It surprised Reagan to no end to learn that once Loki stopped devoting all his efforts to making her life a living hell, he was actually kind of... tolerable.

He was witty and clever and easily held a conversation, even if he did prefer for those conversations to be more centred around himself than anything else. They seemed to quickly form a natural pattern of banter, and it pained her to admit that even though most of his jokes were at her expense, she maybe even kind of found him a little bit funny.

More surprising still, was that he was also a fairly patient teacher. He explained each concept to her thoroughly, and if she didn't understand something, rather than speaking down to her, he would work with her until they both felt they were on the same page. He didn't lash out at her like she first suspected he would if she made mistakes. Instead was he constructive, observing her approaches with care and offering specific and detailed advice.

All that being said, it would be a cold day in hell when she would ever willingly admit any of that to him.

Think of a memory. One that you don't mind sharing with me, Loki instructed calmly.

Reagan sat on her bed, cross-legged, concentrating on the presence in her mind. It had been a few days, but it was still strange to accept Loki's presence there instead of fighting him out. There was still something a little fight-or-flight in her, a need to force him out and protect herself. But in the days since their conversation at sunrise, Loki was yet to overstep, and so she did her best to suppress the urge to force him from her mind. Instead, she closed her eyes and listened to his instructions.

She thought for a few moments before something involuntarily rose to the surface and Reagan had to chew at her lip, willing away her grin. The memory flooded forward freely, the Hulk thrusting out a gigantic green hand to wrap it tight around Loki's leg, sweeping it out from under him and-

Hey, Loki interjected. I thought we had a truce.

"I know, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to," she promised, still fighting against her smirk.

Reagan shook the image from her head and tried again. She squeezed her eyes shut and thought back to when she was younger, looking for something harmless but happy. Something he couldn't glean useful information about Earth from, and also something she didn't think he could taint with snide remarks.

A bonfire on a beach soon bloomed in her memory and she knew instantly that it was the right one. It had been the end of summer, right before she was about to leave for her solo trip to Norway. One of her last memories of normalcy before she had acquired her powers. Her friends had all gathered for some drinks at sunset to see her off. It was probably the last time she'd seen most of them. But it had been a good night. Not one of their all-time best, and far from one of their worst. A gentle memory.

"Okay," she told him, turning it over in her mind, replaying fragments of it almost involuntarily. "I've got one."

She could feel Loki watching it and was waiting for him to say something antagonising. About her friends who laughed a little too loud or how she'd accidentally rubbed a bit of sand in her eye at one point. Or perhaps the boy in the obnoxiously colourful shirt who slung an arm casually around her shoulder.

But instead, he nodded, approvingly.

Now imagine yourself putting that memory inside of a bubble.

"A bubble?" she repeated incredulously. "As in those things that are completely see-through and really easy to pop?"

This isn't a trick. You need to start small. First, you have to master surrounding the memory entirely before you can build the skills to reinforce the barrier.

"Okay, but if you say 'sike' I'm going to be so pissed off."

I don't know what that means.

"Forget it. Sorry, let's keep going," she closed her eyes and sucked in a deep calming breath. "Okay, memory in a bubble."

Reagan concentrated on the memory, feeling slightly ridiculous as she tried to imagine being completely surrounded by a bubble. She unconsciously turned her head as tried to picture a smooth surface splaying out around the fringes of her mind, connecting, encompassing, and leaving no gaps in its wake.

You're still trying to surround your entire mind. Loki's voice penetrated her state of focus, though he spoke gently. You need to remove yourself from the memory so that you don't feel the urge to engulf yourself along with it. The longer you stay inside the memory, the more the edges of it will unfurl. It will become large and unruly. You need to take a step back and look at it objectively. Try and shrink it down. Give it a beginning and an end. It can help to envision it as a light in a pool of darkness. And once you achieve that you can begin to encompass it in a protective case. Remember, you have to start small.

Reagan didn't answer, but she listened to each instruction carefully and nodded in acknowledgement. She focused hard, removing herself from inside the moment and allowing it to drift away from her in a pool of darkness. As she watched it drift out inside her mind she visualised it growing smaller and smaller, until she could see all parts of it as a singular. When at last it felt small enough - manageable enough - she visualised the bubble surrounding it and smiled a little as pride swelled in her at the achievement. Still watching the newly encased memory, she couldn't help but think that it reminded her a little of a snow globe and instinctively turned the shell she'd captured it within to glass.

Loki watched on, and she waited as he inspected her handiwork.

That's actually not bad, he praised, sounding slightly impressed.

"Thanks," she replied, surprised.

-for an idiot, he added quickly.

Reagan didn't fight the smile that bloomed on her lips.

Let's try another.

They worked for hours, slowly making progress until Reagan was able to fully encase a memory in a strong enough shield that Loki could no longer view it. Her excitement at the achievement was rather short-lived however when she discovered just how easily Loki was able to penetrate it when he applied just a small amount of effort, or worse still, how easily he could manage to distract her from holding the shield in place.

Reagan threw herself back onto her bed with a huff.

Don't be so hard on yourself, Loki told her. We've only just begun and you've come a lot further than most people do at the beginning.

"How did you learn so quickly then?" she asked, frustrated. "We'd had the marks for all of a few hours before you figured out how to shut me out."

Protecting my own mind from invasion is a skill I learned long ago. Many who practice magic do. In time it becomes a second nature. Our circumstance was just a little different and so it took me some time to figure out how best to adapt the skill.

Reagan breathed out a long sigh before sitting herself upright again. She braced her hands on the mattress behind her and readied herself.

"Let's try again," she said determinedly.

Perhaps you should rest.

"No, I'm ready."

You're not going to master this overnight.

"Not with that attitude."

Reagan-

"I want to get this right."

And I want you to rest that pea-sized thing you call a brain so you don't burn yourself out and render all my efforts here pointless.

"Well, that's not very nice."

I never agreed to be nice. The deal was to stop tormenting you so much. They're two very different things, I wouldn't have agreed to it otherwise.

A knock sounded at the door and both their attention snapped toward the sound. It wasn't often anyone called on her, and the maids had already come and gone for the morning. Reagan clambered quickly off the bed and pulled open the heavy door to reveal the beaming face of the God of Thunder.

"Thor," she breathed, happily. "When did you get back?"

Reagan smiled up at the man, all the while ignoring the way that Loki scowled and rolled his eyes and retreated slowly from her mind, leaving bitterness in his wake. Reagan did her best to force the feeling back down the link along with him, unsuccessfully so, only to earn a slight smirk from Loki.

"I wanted to extend an invitation to tonight's banquet," Thor said happily, oblivious to the small mental joust she was in the middle of. "We're celebrating the Bifrost connection being re-established. Mother says you've been spending a great deal of time here alone. It might do you good to get out and experience the festivities."

"Oh," she said, her heart sinking. "I don't know if that's such a great idea, Thor."

"Why not?" he asked, his brows drawing together in confusion.

Reagan hesitated, looking for the right words.

"I've heard the rumours," she admitted at last. "Your people aren't exactly thrilled that I'm here... I don't think they're going to want me showing up at one of their parties."

"Of course they will," Thor told her confidently. "That's what parties are for."

Reagan got the distinct impression that Thor was well accustomed to getting his way. She looked down at her feet, unsure of what to say.

"I understand that you're feeling out of place," Thor said, his voice gentle. "All the more reason for you to come. Get to know some of my friends. Let them get to know you. You might enjoy it."

Reagan looked up at him again and he smiled kindly. It made it very difficult to say no, even though she sorely wanted to.

"Reagan... You're not going anywhere anytime soon. You should probably try to make the most of your new home."

Home. That was the last word that came to mind for her when she thought of Asgard, but that didn't change the fact that Thor was right. She had no idea how long she'd have stay there for her own good. Maybe it was time for to try and make it just that. Home.

She dropped her gaze before nodding slowly, admitting defeat.

"Okay," she relented, at last. "You're right, I'll give it a shot."

Thor brought his hands together in one alarmingly loud clap.

"Wonderful," he exclaimed. "I shall see you tonight then."

With his goal achieved, Thor turned to go before hesitating and looking back at her once more.

"You know, I first went to check if you were still wreaking havoc in Loki's chambers," he told her with a playful smile.

"Ah," Reagan smirked back. "Well, believe it or not, we've kind of come to a temporary ceasefire. It was that or it was going to end in bloodshed so..."

She saw something shift in Thor, something she couldn't quite read. He was still smiling, but it no longer reached his eyes.

"Well, I have to say I'm impressed," he told her, there was a tell-tale strain of emotion to his voice. "It's more than I ever managed with him."

Sympathy rose in her chest as it suddenly dawned on her just how much Thor had sacrificed just a few short weeks ago when he had come to Earth and stood by their side during the battle of New York. He'd face more than just an army. He'd given more of himself that day than any of them had any right to ask. And he'd done so willingly, without protest, without thought.

He was a good man.

"I haven't thanked you," she realised out loud.

"For what?"

"You fought for us," Reagan replied. "He's your family. But you fought us, and you helped us win. That can't have been an easy thing for you to do so... thank you, Thor, really. Thank you."

Thor studied her once more before bowing his head in acknowledgement.

"See you at the banquet," was all he said to her before he turned to take his leave.

"Be honest with me," Reagan murmured to Loki as she fiddled with her hair. "Is this going to be as bad as I'm expecting it to be?"

Worse, he sneered.

"Are you just saying that to get under my skin?"

No.

"Are you just saying that to get under my skin?"

Loki smirked. Perhaps just a little.

She huffed and smoothed her hair out once again as she stared at herself in the mirror. She wore a floor-length lilac dress, it was made of the softest satin she'd ever touched which caught the light beautifully as she turned this way and that. The way it clung to her figure was almost alarmingly flattering and the colour made her skin appear slightly more olive than it really was. Malin had tailored a single sleeve to hide the mark for her, and both had agreed it looked prettier with just the one. It was gorgeous. Far more gorgeous than anything she'd ever owned.

For the umpteenth time that night considered taking it off and just hiding away in her room for the rest of the evening.

Oh, for the love of- Just go, Loki groaned. I don't know what you're so worried about. From what I gleaned from your memories you used to thoroughly enjoy social events.

"That was different," Reagan replied, not liking the vulnerability she'd allowed to slip into her voice. "That was always with a bunch of regular people who I usually kind of already knew. And we weren't in an enormous golden palace that belonged to a king. And I hadn't been branded with a freaking scarlet letter."

Have I not asked you to tone it down with the Midgardian references if you insist on involving me in your internal monologues?

"I'm sorry, I'm nervous."

Reagan gave in at last and made her way towards the banquet hall.

She prayed that it was just her imagination, but the moment she stepped into the marvellously decorated room a hush fell over the crowd and heads turned in her direction. She felt their eyes on her and many of them began to whisper behind cupped hands as if she couldn't them staring. She watched as their eyes travelled to her right forearm, disappointed to find the mark concealed.

I was right, she thought, totally should have stayed in my room.

Pay them no mind. They're all just dull gossips.

Easy for you to say, hidden away in your cushy little prison cell. God, wouldn't kill for a good prison cell right now.

Loki let out a soft laugh.

Reagan's eyes mercifully fell upon a nearby table decorated with glass towers of varying colours, each filled with different beverages.

"Oh, thank god," she muttered out loud as she moved towards them, desperate for something to help calm her nerves.

She reached for a glass before Loki stopped her.

Not that one, he said quickly.

Reagan froze mid-action, recent events flickering through her mind. She withdrew her hand slowly.

Okay, she said. Which one then?

See the blue chalices to your right? They should be safe.

Are you sure? she asked as she reached for one, hesitant now. She lifted the cup to her nose and gave it an experimental sniff but found no detectable odour.

Quite sure. It's a lot more subtle. Do be cautious though, it still may have a little kick to it for mortal senses.

Reagan took a small sip, wincing in preparation for the alcoholic burn that never came. She swirled the liquid around in her mouth experimentally before she rolled her eyes and swallowed.

This is water.

Loki snickered, it is indeed.

She put the glass down forcefully.

You are such a dickhead, she told him.

Every word out of your mouth just has a true eloquence to it, doesn't it?

Reagan was just formulating a rebuttal with a good load of 'true eloquence' when a chill swept through her as she looked up to lock eyes with Halvor, already watching her.

He stood, stoic, leaning up against the wall, as if he'd been there for some time. Reagan got the distinct feeling that he'd been waiting there for her. Both of his hands were bandaged and glared at her with pure hatred in his eyes.

Loki's rage swelled along beside her own. It felt like armour.

She held Halvor's gaze, glaring back as he watched her for a few moments before he turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Pay him no mind, Loki said. He won't dare give you any trouble in such a crowded place. Especially not with Odin himself in attendance.

I'm not afraid of him, she told him, steadily.

She was surprised that her words were met with a small swell of pride.

I know you're not.

A sudden gasp rang out then, stealing Reagan's attention and she turned to find a couple eagerly making their way towards her. They were dressed in matching colours - layers of fine fabrics of the boldest reds and starkest whites. They wore jewels, far more than anyone else in the room. And they clung to each other like they were making a show of it. Reagan glanced helplessly around the room as they zeroed in on her.

"You're her, aren't you?" The woman said, excitedly. "The mortal girl."

"Uh, Reagan," she offered, a little uncomfortably.

The man beside her took hold of her sleeved arm, pulling her slightly off balance as he drew her closer.

"Hey," she protested.

"What an interesting choice to hide the mark that everyone is so desperate to see," he observed as Reagan pointedly pulled her arm out of his grasp. "Are you leaving us in anticipation on purpose?"

"Perhaps she's just embarrassed by it, darling."

The man scoffed, lightly, at his partner.

"Why would anyone be embarrassed to make a show of finding their soulmate? It's the highest honour imaginable. Unless... oh..."

He gave her a most insincere look of sympathy she'd ever seen in her life.

"You do like men, do you not?" he probed, his voice dripped with feigned innocence.

Reagan squinted at him a little.

"Not particularly, but I am attracted to them if that's what you're asking."

Approval pulsed down the link.

Not bad, mortal. You may yet survive the night.

"Then whatever is the problem?" The man pressed on, giving a small, pompous laugh.

Reagan kept her gaze on him, well aware of what he was doing. He wanted her to admit that she didn't want to be paired with Loki. They wanted her to give them an opening - the ammunition - to let loose. She found the thought left her feeling strangely protective, though she wasn't exactly sure of what. Regardless, she determined that she wouldn't be giving them the satisfaction. Wordlessly, she continued to stare at the pair, a little curious as to what they'd try if she didn't engage.

"Darling, be kind," the woman chided with mock sympathy when Reagan refused to take the bait. "It's not her fault that her pairing is so unsavoury. It must be unbearable."

This is so unbelievably rude, she said to Loki. I can't believe this is happening.

Yes, welcome to high society.

They're making out like we don't even like each other.

We don't like each other.

Yeah, I know, but they don't know that.

"Well, at least I know now. I don't have to wonder. You know what I mean?" she said boldly, though she maintained a tight, polite-looking smile. "It must be difficult for the two of you."

"Difficult?" the man scoffed. "How so?"

"Well, you don't have marks," she flicked her eyes down to their naked arms and then back to their faces. They shifted a little under her gaze. "It must feel strange to have chosen to be together knowing that you're not actually meant to be and that any given day, at any random moment, one of you could accidentally brush up against some - just like I did - and everything changes. I can't imagine the burden of having that possibility playing in the back of your mind. I feel a little sorry for you."

When they didn't respond immediately, each floundering for something to say, she waved a dismissive hand.

"But I mean, it's not really something to worry about. The chances of it happening are probably pretty slim. Anyway, it was lovely to meet you both."

She could feel Loki's satisfied smile growing wider and wider.

That interaction turned out to be the first of many of its kind. Asgardian strangers approached her either individually, or in small groups to poke and prod and try to get her to perform like a small dog begging for treats.

"And how old are you, my dear?" one man had asked.

"Twenty-six," she'd replied politely, wrongly assuming it to be a harmless question.

"My, my," he said, freely raking his eyes up and down her. "They certainly develop quickly on Midgard, don't they?"

"That's a weird thing to say to someone," she said, utterly bewildered.

No one else seemed to hear or acknowledge what she'd just said.

"Well, the mortal lifespan is just so short," another woman went on to comment, her long blonde hair cascaded over her shoulder, styled into an elaborate series of immaculate braids. "They have to achieve a lot in what little time they have."

Let's see if we can't put you on a slightly more even footing, shall we? Loki murmured. He seemed to be growing as fed up as Reagan was, and she was suddenly overwhelmingly grateful for his presence.

I'm in, she told him. What have you got?

"Tell me," the woman went on, patronisingly. "I'm not exactly sure how the educational process works on Midgard. Have you learned to read yet? Is that something mortals can do?"

Suggest to her that you think she'd look nice with short hair, Loki said calmly. Too calmly.

Reagan offered the woman a tight-lipped smile.

"Has anyone ever told you that you should cut your hair short? I think it would suit you," she said innocently.

A surprised swell of laughter rippled through the people standing around them, each of whom quickly attempted to smother the sound.

Reagan watched perplexed as the woman's face began to tinge red with embarrassment, her mouth pinching into an angry pout. Reagan just offered her another smile.

"Excuse me," Reagan turned then and made her way deeper into the crowd, putting as much distance between them as possible.

Why did that work? she asked, once she looked over her shoulder and could no longer see them through the sea of people.

We once had an encounter which eventuated with me, uh, shearing off most of her hair.

What?! Reagan had to suppress a giggle.

It was an utter hack job, she looked atrocious. It didn't seem to go over very well.

Oh, gee, I wonder why, Reagan replied, as she continued to make her way through the crowd. Listen, I know we've had our differences but I'm going to need you to pinky swear that you'll never do that to me.

Pinky swear? Loki repeated, unfamiliar with the phrase.

It's an unbreakable promise.

Why is it pink?

Because you wrap your pinky fingers together when you make it like a seal. She envisioned the gesture for his benefit.

I'm sorry, said Loki, sounding suddenly scandalised. You're telling me Midgardians call it a pinky finger.

Yeah. Reagan said simply. Why? What do you call it?

A little finger.

Yeah okay, fine. We call it that too sometimes. It's not that weird.

Reagan sidled up to another table laden with drinks and reached for a chalice filled with a pale yellow liquid, and when Loki didn't protest she assumed it was safe for her to drink. Though he did seem otherwise occupied with his train of thought. She decided to risk it and took a swig.

...If I do break the promise what happens to my pinky?

Nothing, it's just symbolic.

Then why would it deter me from breaking the promise?

Okay, fine. Reagan responded, playfully annoyed. If you break the promise, I'll bite your pinky off.

Well, now you're just being childish, who does that benefit?

The Atraxis?

There was a beat of silence.

That's not funny.

It's a little funny, she smirked and brought her cup to her lips to hide her smile.

Why'd you cut her hair off anyway? What did she do?

Nothing really, Loki admitted. She was asleep next to me and I thought it might be amusing.

Reagan choked suddenly on her drink.

I'm sorry, are you telling me you did that after you slept with her?!

A slow grin spread over Loki's features.

Is that a hint of jealousy I detect?

Reagan rolled her eyes.

Oh yeah, Loki, I'm absolutely green with envy. Especially now that I know you go all praying mantis afterwards.

Loki's laughter rang out in her mind and she couldn't help but to find it mildly contagious. Reagan soon she found herself standing alone in a crowd in a fit of giggles.

"Oh, my god," she murmured to herself, bringing her hand up to cover her face. "I must look so crazy right now."

"Reagan!"

She whipped around to the sound of her name being called to find Thor striding towards her with open arms. The crowds parted to make way for the Prince and he bowed quickly when he reached her before righting himself and towering over her.

"Hey there," she said happily. "I was starting to think you'd invited me to a dinner you weren't even planning on showing up to."

Reagan felt the swell of now-familiar annoyance Thor seemed to illicit in Loki all too easily. He began to withdraw from her mind but this time she was quicker.

Where do you think you're going? she asked.

Loki, having never been asked to remain present in her mind before, actually hesitated.

What happened to even footing? Reagan asked. We're in too deep now. If I'm stuck here then so are you.

So be it, Loki responded at last.

"Come," Thor said, his hand falling to the small of her back. "I'd like for you to meet some of my friends. I've told them about your ability to wield fire. Volstaag prides himself on his endurance, I think he's eager to have you set at least a part of him on fire."

Is he serious? She asked Loki, even as she offered Thor a friendly smile.

It wouldn't at all surprise me. The man is a bigger buffoon than even my brother.

I like Thor, she told him earnestly, by way of defending him.

Now, why would you go and spoil our evening by saying something so abhorrent?

Reagan, once again, couldn't hold back a smile.

From her place at the King's table, high over the crowd, Frigga watched the mortal girl take her seat next to Thor. She'd been watching her for some time throughout the night. Frigga surveyed the way she weaved in and out of conversations with grace. The way she easily navigated which meads were safe for her to drink, though there'd be no reason for her to be equipped with that knowledge. More than once she'd even caught her smiling to herself, as if about something secret. And she seemed all too comfortable alone in that sea of strangers - almost as if she weren't alone at all.

Frigga said nothing to her husband. In truth, she hoped that Odin hadn't seen it - particularly when she'd watched as Reagan had started laughing out loud for seemingly no reason, nor the way that the girl spoke out loud to no one in particular before Thor had found her and guided her to join him and his friends.

Frigga said nothing.

And yet she wondered.

And yet she knew.