Chapter 2 – Part 2.
Flora hadn't been ready for the festivities. She never was. Though she enjoyed them much at home, being in the strange land of Asgard, full of people she didn't know, sent her nerves on edge.
Walking back to the Hall with Lady Sif was a pleasure. The young warrior had been kind and patient. She greatly appreciated the resolve. Sif was explaining the details of the days in Asgard, but she wasn't paying attention. Rubbing her nervous, shaking hands on the fabric of her dress, she exhaled.
Sif turned a worried look to her way. "Are you ill?"
Flora sharply looked up, realizing how rude she must've been behaving. "Oh, no. Please forgive me. I should've paid attention to your descriptions, Lady Sif." She bit her lip. "I'm restless."
"Call me Sif." Her blue eyes grazed the smaller girl and smiled encouragingly. "I have a feeling you are in need of a friend right now. I'll stay with you."
With a huge smile of relief, Flora nodded. "Thank you…Sif."
"Now, Flora, my friend," she nodded. "There's nothing for you to worry about. Well, you should beware of Fandral, but you already know that."
The dark haired girl laughed. "I know, I know. He will try to wisp me off into the night. I shall be cautious."
Sif began to describe her friends in great detail. From Fandral the Dashing in his quick charm, Hogun the Grim with his sullen attitude and Volstagg the Valiant who could be seem fierce and dangerous but was in truth a big man with a compassionate heart. She, too, had described Thor in great detail and from the way she did, Flora figured her new friend was enamored with the young prince. Apparently, Thor was a marvelous warrior, courageous fighter, and a faithful friend. His faults and childish ambitions could be overlooked as time passed and Odin forged him with a firm hand.
When Flora had asked about the younger prince, Loki, Sif had refused to give a concrete portrayal of his character. Sif deemed it best if she could make her own judgment as hers was too jaded to give him justice.
Since she had never met the princes, Flora made no notice of the negativity. It would be impossible, of course, to be liked by everyone in the realm so she assured Sif's animosity towards the prince was nothing of transcended importance.
Before she even noticed, they were walking towards the Allfather, followed by stares of some of the more curious attendees of the feast. Shuffling awkwardly in her dress, Flora stood close to Odin, waiting to be introduced.
She first noticed Thor: big, bulking, and smiling. She liked him immediately. His smile was not an arrogant one, but a good-natured offer of friendship. After a quick inspection, she turned to the younger, darker prince. Flora had seen many handsome princes, and beautiful men, yet, she hadn't felt the pull of knots in her body for attraction in a very long time.
Something in her lower abdomen pulled her navel unexpectedly, swelling, growing. The prince was tall, towering over her in an intimidating aura. His skin was fair and pale, delicate in the candlelight. He had an air of mystery about him: dark and masculine. His eyes were a rare blazing emerald shade, though she suspected the morning light would change their color. He fixed his eyes upon her, stilling the beating of her heart for a silver of a moment. Embarrassedly, she looked away, bowing to lower her eyes away from the intense scrutiny of the dark haired prince. "Prince Thor, Prince Loki. It is a great privilege."
Oh, how she hoped her voice had not come across as a breathy whisper. The heat rose in her cheeks at her uncomfortable predicament. She her hand to Thor first, willing her flushed skin to return to normal. He kissed and squeezed it tenderly, reassuring. Loki, instead, took her hand and barely grazed his lips, offering a small smile of indifference.
Flora willed her thoughts to focus. They were too enthralling in quality, which would fail to achieve her purpose and bring her pain she did not need. Quickly dissipating her initial nervousness, she took Thor's offered arm and allowed herself to be led to her seat.
To say that Flora had expected the last meal to be different would've been a vast understatement. She had anticipated an evening of awkwardness. The feast, however, had been pleasantly enjoyable.
Sif and the warriors had made her laugh merrily, thoroughly enjoying their stories of war and jests pulled on each other. As the evening wore on, the attendees got bolder. Thor had been whisked off in dancing log before, to Sif's greatest annoyance. She was no short of admirers, it seemed, for she soon was taken away herself, which only left Volstagg and Hogun. Loki, of course, was engaged in conversation and imposed not to be disturbed. So she sat in silence, marveling at her fortune.
For the first time since she arrived, she felt hope that this journey would be pleasant.
"Do you not dance, Lady Flora?"
Her head whipped around so fast, her neck might've snapped. Looking down at her, Loki fixed her with an amused smirk.
Shaking her head, she replied, "I do not, your grace."
"You have been instructed, though. Correct?" Loki urged her on.
"I have, yes. It's lack of practice that wills me to my seat." She laughed lightly, eyes dancing in mirth. "I do not wish to embarrass myself."
Loki was sincerely confused. His father had always said gracious Agni enjoyed his own luxuries in feasts and dance. "But surely Agni's gracious hall would be filled with entertainment."
Flora eyes him fleetingly. "Oh yes. Father has always been most accommodating." She could see he was expecting a more elaborate answer. With an air of indifference, she replied. "Let's say that gentlemen were more drawn to other females in the room." Quickly, she rectified how scornful that sounded. "Not that I minded, of course. There are many other activities one can engage into."
He certainly could see why men would prefer other females. Agni's fabled daughters were said to be beautiful. Perhaps they have only sent the runt of the family. She was amiable, he had discovered. Her good nature and honest joy drew friends about her, and she was not slow to follow conversation. She was well-read and astute, thought without any trickery. Her most agreeable trait, he decided, was her laugh: honest, joyful, free. But she was, in the end, like any star in the heavens. Amazingly common.
"What can you find to entertain yourself with?" He wondered. "Do you like to intoxicate yourself?"
She laughed and coughed. "No, no. I do not favor strong beverages." Looking around, she pointed. "Look around, not all people are dancing. Some are eating, some are playing, and some are engaged in conversation…Like we are now." With a twinkle in her amused eyes, she fixed her eyes on him. "Or is it that you don't dance, either, your grace?"
He chuckled. "I do dance, when the situation calls for it."
Flora nodded. "I see. Well, there are many ladies sitting over there. And I must say they are looking at you like a particularly decadent meal." She willed him to turn to the females in the question.
There were, indeed, a group of females eying him more brazenly. Loki was no stranger to indecent activities and it would be so easy to have a young maiden after a few dances. Flora had partially turned his back on him. Not on purpose, of course. She had just figured he'd be on his way. But he had not moved. He took her in, and in the deepest part of his soul, something stirred. He felt pity. He knew she didn't have pity left for herself but he did, because she seemed like him, in a way. Loki was not ignored. He could be taken more lightly by some, but never ignored. His position and birthright gave him an advantage, but she was ignored by everyone who did not particularly know her. She wasn't sorry for herself, no. Her demeanor was more a clam resignation, peaceful even.
"Dance with me."
The words came out before he could stop them. Flora, who had been distractedly toying with her food, turned slowly. "Really?" Her brow furrowed.
"Come on. Dance with me." He repeated. He wasn't entirely sure why he was insistent. Perhaps he felt sorry for her, perhaps it was just because of feeling lonely.
Her cheeks blushed a bright pink. He was offering his hand out, the long fingers in silent invitation and by Odin, she wanted to accept. Dancing awkwardly with a prince on her first night in Asgard only made her feel more nervous.
She breathed out, "Let's see if I can remember how to do this."
They both walked hand in hand towards the dancing floor in front of Odin and Frigga. She felt Odin's eyes planted on the two of them. His staring eyes made her extremely nervous and she began to shake a little bit.
"Are you alright, my lady?" Loki asked.
"Yes. I'm fine. Just a tad nervous." She answered.
Loki gave her a smile. She felt as if her stomach had flipped over.
The two of them began dancing. Loki placed his hand onto her waist and with his other hand, he held onto hers tightly. Flora kept looking down at their feet. She had never danced with a prince before. Loki chuckled, "Don't look at your feet. Just go with the flow."
Flora looked up from the floor, and observed Loki's face. She began to memorize every detail on his face. At last, they both made eye contact with each other. It seemed as if they were communicating telepathically. Loki moved his body closer to her and they both smiled.
Loki looked away for a moment, glancing at his father. Odin had a huge grin on his face. For once had Odin seen that Loki was in a content place with a lady.
Such a beautiful face,Flora thought, I just wish I could kiss him all over.
"Alright, ladies and gentlemen. Please take a seat. We are ready to begin the presentation." Odin said in his loud, powerful voice.
Loki still held onto Flora's hand and walked her over next to Odin's throne. He kneeled down in front of her. He gently took her hand and placed his lips onto her hand. He kissed her fragile skin and proceeded to sit down.
As the rest of the night carried on, Odin presented Lady Flora to the people in the dining room. He began to talk of what her purpose and duty was. After he finished talking, Flora herself talked a little bit of herself. Loki watched closely. Observing every single detail of her. He was awestricken by such a beautiful lady.
