This Is Stella's Reality

June 2, 2015

"Loki?" My voice carried through the small library, searching for him in the dim orange lighting.

He was standing near the back shelf, lined with potion bottles and that white stargazer lily. He was mashing some herbs together until they formed a thick paste. His eyes lifted to me as I walked towards him. The strong, spicy smell of his herbs choked my throat. My eyes watered as I peeked over his shoulder.

Loki didn't answer me, just watched with budding curiosity. I had been coming unannounced to his library for some time now. At first, he was annoyed with my visits. Now, it seemed as if it did not phase him; I was just another part of the library's magic.

I sighed, "My father sent me a gift."

That didn't seem to be what he was expecting me to say. His eyebrows knit together, and he set down the small knife he was using to chop and mash the herbs. He cleaned his hands off and finally turned to face me. "What do you mean?" He asked in his usual gruffness.

"A," I stumbled over my words, "demon, I suppose, visited the compound and gave me a box of gifts. He said it was from my father, and the House of Hades hoped it would jog my memories."

He frowned, "And what did he bring you, stupid girl?" I couldn't detect his tone. Wary, maybe. I ignored his insult, too enamored by my own excitement.

"There was a sword; I recognized it almost immediately. He also gave me clothes. They were identical to what I was wearing when I fell."

Loki hummed and turned from me. "That was how I recognized you: the infamous cloak of the House of Hades. Deep as rich wine, so purple it's nearly black."

"Infamous?" I asked.

He sat in his usual seat, pulling a book from thin air and crossing his knees as he sunk into comfort. "All of Hades' children wear the House colors. Black, purple, and gold." His eyes lifted to me, "They suit you."

I laughed and sat opposite to him at my spot on his couch. "Are you flirting with me?" I asked with a tease in my voice. My eyes narrowed at him in mockery.

Loki scoffed, "You wish, nymph." He lifted his eyes to me with a smile clear in them. "I simply find you amusing. And I wouldn't dare insult your mortal men by flirting with their princess." His tone told me he had the opposite intentions. I wondered if he would get along with Steve and Bucky. Likely not.

"Good," I mused. "They're awfully possessive."

"So I've seen," he said listlessly. There was a beat of silence as Loki seemed to be done with our conversation, but a moment later, he spoke again. "Have you relearned how to use your sword?"

I grinned with pride, "I have. It was like muscle memory." My thoughts flashed with the morning of rediscovery. Calling the weapon back to my hand, transfiguring it into a spear, how easily the weight swung around my form. I hoped Loki was reading my thoughts for the feeling was indescribable.

He seemed to hear me for his face twisted into an attempt at disguised admiration. His lips pulled into a grin just before he turned away from me. "I fear my time as your teacher may be short lived, goddess. You seem to master basics quite quickly." He stood and paced towards his shelves.

I stood too and followed him, eager to speak more. "I feel like I don't know anything. There has to be so much I don't know." I tried to hide the desperation in my voice.

Loki heard it, he always did. He smiled at me. "Witchcraft is not necessarily something to be taught and learned. Yes, there are things I can teach you, but if you're already transfiguring and teleporting your sword, there is not much more I can guide you on.