-S-

Light shimmered around Loki's form. Raven hair was covered by shiny metal, as were his dark clothes. His brilliance hidden by the garbs of an Asgardian guard. It even made him ordinary and oddly faceless inside the helmet and gear. Though when he caught her amused gaze, it were still the eyes she recognised from their days together. They hadn't changed a bit and were still as green and piercing as ever. And as annoyed.
'Lookin' great,' she grinned at him. 'So… inconspicuously sparkly.'
'I'm sorry I cannot turn myself invisible,' Loki grunted.
'I'm not,' Thor replied, his face contorted in horror by the thought of what his brother might do with such a trick up his sleeve. He glanced at the other hallway. 'Are you ready, brother?'
'Obviously.' Loki smirked once more at Saoirse before he turned to his fair-haired brother.
Saoirse crossed her arms. 'You know, I can't turn myself invisible, either. I don't really have a choice.'

It had been a weird experience, meeting Thor, the great and powerful lord of thunder. Through the myths and Loki's story, Saoirse had formed a rather different image in her head of the guy. Rougher, for one, less groomed or washed, perhaps dirt in his hair and on his face, or dried blood. Also, not such a big brother. More like a bully. She definitely hadn't expected such a Hollywood slash surfer dude.
On the other hand, his appearance had been overshadowed by his inability to see her, or even hear her. It was disheartening and frightening, knowing only one person even knew she existed. As far as she knew, she existed nowhere except Loki's mind. As far as she knew, she was only the shadow of a memory of a girl he had once seen when invaded a planet. As far as she knew, she was only a manifestation of his guilt.

Thor gestured for Loki to come forward, into an even narrower passageway. Despite Saoirse's suggestion, they had decided to take the least travelled route through the palace, instead of the tourists' route. Sure, she knew time was running out… but she'd rather run out of time in the home of gods than somewhere in New York, running around like headless chickens.
Saoirse had ended up at the end of the line. Her only view was that of the way too tall brothers, shoulders stiff wit discomfort.
'I can't believe his shoulders fit across. They seem too muscular.'
Loki sighed, but managed to keep his mouth shut.
'Like, it doesn't seem safe he has those biceps swinging around - they could kill someone.'
'That's not an effective way to kill someone…'
Thor turned around and eyed his brother suspiciously. 'What did you say?'
'Nothing.'
Saoirse smirked at Loki. 'You would know.'
Loki kept his eyes on his brother's back. 'You are not wrong.'
'I know. I'm good at being right.'
As did she know it was unlikely Loki only did all of this to save her. Plead with the brother so he could salvage a human he barely knew. Who he couldn't stand.
It was all one big escape for himself. The question was how long he'd been planning it.
'Do me a favour, will ya?' Saoirse dug her hands into her pockets. If that was even possible. Her being a spirit and all that.
Loki glanced back. 'What?'
'Can you maybe find Gav after you've escaped Thor? Just see if he's okay. You don't have to do anything… maybe make him find a personal, emotional diary entry in which I declare how much I love him.' She might be using a sarcastic voice, she did mean it.
'That's all?'
Saoirse shrugged. 'Yeah. But I think you understand - you love Thor, too. I guess you could always transform yourself in a ghost version of me to tell him my emotional message in sort of person.'
'I don't think I could do your sincerity justice.'
Thor peeked over his shoulder again. He didn't trust his brother - even though he wanted to. He held one arm out to stop Loki, before they'd cross an immense open space.
'One sign this is a trick, brother. One sign and I'll take you back. Understood?'
Loki locked his eyes with Saoirse and nodded. 'Understood.'