𝐄𝐓𝐎𝐈𝐋𝐄 ━ loki laufeyson¹·¹

2│FORGED IN THE HEART OF A DYING STAR

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❛ ᴇᴛᴏɪʟᴇ​​​​​​​​​​. ❜ ° . ༄
- ͙۪۪˚   ▎❛ 𝐓𝐖𝐎 ❜   ▎˚ ͙۪۪̥◌
»»————- ꒰ғᴏʀɢᴇᴅ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ
ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ ᴏғ ᴀ ᴅʏɪɴɢ sᴛᴀʀ ꒱


❝ I DO NOT TRUST
THE LURE OF THAT
DARKNESS ❞

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A S G A R D

Eleanora was dressed in a shift and leggings, with her blonde hair pulled back in an intricate braid. She walked beside Loki, who was in his usual leathers; the only thing that set him apart were the daggers in his hands, which became one as he handed the other to her. They were on their way to the training area where, as he'd promised, he would teach her how to use a weapon.

"But I have my powers," the Star argued grumpily, tracing the leather that was wrapped around the handle of his dagger. "Why do I have to learn how to fight?"

"It is important to have more than one mastery at your disposal," the god explained, only barely holding back an exasperated sigh; Eleanora had been protesting against physical training since he'd brought it up and they had been over this many times. "Besides, you are not yet skilled in wielding your power, are you? Surely you wish to have a backup plan should things go awry, or you are prevented from using your abilities."

"Exactly," she huffed. "I'm learning how to control my powers; shouldn't I commit all my time to that?"

This time, Loki did sigh and he flipped his dagger in the air as they walked, catching it deftly between his fingers. "A good magician does not rely solely on their abilities in a fight. The most skilled sorcerer only pulls out that talent to add an edge to their attack; shock value is an unappreciated advantage."

Eleanora cast him a sidelong glance at the resigned note in his voice. "Like your brother and his friends? They always find magic to be underhanded tactic."

The prince inclined his head. "Precisely. It is not a widely accepted practice and, at times, could make the situation more difficult than it might be without using your powers. But imagine the look on your opponent's face when they realize you have both the skill of a master swordsman and the power of a magician," Loki continued, a sly grin playing at the corners of his lips. "It adds an element of surprise, a sense of unpredictability that can turn the tide of battle in your favor."

"I suppose that's true," she admitted begrudgingly— as she always did when he proved his point in this matter. Eleanora would be convinced for some time that this was an important aspect to train in before she changed her mind again.

Loud cheers interrupted their conversation, causing Loki to roll his eyes. They had arrived at the training area to find Thor sparring with Fandral. Sif and the other two warriors stood at the edge, all but Hogun smirking at what would surely be Fandral's defeat. Other courtesans were watching on and Eleanora was quite certain that she saw the flash of gold coins being exchanged.

Reaching over to grasp her husband's arm, she tugged him in the direction of the match. Looking up at him hopefully, she pleaded, "can we watch? Please?"

The god let out another long-suffering sigh as he glanced around at the other Asgardians with an annoyed glare. "We're supposed to be training. I did not come all the way out here to suffer through the presence of these cretins; I do that too much on a daily basis already. Besides, you've already seen my brother fight; I certainly have watched him more times than I care to count to bother with another match that he will surely win."

"But that was different," she pouted. "When I saw Thor fight, I was terrified for my life. I didn't get a chance appreciate his skill then. Furthermore, since I am supposed to train, wouldn't the best introduction be to watch someone else's tactics?"