Annaleise's POV
The more time she had to relax the more questions kept swirling in her mind. Amd the less she could relax. He said someone warned him, who? Was it Betty? How did he get there? What happened when he did? He didn't look like he got out of a fight. He looked flawless as usual. Though for some reason, SO DID SHE!
She looked in the mirror ready to have a black eye or a broken nose. At least a sign of head trauma, but there was nothing. Not a bump, bruise, or even a little blood. She even felt fine, no headache, no signs of a concussion either. In fact she felt incredible, nothing pained her. What happened?! He said it wasn't important, that gave her a feeling to not question anything. She normally wasn't pushy on someone's business because she knew how it felt on the daily. But there is only so much curiosity one woman can take till she just explodes.
She's very confused and slightly concerned. Is he alright, can she trust him?
She felt sincerity coming from him when he said he was worried for her safety. That much she felt she could trust him on. So she wasn't scared for her life, but only someone with that much to hide can raise some concerns. Will she ever truly know him, or forever know him as the Loki she knew now not the Loki from… wherever he was from…
But Loki… it was a familiar name… if she remembered correctly it was a name of a God. Norse mythology, the God of mischief…
He even seemed very suited to the name.
He could just be ashamed of who he was, and wants nothing to do with his past. Though if he says she is his only friend… shouldn't she know why he would be ashamed and support him for wanting to change.
It was a tough dilemma, either pester him on his past and annoy him… possibly push him away… or move on and never know the truth about him.
Her thoughts got interrupted as a loud noise came from the kitchen. She rushed out of her bedroom and looked into the kitchen to find…
"Cleo!"
Cleo knocked over one of the containers containing her favorite cereal. She was laying in the middle of the pile, making sure she knew she was the culprit. It was definitely a sign it was on purpose.
"Is this another one of your hissy fits? Why take it out on the honey nut cheerios? That's just cruel!"
She reached down, picking up the container and placing it on the counter. Then went to grab the broom, as she noticed Loki walking around the corner.
"What happened?"
"Cleo decided to punish me for some reason. Maybe for locking her inside."
"You locked her inside? When?"
"When Jason and his buddies showed up, I locked her in to keep her safe. She's probably mad about it."
"Cats can be vindictive?"
"She can… Why did she decide to take it out on my favorite cereal? Maybe I'll never know."
"Are you telling me this cat was smart enough to punish you in some form?"
"She's a lot smarter than me sometimes."
"Smart enough to spell? Or is this some sort of jest?"
"What?"
She looked down to where Loki was staring, to see Cleo sitting on the ground looking up at her. With the word made of cheerios that spelled…
"What does 'LIAR' mean exactly?"
She quickly swept up the cheerios, and replied.
"It was just a joke, I was just gonna say 'Hey, sorry I lied Cleo was just being a clumsy cat as usual.' Cats can't plan that's totally crazy, I was just trying to freak you out a bit. Just a good ol prank."
"You weren't lying before, I could tell… but now… you're not a very good liar."
"Honestly, I don't know why I did it, I'm just crazy I guess."
She continued to clean up the mess once she finished, she quickly grabbed Cleo and left the kitchen. She hoped her anxiety wasn't too obvious.
Lies on the fly, was never her strong suit.
Loki's POV
What was that about? Not once had she lied to him, but now she was but it wasn't out of spite. It was out of fear… she was afraid of him knowing the truth… but why?
He left the kitchen to watch as she raced into her bedroom. He decided to return to his room as well. Once he did he continued where he left off. Placing boxes that held no purpose next to the door, and the ones with books close to the desk. Boxes with clothes he placed in the large closet on the left side of the room.
He started to wonder again. Was she growing suspicious of him? Is that why she was scared? But it wasn't like a mere feline actually arranged 'cereal' to spell out that word.
"Liar…"
Did she feel he was lying to her? In a way he is pretending to be a mortal instead of actually being a god… Though she probably wouldn't understand or believe him. She was kind, but not kind enough to believe what could be considered a fantasy from a story book…
Little did she know how much larger her world actually was. That her reality is just a small spectrum to a larger extent of the far reaches of the universe.
He wanted her to know the truth, the friend he's ever had. But he could do nothing but lie to her. Though it would be odd that the God of Mischief and Lies actually wanted to be truthful. She was different… she was everything he wished he could be… He wished he was strong like her… with no desire to be weakened by whatever life threw at her. She never lets anyone define who she is. It was truly astounding. Though he couldn't help the feeling she was hiding more than what he originally perceived.
He stopped on a box he was about to pick up till he saw what it contained. It had a picture of the two people he saw before. Which he assumed were her parents. With a young girl that almost looked like Annaleise besides the hair and eyes. They were both brown. He looked through the other photos and they were all the same. He found a book containing photos with dates, that led from the baby to the young girl, then the rest was empty. These pictures looked like her but didn't, they had her goofy smile but that of a child. Some without a full row of teeth, a lot where she was happy. But still brown…
Then they suddenly stop. He figured that wss when her parents died, she seemed too young to be 12 though… flipping through blank pages till he was at the back of the book, just one picture. Another photo that had him stumped. It was the Annaleise he knew now but much younger, with a woman he didn't recognize. She had long red hair, and wore glasses with a white coat. She was smiling brightly. She had her hands placed on Annaleise's shoulders. Who was also very happy….
Though she wasn't in usual clothes, she was in a gown sitting on a chair with wheels. This time with white hair and blue eyes, instead of both brown. What stumped him the most was the words at the bottom of the photo…
'To a successful recovery, and a second chance at life. May your new life be happy, Good luck. Fly high, my dove.
Love,
Jena.'
What did this mean?
A second chance at life?
A successful recovery?
A new life?
Jena?
Was this woman important to Annaleise?
Was she responsible for Annaleise's new life?
Did she save her?
Was she her guardian?
Was she the one that passed away a year ago?
She looked like a person with a high intellect, how could she not escape death to be there for her?
She needed this woman when she had no one else left and she couldn't even keep her promise to be HER Guardian!
All these questions, so little answers. He went through the box more to find nothing else important. He decided to go through the rest to find something else pertaining to these questions. All he found was one last photo with something written on it, at the bottom of a wooden box that started to play music. This time 'Jenavieve Gilbert' was in regular clothing and they were in the house. They looked close like a mother and child. This only brought more questions…
Why did that song sound familiar?
But he was interrupted as the door opened.
"Hey… I brought you some of the stew. I figured you might be-"
She looked at the photo he was holding. Within an instant, she placed down the plate and snatched the photo from his hand. She definitely heard the music, but why did she start to look sad?
"Where did you get this?"
"My apologies, I was curious."
She looked around to see more photos that were laid out beside him. All of the house, the cat, and old photos of her mom and dad before they had her. She walked around him from his spot on the floor. Careful not to step on anything. She searched frantically for the box through all the photos. Followed the music.
She found it and slammed it shut. The music stopped…
Taking it and the photo.
"Curious enough to snoop on my entire life..."
Her voice didn't sound happy.
"I'm sorry if I knew you would not have wanted that I-"
"No it was my fault, I should have cleaned this room myself."
She said as she picked up every photo placing it back in a box and went to leave the room with it.
Her voice was shaky…
"Did I offend you?"
"A little, yeah."
She said turning to face him. She… was definitely crying…
"Why?"
"Well, I would have liked it if you asked first before going through everything!"
She was angry and crying…
"I would have liked it if you wanted to know my life story! You could have asked if I was willing to tell you! Rather than assuming I wouldn't and take it upon yourself to go through it without permission."
"That is a good reason to be upset, I suppose..."
"Yeah it is, if I wanted you to know I would have told you when I was ready! You should have trusted in that. I don't do it to you!"
She was right, she didn't pester him on his life before meeting her. She was patient, and kind to him like they weren't strangers. She was waiting for him to open up, instead of giving her the same luxury. He dug through her life. Impatient on knowing those answers, when she should have been the one to tell him.
He still didn't get the answer to his question though…
Why?
Why was she crying?
He really wanted it to stop…
"You were being a bad friend, Loki."
"I do apologize, I never had a real friend. So I was never taught how one was to be treated. That is on me, I take full responsibility."
She looked at him with an expression unreadable. She placed the box down where she was and walked to him. She then grabbed his hand.
"Loki, I promise, when I am ready I will tell you. All you want to know. But you have to respect that some things must remain a secret. For not just my safety but yours as well."
"Are you saying what you tell me could put you in danger?!"
She was wiping away her tears now, seemingly trying to get more serious.
"Yes… that is why I can only tell you so much. Please Loki, don't snoop around. I don't want any more people to get hurt because of me."
"Any more?!"
"Shit, God damn it, me and my big mouth. Loki, you have to trust me on this. I want what's best for everyone here, so some things just have to stay in the dark."
"But what could possibly be so dangerous just to talk about, you can't possibly be in that much danger."
"I'm sorry Loki, but that's all I can say. Please promise me you will stop this."
"But-"
"Loki, you won't be around long enough to understand. You're leaving, so there is no point in needing to know more than that, right? You will always have a place to stay and a familiar face to come talk to. But please… don't pressure me on this… I have good reasons…okay… just promise..."
She was right, he wasn't staying around long enough that he should care about this. He should drop it unless he intends to stay with her for the remainder of his time on Midgard.
He can't burden her forever. But that only made the questions come back, the thoughts he had after he found the last photo in the music box.
"You're right, I promise."
"Thank you."
She let go of his hand and grabbed the box once more.
"And I promise that as long as you are here you will not be in any danger."
"I highly doubt I have nothing to worry about, it's whoever the enemy is that should worry."
"Always the brave one. I'll keep that in mind."
She was about to walk out, till she hesitated in asking him something.
"By the way… just out of curiosity, what happened after I blacked out. How did you convince Jason and his gang to leave?"
By the Nine! Why did she suddenly feel the need to know that!? Great more secrets and lies…
but that shouldn't bother him…
he's the God of mischief…
"Do you really wish to know?"
"If you don't mind?"
"I simply appealed to his better nature, convincing him to not harm you. For he would pay a hefty price if he did, imprisonment must have not suited him. For he left, with his gang without a word."
"But I was sure I got hit in the head twice."
"You must have had hallucinations, you were unharmed when I found you. It must have been your body making a story after you fainted out of fear."
Her face looked to be dissatisfied with his answer. He said the first thing that came to mind as he usually did with his silver tongue. He felt awful to use it on her, but she did lie before. Maybe it was best to lie to someone who also lied. Though now he knows it was probably related to the danger she spoke of. She was trying to keep him safe… So that didn't make him feel any better about it.
But why does he feel bad for lying?!
It's his default and defense, he never felt bad before.
Suddenly the cat came to mind…
Liar …
"That doesn't sound like Jason, but if that's what you say happened. I have no reason not to believe you. You did come to rescue me, that's more than what I can do to repay you. And I have no evidence to say otherwise considering you were the only one conscious at the time. So.. thanks…"
She nodded and left the room before he could say anything more. She seemed rather disappointed more when she left then when she found him with photos of her. She must have seen right through the lie. That or she really was upset that he was going through her belongings. He hoped it was the second idea.
But then the questions came back and no more answers… he tried his bet to drown them but they just… wouldn't.. go.. away…
Each one made less and less sense, he felt like he was losing his mind.
He then threw himself to stand and tried to focus on cleaning… but it was even worse.
He then kicked a box. He watched as the contents within it scattered to the floor. One thing In particular caught his eyes. A small little box that flashed at him with whatever life it had remaining. It had long lines coming out of it with bulbs at the ends. He picked it up and examined it. The biggest button glowed with an arrow with two lines. He pressed it and the ends started playing faint sounds. He picked up the ends and looked at them with more interest.
What in the Nine…?
Music…?
He brought it closer and closer, till it was in his ear.
And he was flooded with words he heard in his own head once before …
He drowned himself into the music… the voice… was actually very interesting for a man…
He never heard a man sound so pretty.
Annaleise's POV
That made her more confused than she was before. That didn't make any sense, she wasn't scared when it happened. She was only worried for her home. She did what she had to, to swallow any fear she might have had. So fainting was not the answer she was looking for. Not to mention that everything she remembered made what he said about Jason make even less sense. He was lying, either to protect her… or protect himself… Since she didn't have work to worry about she figured the best thing to do was investigate.
She placed the box down in her room looking at the photo on the top, the one with her and Jena.
"I miss you… all of you."
She said looking at the photo of her parents as well.
"I hope that wherever you are, your happy."
She took the photos and kissed them. She laid down on her bed holding them tightly as tears streamed down her cheeks before drifting off to sleep.
Loki's POV
He was finished cleaning as he looked at the ceiling to see the moon and stars above him. The lights were the only thing helping him from being completely in the dark. He wasnt hungry after thinking about everything, so he left left plate where it sat. He didn't know how to comprehend all that had happened in his time on Midgard. In two days he's already made trouble for himself. He murdered two Midgard, and made a friend in the same day.
The first real friend he has ever had and it was a mortal woman.
Someone who cares for his well being simply just because she cares. No matter how mean he could be. How he literally tried to shove her away the moment he met her. And yet, She kept coming back like a consistent pest determined to swarm him. But with love instead of taking whatever it can from him like normal pests…. More like an annoying little wolf pup… wagging it's tail… always happy to see you no matter how many times you tell it to go away…
Now he saw her as a little pup with the white fur and blue eyes, with her quirkiness….
it was too cute to describe…
He grabbed the nearest cushy thing and screamed into it. Flopping onto his back on the bed.
He was so angry, anxious, confused, hurt, worried, upset, terrified…. he… felt light…
and heavy… he felt like he was going mad!
He felt…
Everything!
All these emotions he wouldn't care to feel until now and NOW he feels them all! Why? What's the reason? All it leads back to is….
That Woman…
There was a time that he looked down on mortals, in a way he still did. But for this one mortal woman, he looked up to her, respected her. More than his own brother. She was everything he was and more. She was strong, brave, and courageous, everything that compared to Thor. What she didn't have to compare was her kindness, wisdom, and loyalty. Thor was loyal but he was only to himself, but that changed once he was on Midgard himself. He changed, enough to care for Asgard and his people, but not e6nough to see his brother… as anything more than an enemy. When all he wanted was for Thor to see him as his equal, not his competition as always.
She was incredible for a mortal, he wanted to destroy anything that tried to snuff out her light. She had already lost so much, why make her suffer more by taking what's left of her. And all that was left… was her life… It made him feel terrible, like what he did was just a temper tantrum. He had everything she didn't. A family, a princely title, and anything he could ever desire.
Just to throw it all away because he felt lied to, like he never truly belonged.
That his family and home wasn't his… when it was… they never lost faith in him… till he made it too late to turn back from. Now he was like her with no home or family, because he was foolish and too blind to see the real truth. But it's not nearly the same… his family still lived… at least the ones that cared enough to raise him…
She had no choice, it was taken from her. And he had the gull to feel like he belonged now… He felt more lost than when he was on Asgard… More than he was drifting in the Void….
It was all his fault as to why… and there was nothing to do about it… other than strive to change… strive to be like her… like Annaleise.
Those were his last thoughts as he drifted to sleep. The words of the song echoing into his head as he started to dream…
He woke up to the blinding sun. He covered his face to block it out but it still burned as he adjusted to the light. He sat up, got out of bed, and walked towards the door. He figured it was best to retreat deeper into the house where the sun was blocked by the ceiling. He was starting to see the downside to the skylight even though it was beautiful. It still didn't block out the blinding rays of the sun.
He walked into the kitchen, smelling food, but seeing no sign of Annaleise. He saw a plate on the table covered in a clear shield with a piece of paper on it.
It read,
'Went to town to get more cereal, also to check Cleo in at the vet. I should be back before you need to go to the lumber company.
Enjoy your breakfast, Anna.'
He smiled at her thoughtfulness to make sure she was fed. Though he realized it mustn't have been long because it was still warm. He ate in silence, smiling at its delightful taste, and waiting for Annaleise to return.
Annaleise's POV
She slammed the man in front of her to the wall in the alleyway they were in.
"You better speak up, Jack! I have very little patience to be dealing with you right now."
"I-I-I really don't think I should tell you."
"Why not?!"
She said slamming him again to the wall.
"I-It's not pretty, I-I really don't think you as a lady should know!"
"Did you think that when you followed Jason to beat me to a pulp! Now tell me what I want to know or say goodbye to your right hand!"
She said grabbing it and twisting it to the point just before it would break.
"Ahhhhahhhggg!!!"
"What happened last night!?!"
"O-okay-Okay! I'll tell you just please let go of my hand!"
She let him go completely as she backed up to give him space. He looked at her like a hurt puppy as he finally spoke.
"W-Why you look like you don't have a scratch on you has to be a miracle… because we beat the crap outta you… to the point you should have been dead…"
She was shocked, she honestly had a hard time believing what he was saying… but he was telling the truth he couldn't fake the fear in his eyes.
"We were scared of you, that's why Jason wanted to get rid of you. So you wouldn't humiliate him no more. But honestly you were nothing compared to that guy."
"What guy?"
"That guy that said your name! He came running towards us, with nothing in his hand. Then outta nowhere he had a knife and slit Bobby's throat!"
"W-WHAT?!"
She shouted baffled by the words he just said. That was a big statement. How can that be true… how can that be anything else… it was too specific for it to be a lie.
"YEAH! He pointed the knife at us askin for Jason, we thought since he didn't want us we would high tail it outta there… but we haven't seen Jason since… You really didn't see the body or all that blood?"
"No, there wasn't any sign that anything you just said was true. So either there is more to this than we understand or you're a really good actor."
"I swear I never wanted no part in this. I just wanted to get my share. That man was not a part of the deal."
"Your share?"
"Oh Shit!"
He tried to run, but she stopped him by grabbing his collar and yanked him back.
"What deal!?"
"I-I'll really be dead if I tell you that."
"You can either be dead later or bleed out when I cut off your Johnson right here, right now!"
She said holding a knife she had concealed, right against to his pants. To send the message.
"OKAY! ALRIGHT! I'M SORRY! I'LL TELL YOU! PLEASE DON'T CUT OFF MY JOHNNY!"
"Then start talking!"
"Okay…"
He started to tell her everything he knew, but what she heard next...
Only heightened her fears...