"Dare I ask about this evening's event?" A smiling Odin gestured towards the gateway, where the huge prong of the school jutted out from the mountain line.
The rowdy Asgardian soldiers had left just moments beforehand, leaving the vast palace in a daunting silence.
Without waiting for his eldest to reply, the God stalked through the open doorway and into the large Greeting Hall, where his face, and his son's faces, were cemented along the walls. He breathed in, savoring the sharp crack in his chest, one that could only be developed after millennia of not daring to move, in fear of annihilation.
Odin had been only the human age of 3 when he experienced his first war, and it had made him a stronger person, a more humble warrior.
Yet here, somewhere in this Palace, his youngest son of 12 years was cowering like an infant, frightened by a foolish teenager no where near his physical capability.
His son had fallen enough to shed tears, and frankly, Odin would not stand the humiliation.
Frigga had softened him enough; it was time to show Loki real discipline, real fear, and real pain. And anybody who knew Odin knew that he would go to exceptional lengths to achieve it.
"Father, my brother has not been too well of late." Thor sighed, his powerful voice echoing across the vast emptiness of a room too large to fill.
Odin was reminded of the centuries before, when his two sons would play war across the stones.
Thor's battle cry would always frighten his brother, and the action would often result in his tears.
Of course, Thor would always apologize and play mother, something he learned from his step-parent, no doubt.
Despite only being the mortal age of 16, his maternal instincts were unfaltering. But now, things were going to change.
"I excuse not his cowardly behavior, but I suggest discovering what the problem is before punishing him for something he could not control."
"Oh now, you're just defending him." The older being chuckled, his voice strangely flat beside Thor's, yet just as authoritative. "I know all your tricks and schemes, my son. I have watched you grow and learn; I have witnessed the personalities you each have developed and the mistakes you have both have made, your brother seemingly more frequently."
The scoff reverberated along the walls and the harsh sound forced a wince from Thor.
"I am not defending him, for I agree with you father." He grumbled, as they descended the staircase.
Heavy marble gave way to soft, cream carpets, which both men would claim they hated if asked.
The truth was that it felt like home once they crossed that line.
"We have cocooned him for too long. It is time to push him away from his comforts and force him into independence." Thor felt like a traitor; a very bad feeling swept through his chest and dragged his stomach to his feet. "Even if it means making him feel more frightened and scared now, to toughen him, to give him a greater chance of survival."
"You're becoming a man, my son."
"I'm becoming resilient. I'm not sure it's the same thing."
"Hmm, well. You are maturing and discovering new ways of thinking. You are able to strategize and fight for your beliefs. If that doesn't qualify as 'manly' I'm not entirely sure what does."
Pride blossomed deep within Thor's chest, petals of happiness overlapping the niggle of fear he still held for his brother.
"I believe it best you accompany me," Odin spoke surely, focusing his gaze on the hall in front of him.
