A/N: Still trying to work on Loki's characterization. Let me know if you notice any problems. Thanks for reading!

Loki was halfway through the second book on Norse mythology Sid had found for him after an hour. He had skimmed over the parts of Thor or other members of the Aesir, though he was admittedly impressed with how well the humans captured the thunderer's buffoonish temper. They had made a few mistakes here and there and even come up with a few pranks he had yet to pull, though he was now strongly considering them. Taking Iddun's golden apples? The idea of such a challenge made his icy heart flutter a bit. After he made his mark on Midgard, he would certainly plan on making such an attempt. Unlike his mythological counterpart, however, he would not be returning the apples. He felt his face stretch into a toothy sneer at the thought of Odin and Thor losing the battle against old age. As he read again the story of Loki leading Thor into Joutenheim dressed as a bride (this story was his favorite), Russell walked through the doors into the large atrium in which the Trickster was reclining.

"There you are. Ready to head out?" The redhead asked.

"I would like to take this book with me," Loki said, not looking up from the large tome in his lap. He was interested to see what other tricks mortals had ascribed him. He was also interested in a "Coyote" character to which humans often compared him.

"Sid's got that same book at home, actually," Russell sounded tired, "Let's get some lunch."

"Ohhh is this a date?" Loki purred, peering seductively over his book at the lanky young man in front of him. He was happy to see the redhead's freckles take on a bright pink backdrop as he cast his gaze to the side. He was trying to act composed and cool and failing at it. How cute.

"If you would like-."

"On second thought, you're not my type," Loki stated with a small pout as he dropped the books next to him and stood, exaggerating every movement he made. He realized he was giving the orange t-shirt he wore an unjustified allure by looking as sexy as he did now. Russell simply shrugged, turning towards the door. "Good, that means Sid can pay for you lunch." Despite his haughty tone, Loki could see in his eyes that the redhead was a bit wounded. It made him smile. "Beside," Russell continued, "I've already dated more than my fair share of greasy sleazebags."

Loki had not been this taken aback in a while. Was this mortal insulting him? He straightened his shoulders and put on his best proud, blasé face. "How quickly you jump to assumptions."

With a few strides the Schemer caught up with his escort as they exited the library. He wasn't greasy… but nonetheless, he ran a hand through his long black hair just to make sure. No, he was clean, well-groomed and perfect as always … aside from the damnably garish orang t-shirt. Even without his magic, Loki knew he was a sight to behold, especially to these humans who all seemed to match one another. All the orange clothing didn't help them, either. He glared at his guide's back and secretly reveled in the thought of making him regret that insult as they made their way along a winding sidewalk through a serious of large buildings and around the pond in front of the library which now sparkled in the warm afternoon sun. Without a word they continued on past a large field on which many young women were laying around in various states of disrobement on towels reading or chatting. Loki allowed himself to slow his step a bit to watch two particularly attractive women throwing a disk back and forth. A nearby clock tower began to chime as Loki found himself colliding into Russell's back. The girls had been waving at him and he was doing his best to look flirtatious. He chanced a glance back at the girls after his collision to see they were laughing now.

"Not your type indeed," Russell growled, rolling his eyes. Loki smiled, glad to know he was getting under the youth's skin. He hadn't been particularly interested in the girls, he just enjoyed the game of flirting and, like all games, he was unfairly good at it. They waited for a mechanical voice to tell them to walk before crossing a busy street towards a long row of buildings. From the sights and smells, Loki presumed them to be shops and food stops. He felt his stomach growl. He hadn't realized how long he had been without food. They stopped at one of the many doors and Russell made his way inside. Before following, Loki stopped to read the window- "The Pita Pit". He frowned at how unappetizing it sounded, but followed the redhead inside nonetheless.

Russell was already seated at a booth near the window and Loki slid in across from him, folding his long hands on the table. Russell was glaring at him intently- studying him, more likely, for some sort of alien mutation he hadn't yet noticed. Loki heaved a sigh and took one of the menus to look over, ignoring the redhead's existence entirely. A waiter approached them to ask about drinks and Russell ordered for himself, Sid and, to the Asgardian's dismay, Loki – Dr. Pepper for the humans and water for the god. The time passed slowly and quietly as the two waited for their female companion. Loki never took his eyes from the menu and Russell never took his eyes from Loki. Was he trying to incite a fight? Or perhaps he was amorously attracted. Loki cast a threatening glance at the redhead to study, but the student's gaze did not fall or waiver. His green eyes seemed to say 'I don't trust you, and it would make me happy if you left'. If that was how he felt, Loki wasn't going anywhere any time soon. As he shot the other male with an equally threatening smirk, Sid bustled in, sliding into the booth next to Russell muttering about something unimportant. The waiter brought their drinks.

Sid took a huge sip of her Dr. Pepper, nearly emptying the glass in one gulp. She let out a sigh and muttered something Loki didn't understand before turning to him.

"So, where are you from? Really."

This was the question Loki had been expecting and simultaneously dreading. He had two choices: tell the truth or tell a lie. His track record was leaning towards lying, but there was something terribly tempting in telling them he was a prince of a faraway kingdom. Perhaps they would treat him with a bit more respect. On the other hand, if he revealed his identity as Loki, god of mischief, every mishap would be blamed on him from here on out. Then again, these humans could do nothing to stop his antics even if they wanted. Loki heaved a sighed. There was no getting around it- the truth was the best way to go… or at least the version of the truth he would be telling them.

"Asgard."

"You read up on Norse mythology and decide to take up your namesake's history or something?" Russell asked, sounding too triumphant for his own good.

"Actually," Sid interjected, "he might be telling the truth. Earlier I called him a frost giant and he got extremely pissed off."

"Who wouldn't get angry at being called a frost giant?"

"I'm just saying we'll have to take his story with a grain of salt just like we would no matter what he said. It would certainly explain him falling from the sky and all."

"But the Norse gods used a rainbow to travel. I didn't see any rainbow trailing after him when he landed in our pool."

"A pity too. Then we could've called him Nyan Cat." Loki didn't like Sid's grin. He cleared his throat to interrupt.

"The Bifrost is broken. Upon finding out father would be naming me his successor, my idiotic brother threw a tantrum and smashed the bridge to pieces. I tried to stop him, but he simply pushed me off the edge of the bridge after it broke." That's how it should have happened, anyway.

"Loki didn't have a brother," Sid pointed out.

"You humans were wrong. I am not a Jotun, nor am I Odin's blood brother. I am his son," it took everything in him not to flinch at these words, "and Thor is my brother."

Sid sat back thoughtfully and scratched her chin. "Did you really give birth to a horse?" Loki gaped at her. She could ask him, a higher being, any question in the universe, and she picked this one?

"Yes. However, he is my only son, contrary to human belief."

"Bet that hurt like a bitch."

"It was a day I will certainly not soon forget. But to continue with my explanation, I can only assume that the others have decided I died after falling from the Bifrost so I imagine Thor will be named as heir now. Once I regain my powers I will be going back to regain my place in the kingdom and prevent that overgrown fool from inhabiting the throne for the good of Asgard." -After he took over Midgard. The waiter approached again and took their order. Again Russell ordered for Loki, but Loki managed to interrupt. "Actually, I would like this please," he said, pointing to the most expensive item he had found on the menu. The waiter nodded, scribbling it down before walking away.

"I just figured you wouldn't know what to order," Russell explained.

"I didn't, but I would rather not have my food ordered for me."

"Hey, does that mean you can do magic tricks?" Sid interjected. She obviously hadn't been paying attention to the two men talking. Loki frowned. "Well, normally I could, but my fall from the Bifrost took most of my powers. I had to use what I had left to heal myself from the fall. It will take some time before I regain them."

"Just a little tiny one?" she begged.

Loki sighed, though he couldn't help but smile just a little. Asguardians had no interest in his abilities, but Sid would probably be impressed with even the simplest of tricks. He took a deep breath. Yes, he had enough energy for something small. He hated to waste it now, but he couldn't resist showing off. He snapped his fingers and Sid's glass instantly became full. "Drink it," he ordered with a smile. The brunette obeyed unquestioningly, her eyes going wide.

"It's wine!"

Russell took the glass from her, taking a drink. "And damn good wine at that," he stated, sliding his glass of Dr. Pepper to where Sid's had been before taking another sip. The girl began to complain but Russell cut her off with a look. "You don't handle wine well, remember?"

"You think I don't handle any kind of alcohol well."

"That's because you don't."

"That reminds me!" Sid turned to Loki, seeming to ignore her friend's comment, "You're going out with us tonight, right?"

"Sid!"

"What? He can't just stay at the apartment, you know! It might be fun! Wouldn't you like to dance with him?" She was nudging the redhead with her elbow.

"Absolutely not." The comment was obviously pointed at Loki as was his disapproving glare. Loki took a sip of his water, ignoring the comment entirely. He heaved a deep and troubled sounding sigh. "I suppose."

"You don't have to," Russell snarled, "You could hang out under the bridge if you'd prefer."

"Is there something interesting under the bridge?"

"Traffic and the occasional raccoon."

"As exciting as that sounds in comparison, I would probably receive more benefit from accompanying you. Perhaps I could learn more about you humans."

"You little shit."

Loki shot him his most charming and mischievous smile. "Now now, one mustn't talk to royalty that way."

"Royalty my ass-."

"As fun as that innuendo sounds, you're not my type, remember?"

Russell made to stand, but the waiter arrived just before he could start an argument. Sid tugged the redhead back into his seat and thanked the waiter for their food.

"Jesus, what did this guy do to get you so riled up, Rus?" She asked, taking a huge bite out of the sandwich in front of her.

"I just don't like his attitude."

"He's a foreigner."

"He's a prick."

"Russell…"

"Why are you taking his side? You don't even know him!"

"I'm not taking his side, I just feel bad for him! He's obviously not human so he's probably totally lost and we're the only support he's got."

"And what makes you so sure he's not human? Maybe he's just pulling a big scam on us."

"Well for one thing he fell from the friggin' sky," Loki couldn't help but notice her accent was getting… worse, "and he survived falling from the sky without so muchasa bruise. I don' knowabou' you, but that seems pretty damn not human ta me."

"Well that sounds like a pretty damn good reason to send him on his way!"

"Yur not thinkin' this through. If he wanted to hurt us he'da done it by now," She had a point. She was also getting significantly louder, "We're of more use to him alive than dead an' if he did wan' us dead, he'd do it if we kicked him out, right?"

"You just think he's hott."

"Course he's friggin' hott, but that doesn't mean I trust him or anything."

Loki sighed, and focused on the wrap in front of him. As much as he enjoyed being the center of their argument he was hungry. He took a bite and found the item surprisingly tasty. As he chewed over his food and watched the two across from him continue to argue- Sid's accent was so bad now due to her anger it sounded like she was making up words- he couldn't help but think if he could cause this much trouble for the two just by existing, imagine what he could do when he tried to annoy the piss out of them. The thought made him smile as he took another bite of his pita wrap.

A/N: Dammit, I really wanted to get to the clubbing scene in this chapter, but looks like it's not gonna happen. By the way, if you're struggling to place Sid's accent, she's southern. Very southern.