SoA – Part 3

Chapter 8 – The Rite of Hospitality.

"OK, I was hoping to eat first, but we can do this now." She told them with a glare as she stared both of them down in turn, Thor first then Loki took their seats still shooting each other angry glares. "Separate corners to start with I think," She ordered, pointing to two chairs, one on either side of the kitchen table. Kara turned off the stove and pulled over a third chair. She sat on a third side between the two men.

"Ok, these are the rules." She told them both sternly. Her aura took on a godly luminescence. Neither had seen her use her Asgardian goddess powers until then and both watched her carefully. Neither knew her power yet, but Loki knew it was emotion based.

"You are both welcomed guests in my house." Her words held a hint of power, and both brothers instantly sat up straighter, feeling the magic of her words as they began. "My food is your food. My fire is your fire. My home is open to you."

Loki and Thor both looked at one another slightly surprised by her actions. She had just initiated a Rite of Hospitality. It would sully their honor if they abused it with their poor behavior. Before she had said the words the hospitality was implied. Now it had power because she had initiated the power behind the intent.

"I wish to mediate our disputes by the asking of mediation questions." She continued formally. She knew the words, but she had never felt the seiðr of a Rite settle on her shoulders before, nor had she ever held such authority over anyone. "I will ask and I will expect honest answers." She said, never looking at either of them longer than the other, and making a point not to look at Loki when she said honest. She trusted him to be honest and she didn't want to imply to Thor that she thought he might lie in any way. Planning out moves like this was why Kara hated going to court. Every interaction would mean something to those watching, and not always what was meant to be said.

"As you wish," Loki replied, his word neutral. He was very good at hiding his feelings usually. Today he was surprised and agitated. While his voice hid how he felt, his face showed some of his concern and distrust of Thor.

"And I, Sister, also agree." Thor replied as he reined in his boisterous voice to a more courtly tone suited to the situation. Like Loki his face gave away some of his own unease at the possible questions and answers they would be asked to give. There were so many ways this could turn into a battle of him against the two of them, and in a battle of words Thor knew he was outmatched by Loki alone. With Kara on his side he was outgunned and outclassed.

"Great." She sighed in relief. She really wasn't sure where to start. She'd hoped to have some time over the day to come up with something. There were answers she wanted, and answers she knew they needed to hear from one another. She'd hoped to probe them both while they worked on Loki's reputation in New York City again today to see what answers they needed from each other, and what was just her own curiosity. She'd have to wing it.

"Ok, I'm not sure where to start, so I am going to be random here." She said admitted quietly. "But first there are two points I wish to make certain both parties understand." She waited for both to nod stiffly. Everyone was taut with stress. She really wanted to ease some fears from them both. They knew she wasn't cruel, but she was known for being honest, and by diplomatic standards a little naïve. Most of the warrior class on Asgard discounted such methods. Kara's main shortcoming was that she lacked experience. That lack was a pitfall she needed to be careful of. Loki being the master of diplomacy was the best prepared of them all. But he was also recovering from torture, life-altering surprises, and injuries. None of them were prepared for this, but it needed to be done.

She took a deep breath and then began. "These are points that are not up for debate at this time." She waited for both to nod once more before plunging ahead. She was breaking protocol a bit, but both knew the intent behind her intervention, and to be honest with the exception of their Mother, neither of the brothers could trust anyone else to mediate, and Thor had his own issues with Kara which made her a biased mediator. She was going to try hard to not be during this rite.

"First point, Loki is half-Asgardian and not the biological son of Odin. His wish to not be called Odinson for this discussion is not to be disregarded. We both will honor his wish to not be called brother until he says otherwise." She told them both but looked at Thor as she spoke. Thor looked as if he desperately wished to debate that fact but restrained himself, barely. Her restriction was one that Thor did not like but he could understand the reasoning behind it. It was to put Loki in a talking mood, and Thor was willing to allow that concession for the conversation to be productive. He'd already begun to try and curb the reflex already so to continue during this discussion was not true hardship.

Loki looked a little relieved until she turned to him. "Any fault regarding you parentage, and the sins involved in not telling you are the fault of Odin and Frigga, not Thor, or mine. You will need to remember that Thor himself was only just over three hundred years old when you were brought home, and had no cause to question your parentage any more than you did. Blaming him for Odin's mistakes and favoritism is unfair." She turned to Thor and stared at him in turn, "Nor would it be fair to judge Loki for his anger and resentment for being lied to for his entire life about not only his parentage, but also his race. Part of which was demonized your entire lives."

Thor was happier with this concession. He felt hurt that Loki had blamed him at all. He understood that Loki had likely felt threatened by Thor once he learned the truth due to his childish actions and vows to wipe out all of the Jötunn.

Loki was less enthused by the condition but like Thor understood that it was pointless to harp on the point. Thor hadn't known, and blaming him was unfair, but life itself was unfair. Loki had learned these lessons the hard way, however this was Kara's table, and he would not dishonor her attempt at peace by refusing the point just to hold on to his grudge and anger.

Both brothers looked at one another but in a unified voice said, "I concede the point." It was a ritualistic response to her 'request'. She wished it meant they were actually on the same page, but she knew better. Both brothers were unnerved by the fact that Kara was not planning on dealing with what could arguably be the foundation of the issues between them. Thor was surprised and heartened by the order for Loki to not push Odin's actions on himself. Both had fought for Odin's approval most of their lives. He knew that once he'd begun to bulk up in traditional Asgardian form, and Loki had not, Odin had openly favored him over Loki. When Loki had taken up his seiðr training as vigorously as his warrior training, Odin had shown some disdain for his choice, further causing resentment between the brothers.

Odin had certainly favored Thor so deeply that Loki had been ridiculed to his face by members of the court, the Einherjar, and even members of the staff when Thor or Odin were present. No one even blinked at such treatment for as long as Kara had been a member of the court, so it likely had been going on for much longer.

Loki could hold a grudge like no other in Thor and Kara's experience. He had a long memory and hoarded slights. He was the one to teach both about getting revenge. One such incident included complete humiliation of a mean-spirited noble who had targeted Kara for his bitterness. He had just become engaged to woman who had tried to bed Loki in order to get closer to Thor. The marriage was not to his liking and he'd been particularly mean to Kara that night. The noble who had insulted Kara had also been part of group that had tormented Loki during weapons training, and Loki was feeling particularly vindictive that evening. He was shamed during the evening feast by Loki, who had so completely humiliated both he and his fiance during the festivities that same evening that their once politically savvy match had to be moved outside the city of Asagarth to avoid further shame on their family houses. The two to this day lived on one of his family's provincial properties, rather than in the Capital as most nobles did.

Given the topics they needed to air out, and Loki's easily offended receptivity, Kara decided to start with the easier of the two to get the talking started.

"Thor, how do you feel about Loki, as a person, not a family member?" She asked in her best imitation of a courtroom lawyer manner.

Thor blinked as he tried to process the question. Having never seen a TV Court Drama, he was not prepared for Kara's manner, or the type of question she had asked. "I do not understand. To me he is my brother. I love him, nothing has changed that." He looked beseechingly at Loki as he answered. His puppy eyes were at full power Kara noticed, though Loki seemed unaffected. Either that or his crossed arms were blocking the power of the puppy look. Kara was certainly envious of that.

Loki's hands clenched in anger, hidden in the elbows of her arms, but he kept his face passive. By the rules he could not reply until Thor had answered the actual question. Kara acknowledged his response with a hand on Thor's hand which was laid flat on the table. "I understand that. I am not questioning that you do." Thor relaxed a little at that. He'd been concerned that she would not be so willing to allow questioning when he truly did not understand the question. It was considered to be the height of rudeness to be silent, mislead, or even avoid a host's questions. Guests were expected to be honest and do most of the talking when in a host's home, as payment for their shelter, food and company they provided.

Loki relaxed his fists as he began to understand her strategy. She was going to force them to acknowledge their slights against one another, and force the other to see the 'good', and the 'bad', of each other in order to build the alliance she was hoping they could forge. It was what he had longed for a century ago.

Thor had become so arrogant in the past that his dream of standing as an equal to Thor, but in the shadows as his trusted friend and brother had all but died a slow and painful death. The dream had been crushed under the hurt, jealousy, and anger that had built, century after century of being made to feel lesser, that treatment had nearly completely destroyed it. He had to hand it to Kara, by forcing them into a Hospitality Rite first, she had placed them in a situation they could not just walk away from. They were also forced to act in a civilized manner for the duration, or never be welcome in her home again, and face a huge loss of honor due to her rank.

Thor stared at Loki with a real look of concentration as he thought hard about what he truly wanted from him, and what he needed to say to him. "I do not understand you." He admitted quietly as he stared down at his hands resting on the table. "I do not understand why you always preferred your books and magic, to weapons and training." He raised his eyes focus deeply on Loki's now twitching face. Thor knew Loki was making an effort not to sneer in anger at him. He'd never made an effort to understand. Mother had hammered that point into his head at the same time she'd forced him to truly look at the actions of their… no his friends… he'd been at fault for that.

"And yet I know that it makes you happy. When you are happy there is no one I prefer to be near." His expression was wistful and the corner of his mouth drew up as he thought of their youth. "You are the greatest storyteller. A true wordsmith, and I do not mean that as an insult." He said holding his hand up in a gesture of peace when Loki's mouth pressed into a thin line and his arms tightened their hold across his chest.

"I can say that I have come to begin to learn and value such skills in the past year." His eyes flickered to Kara and noticed her small nod. It made him realize that he was answering her question in the manner she had expected, or at least was acceptable. He focused on Loki again. His expression was now guarded, but not hostile. "Your slights were not mine to dismiss. I wished to keep the peace and honestly thought the slights to be jests, and took part in them due to jealousy at your skills." He admitted in a quiet voice as he looked down with humility.

Loki's eyebrow rose in disbelief. It wasn't his time to respond yet so he kept his peace carefully. The urge to lash out at Thor was like an engrained reflex. It was hard to sit and listen to Thor as he stumbled over his words, trying to get the right context out.

"I do not understand how to fully answer your question Sister. I cannot divorce myself from the notion that Loki is my brother, my family and truly my best friend, even if he does not agree with my sentiments, as is his right." Thor finally said in a tone of defeat. "No matter what he has done, or been accused of doing. He is my brother and I will stand by him. I do not care that we are not blood. I have loved him all my life, I do not know how to quantify such a thing." He hung his head in shame. It was dishonorable to not abide by the decree to not call Loki his brother.

Kara nodded and gave Thor a smile. "Human's call that unconditional love." Her smile making him aware that in the context of his answer she was allowing him to bend the rule to its breaking point. Truthfully she was only allowing it because he was using the term to describe Loki's position in his life, not as a label being force on him.

"Aye," Thor sighed in agreement and was thankful she had not called him out on his breech. Though the question made it impossible to not acknowledge their past assertion that they had been at least raised to believe they were blood brothers. "That is as true a statement of my feelings as I could quantify."

Kara turned to Loki. "He speaks truth?" She asked him. Loki nearly bristled at her question, glaring at his own hands since doing so directly to a host would be a very huge breech, one that the seiðr of the Rite could punish him for.

Their conversation of a year ago about truth and his powers came to mind; his truth versus Thor's. For the purposes of this conversation though he had to admit that Thor was telling the truth. Something had greatly impacted Thor in the past few days, or the past year, possibly both. He had a feeling that 'something' was Kara's ire and their mother's interference.

"He does, as far as he knows." Loki admitted with tightly controlled anger.

Kara smiled at Thor and continued to question him, giving Loki a moment to rein in his rage. "Why did you allow the slight and taunts of your friends to spread beyond themselves to become vicious rumors and lies?" Her curiosity and bias did come out during this question, but the question needed to be asked, otherwise the three of them would never be able to come to an understanding. Kara needed this answer herself so she could understand more about their dynamic. She knew Loki's side, but she had never had the chance to hear Thor's side.

Thor sat back and pouted a little. "I honestly did not notice how widespread it had become, and how mean-spirited. I was selfish and self-centered enough for it to pass by my common sense. I never noticed just how far Loki had pulled away. He was always there when I needed him. He always had a plan to save us. It was embarrassing to my warrior pride, how often he had to save us with his mighty seiðr." Thor had the grace to blush at this admission and there was a touch of respect when he said the word mighty that caught Loki's attention. It was respect that Loki often didn't' hear when Thor had spoken of his magic before.

"It was emasculating, but I never stood by and allowed anyone to use a slur against Loki just for my own glory." He defended his past actions. "If any used them in my hearing I dealt with them harshly, including our friends. Though it was often more private, and that was a mistake I will never again make. If they publicly slander you again, I will also deal with them in public, this I do promise you, Loki." He stumbled slightly on his name, but the effort to not use the term 'My Brother' was noticed by both of them.

"Your friends," Loki hissed softly. His eyes glared fiercely, "not mine. They were never my friends truly, were they?" Loki spat rhetorically. As Thor had finally answered the question, Loki was free to respond.

Thor looked miserable and his eyes were once more downcast with shame and discontent with himself. "That is not so. Fandral and Volstagg were your true friends. Sif and Hogun less so I will admit, and certainly within the last century." He looked pleadingly to Kara. "Surely you know this, both of you. Volstagg has ever been respectful of you both, and never has his teasing gone afar. Fandral is easily swayed to go too far while deeply in his cups. He has never been cruel intentionally, and is always to one to bring up your accomplishments when we boast of our victories." He defended, his voice pleading with them to agree.

Kara nodded her head slightly. "I can attest to Volstagg's character in my own estimation, and interactions. I have never heard him disparage you beyond a simple tease as is the right of a friend." She directed her response to Loki. As it was her personal viewpoint she was only asking Loki to acknowledge that she had one, not that he agree with it.

Loki looked at her and relaxed somewhat. The airing of this point was in fact one Loki was comfortable debating. One he relished actually. It was a chance to finally get Thor to admit his friends were indeed culpable in their assignment of fault against him. "I will agree with that assessment. Volstagg is the least offensive of your companions, and I do not recall a time when he has ever been the one to offend without being lead on by the others." There of course had been times when if even without voice Volstagg had offended him. In the course of the amount of time they lived that would be unavoidable. Volstagg was least offensive, and those occurrences were rare. Considering the amount of time Loki had spent in the large warrior's presence that's saying quite a bit about Volstagg's ability to not irritate the easily offended Prince.

Kara smiled softly and looked thoughtful as she tried to assess Fandral. "I cannot say the same of Fandral as he and I rarely interacted, and what I saw was when he was often already into his cups." Thor looked as if he would protest, she raise her hand in peace. "I will agree that on the occasions that the tales were told, he often did point out Loki's accomplishments, though they were often ripped down by your other friends, or your own boasting immediately afterward." She pointed out.

Thor of course knew that Kara's opinions were based on century old habits. As an outsider her opinion was less tainted by inside jokes and showed a less sympathetic view of the jesting and boasting. It was the view of someone who would come to court and what they would see. That was something that made Thor wince as he thought of it. Loki's reputation throughout the Realms was tattered by the 'jests' of his friends. Loki would often be out in the Realms doing his duties as a Prince, without Thor and his companions. It was his own actions during these times that had saved any of his reputation with the other courts over the years. His age also was not held against him until recently as he was considered a child until two centuries ago, which to Thor's mind was recent.

"It does give one the impression that it was deliberately done so the others could tear me down." Loki said with an edge to his voice. "I will admit to at least that much. Volstagg offered true friendship, and give Fandral the past association of 'acquaintance of merit'." An acquaintance of merit was a formal classification of not quite friend, but certainly with potential to be.

Thor looked a little forlorn. "He was always the quickest to defend your ideas and battle plans." He replied with an air of disappointment and longing. It was as if he was mourning Loki's lost friendship with Fandral more than Loki himself was. "Surely you remember the time we…"

Kara got up and went to make breakfast, and watched from the counter as they began to talk about the past. She let them discuss the instances where Fandral and Volstagg had been true to Loki. As they spoke she watched as both Loki and Thor relaxed their stances a little more as the minutes past. They were peaceful and civil, so she placed food and drinks on the table without a word and allowed them to speak to each other, not daring to interrupt. There were no Poptarts, though Thor didn't seem to mind as she had made a very large stack of pancakes, cheeses, coffee, and bacon.

The forced civility required by the Hospitality Rite, made the conversation seem almost passive. In the past, their disagreements would have escalated into shouting by this point, usually led by Thor taking his friends side of an argument as gospel, and discounting Loki's point of view. Now it was Loki who was holding back while Thor made a huge effort to let Loki know he had heard his side and wasn't discounting it, but rather saw the intent of at least Fandral and Volstagg as less maligned than Sif. Thor had done a somewhat adequate job of defending both of his friends. His arguments were made stronger by the fact that he did not once try to defend Sif or Hogun, and in fact had used them to illustrate Fandral and Volstagg's defense of Loki on several occasions.

Loki finally raised his hand. "Enough. I concede your defense. He is often not as malicious as I once thought." Loki gave Thor a nod of acknowledgement and Thor looked dumbfounded.

"You- I- er- you agree with my assessment?" He questioned, completely shocked as to winning an argument with Loki at all.

"You think I should not?" Loki asked with a touch of amusement in his voice. "You have just spent the better part of an hour defending their honor."

"Point conceded." Kara jumped in quickly so as to stop them from ruining such a good moment. She didn't put it past Loki to provoke Thor now that they had reached an agreement, just to regain ground.

"An opinion of merit made stronger as you did not defend the others." Loki pointed out with a touch of pride in his voice. Thor had argued the point well. He had obviously been quoting their Mother often throughout their conversation. Likely using the same arguments she had. His lack of temper when Loki seemed to not be willing to listen at times, and made him think of yet another example, was helping Loki see that Thor had indeed changed, at least temporarily.

In the past, Thor had grouped the entire party as of one mind, one purpose, always wrapped around Thor's own opinion. When those opinions had clashed, Thor had always dismissed everyone else's as wrong, and therefore unworthy of being true.

Thor for his part now did look uncomfortable. "Mother spent a great deal of time pointing out the many rumors and slights that were started by Sif, and supported by Hogun." He at least had the honor to look Loki in the eyes when he said earnestly, "I am truly sorry for all the times I dismissed those slights. I had not seen how the rumors had spread so far and become accepted as truth, even by myself after a time."

Kara sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. At least he was admitting that much. Some of those rumors were still a concern. Loki's reputation was in tatters, not only on Earth, but on Asgard. If her plan was to work she needed both of them willing to protect each other as comrades in arms at the least, as true brothers once more at best. She was hopeful for a middle ground, but truly wished for the latter someday. It was too early now for such dreams of bonds to be reforged. If they were they were reforged too quickly they would be brittle. Kara would rather they took the time and made them truly as strong as the dwarven star metal uru.

Loki's eyes narrowed as he looked at him. "And yet on the cliff you called them imagined slights once more."

Thor blushed deeply in shame, but kept his eyes steady as he gazed into Loki's from across the table. "I have no excuse for saying such a thing. I was just so overcome to see you. I wanted so badly to bring you home, and have my brother by my side once more. I slipped in my speech into patterns spoken for centuries. I have no excuse." He repeated emphatically. "I will not ask forgiveness for that yet, as I have not earned it."

Loki nodded slowly. Inwardly he was surprised Thor was that self-aware of his mistake. He'd thought pointing it out now that Thor would have not remembered or defended his words. The lack of apology was also a surprise. Usually Thor just demanded people to forgive him, and he would forget he'd committed any offence within minutes. "I will concede; old, bad habits will take time to overcome, and some slips will happen, as long as you acknowledge them when they occur."

Kara was ecstatic but tried to keep herself in check. Loki noticed but other than a small smirk kept his comments to himself. Her plan would benefit him most, so he would try things her way. He didn't have a better plan at present. Thor's change in temperament was a huge part of that acceptance. It was puzzling to him that Thor could change this much in such a little window of time. Loki did not think his death would have affected Thor so deeply.

"Ok, moving on." Kara said to them, regaining their complete attention before Thor could start saying something too sentimental and ruin the mood when Loki objected to it. She turned to Loki this time, figuring it would be better to go back and forth, and to be fair Thor had been on the 'hot seat' for nearly an hour.

"You never wanted the throne of Asgard for yourself." She stated frankly. Thor looked like he was about to object so Kara lightly kicked him. Loki snorted as Thor winced and pouted as he rubbed his shin. "What were your plans, and are they still something you wish? If not, why?" She asked in the same court room tone of voice. The question sounded like one of the exam questions she's answered in a psychology course she had taken as an elective for her college credits.

Loki rolled his eyes. "You are very aware of what my plans were, and why they are no longer possible." He drawled with a touch of scorn. His non-answer was strictly for Thor's benefit. Unlike Thor's question, this was things she knew, with Thor she was as in the dark as he had been about what Thor truly thought.

Kara was unperturbed by his tone. In fact she was amused by his obvious evasion tactic. "Enlighten the room, besides I only know what my interpretation of your intentions were, not what your truth is." She countered.

Loki sniffed dismissively but sat up a little straighter as he gave his required answer. "My intentions, until a century ago, was to be Thor's; advisor, spymaster, representative off-world and a true confidant, once he became king. When your education required my participation, I changed my goals to include gallivanting across known space with you during your limited lifespan." He answered with a bored expression as he rested his cheek on his upright fist. Knowing what was expected of him and answering her as such was going to open old wounds he'd rather not pick at. He was not looking forward to the rest of this conversation.

"You never wanted the Throne yourself?" Thor asked, his puzzlement plain on his face and in his voice. All through their childhood it seems as if Loki had been trying to prove himself the better candidate to be King.

Loki sighed with disgust. "Never have I ever wished to be tied to Asgard in so intimate a role as being King would require." He gave Thor a hard scowling glare. "I would be hidebound to Asgard, never being able to Sky-tread to other worlds, to explore the mysteries of my seiðr, or view other mysteries, and bits of knowledge that struck my fancy." He boldly told him, his back straight a ready to spring should Thor dismiss his words. "Though rumors of me wanting and coveting the throne were prevalent before my 'death', it had never been my wish to rule Asgard." His glare told Thor that those rumors had started closer to home. The first time he could recall it becoming an issue had been soon after Sif had joined Thor in sparring practice. It was not a coincidence in Loki's mind.

Thor looked concerned as his mind too pointed a finger towards the Lady Sif as the first to bring such concerns to him. "Surely you would have been able to leave Asgard to do such things as King. I would never have stayed in Asgard every day, nor does the Allfather." Thor reasoned, his voice not accusing, but more curious as to the idea that Loki would be confined. He made Kingship sound more of a prison than an achievement and duty.

Loki and Kara both looked at Thor as if he was insane. He saw both their looks and knew immediately he had made a mistake once more in assuming something he should know. "What have I missed?"

"Thor," Kara began carefully. "Do you recall the conversation I had with you about the Odinforce?"

Thor looked abashed. "I do recall, and I ask about it once things settled. Father assured me that when the time came he would instruct me on the matter, but that now was not such a time."

Loki nearly choked and he tried to understand that. "He nearly made you king but had not instructed you at all on the 'Seiðr of Asgard'?" His eyes grew hard as ice as they flashed with pure anger. "I thought you knew and just disregarded the knowledge! Playing the fool! I did not realize you were such a fool!" Loki felt a stinging sensation reach his chest and he quickly reined in his speech. The Rite had not liked his breach of conduct.

Thor began to look angry but Kara's hand on his helped to steady him, as her hand was nearly crushing his. The warning made Thor refocus. "Father told me he would allow the bonds to transfer naturally, so as to not disrupt the flow of the magic. That I needed to fully control my aspect first before such bonds could form."

Loki sputtered in absolute speechless rage. "That is not how seiðr works Thor. You would have been king in name only! Odin would still have commanded the forces of Asgard, you would have been nothing more than a puppet, and when he passed on you would have buckled under the weight of a power you would not have been able to control!" Loki's anger was palpable as his magic swept around him. It wasn't as strong as it had been in past, showing how drained he was, but it still manifested itself around his body in a glittering shimmer of green and gold tinted air wisps. This time the sting was stronger, and Loki once more breathed deeply, trying to rein in his control.

"What Loki is badly saying," Kara butted in and shot Loki a glare that told him to shut up, "is that Odin was setting you up for failure as a king. Without control of the Odinforce, the defenses, the very fabric of Asgard would have begun to unravel without someone to hold the reins." Kara explained to him. "If you are unable to command the forces of Thunder, then the chances of you controlling the, for a lack of a better term, Thorforce, are non-existent." Loki choked on that word, but his rage was dying down and no longer fixated on Thor, instead the heat was banked and being lead to the person who had earned that rage.

Thor sat back and quietly contemplated the news. "Why would father do this?" His own voice sounding hurt and confused by the deception.

Loki's face betrayed his own disgust. "I believe he was waiting for you to learn to control your aspect before transferring the Odinforce to you. Though it makes no sense to have made you king before such a process had begun."

"Could it be he is worried about the succession?" Kara wondered out loud as she tried to think of any excuse that made a lick of sense. "His council was so reluctant to allow you to do your duty. Do you think they would have opposed Thor becoming king if Odin succumbed to the Odinsleep before he had become king?"

Thor and Loki both pondered her statement. "It is possible." Loki admitted slowly, he was surprised that hadn't occurred to him. "Their words were scornful not only of me, but also Thor, suggesting they might not have expected to be replaced if Thor were king. If they found us both 'wanting' they could have called for an actual 'Thing' to decide the matter, rather than the formality it was before the coronation last year with Odin overseeing it. However the 'Seiðr of Asgard' would have transferred to the rightful heir the moment of the Allfather's death."

"What words spoken?" Thor's confusion was clear, looking back and forth wondering which would answer him more fully so he could follow their conversation better. Thor didn't wish to think of the threat to his father's life that Odin had faced during Thor's banishment.

Loki spoke up first. "While I was Regent, the council refused to support me. Their words were… insulting at best, not only of me and my attempts at diverting the war, but also of you and your abilities. They were however more willing to listen to you as you should have been the 'rightful' heir. News of your banishment had not been made public, so they were of the opinion it did not matter, and my efforts to avert war was a waste of their time."

Thor began to look angrier as Loki spoke. "They would have been wrong."

"Agreed," Kara interjected. Both were on the same page as far as the council was concerned and that was a good place to end this part of the debate. "You still have not finished answering the question." She reminded Loki.

He rolled his eyes. "Once it became clear Thor had no wish for me to assume any of the roles I had been training for, I had abandoned those plans in truth, but I kept hope that I could still be trusted enough to advise one day."

"I would have wanted you in all those roles Bro- Loki." Thor caught himself as Loki's eyes had begun to narrow at the term brother. His tone was so honest and trusting that Kara wondered if Thor had changed so much that he'd re-written the past in his own mind. He seemed self-deluded if he thought for one second the Thor of a year ago would have trusted Loki half as much as he would require of Loki to be each and every one of those roles to him as King.

"Wanted, yes, but you would never have followed any of the advice I would have given without consulting your 'friends'," he sneered before given his head a quick shake to displace the anger that was against the rules of Hospitality. "As such it would have been ruled as 'self-serving' rather than being in the service of Asgard herself. As such you would have discounted my efforts until they were meaningless." He told him with a slight hint of scorn and disappointment. Kara certainly agreed with his assessment of the predicament he had been in. She'd seen all too often that exact scenario.

Thor tried to counter Loki's statement, but try as he might, he knew Loki was right. After several attempts to open his mouth to protest he finally hung his head and nodded his concedement. "You are likely right. Too often I listened to the others who said you wanted to rule over me." He looked thoughtful and quite saddened by the realization. "Is that why you attended all those boring meetings, and learned every bit of statecraft you could, instead of indulging in the 'Pursuits of Princes'?"

Loki rolled his eyes. He hated the Pursuits. Most were wastes of time in his estimation. "It was because I found the Pursuits of Princes to be as boring as you did the meetings." He countered with a roll of his eyes. "I have never liked to hunt Dragons for the sake of treasure… cursed treasure at that." He reminded Thor who once more nodded bashful of his ignorance of seiðr. "I have always found more pleasure in the statecraft that served Asgard's people. You protected the people by adventuring, I by negotiating treaties and trade deals."

"There is honor and respectable goals in both pursuits." Kara reminded both men, not wanting the conversation to become a dick-measuring exercise. "Both serve Asgard, and both serve the people. It is the reason the Pursuit of Princes exists." The exercise of the 'Pursuit of Princes' was an acknowledged right of Princes. It was also a formal way of saying they were 'going out adventuring, and meeting the people, while doing some good for the Realm', or basic statecraft that allowed learning skills needed to be King without risking wars and hard feelings.

Loki nodded to her point. "With you being the 'perfect warrior' of Asgard, there was really no need for me to not indulge my inclinations for courtly intrigue." He smirked almost playfully. There was more amusement in his expression than scorn. Something Thor had not seen in a very long time.

"I see." Thor muttered as he once more looked thoughtful as he contemplated the opinions of others over the centuries verses the answers Loki was giving him now.

"Once Kara's education required me to assist Mother, I grew intrigued by her view of the Universe." He explained with a fond smile sent to Kara. "Unlike us she had such a fresh view of it all. At the time we assumed she would have a limit time frame to view it, and so I had planned to spent the first century of your reign with her, travelling the Realms, and base our adventures out of Midgard. We could then have enjoyed the limited time she had, and I could not be considered a rival in your court." He frowned deeply as he thought of the changes to those plans three years earlier when Kara had regressed a year and stopped aging. "Once it became clear that she would not be limited in time, I was then confronted with the fact that you were not ready to reign, nor did you respect the forces of seiðr I thought you would inherit."

Loki paused expecting Thor to interrupt. Instead Thor sat there looking deep engrossed to Loki's plans and story. "My plan to delay your coronation was just that, a delaying tactic, so that the Allfather would correct the lack of training. Once your training was complete, he would then crown you king and I would fully have supported you in any capacity I was allowed. That was the intent of the intrusion into the Vault, nothing more."

Kara waited for a moment but when neither was inclined to say anything more she asked, "And now?"

Loki shook his head with a thoughtful frown on his face. Kara was not even trying to be subtle at this point. "I still have no plans to rule, unless it is in a regent position, one that can be given over as soon as possible as I do have the skills to support the 'Seiðr of Asgard' without accepting it as my own. If it were possible, I would not return to Asgard at all. I would stay here and make an attempt to restitute the damage wrought by my time under the control of the Chitauri's master." He admitted with a sad look. When in his right mind, Loki was not fond of wholesale slaughter, and too many had died during his time under the control of 'The Leader'. While not responsible for the deaths, he still felt a responsibility to atone for his actions. A feeling he felt sure Agent Barton would share.

The power of the scepter allowed for free thought, but not free will. Your opinion was yours, but you had no will to fight the effect when the scepter was close. The will of the scepter's true master was all, and you tried to fulfil its needs when under its direct control. Now free of the power he was disgusted with himself for falling under the sway of the magic.

Thor nodded his understanding and gave him a wishful frown. "I would leave you here to do so Br- Loki, however my orders were to return with; the Tesseract, you, Kara, and The Destroyer, in that order." This time Loki did not seem angered by Thor's near slip. He was more intrigued by the order of the orders.

"Which leads us all to the final topic I wished to address," Kara stated as she sat back and picked up her coffee mug. Her coffee had gone cold so she took a moment to reheat it with her heat vision. "Loki can you ensure our privacy please." She took a sip while she waited for Loki to cast his privacy spell to ensure their conversations from this point would be private from Heimdall, Odin or any other magical that was attempting to scry for them at the moment.

He looked as if he slowly blinked to the others as he cast the spell. "It is done." He told her. Sometimes Loki's casting was so smooth one could not feel it as his spells came into effect.

Kara threw him a grateful smile, "Are we a team now? And do we agree to confront the charges that will be laid against Loki together?"

Thor sat back confident in his own convictions. "Aye, I have seen enough to ensure my testimony for Loki. I would take great offense at any who would accuse him of treason against Asgard for the actions here on Midgard. I will stand for him against all, including Father or his Council."

Loki looked back and forth between them. "Do we even know what the charges would be?"

Kara smirked with bitterness. "They cannot charge you with anything while you sat on the throne as Regent without charging Mother as an accomplice for placing you on it."

Thor snorted with annoyance and crossed his arms defiantly. "There were grumbles about the fact you destroyed the Bifröst. Grumbles including that it was too bad you were dead and escaped punishment for doing so." His ire at the words and rumor made Kara hopeful.

"Your actions would not have destroyed the Bifröst, would it?" Kara asked Loki curiously. She had never considered if those action could have damaged the device. It had never been used as a weapon in that regard on purpose. It had done great damage to other worlds in history which was why the effects were known, but actually using it as a weapon to fully destroy a planet had never been done.

Loki shook his head slowly. "It was not designed for such long periods of use, hence why it could destroy other worlds if left connected." He explained softly, his remorse hidden under his own bravo and stiff posture. "It would not have damaged the Bifröst in any permanent manner as the Asgardian side of the bridge is the creation point and is completely stable." His voice reflected his remorse for those actions. Now that time had passed and he was now faced with the truth that he was at least half Asgardian, and still a prince (even if it was of a different Realm) he was much more calm and beginning to accept the new reality of his life.

"I have heard no such rumors of anyone being upset at the 'reasoning' behind the attempt." Thor flashed a sorrowful frown at Loki. He knew that Asgard's bias against Frost Giants was going to sting for quite some time, even if it was only half of Loki's parentage. The racial hatred was so ingrained that the people often 'forgot' that many citizens, including the Allfather himself, were half Jötunn. "Only that the Bridge was destroyed, making trade difficult at best." Thor admitted, still more than a little offended by such talk even being allowed. It had been his actions that had actually done the damage, and yet that fact had been easily brushed aside and all faults were laid on Loki's 'grave'.

Trade for the most part had slowed for a few months as new trade lines of ships were acquired to transport goods normally dispatched by the Bifröst. It wasn't as if Asgard had been in any danger of starvation or collapse. It just often took longer for certain goods to be delivered.

Kara took another sip of her coffee, trying to keep her temper in check. "We don't have enough information to know what you'll face Loki." She expressed her concern with a note of regret.

Thor looked uncomfortable. "The council was present when Father sent me here to retrieve you. So they know you were at the head of the army of Chitauri. I do not believe the knowledge of your survival was made public, though the court might now know." He confided in his siblings. "There was talk of War Crimes against the Nine, and Treason before I left. It is possible the Council would try to push for a trial." He warned them with a hint of anger at the men who advised the Allfather.

Loki and Kara both shared an unimpressed look. "When were you planning on telling us that?" Kara managed to ask civilly. It was hard to not blame Thor for Odin's actions, which is why she added that to her requirements for this talk. It was as much for her as it was for Loki. Thor did have a tendency to miss what was important, and forget to pass on such important facts, such as the Chitauri army's existence and now these charges.

Thor sighed and slumped back in his chair. "I had been waiting for such a moment as this, after our altercation on the Helicarrier. I had no wish to air our private matters in a public forum. I also wished for a chance to try and speak civilly." He pleaded with them both. "I have no wish to let either of you go. We have never been close." He admitted to Kara and he leaned forward and took her hands in his. "But I would wish that we have a chance to make up for that lost time as we are, and I hope we will always be family to each other." His sincerity as always was present in his body language and his open expression. He truly wished for her to be part of his life and family.

Kara gave him a nod in recognition of his declaration and his unspoken request. She placed her hand meaningfully on his shoulder and recited. "Of one blood; through war and peace, together I stand with you, my brother."

"Of one blood; through war and peace, together I stand with you, my sister." Thor replied. His face lit with a brilliant smile filled with contentment. He turned his eyes to Loki but he just stared back blankly. Thor sighed loudly with disappointment but did not push him. He understood it was too soon for Loki. Kara stepped back and also turned to include Loki, but she could feel his resistance to make such an oath right now and also just looked at him without any expectations.

"Altercation?" Loki asked with a raised brow, ignoring the sibling's vow as if it had not just happened. His fingers twitched with the urge to do some mischief, he knew what he was about to hear was not going to endear Thor to himself.

Kara rolled her eyes in response to Loki's question. "I might have over-reacted to him saying you were adopted." She sighed as Loki stared at her with a somewhat amused look.

"Might have?" Thor snorted with mirth. "I believe that to be a fib sister."

Loki couldn't help but chuckle slightly as Kara's understatement did twig his aspect as a mild lie.

"Perhaps a showing of the incident will clear up any misconceptions." Brainiac suggested and over Kara's groan of protest it proceeded to show the incident on the entire scene. The footage had Thor's bluing face really close to the camera in the Conference Room as Kara raged at him. The scene proceeded into the conversations about maturity and age. Loki got a particular chuckle from watching Fury and the others react to their ages.

"Daddy issues?" Loki asked her with a smirk.

"Mama's boy." Kara countered with a smirk of her own. Their banter brought to mind the conversation Loki had with Thor right before his failed coronation. There was no heat in the exchange, just playful teasing.

The three were quiet for a moment. "I will not allow them to place you on trial Loki." Thor declared softly. "If the humans can see that Agent Barton was not responsible for his actions without a Soul Forge, then the Asgardian Court will see it also with the evidence from it."

Kara growled with aggravation at the situation. "Too bad Asgardian Law trumps local jurisdictions for its own citizens, because Loki can't be found guilty here." It had always bothered her that Asgard was so high handed with their laws. If Asgard didn't want to punish their own citizens they wouldn't allow others to apply their laws to do it. Loki would be innocent here, but Asgard's laws superseded Midgard's since Midgard was a protectorate and had not be given self-governing right as far as Asgard was concerned. Asgardian law was always so arbitrary and nothing like the systems used in the Western World of Midgard. The King's word was law, much like Kings of the 'Middle Ages'. So what was a crime for one person was not always a crime for another. It depended on the King's mood and interpretation of the law in that place and time.

If Odin was trying to appease his council he could very well throw Loki under the preverbal bus. He'd done so before. Several times Loki had been punished for Thor's or even others misdeeds. Other times he'd punished Loki for things that Thor had done previously, and had been forgiven for without even a chastisement. Several of those times had been for political reasons. Loki often had stepped on the toes of the council when he had first begun attending meetings by pointing out mistakes, or arguments that were detrimental to Asgard's position. Those early clumsy attempts at helping made certain spiteful members more likely to call for his head on simple slights whenever they could, even to this day.

Kara's plan was to make Odin have to decide between; support of his council, whom Kara was convinced would push for Loki's imprisonment or execution, or the support of both his heirs. Even if imprisoned, if both Thor and Odin were unable to rule, Loki would have a shot via a Thing to become King. With Thor's support Odin would have no choice but to either; kill Loki, or do the right thing and release him. That way Odin also didn't incur the wrath of all three of them. As it stood now Thor would pardon Loki's conviction the second Odin fell into the Odinsleep once more, and return him to the Family. Once that was done it would be considered unforgivable for Odin to reinstate the punishment once he awoke.

Loki shook his head. "Nothing will stop those old men from having their show trial, but they dare not execute me. It wouldn't be the first time I've been held accountable for Thor's actions. In this case if the Allfather really is trying to place Thor on the throne, the last thing he can afford is for Thor to be held accountable for the destruction of the Bifröst." He smirked with scorn. "But charging me for its destruction has its own issues as I was Regent when I began the action, and I did not actually destroy the bridge."

Kara chuckled darkly. "He also can't afford to go against all of us. Remember that Loki. Those old men or us, who is the Allfather going to truly side with?" She looked to Thor. "This is why it is so important that we all stand together. So justice can be served, and so that Asgard has the best chance to stand strong and not fall into Ragnarök eventually."

Thor looked determined. "If Asgard wishes to continue as she does, with heirs and a future king, they will accept our testimony. Those spiteful old men will feel my great displeasure if they try to stand against us."

Loki turned to Kara. "And with your lifespan now extended, Ragnarök might be a long time away, and not an imminent as some feared." He reasoned. "They cannot afford to create the circumstances that will ensure it comes. It will mean their deaths if they choose to make you the center of the coming prophecy."

Kara grimaced darkly at the thought that it was she in this universe that held the key to Ragnarök. Knowing the tale of Barry and her own Earth's Asgard, she was not eager to become this universe's Loptr and take his mantel as the reason for Ragnarök. "It would be nice to not be at each other's throats during the interim wouldn't it?"

Both Thor and Loki nodded solemnly. The two gave each other a measured nod. Thor couldn't help but smile brightly, and Loki rolled his eyes before he shook his head with disguised relief. "Sentiment," He mumbled as he turned back to sit in his seat, his posture much more relaxed than it had been earlier.