*Before you read, first of all, I am obligated to tell you of my friend MidnightShadow101's awesomeness. In chapter 5, she was able to pick out one of the movie quotes surreptitiously slipped in. So you may now all bow down to her and grovel at her feet… for she is a Lord of the Rings nerd, like me. ;)
Secondly, before you read this chapter, go up a little… click on my username… go to My Stories… click on "Keeping Me Up"… and enjoy. I wrote the one-shot spin-off that was greatly supported in the last chapter. Loki and Blanc share a bed. I had tons of fun writing it, and I expect your reviews on it. ;)
Thirdly, I thank all the people who have made suggestions. I would be lost on this story without you. Without further ado… I give you… Chapter 8: Chivalry.
Chivalry
Thor strode out of the throne room, looking slightly bitter. Loki followed him, looking positively crestfallen.
"This is terrible," Loki mumbled to himself, rubbing his temples in frustration.
"I know," Thor sighed. "What our father is doing is simply wrong."
"I know," Loki sighed.
"Stronger actions should be taken against the rebels. We should—"
"Thor, you're a witless oaf," Loki interrupted his brother angrily.
The blonde blinked, surprised that his younger brother had cut him off. "What?"
"I said you're a witless bloody oaf," Loki repeated. "You would take stronger actions against the nekos?"
"Of course. If Father would let me decide, I would have them forcibly imprisoned or executed," Thor said determinedly. "They do not deserve fair treatment, and should be punished for suggesting that they do."
Loki glared, thinking of Noir. "Why don't they deserve equal treatment, Thor?"
Thor scoffed. "Because the nekos are thieves, burglars, and vagabonds. They are scavengers and pickpockets. Why would we grant them the same rights as the Aesir?"
Loki thought carefully over Thor's words. "Thor, why are the nekos thieves and pickpockets?"
Thor frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Thor, the only reason they are thieves and burglars is because we don't give them the chance to be anything else. We deprive them rights because of their station. But we are the ones who put them in that station, depriving them of the opportunity to become something else." Loki turned and began walking away. "It's senseless," he spat mutinously.
Thor stared after his brother a moment, trying to process that idea. He caught up to his brother, peering at him curiously. "Why the sudden defensiveness of Asgard's bottom-feeders, Loki?"
"Quit insulting them. And it's because it's wrong to continue the way we are," Loki huffed. "Now leave me be."
Thor frowned deeper. "Why?"
"Because I have somewhere to go, and don't want you accompanying me."
"Where are you going, and why?"
"Nowhere, and because I said so."
"Why?"
"You're not going to drop this, are you?" Loki sighed irritably.
"No. Not until you tell me, little brother," Thor said, looking smug and superior with his own declaration.
Loki sighed and looked down, deliberating. The two brothers had stopped walking by now, and were now standing in a courtyard. Loki had been heading to the front gates of the palace, but when Thor had started following him, he had changed course so that Thor wouldn't suspect where he was going. "Thor, leave me alone or I'll be forced to do something drastic."
"Like what?" Thor asked, affronted. "Loki, all I want to know is, what exactly are you planning on doing? I know that look. You're planning something. What are you doing?"
Loki closed his eyes, and his hands began to glow a faint green. "Something chivalrous." He reached out and touched Thor's shoulders, and the god of thunder collapsed to the ground, asleep. Loki stepped away quickly, glancing around to make sure nobody had seen that he had just cast a spell on his own brother. No one was in the courtyard. So Loki left, heading back out into the city.
He was planning something… chivalrous. It wasn't exactly his strong suit, but he could do it, he was sure. He hoped.
"I'd wager that, if we saw the prince again, he'd give us some money," Noir said morosely. She and Marron walked along the peak of a rooftop, single-file on the narrow building top.
"I don't doubt it," Marron said in agreement. "But the question is, why?"
Because he enjoys us."
"Why?"
"You're not going to drop this, Marron, are you?" Noir asked exasperatedly.
"No. I find it odd that the prince has taken such interest in us… well, mainly you."
"Why do you find it odd?" Noir asked breezily.
"Why don't you?" Marron returned.
Noir paused, and Marron almost bumped into her from behind. She carefully turned, keeping perfect balance on the narrow surface of the peak. "Why don't I find it odd?" she repeated the question and considered it, looking up to the pale blue sky. "Hmm. Perhaps I hadn't really thought about it. Perhaps I hadn't questioned it. And perhaps because Prince Loki merely accepts me, and doesn't question it, either."
"Noir, he didn't even know your name until last night. Which questions his thinking of you as an equal."
Noir smiled bitterly. "Yes, it does. But still. It was fun, really. The way he called me 'Bandit' or 'Neko' or 'Little Thief' was endearing." She turned on her heel once again and resumed her walk.
"You enjoy impersonal nicknames?" Marron asked wryly, following her friend.
"Well, Marron, let's face it… Nekos don't exactly have the most personal of names anyway. My mother was also Noir, and so are a good number of other nekos… we are simply called a generic name, yes?" Noir observed airily.
"Would you rather be called Etoile all the time?" Marron asked.
"No; it's too formal!"
"See? That's just custom. Not de-personalization," Marron rolled her eyes. "There's a difference."
"Well, in any case, I wouldn't mind seeing the prince again," Noir said, a note of finality in her voice. "Come on; we've got work to do."
The two neko girls had now reached the Dwarven District, where smiths and dwarves worked alongside each other, filling the air with smoke and the ringing of metal. The girls couldn't very well go back to robbing the Trade District just yet, and so were going to pickpocket merchants and customers of another area of the city for now.
They crept to the edge of the building and peered down.
"Hmm. Not sure I like this," Marron bit her lip. "A lot more soldiers are here, and more brawny men. Not our usual wealthy nobles and ladies."
Noir let out a hum of assent. "Why are there so many soldiers?"
Marron shrugged. "Buying weapons and such?"
They were silent a moment, watching the small patrol of soldiers marching through the street in formation.
"No; they're on business of some kind," Noir narrowed her eyes. "What are they doing?"
The question was answered momentarily, as they approached a notice board and nailed a very official-looking paper to it.
Marron and Noir exchanged looks. They both knew what that meant. Some form of royal decree. The soldiers were going around the city, posting the notice in all the various districts, in order to make sure everyone was informed of whatever new law or announcement the king wished to share with the citizens of Asgard (and the not-citizens, of course, like Noir and Marron themselves). They watched the soldiers continue on, heading for the harbor next.
"Shall we take a look?" Noir suggested.
Marron nodded slowly, tugging on her brown fingerless gloves. The two scaled down the building and emerged into the street from an alleyway, heads covered with cloak hoods. A few people were already paused, peering at the parchment nailed to the wooden board.
"About bloody time they cleaned up this blasted city," a man garbed in leather shook his head. "The little rats deserve it." He turned and strode away, giving Marron and Noir a quick smile. "It's a lovely day, isn't it, ladies? Read the decree. That's bound to brighten it."
Noir and Marron blinked and slowly stepped up to the notice board. Noir peered at it and quietly began reading it out loud.
"On this day, King Odin the Allfather decrees that all of the neko race that reside within the city boundaries are ordered to remove themselves from their current residence. Due to the neko mob uprising, King Odin the Allfather has decided that the demands for equal treatment shall not be met. Due to the violent nature of the protests, King Odin Allfather sees fit to vacate the city of these dangerous individuals. In one week, all nekos found within the city boundaries and who refuse to cooperate will be forcibly removed from the city limits. No violent actions will be taken against individuals who comply with this decree. Asgardian citizens are not permitted to interfere with neko individuals who acquiesce to the king's demands. Asgardian Aesir citizens are not permitted to take personal action against any neko individual before the allotted one week bracket of time has passed. After this period, Asgardian Aesir citizens shall be permitted to bring neko individuals to officials, guards, or soldiers. No violent acts against neko individuals are authorized. Any further neko mob protests, however, shall be met with violence. Leave peaceably, and we shall allow you your life. Retaliate and lash out against the Aesir, and you revoke your right to your own life. Signed, King Odin the Allfather."
Noir swallowed as she finished speaking, and threw a worried look to her companion. Marron was biting her nails, her brow furrowed. "What neko mob uprising are they talking about?" Noir asked in bewilderment.
Marron just shook her head. "Haven't an inkling… I haven't heard anything about it."
Noir sighed and put a hand on Marron's shoulder. "Suppose that's what we get for seceding from our previous lives, huh? But I guess it doesn't matter… it affects us anyway." She tapped the heavy parchment with a finger and laughed bitterly. "We have to go tell Blanc."
Loki found himself in Old Town, where most pickpockets and bandits resided. He was trying to remember exactly where Noir's home was. Which streets? Which area? It had been nearly midnight the previous night when he had gone from the prison to the shack. He hadn't been able to see any distinguishing features of the surrounding buildings. And this morning, he hadn't paid attention, too busy trying to think of something to say that would make the awkward walk to the Trade District less awkward. He had no idea where he was going.
He turned another corner, walking down yet another dusty cobblestone street lined with shabby hovels. No, not here, he thought, turning back around. The prince froze as he turned.
A figure garbed in a white cloak strode with two in black. They appeared to be in deep conversation, talking quietly and urgently. The three paused for a moment, evidently saying something important. Then the two figures in black strode away, leaving the figure in white alone.
Loki slowly started walking closer. "Blanc?" he called.
The figure in white whipped around abruptly, startled. It was Blanc. His blue eyes narrowed at the sight of the prince. "Why, if it isn't the little princess. What are you doing out and about?"
"I could ask you the same thing," Loki scoffed. "I thought you were exhausted beyond belief from being pestered by me all day yesterday?"
"And yet here you are to pester me again today," the white neko sneered.
"You're avoiding the question," Loki observed. "Not a good sign, Street Cat."
"What question?"
"What are you doing out and about?" Loki asked, crossing his arms.
"I asked you first," Blanc accused.
"You really are avoiding the question," Loki raised his eyebrows. "If you must know, I was actually looking for you."
"Me?" Blanc pretended to be flattered.
Loki rolled his eyes. "Well, more Noir than you… and Marron, too," he added as an afterthought, figuring that Blanc would soon pick up on the fact that the prince was obviously focused on Noir.
Blanc surveyed the prince. "Looking for the ragtag gang of neko outcasts, hmm? Suppose you've come to tell us the bad news that we're getting kicked out of your precious golden Aesir city, aren't you?"
Loki tilted his head to one side. "Evidently news travels rather fast… And, actually, yes. I had an idea that I'd like to share with you and the girls."
Blanc glared. "I've got an idea that I'd like to share with you: go away and leave us alone. We don't want you hanging around us anymore."
Loki frowned. "Somehow I doubt that all three of you came to that conclusion."
Blanc curled his lip at the prince. "Doesn't matter who came to that conclusion. Go away." Blanc turned on his heel and began striding away. Loki merely followed.
"Going back to your hideout?" the prince asked mildly.
"Yes. And you're not allowed to come," Blanc snapped.
"Don't you wish I listened to you?" Loki asked derisively.
"Don't you wish you knew the way?" Blanc asked disdainfully.
"I don't need to know the way, fluffbrain. I just need to follow you," Loki smirked.
Blanc stopped dead, realizing the truth in Prince Loki's words. "Blast," he muttered.
"Now… do you feel like telling me where you were last night when you snuck out of your bed?" Loki asked slowly, well-aware of where exactly Blanc had been, but wanting confirmation.
Blanc pinched his lips together. "Not particularly. Let's go already, Prince Loki," he muttered grudgingly, continuing on down the street.
Loki knew what the neko was doing. He was trying to get him off his back by taking him to the hideout. Blanc was hoping that by answering one request, Loki would forget the other. But he would let it slide for now.
"Blanc!" a voice suddenly called from behind the pair.
The boys turned and saw two figures, one in black and one in brown, dashing down the street towards them. Loki felt both relief and trepidation at seeing Noir, knowing what news she had no doubt heard by now.
The girls skidded to a stop in front of them, gasping for breath.
"And… Prince Loki," Noir said in surprise, looking at him appraisingly. She took a few deep breaths, trying to recover from the sprint halfway across the city. "What brings you back so soon?"
Loki couldn't help but notice perhaps a little bit of frostiness in the neko girl's voice, and perhaps a touch of mistrust in her gray eyes.
"My father just told me about the decree," he explained. "You've no doubt heard by now?"
The girls nodded. "We just came from the Dwarven District… some soldiers just posted the notice," Marron panted. "Blanc, what are we going to do?"
Loki and Blanc exchanged glares, a silent challenge.
"I have a plan," Blanc said slowly. "But I'm not sharing it around him." He jerked his head at Prince Loki.
Loki narrowed his eyes. "Why not? Something I'm not allowed to hear?"
"Bloody right," Blanc spat.
"And what about you, Prince Loki?" Noir asked. "You said you just learned of the decree… and you came to warn us about it? Surely you knew that we would already know soon enough."
"Yes, I knew that you would learn of it soon enough," Loki admitted, feeling his cheeks get hot as he tried to think of a decent way to phrase his next sentence. "I… just… didn't want… you to leave, Noir," he said quietly. "Even if the nekos are being ordered to leave, I didn't want you to go."
Noir felt a funny feeling in her heart, and she felt the corners of her mouth curl up slightly. "Really?"
Loki glanced away and muttered something about no one to tease and boring and stupid Thor and stupid neko and quit smiling.
Noir bit her lip to stop herself from giggling.
"Prince Loki, did you have an alternative to us leaving?" Marron asked tentatively.
Loki glanced up, throwing the brown neko a grateful look for getting the conversation back on track. "Yes. I do. But," he glanced around at the dirty, empty street. "I'd prefer to discuss it indoors."
The girls nodded in understanding and began walking down the street, taking a few more twists and turns before stopping in front of a shack. Loki carefully took in the surroundings, hoping he would be able to remember the way back here in the future. The step was removed, and Marron went down the tunnel first. Noir glanced to Blanc, who was trailing behind the others with a scowl fixed on his face.
"Blanc, you next?" Noir suggested.
The white neko muttered something under his breath and acquiesced.
Noir and Loki locked eyes.
"Did you know about the decree?" Noir blurted out finally, after a long moment of silence.
"I didn't," Loki murmured. "I only found out about it when I got back to the palace, shortly after I said goodbye to you and Marron."
Suddenly they both froze, recalling the goodbye. Loki cleared his throat awkwardly, feeling like now was not the time to discuss the kiss on the cheek he had given her. However, he could tell that Noir was dying to ask about it.
"Well…" Noir said dilatorily, giving the prince a searching look. "Do you know anything about the uprising?"
"No," Loki shook his head. "Do you?"
Noir quickly shook her head. "Haven't the slightest idea. I had heard nothing about it until just a few minutes ago, on the proclamation. I would never have mobbed the palace, Prince Loki."
Loki just nodded, recalling that Blanc had left in the middle of the night the previous day, but saying nothing on it to his little neko. "We should go in," he said finally.
Noir nodded. She smiled faintly. "Just so you know… somersault at the bottom to lessen the impact on your legs, Majesty."
Loki rolled his eyes. "Thanks ever so much for the warning, Noir," he said mockingly. "Who knows what would have happened if you hadn't told me? I might have gotten to the bottom and hurt myself or something, hmm?"
Noir grinned. "I doubt it. I think we would have just laughed at your clumsiness." She then dropped down the tunnel.
Loki had a much more coordinated landing this time, not quite managing to roll to his feet like the nekos did, but he at least landed in a respectable sitting position after rolling to break his hard fall. With a slightly proud smile, he stood again, looking around. Blanc and Marron were sitting on their beds, and Noir was going to join Marron. That left Loki to Noir's bed again, and he sat down, looking at the nekos seriously.
"I bet you were the one who suggested to the king he kick the nekos out," Blanc said suddenly, giving the prince an accusatory look.
"You'd like to think that, wouldn't you?" Loki rolled his eyes. "Actually, I was the one who suggested we hear the leader's demands and solve this peacefully. But no, my father decided that since your rebellion was violent, that you did not deserve to be heard. If your protest had been done in a more diplomatic manner, I believe he might have considered. But no. You had to go and start a violent protest at the gates of the palace."
Blanc looked indignant, and opened his mouth to argue, but Marron cut in.
"You're acting like we're the ones who were protesting, Prince Loki… we weren't," she said resentfully.
Loki paused, looking at the girls carefully. "I know," he said slowly, but he then glanced to Blanc, eyebrows raised. The white neko said nothing. "Anyways…" Loki continued. "I only found out about all of this about forty-five minutes ago. And then I came looking for you."
"And you have a plan that can make it so the nekos won't have to leave?" Noir asked hopefully.
"Erm…" Loki swallowed, once again feeling his cheeks get hot. "Actually… I was only thinking of you—" he paused, feeling his heart suddenly stop. He cleared his throat. "You three," he quickly revised his statement that he was only thinking of Noir. Though that was the truth. He hadn't given a second's thought to the other nekos of the city.
"Alright…" Noir said slowly, giving Loki a strange look. "So what's this plan?"
"I thought maybe I could sneak you into the palace under disguise. You would be able to stay until… until the rebellion gets sorted out. I'll find a way to smooth things over with my father… I'll convince him to revoke the decree."
The thieves exchanged looks.
"Come to the palace?!" Noir asked in surprise. "You're asking me—us—to live in the palace?" she quickly corrected herself with a blush.
Loki shrugged. "Well, it's the only way I can think that you'll be able to make it through the week and past then, right?"
"Why wouldn't we make it through the week?" marron asked nervously.
"Mobs. Revolts. The Aesir will support the idea of nekos being removed from the city," Blanc said darkly.
"The decree said no violence against us was permitted," Marron said frightfully.
"Are you really that naïve, Marron?" Blanc sighed. "This is why there's a protest. Because it doesn't matter what the king decrees." He threw a glance to Loki. "And it doesn't matter what you do, either. We're not going to be hidden away in your big shiny playpen until we're found out and hung."
"I won't let that happen!" Loki spat, standing up indignantly.
"I don't care what you will or won't let happen!" Blanc said. "We're not going! We don't trust you!"
Noir and Marron were silent, slightly disturbed by the fight developing around them.
"Blanc… Prince Loki?" Noir asked apprehensively.
The boys glanced towards her.
"Firstly… stop arguing," Noir murmured, quiet but firm. "Secondly… Blanc, I don't see any reason we shouldn't take the prince's offer. What else are we going to do?"
Blanc, looking bitter, glanced between the prince and the girls.
"What, no retort?" Loki growled.
Blanc looked at him mutinously, clenching his fists. "I had a plan… but I can't say it in front of you," he muttered almost inaudibly.
Loki narrowed his eyes again, but then looked back to the girls. "And what do you two say?"
Marron and Noir looked unsurely at each other.
"I say we go with Prince Loki," Noir nodded.
Marron hesitated. "Blanc… you won't be going?" she glanced at the boy questioningly, conflicted.
Blanc merely shook his head stubbornly. "I'd rather be killed by a mob or put in a stockade than accept help from the very person threatening us."
Marron bit her lip and looked between Loki, Noir, and Blanc. "I…"
Noir gently squeezed her friend's hand, giving her a pleading look.
"I think it's safer to accept the prince's help," Marron whispered, almost sounding guilty.
Blanc hissed, "Of course you do. You just don't see it. Have fun being locked away while other people do all the work to make the changes of our world." The neko turned on his heel and left, disappearing out the tunnel without another word.
The girls stared after him, stunned and saddened. Part of their group was gone. Their trio was fractured.
Note from LoquaciousQuibbler: Hmm… I don't really like this chapter all that much. It feels like not a whole lot happened, and it's kind of filler… but there's a lot of foreshadowing, as well. I send thanks to MidnightShadow101 for some of the ideas for this chapter. I also send thanks to Kieira and Isa, whose ideas also sparked some inspiration. To FairyFinder and .7, your ideas will be appearing in future chapters. I promise. ;)
In the meantime, I thank you for the fantastic response this story has been getting so far, and keep the reviews and suggestions coming! It makes me feel amazing when you guys show that you really care what happens to our favorite nekos and prince. ;)
BTW… Noir and Loki… I have come up with a ship name. If you read any of my other stories, you know I make up my own ship names. What do you guys think of Lokoir? Ship it? Or can you think of a different name? Let me know ;)
Favorite, follow, and review or PM me.