Author Rambles!:Hi everyone! I know people are reading so that's a good sign, and I received one review so far! Thank you! Please keep reviewing guys, I'd really like to hear from you!
Also, once again, this chapter is Kaleria's story so it's all on Asgard. We will switch back to present time soon, and back again. So keep a watch for that.
So yes, there's that. Thank you for those reading, and who continue to keep reading. Don't forget to review!
Read, Review, and above all... Enjoy!
The two women walked to the center of Asgard, making small talk as they went. Sif would avoid the subject of Kaleria's gifts, and Kaleria would answer any question as simply as possible. They were not always like this; Sif and Kaleria were very close when they were younger. Sif left at an early age to become a warrior of Asgard, the most renowned female warrior in all of Asgard. Kaleria felt abandoned; betrayed.
"I am excited to introduce you to everyone." Sif smiled warmly, Kaleria shuffled uncomfortably. "They're such wonderful and accepting people. I think you'll enjoy their company."
Kaleria nodded as the two walked passed a giant set of double doors, engraved beautifully with intricate designs. Kaleria eyed the door for a moment before Sif spoke. "The grand library, it's full of many different books on anything you can think of." The two stopped. "Would you like to take a look?" Kaleria simply nodded as Sif opened the large doors, revealing the spoils of the grand library.
Kaleria's eyes went wide as she took in the sight before her. The library was grand indeed, shelves towering to the ceiling, crammed with books on many different subjects. Sif smiled in content as she watched her sister stumble forward and down the first aisle she sad. "This would take years to see the entire library!" Kaleria gawked as she skimmed the shelves within her vision.
Sif chuckled. "It would take thousands to read them all." Sif was happy to see the wonder and awe in her sister's eye. It had been a long while since she had seen her sister. She would often write but would hardly ever hear anything in return. Her Father would write occasionally, but her worry for her sister's wellbeing was always a lingering thought.
Sif wanted to help her sister more than anything. When their father contacted her, asking to take Kaleria, she could not refuse. Things were growing increasingly worse for Kaleria, her powers becoming uncontrollable. Sif knew her father's frustration, and gladly agreed to help Kaleria, knowing that Asgard was the best place for her to learn control. For Sif, even seeing this small glimpse of happiness within her younger sister, that was enough.
Sif followed her sister, trailing behind a little as she followed. Kaleria would turn around every so often to make sure she was not losing her sister and to make passing comments. "I'd like to read more on the history of Asgard."
"You will have enough time to do that." Sif commented. Kaleria made it to the end of the aisle and stopped, turning to face her sister. "We should get going though; we are expected to make an appearance at a small gathering I planned."
Kaleria nodded, reluctantly leaving the library with her sister.
Sif took Kaleria to the tavern, where many Asgardians' came to tell stories of battle, history, and above all, drink. She had asked her friends, The Warriors Three, to create a smaller gathering for meeting Kaleria. At first, things were going as plan; the three men had invited a small group of Asgardian warriors as requested by Sif. However, Thor had his own idea for a small gathering…
There was roaring laughter and cheering from inside the tavern, Sif narrowed her eyes as she walked inside with Kaleria. "This is a small gathering?" Kaleria muttered under her breath.
Sif sighed. "It was supposed to be. Come; let me introduce you to my friends." Kaleria followed Sif through the crowd of people, feeling anxious and nervous and they made their way to the thunderous laughter.
Volstagg, Hogun, and Fandral sat at the middle tavern table, their mugs filled with mead as Volstagg let out a hearty laugh. "Lady Sif!" Volstagg raised his mug, his smile evident behind his beard. "We were awaiting your arrival!"
Sif looked to the three warriors as she then moved aside to reveal her sister. "Warriors, may I present to you my sister, Lady Kaleria."
The three men stood and bowed their heads graciously. "My lady, we were told of your coming and might I say your beauty is far greater than-"Fandral began, only to be interrupted by Sif.
"It would be wise for you, Fandral, to keep your eyes off my sister." She teased. "Kaleria, this is Volstagg, the Valiant, Hogun the Grim, and Fandral the dashing." She rolled her eyes as Fandral winked. Kaleria shuffled uncomfortably as she nodded at the three men. "What happened to the small gathering?" Sif scolded.
"That was my fault." A voice came from behind the women. Sif and Kaleria turned to see a very tall and muscular Asgardian. He smiled charmingly as he looked down at both women. "I wanted your sister to have a memorable welcoming party."
"Are you sure you did not want a bigger party?" Sif rolled her eyes, looking to her sister. "Kaleria, this is Thor Odinson."
Thor bowed his head. "It is a pleasure to finally meet the sister of our greatest warrior."
Kaleria forced a smile. "I'm happy to be here." She truly was becoming a great liar.
"Enough introductions, she will get to know us all soon. For now, we drink!" Volstagg's voice roared like thunder as the group cheered, say for Kaleria.
"Oh, I um…" She began. "I'm not much of a drinker."
"Not even one?" Volstagg asked with wide eyes.
Sif turned to her sister, a reassuring smile on her lips. "You will be fine." She spoke softly. "One drink will be fine, I will keep you safe."
Kaleria, with a pit in her stomach, forced a smile as she looked to the men. "Well, I suppose one won't hurt." The cheering was thunderous as Fandral prepared a drink for the girl, and handing it to her as she nervously took the mug.
Kaleria listened to the stories her sister, the warriors, and Thor were telling. They were a very tight group of friends. Every so often Fandral would disappear and bring a new woman back to the table, once he would tire of her, he'd find another. Volstagg was constantly yelling and laughing, his voice thunderous as he did. Hogun was the only other quiet one there, yet he was still part of the crowd.
Sif was perfect, Kaleria watched her interact with those around her, and the stories of her were glorious. Kaleria knew she could never and would never be as loved as her sister was.
As more Asgardian's arrived, the tavern crowd shifted. Kaleria found herself clutching her mug and drifting towards the back corner of the tavern like garbage in a sea current. Kaleria tried to be a part of the crowd only to find she was fading into the background, something she always found herself doing. In the company of her older sister she was a dull comparison. Her sister was a renowned warrior and not hard on the eyes either. Sif was always well liked and Kaleria always seemed to fall short of everyone's expectation.
She shuffled her way to the back corner, clutching her mug tightly as she felt the cool wall up against her back. Sighing, she took a sip of mead as she watched her sister interact with the warriors three, Thor, and many other Asgardians'. This was Sif's life, not Kaleria's.
Unaware she was being watched by the tall, slender man next to her. She jumped slightly when his soft voice echoed in her ears. "Not one for parties either, I see?"
Kaleria turned her head slightly to see the man. She noticed his slicked back raven black hair, his green and black armor, and his piercing blue eyes. What caught her attention most, however, was the slight curl in his lips, that smirk, one she would not soon forget. Realizing the long pause in conversation, Kaleria finally nodded before speaking. "I'm not very good at social interactions."
His smirk grew. "I can see that". He was teasing, of course, but this still made Kaleria uneasy. "I understand that completely." He added. "I was practically forced here, myself."
Kaleria cracked a quick smile before talking into her mug. "That makes two of us."
There was silence between the two once more, their eyes falling to their siblings respectively. Finally, he spoke. "It seems to come so natural to them; this socializing skill. Pity we lack this skill."
Kaleria cracked another quick smile as she looked at the man once more. "Well, we're socializing just fine now."
He simpered, looking pleased at that remark before replying. "I am Loki, of Asgard."
"Kaleria, of Vanaheim."
"Right, this party is for your arrival, is it not?" Kaleria nodded. "Seems rather silly to throw a rather large party for someone who does not even care for them."
"I was told it was a small gathering." Kaleria admitted.
"From what I understand, that was my brother's doing." Loki said with slight detest. "It's a passion of his, truly, to ruin things."
Kaleria smiled. "I'm just happy that Sif is having a good time. I can stay out of the way."
"Do you not despise being second rate to her?"
Kaleria felt a pit in her stomach grow, she slouched a little as she looked into her mug. "I'm not second rate, I'm… different." She defended.
"Are you a warrior like Sif?" Loki asked.
"No, I am here to train however."
"Well, being of Vanaheim you are either a warrior or have magic. If you are not a warrior… does this mean?"
Kaleria felt that pit in her stomach grow, the need to curl up and hide becoming overwhelming. She could feel the temperature in her hands begin to rise. Swallowing hard she just nodded, unable to speak.
"May I see?" Loki asked, noticing the uneasiness of the girl next to him. "I have magic of my own, many Asgardian's do, so do not feel outcast by it."
"It's not that…" Kaleria admitted sheepishly. "It's more complicated than I care to admit."
"I'm sure you're over exaggerating. Those with magic are superior; is natural for us." Little did Loki know, in his attempts to coax Kaleria; she was becoming more and more panic ridden. Her hands increasing in temperature to the point where her mead was boiling and the mug was beginning to melt in her hands. Loki looked to the mug and with slightly wide eyes; he watched it start to melt through her fingers. Unfortunately for Kaleria, he was not the only one to notice.
Searing hot metal dripped to the cold floor, making a hissing sound that seemed to echo louder than it normally would. At first, only a few noticed, but soon the room hushed as they looked at the panic stricken girl, holding the remains of her melted mug. The metal covering most of her hands and now the floor, sizzling as it dripped. "Well… that's interesting." Loki said softly.
Sif, Thor, and the Warriors Three looked to Kaleria as well, Sif quickly rushing towards her sister in concern. Sif reached her arms out to comfort her sister, only to have Kaleria wave her hands violently. "Do not touch me!"
Sif halted, she turned to the crowd. "Go back to drinking; there is nothing to see here." She shouted, she turned to Kaleria and whispered gently. "Come with me." Kaleria headed for the door, Sif following suit, but not before glaring at Loki as she left.
Final Thoughts: Thank you again for reading! Also, we got some Loki in this chapter! Huzzah! Remember to review! Thank you!