loki." He blinked, clearly surprised. "Oh please, you knew I was convinced I had fallen in love. I'd done everything short of proposing to you myself." She flushed, embarrassed by admitting to something like this. She pulled away from his grasp and stood, running a hand through her hair and turning her back to him. "Within a week of her arrival, you no longer wanted to spend tea with me or walk the gardens. I stayed as long as I could, but it became too much to constantly hear of Sif. I spoke with your mother, and she helped me plan my trip home." She turned to him, and noted the small spark of pain and anger in his gaze. She sighed, starting for the door again. "Perhaps it's best you leave now. Please do not tell Thor of this." Loki stood quickly, grabbing her arm and turning her to face him quickly. She frowned, looking up at him in confusion.

"Why did you not tell me of this? I could have helped, I…I…"

"What, Loki? What would you have done?" Anger spiked in Sonja's chest. "You were determined that Sif would be yours. I lost the only true friend I had a court. You would not have done anything, other than brush me away when I spoke to you of how I felt." She glared and roughly pulled her arm from his grasp. He looked absolutely shocked, and she could understand why; she had always been so soft spoken, so eager to please the royal family of Asgard. Midgard had changed her a great deal. "Now, leave. You bring nothing but memories I no longer want." He seemed to collapse, but nodded, and she led him out. He stepped out the door, but turned at the last minute.

"I swear to you, Sigyn, I will make it up to you. I will earn your friendship again, no matter the cost." He leaned in to peck her cheek before leaving quickly, leaving a frustrated and confused Sonja in his wake. She couldn't help but think of all the ways it could have happened differently, and she knew this was only the beginning.