She had spent the last two days shut up inside herself. She had screamed the entire way through that column of light. She had thrashed so much in surprise when they came out the other side that she'd landed painfully on her front on the floor. She had looked up to see someone absurdly tall in gold armour. Thor had picked her up again and put her on what she assumed was his horse, sitting behind her and taking the reins. They had ridden on a bridge that looked like it was made of a rainbow. The knowledge that she was being supported by a rainbow made her nose bleed.

Thor had been kind, never saying a cruel word or giving her a mean look. Sophie had not been able to stop crying as she pressed her sleeve to her nose. He had taken her to a room that put the one Tony had given her to shame. It had an enormous bed in the centre and very elegant couches and a beautiful carved table. Sophie had been too upset to properly appreciate it. She didn't pull back the curtains or unpack her bag. She had just fallen onto the bed and stayed there, not moving, just crying. She had refused meals and had only got up to go to the bathroom.

I want to go home…I want to go home… She sat up bolt right at a loud knocking on the door, her heart racing. She had jumped every time someone had knocked on the door, so busy wandering around inside her own mind. She was about to call out when she heard Thor's voice, "May I come in?"

Sophie scrambled off the bed. "Y-Yes." She stuttered and felt her face burn as she turned red. I have been lying in my own sweat and blood stains for two days… I haven't changed or washed…I must reek…If it was noticeable Thor didn't indicate. He smiled at her and two servants carried in a trunk, left it on the floor between them and exited the room. Sophie awkwardly sat on a chair and Thor followed her example. Is he waiting for me to do everything?

"How are you?" Sophie shrugged. "I understand you've been refusing to eat."

Sophie nodded only just noticing the pain from feeling so empty. "I just… didn't feel like it." She rubbed her stomach. "Although if you have a whole cow out there I'd eat it now."

Thor laughed. "Well, I would like you to accompany me to a dinner with my family and friends, to welcome you here."

"Welcome me?" Sophie asked, a little confused.

Thor put his hands together. "I'm sorry I haven't been to see you, but I had to discuss some things with my father. While a couple of my friends are concerned that you are a thief, my father and mother wish to have you here as our guest. I was surprised, I thought I would need to talk him around, but this idea of someone to go between our people when the earth is finally ready for us intrigued him, I think. He always knows more than he tells me. And of course, if you would like to, any help you can give us in rebuilding our defences and our gate would be appreciated."

Sophie nodded. "I'd… I'd actually be happy to help. It would be challenge and I don't –seven- get those often. Nine." She clapped a hand to her mouth. Do Asgardians accept madness? Are they like the Norse people from centuries ago? "I'm sorry… I-I do that sometimes-"

"It is alright." He said, softly. "Tony Stark listed all your… habits and I've explained to my family you may seem… odd, because of them. My father already knew, but that's just like him."

Sophie smiled just a little for the first time. "Thank you..."

Thor leaned forward a little. "We will give you anything you need and teach you anything you wish to know. I will escort you around our city and eventually, you'll be able to go out alone once you know it better. All I ask is that you do not steal from us."

"I promise, I won't." Sophie said. She felt itchy all over. God I want a bath…

Thor stood up and pulled the trunk over to them. "These are a gift from my mother, to welcome you." He opened it and Sophie peered inside. Inside were piles of neatly folded clothes. Sophie pulled out a long flowing skirt.

"This is beautiful." Sophie said quietly, turning it in her hands.

"I also think it's a good idea. You can wear your own clothes, but perhaps it would be best if it wasn't immediately obvious you weren't from Asgard."

Sophie looked up at him. "Considering everyone I passed on the way here was tall, muscled and beautiful and I'm just heading slightly in the opposite direction from that… they'll probably figure it out." She put the skirt neatly on the chair. "Plus rumours spread fast no matter where you live."

Thor laughed again. "I'll come and escort you in two hours or so." He bowed to her and left. Sophie sat awkwardly on the floor. Was I supposed to bow too? Does he think I'm rude and ignorant now? She went through the rest of the trunk, feeling a little flushed. There were dresses, skirts, shirts in many different colours. There were also more practical loose and tight fighting trousers and tunics. At the bottom she found a light summer cloak and a heavy warm winter one, two pairs of boots and two pairs of soft slippers. She thought of everything. Sophie chose a long flowing light blue dress and laid it neatly on the bed before going through the side door to her bathroom. Tony didn't even give me my own bathroom. Better up your game when I get back, Stark.She tried not to think if I come back.

She ran herself a very hot bath. Sophie was glad there was some kind of plumbing system going on. The tub was enormous and swallowed her. She felt tiny inside it as she scrubbed herself carefully from top to toe three times. She wanted to be sure she was clean. She finally got out of the bath and dried herself off, taking her time before putting on the new dress. She spun around a few times, admiring it in the mirror. Sophie brushed out her hair and let it curl around her shoulders.

Surprisingly, she felt immensely better. Clean and dressed, she felt a little livelier than she had before. Sophie went over to the curtains that came from the top of the ceiling to the floor. Those must be big damn windows…She pulled them across and gasped, clinging to the fabric. That is gorgeous…

Everything was gold and white and covered in wildlife. She could see the impossible rainbow bridge stretching out into empty space. There were more stars in the sky than she had ever seen. Sophie tore her eyes away from them and looked down and up at the building. It's all gold…How is that possible? She wondered what the rest of Asgard would look like, what kind of houses the average person would live in. There were so many trees and flowers as well. She could see little people moving along a great wall that stretched and circled out of sight.

There was a knock at the door and she heard it open. "Are you ready, Sophie?"

Sophie turned around. "Oh God, I hope so."

Another tireless dinner affair awaited him.

Loki had lost count of the amount of niceties he'd been subjected to, the amount of times he had to sit and silently listen or eat and pretend to be happy when a question was fired his way. Odin had spent a long time trying to decide how to sentence Loki when Thor had finally brought him back to Asgard in his humiliation. He had actually been a little afraid of whatever his punishment would be.

It hadn't even seemed like a punishment at first, but after a few weeks Loki had started to go a little insane with it. He was allowed in his own quarters and the library. He was allowed to go with Thor to the dining and lounging areas that their friends used. There were two guards that patrolled his corridor at night.

He was not allowed outside.

Loki wasn't entirely sure what Thor's friends had been told. He was sure they knew he went to earth and committed many atrocious crimes. Sif certainly didn't hold back on giving him dirty looks and hateful comments when they were alone. He wasn't sure if they knew his true nature, or whether that was still a secret for the family and now, Heimdall. He didn't bring it up.

While Loki had almost laughed at his punishment, he soon realised it was worse than he thought. He had to be watched constantly. There was no privacy. He was a little boy being chaperoned everywhere by his brother or a guard or his mother. There was no moment that was his except if he stayed in his quarters and then all he did was think and let his anger stew and spill over. And while he hated being around people now he also hated being confined and alone. Loki had guessed his mother had begged Odin not to be too harsh. You did me no favours. This is agonising torture.

The worst part was the rings. Odin had given him six silver rings, three for each arm. Loki couldn't get them off. They stayed under his clothes and didn't damage his skin or chaff. But they did stop him using his powers. He spent a lot of his days in the library trying to find out which race made them and what magic could beat his own. He needed to break them. He couldn't shape shift or make copies of himself or change other objects. Well, not at first. He'd practised and trained his mind alone in those boring, long nights and eventually found he could transform small objects. It had drained him and caused him to pass out a few times. He continued working until he could make one copy of himself.

Then he'd panicked. The Allfather knows everything…Odin would know he could use his powers. Odin would see it. He had those rings made to keep Loki in, but that didn't mean he wouldn't have a plan should Loki escape them. He now lived in uncertainty of what Odin would do, what kind of punishment would be delivered for breaking the rules of his 'lax' one. Father enjoys his mind games. And he knew from all the stories that Odin could be far crueller than Loki himself was.

And now, to keep his mother happy and to keep everyone under the impression he was meek and subdued he'd have to go along to a dinner with his father. He hated these on the rare occasion he was forced along to prove he still existed. He'd rather not eat, or when he did, eat alone.

He sat alone at the table while his mother and father talked with Lady Sif. He didn't move, just sat where he was expected to sit. The Warriors Three were talking with a small group of higher ranking soldiers that had also been invited. Loki glared at all of them in turn, feeling a twist of jealously as his eyes lingered on their swords. If I could have a weapon I'd kill you all now. He glanced at his father and then returned to his spiteful viewing of everyone.

Thor had gone. He looked around to see if he'd returned. Loki could only go on what he overheard in the library or on his secret midnight walks when he managed to slip past his guard, but he'd heard a rumour through the shelves yesterday that a Midgardian girl was living with them. Loki had had to stifle a laugh. She won't last a week…if it's true.

The doors opened and Thor came in with a girl on his arm who was easily the shortest person in the room by a foot. She was pale and clearly frightened. He was expecting it to be the woman Thor had fallen for during banishment, but this was not her. Thor guided her to Odin and Frigga. He heard the girl say something about thanks for some dresses. She sounded excited and frightened as Thor led her to meet his friends. Why would you bring one of them here? They don't belong here. She looks like a child, although, all Midgardians are.

Platters and plates started being put down on the table, but Loki couldn't stomach the sight of all the food. Everyone moved to the table. Odin was at the head of the table and Loki was on his left with his mother on his left so he was trapped between the two of them. You'd think I was a troublesome baby. Thor sat opposite Loki with this girl next to him. The girl let go of his arm and started looking around and up and down the table. He noticed she had dark shadows under her eyes, but they weren't sunken in like his. She didn't look exhausted despite this. In fact, it alarmed him to look at her eyes. There was a sparkle in them, like something intelligent or mad was hiding there. Perhaps it was both.

Thor helped Sophie ladle food onto her plate and began going between his father, Sif, Hogun, Fandral and Volstagg in conversation. They rarely spoke to Loki. They were my friends once. It really was a horrible punishment, to be treated like a child and ignored by everyone. His mother leaned across just a little. "Sophie, tell me about yourself." The girl's name is Sophie.

Sophie looked up at Frigga and turned red. "I don't know what to tell you…"

Fandral spoke up. "Thor tells us you're a genius; there must be a lot to tell."

"Don't be shy." Thor said. Sophie looked up.

"Well…" She looked at Frigga. "I won't bore you with all my qualifications and things. But, I like reading and I love to travel. I like exploring new places. I'm actually really excited to see Asgard. I saw it out my window and it's… just stunning." She sounded a little breathless. "And… That's it really. I'm not very exciting."

"We have a library that I'll be happy to show you, and Thor will show you Asgard." Frigga said. Sophie smiled and looked like she wanted to ask something but her eyes slid to Loki for a brief second and she returned to eating. There was no hatred, no recognition, but it was him she didn't want to hear her next thought. He patiently watched her and managed to eat himself. She twitched a lot and seemed to be lost in her own thoughts. It was loud with all the talking but he was certain she had whispered to herself. At one point she'd held her fork about half way to her mouth but had been staring intently past it at a cup on the table. Loki watched everyone else carefully. They seemed a little uneasy with Sophie's behaviour but they also acted like it was to be expected and something they were trying to adjust to as fast as they could. Is she mad?

When dinner was over some people stood up and moved around to talk to each other better. Odin, who had been rather quiet, indicated he would like Sophie to come with him. Sophie grabbed hold of Thor like a little girl but he gently pushed her away and she followed Odin out of the room. Loki leaned back in his seat. He wanted to follow them, but that would be noticed. He didn't bother mingling at these things either, except to maybe talk to Thor to keep his mother happy. No one wanted to talk to Loki. He was barely tolerated.

But this girl was the first interesting thing to happen in his life in a long time. Why would they show her to me though? Is this another game, father? Or is just coincidental bad timing and planning?

Odin and Sophie returned. She looked a little perplexed and pleased. He wasn't sure how those two emotions went together. She seemed to have a magnetic attraction to Thor and hurried over to him, staying close to his side. That would get annoying…

Fandral and Volstagg were already drunk. Thor had held back, probably on account of how desperately Sophie kept clinging to his arm. Loki knew they'd probably continue once Sophie was safely tucked away somewhere. It had amused him to watch Sophie's face wrinkle when she tried the wine and had only managed a glass. She let go of Thor's arm at that moment and went over to a window and stood on her toes to look out. While everyone was turned to watch her, he moved down some seats to hear better. "She's… odd." He heard Sif say. "Are you sure you want her around your home?"

"Of course." Thor answered. "Where else am I going to put her? And she'll be someone great one day, you'll see."

"I would hope so." Sif watched Sophie. "She doesn't exactly strike me as a genius. Mad, maybe."

"Oh, I'm sure she's just fine." Fandral said. "Mad girls usually know how to have fun at least. Are we taking her out soon?" He asked Thor.

"Sophie!" Thor called and she turned around. "When would you like to go out? Apparently you have some volunteers."

"Not for three days." She said, almost like she was reciting it at quick fire. "I need enough time with the tutor your father will hire for me to learn how to read your language. Then I'll be happy to explore."

"You will be able to learn to read our language in three days?" Sif asked in amazement.

"I could read and write in my own in two weeks. I'm older now, so, probably only three days." Sophie responded. She can learn that fast?

"You really are a genius." Fandrall said, laughing. "What other tricks do you do?"

"I don't do tricks, just memorise everything." Sophie said. "Like we passed twenty three doors on our way here, five side corridors, ten guards and three walls with inscriptions I couldn't read which is how I knew I'd need a tutor."

"I've lived here my whole life and couldn't have told you that."

Sophie twitched. "Asgard's main industries will have to be in metal working both armour and weapons, there will also need to be a sufficient leather and textile industry but without the actual industry. Farming. A population that doesn't approach that of earth's but a healthier and stronger population. Little poverty." Sophie's face was draining of colour and Thor touched her arm. "Rainbow of solid light no gravity levels nine five nine trees-"

"Sophie." Thor shook her gently. She looked at him, as though she only just noticed he was there.

"I'm sorry. There's just… there's a lot to take in." She looked pale and a little sweaty. "I'm very sorry. Can I go to bed, please?" Thor nodded and took her arm. Sophie apologised to everyone on her way out and then pressed her hand to her face and hurried out.

"Well, I like her." Fandral said after a while. "She'll add some colour to the place. I hope not all her conversations end in nonsense, though."

"That's your concern? She's a thief." Sif said. "And we can't trust her." A thief?

Hogun spoke for the first time. "If the Allfather trusts her, so should we."

Sif glanced past them at Loki. "I don't really trust all Odin's decisions anymore." She held her head high and walked out the room, giving Loki one last disgusted look. Loki didn't care this time. A genius, a thief and a socially inept mad girl had just walked into his life. A genius who had read Asgard in a few seconds like he'd read a note scrawled on a page. A thief from Midgard that everyone here would underestimate and never suspect of anything. For the first time in a long time, Loki felt the corners of his mouth twitch upwards. Well… Isn't that just so… exquisite.