MISCHIEF MANAGED → THOR & LOKI

ONE.

one x this is only the beginning

::

"Loki!"

The excited squeal of the Royal Princess of Vanaheim rang down the silver halls of the palace, and had it not been so recognizable, the servants would have wondered who was so excited and why. Since it was their rather-mischievous mistress, they knew better than to ask questions.

The newly-crowned King of Vanaheim was in the library, trying to concentrate on the book he held perched in his pale hand, his other hand trying to perform the spells his eyes were scanning through when the cry reached his ears. With a soft sigh, Loki closed the book, recognizing he would get no more studying done with the imminent arrival of his twin sister.

Kara burst through the library doors in a blur of green and grey, her loose black curls bouncing over her shoulder. "Loki, guess what!"

"It is my first day as King?" He guessed dryly, though a wry grin showed on his lips as he turned to face the twin who had escaped the throne by a mere two minutes. She only grinned wickedly at his statement, guessing what was going through his head without the help of her magic. Even though she was a revered sorceress even in their own land, she knew her brother too well to need to use her magic on him. Not that it would have worked, since he had learned centuries ago how to block it.

"We received an invitation for the coronation of Thor, the crown prince of Asgard!" She went on, blatantly ignoring his dry sarcasm as she held up a silver-and-red slip of paper that had neat cursive written across it. "It is today, however, so we must hurry."

"Really?" He asked, his eyebrow raising fractionally in surprise. He took the paper from her hand, reading over it in interest. Then his eyes gleamed with understanding as he looked back up at her, a knowing smirk on his lips. "It does say here that Thor has a twin sister named Eydis, interestingly."

"Oh, really? I hadn't noticed," his sister said with an innocent expression he saw through before it even appeared. "Perhaps I can meet her."

"You know what's even more interesting?" He quipped, his smirk only widening. "She is said to be quite mischievous. Perhaps you have another reason for this sudden interest in travelling."

"I hadn't heard that before," she replied, still innocently, though they both knew she had researched Asgard extensively already upon receiving the letter a week ago. "Perhaps she and I share the same interests, then."

Loki only gave her a knowing look, accompanied by a sigh, though both were tinged by amusement at her easy-to-read motives. "Very well. We can go. We should bring some guards--"

"Brother, no. Asgard would surely mean us no harm," she argued, her innocent expression gone, to be replaced by indignation. Loki shook his head to appease her.

"It is not Asgard harming us I am worried about. What if an attack occurs while we are there? I could not let you be hurt," he explained, which appeased her only a little.

"Brother, we are both powerful sorcerers," she said, waving a hand. "We will both be safe. Besides, does Asgard not have the most powerful army in the Nine Realms? We can even summon our own army quickly should we need to, without even the Bifrost."

Loki went to argue, then paused. Her reasoning was quite sound, and she did make excellent points. He knew she was right; if anything did happen, their own magic would be the most effective defense, and offense if needed.

"Very well," he conceded, smiling as she broke into a grin, bouncing on her feet. "We will go to the coronation."

___

"Eydis, relax," the soon-to-be King of Asgard chided his twin sister. "I look fine."

She did not reply, too busy making sure he looked perfect in his silver armor and flowing red cape. Her blonde hair spilled over her shoulder in a neat braid, and her sapphire blue eyes gleamed with amusement at his comment, for she had heard it despite not responding. Her own light blue dress looked elegant next to his armor, and an silver cape hung off one shoulder.

"Eydis," Thor said, taking her hands in his with a smile. She finally looked up at him, a wry grin twisting her lips. "What are you so preoccupied with? I know you don't care this much about my appearance."

"I just wish for today to be as perfect as possible," she said with a small laugh, squeezing his hands before stepping back.

"So you don't wish to meet this princess of Vanaheim?" He asked with a smirk, his expression knowing.

Eydis coughed as she turned away. "No, of course not. I mean, it will be nice to meet her, but I do not--"

"Eydis, it is fine." Thor chuckled, having heard a faint 'yes' in her cough. "Look, here they come. Straighten up."

His sister quickly stepped to his side, smoothing her silken dress down with a smile, and standing as straight as she'd been taught to do by their mother, as two forms approached. A herald stepped forward, waiting patiently for the two to near.

"My lord and lady, may I present King Loki of Vanaheim and his sister, the Crown Princess Kari Laufeydottir," the herald announced as the two royals came forward, and Kari gave a shallow curtsy.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesties," Kari said, looking up with a smile.

"Likewise, Your Highnesses," Thor replied as she rose, his smile warm and welcoming. He turned to greet Loki, seeing in him a man he could trust and rely on.

As Eydis' and Kari's eyes connected, they smirked at each other; for each saw in the other princess the same mischievousness and trickery they loved themselves.

They both shared one thought, recognizing the other's look.

This was going to be quite the coronation.