Chapter 14: Midgard
Cephera had spent the next four nights sleeping on Shay's window seat and the days sitting there looking out over the city she didn't feel she belonged to. Shay was at a complete loss. She'd never met someone who seemed so defeated. Shay hadn't bothered speaking to Loki about it all. He seemed pretty firm in his idiocies that talking to him might just screw it up more. She honestly had no idea where to go from there.
Shay had been approached by the queen the day before inquiring about Cephera as she hadn't been showing up to meals and Shay told her that she wasn't feeling well. The queen knew better and wormed the information out of her. It was odd actually. That one conversation started something strange. Both her and the queen began to speak of what Loki might need and how to save this marriage and those involved. Together they came up with a plan. While Cephera sulked her days away Frigga went to Thor. She insisted that him and Loki needed to repair their brotherly relationship. That perhaps Loki needed to feel a bond with the ones he once loved to finally accept his wife. Thor was not sure he could convince Loki to spend time with him but after going through the things Loki enjoyed Thor had managed to get Loki to join him a few times on horseback rides through the kingdom.
Loki was completely alone now and even a complete loner longed for someone to spend time with. As for Cephera they had a different plan for her. The week end drew near and Shay went to Thor knowing the next day he was bound for Midgard. "Thor." She said hurrying up to him. "I know you're aware that Cephera has been not feeling the best as of late." She said to him. He eyed her with mild distaste. He still had not forgiven her for allowing Loki to take her as his mistress to begin with. "I know you're heading to Midgard tomorrow and I was hoping you might take her with you. She spoke of the realm quite passionately once and I was thinking it might be a nice get away from all the drama of her unhappy marriage." Thor considered her words.
"Perhaps you are right." He said simply. He rarely said much to her unless he needed to. "I will formally invite her tonight. She will have a good time. I am told it's a party I won't soon forget." Thor smiled giving a nod of enthusiasm. Shay smiled, thanked him and left. Perhaps some time apart was needed for the couple. Maybe once Loki calms down Cephera would have regained her nerve to pursue a happy medium between the once more.
(Cephera)
Even though Cephera had not really wanted to leave the room the invitation given to her by Thor had been one she couldn't refuse. It had been 10 years since she last laid a foot on Earth and she missed it. She had spent a lot of her time on Mechanova after her adoption. She had to go back to Loki's room to find something to wear and she did so bringing Shay with her. She really just didn't want to see him or deal with him alone. Luckily he was gone out and she was free to bathe and dress in peace.
There really wasn't much to wear that fit earth in her wardrobe but she chose something simple to fit in better than most. She met Thor at the palace gates and he helped her up on the horse he had ready. They crossed the bridge throughout the city until they reached the large observatory. This would be her second time experiencing the Byfrost. Heimdell greeted them warmly and in a quick flash they landed on earth.
It seemed the spot they landed in was a pre set spot as a car was waiting for them. "You are familiar with Earth's technology, correct?" He asked her.
"Yes. I was here 10 years ago so I know enough." Cephera knew more than enough really.
"Excellent." Thor beamed as they got into the vehicle. They arrived at a large tower and down at the main doors was an usher or bouncer, whichever way you wanted to view him. He obviously knew Thor as he greeted him with fake punch to the arm. "Greetings Happy. All is well with you?" Thor asked politely.
"Couldn't be better." The man replied. Cephera assumed Happy was a nickname or his last name, either that Thor was misinformed. Inside Thor greeted his real date, Jane Foster. She was all smiles as they approached.
"Jane I'd like you to meet my sister, Cephera. Cephera this is Jane Foster." Thor said. Cephera took Janes hand in a shake.
"Nice to meet you." She said to Jane.
"Thor's told me about you." Jane replied. "It's nice to finally meet you." Cephera felt there was a sentence suppose to be in between her words but she didn't voice them. Her look told of the pity she held for Cephera and Cephera wasn't sure she enjoyed being pitied. Her marriage situation was clearly not even a secret on Midgard.
Together they entered the lavish elevator and emerged on one of the top floors. The room was crowed already and Cephera was glad the large deck and it's doors were open. A bar was to her left and that was where Thor took her as he spotted the host of the party. "Stark my friend!" Thor said slapping the drinking man on the back. "Started drinking without us?" Thor said with mock hurt.
"I like to think that seeing the host indulge in drink will encourage others to get completely smashed with him." The man called Stark replied. Thor chuckled. "And who is this beautiful woman with you tonight? Are you and Jane not getting along or do you just have more than one woman...you dog." Tony grinned and drank to that thought before Thor could properly reply.
"No, no. Jane is chatting with your Pepper. This is Princess Cephera, my sister. Cephera this is Tony Stark." He said.
"I didn't know you had a sister. Damn all you Asgardians have pretty faces." Tony grinned at Cephera.
"Sister in law actually." She corrected.
"Thor!" Jane called out and Thor waved at her and left Cephera alone with Stark. She wasn't sure how to feel about that but Tony gestured to a seat next to him. Cephera slipped up onto the tall stool her feet unable to touch the floor.
"So which brother got the lucky break to marry you?" Tony asked. Cephera wondered if he always flirted like this.
"He only has one brother." Cephera said. Of course the conversation would lead to Loki.
"Whoa wait...what? You're married to Thor's brother. Loco Loki?" Tony asked her looking completely shocked. His glass midway to his lips.
"An arranged marriage." She pointed out feeling a little sheepish.
"You poor thing. How's that going for you?" He asked her sounding concerned and setting his glass down without drinking any.
"Horribly. He didn't even wait till we were married a day before he took a mistress." She sighed. "The marriage was his fathers idea and he rebukes any idea coming from his father." She explained feeling her sadness from the previous week return.
"Wow. What an asshole. With a wife as hot as you how does he even think about another woman!" Tony said and Cephera blushed at the compliment. "If I were the wife I'd show that mistress bitch my fist." He said shaking said fist. Cephera giggled shaking her head vigorously.
"Oh no need for that. She's not with him anymore. She's my friend now." Cephera smiled happily. It was the one good thing to come of her in Asgard.
"Wait, wait, wait? You took your husbands mistress, turned her on him and made her your friend." Tony slapped his knee and burst out into laughter. "Well that's the best cockblock I've ever heard." Tony promptly took her hand and began to shake it. Cephera turned red again. Cock blocking hadn't been her intention. Nothing she'd done to loki had been intentional aside from the blow job.
"But it's only made things worse. He hates me now more than ever and I try everything to get him to like me." She took her hand back from the still laughing Stark.
"Stop trying." Tony said his laughter cutting off at her tone and confusing her. "Your attention might not be what he thinks he wants but any man would be perturbed if his own wife just began to pretend he didn't exist. You want his attention? Reverse psychology the self-righteous prick and ignore him. And to top it off make everyone love you so he looks like the ass hole he's acting like. You make a name for yourself, a good name. Do things people will talk about so no matter where he goes there is talk about his wonderful wife and have fun doing it." Cephera was slightly speechless as the advice was actually quite sound. Well some of it. She had been trying so hard do do things to get him to like her when she really should have been taking care of herself.
"You know." She said standing from the bar stool. "You're absolutely right. I've been so worried about my going nowhere relationship to him I forgot to keep myself happy." Cephera threw her arms around Tony's neck. "Thank you Mr. Stark!" She said happily.
"Oh please, just call me Tony. Don't forget to tell me how it all works out for ya. I mean I hate the bastard as much as the next person but as your stuck with him I'd at least like to see you make it work." He shrugged and drank down the rest of his drink when she let him go. "Dance?" He offered. Cephera smiled wide and accepted.
XxX
Cephera hadn't expected to stay overnight but Thor got completely smashed and feel asleep face down into the sofa. His snores could be heard throughout the room once most of the drunks left. Cephera had actually had more fun than she had in a long time. She danced and partied hard without the aid of alcohol. Tony's girlfriend Pepper was nice enough to give both her and Jane a room to sleep in until morning.
Cephera and Jane stayed up for some time chatting. Cephera liked Jane. Even though she spoke excitedly about her work that Cephera had no clue about she found her excitement contagious and couldn't help but enjoy the company. The woman had a passion for what she did and it made Cephera remember all the things she once enjoyed doing and needed to get back to. Screw Loki and his self-righteous, selfish, stubborn ways. Tony wanted Cephera do to this to make Loki miss her but Cephera was not inspired for that reason but to make herself smile again. She'd never thought of getting to know the Asgardian people. In Mechanova she knew all the townspeople and made a effort to call them by name.
Cephera was now determined to just enjoy herself among them. Make new friends give herself something to do. She would take Shay with her. Shay was having a hard time recovering from her former placement as Loki's mistress, or whore as she was sometimes called. Cephera would like to help her clear her name so that she too could find happiness. Cephera felt a renewed sense of self. She didn't need Loki to make herself whole. She was already whole without him. In fact she was realizing that for any man or woman it didn't take a significant other to make yourself whole. Having that special someone just added to your life like a bonus. Not having them didn't take away from you unless you let it.
Cephera slept soundly and deeply a small smile on her face as she did so.
Reviews...so addicted to all your comments! More...must have more. *begs with tweety bird eyes.*
- Shattered Soul 37: he is slowly losing his battle.
- Female Wraith: she is indeed feeling very hurt. She out herself out there and got insulted and bashed by the man she really wanted to impress and draw in. She is not a game player. Cephera is a straight up goodie two shoes. As for a divorce it's unlikely she'd receive one but her own room might work.
- Miss Padawan: It seems there is a line up to beat the shit out of Loki. Lol
- Nightmare of Cat: *hugs*
- 88 Dragon 06: he is very good at what he does but really he's only lying to himself overall.
- Novexus Prime: his threats are empty. All lies to deceive those he feels are against him and those he feels he needs to get rid of.
- Loki's Dreamer: it was stupidly harsh. :(
- Reneemm: oh he might not feel completely bad but he will learn a lesson soon. Up until the blow job Cephera was severely emotionally detached from the situation she was in. Now she's becoming emotionally attached and so her reaction from here will be different when dealing with Loki.
- Hello (Guest): I love a good sexy loki.
- Akera Writer of the Night: I'm glad I caused some feels. I'm doing my job right. :)
- Lightning and Ice: she'll get through it.
- Missing A Muse: making him grovel is not really her style... Putting him in his place when the right buttons are pushed defiantly.
- Poodle Warriors: some stubborn people ruin their own lives. :(
- Guest: yeah Shay being pregnant would have been awkward for sure. No need to he upset. I update once a day. :)
- Doctor Loki Love: that was one of my more emotional chapters for sure. Loki wouldn't have hit her but he had hoped on her backing down. If she hadn't he would have been called in his bluff but poor Cephera wasn't sure how to react to his threat.
