Loki and I are speaking again now. I probably would need to speak with him, anyway. He is delighted that he has made some progress in his mission of redemption, however small. He has been telling me what I shall need to know about Asgard and their customs. It is already more beneficial than the notes Jarvis printed.

Eventually the day arrives when we must leave for Asgard. I am waiting at the penthouse wearing the Asgardian attire, just as Thor and Loki instructed. They are not here as of yet, only Tony, who is enjoying one of his beverages. He had already offered me some alcohol, but I politely declined. I cannot exactly show up in front of royal gods while intoxicated.

Eventually Thor and Loki arrive together, dressed in what I assume is their own form of Asgardian attire. They both smirk as their eyes examine me. "Not bad for someone who is not of Asgard," Thor claims. "As for you, I believe the cape is a little much," I keep a straight face, but my light and teasing tone caused both gods to laugh.

"I believe we should leave now," Thor said after he and Loki had sobered, looking out of the large windows at the setting sun. "Lady Lexis, come with us."

I rise from my seat and follow obediently. We move to the balcony outside and stand nearby one another in a circle. It makes me nervous to be this close to them both, but I know I have no choice. They look to me, a little nervously.

"Lady Lexis... has Loki explained the Bifrost to you?" Thor asked. "Yes," I confirm with a nod. "Why do you ask?"

"It can be... unsteady," He chooses an appropriate word. "For those who have never travelled via Bifrost before, it is safest to hold onto another for support. Otherwise you may fail to make it to Asgard. Though the risk is low, it is a risk of enormous proportions."

I freeze. "It will... it will hurt," I point out. "It is safer than taking the risk, Lady Lexis," Loki says to me. "It will not be for long and we can remove the stone the moment we reach Asgard, I can promise you this."

I hesitate, then nod slightly. "Okay... if I must..." Loki and Thor both smile to me. Thor then wraps an arm around me so I do the same with him. The second we come into contact the searing pain starts, but I do my best to hold in my screams, only letting out a pained yelp.

They both look to me sympathetically. "You may scream if you wish," Loki tells me gently, knowing the pain I feel. I then do so for a few moments, then when I can finally ignore the pain, I wipe my tears and catch my breath. "My apologies," I say to them. "It is not a problem," Loki says to me. Thor simply smiles. I give a small smile back.

"Are you ready, Lady Lexis?" He asks, holding his hammer high in the air. I do not know anything about the hammer except that he is very fond of it. He is rarely seen without it nearby, if not in hand.

I nod and he grins at me again, this time reassuringly, before looking up to the sky and yelling. Suddenly what they call the Bifrost engulfs us. It is beautiful! I feel the ground vanish from beneath my feet, then we are surging away. I tighten my grip a little on Thor, to which he laughs and does the same for me.

Eventually I can feel a solid form beneath my feet. I stumble slightly, thankfully not into anybody, but Thor keeps me steady. Then he finally releases me.

"Heimdall," Loki greets a man who looks bemused to see him. "Loki," he replies in a gruff tone, then turns to Thor and I, his expression lightening only very slightly. "It is good to see you again, Thor. And good to meet you, my lady."

"The pleasure is all mine," I say honestly, hiding my arm behind my back to hide the stone. It is not very attractive, as one might assume. "Odin awaits you three," Heimdall says, strictly business. "Thank you, Heimdall," Thor says, then leads us along the very same bridge Loki has shown me before through his memories. It truly is a spectacular marvel in an array of colours.

We continue walking until we arrive at a golden palace. "Where did you come across so much gold?" I ask, intrigued, but my only response are chuckles from my Asgardian escorts. Such enlightening conversation must occur in Asgard, I see, if you 'note the sarcasm', as Tony says. He has been attempting to teach me modern day slang. Even the few I have learned I pretend not to understand simply to annoy him.

We enter the palace and pause outside a door. "You will have to meet Odin now," Thor stays to me quietly. "You must show him respect. He is the All-Father, after all."

I nod slightly, albeit a little unnerved. I prepare myself when the door is opened and there, perched upon a golden throne, is Odin. When Thor and Loki halt, I do the same, then Loki tells me telepathically to bow. I do so with practiced grace and elegance. "I have heard many good things of you, All-Father," I say upon Loki's instruction as I regain my posture.

"And I you," He replies coolly, though I suppress the narrowing of my eyes. "I must thank you for defending Loki. I hear you have looked out for my more troublesome son. I also hear that he has cursed your kind and, as a result, you. Is this true?"

"It is," I confirm. "And is it true that you claim to be a Stone Siren?" He persists. Instead of an instant verbal answer, I show him my arm, which is still stone. "It is," I repeat, running my fingers along the stone which invaded my skin. It is cool to the touch, as usual. Nothing like the slight warmth of my own skin upon my bones.