Once the group started to tire, they went back onto the yacht for food. The group then dispersed again. Seeing as there was no immediate danger, Clint took Natasha spear fishing. Jane, Janine, and Pepper lounged on the couches reading, relaxing, and sun bathing. Bruce was somewhere napping. Tony took Thor and Steve on his speed boat for some water skiing, and wake boarding. Loki and Sigyn had found Tony's movies. Since there were no books, they decided to watch a movie. Jarvis helped them figure out how to watch these interesting fables.
Dusk was setting in and the group reconnected for dinner. They split apart once more. This time they grouped together. Jane and Janine thought it was a great time to watch movies with Thor and Steve. Tony, Pepper, Clint, Natasha, and Bruce were on the upper decks chatting away. Sigyn and Loki were on the bottom deck, next to the bow. There was a lip off the boat that was for diving.
The two sat down on the ledge and had their feet dangle over into the lip. Sigyn wore a long flowing dress. She made sure that the ends did not touch the water. Loki had his pant legs rolled up a bit. The two were chatting away and looking at the stars.
"What would you say for a midnight swim?" Sigyn smiled to Loki. He looked over to her, his face softened.
"Never knew you were much of a swimmer," Loki got up and walked to the middle area of the lip. He held out his hand for her. She took it as she stood up.
"Wait, Midgardian garments can be frustrating." She started to fix herself. Loki shook his head and turned back around to view around him. Sigyn took this time to kick him in the back with such force he fell into the ocean and did not hit the lip. "You first." She spoke in such softness.
Her laughter was soft and mischievous as she walked over to the edge of the lip to watch him. He could hear it as he swam to the surface. He was a few feet out. Loki smoothed his jet black hair back.
"Ohh," he looked at her. "How you spurn me so." Loki swam over to the lip. Sigyn backed up to the edge of the yacht. She felt smug but kept her distance. "I thought we were going for a midnight swim?" His eyes gleamed of a plan as he got back onto the lip and headed towards her.
Sigyn stayed innocent as she possibly could. "I asked if you wanted one. Never did I say I wanted a swim." She kept her cool when he let out his hand to her again. She took it willingly. He brought her close to him. Her back faced the edge of the lip.
"I believe it is your turn," Loki soothed as he pushed her in.
She smiled as she fell back. Sigyn grabbed him on the last second as she was falling. "You're coming with me." Loki then held her close as they both fell into the water.
The two surfaced by one another. Laughing once they got air. The two started to splash each other, try to dunk one another.
On the top deck, the group was laughing a bit as well. Jarvis interrupted them. "Sir, there is an unidentified plane about to crash several meters out from where we are anchored."
"How long do we have until it hits?" Tony didn't like the sound of this.
"Fifteen minutes, sir," Jarvis replied.
"Any people aboard the plane?" Tony was sobering up. The rest started to listen intently.
"No, the pilot parachuted out," Jarvis explained. "I also have SHIELD on my radar. They are coming to us as we speak."
"Is everyone aboard the yacht?" Tony sighed.
"All except for two," Jarvis spoke. "They are at the bow of the boat."
Tony shook his head. "Alright, start preparing to leave, once the two are back on board, I want this yacht as far away from this site as possible, and fast." He got up. "I got the two." He spoke to the rest of the group. "Just make sure everyone else is notified." Clint agreed and headed down to inform the rest.
Tony got to the back of the deck and didn't see the two off of the boat. Loki and Sigyn had been caught up in the moment hidden at the corner. Tony whistled as he walked down the stairs. Sigyn waded back to see Tony. Loki followed her. "Hey little mermaid and not yet drowned prince, we are leaving in five, actually less than that."
Sigyn could hear his thoughts along with those coming in the distance. She let Loki in on what she was hearing. The two had gotten onto the yacht just in time. It started to speed away with a jerk. Loki caught a hold of Sigyn to make sure she didn't fall back with the movement. Tony grabbed onto the hand railing.
"What brought this about?" Sigyn asked Tony. The three of them started to walk inside.
He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, but I can already tell that some of us are about to suit up and check it out."
Sigyn blinked before answering. "Fury is not allowing it. He is sending direct orders to Clint and Natasha right now about it."
Tony stopped and looked at her. "We never get the fun jobs anymore." He took a swig of his drink in hand.
Sigyn sighed as she started to explain, "You have saved a whole realm. As a warrior, it takes such an emotional and physical toll. You are not gods. Some believe you are weak and fragile, but those who make life threatening decisions need time to reenergize." She reached for Loki's hand. He brushed his lips upon her knuckles. She smiled at him as the three of them began to walk again. "You have those to protect upon this boat. Sometimes that is the most important task."
Tony looked at her in agreement. Pepper was aboard. He didn't want her hurt. Thor's love was on the boat as well. He didn't think Thor would want to put her in harm's way. Janine was not battle ready yet. Sigyn was right. They weren't gods, though they could lead a fight if they wanted to, but the emotional and physical burden would take a toll upon them once again. It would remind them of the state Loki had put them in and not just him but those before him.
"Some of us are not a part of SHIELD either," Sigyn spoke again. Tony looked at her. "Though we are willing to fight and protect for a common cause, it is not in our boundaries to take a hold of someone else's fight."
"So is that why you weren't here when Loki decided to take over the world?" Tony asked. "It was not your fight, it was ours?"
Loki looked at her wanting to know the answer. Sigyn shook her head. "I was still at the gates of Valhalla. I knew not of what all went on. I knew not that Thor was banished or Loki had disappeared into the abyss until I was summoned by Odin. At the gates of Valhalla, we may watch the realms but we watch the dead. We choose who is worthy to come to Valhalla. Our battles are among the dead who have sought out dark ways to get to Valhalla."
"So you didn't watch the 80 people die at his hands?" Tony was somewhat furious. If she could have stopped him in one second, why was she not there? "Were you too busy opening the gates to see those down on Earth were even worthy?"
Loki looked to Tony. He didn't say a word but was calculating.
"I cannot stop everything," Sigyn defended herself. "I cannot see everything; even Heimdall and Allfather cannot see everything. I could ask the same for you and the rest. With such powers we possess we are not perfected to save everyone. Life as we know it would cease to exist if we did everything for everyone. We have darkness and light, good and evil. You believe once you die that is it. That there is nothing left." She was talking about what he had been dwelling on in the back of his mind. "That your legacy you leave behind is a path of destruction. Death is not an ending; it is just another beginning waiting to happen. There are times where we are reincarnated or our ideas are lived on by those who speak of us. Yes the loss of a being is tragic but it does remind us that there is also a being out there just born. It is a cycle."
"Now you are just saying crap," Tony sighed. He had heard this many times before. "I would rather not hear that Hallmark crap. Speak to me when you live in reality." He walked on and waved her off.
Loki's eyes drifted back to Sigyn. His eyebrows perked up in waiting for her reaction. Sigyn shrugged her shoulders as she looked up to him. "His cup is overflowing. Once there is room to allow more to be poured in, he will see."
The two headed off to their rooms to change out of their clothes and into sleeping attire. Sigyn showed up at Loki's room.
"I hear we are docking at the harbor, but we are staying on the yacht for the time being," Sigyn smiled as her robe flowed behind her.
Loki was without a shirt when she entered. He smiled to her as she put it on. "Do you ever knock?"
"Hmm. I believe you should have a taste of your own delights," Sigyn made herself look like him. She walked over to him. Loki looked at his duplicate.
"Shall I do the same?" Loki turned into Sigyn. He looked down at himself. "I now can actually see what your body is actually like." He looked up to her and winked.
Sigyn grabbed him by the arm, and the two of them morphed back into themselves. "I believe it is not the same as the real thing." She winked at him.
"Nothing is better than the real thing," he pulled her close in one thrust.
Tony came on the intercom interrupting them, "If you haven't heard already, the Love Boat is docking for now. You are not permitted to leave the yacht until further notice."
"I am beginning to think he is jealous," Loki let his hand glide down one of her arms and glide back up it.
"He has his own," Sigyn used her mind to shut the door.
"Impatient are we?" Loki let his voice drop off into a mere whisper.
"Not at all," Sigyn's hand went to face and hair. "I would rather keep things private."
"Scared for someone to walk in on us?" Loki teased with a bit of anger. "Scared that someone will notice you with me?"
Sigyn chuckled. "No. I am not one to put on a show for others. I am very loyal. I would not want my loyalty to be dispersed to those who will only use it for their enjoyment."
He rested his forehead onto hers. "Selfish." He then pulled her into a kiss.
It had been many weeks passed into the month of October, drawing near to Halloween. The group had stayed at Tony's mansion on the cliff. SHIELD had given some information about what had happened during their yachting excursion, though the information given was on a need to know basis.
Tony had kept pestering Loki and Sigyn whenever he could. He had also made sure to pester the others just as well. The group had asked him why they were staying at his mansion and not head back to Stark Tower several times but he would not answer. The Asgardians were the ones who were leery. Though the messengers did not say that they would be picked up anywhere specific, just only when the snow set in. However, Sigyn made it quite clear that it should be back in New York. That was the message was given. Snow sets at different times and in different places, New York was their best bet.
Tony finally explained to them that he had missed his mansion and that it was always a custom to throw his Halloween party. Even though with all that had happened in the course of this year, there were those who were still looking forward to it. Some of the group complained that he should have told them earlier and not wait until the last minute. He even had kept it from Sigyn, hard thing for him to do, even though she knew he was hiding something. Tony just shrugged his shoulders and said have at it for finding costumes. He had only given them a one day notice.
It was a few hours before the Halloween party was to begin. The mansion was decked out in sophisticated Halloween decorations. There were orange, black, purple, red, and lime green ribbons tied in bows everywhere, hung in rafters. The pool had tons of dry ice to make it feel eerie, along with little floating candles of different colors. There were some gravestones by the poolside. Tony made sure to have each of the group's nicknames he made for them on there. There were caterers setting up refreshments and setting up the bar. He had waiters, helpers and a DJ to get things settled in.
Guests started to arrive in different costumes, masks, and elegant attire. Music was playing, food was being tasted. Tony and Pepper were greeting people. The rest of the crew had not made it out of their rooms. Bruce hid himself in Tony's lab. He did not want to join in on the fun just then. He liked the machines Tony had. He was playing chess and card games with a few of them.
Janine kept Steve from going out too soon. She told him that even though it is a party and it is at Tony's place, they do not have to go out and mingle so early. Clint and Natasha decided who would be on first watch. Clint made the decision. He was out and about meeting the rich and famous around him. Tony had came up to him and asked if the rest were coming out. Clint explained that they would in good time. Clint was in a nice suit and tie. He didn't really join in on the costumes.
Thor and Jane decided to come out with Janine and Steve. Steve was dressed from his era. He thought that would be the best to fit in. Janine did the same. She was in a dark blue dress with kitten pumps. Her bangs were rolled and she had the rest in a pony tail with a dark blue handkerchief bow tying it back. Jane came out wearing a bright blue dress and gold charm jewelry. It had an ox, the word babe, and a small cowbell on it. Thor came out in red flannel, blue jeans, hiking boots, and red suspenders. Thor was Paul Bunyan and Jane was Babe. Natasha came out in a red dress with slit up one thigh. She made her rounds and met with Clint. The only two that had not shown up yet were Loki and Sigyn.
It was close to the midnight hour, before the two showed their presence. The two were in regency attire. The two looked very sophisticated and regal, as if they belonged of that era. Loki was in black pantaloons, black high boots, a green cravat, golden waste coat, and a jet black tailcoat. Sigyn was by his side in an empire waist gown. The material was a hue of purple with gold embroidery all over. The bottom edge of the gown was edged in intricate feather like leaf prints, those like a fern. The embroidery look like panels down the sides with small flower dots in between each panel, and from her waist drew a train with the same material and design. The train did not go too far behind her. Her sleeves were puffy and capped that went to fitting and slender. Her red hair was curled and warped in a giant bun. A few loose curls were left out. Fabric and jewels were woven in and out like the small braids in her hair.
They chatted with several guests who came up to them, trying to figure out who they were. Tony made his rounds to catch up on his crew. He spotted Jane and Thor first.
"Nice costumes," Tony commented. "Paul and Babe, nice, but I do believe your brother would have also been a great horned blue beast." He smiled and walked away before Thor or Jane could say anything. He then spotted Janine and Steve. He was following her to go outside, as they were small party games, food, dancing, and chatting going on.
"There are so many things to do," Janine was a bit excited. She tucked away her powers to have some peace for the night.
"What is the first thing you want to do?" Steve asked as he tried to keep up with her.
"Let's fondue," she smiled.
Steve stopped before he hit the doorway. Janine was still walking ahead. Tony took his chance and came up beside him. He could see how confused and shocked Steve was. "Fondue can be very messy," Tony kept his voice low as he slid a condom into Steve's front pocket. Steve looked down into the pocket then to Tony. Tony winked at him, patted him on the shoulder, and walked off. Steve walked off to go find Janine. When he did, he found her at a small table with a plate in hand. It had several different snacks upon it dipped in cheese. Janine could sense that he was somewhat agitated. She quickly delved into his mind and began to apologize for not setting things straight. The two started to blush.
Tony walked by Clint and Natasha, "You two, boring costumes."
"What are you suppose to be?" Clint asked.
"I'm Ironman," Tony turned around and smiled.
"Well that's not very creative," Clint retorted.
"It's a lot better than undercover Agent 1 and 2 of SHIELD," Tony took a glass of champagne from a waiter walking by. "Though I can see why that was your only other option because Thing 1 and Thing 2 have already been taken." He looked over to Loki and Sigyn. Tony left to go over and bother the two. "Well, if it isn't a taller version of Bonaparte and the Lady Josephine. Your height finally matches your ego." Tony took a sip. "Silence, must have guessed wrong. Though I did see that some of my movies had been watched, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Beckett do sound more your style. No?" Sigyn and Loki stared at him in silence. Sigyn was about to answer but Loki didn't want her too. He wanted to see how far Tony could keep up the antics. "A magician would have suited you better with your illusions. Though I don't believe you would let your other half here be out and about half naked. Unless that is your kind of thing? Which I don't see why it wouldn't be?" Tony stood there in silence.
"Is that all you could come up with?" Loki finally spoke.
"Yeah, for now," Tony looked at him.
"My, my, and here I thought you were going to keep elaborating with your impervious jests," Loki smiled. "Such a surprise."
"Well, that is why I am Ironman and not a magician," Tony took a sip. "I can't keep pulling things out of my ass."
"No, I fear you would get too caught up in the schematics of it to ever leave," Loki retorted.
Tony shifted his head side to side. "Least I don't wear mine like a hat."
"Gentlemen," Sigyn finally interrupted. "While you embark on your quest to see whose wit can actually match that of a dunce, I will be conversing with those of the complete opposite. Excuse me." She let go of Loki's arm and glided away.
Tony took over Sigyn's spot next to Loki. The two watched her as she walked away and started talk with a small group of costumed guests.
"She's good," Tony finally spoke again. Loki nodded his head in agreement. "Makes you see why the different realms are after her. She is the kind most guys want to tame. Keep her locked away, mold her into a housewife, and train her to be slave of all sorts."
"Those are not men," Loki stopped him from going on. "Those are cravens, afraid of the power that she possesses, the wild animosity shown through her eyes, and the caring nature of her being. Their fear leads to a possessive hunger to control those around them with her."
"Is that how you see her?" Tony was serious when he asked.
"I see her as a partner, an equal," Loki watched her as she smiled and laughed at those who wanted to entertain her. He smirked at their efforts. "She is also one of the few who actually believes in me. Maybe the only one." His features showed hints of sadness. "She might be the only one who even trusts me. Why would you want to tame her, when you yourself does not want to be tamed either?"
"Don't let her go then," Tony looked to him then back to her. "For being such a villain, you're also an alright kind of guy. Crazy, but hey everyone has their faults, and our past makes us who we are presently, at times. Though if you have someone who sees all your faults, and still doesn't give up on you, don't lose them. Don't take them for granted either. She might always be there for you, but her view upon you might change. Don't give her that option. I would say marry her, but she's like your boss, so either she quits, or you get fired, then marry her. No one likes boss-employee relationships. Partners, yes." Tony then left to go speak with the rest of the guests.
That is what I fear, Loki thought to himself. It will be soon when the snow stays, and we are back in Asgard. Who knows what will happen then? He walked over to Sigyn who was listening intently to a guest telling a story. Loki put his hand at the small of her back. She automatically stepped closer to him. He smirked as he listened to the story as well.