The Light that Shines Within

Loki's Turn

Loki POV (Brought to you by the Awesome Mix Vol. 2!)

I awoke to my alarm ringing at the appointed time, just as I had expected. I looked outside to see blessed pale moonlight shining through the large windows of Cassandra's library. I sat up, stretched, and with a wave of my hand, I was dressed in proper attire. For this planet, at least. Then I proceeded to pick up the novel I had been reading. It was about the American Civil War. Sometime shortly thereafter, my thoughts drifted to the wonderful raven-haired creature somewhere in this Tower. My feelings had grown steadily from those of just politeness in this exile to a pure friendship with this woman Cassandra.

We had similar interests.

From reading books, a shared love of solitude and little talk, to a similar hatred of my brother! Well... not hatred. Just... a very intense dislike. Either way, Thor was not welcomed in her chambers and that was fine with me. Whenever Cassandra was around the other Avengers, she was as civil and graceful as could be. But within her domain, Cassandra was blunt with him and even a bit harsh at times. I found this extremely refreshing.

Back home on Asgard, all the women just adored my sibling. They sought him out and practically threw themselves upon him, while I stood in the shadows without a single friend or person to love me except my mo-no, Frigga. Yes, Cassandra was very different compared to most women. And I found myself most relaxed around her, or just in her presence. This was no easy feat, in my opinion. It was something only Frigga had been able to accomplish before. I began to discover her vulnerabilities along the journey to this friendship. 

The day where she had become so distant... Staring out so sadly at the city she loved so much within her chambers after telling me of how my takeover of this planet changed her life forever. From the life of a 'civilian', Cassandra's world changed to a life of hero work. She was an agent like her father, as she had told me before. Once more, I found myself caring about her wellbeing. All I wanted to do at that moment was ease any pain, any cause of her suffering to see her smile again. She meant something now. 

I had made a true friend.

I thought about how she always awoke and immediately went to the kitchen in search of the caffeinated beverage. Perhaps I could bring her some of the beverage in bed? As a display of friendship? I nodded once to myself before rising. Yes, I could do that. She sure loved this bitter drink of hers. With the way she acted about it, it was like the beverage was her only food source or something of the sort. Cassandra depended upon it as such, it was always near her. Perhaps that was just the mortal way? It sure was worth some research... but as of right now, I would bring to her this drink she so adored to show my loyalty and friendship. 

I left the sanctuary of the library, and into enemy territory - the rest of the building. Hopefully, I would not come across my brother or even the Hawkeye without my new friend by my side. I chuckled to myself. I needed a woman by my side to help be an advocate to the Avengers around me. How do things change in such a short time? Luck was on my side, however, and I made it to the kitchen without needing anyone. I poured the hot black substance into Cassandra's mug. I was about to exit the room when someone swung the door open. The hot liquid was splashed all over the person that had been entering. I opened my mouth to scold them when they spoke before me. 

"The ACTUAL FUCK?!?!"  

My eyes widened in surprise and horror as I heard them speak, entering the kitchen with an angry glare. Cassandra! She glanced at her drenched clothes before glaring at me. Her eyes were boring holes into my soul and were red as crimson for a brief second before turning back to green within the blink of an eye. Had I been imagining it? Her eyes? Or was there more to this beautiful creature than meets the eye? More than a master of the Mystic Arts and an Avenger? Something much more... monster-like? Or could I finally be losing my mind on the accursed planet of mostly imbeciles? I decided not to dwell on that thought now. Right now, Cassandra was furious and I was the object of that anger. That was much more in priority than my newfound friend's eyes turning red.