Asgard was everything she expected it to be. Even with the glares from her sister every now and then, she still couldn't help but break her manners and ogle at the great kingdom that was Asgard. She made a mental note to NEVER go back to Vanaheim, this city was too wonderful to ever leave again. As the both of them waited outside of the palace quietly, she couldn't help but break her mannerism and look around the magnificent city. Every building was a gleaming white, and the path was carved out of the best cobblestones and made shiny so that it clicked underneath their shoes when they walked. Even the air smelled good, a little bit like a meadow or a forest.

"Can you stop looking around like a brazen child?" Kaisa hissed at her after a moment. "Pay attention; the All-Father will be outside in moments!"

Takumi gave her a bored glance. "You said yourself that we should appreciate a trip to this city, and I am. I'm simply admiring everything here, is that so wrong, sister?"

"It is wrong when you are acting rude! We are strangers to this realm!" Kaisa looked downright furious, no doubt irritated with all of Takumi's antics that day. "We are supposed to be the Princesses that Father trained us to be. Instead you have been acting insolent all day, and I am through with it, Takumi!"

"It wouldn't kill you to act a little less like an adult and more fun sometimes." Takumi said through clenched teeth, feeling her fists curl up in anger. It was unfair of her to get reprimanded by her sister, who was just a mere two years older than her. She wasn't a child, she just knew how to have fun sometimes. She wasn't a boring stick in the mud like Kaisa was, and she had no wish to. Sometimes mischief and fun was a necessity. Takumi just unfurled her fists and crept her hands up to the dagger still hidden in her belt, and felt herself calm a little. "I could just simply tell the All-Father that I don't want to be in his dumb realm or marry his stupid ugly son."

"Takumi!" Kaisa hissed, shock displayed on her pretty features. "How dare you say such a thing!?"

"I say what I want!" Takumi challenged, staring straight into her sister's brown eyes. "I'm tired of being yelled at."

The doors started to open, and it stopped the sisters' argument right then and there. Both girls quickly went into their Princess stances, their training taking over even though their emotions boiled underneath their calm facades. They both bowed their heads respectfully as a man walked out, one of his eyes covered with a golden patch and holding a sharp staff-like cane.

Takumi lifted up her eyes ever so slightly, peering at him through her black hair. The man looked sure looked intimidating with his one eye. He didn't look unkind, but he didn't look like a soft cuddly doll either. That must be Odin. She thought, feeling her insides twist with anxiety again.

"Greetings, Kaisa and Takumi Vanir." the man said, his voice loud and booming. "I see that you have made it into Asgard, safe and sound."

Takumi saw Kaisa stand up straighter out of the corner of her eye, and she did the same. Kaisa stepped forwards, her hands folded neatly against her stomach.

"I am Kaisa Vanir, of Vanaheim. This is my sister, Takumi Vanir, of Vanaheim. Tis a honor to be here, and we offer our respects and thanks." Kaisa bowed again, and Takumi took a hesitant step forwards as well. She didn't say a word, her mouth felt like it was glued shut. She couldn't speak, so she just did what Kaisa did and hoped that it would suffice for him.

It seemed to, since Odin just bowed back and then turned towards the door and beckoned them with his staff. "Follow me, and I will lead you to the throne room to meet my sons."

Kaisa didn't hesitate as she followed him dutifully, holding up her silky dress to prevent tripping over it as she stepped up the stairs. Takumi followed, trying to act like she was trained to. She hitched up her green silky dress too, just enough so that she wouldn't fall over it. As she walked into the palace, she heard the doors behind her close, and she wished that she could just disappear from the realm altogether.

Odin lead them down a long hallway, not speaking a word. It was just as well, Takumi didn't have anything to say. She didn't know what quite to do as she walked, so she just looked at the walls instead. To her surprise; everything in the Asgardian palace was just as fancy as the rest of the realm. Every portion of the wall had intricate designs carved into it, with golden torches attached on it and huge marble pillars holding up the ceiling. Chandeliers were mounted extravagantly above them, glowing brightly with different colored fires. Takumi tried not to stare at the overwhelming wealth, but she couldn't help it.

Servants were standing respectfully to the side, staring outwardly at them as they walked by. Odin didn't acknowledge them, and neither did Kaisa, so Takumi didn't either. She saw one of the younger servants peering shyly out from behind a pillar, and she gave him a soft smile in return. He saw, and with a surprised look, he dashed behind the marble pillar.

Takumi sighed inwardly and looked back down at the floor. They were all just staring like they had sprouted another head or something. They were aliens, after all, but it was still weird to be stared at like that.

Thankfully, they finally entered a large room. It was the biggest room that Takumi had ever seen, and the most fanciest. It was decorated heavily with golden runes and lights, with two decorated thrones against the furthest wall. Large windows let in the setting sunlight, casting shadows against the soldiers that were lined up in a row. Takumi couldn't even see their faces, they were dressed in full knight armor and were completely still.

But the thing that stood out the most was probably the two men near the thrones, one of them dressed in grey and red, and the other dressed in green and gold. Takumi kept her head down again and peered through her hair as she interpreted them. They were Odin's sons, she realized. The taller one with blonde hair peeking through his strange helmet looked nervous, but he stood still and was quiet. The shorter one was wearing a horned helmet and had jet-black hair coming out the back of his helmet- and he looked downright angry.

I don't blame him. Takumi thought angrily.

Both Kaisa and Takumi stopped just in front of the stairs leading up the throne, bowing their heads silently as Odin turned to them, watching the entire room. Besides the soldiers, there weren't many people standing around. There was a small band of warrior-looking people standing off to the side, staring at them intently. A fancily dressed woman came into the room and walked up the stairs, her long hair flowing beautifully behind her as she took a seat at one of the thrones. Queen Frigga, Takumi presumed.

The entire room was silent. Takumi felt the hairs on the back of her neck prickle upwards.

"Kaisa and Takumi Vanir." Odin spoke, his voice echoing around the room. Takumi lifted up her head, despite the fact that Kaisa hadn't done the same. She wanted to see better. "You have traveled very far to get here to meet my sons. Your father has announced that you shall be wed. My sons; Thor and Loki."

Both of the men stepped forwards, hesitant.

"Thor Odinson, my eldest son, you shall be wed to the eldest Princess Kaisa Vanir." Odin announced, stepping aside.

The man in red and grey stepped forwards. Takumi raised her eyebrows at him. So this was the great and mighty Thor that she learned about when she bothered to read the scrolls, the same Thor that battled on Earth and slayed the Chitauri army. One of the best heroes of the Nine Realms. She almost snorted in amusement. Of course Kaisa would get someone as powerful as he. It was fitting.

Thor knelt onto the ground gently, taking Kaisa's hand and kissing it. "Hello, my lady."

"Greetings." Kaisa said in a soft voice. Takumi almost cringed at the falseness of it all.

Taking her by the hand, Thor led her to the side of the throne room. It left Takumi all alone, standing there awkwardly in the middle of the room. There were a couple of amused snorts from the small band of warriors. She wanted to glare at them, but she was too afraid to even move her head.

"Loki Laufeyson, my second son, you shall be wed to the second Princess Takumi Vanir." Odin said, his voice losing a little less vigor than before.

Takumi watched stonily as the darker man stepped towards her, the look on his face close to hatred. With stiff movements, he knelt down and took her hand just as Thor did with Kaisa. The touch, Takumi realized, wasn't rough. It was gentle. He stiffly bought her hand to his lips, quickly pressing softly against her skin. Takumi almost flinched at the touch, and was relieved when he let go. Unfortunately, as he got up, he lapsed his arm within hers and they both walked over to the side.

Odin was watching the entire thing, silent as he watched. He looked almost as relieved as Frigga, although he still had the stern face of the King.

"Now that you have met each other, you will have time to be acquainted." he spoke, raising his staff and putting it once on the ground, as if to harden the deal. "The marriage will happen in exactly three moons, more than enough time for you to know each other's abilities and powers. I expect no trouble for these months, for if you are to be married, you must get along."

"Of course, Father." Thor spoke, nodding once. "We will show the ladies to their chambers."

Odin gave them an affirmed nod and signaled his staff towards the door, which swung open as if it was magic. Everyone in the room let out a collective sigh, but they slowly exited the room. Pretty soon, only Odin and his Queen remained. The royal couple looked at one another before Frigga gave them a gentle smile and exited herself. Odin followed her, and the large doors closed shut with a loud bang.

Takumi felt her stomach drop as she stared at Kaisa, the stares of the two strange men on her back.

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