I'm baaaaack! Let me know what you think!
Thor tossed his head back and laughed. "You intended to refuse me?" He found himself fond of her in spite of himself. He was surprised at how accurate Sif was in her description of her. She was small, not only in height, but her very features were delicate. Her slender fingers looked graceful but felt sturdy enough between his. Her dress displayed the curves of her body to their best advantage, and although it was clear she was not comfortable in it she walked with incredible grace and poise. Her light blue eyes lit up as she described her passion for history, something that reminded him of Jane. The princess resembled her to a degree; in fact his first thought was to their similarities but the way she spoke to him, so direct and bluntly was completely unlike the mortal.
"Well I wasn't certain of course." She looked away, blushing. "It's no small thing, refusing a marriage. First would be crafting a polite but firm refusal, then having to repair the rupture between our realms. Finally, once we were right back to where we began, it would be a matter of creating the ties aimed for without a wedding."
"You appear to have given this fair consideration." He replied, somewhat disappointed. He was the Prince of Asguard after all, and hoped he made a more appealing offer then it seemed he did.
She grinned, apparently deducing Thor's thoughts. "It is my people's way to see circumstances from as many perspectives as possible. Simply extrapolating the possibilities does not mean that I sought to realize any of their ends. I find it gives me a sense of control when none can otherwise be found." She sighed and gingerly took a seat on a nearby bench. "Especially in this scenario."
He joined her, ensuring a proper distance between their knees. "So it is the marriage you oppose, and not the bridegroom?"
She brushed a stray curl from her temple and smiled slightly. "I'm afraid I do not know the bridegroom well enough to answer that. It is for that reason I would be a guest in your realm before solidifying any bonds between us." Her eyes fell towards the city below. "Imagine if the roles were reversed. Would you be so willing to give up the only home you've ever known, your family, your well-rehearsed role as child and sibling to become a stranger in a strange realm?"
He considered her words. "It is truth, what you say. The traditions of the past should be just that, past. It was foolish of me to underestimate you as I did and for that I am truly sorry. I would welcome you in my realm with open arms of friendship, regardless of other bonds between us. You are a credit to your people and I am certain they are in full awareness of your value, as I know I am not." He carefully placed his hand upon hers.
Her spine stiffened slightly. "I do not require pretty words of flattery Prince." She said shortly, her face gaining color.
He released her hand and exhaled. "Forgive me Princess, for I am unaware as to how best to convey my meaning. I only wish to express concurrence with your proposal, and acknowledge both our deficiencies in our familiarity with each other. I believe the arrangement the ambassadors have assembled will be most beneficial for a lasting bond between our realms, regardless of its outcome."
"It is I who should be sorry," She replied quietly, searching his face. "I am not accustomed to speaking in such terms. My experience with those from other realms has been very narrow, and interactions with the opposite sex have never held serious consequences."
He grinned; glad to have found a patch of common ground. "It is that I believe we do have in common. Aside from your cousin I do not spend excesses of time with maidens, and one cannot say Sif is an emblematic woman."
She chuckled. "Indeed. Sifjar is in a breed all of her own. She has the soul of a Jochidikte within an Asguardian body."
"I was told to make you aware of how much she would like to see you," He phrased carefully, wanting to proceed with the utmost caution. "But also that she would never wish for you to come against your true feelings. Nor would I."
Her small smile heartened him more than he thought it would. "It has always been fruitless to deny Sif anything of mine. I would of course be more than glad to see her in Asguard." She turned to face him head on and smiled fully, brightening her whole face.
"Do you think you could perhaps make time for us to further acquaint ourselves while you are visiting?" He asked quietly, studying her features.
This time she placed her hand over his. "I believe that will be one of my topmost priorities, if you will allow time for me to do so."
He released a breath he was unaware he had been holding. " Nothing would bring me more peace." He replied honestly. He turned his head at the sounds of swift footfalls, seeing the Jochidikte Prince Mirko approaching with a cross look directed towards Thor.
"Mother and father sent me," The lean brunet explained shortly, speaking to Sofia directly. "Luncheon is nearly ready and we must be announced."
Sofia nodded and rose. "Traditions of visiting royalty, of course." She followed her brother and Thor followed her, taking a moment to wonder at the complicated looking knot that was her hair as well as enjoy the view afforded by the low scooping back of her dress.
They reentered the castle from a differing door than they had exited, entering a shady narrow hall. Prince Mirko stopped suddenly at a smallish door and gave both Thor and Sofia sharp looks. Surprisingly Sofia nodded again, took a deep breath and laid her hand on top of her brother's outstretched one, moving to stand next to him. Leaving the corridor they entered a far wider room made entirely of seven or eight wide steps leading to an enormous doorway.
A stout, nondescript man positioned along the wall in what appeared to be a uniform nodded and then called loudly into the higher room. "Presenting Their Royal Highnesses, the Prince and Princess of Jochid, Mirko and Sofia Simena." Gracefully the two ascended the stairs and entered the other room. After another moment the man spoke again. "Presenting His Royal Highness the Prince of Asguard, Thor Odin-son." Thor carefully climbed the stairs and came to see another room, nearly as large as the receiving hall but far more simply decorated. In it was a table, holding the Royal family, as well as men he recognized as ambassadors from Asguard and the other realms.
Thor made his way to the only chair that remained empty, on the right of the Queen and directly across from Sofia. Waiting until the King sat, situated at the head of the table, the rest of the group sat in tandem, Thor's eyes not leaving Sofia's.
"How do you care for Jochid thus far your highness?" an Ambassador questioned nervously, as their first course was received.
"I find it to be beyond comparison," Thor replied strongly, "It is a wonder anyone would leave."
Simeon chuckled. "Indeed. My daughter seems to believe it would do her good to spend time outside of her realm, perhaps in Asguard. Perhaps as a betrothed to you if you were agreeable. What say you?"
Sofia's eyes, which had previously been glued to the table, suddenly snapped towards Thor.
"I would be honored to host the princess in my home for as long as she wishes." Thor said warmly, grinning broadly at her. "As a guest, a betrothed or a wife."