Bright festive music floats down the halls, accompanying the merry twinkling of candles. The dining hall is full to the seems, everyone being unusually loud and moving from place to place energetically engaging the nearest person in conversation. My nerves are building but I force them down, instead focusing on what is going on around me. To my right Thor is deep in conversation with one of his friends Fandral I believe is his name. Mother and father are conversing with Heimdall who has taken the rare evening off.
I feel a strange prickle on the back of my neck, as if someone is watching me. Turning back to the hall in front of me I let my gaze sweep across the crowds. Everyone seems to be deep in conversation, everyone except a small group far to my right.
I smile back, inclining my head slightly. I must not show them how much they scare me. I will not reveal my fear. Casually I pick up my goblet and role it back and forth between my hands the cold metal soothing. Soon this should be over and I will be able to escape; they can not all eat forever.
"Loki don't you agree?" Thor turns towards me mirth in his eyes, assuming I had been listening to his idle chatter.
"Of corse." my quick response is enough to turn him back to his conversation with relish.
Come on. I sigh placing my goblet down again without even sipping the liquid. I continue to ignore my plate of food, not hungry. After staring around aimlessly for what seems hours Odin finally announces the feast is finished. With many smiles and laughs the last of the ale is downed and slowly everyone leaves there tables and enters the center of the hall. I sneer as everyone stands around seemingly uncertain. This always happens. All are eager to enjoy themselves but uncertain how to begin which leads everyone to simply standing around for several minuets.
Pushing away my own chair away I get to my feet glad that this experience is over. Luckily all seem to involved in there own conversations to notice me silently slip by.
The dancing is enthusiastic and mostly sporadic. I much prefer the traditional dances. I consider as I doge a couple which twirled much too close for my comfort.
The cool outside air is greatly welcome after the stuffy hall. Looking up I spy the great constellations twinkling down on me. It is strange how some nights the stars can feel close and conferring almost as if they are smiling and others they glower down upon me. I pause deciding to change up my usual escape. With everyone up at the castle the town will be empty. I could walk about without the prying eyes of others.
My decision made I set out upon the larger road. With all the time I could desire tonight I walk briskly to keep off the cold but not braking into a run, instead enjoying the opportunity to look around. Everything is quiet, the birds gone to bed, the streets emptied. Just the way I like it. Leaves and small twigs blow around in a sort of controlled chaos. I love how the wind causes my tunic to flap and my hair to whip wildly back and forth. I love control to an extent but sometimes the opposite can be much more soothing.
I wander back and forth on the streets, I have never particularly enjoyed spending time in town but being hear aloe is s much better. It is a strange freedom that is difficult to explain.
When the moon has fallen and the feast must be out I decide to slip back before the streets are teeming with those returning to there homes. The wind has not died down and the temperature has dropped considerably leaving my fancy feast attire much to light.
Shivering I head back swinging my arms back and forth in an attempt to warm them. I am so caught up in my thoughts that I do not see anything strange until I am about to bump into four boys who loom suddenly in front of me.
Another one? I feel my heart rate accelerate as I recognize three of the boys as well as the addition. And they smell as if they had had several too any drinks tonight. "So you have made a friend how nice." I sneer out knowing that posed politeness will not save me anything. It is best to keep them thinking they have not gotten to me. Showing otherwise will not help me, it would simply prove there point.
"Yes. Some of us are, unlike others, able to accomplish that." The tallest boy I should probably learn his name at least.
"And apparently only some of us are capable of talking. Do your companions always have the same thoughts as you?"
"Of corse we have our own thoughts. But perhaps we simply did not want to share them with you." One of the other boys pipes up. But to my glee I notice that his ears have lit up to a light scarlet.
"Oh let me guess I am too much of an idiot for you to waste your breath?" I say the words in a mocking tone. If I say it first then it wont hurt as much.
"Obviously you are less intelligent than we even thought." The newest boy laughs out.
Why do I let there words hurt me. They are simply stupid boys. I clench my fists, breathing through my nose. "If I am as terrible as you say why do you keep bothering me? I can just leave now and we don't have to see each other again." I attempt to pass them, keeping my shaking hands close to my body.
"But you give us something to do." The boy to my right snarls pushing me hard. My wrist stings as I attempt to catch myself.
It seams as if it is a terrible routine. A repeat of the last time only worse because of the increased number of enemies. They probably would have gone on much longer but the noise of others approaching has them off laughing, leaving my lying in the middle of the road gasping for breath over the pain.
I must get off the road. I must get away. No one can see me like this. I push myself up on my smarting wrist. Wincing with each movement I finally make it behind a building where I suspect no one will come. Sighing with relief I sink to the ground leaning agents the wall for support. I am not looking forward to making my way back up to my room...
An: I am so sorry this has taken so long. Life has been well... interesting lately. I hope that you enjoyed this chapter thank you so much for reading!