Loki pondered if Odin simply wanted to break him, to destroy his spirit and leave him a docile pup at the royal feet. No books, servants' work and drudgery, and punishments suited to children seemed to add up to a sadistic game. "As my lord father commands," he mumbled, keeping his tone neutral. He did like his intelligence praised. "My only wish is to do what is expected of me."

What was expected was mischief but it could not be called insolence if he kept his tone low and humble. As it was, he was looking forward to not seeing the floor on his painful perch over his father's knee. The radiating pain in his bottom tore at him, reminding him of his ever present danger.

Odin nodded not taking much stock in Loki's insincere words. He was well aware of how Loki used his silver tongue to get what he wanted. Well placed flattery wasn't getting Loki out of his chastisement this time, and so Odin simply answered, "Good. I will send Mirak up with the scrolls for you to purvey. The task will keep you busy until dinner when I and your mother will come to feast with you."

Odin gave his son's shoulder a small gentle squeeze before turning to leave, "I trust you will keep to your chambers until I tell you otherwise my son?"

Loki was not sure if being ignored was gratifying as it meant he would not suffer further or humiliating in that he was no longer a threat. He was being broken down and if he did not fight, if he did not resist, he would lose his very essence. He would fade away into ennui, into being a tool of others.

Still, he could not resist that childlike need for approval when Father squeezed his shoulder. It was disgusting how easily his father could control him, either with gentle approval or less...kind methods. He was losing his mind, because he wanted that trust, even as he wanted to do everything to earn himself no trust indeed. He tried to speak, but even his silver tongue was lead in the face of such confusion. "There is nowhere for me to go," he said sadly, bowing his head. Anywhere he tried to run, he would be brought back and humiliated. "You will find me here as long as you desire."

He had to get out. He had to find somewhere in the nine realms to be himself.

Odin left without taking in his son's self-pity closing the door on his way out symbolizing the finality of their conversation.

Loki spent the most mind-numbing day looking over endless records. One of the most intelligent minds in Asgard was forced to deal with such matters! The indignity was painful. Right now, he was consumed with a true dilemma for the ages. The village of Useless and Boring needed a new dam to prevent the river from flooding their crops, but the neighboring village of Pointless and Peasant needed the water to insure the fishing population remained stable.

He debated making orders for them to build half a damn so no one would be happy, but even he knew that would be horrific. Odin...Father...the old man would return public humiliation with further public humiliation, and he already knew the court was rejoicing to see him brought low. He hated Asgard and he hated his family and he hated stupid pointless dams and idiot peasants even more!

Of course, a twinge in his backside reminded him to keep himself on task. It seemed that no excuse was needed to punish him, and being thrashed was most unpleasant. So he allowed himself to just move as quickly as possible. Besides, he supposed it was interesting to know how boring being king was. He chuckled at the image of his beloved brother doing such tasks, Thor was well symbolized as a hammer. He saw everything as a nail to be smashed.

The drudgery also allowed him some time to consider his next plot. HE wanted to break him, and Loki wanted to escape.

Of course, he knew a direct assault would be useless. He would just find himself in a worse state, over a knee and thoroughly beaten down. But perhaps he might use cunning and guilt his father into loosening the restraints. He would have to be patient, one of his weaknesses but perhaps he could stomach some groveling for the greater good. If they thought he was broken, they might relax the reins. Or they might become fearful of what he was planning. Either way, it was more entertaining than endlessly chafing against his fetters only to be upended into further misery.

His manservant had laid out a simple green tunic and trousers, as he requested. He wanted to look as young and innocent as possible. His hair was loose around his face, hanging into his eyes and hiding them. He even went in simple slippers instead of shoes, anything to look vulnerable.

If he could survive the night without sacrificed dignity, he'd be one step closer to his next step. This might actually work out quite well for him.

As dusk approached, Loki heard a soft knock on his door followed by a small voice, "Lord Loki, we have brought accompaniments to set up dinner for the royal family. May we enter?"

Loki nodded, hiding his smile as he motioned for the door to enter. "Of course," he said, using what little magic he had to open the door. His powers were bound, but even Odin couldn't bind a faint trickle once in a while. It wouldn't be much, but he had to test his powers and slowly seek to loosen the restraints on his powers. "If I can do anything to assist, tell me. I am honored to have such august guests," he said acidly. Let them wonder if he lied or not, he knew tantrums would be expected but politeness would set everyone on edge, wondering where the trick lied. "Come in, I welcome you." They'd be shaking in their boots at his plots, and Odin could not fault him a wit because he had done nothing.

The servants bustled into the room to set the stage for the royal family to dine in traditional Norse fashion which was lavish in taste but practical in design. Not much was said as the furniture was placed and the dinnerware set for four. Odin and Frigga had not arrived yet, and Loki's main living area was illuminated and ready to receive its guests quite swiftly. The aroma of fresh loaves of honey bread, roasted quail, and casseroles of the finest making wafted through the air as the servants settled next to their dishes in preparation to attend their masters.

Loki counted the seats with dismay. Four only meant one thing. Thor. Thor was here too? Father was working hard to break him, but Loki was nothing if not patient.

He knew the proper protocol of seating as easily as he knew his own hands. Father sat at the head of the table, and Thor at his right hand in the place of honor. In the left hand place was Lady Frigga ...Mother …her …and Loki would sit in the final place, the least of their sons. He hated protocol.

He debated taking Thor's place, but decided against it. He did not need a seat in some pathetic role of good son. He needed a way out, and playing nice would be more interesting. Therefore, he stood by and waited for the other guests to arrive. He would speak as little as possible without being insolent.

As he heard his family arrive, he could feel himself actually grow nervous. He kept his eyes low imagining in his hatred Thor humiliated, strapped and begging for mercy and turned into something appropriately nasty. A goldfish seemed appropriate.

He would turn the All-Father into a mouse and his lady stepmother into a toad and he would keep them in cages. Every knee would bow before him. He would be respected. He would not be broken.

This was a minor setback.

Thor was the first to arrive looking uncertain as this was the first time the two had really talked since Loki's disgraceful display at the tournament. Thor did love his brother however misguided Loki was. He nodded in Loki's direction a perplexed confusion lingering on his features, "Brother. I see you are looking well and not immobilized in any fashion. Why would father wish us dine here rather than in the great hall?"

Odin strode through the archway not too far behind Thor answering the hanging question that lingered in Thor's statement, "Thor, your brother has been restricted to his quarters due to his behavior, but even though he is being punished, we want to show him that his family still wishes his company."

Loki debated if his father truly hated him. He had always assumed it, but now it was becoming more and more apparent that Odin enjoyed shaming him to raise Thor up. He shrugged and continued to his plan to act meekly and to make them unable to read him. He would not give in. He shrugged and nodded as if the words were mere pleasantries ignoring the idea of family. They were his jailers. They were his enemies.

He moved to his place and waited for his father to sit down. "Indeed," he managed to say.

Let them wonder. He smiled to his own private joke. Loki had decided on his punishment for his family. He would turn them into pets and he would keep them in cages and see how they enjoyed it. He would not hurt them, of course. He had succumbed to enough weakness to actually want them alive but in a state of constant misery.

Let them gloat. He was moving them into position with humility. "Your presence honors me."

Lady Frigga entered giving Loki a soft smile moving to take a seat next to Odin. "I do hope you are hungry, I had the chef prepare one of your favorite delicacies of smoked salmon in spinach leaves."

The table was small in comparison to the great hall's tables, but it was still expansive enough to seat at least eight. Even so, as the family seated themselves the servants began to place a multitude of different dishes out to cover the table with an array of delicious choices. Thor seemed quite pleased and even more so as a tall goblet of mead foaming to the brim was brought before him, "This is quite pleasant in a rather intimate setting."

Odin grinned at his son's satisfaction turning his eye to Loki expectantly, "So how goes the task I asked of you? Have you come to any suitable conclusions?"

Loki was irked to realize that Lady Frigga knew his favorite dishes. It was such a maternal gesture and Lady Frigga had never been his mother. He was infuriated to realize how much he craved those gestures as a child, how he would have given a thousand years of life to have her smile at him and remember his favorite dish. "Thank you, your majesty,"

He nodded to his father as he sat down, picking at his food. "I finished all of the proposals you sent, my lord. I gave recommendations that the village that requires a dam instead have dikes built, to run off some of the water without disturbing the fishing roots. The feud between the Mountain Trolls and the Dwarves should be simple to solve, the trolls love meat and the dwarves love gold, therefore a small gift given to the Troll Chiefteness to be given to the Dwarfmaster should smooth over lost feelings. As for Alfheimer, the elves are not to be trusted. While they claim they only wish to visit, it is well known their king Oberon was wounded and Idunn's apples are known to be a near perfect cure. If they want help, they should pay for the privilege or at least ask," he recited mechanically, staring down at his food. He would not succumb. He would not allow it.

He was their prisoner. He would not let them break him into their son.

Odin weighed Loki's words carefully and nodded, "Very good my son; I am quite proud of your thoughtfulness concerning these important matters. You have measured the needs of both sides equally and given fair reconciliation to appease all and favor none. Perhaps tomorrow you can come to court with me for a few hours to continue demonstrating your artful skills at politics."

Frigga seemed as delighted as Odin at Loki's assertion, "Loki has always had a gift for problem solving when the mood suits him."

Thor was also pleased to see his brother contributing to the greater good of the community rather than working so hard to bring Asgard's denizens beneath him, "I see whatever father has said to you Loki; you have taken it to heart. It is good to see this side of you."

Loki was satisfied. He was allowed to leave his quarters and attend at court. Now he would just have to make some friends in high places. Perhaps he could recruit the Enchantress and Karnilla; he had a past with them but was quite willing to sacrifice to get them back on his side. Together, the trinity of magic could happily rule the worlds and divide the realms. He was more than willing to use a love potion on Balder and Thor to give them to the lovely dames.

"My lord and lady honor me with your invitation to court," he managed to say, forcing himself not to enjoy the praise. It was too little, too late. Words he would have gladly died for no longer meant anything. Kind words said to a pet for rolling over on command. "I am happy to have found my place. It would be my pleasure to attend to my lord tomorrow,"

They all loved seeing him broken. They enjoyed it. They did not love him. He could feel the bitterness in his throat and he choked it down. When he, Karnilla and Amora ruled (he admitted he might even enjoy bedding them once they tired of Balder and Thor) all would be well.

At least court would be more interesting than milking beasts.

Thor scrutinized Loki's aloof behavior his brow crinkling in confusion, "Loki, why do you address our parents at arm's length? Not once since we've entered your domicile have you made any tie to us as more than the title of royalty as if you were not part of this family."

Odin and Frigga said nothing turning their gaze to Loki awaiting his response to Thor's query.

Loki wanted to escape the room badly. He knew losing his temper would be adding a longer term to his sentence and delay his plans further. He knew that remaining calm was the only thing keeping him able to sit.

And yet, he could not resist the rage bubbling up inside him. Their parents? The ones who had rejected and hated him, blamed an innocent child and twisted his soul and then punished him for being twisted? He wanted to laugh, but he knew that he would go mad with fury if he opened the floodgates.

What kind of son obeyed out of fear of being brutally assaulted? If he showed his true feelings, he would be humiliated and thrashed beyond his endurance and made to beg for mercy. Yet, if he acted removed from his miserable family, shock was shown.

Loki managed to choke down his fury, but he could not lie his way out of this. His dignity had to allow him some answer, even if it risked his plan. "I have been told that lying will not be tolerated," he responded, bowing his head in Odin's direction.

"Therefore, I have been only speaking words of truth, as is my Lord's command."

He turned his gaze to his food. "If my lord could grant me leave after dinner to visit the bathhouses, I would be most grateful," he said, changing the topic.

Odin growled dangerously, "If you have an accusation Loki, have out with it, and do not ask for pleasantries with disdain. You have not earned that right as I told you your place is to remain in your quarters until I give you leave."

His father was in an ill temper and he was risking himself in this plain. "I have no accusations, my lord. I merely made a request," he said softly, keeping his tone humble. "I apologize if my tone displeased you, sire." Loki smiled thinly as he rose from the table and gingerly lowered himself respectfully to one knee before the All-Father. "I suppose I should answer my Lord Thor's question, as best I can."

He kept his tone humble. "I had hoped for more time to consider my words but I will merely ask my lords and lady hear my unprepared thoughts. I have not only judged the cases my lord put before me today, I judged myself as if I was one of those cases. I thought long and hard and I realized that I have searched for something I will never have. I will never be the beloved son, the apple of a father's eye. My journey, my desperation for the title of son has led me to nothing but bitterness and pain, and was doomed from the start. The looks of disdain have burned me for far too long and drove me mad, leading me to crave attention in any way, including negative on a fruitless quest." He knew he was twisting his words to hurt as much as possible, throwing his family's past sins in their face while being as obedient and subservient and respectful as possible.

He turned his head and bowed in the direction of the other two nobles. "My madness has past. I realize that familial love is the one thing that cannot be commanded or demanded but must be freely given. Therefore, I have forsaken my desperation for it and in that choice, found the peace I so desire. I cannot surpass Thor's affection in my lord and lady's eyes, and I no longer crave it. I will content myself with being of service to my lord in whatever capacity he sees fit to allow me," he said calmly. "As such, if my lord wishes this to be a family dinner, I will happily sit silently, while my lord and lady enjoy the attention of their favored son. It would be wrong for an outsider such as myself to usurp the place of a beloved son."

Was that too close to insolence? He wished to avoid being upended and he knew the All Father needed no excuse to humiliate him. He could turn this to his use, if they believed him giving up. "Do not see my words as angered or insolent. As I said, I have finally found peace." In rejecting them before they could hurt him anymore, "On this road, I might even find hope and happiness. I understand my past crimes have sentenced me to confinement, and I will not ask again for more privileges. I apologize; it was not the correct behavior of a servant to his master." It was the action of a son to a father. A silent dig, but unsaid. "From now on, I have found my place and will seek to rebuild my life accordingly, a life that will bring glory to my king and queen."

This could end badly or well. He wasn't entirely sure. He had dressed the part, humbly. He had behaved humbly. Now, it was dependent on how much they believed him.

Both Frigga and Thor were speechless to Loki's words waiting for Odin to address him. As Odin listened, a hint of annoyance played on his features with Loki's insistence to distance himself from his family in an attempt to wound them out of petty jealousy.

He let out an exasperated sigh before responding, "Son, the words you speak are twisted to befit your own needs. I grow weary of your attempts to blame your own misgivings on your family. You feel sorry for yourself because your deeds have awarded you consequences. Furthermore, it has been by your own choice to see yourself as an outcast. I love both my sons equally, and although I favor Thor's actions over yours, I do not favor one son over the other. If you were as you have said, but a servant of the realm, then you would not be sitting here dining with your family in a lavish room with your belongings but instead, you would find yourself locked away in a dungeon cell below the castle for your treacherous behavior. Is this the type of treatment that you are looking to receive? Or are you content to acknowledge us as your kin? Make your choice Loki, but beware the consequences of the choice you make here and now."

Loki could actually feel himself go flush with rage. Dealing with his father was like boxing with a raging storm, constantly being sucked in and thrown to the shore no matter how strongly or rightly he stood. He had been speaking as honestly as he could, and they kept denying how poor his treatment had been. Odin lied. He had always favored Thor. He had always treated him better.

He opened his mouth to speak those words, but debated the use. Odin was blinded by his own delusions and he had no doubt that the All-Father would toss him into a dungeon cell to force him to acknowledge them as kin. "I...had hoped my words would please you, and show you I had tried to make myself my own man, no longer consumed with revenge, but I see you are displeased. I am grateful to be allowed these beautiful quarters and acknowledge the truth of your wisdom and judgment. I retract my previous statements completely and will sit quietly, and offend you no more," he whispered, his voice broken as he tried to control his feelings. "I truly ask pardon for my ill-chosen words and ask that they be set aside."

He hated them. He hated them. They could not make him love them. That was the one place he had control, his mind. Did he actually have to say the words? He hoped not. Could it just be assumed he had called them family? "May I return to my seat?" he asked.

Odin nodded, "Take your seat son. Think not that I do not recognize your continued improvement overall now that we've taken a new recourse to past disciplinary techniques for you, but do not intend to think you can reform on your own. Frigga and I have spoken at great lengths about what is to be done with you and has been done with you. Left to your own devices you tend to find folly, and for that I have stripped your personal choice from the equation until you can prove to me that you have the maturity to have a choice. I will not say that I am not flawed and have obviously made mistakes in raising you, but you seemingly take no blame as to your part in all of this. Do you think yourself above any fault for the options you've taken in your life's course?"

Loki pondered how to answer that question properly without earning himself a trip over his father's knee. He just returned to his seat, slightly gratified his father took some blame. "I am which I am and I made the choices I made," he agreed. "What do you wish me to say? You are both father and king, your authority supreme. Anything I say is meaningless if it is not your will." he turned to his brother. "Pass the apples."

Odin took a bite off of a hunk of bread he held as he grunted, "Knowing your place is a start; you are right, I am your father and your king, and you are subject to my will, but what you say is not meaningless lest I would not ask your thoughts on the matter. You barricade yourself with these sad delusions of grandeur and expect change of treatment without change of attitude. I will tell you now that I plan to stop at nothing to reform you whether you agree with the methods or not is not my concern. You have yet to prove you can act without contempt towards your family even when we have made special accommodations to dine with you to show you we wish you to be part of our lives."

Frigga gave her son a sad look turning her attention back to her plate, and Thor silently cut an apple in half giving one of the halves to his brother and sinking his teeth into the other half. Thor wanted to comment, but the room had gone tense, and he felt it would be rude to interject in the serious conversation his father and brother were engaged in.

Loki tried not to tremble at his father's words. He didn't like the words "stop at nothing," it sounded painful and something better reserved to training of a dog than of the care of a beloved son. He was trapped, he was cornered and he was feeling sick to his stomach with worry. What was the point of asking him if he did not care a fig whether Loki agreed?

He took the apple from Thor and remembered the Midgard story about a poisoned apple. That would be kind right now, an apple that would send Odin into the Sleep. "I...have lost my appetite. May I be excused?" Well, this was complicated. This was his chambers, and he couldn't throw them out. "Or at least, allow me the privilege of ending this quarrel. Anything I say will only earn myself your wrath. I have displeased you numerous times and I would prefer to stop now before I cause myself further distress. As you said, I am subject to your will, and you have made it clear I have no choice in my own life. I submit, you have won," he said icily. "May we please change the topic...Father?"

Odin clipped, "You may not be excused, but yes, let us change the subject. Tell us Thor, what have you been up to on Midgard?"

Thor cleared his throat feeling quite uncomfortable as well, "I have been helping the mortals rebuild hospitals as well as learning more of Midgard's technology through Tony Stark."

Loki glowered but decided to turn his attention back to his food. He would still find a way to defy them. He would not submit, his father would not break him. And for a moment, he yearned for his magic, he yearned for the moment when Odin lay helpless and to allow Laufey to run him through.

Stupid Midgardian technology. Little human mayflies that lived today and died tomorrow, but perhaps...perhaps there was technology there that could hurt the All-Father. Even if Odin could stop time, he was not entirely without weakness, just generally and for all intents and purposes. But perhaps a human illness mutated to hurt Asgardians?

He didn't want to actually kill them… much. He just wanted his freedom. He was a bird in a cage.

Frigga turned to him and gave him a sad look, shaking her head to warn him to remain silent. Loki looked away and wished he could enchant his food to amuse him. Mother...Frigga...she had always hated that.

All right, even he had to admit that was petty. "Tell of Midgardian technology," Loki chimed in. It might actually be interesting.

Thor brightened at Loki's curiosity, "Well, much of it I don't understand. It's funny how they have developed marvels that send messages on the very wind itself and yet have no magic to perform these feats. I'm sure you must have admired what you did see of Midgard no?"

Loki nodded, considering an idea. "I did find their work marvelously interesting, and I admit, I would enjoy someday seeing it for a closer look. Perhaps having some of their technology brought to study here would be fascinating? If they could do so much without magic, imagine what they could do if properly equipped?" he said genuinely. "I especially found their method of healing fascinating."

Thor's smile widened as he responded excitedly happy to leave the former gloomy conversation behind, "Yes! It is a magnificent art the mortals are perfecting although not quite as efficient as our healing technology I have found. I never would have imagined so much could be accomplished without aide of the mystics."

Frigga watched the two brothers as they found a mutual interest to chat about. She enjoyed seeing her sons conversing rather than fighting. It didn't seem that long ago that the two were almost inseparable. This to a god was over a few hundred years ago, but time passed differently for them.

Odin for his part had simmered down and contented himself with digging into the food before him as he considered what it was going to take to direct Loki onto a path where his wounds could heal and he'd learn to accept his family and let go of his bitterness. Odin resigned to himself it would be a long road if Loki's overall petulant attitude persisted.

Loki nodded. "The next time you go to Asgard...brother, please bring me as many books about their technology as possible," he said, musing to himself. Imagine the All-Father struck with a terrible illness and unable to rule? Imagine germ warfare on Asgardian levels, with no natural immunities. This could be very promising. "I would truly be grateful for such a kindness. Perhaps, there might be a common link between magic and those strange wires?"

And when Thor had a flu so painful he could barely move, when Asgardian smallpox had thinned the herd of mindless minions of Fathers, he might enjoy saving the day; after they'd suffered enough.

Thor blinded by Loki's pleasant demeanor towards him never once suspected any ill intention from Loki's request. He beamed merrily, "Gladly brother! I shall speak with Jane, she would know of the best books to supply you of the mortals' advancements."

Loki smiled. "You honor me," he said. Hmmm, he wondered if Asgardians could get the common cold. Perhaps that chicken pox idea would be helpful. It would be hilarious to see everyone covered in spots and perhaps he'd enchant to make them shrink and grow feathers. "I shall endeavor to study hard and learn from their achievements." Thor's intellect was as sharp as a spoon, and that could be useful. "Perhaps you might even convince Father to let me come with you one time? I promise I'll be good. I do have an urge to see the Sea of Death."

He could only imagine the fun he'd have starting a war in the region. Sneeze and you have a riot.

Frigga spoke up now, "Learning is a great endeavor, but I think travel outside of the palace will be limited for some time. Perhaps Thor can bring me these tomes of knowledge, and we can learn together Loki." She smiled warmly at him remembering when Loki was very young and practicing his spelling with her. He was always such an avid student, and this could be an excellent chance for the two to bond.

Odin nodded sagely to his wife's proposal, "Indeed. I think it is a grand idea for the two of you to learn of Midgard's ways. I too would be interested in what you discover."

Loki hid his disappointment well; Frigga trying to play mother in her little fantasy of perfect family deciding to censor his books for him and monitor his reading. And of course, limit his travel outside the palace, which was turning him into a lap dog for her pleasure, a spineless obedient dolt who craved her approval. "As you command," he said, gripping his cup a bit tighter.

They sought to deny him every request. So the key was to make them believe he didn't want something. Of course, the glass shattering in his grasp was not something expected. Waving his hand to repair with his faint magic, he tried to smile. "I'm becoming stronger each day. Must be the excellent food," he joked.

Seeing his anger would make him weaker.

Odin frowned in annoyance at Loki's magic resurfacing, "I thought I had usurped all of your magic the day you came back to Asgard. No matter, it will be fully removed this night until I grant otherwise. You don't need any help creating trouble for yourself as magic has always been a gateway to trouble for you." Odin did not have to do anything but say the words to diminish the last reserves of magic Loki possessed.

Loki shuddered miserably as he felt the last bit of his magic left him. He should not have tipped his hand, but using magic was so natural to him, it was his essence and he hadn't even done anything wrong! He had merely repaired a glass and he was punished for it. He hated them and he was powerless to strike against them. "My freedom, my magic, my dignity, my spirit, my essence, I am honored to have it all sacrificed for my father's wishes. I only apologize I have nothing to give left. Even when I do nothing wrong, I am punished. If you want my blind obedience, you can have it, but how do you intend to reform me when even actions that are not negative are used against me? Please, if you all have finished hurting me, and then blaming my own suffering on myself, can this show of family unity be ended? Remaining alone in my chambers has suddenly become more attractive to me. I cannot displease you if you cannot see me. In fact, it seems to be the only way I can please you these days, remain quietly in my chambers, do tasks and remain out of sight, powerless and helpless. So may I be excused?" he said bitterly, getting to his feet to leave the room for his private sleeping chamber.

Odin was crackling with agitation as his son continued his tantrum and as Loki stood, he tossed his cloth napkin down on the table and stood himself. Frigga saw the wrath in Odin's face and placed a firm hand on his forearm, "Husband. Let me talk to our son in private. You are angry and your judgment is clouded."

Odin grunted, turned, and stormed out to get his temper in check. Frigga stood moving over to Loki's side as Odin left the room, "Come. We need to talk you and I. Thor, do excuse us," she said as she motioned for Loki to move towards his sleeping quarters.

Thor nodded a wary expression taking hold on his features. Loki may not think much of his brother, but Thor loved him dearly and feared for where his mouth was leading him.