Chapter 2 – It always amazes

Jane stepped through the portal and before she knew it, she was stood within a dark cave which she could only assume was situated in Asgard. It seemed familiar, almost like the many others they had ventured through. Even the air seemed different in Asgard as she took in a deep breath and glanced back to see Loki appearing behind her. This was exciting, this was the adventures she had read about as a child but she still knew it was completely wrong – this had to be the last time.

"Is it your liking to stay in this cave all day? I'd rather hope you'd venture out a little more – if you wished to remain in darkness, your own realm would have sufficed". He smirked and stepped by her, taking in a deep breath himself. Jane didn't really know how he felt about being back in Asgard – she assumed there was some tension about it all but he mostly seemed calm, like he was back home. Of course it was his home on so many levels, just not one he claimed as home – mostly reiterating that he was from Jotunheim and any connection to Asgard was false.

"I just needed to catch my breath, this whole jumping between worlds is still a little new and weird for me – it's quick but doesn't feel that right". Jane moved to his side and glanced out of the cave, in the distance she could see the palace. "This place never fails to amaze me, I don't know how you coped being brought up in this world – I wouldn't have ever had a single moment to spare for the stars…not if I could stare out at this". It was the most beautiful and breath taking scenery she had ever laid her eyes upon. The mountains were a vivid green, the water a clear blue and the sky just seemed as though it had been painted there. The entire world seemed to have been painted.

"It's a sight, I'll agree to that but not one I feel necessary to waste too much time dwelling over" he muttered, showing some level of bitterness to the world. Jane knew of most of his troubles and knew well enough to not question them. "Now, if you're quite done admiring some hill sides – how about we actually head over to the library. Your simpleton assistant will be posting annoyance if you're not returned to her swiftly".

Rolling her eyes, Jane let out a small laugh "you can't just let me enjoy it – not even once. I'm ready, okay? Let's go and see those amazing books!" She curled her lips slightly and smiled, she really was looking forward to this.

"Ah – there is but one more thing we need to do before we can leave" Loki turned to face her fully and offered one of his signature smirks. "Will you still complain of my violating you if I use a slight illusion again? You don't want to be caught out by any of those guards now – do you?"

Jane wasn't a huge fan of this side of the plan, she preferred to feel like herself but knew better than to question his motives. She knew that if they strolled through the palace as themselves, the guards would arrest them both and soon they would face the many questions from Odin – King of Asgard.

"Okay, I'll try not to get too annoyed with you this time" she let out a small sigh and waited until he seemed to be done, cloaking himself with a look that was simple yet different. This was something that Jane would take a while to get used to.

"Now we can go" he smiled, no longer smirking as he held his hand out to guide her down from the cave. It wasn't the most pleasant walk, it mostly pained her feet but she knew it was worth the pain – anything would be worth it if she ended up in that wondrous library again.

The palace wasn't that far from the portal, around an hours stroll which Jane enjoyed every second of. She was finally given some time to take in the surroundings, even picking a flower or two as she made her approach to the palace grounds. Jane slowed down her pace as they grew closer, she was almost nervous as the guards became clearer.

"Now now Jane, you don't want to seem suspicious " he pulled her forward, forcing her to return to a steady pace. "You needn't worry so much; this is just like the last time we came – and the time before that. You were in no danger then, were you not?"

Jane shook her head "I guess... I just get a little nervous when I see them. I keep forgetting that I look like this" she waved her hand up and down, along her body. "This is just…exciting but scary, not as scary as the other things I've experienced but not far from it". She sighed, placing a small smile on her lips as they walked beyond the first set of guards – neither of them remotely shifting as they passed. She really did need to calm down, they were fine – this was going to be a fun trip.

"Do you wish to await the processed pizza or would you actually care for something real to eat?" he glanced to her as they passed a few stalls. Jane was hungry but her nerves were always getting the better of her.

"I'll wait – the pizza is actually delicious and I'll not stop saying that until you try some!"

"That will be the day I die and don't manage to cheat it" he shook his head, having no intention of ever tasting the foods Midgard had to offer him. Some of it was nice, some of it was fit for a King but the majority of it seemed like something a King would throw away – once his actual meal was consumed.

"You don't know what you're missing out on" she chuckled, nudging him slightly which had little to no effect on him.

They soon arrived at the library, the grand doors taking her breath away for a moment. This was unlike anything she had seen on Midgard. All of their libraries were simple compared to this – and that included the many libraries or museums scattered around the world, ones which truly stood out above the rest.

Jane kept hold of him as they entered, the large gold doors slowly closing behind them. "Wow – " she muttered, almost a little too loudly as she bit down on her lower lip "sorry, I really need to stop saying that whenever I come in here". She shrugged her shoulders and slowly made her way towards the last books she had been enjoying. These were books about the world, every single artefact she could possibly need to know more about Asgard – and those other realms which connected to it.

"Don't you grow tired of reading the same books?" Loki took one from her hand and waved his free hand, indicating that she had the entire library to enjoy. "Surely you're ready to venture into a different section – perhaps one that isn't riddled with lies and deception".

"I like these books better, I'll get to the rest as soon as I can" she took the book back and moved to a table where she returned to where she had last left.

The library was quiet, it was almost too quiet but she only assumed that it was the strict rules of this realm – that and the fact that almost all libraries demanded silence. Loki sat opposite her, a simple book within his grasp. It seemed to be some kind of fiction but he wasn't overly caught up with the read, not while he stared over to her with a curious gaze. "What? Why do you keep watching me?"

"Watching? I'm simply looking at you – still trying to understand why you're so obsessed with finding out every single detail about Asgard. I know most of it and I assure you that it will bore you, that and you'll only hear the truth about parts from me".

"I don't think all of this is lies, maybe some of your stuff…" she sighed and closed the book, he wasn't going to let her have a moments piece to read. "I'll take a look at the rest of the library if you help me take some of these books before I go home – you can bring them back when you see me again".

"And what makes you so certain I'll see you again, Lady Jane?"

"Call it a hunch" she smirked, knowing full well that he wanted to remain her friend just as much as she wanted it. Though it wasn't really certain what level of friendship they held. They talked a lot, they shared some secrets – at least she assumed he shared them. Perhaps they were more than friends; this was something Jane would eventually find out.

"Most hunches lead to a world of no good" he smiled "but perhaps you'll be right on this occasion, perhaps". He stood up and placed a few of her chosen books on a chair before he pushed it back under the table. "I'll return for these before we leave, I'm certain no one will miss them".

"Thank you" she stood up and took hold of his arm, almost doing so without realizing it. "So take me to the books you approve of".

They wandered along the many rows of books, the shelves towering over them so high she wondered how anyone could get them down. It was only a matter of moments before they reached a corridor which seemed darker than the rest.

"Illusions?" she asked, moving into the poorly lit corridor to find many books that seemed to possess magic and tales of illusions. "I didn't think you'd want to share any of this with me".

"Why not? You are but a mere mortal, you would never have the ability to attempt any of this but I assume you are curious…are you not?"

"Very" she stated and ran her fingers along the spines of many of the books, settling on one that seemed to have stars drawn upon it.

She moved to a small chair that resided in the corner, in the dark. A part of her wondered if this was where Loki had come as a child, perhaps he had spent a lot of his childhood in the shadows as he constantly claimed.

"These are fascinating, no wonder you wanted to show me – " she glanced up from her seat to see that Loki wasn't there anymore, she was completely alone. "Loki?" standing up, she moved to the end of the dark passage and glanced down the same hallway they had walked along. "Loki?"

There seemed to be some words coming from a corridor just a few shelves ahead of her – some words which seemed to be serious, yet a whisper. She clutched the book close to her chest and wandered towards the voices – hoping to just find some random Asgardian folk. Instead, she found Loki – looking very much like his usual self. His black Agardian armour showing clearly. She couldn't see who he was talking to, all she could tell was how serious he seemed to become. His voice bitter, his words almost threatening as Jane tried to catch his attention.

"Ah, the Midgardian who has also played a part in your deception".

The voice seemed a little too familiar as Jane stepped out from behind the shelf, dropping the book as she was soon faced with Odin. Jane shook her head; she was hidden under an illusion which surely he couldn't see.

"You think me not intelligent enough to see your true appearance?" Odin stepped closer to them "uncloak the goat, now!"

Jane didn't feel any different but she knew she was looking more like herself again. She opened her mouth to speak, to say something – anything to avoid this moment becoming more awkward. And then they came – the guards.

"Loki – " she gasped as two guards took hold of her and the others brought chains to Loki, capturing him so he could not escape.

"Take them to the dungeon, keep them apart" Odin walked by them both "I'll speak with you both shortly – and yes, Loki, you will meet a more suited sentence now that Frigga is no longer with us to protect you".

With that said, Jane was pulled in the opposite direction to Loki – her struggles wasted as they took her to the dungeons.