I guess we should see how Kaisa is faring... :)
Kaisa couldn't stop grinning.
The entire day had been perfect. Everything was fitting her idea of Asgard; the pristine, perfect realm that she had always dreamt it was. Nothing disappointed her: the food, the culture, the festivities and the people. The buildings were made of shiny, white stone and the paths were paved with cobblestones that were smooth underneath her feet. The sky was a mix of colors, she had decided that it was a mix of blue and purple. The two suns weren't too hot or too cold, and large birds flew peacefully in the sky, chirping cheerfully.
She looked over at Thor, her husband to be. She had just met him yesterday, and he was biggest gentleman she had ever met. In the chambers, she had half-expected him to ignore her, to leave the chambers and not come back for the entire night, but he had stayed with her and sat by the fire. They had talked for most of the night, about nothing serious, really. He had asked her how it was living in Vanaheim and if she had liked Asgard so far. And she had asked him in return if he had ever been to Vanaheim.
Kaisa was surprised that he was so open with her. She was even more surprised to hear that Thor wasn't entirely against the marriage proposal; he firmly believed that Odin knew what he was doing, and that there was always a good reason to why he did the things he did. He didn't say anything more than that, but she had the sneaking suspicion that he was talking about his brother, Loki.
Speaking of Loki, there was something about the God of Mischief that bothered her. Kaisa couldn't help but drop the happy smile she had on her face as she thought of him.
She had read about him in the scrolls Father had given to her. Like a dutiful daughter, she had studied them thoroughly.
Loki Laufeyson was his true name, even though at one point he had accepted Odinson too. The son of Laufey, the king of the Frost Realm, also called Jotunheim. Saved at birth from a slow death by Odin, Loki was raised as an Asgardian son until he found out his true heritage. There wasn't much after that, but there was more in the scroll about the man's personality.
They didn't call him the God of Mischief for no reason. He was a trickster by nature, a very mischevious person who didn't seem to follow the rules. A suave, charming individual, with a brooding nature underneath. He was extraordinarily intelligent, but he had been cast out by most of his Asgardian peers because he was strange and he practiced magic.
Kaisa felt herself flinch, even though she wasn't doing anything but looking at different colored cloths. That was what bothered her the most. His magic.
Magic was outlawed, she knew. It was a power that was reserved for the sorcerers and other beings not suited for the normal world. Trying to learn the arts of magic was something that Kaisa never grasped; she didn't understand why anyone would have the desire to learn to control the elements, why they would hope to control something so feral and wild.
She gave the weaver a gentle smile as she took the cloth she wanted, and then she continued on her way. Even as she eyed the beautiful side shops of Asgard, a small knot of fear twisted in her gut- Loki was a master of magic.
She knew about her sister's affliction with magic. Ever since she was a little girl, Takumi had been obsessed with magic spells and trying to master sorcery. Father had hated it so much- he often reprimanded her for such un-womanly actions.
Kaisa sighed and walked down the small bridge, to where Thor was sitting. Shaking her head get rid of the thoughts that lingered in her mind, she smiled at him.
Thor glanced at her, a small smile on his face as well. He eyed the items in her arms. "I take it that you enjoyed yourself?"
"I did," she admitted. "I never knew that the weavers used this type of fabric. I thought it was an extinct material."
Thor got to his feet, grinning and looking pleased with himself. "We have many rare items in Asgard. It is something that we pride ourselves on. We trade with the adjoining realms, you know, sometimes even going as far as going to Midgard." He slid his arm into hers, and then the two of them walked down the cobblestone path to head for the palace.
"I've always wanted to go to Earth." Kaisa said wistfully, sliding the fabrics over to her other arm. "Father would always tell me marvelous stories about the battles on Earth, watching over them for the daily entertainments. He has told me of many brave Midgardians who have earned their title in Vanaheim- although I have never met them."
Thor chuckled and shifted slightly. "I myself have been to Midgard many times. I made good friends on that realm, and I learned many lessons on the journey there."
He sounded a bit sad, Kaisa realized. "If you have friends there, why didn't you stay?"
"Earthlings age much faster than higher beings, Kaisa." Thor explained gently, his voice more quiet now. "Whilst I have remained the same age, my friends have not. Many have passed on, and few remain as industrious as ever. Besides, I am needed here. When Earth needs me again, I will join them."
"I see.." Kaisa slowly walked up the marble steps of the palace, her mind churning furiously. She looked at Thor, who suddenly looked more like a troubled teenager than a future king. His mouth was set in a tight line and he looked as though he was holding back something. Kaisa could feel an immense sadness wash over her, and she couldn't help but gently touch his shoulder. "Are you okay? You looked bothered."
Thor shook his head, and the sad look on his face slowly lifted. "Do not fret, Lady Kaisa, I am fine. I must take care of some matters, but I will meet you before the evening feast. Is that alright?"
"Of course." Kaisa said, almost stumbling over her words as she retracted her hand. "I will see you then."
Thor gave her a light kiss on the cheek and walked down the hall, his billowing red cape flowing behind him like a cloud. She watched him for a moment, waiting until he disappeared around the corner. Then Kaisa sighed and walked in the opposite direction, to where the the chambers were located. She carefully walked down the stairs, keeping one hand on the cold stones as she descended.
Why was Thor looking so sorrowful when talking about Earth? Kaisa couldn't ever imagine being friends with a Midgardian. From what she knew from her father, humans were petty. They were barbaric, killing their own kind in droves as they warred with one another. They were always learning, yet they never grasped the concept of magic and often gave up once they hit a bump. Kaisa cringed a bit as she thought of it, feeling her skin prickle with discomfort. How could one stand being with such creatures?
Turning a corner, Kaisa saw nothing but a flash of something and then something smashing heavily into her body, plowing her off her feet and onto the hard floor. She grunted as she landed on her back, squeezing her eyes shut as she tried to breathe through the pain.
She felt small hands on her shoulders.
"Kaisa! Kaisa! Oh my gods, I'm so sorry. I didn't see you there!"
"Takumi?" Kaisa blinked a couple times and saw her sister staring at her with concern, her black eyes wide. She sat up, the bundles of fabrics still tightly clutched in her arms. A bubble of irritation exploded in her chest." What are you doing, running around the palace halls? You could have been hurt."
"I wasn't running, I was merely walking quickly." Takumi quickly stood up and scowled, all concern gone.
Kaisa shook her head and got to her feet. "Be more careful. What if that was Odin? Or worse, what if that had been Loki? You should be making a good impression on him."
Takumi's scowl went deeper. "Okay already! Geez. It's not like I punched him in the face or anything, you know."
"Oh please Takumi, do not talk of such preposterous ideas." Kaisa rolled her eyes. What strange ideas her sister had. "That is unheard of. Besides that, how was your first night with him? Were you comfortable?"
"Of course I was, Kaisa. He was the perfect gentleman." Takumi said, smiling a little at her. She pushed her wet black hair back over her shoulders, showing off a small bruise that was starting to form on her face. Kaisa raised her eyebrow.
"What is that?" she asked, her tone of voice slightly rising. She touched it with her fingers, gently.
Takumi's hand flew up to her face, as though she didn't realize it was there. "Oh.. this! I was in the Asgardian baths and I slipped on the wet floor and hit my head. It's not serious. I had forgotten it was even there."
Kaisa stared at her, watching her sister's expression intently. Something felt off to her, as though there wasn't an entire truth to what her sister was saying. She waited, letting Takumi just shrug her shoulders and laugh at her worrying, but she could see the true face underneath. She wanted to touch her face and absorb her aura, but Takumi just scowled again.
"Kaisa! I just said I was okay!" she snapped, taking a small step back from her. "You don't need to make sure. I'm telling you the truth."
"Sister, you are a master of lying." Kaisa said softly, her hands still reaching out to touch her. "I see that there is something bothering you. Did you forget about the Vanir trait?"
"Oh, please. Don't pull this bullcrap on me, again." Takumi snapped again, withdrawing even further. "If it's truly a trait, why do you have it and not me?"
"I don't know." Kaisa said helplessly, her hands frozen in mid-air. She now felt ridiculously stupid- Takumi was obviously fine. Her sister's hot temper was still there, unfazed by the fall she had in the baths. She felt a bit stung by Takumi's comment, and she didn't have an answer for her. Hands now at her sides, she shrugged lamely. "Perhaps you haven't mastered the talent yet. There is always time for it to develop."
"Whatever, Kaisa. You know that I don't possess it." Takumi rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, her voice calming ever so slightly. "It doesn't matter anyway. I'm heading to Loki's chambers and then I'm going to walk around the palace for a bit. I'll see you later, sister."
Takumi brushed by her, a gentle caress on her shoulder. Kaisa bit her lip anxiously and just turned to walk down the opposite hall to Thor's chambers, anxiety now gnawing at her gut.
It didn't matter that Takumi had seemed okay. She had always been a master at deceiving others; often getting away from punishment with her smooth mouth and cool demeanor. But she got defensive quickly, especially when Kaisa mentioned the 'Gift'.
Kaisa sighed and walked into the large chambers, putting the fabrics gently on the bed. She turned to the blazing fireplace and stared at it, concentrating as she tried to discard thoughts from her mind. She still felt a strange twinge from the Gift- but she pushed it aside. Perhaps it was wrong this time.
Perhaps.
I'm sorry that I waited this long to post- my internet was down for a little bit. I was planning to post a chapter every Saturday.
Reviews make me happy. :3