Poodle warriors: I love Thor. Hopefully will get more Thor in later chapters.
YaraThor: Welcome, glad your enjoying my story. And yes, he hasn't told her yet. :p

Chapter 35: Comfortably dysfunctional

When they appeared on the end of the Byfrost Loki looked around at the new lands of Cephera's home realm of Mechanova. Beneath their feet was clear hard material that he could see waves of magical energy pulsating through.
"Cephera." A female who had been waiting for them on this end greeted her with a hug and a smile. Cephera was shorter then the girl but crushed her tightly to her. Loki assumed this was her sister and confirmed so when she looked to him with the same violet eyes.
"Seraphina this is Loki." Cephera said almost nervously. Loki was unsure if Cephera had sent any letters home since her last. He knew not if Seraphina knew who he was aside from her sisters suitor. Seraphina approached him and circled him.
She was looking him over from head to toe. "Nice." Was all she said back over her shoulder to Cephera. Finally she turned back to Loki and offered her hand to him. He took her hand and the tightness in which she gripped his was surprising. Without warning she yanked him close to her, her strength a little surprising. "You hurt her...I will kill you." Seraphina let him go and gave him a smile. "Welcome to Mechanova."
Loki watched her turn and begin the walk to the palace. Cephera gave Loki a weary smile. "Sorry. She's very protective." Loki didn't reply he only shrugged. Cephera had warned him about her family being odd but she wasn't able to really describe them.

***

Where Loki understood Cephera's sister's attitude, he did not understand her father. Or rather her adoptive father. Loki was not sure if he liked the man or hated him. He spent the entire meal flirting with the female servants and arguing about marital issues with Seraphina.
All Loki understood was that Seraphina refused to marry anyone he picked and she herself had not found anyone. Apparently the whole process was aggravating the both of them. It seemed the conversation of it all happens often.
Cephera stayed out of the argument and Loki wasn't about to add to it either. He watched the banter back and forth. The way in which Seraphina spoke to her father was not exactly respectful yet the king didn't reprimand her for her harsh words. She was brazen and loud. Loki found it hard to believe she shared a mutual parent with his Cephera, let alone be twins.
When they ended their arguing King Yorin turned his eyes to Loki. "Have you made a woman of my daughter yet?" Loki stared unsure how to respond. This was not your typical dinner conversation. When Loki didn't respond fast enough the king moved on. "While you're here you can share her room. I warn you, it's very girlie but I assure you the bed is comfortable." He winked at Loki.
"Father stop." Cephera warned.
"What?! It's a normal fact of life...one you refused to take part in or acknowledge. How in all the realms are you suppose to keep a man interested if you don't spread those legs?" Loki watched Cephera roll her eyes. He expected her to at least turn red or be embarrassed. Loki could only assume this was how the king always was.
"Your daughter is in good hands. And she's quite the spitfire in the bedroom." He heard Cephera choke and even her sister reacted in shock at his words as her wine glass fell to the floor. The shattering of glass was heard only a moment as the king burst into joyous laughter.
"Well imagine that!" He bellowed. "She gets that from me!" He cried slapping the table.
"Don't be stupid she's not your blood. She gets nothing from you." Seraphina chided.
"Nonsense. She's been mine long enough to pick up my habits or behaviour." He waved off his elder daughter. "I hope you're not distracting her to much from her studies." He said seriously.
"Not in the least. Anything she has missed on my behalf I have taught her myself." Loki grinned.
"Why can't you find a man like him?" King Yorin exclaimed toward the slightly irritated princess.
"Don't start this again." She warned and got to her feet.
"I'm just saying. I want grandchildren. And at this rate Cephera will be popping them out before you, and you're my heir." He yelled after her. When she disappeared from view he turned to Cephera. "So when can I expect grandchildren?"
"That's not something I've planned out father. How am I suppose to study in magic and juggle children too." She raised an eyebrow.
"Point well made." Loki couldn't help but grin inwardly. They hadn't exactly taken precaution were pregnancy was concerned. He was amused that she dismissed the idea easily. Suddenly Loki wondered if she knew something he didn't. Could she have children?
It wasn't that he was eager to have a child but he would like one at some point. He liked just leaving the timing to fate. Loki was shook from his thoughts when King Yorin stood and yelled out. "You girl. With me!" He said and left without saying another word.
"I almost forgot just how odd my family is to strangers." Cephera said sheepishly. "Aside from their crudeness they are actually quite harmless." She giggled.
"Your sister is a lot like your father were attitude is concerned." He observed. She nodded.
"She's what we like to call a Tom boy on earth. She's not a very girlie girl. It's one of the biggest reasons finding a suitor has been difficult. That and she tends to scare them away."
"You're day and night, the two of you." Cephera stood from her own spot.
"Want to see my room?" She asked her face changing to a sly smile. Loki didn't answer he simply followed.
When she opened the double doors leading to her room Loki's eyes were assaulted by white. Stepping in he was greeted with the sight if nothing but white and pink silks. The bed was large with a light pink sheer curtain curved around it. The floors were a marble lit by the magic that seemed to flow all over this realm. Several wide windows gave a view of the forest.
Loki felt the forest was the most breathtaking. The trees were truly of a magical nature. They were made of pure diamond but yet shone with a brilliant blue glow. Cephera told him they grew through magic as did the flowers and grasses. As it didn't rain in Mechanova all the plants and bodies of water came from magic. Loki couldn't argue that this realm was breathtaking in its own way.
"I'm afraid you will never be allowed to decorate my room." He finally said a little put off by all the white.
"This was actually my father. I'm not into large amounts of material things aside from my dresses. As long as I have a place to sleep I'm usually content."
"This is good to know." Loki pulled her close to himself and bent to kiss her but was interrupted when her room doors came open again without warning.
"Come on Cephera, you two can have sexy time later." Seraphina said smiling and leaning on the doorframe. Loki suppressed his glare.
"Where are we going?" Cephera asked excitedly.
"Swimming." Seraphina grinned. It seemed she knew Cephera would not turn this down. Cephera pulled at Loki's hand.
"Come with us." She said with excitement. Loki was in a weary but strangely content mood. Her family, though slightly annoying in their manners and crudeness, made him also feel comfortable in an odd way. It was like nothing could be said that would cause hatred or judgement. Tomorrow he had decided he would embrace this and give it a try. Tomorrow he would speak freely and see what happens.
In the meantime he followed the twins. He was interested in seeing more of the landscape.