Author's note: Well, the dungeons are over and done with, so now for something completely different. ^^

Before Thor's return, they manage to dig out a long-sleeved shirt from the closet for Loki to wear as to hide the bruises on his arms and prevent his brother from asking whatever awkward and uncomfortable questions might follow. Luckily, the Thunderer accepts the vague responses to his inquiries about what they've been doing all day, then insists that all three of them take a relaxing stroll together in the Royal Park.

And Tony can't disagree with that suggestion, realizing that he hasn't set his foot outside the Halls since coming here. Well, not that it would be unusual for him to spend days at a time inside his workshop without venturing out into the world of the living, but a breath of fresh air after the stifling confines of the dungeons is welcome nevertheless.

As expected, the Royal Park is as fancy as the rest of Asgard. Tony can't help but wonder if there's a small army of gardeners marching out here every day in the early morning hours to meticulously sweep the flagstones of the meandering pathways immaculately clean, since there's not as much as a single piece of stray grit littering them. The edges of the almost fake-looking green lawns are similarly perfect, as if someone has trimmed them with a ruler and a pair of nail scissors. And then there are of course the endless rows of impossibly tall trees, the carefully pruned bushes, and the overflowing and resplendent flower beds, though upon closer inspection Tony suspects that most of the greenery doesn't have any exact Earth equivalents.

Even out here, there are statues lining the pathways, stern warrior figures in full battle regalia watching the visitors pass them by from up high on their marble podiums. He smirks a little at the mental image of himself sneaking out here in the middle of the night to dress up one of the serious-looking statues in his Black Sabbath t-shirt. But he's not sure what the punishment around here is for defiling a war hero, so he quickly pushes the thought away.

Thor talks almost endlessly as he guides them through the area, perhaps in an attempt to make up for his previous absence, and Tony soon finds himself surprised at how much war and battle history a freaking park that should be soothing and tranquil can actually hold.

Beyond the whitewashed walls surrounding the area, Tony can make out several buildings rising in the distance, no doubt all architectural wonders far beyond anything that his own planet has to offer. He squints against the sun as he's trying to discern the top of the impossibly tall twisted spire rising up into the heavens above, realizing with a sting of dismay just how laughably two-dimensional his own tower would look in comparison.

As they continue on, there's the soft rippling sound of water to their left and Tony turns his head, expecting a fountain with the usual water nymphs that would be traipsing around in the middle of normal fountains back home. But it's two ugly dudes instead, fighting it out knee-deep in the clear water, one wielding a huge sword above his head, and the other a battle axe.

Of course, he should have expected that.

Then, the tranquillity is suddenly interrupted by a sudden flurry of pitch black feathers, a cawing, and a flapping of majestic wings.

And a second later, the biggest and ugliest raven that Tony has ever seen descends from the skies above to land upon Thor's shoulder, cawing and croaking as its sharp claws scratch against the armour. Folding its impossibly wide wings together, it perches itself calmly upon the shining plates, apparently considering Thor's shoulder to be its personal throne.

Then follows another loud, self-important caw, as if the huge raven is calling its loyal subjects to attention.

"Uh, Thunderboy," Tony says hesitantly. "You've got something on your shoulder."

Thor lifts a hand to pat the hideous beast on the head, and the raven accepts his ministrations with a cocking of its neck and the emitting of another one of those hideous caws.

"Ah, yes, this is Muninn," Thor says as he strokes an affectionate fingertip along the vicious beak, apparently not overtly concerned about the importance of keeping a full set of digits.

"You mean the thing has a name?" Tony asks with a grimace, only slightly surprised.

Loki snorts somewhere to his left and Tony gets the feeling he isn't overtly fond of the creature either. "He's one of Odin's little spies," the dark-haired god says in explanation, remaining at a wary distance. "He used to sneak around me whenever I was practicing magic in my younger years, and then report my doings back to the Allfather."

Thor gets that pained look on his face again that he so often gets when he's dealing with his younger brother. "Please, that was a long time ago. Our father only wanted what was best for you, as you were trying to master spells you shouldn't even have-"

Sensing another ancient family spat brewing, Tony quickly steps in to avert it. "Daddy's little pet, huh?" He takes a step closer, peering inquisitively at the black bird. "So what's wrong with a cute canary bird or a parrot?"

The beast cocks his head at this, turning a beady black eye on Tony and regarding him with suspicion. Tony grins, pointing at the pitch black creature. "Hey, I know a great pet shop just two blocks from where I live, I could get your dad a-"

The raven snaps at his outstretched finger, beak closing a mere inch away.

"Ouch!" He snags his hand away, protectively curling his fingers against his chest. "I don't think he likes me."

"Don't feel singled out," Loki says, a mirthless grin tugging at the corners of his lips, "Muninn doesn't like anyone."

"My apologies," Thor booms, placing a protective hand in front of the raven's beak to prevent any further incidents, "but Muninn has a short temper and isn't very fond of mortals. Still, he's friendlier than Huginn, his brother, who is-"

"Whoa there, Hercules, you mean there are actually two of those things?" Tony interrupts him. "You know, now I think I'm starting to understand why you guys are wearing those weird helmets all the time, if you have these things flying around your heads."

Just to be on the safe side, he glances up into the sky to make sure there aren't any impending aerial attacks from over-sized magpies looming at the horizon, but all seems clear for now.

"Huginn and Muninn are my father's messengers both. They carry news to him from all across the Realms," the Thunderer says as he affectionately pats the feathered head, and the raven acquiesces and leans in to the touch, looking oddly like a cat being petted, purring in delight.

Well, cat or raven, Tony sure as hell isn't going anywhere near that beak again.

"Bet he'd still like to pick my eyes out at the first opportunity," he mutters, not trusting the heap of feathers one bit. "So he usually comes to sit on your shoulder to cuddle?"

Thor lifts his steel blue gaze from the bird and turns it onto Tony. "The Allfather sends for you," he says simply. "That's why Muninn is here."

And Tony's stomach makes a little back flip at that. Yeah, that's right; there was that one little audience with an alien space-god that he was supposed to have. With all that's happened since his coming here, that part had almost sort of faded into the background what with his having had enough on his hands to make sure that Loki stayed safe and out of trouble. And despite having spent a good part of the night following Thor's declaration of their departure to Fantasyland trying to figure out what to say and how to best present his case, suddenly it seems like everything has flown right out of head, leaving it pitifully empty.

He can sense rather than see Loki tensing up next to him, as if the reality of the situation and the reason for them being here in the first place is suddenly catching up to him too.

"Uh, you mean, like now?"

Thor nods, "Yes, now, Man of Iron."

At that, the beast on his shoulder flaps his wings twice and then takes off with another ominous caw, leaving two tar black feathers fluttering in the air as they slowly float towards the ground.

"Okay then," Tony says, looking down at his jeans and T-shirt. "I sure hope sufficient time to get changed is included, at least?"

"Of course," Thor nods. "We will make our way back at once so that you can dress appropriately before you present yourself before the court."

"Splendid. Though, is a normal suit-and-tie get-up going to fly here? Or does Odin almighty expect me to wear one of those funny helmets and a fancy, billowing curtain to fit in with the crowd? Wouldn't want to offend anyone important by appearing in simple Midgardian garbs here or anything." His ramblings are only half-intentional; the other half brought to him courtesy of his fluttering stomach and rapidly beating heart. Not so much out of nervousness about standing before one of the most powerful beings in the universe – in his line of work he's already faced off with plenty of people considering themselves worthy of that title – but because the outcome of this might very well determine Loki's entire future.

And really, he doesn't want his own screw-ups and short-comings resulting in someone having to spend the rest of their lives in slavery. Particularly not when that someone is Loki. He can deal with sabotaging shit for himself, he's done that more times than he can count already, but when Loki's entire future is hanging in the balance… well, that's a different matter entirely.

"Your own Midgardian outfit will be fully acceptable. You do not have to wear Asgardian garb like you did yesterday," comes the answer.

Well, small graces, he supposes.

Then Thor speaks up with the regal, booming voice he favours whenever he's saying something important. Or anything at all, really. "Remember to show proper respect and courtesy at all times. The Allfather is not someone to be trifled with, and neither are the other members of the court."

"Yeah, I kinda figured that one out by myself, but thanks for the tip."

The pointed look Thor gives him speaks volumes, as does the hand that suddenly grabs hold of his upper arm in an insistent, almost pleading gesture. "I realize that you might not approve of how… certain things are done here. But please, keep in mind that a foreign visitor criticizing the ways of the Aesir before those who seek to uphold those very ways will not be appreciated."

For a second, the thunder god's eyes drift towards his brother, worry and concern marring his features.

Then Thor averts his gaze to the ground as his hand falls to his side. When he speaks again, his voice is softer, almost at a normal decibel level.

"And it won't do Loki any good either."

Yeah, there was that audience too…

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