Fandom The Jotun Prince (insensitive, Laufey; closed)

[insensitive]

The anticipation of the moment was frightening, now that it was finally upon her.

They were all positioned in waiting within the grand palace antechamber, her father on the spacious throne, her mother at his left shoulder, while herself and Thor stood at his right, the pride of the highest realm. They were a picture of patience, but outward was where it stopped—at least for her.

Dagny, despite all the curiosities that drove her in the pursuit of knowledge that, betimes, saw her in great deals of trouble—though she’d since grown infinitely closer with reprimands, when they were due—was just short of terrified. All her life, the Jotuns, the frost giants, were spoken of in tales or in teachings, the descriptions preceded them ones of malice and hatred and inhumanity. They had been at an uneasy truce with all of Jotunheim so long, and before that at war even longer.

Now she was to wed one of them.

Not just any one, she knew. It was the crown prince himself, and any second, he was due to make good on his and his father’s promises to Odin.

Better that he should decide to jilt us, thought Dagny, although her bitterness and outright anger toward her family—the realm in its entirety, even, and the events of past that had brought them here—had fallen some time ago to a simmer. Still there, but underneath the skin, distracting her only sometimes with thoughts of how she might get out of it all. It was unfair, anyway, to allow it such a rise within her that she might continue blaming those who did not deserve it; Thor, for one, except she could still be bitter that he had the easier burden to bear. For now.

No, it would not be better, she reminded herself, if the prince or he and Laufey decided not to hold up his end of the Allfather’s bargain. It would more than likely mean war, and that was the only prospect that scared her more than the thought of what would surely come of this agreement if, by the end, His Highness found her agreeable and wished to wed her.

Dagny pushed the thought away and straightened herself even further. Sensing her unease, she could feel Thor’s gaze from her left, but ignored it. Dressed in the lavish garments of the finest artisans, which hung in palest cloth-of-gold from her slender body easily and lacking naught a measure of the necessary grace, the soft V of her neckline pronounced elegantly by that of the garment, she looked as regal as she supposed she could, even if she felt exposed. Her hair, the color of an aged honey deepened with hues of carnelian-red, fell over her shoulders in natural curls where it was not drawn from her heart-shaped face by the golden band around her fair forehead. It provided some of the warmth that was lost to her extremities and chest as the seconds dragged on, and her uncertainty grew heavier.

 

[Asgards Valkyrie]

Light, thats what was blinding Loki as they walked, Him his father and about five guards (all Asgardian of course). They still had so much mistrust for them, it was funny and also at the same time stupid. They were insisting on "escorting them" if you could call it that through the palace. It was clearer than day though that they were, seriously mistrusted by them all. While his father looked intimidating walking there, Loki could not help thinking that that could cause problems. He was always a cautios one, when his father was bold and arrogent, never stopping to think about the impact of what he did.

"Lift your head up" Laufey's cold hiss sounds out, his head turned towards his son, eyes glinting with cold red malice.

This makes loki sigh a little, raising his head up from where he had let it drop down a little. His red eyes narrowing a little against the sun, black hair falling round his face as usal. That had always been a strange thing about him, he was not like the others. His skin was blue and icy cold yes and his eyes red, he had all the usal markings and stuff. But still his hair was long and his height was a fair bit shorter than the rest of the jotuns. The plus side is that he wore respectable clothing, his father always wore hardly anything as usal, but he well...always wore the same. Black boots and pants at least, but then again there was the thing he hardly wore anything on his top half, all he was wearing as he walks is a simple suit jacket, fastened at the neck with a stone clasp, You can still see his blue chest with all the usal markings.

His eyes fall apon the golden doors ahead, a strange sight but fit for the entrance to such a throne room. His father is still watching him closely the look in his eyes so clear as they walk closer. He was not to mess this up, if he did the consequences were to dire to even think about, for both there worlds.

But still his father feels the need to voice his thoughts, "Remember what I told you," are the first words from his mouth "If you mess this up then we will all be doomed, and there will be war". All he can do is nod now, looking over at laufey with a small sigh, a slight not of dread in his stomach. As they pass through the doors and into the throne room.

 

[insensitive]

Dagny’s breath was suddenly reluctant in coming. The doors had not yet opened, but she could sense the irregularity of intrusion upon the palace floors. A sense that was unique to her, it seemed, for her brother beside her did not stir at all. He despised the Jotuns more than any of them.

Then the not-so-distant clattering of footsteps and shifting armor took its hold on the golden walls, and her sense was no more just the fictions of her apprehension.

The doors echoed as they slid, not of old age and wear but of the sheer weight their greatness required behind them. Dagny forced her expression blank, straight ahead, but as the figures came beyond the archway and in full view of the antechamber lights, reality took its hold upon her infinitely fiercer. Laufey, Leader of the Frost Giants and King of Jotunheim, was at the group’s head.

His reputation preceded him, for his height and stature was truly something to behold. The cold in his gleaming eyes was not solely a result of the sapphire skin that marked him. If not for the Asgardian guards that walked behind them as they came forward, perhaps more distress would have been felt in the palace, but Dagny knew that for foolishness. If the Jotuns had planned an attack, they would be harming themselves—or, they would be doing so because it was entirely likely they would win.

She broke her eyes away, abruptly too aware of the second presence. The prince. For seconds that felt far too long, she stared upon him, blue-green eyes like the sea filled with distant puzzlement—and perhaps wonderment, too. His eyes were vivid rubies, skin as brilliant blue as Laufey’s, exposed chest decorated by the markings that said what he was. But he was smaller, by Jotun standards, though no doubt still quite taller than many Asgardian men. And she had done plenty of studying on the Jotuns for her life’s near-entirety, long before the arrangement had been made, to know none of them were said to grow hair.

She blinked, deep-set eyes regaining their stoicness. She had a talent for wiping her face of all expression; letting her soft, pointed nose and pink-red plump lips relax, her sculpted cheeks and jaw loosen of any hint of strain. Her full, softly-defined brow had furrowed slightly as she had stared, but she relaxed it presently. She would not lose hold of her talents so easily.

Odin stood from the throne as the guards came to a stop, and the distance between them had been closed. “Laufey,” he greeted, and his voice was cautious, oddly reverent. “It has been many years . . . far longer, maybe, than I once anticipated.”

Dagny could hear it in her father’s voice that he was caught by something like surprise, too, that the moment had actually come, and the Jotuns were here.

 

[Asgards Valkyrie]

The hall was silent as Loki and his father move through the doors, entering the hall. There was the feel around a strange one, it was the princes guess that even though they had both just entered, that Odin had known they were there in his palace from the moment of arrival. He seems the sort come to think of it, Loki thinks to himself. The whole room is magnificent that he cant deny. Sculpted out of heavy stone marble all intertwined and laced with gold. It was a much lighter room place than jotunheim.

The palace of jotunheim was crafted from a dark blue stone, it was freezing and there was never any brightly coloured stone, and to even think there may be gold there was foolish. That always made Asgard look so grand, there city and palace of gold compared to there's, dark and cold foreboding. Letting his eyes move round the room they draw closer. His face shows no emotion, although his eyes show a certain curiosity of the place. Unable to help it he had always learned from his father, how to stay and keep his face showing nothing, but his eyes had always ended up giving it away it was a bad habit.

Yet there is surprise lurking on the kings face. Loki can see it there as they draw closer, looking so grand and powerful sitting up there on his gold sculpled throne. Giving of a sense of power and making it clear that he has all the authority here.

Laufey steps forward a little as they stop, looking up at odin clear dislike and hatred reflected in those cold eyes. But still he gives a small bow towards him.

"Alfather, It has been a long time, you look weaker than the last time", Laufeys voice is cold and deep as he watches Odin, still not daring to make any more remark clearly in fear of ruining the plan. If it failed after all there would be war and chaos would rain out for both of them, and there worlds.

Gesturing over at loki standing just behind, Laufey scowls "This is my son loki", It was a statement rather than an introduction. It makes loki raise his head up to look at odin, his eyes seeming to survey him for a momment, giving a small nod of greeting.

 

[insensitive]

"As do you," Odin replied tonelessly to his first remark. "Such is the way of even the highest gods."

The tension hardly dissipated as the two kings exchanged their looks, studying one another, scrutinizing the details and what about the other had changed. Dagny felt it as deep as in her bones, and she distracted herself in part from absorbing it by noticing the way Thor's jaw flexed in the corner of her eye, and he almost seemed to be squirming underneath his own skin. It was amusing, in part, except that she also felt that same unease creeping up on her-- although with a lesser amount of rage. As Laufey introduced his heir to the room and a pause descended, a brief moment of curiosity stole away some of her apprehension.

It was as blatant as were the contrasting colors of their eyes and skin that customs differed in Jotunheim. Dagny thought this somewhat distantly as she surveyed the younger man's attire, and the interest of her childhood studies did glimmer behind the mask of unfeeling her face outwardly displayed. For so much time, she had learnt the unique ways of the Jotuns; their habitat, how they survived, their magic, although the details of all such things were mostly a mystery, even to the older Asgardian texts. Now that they were here in front of her, conflict burrowed itself inside her. She remained stiff, composing herself as her father went forward with introductions of his own.

"I see," was all he said, and for moments, he was quiet again. She was not sure what lingered in his eyes, but it was something . . . melancholy. An unnavigable emotion that blinked briefly there, as if he was remembering something. Then he continued, "And these are my children: Thor, Prince of Asgard, and Dagny . . . Princess of Asgard."

Dagny lifted her chin, finally meeting the king's eyes, and his son's.

 

[Asgards Valkyrie]

The smallest of smiles forms on the princes lips. He could not help it, standing there watching his father and odin. They were like children reconciling over something long past. The hatred still burning there, he would not have been surprised if they were not here for something so serious, that his father would have attempted to run odin through with a knife. As amusing as loki would find that, there was no time to provoke them today.

His eyes move over all of them, taking in there appearances, summing up what they are like. It was another thing he was strangely good at again, he could sum someone up pretty well by looking at them, surveying them almost, it was a very useful skill.

Seeing the reaction from thor, just makes him want to laugh even more. It could not be more blatantly clear, it may as well have been staring him right in the face, and to be true it was actually. The look on the princes face was one of utter detest for him, he did not hate him that he could see, he clearly despised him more than any being here.

Then his eyes fall apon the princess, and he watches her probly for a second longer than he should do. Only tearing them away his mind full of thought, once his father spoke again, the dull feeling in his stomach increasing. As the hope that his father would not speak slid out of him.

"Well by what i have heard odin, you have been busy", Laufey sneered up at him, his eyes surveying all of them, a mean grin curling onto his lips as he catches sight of the princess . "That will be-",But he stops abruptly, looking over at Loki.

Loki at that momment had, had enough of his fathers stupidity, knowing what he said could jeopardise it all. He lets out a small sigh looking over at his father, his eyes seem to be suddenly burning with such a look, a look that is clearly stating for him to be quiet.

 

[insensitive]

The exchange of gazes between them all was as simmering as the way their guests presented themselves, if not more so-- or perhaps it was the weight of emotion behind every pair of eyes that so endlessly intrigued Dagny as she stood, waiting. She could not see her mother's face, but she knew as she held their crimson gazes that Frigga's face was no doubt the calmest of them all. She always hid her caution so well . . . so naturally, behind a face of refinement and confidence. More than even the Allfather himself, at times, her capability and strength shone like a light from the smallest of movements or expressions. Dagny wondered if she reflected any such finesse.

When her gaze was met by the prince's, the notion slipped her completely. Though she was perfectly still, the very image of all she had been taught to be, a part of her was immediately disarmed, being stared in the face by this irregular being. By the one that was, in appearance alone, so unlike the others she had read about in books.

And no doubt it was also the reason for their meeting here that stilled her, then, but she would not let herself think on that future a moment too soon.

Laufey's words were not lost on any of them, Thor the least-- his fists clenched, even as the Jotun's words were ceased mid-sentence.

"We have not come here to allow our disagreements to forge on," said Odin, stepping down from his throne until he came to the middle porcelain step. "We all know the terms of this truce." His eyes passed over Loki briefly. "There are many things still to determine about the negotiation . . . details that will decide how our children will spend the rest of their lives, and on which realm. . . . But such things, I think, are better to be discussed once time enough has passed that our disagreements and bitter feelings can be shelved, at least for this time, while you and your son remain here in Asgardian care."

The guards behind the two Jotuns wore blank expressions, but their tension was obvious. Not everyone in the realm had been very eager to let the long-standing enemy preside on their own lands.

"There is a feast to be held tonight," Frigga elaborated, stepping forth from the side of the throne as she smiled somewhat. "It will be a small gathering, but we hold it in the hope that some tensions may settle before the decisions have to be made. And I must think that your son would like some time to think over the terms of this agreement himself?" She posed the question not to Laufey, but to the prince directly, lowering her eyes to him.

 

[Asgards Valkyrie]

Lokis eyes burn dark red, more than they usually do, like fire dark and and full of hate. There is a pure anger raging up inside him and he knows, that it is probly showing in the depths of his eyes. Its hard to hide it but how could his father be so foolish. The tensions are already so frayed between them, Laufey knows that it could cause utter war, and both there worlds could be completely torn apart within a second, just by uttering the wrong words.

Laufey is staring back at loki, his eyes showing fury at his son. How could he his own son cut him of like that, like he thought he was bigger than him. that just cause they were in other company he could defy him.

But at the same time loki is not paying attention to his father. His gaze has shifted to look over at the prince. There could not be more anger or hatred in his eyes, and even his jaw is clenched and tense. A cold glower reflected on that face. There is longing lurking there he can see that, the longing to lunge at his father, to land and run him through with a knife. Or actually he would probly prefer to batter him up with his hammer.

The queens words are not lost on him. But laufey gets there a lot faster than him, making him want to hit his father yet again, for his stupidity.

Laufeys voice is cold and deep, there is a air of almost annoyance lurking there, that the queen would suggest such a thing "I would not think that my son needs to think it over, I know that he will do as i-", But yet again his words are ceased before he has even finished, and again by his won son.

Loki Feels a wave of hot fury building as his father speaks. The wall that seems to hold him back breaks, falling from in him. He turns swiftly to his father cutting him of mid word, "Enough, do not assume what i am or am not thinking father. You do not know what i think or feel about this how could you. I think that she is right, i do want time to think the terms of this over, and after all its me not you, so enough." His voice is clear and cool, not as deep as his fathers but there is a sense of coldness , seeming to eminate from him as he speaks, his eyes still fixed on his father.

 

[insensitive]

The defiance, though casual enough as it was spoken-- and not without its own air of confidence-- was enough to still the room, although the anger that simmered beneath King Laufey's was entirely palpable. Dagny watched with her presumptions momentarily abandoned, eyes fixed between the two before they settled entirely upon the prince. She was not known to hold her tongue, not especially when it came to matters of her own person, and she had not bitten her words from the beginning to acquiesce to this arrangement and become instantly agreeable with frost giants. But she had spoken her mind in private company . . . not before the view of other nobles, much less strangers. She had a way with vocal jabs, but not so openly bared.

It was certainly stirring, that the first words she should hear him speak were ones of complete defiance. And like his appearance, his voice was not one she had expected. It was not deep, nor guttural, like those of other creatures not Asgardian whom she'd seen before, or imagined. In fact, it was the opposite, strangely smooth.

Regardless, she was fixed to his words in entire, so much that she thought to invoke a response. Had they not already thought sufficiently about the offer? It had been made many days ago; by now, they were teetering around the truth of the matter, her mother and these Jotuns both. But what did they not have to gain from this? The exact terms had not been negotiated yet, and wouldn't be until likely the morning after if not the feast first, but it seemed evident enough to her. The prince wanted to know if he found his piece of the bargain agreeable enough.

It may have been enough to anger her, but the anger didn't come. Instead another realization hit her: that there was no trust at all here. Wars went back so many years, wars that the Jotuns began; they were regarded as monsters by all Asgardians, at most subjects of intrigue for studies. So why should they blindly fall into this bargain? Why should this prince, who had only heard tales, like everyone on Asgard? Like her?

When her mother did not speak, Dagny said, "Surely it's more than thought alone that needs to be had." Her voice came without hesitance, breaking the silence with a confident grace she did not entirely feel, even if her nerves had dissipated slightly. "We all want to know if the terms to be negotiated are agreeable."

The hint of challenge in her tone did not go unnoticed by her father, nor her brother; while Odin's jaw stiffened and he tensed, Thor sent her a sideways glance, a small smirk twitching on his lip.

 

[Asgards Valkyrie]

A ugly look forms on laufeys already scarred face, It is the sort of look that no words can describe, the utter fury and anger that seems to emanate from him as he stares back at his son. Its the sort of feel that if his skin could turn red, it would be the brightest at the present moment. How dare he after all, defy his own father and make such comments. He had embarrassed him to the highest in front of them all, that he would certainly make sure that he punished his son, after all this was over.

Loki can tell as he stands there, turning his eyes away from his father, back to the throne. The anger that had bubbled up inside him was still burning there, he does not care about the death look that his father is giving him. The movement does not go unnoticed, even though just catching it out of the corner of his eyes, his fathers fists curling into fists, knowing that he is holding back the urge to strike his son.

Knowing that he would be heavily punished for his outburst, quite frankly was the least of his worries right now. The fact was and still remains about the situation at hand here. There was a definite danger that his father would say something else, something that would ruin the entire thing. That would be something that would not do just. They had to stop war from consuming them all at any costs, even if it means him marrying off to an Asgardian.

Hearing the words again of the princess, makes his head jerk up a little bit and a small laugh leave his lips. "Yes i would agree, But yet again you missed the entire point of what i said". His voice is calm as a smirk curls up onto his lips, a humour rising up inside him and, the look in his eyes dancing with it. The challenge that is welling up inside him, seems to have brought out a new sense of defiance in him.

Yet again the prince could not hold his tongue, the thought passes his lips without even the feeblest attempts to suppress it. "Oh but If I may say so myself, these terms have to fit me as well, I mean I have requests that I want to have taken into account as well, I do not just want you to make all the terms and live all as you please", there is a hint of challenge in hisvoice, almost daring one of them to contradict him, or to say no to what he wanted.

"I mean It was odin and my father who thought of this all, I was not consulted beforehand". Again he is smirking as he speaks, holding back his laughter as he stares up at them all.

The feel to try and remain seeming innocent, is still present. The feel in his gut that he must not mess up, or get to bold infront of them, is one that he knows he must go with. He must still tread carefully here as if on paper thin ice.

 

[insensitive]

Now that the tension simmered there, bereft of silence or hesitation to hold it, it was plain as day for Dagny to see how the dynamic must be between prince and father-- and thus how such cruelty as what the creatures of Jotunheim had so long inflicted upon the other realms could be in such supply, if the sort of anger she saw there was custom. The sort of pride.

It made her think to fear this agreement even more. How could she be wed to one who was borne unto a king so unabashedly angered? But there was an odd sense of elation that came to her, seeing the challenge in this prince's eyes as he looked up at her. Was he enjoying this? What sort of requests did he require taken heed of?

She could hardly feel pity for him, that he was not consulted about something so important as one's own marriage before it was to be decided, for she had known of this bargain as it came about but knew also that she had no choice in the matter. Unless this Jotun managed to commit some egregious offense before the bargain was officially struck, there was no reason she could use to sway her parents' minds. Nor to sway her own, from the sense of duty she carried-- though its strength wavered.

"Requests?" She could not stop the word slipping as it did, emphasized and bold in the large space. She straightened a little, knowing that her parents still watched her, knowing how so much weight rode on this one transaction. Even if she resented it, she would take care. She calmed her voice and smiled, a gentle, dignified smile that she'd practiced so many times. "Well, rest assured that should you think your requests not fully met and wish to reconsider, I will take no offense."

Thor's brows raised and he stifled a laugh. Odin looked off to the side, the motion obviously to warn her to be silent, but her peace was made. She smiled still.

Frigga stepped forward, taking charge of the situation before it could unfold further. "All consideration is reasonable; we should all devote ample time toward a decision this large. But I believe now, the time is best for settling ourselves-- and our tempers." She slid a look at her daughter, then clasped her hands. "I've had separate bedchambers readied for the both of you within the palace. King Laufey, my husband has matters of the realm to attend, but I would be pleased to show you to your chambers myself. My children can show your son to his, if you both are ready."

 

[Asgards Valkyrie]

Hearing her words, the princes lips curve up into a small smile as he stares up at her. Humour seeming to rise up inside him, as he finishes speaking and stands there lips sealed, and silent .A glint in his eyes at her words.

But almost as soon as it was there it vanishes, the look in his eyes vanishes as his eyes are fixed on her. Taking a small deep breath he watches her, fighting back what he wants to say for a momment until he can not any longer. "Oh believe me, If it were my way there would not be such stupid terms, and marriage would not be involved".

He has said what he wanted to say, and therefor steps back a little bit, a small smile curving back onto his lips, eyes fixed on the floor holding back a laugh. It was not anything but the look on his fathers face that made him want to laugh, it was a mixture of anger and of disbelief spread across, eyes wide as he stares over at his own son. Clearly unable to belive what his son has dared to just speak, so clear as it it was nothing.

Even Laufey though, keeps his lips sealed in that momment, feeling to angry to even start to try and say something sensible, it would be foolish for him to speak soon. Knowing there would be plenty time after that he could discuss with his son, and make it clear that what he had said here was not, well what he thought was acceptable. His own son had gone against his pacific instructions not to speak what he really thought, to go with his own words.

They stand still, listening as the queen steps forward and addresses them both. Her words make a small but silent sigh pass the princes lips, he could not help it, the fact that there was nothing he could do to get out of it, to make this not happen. It would go ahead even if he did not like it or not.

Laufey looks up, a evil look lurking in his eyes as he smiles a little, "If I may ask somthing, That before you do so, I may have a word with my son...." The request is simple innocent sounding perhaps, but still there is a slight hint of foreboding lurking around it.

 

[insensitive]

There was little subtlety in the prince's eyes as he returned her stare, and for a moment, it captivated her as much as had his appearance. Then he spoke what lay behind that ill-hidden smirk. She didn't bother to suppress the surprise which raised her brow.

The satisfaction upon his face was evident, and she dare thought it was deserved. She had not expected, even after his first slight, that he would push so far, but there he did. Perhaps it was simply a trait these Jotuns shared - savagery, and lack of regard for modesty in the midst of superiors; their own, or others. Strangely, she thought it more. He didn't strike her as a simple-minded creature. The differences laid as plainly in his tongue as they did in his features, and if they were anything to show for. . . . They were in for more than they had bargained for, to be sure.

Such a thing would have interested her greatly - such a spectacle to study. And it did, within some part of her curious self which still managed to override the logic of nerves, of hesitation, of fear. After studying the Jotuns so long, she had had her own questions about them, and their morals. She'd almost wanted to help them. As if, somehow, she might find something that proved the texts wrong, and they were redeemable, in some fashions.

But she had not thought to do it so closely.

The others around her shifted, discomfort thick in the antechamber, but Odin was as composed as he had been to start. "Of course," he said, "he is your son. You will be given space here, and taken to your chambers when finished." It was unspoken that guards would wait outside each of the doors; he figured it did not need said. With a gesture, he motioned his family down either side of the steps, and Frigga existed through a door left of the throne, while, after a brief hesitation, Dagny took after Thor and her father as they went down the right, leaving the two Jotuns alone, with the guards who had escorted them following suit.

"And you . . ." Odin said as the door closed behind them, a hand on Dagny's arm. His voice was not so low to be hidden from other ears, but it was toneless, somehow holding more weight than a raised voice could muster. ". . . will learn to hold your tongue, or risk jeopardizing this entire alliance."

Thor laughed aside, shaking his head. "It feels more like an unsteady truce than an alliance, father. You can't expect their mood to switch so quickly - and I certainly don't blame them." He had already made it clear how he felt about the situation. Odin said nothing.

Dagny suppressed a breath. "If one of us is to jeopardize anything, father, I believe it to be the one who proclaimed in front of us all his disagreement."

The Allfather held the silence long and purposeful, but eventually, his hand fell from her arm. "Yes, well. . . . We will convince him otherwise."

With that, he passed through Thor, starting down the long golden hall with the guards at his feet. They disappeared beyond the right corner, and soon, so too did the sound of their footsteps.

 

[Asgards Valkyrie]

The prince’s eyes flick away from her, moving slowly over to his father, he can see him standing there beside him. There is a lot of utter fury reflected there on his face. It could not be clearer that he is furious with him, and there is the everlasting thought that Loki knows, nagging at his head. He would be punished for this no dought. His father when he was angry was always something to fear it would make the weakest person tremble and fall.

Yet here Loki stood, next to his father, unable to do anything to try and show his father calm. To try and make him calm down enough to try and think sensibly. Well not until he ended up taking out his anger on something or yelling at someone of course that was one of his personal favourites. It always eased his mind a little, and he was able to return to being his usal self, not that it was any better, he was still agitated and always looking for a reason to act without any reason.

Another problem was that, when his father was angry there was verry little hope of calming him down. He could remain raging and furious for hours on end. Fuming and pacing round the palace of jotunheim, lost in his mirthless rage. When he was like this, there is a considerable chance that he would end up jeopardising the peace, he could easily ruin the peace and end up causing war. And yet there was also a thought, maybe that was what his father wanted after all. Maybe he was trying to make them seem so intimidating and so fierce, that the Asgardians would decide it was not worth it and war was better.

The king Odin did seem the sort that would be like his father, he would easily anger. But then again, he did present as being a lot smarter than Laufey. Loki is comforted a little and his worries and nagging thoughts are eased a little, by that thought. Odin would probly not be such a fool to make a rash decision unless there was a verry good reason for it, or he was provoked massively. So even if his father did make a mess of things all would not be lost, and soon the message would hopefully sink in, and he would have a good chance to prove it, prove that he was not at all like his father, and not just in looks.

Taking a slow deep breath, Laufey gives a small bow to odin nodding his head. It would do well to act grateful for letting them both talk, then again he cannot help himself, his eyes flicking to the side to look at his son, who as far as he can tell appears to be avoiding his gaze, almost like he knows.

There is a slight shadow of regret and....was it fear, lurking in loki's eyes now, it was hard to tell. Since his head is bent in respect and they start to file past, he just stares down waiting there, a small sigh leaving his lips. Looking at his father when they are finally alone.

"You will be careful to hold your tongue next time, I warned you If you mess this up any more, I will make you so sorry you will be wishing that I had just let you die as a child, Do you understand me you foolish boy. You let your mind get the better of you, and you speak not out of sence but out of excitement, you dont use your head.", his fathers words feel like they peirce into him, like a razor sharp blade. Its all he can do to nod, his eyes burning with fury towards his father.

His eyes finaly meet his fathers and he speaks in a slow voice, "But I do Have requests father, Yo-", He does not finish as his father strikes him hard across the face, the sound echoing round the room, he would not be surprised if it could be heard outside the hall. But Loki does not show his pain, simply straightens up, looking at his father as he starts to walk towards the doors of the hall. Able to feel blood trickling down the side of his face, where the blow had struck him.

 

[insensitive]

"I, for one, wouldn't blame you for minding this ridiculous arrangement," said Thor, as the image of Odin and the sound of his footsteps disappeared beyond them. It was not out of cowardice that her brother waited to speak, but rather, perhaps, some inkling as to the importance of their situation. Even for all his anger toward the Jotuns-- and his pride, to be sure, which was ever-present and no doubt the root cause for all his bull-headed impulses that seemed to get them into more trouble than they were worth, when it was just he, her, and their friends.

"I would have argued it even longer if father would see reason enough to listen," he went on, but her ear was trained again to the grand antechamber, her attention through the door. "It's ridiculous to think. . . ."

How long would they be waiting? Surely the prince had spoken up on more than one occasion. Although, Dagny thought, this was certainly a comparatively more important arrangement than she supposed any of them had dealt with in decades. And she knew she was right to think so-- her and her brother were kept to date on all the alliances, all the truces, all the . . . less favorable accordances between realms. Some of which they had even had to put an end to themselves, though in the past half-year, Dagny had not been permitted far beyond the safer bounds of Asgard herself.

She didn't need to wonder as to why.

A sharp sound struck her as hard as a physical blow, taking her out of her thoughts. Thor prattled on beside her, but after some several seconds, Dagny crossed to the door again, moving with quiet slowness as if still wondering whether or not it was good form to . . . check up on the state of their guests, or whether it would be seen as trespass. The wonderance didn't seem to stop her curiosity. She approached the door with an outstretched hand, frowning as she touched the gold.

Thor didn't seem to notice as she pushed it slowly open, revealing the antechamber again to her. She looked inward, and her gold eyes fell upon the lone figure of the prince. He was by himself in the hall, but such was not what made her stiffen, her body straightening as she watched his face. There was a trickle of blood upon his blue skin, as vibrant as the blue tone of his flesh itself that it almost appeared normal, except for the juxtaposing depth of its crimson. It touched a corner of his mouth, one light dribble. The way of his face was unexpectedly calm.

 

[Asgards Valkyrie]

Loki’s heart is thudding in his chest, so hard it hurts a little bit. His eyes are wide as he stares down at the floor. There Is a slight sense of shock that seems to emanate from him. He had guessed what his father was going to do, but still for him to actually do it, and when they were in the presence of others especially, there had been a slight hope that his father would hold back, at least until they were back on their own world of jotunheim.

But no that was not the case, and her is where he found himself, standing their eyes fixed on the stone floor of the room. Heart thudding in his chest and blood trickling down his cheek.

He could hear his father’s footsteps echoing as he strides down the room, his rage seems to still be reaching his son, even as he retreats away. It is clear that he has no mercy or understanding on this subject or for his son. He clearly does and probly could not understanding the impact of all this on his son, he was to be married to someone. That someone being one he had never met, let along got to know, the while thing had a feel of ridiculousness around it.

The sound of a door slamming makes the princes head jerk up a little bit. His eyes trailing over to the door that his father had exited by. No dought he would take some time to calm himself, and then he would return, and they would have to return to this whole process of truce.

Not that he did not think peace was good, but if made in this way by forcing two strangers to wed, it just seemed like the worst way to forge a truce to the prince.

Letting a calm expression come over his face, the prince turns his head to the side, to look over at the main golden doors leading out of the hall. It makes a slight air of surprise come over him to see the princess standing there.

She is watching him, for how long she has been doing so is unknown to him. He wonders how much she saw or had she merely just entered the room. Pulling the sleeve of his jacket down a little bit, he raises it up to his cheek. Wiping the trickle of blood away with a small sigh. It reveals a small cut scraped into his cheek, nothing bad but still red and fresh. He watches her, raising his eyebrows a little "What?", He inquires with a small smile.

 

[insensitive]

Dagny's shock was slow to leave. She found herself inching somewhat into the space as if drawn by a force not her own-- she could see the Jotun king's retreating figure as he left through those tall doors, and she could feel his rage, no matter her inability to see it in full when he'd obviously struck his son. And now he was going to her mother. . . . In the presence of guards, but the thought still managed to sicken her.

She had known the Jotuns to be beasts, but still, it shocked her to know how far one's rage could extend.

And yet, she did not feel rage from the prince still standing below the throne.

She looked at him again, realizing with a quickening of the pulse that he now matched her stare with his own. He had every right, obviously. But she felt suddenly too exposed; perhaps it was the shame of eavesdropping, although for the rather abrupt end of a very brief conversation-- and she was not commonly a one to feel ashamed in learning of secrets.

But it was his nonchalant sweep of the sleeve and the smile that touched the corners of his mouth that surprised her more. She straightened up some, uncertain. Confused. Curious. Dagny frowned slightly. She considered asking him whether or not he was all right, when the impulse to do so turned to useless ash on her tongue. Evidently, he was not. And somehow, asking such a question felt more like a violation than had watching.

"Do you . . . need a kerchief?" she heard herself ask. There was still a stain of blood around his lip where the sleeve had left some behind. Without waiting for the answer, she found herself producing a small white cloth from a place inside her sleeve where she always kept one. A strange thing, some found it, but she had grown used to needing them for her brother when he got himself into trouble. With the word diplomacy repeating in her mind like a mantra, she took a step forward with uncertain care, as if he might find the gesture offensive, and held it out to him.

 

[Asgards Valkyrie]

Loki stares at her for a momment, his heart racing a little more now. There is still no sence of shame lurking within him though. It had always been something he has been unable to feel verry much of. Now here he was standing there in the throne room, and yet there was still a slight sence of intrusion that he feels, watching her reaction and knowing, it was clear what had just happened here, and what his father had done.

Maybe it was the fact that it was her own place her own world, that made it feel so bad for her to have seen. Since the prince had at least thought that his father may at least, keep his bad temper confined to the stretches of their own world. He had been most certainly wrong about that; his father had no problem clearly in showing his temper in front of even Odin. There had been no self-restraint there. And for the princess to have seen, her of all people to walk in. Especially since she was the one that they were all demanding that he be wed to, that somehow felt like it made it worse than if it had been any of their others, such as Frigga thor or even Odin.

As his eyes watch her, he feels something he has not felt before, was it shame or even guilt. The possibility that his actions could only now be catching up with him, is one that he does not like the thought of. But the look on the princess’s face is slowly starting to make him realise and feel what he had said and his outburst a when talking, let alone his cheek, had not been acceptable.

Taking s slow deep breath in, hearing her speak makes him sigh a little bit, he should have thought before how she felt about this, and not just how he felt. The truth was that she probly felt the same as him about this all, about the whole being wed to one another. Something that they both did not want to happen but could not stop.

Reaching out he takes the handkerchief from her, using it to gently wipe the rest of the blood away. Looking down at it standing out against the white of the material. Before his head jerks up and he sighs a little bit, looking over at the princess deciding to speak to her.

“I must apologise for my behaviour before, that was not just of me, and I should not have spoken out like that, nor so cheekily or rudely. I just don’t agree with some of this, you must understand that as well, at least a bit, the whole marriage thing….” He sighs trailing of and looking down at the floor, shaking his head a little bit.

 

[insensitive]

Dagny straightened her shoulders somewhat as he reached out and took the cloth, feeling a briefest swell of her nerves. She did not think to wonder at it; how the air seemed closer about her face and neck as he closed the distance. Somehow, she had not envisioned them sharing any such moment of closeness so soon, and yet it felt somehow . . . intimate. It felt too intimate, for her to have seen something so private, so obviously personal, regardless of their positions. Regardless of her curiosities, and how necessary they seemed.

She felt some manner of discomfort, at the thought, but it was not solely for herself. Indeed, she felt an inkling of shame as she watched him wipe his face, and looked away. Neither of them, as was more than apparent, wanted this. Neither of them had been given time to consider.

Dagny looked up at the cloth as he removed it, studying the crimson that stained it. It looked so human across the white that she almost forgot the shame, for all that her curiosity had a hold on her. Until he spoke and she met his eyes once more, not expecting the smoothness of his voice, its quiet within the overwhelmingly large hall.

She hadn't much expected an apology, either. And what was she to do with that? She had thought them like the savages they were described to be upon their arrival, and although his words to her had shown an obvious amount more of forethought and care than she had been led to believe the Jotuns capable of, this one was perhaps different in more ways than appearance alone. But that thought was dangerous. To be willing in such a manner to view any Jotun without every bit of deserved caution was out of the question.

But still, curiosity had its hold on her. Dagny accepted him with a slight nod.

"I take no offense at honesty," she said, watching the way of his face with a distant wonder, the markings that shimmered in the light that was foreign to them as he turned his head. "If we are to be studying one another these next days for terms like the ones our parents have decided for us, we might as well stop pretending now." She chanced a small smile. "And, if I'm being honest, too . . . it was somewhat amusing to see the others' faces."

 

[Asgards Valkyrie]

He waits biting his tongue a little bit, fighting back the urge to say something again, to finish what he was going to say to her. He does not want to seem weak for an admitting how he felt, after all if she despises him a lot. She could potentially use his words to expose him, or to make him look weak. But at the same time there is one thought that lingers at the back of his mind, not seeming to fade and he cant not dismiss it as hard as he can.

The thought that she probly would feel the same about this whole thing, the same as he does. Its not what she would want, unless she was just like her father (That would e possible), No one who was his age still young and innocent like her. Could possibly think that this was a good way to settle peace.

Everything about this plan seemed messed up and distorted, like the king and queen were only thinking about peace, and not what the princess would want. Then again, they probly think him just like his father. Cold hearted uncaring about everything, or anything. That he would wed of to the first maiden and that would be it. Someone who would cause war for fun.

The truth however was that he would not, all he wants is peace, and if the topic of marriage had been brought up if it had been his choice. He would not be standing here, about to be wed to someone who he does not know. And most likely thinks him a ruthless savage and nothing more.

Brining himself out of his thoughts with a small jerk, he holds out the handkerchief to her with a small sigh. “Would you like this back” he says giving a soft smile, the first real one he has done in a while.

At her words he laughs a little not deep and cold but gentle and soft, “Yes it most certainly was, but still I should not have acted like that it was not just of me, I just do not like all of this, peace yes, but it does not feel right to use marriage for peace.”

 

[insensitive]

Dagny looked at the cloth in his hand as he extended it, the spots of blood staining the white. She took it gently, feeling for more than a moment as if it were a thing strangely more intimate than conversing with him alone. She folded it to a small square in her hand, concealing the blood in on itself.

When she looked back at his face, she saw thoughts there, wonderings that she could not quite make out. She didn't think it should be so hard to assume what occupied his mind then-- after all, he had been so vocal to their fathers. Yet she felt odd trying to navigate his look, as though what was truly behind it was warring with what she had assume of him. What she thought she still should assume of him.

That he smiled at her-- not a smile like the one he'd given before out of his mischief, but something softer, something true-- was as much a shock as his consideration.

She raised her chin. "No, it doesn't. . . . Truthfully, I've never thought marriage to be a complete or understandable solution to something as extreme as war." For didn't that then arise the issue of what kingdom should get which lands, which family should get more power? It all seemed like a riskier process than the event of war itself, for the sole reason of how easily it could fall through and make everything worse.

Except she wished almost immediately that she hadn't said so. Distance had seemed like the best approach here, and now she was sharing her political values. . . . She supposed it was better than allowing him to think her weak or susceptible.

Still, she added, "But I won't try so hard to hold my tongue if you don't-- after all, I believe the point of this meeting is for us to voice our terms. Holding back wouldn't much serve either of us, would it?"

 

[Asgards Valkyrie]

Loki's eyes fall apon the blood, stained there against the white. It is strange to see, since most would think that the bright crimson stain, would rather be blue than the darkness that it is. Since he is jotun, and most of the others blood, is certainly not as red and not crimson like him, there's is a dark blue. Almost murky, showing the dark nature that they could all show at some point, and like lost think of them all.

It is something that he has never got before, and thinking too hard about it often made his head start to ache with it all. So it was usually best just to cast it to the back of his mind and not let it surface again. Why others, in jotunheim and especially in the other realms, most of them at least, they think of all jotuns as monsters and people who would do nothing to achieve there goal. Even go to war about it and kill and slaughter, innocent people.

That is not the case however, lots in jotunheim would yes kill and do all that. But again there were some, like him that would not kill, or do anything like that. He likes to think that he is one of them, he does not agree with a lot of his fathers decisions. Making it all feel sometimes like a giant ticking timebomb, one that could explode at the slightest wrong move, sending chaos and war scattering across the realms. And who wold be to blame, his father probly not, since the prince was about to take up the throne himself. It may reflect on his rule and his way of doing things, even though that is not what he agrees with. So it could cause chaos, not just in the form of war, but for his own reputation one he becomes king of his home world of jotunheim.

Hearing her words makes him look up at her yet again. Eyes widening a little bit, he could not deny that it was a bold statement to make, but still that could be said as well about is behaviour earlier, the words he had spoken, and how he had acted in front of such a high authority figure as Odin, let alone the queen his son, and then the princess. It was the sort of thing that he knows he should not have.

But still he nods a little bit "you are most certainly right about that, But I shall try and keep my tongue more civil possibly, Not be so rude. Like you said one wrong move could possible make this all fall through. And thats something that we both do not want, I would hope at least".

 

[insensitive]

Dagny smiled at the prince, feeling that this one agreement was at least a positive foundation for which to build upon. This one feeling was a mutual one - even if they were worlds apart, in mind as much as body, in whatever else would come to rise.

But before she could speak, the sound of the door pushing off the wall behind sent a draft through the room, and with it, her brother stepped inside.

"Dagny," said Thor, and she spun on her heel to face him. His blue eyes swiveled between the two, narrowing somewhat on the Jotun prince's darker face. Dagny shifted to better face him, folding her hands across her stomach whilst silence etched itself into the walls, and a brief pang of regret flecked in her stomach.

The protectiveness in Thor's tone was not solely for her, nor for the shock of finding her gone from his side. It was for the hall itself, the entire expanse of the kingdom that was around and below and above them. It reminded her that no matter the language they shared, the words they might conjure between each other to appease . . . her brother and father both regarded these men as intruders in their home, and would until an accordance was established directly, and concretely.

Perhaps they would still regard them as such after it was done.

"We should be escorting the prince to the spare chambers," said Thor, and the bitterness in his carefully-chosen words was tangible. She hoped that it was not so easily felt by the black-haired prince.

Turning to look at him, she steeled her gaze, but there was something apologetic in her eyes as she lifted her chin to him. "Right. Come with us, if you please. . . ." She held her hand open to the door. Eventually, Thor acquiesced to the motion, and moved off one step to make way.

 

[Asgards Valkyrie]

Loki watches her, the cold look that had been lurking evasively in the depths of his eyes before. Seems to have vanished, the fact that someone wes treating him with kindness was something that made the prince smile back. There was something, and maybe it was the fact that they now seemed to have some sence of understanding. They both know how they feel and how unfair this whole truce is for them, and they would have no choice but to let the actions take there course, swept up in it all.

His head gives a small jerk and moves up, feeling the draft sweep into the room and encircle them. Coming from the open door, the prince feels it hit his face. Eyes moving swiftly and smoothly upwards away from her face, and towards the doorway.

Seeing the prince standing there, his jaw set and face stony, does not take loki aback. It is what he had expected from him after all, and he came across to the prince as one who would just love to hit him, or worse probly kill him. After all he had been the one that had assisted his father in killing loads of jotuns. There was clearly no mercy for his kind lurking inside the other prince, standing in the doorway and looking furious.

The truth was, that he and his father were still not welcome here. No matter what happened with this truce, and the truth be told was they they never would me. No payment or truce would ever sort that. Still there was slight regret in the Princess face, he could sence it yes, even though she was no longer facing him. It was everywhere around her the aura of slight regret and a conflicted one too.

Still at her brothers next words, the prince merely gives a small soft smile towards the two of them. "Of course you are, she was merely coming to lead me after I had talked to my father." He states this in a voice with no tangible emotion lurking within. "I see no problem"

Leaving it at this, his eyes sweep over the two of them and he watches. Her hold out her arm and turn to him a apologetic look lurking in her eyes. He returns her gaze with a small smile before looking away. "Of course" And he walks past her back towards the doors, and towards thor.