Dear God!

You are the most amazing people in the world! I am all giddy with excitement.

How can I possibly thank you guys enough?

I can't think of anything, except try the best I can to make this story amazing for you. That being said, I just got out to watching The Avengers for the fifth time. And I have to tell you, I went with the full intention of getting inspiration for the story's direction.

And phew! My own mind blew me off. This is going to be a HOT, bumpy ride! So, please bear with me.

- Masochismet: Thank you! Here you go, a new update! =)

- M: Thank you! How sweet of you. =)

- CarnaDrans: Thank you so much! I'm so happy people like Loki's insight.

- Tainted Rainbow: Thank you! Isn't he just? =)

- Michelle: Thank you! Alright, no more blackmailing. Hehe my muses seem to some evil Loki rubbed off on them.

Enough of my ramblings, you say? Alrighty! Let's get on with chapter 4!


Chapter 4 - Unglued


How can this be possible?

Kára didn't gasp.

She didn't clutch a hand to her heart or try to run away in horror.

She was rooted to the ground, feet refusing to move. Her shock was palpable. Loki was circling on her, smirking; both of them were prancing around like proud peacocks. Her wide eyes tried to follow one, the real one, whichever it was.

They were both alike, extremely so. In fact, she concluded dejectedly, it was impossible to differentiate one from the other. They had the same strut, the same black robes, the same pale face and blazing eyes.

She backed away slightly, not because she was afraid, but because she had to do something or say anything and no words were coming out of her mouth.

The Loki to her right was laughing, shaking his head. "Have I frightened you?"

"It was not my intention." The other one continued. "I offer my sincerest apologies if I did." But his smirk held too much amusement to be believable.

Inconceivable.

"H-How…You…I…" She wasn't particularly aware of her stutter. In her head, the confusion was perfectly clear, enough for him to understand her half uttered words.

"Magic." His serious answer did not seem to dissipate the fog in her eyes. Almost worried, he gushed out. "Don't be afraid. Truthfully, I did not mean to scare you."

She shook her head. "I am not afraid."

"You are not?" Loki seemed taken aback. One raised his eyebrows.

She had been exploring the mirage in front of her. She looked form one projection to the other, critically exploring every speck of flesh, every angle, still trying to find a way to the real Loki. After she heard his confounded tone, she stared straight into his eyes. "Should I be?"

She probably looked a bit foolish, if indeed the Loki she was addressing was not the real one.

He seemed to consider this for a moment. After a pause, he shook his head. "I do not believe you need to be afraid."

Kára nodded and went back to her inspection. "I didn't think so. I just…" The initial impression had passed, her brows came together in confusion and she turned the tables on him. "Don't move." She commanded.

Loki raised his eyebrows in mock offense. "Pardon?"

"Stay still for a moment." She obliged him once more. She was walking around him now, completely immersed in concentration. She walked around one Loki, then the other, eyeing up and all the way down, making little noises under her breath. Her eyes furiously searched him over. At one point, she stood, as close as she could in her short height, near his eyes and locked him in gaze. Her eyes searched his intensely. But then she turned and did the same with the mirage. Huffing in disappointment, she turned to circle him once more.

She amused him immensely. "Is there a purpose to me standing still while you walk around me like that?"

"I am trying to distinguish the real you, whoever it is."

"You can't." His tone was serious.

Kára stood straight once more and sighed. "I don't like not knowing. I must've looked like a fool, talking to you. Was I even talking to you?" she laughed at her own foolishness.

"We're both me."

"That's impossible." Kára was shaking her head, logic in her mind taking over.

"I've shown you the impossible, by now, have I not?" He wanted to hear her say it. To hear that she had never seen magic before, that his powers had no match, that he could captivate anything and anyone within reach.

She looked into his eyes, into both sets of eyes. She couldn't say that what she'd experienced was like nothing she had seen before. Such admission should be professed to the real Loki, if she could bring herself to say it.

She meditated this thought, biting her lower lip. "If I were to make such a confession, I'd very much prefer to do it to your grace's face."

She would say it. He grinned. "There's no need for such formality." He admonished. "It was to my belief we were friends."

She nodded calmly. "I did say that and it is true. Yet friendship is delicate and has many layers. It could be shallow or profound. Trust cultivates it and it should grow…with time."

They both smiled at her and walked around again. "If I show you trust, would you trust me back?" He was behind her, walking closer with every word. The both stepped closer, one to her back, on right in front of her.

"I would, yes." It was a solemn trait, to give her word and make honor of it.

She could feel him behind her. He was close but not touching her. Her skin had become over sensitive, reacting on its own accord to the proximity. She could feel shivers down her arms and hoped he wouldn't notice. But he was in front of her too, looking down at her with deep, emerald eyes. He was almost close to be touched. A sudden panic arose. Never had she been in such closeness with a man before. Feeling entrapped, she tried sidestepping him.

He caught her in time. He grasped her shoulders gently, pulling her back into his chest. He could feel the racing beating of her heart. It seemed almost audible in the night's silence. She was tense and awkward before him. Panting slightly, she seemed to be trying to keep her body under control. But he could sense it. He could sense everything. How her breathing quickened, though she pretended to be calm.

The stillness had become heightened. She felt a chest at her back, pressing strong, masculine. His form towered over her. She looked straight ahead, afraid to make a move. Such an unfamiliar situation was the one she found herself in. Her eyes were cast down, embarrassed and distressed.

"Relax." He spoke softly. "I will not hurt you."

She felt his breath near her ear. It grazed her skin and a volatile shiver ran down her spine. It was painful. She was trapped in a myriad of new sensations and it made her uncomfortable to be pulled out of her comfort zone, where she had been calm and serene.

"I am trusting you." He spoke again. "Just be calm." He had to hide his smile. He had caused her panic. It really shouldn't be surprising. A young maiden less agreeable than others was bound to have little to no interaction with the male population. Fleetingly, he wondered if she'd ever been kissed before. It was quite possible, highly probable even, that she had not. His knew the effect he was having on her, though he doubted she even recognized it as such. The moment he had touched her, she had turned to stone; the little creature was encased in his hands, breathing rapidly, heart beating madly inside her chest. He could've smirked then at how her body had reacted to his touch, but he was not interested.

When she had composed herself, he leaned in again and whispered. "I am going to show you how to recognize me." His hand traveled down her arm and lightly pulled at her wrist, where her hands had been tightly clasped together. "Touch me."

She tensed up and refused to meet his eyes. He chuckled. "Kára, I am serious. Reach out and touch me."

Kára held up her trembling hand, slowly looking up at the grinning Loki in front of her. Extending her arm, she put a hand to Loki's arm. With a gasp, she jumped slightly, where Loki caught her back. Her hand trespassed the independent mirage of his forearm, right through. She did it again.

Wide eyed, she watched as the vision dissipated, completely disappearing before her. She slowly turned to Loki, still unsure of what to say.

He was searching her eyes, desperate for acknowledgment.

Something was dawning on her, as she switched back to her bouncy happiness in a matter of seconds. She touched his arm, solid and real beneath her hand. "Is this how I will know?"

"Yes." He nodded. "Although I can still become real back and forth. The one before you could've easily been the real me if I had chosen for it to be."

"You can shift?" Her mouth dropped open. "In between illusions, I mean?"

"Of course." He laughed at her incredulous face. "But I assure you, if you can't feel me there, then that's not the real me at the moment."

She stood for the longest time with her bewildered expression so exposed. He gave her a half smile. "It is late. Let me guide you home."

And she followed without a word.


They walked in silence for some time; Loki in calm eagerness and Kára deep in thought. His powers astonished her. Never had she seen such a display before in her life. Guarded at home, she had come to know everything in her land and it was all so familiar, it held no more invigorating charm.

And in just a few hours, her world had become a whirlwind of sights and sounds, of feelings and sensations too strange for her to completely grasp an understanding about them. She liked Loki. He could be a good friend, as he had trusted her already. Her nature made her trusting, no matter the situation. She believed the good in everything and everyone. And Loki had been good to her.

Kára had never been blessed with love. At some point in her life, she lamented her misfortune. Those had been dark days for her family, until an unexpected epiphany took over. Never after, had she lamented herself again. In contrast, she had counted her blessings as too many, family love and friendship being the two greatest ones. She cultivated her friendships like a woman in love cultivated her affection and growing bond.

She had to prove something, though, mostly to herself; that they could both trust one another. So nervously, she reached out.

Loki felt her small hand touching him. Her fingers were warm as they grazed the back of his hand, which hung limply at his side. He turned to her, confused by her sudden approach.

She was grinning at him, a childlike vulnerability in her eyes, so gentle, so endearing. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to make certain it is you I'm walking next to."

They had reached the end of the path, right before a medium sized domed structure. The healing rooms. A wide arch pointed the entrance, a willowy curtain of the lightest cream covering the inside.

"Well, thank you, for guiding me." She laughed in a whisper. "I realize I've taken you from your own direction."

Loki nodded, aware that this was were they parted ways. "It was no inconvenience at all. I am glad I could assist you."

She was biting her lip, he noted with a slight fixation, seemingly at war with her thoughts.

"I would like to thank you." She began seriously. "I have seen much beauty in my home and land. I believe now, though, that what I've seen tonight will never be surpassed." A warm radiance had spread to her cheeks, painting them flushed. "You are probably used to so much praise with your skills, but I just wanted to tell you that. I haven't been so pleasantly surprised in a long time." She wrung her hands nervously in front of her, eyes dancing in the near darkness. He could barely see her face in the moonlight, but the shine in her eyes was there.

He was surprised to feel so much compassion, so much endearment for his new friend. She was vulnerable like a child and happy as one as well. Perhaps he felt so because she had said it. She had admitted to his impossible arrogance the beauty of his skill and praised him like no other.

He had no words for her.

Gently, he took her hand in his and kissed it. Her praise was his. "I do hope we see each other again, my friend."

She pulled her hand away, shying off into her shell. A bow and a smile and she walked back to the healing rooms, where her chambers waited. At the arch she called back, looking joyous. "I hope so too…Loki."

With a tiny wave and one last shy smile, she left him to his tumultuous thoughts. He walked back by the light of the moon, his own name on the ghost of her voice in his head.


I'm sorry it took me longer to update.

Things have been crazy in between my career and trying to balance studying with writing/Loki. Oh, but who am I kidding? Loki always wins.

Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!

I'll come back soon with mooooore!

As always, reviews are GREATLY appreciated.