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All was quiet in Asgard.

All, that is, except for the riotous laughter coming from the great dining hall.

Torture. That was what this was. Torment of the most animalistic, cruel, vile sort. He was a prince. A king. His father... no, not his father. That hideous creature called Odin. He had no right to treat a king like this. And yet here he was, standing before Sif and the warriors three. As a servant.

Loki. A servant to the house of Odin.

This was absolutely unacceptable.

Odin's other punishments paled in comparison to this. Banishment to Jotunheimr had been the first thing Loki was forced to endure upon his return to Asgard. It was tolerable; the cold didn't bother him at all, but the Jotuns didn't take kindly to the return of their traitorous, runty little prince. He had killed their king, so he couldn't blame them, but they made life rather difficult for him. After a time (a few Midgard months, perhaps) Odin called him back to serve his second and arguably worse sentence. Loki didn't like to think about it. It was among the only memories that could make him cringe, so naturally he tried to forget it. However, he would not soon forget being bound under a great serpent, watching helplessly as the venom dripped from those horrid fangs, and then only being able to feel as the poison destroyed his sight. Although his capabilities for healing extended well beyond the capacity of a mortal, the venom's marks still hadn't truly vanished. The skin around Loki's eyes was darkened slightly, and his eyes themselves were a dimmer shade than they used to be. Perhaps a bit more green than blue now. At least his sight had returned to him.

So when Odin freed him from his second torment, Loki had to admit that he was grateful. Grateful in that he didn't have to endure such physical pain and frustration anymore, grateful to be free again, and grateful, for once, that his adoptive father still had a scrap of mercy left in him. Until now.

Now, he was forced to offer food to a group of the most arrogant, shameless, and downright irritating Asgardians he'd ever known. Needless to say, Fandral and Volstagg found the whole situation hilarious. Sif was wearing an expression of superiority on her face that could only be described as repulsive. Predictably, Hogun was silent as the grave.

"Oh it's such a shame that the All-father reined in that silver tongue of yours." Fandral chuckled, smiling in an extremely irksome manner as he took a dainty bite of the pheasant Volstagg was currently tearing apart. "What ever shall we do without your tricks to aid us on our quests?"

Dying would be the most optimal thing you could do, Loki thought. As much as he'd like to remark, the trickster knew he would never earn Odin's trust by behaving like his usual self. If he never earned Odin's trust he could never get Odin to stop watching him so closely. If he couldn't do that, he couldn't escape this place. Asgard would never be home for Loki, not now. If he had to put on an act in the meantime, so be it. After all, lying happened to be a strength of his.

"Fandral, you jest!" Volstagg interposed with a mouth half-full of pheasant, looking ludicrously giddy. Food always made him that way. "We don't need his trickery in combat! Only a coward uses such methods; true warriors fight with their own strength."

Magic is my strength; perhaps you would know that if you paid the slightest bit of attention to your surroundings. Loki's face betrayed nothing as they laughed at him, though he found himself growing impatient. It didn't help that Sif cracked a smile at Volstagg's comment. She tried so very hard to be like them, to fight as well, to be worth as much… She must have enjoyed being in a room with someone weaker than she. Perhaps she felt stronger because of it. Pathetic. And to think she had caught his brother's eye in their youth… Thor's mortal woman was an improvement to one who so expertly lied to herself. Loki knew a liar when he saw one.

Loki still had use of his magic, yes, but Odin had promised the most severe of punishments should he even attempt to misuse it. This was generous of him indeed. Perhaps too lenient in light of his crimes, but the trickster wasn't about to complain. The only thing he detested was Odin's enchantment. The All-father had ensured that Heimdall would always be able to see Loki no matter how he tried to conceal himself. Inconvenient, yes, but as it was his only real leash he was willing to accept it. Loki was safe from Odin as long as he behaved.

"We would invite you to dine with us, but do we really want to be seen with someone so lowly?" Fandral jabbed, earning a snort from Volstagg.

I would kill you all now, but I really must bide my time. Oh if only you knew the things I would do to you, the torments I have already imagined...

"Now Fandral," Volstagg said…

Make you watch as I kill your dearest friends and family…

"…We mustn't be rude…"

Find your deepest fears, the shadows that haunt your dreams…

"…But I suppose, because it is Loki we are addressing…"

Listen to your screams, your pleading, your agony…

"…We need not feel remorse over it!"

And finally, when you can no longer find the strength to beg, I will kill you with my bare hands.

The two friends laughed while their other companions looked on in amusement. They were quickly silenced, however, when Loki smiled. It was a simple, genuine smile that got under their skin and festered there. A smile that seemed for all the world like happiness. Their laughs echoed in the hall long after they had stopped laughing and started staring. Who knew such great 'warriors' could look so frightened? They couldn't know that Loki's pleasure came from imagining their horrific ends, and he wasn't about to tell them. It was entertaining enough that such a simple expression could unnerve them so.

"My friends," he said coolly, bringing the warriors uncomfortable memories of the first time they saw him as a king. In his rightful place, no less. "Is there anything else you need?"

For a moment the four looked at him with expressions between shock and suspicion on their faces. Fandral was the first to turn tail and leave, followed swiftly by Volstagg and what remained of his pheasant.

Hogun bowed his head by measure of mere degrees before turning to follow his companions, saying "No, prince." For a moment Loki considered this, deciding Hogun would be spared from the worst of his revenge. At least this warrior had common sense about him. Sif glared at Loki before departing. Spiteful wretch, that one. Just as he allowed himself to become hopeful for some peace, heavy footsteps betrayed the approach of someone else.

"Loki!" The Thunderer certainly hadn't earned his name for being quiet.

The aforementioned individual turned on his heel to face Thor, his smile growing bitter. "To what do I owe the pleasure, brother?" He said, standing rigid. Thor had a way of making a bad day much worse.

Today, Thor didn't bother with the usual 'we're still brothers' or 'father still loves you' speech. It was always humorous to watch him try to put together an eloquent argument. He tried, he really did, but Thor could never come up with more than the elementary ideas of love and happiness and memories. It made Loki sick.

"I care not for your fretfulness today, brother, I have just spoken with Heimdall. He sees trouble on Midgard with the ones that call themselves 'shield.' I must speak with father."

Loki raised an eyebrow, the smile dying on his lips. "Are you assuming I care? Your mortals could all perish in flame and I would not lose a wink of sleep over it. In fact, I would love to be the one to ignite the fire."

To Loki's immense surprise, Thor grabbed him by his arm and forcefully pulled him closer. He looked so bestial that the trickster half expected him to growl.

"You would do well to avoid threatening Midgard, Loki, the mortals are under my protection. Or have you forgotten?"

"I have forgotten nothing of your attempts to defend that miserable realm, nor have I forgotten your friends. Mark my words, they will all pay for their insolence." Loki spat, pushing the Thunderer away. He hated the group of mortals- the Avengers, the technical one had said- nearly as much as he hated Thor. Their only saving grace was that they weren't intent on telling Loki how loved he was, unlike Thor. The brute still wasn't giving up.

"Come, I must speak with the All-father, and you will come with me." He turned to walk out of the room, not caring in the slightest that Loki was still seething at him. Did no one respect him anymore?

What was he thinking? Of course no one respected him. No one ever had in the first place.

He would just have to get everyone to fear him instead. Fear worked like respect, but it wasn't lost as easily and was a bit more persuasive. Breathing a curt sigh, Loki brushed off the front of his armor (which he had mercifully been allowed to keep) and followed Thor in the direction of the throne room.

Something about the resemblance between the mortal called Fury and the all-powerful Odin was humorous, Loki mused to himself. Which brought him to his next thought; a mortal with a name synonymous to wrath and ferocity? It was laughable, considering the other mortals this 'Fury' chose to hide behind. Their group might as well be named the Incompetents for all the good they had done. There was more bickering than working in that setting, and Loki could only wonder how they got along now. Optimistically they would still be quarreling with each other, but the trickster knew better than to be optimistic. No, they had probably grown closer from their victory over what was to be Midgard's personal Ragnarok. Such petty sentiment.

In the throne room, Thor was speaking to Odin about some urgent matter on Midgard. From the bits of the conversation Loki cared to listen to, a few of Thor's mortal friends had gotten together again. S.H.I.E.L.D. was carrying out tests on some new experiment, and for whatever reason this was a terrible thing that he, Thor, had to personally keep an eye on. Arrogance. Loki wasn't interested, so he merely gazed at the All-father with a scowl worthy of a king's dignity.

"Do you believe the mortals are endangering themselves?" Odin said, leaning back on his throne. He too did not seem concerned, which Thor had not taken a liking to. The Thunderer was already raising his voice.

"Father, they are trying to use technology they are not yet ready to understand, let alone control. I would go to Midgard to make sure they do not damage themselves or their realm."

Odin scrutinized his son for a moment before speaking. "Why is this of our concern, Thor? I understand your liking for their people, but your responsibilities lie here. You must not forget your duty to Asgard in your fondness for Midgard."

"I have not, father, but this is my responsibility. The trouble is my brother's fault." Thor turned to Loki, who was now fully invested in the conversation.

"What are you accusing me of? I have done nothing!" He snarled, but paused to take in the knowing look Thor had on his face. It wasn't like the Thunderer to lie, so why would he say such a thing?

"No, not recently, but it is Chitauri technology they seek to understand. As such, you brought the danger to Midgard, and it is my responsibility to see that you cause no further harm."

Thor looked back to Odin, smiling haughtily. On one hand Loki was quite pleased that his attack was still causing havoc on that unpleasant realm. On the other, he had a feeling he would have to make recompense for this, even though he hadn't done it directly. And the Chitauri... the very word reminded him of the threat looming over his head. So far the Other had yet to find him, but he didn't doubt his former ally's ability to do so.

"Father," Thor continued, looking grave again, "The last time the humans tried to understand such technology they attracted far too much attention. They have not the wisdom to see their folly. Please, let me see that they do not make the same mistake twice."

Odin leaned forward, looking at his son. Or perhaps what he considered his sons. He spent a moment in thought, the telltale creases of a frown touching his brow.

"Considering this... Perhaps it would be in their best interest if you went. I will inform Heimdall that you will need the tesseract."

Thor bowed appreciatively as Loki turned to leave, but Odin stood and they both paused in their actions.

"And Thor..." Odin said, his eye gleaming with a certain light.

"...Bring Loki."

Well there's Loki for you, always such a charmer. I must say, I'm pleased in only took two chapters to get everyone at least headed to the same realm. We'll see if we can get everyone on the same page (excuse the pun) in the next chapter.

Thank you for reading, feel free to review as always!

~Nightlance