"As a famous Midgardian man of science once said mother 'Imagination is more important than knowledge' – does that answer your question?"
Loki held his head high, if he was going to get into trouble he was going to get in trouble as the proud prince of Asgard that he was. Loki son of Odin, Prince and God of mischief and lies, he would not cower in the face of adversity. However one quick look at his parent's faces caused him to lower his head, this would defiantly not end well and he had just dug his own grave with his answer. Well the ambassadors would remember him that was guaranteed.
Frigga was perfectly still; looking every bit the queen she was as she sat straight backed, her gown pooling around her feet. If one didn't know any better you could say it was a perfectly carved Frigga statue, save for the almost visible simmering anger underneath it all.
It happened as soon as he had stepped foot onto the palace grounds, returning from the hunt with Thor, the warriors' three, the Lady Sif and a large boar in tow, they even managed to catch some small game they found and he was still a little giddy on the knowledge of what had happened. Yes he had a few spells out there waiting to cause mischief such as the one on a few of the guards armour, every step they took it would double the weight, but the feeling he had back in the woods could only mean one spell, one he was quite proud of. One that would no doubt make things move a bit slower on the negotiations front, not that he wanted realm relations to sour, all-father no, he just wanted to watch the fun. He was debating the best way to sneak off and try and catch a peak at the newly coloured ambassadors, when his mother just appeared next to him, seemingly out of nowhere all swirling skirts and righteous fury.
Much to Loki's embarrassment he was "escorted" to his father's study by his mother's very firm grip on his ear in front of everyone. This was in no way the first time this had happened; it was a common sight to see actually, Frigga pulling one of her sons along. Sometimes both when she could catch them.
"Imagination?"
Odin's eyebrows went up as Loki fought to stay still under his parents gaze "You let loose a wave of ink, dying everyone and the surrounding area green all because of your imagination?"
It was a losing battle; his palms were sweating, his armour felt heavy, and his collar tight around his neck. Frigga sat there completely still, watching no doubt waiting to strike. She had put so much effort into this visit nearly nothing could drag her attention away.
"Yes, well – um- you see father…I imagine they would have a lasting impression now?" he managed to squeak the last bits out as his mother finally rose. Snippets of the novels from Midgard he had read flashed in his mind, mother's eating their young, a beautiful woman hiding a dangerous beast underneath, he would never dare say it out loud of course, he was foolish at times he could admit that, but he didn't want to die.
Frigga smiled and placed he hands on his shoulders. Squeezing. Loki's eyes darted to his father, who looked as lost as he felt.
"Imagination? I have spent fates knows just how long in preparation on the Stark family's arrival, to keep the relationship between our realms positive, to ensure our talk of trade goes well and all you have to say, is imagination?"
"You always say to be honest with yourself; I was merely following your advice mother."
Odin shook his head looking pained. Why was it that his silver tongue never worked around his mother? If he survived this he would remove all the spells from the kitchen, maybe. The silence weighed heavy in the room, Odin was unsure of what to do, wait and see how it played out or step in and calm his wife down? Frigga's grip tightened on Loki's shoulders as he tried to wipe sweaty palms on his thighs. This was it; this was the moment he would be stuck down.
There was a knock at the door startling everyone. No one would knock at the study door unless it was an emergency and anyone ignored would leave after a short time, except…
Knock, knock, knock.
The knocking got faster and louder as whomever on the other side waited; all of a sudden cutting off to be taken over by the sounds of a scuffle.
Knock, knock, knock.
"It would seem ignoring them would be a bad idea" Frigga's eyes narrowed but she left Loki, practically shaking in his boots, to open the door. Loki dared to hope it was Thor, his brother loud and obnoxious yes, one to leave Loki alone at their mother's wrath no. If it was Thor he would be saved. His brother would vouch for him – not the first time, and he would turn those big blue eyes towards their parents and give a heartfelt speech on how he will look after Loki from now on – again not for the first time. If it was Thor he would be saved from having to apologise to the ambassadors and that one guard who was standing to close, clearly his own fault. If it was Thor he was saved.
"I beg your pardon my lady"
Fates no.
"But he just will not-"
No, no, no, no, no.
"- he would not listen"
Someone pushed their way into the room, someone who was not Thor, someone who was bright green and said someone was now standing to close to his liking. Part of the Stark family from Midgard, the mortal just stood there staring while he completely ignored the servant in the back ground apologising again to Frigga and Odin.
Everything a side, the spell had worked very well. The young man in front of Loki was very green, save for his eyes and his teeth that flashed white as he smiled.
"May I present Anthony -"
"Oh shush you, its Tony by the way and oh…um should I bow or something, I didn't really pay attention to that bit, I'm sorry I didn't bow." The servant looked livid at being interrupted as the mortal stood there one hand in his hair and shuffling feet. Loki had seen the true power of Thor's pleading eyes, neigh on impossible to resist and yet they were starting to pale in comparison to the brown eyes now locked onto Odin and Frigga. If his memory was correct "Tony" was the son and an apparent genius by Midgard standards, also the one to activate the spell but the look of him.
Just like that the tension in the room deflated. The servant dismissed and Tony being offered a seat while Frigga fussed over him, this mortal was good.
"I am very sorry for interrupting; I know it was probably important and I didn't mean to be rude."
Loki scoffed only to be on the receiving end of one of Frigga's glares, Odin laid a hand on Tony's shoulder "Worry not young ambassador, we were merely discussing how to correct the mistake Loki so unwisely made. Weren't we Loki?" Odin's eye spoke of punishment if he disagreed.
A small "Of course father" was forced through thin lips and Tony's faced brightened the whole room as he broke out into a grin.
"Really? Perfect. Mum will be so happy, she was looking forward to this trip so much and she's already a little mad at me for forgetting to pack underwear. Is it ok if you fix it before the feast tonight? She has her heart set on wearing this yellow dress and she says if she's green it'll clash."
"Of course young one" Odin smiled over at Loki, "How about your mother and I leave to go talk to Tony's parents while you sort out your new friend here." Loki had to hold down a small whimper, his father's tone leaving no room for questioning.
This was worse; much worse. He would be stuck in a room with a bright green mortal and judging by the big smirk on his face as he looked Loki up and down, it was exactly what he wanted. He would have been safer in Jotunheim.