Step one, you say we need to talk.

He walks, you say sit down, it's just a talk

He smiles politely back at you

You stare politely right on through.

-How to Save a Life, the Fray

Loki sat there for a long time, not quite sure what to do. The New Yorkers, stupid mortals that they were, just threaded around him, none of them paying him any mind. "Why did I have to end up here?" he cursed at the sky. "You dropped me in a hellhole."

He could almost hear Heimdall laughing.

Finally pulling himself to his feet, he walked down the street. He was considering whether to show up at Stark Towers and put himself in prison, right on the way to being shipped back to Asgard. But that would be too easy. After all, worlds didn't rule themselves. Looking down at himself, he almost thanked the quick-to-recover mortals, for none of them had recognizeded him, and he was still in his Asgardian clothing. "I need to change," he muttered, and was about to use a charm, but then remembered that he had no magic. "Curses,"

And it was in this fashion that he continued down the street.

He wandered the streets for hours, and finally realized that it was growing dark, and he had no money, nor a place to stay. "Great."

He went inside the nearest and most brightly lit place. A few useless mortals were sitting at cozy tables, sipping from mugs of this or that. He was about to leave- he had no place there, with the dogs, but suddenly, he heard a voice coming from the corner. His head whipped around, and his eyes widened, because there before him, real as day, was the red haired girl who had given him magic in a dream. She looked nearly the same. Her feet were on the table, in tall purple boots. She wore a long, blue coat, and was leafing through a large book. He walked over to her.

"Give me my magic," he demanded, slamming his fist on the table. She jumped, training her blue-gray eyes on him. "I have no idea what you're talking about." she said, tucking a strand of ginger hair behind her ear.

"They took my magic, witch. Give it back, so I can rule the world."

"Whoa man, I can't give you your magic, or whatever you're talking about. For gods sakes, I'm just an actor!"

He sighed, sitting down in the seat next to her and glaring at her disapprovingly. She got up, taking her book, and moved to another table. He just followed, sitting down next to her again. He would follow her as long as it took for her to break and give him back his power. After all, worlds didn't rule themselves.

"What do you want?" she asked, ocean eyes hard. Her book sat abandoned in her hands.

"My magic, woman!" he shouted, drawing the attention of everyone in the cafe. "Give it to me! You healed me, you are magical, I saw you! You must have the power to bring magic back! So give it to me, you crazy woman! NOW!"

She stood up, abruptly. "You're the one that's crazy, and if you don't leave me alone, I will call the police." Gathering her book and stuffing it in her bag, she stormed out of the cafe, taking her drink with her. Loki watched her go, for a moment, down the street, and then realized that she was his best chance.

So, he did exactly what mischief-makers do best: he followed her.

She arrived at a large building, the red-haired girl. He followed her inside and took the stairs a few moments behind her. He knocked on the door be had seen her go in, and she answered, and upon seeing his face, immediately slammed it again. Or, tried to- he quickly wedged the toe of his knee-high leather boot inside before she could close it.

"Wait, mortal." he intoned. "Do you work for S.H.I.E.L.D?"

She shook her head. "No, but Steve does. He's just down the hall."

Loki's face went pale. "Steve... Rodgers?"

"Oh, you know him?" she asked, in an odd tone. "Did you ask him for your 'magic' too? Whatever it is you're looking for, I don't have it. So, if that's all you want, can you just leave me alone, because you have the wrong person."

"I saw you in a dream, mortal," he said icily. "You healed me. Can you do so again?"

"Unless you want Band-Aids," she said, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Must I explain this to a child?" he cursed. "Magic, like invisibility, de-materialization, flight, telekinesis! You must have them, you showed me!"

"I've never met you. There's a mental hospital a couple streets over. Do you want me to take you there?"

"I'M NOT INSANE, WOMAN! I AM LOKI, OF ASGARD, YOUR KING, SO GIVE ME MY MAGIC!"

Her face went pale. "Go away."

"Not without magic."

"Go away, and I won't tell Steve you were here."

"I don't have a place to stay. Will you deny your king?"

"Yes." she replied, kicking his foot out of the door and slamming it in his face.

"At least tell me your name!" he pleaded, and she could hear him, voice muffled by the door.

"Sierra Dyer. Now leave, before I tell Steve you were here."

After a moment, she could hear his footsteps retreating. Sierra sighed in relief, scrubbing her hands through her red-ginger hair. She unpacked her bag, setting her phone on the table and carefully getting out her Les Miserables script. They had only started rehearsal a few weeks ago, and it still shocked her that she had gotten the part of Fantine, on Broadway.

But, she could know say she'd seen stranger.

Loki of Asgard, the seriously creepy god that had tried to take over the world about a year ago- yelling at her about magic? She laughed as she thought about it. "Least he didn't try to kill me. That's a plus."

She kicked off her boots and turned on the lights in her apartment, making some Mac and Cheese for a late dinner. Rehearsals usually went late, but that was alright, because it was something she loved, and she was getting paid. Where was the downfall to that?

Suddenly, she heard a loud crash and she screamed, running into the living room. And screamed again when she saw Loki, sitting in her living room next to a broken vase.

"How the HELL did you get in here?" she demanded.

"Mortals are so stupid, they forget to lock their windows," was his reply.

"If you don't leave, I am calling Stark," she threatened.

"Call him," said the raven, crossing his arms.

"What do you even want? I don't have your magic?" she asked, voice cold.

He shrugged. "I got sent her for a lesson. It won't teach me anything. But I need a place to stay- and you have one. So I am now staying here. Before you make any objections, know that you are speaking to your king."

She lunged forward and slapped him on the cheek, hard. "Before you decide you can just stay here, you should know two things. One, you are not my king. You will not be my king. And two, my house, my rules. Get out, now."

He sighed. "I think not."

Alright, she had had it. That was enough. Her fist swung forward and connected with his jaw, hard. He sat there, dazed, so she took the opportunity to take the pair of handcuffs she had lying around (Steve had so graciously given them to her) and handcuffed him to her counter.

"Have a good night, Loki." she spat, before going into her room, locking the door, and going to bed.

Hi, Lovelies! Thanks for all the positive support for the first chapter. Just to get the ball rolling- here's Chapter 2! I'm not sure when I'll find time to update again, hopefully soon, but I will do my very best. Thanks again!

Keep Writing,

Crescent Moon the Mage