Greetings, readers! This is chapter 17 and I really enjoyed writing this chapter. I love reading, going to the library and bookstores, which is something that I feel Loki would also like to do. I wanted to do a library scene before, but didn't have a definitive idea for it. I had an idea emerge a few hours ago so I've put that idea to use in this chapter. This is a pretty lighthearted chapter for Loki and Aurora.
There is a small mythological reference in this chapter when you get to meet Aurora's mom near the end!
A Wild Clover- I molded their friendship after the type of close friendships that sometimes seem like the two are in a relationship when they really aren't. Aurora and Loki are close enough to act in such a manner, but Loki and Aurora do not view each other that way, just very close :) Thank you for your review, as always! This update was pretty soon, I think :)
Cougar rolypoly bug- I wish I had Loki in my life :( I am also glad that you like my OC enough to want to have a friendship with her as well :) I like writing their friendship in that light, I always thought that Loki needed a good friend in his life. Thank you for your review and the wait was pretty short for this update I think!
After trying to reach a consensus in the dining hall about the frequency with which you might be forced to leave the comfort of the ground, you and Loki decided to visit the library. You were always in awe of the library whenever you entered it. The library's entrance was a massive mahogany colored wooden door with gold embellishments on it that were woven in intricate spiral patterns. Behind the opulent doors was an impressive display of various tomes that varied in size, color, texture, and topic. There were several floors in the library that were devoted to various disciplines such as history, literature, magic, law, astronomy, religion and mythology of other cultures, guidebooks, and many others. You had visited each section at least once, but you were most intrigued by the sections on law, literature, history, and astronomy. The historical and literary sections included select works of the other realms which you wanted to learn more about since you desired to visit them someday. It was indisputable that Asgard had the most impressive library of all the nine realms, even greater than the many libraries on Midgard combined. The library in Asgard was so impressive that there only needed to be one library, not countless libraries like those on Midgard. Occasionally, when Odin or another high ranking figure in Asgard traveled to a different realm they brought back some type of book with them to add to the collection.
Loki of course, was most interested in the magic section which was where he spent a lot of his time when he wasn't with you, or even times when the two of you were together. You both enjoyed going to the library so the two of you would often go there to find books that interested the two of you that would be read while enjoying each other's company, even when there was silence. That's how you knew your friendship with Loki was strong, you and Loki didn't need to speak to feel comfortable and at ease. There were never any awkward silences between the two of you and you both shared a lot of similarities which made it easy for you both to relate to each other.
You navigated through the numerous bookcases that were located throughout the library on the first floor alone to find a book in the literature section under the Midgardian category that was titled The Inferno. After scanning the first few pages, you decided that you would read it and see if it was any good. You also picked up a work called The Song of Rolandbefore walking up the marble steps to the second floor where the history section was located. Once there, you took books on Midgard, Jotunheim, and Niflheim. Lastly, you decided to make a trip up to the sixth floor which is where the books on law were kept. You picked up a few books on this level before heading down to the third floor which was devoted to books magic to find Loki. You tried to read as much about law as possible because it was an area that fascinated you and wanted to be involved in law on Asgard one day. You knew that you were inspired from a very young age by your encounters with the god Forseti who had instilled a strong sense of justice and morality within you that was deeply ingrained in you to this day. Minding the books in your arms as you weaved in and out of the aisles looking for Loki, you spotted his tall frame in front of a bookcase as he reached a long arm up to the top shelf to pull what looked to be a heavy book out.
"If I wanted to read that book, I'd be out of luck because I'd never be able to reach it." You said softly as you neared Loki.
Loki looked up from the cover of the book in his hand and smiled at you, "I'd be more than happy to help you if there is a particular tome that is out of your reach."
"Thank you, Loki. I will alert you if I require your assistance." You smiled back as you looked down at the book in his hand.
Loki noticed that you were looking at the book and easily turned the cover towards you with one hand despite the size of the book as he said, "The Magic of the Nine Realms is what it's called."
"No wonder it's such a large book; it contains information on different types of magic in each realm?" You asked.
Loki nodded, "Precisely. Apparently, each realm has a different definition for what constitutes magic and what that magic is capable of doing. I did not even know that Midgard possessed magic at all."
"I didn't either, but you'll be knowledgeable about it once you read that entire book which will take even you awhile, I think." You confessed.
"I think you may be right," Loki agreed as he turned the book on its side with a slight turn of his wrist to look at the bulk of pages, "this is quite a thick book."
"I don't even know how you're holding it with one hand, I'm not sure that I could do that." You said eyeing the presumably heavy book in Loki's hand.
"Here," Loki offered the book to you, "give it a try, but do not drop it as it will make a racket."
You eyed the book carefully before lifting your eyes to meet Loki's. Then, you placed the books you had selected on the floor next to you.
"Okay…if you say so…" You trailed off as you reached out for the book with one hand.
As you grabbed the book you found that the book was so thick that you couldn't even hold it from the side with one hand because the book was larger than your hand was with your fingers completely outstretched. You quickly moved your other hand underneath the book to support it before it fell to the floor.
"That was close." You breathed.
"Indeed. I would have caught it before it hit the floor though." Loki spoke.
"You should have told me that before so I could avoid having a near anxiety attack over dropping the book and getting us thrown out of here!" You whisper yelled.
Loki laughed, "I am glad that you remembered to use your indoor library voice even when you are yelling at me."
"I almost forgot to, but good thing I didn't. Here," You presented the book to Loki with both hands, "take your book back. I can barely hold it even with two hands. I swear, it must way about half as much as I do."
Loki took the book back from you with one hand and reached for another book high up on the shelf to place on top of the large book.
"Show off." You grunted as you picked up your books off the floor.
Loki stared at you with a glint in his eyes, "You think me pompous eh? I would be boasting if I held all of your books in one hand as well as my own."
You rolled your eyes, "I might as well allow you to have your fun. Who am I to deny you the opportunity to be pompous, as you worded it?"
Loki lowered his hand so that you could place your books on top of the two that were already in his hand. You eyed Loki cautiously as he nodded, signaling for you to proceed, which you did. You placed each of the eight books you had been struggling to carry one by one on top of Loki's books. Each time you placed a book on the stack, you glanced at Loki to see if it was okay to continue, which it was for each of the eight books you put in his hand.
"Well then, it seems that I have run out of books to burden you with and you have successfully shown off your ability to hold a stack of heavy books in the palm of your hand. I am truly honored to be in your presence, oh Presumptuous One." You said as you made a show of bowing in sarcasm.
Loki shook with laughter as he struggled to keep his laughter at a low volume. Loki ended up having to cover his mouth with his free hand to stifle his laughter while balancing the books in his other hand.
"I thank you for the compliment, Lady Aurora." Loki finally managed to say with a sly grin.
"Oh, it was no trouble at all, good sir. Let's see how much you have to flaunt when I do this!" You whisper yelled once again as you quickly took a book off the shelf nearest to you and placed it on top of the growing stack of books in Loki's hand.
Loki's hand did not drop in altitude at all despite the additional weight. You frowned at this because you wanted to beat Loki at his own game. Loki looked down at you in amusement as you grabbed a few more books and glared at him. Loki's emerald eyes shone under the glow of the lanterns that illuminated the library as he looked at you, finding your game humorous.
"What, may I ask, are you doing?" Loki asked with a chuckle.
"There has to be a limit to how many books you can hold in the palm of your hand before it becomes too heavy for you and I want to find that limit!" You exclaimed in a semi-loud whisper as you placed another book on top of the pile in Loki's hand.
Loki snickered and said, "Soon I think you are going to require some form of vertical assistance should you wish to continue your quest to continue to build a tower of tomes on my hand."
You sighed as you placed another book on Loki's hand, dismayed as you saw that his hand still did not move under the added weight.
"I think I've already reached that point since I can't seem to reach the top of the pile."
Loki outstretched his other hand said, "Give me the books and I will continue to place them on top until even I cannot reach the top anymore. Then you really will require a ladder or something."
"No! I want to stack the books; you can't do it for me!" You yelled in a defensive whisper.
Loki raised his free hand in defense as he said, "No harm done, I swear."
You laughed at Loki's reaction as you said, "I think I require that ladder now. Where can I find one?"
"Do not waste your time looking; I can help you with that." Loki said as he twisted his wrist like you had seen him do before and sure enough, Loki conjured a ladder in front of you.
"That is certainly a handy trick." You remarked as you stepped onto the ladder.
With each step you took, you placed books that you could reach onto the growing mountain of books in Loki's hand until you could no longer reach the top anymore and had to move up to the next step. You couldn't help but laugh at yourself as you reached the fifth step and looked down at the floor and the stack of books that blocked you from seeing Loki's face.
Hearing your laughter, you heard Loki's voice from behind the books say, "Are you laughing at the immaturity of this game of yours? I sure am."
"Oh, hush, Loki! You know it's fun!" You said as you placed another book on the pile.
"I think you should stop because clearly, I am not going to give way anytime soon." Loki said.
"That's exactly what you would say if you felt like you couldn't hold the books anymore! I must be getting close!" You exclaimed as you reached for another book and almost lost your balance as you leaned over to place it on the enormous stack of books that Loki was holding with one hand.
"Aurora! Please be careful! If you fall, these books will fall as well as myself and I assure you, that will be very loud and painful!" Loki exclaimed in concern as you teetered back and forth before regaining your balance on the ladder.
"I regained my balance, don't worry so much! I think you forgot to use your indoor library voice, Loki." You noted as you put yet another book on top of the stack.
"I think this is getting a bit ridiculous, Aurora. This is not safe at all and I am not saying that because these books are too heavy, I assure you of that." Loki said from behind the tower of books.
"Just one more, please? This looks so incredible; I've never seen anything like it before." You said in amazement.
"That is because no one has been crazy enough to attempt to do something like this." Loki replied.
"That's only because no one has ever been as ingenious and adventurous as me in this library while no one has been as strong as you apparently are to support all of these books in your hand." You said as you reached for a final book.
"Yes, yes, that is all well and good, but-"
"What in the realm eternal are the two of you doing!?" A voice rang out, completely ignoring the use of the indoor library voice.
You almost dropped the book you were holding in surprise as you turned around to see your mother standing there with her mouth wide open in shock.
"Oh…greetings, mother." You said timidly as your face flushed crimson.
"Aurora, what are you doing on top of that ladder stacking a…tower of books like this?!" Your mother asked, still speaking very loudly.
"Mother, if I may, I think you should use your indoor library voice." You said which earned a small snicker form Loki behind the books.
Your mother turned to walk around the tower and stood next to Loki. Loki turned to face her and offered her a small smile which she did not return.
"Did you let my daughter talk you into this, Loki?" Your mother asked.
Loki's smile faded as he lowered his eyes to avoid her inquisitive gaze. "Yes, goddess Idun."
Your mother rolled her eyes as she walked away from Loki and turned to stare up at you on the ladder in disappointment and mild anger. "Aurora, come down from there this instant."
You nodded, but before you descended the ladder, you smiled slyly and placed the final book on top of the pile completing your tower.
"Did you really, Aurora?" You heard Loki's voice inquire from behind the tower.
"So you can feel the weight after all." You said as you climbed down the ladder.
"I never said I could not feel you putting more books on the pile, it just does not affect me or cause me any strain." Loki replied.
"I guess you won this round then." You said.
"Oh no! There will not be any more rounds of this! Aren't you too old for these antics, Aurora?" Your mother asked.
You bit your lip and pondered about your mother's question for a moment before answering, "No, of course not. I'm still young by Asgardian standards and even when I am not, I will always be young at heart. You of all people should know that, mother."
Your mother looked taken aback at your words and answered, "Just because I am the goddess of spring, youth, and immortality does not mean that there isn't a time to grow up and leave juvenile antics behind."
You narrowed your eyes at your mother and replied, "This wasn't an antic, it was just an experiment."
"Whatever you choose to call this exploit of yours, I do not approve of it and you must put these books back to their original places at once." Your mother said firmly.
You gaped at her, "Are you serious, mother? There are so many of them and I don't even know where they all came from! How am I supposed to put them back?"
"You should have thought of that before you made a mess of the library, sweetheart." Your mother replied adding a sentimental nickname at the end, as if that lessened your punishment in some way.
Before you could reply, however, all of the books except the ones that you and Loki had originally picked out to peruse disappeared along with the ladder. You could now see Loki once again who had smiled at you and then turned his attention to your mother.
"I have returned all of the books that were specifically removed from the shelves for the sole purpose of constructing the literary tower to their rightful places. I apologize for participating in this endeavor when I should have used my better judgment to prevent this from escalating as far as it did." Loki spoke smoothly.
Your mother smiled at Loki and placed a hand on his shoulder as she gently patted his shoulder, "Thank you for your help, Loki. I am happy to see that you are using your magic for good."
Loki smiled back at her with his emerald eyes shining.
Your mother turned to you as she said, "If this happens again, I will have you put the books back individually without the help of Loki's magic. Consider yourself lucky, Aurora. Behave yourself now please, I will see you later."
"Farewell, mother." You said as she walked away from you and Loki.
You turned to face Loki who was already sitting on the floor with the book that started it all open on his lap. You sighed heavily as you sat down next to him and pulled The Infernoonto your lap.
"Thanks for sweet talking my mother, Silvertongue. I don't even care if that has an inappropriate connotation, but it better never have a reason to have one!" You said pointing a finger at Loki.
Loki didn't look up from his book, but smiled, "You have my word, Aurora. I was merely using my skills to help us both out of an unsatisfactory situation."
"Thank the gods you did. Now, I'm finally going to read my books." You said as you opened the Midgardian book.
"No complaints here." Loki smiled as he turned the page of the obscenely long book that you now blamed for tempting you to construct a literary tower on Loki's palm in the library of Asgard, an exploit you would never partake in again.