The Witter's Halloween party turned out great. Of course, there were assortments of pastries, with a couple healthy items that Kate had snuck in. Since Halloween isn't Halloween without candy, there were bowls full at every wall and corner of the recreation hall. Steve wasn't able to get drunk, and Kiera wasn't allowed to touch a bottle, a rule which Kiera and Lindsay scowled at over their red cups of red punch.
The girls found company with Lindsay's social circle from school. The boys recognized Kiera as the prettiest in the picture, and Kiera played her part as Peggy to warn them off. She wasn't too cold with them, as ultimately she accepted a dance with one of the boys, which Steve noticed. He watched over his pretend little sister like a real older brother. Alan Witter saw Steve being all broody and lonesome, and made his way over to chat.
"Tired of the party, old man!" He landed a hard pat on Steve's shoulder.
The name made the WWII vet chuckle.
"No, no! I'm having fun. Been a long time since, actually. Taking a break, is all," Steve was honest.
Alan stood shoulder to shoulder with Steve, and they both saw the same view.
"Your sister's fit in great!" Alan noticed.
"Yeah, she does that. Sees the best in everyone."
Alan caught the subtlety in his comment.
"Hey, if you ever have boy trouble, you let me know. I'm, well, Katie and I are part of the PTA. Though I don't doubt for a second you couldn't handle it yourself."
"Actually, I think Kiera can take care of herself all her own pretty well!" He took a sip and smiled at his sister as she saw him.
"Yes she can! And that leaves you with no excuse what so ever!"
"For what?" Steve failed to catch on.
"Come on! A chap like you, single? I just can't see it."
"Didn't think I was anyone's type."
"What? You gonna hold on to that till you're 70?" Alan intended that as a joke, but it struck Steve close.
"You know what, maybe 70 years is a little too late," Steve told Alan, from experience, then took a swig of his bottle.
"Exactly! My man, I've got every single girl coworker of mine asking for your number!" Alan cheered him on.
"You didn't actually give it to them, did you!" Steve joined the conversation.
"Buddy, I can do you one better. I'm gonna be your wingman tonight!" Alan swung an arm over Steve's neck and led him to the floor.
"Al, really," Steve tried to resist, failing in his attempt.
"No, seriously. Now hurry up before Kate catches us!"
By the end of the night, both Steve and Kiera had landed a couple phone numbers, taken a lot of photos, and stuffed themselves till thanksgiving. The trio-consisting of Steve's captain America, Sam's howling commando, and Kiera's Peggy Carter- came second in the costume competition, losing first place to an old man dressed as a mesh of Hugh Hefner and Larry King. Kate Witter took their photo and uploaded it on her blog from a neighborhood in Washington D.C, and it was immediately registered by an A.I. in upstate New York.
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Life as usual returned to Asgard; farmers farmed, welders welded, the warriors warred, and the royals attended to guests and business. On one occasion, Odin invited delegates from another kingdom to talk trades and treaties, and in their honor, Valhalla hosted a masquerade ball.
Prince Thor was delighted, hosting a feast with unlimited mead and beautiful maidens who threw themselves at him. Lady Sif wanted to throw those same women 50 yards away from her betrothed, perhaps into the arms of the warriors three, and she had the strength to do just that. But the Goddess of war knew how to keep her soul at peace, masking her ire behind a fake smile. As did the other prince; Loki. He didn't have the heart for infidelity, nor a mind for mead and politics, but the God of Mischief had a tongue silver enough to deceive the truest of believers.
The celebrated night offered nothing that amused the Prince of MIschief, ironically, not until he saw her. She made an impressive attempt to hide herself behind the biggest mask with the highest feathers, but her hair betrayed her. Even pinned close to her scalp in buns and ringlets, it was the whitest gold he'd ever seen. Loki watched her from his throne as she laughed and twirled with other maidens, as her nimble fingers brought food to her mouth. And he watched with jealousy when other men made their failed attempts at her.
Even Thor made his advances on lady Sigyn, but she politely refused him. This of course earned him some laughs and taunts, but the crown prince let nothing affect his pride. Thor laughed it off, even directed his attention to his brother, and quickly realized he was not the subject of his brother's gaze. Thor followed Loki's sight to the lady in the white and green dress, and went up to pass on some brotherly advice.
"Agh! I would have expected the God of Mischief to have the night of his life at a masquerade!" He leaped steps up to the throne but Loki sat as he was, unfazed, staring at the crowd with his chin on his hand.
"And you pine for the beauty of the ball. Go for it, my little brother! Tonight is a night of socially acceptable misdemeanor, and you waste it sulking away on your throne. Go snare your rabbit, my hound, and while you're at it, catch me one as well."
Thor stood there proud of himself, but his brother didn't move an inch. As Thor patted Loki on the back, his hand went through the enchanted image of his brother, which twitched and disappeared upon being disturbed. Thor awkwardly skimmed a hand over his head then fixed himself and went to join the festivities again.
"I suppose you don't need my help after all, enh?"
Loki stalked her from among the crowd as Sigyn went about meeting people and picking small fruits to eat. Her weaving pattern became more prominent and Loki supposed he'd been caught, but never the less he tailed her.
Sigyn looked over her shoulder suddenly and Loki hid behind a taller fellow. When the man moved, there was a messy crowd now where Sigyn had been a second before. Loki rushed into it, not caring who he bumped into, turning the masqued maidens toward him to see if any of them were her. He caught a glimpse of her feathers and swam towards it, and Sigyn stopped at the garden doors to see if he was still following. Loki didn't bother walking anymore, and instead ported himself at the garden stairs. He caught her dress tail disappearing down a path, and with a sly smirk, teleported himself to appear ahead of her, and she bumped into him while expecting him to be following her.
Loki trapped her in his arms and spoke to her breathlessly,
"Caught you!" he said.
He pried the masque from her face but the maiden gawking back at him was not Lady Sigyn. Loki immediately released her embarrassed, and the woman backed away with fear and curtseyed.
"Forgive me, your highness! I was only acting under orders!" she cried expecting reprimand.
"Off you go!" Said the prince, and with a twist of his hand, had the woman smoked back to the party.
A resounding laughter took his attention and he shifted to see Lady Sigyn laughing uncontrollably, amused by his plight.
Loki sternly walked over to her, intent on showing disapproval, but her laugh was catchy, and finally he relented, chuckling himself as he approached her.
"That was very childish of you," he chided with his best attempt to keep a stern look on his face
"Some may even call it mischevious!" she puffed her chest and boldly announced, leaving the usually silver tongued God of Mischief speechless.
Within a second, Loki reached for Sigyn's arm and held it against her back as her front was tightly pressed against his. He lowered his head closer to her as he spoke next.
"Then I suppose you'll do just fine being wed to the God of Mischief!" he breathed over her mouth, and for a moment it seemed Sigyn would let him kiss her, but then a sly smirk crept up her face. Sigyn released her arms from his grasp and, picking up her skirt, she ran towards the maze.
She looked back over her shoulder only once, to taunt him. "Catch me, and you can have me!"
As Loki ran after her into the maze, intent on snaring his rabbit, his mother looked on from the top of the garden stairs, overjoyed by her son's newfound happiness and what his near future had in store.