Summary: The war between Jotunheim and Asgard draws to a close, but thanks to a horrible twist of Fate (or perhaps not), the nameless runt of Laufey-King is not discovered by Odin and so begins a remarkable journey of life that should not have been. Jotun!Loki AU. Set pre-/during-/after Thor/Avengers Assemble. MCU-verse only.
Warnings: ANGST! Loki-whump! Language, adult situations, violence, child abuse, dub-con, sexual assault (also of a minor), substance abuse, one abortion scene (sort of), slavery, sex trade (maybe), some mild original character/Loki M/M pairings.
Comments: This is not a slash fic. Sorry. It's Loki-centric, although I definitely show the rest of the Avengers and etc. Please review! Constructive criticism welcome.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avengers. Marvel owns it. I do not get paid for this piece of work. Sadly, but understandably. LOL.
This past weekend was my birthday - and it was pretty amazing~. My friends and I love watching Project Runway and once I told them I had imagined myself in a similar kind of show – except for writing. That was a few months ago. So, my three friends (the Americans: Emi, Bri and Kate) have a thing where we make for each other themed parties. Last year, my b-day party was Star Wars, Kate's was Harry Potter, Bri's was Portal and Emily's was Candy Land. This year, my b-day party was Project Paper. Basically, for the entire weekend we wrote stuff for challenges. The final challenge was so hilarious – we entered Emily's room for the final writing challenge – and at the sight of eight – EIGHT – (whispers) eight~ pictures of Tom Hiddleson on her dresser top, I kinda let go a squeal and proceeded to hug said pictures. In the end, like Project Runway, we had to write with our "muse" in mind. It was hilarious. Emi, who isn't much of a Loki fan, picked randomly and got Loki. LOL. I laughed so hard. I chose the Dragonfly Suit picture of doom and Kate had another one with his leather jacket on. Brit randomly chose Prince Hal. It turned out quite funny. In the end, I was able to start a couple of multi-chapter Tom and Loki fics which will be posted at some time when they are a bit more complete. BUT. SO. HILARIOUS.
I really can't have asked for a better birthday and better friends to share it with. They even ran out and got extra stuff so my British co-worker (and friend) Grace could also join us. Really, can anyone have better friends? (Friends who put up with my obsessions?) I think not. THANK YOU GUYS~! YOU ROCK~
Anyways, moving onward, what we now have is the all too necessary chapter for Thor. v.v Sorry! I'll be working on the next chapter for Loki as soon as possible! I apologize for the wait times. T_T I actually went back and reread my previous chapter and was suitably horrified by the quality of work put out. So many errors. Urgh. Thanks to everyone who pointed out what was wrong. I really appreciate those little things being picked up. You guys rock~
Thanks to the wonderful reception and comments by new reviewers and old. I appreciate you all! Thanks to: Elizabeth, raykayelle, Haleyjo, wbss21, Elise, ArtistAtPlay, Chiharu-angel, deadly-lullaby-000, zippy zany, vonhinten and InsolentKatt.
To Elizabeth, my response to you is at the end of the chapter~ Thanks for your lovely comments~
Distortions In Time
[Bitter Desolation, Incandescent Harmony]
Chapter 64
Thor: The High Road... I
There was only light, a blur, a roar. There was only pain – no, not pain – it was something else entirely. A blankness. A numb feeling spreading outward from his chest. An unfamiliar sensation. He did not know what to think, only that he never wished to experience it again.
There was only light and stars whizzing past and a shining path and a planet coming into view – green and blue and white and brown. A pock-marked pale moon flew by. The sky was swallowed by the vastness of dark before him, but the light pierced through the clouds. Before he plummeted further into the shadows and the cold wet clouds and the whipping winds, Thor caught one last glimmer – one last glimpse of the sun peeking round the rim of the world, before he continued to plunge downward.
There was only light and he found himself unable to breath. He was blacking out now – vision spotting with dark – or was it just the night?
He was falling now through darkness and the ground was rising up to meet him. Arms rose instinctively to brace himself – but then, there was a pair of powerful yellow-white beams bearing down on him, which swerved to the right sharply before a grey metal body hit him with a THUD! The last thing Thor saw as his head and chest met the black metal frame of the unknown object were the silent stars.
Then there was nothing.
-0-0-0-
Thought shifted like sand, like grains of wheat, like silken spools of thread unwound and falling through his fingers. Incoherent and scattered, Thor grasped at the threads of consciousness as his blue eyes flickered open. What – where – where am I? His second thought was: Home. I need to get back home. Then - Heimdall. Heimdall – he will be watching.
A far away voice, urgent and hurried, sounded through the black which cloaked his gaze. Something about aid. As he clawed his way to consciousness, Thor blinked hazily. Above him, a blurry circle of white slowly came into focus, a face, not the moon. At the sight of delicate eyebrows, kind yet worried eyes and slightly parted, gentle-looking lips, Thor could not help but groggily smile in response automatically. Beautiful, he thought. She is beautiful.
"Are you – are you OK? Please tell me you are not dead." The light brown-haired maiden repeated. "Seriously, are you alright? I am so sorry – so so sorry – we totally did not see you in the-"
"What did you do, Jane?" Another voice broke in somewhere above them. "You just hit some guy! OMG, that's, like, totally not going to do you favours with-"
"Darcy." A man's voice.
Turning his head, the blonde haired prince frowned, trying to orient himself and the other voices which moved above him. The uncertain silence was broken by the second female voice.
"Whoa. Does he need CPR? 'Cause I can totally do CPR..."
See pee are? Who – what? Thor frowned at the unfamiliar people now crowding around, attempting to process the unfamiliar idioms which filtered through the All-Speak awkwardly. It does not matter, he shook his head and blinked again rapidly, trying to clear his spotting vision. Asgard matters... the war... Father and Mother and Loki all alone... With a grunt, Thor pushed himself away and clambered to his feet, finding himself a bit more dizzy than he would like.
"Heimdall! Heimdall! Open the Bifrost!" His throat was dry, tongue gritty with sand. Already Thor found himself disliking the place. "I need to speak with Father! Please!"
"Uh – sorry – excuse me," interjected the girl, giving him space yet looking more confused than ever.
"Heimdall?" A tall, grey-haired man with light blue eyes stepped forward. "Did he just say-"
"I don't know what he's sayin', but he's freakin' me out, seriously," a dark-haired girl said, rifling through her purse.
"Is he drunk?"
"Dunno – maybe? Crazy drunk for sure."
"Heimdall?" repeated the man.
"I think we need to take him to emergency," said the man.
"We can't!" The first girl shook her head, kneeling down to pass a metal box in her hand across the Bifrost's mark. "Do you see this? What is it? We need to have a look-"
Ignoring them, Thor gazed up at the unresponsive stars and looked for any tell-tale glimmer of light. For the first time in his long life, the world about him and the skies above him seemed shrouded and dim – as though the very life and colour had been leeched from them, as though everything had been doused in shadows. This world, also, felt uncharacteristically heavy for him to move upon, as though the very air was itself a burden.
"Heimdall! Open the Bifrost!" Now, anger was rising within the prince as he realized that his long-time ally had more than likely turned his back upon him. Vehemence roughened his voice as Thor continued, moving around the Bifrost mark. "I must speak with Father! Father! I need to speak with you! This has gone on-"
The girl jerked her head up, then glanced at the older man. A beat and then she jerked her chin back at the metal box behind him.
"Hospital. You go. I'll stay."
"You? What Realm is this?" Thor loomed over them, fists clenching as his anxiety mounted. "Alfheim? Nornheim? What planet is this?"
"New Mexico?" The second girl asked, pulling.
"You dare threaten me - Thor - with so puny a wea-"
Before he could finish his sentence, there was an odd zapping sound, something pricked his skin and fire and heat and lightning roared through his veins. For a moment, there was nothing but sharp pain and the taste of iron and ozone upon his tongue and the whole world shook. Then it went dark.
-0-0-0-
Light, soft and pink at first. Warm, he thought slowly as the fuzziness of his mind slowly evaporated. Warm light? Maybe... The Healing Halls? Have I gotten hurt again on some quest? No. No. He had thought those thoughts before. All wrong. All wrong. It feels all so wrong. Valhalla? Surely... surely not... For if I was felled, I was defeated neither in glorious battle nor in a duel. Memory was returning now. By a young maid no less. A girl. A girl wielding some unknown weapon. Thor groaned. I will never live this down. If Loki or Fandral discover this...
At the thought of Loki and Fandral, Thor's memory returned with horrific clarity. His Father's face. The disappointment and regret. Then the anger. The bright light. His armour falling away with his powers. His fall. Falling... falling for what seemed like eternity – and then dark and the young maiden and the others...
With a soft groan, he shifted, now hyper-aware of his surroundings, as he turned his head. A firm pillow. A low hum. A continuous mechanical sound more common in space-faring ships. Stiff sheets under his hands – and voices moving about him in an airless way. Unfamiliar voices.
Thor tensed. As moments passed, panic began to set in. His eyes would not open. His eyelids felt so heavy as though they held the dead weight of Mjolnir itself. Yet, they also felt papery, thin and coloured with light, banishing the darkness little by little.
More incomprehensible chatter filtered downward into Thor's scattered consciousness. Where am I? Who are they? Why...? As Thor attempted to piece together what he could, lying there quietly, his limbs slowly gained new life. After a moment, the exiled Asgardian found the strength to open his eyes, blinking slowly as his vision sharpened.
"Hi," smiled a brown-haired man, suddenly hovering over him. "Feeling better now?"
Hie? Thor blinked, uncertain how to respond to this new individual as he tried to piece the sounds together. They were familiar, similar to Asgard's language, yet not entirely understandable. More panic rose within the Asgardian as he realized that the All-Speak was not working entirely as it should.
"Just taking a little blood," went on the man, a hand raising with a small, clear tube removed from a crinkling bag. "A prick and it'll be over before you kn-"
Realization set in and Thor's disgruntled face twisted into outrage as he pried himself upward. Like a wolf springing from the underbrush, he leaped from the bed, only to find that someone had dared lay a hand on his shoulder, attempting vainly to get him to lie back down.
"How dare you attack the son of Odin?" He snapped, shoving the offending man back.
"Sir, you need to lie down-" Another blue-clothed man was stepping forward now, hand raised.
"I just need to check-"
"You have no right to-"
Instant pandemonium. The entire situation devolved from that point onward. Making his way to the door, fending off the attacks of the blue-clothed and white-coated men and women, Thor's eyes darted about the white room looking for escape. Just ahead of him lay a door. Freedom. Thor began to move forward.
"We need some help! We need some help!"
Voices rose. Arms closed about him, attempting (and initially failing) to restrain Thor. Several of the men went flying and when no weapons appeared, Thor forced his way grimly onward, realizing that these beings were weakling Healers.
They have no right.
Moments later, after several people began to yell about emergencies and needing security (what ever that meant), others joined the fray, swarming upon him from all sides and slowing him down. He was so close now. So close. So close...
Just as he reached the door and was attempting to work the handle, there was a lick prick on his left buttock and outrage swamped him as he was slammed against the glass and metal of the door.
"You are no match for-" He roared and then faltered. "-for the... mighty..."
That was all he got out before things got fuzzy and bleary and faint and heavy – and then, dark.
[…silence…]
[…the silence is everywhere…]
[….yet, some places resist it more than most…]
[…some Realms hold tightly onto Life…]
[…here, here…]
[…here, the spaces are filled with sound…]
The next time he woke, Thor woke alone. The room was a smaller one, now empty – the walls, a pale blue, and the windows framed in white around the clearest class he had ever seen. A square room, Spartan and clean and empty. Empty, he saw, save for the bed, the mechanical boxes which had been set about his bed. For the moment, they were silent and still.
Lying there in the quiet, the prince in exile took his time to take better stock of his surroundings. This time, he knew better.
He knew better... now. Loki, he thought, would have thought first before he acted. It filled Thor with frustration as he remembered that one short month so long ago when he had first met his adopted brother, when Loki had been no Realm's man, when their names had been forced upon him with as many restrictions and rules. Loki's eyes, then, had been dull and cynical and world-weary. Thor, looking into those tired green eyes, had felt saddened somehow - and old.
This place, perhaps, was another such place. This time, however, Thor winced as frustration once again set in, as he twisted angrily at the black bonds which had been strapped about his ankles and wrists. This time, Loki is not here.
Thor recalled those days when they had first learned how to fight side by side. When we became brothers in everything but name – so swiftly, yet it seemed so natural at the time… It is a pity Loki is not here, Thor sighed. He would have a few charming things to say and a good hundred plots to weave… Now, I am on my own.
Alone.
The realization did not sit well with Thor. Within seconds, he began to work in more earnest, while keeping a careful eye on the door. No one came in to watch him, allowing the prince to twist one wrist out of a less than securely strapped restraint. One hand now free, it was no difficulty for Thor to release the others – and, exchanging his short white shift for an ill-fitting pair of pale blue pants and a shirt which seemed to be a little too thin for his liking (were all the inhabitants of this planet clad in pale colours and papery clothes?), as quietly as he may, the prisoner escaped, leaving behind the empty room, the mute machinery, the sharp clean scents and the promise of captivity.
[…here, here…]
[…here, the spaces are filled with sound…]
When in a strange land, Huntsman Harthr had taught Thor long ago, keep your eyes as sharp as a hawk, your ears as keen as a mountain goat and your nose as discerning as a hound. Walk quietly and watch carefully. Be mindful of your surroundings and let no creature come upon your back without warning.
When visiting a new Realm, his father had admonished his two sons a few years earlier after a particularly disastrous diplomatic mission, bear the pride of your country, know who you are and give a good accounting for the Asgardian name, for not only are you of Asgard, but even more importantly, you are my sons.
When you meet new people, Thor, Frigga had shaken her head as well at the news of said failed diplomatic mission, for the Norn's sake, be gentle! A gentle heart is a welcomed heart and welcomes others in return. Here, she had given Loki a look as well. A sharp tongue and sour face beckons no one – and as the proverb goes, you cannot catch flies with vinegar. Come now, would you woo a girl with such manners? The men of Asgard must learn grace as much as any woman.
Opening the room's door and peering down the hallway, all of these words now ran through Thor's mind. It was hard to remember them all – all those admonitions and scoldings and long tirades on etiquette and manners and social graces. Graces which he had studied for long hours under the equally watchful and dull care of his tutors. Loki, of course, always remembered his lessons. He was an apt student in such things – although his temper and sensitive nature oft got away with him and he would end up in a similar situation to myself – or worse. Thor grinned. Ah well. In the end, we both returned home with bruised heads thanks to Sif – and with awful premonition.
With this mind, Thor lifted his chin, gave the hallway a second sweep and made his way out and down to another door. It too was cold and metal and held glass a third of the way up, revealing a grey wall, a short path, some greenery and beyond, a broad vista. Behind him, three people passed from one room to another. Thor glanced back and took stock of them again before passing onward.
So similar to Asgardians – yet not, being smaller and obviously weaker. No sign of other races, creature-like or snake-like or elf-like. Thor ran the various planets and Realms through his mind, but the only option that seemed to be possible was also too fantastical to consider. Midgard? Surely not... surely...
Deep in thought, Thor slipped out and down the small walkway, recalling his adventures long ago in the Realm of Midgard. Largely uninhabited, the universe spanned great distances – and the one galaxy ruled by the Skrull and Kree had been considered off bounds by Odin's decree. Not that I considered such things back in those days. At any rate, there was Midgard itself, in a fairly empty galaxy... Thor mused. But after Loki came... after Loki came, I did not visit Midgard again. When last I left it, the planet was barely developed and the people had not yet fully mastered the land, nor many of the animals. There were tall folk in the lands to the North, I remember, like Aesir who rode ships and worshiped us as gods...
Thor's eyes wandered over the low, trimmed bushes, the few trees spotted here and there, the occasional pile of dust which seemed to lay over everything. The strange, hard, flat, black rock upon which he stood – and a dozen other metal conveyances. This land is much more developed, he frowned, perplexed. Surely Midgard did not achieve so much in so little time?
He sighed. No matter. I need to find news of Mjolnir. If it has arrived, I must fetch it and return to Asgard as soon as may be. Loki and Father and Mother will need my aid for the war. The Jotunn must pay for what they have done – and I would not abandon my people in time of need. That is not what a king does...
Moving forward with determination, Thor kept his shoulder's straight, eyes forward and step certain as though he knew where he was going, as though he was not barefoot and unused to the strange clothes upon him, as though he belonged. No sooner had he passed another few vehicles, the white one which he was walking past suddenly jolted to life and the last thing he thought, as it knocked him to the ground, was –
Not again.
-0-0-0-
The universe began with a game of catch. So the natives of Theslo'konosis say – a ball of light and a ball of dark tossed between Life and Death in the Palaces of Emptiness. They had stood there for eons, for uncounted ages of time, thus trapped in a single dance, until, wanting a new kind of play, Life and Death agreed to toss both balls toward each other at the same time. Thus light and dark energy collided and the resulting explosion created the universe. Thus was creation begun; thus, Theslo'konosis created. If one visits the first planet of the Theslo'konosis system on the annual alignment of the Sun, the magickal equinox, dances are held by the natives to recall the Beginnings of Time. The men, dressed in light, toss black balls of thin wire, and the women, dressed in dark, throw back their own white, glowing orbs. Some may consider the Festival of Beginnings odd. Yet, there is beauty even here, for the dances are arresting, the men handsome in their lively glory, and the dark-lashed girls haunting, wreathed in their torn and fluttering black garb.
Not odd to the natives. As they know on Theslo'konosis, Death is, after all, a woman. Surely everyone knew that.
There are other creation stories, many tales as there are peoples spread across the realities of What Is Seen and What Is Not. Tales of gods and monsters battling for glory. Tales of Life and Death playing catch. Tales of horrors and darkness and maiming. The birth of Life, some have concluded, always carries the stench of death.
On Asgard and Jotunheim and Alfheim and Vanaheim, the Ancient Sages, as in many other developed Realms and civilizations, long abandoned the myths of old in the attempt to better understand the universe. If the stories and long crazed scrolls filled with suppositions and propositions and theories and half-formed ideas were to be believed, That Which Is Seen and That Which Is Not were born at the dawn of Time from the Twin Pardoxes of Existence. Twin Paradoxes, as the Sages tell it, were birthed from the hand of some great being, now long forgotten, or from the sentient Life and Death themselves. Or perhaps it had just happened with no meaning attached to it and offering no meaning for anything that followed. In any case, on either end of the spectrum of What Came To Be, light burst forward and magick and heat and ice and such energies and particle diffusion to bring all the Realms, known and unknown, into being.
The Realms themselves affected the process and were affected in turn, depending on their proximity to the beginning of Life. Muspelheim and Niflheim, born first on one end (so the Sages theorize), full of volatile energy fed light onward to Svartalfheim and Jotunheim and beyond. Asgard, too, on the other end, rebounded with light on the mirroring end of the Twin Paradox and fed magick to Alfheim and Vanaheim beside. Nornheim and a few other smaller Realms (the existence or independence of which are oft disputed) also came into being – and in between, cradled against the turbulent blasts, protected on all sides from utmost harm, Midgard lay in relative peace.
The Realm Eternally Sheltered.
-0-0-0-
When Thor's eyes fluttered open finally, the ex-god felt a returning wash of annoyance sweep over him as he discovered that he was, yet again, tucked into another bed. This one, however, was less pristine than the other – warmer, softer and more comfortable. Propping himself up on his elbows, the blonde looked around curiously, taking in a small window opening up on a narrow vision of blue skies and a few wispy clouds, a stack of metal boxes and cabinets, piles of paper, other mechanical boxes all blinking with red and blue and yellow dots – some fast, others slow. There was a kind of black chair on small wheels before the desk filled with the boxes, another kind of stool also with metal legs and there were broad boards on the walls above and around – stuck with gently fluttering papers.
A scholar's room, Thor supposed. The old man's?
Holding his breath, Thor listened carefully for any sound. There was only a distant clatter, other odd mechanical and puttering sounds – and closer by, soft chatter. Rising from his bed, Thor looked down. Still in the odd garb, he grunted unhappily. I must change that... soon... The son of Odin must not be seen running about any planet – even if it is only Midgard – wearing the clothes of an invalid. To be taken seriously, I should don some kind of casual wear at the very least. At that thought, Thor opened the door and peered out.
An odd sight met his eyes. Tables and desks and randomly scattered chairs about a wide room were littered with wires and rope-like, coloured coils and boxes and blinking mechanical contraptions and tubes and thick books and a variety of instrumentation that could only mean one thing – an academic's study. It was difficult not to compare, not to recall his younger brother's rooms. Ignoring a twinge of regret, Thor focused on what stood before him. I had no idea that Midgard had such a high level of academics, Thor thought. If this is indeed Midgard. It is difficult to tell for certain. Loki would, no doubt, already have a firmer grasp on the situation. Thor sighed again at the unwelcome, returning thoughts of his younger brother and walked further into the middle of the room, drawing the attention of the three pairs of eyes toward him.
Silence fell between them – an awkward kind of thing which gave him pause and he lingered there beyond the table, feeling more uncertain by the moment.
"You're awake!" said the dark-haired girl.
"Hi," smiled the other – the first one he had seen.
In broad daylight, her slight form seemed even more small than usual, but her sparkling eyes and her wide smile seemed no less lovely than before. Her clothing was strange – a kind of blue, oddly tight pants with a strange, square emblazoned shirt. Not squares, he corrected himself, lines... and odd boots. Certainly not proper for any lady of the court, nor for any servant. Perhaps she is also an academic young lady of a lower clan?
"Hi, my name's Jane," she came forward, holding out a hand.
Sideways. Thor glanced down at it and then up back up to meet her eyes. Wide, pretty eyes which seemed as frank and open as the blue sky outside the wide windows. Taking her small hand in his, he leaned forward briefly over the proffered hand in his best bow and gave the back of it the barest kiss. The maid squeaked and jerked her hand back without warning, holding it tenderly within her other hand, face suddenly turning red.
"OK," she smiled even more awkwardly as possible. "That's, um, sweet, but, uh..."
Do they not show respect to woman on this planet? Thor wondered. He was about to ask when the girl hurried on, her eyes avoiding meeting his now, wandering about the wide, round room which opened on all sides with large windows.
"Well, my name is Jane and it's great to see you – just great – you know because we have questions, a lot of questions and, um – your name is Thor, right? Like, wow, so that means you must be, what... Swedish? Danish? Icelandic?"
"Yo, Jane. Slow down... I don't know if he's getting anything you're saying – maybe he's blonde from the roots down," interjected the other dark-haired girl, winking at the old man as she took a seat and leaned forward, propping her chin on her folded hands and giving Thor a puckish grin.
"Darcy!" Jane whipped about to glare at the girl who smiled back unrepentantly.
"Questions?" Thor asked.
"Yes, well, we have many, many, many questions, but, um, first – we should probably get you into something a bit better..."
"You don't have men's clothes," said the older man, "I'll have to go out and get something-"
"No, it's OK," Jane sighed, "I think I have something stashed away that might fit."
"Jane-"
"It's OK," smirked Darcy, glancing over at the scholarly man. "You missed it. His name was Donald. Big mistake-"
Before Thor could fully process what was going on, he found himself being herded by the young girl, the young female academic – Jane – toward a small room. A privy, he realized, as he peered further in, catching sight of a too-small bath, an odd long metal contraption attached to the wall which he supposed must also carry water, a sink and an odd, cool-feeling white chair with a lid. Ah. Thor nodded, satisfied when he opened it, peered in and found himself confronted with water. A privy indeed. If this is Midgard then they have certainly moved-
"Ah! OK. Here we go..." It was the girl again. Jane. At his elbow, this time bearing a few garments in her hands. "I think they might fit." Her eyes ran up and down his form again and her cheeks grew just a little pink. "Sort of. Uh. Just try it out and give me a holler – uh, a shout – if you, um, have any trouble."
With that, Jane fled and Thor was left alone to manage the new clothing she had given him. The pants were a tight fit, but Thor managed to edge them onto his hip bones well enough. Wandering out, slowly letting the shirt unfold, Thor approached the group of scholars who were once again standing about one of the tables looking nervous and excited and worried all at the same time. Typical scholar problems, perhaps, or perhaps, Thor thought, remembering how much trouble he had brought his mother in the long ages past, perhaps it is something I have done – or not done – again.
"You know, for a homeless dude, he's pretty cut," the dark-haired Darcy was saying as Thor moved closer to Jane, glancing over the shirt she had given him. A short-sleeved, flimsy cloth in a deep blue. Thor winked at Darcy, not entirely understanding what the girl had meant but gathering the general meaning nonetheless.
Some things, he grinned, some things never change. With that, Thor leaned forward, picked up a pack of metal tied together by some sort of cord, only to have it snatched from his hands by Jane. His mouth opened in protest – and then shut as he caught sight of the harried look on her face.
"Excuse me, excuse me... um... Don't touch that, that's – that's important stuff, why don't -"
"What is this?" Thor pointed at a piece of paper which seemed to have somehow gotten stuck to the front of his new shirt.
"Oh, ohhh..." Jane quickly ripped the paper off, blushing a deep red. "My ex. Good with patients and bad with relationships." She glared at her feet for a few seconds before shrugging and half turning away. "I'm sorry about the clothes – they're kinda – well they are the only clothes that will fit... around here..."
"They will suffice," Thor said with shrug.
He had worn worse, had worn less. No matter.
"You're welcome," the mortal girl huffed.
A pause. Then, Thor said, "This is Midgard, is it not?"
"Midgard? Um... no – no – it's-"
"New Mexico," Darcy said, giving the old man a meaningful look. "You don't remember?"
"Jane..." murmured the old man, warningly.
The old man... Selfig? Selfigsson? Selvig? Something. Thor sighed. So much to learn... if I am to discover how to return home as soon as may be...
"New Mexico," Selvig finally said. "A southern state in America. You're not from around here, are you."
"No," Thor finally said. "New Mexico of America is on Midgard?"
"Midgard?" Selvig frowned. "You mean, Earth? Yeah, it's on Earth. Where do you think we were?"
The three mortals shared a glance before looking back at Thor, but the ex-god turned away, feeling a little more dizzy than he would like – dizzy and achy and his mouth felt oddly dry and empty. Thor glared out at the depressing vista before him – the dirt roads, the ramshackle plain-looking houses, the puny people who passed by looking incredibly down-trodden. So I am on Midgard then, he thought. So far from Asgard. An entirely different Realm. What was Father thinking? Thor had no answer to his own question and no answer seemed to be coming any time soon. He needed to think this through. He needed to have a plan. He needed more information. Most importantly, he needed to eat.
"This mortal form has grown week. I need sustenance," he announced, turning to look at the three others expectantly.
"Great, just great," Darcy sighed. "Now we have to feed him."
"We'll just take him out," Jane shrugged.
"You do not cook?" asked Thor, eyes wide and eyebrows raised.
Jane and Darcy shared a look and then laughed.
"Unless you have a death wish," Darcy snorted.
"I have other, better things to do than cook," protested Jane.
"Yeaaahhh," Darcy smiled.
"It's not like you're any better!"
"True, true," Darcy nodded, "but at least I have the power of the Pop-tart. You can't even manage that!"
"I get distracted!"
"Uh-huh, you keep telling yourself that." Darcy then pulled up straighter and, getting another look from Jane, sighed. "Hey – don't look at me. Look, here..." With that, she got up, scrabbled around in a drawer and drew out a brown and cream-coloured flimsy box. Opening it, she drew out a silver-coloured packet that looked flat. "Pop-tarts."
"Poptarts?" Thor repeated slowly, eyes resting on what looked like something a babe would eat for a snack.
"Pop-tarts? Now?" Jane sighed.
"Well, unless you wanna poison him with your version of eggs and toast," Darcy rolled her eyes. "It's just a snack. Before lunch."
Darcy was unwrapping the pop-tarts and stashing a couple on a plate and popping it into a small white box attached to the wall on top of a marble-topped table which lined the small kitchen wall. After less than half a minute, there was a sharp ding and the plate was removed revealing sweetly scented, slightly steaming slabs of what seemed to be some dark flat cake.
Taking the plate in hand, Thor picked up the first slab. It fell apart at his ungentle touch and the heat stung his skin not a little. He dropped it back onto the plate, frowned at the flat cake before deciding to take a small piece. Dropping the crumb on his tongue, Thor allowed the sweetness to sink in, blue eyes flying open in delight at the taste.
"This is delicious! I wish for another!" Thor shoved the rest of the pop-tart into his mouth, ignoring the burning sensation which followed across his tongue.
"OK, OK," sighed Darcy, getting up to pull out the rest of the pop-tarts. "How many more? You are a big dude... so... hey... a few more won't hurt, will they?"
"If it is allowed, seeing as-"
"No, it's cool. We're chill."
Thor, sitting back to eat the rest of 'pop-tarts' as they came two by two out of the white box (which Darcy called a microwave), listened to the argument now rising before him.
"He can't just eat pop-tarts," Selvig was saying.
"Lunch out will take time-"
"Jane! Lunch is an important meal! I'm sure we can all enjoy a good meal and do all the talking there-"
"It's not lunch yet!" Jane protested.
"Brunch then," Darcy shrugged. "It'll be good to talk around food anyways."
"Sounds doable," Selvig nodded. "Any good places around here?"
Thor set the plate down, pop-tarts now sadly all gone and looked down the main stretch of road which seemed to originate from the very door of the house in which he had found himself. He wondered for a few seconds if it was possible that any decent place could be found in such a tiny hamlet. Probably not, but you have eaten worse... and perhaps there are more of those pop-tarts which were so delicious as to most certainly be a dish prepared in Valhalla itself. Midgard certainly has improved its technology and abilities since I last arrived...
Behind him, the others were involved in a heated debate over whether to go to some kind of organic cafe (was it something that only offered vegetables? Thor hoped not) or some kind of diner (what was coffee? Why was it important that it be brewed well?). In the end, the diner was agreed upon and the four were leaving the building – unlocked, to Thor's amusement and interest – and walking down the main street.
As the two girls pointed out the various sights of potential interest (that's the general store, that's the hardware store, that's the pet store, yeah, animals, that's the fruit and veggie seller Jane likes), Thor followed along behind, listening carefully and keeping his eyes roving for any sign of his hammer, any sign of anyone looking like they were speaking about Mjolnir. No opportunity arose, and before long Thor found himself seated before a small table and listening to the order that the girls gave the serving maid. Some kind of cake and a drink. The brewed drink.
Splendid. Thor's spirits, once again rose. He became even more animated when the breakfast fare arrived. The others finished their plates soon enough, but Thor's belly would not be satiated so easily. Another twenty minutes followed of idle chatter as Thor's plate was steadily replenished with the sweet, flat "pancakes" and various kinds of juice drinks. The brewed black coffee arrived finally and Thor accepted his share with a nod of thanks.
"So," Jane said, "what I want to know is – how did you get inside that cloud? We saw you in the pictures in the middle of it – how did you get there?"
"Yeah – and how could you eat a whole box of pop-tarts and still feel hungry?" Darcy asked, eyes wide as Thor finished up yet another stack of flat cakes.
Thor did not reply at first, wondering what he could say to the Midgardians without them thinking him mad. Obviously these Midgardians were not like the others he had met so long ago. Loki always tells me to think before I say or do – but what can one know what to say or do if one is in an entirely new situation? On that planet long ago, he warned me against openly speaking of my Father, do those same rules apply here? Stalling for time, Thor took a long swig of the brewed drink before him and smiled as the strong taste on his tongue moved in a warm stream down his throat.
"This drink," he said, holding up the cup and examining the black liquid therein closely, at once forgetting his current dilemma. "I like it!"
"I know! It's great, right?" Darcy smiled.
"ANOTHER!" Thor smashed the cup against the floor.
The girls rose, gasping, eyes wide and Selvig eased back a space, looking even more suspicious of Thor than ever, although what Thor had done was beyond his ken. From the far side of the room, the dark-haired older serving maid rushed over, exclaiming and Jane rose, with many apologies. As the serving maid disappeared for a broom, Jane whirled about and glared at Thor. The ex-god froze at the sight of her disappointed, perplexed eyes.
"What was that?"
"It was delicious. I want another."
"But you could have just said so," Jane shook her head.
"I just did," Thor said blankly.
"No. I mean, ask nicely! Show some respect and don't break people's stuff! You know, it's kinda... rude! I don't think you would do that in Iceland!" A pause and then Jane turned to Selvig for obvious help. "Would they?"
"I don't think so," Selvig said slowly, blue eyes sharp. "Not when I visited anyways."
"I meant no disrespect," Thor said slowly. "I am sorry if you thought as much."
"OK. OK. So... no more smashing. Deal?" Jane asked.
Thor nodded slowly. "Deal."
With that, the conversation turned to other matters and Thor, once again, wondered how it could be – that such a world should exist, such people, such women, such food. Mother would have told me to have faith in other worlds. She would tell me that Asgard does not alone carry the burden of civilization, nor does it alone hoard wealth and knowledge and power. Even here, Thor thought, young Midgard strives to raise itself out of the dirt of its ancestry and darkened past. Perhaps this is what Father wished me to learn? That these are the people whom I must protect – and remember them and know their weaknesses in the truest way possible? Perhaps that is what I must come to realize – that there is worth to be found in any man... in any place... Perhaps... Or perhaps not.
Thor could not know. Not for certain. Not yet, at any rate. He could only hope – and that, Thor knew, was one thing he could do. Hope and strive and fight.
[….yet, some places resist it more than most…]
[…some Realms hold tightly onto Life…]
Sitting there, Thor allowed himself to revel in the relative quiet. There were no courtiers about calling his name, asking for unwanted advice, or offering fulsome praise. There were no ambassadors to listen to, to pander to, or to tolerate. There were no monotonous tutors, no obsequious mages, no envious warriors, no wars to fret over, no fears or responsibilities to shoulder. There was only him. There was only Thor.
Thor and a flimsy red table and plate of food and a full belly and new friends and hope.
[…here, here…]
[…here, the spaces are filled with sound…]
"I don't know nothing about satellites," a man was telling Selvig and Jane who looked excited about something. Obviously Thor had missed a conversation while he was deep in thought. "But it was heavy. Real heavy. Nobody could lift it."
Nobody could lift it.
Nobody could lift it.
[…here, here…]
Mjolnir...
Well, there you go! Thor... Thor... (sighs) 1/3 Thor chapters. One down, two more to go... But the next chapter will be a Loki one. For my sanity - and yours.
WHAT... LOKI DIDN'T DIE?!
Dear Reader, of course he didn't... I'm a stickler for tags and would have tagged this tragedy and character death if that was the case. And I have been promising Avengers... so we have still a good 30-40 more chapters to go. I hope I can hear your input and comments along the way~
See ya next week~
-KI
Author's Note 1: On Thor's Abilities - By the way... In my story (and in the MCU-verse, I think), Thor wasn't stripped of immortality or godhood – he was stripped of his abilities, powers and state of being. I would surmise that Odin shifted his atoms so that Thor gained the mass of a human and not of Asgard. He also probably took away Thor's natural connection to Asgard's more natural, subconscious magicks/scientific manipulation. That's why Thor was able to be pricked with the needle in the first Thor, but why bullets and stuff later on don't affect him (or Loki) in Avengers. One of my pet peeves is when fanficcers have these casual moments where Thor or Loki give blood, or get injected or what have you – when they are impervious to bullets later on. Please. Keep your facts straight. K. Thx.
Author's Note 2: Plans for Following Chapters - The following plan for the next part of the Arc (between Thor and Avengers arc) is that we have a chapter of Thor and then a chapter of Loki alternating for a bit. Expect a lot of hum-drum for Thor and Armageddon/Indiana Jones/Hunger Games craziness for Loki. I'm so excited and I hope you guys are too!
Author's Note 3: What I Am Writing - Some have asked me about my other written works/"are you published". The answer is - no, sadly, I am not yet published. I am working toward that. Hopefully this summer I can finish editing another piece of original fiction and self-publish it to Kindle. The plans for Distortion In Time is a bit more complicated. Basically, I'm going to write 2 books - one fanfic, the other, original fic. Both are going to look almost the same for the first 50 or so chapters, but will diverge wildly after that (because I can't sell stuff that is fanfic). I will hopefully publish the original-fic!DiT on Kindle/Lulu... and maybe people will buy it. The fanfic will stay up here, and I may arrange to make a non-profit hard copy version for folks to buy. All that folks would pay for would be postage and the money necessary to make the book. Let me know if you are potentially interested in having a hard copy. I'm considering sending a copy of the fanfic (and original fiction) to Tom Hiddleston himself. First fanmail ever in my life and super embarrassing and I'm pretty sure he has no time to read a gargantuan fic like this, but yeah. We'll see...
Alien Glossary:
'auzha – fucker
chi'iano – a radioactive piece of rock similar to uranium
cho'ai - lover
Dou'ma – idiot
Eno'Keshi'ko – the system of Eno, a type of magical level measurements
iz'kyr – a kind of frozen stone powder which is used as a narcotic for some species
kalo – a kind of purple-red fruit, similar to a pomegranate or dragonfruit
kol-sava'atha – a titanium-rich ore
Morning-star - a mace
n'ch'nka – a kind of cow
oma'auzha – mother-effer
oto'oa - big sister
r'senk'ne – a kind of deer/cow hybrid
udji'oo – a drug, like opium
Asgardian Glossary:
bikkja – bitch
Brenna-Fir – the Immolation
Drakka Thyod – Dragon Race
ergi - womanly, weak, "gay"
Fiendfyre – a phoenix-firebird
Flauguna – flying feet/teleportation
fotr'ro - footstool
Ginnung – the Void
harhvila - high bed
Haugbui Bustathr – the Shrine of the Kings
Hiti-mothr – Flame Fury (also known as Lachruth)
Kaesia-Seithr – Spirit-Spear style
Koma a Aldr – Coming of Age
Kveykva-herklaethi – Light Armoured style
Laegja – the Immersion
Ofolr Leith – Dark Paths, Other Ways (crossing the Void)
Ominni-tith - the Forgotten Times
Rikr-Hringraevi – Grand Cycles of Time
Runa a Fyrsta – Rites of Initiation
Runa a Kelda – Rites of Spring
Runa'a'vetr – Winter Solstice
Saga-Vefr – Story-weavers
seithr - magic
seithrmaster - mage, sorceror
Skjald-borhyrr – Wall of Flame
Skipa – the Infusion
Skokkr-a-Mir – concealment skills, Box of Mirrors (also known as Col'ca-cenedril)
stormerki – mysteria
Tveir-Andlit – illusionary skills, Double Face
Velspara-Speki – the Well (of Wisdom)
Elvish Glossary:
skreyppa – slippery one
gargani – snake
fintalenir – trickster
vanwa – defeated one, impolite term for "loser"
caitahto – liar
curunar – fiery one
Lachruth – Flame Fury
Col'ca-cenedril – Box of Mirrors
Cebir-Gondlug – Spike-Stone Dragon
Am'loce Norie – Dragon Race
raudhaust – high bed
Jotunheim Glossary:
Aldinn Stathr – Ancient Place
Almror'ganga - Long Range Weapon Contest
Arlang'leith – the Annual Caravan
Atfirth – energies
ausa'songr fugl - flow-songbirds
blakkrbjorr – black beer
Blakkrbjorn – black bear
blakkrgras – black grass
blargras – blue grass
blar'iss hros - black ice horse
Blaufe'irsteinn - blue fire stone
Brandr'ganga - Unarmed Combat
Dagaheim
Dauthr'ganga - Death Duel
dvegr – dwarf
dyrspeki – zoologist
Eybjarg (Chasms of Forever)
Faetha'snaer - "Mother", "who births the snow"
Farbjothr – the Destroyer
fauld – a part of armour around the lower midsection
Fjor'fylgja – Life Mate
Flara River – Treacherous River
fleygja-skip – flying/shooting ship
For-Eldra – Ancestors
Forn Vegr – Old Ways
Frothleikr'ganga - Battle of Magick
Fylgja'snaer - "Father", "who aids the snow"
Gastropnir
Glima'ganga - Battle of Swords
Gnaefki-Seggr – High Guard
Gnottvatn (Lake of Abundance)
Gothahus – temple
Grarfjall – Grey Mountains
grarulfr – grey wolves
Griotunagardar
hafnathr – sea serpents
heillgrjot – healing stones
Heimsrsal – Soul of the Realm
heithrsker – crystal flowers
hjarr'veithr - rabbit chaser (a kind of eagle)
Holdra River – Hero's River
holkimurtr – small flat fish
Holkn Vollr – Flat Plains
holmganga – a method of ending feuds/disagreements
hota-eik – white oak
hvaeta – wheat
hvitr'steinn - white fire stone
Innaheim – Inner Realm
iss'hona'by - ice honey bee
jarnkottr – iron cat (beast which Laufey released in Thor)
jarnvithr – iron wood
Kaldrfjall (Cold Mountains)
Kero Fornvetr – Casket of Ancient Winters
kostrboth – a method of proving virility for the purpose of marriage
lagreinn – small one (epithet)
lagr'hyggr – fool
Lengi Ofrithr – Long War
luthrblom – trumpet flower
manisilfr – moonsilver
Meir'brothir – Older Brother
melrakki – white fox
Muthr'a'Ginnung - the Mouth of the Void, black holes
Myrkr Skogr – shadow forest
Nattura – spirits
Northri Stjarna – North Star
rjothr'auga haukr - red-eyed hawk
silvralmr – silver elm
silvrfiskr – silver fish
Sithr Efingi – True Heir
Skalldi
skordyr – Jotunheim goat
Smar'brothir – Younger Brother
snaerharra – snow rabbit
snjarlang'hvartha - snow camel
Storrholl – Great Hall
thurblakulfr – giant black wolves
tunglbom (moonflower)
Utanheim – Outer Realm
Utgard
vaetki – nothing
ventrmellin – winter melon
villrkyr – wild ox
Virtha Aevi – Coming of Age
Vit'ganga - Battle of Wits