Chapter five already! Damn I'm on a role...probably because I am so excited about the Battle of the Five Armies that would be so glorious...after all...I AM A FANGIRL BURDENED WITH GLORIOUS FEELS! Also I am rather happy that I will be doing further education! I will be going to Film school folks! Wish me all the damn luck in the world cause it is a damn competitive field *sniffles*
So I pondered about how far I would want to go with this story...how to tie things together and not screw up the marvel plots. Tis a fanfiction yes but there is a more graceful way to go about it! But I am happy that I seem to be supported in my efforts to write this...I was even brainstorming for a story for the Hobbit...but I won't be posting that for a LONG time and with school starting for the winter term I may or may not be busy but I would do my best to let you all know if future chapters would be delayed when I have no time to work on them. Of course I would just simply pm all my followers about my absence and why and of course when I am to update it would only seem fare so that I won't leave all you poor folks hanging
Now to my favorite reviewers!
moonsword17: Darling you are fantastic! Have I told you I love you already? Your words are the best thing a girl can read! And I am happy to provide you with information of things that I write in my story! Trust me I was searching on Google maps for a good town here in Quebec and Stanbridge East just happen to stand out the most for me and it's a very beautiful little village. The old mill is definitely a sight for those who love the simple things in life.
AkeraWriterOfTheNight: Thank you very much for reviewing for my story again, as for the medication that Irene takes that would remain a mystery for now. In all due time...so far I'm allowing information of her slip through letting you know that she happens to be very intelligent not like Jane Foster in the department of science but she is a genius of the art variety. Irene is a very tender soul, sensitive and kind. Very much opposite of our dear Loki! But Loki is polite and soft spoken when he wishes it, he is very much mellow if you obverse him carefully only becoming dangerous and vicious when provoked.
But enough chit chat for now! You have a story to read and I have one to write! I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as you have the previous!
Chapter 5: Remembrance
Loki awoken before the sunrise. The sun nearly peeking over the horizon, signifying another day in this hellish realm of mortal men. The distant twilight reflecting in his eyes as he stared out to the distance. Today was of true importance and failure wasn't an option for Loki Laufeyson. His expression was solemn as he compared the rising of the Midgardian sun to the one he'd seen for years on Asgard. It was not the same, he was not in his room and he was certainly not a prince no more. He couldn't watch it from his balcony or enjoy the warm Asgardian breeze while the city below came to life. He wouldn't be greeted by his mother, her hugs (though embarrassing at times) would no longer happen.
He thought he would never missed anyone as much as he dearly missed Frigga.
Loki turned away from window. Today he favored wearing his Asgardian attire, the familiarity of it brought a sense of comfort to the God. A portion of his old self that he wasn't ready to let go. He briefly thought of the old man on Stanbridge East's bridge and the words in which he had spoken, Loki had taken them to be the words of an ignorant old bat thinking that in a Midgardian's lifespan it held nothing compared to the life of a God. They were fleeting, most of them desperate to be remembered that it was nearly disgusting by what they were willing to do to achieve such a thing.
Then there was Irene.
He had figured that in some shape or form she was a captive. A slave to do the bidding of her father, like puppet dancing to the whims of it's master. How or why was still unanswered, as to what Mr. Hawkins' gained from this was unclear and even unjustified. It angered him surprisingly, because he could sympathize with the girl due to the fact Odin had tried to use him in for political gain and lied to him about everything he had known and cared about. Laufey was not much better as a father when he cast him out for being considered to small for his race. It was the most logical solution that he could come up with as to why he stayed with her, because she was in a way similar to him. That fact alone made him less hostile, even happy in some twisted way that someone shared the anguish of being used by someone they had dubbed 'father'.
The fallen prince walked over to the nearby vanity table. Catching his reflection as he used a simple comb to slick his hair back as he readied for the day.
His plan was simple. He himself would stay here with Irene, gain her favor and hopefully keep his little base of operations he had in her home. The next was to make a double, and send it in his stead to New Mexico in search of Jane Foster. It was useful to be able to summon a replica of yourself and send it away to long distances while being able to communicate as well. It was a certainly useful trick, it wouldn't be much of a problem if he was able to send one to Thor while he was still banished on Midgard while Loki himself busy with being on the throne. But this clone of his would only do recon and keep a safe distance away from the mortals and he would simply supervise their work or set them on the right course he desired.
It wasn't a perfect plan, but it was a good one.
Once he was done with getting ready for the day he started to set his plan in motion. Concentrating on summoning his magic a perfect clone appeared before him, Loki managing to look at the same green mischievous eyes of his other. This other Loki though was in regular Midgardian clothing, jeans and a t-shirt. It should be enough to keep mortals' attentions off of it while it walked about the town. Loki wasn't concerned, if the clone wanted it could cast it's own spell of concealment.
"You know what to do." Loki said, dismissing his clone with the wave of his hand.
"Of course." it replied, flickering out of sight as it began it's travel to the land of New Mexico.
Now he only had to simply wait. He took it upon himself to feed and take care of Joey this morning. The large beast was happy to see him again all so soon, it pleased the God greatly that this fine creature acknowledged his superior presence. So once Joey was taken care of he hardly took note of Shepard trailing after him, its tiny little ears flopping with the movement as the young pup waddled behind him. He wondered what possessed Midgardians to even want to keep a hound if it wasn't going to be used for hunting?
A good three hours have passed with him doing small things around the property until he chose to rest. Shepard being Loki's only companion as they sat together in the Great Room of the mortal's home. It was a impressive room, with lush red carpets and expensive furniture. The paintings that hung on the walls told tales, of what he was unsure but they were painted by true talent. Whoever the artist was he would have considered he or she worthy to being on par with Asgardian painters. But the one thing he favored the most was the marble fireplace, the carving was so detailed and defined and there was hardly a spec of dust on any surface. Though as he waited, he absently scratched a spot behind Shepard's ear, he couldn't help but wonder where his mortal caretaker was. She was up and about at this hour.
Loki raised a hand to his forehead as he glanced up at the sun, he squinted his eyes judging the time by where the star was set in the sky.
"The mortal should have been up an hour or two ago." He said to no one.
Shepard whined from the loss of attention. It's tail thumped against the floor as it wagged its tail, big brown eyes hopeful as its tongue lulled out of its mouth. A small smile tugged at the Trickster's lips as he returned to showering some affection on the pitiful creature. Amused when the mutt nuzzled its head into the palm of his hand eagerly.
"You are a creature of simple desires aren't you?" he asked it.
The hound huffed and shook its head before trotting off, leaving him suddenly with another whine. Loki's brows shot up at the creature's behavior. But no matter, now it was time to wake up the mortal. Maybe a small prank was in order.
He stood and dusted off the stray bits of hair left by the hound off his leather coat. He smiled as his eyes lit up with mischief.
Like a shadow he traveled to the unsuspected mortal's door. Grasping the handle he twisted it slowly and silently peeked in. The room was dark, but he could make out a figure in the bed.
Perfect.
Scanning the room his eyes settled on a statue of a serpent and grinned. That would do just nicely. With his magic the stoned serpent came to life quite literally as it uncoiled itself and hissed. The God closed the door a little, his ear pressed against the wood as he picked up the sound of scales moving about the room. He waited to hear the mortal's reaction to finding such a thing after it made its way into her bed. And he waited some more...
Something is not right.
Any female would have squealed, or fallen out of their bed, or throw something at it. But since Irene was mute he would have guessed she would have tumbled out of bed. He started to become a little worried now. Why was it so silent in there? Slamming the door open his eyes widened when the stone serpent bared it's teeth at the motionless mortal, getting ready to deliver a deadly strike. And there was Shepard, baring its teeth as it stood on its haunches when it came forth to protect its mistress. With a quick wave of it's hand what ever life was within it vanished, it had gotten to close to her than what he deemed comfortable. Rushing to her bedside he pulled back the some of the covers, Shepard still being distracted by the now frozen snake.
"Irene are you alright?" he asked hurriedly. "It was just a jest, I-!"
His voice got caught in his throat as he took in her appearance. There in the bed was little mortal Irene, so pale that she looked like she had fallen prey to death. Her skin was glistened with sweat, dark heavy circles around her eyes. She was blinking up at him, her brown eyes unfocused as if she heard him but she couldn't really see him.
"Irene?" Loki questioned cautiously.
He pressed his hand onto her forehead. She was burning. He was going to move his hand back but she rested her own upon it and kept it there looking relieved. He turned grim, his heritage of being a Frost Giant made him slightly cooler than the average Midgardian. He couldn't find it within himself to be angered by her little display. As gentle as possible he pried her hand away "It's alright Irene." He soothed, brushing some strands of hair away from her face.
She needs water.
Leaving her side he went into the bathroom. Getting the nearest cup that he saw and filling it up with water.
She was ill, she had told him such. But the sudden weakness had caught him off guard. Out of all the time he had spent with her she was fine, he almost assumed that it wasn't a very serious or life threatening. And he had been wrong. When he first met her out in that clearing she had been pale, but as time passed she was nearly regaining a normal hue that mortals had. Was her illness that sporadic?
Loki twisted off the tap water. Taking a dull note of the little orange bottles on the counter.
Nothing of importance. He reasoned.
Loki returned to her. Resting the drink on the end table before helping her sit up, her hands were moving as if she was trying to talk to him. Loki grasped her hands, forcing them to settle on her lap. "Irene, that's enough you need to rest...don't waste your petty mortal strength."Snatching up the water Loki pressed the rim of the cup to her lips "Drink." he commanded. She blinked owlishly for a moment before she registered what was going on and slowly began to drink, some water spilling down her chin. Loki grumbled heatedly under his breath as he pulled the now empty cup away from her, grasping some of her bed sheets to wipe the water away. A constant nagging picked at his brain as he scrutinized the girl, a bit rattled of the fleeting thought she might just heel over dead any second. He stalked back into the bathroom and brought back a rag he soaked in cold water, folding it he rested it on the girl's forehead. But her lips moved as she spoke muted words, eyes staring at him in a daze.
Was she going to die?
Removing the stone snake from her bed he placed it back to where it belonged, Shepard watching every moment of it before settling down at the foot of the bed. Loki mulled over the idea of just letting her die so that what ever illness she suffered would be brought to an end. He ran a hand through his short hair, frowning. It would be merciful in some form...
On the other hand she had cared for him in his time of need (even if he was unwilling) and nursed him to health. She took care of his needs before her own, and caring for things he talked about or did. He had hurt her verbally in many ways, the flash of sorrow always appeared in her doe like eyes. But even when she was wounded by his scathing words she still smiled at him and offered her companionship.
Unexpectedly Loki felt a pang of something...
Guilt.
He hissed in displeasure at such a feeling.
When he returned to her bedside she seemed to have sensed his presence. Her head moving just an inch, her eyes landing on him and as always she smiled at him. Loki shuffled on his feet for a moment, unsure of what to do until he decided to take a seat next to her. There was plenty of room for him to perch himself on thankfully as the bed dipped a bit under his weight. The God peered down at her, sneering "Consider this us becoming even mortal...so don't come asking for a boon when you are well" he said to her, as if he was reprimanding a child "I may be a God but it doesn't mean I am a very generous one."
She only continued to smile.
"Stop smiling at me like that you look absolutely ludicrous!"
Her shoulders shook with her amusement. Loki nearly jumped when she slid her small hand into his, intertwining their fingers and pressing their palms together. And she seemed to relax, her breathing was still a bit irregular but she seemed suddenly to peaceful. His eyes stared down at the sight with perplexed fascination. It was a first that someone wanted to willingly hold his hand. It seemed to be a simple gesture, but it oddly felt a little more intimate to the Norse God of Mischief.
"Such an odd mortal..." his words were soft, his thumb stroking absently at her warmer flesh. "Any sensible person would had left me out in those woods but you persisted, I am not sure if I find that to be an annoying or an admirable trait."
Irene blinked.
The God took a long breath and exhaled through his nose almost tiredly. "It's such a shame that you cannot speak, it is unfortunate that while on Midgard my magical abilities aren't as strong as they would be in Asgard." Loki removed his hand away from her grasp, instead taking her's both in his own and studied them. It was interesting how Midgardians could look somewhat similar to Asgardians or even the Vanir.
"With my magic I posses something you humans would call psionics and would be able to talk to you through your mind...it would have been very tempting to use if I had the chance to have just a glance into that mind of your's." Loki tapped a finger on her ragged cover forehead. Irene huffed at his childish actions that brought a bit of a smile to his lips.
"Or maybe you're dysfunctional mentally as well for thinking it was a good idea to bring home a stranger."
That earned him a slap on the arm. Loki raised his brows, looking innocent "I am not saying it was a bad thing I may just be implying that it was perhaps a foolish one."
Irene gathered what little strength she had.
I would do it again.
Loki scoffed, "It's still on the borderline of imbecilic if it were me I would have left you to rot." her slightly happy expression dropped suddenly, and again the horrible gnawing of guilt bubbled into his chest. So Loki added quickly, trying to sound as humble as possible "But nevertheless you have my gratitude Irene."
You're welcome. He was lucky that she was the type of person to forgive easily. It's...nice having someone here with me. I don't remember much of what my life was before this... She gestured to the room around them.
"Alone?"
Alone.
Loki wrinkled his nose "Back on Asgard I was never truly alone." he recalled "I always had my brother for company or my mother...and the servants who took care of me so you can say that I was always with someone unless I decided to go off into one of the many gardens in the palace or the library: it was mine since no one else bothered to go in there except for cleaning or when mother wished to use it."
Do you miss Asgard? She seemed genuinely curious.
"At times." He admitted. The atmosphere in the room seemed calm between them, Loki himself felt relaxed. He hadn't been for the first time in awhile since finding out his heritage, he was still angered of course. But it was a well needed break while his double searched out Jane Foster, it shouldn't be much longer until she was found.
Can you tell me about Asgard?
He narrowed his eyes at her thoughtfully "Why would you ever possibly want to know anything about that?" he snatched the now dried rag from her forehead, mumbling under his breath about soaking it once more and went to the bathroom. Running the cloth under the tap water he returned to her, placing it on her forehead and reclaiming his seat once more.
I want...to know about what my friend's home was like. Her cheeks flushed darker with her confession.
"You think of me as a friend?" he questioned, his voice rumbling with disbelief.
Yes. She answered determinedly. Her wiggled a little under the covers of the bed before settling down once more. Her eyes still remained unfocused but she was looking at his general direction. How she was managing to function was beyond him, perhaps mortals were a bit more resilient to illness than he thought?
"Truly? A God who had offered you nothing but insult and spite?" he growled, suddenly annoyed with her "Maybe your sickness is making you somewhat delusional."
She merely shook her head at him now. Would you still tell me about it?
Her hand slipped into his one more, she was watching him, and waiting patiently. Loki gave once last look at her face before staring off into the distance. His slender fingers wrapping around her hand and squeezing lightly.
"Before we begin...let me fist tell you of the tales of the creation of the worlds and of Yggdrasil."
\oooo/
Puente Antiguo, New Mexico
Loki (the duplicate) was walking through the small New Mexico town, it was nearly deserted but there was still inhabitants left from even after the Destroyer's visit. No one really paid him much mind as he stalked past them. And casually he scanned each mortal's face, trying to identify one Jane Foster who he had managed to see only once. It was not long until he made his way over to the other side of town to a small building. Trough the large glass panels he could see some people bustling to and fro within. Curiously he went closer and murmured a spell of concealment, peering inside the building.
"Dude! Jane hold your horses I don't understand what the heck your saying!" a young dark haired mortal female whined.
"To put it simply Darcy..." Jane walked into Loki's line of sight, "I think I know how to make a machine to mimic the Bifrost and if we can make this that means we can bring Thor back!"
A grin started to form on the Trickster's face. Seeking out Thor's woman was a wise choice, he thought proudly. He leaned against the wall to simply listen to the two women bicker, most of what he saw or heard went back to his original self back at Irene's home. Heavy footsteps reached his ears and Loki tilted his head to the side to see that it was a older mortal, another one of Thor's friends he realized. Ed? Erin? Erik? Yes! Erik Selvig, that was the name of the man.
The dark prince watched as he approached the building, his arms full of bags as he went for the door. He opened it widely, struggling to keep it open for a moment before heading inside. Loki took it as the perfect opportunity to follow him inside making sure not to make any contact with the human.
"Jane! Darcy! It wouldn't have killed you both for helping me with the groceries!"
Darcy raised both her brows, her hands resting firmly on her hips "Hey Jane and I have been slaving over this new project while you're playing housekeeper."
"Only because we need food in order to help us do our work." Selvig deadpanned as he dropped the bags of food on the table.
Jane groaned out in irritation as she filed through some papers "Guys! Now is seriously not the time to argue!" she snapped. Finding what she needed Loki watched it as she passed it to Erik. "I need you to contact Coulson and ask him if he could have the Director send us some lackeys and resources for this new project."
Erik scanned the papers, a look of surprise flashing across his features "Are you sure about this Jane?"
Loki stepped to the right when the young woman ran by him, her long brown hair bounced with her movement as a giant confident smile graced her features.
"Fury wouldn't say no to this, if we can manage to discover interstellar travel imagine the possibilities! And we could find Thor!"
Loki grumbled under his breath with the name of his supposed 'brother' coming up every few seconds from that mortal woman's lips. Honestly, what did Thor ever see in this thing? Thor this and Thor that was really starting to get on his nerves, she reminded him of those useless maidens back on Asgard who only batted their lashes at the golden hair God simply because he was the heir to the Throne and the better son.
"I guess not..." Erik conceded "But I still don't trust S.H.I.E.L.D. they are a shady bunch those guys."
Loki crossed his arms and leaned against a counter, nodded in agreement even though no one could see him. At least this older Midgardian seem to see some sort of logic in his assessment of the organization who had captured his brother during his banishment. He decided that he would also keep an eye on Dr. Selvig he would be very useful.
"I don't think she's going to complain if they fund her research." Darcy pointed out, she seemed to be munching on some sort of food that Loki did not recognize; a small little rectangle shaped thing that had some sort of filling in it.
"Darcy I just bought those!" Erik snapped.
"What? I was hungry!"
"You could have least waited a day before digging into the food I just bought!"
"How is a poor intern like me suppose to work on an empty stomach?"
"Well why don't you go shopping once in awhile and get some food?" He quipped, starting to put the food away.
"Erik!" Darcy started, a look of mock hurt on her face "You wound me by even suggesting that! You know you love me."
Loki groaned as he pinched the bridge of his nose. He may be a duplicate but it didn't mean that he didn't feel what his original felt, and right now annoyance coursed through both of them.
It was going to be a long hellish stay in this realm.
\oooo/
Back in Stanbridge East, Quebec...
The people Thor kept for company were a bunch of idiots. If he didn't have a need for them he would had allowed his double to strangle them by now. He blocked off the connection as soon as he realized that there was nothing of importance that needed his attention as he balanced a warm bowl of chicken broth in his hands. He had left Irene to rest when she had fallen asleep after he had told her everything about Asgard (appearance mostly) and she had been asleep ever since. With his hard labor he had successfully brought down that damnable fever she had acquired.
Loki himself had been in a dark mood since his little chat with his mortal caretaker, it was nearly strange that they had switched roles.
But the fact this weak, insignificant, beguiling girl desired him, Loki, of all people to be her friend was still something hard to believe. Hoping for friendship was idiotic on her part, all he did was bring misery to those who came across him. Though in the deepest parts of his heart he couldn't help but be touched by her words even when he flat out rejected her suggestion of friendship...well he never really actually rejected it.
"Irene, I've brought you nourishment." he started "The broth of animal bone should do the trick I heard it does wonders from what the healers on Asgard say."
The sickly mortal girl's eyes fluttered open at the sound of his voice, a giant yawn escaping her before she settled down once more. Now that she was well rested she was able to sit herself up, patting her loyal dog on the head before accepting the bowl the God offered her. She bowed her head in thanks before taking the spoon that was already placed in the bowl for her and stared to eat, cooling down the broth by blowing on it.
"Would you be well soon?" Loki sat himself on the edge of her bed.
I should be...thanks again for helping me. Her pale cheeks flushed as she scooped another spoonful of her meal.
"Do you often get sick like this?" He pressed.
She simply nodded her head. The Trickster allowed her to finish her meal in silence, his thoughts turning in his head. When she was done Loki just snatched it from her and placed it on her end table, it could be dealt with later.
"If you are unable to care for yourself why isn't your Doctor here to monitor your condition?" now that he thought about it, if Irene was as sick as she said she was then why was that woman doctor not here with her where she could keep an eye out for her patient?
She comes in for a check up every Friday evenings...since Father's last visit I won't be seeing her so soon until the following Friday.
The look of bitterness on her face suggested that it was a sore subject to bring up. So he decided he would change the subject.
"You are a composer of music?"
She seemed to lighten up a bit, but she forced a smile onto her face. Loki cocked a brow at that but decided not to comment about it.
I have been composing music for a long time, since I was a tiny child.
"A prodigy." Loki clarified dully. He brushed an annoying strand of hair away from his eyes, Irene was cringing at his words.
I do not call myself a prodigy. She told him, her distaste of the suggestion was evident.
Loki found himself chuckling dryly "Then what would you call yourself if not a genius?"
She took a moment to brood over his words, and then grinned sheepishly. An Artist!
The God tilted his head slightly, green eyes flashing in amusement "A composer of music is a rare talent in Midgard isn't it? One would flaunt his or her ability to create such things that are considered original but here you are telling me that you are just an artist!"
Because I am, She told him; her large brown eyes staring back at him in earnest. Don't you have any on Asgard?
"Of course we do." Loki grumbled, did she think that they were solely barbaric warriors only? "The men are skilled in the art of war, but women on the other hand are skilled at making poetry or crafts. We do have the God of Music and Poetry by the name of Bragi but he is a useless idiot at times...Mother always liked his music though."
He must be very skilled.
"Hence why he's the proclaimed God of Music." Loki deadpanned.
Irene laughed in silence, her old self (from what Loki gathered during his short acquaintance with her) seemed to be coming back. It was an odd relief, he was sure that without the presence of the mortal he would have been utterly bored.
Do you have violins on Asgard?
Loki pursed his lips a little. "A what?"
She shot him a look as if she had just heard something downright scandalous. Loki only stared at her in confusion, he had no idea what in the Nine Realms was a violin. Abruptly the room went dark when the mortal flung her sheets off, one of them managing to cover Loki. He scowled as he yanked it off his head "Irene!" he hissed. She wasn't in her spot on the bed, instead she was fleeing when he rounded on her. His green eyes glaring daggers into her "Get back into bed this instant you simpleton!" he demanded.
She let out a silent squeal of fright when he stood and came after her.
He chased her down the hallway and into her studio, his arms blocking any escape when he stood in the door way. Little Irene looking winded as she hunched over with her hands on her knees.
"Nitwit! Do you wish to make yourself even more sick?" When he was sure that she wouldn't run off he took a few hasty steps towards her.
She stood up a straight and held up one finger, asking him to wait. He paused, his body tensed as he watch her shuffle through a bunch of instruments with suspicion.
She found a dark black case, oddly shaped before returning to him. Snatching his hand she let him out of her studio while keeping the mysterious baggage with her. "What is that?"
She smiled at him brightly.
Returning to her chambers she released him and scampered to the bed excitedly. Her white nightgown flowing behind her, something that Loki had failed to notice before. Before he could stop himself his eyes scanned her from head to toe, the gown seemed to hug her figure snugly. She was not like other developed girls of her species, she lacked the curves that Foster had and the breasts that the Intern possessed. Loki always had a taste in more womanly features himself, but oddly...her form could be considered rather alluring. Loki slammed ever thought he just had down quickly.
"What is that you possess?" he asked, wanting to distract himself so that he could banish his horrid thoughts from his mind.
She opened the case and pulled out what he could only guess was a violin. The violin (as she pointed out to him) generally consisted of a spruce top (the soundboard, also known as the top plate,table, or belly), maple ribs and back, two endblocks, a neck, a bridge, a soundpost, four strings, and various fittings, a black thing that served as her chinrest, that she attached directly over, or to the left of the tailpiece. A distinctive feature of the violin body is its hourglass-like shape and the arching of its top and back. It was a fascinating instrument. All the more so when she pulled out the bow that one needed to use to play. The kind of material they used for the bow string was horse hair even!
"It's rather lovely." He admitted quietly.
Irene beamed at him brightly and offered it to him.
Lost for words the God simply took the violin with great care. He had never seen one before, none of the other Realms had such a thing. It almost reminded him of a lyre in some way, he wondered if that's what inspired such a thing. He ran his finger tips along the polished wood slowly.
Stradivarius. That's it's name...it was made by Antonio Stradivari in Italy a long time ago it was my mother's gift to me.
She seemed very proud of her instrument, she had the right to be. It was a marvelous beauty.
"Do you play it well?" he asked.
Irene nodded her head and accepted it back from him.
Squaring his shoulders he spun away quickly and headed for one of the nearest chairs, the tails of his leather coat fanning out behind him because of his movement. Turning the chair so that he may face her, he plopped himself down and rested his arms on the armrests and crossed his long legs casually. The mortal was placing her instrument back into it's case like a mother would to a babe in it's crib. She handled it with such care, but he didn't want any of that.
"Play something for me." He ordered.
She stood stock-still. Her lips pressed in a firm line as a blush formed on her cheeks. Loki raised a brow at her sudden bashfulness. "Will you not play for me?" He asked her gently. He softened his expression as her resolve started to crumble the longer she stared at him, she groaned mutely and finally agreed.
Loki sat back and waited for her to start playing.
\oooo/
Irene lifted the violin, it was an extension of all that was her. Gently, she lifted it from its blue velvet lined case, the interior worn threadbare in places from years of faithful service. Placing it beneath her chin, she took in its stained walnut body with wondering eyes. She gazed at the worn spots on the fretboard, where countless hours of fingering for notes has caused the lacquer to thin, exposing the rich wood beneath. As she drew the bow across the strings, small wisps of rosin float lazily above the instrument while soft music pours forth from its hollow body. Closing her eyes, she was instantly taken to that special place, where the notes flutter and dance, and come together to give her a visual image of this beautiful piece of songwriting. There, she was at peace. There, with her violin.
Loki vanished from her mind.
The spiteful shadow of her father was chased away.
And here there was no illness in her special world.
She summoned the music within her, feeling each note as if it had its own racing heartbeat keeping in time with the tempo. The harmony is so beautiful, it's like soft flowing water and has the deepest calming effect on her. No longer was she just playing for a God inside her own bedroom, but she imagined she was playing up in the mountains where the sound is bouncing off the rocks and echoing to the valley below that she had once seen so far off in the distance. She had to play her best, for who knows who may be hearing it. Was it herself? Was it the God who sat before her? She couldn't remember...
She couldn't even notice the tears that welled up in her eyes, or when they streamed steadily down her face.
She had always thought that four of the strings resting on top of the fingerboard had their own characteristics. The most vibrate sound is produced by the first string, G, which reminded her of her father who was once very tender. The D string reminded her of her mother when she showed concern for the littlest things in her life as a child. The A string sometimes represented her sister because she was honest and true to her feelings from what she recalled in her memory. Lastly, the E string with its capacity to reach the highest pitch represented Irene herself since she was quite sensitive and sometimes able to control her emotions.
She swayed, getting so lost in her music. It was as if Irene had been kidnapped by sonatas and concertos, and her soul scattered to the four winds, to wherever the notes are needed next.
And then her bow came to a serene halt. Her eyes snapped open as she stared into nothingness as she reached the end of one of her many old compositions. Her shoulders that were once so still were quivering with her emotions as she lowered Stradivarius. It was so silent now that there was no music in the air...she then remembered that she was not the only being in the room.
Her water eyes gazed upon the God in her room.
He sat ramrod straight, his long slender fingers were digging into the poor armrests of the armchair unforgivably to the point his knuckles turned white; he seemed to have been reigning in his strength. Frightfully she met his eyes. He looked pained. Those light green eyes seemed much more reflective, as if he were close to tears. The sight almost broke her heart, her tears coming back with vengeance.
"That song..." he croaked, his voice strained. "What is it called? It's...overwhelmingly terrifying yet rapturous."
She turned from him then, returning her faithful Stradivarius back to it's rightful place in it's case with it's bow. When it was safe she brushed the tears away from her eyes and went over to her new friend. Her brown eyes twinkling sorrowfully.
It is called Remembrance.
"Remembrance." he breathed out.
She had no idea what she was thinking when she cupped both of Loki's cheeks in her hands, her thumbs brushing under his eyes to chase away his developing tears. He had froze under her touch, his mouth slightly parted in shock. Before she lost her courage she leaned forward, pressing a ghost of a kiss against his forehead, thinking to herself that his skin was slightly chilled. She recalled that her mother doing such things for her when she was upset as a child.
Leaning away her lips pulled up into a smile. She ached...
She overexerted herself...
The frozen God she towered frowned, his expression going from shock to confused. Irene watched all these emotions play out before her, but the sudden familiar taste of iron invaded her mouth.
Blood. She realized calmly.
The feeling of something warm tickle at the corner of her mouth and then traveled down towards her chin. The Asgardian seemed alarmed when his hands grasped her arms and stood abruptly. He seemed to be yelling something at her, she couldn't really understand him suddenly and it wasn't helpful when he was shaking her the way he was. Leaning forward her forehead bumped into his chest, she sighed quietly at the relief the cool leather armor provided her.
Loki would want answers when I wake up...
The Trickster wrapped his arms around her, keeping her against him. Was he hugging her? Most likely not...maybe he was just helping her stay on her feet. But it didn't matter. She was tired...
She gave herself willingly to the emerging darkness that claimed her mind. She will deal with whatever comes tomorrow.
For now...she slept.
OMG! THAT WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST CHAPTERS I HAVE EVER WRITTEN IN MY LIFE! Well...maybe not the whole chapter but at least the ending with Irene? I listened to a bunch of violin solos to get this whole violinist idea. It took me longer to make this chapter and I gotta say I feel satisfied with my work! Anyways lets talk a little about this chapter. Irene and Loki seem to be heading off towards a fine line of Friendship don't you think? I think it's swell but I'll leave it up to you readers.
So I am assuming most of you folks know about Loki's powers? I am basing them off the Marvel comics, cause Loki could do some of the shit I put in this chapter cause he's a really fucking powerful sorcerer. I would NOT get on Loki's bad side since he is like one of the most powerful magical beings in Asgard. And in the comics it's actually true that it states that while on Midgard Loki isn't as powerful as he would be on Asgard. Shockingly enough that also applies to Odin as well!
I also wanted to focus a little on Irene this chapter. Cause I have mentioned that she was ill, and so far you (the readers) have no idea why she is sick or how or what she is sick with! I dropped a hint or two in this chapter and the previous.
So it would be fun to find out if anyone could guess what the deal is with that.
Anyways, I may have to tweak the movie time line a little cause it was a year after the fall from the Bifrost that Loki showed up on Earth to attack. And after the Avengers it was like what...another year while Thor went about the nine realms to bring peace before the start of Thor: The Dark World? It seems about correct to me. Cause if I want this to work out then I have to add some serious extra to this, cause by the time that Jane gets done with the machine it wont take long for Loki to influence Salvig to spy on Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. and be with the other and that big purple space gorilla Thanos.
Also I have a love for Stradivarius violins. My Great-grandfather owned one, he played it all the time! It's still in the family but sadly I am not the one who it was given to...sadly it collects dust in a relative's attic and it's a shame it's not being played I would have loved to learn it and take care of it like the piece of art that it is!
But enough bickering! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and hope to stick around for the next.
love and review,
Shizu