Hello again! I hope anyone reading enjoyed the first chapter! This is my first Avengers fic so I'm still trying to work with the characters and keep them in character. I'm not entirely sure I do them justice, but I shall try my best. Enjoy!

There was an awkwardly long and tension filled silence. No one seemed to know what to do or say. Especially the two standing before her, who she quickly realized must be Thor's mother and father. AKA the king and queen of Asgard.

Way to go Nora! She chided herself mentally. You were worried about messing up the meeting, you didn't even think about starting the meeting with an unfortunate slip of the tongue. "Uhh…" Nora stuttered, trying to break the silence. Think Nora think! How can you bounce back from that?

You can't you idiot! A part of her mind screamed at her.

"Nora," she heard Jane groan quietly behind her.

Everything seemed to slow to a halt. Every breath, every heartbeat felt like minutes. Odin stood there, staring down into Nora's eyes. Thor was right; he was really intense. Nora couldn't seem to find any words as her brain worked on overdrive to figure out where to go from there. Even her jumbled thoughts couldn't provide her with anything coherent, or even something random, to say. Her brain had momentarily shorted out.

Odin's continued stare made Nora start to fidget uncomfortably. There seemed to be a sense of…power that almost radiated from him. Not just an air of authority that he held since he was king, but something else seemed to ripple through the air. He was definitely older than anything she could comprehend.

"Did I miss something? Why are we all congregating inside the doorway?" a voice asked, looking inside the open doors.

Thor was the first to break the silence. "Brother! You've arrived!"

There was a slight confused pause. "So it would seem. What is going on?" the voice asked again. That voice had to be Loki. Thank God, and end to the silence!

"Oh nothing," Thor assured, slightly antsy now. Then he pushed Jane into the room gently until she stood near Nora. "Mother, Father, this is Jane and her friend Nora. This is the Allfather and Allmother." Thor's jovial tone seemed a bit forced. "Jane, you know of my brother Loki. Loki, this is Jane and Nora."

Jane sent Loki a quick glare, but turned and gave the king and queen a bright smile. It seemed after Nora's slip of the tongue, she wasn't so nervous anymore. Although, Nora wondered if Odin would just tell them to leave after her rudeness. "It's very nice to meet you both, Thor has told me so much about you."

Thor's mother was the first to move, giving Jane a quick hug. "Is it time we finally met. Thor has spared us no detail about you," Frigga smiled back. "He's usually so sullen if he doesn't get to see you on a trip to Midgard."

"Mother!" Thor exclaimed.

Nora didn't hear any denials though, which made her smirk slightly.

"And Nora," Frigga smiled politely in her queenly way.

"Your majesty," Nora smiled, hoping that was an appropriate way to address her. She could still feel Odin's gaze on her, but she didn't dare look back at him. She really didn't need to say something stupid again. Looking at the queen, she could see the same slightly confused look that Thor held not too long ago. Like she didn't know how to proceed with her. "You don't have to hug me if you don't want to, it's okay," Nora continued, nervously. "I know I must seem strange and a bit rude after my earlier comment but-"

Thankfully, Frigga wrapped her into a tight hug to prevent her from rambling even more. Nora squeezed the woman back slightly, grateful. After stepping away, Nora sent her a thankful glance before turning to Odin and giving him a tentative smile. Her mind raced quickly. Should she bow? Curtsy? Hand shake?

Odin saved her from making a further fool of herself by turning his attention to Thor and Jane. "We are glad to have you visit our realm. It is good to help strengthen the bond between Midgard and ourselves." An omitted "after Loki tried to take over your planet" hung in the air after Odin stopped talking. Nora thought she heard a quiet scoff from behind her that had to have been Loki. "I must go attend council meetings, I will see our guests again at dinner," Odin announced.

Frigga smiled at him, lovingly. "Alright, dear. Good luck."

Nora exhaled slowly, relieved that Odin had decided to leave. He just made her nervous and she really didn't want to insult him again.

"So, Jane and Nora, where would you like to visit first?" Frigga asked.

Nora didn't know what she thought was cooler. The local stores, the incredible waterfalls and fountains spread throughout the city, or when they stopped to acquire new Asgardian clothes. Well, okay. The new clothes definitely ranked at the top. She was now in a long, flowy, cerulean blue dress that had golden beading laced over one shoulder. Every time the layers would billow against her legs with the breeze, she wanted to squeal with excitement.

Frigga escorted them from place to place with Thor, a few palace guards, and even Loki following them through Asgard. Thor and Frigga were happy to show them around and expose them to some of the customs and culture of the Asgardians. Granted, Thor tended to stick around Jane more, but Frigga made sure to spend her time equally with Jane and Nora, and even both her sons. And speaking of her sons, Loki dragged behind, bored and complaining every once in a while. After he figured out complaining wasn't getting him anywhere, he summoned a book to read as they walked. Nora was surprised he didn't collide with someone as he walked, still looking down at his book, but he maneuvered around the people with ease.

"Those dresses look beautiful on you," Frigga complimented as they walked. The sun had just started to set, so they had decided to return to the palace. Nora was slightly disappointed that she wouldn't get to see more of Asgard that day, but she couldn't be too upset. After all, she did have newly acquired dresses to wear while she was here.

Somehow by the grace of the gods, Nora had managed not to make too much of a spectacle of herself. Sure, there was the incident where she almost broke a whole shelf of glass because she was looking at a small trinket she thought Darcy would like. Someone had walked behind her, bumping into her back, sending her forward accidently. Frigga had saved the day with some quick magic, saving Nora from embarrassment and servitude to pay them off. The trinkets hadn't looked cheap.

Then there was the mishap at one of the elaborate fountains. She had stopped to admire all the carvings and designs in the structure. Thor was busy talking to Jane as he walked and ran right into Nora as she was stopped directly in front of them. Him running into her sent her head first into the fountain. Using his battle honed reflexes he had caught her, but she had still managed to fall halfway into the fountain before he did so. That incident led them to acquiring the new Asgardian dresses. If Nora didn't know how much sturdier Asgardians were than humans, she knew now. Thor running into her had almost hurt. Loki mumbled something about Thor being a "clumsy oaf" if she heard correctly, but it seemed to be a good natured jab.

When they had arrived back at the palace once again, Loki seemed to have disappeared all together, while Frigga had told them she had a few things to take care of before leaving them. Once she left, Thor had shown Nora back to her room.

"We will be back to escort you to the feast, Nora. There is still a few hours beforehand, so spend the time as you wish. Jane has told me that you like books; I could have one of the servants show you the way to the library," Thor suggested. Nora noticed that he was once again holding Jane's hand.

Maybe they wanted some alone time, she thought. She knew Thor wouldn't outright say it, lest he make her feel left out or pushed to the side, forgotten. But if she'd get to see more of the castle, then she'd give them all the time in the world. "That sounds great, Thor. Thank you," Nora smiled.

Thor called over a servant that was walking down the hall, and said goodbye to Nora as he led Jane away. Thor let her know they'd grab her from the library when dinner was finished. The woman looked about Nora's age, around early twenties, but looks were deceiving for the Asgardians. Living far longer than a human, they aged slower. She had a light pink dress that reached the floor, the top reaching up to her collar bones, and it had no sleeves. Her hair was pulled back into an elegant bun, with small tendrils flowing down in soft waves. "Hello, Miss," she bowed, placing her right arm over her chest. "My name is Vie."

Was that how Asgardians bowed? Nora wondered.

"…library," Vie continued.

Crap! Nora was trying to think about how they bowed and forgot to listen to Vie, but she had caught the word library, and that was good enough for her. Nora smiled and nodded, hoping that it was an appropriate gesture to what the girl had said.

Vie nodded and turned. "The library is this way," she pointed, starting to walk.

Phew, that could've been awkward.

Vie said nothing as they walked quietly down the hallways and high ceilinged walk ways. Nora couldn't help but look out past the palace, to the areas beyond. She could see the shimmering of the ocean from the horizon, and patches of trees and woodlands dotting the landscape. "It isn't much further Miss," Vie told her, still looking ahead.

"You don't have to call me Miss. Nora works just fine for me. Besides, it's not like I'm royalty or anything," Nora told the girl, walking beside her.

"But you are Prince Thor's special guest," Vie noted, seemingly caught off guard that Nora would suggest such a thing.

"It's really not a huge deal, Vie. If it makes you feel more comfortable to call me Miss, then go ahead, but where I'm from, people are much more casual when they address people," Nora tried to explain. Then again, she didn't know Asgardian royal customs. Maybe the girl would get into trouble if she didn't call Nora by some title.

"Alright… Miss Nora," Vie said quietly, as if she were testing the water. It wasn't quite the first name basis Nora had told her of, but it would have to do. "You hail from Midgard, yes?" she asked suddenly. The question seemed to escape the girl before she could help herself, because after she spoke she covered her mouth. "Forgive me, I spoke out of turn Miss Nora. I was merely curious-"

Nora put a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder to calm her, while trying to unsuccessfully keep the grin from pulling at her mouth. It seemed Nora wasn't the only one who spoke her thoughts without thinking. "Vie, you're fine. Yes, I came from Earth. Well, you guys call it Midgard…" Nora noticed the curiosity in the girl's eyes. They were practically brimming with questions. Unspoken questions, but they were there nonetheless. "Would you like me to tell you about it?" Nora asked.

"You would do that? That would be most wonderful, Miss Nora!" Vie exclaimed happily.

Nora laughed. Perhaps she had made herself a new Asgardian friend. "Of course! I've been shown parts of your world, it's only fair I share information about my own. How about tomorrow? You can show me around if you aren't busy. I think Thor and Jane wanted some alone time for the day anyway, so I don't think we had any plans."

"I will ask the Allmother," Vie beamed, yet somehow kept her composure. "Here is the library, Miss Nora. I'll be off now." Vie bowed again quickly, before turning and walking down a different corridor.

After pushing the large doors open, Nora walked into the huge room. Immediately, her breath was being taken away. The library was truly magnificent. Directly inside the doors, was a large open area with neat designs in the stone floor. On all sides of the open area, were large tables and chairs scattered about. Anywhere she looked, she could see humongous shelves lined with books of varying sizes and colors. There was two large stairways leading up to a second floor of the library. She spotted several window seats overlooking the scenery outside. Colored lights shone down from the large glass circle in the ceiling. It reminded her of stain glass, but it was slightly different.

Running over to the nearest shelf, Nora ran her fingers over all of the books. She couldn't read any of the spines, but she could still appreciate them. She couldn't help but feel a little like Belle from Beauty in the Beast, when the Beast had shown her the library. Only she didn't have a hairy, transformed beast of a prince to deal with.

Taking a few books from the shelf, she held it against herself and flipped through the pages. She noticed a few pictures to look at, and she set the book on a nearby table. Going back to the shelves, Nora returned to the table with an arm full of books of various sizes. She really wished she could read the Asgardian language.

"What are you doing in here?"

At the unexpected voice, Nora dropped her arm full of books onto the table, creating a loud bang. Whirling quickly, she saw Loki standing there, eyebrow raised in question. His mouth was turned down slightly. He wore dark pants, and a loose fitting green shirt underneath his usual coat, his hair slicked back.

"Oh, uh, hello Prince Loki," Nora greeted politely. "I was just looking at some of these books."

Confusion and doubt clouded his eyes. "But you can't read Asgardian," he told her like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Yeah, but there are still pictures," Nora explained, flipping open a book and showing him.

"I'm aware there are pictures," he responded sharply.

Nora was slightly taken aback at his attitude towards her. "I didn't mean to insinuate that you didn't, only my intentions here. I was merely killing time before dinner." Jeez, she thought. No wonder people thought him hard to get along with.

He was silent for a moment, regarding her carefully. She turned back to the books, trying not to pay him any attention, but she could still feel his gaze on her. "It is customary to bow before the royal family when in their presence, Midgardian," Loki commented offhandedly, his arms behind his back, standing tall.

She finally looked over at him, hands pausing the turning of a page. Eyeing him curiously, she wondered where the change in attitude came from. Then she saw a small flicker of mischief in his eyes, despite his otherwise aloof façade. He meant to trick her, to try and get her to embarrass herself. Like she needed extra help with that.

Alright, fine, she smiled inwardly. She'd play his game, the liar. Challenge accepted. Thor had told her tales of Loki's mischief. She had an idea about how to play this. Shutting the book she was looking at, she faced Loki head on. Then she bent at the waist slightly, purposefully bowing poorly. "Was that to your liking, Prince Loki?" she asked innocently once she stood straight again.

"That was absolutely horrendous to behold," Loki commented, false annoyance written across his face.

"Then how about a curtsy, Your Highness?" Nora asked, falling into a low curtsey easily. She made sure to portray some irritation in her movements. Watching as his nostrils flared in annoyance at her mocking tone, Nora wanted to laugh.

"You mortals are so inferior," he said, bored. "You can't even show the proper respect to your superiors."

Nora laughed mockingly. "Funny, I thought it was us mortals who defeated you in New York." Well… she hadn't exactly meant to say that, but her mouth had a mind of her own once again. She really hoped that she hadn't crossed some sort of line. Seeing the veiled anger in his eyes, she wondered if she did.

Loki then snorted derisively, "As if lowly humans could have defeated me alone. They were mostly genetically altered or had weaponized suits at their disposal. Barely human in their own right as they fought me."

"Even so," Nora shrugged. "If you want the proper respect and formal bow, then why don't you show me, Prince Loki. As a lowly human, I have no idea how, and since you know so much…"

His arm shifted slightly before he caught himself. Nora smiled in her almost triumph. She had nearly gotten him to actually show her. Thor was right; Loki did like to be the one in charge, the one with all the knowledge, the one who liked to be right all the time. He almost couldn't stop himself from correcting her. Finally, like a switch, the anger and annoyance fled from his face, replaced by the earlier mischief. "I see what you're up to, human. Well played. Pray tell how you knew I was lying," he smirked.

Nora chuckled, relieved. He knew that she had been calling him out on his lie about bowing to him. "Thor already explained I wouldn't have to bow to you or him since I was a guest on his behalf. Although, he did tell me that I probably should have at least bowed a little to your parents." Even remembering caused Nora to fill with embarrassment. A crappy bow would have been infinitely better than her comment on his eye patch.

Loki burst into genuine laughter for a few moments, filling the library with it. Nora didn't think he did that too often by the way he stopped himself soon after. "Yes, Thor told me of your meeting with the Allfather. I only wish I could have been there to witness it."

"It wasn't funny," Nora sulked. "It was mortifying." She sat down in the nearest chair to flip through her books she gathered. Loki went about looking through the shelves nearby. She eyed the illustrations of proud warriors and odd creatures. Some creatures were large and abnormal to anything she had ever seen, and others looked very similar to those on Earth. Pictures of battles were drawn elegantly on the pages. On a particular page she stopped on, she looked at the large warriors with creative looking markings on their skin. "Hey, Prince Loki," she called over to him. "Who are these people?" She held up the book for him to see as he turned.

Instantly, she watched as his demeanor changed again. He became tense and his hands clenched into fists. The look that crossed his face scared her slightly.

"Loki?" she asked tentatively, forgetting the respectful title. Loki stood there silently for a moment before he turned and stalked further into the library, leaving her alone.

What the heck did she do?

So what did you think? Awesome? Horrible? Did it make you smile? Please let me know what you think! Thanks again. -K