Loki paced the rooms that seemed so like his own. It was missing a handful of scrolls and texts, contained more weaponry, but was similar enough to feel comforting. The peace made something between his shoulder blades ache. He wanted to begin the work. He wanted to see his true chambers. His companions. His lady.

He was loath to admit he would even feel joy at seeing the damned cat.

Yet this night it was wiser to rest. There was nothing to be done while his hopeful allies in Midgard slept and his own power felt drained still. Loki had begun to wonder if it was perhaps an effect of the travel between worlds. He should have felt more refreshed by now.

At the very least his plan was in motion. He was no longer a prisoner, and arrangements were being made for the rest. If he had no one's genuine trust, it mattered little so long as they allowed him to do his work. He would be home soon enough. He halted and fell upon the bed and forced sleep to come.

The spell that had made slumber possible broke with the first light of morning. Loki blinked at the rays spreading across the wall a moment before rising with a long sigh. It was too early yet for things to be in motion. He waved a hand, replacing the clothes he'd slept in with a fresher, more casual, set. His feet, when he left his chambers, carried him to the dining hall. Loki vaguely recalled skipping the midday meal when he was last in his own world. One… no closer to two days past now. It was no wonder his middle complained so.

He ignored the stares as he served himself from the ever waiting, overburdened tables. Though he did glance at the four whose distrustful glares spoke louder than most. Loki found himself an empty seat far from his brother's comrades. He would not answer for sins that were not his own. He was halfway through his bread before the room's atmosphere changed.

"Brother!"

Loki would not admit the long drink was fortification. Or stalling. It certainly made no difference either way when the hand came down with only slightly too much force and coughing into one's goblet was unavoidable.

"Thor." Loki turned in his seat and allowed his eyes to flick over the man. "Surely they must have explained-"

Thor waved a large hand in good humored dismissal. "It matters not." He sank into the empty seat at Loki's side. "And I am to take you to Midgard."

This was a surprise until Loki recalled the footage he'd seen when first puzzling out the mystery. He smiled. "Of course. I have heard of your connections there."

At this statement, Thor's grin faltered. "Is it not so in the realm you've come from? Has Midgard no need of protection?"

"I did not say the realm was unprotected, brother." Something sparked in the man's eyes and Loki recalled the bitter words of his maddened mirror image. He would, he decided, have to make use of the endearment while he could. "Only that the privilege did not fall upon your shoulders in every world."

"Who, then?" Thor's gaze regarded the four of his companions briefly before dismissing the possibility and turning back to meet Loki's own.

"And why else would I be mixing the magic and mortal machines that brought me here?" Loki picked at a slice of meat, sandwiching it in the remains of bread. It was less dignified, but seeing as his guide was already present he would opt for speed. Perhaps he had been spending more time than was wise in the laboratories of late.

Thor, and no doubt many others in the hall, watched the action with no small measurement of astonishment. Loki resisted the urge to chuckle. Maybe he wouldn't have found it amusing had it not been clearer on Thor's face than any other. Or perhaps that was the news of the largest of the differences between himself and the mad impostor. Instead of displaying his amusement, however, he concentrated on filling the emptiness of too many missed meals. There was a surprising silence that followed, as they both ate and as Thor downed his mug of… well Loki hoped it was something weaker than normal, given the journey ahead.

"You are acting as guardian of Midgard?" Thor rubbed his beard. "That is a change."

"Is it?" Loki tipped his empty cup to study the bottom. "Perhaps from my point of view it is not so strange a thing. It has been my task for years now."

"It is a glad thing, I think. I would have the story, but later." And with that Thor slammed his mug down. "Come, brother. We have a quest to attend to."