Loki turned to the now empty field, his emotions erratic. The hurt and pain he had witnessed on Ashera's face several times made him furious. Then she had called herself a monster. He had nearly lost control at that statement. She must have been abandoned or shunned to think magic was such a curse. It was all too familiar.
He walked briskly still thinking. He would not stoop to his father's level. He would teach her what he could. Once he saw the pain on her face and the excitement of learning more…He no longer wished to use her for his advantage. He would accept his fate and learn to live with the life he was dealt.
He looked once more upon the field he knew he would be visiting again. Vanishing he brought himself back to the castle and into his rooms.
*Midgard*
"Did you get the supplies I asked for?" Jane asked her nose still in a book a pen in her other hand hovering over a piece of paper.
Ashera closed her eyes letting her head drop back. Loki was really messing with her time today.
"No I'm sorry I just got your message, I'll run back out right now." she reassured her and headed for the door again.
"Are you ok?" Jane asked now looking at Ashera.
"Yeah," she said with a quick smile "just a long day."
Jane shrugged and returned to her book allowing Ashera a sigh of relief as she headed back out to the store. She could only hope the rest of her day would be uneventful.
*Asgard*
Loki donned his good armor and grabbed his scepter before leaving his rooms. As he traversed the corridors any servants he happened upon would either give him sideways looks or scurry away as though they might catch fire. He couldn't blame them, the rumors that had followed his return had gotten a bit out of hand if he thought so himself. One even entertained the idea that he had gone off realm and somehow birthed a sea serpent. What foolishness they had all come up with.
Arriving at the great banquet hall he was already regretting his decision to attend the feast. He took a deep breath before opening the golden doors and looking around. Seeing Thor he headed to join the table which also sat Sif, Fandral, Volstagg, and Hogun. Loki glanced up to the throne; Odin's gaze was beyond him, but his mother seemed as though she was glowing. As she watched him sit next to his brother she smiled at him before returning to view the other incoming guests.
As soon as Loki sat down Thor threw a giant hand into his back in greeting.
"Welcome brother!" he bellowed, "Good to have you!"
Loki gave a small appeasing smile.
The others all followed suite in greeting him but with much less enthusiasm. Then, all but Thor proceeded to avoid him a bit more than he felt necessary. Loki sipped his wine as Thor rambled on about his latest travels. The time seemed to drag on. Loki sat quietly, listening and picking at his food. He didn't have much of an appetite. He hated these feasts, they were only held in order to gain attention for Thor. He had no place here. He should be doing research so he could assist Ashera. Why had he allowed himself to be so persuaded? Hopefully he could visit with Frigga soon, allowing him to leave guilt free having fulfilled his obligations to Thor.
Cassidy watched from the corner carefully taking in the scene before her. Loki had finally arrived. His leather clad body still toned and sleek as she remembered it to be. His black hair slicked back under the golden horned helmet. The air of his presence radiated power and disgust as if he would rather be anywhere else. He had been absent for quite some time, it was no secret he had been misbehaving on other realms and rumors had spread. Cassidy had been keeping her ears open and it had finally paid off when she heard of his reintroduction at court. Her plan could finally come to fruition. She just needed to get to Loki.
Cassidy blinked a few times, she had gotten ahead of herself. She had been patient thus far she could wait a little longer. For tonight she would mingle and observe. This was, after all, Loki's first appearance in over a year, she would be sure it was not his last. Besides, she needed to keep up appearances.
She moved to a table and posed as best she could to still see him. She flipped a lock of curled blonde hair over her shoulder and continued to speak with the other guests, being sure to keep an eye on Loki who never moved from where he sat. His eyes glanced over the hall occasionally but never landed on a specific spot. She had a presence that was enhanced by magic, adding to her allure. If Loki noticed her, or her magic, he made no motions to give it away. Everything she did was conceptualized with a grace and subtlety only she, as one of the Old Gods, could manage. He seemed otherwise preoccupied and had little to do with the other nobles. Frowning slightly she turned back to continue her conversations.
Loki glared into his wine, he was becoming impatient. Once the meal was over he could speak with Frigga and make his getaway. It seemed like an eternity but eventually she stood to view her guests in person. Loki gulped down what remained in his cup and stood. Excusing himself from Thor and the others, who were in a conversation about what sword would work better to kill a Bilgesnipe; he made his way toward the Allmother.
"Loki!" she regarded him with delight, "It is so good to see you!"
"Hello mother. Yes, I seem to have been chided into attending this evening's event."
"All the better, I never see you anymore."
"Well I do keep oh so busy." Loki needlessly drew out the line to impress upon her its irony.
She gave him a slightly scolding look before changing the subject. "You should join me for tea in the coming days since you are taking your leave so early."
Loki looked away, he wasn't going to avoid her anymore but he wasn't ready to face her alone. Not yet. "I do have some research to do mother perhaps another time." He attempted the excuse but knew its failure was imminent.
"Oh don't lie to your mother, where do you think you got your tricks from hmmm?" She teased him lightly, "I won't keep you more than an hour." She stated it as if he had no choice, so in essence he did not.
"Very well, in the garden late afternoon, let us say in three days?" Loki confirmed.
"That will do nicely!" Frigga rejoiced at his approval, "Please don't be late dear." She smiled kindly at him.
Loki nodded, "Then I bid you farewell for now." He turned to leave.
"Loki!" she called, "Thank you."
Loki smiled genuinely at the only family member he felt he could trust before turning again and striding quickly from the hall.
Cassidy approached the Allmother. Having witnessed Loki leaving she thought this a good time to speak up.
"Good evening Allmother it is so good to see you!" Cassidy gave a polite curtsey.
"Ahh Lady Cassidy! I do hope all is well on Vanaheim, I am saddened to hear of your parents passing."
"Thank you for your concern, they rest well now. Uncle Navire is teaching me so that I may take over the rule of the realm. It is always a trying time when an Old God dies. The others are still in mourning."
"And do you still mourn for your losses?"
"I have mourned, but I do well to remember where I need to stand and continue my growth for my kingdom. With my strength our people will thrive. I only hope to achieve what my previous kinsmen have not."
Frigga viewed the girl feeling concerned. Her relatives had been involved in the war between the Gods. Old and New had clashed and Vanaheim had fought tirelessly against Asgard. Neither had truly won nor lost, but an agreement had been struck and both sides exchanged hostages in order to keep the peace. Vanaheim, believing to have been deceived, slaughtered their share while the Vanir had lived in peace on Asgard. They had stuck to the contract out of duty in order to stop a second war but the repudiation had stayed. Many in both realms still held prejudices, but Odin welcomed all to his city. The Venir were allowed to stay if they wished, those who did helped to abolish the old hostilities. She was not sure where Cassidy would fall on that line so she smiled and questioned the girl carefully. It would not due to be irrational with an Old world Goddess.
"Yes it can be hard to rule with such adverse views within one kingdom." She tried to be diplomatic, picking her words carefully in order to examine the girl's answers. "What is it you wish to be remembered for?"
"I would like to work together in order to bring about an armistice."
"So would you ask our assistance?" She asked genuinely. If peace truly was what Cassidy was after she had no qualms that Odin would agree to help; but only if the truth was being spoken.
"I only ask that you continue to allow me to be an honored guest at your banquets." Cassidy giggled. A trifle sound that seemed forced Frigga noted.
"It is my desire to demonstrate to Vanir and Aesir alike that we may yet live in infallible unity."
Cassidy turned her small red lips up into a sweet and innocent looking smile. She was well versed in her ability to manipulate others, her smile was no different. If anyone thought otherwise they would have a difficult time proving it.
Frigga smiled back at the girl accepting her explanation. She held her tongue about the deception she could sense. Perhaps she would keep an eye on this soon to be Queen of Vanaheim. Even with the best of intentions the girl's ideas were grand and easily corruptible if not nurtured properly. Cassidy's uncle Navire, who was now her guardian, was known to be the great sword master of their realm. He fought in many battles never failing to land a blow; that is until the war with Asgard. His hostility was well known toward their kind so his intentions would be harder to define especially if they were being used to sway the Princess. Frigga beckoned to the girl putting an arm around her slim shoulders.
"You are welcomed to Asgard any time you please. I will be sure to keep you and your uncle informed of any banquets we hold. Perhaps an unbiased peace for our realms will be possible if care is taken." She gave Cassidy a serious look before smiling and letting her go. "Take care, and do give my regards to your uncle Navire."
The dismissal was finite and Cassidy gave a curtsy. Painfully bowing her head to the Queen of Asgard before returning to her table and the meaningless conversations it held.
A/N: Hello! I apologize for the wait. This chapter took a long time and had a lot of changes to get here but I am very happy with how it turned out. I hope you all enjoy and continue to read. Please review/ follow/ favorite! I enjoy hearing from you all feel free to pm me if you have any questions or comments that you do not want as a review. Thank you!