"You have to concentrate harder!" he screamed. "I don't care if there is a spider on your leg or a butterfly in the air. In the heat of battle people are going to being trying to kill you! Your friends are dying all around you, but unless you can concentrate," he slammed the table in emphasis, "you will not be able to focus and save their lives." He resumed his pacing. "If you can't try harder I will send you home."
"I understand." I straightened my back. "I'm ready to try again."
"No," he sighed. "I can't push you this hard." He turned around. A calmer, almost apologetic expression graced his features. "You need substance to keep your body functioning. Our bodies need the energy to help us focus." He put his arm around my waist and gently steered me out of the training room. "Come; let's see what food we can find in the kitchens." We walked toward the kitchens in silence, both of us worn out from hours of training. He was trying to teach me how to project my image; I was okay at making other versions of me appear close by, but the real trick was letting the projection stand where you are and transporting yourself. In that way, the enemy will still think it is you.
"Loki?" I asked hesitantly as we grabbed some sweet cakes. He nodded for me to continue. "Who taught you?" We walked to the table and sat down.
"No one," he replied. "I taught myself. I suppose I was born with the basic knowledge. Odin always tells stories of me conjuring snakes to frighten Thor when we were little." He grinned as he took a bite of cake.
"How did you know what you could do?" I asked.
"If no one tells you it's impossible, then to you it is possible. I just kept imagining and trying new things. Magic has a feel to it. It is inherently an instinctive thing. I could not accurately describe the place within me where I know my magic lies, yet in my mind I know precisely where it is." He stopped and took a bite of the cinnamon muffin.
"I understand. My grandmother was the only other one with the gift in my family. What she taught me was magic is driven by feelings, not logic." I smiled in remembrance. "She always said 'If you think too hard, Little Lor, your gift will be gone forever more.'"
"There is a lot of truth in those words." Loki looked back at me. "Tell me, why do you think you couldn't focus today? We hadn't been training as long as we normally do."
"Today is actually a day of some importance to me." He lifted his eyebrows. "Today I turn nineteen. If I wasn't here I would be celebrating with a big coming of age party. I was going to ask you this evening if you could take me home for an hour to have at least a small supper." I set my sweet cake down on the table. "I understand if you think the training is more important."
Go change," he said. I looked at him, puzzled. "Change out of your training clothes and into a nice dress. It would be unfair for your family not to see you on this day." He smirked. "You only come of age once."
After donning my white gown with lace sleeves and embroidered flowers, I met Loki outside the doors of the throne room. He looked the same as always in his green cape, green tunic, and gold arm bands. Handsome, yes, but I knew if he came down to see my family it would be out of place. Still I said nothing as we walked to the bifrost.
"Odin wanted me to wish you a happy birthday, Lorainne." He said without any prelude.
"When we get back I shall thank him." I replied as we reached the gate.
"Happy birthday, Lorainne," Heimdall said as he climbed the steps. "Your family is waiting for you." He stuck the sword into the slot and the colors began to swirl around us.
"They know I'm coming?" But I would not get an answer as Loki grabbed my hand before pulling me out into the abyss.