Sigyn stayed close by Frida for a little while longer. She was well aware that she was interrupting a flirtatious conversation, but she knew Frida would understand when she explained her reasoning later that evening. After a little while she freed Frida and her new companion of her presence, and went to sit down for a bit. She observed the many guests about the hall and sighed. They were all so content to drink and be merry. Did they never desire peace and solitude? She would give anything to go sit quietly with a book for a little while, or to partake in a conversation that did not have anything to do with battle or romance. Her eyes fell on Prince Loki for a moment, and he quickly shifted his gaze elsewhere. Sigyn mentally rolled her eyes. This was not the first time she had caught him looking at her since they parted on the dance floor. Sigyn had had hopes for the younger Prince of Asgard. From the stories that Frida had told her he sounded like someone she would get along well with. He was supposedly an avid reader and magician that liked to partake in thought-provoking conversation, but on meeting him Sigyn had been sorely disappointed. He seemed to have no other thoughts on his mind save thinly veiled flirtation. After a few moments reprieve, Sigyn went off to converse with a group of girls that she had some previous acquaintance with.

The evening progressed quicker than Sigyn had anticipated, and she actually found that she was enjoying herself. She had managed to get through one more glass of wine, but had decided that four was most assuredly her limit. Families began to take their leave, and lovers began to sneak off to shadowed corners of the palace. Sigyn noticed that Prince Thor and his female friend had made their exit at some point, along with several others of her peers. One person who hadn't taken their leave yet however, was Prince Loki, and Sigyn inwardly grimaced as he approached her. There was no avoiding him now that the number of people their age in the great hall had diminished significantly.

"Lady Sigyn." He greeted smoothly.

"Prince Loki." She returned with a nod of her head.

"Have you enjoyed your evening?" He asked casually.

"I don't know, perhaps you can tell me since you have hardly turned your gaze from me this entire banquet." Sigyn replied.

"You sound offended by that." Loki pointed out.

"Not offended, merely disappointed." Sigyn corrected.

"Disappointed?" Loki said in a genuinely confused tone. "Why is it so disappointing to receive attention from a Prince…unless of course it is not from the Prince you had hoped to receive attention from…" Loki trailed off.

Sigyn was momentarily surprised by the sudden tone of hurt that Loki's voice took on.

"I assure you that my disappointment does not stem from the lack of attention I have received from your brother." Sigyn encouraged.

Loki's look held no confidence in her words, and Sigyn rolled her eyes.

"Do you really doubt my words? Was it not you yourself that earlier stated it would be all too easy to spot a lie in them?"

Sigyn paused expectantly and Loki finally smirked.

"Walk with me." He requested.

Loki began to walk towards a set of open doors, and Sigyn had no choice but to follow. The dark-haired Prince had clasped his hands behind his back, and Sigyn had to lift the hem of her dress up so that she could best match his long strides. Though he was only a few inches taller than her now, Sigyn had a strong feeling that in a few years he would tower over her.

"So tell me Sigyn, what about my attentions has disappointed you?" He asked.

"The nature of them."

Loki gave her a puzzled but interested look so Sigyn continued.

"I had heard from Frida that you were an avid reader, a magician even, and I had hoped that you might have preferred to talk of those things. When you made it clear that your only interest in me was physical I was admittedly disappointed that you hadn't lived up to my expectations."

Loki cast his gaze ahead.

"I am sorry to have disappointed you m'Lady." Loki apologized. "Tell me though, were my intentions so easy to see."

"Perhaps not to most, but I have been known to be particularly observant… and I did overhear some of your conversation with Thor…" She admitted.

Loki gave a chuckle. "So there is the great secret that you would not reveal on the dance floor. You are a habitual eavesdropper."

"I do not believe I should be labeled as such. Prince Thor is hardly a proficient whisperer." Sigyn defended.

"Take care how you speak of a Prince m'Lady, a comment like that could find you in the AllFather's dungeon." Loki teased.

Sigyn did not take Loki's words for the jest that they were, and stopped dead in her tracks.

"You will not tell him I said such will you?" She pleaded.

Loki shook his head 'no'. He had forgotten that Sigyn knew little of court, and while he was flattered by the power she perceived he and Thor had as Princes, it was far from the truth. Given the circumstances however, he didn't deem it necessary to correct her on that topic just yet.

"It shall be our secret, but you will have to learn to watch your tongue if you wish to survive long in court." He advised.

Sigyn caught back up to him.

"I cannot imagine that it is as difficult to survive as you would have me believe." She determined.

"It depends on how adaptable you are." Loki stated while going to lean on a rail that separated the hallways of the palace from one of its many outdoor gardens.

Sigyn joined him there and looked out into the courtyard.

"It is a beautiful night." She sighed while looking up at the stars.

"I believe it is actually almost morning." Loki corrected.

"Well then it is a beautiful morning." She retorted good-naturedly.

Loki looked up towards the heavens as well and smiled.

"Do you know your constellations?" He questioned.

Sigyn shrugged.

"Only a few of them."

"Show me." He requested.

Sigyn began to point out the ones she was familiar with, and a happy smile lit up her features as she began telling the stories behind them. Once she had found all the ones she knew, Loki took over and Sigyn watched as he pointed out his favorite ones. She kept her gaze mostly on the sky, but every once in a while she would glance over at the Prince standing beside her. The moonlight accentuated his pale skin and his dark hair seemed to melt into the darkness that surrounded them. It wasn't till his green eyes were staring back at her that Sigyn realized Loki had stopped talking. Embarrassment rushed through her veins, causing her cheeks to flush even more than the wine already had. Loki's smirk was both infuriating and charming.

"Is something the matter?" He asked in a knowing tone.

"No My Prince…"

"You could call me by my given name you know." He pointed out.

Sigyn ignored the comment.

"Does something appear to be wrong?" She asked instead.

"Your cheeks have taken on a rather red tint. Perhaps you have drunk a little too much wine?" He suggested though he knew the true reason behind her blush.

"Yes, perhaps that is the case." Sigyn responded though she knew that Loki was aware of its true cause.

Loki had her flustered, which was right where he wanted her. All he had to do now was move in for the kiss, and he was certain she would give him the rest. She didn't draw back as Loki moved his body closer to hers, and his adrenaline began to quicken. He could have sworn that his lips had barely brushed Sigyn's when a hot stinging sensation filled his left cheek. His head recoiled to the side from Sigyn's slap, and he stood a bit dumbfounded for a moment. A gasp immediately left Sigyn's lips, and she covered her mouth while stumbling back in shock at her own actions. Loki brought a hand to his cheek before turning his gaze to her. The second his eyes landed on Sigyn's, she picked up the hem of her dress in a rather unladylike manner and bolted. Loki tried to get a hold of her arm as she ran past him, but missed. He could have chased after her, but instead he just watched her retreating form disappear around a corner. He couldn't believe that she had had the nerve to strike a Prince of Asgard, and he suddenly found it amusing that he had worried about her being too timid to share his bed. He wasn't sure if he should be impressed with her tenacity, angered by her brazen disrespect of his position, or embarrassed by her sharp rejection. In the end, he decided that it would just be best to be impressed. Sigyn would probably give herself enough grief over her actions without his intervention, and he planned to exploit that the next time they met.