Of Numbers and Strange Friendships

Chapter 19

"We're almost there!" one of the adults at the front of the trail of hikers called.

The words caused an instant shift in Loki and Thor. First, Loki shifted back to male form, at least until tonight when he was planning on sharing a tent with Wanda as Lady Loki. It was safer for all of them if Loki was close by. Her nightmares could get out of control too easily and they wouldn't put the Midgardian children in danger, or make Wanda feel bad for an accident. So Loki would be staying with her.

Second, Thor raised his umbrella-shaped Mjolnir and summoned lightning as Loki used magic and both of them summoned their armor. Not their full battle armor, but the most casual travel versions. They were both treating this like a camping or hunting trip back home. Thor strode forward to take the lead, Loki following just behind. These children and incompetent mortal adults were their charges for the weekend and they would make sure they made it safely through.

Maybe letting the pair chaperone wasn't the best idea.

Peter and Wanda hurried to catch up to try to keep the brothers out of too much trouble.

Loki surveyed the campsite as soon as they arrived and he and Thor knew each other so well that they didn't even need to discuss their plans. One of the other adults came up to them while they were surveying, while the teens stared in awe at the display of power they had just witnessed. He approached the brothers and started speaking. "Hey guys. I know being outdoors is strange for us city-folk. I've done a ton of camping. Let me show you-"

Thor and Loki turned to the man at the same time with equal looks of disbelief. "We are more experienced than you believe," Thor finally told him so Loki wouldn't just stab the man, who seemed to finally realize that the gods had a lot more experience than it seemed. Loki summoned all of their supplies and Thor surveyed the campsite. The kids were staring at them in awe and confusion. "Children, gather here!" Thor called to get their attention. The kids scrambled to obey while the adults watched on in shock and confusion as the brothers took charge.

"We must set up the camp, the fire, and gather food and proper supplies before sunset," Loki informed them all. The brothers had also taken plenty of youths out on hunts and were used to leading such expeditions. "The most effective way of accomplishing all of these goals is to play to our individual strengths," the teens nodded along with rapt attention. "For example, Thor is better at gathering firewood and lifting and carrying, while I, with my magic, can set a fire in moments, so my skills are put to better use setting up and magically shielding the camp while Thor hunts and gathers. We are going to do that same thing here." The teens looked concerned, as did the adults, but Thor and Loki seemed to both seem like they knew what they were doing, so they let them continue. They'd step in if the Asgardians got out of hand. Loki surveyed the teens and turned to Peter. "Arachnid, the correct term for their groupings is... clique, correct?"

Peter nodded. "Yes, there are the jocks, athletes," he clarified quickly "the smart kids, artists and drama kids, and of course the delinquents," he listed off a few of the groups.

Loki nodded his thanks and pondered. Thor let his brother think and plan. That was Loki's area of expertise after all. "Athletes with Thor, to gather firewood and dig latrines," he barked out the order and the jocks rushed to obey, gathering by Thor. "Intellectuals, you will be calculating supplies,"

"We brought-" one of the adults tried to interject until Loki glared at him. He didn't care if they brought supplies. The children wouldn't learn to get their own food if they ate off the supplies.

"We need to calculate how many deer, boar, elk, etc, Thor and his group need to kill to feed a group of however-many teenagers, mortal adults, and two Asgardian warriors," Loki told them when they had presented themselves. The nerds gathered near the fire-pit with their calculators, pencils, and the one kid who had cell phone reception to get to work. "Artists, go into the woods and gather as much and many different plants and mushrooms as you can find. We will determine if they are safe to eat and any magical or medicinal properties they contain upon your return. Stay in pairs and do not wander too far. Yell, loudly, if you run into trouble and one of us will come to your aid. Drama and music students, begin assembling the tents, male students will sleep on that side of the fire, females on this side. Those without a group, choose which task fits you best. Wanda, you are with me. We will be setting magical wards on our camp. I expect there will be no one slacking off. Any who attempt it will not like the results," Loki threatened and the kids scrambled to obey.