I could hear voices. One of them was Thor's, that I knew, but I couldn't recognise any of the others. Keeping my eyes closed, I waited until the others had left the room before I opened my eyes. The room wasn't like any hospital I'd ever seen with its high roofs and archway windows- it was like a medieval castle and I felt a bubble of excitement as part of me realised where I might be.
Thor turned to look at me with a grin on his face as I sat up, walking over to the edge of bed- or whatever it was I was on- and patting me on the shoulder.
"It is good to see you up," he said. "We were worried for a moment."
"'We'?" I echoed, looking down at the bandaged covering my waist through the bloodied hole in my top. "Where are we anyway?"
I pulled up the top and bandages, setting about healing the giant cut on stomach- I was going to have nightmares about that- and wondering if they might have some spare clothes for me here.
Anything but a dress though.
"Asgard," replied the Thunderer, and I looked at him to see if he was joking. "I was not able to take you straight to Midgard and you were in dire need of help."
"I'm in Asgard?" I repeated, feeling a strange sense of déjà vu- except for the fact Thor seemed to find it amusing. "Oh my god, really?"
"You are very excited about this," he commented with a laugh.
"Are you kidding? I've always been into mythology and to actually be here on Asgard- it's epic," I said.
I always had been into mythology, starting with Egyptian mythology as a kid and then progressing outwards as I grew up; Egyptian, Greek, Japanese, Norse- all kinds of mythology. Throughout it though Loki had been my overall favourite god, the idea of a god of mischief and lies appealing to me.
After all, everybody lies.
Speaking of which I haven't seen The Invention Of Lying in a while.
I climbed off the bed as I walked over to the window, leaning out as I looked in awe around the place. It was so glorious with all the bizarre, golden buildings- it was so much more than amazing than in the film. I couldn't see why Loki didn't like this place, it was really cool.
"Do you like it?" asked Thor, joining me at the window.
"Love it," I replied, ignoring his chuckle.
"Well if you are quite finished admiring the view then I shall take you to father."
Now that made me panic.
"Why?" I asked out of curiosity.
"He said he wished to see you once you've awoken- I believe it concerns my brother," explained the Thunderer, sounding a little pained when he mentioned Loki. He was probably upset about him getting away again.
"Do you think I could get some new clothes?" I asked, pulling at the ripped top and the now wet clothes from where the snow had melted. "I don't think I should meet him like this."
"There are some on your bedside," he replied, pointing towards the neatly folded clothes on the side. "We did not think it right that we should ask someone to give you theirs, so you were given some of Loki's."
I paused as I picked up the jacket, a black and green leather one that was made for someone taller than me, so I guessed it would probably be a bit too big- and from what I could tell they were supposed to be form-fitting clothes. Thor left the room so I could change, and my predictions turned out wrong as I put the clothes on because they fit me perfectly- my guess was magic or something.
Either that or I had suddenly grown during my unconsciousness.
It was the basic outfit without the armour- black and green leather (Or whatever it was they had here) clothes which went very nicely with my black boots. I'd never worn leather before and I felt a sudden gratefulness to my friends wash over me as I looked down at my body. I mean I'd never been fat, but a bit chubby around the middle which made me feel a little subconscious and a push from my friends to join them and the fact I felt horribly out of shape when with the Avengers had done it.
But enough about my self- loathing.
I looked over the outfit, and wondered if I looked like a female Loki with my long black hair- I had blue eyes though, a small comfort to me as I realised I looked like the man who had- however long ago- decided to gut me like a fish.
"Are you decent?" I heard Thor ask, and rolled my eyes- it sounded so Pirates of the Caribbean to me.
"Yeah, come in," I replied and he walked in, looking up and down the outfit.
"You look just like him," he said- not the best compliment in the world, being compared to a psycho like him. "He always would leave an enchantment in his clothes."
That's probably why they fit me then.
"Are you ready to meet the Allfather?" he asked, and I took an exaggerated breath before nodding.
"Is there anything I need to know about addressing him?" I asked, worried I might offend this Eyepatch and bring down the wrath of the gods upon myself.
Dear god this was even more intimidating that meeting Fury and it would kill me if I fainted.
"Just be polite and respectful," advised Thor, giving me a clap on the shoulder. "I trust you will do well, Miss Attwater."
I certainly hope so, I thought as he led me along to what I assumed was going to be the throne room- I just couldn't imagine him meeting me anywhere else. As we went along I looked around at these bizarre surroundings, not caring if I was like a hapless tourist- I was on an alien planet! One that wasn't minus stupid degrees!
"I think this is going to be one of the most intimidating moments in my life," I said, more to myself than Thor as I spotted a small platform which stood on top of a waterfall and with a start I realised it was the remains of the Bifrost- I couldn't tell if they were repairing it or not mainly because the waterfall seemed to end where the platform did, broken or not. "I know I'm going to do something stupid."
"Do not fear, father may appear stern but he is a good man and will not hold your blunders against you," Thor said in what I guessed was supposed to be a supportive comment, but it made me feel even more intimidated.
"What will happen to me after the Allfather-" That word sounded foreign in my mouth- "Is finished talking to me? Will I go back to my Midgard or your Midgard?"
He thought about it carefully.
"I supposed you will stay on 'my' Midgard- at least until we know what it is that Loki desires from you," he finally replied. "Unless, that is, you wish to remain in this Midgard."
It was a tempting notion.
"I'm not sure," I replied instead, putting off the decision.
We finally reached the room and I trailed behind Thor as he walked straight past the guards without a second thought as we entered the room. I could have sworn that the guards gave me disgusted looks as I passed and felt any confidence I had leave me- especially when I saw the figure on the throne.
In the film Odin looked nothing more than a stern old man, but here he was an intimidating authority figure who made the room seem so much smaller and whose presence practically screamed respect. I could see a woman nearby, who seemed much kinder but still had the same air of authority- Frigga I think her name was.
Without a word, the guards closed the doors and I suddenly felt very trapped.
A/N: The poll is now closed people, and the most popular answer with a total of 10 out of the 29 votes cast is Loki, which means my life has just got harder. I may not go with the poll however as that is a hard pairing to put in- but I will try my best.
Here are the full results:
1st: Yes-Loki (10 out of 29)
2nd: No (5 out of 29)
3rd: Yes- Bruce, Yes- Steve (Both 4 out of 29)
4th: Yes- Thor, Yes-Clint (Both 3 out of 29)
5th: Yes- Tony (0 out of 29)
Pairing with Loki may not be definite! I may make it a friends thing instead.