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Midgard
Norway, Oslo, 1995
Tony had come to Norway to make a deal for Stark Industries and after a long series of conferences and
signing up agreements he came back to his hotel.
As usual he winked at the receptionist for she was really a pretty face. To which she smiled profoundly
again and the manager who was her father gave him a glare.
Soon he entered the buffet area to dine. He knew nothing about the native language of the place he
tried to speak a few names of the food dishes but as it was deemed to be he failed miserably.
“So, let me try this again, it’s Crumcake.” The ginger bearded waiter was tired and shook his head like a
fiftieth time.
“It’s Krumkake.”
He turned back and saw a petite woman, looking like she was in her early twenties, wore a green dress.
It looked like a gown- but for winters, it was an odd dress, perhaps a native one.
She looked beautiful regardless.
“You...”
“Lorelei.”
“Lorelei.” He drawled the same way she did.
“Yes.”
He blinked. “Just that.”
“Is it not convincing enough?”
He grinned and shook his head. “It’s very convincing dear, very convincing.”
When they came upon the conclusion that they would like to have dinner together, they took a corner
table and like a gentleman he was, Tony pulled the seat for her and Lorelei muttered a ‘thank you’ in
return.
Lorelei then, explained him the origin stories of the food to him and side by side helping him to spell the
name of each and every dish, even rant a bit about how the taste was bland in comparison to her place.
Where –according to her- the taste was unremarkable to what he was eating here.
“I assure you Mr. Stark, food at my place tastes like Valhalla itself.” she said while poking a piece of fish
meat with her knife. She complained it was overcooked while to Tony it seemed like a good piece of
meat.
“Where is this Valhalla of yours, then?”
Lorelei reached out to put the salad on her plate. “Why, Mr. Stark I tell you already my father would not
agree to give my hand to a man of American origins.”
Tony laughed to that and offered her more salad.
The night was amazing and Tony was glad to meet Lorelei. She appeared to be reserved and very
conservative.
She was royalty, he guessed easily.
“So what else you like?”
Lorelei glanced up at the clear starry night which was so different from the night sky he was used to at
his place. She smiled greatly and so did he.
“Skywalking.”
Tony tilted his head. “Is it something like skydiving, gliding or something?”
She shook her head. “It’s way more than that. It’s way more thrilling and stimulating.”Her eye sparkled
and she spoke with passion.
“So, um-where I can have this thrilling and stimulating ride?”
She grinned at him began to walk down the garden bridge.
“Wait, I know, this is like getting some sort of private invitations, like only very few people- wait, Lo!”
He rushed after her.
She appeared privy about personal life but didn’t seem to mind sharing her beliefs.
“So you’re a royalty running away from responsibilities?” It was midnight and they sat on the park bench
under a tree.
Lorelei gave a little hum “That’s what everybody says.”
“What you say?”
And Loki smirked.
They bid each other farewell and Tony forgot to ask in which room she was staying.
Next day Tony saw her in the morning. She was leaving.
“I’d thought today we would be ranting food of American origins.” He smiled and helped her with bags.
“It is fine Mr. Stark and I apologize but I have to leave.”
“Nah, it’s not that.” He waved his hand and picked up her bag. “Let me help you with these.”
She smiled.
Ooo
“I can’t do much about my aborigines, but do tell your daddy that the man’s a billionaire.” Tony smirked.
“I would be glad to tell my father that the man’s one and only Tony Stark.” she sat in car.
“No, don’t tell him my name.”
“Why?” she raised her brows.
“Because darling, I’m ladies man.”
“You don’t carry much reputation among the fathers.”
“I would pay not to.” He said slyly.
“You walk and talk to your Title Mr. Stark.” She smiled and leaned her hand to touch his face. She kissed
him on cheek and sat in the car.
He gave a smitten smile and closed the door.
When he came back he searched the whole internet but there was no evidence about the existence of the
woman he’d met.
Lorelei.
Ooo
Asgard, reign of Odin
O.E. 11765TH year
“Loki!”
“Loki!”
“Loki, if you will not open-”.
Thor almost stumbled on his feet when the door was pulled inside.
He raised his both brows in suspicion.
“What must take you so long to open the door…” he looked at her from head to toe. “…sister, mine?”
Loki bit her lower lip in hesitation. Thor narrowed his eyes.
“Can’t you see yourself?”
She turned her body to show her back and waved her hand on the lower part.
Thor looked down and saw a patch of red color on her cream yellow gown. “You were painting?”
And that was it-
“It’s blood, Thor. It’s blood. I’m going through my days!” she gritted her teeth.
“Oh, oh! Aye, aye aye! I should leave, then” he shook his hand in the air and stepped back,
embarrassment rising to his neck.
“Please, do.” She sneered and slammed the door shut and changed her dress and jumped on the bed and
takes a deep breath. When she no longer heard Thor’s stomping feet, she sighed happily and rolled on
the soft surface.
“I would go to Midgard again.”
A few hours later.
She was engrossed in studies when there was a knock on the door.
“Who?”
“Sister, I’m your brother Thor.”
Loki rolled her eyes.
Like she wouldn’t recognize his voice. She thought.
She ran a tired hand over her face and got up from the chair. When she opened the door she saw a box
filled with cakes in his one hand and a tray with tea in other.
“Brother...”
“You said you were going through...” he paused. “…so I asked mother about what I can do, so she gave
me theses lemon cakes because they’re your favorite and also your honey tea.” He said hesitantly and
looked over her shoulder and gaze at the books and opened lamp on the desk.
“You’re studying for your mage examination too. Take it and study peacefully.”
Loki shook her head.
“No, I would like to take a short break. Come in, we shall eat and talk about the hunting trip that you had
gone to yesterday.”
He smiled profoundly.
Next year
Midgard
United States, New York, 1996
On December 21st Tony Stark sat on the hood of his 1967 Shelby Cobra. He didn’t know to where he
ended up driving.
As far as he could’ve told the highway was empty and bleak.
Just him and his 1967 Shelby Cobra -also a bottle of booze
The road felt like the same one where his drunken father had drove his car in speed and ended up killing himself and his wife..
Was it a quick death? Had his mother felt any pain of his husband’s idiotic act?
Medical report said otherwise.
He didn’t like reading the report
It was filled with too many flowery words that-
“It didn’t appear to me that you were a wandering peasant Mr. Stark, are you?” a voice came beside his
shoulder.
He frantically looked around to see a woman, he was sure she was just a creation of his mind. He was
hallucinating but he killed it though.
She was Lorelei.
“What you think?” he smirked.
And he closed his eyes and listened to her soothing voice speaking.
“You’re a strong man Anthony Edward Stark, bear the pain which you have in your heart, don’t ignore it,
embrace it and you’ll learn to live with it. Otherwise it will rot your genius mind.”
This time she kissed him on his other cheek.
Next day he woke up in his bed and remembered very little of what had happened yesterday.
Ooo
Asgard, reign of Odin
O.E. 11766TH year
“Thor, I want you go to Vanaheim and help your uncle Freyr and His sons.” Odin was sitting on his study table.
“Is it about that mountain giant’s invasion over the higher parts of Reish, Father?” Loki speculated.
She was standing beside Thor.
Odin gave a low smile. “It appears to me somebody didn’t miss any of the meetings held in Gladsheim
last month.” And then he turned to Thor and gave him his one eye glare. “And I also know somebody
who hadn’t attended a single meeting in the last whole month.”
Thor blushed and stared at his boot. “I apologize, father.” He said lowly.
“I don’t have any need for apologies; I need actions Thor, actions.”
“Then I shall leave to Vanaheim by the night, Father.”
“That is good.” Odin nodded
“You both can go now.”
Thor turned his legs to leave but halted when Loki said. “I’m going with Thor, Am I?”
“No, Loki. You are not going with your brother.” He didn’t bother to look at her.
“But why? I haven’t gone outside of Asgard since five centuries.” She squeaked.
“Your brother is going there to solve a dispute, not to eat cakes and do shopping.”
“Who said I want to go outside of Asgard to eat cakes and do shopping. I myself shall help him to solve
the dispute. I’m learning diplomacy, am I not?”
“You can’t go there, Loki, I don’t approve of it?”
“Why?”
“I don’t want to discuss this matter any further, you’re dismissed.”
Thor holds Loki by her shoulder to console her. She said nothing. Thor bowed to his father and they left.
Ooo
“I just come from Loki’s chamber and she was crying hopelessly.” Frigga closed the door behind her at
night.
“Then she is still a child.” Odin come inside from the balcony and whispered to his ravens for the last
time as they cried and left in rush.
“I think we’d presumed wrong when we celebrated her coming to womanhood last century.” Odin sat on bed.
Frigga sat beside him. “Odin, why you’re not letting her go with Thor?”
“You know the reasons, Frigga.”
She pressed on. “But they’re not the only reasons why you’re not sending her this time.”
Odin yielded. “I trust Freyr with my life but his boys, they, I don’t want my daughter to live under the
same roof with them.”
“Thor will go with her; he’ll protect his little sister.”
“I know Thor will protect her, but he’s still irresponsible I don’t want put Loki’s care in his reckless
hands.”
“Now I know.” A voice came in front of them.
The door was half opened and Loki’s night gown was almost visible through the space.
Frigga said in concerned manner.“Loki what we spoke about not list-”
She cut her off. “I know mother, for that I’m sorry.” She turned to Odin. “But how can I not do it when my
own parents don’t tell me they’re reasons behind their decisions.”
Odin said in caution. “Loki, I still wouldn’t let you go.”
“Okay, father.” She nodded. “Don’t let your daughter go, but…” she closed her eyes and a stroke of
green sedir brushed over her.
“You can let your son go.”
“Shape shifting again.” His father said tired. “Last time you turned into a horse and it was a disaster.”
Loki’s cheeks began to tune hot, he quickly tuned to his mother. “Tell him.” He pleaded.
“Odin, let your daugh-son, go.”
Odin ran a hand over his snow hair. “My both children are my true demise.”
Loki looked at his hand and glancing a wavering look at his father.
“Go” he said at last.
“What?” Loki asked astounded
“Go, but you will keep this form till you come back.” He warned.
Loki smiled and tightly hugged Odin. “Thank you father, may you live long enough to see a hundred
children of Thor.”
“Not yours, huh.” His mother comes to him and cupped his cheek.
“In every form, you look so handsome and sharp.” he hugged her and he nodded at his father. “Good
night, mother, father.” And disappeared in the air.
Odin tuned to Frigga.
“I still haven’t been able to acknowledge my child’s wondrous abilities.-”
Frigga cut him. “Our daughter doesn’t shape shift enough in front of us to get used to it.”
“I was about to say our daughter’s wondrous abilities to get whatever she wants from people.” After a
warming pause he continued. “Where she get trait this from?”
“From you, Odin.” Frigga said plainly.
Ooo
“Heimdall I-” At nightfall Thor was talking to Heimdall when he heard a shouting voice. He turned back
and saw someone approaching and then he saw the face.
“Loki, why you’re here? He asked worriedly. And then he saw Loki more clearly.
“And now you’ve shape sifted, don’t tell me you come in secre-”
“I’ve talked with father.” Loki said hurriedly. “…and mother too. Both of them. Together.” He pants. “They
agreed.”
Thor gleamed and pat a heavy hand behind his little sis-brother’s back. “That’s so wondrous, now you’re
coming with me Loki; we’re going to enjoy so much.”
Loki got startled.
“Yes, Thor, very much.” He said in uneasiness.
Ooo
India, Orissa, 1997
Hope for light foundation
On December 21st Tony Stark had gone to India to attend a charity event.
The foundation mostly dealt with orphan children who either had gotten out of prostitution, drug
trafficking or beggar’s racket.
“ …some of the children here are of those parents who worked in mines of mica and iron ore. One or two
mines collapse every now and then.” The woman who was giving him a brief tour told grimly.
“But you got to feed the stomach so you got to work.”
She gave a dark laugh and went away to attend the other guests.
“She was just five year old when her parents died in a mine collapse. After that she grew up here.”
Another teacher in the orphanage told him.
When he found himself alone in the room he decided to walk and look around the building.
He was 17 when he’d lost his parents but he still got Obi and Jarvis but these children-
They have no one.
“I fear, we meet again. Mr. Stark.”
He looked over his shoulder and froze.
It was not a hallucination, right?
Because Lorelei was just beside him having an expression which was between a smile and a smirk, she
was wearing a silk green and black saree which had golden and red embroidery over it.
“Mr. Stark.” She holds his arm.
He gasped. “Lorelei, you’re really here?”
An amused smile appeared. “Why? Mr. Stark do you again consider me to be a dream?”
Again.
“Wait, so you were there last time-” he paused in stun.
“Yes, I was there, thought it was adorable when you thought I was a projection formed out of your
imagination.”
Ooo
After she left, Tony slept dreaming meeting her again.
Ooo
Asgard, reign of Odin
O.E. 11767TH year
Loki had met many mortals during her travels to Midgard but this time it was different.
She had met this very specific mortal name ‘Tony Stark’ for the third time now.
He was quite popular in Midgard, known for his genius mind and superficial scandals.
And apparently received an unofficial ‘Playboy’ title which he self proclaimed with pride.
She started to ponder upon him as soon as the desire to meet him for a second time came into her mind.
She didn’t look at thing twice which she didn’t found fascinating. Certainly Tony Stark didn’t belong to
that category either.
She didn’t know what was more fascinating to watch in him.
The brilliance of his mind at work or the repulsive person in him who enact like a wild animal in cage
She was in fact more intrigued by this mortal than she’d even been by any aesir or elf she’d ever met.
He being a handsome man was just an additional feature.
And now after meeting him for the third time, she knew it would take a while to get bored with him.
Though she didn’t want to end this soon. She liked it far too much.
“Where are you lost sister?” Thor asked, taking in a large bite of meat.
Loki shook her head. “Nothing can keep me intrigued for a long time.” She began digging into her meal.
Thor chewed. “…okay.” he said confused.
“Thor, take some more boar.” His mother encouraged.
“Yes, mother.” Thor beamed.
After all Tony Stark was just a mortal that would end in front of her while she wouldn’t age a bit.
Next day
“Sister…”
Loki rolled her eyes and ignored that childish whinny sound which was coming outside of her chamber.
“…dear sister of mine…”
Loki concentrated on her book.
“Sist-” She jerked the door open.
“What!”
“I want you come with me for hunting”
“…with your friends.” She added.
“They’re your friends too.”
“No.”
“But Loki please, you haven’t left this room for months.” He placed his hand on her shoulder.
Loki looked down.
“I beg you.” He showed his ‘that’ look which could melt even a Frost giant’s cold dreary heart.
Ooo
Midgard
United States, California, Malibu, 1998
On December 21st Tony was exhausted. Today he’d continually attended four long board meetings
because his personal assistant made a big mistake in scheduling them. He fired her the next moment.
She was the forty second girl he’d fired till now .
Now he would need to conduct another long series of interviews to find a personal assistant for him.
But for today it was enough.
He lounged on his couch and eats pizza.
“Sir, Mr. Rhodes has arrived.”
“Call him in, J.”
The elevator door was opened and James walked inside the living area.
“So you’re lazing around.” He pointed finger at Tony.
“I’m tired.” Tony wined and abruptly chewed. “It’s so hard.”
“Pizza.” James guessed.
“No, being CEO.”
James opened his mouth but then stop he looked around. “Where’s Malinda?” he asked.
“Who?” Tony asked more interest in pizza than the question.
“Malinda, your assistant.” He emphasized.
“My, assistant’s Joanna, no- was. She left, no- I fired her, Malinda was the thirty seventh one.” He replied
casually.
“You fired Malinda too,” he frowned.
“No- I fired Joanna,” he bite. “I fired Malinda a little while ago.”
James dropped himself on side of the couch and took a slice of pizza from the box on the table.
“I don’t know what you’re going to do if you keep doing this.”
“Eating without chewing properly I know, bad habit.” Tony said.
“No, keep firing people you hire.”
Tony waved his hand. “I can hire more; it’s not that I need them.”
“Of course you don’t, but CEO of Stark industries do need people.”
Tony slowly placed the pizza box on the table and looked down.
“I wasn’t ready for this Rhodes.”
“I know, but it’s been three years Tony, you will have to get ready for this.” When Tony didn’t spoke he
continued. “Tony, this is your legacy.”
He bolted and stood upright. “Oh no, don’t you start again will all that legacy shit, just like Obie.”
James followed Tony’s moment. “I’ve told you so many times don’t compare me to your God-”
“Sir, I’m afraid there’s someone outside the balcony.”
They both stilled.
“What? How can someone come inside, why didn’t the security system got activated?” James asked in
confusion
But Tony was quiet. “You’re here, don’t you?” he murmured to himself and smiled.
James looked at him like he’d gone mad.
“She’s outside Jarvis, right? He smiled profoundly.
“Yes, Sir.” Jarvis said and if he had a face it would look grinning.
“Oh yes” he shouted and rushed upstairs.
“Tony wait, What if its bugler- he stopped and collect himself. “Jarvis, it’s not a bugler, right.” He said
more to himself.
“Yes, sir.”
“Then who?”
“I’m afraid; the person’s someone special to Sir.”
Ooo
Asgard, reign of Odin
O.E. 11768TH year
“Thor, will you give this cakes and tea to your sister, she must be hungry by now.” Frigga gave him the
tray while looking at the clock. “She is preparing very hard for her mystic studies.”
“Aye, mother she is,” Thor agreed. “And I’m sure she will become the greatest mage the nine realms had
ever known.”
“Yes, she will.” Frigga said.
When Thor was in front of Loki’s chamber he knocked the door and the door pulled back itself slowly.
The door was not locked. Loki rarely does it.
“Sister…”Thor began slowly while entering inside.
The view he got to see was not what he’d expected.
Loki was sitting on the chaise in front of the fireplace. She was eating something he’d not seen her
eating before.
Loki saw him and she blinked. “Thor, you’re here.” She raised the box which was in her hand. “Come, eat this.”
Thor placed the tray on the desk and sat beside her.
Loki showed him the box. “Take a slice.”
It was odd circled shaped bread like thing which had varieties of cream and vegetables on the top. He
still asked. “What is this?”
“You’ll love it.” she encouraged him.
He took a cut portion of it and a cautious bite. He chewed it. Chewed more.
It tasted bread, cream, like goat milk, a bit like meat, tomatoes, sour.
It was all mixed up but he liked it though. He took another bite.
“It tastes, good.”
“I told you so.”
Then Loki showed him a bottle which had blue water.
“Colored water.” He said confused.
Loki shook her head and put it in a glass and gave it to him.
The water gave a frizzy sound and there were bubbles in it too.
It was soap water for sure.
“It’s soap water.”
“It isn’t”
“Then why there are bubbles in it?” Thor raised his arms to his chest.
“Its carbonated drink, Thor.”
“A what?”
“It has carbon dioxide gas in it. Drink it.” She gave the glass to him.
Thor stared at the glass warily. He smelled it and then looked at Loki and raised his brow.
Loki looked at him in disbelief and guessed. “You’re thinking, I’m trying to poison you.”
Thor still didn’t take his gaze away from her.
Loki huffed. “Rest assured, brother I shall never poison you with soap water, I can never go that low.”
Loki turned her head and look down.
“Sister,” Thor said softly. Feeling bad. He then took the glass and prayed to norns and drinks it.
It tinged in his throat a bit. But it appeared…edible.
After a few more sips Loki spoke. “Like it.” she herself took the bottle and gulped.
“It is a drink.”
“No, it’s a carbonated drink, you’ll not get drunk with it. It doesn’t have alcohol.”
“Oh, then this is good for children.”
Loki snorted.
Ooo
“Sister, are Mother and father aware of your travels to Midgard?” Thor asked after they were lying on the
bed and Loki had her head on his lap and Thor gently massaging her scalp.
“No.”
“They will not like it, especially father”
Loki hummed. “Only if they knew.”
“You’re not going to tell them.”
Loki gets up from his lap and looked straight into his eyes.
“Will you?”
Thor after a moment shook his head.
“Everything is good, then.” She put her head on his lap again.
“Thor, be a good elder brother and massage my head.”
And Thor did without any hesitant.
Ooo
United States, Texas, country house, 1999
On December 21st Tony had to say it.
“I knew you would come.” He walked towards the open balcony. “I’ve started to notice some patterns” he
closed the glass door behind him.
“Oh,” she looked at him deeply interested. “What are they?”
“Like, you know, you always come once a year, in December, and on the same day,” He strode enough to
see her completely, her face shinned in the dim Christmas lightening. “On December 21.st”
After that he remained quiet and looked at her deeply. Her dark hair, which he’d always seen open and
wavy now were curled a bit and had made into a bun.
Her green eyes looked dark. Her lips a little parted looking at him in amuse. The moment looked so
heavy and intoxicating.
This was the right moment. Wasn’t it? He would be just insane to even think about-
Wait.
“Are you a spy?”
“What?”
“It would not really shock me if you are one or even if you’re an assassin trying to kill me.” he clasped his
hands. “I know how the stories goes, you’ll meet me at odd times, odd hours trying to get all that
mysterious with me and make me have this itch to know you and then I will be falling in love with you
and all that drama that despite everything about you being strange like hell, you’ll act like you’re very
naïve little girl and then one day at night you’ll kill me.”
She blinked.
She gave a low laugh.
And she launched into fits of mania.
“I don’t think I did a joke or something.”
She didn’t say anything but kept on laughing. After a moment she controlled herself and said. “Even
though I’m known to have a privy personality at my place, I’m not trying to ‘keep things’ away from you.”
She’d sat on the floor while laughing, so he helped her to get up. “We both entertained each other
whenever we meet and all that we talked about had to do nothing with my origins so I didn’t really
bother to speak about it either.” She said simply and He opened the door for them to go inside.
She grinned.
“We don’t know much about each other. Do we?”
He looked bemused.
“Who doesn’t know about me?”
“I don’t.”
“How this could be?” he emphasized.
“I don’t live here.”
“Yes, but you still live on earth don’t you? Don’t tell me that you’re an alien or something it’ll just make
me believe more that you will kill me one day.”
She shook her head. “Mr. Stark, the world does not revolve around you, know that much and…” she
leaned close. “If I were to kill you, I would have had done it much sooner.”
“Yeah, most of assassin says that.”
She laughed. “Well, if you believe I’m going to kill you then why bring me inside your home.”
“You’ll come anyway.” He shrugged.
A soft smile appeared on her face and Tony began to prepare drinks for both of them.
And Jarvis found something about Lorelei.
Ooo
Tony realized he liked Lorelei.
Ooo
Asgard, reign of Odin
O.E. 11769TH year
“What is she doing?” Amora whispered to Idunn’s ear.
“She looks ail to me.” Idunn replied.
“I think there’s something else.” Hlin piped in.
All the noble maidens of Asgard including the queen and the princesses used to meet once in a while in
Fenslir, the grand gardens of the palace; it was specifically made for the women in the court for Leisure
times.
While the older ladies of the court would converse and have their old fashioned gossips, Loki and her
friends, for the sake of not wanting anyone to hear their private talks would slyly separate themselves
from the rest and would sit a bit far away from the others.
Loki had friends who were much better than Thor’s friend.
Amora, Hlin, Idunn, Vor, Syn and her. She had Theo and Sigmund too but after Theo got married to Ilmr
and became a father he got settled and certainly got busy. She used to meet him now once in a while.
Sigmund, due to his adventurous nature was always travelling here and there. She used to meet him just
like Theo.
And now as they were sitting under the shed of an old tree and for the last half an hour Loki’s friends
had been watching their princess friend to be lost in thoughts.
Loki was sitting, her back rested opposite to the trunk of the tree, a book in her hand which she
appeared to be nowhere reading but just staring at something that wasn’t there.
And now everyone in the little circle that they’d made to sit on the grass was now aware of Loki’s current
status.
“I think she’s thinking about Sigmund.” Syn said in a sultrily tone.
Idunn was picking up the one loose threat of her seam and murmured. “Wait, until she hears what you
just said.”
“You’re still discussing that.” Amora huffed in disbelief.
“I was just jesting!” Syn squeaked.
“What you’ll are talking about?”
They become grave quiet when they heard the voice. Loki was looking at them in confusion.
“Nothing so important.” Idunn dismissed.
“See Syn, How you can frighten people with your voice.”
Syn felt an urge to reply to Amora but she kept quiet. Hlin spoke.
“Are you Hale, dear?” She hold Loki’s arm.
“I’m.” Loki said, still perplexed.
“Then why you’re so lost today.” Idunn asked.
“I’m…lost, how so?”
“You’ve been thinking about something for an hour now, Loki.” Amora said
Loki looked at her lap. “I don’t know.”
“You don’t know what?” Hlin encouraged her.
Loki didn’t speak again, they knew she wouldn’t. So they began to bring up other topics in which Loki
took her fair share of part.
Ooo
After talking to her friends Loki came back to her room and put the book she’d taken to read but had
read only a few pages on her desk and sat on the chair.
She cupped the chin in her palms and thought and thought.
‘Mortals – beings who cover at least the 35% of universe mass. Living creatures that come in the category
of being a ‘mortal’ specifically, live up to three to five centuries on an average. 15% of the mortals living
in the universe have semi consciousness. 65% of the mortals have full consciousness of their being.
They live up to three to five centuries. The rest 20% mortal population belongs to exceptional/ mixed
category. For instance, Mortals in Terra (see- *Midgard, *Human Beings on pg. 65) are an exceptional in
Mortal category who lives less than a century but have developed full awareness of their being.’
She spoke in a murmur. “Humans, you’re not even mortals and yet you are one.”
Ooo
Midagrd
United States, New York, 2000
@Valet ant vale restaurant
On December 21st Tony Stark took Lorelei on a date.
He wanted to discuss a few things with her too. But he was not sure how to say any of it. He was
suspiciously quiet the whole time and Lorelei knew the reasons.
Lorelei sipped the soup. “Ask”
Tony suddenly got out of his thoughts. “What?”
“Ask” she said again.
He shook his head. “No, I-I don’t have anything to say,”
She raised a brow. “You do have a few questions.”
He pursed his lips and shrugged and then gave a firm nod.
“You know I told you of my AI, Jarvis, he- last time he picked up a few things about you.”
Lorelei stilled in her moments. Tony noticed her rigidness and waved his hands.
“NO, I mean you see, Jarvis- he acts as a security guard for the whole building and it’s just automatic for
him to, ah- scan people out, no, not anything like scanning them whole but- agh!- really, to check out if
they carry any weapon with them or not.”
“…Oh”
“And Jarvis did the same for you too.” He explained. He was hesitant because all of a sudden Lorelei’s
face had gone out of any perceivable emotions.
She was just blank.
Lorelei tentatively asked. “And what did he find out?”
“That you’re not…” he paused.
“Am I What?”
“You’re not what you look like you are.”
“Ha, I assure you, Mr. Stark the way I look is how I-”
“You’re an alien.” He blurted.
Ooo
Lorelei calmly stirring the spoon in soup bowl.
“You believe that I’m not from earth.”
“Ah, yes, your body temperature is quite high then normal human temperature, your DNA which I got out
of your saliva had a few different elements which are not from this world, your hair have extraordinarily
more melanin than human could even possibly have and you also emit this weird energy out of your
body like you’re some kind of a power house.”
Ooo
Pause.
“You’re right Anthony Edward Stark; I’m not a mere mortal.”
“Oh, now you’re getting to your real self, so what’s your plan? Trying to rule humanity? Lay eggs? Want
to take our bone marrow, spinal or - use our blood as an cultivating agent or-”
Lorelei made a seriously disgusting look. “Do I look like I hideous monster to you, Stark?”
“You’re clearly wearing a human disguise, I don’t know what you look like from inside?”
“And what if I told you the way I’m looking at this moment is just how I look”
“So aliens don’t look like some green goblin like things, which have big brains or big grey eyes, so those
grey aliens are fake-”
“I’m not an alien.”
He said instantly. “Okay, space princess. I got it.”
Ooo
Lorelei was not even a human and yet his brain was not letting her go from his head.
She was beautiful and-
But then he thought of her being a purple slimy creature with hundreds of limb
He’d taken many horrible decisions in his life what’s one more?
“Jarvis,” he slowly said. He was in his workshop at night for he couldn’t sleep.
“Yes, sir.”
“Lorelei is an Alien.”
“Yes sir.”
“And I like her.” He muttered. “What’s the probability of her being a hundred limbed creatures who likes
to eat human heart?”
“Sir, I’m afraid I have very less date to make notable figures.”
“Same here, J, same here.”
Ooo
He dreamed Lorelei was a purple octopus monster and took out his heart out when they were kissing.
Ooo
Asgard, reign of Odin
O.E. 11770TH year
“…you have to tell me the specifics Loki; you could be bedding a Troll!” Theo crossed his arms on his
chest and leaned back to the chair. “…that’s all I have to say.”
Loki was meeting Theo after least six months and she found him to be the second best candidate to
speak of her heart. (First was her mother but she really didn’t want to tell her about her recent travels to
Midgard and all the specification)
She had thought Theo wouldn’t ask about the specifications but here he was. She could’ve just told her
mother if she want to let the specifications be known.
Hel, she could’ve asked Thor for he even knew of her travels to Midgard. (But that was the other matter
that he was not good at giving relationship advices)
Loki blinked heavily.
“You think I would bed a Troll.”
“Last time I remember you were with that Elf-”
“-I didn’t even kisse-” she interjected but Theo didn’t stop.
“-and last to last time that Horse thing.”
Loki clenched her hair in her fists and cried. “Why everyone keep reminding me of that horror!”
“It wasn’t horror, Loki and I bet that builder still wants you to be his wife.”
Loki put a serious look her face. “Please Theo, it is enough for today.”
Theo mimicked her serious expression. “Okay, then princess you will need to tell me everything.”
Loki huffed and come close and placed her arms on the surface.
“He is mortal.”
“Of…Midgard.” He guessed
“…yes.”
“What he do?”
“He’s a warlord but he’s also a blacksmith, an engineer, he’s an inventor too.”
“He must be genius then.”
“He is.” Loki smiled dearly.
“And you’ve grown to like him”
“Strangely a little.”
“And he?”
“It’s a little more for him but now that he knows that I’m not a mortal like him.” She glanced at the sky. “I
don’t know what this revelation will make him think of me now.”
“How he reacted when you told him?”
Loki waved her hand. “I didn’t. He figured it out himself.”
Theo’s eye widened. “He did- How?”
“Like I said he is an inventor he have created this certain spirit for himself who follows his order and I
feel this- mechanical invisible spirit also have some form of emotions, I don’t understand how but- it’s
magnificent. The very same spirit somehow found that my body makeup was not that of a mortal...”
“Marvelous.” He whistled.
“…and he was able see my sedir too.”
“A mechanical spirit saw your sedir. I’m amazed.”
“I was too, I still am.”
“Tell me more about him. How you met this mortal?”
Ooo
“…now you must think me insane.” Loki ended her speech.
“Why would I think that?” He asked confounded.
Loki raised her brows in obvious. “Because I’ve grown to like a mortal.”
“I was more worried for you when you were roaming the love gardens with that Elf. And he is just a
mortal, right?” Theo said nonchalantly and continued sipping tea.
“They live shorter than us.” Loki said as a matter of fact.
Theo nodded in acknowledgement but he was still causal when he said. “Ah, now I understood. How long
they live- a millennia?”
“Less than a century.”
He blinked. “That little.”
Loki nodded.
Theo pursed him lips and remained quiet for a while and then just said.
“Still, if he’s not an Elf, I’m good.”
Ooo
Midgard
United States, New Jersey, 2001
On 21st December Tony took her for a long drive to nowhere.
He thought the whole year about Lorelei being a purple alien thing under her soft porcelain skin. Her
eyes being as red as red blood under her emerald gaze. Tentacles instead to those little petite hands and
legs and poisonous prickles instead of those lovely long black wavy hair.
To an extraordinary extend he’d gotten over with that whole thing.
Though there was still a chance of her being-
He ignored those flashes of thought the best he could.
Tony consciously shrugged like trying to stop thinking about thing and look at the beauty beside him.
He was glad he took out his Audi v8 spydr.
She looked at him with a smile and her eyes filled with a new emotion he hadn’t seen before.
Perhaps their feelings for each other were mutual. She liked him too.
It’s been seven years since their first meeting. It was still strange for him to ponder upon the fact that
he’d began to feel this much for her even thought he’d only met her for about seven times by now.
This was their seventh time spending time with each other.
Religiously speaking seventh was the perfect number. Maybe today he could share his feelings for her.
What if they would kiss today? That would be amazing.
Her hair danced as the wind blows through them. She was looking gorgeous. Probably today he could be
dipping his hands in those lovely hairs of hers.
Only if she felt the same. Only if she wanted it.
They ended up in a small town. The place had lovely meadows and Loki asked him that she wished to lay
on them for some time.
The day was lovely, zephyrs kissing their skins and birds on the trees singing their songs.
Lorelei’s eyes were close; her chest was rising up and down, deeply breathing in the floral scent of
flowers in the air.
She hadn’t aged a bit. She still looked like the same petite girl he met first time in his Norway trip.
Was it because she wasn’t human? Did she have longevity?
He wanted to know more about her but he knew that must take things slow.
Tony thought to make Lorelei feel more comfortable before telling her the big revelation. He joked
about her being an ugly alien again and from there it all went down the hill.
“I appreciate your fondness for your heart and liver, Mr. Stark but I’m no fond of Organs that much. I do
not eat them.” She said in bored way and turned her face to look in the sky.
“And if you’re truly finding me so dangerous for your well being then just say it, and I will leave.
Forever.” She disappeared.
He looked here and there but she was gone.
What did he do? He’d not thought this will end up like this.
He’d lost her.
He’d lost such a great friend
…and a possible lover.
Ooo
Asgard, reign of Odin
O.E. 11770TH year
Loki appeared on the Bifrost site. She turned and saw the Gatekeeper and rushed to him.
“Pray tell, why would you call me so urgently Heimdall?” Loki cried.
Her body was still shivering with the power of that message. Surely Heimdall had conjured Asgard’s
spirit.
“You were across the realm, I had but no choice.”
“I understood that, now tell me what’s the matter?”
“Prince Thor has come gravely injured from Alfhiem.”
“How- why- he’s injured.” Loki wasted no time and teleported straight into the palace.
She began to search for her mother and where everyone was.
“Princess, come with me!” A guard helped and took her to infirmary.
When she entered inside her mother hugged him tightly.
“Oh, Loki thank norns you’ve arrived, I was worried where you’d gone. Thor is deeply wounded.” She
took him to the bed where Thor was lying.
There was a deep wound on the stomach. It appeared like he’d been pierced with a sword.
Blood was oozing from it.
Loki come to him and caressed his cheek. “You’ll be fine brother mine.” She whispered.
Thor moved his lips and uttered some inaudible noise.
Loki wasted no second to take the wet cloth and began to help the healers in cleaning the edges of the
wound.
He was close to become unconscious but he only closed his eyes when Loki murmured to him.
“You’ll be fine, brother.”
Ooo
“Bring that fiend here so I may remove his head from his body!” Loki seethed.
“We can’t do that. He’s a citizen of Alfhiem and he’ll remain there as their prisoner and serve his
sentence.”
Loki bolted from the chair. “So we must talk with Queen Sheila and ask them to give the prisoner to us-
we’ll give him the suitable punishment he deserves for attacking the crown prince of Asgard.”
All the council men sitting in the Gladsheim had now their eyes placed on the King who sat in the
middle.
“Queen Sheila has given her word that she shall give the guilty his rightful punishment.”
“But-”
Odin cut her off- “Now we’ll discuss the order matters concerning Asgard.”
“Concerning Asgard my arse.” Loki muttered and left the Gladsheim hall.
Loki was sure Queen Sheila would just leave the matter to ignorance because of their personal rivalry.
But Loki wanted to punish that fool who had dared to hurt her brother.
Loki knew the rules of Diplomacy but she was loyal to would be king and the throne of Asgard.
She would avenge everything single drop of blood her brother had bled.
Loki opened the door of her brother’s room.
A whole week had passed and Thor was still bedridden.
Her soul ached seeing that even the mighty Thor; her powerful brother could be in such a vulnerable
state.
They were called immortals and yet, even their life was so frail.
Loki sat on the bedside carefully and kissed her brother’s cold hand.
They were the same hands that had helped Loki to walk on her feet. The same hand who had protected
her from everything that could’ve harm her. Protect her from all the dangers of the world and never
stopped.
She would take the vengeance.
Ooo
Loki stepped back from the cell. Her work was completed
“Your hands are skilled, princess but I’m afraid you’re not much apt for hand combats.”
Loki froze.
“You shouldn’t feel scared; I’m fond of strong girls.”
Loki turned and saw the curtain of deception was removed and the Queen of Alfhiem stood in the dark
come to her.
Loki gulped.
She would let her father know. Her father would tell her mother. Her mother would send her to
Vanaheim under the wing and eagle eyes of her aunt Freya. They would stop her studies and get her to
marry to one of her cousins.
They would make her life boring.
But then she saw a spark of light when Queen said.
“But if you want this all to remain a secret you’ll have to tell me how you come inside?”
Ooo
Loki talked with Queen Sheila and made all the matters to get settled peacefully.
“You know I can play a very good mother, if that’s what you’re looking for.” Queen poured wine in her glass.
Loki spoke deliberately. “Don’t do it again your majesty, you know I wouldn’t marry your son.” She stood
from her chair. “Now, I must take my leave or my family will soon begin to look for me.”
Sheila courteously stood up and they both bowed to each other. Loki heard her spoke before she
teleported. “My offer still stands. Think about it when you have spare time.”
Ooo
Midgard
United states, Tony’s Malibu residence, 2002
On December 21st Tony wasn’t sure she’ll come. But his selfish heart was still looking at the sky waiting
for her even though he knew she wouldn’t come descending from the sky.
Will she?
She wasn’t an Angel?
But what if she was?
He’d dressed himself nicely; he’d also grown a goatee now.
Would she ever see him with his new look?
Would she like if she saw it.
“What are you staring up at Mr. Stark?”
He turned to see Virginia Potts, His new assistant looking at him confused.
She looked over the papers in her hand.
“I’m sorry sir, but I believe you’re disconfirmed there’s no meeting or any event today.”
“I know.” He smiled.
“But then you dress-” she pointed her pen at him.
“It’s for something else, pepper.”
She scrunched her nose at the name but didn’t say anything. Then she smiled.
“Someone special.”
“Yes,”
“Then best of luck with your special person and Mr. Stark, do you need anything else?”
“No, Miss Potts.”
She nodded and left.
After a while he sat on the table that he set for the dinner.
And waited. After a few moments he heard a voice.
“Today is something special Mr. Stark?” he lifts his chin to saw the person he was waiting for standing in
the shadows.
“Yes, today is.” He smiled. He was so happy she was here.
He still had a chance.
A hope.
But then he noticed something strange. Lorelei’s voice was stuttering.
He walked to her and touched her arm only to found she was drenched in water.
She was cold and shivering.
“What happened? Why you’re wet?”
“Not know- fell,-I los-”
She kneeled over but he picked her in his arms before she touched the ground.
“Jarvis call Pepper and tell how to save an alien from hypothermia.”
Ooo
Her body temperature was equal to a life threatening hypothermia for a human.
But only because she wasn’t one had saved her life and he was so glad that she was not a human.
Pepper immediately had taken her to bathroom and closed the door. And Jarvis was directing her, what
to do to get Lorelei warm as fast as possible.
Pepper was tightly holding Lorelei when they get out of the bathroom. She was not shivering but was
naked and only a towel was wrapped around her.
Pepper instantly wrote what he should bring and he was gone in a blink. He brought her blankets and
ordered hot soup, and drinks.
And now he was waiting outside the room till pepper come out and told her about Lorelei’s condition.
In a few minutes she came out of the room and said.
“I’ve changed her clothes and she is awake I told her that she can sleep but she said she wants to talk to
you.”
Tony wasted no time and opened the door and saw her sitting on the bed. Her body tightly wrapped in a
blanket. She was looking at the ceiling.
“Hey.”
She looked at him and then turned away. “I apologize I spoiled your lovely evening.”
“You didn’t spoil anything.”
“Your mistress is efficient at taking care of people. Is she a healer?”
“Healer, no- pepper- wait! Pepper is not my mistress, she’s my assistance.”
“Oh, so she’s your harlot.”
“NO, she works for me, I’m mean her duty is to let me know what meeting should I attend to, what
papers I need to sign, keep me up with information about my business and all of that.”
Lorelei blinked.
“I understood now. Give her my thanks for what she did to save me.”
“You can thank her yourself. Now tell me how this…happened?”
“My brother interrupted me while I was casting a spell to come here; I got distracted and teleported
where were frozen waters and fell in it”
He laughed “So you’re telling now you’re a magician too. Casting spells and all that voodoo stuff.”
“I do not cast fake illusions to entertain people, I’m a sorceress.”
“So you’re dark witch craft stuff.”
“I’m not witch, mortal.”
“Okay okay, Sabrina, calm down.”
“I don’t understand why I can’t leave you to burn yourself.” She said.
“I’m kinda like honey, bees can’t unsee me.”
“First you called me an alien, than Sabrina, whoever she is and now a bee, are you hale Mr. Stark?”
“I’m tip top, sweetie you shouldn’t worry.”
Ooo
“I apologize I left last time without-”
Tony dismissed. “Last time went away last time, it’s now. I’m so happy that you came back.”
Lorelei slowly said. “You thought I would not come back.”
“I had- no, I didn’t know if you would.”
Lorelei smirked. “I proved you wrong, then.”
“You surely did.”
“I’m still unpredictable.” She pointed out
“Yes, you are.” He agreed.
Ooo
Food arrived soon after and they began to eat in the room.
Long forgotten was the table lighted with candles in the balcony. They were sitting on bed. Talking,
eating and laughing like couples would do.
He had to tell her.
“I love you.” He dropped the bomb in the middle of them talking about how they hated the taste of
pineapple on pizza.
Lorelei remained quiet. It wasn’t as quiet as quietness should be. It was as quiet as talking quiet. Lorelei
was considering things. He could see her mind was working. Perhaps she was reviewing every single
moment they’d spend together. Probably judging his characters by his actions. Both bad and good.
But he was ready because there was no going back.
She put the plate from her lap to on the bed and Tony was about to speak without even thinking.
“Lo-”
Lorelei said flatly. “Hush, we shouldn’t speak when we eat. You’ve truly adulterated my manners.”
He laughed nervously.
She put a little salad on his plate and they began to eat quietly.
“If you fear that I might leave you again then I promise I won’t. I’m not a bee and you’re not honey.” She said
“I do smell sweet.”
“You smell like oil and rust.”
Tony pouted.
She looked deeply at him. “But I do enjoy your presence. Don’t lie you don’t need to.”
“It is true, Lo, I love-”
“Don’t. Don’t say it.” she closed her ears with her palms.
“Why don’t you believe me?” he retorted.
“How can I? We’ve only met a few times and you know that I don’t even of your species and you even
said you don’t trust me with my looks. How can you love me when you don’t even me?” she put stress on
the last words.
“I know you. A lot about you.” He told merely.
“Lies.”
“I’m not lying.”
When she didn’t say anything he continued. “I’m not lying, I do want to know you, I like you.”
“There’s a big difference between liking and loving.”
“I know, I know that there’s a difference I’m hell sure I’m more towards the latter side.”
“I will say it again we’ve only met a few times in years.”
“And they were enough; enough for me know that I love you.”
“You’re acting like a child.”
“Please Lorelei, give me one chance”
“Chance, what sort of chance?”
“Let me show you how much I love you?”
“How would you show your love for me? by fulfilling my carnal desires, giving me pleasures, buying me
the treasure of your world, I know your capabilities but that’s not the only thing. I can’t put our
insufferable friendship that we’ve forged in all these years to test just because you claim to love me.”
she get up from the bed and began to walk out of the room.
He held her wrist. “But what if I’m right? What if I really, really have fallen in love with you?”
She stopped and looked over her shoulder and whispered. “Then I’ll let you love me.”
“You have feeling for me too, right?”
“Feelings are always questionable, Mr. Stark.”
Ooo
“So…we wait.” He exhaled sharply.
Lorelei gave a firm nod. “…Yes”
“How long?”
“The longer, the better.”
“I don’t want to come out of this waiting test like an insane person.” He joked.
Lorelei looked everywhere but at him. “I’ll not let you wait that much.”
“Cause you love me too, right.”
She didn’t say anything.
Ooo
“I’M not an alien, and if you called me that anymore I promise to burn your testicles on gas stove.” Her
face was red and she could feel the heat on her cheeks.
Tony didn’t falter but smirked more. “Oh, that burns.”
Lorelei bared her teeth. “It will surely.”
“So…” he drawled
“Yes.” Lorelei said like she wouldn’t want to lose their fame.
“What you say?” he quipped.
“…”
“Lorelei, tell me?” He teased
“Eat your food, Mr. Stark.” Lorelei ended their game.
Tony looked down at his plate and snickered.