A/N:
Hello,
I'm back! So sorry for the delay, college took a toll on me and I had to keep up, but I am finally in vacation so all I can say is… YAY! First off I made a few changes on the story. Keep in mind that Cynthia will not be calling her mother "Mutsi" any longer, she will be referring to her as "Äiti"! it means Mommy in Finnish, I have to thank one of my readers, from for the great help! :D SHOUT OUT TO "sieni1", thank you so much for the great help! I dedicate this New Chapter to you! 3
Chapter 9:
Much to talk about.
New York University:
2:00 PM
Wednesday
"Students, can Anyone Tell me, who are Hela, Fenris, and Jormungand?" Loki, or better be Professor "Gunnar Golmen" addressed the class. Everyone was very quiet, they were all afraid to answer, since the last time a student gave him the wrong answer he grabbed him by his shirt and threw him out of his class, of course the questions were what Loki's traits were? And the student answered that he was a coward, and the court Jester plus other things that enraged Loki.
Loki had a large and thick book with him, which talked of stories and legends of the nine realms, a book he acquired from his personal collection, He was not going to teach him those silly Midgardian stories about the nine realms as they were accustomed to hear. Suddenly when he looked towards Cynthia, he noticed something Odd, She was asleep and that got him upset, was his class so boring?
He kept on talking as he approached Cynthia's Seat, He noticed Annabelle was not present that day. He kept on walking slowly and began to address the class,
"Hela is the guardian of the Norse Underworld, and is sister of Fenris, the Giant wolf and Jormungand also known as the Midgard Serpent, all children of Loki…" He paused and at the same time he let the thick book fall on top of Cynthia's desk, making a loud explosive sound that made Cynthia Jump up Startled and Screaming.
When Cynthia Realized where she was and WHO was right in front of her, she wanted to get up and run out of the class, also due to the fact that her class mates were laughing at her embarrassing deed.
Cynthia looked at Professor Golmen, with worried eyes and tensed body she made an awkward grin at him.
"If you wish to portray Sleeping Beauty and not listen to my class, I suggest you head over to Tish and leave my class now, Or better yet, stay HOME! I am not here to waste my time, and neither are you, Understood?!" Professor Golmen Scolded Cynthia. She looked down embarrassed and said,
"Forgive me Professor, It won't happen again, I just had a really rough night…" Cynthia answered,
"That is your Business! You do that again and I will remove you out of this class permanently, is that quite understood? Professor Golmen Snapped
"… Yes Sir!" Cynthia answered him in a low tone of voice, she was so ashamed of the scene she had caused.
Later that day … 4:00 PM
"EARTH TO CYNTHIA!" Annabelle snapped at Cynthia who wasn't answering her question. Cynthia awoke from her trance and replied,
"IT'S YOUR FAULT I AM UNEMPLOYED!" Cynthia Shouted, with tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry! Ok?! I was following my father's instruction, we're doing this for your own good, and you need rest! Either way, you're going to collect from unemployment and Dad is sending you a very large check every two weeks! All he wants is for you to focus on your studies and activities that will relax you, please don't hate me!" Annabelle began to cry as she said those words to Cynthia.
Cynthia wanted to kill her but she couldn't hate Annabelle deep inside she knew they were doing it for her own good, even though she hated depending on others, Annabelle was right, she needed to relax and take a break. Cynthia got up and gave Annabelle a hug, and they both cried together, as Cynthia said,
"I could never hate you!"
An Hour later
Random Super market in New York City.
Cynthia and Annabelle where doing the groceries together, since Annabelle's father had wired some money for Cynthia and Annabelle both with some extra money for the groceries, Cynthia got separated from Annabelle to search for some produce,
"The doctor said I need a balanced Diet, so that is what I shall do!" Cynthia Said To herself while she picked up a grape fruit.
"Your doctor is right, and you are wise to follow it!" said a man behind her, she turned around and discovered it was none other than Doctor Gunnar Golmen, Her Professor, Smiling back at her, He had a hypnotic smile that made Cynthia Blush, also for the fact that she couldn't forget what happened to her earlier that day in his class.
"Professor! What brings you here?" asked Cynthia looking down at her basket and still picking fruits and vegetables, Professor Golmen was doing the same.
"I believe I am doing the same as you, shopping for food! Unless there is something else I can do here, but I am not interested in magazines!" he said playfully, that made Cynthia blush even more.
"I'm just picking fruits and vegetables, nothing out of the ordinary, how about you?" Cynthia asked him.
"The same as you!" Dr. Golmen replied, Cynthia out of curiosity looked to see if he had a basket, but couldn't find it, Loki or should we say Dr. Golmen with his magic produced a basket with diverse products Cynthia couldn't understand how she didn't see it!
"As you can see the same as you!" he waved his basket at her
"Oh! Well I must be going now my friend is waiting for me at the cash register" Cynthia said letting out a small chuckle.
"I am headed that way too, I shall escort you!" Said Dr. Golmen. He let her walk before him. Loki couldn't help look at Cynthia from head to toe, as flashbacks of their youth would hunt him, he was remembering when he saw her for the first time after she went back to Vanaheim…
Asgard
50 years ago:
"Welcome Lady Freya, and welcome to all the members of the Vanir Court that escorted her" Odin All father addressed Sigyn's mother Freya, Loki stood next to his mother and elder brother Thor, they had their ceremonial armor on and each donned their respective helmets, Loki noticed one of the servant girls looking at him with a smile on her face, she had poorly taken care of hair, it was dark, but her rosy cheeks and blue eyes gave her a certain character which attracted him towards her, but how dare he notice her? She's but a servant and he a Prince of Asgard, She wore a simple purple dress, but nothing luxurious was on her, too simple for his taste. He gave her a mean look, and moved his face where his father was standing, with the corner of his eye he noticed she looked down ashamed.
Two days later:
Loki was in a dark corner of the palace reading when he noticed the servant girl again, she was reading as well and somehow that made her more appealing to him, it was a rare trait to see a lady of the court let alone a servant girl reading, she was by the royal gardens under a tree. His curiosity took the best of him and he set his book down transformed in to a snake with green and black stripes and slithered down towards where the servant girl was reading.
Once he was there, he (as a snake) observed her as she read. He noticed she was reading Shakespeare's The taming of the shrew, every time she read, she would let out small giggles, he had to admit that was one of his favorite Midgardian plays. He couldn't take it any longer and he had to let himself be known to her, he had to know more of who this plain yet intriguing girl was. He silently (so she wouldn't notice) transformed back in to a man.
"I have never seen, a lady be so intrigued with the written word before, all women care about is to look attractive for their husbands or men who woo them" said Loki, the girl jumped up startled, she was wearing a plain brown dress, and brown boots nothing out of the ordinary and again, Her hair was a mess.
"Your highness! I... I didn't see you!" she said as she stood up, her body was tense and her face reflected surprise, which made Loki feel triumphant at his task.
"Did you not? How could you when you were so concentrated in your reading!?" he replied with a wicked grin on his face. Mission accomplished, the girl was scared, and he was enjoying every minute of it.
"Princess Sigyn!" a man's Voice called behind them. it was one of Odin's Crimson Hawks, that came towards them Addressing, the girl.
Loki surprised looked at the girl, who now happened to be his longtime childhood friend Sigyn.
"Princess… Sigyn?!" He said with his mouth wide open.
"Yes, it has been very long Loki!" Sigyn answered, with a small giggle noticing Loki's surprise.
"Your Highness, Your mother is looking for you!" said the man,
"Thank you Theoric, I shall be right there" she addressed the guard
"See you tonight Loki, It is nice to see you again!" and with that she left.
"… you tonight…" was all he could say letting out a sigh, but she was no longer in sight.
….
The beeping sound the cash register made woke Loki up from his flashback.
He saw Cynthia and her friend whose name was Annabelle, paying for their groceries. Loki noticed they had too many bags to carry all on their own, and he also knew they lived far from the super market. He wasn't going to let Cynthia nor her friend (no matter how annoying he thought she was) walk home alone with so many bags, so he spoke to them,
"If you ladies allow me, I'd be happy to drive you to your home, if it's alright with you both."
Cynthia wasn't expecting that from professor Golmen, and Annabelle had realized just then that he was there with them, she was preoccupied with her groceries and paying for them.
"Professor Golmen, I was not expecting to see you here!" - "Well… we were going to hail for a cab but, I have no problem with that, if it's alright with Cynthia of course!" Annabelle said surprised to see her professor at the store. Loki then look at Cynthia who had a blank stare, looking at nothing, she must have been distracted thinking about something else for she was off.
"Yoo-hoo, Cynthia wakeup, I need your answer!" Said Annabelle waving her hands in front of Cynthia's face.
"Sorry, dozed off for a moment" said Cynthia looking back at her professor who had a puzzled look on his face.
"Those are not news with you!" said Annabelle "So you agree that he gives us a ride?" she asked Cynthia.
"Yeah… Sure why not?" said Cynthia a tad bit confused. Loki smiled at her and she could not help smile back.
The ride back home was a very quiet one Cynthia insisted to sit in the back while Annabelle agreed to sit in the front. Professor Golmen's car was very luxurious, a black Mercedes Benz that truly matched his style, of course she was used to riding cars like these for Annabelle's family owned many expensive cars . Cynthia looked outside at the lights, the people walking on the streets, what she didn't notice was that Loki was looking at her though the rear view mirror, She so into her world he wondered what was going through her mind, she was always so difficult to read, even now in her new life that didn't change. Loki noticed a tear falling from Cynthia's eyes, but he didn't dare ask her what was wrong.
Already on the apartment building, Loki offered to help with the bags, and once in their apartment, he put the bags on the table and turned to leave them be, saying "goodbye" When Annabelle Spoke,
"Would you like to stay for dinner Professor?" Loki then turned confused, "it's the least we can do after what you've done for us." She finished. Cynthia turned towards Annabelle and said
"I think he's busy to accept our-" "I would be Delighted!" Loki interrupted her, smiling back at Annabelle. Cynthia was surprised by his answer.
"Perfect! Cynthia do tend to our guest while I start dinner." Said Annabelle leaving Cynthia and Professor Golmen alone in the living room. Cynthia then looked at Professor Golmen with an awkward grin and said,
"Would you like some beer, soda, or wine?" she asked him,
"Beer is fine, thank you" he said smiling at her. Cynthia went to the kitchen and got two beers out of the fridge, she saw Annabelle was already cooking dinner, she wasn't worried about that for Annabelle was a great cook. She walked back to the living room and handed him a beer and asked him to take a seat.
"So, Professor, what brings you to New York? Asked Cynthia Trying to strike up some conversation.
Loki took a sip of his beer and answered,
"Let's just say an old love drove me to this place, and you, what are your goals? What do you study?"
"An old Love? How romantic! To answer your question, I'm in the liberal studies department, and I have no goals at the moment, just want to go through school and then I focus on my career." She said
"I see, well that is very wise, and do you currently work, Miss Waldotir?" he asked her.
Cynthia took a huge gulp at her beer and answered him,
"Um… No, I don't, I mean I DID, but I've been going through some medical treatment and I was fired because of it. So I am currently, as of last night, Unemployed."
Loki looked at her surprised and said
"I'm sorry to hear that, what is it that you have which caused this, if I may be so bold?" He asked her.
"I had a panic attack and under doctors' orders I must relax and rest, so all I can do is simply focus on my studies and do other activities, but not Work" she said to him, yet hoping this would not harm her in the future.
"I am truly sorry to hear that miss Waldotir, and rest assured that I shall not tell a soul about this!" Loki said noticing that what he said made Cynthia nervous. Cynthia smiled and let out a sigh of relief. Hoping that he was a man of his word.
"I am a man of my word, Cynthia!" Loki said, Cynthia looked surprised as if he had read her mind. Of course he did read her mind, and Loki wasn't very happy with all that he saw, she was in pain and he wanted to deliver her from all of her suffering.
"You don't mind me calling you by your first name do you? We are outside of the university!" he asked Cynthia. She looked at him, smiled and said,
"No, I don't mind! Though don't expect me to be calling you Gunnar anytime soon since I do it out of respect!" Said Cynthia with a slight blush. Loki Smiled at her and continued to drink his beer, he swallowed and said "Understandable!"
"Ok dinner is ready, Cynthia, help me set the table!" said Annabelle as she walked in the room cleaning her hands with a kitchen towel, her abrupt announcement startled both Loki and Cynthia.
Cynthia got up and helped Annabelle set everything. Once everything was in order they all sat down to enjoy the delicious dinner Annabelle had prepared. She made grilled chicken breast with vegetables, and Jasmine rice. She prepared some lemonade and had white wine on the table for all of them to enjoy, the garlic bread was exquisite and Loki enjoyed all of it. He never thought a Midgardian would cook such a delicious meal. After they all ate and were drinking each wine, Annabelle served dessert, some lemon meringue pie for each, after all of the meal Loki was stuffed.
They all sat on the living room and began to talk,
"How long do you two know each other?" he asked the girls.
They both looked at each other and giggled, Cynthia spoke first,
"Since daycare, I remember that Annabelle defended me from a playground bully and we have been inseparable ever since!" she smiled at Annabelle who smiled back at her.
"I remember, that kid was so mean, he was bullying Cynthia because she was saying she was a princes and her real mommy and daddy came from the stars" Annabelle said.
Loki looked at Cynthia and figured those were remnants of her past life. Cynthia blushed at Loki's stare,
"I am an orphan, I never met my real parents, my mother is my Äiti, Sister Tarja, she lives in Buffalo, and is Mother Superior to the sisters of the Blessed Sacrament of Jesus, she's a nun … and Finn, That's why I call her Äiti! " said Cynthia laughing, she was very proud to have a mother like Tarja.
"I see, Finland is a beautiful country, have you been there?" Loki said.
"No, I haven't, perhaps one day I will go with my Äiti and visit her home land!" Said Cynthia with a Smile. She was feeling very nervous and began grabbing one of her brown locks of hair. Loki noticed since it was a trait she carried since he met her as children so long ago, he knew she was nervous.
"I noticed how much you care for her, she sounds like an excellent mother figure!" Said Loki, remembering his own mother.
"Not just a mother figure, Professor she IS my mother, you see, mother or father is not who gives birth to you, Mother is the one who raises you as their own and loves you truly!" Cynthia Said Firmly.
"I agree!" Said Loki smiling though those words shocked him, since he never saw it that way. He got up for he felt he overstayed his welcome,
"I believe I must leave now, I have other errands to do, Miss Anderson, Miss Waldotir, thank you so much for this lovely dinner! Farewell!" said Loki, as he put on his coat and grabbed his gloves.
"No, Thank you, Professor Golmen!" Annabelle got up and shook his hand. Cynthia got up and walked him out.
"Thank you professor Golmen for joining us, you have a good night!" said Cynthia as she opened the door. When she was going to shake his hand, Loki Grabbed it and instead kissed her hand. Cynthia was felt as if her face was burning.
"Good night, Miss Waldotir!" he said after kissing her hand, with a very seductive and very intense stare towards her. Cynthia was thankful she was not butter because she thought she was melting, didn't know what was going on with her, she have never felt this way with anyone.
When he turned to leave there was someone standing outside the apartment door, a young woman with very dark and gothic Attire, green eyes, black hair and very pale skin, with a book that was Titled "Chemistry".
"Sorry to interrupt, Cynthia I came to return this book to you!" said the young woman.
"Oh! Helena! Um… thanks!" said Cynthia blushing even more, this was so awkward for her. She walked towards Helena and grabbed the book.
"Yeah, that was all I came here to do, I have other things to do, I'll see you in school tomorrow Cynthia!" Said Helena.
"Ok, see you tomorrow!" said Cynthia.
Helena waved good bye as she turned around and left.
"I should get going too, have a good night, Cynthia!" said Loki and with that he left.
Cynthia stood still outside of her apartment grabbing her book really tightly and letting out a huge sigh,
"I can't process this much Awkward!" she said entering her apartment and closing the room behind her.
When Loki reached his car, he stopped for a moment with a mischievous smirk and said,
"That is a very lovely disguise you have, don't think you can fool me, I am in fact your Father!" he turned around and from a dark alley by the building Helena walked out, smiling, and said,
"Hello Father!" she said, her accent changing completely.
"Hello, Hela!" said Loki seriously. "Get in, we have much to talk about!" With that said he opened the passenger door and Hela got in the car with a wicked smile on her face.