So, I just kissed Loki. Well he kissed me...and I kissed back...not that I'm complaining. He lead her into the dining room and pulled her chair out for her. Classy. She thought as she sat down as the other demigod women (including Ina from before) stared. "My, Loki, you and Zohara seem to enjoy each otehr. Great job!" Thor congratulated his brother. I'm right here! I'm not just some object to flaunt.

"Is this true Loki?" Odin asked.

"Yes," he sighed rather agitated that everyone wanted to know his personal business.

"Well, why?"

"Excuse me?"

"Well, you've only known each other a few months and-"

"Wait! Months?" Celeste asked.

"Yes, it's been three Midgardian months since you've come to Asgard," Loki explained, "Time moves differently here." Celeste sat back, trying to take this thoughts such as these ran through Celeste's mind, ranging from missing Earth to enjoying her new life in Asgard (as short as it has felt).

A loud SLAM brought her back to the table, seeing Loki and Odin arguing about something, and she subconsciously heard her name a few times. What did I do? Really she didn't do anything at all, but the All-father was trying to come up with reasons for Loki to not like her. He argued that three months is hardly any time at all, then Loki said that many nobles are married and don't even know each other until their wedding day. Then Odin said she was merely a Midgardian, Loki argued that she was there because he (Odin) wanted to bring the half-Asgardian back where she belonged. Their argument was very civil until Odin slammed his fists on the table saying "Enough! We can discuss this later if we must,"

"Not likely," Loki mumbled. Celeste wasn't sure how to react, the king had slammed his fist in anger but had seemed to keep his tone calm, which only made her worry more.

Everyone was silent throughout the rest of the meal. Loki left quickly, wanting to be gone as soon as possible. The king glared as Celeste got up and followed after him, only confirming more their feelings for each other. The rest of the table dispersed awkwardly and Celeste ran down the hall after the prince, "Loki!" she called.

He gave no response, he was lost in his thoughts and his mind clouded with rage. Now he had never had much of a temper and was very good at masking his emotions, but he didn't take to kindly to his fathers reaction of he and Celeste's relationship. Oh, but if it were Thor, he would rejoice! Seeing as that oaf has never held onto a girl for more than a night! Is it so bad that I enjoy someone's company? That I like having a companion‽ "Loki!" her golden voice called to him. He stopped and exhaled, putting on his mask of calm...for her. "Loki," she said now that she was closer. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," he lied.

"Are you sure?" she asked, knowing something was wrong.

"Yes."

"Loki?"

"Hm?"

"I know you're lying." How is that possible? I am the God of Lies, how could she know? But the look in her eyes told him otherwise.

"I don't know what you mean," he said and crossed his arms.

"Loki, just tell me what's going on."

"Huh, fine. Just not here, I wish to speak in private." He grabbed her arm and lead her through the nearest was dimly lit inside, but the two were alone.

"Now will you tell me what's going on? Does this have to do with whatever you and Odin were arguing about?"

"Well, that 'whatever' would be you. And no, that's not it, at least not entirely."

"What do you mean?"

"All my life, I've always been second in my fathers eyes. He tries to hide it, but it's rather obvious."

"I'm sure that's not true, I mean he's your father and he loves you."

"Right, then explain why all my life he's said that I could be king and now he's going to give that right to Thor of all people."

"Thor? Really? From the little I've seen of him, I doubt that."

"Oh believe me when I say it, he's Asgard's future king. That buffoon doesn't know what it takes to rule! He only thinks with his hammer, the precious artifact that my father trusted only to him."

"Is there any way to change Odin's mind? Or maybe to at least delay it so you could prove yourself?"

"No..." then it hit him, "Unless...Oh!" That insufferable fool! How dare he‽ Of all the things he was worried about, he's worried about me taking his favorites place on the throne. It had hit him. Odin didn't want Loki to gain any advantage in the fight to the throne. True, Odin must pick which heir ascends, though the eldest is preferable, there are other loopholes. One such being that a successor finds a bride, a future queen, before the other. Thor, known for his one night stands, would more likely give up his hammer before marrying someone, while Loki had met someone. Yes, this could work. The thought had never entered his mind before, but until now it didn't matter; he never thought he'd have feelings for Celeste or that she'd return them.

"What is it?"

"It's nothing. Just a...a spell of sorts might be the answer; I doubt it, but it may work."

"That's good," Celeste said unsure of what else to say. She had never really been involved in royal politics, or politics of any kind for that matter. She looked around the room now that Loki seemed to feel better. "Where are we?" she asked.

He blinked, "The observatory."

"An observatory?" Celeste said, "In the castle?"

"Yes. It took a great many astronomers to find links between the Nine Realms and how to travel between them; we can thank Heimdall for that part. It's been long since abandoned, except when I want somewhere no one else would bother to check in," he said with a smirk.

"Nine realms?"

"Yes, have you not heard of them?"

"No, as far as 'Midgardians' go, we only know of our planet and the several surrounding us."

"Well, it's time you learned then, isn't it?" Loki pulled a lever attached to the wall and the whole ceiling opened up, revealing perhaps billions of stars. Celeste was speechless. "The nine realms, all connected with very small bridges that only a few know how to cross."

"Like Heimdall," she said, showing she understood.

"Yes, exactly, now there are other ways, but we'll get into that later. There," he pointed to a cluster of stars "is Alfheim, Muspelheim, Svartalfheim," he handed her a small telescope and directed it properly as he continued to speak, "Hel, Nidavellir, Vanaheim, Jotunheim, and Midgard."

"Wow," she focused the telescope once Earth came into view. It was amazing, having spent her whole life there, and now seeing it from a view very few got to experience. She sighed, Three months... I do miss Earth. It's true, no matter how amazing life was on Asgard, a part of her still longed to visit Midgard again.

"What's wrong?" Loki asked.

"Nothing, it's just... I miss my home a bit, you know? I grew up there."

"But you're in Asgard now, why would you miss a place like Midgard?"

"Don't get me wrong, Asgard is great, but so is Earth."

"How so?" Loki challenged.

"Well, for one thing, Thor isn't there," she smirked.

"You've peeked my interests," Loki said and they chuckled.

"I don't know, I love it here, but I'm kind of home sick I guess...So what are the other realms like?" They stayed i the observatory for hours, Loki told her all he knew about each of the nine realms and Celeste absorbed every word of it.

As they talked, they slowly shifted from standing, to sitting with their backs against each other, to lying down with their hands laced together.