Saving Mischief

I didn't know why Thor had brought me back here. He was the reason I was exiled in the first place. Surely Odin wouldn't change his mind about me unless there was something he wanted from me. Odin wanting something from you was never a good sign. I walked through the golden streets of Asgard, every new road bringing back memories of my childhood here. I'd been raised in the palace. Most people thought it was a kind gesture from the All Father... The truth is that when my parents died in combat, Odin tried to find me a new family among the villagers. It was a total bust, no one had wanted me and so he took me in. I played with Loki and Thor when they were around but mostly I was left to do what I pleased and so I often roamed around Asgard. As we neared the palace, I pulled Thor to the side.

"Tell me why I'm here. You have to. This isn't fair-" I stopped abruptly when I saw the look on his face. It was the same look he'd given me when I told him what I was all those years ago.

"I do not have to do anything you ask of me. I do not owe you any such favors." The cold tone of his voice sent chills down my spine. When I met his gaze, I noticed that his eyes were sadder now, they didn't shine the way I had remembered them. Back on Midgard, I'd caught glimpses of him every now and then, when a god comes to earth it isn't exactly kept a secret, but it had never been enough to see what he looked like now. I felt hurt that he hadn't yet forgiven me for merely being different than him, I hoped that my face didn't show it however. We continued into the castle and with every step, I became more and more aware of how real this all was. Before I knew it, I was face to face with the man I had once looked up to as a father.

"What?" The word came out as more of a low growl than an actual word. The room immediately went silent and the All Father's eyebrows shot up, though it seemed as if he was slightly amused.

"What a lovely greeting! You are still quite ladylike I see," Odin replied with a laughter tinted voice. I snarled and bared my fangs. The cheerfulness drained from his face and was replaced with the same stone-cold expression Thor had worn earlier.

"Take her down to Loki. I no longer wish to speak with her." At the sound of Loki's name, my mood lightened. He and I had always been particularly close. I blindly followed Thor like a puppy down several flights of stairs and into the dungeons.

"To what do I owe your visit brother? Not that I'm not happy too see you but, well, I'm not happy to see you." Loki's voice echoed about the room, it sounded wounded, like it had not had anything pleasant to say in a very long time. Instead of replying, Thor opened Loki's cell ever so slightly before thrusting me inside and locking it again. I heard Thor laugh as he walked out the door, his laughter sounding ominous rather than merry. Before I could decipher why, something hard and cold collided with my side, propelling me backwards and causing me to bash my head against the wall.

I woke up with a searing pain in my head and in my side. My whole body ached from the position I had been laying in for seemingly hours on end. When I managed to focus my eyes on my surroundings, I saw Loki sitting on his bed, observing me. I hadn't even realized I'd shifted until I tried to reach up to my head and instead found a paw where my hand should've been. Abandoning his spot across the room, Loki slowly made his way over to me and began running his cool fingers through my fur. It felt so soothing and the ache in my muscles began to dull. I laid my head down on his legs, my muzzle burying itself in the crook of his arm.

"Where have you been?" He paused, dropping his voice to a whisper that I doubt I was meant to hear, "I needed you." For a moment I did nothing but relish in the bizarre sensation of his cold skin against my warm fur then slowly, I began to shift back. I began to shiver violently as the cold air hit my skin. Loki looked as though he was about to wrap his arms around me but thought better of it as he wouldn't really be able to warm me up much.