Working Title : Loki & Annie

94 A Knock at the Door

Sif and Fandral once more stood in the grassy area where Thor had left a sign of his presence. They looked around in annoyance because what should have been an easy task that took hours had now stretched into days. And Sif hated Midgard and Fandral was beginning to feel the same. They were ready to return to Asgard with their Prince.

Looking around in disgust that came out in her words Sif snarled, "I can not understand what he sees in these mortals and this Realm. It's either hot and dusty or wet and miserable." She wrinkled her nose, "And it reeks of them."

Fandral agreed but still spoke kinder, "They can hardly help their mortal condition." Sif snorted, "Come now, don't condemn them for their ignorance, it's unkind."

Sif rolled her eyes at her companion, "Speaking of ignorance, we need to find out if Thor has been seen in the area."She looked up at the balcony where they had spoken to the female the last time they had been here. Perhaps she had more information. With determined steps, Sif walked up the steps to the rear door and banged on the dwelling with her fist.

Fandral remained at the bottom of the few steps so he could continue to observe their surroundings. He wasn't worried that he would be ambushed here in Midgard but rather he didn't want to miss Thor if he appeared. Fandral had a feeling the AllFather had left out some information when he sent them on this task. Despite that Fandral had no misgivings since in the past they had gone on more important quests with even less information. And if the AllFather didn't provide certain information then there was a reason for it. The AllFather always had a reason for everything he did and that was good enough for Fandral.

Inside the house, Sherise frowned because no one used their back door, they would have had to pass the front door to get there. Setting the pile of laundry on the dining room table she walked with intentionally light steps through the house then peeked between a tiny space in the curtain of a window to the side of the door. Her head jerked back when she saw the woman who stood on the other side.  Annie had told her about the man and woman who had come looking for Thor and this woman matched perfectly. Sherise peeked again and saw impatience rolling off in waves as the woman tapped her hand against her thigh. Sherise wondered if she didn't answer the door if they would just go away.

"I know you are there mortal. I heard your footsteps." Sif glared at the door. "And I can hear your breathing, so open the door and speak to us."

Sherise wanted to ignore the imperious order and leave the demanding woman on her back porch but she figured these two wouldn't go away and might just get violent. They did have weapons after all. Crazy ass swords of all things but still, weapons. Not bothering to open the door she asked, "What do you want?"

"I want to know if you have seen a man we are searching for."

"Nope." Sherise folded her arms over her chest, cocking her hip to one side. Even if they couldn't see her she was going to look like she wasn't intimidated by them.

Sif scowled. "You do not even know of whom we search."

"Don't matter. Haven't seen anyone. I've been inside all day." Sherise hoped that the freaky aliens couldn't tell if someone was lying though technically she was telling the truth. She hadn't seen Thor at all today.

Coming up on the porch Fandral set a light hand on Sif's shoulder while putting on a condescending smile he aimed at the door. With light pressure he had Sif step back so he could take her place. "Ah, good Lady." His voice was pitched sweetly, "We simply want to know if you know the - uh, man, who made this symbol out here upon the ground." He placed a light hand upon his chest, "I would be in your debt if you could but tell us where he might have gone." He winked at Sif with a knowing smirk, the Ladies always enjoyed having him in debt to them. He had the most pleasurable ways of paying it off.

Thinking she had lost her mind and promising Annie all sorts of grief Sherise took a steadying breath and unlocked the door then opened it a crack. She scowled at them both, trying to look as fierce as she could. "He a friend of yours?" Her voice was actually pretty solid sounding and she was proud of herself.

Sif didn't let Fandral answer, "Yes. He is. Where did he go?"

Sherise pursed her lips before answering. "Who's gonna pay for my lawn?" She glared from one to the other. It was the same look she gave Mike's friends when one of them had "forgotten" to flush the toilet.

Equally confused expressions were her answer.

She stabbed a finger past them, "Your friend burned that thing into my lawn. Now I don't know where you all are from but around here people don't vandalize other people's property and get away with not paying for it." She cocked a hip out to lean on the door frame while once more folding her arms over her chest, she hoped they didn't notice her hands shaking.

"Ah." Fandral appeared to understand or at least pretended that he did. He reached to his belt where he pulled his leather coin bag free then fished out several gold coins. He presented them with a flourish while he bowed his head while keeping his eyes on Sherise. "My deepest apologies, My Lady. Our friend can be most destructive though he means no insult. Please accept this as full payment for his actions along with our sincerest regret for your distress."

There was a moment when both Sif and Sherice were looking at him with near-identical incredulous expressions at his words. Sif gave a low scoff while Sherise extended her arm to pick up the coins from the outstretched palm. She really hoped he wasn't going to grab her because she would never hear the end of it from Mike and Annie both. Trusting aliens. She mentally scoffed, she didn't even trust most humans.

Fandral gave a practiced seductive look, his eyes half-closed while he licked his lips before purring, "You honor me with your forgiveness."

Sherise had stepped back until she was once more behind her door. Once she felt safe she raised an eyebrow, "Yeah, no. I didn't see your friend." She pushed the door shut as fast as she could and locked it then took several hurried steps back, all while tightly clutching the coins.

Sif reached over and patted a stunned-looking Fandral on the shoulder. "Perhaps mortals are not as ignorant as we thought. Or at least not mortal females." She went down the steps, leaving Fandral to follow behind her.

"Well, that was most ill-mannered." He huffed out as they once more stopped at the sign of Thor's having been there. 

Sif wasn't showing any pity in her expression, she glanced at the door Sherise had disappeared behind. "You aren't addle minded enough not to realize that the mortal was lying, yes?"

Looking insulted Fandral placed a hand dramatically on his chest, "Lady Sif, you wound me. Of course, it was obvious the woman knows where Thor is." He allowed a frown to come over his face as he asked thoughtfully, "Though that does leave the question of why she does not wish to reveal that knowledge to us. There can be no question we are his friends."

Sif looked back at the door, "Mortals are a treacherous lot, they lie as easily as we breathe. They have no honor, that is why she demanded coins for what is a privilege for her to behold."

Two sets of eyes looked down at the symbol of their Prince and acknowledged that it was indeed a rare privilege. Thor often traveled via BiFrost which left its symbol of Asgard, he had not traveled under his own powers for centuries. The fact that he had chosen to do so now on the Realm of Midgard was concerning because neither could see a purpose for it.

Fandral shook his head as if shaking away thoughts not worth pondering over then asked, "The next question is how we will gain her information."

Sif scowled at the house, "In all other circumstances I would simply persuade the woman to speak the truth." Her hand restlessly rubbed against her short sword that was sitting on her hip. "However," Her face scrunched in disgust, "Thor has an affection for these Midgardian's and would not be pleased if we were to bring harm to one of them in our search for him." 

While making a wry face Fandral had to agree. Thor would not be happy if a mortal was injured in his name. He could be ridiculously sentimental at times.

Sif huffed out a breath, "So we will wait here." The expression of distaste appeared once more on her face, "I believe that Thor will return at some time, then together we will return to Asgard."

The thought of remaining here was tiresome yet Fandral answered, "Very well. We shall wait."