Unexpected

The Invitation

My breakfast was over far too soon, and I was soon heading down the hallways towards Loki's room once again. My mind whirred with all the things I might be walking into, all of the situations that may occur. As I made my way down one hallway then the next, my pace went back and forth from trudging along as slowly as possible, then dashing forwards to get it over with. Finally, however, I did make it to the door and as I raised my hand to knock, all I wanted to do was turn and bolt away so as not to face Loki.

After two quiet, hesitating knocks Loki's voice called through the door, "Enter!"

I took a deep breath, sighed, and opened the door, my eyes pinned to the ground as I stepped in to the room.

"Good morning, Penelope." I heard Loki's voice say from further in the room as I stood near the door.

"Good morning." I said, my eyes still glued to the floor.

"I trust that you slept well?"

My face burst into sudden heat and I had no doubt that from my cheeks to my ears, my face was cherry red. I cleared my throat that had felt like it had suddenly clenched closed, "Yes. Very well. And you?"

"Quite well." He replied, his voice now closer than it was before.

I ducked my face down a bit to try to hide my blush, though no doubt his keen eyes had already caught sight of it. "Good."

There was awkward silence for a moment.

"Anyways, on a different matter, Penelope." He started up again, "I need your opinion on something. Tell me, how do I look?"

The question seemed weird to me as I begrudgingly raised my vision, but then it made sense. My breath got caught in my throat and a half gasp escaped my lips at the shock of what was before me. There was Loki, no longer dressed in his long black leather coat with the gold and green trimmings, but instead in dark jeans, black leather shoes, and a dark, grayish green cardigan with a black t-shirt underneath it.

"You look almost normal!" I exclaimed before blushing at my words and quickly stuttering, "Human. That's what I meant. I mean you look almost human."

"That's the point." He said smiling in satisfaction.

"Point?"

"It wouldn't work if I didn't fit the part now would it? I'd make a spectacle all too soon." He said in an offhand way as he went to his drawers to pick up the scepter from where it lay on top.

"I'm sorry, I'm confused."

"We're going out."

I just stood there, my face probably plastered with a look of absolute confusion. "What?"

His face softened. "Last night you said that you were homesick and it's obvious that you crave to be let out. Your stories of camping and past summer times have proved that, like a flower, you wilt away from sunlight. So I'm going to take you on a little trip outside, make an afternoon of it as my plans are on hold until Doctor Selvig can figure out what he needs to set up the portal and you've been through enough and a day out will do you good."

I was shocked to say the least. Out. I was going to go outside! I'd be able to feel the breeze on my skin and the sun on my face. There'd be the open sky overhead instead of flickering electric lights, and possibly people who were not brainwashed or the fresh green of plants instead of the rusty brown of the brick walls. Was it possible? It sounded wonderful, but also incredibly awkward. I'd be out and about walking with one of the most dangerous people on the planet for an entire afternoon by the sound of it. Then there were the happenings of last night to take into account besides the whole criminal, danger thing.