*I don't think I've mentioned this before… and if I have, forgive me… but have I ever told you how fun it is to write about neko characters while wearing a cat ear headband? Just picture that… a teenage girl sitting typing on her laptop while wearing cat ears. Sorry, random thing I wanted to share with you. Proceed.

Gallantry

Thor woke up in the courtyard, about a half hour after Loki had cast the spell on him. It took him a long moment for the events to sink in and click into place.

Following Loki… asking where he was going and what he was doing…

Something chivalrous.

Then consciousness abruptly fading to black as Loki rested his hands on Thor's shoulders. Thor frowned now as he rubbed his head and realized that Loki had used his sorcery to put him to sleep. He couldn't fathom why in the nine realms Loki would do such a thing. But the god of thunder had every intention of finding out. He stood and strode off, squeezing his eyes shut in an attempt to clear his head and form a proper plan.

Only about ten minutes later, Thor was simply sitting in Loki's bedroom, waiting for his little brother to get back so he could give him a proper interrogation… and a scolding for using magic against his own brother. And a good thrashing if he didn't have a good excuse.

But Loki seemed to be taking an awfully long time to get back from whatever chivalrous deed he was doing. Thor settled himself on Loki's bed, propping himself on the headboard. He began absentmindedly tossing the mighty hammer, Mjolnir, from hand to hand to keep himself entertained. He nearly dozed off a time or two, but managed to keep awake.

He brightened as he heard footsteps coming towards the bedroom. Thor jumped up off the bed and waited, smirking as he thought of the shocked expression on Loki's face when he found his brother hiding in his room.

The door handle turned and it began to swing open.

"You owe me an explanation!" Thor exclaimed, pointing his hammer at the door as it opened and someone appeared in the doorway.

But it was not Loki who had opened the door. It was, in fact, a young woman with brown hair and clothes… and a pair of cat ears on her head. There was a stunned silence as the two surprised people's eyes locked, wide with shock. It took a long moment for them both to process the situation.

What Thor saw was a young woman—a neko—who had somehow managed to get into the palace, and had infiltrated the younger prince's chambers for some unknown reasons of her own.

What Marron saw was an unknown man who had been hiding in Prince Loki's chambers, who was demanding an explanation from her and was pointing a hammer at her threateningly, though he looked rather perturbed by her appearance.

Marron slowly took a step back out of the room. Then another. Then she turned around and screamed, dashing back to the sitting room in a panic.

Her shriek threw Thor out of his surprised daze and back to his senses. His resolve hardened again, and he hefted his hammer and charged out of the room after the neko girl. "You get back here!" he bellowed.

Noir, still in the sitting room with her fairy tale book, froze when she heard Marron's terrified scream. She immediately dropped the book and started to rush to where the sound came from. She ran smack into the younger girl, and Noir put her hands on her shoulders. "Marron, what's-?!"

Marron shook her head, her mouth opening and closing senselessly. But she snatched Noir's hand and dragged her towards the other side of the room… just as thunderous footsteps came from the same direction Marron had just come from.

Marron and Noir retreated to halfway across the room, about to duck behind the couch. But then a blonde, muscular man appeared from the hallway, and he locked eyes on the two girls. A thrill of terror shot through Noir's spine, and her grip on Marron's hand tightened.

As the man began marching towards them, Noir felt a protectiveness for her younger friend, and she pushed Marron behind her as they backed away slowly.

"How did you get into the palace?" the man thundered. "Tell me, nekos, and perhaps I will not slay you where you stand!"

"My lord, do not harm us!" Noir protested desperately. "I promise you, we mean no harm—"

"Are you part of the neko rebellion?" he interrupted her. "Have you come to harm my little brother? You must know, I will not allow such a thing to—"

"Wait, your little brother?!" Marron and Noir exclaimed at the same time.

"You're Prince Thor!" Noir said in surprise, comprehension dawning on her as she looked at the blonde.

The prince narrowed his blue eyes. "Yes, I am Prince Thor… and you must know that I will die before I allow any harm to come—"

Suddenly the door was flung open, and Loki sprinted into the room, skidding to a halt as he took in the scene: Noir and Marron huddled together, the black neko in a protective stance in front of Marron… and Thor, looking ready for a fight, a few paces away from the girls, holding Mjolnir in his hand at the ready.

"Thor, what are you doing?" Loki demanded, rushing to Noir and Marron's side and glaring at his brother accusatorily.

"I found this scum in your chambers, brother!" Thor said angrily.

"We are not scum!" the girls shouted at the same time that Loki shouted, "They are not scum!"

Thor blinked, taking a moment to take in what this all meant. "Loki… what is going on? I was merely waiting for you to get back, and then that one walked in like she owned the place." He gestured to Marron with his hammer.

Marron shrank slightly at Thor's burning gaze on her. Noir moved slightly so that she hid Marron from Thor's view. Loki sidestepped and stood in front of Noir, so both girls were hidden behind his frame protectively.

"I…" Loki looked gravely from his brother to Noir and Marron. "Well. Thor, there's…" he breathed a sigh of frustration at not being able to explain himself easily. But this situation was far too complicated to simply say a word or two and be done. This would take some explaining. "Let's everyone sit down a moment, alright?"

Thor, Noir, and Marron all stared at the god of mischief in disbelief. Loki pinched the bridge of his nose.

"This is insanity," he muttered. "Everyone sit. And we'll explain. Or else you'll go running straight to father, won't you, Thor?" he threw a mutinous look to Thor.

Thor looked dumbstruck. "You think explaining whatever is going on here will change my telling father?"

"I certainly hope so," Loki growled, clenching his fists menacingly. "Now sit… please."

Nervously, Thor moved to one of the couches and sank down into it, throwing the nekos a suspicious look. "There had better be an incredible explanation for this, Loki… nekos? When they are the very creatures whom are causing so much havoc in our realm at the moment?"

Noir led Marron to sit on a different couch than Thor, throwing him a dirty look as she did. Marron still looked rather frightened, which made Noir resentful.

With a deep sigh, Loki began pacing, head bowed as he tried to think of a way to convince Thor not to tell the king and queen of what was going on right now. "Thor… if we were at war with Vanaheim, would you renounce your friendship with Hogun?"

Thor frowned curiously. "I suppose that depends…"

"If Hogun was not interested in fighting alongside Vanaheim… would you renounce your friendship with him because of a few brash actions of others of his world?" Loki pressed, looking up and giving Thor a hard look.

The blonde slowly shook his head.

"If all Vanir were banned from Asgard, would you try to find a way to see that Hogun stayed?"

The blonde slowly nodded again.

Loki nodded, satisfied. "And that, Thor, is why these two are here now."

Noir looked curiously at Loki. From what she could tell, Hogun was a close friend of Thor's… and she was being compared to this Hogun through a metaphor. Which meant that Loki thought of her as a close friend as well.

Thor frowned, trying to process this information. He glanced between Loki and the neko girls. "So… you are trying to keep these two from leaving Asgard, because they are your friends?"

Loki hesitated for a moment, glancing at Noir and Marron. He bit the inside of his lip and slowly nodded. "Yes."

"And they are not part of the rebellion? They mean no harm to Asgard or the Aesir?" Thor pressed.

Loki nodded seriously.

Thor glanced between his brother and the girls. There was a long moment of tense silence. Then Thor grinned slyly. "…And so you brought two girls to your chambers? Scandalous, Loki. You'd be far better off finding a hidden room or secret passage to hide them in."

The girls bit their lips to keep from giggling, feeling a tenseness release from them. Loki, however, blushed and grimaced.

"I was going to find a suitable room or passage," Loki muttered defensively. "I was in the library getting some maps and building plans when I heard Marron scream."

Thor's eyes flicked back to the girls. "Which reminds me… we have not been properly introduced. Any friend of Loki's is a… well, I don't know. Loki has never had friends before," he grinned. "But I suppose that means we should be on good terms from now on, yes?"

Noir and Marron glanced at each other. Marron still looked dubious about Thor, but Noir merely shrugged. "Come on," she murmured, standing up.

She took a step towards Thor, who also stood.

"I am honored to meet you, Lady…?" Thor waited for Noir to introduce herself.

"I am Chatte Noir Etoile," Noir dipped into a bow, spreading her black cloak. "But you may call me Noir."

Thor gave her a winning smile and held out his hand for hers. Noir automatically gave it, and Thor slipped off her fingerless glove and pressed his lips to her knuckles. Noir glanced to Loki. The dark prince appeared to be keeping himself in check with some difficulty… honestly, the scene before him made him want to sock his older brother in the jaw for being so charming around Noir. He was relieved when Thor released her hand and turned his gaze on Marron.

Noir sidled a little closer to Loki when Thor let her go, and she gave the younger prince an odd look. Something along the lines of a so-that's-your-brother-huh? expression. Loki rolled his eyes and shrugged in response.

Marron, still rather shaken, remained on the couch, looking mistrustfully at the blonde man. She didn't really want to get up and greet him like Noir had. She wasn't as bold as that. When Prince Thor turned his gaze on her, looking expectant, she felt herself slouch a little, trying to make herself smaller, as if maybe she could shrink into a speck of dust and avoid introductions with the golden prince of Asgard.

Thor felt sheepish, looking at the girl he had so terribly frightened a few minutes ago. She still looked rather apprehensive. His winning smile transformed into a grimace. "I apologize for giving you such a fright," he bowed slightly, trying to make amends.

She stayed silent, anxiously looking at him. She recalled the time three weeks ago when Noir and she had first laid eyes on the princes. Marron had observed that Thor was rather good-looking. Studying his face now, she noted that he was really stunningly handsome.

With a sigh, Thor knelt next to Marron and took her hand in his. "My lady, I beg your forgiveness," he said earnestly, looking into her amber eyes.

Marron felt her cheeks get hot, and she glanced away from his pleading blue eyes. "I…" she cleared her throat awkwardly. "Erm… You're forgiven," she said weakly.

Thor smiled in relief. "Good. Then may I have the honor of knowing your name?"

Marron glanced to meet his eyes again. "I am Chatte Marron Arable," she said in a small voice. "People call me Marron."

"It is a privilege to make your acquaintance, Chatte Marron Arable," Thor said softly, removing the glove from the hand he held and planting a soft kiss on her knuckles.

Loki and Noir, who had been watching silently during the whole exchange, looked at each other incredulously. Noir raised her eyebrows questioningly. Loki shook his head, bewildered.

Loki awkwardly cleared his throat, interrupting the long look Marron and Thor were sharing. "So, brother… you won't be telling father about this, right?"

Thor stood and shook his head. "You can trust me to keep your friends a secret."

Loki and Noir let out relieved breaths. Marron, however, seemed to be trying to catch her own.

"Good. Well, then," Loki looked carefully at Thor. "What were you doing in here? You said you were waiting for me."

Thor looked a little awkward. "Well, Loki, after you… put me to sleep earlier, I woke up and felt understandably angry and confused. I came to wait in your room for you to get back so that I could find out what it was that required your taking such drastic measures. But I think I have now found your chivalrous deed." He glanced meaningfully at the two girls.

Noir raised her eyebrows at Loki. "Chivalrous deed?"

Loki rolled his eyes, trying to brush it off. Honestly, having both Noir and Thor in the same room made him feel very awkward. He was used to acting a certain way around Thor. Acting that way in front of Noir would make her look at him differently; but acting the way he normally did around noir in front of Thor was sure to draw odd looks and awkward questions from his brother. So he merely shrugged. "So what you're saying is, Thor, you were waiting to ambush me with an interrogation?"

Thor frowned a moment. Then he nodded, smiling slightly. "Correct."

Loki sighed. "Well, now you know. So… out." He jerked his head towards the door to his chambers.

Thor sighed. "What, and leave you all alone in your chambers with two ladies? Quite the impropriety, Loki."

"Scandalous," Noir said under her breath, feigning disgusted shock.

Loki turned red. "Would you please stop with the jokes about it being scandalous?!" he asked exasperatedly, not daring to look at Noir and Marron, though he could clearly hear them snickering and giggling.

Thor smiled and shook his head. "Very well, Loki. But… what exactly do you plan on doing? You can't honestly expect that they won't be discovered if you leave them in here all the time."

"Your Majesty?" Noir interrupted.

"Yes?" Thor and Loki asked at the same time, glancing towards her.

Noir bit the inside of her cheek. "Ahem. Prince Thor," she gave Loki a pointed look. "Prince Thor, we are right here. You don't have to keep calling Marron and I 'them.'"

"Not very fun, is it?" Loki muttered. "Being talked about like you're not there…"

Noir stuck her tongue out at him very obviously.

Thor smiled slightly, looking between this neko girl and his little brother. They had a playful, affectionate chemistry between them. Thor decided he liked the girl. She made a strange gleam appear in Loki's eyes that Thor had not seen before, but that he would like to see more often. If only she wasn't a neko. He glanced to the other one, Marron, who watched Noir and Loki with her own slight smile as well, evidently also approving.

"My apologies for talking about you as if you were not present," Thor nodded to both ladies. "But… you cannot merely stay here. You will need a more secret place to reside until… how long are you staying?" he questioned.

Loki elbowed his brother in the ribs. "You're being rude, you oaf. They'll stay as long as need be. Until the rebellion gets sorted out, and the tensions relax a bit."

"Who knows how long that will take?" Thor muttered. "You'll need a place that's little-used and well-hidden. But it can't lead to outside the palace, either. Any passages that lead out of the palace will be sure to be blocked for fear of invasion of the…" he paused and his eyes flicked to the neko girls. "Rebels," he finished carefully.

Marron pursed her lips. "We're not part of the rebellion, Prince Thor. We won't be bringing in traitors from outside the palace."

Thor nodded curtly. "Of course, Lady Marron. I meant no disrespect."

"It's just Marron," the brown-haired young woman mumbled embarrassedly, scratching the back of her neck.

"Well, Thor, have you any ideas of places to hide my little bandit and her friend?" Loki prompted.

Noir quirked an eyebrow. His little bandit and her friend? Did Prince Loki think of her as his little bandit? She wasn't quite sure what she thought of that idea. Slightly flattering, slightly demeaning, slightly… endearing. She decided not to comment on it now, but she threw a questioning look to Marron. The brown neko's lips lifted slightly at the corners, and she gave a tiny shrug. The two girls returned their attention to the boys.

Thor was rubbing his chin. "Well… I don't know… A suitable hiding place? There are plenty of guest chambers, but the servants sometimes go in, so that's out of the question. Maybe one of the palace's safe rooms? Not one in anyone's chambers, but one that's out of the way in case of emergencies. There's one not very far from here, and no one goes in because of the protection spells placed on such rooms… What do you think, Loki?"

Loki was frowning, thinking about the suggestion. "Perhaps… it could work… The room would be stocked with blankets and spare food in case we were not able to bring some…" He glanced at noir and Marron. "Your thoughts?"

Noir and Marron blinked. "Erm… Prince Loki, we don't know," Noir smiled slightly. "This is your plan, yes? I don't know what such a safe room is like, so I couldn't tell you if I would find it suitable."

Marron nodded in agreement.

"We could show you," Thor and Loki said at the same time, then glanced awkwardly at each other, disturbed by the sudden synchronization. A moment of awkward throat-clearing and scuffing of boots.

"Alright… then take us," Noir smiled. "Please? I think I'd like to see where we're going to stay before we're left there."

Marron stood and went to Noir's side. "I agree. If you show us, then we'll tell you if we find it suitable. If not, we can put our heads together and find another place."

With a nod, Loki said. "As you wish, then… I'll have to cast another illusion on you. We can't have you walking around the palace as nekos." He threw a pointed look to Thor. "Who knows who will see?"

"Servants again?" Marron asked with a sigh.

"What?!" Thor exclaimed. "Of all the illusions you could do, Loki, and you make your own friends into servants?"

"Well, I can't turn them into guards, Thor," Loki scoffed. "The only logical option is servant. It gives them an excuse to be following me around."

"Why not turn them into ladies of the court?" Thor suggested. "That would be far better. Give them lovely gowns, too!"

"When did this turn into dress up?" Loki asked, disgruntled.

"—and make Lady Noir wear something silver to match her eyes, and Lady Marron wear something golden to accentuate the pretty golden highlights in her hair and eyes, and make Lady Noir have—"

"Thor!" Loki interrupted his brother's excited rambling. "Gods, you're trying to take advantage of my magic now, aren't you?"

But a quick glance at the girls told him that they liked that prospect far better as well.

"Personally, being a lady of the court sounds like more fun than being a servant," Noir smirked. "Or do you not like the idea of having me as an equal, Prince Loki?" she teased lightly.

Indignant, Loki furrowed his brow and concentrated. Immediately, Noir's ears and tail disappeared, and she was garbed in a flowy gown of silver and green that hugged her slender body. Her black hair was suddenly in soft curls that framed her face. And her eyes were no longer slit-pupiled.

Surprised, Noir looked down at herself. "Well, this is certainly a step up from the simple white dresses…" she ran a hand down the silky bodice of her gown. "Yes, I suppose this shall doo," she said in an imperious voice, arching her eyebrows disdainfully and making herself stand up straighter.

Loki couldn't help but smile. His little bandit was a funny creature. He glanced to Marron, and her tail and ears disappeared, and her tunic and cloak were replaced with a silky dress of amber and gold. "There," he said briskly. "Now let's go."

He turned on his heels before Thor interrupted him. "Brother, you really are being rather rude. Noir and Marron are now ladies of the court. What would people say if they saw two ladies following the princes around? Surely you must offer your arm to them?"

Loki gritted his teeth and turned. "Very well." He approached Noir boldly and held out his elbow. "My lady?" he raised an eyebrow, his words positively dripping with irony. "Do me the honors of walking with me?"

Noir laughed a little. Loki's sarcasm told her he was only doing this because Thor was making him, but the playful look in his eyes seemed genuine. Blushing slightly, Noir laced her arm through his.

Loki threw Thor a pointed look and flicked his eyes towards Marron. He raised his eyebrows. Thor smiled and turned to Marron, bowing.

"My good lady, please grant me the privilege of walking with you," he implored, offering his own elbow. Marron, blushing even deeper than Noir, mumbled something about not a lady and took his arm.

And then they finally left the room: two regal-looking couples proceeding through the halls.

"So where exactly is… our destination?" Noir asked Loki, glancing at him.

"I believe it is only a few halls and turns from my chambers," he shrugged, glancing back to Marron and Thor, who were awfully quiet. He saw that they were merely exchanging unsure smiles. He shook his head at his brother. "In any case," he returned his gaze to the aesthetically-Aesir Noir. "it should be safe there."

"I gathered as much, what with it being called a safe room," Noir smiled knowingly.

Loki scoffed. "You know what I mean. No one goes in unless there's a crisis, and it's stocked with provisions. Not to mention it being within reasonable distance from my chambers."

"And Thor? He really doesn't mind being dragged into this?"

Loki considered. "He's a witless oaf. But he's given his word, so I think we can trust him. He has a thing about nobility and keeping word and all that… Hence my being coerced into offering my arm."

Noir raised her eyebrows. "Ah. About that." She glanced down at her flowing silver and green dress. "Any particular reason you put me in green?"

Loki smirked slyly. "No."

"Why do I find that hard to believe?"

"Very well… Thor suggested silver to go with your gray eyes. Silver and green go well together. That enough reason?"

Noir looked unconvinced, but she shrugged. "Very well."

Loki halted as they reached a simple-looking pair of wooden double doors. "And… here."

Noir and Marron let go of the prince's arms and gave them questioning looks.

Loki approached the doors and rested his hand on the handle, pulling it open and stepping back for the girls to enter first. They threw him small smiles and entered, followed by Thor and finally Loki. The room was pitch-black, but Thor promptly lit a small lamp to the left of the door. Blinking to adjust their eyes to the light, the girls looked around.

It was a relatively small room, but it was still bigger than their previous hideout. There were four bunk beds and two fully-stocked shelves. It was obviously not made for comfort, as the floor was stone and had no carpet, but there were warm blankets and plush pillows on the bed.

"You say this is a room kept in the case of emergencies?" Noir asked.

"Yes," Thor answered. "In case of bombardment on the castle, there are safe rooms spaced around the palace to provide a bunker for any of the residents who need shelter. This one is obviously stocked for up to eight people. There are spare blankets, plenty of nonperishable food, and lamps. Does it suit you?"

"It doesn't seem very well protected," Marron observed. "you merely opened the door like it was any old room. How can we be sure that no one will come in?"

"There is a spell on the door handle," Loki explained. "Only certain people can open the door… the royal family, of course, head of cleaning staff and such, and a select few others, none of which should be coming in."

Noir and Marron glanced at each other. They both shrugged. "I think it's suitable," Marron announced.

"I agree," noir nodded.

"Good. Well, then… I suppose I'll come to check on you often, and I'll bring you better food than what they have stocked in here… things from the royal dining table," he smirked.

"When you say 'often'…? Noir said slowly, not bothering to finish her sentence.

"At least twice a day," Loki reassured her, resisting the urge to step closer to her as he said it.

"Perhaps I shall come and visit, too," Thor smiled brightly.

"Oh, joy," Noir said sarcastically under her breath, and Loki made a sound that might have been a cough… or perhaps a snort of laughter. It was hard to tell.

Thor sighed, giving his brother and Noir a slightly bitter look. Noir merely gave him a charming smile.

"Ah, almost forgot," Loki muttered.

"Forgot what?" Marron and noir asked in unison. But they understood when they glanced at each other. Their fancy gowns were gone, and their ears and tails had reappeared. "Aww," Noir muttered. "That was a pretty dress."

"It's distracting to talk to you when you're dressed up all fancy like that," Loki muttered, not bothering to mention that he couldn't take his eyes off of Noir.

Noir smirked slyly and sidestepped a little closer to Loki. "I can't help it, Loki. Sometimes I have a distracting effect."

Loki laughed a little, shaking his head but feeling a little tightness in his chest.

Thor raised his eyebrows at Noir and Loki before glancing to Marron again and addressing the neko girls. "Well, then… shall you be alright here?" he asked.

"I think we shall be alright. Are you two leaving already?" Marron asked plaintively.

"People will start wondering where we are if we stay in here all the time," Loki reasoned. "So… perhaps we shall see you later tonight." Loki threw a look to his older brother. "At least, you'll see me later. Thor will be so busy preening in the mirror, chances are he'll forget."

Thor, looking affronted, opened his mouth to protest, but Loki cut him off.

"Let's go, Thor," he smirked as Noir stifled giggles. He threw her a quick smile before turning and patting Thor on the shoulder. He opened the door and waited for his brother.

Thor threw a wry smile to the girls. "I shall see you later, Lady Noir and lady Marron. It was a pleasure to meet you, and I'm sorry I gave you a fright, Lady Marron."

Marron blushed and muttered something about it was fine and to stop calling her a lady.

Thor smiled and left with Loki, the door swinging shut behind the princes.

Marron and Noir's eyes met.

"Well then," Noir smirked. "King Odin and Queen Frigga know how to raise 'em right, huh?"

Loki and Thor walked in silence down the halls for a few moments. But Loki knew it was coming. And it didn't take long.

"So you have neko friends, Loki?" Thor asked a little too breezily.

Loki sighed. "Yes. Just the two."

"Only two female friends? Loki, that's—"

"I swear on Yggdrasil, Thor, if you say it's scandalous one more time, then I am pushing you into a bilgesnipe den," Loki interrupted, already feeling a blush creep up his face.

Thor raised an eyebrow. "Very well. It's… slanderous."

Suddenly Loki punched Thor on the arm, and Thor returned with a quick shove and then dashed down the hall. Loki gave chase and managed to give Thor a strong push that sent him to the marble floor. Laughing, Loki helped Thor to his feet, but gave him a very reluctant smile. Thor laughed heartily and slapped his younger brother on the shoulder.

"Ah, Loki, I was only jesting… I like them, actually. Especially your Lady Noir."

"She's not my Lady Noir," Loki said quickly.

"So she is not your lady, but is your little bandit?" Thor raised an eyebrow.

Loki had no response to that.

Thor smiled triumphantly. "Whatever you say, Loki. But do you think they shall be safe?"

"I hope so," Loki let out a long breath. "I can't stand the idea of her getting banished from Asgard."

"Her meaning Noir?"

"What?"

"You said 'her'. Singular. You were only thinking of Noir, weren't you?"

Loki gave Thor a mutinous look. "Shut up. She's just… a funny little creature. Far more clever than you. She provides good conversation, and that is something I admire in a friend."

"Only a friend?" Thor asked dubiously.

"Yes," Loki said bitingly.

Thor looked unconvinced. "Right…"

They walked on in silence for a few moments until they made it to the dining hall and seated themselves at a table. Thor was quickly approached by Volstagg, who began talking with the blonde prince about this and that… until a guard approached the table.

"Prince Loki, Prince Thor," he said seriously.

Both princes looked at the guard expectantly. And paled at his next words.

"Heimdall requests your presence."

Note from LoquaciousQuibbler: Reh heh heh. And here we go again with a somewhat cliffhanger… At least we discovered what made Marron scream. Darn Thor, waiting to give Loki a good thrashing. ;)

The reviewers who guessed what it was are as follows: LadyTheWarrior, Kieira, and MidnightShadow101. Congratulations to you all, and kudos for reviewing! :D

Sorry, by the way, but the "Scandalous" running gag was something I just found funny. So I had to keep bringing it back. And I just like Thor and Loki being bros. it's cute, and really kinda bittersweet cuz we know what happens in a few years from the time this story happens… But anyways.

Now we've got Heimdall requesting the princes' presences. Get your Silvertongue on, Silvertongue! Cuz it's probably gonna take some smooth talking to get out of this one… God, Loki, you really didn't think through this plan very well, huh? And in case you're wondering why Loki didn't shield himself and the girls from Heimdall's gaze, I would guess he doesn't know how to do that yet… He's younger than he was in Thor, when he was able to do that. But anywho…

To Isa: You asked if I've been thinking about Noir and Loki's first kiss… Yes, I have, some. I've got a rough idea of when and how that will happen. We've still honestly got a little while to go before that happens, just so ya know. Hold on for a bumpy ride. ;)

Now, thank you all for the continued support on this story. It is the most response I have ever gotten for a story, and that's plenty motivation for me. Nearly 50 reviews, and we've now reached Chapter 10 with 20 favorites and 28 followers. You guys are great, because even though it's not a great amount of favorite and follows, you guys give tons of feedback. Thank you all, and everyone who reviews is still winning a green handkerchief whenever they review!

Please favorite, follow, and review, and PMing is welcome! ;)