Hell or High Water (#Wattys2016)

•Married With A Lack of Vision•

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Standing before the Allfather was nerve wracking. Scratch that, it was horrifying. He is the king of Asgard after all, but maybe she exaggerated a little.

No I didn't, it's terrible. Utterly unbearable. Wait, did I remember to curtsy? Oh yeah, I did. I hope my eyes aren't too puffy... Is my hair straight? What am I saying, he doesn't care! And what about my dress, shouldn't I be in something more formal?! Lavander isn't even my favorite color! Where is Frigga?! Why can't she be here? Why does Thor have to be here? Gosh, he's enormous. Okay, okay. Keep. Posture. Straight. Oh my God, he's about to speak. Breathe, breathe, don't bolt from the room, BREATHE, breathe and try not to look constipated -

"As you are aware, the unexpected demise of my son has come as a great shock to us all, and he wil be terribly missed. We will hold a commemoration in his honor, where we should also expect your attendance, yes?"

"Of c-course." Charlie mentally kicked herself, how could she stammer at a time when she was supposed to be confident? Was he always this straightforward after losing someone?

And wow. Height in this family must stop at Loki and Thor. Well, Thor at least...

"Good. While I understand this has been difficult on you, there are certain arranges to be made."

Charlie nodded, not trusting her voice. Odin stood, his spear now firmly in hand, and adressed her with less formality.

"Well, enough of niceties. You are aware... that your union was a fallacy?"

Jeez. Can't we shoot the breeze a little longer? I guess I should come clean, since Loki is technically...dead, what does it matter anymore? Okay, you can do this Charlie. How bad can it be?

"Er, true." She held up a finger, Odin raised a brow to this - apparently not used to being put on hold. "But I agreed to this, you see, Loki thought you hated him, and since Thor was absent, we firgured, he figured really -"

"That I could be deceived?" His mouth was upturned in a slight smirk, which instantly reminded her of Loki, and she felt heat rising to her cheeks.

I never hated my son; I couldn't see his shadow until it was too late.

"When you put it that way, it sounds...bad, actually. Seriously bad." Charlie wondered when she began to chew at her lip; this conversation had become awkward in a hurry. "We weren't exactly in love, not per se."

"Love has nothing to do with the issue. Did he not tell you that the Allfather must bestow his blessing?"

"He said that you already did, not in so many words, but he implied -"

"The sitiuation demands a serious consequence, Charlotte. You are illigally residing in Asgard as of now. To say nothing of the deceit you concurred to."

Charlie sighed and tried not to let her disappointment show - bravely choosing to accept her fate instead. Despite what happened, she had come to love Asgard. It was beyond beautiful and more interesting than any place she had seen on earth. The people were nothing but kind and generious to her, even through the gossip and their outright bias conception of Loki.

"Which is why after the commemoration your stay here, Charlotte Emile McLane, will be concluded."

You know anyone is serious when they use your middle name, but how did he even know it!? I cannot believe this is happening!

"Father, may I speak?"

Odin waved his hand in a way that she assumed meant his approval.

"It is possible Lady Charlotte did not know of Loki's full intentions? He did show great hostility even I was unapprised of."