Loki watched the mortal woman with interest as she dug into the fresh fruit, bread, and cheese on the breakfast platter. Choosing a slice of bread layered with a sweet fruit paste for himself, he chewed thoughtfully. To wait, or not to wait, that was the question. A day was long enough, wasn't it?

Octavia had not discovered that she was absolutely famished, and proceeded to direct all of her attention to her breakfast, she may have noticed the intensity of Loki's gaze upon her, the sparkle of mischief in his pale eyes. Octavia certainly would have noticed him surreptitiously pulling the apple into being, and noted that there had been none like it on the tray of food. It was breathtakingly beautiful, smooth and golden and as bright as the morning sunlight that filtered into the chamber through the arched windows on the far wall.

But no, Octavia didn't notice, nor was she aware as Loki flexed his slender fingers above the dazzling fruit, reducing its shine and transforming its appearance to that of a regular, rosy red apple. Tossing it up and catching it casually, he cleared his throat softly, finally capturing her attention.

Octavia looked up, her mouth full of bread. Loki smirked and held the fruit out to her between his fingertips.

"Apple?" he asked, blue-green eyes fixed upon hers. Octavia looked at the oddly attractive fruit and then back to him. Detecting nothing amiss, she finished chewing and smiled, taking it from his hand.

"Yes please," Octavia answered automatically. The skin of the apple was glossy and smooth, its cool, spherical shape fit perfectly into her palm. The other food forgotten, she bit into it with a satisfying crunch.

Immediately Octavia was overwhelmed by the sweetness of this fruit, and juice dribbled down her chin as she happily munched. Loki watched with a strange glint in his eyes until she held nothing but the core, staring unhappily at the little black seeds that seemed to taunt her. Octavia felt rather dazed and confused, and more than a little disappointed that the apple was gone so quickly.

Reaching out, Loki plucked the core from her hand.

"You have juice on your face, darling," he commented softly. Octavia blinked, and seeming to snap out of it, blushed and wiped furiously at her chin. What had come over her?

"Thanks," Octavia mumbled, embarrassed by her actions. Loki chuckled. Octavia looked back at the rest of the meal, appetite strangely gone. Loki, on the other hand, reached for some more bread and a piece of cheese, an odd smile on his face. It made Octavia feel uncomfortable, as if she had missed something. Frowning, Octavia stared at the platter, wondering why there had been only one apple for two people.

Loki, on the other hand, finished his meal, feeling a mixture of triumph and trepidation. So far his plan was working perfectly, so why was it that when he met the Midgardian's gaze his stomach clenched with anxiety? There was something about those eyes that stripped him to the bone, seemed to lay bare all that he wished to conceal. Or perhaps it was all in his head. She surely could not know his intentions.

Feeling a sudden and unusual wave of nausea, Loki re-covered the now empty dishes, his usually steady hands trembling. Luckily the girl didn't seem to notice. He cleared his throat again.

"I wish to study my magic scrolls in the library this morning," he announced, his own voice sounding hollow in his ears. "Perhaps you would like to take a tour of the gardens? It's a lovely morning, and my mother, the Queen, is sure to be found tending her flowers." Loki spoke the truth for once, but to him even that sounded like a lie. He wanted to bite his own tongue. What was wrong with him today?

His jovial mood of earlier now completely shattered, he rose to his feet, not meeting the mortal's eyes as she answered him.

"Sure, okay," Octavia replied, sensing a change in Loki's frame of mind, but she couldn't for the life of her place a finger on what was wrong. Only moments ago he had been smiling, and now a frown creased his brow, his eyes dark and troubled. Perhaps a little time alone was all he needed.

"Good," he said stiffly, still not meeting her gaze. "Have Deirdre show you the way." Walking swiftly to the door, he pulled it open and stalked out; leaving Octavia to stare, mouth agape, after his retreating form, until another face appeared in the open doorway.

Deirdre smiled shyly at Octavia and gave a little curtsy.

"Hello again," she greeted brightly in her soft voice, entering the room and picking up the breakfast tray. "I hope you enjoyed your breakfast?"

Octavia simply nodded in reply, still baffled over Loki's mood swings. Deirdre took one look at her face and gave a little sigh.

"The prince can be, uh, difficult at times," she mumbled apologetically. "I imagine he has holed himself up in the library again." It was a question in the form of a statement. Again, Octavia nodded.

"He said you could show me the way to the gardens," Octavia said finally. Deirdre beamed.

"That I can, miss," she replied, and beckoned for Octavia to follow, which she did. She walked quickly, and Octavia nearly tripped over her dress trying to keep up.

After a few twists and turns, they came to a set of enormous wooden doors. Deirdre turned and smiled at Octavia.

"The garden is right through here," she announced cheerily. "It's absolutely breathtaking this time of year, I must say. Frigga's flowers are in full bloom!" Suddenly she clapped a hand over her mouth, stifling a giggle. "Oops! I meant 'Queen' Frigga," she whispered. "Please do not tell anyone I let that slip!"

Octavia chuckled, and promised her that she wouldn't. Deirdre grinned and pushed open one of the wooden doors with one hand, still balancing the breakfast tray in the other.

"Have fun, my lady!" she called as Octavia stepped out of the doors, but she barely heard Deirdre as she was too busy staring stupefied at the beauty of the garden.

Deirdre let the door fall shut, and turning on her heel, nearly lost the tray out of her hand. Letting out a startled yelp, she just managed to steady it before everything fell crashing to the ground. One item did, however, roll off and hit her boot. Letting out a sigh, she reached down to pick it up, and paused. It was an apple core. Puzzled, she daintily plucked it from the marble with two fingers and placed it back on the tray. Funny, she didn't remember putting any apples among the breakfast that morning.

"Now, now Deirdre," she scolded herself. "Do not start losing your senses now. You must have just forgotten."

Hey! Finally a update! Quite a short one but the other's shall soon be longer!

And do you really think it was Loki's plan to bring her here? It might of been the Queens, after all Frigga wants her suns to meet other woman? Loki might have a different plan!~~ ;)