Things continued as normal over the next several days, but Sigyn noticed a decided lack of chaos magic in her house, or in her garden. Although she usually would have been pleased with the fact her flowers no longer chimed on the hour, she was surprised that the oddities were diminishing. She was loathe to admit that she had enjoyed seeing what Loki had come up with, regardless of the fact he had stopped relegating his endeavors to only the small room, but it was certainly unusual.

She went to his room and hesitated when she saw a line of frost on the door. When she peered inside she saw the Trickster sitting on his bed, reading a book. The room was filled with snow.

"Snow?" She asked.

"Why not?" he shrugged

"Is something amiss?" she asked.

"Possibly," he replied

"Can I help?"

"I imagine not," he replied

She raised her eyebrows at his curt answers. "I suppose it is nothing you wish to discuss?"

"How long do humans live, nowadays?" he asked suddenly.

"It depends on the human." She said thoughtfully. "And on their lifestyle, of course. We magical-types appear to live slightly longer than most." She added shrewdly. "You are wondering how long you will be stuck with me, I suspect?"

"Enjoying the pleasure of your companionship," he responded with a smile

"Indeed." She sounded amused. "That aside, I imagine your recent lack of chaos within the house has something to do with your current predicament."

"It might," he agreed

"Then I you are incorrect," she stepped further into the room, "I believe there is something I can do to alleviate your ennui."

"Is there now?" he asked

"Call it...day release, as it were."

He raised a brow. "Go on?" As always, his face was carefully blank.

"I trust you not to run off..." she started slowly.

"I can't," he pointed out.

She sighed again, heavily. "If I give you leave to...leave..." She began slowly. "Then I would trust you would return." She continued, almost awkwardly. "It is not...healthy for you to be cooped up in my house for days on end."

"I would return," he agreed quickly, "What are your conditions?"

"Please limit your chaos, as much as you can," she said, with a smile more like a grimace. "And keep said chaos away from harming anyone."

"I promise I won't hurt anyone," Loki said.

"Since it is some time before dinner, now is acceptable." Sigyn took on a business-like tone.

"But I should be home in time for dinner?" he asked with a smile.

"I would appreciate it, yes..."

"Alright," he stood up. "Then I will see you at dinner."

Sigyn was left alone in the empty room, surrounded by rapidly melting snow. She prayed that she had made the right decision.

The hours ticked back and the sun went down. Sigyn tried not to pace the kitchen as she finished preparing dinner. What if Loki didn't return? what if Carrowen was right, and she _had_ been tricked? But, just as she set the last plate on the table, Loki entered the kitchen. He even used the door.

"I brought something to add to dinner," he set a small bag of oranges on the table.

"Dinner? Oh, I did a pie," she motioned to the oven. "I was keeping the dishes warm..."

"Wonderful," he smiled, waving a hand at the oranges. Two of them separated into pieces. "I hope you like oranges."

"I am very fond of oranges, thank you Loki," she smiled a little.

The two settled down to eat dinner. Loki looked quite pleased with himself.

Sigyn made no comment of that, though honestly she was itching with curiosity. She firmly told herself that if he wished to share his smugness, he would, and that it was not her place to question him like a fussing mother or nagging wife.

"Do you really wish to know what you unleashed upon the world?" he asked playfully

She pursed her lips at him. "Do not push your luck," she retorted, struggling not to smile.

"Alright," he teased, "If you do not wish to know."

Sigyn snorted. "I honestly dare not ask."

"But I do believe you want to."

"Of course," she admitted, smirking slightly. "I wish to know how much damage I shall have to repair," she teased.

"Oh, none I assure you," he replied, "I went far enough away. That's where I got the oranges. And honestly, I believe I helped some people out."

"Oh?" She sounded curious.

"Pink oranges will fetch a rather good price as a novelty food, I imagine."

Sigyn laughed then. "I see."

"But I followed your rules," he assured her, "I hope I was not too late in returning home."

"No, not at all." She shook her head.

"Good," he nodded, and returned his attention to his food.

Then after a moment he spoke up again. "Will this be a reoccurring event?"

"I should think so," she nodded slowly.

"Then if you wish for any exotic foods, do let me know."

Tonight Loki had been given leave to stay out much later in the evening - he had convinced Sigyn that there were events this night that he simply had to attend.

She had relented with much less ire than she once might have done. She didn't tell him directly, but Sigyn trusted him not to cause too much trouble. That said, she still worried that maybe he would, or maybe he would get _into_ trouble, and so waited up for him, first distracting herself with research in her workroom, then with a mint tea in the kitchen. The late nights, coupled with the amount of work she had been doing in the months since Loki had become her house guest, finally caught up with the sorceress, and she fell asleep sat up to the kitchen table, her tea half-finished beside her.

"Lady Sigyn?" a soft voice startled her awake.

She sat up, hair flying everywhere, considerably more awake. "Loki! I was- well I was attempting to wait for you but...ah..." She looked sheepish, pushing her hair back from her face.

"It's alright," he smiled warmly.

"I - uh - assume you had a pleasant outing?..." she fumbled for the words.

"I did."

Sigyn blushed. "Well, ah, I shall let you go to bed..."

"You should get yourself to bed," he told her, "You need more rest than I do."

Something that looked suspiciously like a pout curved Sigyn's lips. "I have been busy..."

"Get to bed," he told her gently.

She sighed and got up, tipping her cold tea away in the sink. "Goodnight, Loki," she said, heading for her room.

"Sleep well," he told her with a warm smile.

*~*~*~*~*

In the morning, she woke feeling rather embarrassed. She wasn't sure if she was more embarrassed to have been caught waiting up, or to be scolded by her charge.

When her eyes focused properly she realized that there was a tray next to her bed with a light breakfast laid out on it. The breakfast tea was the perfect temperature. She smiled, in spite of herself. She had to admit, she had gotten used to Loki's presence.

When she finally emerged from her room, the ever-present flowers that seemed to grow where ever they felt like it nowadays, burst into a performance of a violin concert. She laughed, completely unable to stop herself. It was ridiculous, but, she reflected, sometimes ridiculous wasn't so bad.

"They seem to like an audience," Loki said from behind her.

She turned around and flushed, though didn't stop smiling. "Indeed they do."

"I'm glad you like them," the trickster's said warmly, "What are your plans for the day?"

"More of the same," she shrugged slightly. "Although I have nearly exhausted my research materials."

"What are you looking into now?" he asked, "Or is it still my case?"

"What other case do I have?" She half-teased. "At least I am well fortified with breakfast," she added.

He gave a little bow. "I hope everything was to your liking."

"It certainly was." She smiled. "Perhaps I shall have to fall asleep at the kitchen table more frequently."

"You don't need to do that to get breakfast," he said

Sigyn blushed in spite of herself. "Well, that is a relief. It is not the most comfortable of places..."

"You really didn't need to wait up, you know," he told her gently, "I will come back just as I promised."

Her blush grew. "Yes, well... You are my responsibility..."

"Well, do as you like," he responded

"Oh, I do." She said, a little tartly.

"Good," he smiled, "So do I."

*~*~*~*~*

Loki interrupted her after a few hours. "Would you come with me? I wish to show you something."

Curious, Sigyn followed him out to the garden, where he pointed to the sky. It was a riot of colors, blues and greens.

She looked up, and made a sound of surprise. "That is not something I have seen before..."

"It's pretty, isn't it?" he smiled, "Normally, this happens much further north."

Sigyn nodded. "I have heard tell of such a thing, but my duties do not allow me much travel..."

"I thought you would like it," he smiled, "So I invited it home."

She smiled slightly. "I do. Thank you, Loki."

"Would you like to sit and watch the show with me for a time?" he asked

She hesitated a moment, thinking about the work she still had to do, then shrugged inwardly; it could wait a while. "That would be very pleasant, thank you." She smiled.

He looked pleased about that. "Good."

Sigyn gave him a half-smile. "I would not wish your hard work to go unappreciated," she teased him lightly.

"You'd be one of the first," he said

She waved a hand. "Too many are unappreciative of hard work."

"Especially mine," he said with a little sigh.

Sigyn regarded him a moment, then gave him a proper smile. "Well, I appreciate your hard work."

He returned her smile, a smile that had no hint of mischief in it at all.

She flushed slightly, in spite of herself. She had grown a little more fond of her house guest than she thought entirely wise.