#lokific

You and Loki live in a secluded area in the higher part of the hills of new asgard while Thor remains in the bottom refused to be seen and looked up on. But that wasn’t the purpose you both had when choosing the area.

It was quiet and not to mention colder than usual places perfect for the hybrid you birthed. 

“Atlas, grab breakfast before you play outside then if your good I’ll ask your father if we could go buy more candy for you.” You shouted grabbing a coat for your son Atlas, a young boy with long raven hair such as his fathers and eyes shaped and coloured as yours. The spitting image of his father with hints of his mother. 

“ATLAS LOKISON AND LOKI ODINSON.... I’M GIVING TO THE COUNT OF 3... ONE... TWO... THR-.”

“I’m here darling I’m here....” Loki appeared with his magic and hugged you from behind. While Atlas came running down the stairs, following his fathers actions in cooling you down by embracing you. You viewed a close by mirror as you see the happiness that stays in the family and will never leave. 

You all laugh as Loki used his magic to have your jackets been worn and zippered as you were about to open the door. But a cold feeling, a very uncomforting unbreezied one washed over you stopping you from turning the door knob, something that told you to not open that door ever to keep the warmth in the house never leave. 

“My love ? The door ? .” Loki glanced into your view breaking the intense tension between you and the doorknob. “Darling, don’t tell me you’ve forgotten to open the door.”

knock knock knock

“Don’t open the door.” A voice in your head whispered as the feeling in your gut churned you and slowly made you gasp for air.

knock knock knock

“My love someones at the door we should probably answer it...” Loki said as he placed his hand. You hand doesnt move from the handle but your powers heat it up out of reflex. 

“hsssss.” Loki flinches as he lifted his hand from the doorknob. “Don’t open the door.” you whisper, scared an explosion or an enemy waits behind it. 

knock knock knock

“Y/N... Loki it’s us Nebula and Rodhey..."

“See Thors friends... probably here to check on us nothing more alright?” Loki reassured you with his unburned hand while he used his charm to cool down the door knob and turn it clicking it open to two figures infron of the door in full armour.

“We need your help-” 

“Don’t open the door.” Loki said slamming it shut understanding what his wife meant.

“You keeping this door close won’t make us leave.”

“Its below cold neb maybe you can stay but im leaving after 5 min.”

“Your child was promised a walk in the park today, you don’t want to break that do you?” Nebulas voice peer through the door. 

“Atlas? We need to stay-

“NO YOU PROMISED IF- 

“ENOUGH CHILD GO TO YOUR QUARTERS.” Loki shouted back for the first time in his life. Atlas feared his father for the first time as Loki covered his mouth realising he’s slipping to become his father. 

“Ok lets breathe, Atlas walk down to the park with Meek only alright ?”

“Yay... yes mummy... who are the strange people by the door ? Are they taking you and papa away?”

“No never, were not leaving you anytime soon, now go have fun.” you reassured as you kissed his forhead and he runs out while pulling his scarf of the hanger rack from the side of the entrance. 

The door opens as he runs through between the two Avengers. 

“We need to talk.” Nebula said.

Both you and Loki sighed knowing what the talk might be about.

“So whos bright idea are we handling? Stark? Steve? Nat ? Bruce?”

“Scott’s.” Rhodey blurted out rubbing his two temples.

“Whats a Scott.” Loki sneered while pouring tea for the both of them. 

You were on the couch rubbing your thumbs nervously trying to come up with the words you wanted to say. 

“When we said drop by anytime, this was not something we imagined.” Loki said using his magic to hand over the tea cups.

“This was a last minute thing.”

“We need you both to tell us information about the reality stone. Then we and the team would conjure a time heist to the past to retrieve the stones and we need you to help us out.”

“We will tell you everything you need to know about the ether and its where abouts but nothing more.” You finally say standing your ground.

“We know you’ve lost friends even family but the earth needs your help.”

“No, we’ve lost Asgardians who really are gone, meaning whatever timeline you want to go back to won’t bring them back.” You retorted back as your voice start to crack and your start to tremble. 

“Sush, hush my love, I’m here… I’m here. Im right here.” Loki said placing your head towards his. 

“I think you should leave…”

“You need to consider how much help you could give to us.”

“Leave…”You said gritting your teeth. Trying to contain your sobs.

Nebula and Rodhey don’t hesitate to get up from their chairs and walk towards the door until Nebula stops. 

“I had a sister, shes really gone too. Im still here because sometimes the world can’t give back no matter how much you give it.” Nebula said. You hold your husband tighter as they left with that final statement. 

2 days since then adn that final statement hasn’t left your head. 

You thought about everything you have ever stood for for the past hundreds of years of your Asgardian life. Has anything every stopped you then why should anything stop you now ? 

Then your son runs into the room with his father playing with his old battle helmet. Is that really why you stopped ? just the additional? Maybe helping those that still can be helped wouldn’t be so bad after all.

The night came as you and Loki tucked Atlas into bed and read him his favourite story. “Father, Mother you wont be going anywhere like Laurel and Mia right.”

“We’re here my darling.”

“We are right here.” you reassured as you kissed him goodnight.

In your bedroom you and Loki started from throwing flirtatious comments to throwing eachother around the room. While you two where going at it something caught the corner of your eye. Your spear, the thing that helped you fought through thick and thin the form of loyalty unbreakable and althee trustworthy. Loki stopped placing kisses on your neck as he sighed feeling the tension of the room wasn’t as steamy as it use to be. 

“You’re thinking about the heist correct?.”

“I have no idea what that is.. Midgardian slang?” 

“Y/N…” Oh no, he only uses your name when it comes to something serious. 

“I only refused because you refused…” Loki unfolded himself from you as he rested back on the the beds headrest. “ Do not fight urges my love, they are the hardest enemies to defeat you know. Accept them as they are…”

“Atlas…” 

“Will have Korg, Valkyrie Meek and many others to protect… And even so we wont be gone forever…”

Somehow that last sentence that seems so likely always seemed to be proven wrong. 

“Lets go crack of dawn.”

----------

The last few words weren’t enough, the kisses weren’t long enough with Atlas, the hugs weren’t tight enough. Your worried face concerns Loki as he places a hand over yours.

Loki was right what is there to worry about. You both enter the huge mention you both were once in before. A robotic voice informed that everyone was in the meeting room. So the both of you grabbed your bags and followed the signs towards the meeting room. You slowly heard the sound of an old friend that despite living next to eachother you still haven’t seen so often after the war.

“So you see Jane was an old flame of mine who- who I don’t even know and don’t know where they are…”

“And a topic we wish to not see you touch with a 19 foot spear brother…”

“Ah Loki!!!.”

“Ei we were wondering when the lovebirds were going to join us.”

“Welcome back..”

“Don’t get to comfortable, we are only here to hepl info then-” You face Nebulas anticipated face. “We will see what the future results bring us.” 

“GREAT… shots!!!.”Thor cheered.

“No brother you sit down and my lovely darling please continue…” Loki said using his magic to sit Thor back in his chair. “Right, the aether, also known as the reality stone, has the power to change every molecule and atom that exists within its reach. Jane Foster found it in an abandoned building on Midgard, England to be specific. And for some lousy idiotic reason with her so called bloody PHDs she didn’t even bother think twice and not touch it. The aether stuck itself to her and as seen by screens on asgard the energy was polluting her atoms and her bloodstream cells causing her to be sick and killing her slowly. What we need, is a molecular selective bioneedle to not just absorb but literally suck out every inch of that red piece of shit.”

“Wow girl knows her stuff.”

“I need a drink.”

“You came?.”  Nebula said sitting down beside you. “Yeah well otherwise the thing you told me would haunt me for the rest of my life and I can’t have that.” you giggled back 

“You’ll do fine, you’ll be fine.” She reassured.

“Y/N sister your drink…” Thor said sitting down in between you as Loki sat next to you and wrapped his arm around you tightly.

           The men scampered about, catering to them with trays of food and drink. Loki liked this set up. He had increased respect for the queen/mother for commanding such reverence by just entering a room.

           As they approached the circle of women in the center of the room, Loki noticed they were eating something that looked rather like sugar. He laughed internally, thinking these people were quite like bees in their mannerisms.

           She invited he and Kuna to sit upon one of the fluffy couches amongst the other women. She herself, sat on a gorgeous white marble throne cast with soft furs and pillows. The men scampered over and offered her a drink and food, but she dismissively waved them away with her hand. They then treated to Loki and Kuna. Loki took a drink and encouraged Kuna to do the same.

           “Take what you like,” he told her. “It’s polite and respectful to take food and drink that’s offered you.”

           Kuna took a cup from the man and a small piece of fruit from the tray. “Thank you, sir,” she said. The man bowed to her, then to the queen and ran off. A few giggles rang up from the women around them. Kuna shyly ate her fruit and drank.

           “This is an extraordinary hive, your majesty,” Loki said. “Am I using your proper titles? Please, correct me if I am not.”

           “You may call me Shakk’uri, if it pleases you.”

           “Very well,” Loki said, smiling. “Shall we discuss our stone then, Shakk’uri?”

           “Let my girls see it,” she said, waving to the other women. “Ladies, this was the man causing all the commotion in the market today. He has a beautiful gem to show us.”

           Loki smirked as the women sat up in their recliners, their interest piqued by the strangers before them. He revealed the diamond from his pocket. Gasps of shock and awe echoed around the room. They leaned in to get a better view of the diamond in his hands.

           “I’ve never seen anything like it,” one woman said. “Have you?”

           “No, it’s delightful,” another said.

           “It’s so big.”

           “Where did you find it?” one asked Loki.

           “Lopt, here, has declined to share that information with us,” Shakk’uri explained. “As a true negotiator would,” she added with smirk in his direction.

           The women seemed a little disappointed, slumping back in their chairs a little. Loki loved having this much control over a situation. Especially, when he could see how much it affected these women. He smiled thoughtfully at them.

           “My apologies, ladies,” he said. “But some things must be kept secret for… business related purposes. I’m sure you understand.”

           “Well, then, let’s discuss our price,” Shakk’uri said. The women sat up again; at attention now.

           “Let’s,” Loki said.

           “I will offer you 500 million Xandarian units,” Shakk’uri said. Her voice was even and stern.

           “Ooooh,” Loki said, taking the low ball as a bit of a blow. Kuna looked up at him. She could not count very high herself but Loki’s tone made it sound like Shakk’uri had bid far too low. She looked at her hands and counted on her fingers. Five was definitely less fingers than seven.

“Hmm,” Loki continued. “You see, it is my desire to learn more about your culture. You seem to be new to the Nova Corps as I’ve never heard of your planet before. Are you still transitioning to their ‘units’?”

           “Yes, we are,” Shakk’uri said.

           “Are your native monies still accepted by your people?”

           Shakk’uri was intrigued. “Yes,” she said.

           “They still hold value?”

           “Yes.”

           “Then I desire to receive payment in your currency. What’s it called?”

           “We use a coin-based currency called the Shap’ak.”

           “And what is the value of this diamond in Shap’aks?”

           The women around him looked at each other, confused. “You do realize, Mr. Lopt, that our currency cannot be used anywhere else in the galaxy?”

           “Oh yes, of course,” he said. “The Nova Corps are a wondrous little organization but - and this is between us, of course - I have little desire to switch to their currency either.”

           “And why is it that you wish to stay hidden from the Nova Corps?” Shakk’uri said. Loki knew she was clever.

           “I am simply a traveler,” Loki said. “All we wish to do is sell this rock, gather some supplies, and lay low. It is not the Nova Corps we wish to hide from, it is their enemies.” He put his hand on Kuna’s back.

           Shakk’uri looked at him and then to the small child beside him. She did not know how to read this man and she did not like how she could not. It made her feel vulnerable. She then glanced down at the child, quietly eating her snack. Perhaps, it was her captors that they were running from. Perhaps Lopt was just trying to protect her.

           “Very well,” she said. “I can offer you one trillion Shap’aks for this diamond.”

           “Three,” Loki rebounded quickly. Shakk’uri smiled. “I mean, I’m sure you have a lot of them just lying around now that you’re being registered for units.”

           “Two and a half,” she responded.

Loki considered this offer. He looked up at the dome above him. A small circular opening let in natural light and air. He took a deep breath and looked back at Shakk’uri.

“Two and a half million Shap’aks and I will let you stay in my hive for as long as you wish,” she added.

           Loki considered this new offer. He looked down at Kuna. She stared at him, cocking her head to the side. She had no idea what was going on except that the adults in the room were bidding on something. She knew a lot about bidding. That’s what all the masters did at the slave auctions. Loki gave her a little wink, then looked back at the queen.

           “I will accept this offer,” he said. The women looked relieved. They all started whispering to each other. “However, may I see your currency before we settle this?”

           “You are very inquisitive, indeed, Lopt,” she said. She waved her hand and a man skittered over. She whispered something to him, and he scampered away, returning a few moments later with a large purse.

           Shakk’uri dipped her hand into it and revealed an assortment of small golden coins. Embedded in each one was a precious jewel of a different color. Loki took a deep breath, raising his eyebrows. He had seen these being traded in the market.

           “They’re beautiful,” he said, taking a few from her hand. “Look at these, Kuna. Have you ever seen anything like them?” He offered Kuna a handful.

She stared at them in her hands. She had never held money before. Ever. She swallowed hard and looked back up at Loki, shaking her head.

Shakk’uri smiled at the precious girl. “Come here, Kuna,” she instructed her. “Come sit with me.”

Kuna looked up at Loki, as if asking permission. He gestured for her to go. “Go ahead,” he said, chuckling a little that she’d ask him. He was smiling and if he thought it was okay then Kuna did too. She hopped down from the couch and slunk over to Shakk’uri. She picked her up gently and set her down on her lap.

           Loki was beginning to like having this child around. Women could be so easily taken by children.

           So are you apparently, the voice said from its cell in the dark corner of his mind. Loki pushed him away.

           Shakk’uri put her hand on Kuna’s arm, gently rubbing it. Loki could tell that Kuna was a little uncomfortable from all the attention. She pulled her hands up to her neck and fiddled with the collar.

           “Tell me more about her,” Shakk’uri said to Loki. “Who would keep such a beautiful child as a slave.” The other women gasped at the revelation. Loki was a little annoyed at the sudden change in conversation. He wanted to make this deal. He wanted to see more of this currency.

           “Well, I was exploring a world in a faraway system. One that is not yet included in the Nova Corps,” he began. “And probably for good reason. They’re incredibly primitive, it would seem. This world, called Torileena, was covered in these immensely large trees. They were so tall they seemed to touch the sky.” The women all leaned into his story. At least he had their attention.

           “I found Kuna being dangled over a cliff by a chain,” he said to gasps by the women. “Her ‘masters’ were using her as live bait for these ferocious beasts called kapka.”

           Kuna shuddered a little from the memory. Shakk’uri pulled her closer, comforting her.

           “They were horrendous to her. Kicking her and beating her. I could not just leave her there in such a condition, so I pushed the men over the side of the cliff and into the jaws of the disgusting creatures.”

           “Serves them right,” one of the women said.

           “How awful,” another.

           “Kuna was alone with them,” Loki continued. “I had already met a rather unsavory beast wandering the woods that had tried to kill me and only just survived. I could not leave her there, so I took her with me. And here we are,” he said.

           “How terrible, my dear,” Shakk’uri said, looking at Kuna. “I will ensure we get those awful chains off you. And a nice, warm bath and plenty of food. Of course, if that’s alright with Lopt.”

           “Yes, that was my intention as well,” he said.

           “Tell me, darling. How long have you been a slave?”

           Kuna did not like this question. “Um, um, almost my whole life, your majesty,” she whispered.

           “How old are you, my love?”

           Loki was interested in this information too. Kuna had been so sick and weak; he had not had the chance to learn more about her.

           “I – I’m only two centuries old,” she said.

           “Oh, so young,” Shakk’uri admitted.

What would she know, Loki thought to himself? Two hundred years could be five years for her people or a thousand years for another planet. It was good information to have, though. Kuna seemed to be of the ‘immortal’ type. She’d live for several thousand years or so not a few blinks of an eye like the humans.

“What happened to your mother?” Shakk’uri asked Kuna.

           Kuna was confused by the question but hung her head. “Mommy and daddy didn’t want me anymore.”

           There were gasps and angry muttering from the women.

           “What sort of monsters are her people?”

           “Who would do such a thing?”

           “What sort of people keep children as slaves?”

           “What does she mean her mother and father didn’t want her?

           Loki felt for Kuna. She was not alone in the struggle of parents not wanting their children. He felt a heat rise in his chest at the thought of his biological parents and of Odin.

           “The father should have been grateful to even have the chance of siring a child,” one woman said.

           “How barbaric of a mother to give up her child.”

           “Ladies, please,” Shakk’uri calmed them with a wave of her hand. “We don’t know about their culture. They could still think men and women are equal.”

Loki looked around mischievously. He tried not to laugh at what they thought was ‘primitive’. He did not want to disrespect them, especially, when he was so close to getting himself and Kuna a ton of gold and jewels that actually were valuable.

Kuna was very confused and very uncomfortable. She had few memories of her real parents -none of them good- and she did not want to remember them. She also did not want to disrespect the queen even though she wanted off her lap and to sit beside Loki again. So, she lowered her head and stayed still.

“Well, now, my dear,” Shakk’uri said. “You’re safe now. You seem to be in good hands.” She looked up at Lopt who was watching Kuna. He was looking thoughtfully at the child, his green eyes full of a deep sadness. “So, Lopt, what do you think of our deal?”

He straightened up. “I think it’s perfectly agreeable. Once the Shap’aks are all assembled and counted, I will give you the stone.”

“Very well, then,” she said, extending her hand to him. “We have a deal.”

Loki stood and gracefully took her hand, shaking it. Kuna looked up at him and to his surprise, lifted her arms to him as if wanting to be picked up. He smiled and lifted the child out of Shakk’uri’s lap and sat down again. The queen called over another scurrying man and instructed him to collect the two and a half trillion Shap’aks Loki had been promised. Kuna hugged him. He was surprised by her sudden need to be touched. She had been so instinctively afraid of his touch until now.

Then, he remembered the little groot toy she had wanted in the market. “Oh,” he said. “I’ve just remembered the toy I promised you.” She looked up at him with her big eyes. He looked at the queen and explained, “We were looking through the market and I told her she could pick out whatever toy she wanted. She found a little toy groot at one of the vendors, but, as we did not have any money, the owner would not allow her to have it. He was a little gruff about it, come to think of it, even though I promised him cash upon return.

“Will you please excuse us for a while so I can fulfill my promise to her?”

Shakk’uri smiled warmly, “Of course.” She gave him the large bag filled with Shap’aks.

“What do you think? Do you want to go get that groot?” Loki asked Kuna.

Kuna nodded, smiling with tears in her eyes. Her very first ever toy. She couldn’t wait any longer. They stood and bowed to the queen and the ladies and left the hive.

“What did you think of all that?” Loki asked her, picking her up and propping her on his hip as they walked outside.

“Um,” she said, fiddling with her collar.

“Oh come on,” Loki prompted her. “What’d you think?”

“That was a little weird,” she said, after some consideration.

“Ha, yeah, it was,” Loki chuckled. “It’s always interesting to find about what other cultures and peoples view as normal or strange or outlandish.”

They made their way to the marketplace with the purse full of Shap’aks the queen had given them. Kuna was still thinking about all the ladies calling the queen ‘mother’.

“Do you think she’s the mom of all of them? Like ants or bees?” she asked, inquisitively.

Loki smiled. He knew she was clever. Beneath all that nervous, jumpy exterior was an inquisitive, observant little girl.

“Yes, I do think there’s something like that going on here. Perhaps, we can ask her to tell us more when we return.”

Kuna nodded. Then, she saw the vendor they had been to before. Loki put her down and she jumped up on the stool again, scanning to table for her groot. She couldn’t find it. She looked again to make sure she hadn’t missed it, hiding under all the other toys.

“Hmm,” Loki said. “I don’t see it. Sir,” he addressed the same gross looking being from before. He was definitely not native Tenanciian. Loki didn’t know what he was. He was squat and fat with disgusting pink, wrinkly skin. “Sir, where is the little groot toy we were looking at before? Did you place it behind the counter?”

“Nah,” he spat back at him. “That kid there’s bought it.”

Loki and Kuna turned to see a male Tenanciian with a small child hugging the little toy. Loki looked down at Kuna. He could see her disappointment. A small tear trailed down her face but she quickly wiped it away. Loki panicked. He didn’t like seeing her cry so much. He glared at the fat man, who smiled smugly back at him.

“Come on, Kuna,” he said, taking her hand. “We’ll find a better toy somewhere else. These are all poorly made anyways. I’m sure there are better ones at another stall.”

The fat man glowered at Loki but made a movement for him to stop, not wanting to miss out on a sale. Loki ignored him with a flippant toss of his hair and walked away with Kuna.

She was quiet and watched the ground as they walked. Loki picked her up again.

“He was a meany, anyways,” he said. “We’ll find you a better a toy. There’s tons of stalls here.”

The walked for a little while, passing all the stalls. Some sold clothing, others bags, others weapons and armor. There was an array of items being sold from all over the galaxy. Loki noticed Tenanciians spending a mixture of Shap’aks and Xandarian units. His eyes fell on a small shop selling Asgardian goods. He did a doubletake at the familiar linens and fabrics.

Interested in what they had to sell, Loki approached the very non-Asgardian salesman. The vendor appeared to be from Vanaheim with his pin straight black hair and almond shaped eyes. On the table, there was a spread of Asgardian weapons and armor, along with some clothing and jewelry. Loki examined the items while Kuna still looked about for a toy stand.

“Do you have anything that’s child sized?” Loki asked, taking Kuna under her arms and showing him her size by extending her out in front of him. Kuna looked around, shyly, before Loki put her back on his hip. The Vana smiled and picked up a small chest from behind the draped table.

“Please, have a look, sir,” he said.

Loki opened the box and began thumbing through the clothing. “You’re a long way from home,” he observed to the vendor.

“I am a traveler, my friend,” the Vana explained. “Selling goods from the Nine Realms to fund my travels and my family.”

“Ahh,” Loki breathed, not looking up at him.

“You too, seem far from home.” Loki looked up in shock. Had this Vana recognized him from Asgard? He had hoped the disguise would help him from being recognized. The man pointed to his mouth. “You’re accent,” he said.

“Ah, yes,” Loki said. “We’re traveling too, aren’t we?” he said, nudging Kuna a little.

“It is good to be away from the Nine Realms in these troubling times, yes?”

“Troubling times?” Loki said, acting surprised. “Do you have news from the Realms?”

“It has been many, many centuries since I’ve been there but my wife has contacted me, saying that the Realms have erupted into chaos since the death of one of the Asgardian princes.” Loki’s heart was beginning to race. He couldn’t read this man. Had he recognized him or not.

“Mmm. Yes, I do remember hearing of Loki’s death,” he said. Kuna turned her head to look at him. She hadn’t fully been listening to their conversation. “If I remember correctly, he destroyed the Asgardians’ Bifrost and nearly destroyed Jotunheim as well. Perhaps, he deserved what became of him. Is your wife safe?”

“Oh, yes. She is,” he said. Loki was relieved for changing the subject. “She and my sons are gathering more materials for us to sell. They will be joining me on Tenanci’i soon.”

“That’s good. This seems to be a uniquely peaceful place.”

“It truly is lovely,” the man said, looking around thoughtfully. “Here, I have something special that may suit what you are searching for.” He ducked back into his covered stall and returned with a beautiful light blue and brown noble Asgardian child’s garment. Loki took it from the man, who ducked back into the stall once more.

Loki kept his eyes on him but handed the outfit to Kuna. “What do you think, little one?” he asked her. “For you.”

She felt the fabric in her hands. It was soft and warm. The man reappeared with a small cloak and some tiny boots. “These were made in the Asgardian garment district. They are genuine Asgardian ovis wool. Breathable and soft but will keep you warm in the coldest of climes,” he said gesturing to the tunic and trousers in Kuna’s hand. “And these are bilgesnipe leather boots,” he continued, showing her the wee boots. “They will protect your little feet from anything. Completely watertight and warm.” He set them down in front of Loki on the table and lifted the cloak. “But this is what I wish to show you. Here, have a feel.”

Loki and Kuna both felt the soft, deep blue cloak. It was trimmed with a silver lining, knitting itself in delicate knotted patterns all around the outside the border of the cloak. Kuna let out an ardent breath, admiring the beautiful needlework. Loki too felt a pang of homesickness which he quickly buried.

“This would be a wonderful compliment to these garments, but it is not just a beautiful piece, it will protect you well. For this needlework is enchanted to protect the wearer from any projectile or melee attack like a fabric shield.”

Loki smiled. He thought he could feel magic in its fibers. Kuna pulled her hand away and looked up at Loki.

“It’s alright,” he said, sensing her fear. “I think it would be very useful for you. And this outfit would look lovely on you. Can she try it on?”

“Yes, of course!” the man said, smiling. “Come this way.”

Loki stepped cautiously behind the counter and followed the man behind the Vanir decorated tarp.

“Here,” he said. “I will give you some privacy.”

Loki nodded and the man stepped out. Loki listened, making sure the man stayed put in the stall and didn’t run to the nearest Nova Corp crony. Satisfied that the man had gone back to his work and not to tattle, Loki turned to little Kuna.

“Here, let’s try this on,” he said, crouching to her level.

She shyly turned away. “I can’t have a magic cape,” she said.

“And why not? Don’t you think it’s pretty?”

She nodded, staring at it longingly. “But it’s magic,” she said, pulling her eyes away to look at Loki again.

“What’s wrong with that?”

“Well – well, I’m a slave. I can’t have magic things.”

“You are not a slave anymore, Kuna,” Loki told her, firmly. “You are free now. You can do whatever you like. If you like this cloak, I want to get it for you.” She still looked unsure.

“Let’s try on the outfit first,” Loki said, setting aside the cloak. He made another peek outside. The Vana stood, helping another customer buy a leather purse. He turned back to Kuna and started to lift her ragged shirt, if that’s what you could call it. It was more like a burlap sack. “Let’s get your shirt off.” Kuna pulled away from him, nearly falling over in fear. She shook her head and sniffled.

“Kuna, it’s alright,” he said. “We need to get this off you. Look at it, it’s filthy.”

Kuna had never had a different shirt. This is the one she had always had. The one they’d given her when her mommy and daddy sold her to the stockyard.

“You can’t possibly be attached to it,” Loki said.

“I- I- I’ve never had anything else,” she stammered.

“All the more reason to take it off,” Loki replied shortly, his brow raised.

“P-please don’t take it off,” she whispered. “I’ll be good.” She spoke as if she’d misbehaved. Loki looked at her, confused.

“It’s fine, Kuna. You’ve not been bad. I just want you to try on this cute outfit.”

Kuna took a deep breath and removed the sack herself. Loki’s heart sank at the sight of her bared torso and back. Layers of scars from years of floggings and beatings crisscrossed her front and back. Some far newer than others, still healing with thick, crusty, infected scabs.

“Oh, Kuna,” Loki breathed.

Suddenly, rather ashamed of her appearance, she folded her arms.

“No. It’s alright,” he said, gently pulling her arms away and holding her hands. He looked at her softly, “I’m sorry that they’ve done this to you. You’re too young to suffer this much.”

She looked down. “That’s what I’m for,” she said, dejectedly. She believed it.

“That’s nonsense!” Loki said, dispirited by her response. “That is not what you’re for. Not anymore. You’re free now and you’re with me so that basically makes you a princess,” he said lowering his voice so the Vana would not hear. “No one is ever going to hurt you like this again. And I’ll pinky swear to that too,” he said, lifting his pinky to her. She shook her head and looked at her feet.

“Come on,” he encouraged her. “Try on this cute shirt and trousers. Then, we’ll go find you a new toy.”

She looked up at him, her eyes filled yet again with tears. He rolled up the tunic and held it in front of her. She put her arms through the arm holes, and he lifted it over her head. Adjusting it on her small frame, he found it was a little too big for her. As he tightened the sash around her waist, the garment suddenly shrank before his eyes, perfectly adjusting to her size. He raised a brow, but Kuna nearly leapt out of it.

“No, no,” he said, steadying her. “It’s alright. I didn’t realize it would do that or I would have warned you. This appears to be enchanted too which is good, because the trousers should fit as well.

She removed her tattered trousers and he helped her into the new ones. They too, shrank to fit her stick-thin legs. She stepped into the boots which also shrank to her size. Loki draped the cloak over her shoulders and anchored it with the knotwork fibulae on the front of the tunic. He sat back on his haunches and looked her up and down.

“You look stunning,” he said. Kuna sniveled a little at his comment. All these compliments in one day were far too much for her little, abused mind. “Turn around and have a look in the mirror.”

She did so and was amazed by her reflection. Looking past her matted hair and dirty face, she nearly cried at how pretty she looked. She put her hands to her neck and looked at her whole body. She looked like the rich boys and girls on Torileena and the other planets in her home-system. The knotwork on the garments was so pretty. She traced it with her fingers.

Loki watched her appreciate herself for probably the first time in her life. “See? What did I tell you? This is perfect for you. And practical too,” he said, thinking of the armor enchantments on it. He helped her take it off and put her old clothes on. “When we return to the hive, I’ll give you a nice warm bath so you can appreciate these clothes with a clean body, huh?” She nodded, still in wonder at the gift he was giving her.

They stepped back outside, and Loki nodded to the Vana man. “Yes, I think these will work perfectly,” he said. The Vana smiled. “And such a perfect fit,” Loki laughed.

“Ah, yes,” the Vana replied. “The Asgardian garment mages produce some of the finest garments in all the worlds I’ve ever been to. I hope it reminds you fondly of home.”

Loki paid for the garments in Shap’aks which the man gladly accepted. He leaned in closer to Loki, putting his hand up to shield his words. “I don’t want to tell the Tenanciians that the Nova Corps are duping them with their strange digital currency. This is far more valuable,” he whispered, flipping the Shap’aks in his hand.

Loki nodded with a smile. “Me either,” he said.

Loki also purchased a nicely made Norn leather satchel to hold their new belongings. While Kuna looked at the other garments on display, Loki saw a rather lovely looking celestial steel dagger. It was perfect for Kuna; just her size. It was not Asgardian. It looked as if it were made for a light elf, but he could see the Dwarven makers mark. He picked it up.

“Oh, I knew you had good taste, sir,” the Vana said to him. Loki put his finger to his lips and darted his eyes to the girl. The man took the hint and smiled, nodding.

“Eitri,” Loki breathed. The dwarf king from Nidavellir, it was his mark. The star forge had made this blade. Loki wondered how the man had acquired such an item but not wanting to offend him, kept his thoughts to himself. He wondered if he even knew who had made it. It was intricately woven with elven-style knotwork on the handle. The blade itself was engraved with the same motif. He purchased it and quickly tucked it away in his satchel before Kuna could see.

Clearly, the Shap’aks they had been given were worth quite a lot as they had barely used any to pay for all these expensive things. “Come, Kuna. Let’s get you a toy,” he said. Kuna bounced over to him and took his hand. “Thank you so much, sir, for your hospitality and kindness. It’s been very nice visiting with you. I wish you and your family well.”