Oh my lord, that was too fucking funny!

I sniggered uncontrollably as I darted through the gardens, taking a shortcut back to my room. That little fiasco went much smoother than I'd thought. Much, much smoother! I couldn't help but feel a little smug at Thor's horrified face. I finally managed to get my own back after all the shit he kept giving me- even though it was Loki's actions that had set me into motion. What was that saying? When life gives you lemons, make lemonade? Pfft. More like 'When the god of mischief gives you a snake, throw the thing at his older brother!'

I grinned like a lunatic as I skipped through the pretty paths lined with flowers. As much as I loved giving him what for, I was kinda dreading how he was going to behave towards me later. Was he gonna fry my ass with his lightening? Whack me to death with his hammer? Throw me off the grand hall balcony? My smile faltered as I mulled over the endless ways which the Asgardian would kill me…

Never mind. I gave the asshole what he deserved. Besides, he upset Lady Sif! Whether he meant to or not- he still upset a Lady! I swear princes were supposed to be chivalrous and kind to everyone; especially women! Oh well- at least I cheered her up a bit!

I sighed merrily. What ever the consequences, it was worth it!

~~~A few weeks later~~~

Loki was restless. He had been feeling this way for almost a month now- ever since he had been told about the mortal's little party trick with the python he had created. When Lady Sif had enlightened him about the whole incident, he couldn't help but feel a little… jealous. The raven haired man was known for his meddling ways, his artful jokes- and this little brat had out performed him without even trying!

The epic tale of how Thor was bested by a snake had spread throughout Asgard like wildfire. The more it was talked about, the more Loki's restlessness grew. It had gotten to the point where he couldn't even concentrate for a mere few minutes without trying to concoct some kind of prank!

The prince huffed in frustration as he lay upon his bed. The Asgardian couldn't even get a restful night of sleep.

"Insolent little brat!" Loki cursed aloud as he gazed into the canopy above him. No matter what the man did, he could not calm his mind. With a sigh, he sat up and rubbed at his eyes tiredly. He decided to clothe himself, seeing as he had nothing better to do with his time. He tried to read a novel- to no avail. He tried to practice potions- to no avail. He began pacing, in an attempt to curb the itching sensation to cause mischief. Alas, it was no use. He had already made up his mind.

"Fuck it!" Loki hissed under his breath and bolted out of his bed chambers, a devious glint in his eyes.

The prince scoured the palace grounds in search of the little midgardian. He was rather keen to cause the child some grief, or to outdo her in some manner. Loki knew his behaviour was that of a petulant child in need of dire attention, but right now he didn't care. He refused to sit back and watch quietly whilst a mortal brat stole his renowned practices from him!

He finally spotted the girl sitting out upon the balcony, peering over the edge with a crooked smirk playing upon her lips. As he silently drew closer, he noticed that the brat was causing a mischief of her own. Down below stood Fandral, whom was trying to catch a piece of parchment that was swirling about in the wind. Except there was no wind to begin with; not even the faintest breeze.

The midgardian chuckled to herself as the man below launched himself into the air, his hand flailing crazily as he struggled to catch the object. Loki discerned that she was controlling the parchment's movement, seeing that her hand twitched at the precise moment that the parchment darted out of arms reach.

"What in the nine realms do you think you're doing, midgardian?" Loki spoke aloud, his arms folded over his chest and his head tilted in a reproachful manner. The child snapped her head round, her hazel eyes wide and unblinking. Her face turned ashen, and then flushed bright crimson. The girl opened her mouth as to say something, a strangled sound leaving her throat. Inside, the Asgardian was cackling with mirth. The child's expression was priceless!

"If you're going to make someone look a fool, you shouldn't go about it half-heartedly! Here, let me show you how it is meant to be done, brat!" Loki grinned wickedly, waving his hand at the Asgardian below.

Fwoom!

In a flash, the parchment multiplied. The manifold objects became animated beyond control- whipping around crazily and clinging to the warrior like moist leaves caught in a storm. Loki hummed in amusement at Fandral's distress; he wailed in anger whilst he tore the pieces of parchment from his body. Eventually, the blonde haired man cursed in defeat and bolted inside, artfully evading the possessed items that flew after him.

Loki sniggered in delight. Not only had he satisfied his urge to cause chaos, he had completely outdone the mortal in her scheme! He turned to the brat with a smirk pulling at his lips. The girl looked staggered for a moment, before chuckling in mirth.

"As much as I hate it when you rain on my parade- even I have to admit that was impressive!" Zoey admitted with a snort. Loki was perplexed by her reaction. She didn't appear to be at all put out by his intervention; she even had the audacity to patronise him.

"Indeed! That is what I am known for, little midgardian. Causing mischief is as easy as breathing to me… So please stop disgracing me with your pitiful attempts to cause a ruckus. Tis' unsightly… And stop pretending to be an Aesir in my presence, brat. I'd rather bear your grating speech than be sickened by your front!" Loki sneered down at her before turning his back on her completely. Feeling satisfied with himself, he made a step to leave- the brat's next comment froze him in his tracks.

"As you wish... Asshole!"

What did that brat call me?!

Loki turned himself around slowly, his eyes blazing with anger. He stared at the mortal, trying to decide whether or not to throw the little wench off the balcony.

"Excuse me? I could have sworn-"

"That I called you an Asshole? Nope, you heard right! Don't try anything sneaky either- I'm only doing what I'm told, after all. But only in your presence, like you said. If it pleases you, your highness…" The brat interrupted with a beaming smile upon her face.

The raven haired man drew a deep breath, trying to regain his composure. This little mortal was getting under his skin far too easily for his liking. He clicked his tongue and stepped towards the brat; leaning down so they were level.

"You play a very dangerous game, little mortal… withdraw whilst you are still able to! There is no shame in stepping away from a battle one cannot win, dearie!" He murmured quietly.

"… Who said I couldn't? You? Pfft. Please! You don't rule me! Let the games begin for all I care!" She snarled in response. The prince smiled patronisingly before raising himself upright.

"As you wish, brat… Tis' your move, by the way! See if you can best me at my own game by the morrow's noon. If not- you lose!" Loki said nonchalantly. Her eyes narrowed.

"Game on, Asshole!"

Holy mother of god! What have I done?

I was flopped on my bed with my face buried in a pillow. I've just gone and made a fricking wager with the devil himself. Why? Why did I do that? He's a bloody god from ancient legend and I'm a nine year old girl. Granted, I ain't an ordinary kid because of my freaky abilities, but trying to out-prank the god of mischief was a very stupid idea on my part!

I groaned in despair and rolled off my bed, falling into a heap on the cold floor. I was too depressed to move at that moment, so I just huddled into a little ball on the floor with my pillow. My mind drifted back to that awesome trick he did with the sheet of paper, the way Loki made the thing multiply twenty times over and attack Fandral like an angry hive of bees, with a flick of his hand. How can I possibly outdo a guy who can do magic?

I was so pissed at him because he was so much better than me; I automatically accepted his bet without even batting an eyelid. Tch. Whatever. There is no way I'm gonna back out now- I ain't gonna be seen as a coward…

Knock, knock, knock!

I leapt to my feet; the polite knocking on my chambers doors jolted me out of my daze. I scooted over to the doors and yanked them open to see Maia standing there patiently. I smiled and asked her what was wrong.

"Nothing is wrong, young Zoey! Tis' just that the Queen and the Allfather are having breakfast in the main hall tomorrow. Their Majesties wish to know if you will be joining them!" Maia replied with a slight bow of her head. I nodded enthusiastically, eager to spend time with Lady Frigga again. And the King. I know he doesn't entirely approve of me being in Asgard, but whenever he talks to me, he always says things how they are! No sugar coating anything, no patronising tone and no bullshit. I preferred that- being addressed as an equal.

"The princes will also be joining the table tomorrow- I just thought I should inform you of that…" Maia added warily. Oh. Damn it! Perhaps dining with a moody god of thunder and a patronizing god of lies wasn't a good idea… especially when one is expecting you to beat him at his own game- Ohh…now that's an idea!

"That's okay, Maia! Thank you for telling me. I'll be there!" I said pleasantly, wishing her a nice day. She bowed once more before leaving. I closed the door whilst grinning like a madman. A really, really, really awful idea had bloomed in my mind, and it wouldn't budge. It was quite simple to do, but it would work wonders. And Loki would fucking try to kill me. I laughed hysterically as I dashed over to my wooden chest of wonders. It had loads of craft stuff in it- paper, scissors, and paints…glue.

Gotcha!

I hoped this stuff would work for what I had planned; after all, it was Asgardian glue so it should hold out against their insane strength! I slipped the translucent bottle inside the folds of my clothes, hiding it from view. I drew a shaky breath, attempting to slow my adrenalin-pumped nerves. I strolled with deliberate slowness out of my room, my door closing behind me with a thud.

Time to make my move… I hope I don't fuck it up!

~~~Morning~~~

Tap, tap, tap!

The raven haired prince thrummed his fingers against his mahogany desk, the sound resonating throughout his chambers. He was waiting to be summoned to breakfast, and his patience was wearing thin. He sighed deeply, slouching into his chair and tilting his head backward in frustration. He glared at the ceiling, his powder blue eyes fixated upon the delicate filigree adorning the cavern roof.

"I tire of this… What could possibly be taking so long?" Loki muttered to himself. He hated waiting- especially when it came to dining with his mother and father. What was worse, however, is that he would be in the company of his brother and that midgardian brat! No matter how attached his mother was to that girl, he wouldn't accept her as his sibling. Never. Because he felt no bond with the mortal at all…

Loki chuckled to himself quietly, recalling yesterday's events. He wondered if the child actually had the courage to go through with his little wager. He wasn't entirely sure- her reaction had been so fiery and intense that it caught him by surprise. Perhaps she would be so bold as to go against him! The very thought of the mortal taking him on amused him to no end… At least the wench was good for one thing- entertainment!

"Your Highness? Breakfast is almost ready; the Queen requests your presence in the main hall…" A timid voice called from outside his chamber.

"Tell my mother that I'll be along shortly!" Loki replied brusquely as he hauled himself out of his chair. He straightened his attire before leisurely leaving his chambers, a calculating gleam in his eye. He really was intrigued to see whether the brat had stuck to his wager!

The prince sighed absentmindedly as he walked along the stone floors, his hands clasped behind his back. He nodded to many Aesir as he passed, sending the occasional coy smile towards the beautiful noble women that fluttered their eyelashes at him. He may be more reserved than his outlandish brother, but when it came to charming women, Loki had quite the lucrative reputation.

The raven haired prince chuckled knowingly as he approached the main hall; the faint echo of playful giggles still ringing in his ears. Loki had no doubt that he would be occupied tonight.

Tch. Women are so predictable- but they help to cure my boredom at least!

He greeted the guards that stood abreast the doorway as he strode in, his eyes immediately focused on Lady Frigga whom was waiting for him in the middle of the hall. The Queen smiled lovingly and opened her arms; embracing Loki in a gentle hug. The prince returned the gesture with a chaste kiss upon her cheek, then tucking her hand into the crook of his arm and strolling to the dining table.

"Mother… you did not need to wait for me! You could have started without me, you know!" The prince murmured softly as they approached. Frigga shook her head, laughing.

"Oh please, my son! I wanted to spend time with my family…" The Queen said as she took her seat next to the King. Loki bowed to his father before taking his seat opposite Thor. And, of course, the little mortal brat sat next to his brother. The child smiled at him pleasantly before smirking and ignoring him completely. The prince chortled at her behaviour- it was obvious that something was amiss.

Several handmaidens begun serving the breakfast; placing a selection of meats and fruits upon everyone's plate, the little brat thanking each one of them as they came round to her. Tch. Why is she being so polite to them? They're servants! Peasants! Tis' their aim to be ordered about… Then again, the brat was mortal. In Loki's mind, the brat was placed even lower on the hierarchy of worth than Aesir common folk.

The Queen's personal handmaiden, Maia, poured some water into the each cup. The child smiled and grasped the container eagerly. It didn't move. She frowned in confusion before tugging at the cup again- it still didn't budge. The prince snickered under his breath, as did Thor. The mortal glared indignantly at the blonde haired man before locking both her hands around the goblet, yanking with all her might. His parents were oblivious to the scene erupting before them; they were too absorbed in their conversation to notice. Loki snorted in amusement as the brat struggled to lift the cup, turning the sound into a cough when his mother sent him a sharp look.

"What is the matter, girl? Can you not even lift a goblet full of water? Here, allow me! After all I am mighty!" Thor jested arrogantly into the brat's ear and plucked her hands from the cup. He roughly grasped the object and pulled- it didn't move.

Hmm. How odd!

Loki gawked at the scene before him in bemusement. No matter how hard Thor seemed to pull, the goblet didn't budge a single inch. The blonde haired prince grunted in frustration before wrapping his other hand around the cup, his face flushed bright crimson from the effort. With a disgruntled huff, his arrogant brother released the cup, his hands raw and indented from the effort. Thor coughed awkwardly before saying that the mortal must be cursed, seeing as her cup wouldn't move even for someone as mighty as him. The raven haired man bit his tongue in an attempt to stifle the rifling laughter rattling in the back of his throat.

"Ohh okay… well… May I please have some from your cup, your highness? I am really thirsty… I'd be awfully grateful!" The mortal pleaded innocently, her face pulled into an adorable little pout. Wait. What?! Did he just call that thing adorable?! Loki mentally shook himself. No. He didn't call the brat adorable- just the expression she used. It reminded him of how a pet would beg for attention or a reward. It wasn't even adorable- more along the lines of mild sweetness.

Yes. That was it. Surely.

"What? Well I suppose I can't deny a mortal their sustenance- a young mortal at that! Mother would be devastated if her pet faded away!" Thor sniffed in reluctance and reached for his goblet… to find that his cup didn't move either. The man cursed under his breath and growled. He latched both hands around the tiny object and heaved; his face twisted in determination. The whole scene was so comical that Loki couldn't help but chuckle aloud; his brother's strife was too amusing. Unfortunately, his brother managed to notice his brief lapse in composure. Thor glared accusingly at the raven haired man.

"What amuses you so, brother?" He asked bitingly, his eyes flashing in suspicion.

"Well, if the mortal can't lift her cup because she is cursed… may it be that you can't lift yours because you're unworthy?" Loki shrugged carelessly, his tone light and mocking. The man couldn't help but let that comment slip. Only once he said his words did it occur to him that answering back probably wasn't the smartest course of action… but it was worth it!

"What is the meaning of this brother?! This… trickery! Undo your cursed hexes at once!" Thor snapped, slamming his fists onto the table. The Allfather and the Queen stared at him, nonplussed. Loki smirked in triumph as he watched his brother face his parent's harsh rebuke; that is before the little mortal interrupted and ruined his fun.

"It's not his fault your majesty! Thor was just trying to help me! I'm really thirsty and my cup wouldn't move… and neither would Thor's-" she rambled, fumbling over her words. Tch. What was it with this girl?

"Hush now, child! I am quite aware of the situation..." Odin cut the mortal's rant off, his words quiet but ringing with authority.

The brat quickly closed her mouth and looked away; a faint blush creeping it's way onto her cheeks. Thor stared at the girl in disbelief, so did Loki. It was pretty obvious that the mortal disliked the way Thor treated her, and yet... the brat defended him? This mortal child was beyond confusing!

The Allfather turned his critical gaze towards the younger prince.

"And what do you have to say for yourself, my son?"

"...Whatever do you mean, Father?" Loki answered, uncertain.

"I tire of your games, Loki! Save them for those who share your passion for mischief. Is that understood?" The king ordered, disapproval colouring his tone.

Loki was at a loss. He couldn't believe that his father blamed him for this. He wasn't responsible! Well, he didn't blame him for thinking it, but surely his own father knew that he wouldn't create a scene so easily traced back to himself. But it was no use arguing the fact. His father hadn't listened to him before, so why now?

Instead, he swallowed back his vengeful words and bowed his head in apparent defeat. Even though he'd taken the blame for something so feeble, he was quite impressed with the timing of the incident. It was as if someone wanted him to take responsibility for it... the whole thing had been orchestrated to perfection... not even he could've pulled it off any smoother! But who...?

As his mind scoured every possible culprit, his parents returned to their discussion and the others returned to their meal. Again, Loki found himself at a loss. He couldn't fathom whom it could be, unless it had something to do with the wager he made with the brat.

But that's impossible. Isn't it?

The prince stared at the mortal in front of him. She was completely oblivious to his actions, as always. The brat only noticed his gaze as she bit into a piece of fruit; she met his gaze head on and simply continued eating. Loki smirked at her silent challenge. He steepled his fingers together and cocked his head to the side slightly in retort; idly wondering if she would take the bait.

And that she did.

Her hazel eyes flashed with mirth and she nearly choked from the evident laughter that wanted to emerge. Her whole demeanour seemed to ooze smug arrogance. As if to add insult, she even shot him a devious wink. Loki sighed and reached for a cluster of grapes from the bowl in the middle of the table. As he leaned across the narrow space, he met the mortal's gaze and begrudgingly bowed his head to the girl. He may find her very existence annoying, but he couldn't deny that the girl had courage. And he respected that.

"Not a bad attempt, Dearie... Now it's my turn!"

(A/N~~~~ Hi guys, I'm so sorry about the wait. I was in hospital. And then my internet died. Fantastic right? Anyways, I'm sorry it's shorter then usual, but I owed you guys something. If you have any prank ideas that you want me to include, for Loki or Zoey, lemme know. Until then, chiao!)