Emma's chamber maid led her to the dining hall where Odin and his family sat. Before her was fruits and fried meats she wasn't quite sure of. Breads and jams also filled the table. Emma sat next to who she assumed to be Odin's wife, across from the sexy stranger. "Well please do sit down" spoke the woman. "I am Frigga, let me introduce you to my sons. You already met Loki over there. That is Thor there next to him." Emma smiled at each of them. "Pleased to meet you all." She watched as Loki and Thor studied her intently. "So my dear do tell us your name and of Midgard. We use to pop in every few hundred years." "Well my name is Emma Taylor. I'm from Chicago, Illinois. Earth is great, well most of the time. There's lost of war, hunger and chaos but that is business as usual I suppose. I'm a journalist for the Chicago Herald. That's pretty much it." Emma felt awkward, like she was on trial. "So what does a reporter do" the one named Thor questioned. "Oh well I write stories and articles about news and important things that happen. It's not always an exciting job but writing is my passion." Emma made a plate of food hoping that if she ate they would give her room to breathe.
Loki couldn't help but watch Emma. Even though he wasn't fighting himself jot to look he couldn't turn away from her. He felt he was staring a little too much. He had never been so fascinated by a woman before...let alone a mortal. Loki noticed she ate with poise, much like his royal family. She was witty and intelligent. He liked how she had things to talk about, unlike Eowyn. She made eye contact with him a few times and it gave him goosebumps. Loki could also notice Thor watching her. It angered him that Thor thought this woman would want him even though she hadn't paid him much attention. Thor had seemed happy with Isabella, she was attractive yet here he was staring at Emma. Loki wouldn't allow Thor to have Emma. He had to make his claim upon her. He took a deep breath to steady his out of control thoughts. He needed a cold glass of water.
"Well Emma my darling please do join us in three days for our ball. Thor and Loki will be making their formal promises to their betrothed." Emma couldn't really object because she had no excuse not to go, she was on a different world. "Oh I would love to your highness. But what will I do for a gown?" "Oh we will set you up with our seamstress and you can decide what will work best for you." Emma smiled and nodded in acceptance. She chanced a glance at Loki and he was staring back at her. They locked eyes for a moment before both looked away. Emma could feel the heat in her face. Why am I so nervous she thought. She pushed the thought aside and excused herself from the table.
"Loki you stared at Emma the whole time. You made it obvious your infatuation with her." Loki stopped and gave his brother a hateful look. "Oh come now Thor! You were ogling her half the time yourself. Do not judge." Thor laughed, "ahh but I was subtle. Besides I had no interest in what she was saying...unlike you." Loki felt slightly idiotic. "Oh quiet Thor you have no idea what you are talking about. Can I not be fascinated about Midgardian life?" Loki tried to recover as best as he could. Was he that sloppy, that obvious? He would have to get himself under control. If his father caught him stealing glances at this woman who was not only mortal but but his fiancee he would wring his neck. He could hear the speech playing out in his head. Loki swept the non sense out of his forethought and made his way to the library. Maybe a good book would cleanse his mind.
Emma lounged across her bed unsure about what to do with her day. There was no internet, no tv and she didn't know her way around. She was in a whole other world yet was bored out of her mind. Her thoughts soon drifted to Loki and his beautiful green eyes. He had kept his gaze upon her most of the morning. She jumped up from her bed and swept the inappropriate thoughts away. Emma called upon her chamber maid and asked her to show her around. It didn't look like she was going home anytime soon so she may as well get acquainted with her surroundings. Hopefully there was a library in this palace so she could learn some history and distract herself. Books were always such a wonderful distraction.