Hello everyone!

I had three drops today, meaning three hours of free time in school and still, I BARELY finished this chaper.

If you like foreshadowing, you'll love this chapter. Keep an eye out for some details you'll find later on. And Videl's sass. You'll really enjoy that.

NEW AGE OF ULTRON TRAILER! GO CHECK IT OUT I HAD A HEART ATTACK.

OKAY.

Read!

~Songs~

Return of the Lion (Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe soundtrack)

Magnus Bane (Mortal Instruments: City of Bones soundtrack)

~Edit~

Maybe FandoMinion will make one if I ask her nicely, cause I don't have Pinterest here.

Part 16

The following week passes more or less calmly. After her victory, Thea has become slightly more outgoing, although according to Videl, "her head needs to deflate several sizes". Loki, however, ignores this suggestion and lets Thea wander around the palace with a slight chip on her shoulder.

One thing that has not changed, however, is Thea's attitude towards Videl, and vice versa. Thea retains her deer-in-headlights fright when she first sees Videl, which switches to loathing in a few seconds. Videl, on the other hand, has redoubled his efforts to interact with her, mostly, as he says, because he wants to be done with the whole business. He is a renowned tracker, but Videl originally has a hard time finding her when she does not want to be found- which is never.

However, even Thea doesn't stand a chance against a determined Velah. He finds her everywhere- in niches, the stable loft, and one time, even trying to sneak out of the palace. Each time, she either glowers at him and runs away or actually tries to hit him, depending on her mood. The bright side of this, of course, is that Thea doesn't seem to be very afraid of Videl any longer. The fear has been replaced mostly by fury. "And this," says Thor, "Is our primary goal."

Loki, although half annoyed that Thor's plan is working, is also relieved that Thea has begun to slowly sleep better. Within that week, she only wakes up crying once, and the dream had not been about Videl- it had been about Bryce.

This doesn't mean, of course, that Thea wants to be anywhere near Videl. She begins to grow desperate to evade him, partially because she is still a little frightened, and partially because she still abhors the creature that brought her so much pain. Videl retains his cheeky attitude towards her, and all the quiet concern from after the banquet has dissolved.

Neither of them has mentioned the unreturned cloak. Thea has it still draped over her vanity chair.

The evening before departing for the wedding on Ardhigiza, Thea walks into the dining hall to find Loki already in there. This is a shock, because Loki has been absent for the past couple weeks, leaving Thea to the lion's den that included Odin and Videl. This evening though, Odin is not present, and Videl has so far not shown up.

"What are you doing here?" Thea asks, somewhat crankily trying to dictate the fact that she is still insulted that Loki hasn't rescued her from awkwardness. Nobody, for unspoken, undiscussed reasons, had told Loki about the incident a week ago.

"I thought I might as well pop in," says Loki, "You're leaving tomorrow anyway."

"For a day."

"Actually," says Loki, sitting down next to her, "It's two or so days. Those Velah weddings take several days to commemorate." He lowers his voice, "And Thea, I want you do be careful."

"When am I not?"

"I am not in the mood for your sass."

"You never are."

"Thea."

"Fine," Thea pouts, "I'll be careful."

"I honestly do mean this, Thea. I won't be there-"

"I can take care of myself," says Thea, and then promptly leaps about two feet in the air as Videl silently sits down on her other side.

"Is that so?" asks Loki quietly, his eyes darting to Videl and then narrowing as they characteristically do.

"...Yes," says Thea after a few seconds of hesitation. "I'll be fine! I'm not a child."

"First of all," says Loki, "You are a child, no matter how mighty you act, and no matter how many spoiled brats you best in competition, you are still a little girl. You're only thirteen."

"Fourteen next month!" Thea flushes, partly because Videl is listening to the conversation too, and smirking openly.

"And second of all," Loki lowers his voice, and Videl rolls his eyes before turning to Fandral to instigate a conversation. "You actually will have to look out for yourself."

"I've done that before," says Thea bluntly.

"Thor is a bumbling idiot-"

"I'm a what?" asks Thor mildly, appearing from behind them.

Loki ignores him. "And that treacherous bloodsucker will never earn my trust, not ever."

"I'm right here," says Videl.

Loki ignores him too. He has eyes only for Thea, and his eyes are hard. "Vow to me right now that you will be careful. And," he adds as Thea opens her mouth, "If you give me a sassy response, you will regret it."

Thea closes her mouth.

"Please Thea, vow to me that you will at least spare me some angst and worry," says Loki. He reaches forward and caresses her soft, youthful cheek. "Promise me, kitten."

She makes a face at him, leaning away from his patronizing hand. "Fine. I promise. Only if you promise not to kill Klaka while I'm gone, and not to miss me so much that you feel like your entire soul is cracking in half."

"You are impossible," says Loki.

The dinner is a boisterous affair, and Thea spends most of her time in silence, thinking about Ardhigiza, but also thinking about home. Even though Asgard is becoming warmer and more wonderful to her, Thea can't help but think about Earth. She misses Lucy waking her up with her wet nose nuzzling her hand that is hanging off the bed. She misses Tony and Bruce teaching her algebraic equations, Tony sarcastic and Bruce calm and caring. She misses Kyle randomly throwing her over his shoulder and laughing in his merry way as she struggles, before letting her fall onto a sofa or on a bed. She misses Max's warm, strong hugs and how he smells of spicy cologne and shaving cream. She misses Peter and his out-of-the-blue visits to her window, and how he had held her and comforted her in a way that few people could. She misses Steve's steadfast determination, loyalty, and goodness, all qualities that she secretly tries to emulate. She misses Natasha's cool smile, when she is trying not to smile. She misses Clint's calm demeanor, that spreads to every member of his team. But most of all, she misses Jack grinning at her, Jack laughing with her, Jack hugging her. The very thought of it sends a flush of happiness trembling through her, followed by a hollowness of longing. She lets her feelings out by jabbing a piece of fruit with her fork.

Meanwhile, Fandral is saying, "Videl, good fellow, are those ghastly burns ever going to go away? It would be a mark on such a handsome face as yours!"

Fandral brings up a good point. The burns on Videl's right side of his face are still horribly criss-crossed and red. Some of the gashes are beginning to heal, but some steadfastly remain the same.

"When did Thea burn Videl?" asks Loki quickly, but nobody answers, and Thea stares at her plate.

Videl glances at Thea before saying calmly but still with his normal drawling countenance, "I suspect that most will heal, but some will scar."

"Which is a shame," says Thea, before she knows what she is saying, "Imagine all the girls who won't want to swoon over you."

Loki's eyes are twinkling as he looks at her.

Videl doesn't appear to be offended, "Ladies love battle scars," he says. "And-"

"I don't like battle scars."

"Yes, but there's the prevailing fact that you are not a lady. As Loki put it so succinctly, you are a thirteen year old little girl."

"Eavesdropping is rude," says Thea huffily, glaring at him.

"And to add to your earlier statement, I'm sure all sensible ladies will admire my beauty as if I were Phoebus himself."

"I don't care," says Thea, who hasn't the slightest idea who Phoebus is, "You are still awful."

If Videl is affected whatsoever by Thea's behavior, which is considered rude by most standards (although apparently not to Loki, who is the only mostly authoritative person near Thea and is still smiling at her), he gives no indication. However, he turns to face her more clearly and says, pointing a fork at her, "You are going to regret being a rude simpleton to me."

"Stop calling me names!" Thea exclaims.

"That's not a name. I called you what you are."

"A thirteen year old little girl," says Thea, looking angry.

"You are a thirteen year old little girl."

"I am not!"

"Are you thirteen?" inquires Videl superiorly.

"Yes, but-"

"Are you a little girl?"

"No."

Videl snorts. "You are little. You barely come up to my extremely toned chest. You're deplorably thin too, has anyone mentioned that?"

"I'm deplorably thin," says Thea in a dangerous voice, rising from her seat and glaring at Videl through eyes glittering from tears of fury, "Because I have been mourning the death of my baby sister who you, might I remind you, killed. And because I haven't been sleeping because you have been making my dreams worse and worse until the only thing I dream of is blood."

Thea is panting with controlled emotion. The entire room has gone deathly still. Loki looks like he half wants to say something to Thea, but half wants to let her continue her tirade.

She does.

"I hate you," snarls Thea, and it's painfully obvious how hard she is trying to control her temper and her tears.

"Oh dear, not again," says Videl unconcernedly. "Have you not yelled at me enough?"

Thea ignores him.

"I'm g-glad I burned you, and I'll do it again, I don't care what I said! The sight of y-your stupid Velah face makes me s-sick! Everything about you is terrible and twisted and oh, I w-wish Loki had killed you!"

As soon as she says this, she covers her mouth and stares at Videl. Videl arches his eyes at her, not in anger, but in contemplation, but otherwise makes no sign of his emotions.

Thea runs from the room, but right before the door slams shut, Videl is fairly certain that he can hear a choked sob.

Thor puts his hands to his temple and sighs, "I think it's time that this dinner adjourned to more individual feasts."

There are slight murmurings of ascent and people hurrying to get up and leave the room. Only Loki, Thor, and Videl remain. Videl is frozen in one spot, staring at the wall ahead of him. His face remains passive save for the slight working in his jaw.

"When did Thea burn you?" asks Loki, not bothering to hide his pleasure.

"About a week ago, at a dinner which you did not deign yourself important enough to attend," Videl replies coolly.

"Did you not think this was important to tell me?" asks Loki, rounding on Thor angrily.

"Why does it matter?" asks Thor tiredly, "You dislike Videl, the only thing you would have done was to encourage Thea to burn his entire face off."

"Dislike," says Loki, "Is a euphemism."

"Whatever it is, I do not care." Thor is quiet, "Would you please leave Videl and myself to our own company, brother?"

"No," says Loki shortly, "You, Odin, and Videl are about to take Thea to Ardhigiza, and it will be the first time that she is not under my watch in nearly a month. I think I deserve to know what is going to happen to the child."

"So you agree that she is a child?" asks Videl, "Thank heaven, I have an ally!"

"I will never be your ally, Videl," says Loki in a sticky voice, "But yes, Thea is still a child. And I fully deserve to know and to decide what will happen on Ardhigiza."

"She's not your daughter," says Videl bluntly, "What right have you to her?"

Loki looks at Videl through snake-like eyes, "If I were to ever have a daughter, Thea would have my heart, as she has since the first day I heard her scream of pain."

"Oh really?" asks Videl, laughing, "You? You're a murderer, and a sorcerer. Hardly beneficial qualities for a father, Loki."

"By my murdering hands, I have taught Thea how to survive. And by my sorcerer's hands, I have taught her how to control her own magic."

"Oh that's right," says Videl, "I forgot. Thea is a murderer and a sorcerer too."

"It is not murder," says Loki, miraculously keeping calm, "If you are saving your own life from attack, as Thea did. It is not dark magic to tame the unspoken flames of the heart." He glares at Videl, "But it is murder to kill an innocent child, using the hands of another innocent child to do the dirty work. But it is sorcery to alter the mind so painfully of one, it alters their entire conscience, and to torture a little girl with knives that can be only combated with time and more pain, not healing balms. So," Loki's voice rises, "Who truly is the murderer and the sorcerer, Videl?"

"You are so talented at twisting another's words," sneers Videl. "But-"

"Enough," says Thor calmly. "If you two want to argue, then argue elsewhere. And preferably without killing each other."

Loki sucks in a frustrated breath through his teeth and leans back in his chair, still glaring at Videl.

"Loki, seeing as you are staying here, you might as well know something that pertains to you. After tonight, I do not want Thea sleeping with you."

"She is no longer so miserable," agrees Loki. "Very well, brother. I will acquiesce."

"Good," says Thor, turning to Videl. "Now then. On Ardhigiza, I will not be able to be with Thea the entire time. I expect you to behave with the same caution and care that you have displayed in my own kingdom. If not, then the consequence is sitting right next to you, still looking like he wants to finish what he started."

Videl raises an eyebrow. He is extremely nonplussed.

"Additionally," says Thor, "Seeing as I will not be with Thea all the time, I suspect she might try to slip out of watch and do some exploring of the realm on her own. Prevent that."

"I am not a babysitter," says Videl, "I have done my job. I am free to do what I please."

"Ardhigiza holds many memories for Thea," says Thor, "Most of them filled with terror, no thanks to you."

"Why hasn't she put up such a big fuss to go in the first place?"

Thor nods to Loki, "That question has probably been cleared up by my brother. He guesses, and I agree with him, that Thea will try to escape the palace and venture to certain sites. She is more intelligent with memory and direction than she lets on. Why she may want to go, neither Loki nor I know, but this is our best guess."

"Then why take her in the first place?" Videl sounds bored."

"Because healing from Ardhigiza is the last demon that Thea must face. However, I am not so rash as to wish that Thea go gallivanting off to the woods. She can face her demons plenty in the palace. And so you come in."

"You're big enough," says Videl, "You do it."

"I've already said that I will not always be with Thea, as Loki might have been. Your brother wishes my help in certain things. And thanks to your deprecating personality, Thea will probably respond to you in the expediency that we need."

"Or will burn my face off and run off," says Videl.

"It is a risk that I am willing to take."

"You haven't considered the risk to my beautiful face," says Videl, pretending to be hurt, "What if it disagrees?"

"It won't or I'll tear your beautiful head off your beautiful neck," mocks Loki.

*

Thea is exhausted the next morning. She hadn't slept much at all, and it is not from nightmares. She tosses and turns in bed, feeling hot and tired, but not able to fall asleep. When Loki had finally demanded what is going on with her, because he can't sleep when she's shifting uncomfortably, she only replies in distant murmurs. Loki doesn't push it, because he already knows what's wrong.

Therefore, Thea is now a zombie. She follows Loki mechanically down the hall as he heads towards the Rainbow Bridge. He is silent, as is Thea, and they are also silent the entire horseback ride.

Thor, Odin and Videl are already there, both wearing cloaks against the cold- Thea painfully remembers that she is wearing Videl's former cloak. She looks down at her feet. She doesn't want to see any of the three men. The only reason that Odin is coming is for "diplomatic reasons", but she still detests the All-Father's cool gaze.

At this point, Loki turns to Thea, "Remember what I told you, Thea."

"Bye," Thea mutters.

Just as Videl begins to pass him, Loki steps in front of him, but does not touch him.

"And remember what I told you."

"Which bit?" asks Videl, "The fact that I am a murderer and a sorcerer just like you and Thea, or the part where you threatened to maul my beautiful face?"

"Both," snaps Loki, loathing in his eyes.

*

Ardhigiza is almost precisely the way that Thea left it, except for the explosion of color. The entire outside of the gleaming marble and stone palace is decked in colorful banners, ribbons, and colors. Light filters in from the gravel, ivy-ridden path that leads to the palace, and Thea passes underneath arches made of twisting greenery. It is much warmer here than in Asgard, and Thea would have wanted to take off her cloak if it didn't look so conspicuous.

Even though this is Videl's childhood home, it is Thor who leads the way up one of the spiraling staircases at the back of the palace. Thea climbs silently after him, trying to ignore Odin's and Videl's presences.

Thor knocks at the giant stone door, overlaid with dark panels, and a booming sound echos from inside. There is silence, but then Thea hears hurried footsteps.

The door opens. More powerfully built than Videl or Archer, and with longer, finer, straighter blond hair, an angular face, and piercing red eyes, Lifolas is a strange combination of beautiful and mysterious.

"Thor!" Lifolas clasps the thunder god in a short hug, "How splendid to see you! Archer still said that you were contemplating whether or not to come."

His catlike eyes, which are even a brighter red than Archer's, slide to Thea, who is standing behind Thor, and then smiles. "And he doubted very much that you would be bringing you, little bird." He kneels down and takes her small wrist in his. He kisses her hand softly, and then says, "Ardhigiza has missed you, Thea."

Thea can't help but smile.. Of all the Velah, she easily likes Lifolas the most.

Lifolas stands and greets Odin, who nods curtly, and then directs his stare to Videl, who is leaning lazily against the iron banister, as if rather bored by the whole procedure. "Hello, Videl."

"Hi Lify," says Videl in a sugary voice that is obviously fake.

Lifolas ignores the tone, and turns again to Thor, "Archer will be glad you're here. At the moment, he is waiting nervously for the ceremony. It begins in only a few hours, so I urge that you hasten to get ready."

"I don't have anything to wear," says Thea. "Thor said-"

"Don't worry about it. Amara will be happy to help you," says Lifolas. He looks at Thor, "Do you remember what Archer told you? About the ceremony and-"

"Yes," says Thor, "I do. Thea will only stay for the reception ball."

"What?" asks Thea, confused, "Why not?"

"Because," says Videl, before anyone can stop him, "The wedding ceremony usually involves the sacrifice of some poor begotten animal, whose blood is removed from its body by tearing out its heart and then smeared across the alter before the bride and groom kneel together and-"

"Shut up," says Lifolas as Thea pales. "The ball, little bird, is much more delightful. Come to think of it, Archer had considered doing away with the traditional ceremony, but was eventually convinced otherwise."

"That's because Archer has no respect for tradition, and also possesses no backbone."

"I said shut up Videl," says Lifolas, "You're acting like a child."

Thea grins at Videl, who glowers and then stalks away.

Lifolas turns back to Thea, "I will show you to your room. You can relax and then I recommend that you remain in your room until the ceremony is over. Amara will be in afterwards."

"Okay," says Thea, her mind racing.

"And don't wander off," says Thor firmly, "There will be guards everywhere, and they will stop you if necessary."

"Fine," says Thea, her hopes dwindling, but she still appears cheerful as she and Lifolas walk down the hallway. She had already liked Lifolas a great deal, but hearing him call Videl a child, and then for Videl to march away just like a child, makes her like him even more.

*

Four hours later, Thea is extremely bored. She has been sitting in her room- the same one as the previous visit- with nothing to occupy herself with but the books on the shelves written in a language that she cannot read, her dagger, and the fact that she can send various object spinning around the room. She wished that she had brought Klaka, or something to read or write with. Eventually, she goes out on the balcony and watches the sun sneak across the sky.

She had thought about running off, but one glance out the door had showed her that Thor had not been lying- there were guards everywhere. She would have a better chance of sneaking away when everyone else is occupied with anything else.

Finally finally finally, there comes a soft knock at the door. Thea looks up to see a beautiful young woman emerge, with long black hair and blue-gray eyes. She has an air of imperialism about her, but also an aura of hidden softness.

"Hi Thea," she says with a radiant smile, a smile that exposes her fangs. Thea notices that they are slightly red at the tips, and tries not to notice too much. She is wearing a short white skirt, but trails down behind her in a transparent gauze. Her hair is runs down her back, but her long bangs are pulled up in a coiffure that sparkles vaguely. "I'm Amara. I don't know if you remember me."

"I do," says Thea, who really doesn't.

Amara is holding a lovely white silk dress in her arms. "This is for you. I think it's your size."

Thea goes behind a changing shield and tries on the dress. It's cool on her skin, like water, and skims her ankles. When she emerges, Amara smiles, "You look lovely. Come over here, and I'll do your hair and your face."

"My face?" asks Thea. She hadn't thought that Velah wore makeup. She just assumed that Velah are all perfectly naturally beautiful.

"During ceremonies and celebrations, we decorate our faces," says Amara as-a-matter-of-factly, "It's tradition."

Thea doesn't like many of the Velah traditions she has seen or heard about so far, so she reluctantly sits down on a poufy stool in front of vanity. The border around the vanity mirror is iron and decorated with spiraling angels blowing horns. Amara digs around in several drawers and takes out a brush, and a few ivory pins. She puts the pins between her teeth and brushes out Thea's long, dirty blonde hair. It takes a few minutes, because Thea hasn't cared much about her appearance lately and therefore her hair is almost as tangled as the episode with the bur bush.

When she's done smoothing out Thea's hair, Amara sprays it with some sort of blue mist. "For the shine," she explains. She then pulls up the strands around Thea's small face and twists them into a lovely bun, with a braid surrounding it. Leaning over Thea's shoulder and watching her handiwork in the mirror, Amara pulls out a few tendrils and lets them hang down.

"All right," Amara says, opening another drawer, which has an assortment of brushes and what look to be paints and eyeliner-like pencils. "Close your eyes."

Thea does so hesitantly, and feels a powdery brush flitting over her cheeks. She wrinkles her nose and Amara chuckles. After she's done with this, Amara puts her finger to Thea's temple, and Thea feels a wet, thin, brushlike stick near her eyes, flicking gently. Over the next few minutes, Amara curls Thea's lashes and keeps going,

"You have lovely green eyes," says Amara, taking some silver powder from a jar in front of the mirror, "This color will go well with yours."

Thea obediently closes her eyes as Amara swipes a brush on the powder and then onto the lids of Thea's eyes.

The door opens, and Thea opens one of her eyes to see Lifolas. He looks immaculately handsome, dressed in a long black coat with lace at the collar and sleeves, and a black top hat. His eyes are lined with black, bringing out his red eyes. He has mysterious black symbols painted over the top of his face and along his neck. He looks like some sort of gothic king.

"All right," says Amara, "Lifolas is going to put iraitze on now."

"What's that?" asks Thea.

"Paint. In designs said to bring whatever virtue is that particular mark. Iraitze means 'curse', but these runes are both good and bad. Of course, for this ceremony, they are only good. But Lify is much better at it than I am."

"Nonsense," says Lifolas, who has not taken his eyes off Amara, "You're just as skilled at it."

"Nonetheless, you will be better at it," says Amara simply, "I will be back in a couple minutes. Archer wanted me to bring the vials, and I left them in my chambers."

Thea begins to laugh as soon as Amara leaves the room.

"What?" asks Lifolas, sitting down backwards on the chair next to the vanity.

"You like her," says Thea.

"I do not," says Lifolas, "Now shush. And close your eyes so I can put the iraitze on your face. "

"You do like her, you wouldn't stop staring at her," says Thea, closing her eyes, "And what are you putting on my face?"

"If you don't keep quiet about Amara," says Lifolas, but his tone is playing, "I will put the iraitze of eternal bad hair days and two left feet."

"Is there a thingy for that?" asks Thea, who cannot pronounce iraitze.

"Of course there is," says Lifolas, tilting her neck back (there isn't.).

"Are you going to bite me?" asks Thea, feeling the exposed skin of her neck profusely. Something pokes her neck, and she squeals, her eyes snapping open.

Lifolas has poked her with a one of the eyeliner sticks Amara had used. "I'm just teasing you," he says, smiling as she groans and slaps his arm. "Okay, close your eyes."

"Why do I have to close my eyes?"

"Because if you don't, you will have bad hair days and two left feet forever."

Thea huffs, but closes her eyes. A few seconds later, she feels cool paint sliding over her forehead, "What is it?"

"Sh...I'm...concentrating," says Lifolas in a wavery voice, obviously not paying much attention to her.

Thea twitches impatiently, fiddling her fingers as Lifolas continues to paint on her forehead, her left cheek, and one side of her neck. About twenty minutes later, she feels Lifolas lean away from her, clucking, analyzing his handiwork.

"All right," says Lifolas, "You look lovely. Go ahead and look."

Thea opens her eyes, and then widens them. The white dress in combination with the rouge on her cheeks has brought much-needed color to her face, and the rouge has also accentuated her cheekbones. Her eyes look much wider than normal, and the green color has brightened so much thanks to the powder above them that they are the color of crystallized emeralds. The liner swoops her eyes up, causing them to look slightly slanted and more exotically oval than she has ever hoped, and her lashes curl up. Her blonde tendrils fall lightly on her shoulders, barely skimming the circular scar on her neck, framing her face.

What appear most fascinating to Thea, however, are the iraitze marks. There are three of them. On her forehead is a sweeping mark coming up in a cloud-like shape, accentuated by seven short marks. The one on her left cheek is a circle with a dot in the center. The one on her neck is the most intricate: it is a collection of intermingled swirls trailing from the top of her right collarbone to the very edge of her chin. The swirls and tendrils arc and swoop, and it is evident how Lifolas had been with them. The ink sparkles slightly in the light, shimmering as if a tiny star is encased in each one.

"What do they mean?" asks Thea in wonderment.

"This one," Lifolas points to the iraitze on her forehead, "Promises good dreams for the next week, the next seven days. That one," he gestures to the one on her cheek, "Provides strength. And this," he points to the final iraitze mark, the most beautiful of all, "This is the mark of a family, not by blood, but connected by something stronger."

"They're so pretty," Thea murmurs.

"They are indeed," says Lifolas. "Now it is nearly time to disembark. If you would allow me to escort you, I believe the groom and the bride are expecting us."

*

The ball is held in a series of rooms, some inside and some outside, but they are not ordinary walls. They are made up of a gray rock, and climb up as if made in a grotto. Ivy crawls up the walls and over the columns and arches, and glowing lanterns hang from the branches, as the light is dim and wavering. Waterfalls trickle over the edges, sending spray into the air and creating a coolness about the place.

There are tables set around, made of what appear to be twisted tree branches and dark navy cushions, with glass goblets. Velah mingle around, all beautiful and tall, talking, laughing, or sipping from the crimson liquid in the goblets.

It's about twenty minutes before Thea finds Archer and his bride. Archer is wearing a handsome black suit with a gold chain around his neck with a half-circle pendant. While as of late, Videl has looked younger, Archer now looks older. His hair is slicked back, and with the combination of the eyeliner and iraitze, he looks dark and powerful, but no less friendly.

"Thea!" he exclaims, his bright teeth shining in the low lantern light in a smile. He hugs her tightly, "It is so wonderful to see you. You look beautiful."

"Thank you," says Thea, slightly squashed by the hug.

Archer eventually lets go and gestures to the gorgeous young woman standing next to him, "This is Linthria."

Linthria smiles a beautiful smile. She is tall, with large dark eyes that narrow down and would have seemed sinister if it weren't for the kindness in them. Her hair is a chestnut brown and hangs wild and curly down to her waist. She is wearing a stunning white gown that trails behind her, and a gold chain similar to Archer's, except for her pendant is the opposite side of the half-circle: a symbol of completion.

"It is so good to meet you Thea," says Linthria, bending down to kiss Thea on both cheeks, "Archer has told me a great deal about you and your bravery. So young, but so strong."

Thea smiles, "Thanks. And congratulations by the way."

"Thank you," says Linthria, "You are always welcome in our home."

At this moment, several young Velah approach Linthria and Archer, and Thea walks away. She doesn't see Thor around, and suspects that he is either with Videl, or is late. Either way is fine with her. She doesn't exactly want to be around anyone right now.

*

Videl is lying on a long couch near the back of one of the rooms, his feet propped up on the arm. He, like his brother, is wearing a black suit, this one with coattails, and the black contrasts his golden curls and angles his face even more so that he appears devilishly angelic. The eyeliner makes his eyes look sharper and more beautiful, and the iraitze skirts up his skin, accentuating the burns on his cheek but somehow making them look like a warrior's marks.

He takes in the entire room, its bustling crowds, the smell of refreshments, mist from the waterfalls, and tanginess of all the plants.

After about thirty minutes of perpetual boredom, because the only Velah that would want to approach him are either dead or in the dungeons, Videl raises his head suddenly, his golden curls falling over his forehead. He cocks his head as if listening to something, and his amber eyes glisten as he slowly surveys the room.

With a bound, he leaps off the couch and lopes towards one of the tunnels with feline grace. His eyes narrow as he stalks along the edge of the tunnel, a tunnel that he knows leads out of the series of grottos and into the great wilderness of Ardhigiza. It's damp in this rocky tunnel, and the only light comes from the occasional torch attached to the walls that cast flickers into the air.

At the end of the tunnel, right before the exit (he can feel the warm air from outside) Videl spots a niche carved out from the main part of the tunnel, completely hidden in shadow. In two long strides, he is there.

He reaches out one arm and pulls Thea out of the niche by her arm.

"Let me go!" she squeals.

"So Loki was right," says Videl, looking extremely pleased with himself, "You were planning on running away."

"Let me-"

"Look at you, all dolled up. I recognize those iraitze. Lifolas did them. If it weren't for the fact that I can smell the cut on your arm that you probably got when you ran into this very wall, then I would think that you were a Velah."

"Leave me alone, Videl!" she exclaims tearfully.

"Why do you want to go into the forests anyway?" asks Videl, "No, don't tell me because I already know. You want to somehow visit and memorialize your sister. Don't waste your time. You'll get lost and probably die, and seeing as if you die, I'll get blamed if even if I'm ten miles away, I would rather that not happen."

"You killed her," says Thea, not trying to stop her tears. They run in perfect connection with the family iraitze on her neck, "Let me at least-"

"No."

"Let me go!" she shrieks, yanking against him. "Let me go, you devi-"

She whimpers as Videl slams her into the wall with such force, she nearly has the wind knocked out of her.

Videl's face is so close to hers, she can smell the sharp scent of cologne and feel his curls tickling her cheek. "Listen to me," he snaps, "You're not going anywhere. You'll get yourself killed."

"As if you care!" she snarls, kicking his shins.

He ignores the pain, "Is that what you're trying to do? Get yourself killed?"

"I'm not telling you anything!"

He slams her against the wall again and glares at her through narrowed amber eyes.

"I'm not going to kill myself," she sobs, "I just want to go out!"

"You're not doing either, not tonight," says Videl. "You will get killed. The forests are wild. You should know that already."

"I hate you!"

"You do realize you have made that point multiple times? Repetition, although efficacious in poetry, simply sounds fautous by your tongue."

"Please," she begs, "Let me go."

"You are being impulsive. You are not thinking of the consequences. Besides the fact that I would immediately be arrested and have a dagger through my heart, what will happen when Loki finds out you are missing, or even dead? He will go crazy. He might destroy planets. Think about how dismal that would be. Several apocalypses in one year is not exactly a nice thing to witness."

"I won't die! I just want to go out-"

"These forests are dangerous. You will be promptly killed by any number of creatures that prowl the night, not to mention an accidental and hungry Velah that crosses your path." Videl's eyes appear lit by fire in the torchlight.

"But-"

"I already said no. Go back to the party. I'm sure your thunder god is searching for you. I have no attachment to you whatsoever, but if you value the attachment of your limbs, I suggest you listen to me and do as I say."

Thea keeps crying, gasping and choking. She tries to push past Videl, but he bars her against the wall with his arm across the top of her torso and the other above her, in case she tries to escape.

Videl does not let her go for several minutes, at least until she begins to calm down. Then, she says in a stuttering voice, "I didn't r-rreally want Loki to k-kill you. I'm s-sorry. I w-want you d-dead, but n-no I d-don't-"

"If you keep apologizing to me, then I'm going to think you've contacted some sort of contagious illness that I do not want to catch. I don't want your apology. I know you didn't mean it. You're jellylegged like that."

Tears are still trickling down her face, "I still h-hate you and I'll a-always-"

"I know you will always hate me. I don't blame you, but I don't care either. At least if you're going to hate someone, your time is spent on someone as beauteous as I am."

"You're not beautiful!"

"I said beauteous. They are similar words, but not the same. Now go back to the party. I don't have anything else to say to you."

*

Videl stalks away from the grotto after making sure that Thea is back at the party. As he is making his way towards the exit, wanting to escape the party and head upstairs to his room for some peace, a figure appears in front of him so suddenly, he jumps slightly. The figure is bright white and her long blonde hair reaches her waist in ringlets. Her forehead is creasing in worry.

"Come with me," says Myrinea, "I bring to you a warning."

*

Thea is miserable from then on. As the dancing begins, she slouches in her chair in the corner, leaning against the stone and watching the ripples of the water from an adjacent waterfall pool.

Someone taps her shoulder and looking up, she sees Videl. He looks somewhat calmer than earlier, as if he had taken some sort of relaxitive. He holds out his hand, "Come dance."

Thea crosses her arms. "I'd rather stick pins in my eyes."

"And I'd love to be the person who sticks the pins in your eyes. But sadly, I'm fresh out of needles. If you don't come dance with me, I will tell Loki that you tried to run off. I'd love to see how angry he will be at you."

"You're not going back to Asgard. You won't get the chance," says Thea.

"I can tell Thor, and he can tell Loki. Or I can write a letter, and add in a few extra details."

Thea is silent. Then, she says, "I don't care. Tell him."

"You do care. You're bluffing. Now come dance."

Thea is bluffing, but she doesn't want to admit it. Finally though, grudgingly, she stands up and lets Videl pull her towards the dance floor. His hand is warm on hers, but she still has to resist cringing away from him.

"All right," says Videl, over the hubbub of everyone else dancing- Thea nearly gets trampled by a particularly energetic pair. "Put your arm on my shoulder, if you can possibly reach it, which is doubtful, and I'll put my hand on your waist."

"No." says Thea.

Videl rolls his eyes, as if reacting to a peevish child,"I'm not going to hurt you."

"No," says Thea again.

"Honestly, you are so-"

"Max told me that when a girl says no, it means no. I said no! And if you try anything else, I'll kick you in the-"

"Did I happen to mention that I'm not going to hurt you?" asks Videl, "But fine. Just take my hands then."

Thea looks relieved as Videl takes her other hand and spins her onto the dance floor. She feels insecure at first, but as Videl twirls her in a circle, she begins to relax. Videl wouldn't possibly try to hurt her in the middle of such a large crowd anyway, and therefore Thea is confused as to what Videl is trying.

The tempo of the dance quickens, but Videl is moving slower, as if uncertain that Thea will be afraid. Very very slowly, he begins to put his hand at the very top of her waist, barely touching her.

She looks up as if electrified, and Videl sees the panic in her eyes. "I won't hurt you, all right? You are going to need to learn to trust me."

"Why?" asks Thea, "I never want to trust you. I-"

"-hate you. Yes, I know. But I assure you, you are going to need to learn to trust me in the future."

"Why?"

Videl leans down, and Thea tries to get away, but he pulls her closer. She squeals quietly, but Videl hisses, "Stop. I'm trying to help you. Look to your left as discreetly as possible."

"Wh-why?"

"Just do it."

Thea hesitantly turns to the left. She sees nothing of consequence, save for a few dancing Velah, and Odin standing near the wall. "What?"

"Odin."

"What about him?" Thea does have to admit that the way Odin is peering at her is slightly disconcerting. She doesn't even know why he is here; it was extremely last minute, apparently as soon as Loki discovered he was not going.

"I do not want him to hear."

"Why?"

"I can't tell you right now."

"Oh thanks, you're so-"

"I literally can't tell you right now. My tongue is stuck to the roof of my mouth if I do."

"But-" Thea looks back over her shoulder at Odin, as Videl has turned them around.

Videl turns her face around, "Hush. But I carry a message from Myrinea."

"Myrinea?"

"Yes. You need to distance yourself from Loki as much as possible."

"But-but-" stammers Thea, "Why?"

"I can't tell you," says Videl.

Thea does not like how close she is to him, and she snaps, "How do I know you are not lying? You're making all this up! Loki isn't-"

"Loki is not who he appears to be," says Videl, "Haven't I always told you that? Soon enough, you will have proof of it."

"But what does Odin have to do with it!?" exclaims Thea.

"Odin has everything to do with it," replies Videl, "He is definitely not who appears to be."

"B-"

"Loki is going to hurt you, Thea. I cannot say how. I don't have the ability. But there is powerful magic at work here, and Myrinea is only the pawn. And when I say that Loki is going to hurt you, he is really and literally going to hurt you."

Thea stares at Videl. Then, she jerks away from him, "I don't believe you!" she shouts, "I don't believe you!"

"Thea, stop, you need to-"

She's already gone. She runs out of the room and up the stairs to her room, where she locks the door and dissolves into sobs.

The problem is, she doesn't want to believe Videl, but she does.

Uh oh... :)

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Love you all! <3

Sierra