Nancy woke a few hours later, her head pounding. She couldn't remember what had happened. The last thing she knew, she was... in her kitchen, having wine. Then... then there was the fog. Green fog.
With a soft groan, she opened her eyes, only to be blinded by the white lights above her. She quickly and instinctively closed them again.
Where am I? she thought, still groggy, Am I dead?
She tried to open her eyes again, still blinded by the lights, and slowly sat up. Across from her, a large opening in the wall glowed with a golden tint. Around the edges, the gold intensified. She blinked at it. Another, to her left, separated her from a darkened area, just outside her room. No... this wasn't a room. It was a cell. A bright, white cell.
Slowly, Nancy stood to her feet, staggering a bit from her dizziness. Unable to regain her footing, she was forced to lean against the closest wall for support. Outside her cell, Loki stood with a slight smirk on his face, clearly amused with her struggles to regain consciousness.
"Where am I?" Nancy croaked, her voice hoarse from sleeping. Carefully testing her balance, and wary of Loki's close proximity, she slowly approached the steps leading down to the barrier. With the same careful and precise movements, she reached out her hand and hesitantly touched the barrier. Gold light shone around her fingertips. "Loki, what's going on?"
"I allowed you to study me to your heart's content." Loki smirked widely, basking in her confusion. "Now it's my turn."
Nancy gasped softly, realizing the tables were turned. Now she was the subject of endless inquiry, completely at the mercy of a madman. "What are you going to do to me?"
Loki shrugged at her, his smirk unwavering. It was time she learned her place. Learned what it meant to be studied. "Everything."
Nancy stepped back, more fearful of him than she'd ever been in her life. "Please don't do this." she begged softly, "Please."
"No, no. Relax, pet." Loki moved away from the barrier and turned to leave. "I will return."
"No!" Nancy called after him, running to the barrier again. He couldn't just leave her like that, trapped in a cage on an alien planet. She pressed her hands against the barrier as if she could force her way through it. "Don't do this! Loki, please!"
But her pleas were in vain. He was already walking away.
With a sigh, Nancy turned from the barrier and glanced around her small, empty cell. She tried to tell herself she'd been trained for this. Put through simulations and training exercises. Tortured as much as the government would allow. But those were simulations. She knew she was really safe back then, that help would come if she was truly hurt. Now... she was alone. Completely and utterly alone. All hope rested in the hands of a lunatic... the lunatic she had stalked. All of this was entirely her own fault. Her own actions were crumbling down on her head.
Nancy curled up in the corner of her cell, waiting for her hell to begin. But, she wouldn't go down without a fight. No, she would always put up a fight. Even to her dying breath. "I don't care who you think you are!" she screamed, unsure whether he'd actually left or not. At this point, she didn't care. She would kick and scream and cause a fuss until someone heard her. "You're not a 'god'! You, Loki, are a cowardly little boy! Denied by his father and hiding behind silly magic tricks!"
Loki spun back and instantly returned to the barrier. "Hiding? Hiding?! I assure you, I am not hiding. And, yes, I was denied by my father – both my fathers – but that does not define me." He stepped closer, passing through the barrier and entering her cell.
As he entered, Nancy stood to face him. She stepped forward, glaring, as the distance closed between them.
"As for being cowardly," Loki continued, "I assure you I am not. Has anything I've ever done seemed cowardly? No? I thought not. I do not know who you think you are, but despite all you say, I am far superior to you in more ways than one and you are not to-"
Fed up with his superiority complex, Nancy slammed her fist into his jaw, silencing him. How dare he insult her? And to her face no less! How dare he think he was above her? He was just a man. A man with magic and a stolen throne.
"Listen here, windbag." she seethed, "Your words don't scare me. You don't scare me." She stepped closer, defiantly hovering her face mere inches from his. "You're mortal, the same as I am. You can die. I know that for a fact. The only reason you're even still alive is because of your..." she shoved a finger into his chest, "Alien blood. That's all that differs you from me. So stuff your empty words up your ass and act civil. Or is his High and Mightiness too proud to come down off his high horse?"
Loki bellowed a curse and reached out a single hand to capture both her wrists. It wasn't hard. Her small bones were fragile and thin compared to him. He could snap her if he truly wished it. "I will teach you what happens when you speak to me in such a tone," he hissed. "With such words." One good yank sufficed to drag her along behind him. Out through the barrier. Toward a hall seldom used for prisoners.
Nancy snarled and kicked at his legs, twisting and thrashing in his grasp. She leaned over as much as she could while being dragged along and nipped at his hand, unable to get a good enough grasp on his skin to do much damage. Every time she tried, she nearly stumbled from being pulled so roughly.
Of course. Leave it to the outgoing Midgardian scientist to try to injure him. Well, he knew how to win a battle. He pulled extra hard on her wrists, which easily pulled her off balance. It would have to do for now. Until he could make it to his destination, just at the end of this hall. The flogging room. If anyone deserved it, this woman did.
Nancy stumbled forward and missed a step, sending her crashing to her knees. She continued to thrash in his grip, rolling around on the ground as he continued to drag her. "Let me go, you bastard!" she spat, then added with extra emphasis, "Ha! Literally! You're nothing but an outcast!"
Enough. Enough words and lies and arrows. Loki spun on her and pulled her close by her wrists. With such ease it surprised even him, he buried his free hand in her hair and clenched his fist around the mass of red locks. "Speak another word and your punishment will worsen by a hundred-fold."
Their faces were in such close proximity. She couldn't help herself. Nancy spit directly in his face. Well, she hadn't said anything.
The sardonic woman no doubt thought she could get away with spitting on him. After all, she hadn't spoken. Outraged, Loki gripped her all the harder. Both wrists and hair. She would learn to obey him, and she would learn it quickly, or he would do so much worse than simply flogging her.
Loki pushed her toward the flogging post. He only released her at the last second, and used a single burst of green magic to bind her hands above her head. At least then she could no longer scratch and hit. He pressed his fingers to the spot on his cheek where she had hit him. That act renewed his anger ten-fold. Loki eyed her shirt. Flimsy Midgardian fabric that would bend to his every whim. He dug both hands into the material at the back of her neck and ripped it from top to bottom. He turned from her exposed back to select a long, thin reed.
"You'll never win!" Nancy snarled, thrashing wildly. She swung her legs up and pressed her feet against the post, trying to use the leverage to push herself off. "I don't care what you do to me! You'll never break me!" Try as she might, she couldn't free herself. So she simply kicked behind her, hoping to land a blow to his lower parts.
This wouldn't do, Loki thought to himself as he turned around. With all her movement, she would no doubt incur more injuries upon herself than he hoped to give. He needed a controlled environment. Fine. If she wanted it that way... Loki sent more green tendrils of magic to bind her feet to the floor and hold her middle completely still. One quick flick of his wrist made the reed in his hand whistle and pop. Perfect.
"You will obey!" He slashed the reed across her delicate skin once, watching the welt redden and rise.
Nancy cried out as the reed made contact with her skin. "Never! I'll never obey you! I'm not your dog!"
Loki changed directions and lashed her again. "You will submit!"
She cried out again, this time opting to remain silent. She tried to struggle, but his magic held her too tightly. Tears formed in her eyes, more from the betrayal than the pain.
"And you will tame your tongue!" Hot tears burned at his eyes. Loki hated that she held the ability to make him cry. He brought the reed across her back again.
Her cries became sharper as the pain intensified. Quietly, but harshly, she whispered, "I hate you." A sob escaped her throat, fueling her rage. "You beast!" she screamed, as loud as she possibly could, "You monster! I hate you!"
How dare she? He was no more beast than Thor and no more monster than Odin. He wouldn't allow a mortal to say such things about him. In a blind rage, Loki brought a lash down on her once more.
This time, Nancy shrieked from the pain. Her cry quickly dissolved into sobs as angry tears streamed down her face.
Loki lifted his arm to hit her again. But, he couldn't. Because this—this very thing—made him into the monster Asgardians told their children about at night. It made him no better than his biological father. And it would only serve to make her hate him all the more.
Loki tossed the switch aside and fell to his knees on the hard floor. The sound that came from his lips was more animal than man. Half a scream and half a roar that emitted all his hurt and anger. It lingered in the air and echoed around the stone walls.
Nancy flinched at the sound. "Go ahead!" she retaliated, venting her own rage and hurt, "Scream! Louder! All your cries mean nothing! I hope you rot in hell, you poor excuse for a man!"
This time, Loki swallowed the rage that built up, begging him to lash out again. He couldn't do this anymore. He couldn't hurt her because she told the truth. He was a monster. He had taken her from all she knew. To what? He said to study her, but really he only wanted to know how she would react to a new environment. Like a mouse in a lab cage.
Loki let his tears run silently down his face as he lifted his eyes. Angry red lines ran back and forth across her exposed back. Red welts glared at him and laughed at his excuses. Above all, she trembled head to toe. Unable to move and yet she shook. He had caused that.
Nancy shivered and shuddered as she waited for the next blow to land. But it never came. All was still and silent. Too silent. She held her breath and listened for him. "Loki...?" she asked, her voice trembling. She tried to move again, but she was still bound fast. A small whimper escaped her throat as she listened for any sign of what he might do next.
He couldn't let her hang like that. Alone and frightened and without a friend. He had to do something. Loki stood and took two steps closer, until he could reach out and touch her injuries. He pulled his hand back before he touched her. She couldn't possibly want him to touch her, especially after that, but he couldn't help himself. He reached out again and skimmed the tips of his fingers across the welts.
Suddenly, Nancy felt his freezing fingers brush over her wounds. "Please!" she cried involuntarily, "No more." She hissed in a breath. "Please."
Loki swallowed. She was in pain. So much pain, with no end in sight. He flicked a wrist, releasing the magic from around her. Releasing her to move again. Even if she did punch him, he deserved it.
As soon as she was released, Nancy dropped to the floor, her legs giving out under her. Weakly, she scrambled away from him, as quickly as the welts would allow, and stared up at him, her eyes wide with fear.
Loki sighed. This entire encounter was counter-productive. He wanted to study her, not kill her. Not frighten her like a small, lost animal. He looked her over, from head to foot, and realized she still trembled. Because she thought he would do this again. He shook his head. "No more."
Nancy nodded a little, still not trusting him, and slowly curled her knees to her chest. Her shirt hung off of her in tatters, threatening to expose her front, and was only held in place by her knees. She shivered slightly from the cool air on her bare back.
He couldn't very well allow her to return to her cell like that, exposed skin and frightened demeanor. Even as much as he liked the soft peach of her flesh, she only tried to cover it. A fact he would honor. For now. Loki flicked a finger or two, and the shirt began to knit itself back together. One broken thread at a time. He met her gaze to see her emotions. If only she could forgive him. If only they could begin again.
Nancy winced as the fabric of her shirt slowly crept up her back, touching the welts as it went. She looked up at Loki and watched him, reading his expression. He was frowning, his gaze clearly showing signs of remorse. Tears still stained his cheeks and reddened the whites of his eyes. He was sorry. He hadn't meant to hurt her. At least, not that badly. It was evident from the look on his face and the scream he'd emitted. He'd simply let his anger get the better of him.
"You can't control it, can you?" she whispered, still gazing into his eyes.
She had caught on rather quickly. One of the many things he found intriguing about her. The shake of his head barely registered, a brief flinch that said so much more than words. "Come. I will find a salve for the wounds."
A flinch. A slight shake of his head that told she was right. He hadn't been able to control his anger. Still, she remained where she was, still wary of him. "Why are you helping me now?" Her voice still shook, barely louder than a whisper.
"Perhaps my mood has changed. Do you wish to be prodded and pulled again?" After all that, would she still test him? Would she still disobey every order he gave her? Loki narrowed his eyes, assessing her.
Nancy cowered back, thinking of him dragging her again. "No." She slowly stood, wincing as the fabric of her shirt brushed over the welts as she walked. She stopped a good distance away from him, fearful of his motives. He could change moods so quickly.
Of course his reaction had only heightened her fear. Well... this could work out well in the future. He could use it to his advantage. But, for now, he supposed he should show his true remorse. Loki reached out and cupped a hand around her elbow. Between her fright and her pain, she would require him to escort her back to her cell.
Nancy followed him obediently, taking her time, but still trying to match his pace. This time, she was at leisure to glance around her. The prison – that was obviously what this place was – had stone walls and floors, mirroring the dungeons of old castles. With the age and erosion evident on the stone work, she had to guess this place had been around for centuries. No... longer than that. Eons. This was an Asgardian prison.
As she walked, she glanced around at the other inmates. Cold, dead eyes glanced back at her, if any of them glanced up at all. They were all lounging around in the cells, their own wills broken long ago. Not wanting to become like them, Nancy turned her attention to Loki again. He deserved an apology. She had hurt him just as much as he had hurt her. An apology was the least she could do... and the most human.
"I'm sorry for those things I said." she whispered, studying his face for some reaction.
What did one say to that? He had never been good at either giving or accepting apologies. He sufficed with a small nod and lead her back through the barrier. He reluctantly released her elbow, as he was certain she wouldn't want him to touch her any longer than necessary.
She turned to him and gazed into his eyes. He looked so hurt, far more than she'd ever seen before. All she could do was try to remedy her mistake. "I don't hate you."
Loki smirked. "Good." Then he realized his blunder. That would only heighten her fear. Brainwashing required a bit of trust, and he needed to build it. He turned a hand through the air and a small container of salve appeared in his palm. He looked to the girl to gauge her reaction.
Nancy studied the small jar of salve. She knew she couldn't put it on herself. She would need his help and he knew that. Maybe that was his plan all along, to force her into a state of need. Nancy looked to his eyes again. No... he was only trying to make amends. "Will you be gentle? It still stings."
Good. His plan had worked. "I will. Lay down, pet."
A small smile crossed Nancy's lips. There was that term of endearment again. She'd much rather have him call her 'pet' than have him beating her. Hesitantly, she stretched out on the floor. "I didn't mean all those things I said." she explained, "I was angry, and I guess I have a bit of a temper, too."
Loki slid both hands under the back of her shirt and lifted it away from her skin to move it. He made sure neither his fingers nor the fabric touched the welts as he settled it up near her shoulders. He dipped three fingers into the salve and gently stroked it across the red marring her skin.
Nancy gave a hissing gasp as the cool gel touched her skin, but then closed her eyes as the pain began to recede. She blushed slightly from the feeling of his hand on her back. For so long, she'd only drempt of him touching her like this. But, no... she couldn't think such thoughts. Such thoughts were dangerous. He couldn't possibly think of her as anything more than an animal to study. He was only tending to her wounds. But, still... the sensation felt so good.
Loki smirked despite himself. A blush? That was certainly what he saw on her face. His smirk extended into a smile. This study could be more intriguing than he originally thought. A blush meant she thought things. And felt things she probably shouldn't. He slowed his strokes and made sure to be gentler. Just to see how she would react.
Nancy couldn't help the soft sigh that escaped. A slight smile spread across her face. "That really isn't so bad. Mm."
Oh, yes. This could be grand fun. She seemed to be... enjoying herself. Loki's smile widened even further. He rubbed in more salve than necessary, just to hear her slight sounds of happiness. Eventually, he knew he could stay no longer without arousing her suspicions. He gently slid her shirt back down over her back and stood.
Nancy slowly opened her eyes and glanced up at him, reluctant to move. She was far too comfortable. "I expect you're leaving again?"
"For a time." Loki put the lid back on the salve and flicked a wrist to restore it to its place. "If you need more salve, send a guard to find me. They are not to touch you."
She nodded a bit in acknowledgment. "What's it like up there? I know we're on Asgard. I can tell from the technology and stonework. For so long, it's only been a story to me. A fairy tale. And now, I'm here. On Asgard. What's it like?"
"Glorious." And obviously something she wanted to see. Interesting. An idea began to form, and Loki couldn't resist this perfect opportunity. "I suspect you would like to see it."
"If you'd let me." Nancy moved a bit to fold her arms under her head, "I would like to, yes."
Loki smiled. A gentle smile meant to put her at ease. "Perhaps. In time." He couldn't stay any longer. Other things would demand his attention. He stepped through the barrier without a glance back. She would just have to wait.