Warning some foul language used and sexual references. Enjoy! xp
Loki had informed Rai that his father agreed to have her live at the palace under one condition. She would live as a maid. Doing chores and housework to earn her keep. Rai was thrilled. She wanted to hug Loki with all her might but couldn't bring herself to do it, so she smiled and thanked him. Loki took her hand and started to show her the palace with Thor following suit. After a while he introduced her to the maids and guards and finally her chambers. Thor kissed Rai's hand once more, which made Loki furious but he did not show it. He told Rai, before departing, if she needed him she would most likely find him in the training grounds. Rai nodded and waved goodbye then turned around to admire the bedroom. It was a good-sized, simple bedroom. A bed, small table, night stand, dresser, closet, her own bathroom, and a nice place to sit right on the windowsill. The simple furnishings were all made from oak wood and the floor was simply made from stone.
"I know it's not the best in the world but perhaps later I can convince father to give you a proper room." Loki said as he stared out the window. "No no! This is perfect, thank you Loki…you don't know how much this means to me…" she smiled sweetly and he nodded. He started to explain to Rai that the head maid would help her get settled in and teach her what to do. She agreed and asked Loki about what Thor had said. About the training and fighting.
"If it pleases you…then I could talk to father about having you train with Sif…she is a warrior in training…she…trains with my brother" Loki was afraid Rai had gotten a liking to Thor. Though he never really liked Sif, after he got over his crush on her, he would rather Rai be with her then with Thor. He inwardly sighed, thinking that his brother had now mesmerized her with his good looks and charms and he had lost her now. "No Loki I…wish to train with you…if that's ok of course…" She shyly looked away and he stood confused for a moment before asking, "But...Thor is more knowledgeable and gifted with fighting…why not train with him? And did he not promise to teach you how to become a warrior?..." He looked out the window again hating how Thor could always best him in fighting.
"Perhaps but…I like spending time with you better…" She looked at the floor as she played with her hands nervously. Loki had the biggest smile plastered on his face. "And besides," Rai continued to say as she looked up at him, "You promised to teach me to fight first." Loki chuckled and nodded. "I shall see you bright and early tomorrow, at the training grounds then. Well, right after you do your chores if you're not too tired of course." "I won't be." Loki smiled and made his way to the library leaving Rai to get settled in.
The years flew by. Rai and Loki spend almost every day together. If not training, then reading, or pulling pranks on Thor and his friends. As soon as Rai got her chores done she would let the head maid know. All the maids and most guards knew Rai by now. Only her closest friends called her Rai though. She would always wash up, change into her training gear and rush out to meet Loki at the training grounds, right after she let her close guard and maid friends know where she was going, for they were her family now.
The first time Loki had shown Rai of his magic she stared in awe. She applauded him every time he used it and encouraged him to do more. This only fueled Loki's ego. He loved every time he was able to impress her with his magic and sparring skills. She had never missed any of her classes with him. He was always kind to her and encouraged her keep improving on her fighting skills. When she had to train with Thor on hand to hand combat or with swords however, that was a different story.
Rai was close to Thor. She saw him as her big brother. Always protecting her, always instructing her on how to fight like a true warrior. Thor had even commented to Rai on one of their hunting expeditions, that Loki was more of a dainty friend then a warrior. This made Loki want to punch Thor in the face but of course he remained calm and collected. Rai had punched Thor on his shoulder and told him that Loki was an outstanding warrior and not simple-minded like him. Thor just laughed it off but Loki felt pride knowing Rai would defend him.
Whenever she was training with Thor, he would grip her hips and hold her close to him. Loki hated that. He had on occasions asked his brother why it was necessary to do that. The excuse he always gave Loki was, that it was the best way he could show Rai the mistakes she was doing when holding a sword or on her fighting stance. Loki didn't buy it. He knew Thor liked Rai. Ever since they were children Thor had always tried to allude her attention from Loki to him.
Recently Rai had spent a lot of time with Thor. He would take her to the palace gardens for a 'walk' to relieve some stress. That was his excuse but Loki knew better. Rai was a bit on the oblivious side, Loki noted. She had some of the guards try to woo her with gifts. When Loki inquired about said gifts, she said it was just them being friendly towards her. Loki always smiled and joked around with her, always teasing her how the guards fancied her. She would laugh it off and pay no mind to it. What Rai didn't know, was that Loki had spoken to said guards, threatening them that they would be flogged if they tried anything with Rai. They would occasionally say hello to her but if Loki was around they immediately went silent.
Rai had grown up to be a very beautiful young woman. Long ebony hair that reached mid-back, eyes the color of honey, and skin the color of light caramel. Her best features, that Thor always seemed to compliment, were her legs and full breasts. Long, slender, strong legs, that Thor found intoxicating. And Thor commented once and only once, since Loki threatened to kill him if he ever said that again, that Rai's breasts were good enough to eat. However, Loki took note of that as well. Whenever Rai wore the various sun dresses that Loki had given her as gifts, he would nearly drool at the sight of her. He purposely bought her dresses that would accentuate her full figure and long legs. He never bought her something that would show off too much though. Rai always had a knack for being cute. She was shy, sweet, kind and wearing something that showed off too much skin or 'slutty' in other words, just did her no favors.
Rai's shyness and uneasiness slowly faded away. She figured out that she really loved to fight. Only when necessary of course. She wanted to be stronger than any other guard or warrior in Asgard. The All-Father had seen her sparring with his sons. He had commented on several occasions how talented and gifted she was. That fed Rai's pride as a warrior. She wanted to be the best. If not the best, then as close to it as possible. Sif was Rai's rival. Perhaps you could even say enemy. Every time Sif said something nasty about Loki, Rai was always quick to defend him. Rai seemed to always best Sif at sparring. Something Sif didn't take lightly. She also noted how Thor would swoon over Rai. It made rage and jealousy bubble within her. What was more irritating to her was that Rai never paid attention to Thor's advances. She would always laugh it off or think he was merely trying to embarrass her. Everyone in the nine realms knew of Sif's love for Thor, and having him pay so much attention to Rai and not her, killed her inside.
It was four days since Thor's 19th birthday party. Rai and Loki had gotten into an argument and hadn't spoken to each other since. She missed him dearly and though her pride was telling her to have Loki apologize first, she knew he would not. Loki was very prideful. She knew he would never apologize, so she had to do it.
Thor, Sif, and the Warriors Three, were out in the training field sparring. Rai had just finished her work for the day and dismissed herself from her guard and maid friends. She didn't really feel like sparring, though she knew Thor would be out there waiting for her. She decided enough was enough. It was time for her to apologize. As she went off to look for Loki, she remembered the little things he would do. Like, every time she would look to the sidelines for him at the sparring field, he would be there. Watching her progress intently, but when she finished and made her way over to him, he got up and left without a word. She had spent a lot of time with Thor lately, and knew how Loki felt inadequate compared to his brother. How he was jealous of Thor to some extent. She figured since she was spending so much time with Thor that maybe he felt replaced. Rai knew Loki better than he knew himself, she would sometimes tell him. So she knew that using Thor as her 'perfect excuse' to not see him, as a means to punish him for their argument, was probably not the best idea.
She went off to look for Loki. She looked in the library where he was usually at, but he wasn't there. She looked in the dining hall, the spa, the pool and finally at the stables. But he was nowhere. 'Well his bedroom has to be it' she thought. When she reached his chambers she quietly leaned onto the door to see if she could hear him. She heard some footsteps and papers shuffling. Yep he had been cooped up in his room all day she figured. Without knocking she entered his room and said, "Loki I was look-"she stopped mid-sentence shocked at what she saw. There was Loki with a half-naked woman all over him! The woman, Rai recognized as the one Loki had brought as his date to Thor's birthday party, looked up at her and giggled when she saw her. Loki pushed the woman off him but before he could say anything, Rai quickly slammed the door shut and walked as fast as she could outside.
'That's it' Rai thought, 'There's no way I'm apologizing now…I don't want to see him…' tears were beginning to form and she tried to hold back as much as she could. She couldn't remember the last time she cried. She figured it was when her house burnt down. Then realized she hadn't cried until the argument with Loki and now. Learning what it takes to be a warrior, Rai vowed to never cry again unless it was something actually worth it. She somehow made her way to the training grounds without realizing it. Thor had seen her cry, rushed over to her, and tried to comfort her to no avail. The warriors three followed soon after seeing her bawling her eyes out in Thor's loving embrace. Sif said nothing but secretly wished Rai would just shut up. 'Warriors do not cry like babes, especially in front of another warrior' Sif thought a little bitterly, non-the-less she remained silent.
Loki remained in his chambers for a few minutes thinking of how stupid he was. He handed the woman her clothes and she looked at him with confusion. "Get out." Was all he said to her. She glared at him but proceeded to dress herself and left Loki alone. After about a minute or two, Loki pulled himself together and went to look for Rai. He kept trying to think of things to say to her. 'But why not the truth?' He thought. He sighed; never had his sliver tongue failed him till now. Loki reached the sparring field. He figured that's where Rai would be releasing her anger but then saw her in Thor's arms bawling.
Frandal saw Loki approaching and asked, "Loki! Do you know why lady Rai is in tears? She refuses to say why." As soon as Rai realized Loki was there, she quickly pushed herself off Thor, wiped her tears and said, "I'm sorry my friends please excuse me. I didn't mean for you to see me that way I'm so embarrassed." She gave Thor a quick formal bow and walked off to her bedroom as quickly as she could.
"What did you do Loki?" Thor questioned his brother and gave him a stern look. Loki sighed, "I do not wish to say when there is a lady present…" Loki blushed with embarrassment and Sif rolled her eyes.
"I'll be relaxing at the spa then." She told the boys but it was mainly meant for Thor. They all nodded and then huddled around Loki. "Well tell us." Frandal insisted. Loki sighed once more and told them what happened. Frandal stared at Loki his jaw about to unhinged itself. Thor burst out in a loud booming laugh with Volstagg, and Hogun blushed in embarrassment. Loki knew now would not be the time to chase after Rai. He would have to wait for her to calm down or she would try to kill him, he thought. Then Thor suddenly spoke up still laughing.
"Brother I wonder how well you will fare with tomorrow's celebratory dinner in Rai's honor." Thor was dying of laughter. "Celebratory dinner for what?" Loki asked confused. "Did you forget that Rai had her examination to become a guard yesterday? Naturally she passed. Now that I think of it, I didn't see you there." Thor commented after finally calming down.
'Fuck…she's going to kill me….' Loki thought as he realized what a grave mistake he had made.
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