Chapter ten
Sigyn
Sigyn inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. She got out of bed feeling happier than she had been in over a week. She hurried getting ready to go up to the palace. She wanted to get to Mandy's chambers before breakfast so they could make plans for the day.
"Sif!" she called out, "Come on let's go."
Sif stepped out of her bedroom. "Go ahead, I'll meet you at the dining room."
Sigyn nodded and left the house. She arrived at the palace and went directly to Mandy's chambers. She knocked on the door and waited for Mandy to answer.
She knocked on the door, but there was no answer, so she went inside. "Come on you sleepy head," she said and entered the bedroom. Mandy was nowhere in sight. That seemed strange to Sigyn. Why wasn't Mandy here? Where could she be?
Sigyn, feeling disappointed, slowly walked to the dining room. She was surprised to see Mandy seated next to Loki.
Mandy looked up from her meal, noticing Sigyn as she entered.
"Good morning, Sigyn, would you just look at this?" Mandy said as she rose from the table. She twirled around in a fancy dress. "Isn't it gorgeous? Loki sent it to me and invited me to breakfast."
Sigyn looked at the blue and gold dress decorated black trim and intricate patterns. "It is very nice," she said flatly. She felt a little peeved, not only had Mandy not waited for her, but now she was sitting next to Loki and wearing a dress he had gotten for her. She decided to try to be gracious about it though. Mandy returned to her seat so Sigyn selected the seat next her friend.
Mandy, I was thinking, after breakfast we could go into the city; do a little exploring and some shopping," Sigyn said as she finished her breakfast.
Mandy grinned enthusiastically, "Oh you know how much I love to shop. I say yes to that idea."
"Good," Sigyn said, glad that she would get the rest of the day to spend with her friend without Loki. That feeling was quickly dashed when Loki spoke up.
"I will go with you," Loki said.
"What?" Sigyn looked in utter surprise at Loki. "Why would you want to go shopping?"
"Because I want to," Loki simply replied.
"Uh, right. So you want to go shopping with two women. You do understand what that means, right?" Sigyn asked him.
"No, but I am certain you shall enlighten me," Loki countered.
"It means standing around while we look at dresses and gossip," Mandy spoke up. "Most men do not enjoy it."
"I am not like most men, so I shall go. IF I find it boring, I will simple leave. Satisfied?" He looked at Sigyn as he finished.
"Sounds good to me," Mandy said.
Sigyn let out a sigh, she didn't want him along, but she didn't want to argue any more. "Fine. If you insist, but don't say we did not warn you."
Mandy
The two women linked arms while they walked ahead of Loki as they strolled the city streets.
After an hour of window-shopping the three slipped into one of the more posh shops in Asgard. The shop was spacious with very few items on display. The shop owner recognized Loki at once. Dropping what she was doing, she scurried over to assist her new customers. "My King, welcome to my humble store. How may I assist you or the ladies?"
Loki shrugged, not replying.
"There isn't much here," Mandy commented on the limited number of dresses. "I don't see anything that will fit me."
"We only display the various styles. Once you select the gown you desire my assistants will measure you and bring out one in your size," the shop owner explained.
Mandy wandered around inspecting each gown. She finally picked two she liked and an assistant asked her to step into a fitting room.
Loki and sign sat down as they waited for Mandy to return. The chairs were large, over-stuffed, and comfortable; and yet beautifully decorated with pink fleur-de-lis over a black background. Sigyn squirmed a little uncomfortably, not sure what to say. Finally she asked, "So what do you think of shopping so far?"
"It is not exciting, but you did warn me about that. I am still waiting to hear the gossip," Loki replied
Mandy finally came out from the dressing room in one of the two gowns she had chosen. "What do you think?" she asked as she twirled around, enjoying the feel of the fabric as it floated softly around her legs.
Sigyn stood and walked over to Mandy. She walked around her and examined the gown. She stopped in front of her and shook head, "No it is all wrong. It does nothing for your figure and the color clashes with your skin tone. It just isn't you."
Mandy looked in the mirror, "Hmmm, I always was fond of violet."
Loki rose from his chair and walked over to the two women. "I disagree," he said. "I think it looks very striking on you."
Mandy's face brightened at his praise.
"What would you know?" Sigyn asked
"Am I not the one who selected the dress she was wearing this morning?" Loki asked. "She looked exquisite in that."
"I agree, he did and excellent job with that one," Mandy ventured her opinion on the subject.
Sigyn placed her hands on her hips. "You get lucky picking out a dress once, and suddenly you are a fashion expert? I don't think so."
"I never claimed to be a fashion expert, but I am certainly capable of knowing what looks good on a woman," Loki replied.
"Really? You never said anything to me about what I wore," Sigyn snapped back.
"Well, you always looked gorgeous, there was no need," Loki countered.
"So you are saying that Mandy doesn't look gorgeous?" Sigyn asked.
"Guys, while you two argue I'm going into the dressing room to try on the other dress," Mandy interrupted.
They both looked at Mandy, "Yes, of course, you do that," the said simultaneously.
Mandy backed away from the two and went back in, she came back out a few minutes later to discover Loki and Sigyn just glaring at each other, saying nothing.
"Excuse me, I'm back," Mandy finally said, when neither turned to look at her.
Sigyn broke off the staring contest to look at Mandy. "Yes, now this one I like. It fits you beautifully and brings out your eye color," she said with a smile.
Loki shook his head, "No, no, it does nothing of the sort. The cut is all wrong, the color is too pale, it….it just doesn't work," he said with a wave of his hand. "And, well I know no woman likes to hear this, but it makes you look fat."
"Fat!" Mandy turned around and looked in a mirror. "Hmmm, it does make my butt look big."
"No, it does not. Don't listen to him, he doesn't know what he's talking about," Sigyn said as she gave Loki a dirty look.
Mandy continued staring at herself in the mirror for several moments. After some thought, she turned around and faced them. "I think Ill get the first one," she said.
"What?" Sigyn looked at her in surprise, then shot a glare at Loki.
"Yes, I do like the violet better," Mandy pronounced, then returned to the dressing room. When she exited she discovered Sigyn and Loki had moved to opposite sides of the room. "Hey guys, I'm back. I'm getting this one. "Now," she looked at the shop owner "What else do I need to go with it?"
The shop owner quickly brought out several items, including a pair of matching shoes, some jewelry and hose. "This ought to do for you. If you need anything else, just send a messenger down and we can take care of it."
One of the assistants wrapped up the items and started to hand it to Mandy. Loki's arm shot out, intercepting the package. "I shall carry that."
"Thank you," Mandy said. "I guess it's nice having a man with when you go shopping. Never did that before," she added and grinned.
Sigyn simply rolled her eyes as they exited the shop.
Sigyn
Sigyn was annoyed as they stared down the street. Each step she took, she thought about what had just transpired back there, getting angrier. She started to walk faster, her feet hitting the ground harder and harder.
Mandy called out, "Sigyn? What's wrong?'
Sigyn ignored her. As she entered the palace, she almost collided with a guard. She stopped and turned to face Loki and Mandy, folding her arms in front of her.
"What is wrong with you? Mandy asked after she caught up with her.
"You asked for my opinion and then ignored it. He bought all of this," Sigyn said and waved her hand in front of Mandy's purchases "This stuff for you and all of a sudden you and Loki are best friends."
Mandy was astonished by her friends words, "You got to be kidding me? Just because Loki gave his opinion you think that is why I bought this? You know me better than that. If I had not liked it I would not have gotten it," she pointed out.
Sigyn felt sheepish, "You are right, I don know you better than that. I'm glad you got what you wanted, it's just I felt ignored back there. I had hoped you and I would do something without him," she said and motioned with her head towards Loki who was standing a few feet away.
"Oh, honey, I'm sorry, I guess I got a little giddy about being in Asgard and getting something for nothing because I was with royalty," Mandy said and smirked. "If I ignored you I didn't mean to. But, when you ran out of the shop, I though you had lost your mind. I had not idea it was because you felt left out."
"Left out? No, I didn't feel that way. I just…." Sigyn sighed. "I think I am a better judge of what looks good on you than Loki. I wanted you to listen to me and you didn't."
"Oh, I don't believe this," Mandy said. "You sound jealous. I said I was sorry for ignoring you, so let's just drop it. I'm going to my room and put this stuff away."
Loki decided to take this opportunity to sound supportive. Put a bee in Sigyn's bonnet so to speak. He stepped over to her, "You are right, she did ignore you. You are supposed to be her friend shouldn't she take your advice over mine?"
Sigyn turned slight so she face Loki. "What are you doing? She asked suspiciously. "I don't trust you. I feel you are up to something."
Loki looked at her innocently. "Nothing, I am not doing anything. I am on your side. I was shocked when Mandy took my advice over yours."
"Really? You were?" Sigyn asked suspiciously. "It didn't seem like you were at the time. If anything you looked pleased to me."
Loki stared at Sigyn incredulously. "Perhaps you are jealous?" he asked.
"No, I am not jealous. Why does everyone think I am jealous?" she said in exasperation. I just feel that Mandy should not have listened to you." Sigyn let out a deep sigh, "What am I doing? I'm arguing with you over a silly dress choice, that Mandy made. All I wanted to do was spend the day with her, without you," she wailed. She was too upset to talk to Mandy just then so she turned and headed for Sif's to cool off
Loki stood there and watched Sigyn walk away. He knew she was not going to Mandy's since she walked out of the palace. He smiled to himself, he thought, now was the perfect time to visit Mandy.