Shadows of the Heart [ R ]

Loki shrugged very lightly, "I hope you do remember what it was. It's a perplexing matter, but I'm sure it will come to you sooner or later." Loki stood as he watched Thor go out, merely for courtesy reasons (not that he really cared) and nodded at his request of sorts, "I will be sure to tell them so if they ask." Loki continued standing until Thor walked out, when he let himself flop back down to the bed, resting his hand on his forehead and groaning slightly. It probably wouldn't hurt if he made himself some of that potion...only minus the sleeping powder, of course. After a few minutes of gathering up the willpower, Loki got to his feet and went over to his cabinet of supplies, unsealed and gathered what he needed, made the potion and drank it, shaking his head at the bitter flavor before putting everything away. He could feel the throbbing in his head decrease almost immediately, and he smiled, reclining back on his bed once more. There was hardly anything more he could do but wait...and continue his web of deceit.

O D I N

T H O R

~ Frigga ~

Frigga was tempted, very tempted, to go over and lay a hand on Odin's shoulder to try and calm him down, but at the same time she understood his frustrations. It wasn't like their son to do something so...wretched. But it looked like Thor in every way; Frigga didn't know what to believe, her eyes or her heart. She was slightly startled when Odin slammed his spear on the floor, but continued to think in silence. She had half the mind to go seek out Loki...to see if he knew anything. Perhaps it was maternal instinct, or perhaps it was her having lived with the boy all his life, but she felt he might know something. Yet...at the same time, she wished to be here when Thor arrived. She wanted answers directly from her son. She sighed, remaining quiet in the back of the room, arms crossed over her chest. I will retrieve Loki if he is needed...for now... Thor will answer to his father alone.

~ Loki ~

Loki had a feeling. A great feeling. His headache was slowly dissipating and of that he was immensely glad. However, when he heard footsteps outside of his room - more footsteps than was usual - he had little doubt in his mind as to what was happening. He debated going and following them to wherever they were headed, but decided it would be best if he was found easily instead of his 'parents,' if they needed him, to come searching for him. Either way...his plan was set into motion, officially, and he was giddy at the thought of where it would go next. Even though the main feeling he received was grand...he had a small, uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach that things may take a turn for the worst...but if they did, he had a plan for that too. After all...it would be an insult to his intelligence to have a lack of plans at hand.

O D I N

T H O R

O D I N

~ Frigga ~

"I'm sure they're coming," Frigga said quietly, taking a few steps closer to Odin and glancing towards the doors. She gave a small smile to him when he waved her over, and she came without hesitation, taking her place beside him, "It's understandable. It's a vexing and perplexing matter," she stated the last part mostly to herself. It was true, very perplexing... And she hated to think her blood-related son had killed that many people. It didn't seem possible... He was so kind to the Midgardians and he took his duties of protecting them very seriously, so why?

~ Loki ~

Loki had been right about the sinking feeling in his stomach when someone knocked on the door. He almost wanted to not answer, but his headache was gone and there was no need to arouse any suspicion by deciding not to go. When he opened the door he simply lifted a hand to the guard whose mouth was open, poised to speak, "I know where I am headed," Loki said, moving towards the throne room at a quickened pace, slowing when he reached it and entering quietly, nodding his head to his father and to his mother before walking further into the room. His father didn't look happy at all. But why would he be? 'Thor' had just killed a bunch of Midgardians. It was no doubt a source of great concern and annoyance to his father. He nearly apologized, seeing as it seemed he was a bit late, but decided not to. This was his element now that he'd arrived, and he didn't intend to kneel to the whims and desires of his so-called parents. He looked over at Thor for a brief moment before back at his father, "You called?"

O D I N

T H O R

~ Frigga ~

Frigga couldn't hold back a small sigh when Loki came into the room. He had to know something was wrong to have been called here, and yet he came in with such a calm and laid-back attitude. It wasn't that it surprised her, but she wished that sometimes he'd take his position a bit more seriously... But she was here, for the time being, to observe and not speak unless she felt inclined to say something.

~ Loki ~

Loki kept his face emotionless, green eyes moving back and forth from his mother to his father before resting on his father once he began to pace. He kept a nonchalant stance, hands clasped behind his back as he listened to Odin speak. It took a lot of self-control not to smirk at the report that was made, but he managed, but only barely. He shot a sideways glance to his brother before looking back at his father, just in time to see the look in Odin's eyes. Loki stiffened, slightly angered by the fact that Odin had obviously knew it at least didn't look like Loki that killed the mortals, and yet Odin had the audacity... Loki supposed he oughtn't be surprised by the look. After all, it was incredibly unlike Thor to kill Midgardians. Not that Loki cared. He was a smooth-talker, and he was quite sure he could handle the conversation. If he felt confident enough, he might even try to steer it in a direction in which he wanted to go, but then again that may not be the best of ideas. Not when suspicion would already be on him to begin with. Loki didn't take his eyes off of his father until Thor brought him into the conversation by name.. He turned and looked at his brother, nodding slightly, "Yes," Loki said blandly, turning back to his father, "I gave Thor a potion for his headache," he clarified. "It can make people dizzy, and if he kept it flowing through his bloodstream by constant activity, it's no surprise he passed out. As to what that 'constant activity,' was, I cannot say." Loki decided to leave the Midgard incident out of his little speech... He knew how he was going to play his cards. Very carefully.

O D I N

T H O R

~ Loki ~
Loki didn't hesitate in answering his father, "No, I did not." He knew his father wouldn't believe him. He knew it. He favored the golden-haired god more than he'd ever liked Loki, and Loki had learned why the hard way. Some father Odin was. It made Loki's stomach flip in disgust at the thought of Odin ever thinking he could be real a father. If he could ever get him back for all the damage he'd done... if one day, someday, he could make Odin feel the pain he did, the rage, the disappointment. Every negative emotion Loki had ever had towards Odin because he'd lied to him all of his life...he wished the same pain upon Odin. And whatever he had to do, he'd make sure it happened. He glanced over at his brother when Odin began talking about the consequence for his actions.

~ Frigga ~
Frigga kept her eyes on Loki for the most part, trying to read him, trying to see if there was anything about him that would betray something about the entire situation. But, like usual when Loki was in his father's presence, his expression was as cold as the ice in Jotunheim. She looked back over at Thor. Her heart broke for him. How could he do such a thing...? But then again...Frigga didn't believe he did he. She didn't think he was capable of hurting Midgardians. Frigga wished with all her heart she could think of a logical explanation for it all, but nothing came to mind. And as much as she wanted to ask Odin if there was another way; some way he could possibly stay in Asgard...anything. Frigga stood, walking over to Odin and put a hand on his shoulder, looking up at him with pleading eyes and murmuring, "He would never do this, Odin. Isn't there some way he can stay here until we know for sure if it was him or not...?"

O D I N

T H O R

--Frigga--
Frigga smiled a little at Odin when he lessened the consequences for Thor. She didn't want to see her son leave Asgard. As much as she cared for Loki, he wasn't fit for the throne. She didn't know how Asgard would fare with him as king. Thor had grown since his banishment to Midgard. He'd learned from it. What Loki had learned from when he'd been away she didn't know, but she had the feeling he didn't learn as much as Thor had. And in all actuality, Thor was the only possible heir when looking at blood. She sighed a bit, looking at Thor as he spoke again. She knew he was innocent. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if he'd actually done that. She doubted he'd be able to keep it to himself if he had, anyways. Frigga's eyes traveled over to where Loki was standing, quietly observing everything. She'd have to talk to him later...and if she managed to talk to him before his father did, that would probably be best.

--Loki--
Loki kept his face emotionless throughout the rest of the conversation, but his thoughts were going wild. If they left him in the dungeon that meant they were going to spend time on trying to find out what had actually happened. If they banished him and then told the world why they'd banished him it would've been harder to convince everyone that he was innocent when they'd 'proven' that he was - not that they'd actually get there. And the last thing that Loki wanted to do was be interrogated by his father. He knew that would end up horrifically. It always did. Always had. Always would. Loki shifted a little bit, looking over at Thor and how defeated he looked. It gave him a sense of pride. He knew he had to tread carefully now, however. Now that the punishment for now had been doled out, Loki spoke up tentatively, "Do you need my presence anymore, or is it alright if I dismiss myself?"

O D I N

T H O R

--Loki--
Loki cringed a little when Odin said he'd call him in later for questioning. Great. Just great. Just what I needed. To be questioned by a great big oaf who doesn't even see me as a human being, but an artifact to be used for peace! The dirty liar. I'm ashamed to say I ever called him father. Loki simply nodded afterwards and turned on his heel, heading out of the room with a smooth walk, heading to his room afterwards. He slammed the door behind him and growled lowly, "Great, mother. If you hadn't stepped in and said anything Thor would've been banished and out of my way!" He snarled to himself, glancing over at the scepter. "Great," he mumbled, "This is going to end just wonderfully."

--Frigga--
It was painful to watch her son be escorted, especially knowing where he was going. She knew he wouldn't be treated like other prisoners simply because of his status, and the fact he may not at all be guilty, but it still hurt to watch him go. She'd never in all her days thought once that Thor would end up in the dungeons. Holding her arms, Frigga turned to her husband once more, "Odin..." she said quietly, "Please don't be too...brash when you question Loki... You know how he is."

O D I N

[ That's fine xD There's not much to do with Thor right now anyways. ]

--Frigga--
Frigga nodded a bit at Odin's words, "I know, I know. I don't believe he did it." She rubbed her arm uncomfortably when Odin continued. She didn't want to think about what if Thor had actually killed those people. She didn't want to believe it was true. He was so softhearted towards the mortals. And that Jane woman. She was one of them - so could Thor really go down there and kill them in his right mind? She nodded at what her husband said, "Good idea." She paused for a moment before saying in a softer voice, "I hope this is all sorted out quickly.

~ Later ~

--Loki--
Loki had been dreading being called back into the throne room. He was not at all excited to be questioned by his father. He never would be, either. He could hardly stand being in the man's presence. He wasn't even a man in Loki's eyes. His 'father' had lied to him about who he was his entire life, and for what? So he could possibly use him as a peace treaty with the Jotuns! What kind of man did that? In Loki's eyes...he wasn't a man. He was a monster - no better than himself. He took a moment outside the throne room to collect his angered thoughts before entering, giving a slight nod of his head in a respectful bow. "You called?" He asked, unable to keep the stiffness out of his voice, which he thoroughly regretted.

O D I N

Loki walked in until he was a few feet in front of where the thrones stood. He shook his head a little at his father's questions, "I am not my brother's babysitter, father. I do not happen to keep tabs on his location every minute of every day," he replied, and although the words were a bit less than respectful, he said them without emotion, knowing it would be best for him to keep his emotions from getting the best of him as long as he could. "As for the first question, I'm afraid I can't. All I can say is that I gave Thor a potion for his headache and he left. He seemed fine." Loki gave a slight shrug. "I have no information that could be of any value to you."

O D I N

Loki sighed a bit at his father's response. Well that 'question' had been completely pointless. More often than not Loki was trying to avoid Thor, and he didn't have to know where he was to do so. All he had to do was know where Thor would not be and then go there. Loki grimaced, "A mistake wasn't at all likely," he stated calmly, "The potion requires two ingredients: an herb and a liquid, both of which are in labeled containers." Loki clarified, "It would've been a mistake not even amateurs make." Loki clasped his hands behind his back, "Like I said, I have no information useful to this investigation."

O D I N

Loki
Loki hated to admit it, but the sudden noise of the spear hitting the floor frightened him - the unexpected sound had been just that: unexpected. Loki took a wary step back, staring at his father as he yelled at him, but holding his place and not shying away even as his father raised his voice. Let the old man accuse him all he wanted...he wasn't trying to hide anything...nothing too important, of course. "I told you, already, father," Loki spat out the word, "I don't know anything." He snarled. "Why? Are you too blind to think that your golden boy could ever do such a thing? Are you going to turn around on your only other 'son' because he's the only one you know how to punish!?" Loki said, giving in to his anger and raising his voice, "What kind of man do you take yourself for, Odin, All Father? You're a fool to be blinded by love! A blundering oaf of a fool!"

O D I N

Loki gritted his teeth together when Odin brought up Jotunheim. It hadn't been enough for Odin. He'd been about to get rid of his enemies! How did that make him estranged even farther from the man he'd once called his father? Perhaps now the Jotunheim would come in handy, though not as enemies. "Oh, but doesn't it?" Loki murmured under his breath. He wouldn't believe for a second that it had nothing to do with Odin's love for Thor. The old man loved him more and always had. Loki straightened a bit when he father said to 'try to help.' He stared coldly at Odin for a moment before saying blandly, "What good can a stolen relic possibly be for you finding the culprit for a crime not even among our own?" Loki paused, "I've answered your question and it's become plainly clear that you blame me for all this - not that I doubted that for a second from the very beginning - but I'm not going to have the blame pinned on me simply because you can't bring yourself to think that it's even a possibility your actual son did such a horrific deed," Loki replied monotonously. "I can't help you, nor do I want to help you even if I could. You ought to have expected as much from me."

O D I N

Loki clenched his jaw shut, nodding stiffly. He turned and started to briskly walk out when he heard Odin speaking again. He paused and looked over his shoulder. I am not your son, he thought to himself, the hatred flaring up in his gut again, I never was. I never will be. And you'll live with the consequences of that. Loki smirked at the last words. Yes, he tended to 'do what he wished' with or without permission. Loki left the throne room as fast as he could without making himself look desperate for escape - which he wasn't, but he'd admit to being almost at that point - and turned down to go to the dungeons to speak with Thor. He had some things he'd like to ask his brother.

Frigga sighed slightly when Loki left, moving from the place she'd been standing to sitting down. She had half the mind to go after Loki and talk to him herself...not that she'd get any better results than Odin had, "I don't know what we're going to do," she said quietly, staring at the floor, racking her mind for possible ideas. "Who else can we speak to that would know anything about where Thor was. The guards? Heimdall?" Frigga paused before continuing in a quieter tone, "What if he actually did do it, Odin? Then what?"