Thanks so much to everyone who has read, reviewed, favorited, etc. so far. It means a lot to me. Here is the next chapter. It's a bit fillerish but it's needed. I hope you enjoy it
Thank you to my lovely beta ramblin_rogue who is pushing me to become a better writer.
"I am Loki."
The words seemed to reverberate in the air around him, vibrating with but a brief remnant of the power he once held. There was no reply but then again, Loki had not expected one. He sighed and dropped his arms, turning to survey his new surroundings.
He was in what appeared to be a living area filled with a couch, coffee table, and what he knew from his previous time on Midgard as a T.V. He could see a kitchen through the open archway. Cautiously he moved into it, opening cupboard doors and drawers. They were filled with various types of food and kitchen wares. So I am not to be left on my own as Thor was. Still, it would appear I am expected to cook and clean for myself.
Loki shook his head in disgust and moved back in the living room. There were two doors leading out of the area. He opened the first and realized that it led outside. It was dark out and the only thing he could perceive was a street lined with houses, cars, and trees. Tomorrow, he decided. I will explore the area tomorrow.
He shut the front door and crossed the room to the other door. Entering it, he quickly realized it was a bedroom. A bed, dresser, and mirror were all the furniture it contained. As he moved into the room, he glanced at the mirror and quickly did a double take. What he saw filled him with absolute horror.
"No. Oh, no." His eyes were still the cool green they had been on Asgard. However, his skin was no longer pale but lightly tanned. His features had been softened to make him look younger. But the most insulting of all - gone were his raven locks - in their place, curly blonde hair and a goatee.
Letting out a sound of pure rage, Loki smashed his fist into the mirror and it shattered. "This is a cold jest. As if being made mortal wasn't mortifying enough, I am expected to simply be another version of Thor. That will not happen. This is unacceptable."
Still breathing heavily, Loki looked down and saw that he had cut his knuckles and the blood was flowing freely. Looking around for something to wrap his hand, he saw a sink through an open doorway. Walking inside he turned on the tap. He rinsed his cut knuckles and watched the blood swirl down the drain. I must live as a mortal now. Look at me, bleeding, and I cannot even heal myself with magic. Can I die? If I were mortally wounded, would Odin save me? That thought gave him pause. WouldOdin let me die?
Cursing softly, Loki wrapped the towel that had been hanging up around his hand and went back out into the bedroom. Sitting on the bed, he kicked off his shoes, removed his clothing until he was only in his underclothes, and then lay back against the pillows. His body ached with a bone deep weariness and Loki shifted with discomfort.
I sense mother's hand in this. Odin would have thrown me out with only the clothes on my back just as he had Thor. She must have intervened. Loki allowed himself to think fondly of his mother, perhaps the only person he still truly cared for without reservation. He had been banished and yet she had stood by him: father's pride, the eldest, and mother's comfort, the youngest. Tomorrow, I will be deal with this situation. This is mortal body is weak. I will take this one night to recuperate and then I must figure out how to deceive Odin into thinking I have redeemed myself. I will rest tonight though
Loki slipped under the covers and grimaced. These are truly abysmal sheets. Could they not have at least have gotten me silk? Settling down with a sigh, he closed his eyes and slept.
The following morning found Loki sitting at his kitchen table with a man named Benjamin Florence. He had been awoken by a knocking on his front door early that morning. Dragging himself out of bed, Loki threw on slacks and a button-down shirt that he had found in a closet in the bedroom. Opening the door, the man had introduced himself as his financial advisor. Damned if I know what that is. He had also insisted that Loki's mother had sent him. Well, my suspicions have been confirmed. In the end, Loki had let him in to sate his curiosity, nothing more, he assured himself. And that was where they found themselves now, sitting opposite each other in the kitchen.
Loki wasn't quite sure what to make of this man his mother had supposedly sent, presumably as some sort of guide in this torturous adventure. Benjamin Florence was a short, middle-aged man with a slight rounded stomach. Loki's lips twitched with a hint of a sneer as he took in the poorly-fitting wire-framed glasses perched on the man's nose. The rest of the man's ensemble – plain tannish slacks and a plaid button-down shirt – show a disconcerting lack of style. He could only hope the man was more capable than his wardrobe suggested. Right now, he was sitting forward in his chair with his elbows on the table and Loki sighed softly at the poor table etiquette. He exuded casualness and congeniality and it discomfited to Loki to have such a person sitting at his table.
"I understand there is some difficulty with your family and that you are now living on your own." Benjamin spoke with a heavy accent and Loki had to strain to understand his thick speech. "Well that's quite alright, young man. These things do happen." He reached over and patted Loki's hand. Loki's stared at him in amazement. The nerve of this man. He dares to touch me without my permission? Benjamin didn't notice Loki's annoyance in the slightest and continued speaking, if such language could be deemed such.
"You'll be going to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. It's been open over a hundred years and has quite a proud history. It's my alma mater." He puffed out his chest and beamed. Loki fought down an urge to laugh at the man's feeble attempts to sing the praises and glorify the facility where he would be trapped for the interminable future. It would do no good to antagonize the man while there was still need of him.
"Your mother has had me arrange everything down to the letter. Your tuition is paid for in full, as is this fine apartment." He calls this hovel "fine?" I am used to the splendor of Asgard. This apartment is beneath me. "I have your class schedule here as well. I see that you're a history major. Well, that's a mighty fine profession. We always need people to keep the records, y'know."
At that, Loki held up a hand to cease Benjamin's ceaseless yammering. "Before we move on, I would like to know more about what I will be studying."
Benjamin looked at him over the rim of his glasses. "Didn't you pick your own classes?"
"I seem to have forgotten what I chose. Please remind me of what I will be studying." Loki tried not to show his frustration at this simple-minded human.
"Well, let's see now." Benjamin shuffled through his papers. "You'll be taking the Classical Art of Persuasion – that's got to do with ancient Greek and Roman speech and rhetoric and the like. Women in World History – that's pretty self-explanatory. My wife and I have raised us some strong young ladies. I hope you can see the worth in a strong woman, young man. Mythology – ain't it funny what people used to believe?" He chuckled.
Oh, if only you knew.
"Your last class will be History of World War II. Now that was a war worth fighting. I hope there's never another one like it." He paused for a moment as if in thought and then continued. "It seems you have a rather broad interest range. I commend you on that son. Most kids now-a-days stick with the easy stuff."
Loki blinked slowly at the compliment. Never before had his interests been deemed worthwhile. Interesting that a mere mortal would find the pursuit of knowledge a worthy endeavor where on Asgard, he had been deemed too bookish. "I have always been interested in the pursuit of learning, Mr. Florence. I would not stoop so low as to under stimulate my mind."
"Well good for you. I can see you're going places; that's for sure."
This man is absurd. He has the most ridiculous accent and he refers to me in such familiar terms so flippantly. How can he be so familiar with someone he has just met? Are all humans like this? This human tendency towards over-familiarity may well drive me to madness.
"Yes, thank you, I'm sure, Mr. Florence. Is there anything else you wish to discuss with me?"
"Oh yes, yes. We're not quite done yet. I have your student ID card right here." He handed Loki a blue plastic card with a picture of Loki's new face on it. On it were a series of numbers as well as a name: Erik Delaney. I suppose Loki would call too much attention to me. Ah, but this is maddening! What I would not give to be back in my own skin, with my own name and powers! "You'll need to keep this card on you at all times when you're on campus. You use it for checking out books, paying for meals, and ID purposes. I also have all of your school books with me." He patted a bag on the floor by his chair. Perhaps this would be interesting after all – - to be virtually unknown amongst these mortals. What mischief could Loki conceive?
"Let's see. What else?" The odd little man patted his pockets as if looking for something he'd misplaced. "I have a list here you see. Right…last thing. While school and the apartment are paid for, you'll need to get a job."
At that, Loki surged to his feet? "Excuse me? Did I hear that correctly? I will have to work in a service position?"
Benjamin looked sternly up at him. "Well yes, Erik. Lots of students work their way through college. I'm sorry, but your mother was quite clear on this." Benjamin paused to clean away some spot on those hideous spectacles before continuing. "There will be no monetary support for things outside of school. You'll have to pay for food, clothing, and any other extracurricular activities you want to get up to. Your first month for food is covered but otherwise, you're on your own. You're lucky enough that we already have a job lined up for you." The look he shot Loki after relaying this information would have rivaled Frigga's. His mother had obviously chosen well.
This man may seem soft but he obviously knows where he stands on issues and will not hesitate to enforce my mother's wishes. I will have to learn how to manipulate him. Loki's nostrils flared and he breathed heavily, but he sat back down. "And what, pray tell, am I to do for my menial service?" he asked through clenched teeth.
"You'll be working in a used bookstore called The Space right on Tate Street. It's right smack in the middle of where all the students hang out. You'll love it."
Loki closed his eyes briefly and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I suppose if one has to work, there could be worse places than a book shop. Still, I will not relish being forced to manual labor."
Benjamin smiled. "Oh, you'll do just fine! Before you know, you'll be loving your job and hanging out with all the cool kids."
Loki flashed a disdainful look at him. "I highly doubt that. Now, is that all?"
Benjamin pointedly ignored the look and stood up. "Yes, I do believe that is it. I'll be checking in every now and again. I get the feeling your mother is quite worried about you. I'll be reporting on how you're doing and all that. Oh, I forgot. Here's your cell phone and laptop." He handed Loki a black canvas satchel. "They're both in there and my number's already in the phone. If you need anything at all, just give me a buzz." He bent to retrieve his briefcase, waved, and stepped out the front door.
Loki stared at the bag in his hands and placed it on the table and pondered it. He had a little experience with technology from his last time on Midgard, but not much. Obviously, I will need to get acquainted with these items.
Suddenly, a rage overcame Loki as the events of the day became reality and he slammed his fists on the table. By all the Nine! That was a chore. I cannot believe the way that man behaved. He showed no respect whatsoever toward me. He ran a hand through his hair and grimaced as soft curls tangled in his fingers. Those same long fingers drummed out a brief staccato beat on the table as he considered the influx of information the day had provided. That course list seems an amusing one. No doubt I will learn something interesting even if the majority of the time I am quite bored. And a job? A job! I have never had to perform service work in my life and now I will have to serve humans. Loki sneered. We will see how yielding they find me.
Pushing his chair back and standing up, Loki deep muscle aches hit him full force. The ride through the vortex and his bodily transformation had not been kind to him. He swayed dangerously and grabbed at the back of the chair to steady himself as a sudden tiredness overcame him. Stumbling, Loki made his way back to the bedroom and fell down on the bed.
This mortal body is pathetic and I am weak inside of it. This cannot continue. So Loki thought as the well of blackness crashed in on him and dragged him back down into the darkness.