Loki glanced back at Sirith with a knowing smile. He had known she gazed at him, if mindlessly, and he found it amusing. She, even if she refused to admit it, found him intriguing. And because of that, he found her the same.

He knew the other maidens at least found him handsome. They had all gazed at him carefully when his father had chosen them, but most had let their gaze wander back to his brother, who always would hold precedence over him. Though, apparently, not to Sirith.

Though his mother and father had warned him against it, Loki already had formed opinions on the woman just from the first two days. Just watching had been enough for him, listening to their conversations and seeing them from long range as they wandered the halls.

Claudia had opted for a place by a large lake, walking around the entirety of it for the entire day. She was carefree, focused only on her own goals while still caring on others. She didn't seem to plan, instead choosing to follow the wind, as mortals say. Though she would be interesting to wed, Loki felt no attraction to her.

Sol was destined for his brother; there was no doubt in his mind. She was as filled with humor as he, as filled with bravery, beauty and cheerfulness. Her day had been spent by watching him practice his sword play, leaning dreamily on the wall. She exuded freedom, brightness, goodness. No good for a god of mischief.

Attia was a possibility. Their conversation currently was filled with their favorite books, something he had desperately wanted to talk with someone about. She was quiet, but kind. And intelligent, so much more intelligent than the others. Every question his father had asked she answered correct. And her day had been spent over a book, something he had seen when he visited his own library.

Lika interested him. She seemed to be manipulating him as soon as they entered the same room, attempting to let her beauty fill him with lust. And he will admit he did feel a physical attraction to her, what man would not. She made him want to turn around and study her, drinking in the almost impossible beauty. She was most definitely not of Asgard; for if she was Thor would have drunk her up by then. And Loki had seen her nowhere through the day, leaving him to simply guess where she had been.

Sirith was different. There was nothing as defining about her as the others. She seemed to be lost between worlds, trapped in the one she did not prefer. And spending one's day on a high balcony, looking out over the world, did not lead others to think one was perfectly sane. And perhaps she was not. But she interested him as well. Perhaps simply because he wanted to discover what made her so different. Or perhaps because she was so delicate on the outside, appearing like a twig that he could crush in the palm of his hand, yet so strong and forward on the inside.

He knew his father wanted him to choose one to send home, one not wanted as a possibility for a bride, after five days have passed. But for some reason he couldn't bring himself to choose, even though he knew if he thought more carefully about it the choice would be simple. None of the woman were desirable, for they all seemed to be paintings someone crafted, not humans (he used the term loosely) for him to know and learn. But perhaps, he could pull the life source out of the painting and form it into the figure of his future wife.

He shook his head, pulling his wandering thoughts back to his conversation with Attia, a woman who had seemed interesting and seemed to be delivering. Loki felt a sort of sadness when the six arrived at the entrance to the library. He knew he wouldn't be able to continue talking to Attia, for he could already see her eyes flickering towards the tomes that lined the walls.

Loki turned to address the women behind him, letting his eyes fall on each individually. "Please, read at your leisure. I will come find you for our conversation when I deem the time right. Do not come looking for me." The women nodded, Claudia smiling sweetly at him. He smirked back, gaining some pleasure from her blush. He turned and strode through the doors, disappearing quickly down one of the many corridors lined with books.

Sirith watched as he walked away, his arms swinging care free at his sides. She shook her head before turning to the walls that stretched beside her, entranced by the amount of books. Attia had already vanished down the hallways into a space Sirith guessed only she could find. Lika had placed herself delicately in a chair, a black book with no lettering in her hands. Claudia was wandering about the room, clearly not sure where she should go. Sol smiled at Sirith before disappearing on her own down a section of books.

Sirith looked around carefully, not certain where she could go. There were things she wanted to read on, but not in a place where Loki could appear at any time. Her mind remembered her favorite space at her father's library; the history of the Nine Realms. It took time for her to find where she needed to go, but eventually it was found.

The tome was thick, made of a white leather with golden details. The writing was small, but Sirith didn't mind. She settled back against the velvet of her chair and began to read the history of the Nine Realms, beginning with the tree they all are believe to be inside.

She did not know how much time had passed before Loki's voice found its way to her. "Interesting choice of reading. Care to explain?" She looked up to see him leaning forward, his hands crossed behind his back as he looked into her eyes. His face was calmer, with none of the annoyance and coldness normally there.

Sirith smiled gently before marking her place and closing the book. "I always have enjoyed learning the history of the realms. It is interesting to me." she gently placed the book on her lap. "Is there something wrong with my choice of reading?"

Loki sat in the chair next to her. As he leaned forward on his knees he shook his head. "There is nothing wrong. It is just your choice is not what I expected. The other women; they were predicable."

"May I inquire as to what the other women chose?"

Loki smiled at her in a way that made her nervous yet comforted. Perhaps it was the fact she felt comforted that she felt nervous. "Lady Sol chose stories of fighting. Lady Claudia chose myths from Midgard. Lady Attia chose a collection of the animals found in this realm. Lady Lika chose a collection of magic." He looked at her strangely. "But I never would have placed you with history. I expected myths like Lady Claudia, or something not linked to the truth."

"Why would you place me with those?" she asked carefully, knowing that continuing to question the prince may not end well for her.

"If you do not mind me saying this, Lady Sirith, but you do not seem to be one fully in this world. Or if you are, it does not seem like you do not like the world you are in."

Loki's words made Sirith wonder. The fact that that was how she presented herself did not surprise her perhaps as much as it should have. Her mind had never seemed truly grounded. "I must say, that is interesting Prince Loki. Is there something else you wanted to speak of with me?"

Loki looked slightly put-off by her switch of topic, but he said nothing of it. "Nothing as of the moment. But perhaps later something else will come to mind and I shall find you again. Goodbye, my lady Sirith." He took her hand and kissed it before sweeping away down the hall of books.

Sirith watched him leave before shaking her head slightly, confused but also relieved. It had felt like he was staring right into her mind the entire time he was talking to her, like he was taking a hold inside her brain and moving it around to find what he wanted. With a sigh she returned to her novel, lost in the world of the past once more. But even as she read of the gods and goddesses that came before before leaving this realm, her face blushed at the thoughts of the prince.

She had forced herself to hold back the blush when he kissed her hand. She could feel the heat rising up, but she had had to shut it down with all the strength she had. The emotion had been something that happened naturally, something she hadn't had for a while. Her father had taught her to smile when she was on the verge of tears, to cry when she needed something from a man, to laugh when her mind traveled elsewhere, to keep herself silent when she wished to speak, to carry on conversation when all she wanted to do was keep silent. Doing something because she wished was strange, but welcome. Her body embraced it, and she felt herself smile.

Loki hid behind a line of book cases. As carefully as he could, he peered around the corner. Sirith, her white hair falling over her shoulders, leaned over her book, but it was clear she was blushing. Loki was interested by the way she blushed; red splotches on each of her collar bones to begin, and then it climbed up her neck until her entire face was turned a pale pink.

He vanished from the book case and began to stroll through the library pondering the ladies. He had talked to them and told them all the same things that he had told Sirith and carefully watched their reactions.

Sol had no reaction, keeping the same composure as ever. That was to be expected, with her clear attraction to Thor Loki would have been surprised if she had blushed at all. Claudia had blushed, but there was no other reaction. She had kept herself contained. Attia had blushed more than others. It was clear Attia felt something for him. Lika had not blushed, but her body had sent out a wave of emotion. It was clear she had some control over magic.

Loki left the ladies to themselves for the rest of the day, only returning to collect them all before leading them back to their rooms. He then went to find his brother, for he felt that they should discuss the woman after each had their turn observing them. Thor was in one of his calmer states, sitting against a pillar with a jug of wine by his side. Loki sat next to him and Thor clasped him on his shoulder.

"Brother. Have you just finished your turn with the ladies?" he asked. His words did not seem slurred yet, something Loki was thankful for.

Loki nodded. "They are what I've come to speak to you about. I feel we should discuss our first opinions, so perhaps we can get this over with quickly."

Thor laughed loudly. "Mother and Father would not like that, Brother. They want us to take our time. We each get one more meeting before we have to let one leave, and then allow the ladies one day to recuperate before repeating until there are only two ladies left; one for you and one for me."

Loki leaned back. "Still, it would be useful to discuss what we think."

Thor seemed to think for a moment. "If you tell Father you want Sol to go, I will destroy you. She seems perfect, that lady of the sun. Something can come of that, I know it. But what of you? You seem so egger to discuss this; do you already have your eyes on someone?" Loki smiled his clever smile. "Oh come on, Brother. It is clear that Sirith is interested in you; don't tell me you aren't interested in her."

"I am. The other ladies present themselves in a way that can be predicted; I know exactly where they will go and what they wish to do. But Sirith is different. She seems out of place where ever she is, the ugly duckling among swans. Don't send her away just to start; I want to study her more."

Thor nodded, his smile showing the humor that he tried to hide. "Don't worry Brother, you mustn't hide your feelings around me. I won't tell anyone how you feel about Sirith, or any of the other ladies."

Loki stood and walked off, pausing at the entrance to the hall. "I shouldn't like you to get the wrong idea, Thor. I came to see your views on the ladies, not to have mine questioned. It is your turn tomorrow; make the most of it." The doors thudded shut behind Loki as Thor stared after him, the smile still on his face.

He spoke aloud to the room around him. "Even if he is simply hiding his feelings, Loki should be careful. Lika does not seem to be one to be trusted." He took a swing of wine and sighed.