Chapter 10.

She stood quietly, watching all the Ladies around her in their gowns and waiting foe her turn to be fitted in hers. The twins, taking their turns to be fitted in crimson gowns of silk. Giggling at eachother with gilded fox masks that made them look sly, turning on their toes and flaring out their skirts in their play. It was no suprise that Thor was their escort for the evening, and even less so that both girls looked as if they were limping that morning. Rumors circulated that both girls had not returned to their chambers, and Queen Frigga was not at all pleased.

Floria held her own mask in her hands, turning over the golden eye mask and looking down at it. Hers was more plain, but her hair was to be adorned with garlands of flowers and butterflies on the evening of the ball. She stayed at the edge of the group of Ladies, remaining quiet and shy as she stood alone.

She tried very hard to feel apart of the group of Maids, but she still felt so alone as she worked among them. As if her world was something very alien compared to theirs, and she a novelty they wanted to toy with. She hid a bit among them, trying not to be seen, but could not seem to completely vanish. Their worlds, so completely foreign to her and so very out of reach still.

A fair haired girl in, midnight silk with embroidery of silver stars stepped down from her fitting, the two seamstresses waving her over for her turn. She stepped shily out if her hiding spot, the shimmering green silk, embroidered with flowers over the cream underskirt breathtaking as she stepped forward. Her quarter sleeves ended in gentle ruffles of the green, that flattered her and did not take away from her gown. The seamstresses gasped at how beautiful she looked, Frigga clapping her hands. She walked toward Floria with her hands out, guiding the shy girl toward the two waiting women gently.

"I knew this color of silk would be perfect for you Dear, it accents your hair perfectly and brings out your eyes so well." Frigga said and held her hands out to her. She helped Floria step up onto the stool, the two ladies working quickly with pins and measuring tapes to ensure it fit her perfectly.

Frigga had suggested days ago that Loki be her escort to the Masquerade, and he agreed. He had asked her later that same day in fact, and she agreed to allow it. Her reply muttered softly, and her cheeks blushing. Frigga smiled at her, watching the seamstresses wave her off the stool to change into her other dress, one stopping her and lifting her chin gently.

"She is such a pretty thing, and will be chased about for the whole evening for dances with every man there." The gray haired woman said and Frigga smiled at her.

"Youth has been kind to her." Frigga agreed, looking at the time. "Go and change dear, we can't have you late for your lessons."

"Yes My Queen." Floria said, and stepped down from the platform. She hurried away from the group to change her dress, and put her eyes back on the floor as she walked. Frigga hoped that she would come out of her shell soon, and prayed that it was merely time that what was needed to heal the wounds inflicted on her soul. She watched the girl emerge a short while later, handing the Seamstresses the gown and giving them a soft word of gratitude. Her face still looking very shy however and she turned to walk at a quick pace toward the door, pausing to look back before leaving. Frigga gave her a gentle wave, and she returned it with a thin smile before ghosting through it and into the hall.

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"You made mistakes on these differences that I marked, Nightengale. Please try them again." Loki said and she frowned down at the page. She scanned the problems, trying to find where her mistakes were made but could not see them. He sat next to her, seeing her frustration and carefully slipped the page away and she glanced at him in suprise.

"Would you like me to show you where you made the mistakes?" He asked her and she nodded. She took in a deep breath, her corset feeling too tight suddenly and she watched him write out the three problems again. He worked the first one for her to see, and pointed out where she went awry. Her eyes following along with his work, and she nodded when she saw what had happened.

"You see, it was just a small mistake, but it meant a different result because of it. You are still showing that you understand the concept however, and that is commendable." He said and gave her back the page. She looked down at it, and seemed troubled by something but nodded her agreement.

"Yes Sir. I see it now." She said and picked up her quill to attempt the other two. Her hand shook a moment, and she bit her lip as she concentrated on the differences in front of her. He cleared his throat, getting her attention and she looked up at him.

"You are impressive in your capacity for learning, you shouldn't fret over it Nightengale." He said and she smiled a tiny bit.

"I am not thinking about that Sir, I promise." She said and he nodded. Leaning forward more, he tapped the hand that was resting on the table with his fingers and she glanced up, her eyes curious.

"You know, they say, that true magic is in being able to unburden one's soul. I am willing to help you, should you wish to talk freely. And I may keep your secrets, should you trust me with them." He said, she biting her lip and worrying at it as she thought for a long time about what she wanted to say. He knew that years of training under a cruel Master made her silent, and he waited patiently for her to speak in her own time.

"I do not understand why the other Handmaidens under Queen Frigga dislike me." She said with a sigh. Her eyes became pained and she looked lost, Loki feeling for her suddenly because he knew the feeling all too well.

"Wht do you mean? Do they speak yo you in a demeaning manner?" He asked her and she shook her head, her eyes falling to her lap and she fell silent. "Floria, please tell me what they are doing to make you feel so diminished."

"They... they do not invite me to the Market with them, and I am... often made to feel apart from their activities Sir. Like I am a small thing in their presence, and easily ignored." She said and she bit her lip. "They also give me tasks that they do not wish to perform themselves. Like polishing Her Majesty's mirror, or clearing her bedding. They... they also tease me when I make mistakes in my manners, laughing at me and mimicking how I act."

He sat back in his chair, crossing his arms and he looked past her at the fire. He was so angry that they dared to treat her in that way, his distaste for the Nobles and how they raised their children making his hands clench. She looked at her lap, and he could see that she was worried that she would be punished for speaking her mind. He understanding her fears, he leaned across the table and she looked at him. Her eyes filled with fear, and he gave her a reassuring smile to help her relax.

"They have no reason to treat you so Nightengale, and I know that your extra efforts are noticed by Frigga. She may have her Secretary give you extra coins for those good deeds you do, and you earn them well. As for your mannerisms, I am saddened and sickened that they tease them. You are shy, but your courtsey, chastity, and gentle nature are all assets that keep their value well." He said and her mouth opened in shock at his words, never knowing such praise. "You are clever as well, learning how to read so quickly and being so diligent in learning Arithimetic. I actually want to see if I may be able to teach you some magic, and I have never felt the desire to share my knowledge of my gifts with anyone. I would be honored as well, if you accepted this opportunity."

"Sir... I do not know if I have any talent for it." She said and he saw her eyes turn bright. He smiled at her, taking her hand and squeezing it.

"I see much in you, and I truly believe that you can go far." He said and she blushed at him, her heart pounded and she felt some stirring in her she had not known before and she looked down shily.

"You see better in me than I do Sir." She said and he laughed.

"No, I only see what is there Floria." He replied and she looked at him. Her eyes were filled with a light then, and he smiled at him. "I do not make this offer to just anyone, only you. It will be you to allow me to teach you magic, and am not ashamed to do so if you wish it."

"Then... I accept Sir. I would like to learn, and hope that I do not disappoint you." She replied back, and he grinned at her. He tucked a tray bit of hair behind her hear and her pulse quickened at the gesture, a soft tremble entering her lips.

"You have not disappointed me as of yet." He said and she blushed. "We will go tomorrow to the Market and fetch items we need to begin your learning, and you may shop a bit for whatever you like as we travel." He said and she thought about the beautiful shawl one girl bought with shimmering beads, and of the gold cuff bracelet another purchased. She had wages saved in a drawer of her vanity, secreted away and safe, but never knowing what to spend the coins on. Her mind traveling to all the beautiful things she saw the girls return with from Market Days, and the things she thought she would like to have.

"Yes Sir. I would like that very much." She said and he smiled at her. She picked up the pen, working again on the last two problems and he stood. He walked to the fireplace, leaning against the mantle and thinking about how to tell Frigga what she had revealed to him. He turned back, watching her work slowly and he smiled at her profile. The way her head bent over the page, and he finding it strangely attractive.

"Rest well tonight Floria, we will be leaving early and have much walking to do." He said, she looking up at him from her work.

"Yes Sir. I shall do that, I don't want you to have to wait on me because I am fatigued." She said and went back to the problems, her smile not fading and he having some satisfaction for putting it there.