My Friend Loki: The Price You Pay

Part 3

"BROTHER! So this is where I find you, in the cold climes of Canada?!"

Loki and I looked toward the voice. A tall man with short blond hair, sporting street clothes and a stylized eyepatch over his right eye, approached us.

I quickly turned to look at Loki. I silently mouthed to him, "Is. That. Thor?!" Loki nodded, amused at my awe.

Unsure how to deal with meeting a person of such calibre - asides from dealing with a nest of butterflies in my stomach that were seemingly making it hard for me to breathe - I thought the best way to be polite would be to stand up, which I did.

As the man approached, Loki remained seated. He also seemed to be amused at my unease. He touched my arm, and looked up at me, "relax, he'll like you! However, he might inquire about why you are spending time in my company, then warn you about me."

The man finally reached our table and stood before us. Loki said to him calmly, "last I checked, it was not violating any rules to visit this country," then with much grace, stood from his seat. Putting a hand on my shoulder, looking at me fondly, he then turned to face Thor, "may I present Beverlee," then with a stronger inflection said, "my friend."

Thor looked at me as if sizing me up. I was still full of trepidation but hoped it wasn't too noticeable. I extended my right hand, "it is a pleasure, no, an honour, to meet you, Thor...If I may call you that?"

Amused, almost like Loki, Thor accepted my hand for the handshake. It was a firm handshake as one would suspect, considering who and what he was, but his grip was surprisingly gentle.

"It's good to meet you too, Beverlee." Something about his voice, or maybe how he said my name, just made me smile - and I was able to breathe a little better. He then looked into my eyes and spoke in a serious tone, "be wary of trusting my brother. While he speaks with a silver tongue, you must be made aware of what harm he is capable of inflicting, to you and to others."

I blinked. Then I glanced at Loki.

"See?" Loki said in a wry tone, "he's here less than two minutes, and he insults me," he shook his head, "he always makes things so rough," his eyes lowered and he wore a fatal look of resignation. Then after a beat... he grinned, "this guy."

This reaction from Loki spoke volumes to me. Hiding pain with levity. A defence mechanism I was very familiar with due to events I experienced in my life history.

Thor's words to me were also affecting. Loki's own brother, still wary of him, even after the realities Loki had confided in me. I did understand that Thor was attempting to 'put me wise,' but my relationship with Loki wasn't exactly new - not saying I knew him, but then who knows anyone completely. I still found those words bothersome...

I now looked into Thor's eyes, "thank you for your concern, Thor," I tried to keep my voice even, "but you needn't worry. I must say at this point of time," I looked at the person who called me his friend, and smiled proudly at him, "Loki has developed quite the strength of character."

Loki's expression seemed to change quickly to one of curiosity and gratitude. My bothersome feelings slowly dissipated.

Thor's expression also changed. He shook his head and sighed.

"Why are you here, brother?" Loki asked, breaking the brief moment of silence. His head cocked to the side, his arms now folded in indignance; eyes reflecting the same.

"If you allow me to join you, I would be able to explain." Thor looked at the both of us good-naturedly, with a friendly smile, waiting...

I could sense more tension from Loki. It was one thing to be interrupted, but quite another to now make this an intrusion, especially when it was by a person who had played a part in creating much of Loki's complexes.