Bewitchery

"I pronounce this ball commenced," Odin's voice boomed out, and music began playing.

The room was immediately abuzz with conversations, happy and excited.

Noir and Marron remained at the back of the room, a little unsure. Around the ballroom, they could see some people flocking to the center of the room to dance inn pairs. Others were drifting over to the tables set up on one side of the room, laden with plates of food and tankards and goblets of drink. They could not, however, see either of the princes, who were the only people here that they would know. The girls exchanged nervous glances.

They were suddenly approached by a woman with dark hair and eyes, dressed in a tunic and breeches. "Hello there," she greeted them with a quick smile. "I'm Lady Sif. I couldn't help but notice you looked a bit nervous. Is this your first ball?"

Noir and Marron glanced at each other and nodded.

"Ah… yes, this is our first," Noir said with a quick smile. "I am Lady Noir Voleusesdaughter."

"And I am Lady Marron Arablesdaughter," Marron said softly, awkwardly tugging on a strand of her brown hair as she caught onto what Noir was doing… turning their neko names into Asgardian ones.

"It's an honor to meet you," Sif dipped her head in a nod. "It's not too hard to fit in here… just dance with someone if they ask, and don't spill anything on yourself. It's nothing special…"

"If it's not too bold to ask," Marron piped up. "Why do you not wear a gown?" She was beginning to wonder why Loki had made the nekos wear gowns when they would have been more comfortable in a tunic and pants.

"Oh, because I am a warrior," Sif said proudly.

Noir and Marron's eyes widened. "Truly?" Noir asked interestedly. "I did not know there were any female warriors."

Sif frowned a little. "It was a great controversy… I am surprised you have not heard of it. I was actually quite the subject of gossip among the courtiers for a while…"

Noir and Marron felt panic spark through them.

"We… don't… usually… listen to rumors and gossip," Marron said lamely. "Er… congratulations on succeeding in getting your title."

Sif nodded and smiled, brushing off their ignorance. "It was really quite an accomplishment, not that I try to boast too often," she added. "But I have found my place in a small group of warriors who accept me… the Warriors Three have accepted me into their circle. We spend a great deal of time with Prince Thor, as friends. Would you like me to introduce you?"

The girls exchanged awkward looks, unsure.

"Sif, I'm sure you've bored them long enough with your bragging of being a warrior," a smooth voice said.

Everyone jumped slightly and looked around to see Loki standing a few feet away.

"No one wants to meet the Warriors Three and Thor, anyway. All a bunch of oafs," he dismissed.

Sif's face hardened. "I doubt your father would approve of hearing you say such things."

"Father does not care what I say," Loki scoffed.

"That is because everything you say is cold, bitter, and either sarcastic or a blunt lie," Sif said venomously. She glanced at Noir and Marron. "I wouldn't heed anything Prince Loki says… he's a trickster and mischief-maker… second in line for the throne. Forgive me, but I do not particularly enjoy his company." She gave the girls a bitter smile, then gave Loki a curt nod and walked away briskly.

Loki's eyes, glittering with irritation, followed the woman through the crowd until she disappeared. Then he looked back at the nekos in disguise. "Apologies. She's never liked me…" he paused. "Actually, there are not many people who do. But enough about that." He forced a smile and shrugged. "The dresses fit well, I see."

Noir felt heat rising to her cheeks at the thinly veiled compliment from Loki, while Marron just smiled modestly.

"The shoes are a little big," Noir commented offhandedly. Indeed, the shoes that Loki had left in the chamber with the dresses were simple black flats for both girls, but they were a bit loose around the heels.

Loki quirked an eyebrow. "…Oh, well?" he suggested with a smirk.

All three of them laughed quietly.

"Come on. We can get something to eat and drink," Loki beckoned them towards the tables on the edge of the huge room.

The girls followed, and soon Loki was explaining a number of dishes to Noir and Marron, who looked at him with wide eyes as he listed off veal, lamb, beef, venison, chicken, pork, and fish meals, along with exotic fruits and vegetables. The prince then took it upon himself to carry the girls' heavy plates to a small empty table tucked away in the corner.

He then seated himself across from Noir and smiled mischievously.

"Having fun yet?" he asked.

Noir and Marron both smiled slightly, looking from their plates of food to the laughing partygoers, to the dance floor and the multitudes of couples there.

"It's… loud," Marron admitted with a chuckle. "Butt… it's… nice to see all these people just… enjoying themselves." She gestured vaguely around.

Loki shook his head ruefully. "Personally, I hate these things… all the people, the noise, not a moment's rest. I find balls tedious and tiresome."

Yet somehow, Loki didn't look at all like he was finding the evening so far tedious or tiresome. He looked, to Noir and Marron, actually rather happy.

Frigga peered from the head of the room around the ballroom, trying to find her younger son among the throng. Inn all the balls he had been forced to attend, he always sulked in a corner, alone, or else disappeared entirely. She was starting to fear that he had done the latter; she could not spot him anywhere. Then her eyes rested on a table off at the edge of the room. A smile lifted the corners of her lips.

She could see Loki, smiling as she had never seen him smile before, sitting across from two young ladies, one wearing green and black, and the other wearing red and gold. All three looked like they were rather enjoying themselves, though the girls looked a little wary of their surroundings. The queen wondered if she should go and coax Loki into introducing her to his friends… and she wondered which was the young woman he was falling for… for it must be one of those two ladies. She decided it must be the one dressed in green. That was rather fitting. She couldn't see the group quite clearly from her vantage point, but she could see their happiness.

At the table, the girls and Loki had started debating on whether or not balls like these would become tiresome or not. Loki was insisting that it became a mere irksome formality after a few too many times, while the girls were trying to convince him that if he tried to enjoy himself, then he would.

"Really, Loki," Noir said earnestly. "Just look around. There's plenty of people and things to enjoy." She smiled. "If you just tried to… then you'd like it."

Loki let a slow smile creep across his face. The sudden smirk put Noir on edge. "You want me to try and enjoy myself at this ball, Lady Noir?" he asked slyly.

Noir didn't answer, giving the prince a rather mistrustful look. Loki merely smiled and stood from his chair. He came around the table and bowed to her.

"Lady Noir, would you do me the honor of giving me your hand in the next dance?" he asked with a roguish smile.

Noir stared at him, mouth slightly open. "Er… yes…?"

Loki chuckled. "The proper response for a lady to give is, 'yes, my lord, it would be an honor…' or, in my case, I suppose you would say, 'yes, Your Majesty, it would be an honor.'" He revised.

Noir smiled. "I thought I wasn't supposed to call you Your Majesty?"

Loki's smile disappeared, and he just gave Noir a meaningful look. "In that case… you would say, 'yes, Loki, it would be an honor.'"

Noir felt herself blush, and she glanced away from his earnest blue eyes.

"So, Lady Noir, would you grant the privilege of giving me your hand in the next dance?" he asked softly.

"Yes, Loki, it would be an honor," Noir murmured, barely glancing up to meet his gaze again.

There was something like happiness in his eyes, but there was something more than that as well. Noir couldn't name it, but she didn't have time to ponder it long, because the last quavering notes of the song currently playing faded out, and a new song began to play.

Loki smiled faintly and held out his hand for Noir to take.

"Wait," Noir said suddenly. "My shoes… they're loose. I can't dance in them," she objected.

"Then go barefoot," Loki said simply. He smiled at her dubious expression. "I promise I won't step on your toes," he added teasingly.

Noir smiled wryly and slipped her feet out of the flats, wrinkling her nose as her bare feet made contact with the cold, glassy marble floor.

Hesitantly, she slipped her hand into his, and he pulled her to her feet and led her to the dance floor.

Frigga looked on as Loki and the young woman in green and black made their way to the center of the room, joining the queue of couples. The mother pinched her lips together to keep from grinning broadly. Indeed, she had been right. Loki's secret lady must be this young lady in green and black. She glanced to her husband, who was deep in conversation with a nobleman, discussing the state of the noble's plantation: apparently, a number of nekos had recently escaped. Frigga had no qualms about clearing her throat and interrupting the conversation.

Odin looked up and smiled at his wife. "Yes?"

Frigga sent the noble a smile and a nod as dismissal. The man dipped his head to the queen and said a quick farewell to the king before taking his leave and rejoining the ball. "Odin, do you recall the agreement we made last night?" she asked quietly.

Odin frowned and nodded slowly. "About Loki, you mean?"

Frigga nodded.

"Yes, I recall," he said slowly.

"Do you know where your younger son is at this very moment?" Frigga pressed.

Odin shook his head and scanned the room.

"My king, he is at this moment, dancing with a young lady," she said quietly, raising her eyebrow meaningfully.

Odin raised his eyebrows. "Indeed…? Well, then… I shall seek him out when the dance is over, shall I?"

The queen beamed and nodded.

Quick Note from LoquaciousQuibbler: If you are the kind of person who would like to listen to music during this scene, then I have a song for you to listen to… Look up "With or Without You" performed by 2 Cellos. It is what I pictured in the background of this scene. Read on.

Noir felt like she was shaking so badly she might fall over in the middle of the dance. Loki led her to the middle of the dance floor and then faced her, one of her hands in his and the other resting lightly on her waist. Hesitantly, Noir put her hand on his shoulder. Loki smiled.

"Do you know how to dance?" he asked gently in a quiet voice.

Noir shrugged. "I have a general idea," she admitted. "Not exactly…"

"Just follow my lead," he whispered as the music started up.

The slow orchestral music filled the room, sweeping the couples on the dance floor along like leaves in a slow river.

Loki was surprised that Noir was able to keep up rather well with the dancing, even if she hadn't been properly instructed. Yet at the same time, this was incredibly awkward. Loki wasn't sure where he was supposed to look… Was he supposed to just keep looking at her? Or was that staring? But it seemed rude to look elsewhere… it would seem like he was ignoring her, or that he'd rather be doing something else. He settled for just meeting her eyes and keeping his focus there. After a few moments, he felt like that seemed the right thing to do… even if it wasn't, he couldn't very well look away. Noir had bewitched him, and he was unable to look away.

Noir allowed herself to be silently led by Loki in their dance. She simply followed, careful of her bare feet. Loki did not once step on her toes, as he had promised. Noir found herself looking into his eyes as they danced in silence, the music swelling, rising and falling in a beautiful cadence in the background. As the music started to rise into a crescendo, Loki's hand slipped from her waist to the small of her back, drawing her even closer to him.

Noir felt her skin starting to tingle; they were separated by mere inches. They were nearly pressed together. She had to remind herself to inhale and exhale to keep herself conscious.

"Noir," Loki whispered, hardly aware that he had even let her name slip out.

She blinked. "…What?"

"I'm glad you came," he whispered, squeezing her hand gently.

Noir laughed a little embarrassedly. "Me, too," she agreed.

Loki took this opportunity to release his arm around her waist and twirl her before bringing her close to him again. Noir giggled softly, grateful that nekos were agile and didn't easily get dizzy, and even more grateful for the mellifluous sound of the cellos that seemed to envelop her and the prince in their own little world, and she was grateful for the soft smile Loki was giving her, and for the feeling of his hand resting gently against the small of her back, and the way his hand tightened slightly on hers as he leaned down a little, and the feeling of his breath on her lips, and—

She realized what was happening, and that Loki was about two inches away from her.

But they both froze at the sound of clapping surrounding them, and they realized that the dance was over, the last notes of the song fading from the air. The dancing partners were clapping and then either preparing for the next dance or meandering back to tables.

Loki and Noir quickly released each other, feeling terribly awkward. Noir sighed and flexed her hands absentmindedly. Loki swallowed and mentally berated himself for the millionth time. Why did the stupid song have to end so soon, ruining the moment? Another song was starting up, but another dance wouldn't remedy the situation and bring back the intimacy he had briefly shared with Noir. She was giving him a questioning look now, as if waiting for his direction. Loki glanced around the ballroom. His eyes landed on the king. It appeared that the king was looking right back at him. The thought made Loki's chest tighten with anxiety.

"Come with me," he murmured, touching Noir's hand. Her fingers laced with his, making his heart skip a beat as he led her over to the far side of the room. He took her to where a translucent gossamer curtain separated a small balcony from the main ballroom. He held the curtain aside and gestured for Noir to go ahead.

Throwing him a quizzical look, Noir stepped onto the balcony. Loki threw a furtive glance back to the head of the room. The Allfather's eyes were still on him, much to Loki's displeasure. But he merely followed Noir onto the balcony and allowed the gossamer curtain to fall back into place.

Noir rested her hands on the stone of the balcony railing, trying not to let her hands shake. She still felt jittery from the dance and its abrupt end. But with every passing moment, she felt surer that Loki felt the same way about her as she did for him. She could hear his footsteps behind her as he approached the railing to stand next to her.

Loki leaned back against the stone banister and looked sidelong at Noir, feeling his heart speed up a little. His eyes travelled from her face down to her hands. "You're wearing the handkerchief on your wrist," he observed.

Noir glanced down. "Oh… yes. I didn't have anywhere else to put it, so I just…" She touched the cloth tied around her wrist. "Did you want it back?"

He shook his head. "No… you can have it. What's that, then? The fourth handkerchief I've given you?"

Noir considered. "The one with the gold coins… the one on the sweet roll… the one you used to trace me to the stockades… and this one. Yes, the fourth," she confirmed.

Loki smiled faintly. "What are you going to do with all those handkerchiefs?"

"I was thinking of making a scarf," Noir shrugged and gave him a sheepish smile.

Loki laughed a little. "A scarf of the prince's handkerchiefs?"

She just nodded and smiled. "It'd be a good conversation topic, don't you think? 'Yes, I have a scarf, made entirely of Prince Loki Odinson's handkerchiefs.' That could always break the ice in an awkward situation."

Loki shook his head. "You have four handkerchiefs from Prince Loki Odinson… But I have nothing from Chatte Noir Etoile."

"Voleuse."

"What?"

Noir blushed slightly. "I… changed my last name… to Voleuse."

Loki tilted his head to one side. "Chatte Noir Voleuse?" He seemed to think it over as he said her name slowly. Then he nodded. "I like it… what is its significance?"

Noir glanced away, suddenly feeling slightly embarrassed. "Well… Etoile was the name my mother gave me… it means Star. But… I've changed it to Voleuse. Which means… Thief," she said softly.

Loki blinked in surprise. "You changed your name… to Thief?"

Noir looked up, and saw that he had an odd look on his face… slightly stunned, slightly awed, slightly… touched. He edged a little closer to her and brushed her hand with his.

"Because I always call you little thief?" he asked quietly.

Noir forced a smile and nodded.

Loki chuckled softly. "That takes me calling you 'my little neko thief' to a different level… you are now 'my little neko, Thief.'"

Noir giggled. "When exactly did you start calling me 'your' little neko?"

He paused, looking thoughtful. He turned and looked over the balcony, at the dark night lit only by the half moon and the stars, and the light filtering out of the palace behind them. The moonlight shone off the shining roofs of the near buildings, casting a blue-white gloss on their gold surfaces. "…Shortly after our second meeting, I think," he murmured. "After I saved you from the baker, and we shared our pastry."

Noir shook her head. "It's vaguely insulting to call me 'yours…' I'm not an object to own," she said airily, giving him a tiny smile to let him know she was only joking.

"I know you're not," he whispered. "But… you're still my little neko thief, aren't you?" he turned, forcing her to face him in the process. "Noir… I know it's not right to call you mine… But would it help if I said I'm yours?" he breathed.

For a moment, it seemed as if the whole realm had just stopped… and it had… at least, it had for Noir.

Loki smiled weakly at her shocked expression.

She broke eye contact, trying to comprehend his words… she was his, and he was hers. The implications of such words were… beautiful, in her mind. She stared at the tips of her bare toes, poking out from the hem of her dress…. The dress Loki had given her. "Loki…" she looked up to meet his eyes again. He was giving her a calm but questioning look.

Loki was glad he was so good at lying… it meant he had a good, in Midgardian terms, a pokerface. He was glad that Noir couldn't feel the turmoil within him at this moment. He was… terrified. Terrified of himself, and terrified of her. Petrified at the thought that Noir might say something he didn't want to hear. But as she looked up again, her eyes shining in the moonlight, he felt the terror ebb away a little.

Noir just smiled at him. "Surprisingly… yes, it does help. I'm yours if you're mine," she said softly.

He just smiled and squeezed her hand… perhaps not as gently as usual, but then, his feelings for her no longer seemed as reserved.

"Loki?"

Noir and Loki jumped slightly as the deep voice spoke behind them. Loki immediately let go of her hand, and Noir quickly took a step away from him. They saw that the gossamer curtain had been pulled back slightly, revealing Odin the Allfather.

Inside the ballroom, Marron had been watching as Noir and Loki had traipsed to the dance floor, forgetting the brown neko, lost in each other. Marron didn't mind all that much. She knew she was a bit of a metaphoric third wheel when it came to Loki and Noir. Still, as she sat alone at the table, she felt a little alone.

"Why, Lady Marron, I did not recognize you at first," a female voice said in surprise.

Marron glanced around in surprise. Her eyes landed on the queen, approaching her table. The girl felt a flash of panic. She had nearly forgotten her previous encounter with the queen in the halls… she hadn't remembered that she might be recognized.

"How are you?" the queen asked kindly.

Marron felt like cowering, but she knew she shouldn't. "I… I'm alright," she stammered nervously. "This… is…" she cleared her throat. "This is my first ball… it's all a little new for me," she offered.

Frigga smiled. "May I sit?"

Marron nodded, and the queen took the seat across from her. The blonde woman's eyes travelled to the dance floor. "I'm surprised to see Loki dancing tonight… I haven't seen him dance at a ball in…" she laughed lightly. "Ever."

Marron smiled a little. "He seems like a very secluded person."

Frigga nodded. "He usually is… I couldn't help but notice he was sitting with you just a few minutes ago."

Marron felt like a cornered animal. "Er… yes… he was sitting with me and my friend… the one I mentioned to you before?"

Frigga nodded, her eyes gleaming. "Who is this friend of yours?" Her eyes flicked to the dancing couples, her eyes following the pair in green. Her eyes surveyed the young lady… Black hair and perhaps gray eyes? She was pretty, to be sure, but nothing stunning. But as she watched Loki pull her a little nearer to him, she knew there was something special about her. She returned her gaze to Marron.

She cleared her throat awkwardly. "Her… name… is Noir," she supplied quietly, unable to help but feel like a traitor for some reason… but she felt like the queen would not cause any harm.

She smiled gently. "And they left you all alone?"

Marron shrugged sheepishly. "I don't really mind… They're… a little occupied with each other." She glanced to Loki and Noir again, standing close together, and appearing to almost be in a trance as they looked at each other.

Frigga smiled slightly, following her gaze. She suddenly frowned slightly, cocking her head to one side as she looked at Loki and Noir. "Say… does Lady Noir have powers of sorcery?"

Marron blinked. "Er… not that I'm aware… why do you ask?"

"Because she seems to be surrounded by magic. I can see it… all over her. Especially on her dress and around her head."

Marron swallowed. She knew what was going on. The queen could see that spells had been placed on Noir to hide her cat ears and tail and eyes. "Hmm… I don't know," she said lamely.

Frigga glanced at the girl and looked even more puzzled. "You are also touched by magic, child…"

Marron cleared her throat, unsure of what to say.

Frigga opened her mouth to say something, but paused as she looked up. The song had ended, and Noir and Loki, who appeared a little closer than necessary, seemed to snap out of whatever spell the music had placed on them, quickly drawing apart and looking a little embarrassed. Frigga smiled faintly. She watched as her son and his lady crossed the room to a balcony across the way. She let out a hum of amusement. "I'd say Loki has something planned, if he wants to have Lady Noir alone," she mused.

Marron blushed slightly even as she smiled.

"Marron!" a booming voice said in surprise.

Marron jumped and looked around yet again. Her eyes widened as she saw Thor walking over briskly, a broad grin on his face.

"I did not know you would be attending the ball tonight!" he proclaimed, stopping in front of her and bowing slightly. He paused and noticed his mother. "Hello, Mother," he said hastily.

"I'll leave you two to talk," the queen smiled, taking the hint and leaving her son and the lady alone.

Thor looked back to Marron. "This is Loki's doing, I would guess?" he asked, looking the girl up and down, taking in her dress and lack of ears and tail.

Marron nodded.

Thor frowned. "He made no mention of bringing you and Lady Noir to the ball tonight."

Marron grinned. "I bet he forgot to tell you… He was only thinking of the fact that he and Noir would be able to dance."

Thor's eyes widened. "They're dancing?" He turned and scanned the dance floor.

"No, but they were dancing to the last song," Marron explained. "Then they left the dance floor once the song was over, and went to the balcony," she gestured vaguely towards the place.

Thor followed her gesture and saw the gossamer curtain, hiding the balcony from view. He smirked slyly. "Ah, of course…" he returned his gaze to Marron. "And they left you all alone here?"

Marron just nodded. "I don't mind…" she said faintly.

But Thor was shaking his head. "Incredibly rude of them to leave you to yourself. You should enjoy yourself, too." His eyes flicked between the young woman and the dance floor, which was filling up as a new song started. "Lady Marron," he said with a small smile. "Would you grant me the privilege of having your hand in this dance?"

Marron's eyes widened, and she swallowed. "Yes, Thor… it would be an honor," she stammered.

Thor smiled and took her hand, leading her off.

Frigga shook her head in amazement as she watched from halfway across the ballroom. It seemed both her sons had a lady to be interested in. Her eye was then caught by the form of her husband making his way across the ballroom, heading to the balcony where Lady Noir and Loki had disappeared. She rolled her eyes slightly. Couldn't her husband tell that now was not a good time to interrupt the couple?

"Timing was never his strong suit…" she muttered disapprovingly as she saw him pull the curtain back and step onto the balcony, hidden from her view.

Note from LoquaciousQuibbler: You guys… it just got really cheesy and fluffy up in here. *hearts* I hope you liked it… enjoy it while it lasts… Mwahahaha ;)

Okay, so I didn't bother putting the descriptions of the girls' dresses, cuz no one asked for it *phew*. However, I did suggest a song to listen to for Noir and Loki's dance… You should seriously look it up. It's super pretty… an instrumental of U2's With or Without You performed by 2 Cellos.

Anyways… I hope you guys liked the chapter. I was writing it, just trying not to smile at myself. We had our FrostThief… super cute, yeah? "Would it help if I said I'm yours?" That is…. Just… my favorite line. I did make it up myself, actually… often I'll "borrow" lines from movies… but this is actually original. I was going to use it in another fic… but it didn't happen… so I'll have it in here. Tell me if you guys approve. And then stupid Odin… next chapter, we shall have that encounter… And we also had a little of Thorron, with Thor asking Marron to dance when Loki and Noir forgot all about her.

I feel like there was a ton more stuff I wanted to tell you… but I can't seem to think right now… I may come back and add more stuff to the author's note later. :P

Please favorite, follow, and review.