The Girl With Bad Luck

Close Calls

Loki walks alongside his brother who keeps at a brisk pace, but thankfully since they're both the same height he has no trouble keeping up. He can tell Thor is anxious to speak with their father. Loki's eyes keep flicking to Thor's chest pocket where Persephone hides. The fabric keeps still and there isn't even a lump to show her small form tucked against Thor. If he had not watched Persephone climb in of her own accord, he would have no inkling that she was even there. He desires to know more about this woman and how she came from Midgard to here. Why is she the size of a mouse? Why does she have so many bruises? After a few more minutes of turning down hallways, the princes soon find themselves at the entrance of the Allfather's throne room. The guards recognize them and they are let in immediately. Loki hates having these meetings with his father. The entire time is spent with him being judged or criticized for his mischievous and curious character. Yet, he stops directly in front of Odin waiting for the orders or reprimanding he is soon to be given. His father stands up from his golden throne and comes to stand before them. Loki finds it amusing that Thor and himself stand a head taller than him, yet Odin is commanding authority. 

"My sons, it seems as though we have a problem. Heimdall reports that there was a portal open a few hours ago. We have no idea who created it, or if anyone came through. I am requesting that you two handle this. Find out if anyone came through, and who opened this portal. We cannot have Midguardians on Asgard. If you find this someone bring them to me directly. I will handle it from there." 

Loki tenses up, now that he knows how Persephone managed to come to Asgard. Portal travel also explains why she was severely wounded, but still doesn't explain the bruises. The dark patches appear to be days old. He is interested to know also who opened this rare portal? Remembering Odin's orders, he starts to feel oddly protective over Persephone despite meeting her in the last two hours. If Odin ever discovered the mortal Loki mentally winces at her expense. Odin may execute the poor woman, and she would have no power to stop him. Thor and he make their way to leave but Odin speaks up once again.

 "Thor come here for a moment, will you. Loki, you are dismissed."

 Loki comes to a standstill.

 He is aware Odin will know about Persephone if Thor brings her too close to his person. He looks over at Thor whose eyes are wide with fear. Odin would be able to sense the nearness of another being and become suspicious of Thor and himself. Loki walks over to Thor and leans in close whispering directions to him, but acting as though he is merely talking to Thor. Then, Loki acts as if he is giving Thor a pat on the back and a handshake, but he feels Persephone's tiny body pushed into his palm. He closes his fingers carefully over her dainty body and walks out of the throne room calmly. He can feel her tiny limbs shifting and trying to get a more comfortable position, he keeps his fingers loose but unyielding. He can feel her body trembling. He lowers his hand by his side so as to not appear as holding anything or anybody. When he enters a hall that is isolated he finally unfurls his fingers. He brings her close to his face to his eye level and questions if she's okay.

 "I apologize for the sudden grabbing, I promise you're in no danger Persephone.'

'He studies her form in his palm, she still is trembling, propped up on her hands and knees and she looks weak and tired. Her twig-like arms tremble while supporting the weight of her upper body, She timidly nods her head. His stomach growls reminding him that he hasn't eaten all day. "Would you like to join me for some lunch?" He asks, trying to take her mind off her predicament.

 She cranes her head upwards to meet his eyes and gives him a meek nod, warming his heart. He tucks his hand bearing her protectively to his chest and begins walking to his room to call for their lunch.

They eat a small bunch of grapes, cheeses, and crackers. She feels like a mouse as she nibbles on her portion of food. She maintains her gaze on the task at hand and not on Loki while he eats. Earlier she saw him pop a grape in his mouth that was the size of her head. She tried not to think of herself being that grape. After having a lack of food for a while her stomach is full after only a few bites of cheese and half a grape. Loki sits in front of her on the floor, doing his best to maintain eye contact. She notices that he still has to duck his head to meet her gaze. I must appear so tiny to him. It's a wonder he can even still see me. His silky voice brings her out of her thoughts.

 "How does your cut feel? "

She lifts her shirt a little and looks down at her exposed stomach, gently pressing her fingers against the scar. There is a dull throb that resonates through her abdomen but nothing compared to the blinding pain she had experienced earlier.

 "It's g-good, but there's some pain. Do you happen to have any ibuprofen?" She asks hopefully.

"I take that as some sort of pain reliever. We have something like that but I'm afraid you are too small to ingest it. I fear it may be too strong for you." Loki says softly.

 Disappointed, Persephone waves it off and thanks him anyway. But another question nags at her. "What did that man mean by a portal?" she looks up expectantly at Loki. She couldn't help but overhear the conversation in the throne room. He swallows and takes a deep breath.

 "It looks like that's how you ended up in this world." 

Persephone thinks over this. "I was in this pris- I mean place, and this ringing started and a bright light appeared. Is that a portal?" She watches as Loki shifts on the floor, his body moving like titanic waves. His subtle movements cause faint tremors throughout the table. Tremors that she assumes he can't even feel.

 "Yes, that sounds exactly like a portal. I'm guessing curiosity got the best of you?"He remarks with a smirk.

 Persephone remembers how she had foolishly put her arm in the strange light and then shown up in this strange place. Yet, she was not disappointed she would much rather be here with sunlight and nourishment than stuck in that dark, damp and cold prison. She wondered if her strange kidnapper had already discovered her absence. Since she had not gotten food in the last two days he would probably show up again tonight. She shivered at the thought of his violence, and how he would beat her mercilessly if she ever ended back there. A light tap on her shoulder causes her to stand up and scurry away from the sensation. Her racing heart calms down and she realizes it was only a light brush from Loki's forefinger.

 "Are you alright Persephone?"

 She could hear worry in his voice. She nodded too quickly for him to believe her, but he did not question her at all. She was very thankful. "How about you rest some more? I'm sure you're tired and your body needs time to fully heal." Persephone nods absentmindedly again. "Let me assist you to the bed." 

Loki then presents his hand like a waiting platform. She stares at it before slowly making her way towards it. Here she is literally putting her life in someone else's hands. Much less that of a man she knows nothing of. The step from tabletop to palm is rather large. It takes effort on her part to climb up onto his hand, by the time her weak arms have gotten her to the rough surface of his palm she is out of breath. She feels her body roll to the center of his hand, just by a simple tilt on his part. Then the platform rises as he stands to his full, immeasurable height. She sits up from her horizontal position and looks over his curled fingers. When she leans over them she feels his fingers curl in more, protecting her from a steep drop. The room flies by as he takes long steps towards his bed. She reaches for one of his fingers for support, as his walk is steady but rocky. She takes a moment to look at the size difference of their hands. Both her palms can fit with room to spare on the pad of a single fingertip. The immense power one of his fingers holds is obvious. Her entire body couldn't rival the strength of a single finger. The thought sends chills down her spine. Her ride comes to an end when he lowers his hand down for her to step off onto a pillow. Her steps are unsteady on the bouncy surface of the pillow but she finds a comfortable position. Her position quakes as Loki sits with his back to the head of the bed. He holds open a book, trying to find his place from earlier. Seeming to feel her gaze on him he peers down at her.

 "Do you need anything?"

 Her cheeks redden at being caught staring, "Uh, n-no. I'm good." Persephone squeaks out.

 She rubs her cheek against the soft surface of the pillow. Soon her eyelids grow heavy and she drifts into a light sleep.