As soon as Wanda is out of the room, Thor begins speaking, "Brother, they tell me that you tried to kill yourself last night. After all we have done to preserve your life, why?"

"Because no one asked me if I wanted my life preserved."

The answer hurts, "You would have rather that Father kill you?"

"Thor, how would you feel if you discovered yourself as mortal as one of these people? Everything that made you Aesir stripped from you? Not a simple banishment, mind you, but locked out permanently, with no hope of return?"

"I would not seek to die, if that is what you are asking."

"Do you remember the days when I was Lady Loki?"

"Of course." Thor's face brightens, "You were a lovely woman and a delightful sister."

"And do you remember what I told you of such changes?"

"They were merely a part of who you are. Yes."

"Can you not connect these pieces together?"

"That feeling did not leave you when you left Asgard?"

"At this moment I would be she, were it possible." Thor tries to take her hand, but Loki jerks it back, "And I really would rather you call this what it is- I was flung out of Asgard, I did not leave it." Loki is angry, she punctuates every word, tired of having to lead Thor to the proper conclusion.

"What does your shape shifting have to do with wanting to kill yourself? You are always Loki, no matter what shape you take."

"While I appreciate the sentiment that you do not care which body I am in, I hope you remember that the body is important to me."

"You did once say you shift when you are compelled to by something deep in your soul."

"And... Come now, Thor, you can figure this out. You are not so daft."

"I should pummel you for that."

"But you will not. Now, put the pieces together. I shifted when I felt the need. Now I am one of Midgard's creatures. The lowest creature in the Nine, according to your Father."

"You can no longer shift."

"Yes."

"And this brings you great distress."

"Go on, go on."

"And this was one misery too many."

"Ah, yes, the Mighty Thor has reasoned it out yet again!" She drops back against the pillows, "Now can we stop this little banter? I wish to rest."

"What can I do to make this better, Loki? I do not want to lose you again."

There is a long pause before Loki answers, "Will you plait my hair?" It is almost a soft plea.

"I will call for brushes and hair pins. Then yes, I will."

Loki smiles a little, "Thank you, Thor."

"You are ever welcome, Sister." Thor leaves for his tools, and when he returns, Loki has dozed off. He leaves the hair things on a tray by the bed and goes to fetch a book, settling in beside Loki to wait.