A Visitor
Once upon a time visiting Nobles came to stay at the palace. A Lord and Lady and their daughter. They looked like the perfect family, living happily ever after in the wake of a fairytale. The man was handsome, the woman pretty, and their daughter the perfect mix of each of their features. Her mother’s hair, her Father’s skin. Her mother’s eyes, her father’s nose. Sigyn supposed the girl was pretty enough, but she was lacking the sharp finish and clever strength Sigyn had found she liked. She also preferred a little more contrast between hair and skin, but the young lady certainly pulled off the matching shades of bronze very nicely.
As a servant, Sigyn had no idea what the family’s business in the palace was, but she found herself assigned to the girl as her lady in waiting during her stay. “How long will you be here?” she asked the guest, trying to be kind.
The girl looked down at her with obvious ideas of her own superiority, “I’m not sure. Until Father gets what he wants I suppose. Who’s my lady in waiting, can you fetch her?”
“That would be me.”
“Oh,” disappointment was obvious in the girl’s face, she shook herself and attempted a smile, “I suppose you’re pretty enough.” she offered.
Sigyn’s mouth pulled up in a fake smile that was in no way similar to Loki’s as she led her through the halls towards the guest wing. They passed through open passages and over courtyards. Maybe she was taking the long way, but they’d get to the same place either way. And maybe she was just giving their guest and her new mistress a tour, letting her see as much of the palace’s splendor as possible. Aside from architectural wonders they did pass some of the other nobles and warriors. The girl admired their dresses, commenting on rich colors and flattering styles. She was quite impressed with the sight of Sif, a female warrior. The familiar jealousy turned over in Sigyn’s stomach but she pushed it down because Sif wasn’t worth it. Not anymore.
She led her down an open air passage. In the courtyard below, Thor and Loki were working on their battle skills with some of the other warriors-in-training. Well, that’s what it looked like they were doing to a newcomer who didn’t see them at it everyday. Sigyn knew they were only messing around. Loki was twirling his knives way too much for his sparring to be serious. He was showing off.
“Are those the Princes?” the girl asked, heading closer to the railing that served as the passage’s fourth wall. Sigyn recognized the usual tone of interest that girls took on when they caught sight of Thor. her eyes were indeed pinned to the dueling brothers.
“Yes,” Sigyn answered, “Prince Thor is the one with the hammer, Prince Loki is the one adding UNNECESSARY FLOURISHES to the moves.” She said ‘unnecessary flourishes’ loud enough for Loki to hear. His mouth quirked up in a smile all the way down in the ring, though his eyes never left his brother.
“You shouldn’t speak to your superiors that way.” the girl frowned.
“Of course, my bad.” Sigyn mocked sincerity with a curtsy.
“He’s cute,” the girl said.
“Everyone thinks Prince Thor is cute-”
“I meant Prince Loki.”
“Oh.” Sigyn blinked. That was unusual. Of course, she in no way found Loki attractive. She did not like the way he twirled his knives around his fingers when he was bored, she didn’t like the way he spread his hands to say various things like ‘oops’ or ‘can you blame me,’ or ‘surprise.’ And she definitely didn’t like his little self assured smile. The smirk was almost worse. She hated the sound of his voice, and his sharp defined features and his shiny dark hair. He was a horrible person. A liar and a cheat and a horrible person. So she didn’t mind at all that the new girl did like those things. She didn’t like the girl either, so really the two were perfect for each other.
“Well in that case, I think you might find the competition mysteriously lacking.”
“Why? He’s cute.”
“Sadly, he doesn’t have the personality to back that up.”
“Maybe he just doesn’t like you. I’m not sure I do.” Idunn suggested defensively, as if she knew him. As if she knew her.
“Yes, and you obviously have impeccable judgment.” Sigyn drawled.
“You can’t talk to me that way!”
“Apologies, my Lady,” she rolled her eyes and curtsied again, then continued down the hallway. The girl followed, though her eyes stayed on Loki until he was out of sight.
When the visitor was settled and the interaction over, Sigyn still had no idea of the girl’s name. She was in a pretty bad mood too, so she was understandably unenthusiastic to run into her sworn enemy on her way back to her own quarters. She had been taking the short route this time.
“Did you take the long way just to see me?” he grinned, “I’m flattered.”
She brushed by him, “I am not in the mood.”
“Aww, did babysitting tire you out?” he asked, falling into step beside her, a mocking smile playing over his lips.
Sigyn scoffed, “She developed a little crush when we walked by. I’ve been listening to her sing your praises for the past few hours. I think I might be sick.” She complained.
“My praises?” Loki repeated, surprised so intensely he couldn’t cover it up. The teasing smile had dropped.
Sigyn chuckled coldly, “Oh, trust me, I couldn’t believe it either. She’s been talking about you all day. I don’t even know her name.”
“Idunn,” Loki supplied, recovering from the shock.
“Thanks. Anyways, it was horrible.”
“Are you complaining to me about listening to someone talk about me?” he asked her, seemingly amused.
“Well it’s not like I can talk to Sif anymore,” Sigyn reminded him.
“I didn’t ask you to do that,” Loki reminded her in turn.
“I didn’t do it for you.” Sigyn rolled her eyes, “The world doesn’t revolve around you, you know. The fact that someone suddenly has a crush on you doesn’t change that.”
“Of course not,” Loki agreed, “It’s hard to revolve around one’s self.”
“Did you just call yourself the world?”
“Yes.”
“I hate you.” Sigyn did not smile as she said it.
“The feeling is mutual.” Neither did he.