Righto! Onto Chapter Three. Well, read on and have fun! I'm sorry for the wait, and I want to announce that I am already working on the other chapter for My Fair Lady.
It was the same morning Thor was taken to the healing rooms, which by midday he still hadn't recovered. By then the news had gotten all over Asgard of the God of Thunder's food poisoning.
And midday in Asgard meant it was hot. The sunlight was warm and bright, highlighting the sheer, blinding magnificence of the city. Asgard was immense, standing like it was the epicentre of the world; surrounded by structures that were both imposing and awe-inspiring. Under the magnificence of the colossal heights, citizens were filled with a sense of grandeur, wealth and power. Large archways were embossed by grand reliefs and solemn inscriptions. Golden statues held battle stances, hands on their swords, fists high hailing triumph - all swathed in battle armor and helmets with wings at their temples. Other statues were divinely elegant – like that of the twin horses rearing together and half-naked ladies as the center piece of fountains, in the gardens, in little alcoves.
This is what Asgard was famous for – its glorious magnificence and stunning beauty. Odin would say at fine banquets that it could not compare to his wife, Frigga; but he was very proud of it. He had taken reign over Asgard after his father ended his rule and brought Asgard to its peak of prosperity – and now with the peace with the nine realms, it was all the better. He would forever be known as the King that brought this time of peace and prosperity to Asgard.
All the same, Asgard was an envy of power amongst the nine realms. Or eight, since Midgard tended to be in the dark now about the way things were – had been for a thousand years. Not only did Asgard have a wealth of power from the palace vaults and the high-ups, there was a strong working system that kept everything running and working together. (I'm not sure about this bit, last sentence)
Nikki glided through the people at one of Asgard's busiest marketplaces. The young woman's sure footsteps carried her across the ground with sure purpose as she slipped in and out of people. Rarely did people recognise her down here, which was a welcoming change. People were dressed ordinary down here, in plain robes and simple garments, women had simple hairdos unlike the complicated things one saw at court.
At the blink of an eye, Nikki was gone, only to reappear further down the boisterous crowd inconspicuously. People were going about their business, men carrying goods on their shoulders, or wearing battle armour and galloping across the road, women, servants and children had baskets, flowers or scrolls, all knowing which way they were going.
Nikki's balcony didn't afford her such a personal view of the people – they looked much like ants from her chambers. The buildings and the stars were all she could see in detail. And that was with her with her sight.
It was humbling to be down here, although Nikki much preferred the bigger picture, seeing how things worked were reminders. Coming down to mingle in crowds was costly if Nikki stayed to long – that was what she liked about the palace; she did not have to be around so many people at once and thus, not so much sensory information was there, which then meant no headaches or nausea. It was no matter, it would just guarantee her need for quiet later. Solitude emptied her head.
Coming down into the city was ever so risky for Nikki, but she did it anyway. So much stimuli can really have an overpowering effect on her if she stayed too long, migraines and dizziness, poor mood. She even started seeing colours and shapes from the overwhelming information. It was like her senses were fine-tuned instruments that were more sensitive than the average person's.
She saw everything in all the directions. That was her curse and her gift.
The people of Asgard provided a tremendous amount of practice when she was a youngling and still getting to grips with herself – a lot of time to contemplate her differences to the other children, why she could not be like them, and why sometimes, they were afraid of her.
Nikki came to a secluded bench and sat upon it. She did not mind the solitary raven that squawked evenly and hopped down next to her, to where she was leaning on her hand, legs crossed.
Her eyes scanned the crowd lazily, noticing everyone's work-ethic – something she found noble in these people, and sat up straighter. In some ways they could be compared to the men and women in the halls of Asgard, but to say that aloud was blasphemy. Odin forbid, she thought.
She was waiting for someone.
Nikki's early life was full of travel. As a young child, they travelled across the realms with her father, Geirr, an advisor to Odin. Her father was older than he looked and was there when Odin fought the Frostgiants, and furthermore, was there when the war ended. Nikki had been born in Asgard, but her mother wanted to travel to Vanaheim, she where hailed from. Coming back to Asgard as a young girl and riding across the rainbow bridge was a vivid and stark memory for Nikki, for her native home was at first strange and foreign to her.
Nikki's eyes, golden and in some light, or when she used magic, glowed amber, swept across the crowd once more.
Asgard's buildings projected a sense of divinity and austerity, but was the people who fit right into the structures and buildings and added traditional splashes of colour to Asgard's golden view. Some were elegantly attired, others more commonly. They wore greens, browns, and others leather or silver. Gems, jewels, and brooches symbolized wealth. Some walked with a noble stride and servants hurried here and there. Stallkeepers shouted and haggled; men and women of innumerable background's and status levels gathered and chatted.
The conversation between two men around the corner was like it was whispered in Nikki's waiting ears. The children playing happily with animal companions wafted over the chatter of the crowd like sweet music. A boy handed a wreath he made to the girl he was courting. The dealing between merchants and customers were innumerable, but if asked, Nikki would probably be able to pinpoint any person you're looking for, if given a description. The passing woman's chat to her husband was like she was nagging to Nikki herself over the prices of jewellery; the heavy sigh of the man following escaped his wife but didn't escape the unassuming, thoughtful girl on the bench.
"The people are happy." She whispered to herself, leaning on her hand, her other arm draped over her lap.
A woman made her way through the crowd, searching for the secluded area. She appeared to be in her early thirties. She had wrapped around her head a blue shawl that covered her shoulders, doing its job at hiding her face from view and the beautiful blonde curls that went down her back. Her cyan eyes honed in on the back of a singular woman sitting alone at a bench, her leg swinging casually. Aldis took note of the unbraided waves of the ashen hair and the simple white sundress.
"Good morning, mother." Nikki turned her head to see her mother.
Aldis chuckled good-naturedly – there would never come a day when she could blindside her daughter! Aldis sighed as she rested her wide set hips on the marble bench next to Nikki, unwrapping her shawl in circular movements.
"I could never sneak up on you, my dear. Good morning to you also, my daughter. What a lovely day in Asgard it is!"
Nikki smiled benignly at her mother.
"It is rather, isn't it?"
"Have you heard news about the God of Thunder? Poor dear. I hope he recovers."
Nikki chuckled. Her hands clasped over her knee and looked out to the crowd. Aldis finished unwrapping her shawl, shaking her head as her beautiful hair bounced about her shoulders, and put the cloth away in her handy basket, - a gift from a friend in Alfeim. Hand-woven, also.
"He will recover, I'm sure." Nikki said, then asked, "How have you been faring, mother?" while glancing at her mother with a smile.
Aldis smiled. "I have been in perfect health, thank you, my child." She then sighed heartily, making Nikki look at her in some awkwardness and surprise. "I have missed you." Her eyes glanced over her daughter, who chuckled nervously with her sandalled heel on the bench, a pair of shorts blocking the view of her panties from the world.
"I have missed you also, mother…" She admitted awkwardly, then 'sheh'ed through a grin and looked away into the crowd. She was uncomfortable in situations where emotional displays and the spilling of guts were expected. It was second-nature to her mother at all of her gatherings with her friends. Much to her mother's wailing when she was growing up – she only spoke her feelings when she felt them appropriate.
Aldis smiled, knowing her daughter's manner. She knew she loved her, and said so in the sacrificing of her time to come through one of the busiest markets of Asgard to see her mother, even though being of age and having her own life now. So, unperturbed whatsoever, Aldis opened her basket and started chatting about the various things she had gotten that morning. It made Nikki lighten up and return her gaze to her in curiosity.
By the time she finished describing the items she got, Nikki was wordlessly listening with her hands in her lap, sitting close to her mother, softly inclined towards her.
"- And you don't normally come to this market, the busiest there is," Aldis mentioned.
"Yes I do," She defended softly. "I like challenging myself." She lowered her eyes and set her feet together confidently, wiping off imaginary
Nikki turned her gaze to her mother with a shifting turn and blink, head turning to acknowledge her. They held eye contact, which the other woman seemed to hold well. Nikki cracked a grin.
"Ahhh, yes." Aldis smiled. "Able to withstand such a busy place? I'm impressed."
"I've come far since I left home."
Aldis' heart ached at the memories of her daughter being home. Her soft eyes remembered the days her daughter would come home from the prairie fields, hearing her daughter tell her about her day in a bubbly, happy voice, and the day that changed her father – the day she left. "I miss you, my daughter. My beautiful, beautiful daughter." Aldis pushed a lock of hair behind her daughter's ear. "Your father told me he didn't see you last night at the banquet."
"No, he didn't." Nikki pulled her knee up to her torso, a pair of black shorts stopping the public the flash of her underwear, and began to draw abstract patterns on her own brass-coloured sandal, though her posture remained straight. "I was going to see him, but then I got distracted. I was thinking of inviting him to dinner, or lunch."
"That would be nice." Aldis encouraged with a sincere nod. Opportunities between them both didn't come often, but her daughter was adaptable. It had to be on her own agenda, if she did not feel like seeing him, Geirr would never find her. Although was willing, at times, to see him.
Nikki dropped her foot back onto the floor, smiling at her mother. "I think so."
"He didn't know how to handle your growing up."
Nikki smiled at her mother. "I know, mother. It's just… it's been rocky with father. If he had been there, none of this would have happened." She then quickly added. "I don't mean that in a nasty way, I accept it-"
Aldis took her daughter by the shoulders. "Nikki," She gazed into her daughter's golden eyes seriously, eyes just like her father's. "He loves you. He always has."
"I know. And I love him too."
Nikki then grimaced, remembering the mistakes of her father and how they made her angry. She wished she hadn't said that now, although it was true.
Aldis was slightly surprised at how grown-up her daughter was. Her firstborn had been very attached to her father until Geirr was becoming more and more demanded for work with the Allfather. Nikki had been devastated, but the break in their relationship still hadn't been fixed. She grew up distanced from her father, for he was always busy with work, and when the second born came along, she had far more attention from Geirr, who wanted to make up for his past mistakes.
"How is Ashildr? And why does she get a normal name?"
Instead of answering with an expected answer, Aldis smiled thoughtfully, still in her intuitive sense. She decided to let her daughter know something. "You are her envy, you know."
"Why?" There was actual confusion on her face. "She has my father. Something I've always wanted."
Aldis smiled cunningly. "She's always been jealous of you."
"My child," She began, looking down, then piercing her daughter's eyes. "You are the firstborn daughter of Geirr of Aesir and Aldis of Vanir, you will be the one to inherit everything from us should something happen. Ashildr will get none of that. You were there first. She will always be second."
"Since when did she practice ambition?"
Aldis continued, reminiscent and fond blue eyes on her daughter as she stroked her cheek with the back of her hand, gaining her attention. "You are also very beautiful, my daughter, growing up there were endless men admiring you. They were devastated when you turned of age and abruptly left-" She explained with a degree of incredulity there.
"You're exaggerating, mother-" Nikki interjected with a playful grin.
"You converse with the Gods themselves on a daily basis, and don't even get me started on your talents!" Aldis leaned in to whisper a secret. "She doesn't have any sort of perceptiveness like you do."
Nikki turned and looked at her mother, gazing into her eyes, deciding to tell her she knew. "You're wearing her earrings." She said without a degree of blame in her voice.
"My scrupulous daughter. I forget your attention to detail."
"Although I don't blame you, they go with your dress."
Nikki turned back to look at the crowd. "She comes shopping here sometimes. She doesn't see me. She comes with her friends and buys a hundred trinkets a time." She chuckled. I wonder if she uses father's money and father's horse… Well of course she does! She hasn't got her own!
As if anticipating the scolding from her mother, she quickly said, "I would say hello, mother! But what would I say? The conversation would be pointless."
And she gazed elsewhere, muttering. "And I don't do pointless conversation."
"Nikki."
She got her daughter's attention, but a group of men on horses rode by, wafting up dust somehow. Nikki noticed the dust clouds and she shifted away like a bird. Aldis used her headscarf to cover her face.
"She can have father," Nikki waved the air. "I'm not trying to take him away from her."
Aldis gave her a look. "Your father is learning. To him, you've grown up and moved away. He's going to be reeling from shock in the backlash of time. He now knows what it's like to be left."
"Hm."
Aldis studied her daughter. Nikki came to a conclusion.
"Well, I will invite him for lunch, then." Nikki smiled. "I have to get going."
"Alright, my daughter. It was lovely to see you."
"Yes, it was. I hope you find what you're looking for in the market." Nikki responded with her own gentle, caring smile. Bidding, "Be safe. I love you." she then turned and walked towards the swaying throngs of people with her hands clasped behind her back. With one regal step she immersed into the crowd and eerily disappeared a blink later.
CAW!
Aldis jumped when a raven hopped next to her. Its wings were so black like coal and had an emerald sheen in the sun. It gave another squawk. She didn't even question as to why such a strange bird was seen in a city where falcons and eagles were more common. She shooed it away.
It took flight with a few flaps of its wings.
Sif paced before the healing rooms. Biting a fingernail she prowled like a wild cat. She grimaced and turned her head away when she heard a loud hurl coming from within the chambers. It was ridiculous for her to be denied access, but from the panicked handmaidens that entered and exited the rooms every few minutes, carrying wet towels, then blankets, then buckets, Sif could only deduce that Thor's symptoms were changing rapidly, or getting worse. She felt for him. She hadn't meant to wish him to fall into a hard place the night before. She had been scorned, angry, jealous...
Thor probably already had a pounding headache from a hangover anyway. How could Loki be so cruel to put it on him? Speaking of which, Loki had left after breakfast and went straight to his chambers without a word, but dammit he was smirking. He was just asking for trouble! Her eloquent companion who had the knack for charisma and kind words also unfortunately happened to be very reclusive - Nikki had left also, to where she went Sif didn't know and neither did anyone else - but it meant that the Goddess of war couldn't confide in the young woman. But Sif felt very angry. She shouldn't go to Odin about such petty matters; he'd probably wave her away or probe her concern for his eldest born. Sif couldn't have that. She'd have to take this into her own hands. She wanted to wring his pasty neck!
She turned on her heel and began to march angrily through the hallways, hands clenched by her side. Sif was going to give Loki a piece of her mind!
When Sif arrived at Loki's chambers only minutes later – long story of how she knew where they were – she banged on the door with her fist.
"Loki! Come out! You must answer for yourself!"
No answer.
She became even more incensed.
"Coward! Answer me!"
She was bold enough to rattle the doorknob vigorously, burning her hands with her own grip, only to find it unlocked and the door opened eerily on its own with a hybrid of a groan and a squeak. Cautiously, Sif peered at it as it gave way to full access of the darkened rooms. With her guard up the warrior maiden peered inside, and took a step into the slightly darkened room, her hand on her sword.
"Do come in, Sif. Tell me why you wish to disturb me at my private chambers." The silky, breathy voice of Loki caused Sif to madly try and pinpoint him, only to easily find him reclined in a comfortable looking armchair with a thick volume in his hands, pouring over it by the fire and looking the total opposite of how she felt with his feet upon a small footrest. Why he even had a fire when there was daylight, she had no idea. "Can't you see that I am busy?" He asked rhetorically.
But Sif wasted no time for an answer anyway. Once the invitation was given, the maiden goddess stamped further inside, slamming his door shut behind her so loudly that it echoed, entering deeper into the chambers until she was right in front of Loki. Her hair was pulled back into its strict ponytail as she gave him a scornful once over.
The book in his hands had a title beginning of 'The Undercurrents of Magic' but the rest was obscured by his hand. Sif felt like she could almost scoff at the chosen accessory, for she was not as erudite as Loki or Nikki. Sif was learned, but had no interest in either leisure or recreational reading unless it was for a cause. And although magic was Loki's forte, it wasn't hers. Loki was purely scholarly, lean and of course without the same muscle Thor had. But in his own element, Sif couldn't deny the man had a potent air about him.
Sif slammed a demanding hand on his side table. The drink there clinked a bit when the ice in it hit each other.
"Why did you poison Thor?" She shouted in demand.
Loki turned a page, genuine interest in his face but slight annoyance in his eyes at his first and only warning being disregarded. "I didn't."
"Then who did?" She demanded impatiently.
"The meat did."
"But you said you shot the meat."
"I did shoot the meat, when the animal was alive. How was I to know it'd go bad?"
Sif was infuriated at the man's apathy. How did the man answer every question with such calmness? Did he not care about Thor at all?
"Why now? Why today?"
"Why not now? Why not today?"
Sif was getting no answers from him, it flared her determination and her frustration.
"He had a hangover! Why did your trickery choose today to strike?"
"I don't need reasons, Lady Sif."
For the first time, calm green eyes glanced to the woman who now angrily had her hands on her hips, leaning over him. He was done with their circles. She looked ready to kill someone. Knowing it would push her further, he returned his attention back to the ever-interesting book. Books, books, BOOKS! What was wrong with these people? Both Loki and Nikki were consumed in books!
But before she could breathe fire he continued.
"And if you were so truly concerned about my brother, you would still be with him now."
"I-"
"As far as I know, my brother is the kind to act aggressively in situations he is unsure about. Having known him my whole life, I do not recall poison being on the list of things he's survived."
Sif's mouth opened, but nothing came out as her mind recalled to validate his words.
"You rather like him, do you not, warrior goddess?" There was a sly tone with a matching smile as Loki looked up and then at Sif like she was the new thing of interest.
Sif straightened from her threatening lean, mostly unnerved but trying to remain murderous, knowing that it scared all the of the men, even the Gods. She cleared her dry throat uncomfortably, suddenly unable to deny his accusations whereas he had effortlessly evaded hers, ready to comeback with ferocity. But she didn't need to answer, Loki had seen all he needed and returned to his every-interesting page, turning it over.
"Yes, in love with my brother. What a sight." The condescending tone caused Sif to bristle again.
"I am not!"
Loki chuckled breathily. Sif felt mocked to her deepest core. In horror she realized she had waltzed into the snake pit and just bluffed in front of the biggest serpent of them all.
"You've always been so stubborn." He commented casually, still not taking his vivid eyes off of the book.
Sif refused to give up. "You must turn Thor back right away."
"Did you not hear me?" He looked at her, bemusement written across his handsome features now. Not that Sif found him attractive, he wasn't her type. Secrecy, mystery, and riddles only made her frustrated. "You should not be trying to sway me. Thor may just destroy something, or hurt someone while under his sickness."
"Not that you care."
To his credit, Loki managed to keep the frown off his face.
"It is none of my business." The fire flickered light highlighted his face, making Sif unable to look away in small (very small) enchantment. "What my brother does, who he does, is entirely up to him."
The goddess of war felt like the rug was pulled out from under her feet. How did he know such things? With embarrassment Sif remembered that the man had ears everywhere. What a sly, conniving God! That jab had gone completely past her defences! She crossed her arms and huffed, unable to come up with a comeback that would hurt him. Technically, she had nothing on him. She knew nothing about him. That angered her more – on the battlefield that was foolishness, just charging towards an enemy she knew nothing about. Strange because she had lived in this castle since they were both small. Surely, she should know something about him?
Loki looked up at Sif in the corner of his eye and turned his head away to pour some dark beverage in a low glass.
Sif resisted the urge to make a face at the back of his head. Loki noticed. Nikki hadn't done that.
He turned around and held the glass up to her.
"Drink."
Sif was incredulous.
"You look peaky."
"Peaky? Are you insane?"
He blinked in a taken back manner, and then smirked slightly.
"It isn't poisoned," He looked like he was trying to contain some amusement. "I assure you."
She glared at him defiantly.
His chin lowered, giving him a diabolical look as he never took his clever emerald eyes off of Sif. She was finding the intensity hard to withstand. The fire brought every detail of his face into horrifying clarity, highlighting the angles of his face. Loki was the only god that unnerved her in such a way, besides Thor sometimes, but this was entirely different.
"I give you my word."
"No! I'm not drinking it! No matter what you say! I don't forget who I talk to!" She barked and crossed her arms.
He reclined, apparently giving up.
"It appears not. Apparently you forget what you say to those people, however." He placed the drink down.
The goddess of war was puzzled, and in a craze tried to think back on everything she ever said to anybody recently. Oh! Loki did have a motive! He was the man with all the ears, anyway...
"So you think you can just poisonThor without getting reprimanded for it, and now me?" Sif tried to keep her cool. Suddenly she didn't know what she was doing (she felt that way anyway), but she began speaking and she just fired off now. "Thor has done nothing wrong to you! I know Odin would do nothing if I went to him with this, which is why I am giving you a piece of my mind, first! Do you not care?"
Loki's eyes darkened. His lips hardened into a line. He had no appreciation for being shouted at, without reason.
"Sif, that's enough."
"No! It's not enough! Nothing is good enough for you, is it? This is all just for your amusement-! And you're jealous! You're jealous of Thor!"
"Sif." The volume in his lap closed by his hand. Sif really was a spitfire.
"And because of you he's out there hurling every five minutes, and the healers don't know how to help him because the poison won't leave his system!"
To his credit, Loki looked down into his lap.
"Enough is enough, Sif." He looked up again.
"Yes,yes it is, Loki!" Sif lowered her voice finally. Loki sighed in his throat. Sif wondered if she should resort to this method. "Just tell me Loki, please, how do you stop this madness?"
All at once, suddenly, Loki and Sif's eyes met. Something about it was the last straw for Sif – his silence.
With a furious sweep of her arm his drink went flying off the table to clatter to the floor, and without another word the goddess turned around and stomped towards the door with his eyes following her.
"Oh, Sif?" His breathy voice called. "The poison will wear off."
Sif left with the door slamming behind her, to cut off the soft laughter and intense eyes.
When Sif had arrived just within earshot of the healing rooms, her cheeks still slightly red and scoffing over how brazen she had been – albeit, courageous, for who else would willingly enter that snakes chambers – to just waltz inside there without first considering her tactic. Thankful that there weren't many in these hallways at this time of day, she was just about to turn the last corner when a large crash alarmed her, following by a rumbling 'CRAAAAK' of splitting stone. The floor vibrated beneath the soles of her feet, unbalancing her, before it stopped. Things were eerily still.
Thor!
Sif's eyes widened and she sprinted as fast as she could do the healer's door and barraged through it with her shoulder, carrying through with her run until she was a few steps into the well-lit room. Extremely well-lit room actually.
Sif came to a halt and started to cough at the dust in the air. When her hand finally cleared away the cloud, finding herself stepping through rocky debris on the marble floor, the warrior goddess was rendered shock-still at what she saw.
"Ah, Sif!" Thor greeted in a slight wheeze, hands on his knees. Mjolnir was lying on the floor like he had to drop it. It was a bit of an anti-climax. Sif let go of her sword handle.
"Thor, what happened?" She asked in both concern and shock. Thor looked like he wanted to say more but was too tired to, panting. She looked at a healer that was in a brace position on the floor. "You! What happened?" She commanded with authority, advancing forward at him aggressively.
The frightened healer in white robes looked up at the goddess and stammered. "M-Milady, the Prince was getting r-restless and aggressive and took M-Mjolnir and he h-hit the window with it! We don't know what happened..."
Thor finally had the energy to stand straight. He was only in pants.
He shrugged it off. "Ah, it's no big deal. Needed some air in here, too hot. I was just getting my strength back!" He said, his eyebrows furrowed in what looked like concentration, like an artist considering his masterpiece. He was looking somewhere where Sif couldn't see yet because of the dust that was still clearing. His hands were on his hips. "I could've done better," He considered, shrugging, and then a cocky smile fell into place. He flexed his shoulders, swinging his arms back and forth. "Come, Sif! Look! I gave this room a worthy window! The remarkable work of Thor, God of all the Aseir! Would you look at the view I created? The window was so small before it was too hot in here! I've never seen this part of Asgard before, and that's saying something!" He laughed like a carefree man, if it weren't so prideful. He was advancing towards her, arms open wide. "Come, let's grab a drink!"
"Oh anything's a celebration to you!" She snapped, unsure of what all the fuss was about, walking forward. Then she noticed the strong wind hitting her face and knocking the breath out of her for a moment. The window couldn't be that big, could it? It made sense why the healers were on the floor but Thor was standing like there was nothing wrong. Then was dust cleared with the breeze before the naked sun shone brightly in her eyes.
Sif's pupils contracted when she registered the large, gaping hole in the tower wall. Too big to be laughed off. He tore off part of the palace!
"THOR!"
Apparently, Thor wasn't doing all that well.
It was all Nikki could hear – all the women gossiped about, and there were so many women within the gardens this morning it was unbelievable. She had fled to the gardens right after she left her mother in the market, trying to sort out her emotions, and what she would say to her father. She hadn't expected so many people to be there too. While she was walking, she was deep in thought. She had yet to see Geirr yet he was staying in Asgard. She had no idea where her father stayed – just he liked to move with his work. Rarely was he home with her mother (and herself when she was younger), never staying longer than three months anywhere. He was always back and forth – never a stable role model. Her family had no idea of his plans, and neither did Geirr himself. But, Nikki reasoned that she would run into him one day, even if he clearly wasn't going to seek her out himself. He was the only father she would ever have, no matter how much of a poor job he did. So, she would send for her father to join her for dinner. Just to face her fear, and see him. She still loved him anyway.
Who knows, he may even decline?
She found a servant and asked her to send word to Geirr to come for lunch. He was famous enough that the servant understood who he was.
Lunch wasn't for a while, so she played with a spider that scuttled into her palm.
"It's none of my business what my father does anyway...And I feel kind of bad about the whole food poisoning thing," She told the spider. "You know, here I was this morning criticizing about the other Gods and Goddess' attitude problems, and then look at mine?" She turned her palm over with astute elegance and with a flick of her wrist the spider spun some thread as it fell a small way, unharmed. "I went and poisoned the God of Thunder because he hurt my friend. I'm not so sure if that's good or bad. Well, I got someone else to do it. Shame, he's probably suffering…"
Nearby she heard a distant 'CRAAAK' of rubble. Her head snapped up from its crouched position and looked to the sound. None of the women around her showed they heard the sound like she did. Although, a few did look up in confusion, like they sensed something.
"What was that?" She wondered to herself. Letting go of the spider, being careful to let it scramble into the leaves so it would be hidden from any squeamish women, Nikki stood, and jogged in the direction she heard the dangerously alarming noise. It sounded like the crack that splits stone – which was never good. And never happened, either. But Nikki trusted her senses and her instincts.
There was only one road where it could have originated from. So, she diverted there. It was one pathway not many knew about, thank goodness. If it was what she thought it was, then it would definitely hurt somebody.
It was golden paved, wide and long, and had twin glistening rivers running parallel on either side of the road, sunlight making the water shimmer and the road have a rainbow effect when you step on it. Only a few handmaidens and healers walked along here, because if she was not mistaken this was just under where the healing tower was located. She could be wrong though.
Nikki's eyes widened at the sight of the vast amounts of rubble drifting from the sky. Her mouth gaped open, now able to hear the distinct sound of the whistling wind bringing the heavy rubble hurtling towards the ground in a falling death trap.
The road was vacant in the target area – except for one person other than herself. Nikki's pupils contracted.
A young, oblivious handmaiden was humming to herself as she strolled along the path, fruits gathered in her arms. She didn't sense the rubble above her head until its growing shadow darkened her view, making her cold.
"Look out!"
The young maiden, only around fourteen years old, looked up to see a crazy woman running at her. She screamed in surprise and terror as she was tackled into one of the side rivers... Oh, her dress! Her fruits! They were for the palace!
The screams of the people were loud and plenty – it appeared that many people watched the spectacle of the rubble falling. It wasn't certain if they saw Nikki tackling the young woman into the river, given how small they were, how large and empty the road was and how overwhelming the amount of rubble was.
SPLASH!
Nikki fell with the woman into the river, knocking both of them off of their feet - a surprising feat because she was tiny. Nipping at their heels was the rubble from the tower.
The basket of fruit the handmaiden had been carrying went flying, the fruit didn't stand a chance even if it was scattered in many directions and went smush under the weight of the golden wall. The impact could be felt underwater. As it crashed, bits of rock and rubble spat in all directions. Some even fell into the rivers on both sides. The road itself was wide enough to fit seventy people in a line, so it speaks for itself how large the stone was.
Nikki resurfaced thunderously, grasping with one hand onto the side of the bank.
"There is only ONE person who is capable of even THINKING about destroying that much of a building, and that is THOR ODINSON!" She spat angrily both her words and water out of her mouth, and coughed unceremoniously. She clambered out of the river, panting, breathing with wide eyes to herself, coughing to clear her moist throat. "Where did that come from?" She breathed and looked up to the origin, the healing tower.
The smaller handmaiden whimpered as she got out of the river, wheezing like a mouse. The fourteen year old girl collapsed onto her knees and began coughing, bent over in a kneeling position on the warm and now dusty road. Nikki's attention was called to her and she was by her side to slap her back rather hard. The water leapt out of the young girl's mouth easily, clearing her air passages as she continued to cough. Nikki breathed deeply to get her breath back.
"Why did you- " The handmaiden lifted her head and gasped. It took her a few moments of shock to process it.
"You saved my life!"
"So I did apparently." Nikki remarked, looking down at her wet dress. Her hair was wet too. Shame, her dress was white.
People were starting to run over, asking if they were okay. The handmaiden was swept away and they were separated.
Nikki started to giggle but then coughed at the action that tickled her throat. The handmaiden started to relay the story to everyone's horror, confusion, then amazement, and Nikki took her chance to steal herself away, walking away from the spectacle when the population were just gathering. She had someone important to yell at.
Squidsh. Squidsh. Squidsh. Squidsh.
Sif frowned. What was that?
She unfolded her arms and turned to the noise, only to see a thunderous looking Nikki – a very wet Nikki – storming her way into the lounge that Thor, Sif, and the Warrior's Three were residing in, quite pleasantly before the pack of dynamite arrived.
"Thor Odinson!" She roared furiously in a way only a petite, young woman could. She was still dripping. Sif paled at the sight of her. How did she get so drenched?
Nikki marched straight up to the laughing God and pointed an accusing finger right in his face as she leaned in, her face contorting with her anger.
"Because of you, I had to save some handmaidens arse from being KILLED! Do you understand the consequences of your actions, God of Thunder? Or do you think breaking off a huge indescribable amount of rubble from a wall just won't hurt someone?"
Thor's grin fell off. Everyone in the room sat shocked at the drenched young woman.
"And why am I soaked? Because I had to tackle the damn woman into a river so I could save her arse! What the hell is wrong with you?" She aggressively pushed Thor's chest. Thor was a well-built man, and wasn't pushed over easily, but she made him take a step back. "Do you not think? Are you incapable of discernable thought?"
"Now, Nikki, I-"Thor stammered, clearly shocked and trying to cover himself.
"You what?" Her sharpness stunned him. "You know, you are SO LUCKY that it you decided to hit a tower – for whatever reason-" She cut off his open mouth. "where the road beneath it was hardly populated because so many people could have been killed! They could have died, Thor! Died! Innocent beings! What if there were children there? Thank goodness the girl I saved wasn't that young – but she's likely going to report it to your father! The whole kingdom knows what went on-!" Her arms flew out wide in lament. Thor was taking steps back slowly and Nikki was following relentlessly. "And you know how they gossip! And I'm not going to be able to get any sleep if I get pestered! I like my goddamn privacy! And if I'm pestered, you'll be pestered, mister!" She shouted in his face, her slender finger near his jaw before she pulled it back and slapped him furiously.
Behind her every occupant in the room gasped.
Nikki pulled back, shuddering as a cold swept over her, beginning to pant from her rant, breathing deeply and turning halfway away from Thor. Her throat was hoarse, her head was pounding, she was wet and tired.
Nobody could speak – completely shell-shocked and surprised at the might in the petite woman, who suddenly became the epitome of calm, her hand on her stomach and her face solemn.
"Sorry, I - I took on too much today." She brought a hand to her head to clear a forming headache as consequence of her whereabouts this the morning. "I am going to change. I'm sorry for shouting in your face, Thor." The said man flinched when she turned her gaze in regard to him, wincing at the pink hand print on his cheek, before Nikki turned away.
Nikki left with her wet sandals slapping against the floor, leaving only silence in the wake. Her own voice and footsteps echoed in her ears as she walked down the corridor to her chambers, realizing that was the main reason she hardly shouted.
"Wow." Fandral enunciated, looking at the warrior's three, Sif, and Thor.
"How dare she slap the son of Odin!" Thor pointed his hammer at the exit where Nikki had left.
Sif covered her mouth with her hand to stifle her laughter.
"Didn't know she had it in her." Hogun remarked quietly into the tense air.
I don't really have any author notes or comments, other than reviews help my writing! It lets me know how it's developing in reader's minds, and I need to know! Lol :P 22/6/12 - Just made one adjustment to this chapter :P
